FIREFLY’S decision to shut its Johor Bahru hub offering direct flights to Indonesia’s Bandung and Surabaya, and East Malaysia’s Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, has met with brickbats from the trade.

Initiated in August, Firefly’s Johor Bahru-Bandung services ceased yesterday, while its Johor Bahru-Surabaya flights will end with the last flight on October 28. The flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, which started in May and June respectively (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 28), were stopped earlier on.

Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents Johor chapter chairman and CK Vacation managing director, Kenny Ngi, expressed frustration over Firefly’s move.

“We are very disappointed with Firefly. It is a drastic move at short notice. The airline should have given a better time frame with a grace period,” he said. “Some (travel agents) had spent money printing brochures and advertisements. While we are upset, there is nothing we can do about it.”

“The biggest (negative) impact is to the image of Firefly and to Johor overall. We won’t trust Firefly anymore,” he added.

With regards to forward bookings already secured, Ngi said Firefly had advised agents to apply for a refund or look for alternatives. “I feel sorry for those who went to Java for the Hari Raya break, and are now stuck there unable to return,” he said.

However, a source in the Johor Bahru branch of Reliance Travel, who declined to be named, said the impact of Firefly’s pullout from Johor was not that great. “For flights from Johor Bahru to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, customers prefer AirAsia,” she explained.

Bandung agents also reacted calmly to Firefly’s pullout, as the airline has not brought much business in its two months of operation there.

Bandung-based Tama Indonesia managing director, Reza Novaldi, pointed out: “In the last two months since its launch, Firefly’s load factor was low. I’m not sure whether many travellers were aware of the service, but clients from Johor still fly AirAsia through Singapore.”

Bandung agents are expecting AirAsia to take up the dropped routes, following its recent cooperative agreement with Firefly’s parent company Malaysia Airlines (MAS) (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 10).

Atalanta Tours Bandung CEO, Ameriawati Atmasubrata, said: “I think the decision has to do with the entry of AirAsia into MAS. If the route between Johor Baru and Bandung is lucrative, AirAsia will take it to increase frequency to Bandung.

“We just need to be patient and wait until MAS and AirAsia finalise their internal consolidation.”

Additional reporting by N. Nithiyananthan

SRI Lanka’s online visa application system for visitors (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 3) will go into operation from beginning of next year.

According to Immigration and Emigration Department controller general, Chulananda Perera, the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will enable travellers to obtain online visa approval within 24 hours of submitting an application for short-term stays.

The system will run parallel to the previous visa on arrival (VOA) scheme, contrary to earlier reports that the VOA would be scrapped (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 30).

A US$50 visa-processing fee will be levied on all travellers for short stays of up to 30 days, while those seeking a VOA must pay US$75. The fees vary for extended stays.

Shiromal Cooray, managing director of Jetwing Travels, said: “We have expressed our concern in the past that this could be an added burden to travellers. For example, for a family of five, it would an additional US$250.”

In addition, all passengers transiting through Sri Lanka will need to pay a US$25 processing fee for a visa, compared to the earlier arrangement where neither visas nor fees were required.

THE ASSOCIATION of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) expects the number of inbound tourists handled by its members to grow by 50 per cent this year, despite concerns over the recent floods in the country, as well as the dismal economic situation in Europe and the US.

According to ATTA president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn, even though members continue to receive forward bookings for the last three months of the year, there have been an increasing number of queries about the floods from key markets such as China and Japan.

“The government should resolve the situation by October, otherwise it would impact the high season,” he said. “They should also send out a message that the flood does not affect major tourist areas.”

Sisdivachr said the burgeoning Asian markets were expected to make up for the possible decline in visitor numbers from Europe and the US.

Between January 1 and September 27 this year, ATTA members handled 2.23 million tourists, a 57.5 per cent jump over the same period last year. The top nine markets for ATTA were from Asia – China, Russia, India, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Indonesia. All registered either double- or triple-digit growth.

The UK came in 10th with a 0.30 per cent increase, while the markets registering declines were Iran, Norway and Germany.

By Sirima Eamtako

THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) has reported that most tourism sites in Chiang Mai have been unaffected by recent floods, while floodwaters which submerged the city’s commercial areas are receding (TTG Asia e-Daily, September 29).

According to TAT Chiang Mai office director, Chalermsak Suranant, the floods in the city centre are confined to two areas near the banks of the Ping River, specifically Chang Klang and Chiang Mai-Lampoon Roads.

The famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and several hotels are located on Chang Klan Road, which remained submerged up to ankle level this morning, while the TAT Chiang Mai office and some hotels and restaurants are located on Chiang Mai-Lampoon Road.

Chalermsak said hotels and establishments around the night bazaar were operating as per normal, with the exception of roadside stalls. “I am now at the Le Meridien hotel (on Chang Klan Road), which is unaffected by the flood. It’s also business as usual at the Centara Duangtawan hotel, which is located nearby,” he said.

Sukanya Janchoo, general manager of dusitD2 and Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, said the floodwaters did not flow into either of the hotels, both located on Chang Klan Road, although the street in front of Dusit Princess remains submerged up to ankle level.

Chalermsak said other tourist areas such as the old quarter around Nimmanhaemin Road, Doi Suthep, the elephant camps, Mae Rim, Bo Sang and San Kamphaeng were untouched by the floods, while flights and other major forms of transportation were operating as per normal.

“Provided there is no more heavy rain, city officials have confirmed that the floodwaters on the two roads should subside by tonight,” he said.

By Sirima Eamtako

WEST Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province is planning to draw MICE to Lombok and Sumbawa islands as one of its major focus areas for tourism development.

The MICE drive forms part of the destination’s new branding strategy, which also focuses on mountains and marine tourism.

Speaking to travel agents and PCOs in Jakarta to introduce its new tagline Lombok Sumbawa Experience the Wonders, NTB Tourism Promotion Board chairman, Awan Aswinabawa, said: “Meetings and incentives contributed 50 per cent of our domestic market business last year.”

“NTB governor (Zainul Majdi) has instructed all regency heads to find and bid for government meetings to be held in Lombok. Every ministry has their national, regional and international meeting agenda, and governor Majdi wants some of those to be held in Lombok.”

Aswinabawa said hotels in Lombok had been busy constructing meetings facilities. The new Lombok Raya Convention Centre is scheduled to open soon with a capacity of 3,000 seats, while an additional 1,500 rooms are expected to enter the market between this year and next.

According to Aswinabawa, NTB’s next step will be to promote Sumbawa, especially as an incentive destination to both the domestic and international markets.

“We realise that the island still needs to develop its infrastructure and facilities, but the destination is charming and will leave unforgettable memories for travellers,” he said, adding that traditional processions and even a buffalo race could be arranged for incentive groups visiting Sumbawa.

TAIWAN High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) has more than doubled the number of packages offered through its T Holiday leisure travel brand since it was launched in July last year.

THSRC will offer up to 170 different itineraries from October 1, all of which include discounted train fare, hotel accommodation and guided tours.

The four-year old, high-speed rail service runs from north to south, connecting major cities along Taiwan’s densely-populated western corridor, and offering access to most of the popular tourist destinations, except those on the east coast.

Most T Holiday packages are for two days with an overnight stay, but there are exceptions. For example, a one-day tour of Taipei’s major sights is listed at NT$2,750 (US$90) per pax, while an overnight visit to the island’s southern tip, Kenting, costs NT$4,540. Prices are adjusted according to point of departure.

At the moment, T Holiday packages are sold through 13 local travel agencies, and nearly all T Holiday sales are to domestic travellers.

“Currently, T Holiday packages cannot be booked from overseas,” said THSRC brand manager Paul Ou. “Foreign visitors account for less than one per cent of sales, and they tend to be people in town on business. For them, T Holiday packages are a way to get out of town for a day.”

Ou expects the customer demographic to change sooner rather than later, with THSRC planning to promote T Holidays next year at major travel trade shows in Hong Kong, Tokyo and China.

According to Jimmy Lee, manager of Taipei-based Lion Travel, competitive pricing is one reason behind T Holiday’s popularity among domestic travellers. “T Holiday packages are priced about 30 percent lower than what a customer would pay if they booked train, tour and hotel separately,” he explained.

Jessica Chiang, spokesperson for eztravel, said THSRC also provides the same coverage of domestic destinations as traditional bus tours.

“What makes (T Holiday packages) attractive is the speed at which travellers can reach their destination, a consideration when travelling longer distances. THSRC tours may be priced higher (than bus tours), but the quality is higher too,” she said.

By Glenn Smith

TOURISM minister Ng Yen Yen is confident that Malaysia will meet its target of 25 million arrivals for the year, even though external factors have affected several major source markets.

Thailand, Malaysia’s third largest source of arrivals last year, is undergoing a transitional period, having just endured a regime change following July’s election; Europe and the US are suffering from one financial hiccup after another; while the disasters that hit Japan in March have drastically reduced outbound numbers from the country.

Competition from Singapore, with its new products such as the Universal Studios theme park and integrated casino resorts, was also expected to have an adverse effect on inbound to Malaysia, said Ng.

In spite of the challenges, a rise in tourist numbers from China, the Middle East, India and Russia is expected to take up the slack, and even boost arrivals by 0.2 per cent over last year’s 24.6 million visitors.

Ng said the tourism ministry would focus on these emerging markets, as their spending capacities were quite high, while existing promotions would remain online.

According to Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel director of sales, Andy Muniandy, the Middle East market had been especially resilient, with a surge in visitors from the region in July causing a room shortage in Kuala Lumpur.

“With Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal playing in Kuala Lumpur over 10 days in July, we could not get enough rooms because their Middle East fans travelled to the city for these games,” he said.

AOS sent the Middle East customers to various island resorts on arrival in Malaysia, before bringing them back to Kuala Lumpur for the football games.

“This was equally difficult as rooms on the islands were also heavily booked,” Muniandy said.

By N. Nithiyananthan

EVEN as Chiang Mai’s commercial areas were hit by floods late yesterday due to the Ping River overflowing its banks, some seminars and incentives scheduled to begin today have continued as planned.

The Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) is carrying on with its biennial, 17th Convention Promotion Seminar and Convention Exhibition, scheduled from today till October 1. The event will see about 120 buyers from local professional and medical-related associations, government agencies from Bangkok, as well as about 80 local sellers.

TICA manager Prapaphan Sungmuang said due to the flood and for logistical purposes, all buyers would be relocated from the four assigned hotels (including dusitD2, Shangri-La and Holiday Inn) to stay at the event venue, Le Merdien Chiang Mai.

Asia World Destination Management director, Max Jantasuwan, said a golf tournament incentive for 85 persons from today till October 2 would also go ahead as planned.

According to Jantasuwan, about eight participants arrived yesterday and two other groups came in this morning—all are staying at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai. “For us, there is no direct impact, only that we have to relocate the outside lunch venue,” he said.

Sukanya Janchoo, general manager of dusitD2 and Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, said the flood had affected both properties, but that damage was not severe as preemptive measures had been taken beforehand.

“Both hotels are running at about 20-30 per cent occupancy as this is the low season in Chiang Mai,” she said. “Some guests have been relocated to other hotels, but there are no cancellations on forward bookings.”

By Sirima Eamtako

KOH Samui hotels posted an islandwide average occupancy rate of about 62 per cent in the first eight months of the year, up from 50 per cent during the same period last year.

Bannasat Ruangjan, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said he was expecting a 60 per cent average occupancy rate for the entire year, taking into account the sluggish performance during the flood in end-March, and the low period coming up in October-November.

“The prospect for next year looks good too, as Koh Samui is getting more flights – from Singapore – (TTG Asia e-Daily, September 27) and new markets such as China,” he said, adding that Chinese visitors to the island were mostly from the high-end segment.

Meanwhile, Saiphayom Somsuk, chief of Koh Samui Tourism Coordination Centre, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the office would continue to promote the destination to up-market travellers from both European and Asian markets, and would ramp up efforts to entice honeymooners, weddings and families.

“The codeshare agreement between Bangkok Airways and SilkAir on the Singapore-Samui route will allow us to attract more wedding couples from Australia, on top of the mature wedding market from Europe, especially France and Germany,” she said.

Saiphayom added that Koh Samui had recently been selected by TAT as one of four areas in the country – along with Mae Hong Son, Chiang Khan and Nan – to be promoted as green tourism destinations to high-end visitors.

By Sirima Eamtako

ORCHARD Hotel Singapore, a member of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C), has unveiled its Claymore Wing, which recently went through a S$10 million (US$7.7 million) overhaul.

All 331 guestrooms in the Claymore Wing, which includes its executive club floors, have undergone a full refurbishment.

The new executive suites, executive club rooms and deluxe rooms have taken on a contemporary appearance, while the executive club lounge features three private meeting rooms with natural daylight features, a business centre equipped with the latest hi-tech equipment, and a television lounge.

Lim Boon Kwee, senior vice-president of Asia for M&C International, the regional arm of M&C, said: “Singapore expects more than 13 million visitors this year, so the refurbishment at Orchard Hotel introduces a breath of fresh air and keeps the hotel poised for long-term competitiveness.”