JAPAN’s international arrivals have recovered to near pre-disaster levels, with inbound numbers from the three key markets of China, Taiwan and Hong Kong showing signs of resurgent demand.

Overall, arrivals to Japan in January were down by 4.1 per cent year-on-year, according to the latest figures provided by the Japan National Tourism Organization. Japan received some 138,400 Chinese visitors during this time, a 39.6 per cent jump over the same period last year. Inbound numbers from Taiwan and Hong Kong increased by 29.6 per cent and 40.9 per cent, respectively.

However, other source markets remain weak, especially the country’s top market, South Korea—down by 35.4 per cent compared to January 2011. Volume from Australia, the UK, France, Germany and Russia remains fragile as well.

One of the areas worst hit by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Sendai, is showing faint signs of a protracted recovery.

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily during the Visit Japan Travel Trade Meet in Singapore, Hiroki Ichikawa, officer, international economy and tourism department, city of Sendai, Economic Affairs Bureau said: “Even though overall foreign arrivals (to Sendai) are still down by about 80 per cent as of January compared to last year, visitors from Hong Kong and Taiwan are trickling in, and domestic tourism, which remains relatively strong, continues to prop our tourism industry.”

Ichikawa added that the China market to Sendai should improve once flights operated by Air China from Shanghai, Beijing and Dalian to Sendai Airport – which were suspended immediately after the tragedy – are restored in March.

According to Sam How, general manager, Asia-Euro Holidays Singapore, besides fear over radiation fallout, the lingering perception of Japan as an expensive destination was a damper on demand.

“However, with airfares being slashed and numerous offers on the table, Japan is now more affordable than ever,” he said. “Subsequently, those who never considered Japan before will be enticed to visit. This is Japan’s golden window of opportunity.”

THE PROVINCE of Palawan in the Philippines has been on the receiving end of heightened international attention ever since once of its main attractions, the Puerto Princesa Underground River, was nominated in the New7Wonders of Nature competition.

Promoted extensively by the Philippine government over the course of the contest, then confirmed in January as one of two winners along with South Korea’s Jeju Island, the campaign provided a welcome boost for the province’s tourism profile.

Extended marketing efforts by the country’s Department of Tourism are also on the cards this year.

Clang Garcia, managing director of Jeepney Tours and Travel Manila said: “Palawan has gained in awareness and popularity since Puerto Princesa’s nomination. It has ignited the curiosity of foreign travellers, who are coming to the province to explore its white sand beaches and pristine islands.”

John Paul Cabalza, managing director of Cencorp Travel and Tours Manila said, “Numerous hotels and resorts in Palawan are gearing for good occupancy. We are looking at substantial increases…and are very bullish about Puerto Princesa.”

Regarded as a backpackers’ haven in the past, Palawan has figured prominently among various companies’ inbound programmes since 2010/2011, and is now promoted as a luxury long-stay destination offering island tours, shipwreck diving, and ‘ultimate getaway’ experiences on exclusive islets.

Various infrastuctural developments will provide the foundations for the expected influx of tourism, such as improvements on the 50-km route between Puerto Princesa and Sabang—where the Underground River is located, thereby cutting down travel time to 1.5 hours.

Puerto Princesa’s airport is also due for expansion into an international gateway. Though this is still in the works, Palawan now receives as many as twelve inbound flights a day, compared to just one previously.

On the inventory front, recent additions include Puerto Princesa’s inaugural four-star property, the 111-room Hotel Centro. Budget accommodation is provided by Microtel Inn & Suites under the Wyndham brand, as well as Robinsons Land Corporation’s soon-to-be-opened Go Hotel.

SRI LANKA is planning to make up for this year’s low season shortfall by drawing foreign fans to watch live matches at a major international cricket tournament taking place in the country from September 18-October 7.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 tournament is our biggest event for the year,” said Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) managing director, Rumy Jaufer.

“It is happening at a good time because September is our off season. We are expecting at least 10,000-15,000 fans from abroad, mostly from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.”

Sri Lanka’s peak season is usually between November-April.

According to Jaufer, around 8,000 hotel rooms have been booked so far for the biennial tournament, which will see matches played in Colombo and other cities across the country. Another 8,000 rooms are expected to be snapped up before the event begins.

Chandra Mohotti, senior vice president of the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo, said one of the challenges was providing enough rooms for the influx of cricket fans.

“There is no seasonal (shortfall) as far as city hotels are concerned. Colombo hotels are experiencing great occupancies with corporate travellers, investors and Sri Lankan expatriates,” he said, adding that the ongoing refurbishment of the 250-room Ceylon Continental Hotel meant 10 per cent of the capital’s inventory would be unavailable.

Meanwhile, Jaufer said cable news broadcaster ESPN would feature various cultural sites, wildlife parks and beaches during live coverage of the matches, while SLTPB would organise fam trips for some 300 foreign journalists during the tournament. “This is a great promotional event for cricket-crazy Sri Lanka,” he said.

Helanka Vacations Colombo has also jumped on the bandwagon to put together special packages for cricket fans, replicating the three- to five-day tours it organised during last year’s ICC Cricket World Cup jointly hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh.

ACCOR has revamped its Grand Mercure brand in China, offering products and services tailored for local clientele, in a move aimed at taking advantage of the booming upscale domestic travel market.

“Our clients are now expecting brands capable of understanding the diversity and the complexity of their identity,” said Grégoire Champetier, chief marketing officer of Accor.

“With Grand Mercure, the group demonstrates its ability to have more flexible brands, that are locally relevant.”

The re-engineered branding for Grand Mercure, referred to in Mandarin as Mei Jue, was unveiled at the inauguration of Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya, the first hotel adapted to the new positioning.

The group’s nine other similarly branded properties in China are due to adopt the new identity, which will see the practicing of ceremonies exemplifying elements of Chinese culture.

In Shanghai, for example, employees will be conversant in the local Shanghainese language, and guests will be welcomed by staff wearing Qipao, a traditional evening dress.

All local staff will be identified with name badges bearing firstly Chinese characters, followed by a pinyin translation enabling them to use their given names rather than adopting foreign equivalents.

Other signature services include daily Tai chi lessons, lavender-scented bathroom amenities, and complimentary head and shoulder massages for guests staying on premium floors.

Since launching this evolved version of the brand, Accor has confirmed commitments for ten more Grand Mercures in China.

Sam Shih, chairman and COO, Accor Greater China, said: “The Grand Mercure brand provides Accor with a fresh platform for organic upscale expansion throughout the country.”

SOFITEL Luxury Hotels has officially opened the Sofitel So Bangkok, the second global address for the design-focused brand after Sofitel So Mauritius.

“With the opening of this hotel, we are able to diversify our offering in this city with a unique designer establishment aimed at a more urban clientèle,” said Robert Gaymer-Jones, CEO Sofitel Worldwide.

Situated close to Bangkok’s business district and Lumpini Park, Sofitel So Bangkok offers 238 Apple Computer-powered guestrooms and suites.

The hotel features three F&B outlets – including a themed eatery, a rooftop restaurant-bar and a chocolate deli – as well as a fitness centre, a spa, and a swimming pool.

MICE facilities include a 380m² pillar-less ballroom, and various meeting rooms—including one suspended in mid-air with three glass walls overlooking the city.

In related developments for the brand, two new Sofitel So properties are under construction in Mumbai and Singapore.

MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) reported a loss of RM1.28 billion (US$427 million) for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011, bringing the group’s net financial deficit to RM2.52 billion for the entire year.

“The bottom-line group losses for 2011 underscore the imperative need for MAS to immediately adopt strong measures to stop the bleeding,” said MAS group CEO, Ahmad Jauhari Yahya.

“These include staff redeployment, increasing productivity and efficiency, relentless cost control and making further route reviews. We are (also) implementing an aggressive sales and marketing strategy.”

MAS’ full year results for 2011 come on the back of a two-per cent rise in group revenue and 1.3 million increase in passenger numbers handled compared to the year before.

However, performance was impacted by a 21-per cent hike in expenditure over the previous year, attributed to 33 per cent and 15 per cent year-on-year increases in fuel cost and non-fuel expenses, respectively.

“The accounts for the year under review recognise provisions and escalating operational costs which although painful, give us a holistic snapshot of the organisation,” said Ahmad Jauhari.

“With full knowledge of our actual position, we will be better prepared to move forward,” he added.

Reporting by N. Nithiyananthan

THE GOVERNMENT of Gifu prefecture in Japan has unveiled two new expressway toll passes targeted at foreign self-drive tourists.

Introduced in partnership with the Toyota Rent-A-Lease Aichi and Central Nippon Expressway companies, the Hayatabi Central Nippon Expressway Pass 2012 G-Pass A and G-Pass S allow travellers to drive along specific toll expressways in Gifu prefecture at discounted rates.

Drivers are provided with an electronic toll collection pass, which facilitates automatic toll payment on expressways, as part of car rental services offered by Toyota.

G-Pass A, which includes routes through the Japan Alps, is priced at ¥7,000 (US$87) excluding car rental, while G-Pass S, which covers expressways along the coast of the Japan Sea, costs ¥9,000. Both routes start from Chubu International Airport, and pass through the city of Nagoya as well as major tourist sites such as Hikone and Takayama.

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily at the Visit Japan Travel Trade Meet in Singapore, Gifu Prefecture Tourism Federation director, Toshiyasu Kataoka, said: “This is the first time that Gifu has developed a toll pass especially for international arrivals. This was introduced as we wish to capitalise on the growing demand for self-drive holidays among international tourists. Hokkaido introduced a similar scheme last year, and to bolster tourism, we decided to do the same.”

Kataoka added that normally, tourists bypass Gifu when travelling between Tokyo and Osaka, and the federation was hoping for the new initiative to help divert some tourist traffic to the prefecture.

Both passes are valid for seven consecutive days after purchase, and will only be issued on condition that a vehicle is rented from the Toyota booth located at Chubu International Airport, which is the main international gateway for the central region of Japan.

The self-drive promotion runs from March 21 till June 30, with applications to be submitted latest by June 24.