Philippines takes steps to build up tourism in Mindanao

November 22, 2022

Philippine Tour Operators Association have declared Mindanao as a safe destination to promote
Department of Tourism to spur connectivity by improving accessibility and infrastructure
Tourism Promotions Board to work with property development companies for accommodation standards

The Philippine government is paving the way for tourism in Mindanao, a pristine and undeveloped part of the southern Philippines that has had a troubled image.

After several travel caravans to various parts of Mindanao, Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa) president Fe Abling-Yu, concluded that it is safe, and has listed it as one of the new destinations to promote.

Mindanao booths at Philtoa’s 33rd Philippine Travel Mart in Manila

In late September, all five of Mindanao’s regions were present at Philtoa’s 33rd Philippine Travel Mart in Manila, stealing the limelight with their colourful booths and costumes, quality artisanal wares, and tour packages even in areas previously off to tourism.

“Imagine the impact on local communities and their livelihood, on small and medium enterprises, on the local economy, on investments, if Mindanao is given the chance to wield its full tourism potential,” Abling-Yu commented.

The need to change perceptions
While areas of armed conflict still exist, tourism stakeholders need to help change misconceptions and create awareness that Mindanao also has safe tourist spots such as Siargao, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, Bukidnon, GenSan, and Zamboanga.

Recently added to this growing list is the island province of Basilan, which used to have an exaggerated image of violence. Today, demand is growing for tour packages twinning Basilan’s capital, Isabela de Basilan, with its gateway port, Zamboanga City, noted Charles Anthony C Rotoni, senior tourism operations officer, Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula).

“When you see Basilan, it is different from how it is perceived. We have tourism circuits that include Basilan for farm tourism, Yakan indigenous culture, gastronomy and its clean, pristine beaches,” said Errold Lim Bayona, tour director of Itravel Tourist Lane and manager of All For South Consultancy.

Bayona said that although his companies are in Zamboanga Peninsula, they are also expanding to the neighbouring island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi because tourism products are already available there.

Zamboanga too, used to have a spotty image many years ago, but successfully transitioned into a safe, popular destination, with varied offerings of nature, secluded pink beach, seafood delights, and cultural heritage from Christianity and Muslim backgrounds, among others.

Rotoni said that apart from Basilan, DOT Region 9 is also starting to promote the cities of Dapitan and Dipolog, both in Zamboanga del Norte. These safe havens have oft been overlooked due to limited access and infrastructure.

“We’re trying to spur connectivity under DOT’s thrust on (improving) accessibility and (building) infrastructure,” shared Rotoni.

For instance, national carrier Philippine Airlines currently flies to various points in Mindanao, and is helping to encourage domestic tourism by adding more flights to and from Tawi-Tawi, Cotabato and Jolo.

Nograles: to make sure that when we say Mindanao is safe, it is safe

Government assistance
For Mindanao to gain a larger foothold on the tourism map, DOT’s Rotoni said they will be pushing for a Northern Luzon Travel Exchange next year for its main domestic source market.

“We see the potential of this market so we nurture and grow it. Tourists who visited are the best bet in telling the story on the ground and world-of-mouth advertising instead of relying on photos and videos,” Rotoni explained.

Tourism Promotions Board (TPB)’s new chief operating officer, Margarita Nograles, added: “We have to make sure that when we say Mindanao is safe, it is safe.”

“A quick solution for us to show to the world that Mindanao is safe is to bring more fam tours and let international tourists enjoy meaningful experiences in our region…. especially now that we’re rooting for sustainable, community-based tourism,” Nograles pointed out.

Stakeholders also understand that Mindanao has miles to go in achieving lasting peace and building tourism hardware.

Hence, apart from destinations that are already known to foreigners like Siargao, its target market is mainly domestic and viable markets in certain Asian countries for halal tourism, and those not sensitive to travel advisories.

This comes as Western countries have red-flagged parts of Mindanao in their travel advisories and travel insurance for their citizens excludes portions of Mindanao.

Regardless, TPB is pushing forward with a Colors of Mindanao campaign to highlight indigenous people, and reiterate that Mindanao is a safe destination for visitors.

Charles Aames Bautista, TPB’s deputy chief operating officer, added that Mindanao is also being explored as a “MICE destination”, which is why the “next MICECON will be held in Davao next year”.

“If it’s any indication, even the private sector is echoing our sentiments. We just had a meeting with a few online platforms and (are) working with property development companies to set the standards for accommodations.

“A lot of travel agents are creating Mindanao tours and circuits but if you don’t have a place to stay, it’s no use. That is why accommodation and food availability are always in conjunction with tourism circuits,” Bautista explained.

OTAs have the opportunity to make a lasting impression on travellers: Travelport

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2022

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Nearly half (46%) of travellers cannot remember which online travel agency (OTA) they used to book their last leisure trip, according to the Modern Retail Study, a new independent research commissioned by Travelport.

This new research study, in partnership with Toluna Research, is to better understand the current online travel retailing landscape and identify gaps in travellers’ shopping experiences among thousands of leisure and business travellers around the world.

Travelport’s Modern Retail Study aims to understand the current online travel retailing landscape and improve travellers’ shopping experience

Over 3,000 travellers from Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the US were surveyed.

Modern retailing demands stellar, memorable experiences
The study results revealed important factors that contribute to brand recall for OTAs, such as the experience of booking. Of all travellers surveyed that could recall the last OTA they booked with, the vast majority (78%) ranked the experience as ‘above average’ or ‘excellent’. While most travellers from the US do not have a preferred OTA (55%), many travellers in Saudi Arabia (63%) and Japan (70%) say they do have a favourite travel site.

Of those travellers that do have a preferred OTA, factors such as ‘a wider range of options’ have fuelled loyalty in Saudi Arabia (54%), the US (51%) and Japan (38%). OTAs are also winning over travellers in Japan with personalised experiences (45%), as well as the ability to ‘easily navigate the site’ in Saudi Arabia (42%) and in the US (40%).

“As one of the first sectors to go digital many years ago, the travel industry has a strong history of innovation,” said Jen Catto, chief marketing officer for Travelport. “However, travellers’ digital expectations have rapidly evolved, far surpassing current travel retailing capabilities.

“Prioritising the needs of our customers to better serve their customers is our priority – agencies need more choice, clear comparison shopping, and easy ways to manage experiences like exchanges. While price is important, these value-add factors create an ‘excellent’ modern retailing experience that stands out and earns loyalty.”

Customers are less price sensitive
Historically, OTAs have been trying to compete on one factor alone – price – but that is not what customers need to remember the experience. Of the travellers who cannot remember the last OTA they used, nearly half (44%) ranked their last experience as ‘poor,’ or ‘below average’. In certain parts of the world, where many travellers in Saudi Arabia (60%) and the US (60%) were shown to be the most forgetful of specific OTA brands they have used, and there was a significant 19 and 27 percentage point gap between recall and an ‘above average’ experience, respectively.

The study indicates that OTAs may be less distinguishable because they have been focusing on the wrong things. While there is a heavy focus on price, that has likely come at the expense of other experience factors that travellers care about when booking a trip. As travellers are using OTA sites for research and comparison, the survey revealed there is a missed opportunity for bookings as the majority of travellers do not follow through with booking car (67%) or air travel (55%), and 36% do not book their hotel accommodations on OTA sites. However, travellers also shared that the ability to ‘book everything at once’ is one of the most important reasons for using an OTA.

Business travellers are even less engaged
Even with the majority (78%) of business travellers collectively bound by corporate policy, the research finds that 99% of employees do not know the name of the travel management company (TMC) they use to book business trips.

Looking deeper into the potential causes, the survey found that most business travellers (69%) find the options provided as ‘undesirable’ while 46% want more choice, 38% lack confidence overall in their TMC booking and 35% want business trip options that support their well-being.

NH Hotel to debut in Asia next year

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2022

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Minor Hotels has signed a management agreement with Phuket Boat Lagoon Co. to rebrand the existing Boat Lagoon Resort in Phuket to NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort, marking the arrival of NH Hotels to Thailand and the brand’s Asia debut.

The rebranding process will be completed in phases, and is set to open in mid-2023.

NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort will be the brand’s debut in Thailand and in Asia

The 271-key NH Boat Lagoon Phuket Resort will be located on the east coast of Phuket, in the heart of Boat Lagoon, Phuket’s first full-service marina. There will be a mix of rooms and serviced apartments, alongside facilities such as an all-day dining restaurant, lobby café, swimming pool with a bar, gym, tennis court and a kids’ club.

Long-stay guests can enjoy the range of local shops and conveniences nearby, including Villa Market, restaurants and entertainment facilities including an ice-skating rink.

The resort will also cater to the business events market, and offer extensive meeting and event facilities such as a business centre, and a 1,000m2 marquee for large events.

Dillip Rajakarier, group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, said: “We look forward to working together to further position the property as a key leisure and MICE destination in Phuket, as well as driving the high-potential long-stay segment.”

Acquired by Minor Hotels in 2018, NH Hotels has an existing portfolio of over 330 hotels in 30 countries across Europe and the Americas.

SLH celebrates first anniversary of Considerate Collection

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2022

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Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) celebrates the first anniversary of Considerate Collection, which was launched in 2021 with 25 founding members of actively sustainable luxury hotels.

A year later, Considerate Collection now boasts 43 hotels, a growth of over 70 per cent in the last year, with new additions such as Thailand’s Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket and Zeavola Resort in Krabi; the 15th-century, restored farming estate Villa Petriolo in Tuscany; and Casale Panayiotis, Cyprus, a village restoration project turned luxury hotel.

Considerate Collection has grown from 25 to 43 hotels in its first year; Aleenta Resort & Spa Phuket pictured

Other sustainability efforts include planting almost 40,000 trees in the past year in collaboration with TreeSisters, coinciding with the launch of the Considerate Collection.

Earlier in October this year, SLH partnered Weeva, a new sustainability platform that caters specifically to small hotels and accommodation providers, to enable properties to adopt measurable and holistic sustainability practices. The partnership allows all 520 SLH member hotels to benefit from an exclusive and preferential annual rate on the platform.

In addition, SLH signed an exclusive brand amenity partnership with Vanity Group earlier this month. Vanity Group licenses the most sought-after beauty brands, with implemented responsible and sustainable practices for its products, packaging and processes.

Aside from its hotels, SLH continues its corporate sustainability journey by undertaking work to audit its headquarters’ carbon footprint, averaging 1,514kg per SLH employee for 2021.

Richard Hyde, managing director, SLH, said: “As we strive to improve our business practices, we’ve used the data collated and worked with ecollective to set a seven per cent C02 reduction target YOY for our team in 2023 by engaging with the right suppliers and adjusting our business travel priorities, among other strategies.

“Our footprint must get smaller and smaller each year even as we scale up the business.”

Discover Kuala Lumpur with The Chow Kit

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2022

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An adventure holiday awaits at The Chow Kit – An Ormond Hotel in Kuala Lumpur with two curated tours to explore this part of Malaysia.

Located just five minutes from Chow Kit suburb’s famous market, The Chow Kit is in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s most authentic neighbourhood, featuring eateries that serve local fare such as hand-made noodles and roasted meats, refurbished shophouses and diverse heritage as well as history.

The Chow Kit offers two new tours to explore the neighbourhood

For 99 ringgit (US$21) per pax, The Chow Kit Walking Tour places the spotlight on the eclectic neighbourhood of Kampung Baru in which the hotel is located. Discover Kuala Lumpur’s oldest district which holds hidden gems within its alleys, and reconnect with history while exploring famous landmarks.

For food lovers, The Chow Kit Foodie Tour allows guests to live their culinary dreams for just 115 ringgit as they walk and uncover the delicacies of the city such as charcoal-toasted bread with kaya and butter alongside a cup of kopi, murtabak (savoury meat stuffed pancake) and local childhood favourites such as hawthorn flakes and ice gem biscuits.

For more information, visit The Chow Kit.

Brice Borin helms Pimalai Resort & Spa

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2022

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Pimalai Resort & Spa in Thailand has appointed Brice Borin as its new general manager.

The respected hotelier has almost 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having started out as an executive chef and gradually taking on more senior executive roles from F&B manager to director of F&B, resident manager, hotel manager, and eventually, general manager.

He was recently the complex general manager of the Mövenpick Cam Ranh Resort, Vietnam, which he helped to successfully launch in 2019 and kept open throughout the pandemic.

Adventure Awaits You In Davao

By TTG

November 22, 2022

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Brought to you by Tourism Promotions Board Philippines

Wondering where you can spend your next travel adventure? A place where the beauty of tropical paradise, rich culture, and a blend of modern city vibes converge? Book your next destination in the Davao region!

Located in the southeasternmost part of the Philippine islands, the Davao region prides itself as one of the top travel destinations with its pristine beaches, mouth-watering dishes, and a wide range of close-to-nature adventures that await tourists. It’s no surprise that the region recorded a 70% growth rate in collective tourism arrivals as of August 2022 and is poised to exceed the government target.

Explore the white-sand beaches

Among the top tourist spots is the largest resort city in the Philippines – the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos). It is blessed with pristine white-sand beaches, diverse marine life, and turquoise blue waters which are perfect for snorkeling, scuba diving, and island hopping.

With the Davao del Norte Sand & Beach Circuit, you can make your Samal Island hopping possible for as low as 1,500 pesos which allows you to witness the wonders of Angel’s Cove, Wishing Island, Pearl Farm, Malipano Island, and Isla Reta. Fee already includes the boat, boat entry fee, environmental fee, picnic lunch, tour guide, and travel insurance.

There are also other adventures that await you such as taking a dip at the Hagimit Falls, spelunking and exploring the Monfort Bat Cave, cliff diving at Talikud Island, and even hiking at Mt. Puting Bato. Indeed, you will never run out of things to do and explore here at the Island Garden City of Samal!

Discover the green and close-to-nature city

Davao City makes you redefine what a city is as it strives to modernize without taking away the classic beauty of nature – thus being the perfect place for those who want the best of both worlds.

Malagos Garden Resort prides itself as the home of the Malagos Chocolate Museum – the first in the country. It gives a true-to-bar experience by allowing tourists to create their own chocolate! Aside from the museum, there are various activities offered such as birdwatching, feeding animals, and watching an interactive bird show. Malagos Garden Resort remains true to its philosophy of #ToBeOneWithNature.

If you are searching for a place to meditate and connect with your inner spirit, perhaps the Tamayong Prayer Mountain is the one you are looking for. Also known as the Garden of Eden Restored, this man-made European-inspired garden is occupying the foothills of Mt. Apo and provides tourists with a realization of everyone’s imagination of what heaven looks like. Albeit owned by The Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the place is welcoming everyone regardless of their religious beliefs and practices.

Meanwhile, if you are interested in knowing and seeing the king of birds in real life, you may want to check out the Philippine Eagle Center. This tropical rainforest environment provides shelter and also serves as a captive breeding program for eagles whose numbers are decreasing drastically. The facility offers free tour guiding and use of kiosks as well as special education programs like keeper talk, falconry, and open classroom project.

Another tourist spot for nature trippers and animal lovers is the Eden Nature Park and Resort. It is, by far, one of the largest man-made forests ever created in an effort to combat illegal logging. Since its redevelopment in 1997, the park is committed to preserving the environment and giving tourists an authentic mountain experience. For those with a brave heart, it offers fun adventures such as skyriding where you get a glimpse of the beauty of Davao from above. The park also introduces the Mindanaoan culture for those who are interested to get an in-depth knowledge of their traditions and beliefs.

Hike the highest peak

How can we forget the tallest mountain in the Philippine Archipelago when discussing the mountains of Mindanao? Mt. Apo, known as the “Grandfather of Philippine Mountains,” provides more than just a stunning view from a distance; it also serves as a source of electricity and water and is inhabited by indigenous tribes. It was designated a protected area in addition to being an ASEAN Heritage Site. Many adventurers frequently include this peak, which rises 2,956 meters above sea level, on their bucket lists!

Your stay in Davao won’t be satisfying and complete without tasting the sweetest fruits in the country! Blessed with fertile soil and a relatively better climate, Davao produces the best fruits such as pomelo, lanzones, papaya, and banana. But among the list, try the king and queen fruits – durian and mangosteen! Indeed, Davao is the Philippines’ fruit basket and is also one of the world’s biggest growers and exporters of exotic fruits.

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If you are looking for a travel destination, choosing Davao will never disappoint you. It will never fall short in meeting, if not exceeding, your expectations!

Know more about the Philippines by downloading the Travel Philippines App today via Google Play and App Store or visit https://app.philippines.travel/.

Lucrative wedding market back on track for Indian hotels

By Rohit Kaul

November 21, 2022

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The onset of the pandemic had battered the wedding segment – a very important market for Indian hospitality players. However, with the coronavirus situation under control, the pent-up demand is at an all-time high this year, say Indian hoteliers.

Manoj Bagri, managing director, 7 Apple Hotels & Resorts said: “Destination weddings are witnessing good traction this year. The wedding segment is a key market for both our properties – Amoravida by 7 Apple Resorts, North Goa and 7 Apple Resort Lonavala.

Hotels in India are rejoicing as a large number of weddings are taking place in the country this year

“There is an increase in the demand for intimate weddings. This year, we have registered approximately 35 per cent growth over the last year from the wedding segment.”

As per WedMeGood Indian Wedding Industry Report 2021-2022, last year has been a tumultuous one for the wedding industry. In its survey which polled over 3,000 users and wedding vendors, 80 per cent of vendors agreed that more than 30 per cent of their business was affected. Only a minority of the vendor population mentioned that they had witnessed minor or no change.

Akash Garg, chairman & managing director, Timber Trail Resort and Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort said: “The demand for Indian hotels is back to pre-pandemic years – in fact, it is surpassing the growth of the 2018-2019 wedding season. We are working closely with leading wedding planners and are promoting our hotels through social media platforms to attract demand from this segment.”

Many hotels recorded weddings either getting postponed or trimmed down in 2020 and 2021, resulting in overall losses for the hospitality players. This year, tables have turned and the buoyancy in the wedding market is helping hotels to recover from the setbacks caused by the pandemic.

Damandeep Singh, general manager, Karma Lakelands, Gurgaon shared: “The Indian wedding segment is bouncing back in a big way. With normalcy returning, Indian guests are now looking at various destinations for their special day. The number of wedding queries this year has increased by three times compared to last year with the guest list increasing significantly, which is a great boost to the business.”

The Indian hotels are now rejoicing as a large number of weddings are taking place in the country this year. Many have devised strategies to garner their share of the wedding market.

“Weddings are back for us to almost 90 per cent of the pre-Covid levels,” said Sarbendra Sarkar, managing director, Cygnett Hotels & Resorts.

In order to cater to this segment specifically, the hotel chain has created a new product, Wedding Bells by Cygnett, which offers “end-to-end solutions for the vast requirements of a wedding group”.

Hong Kong’s post-pandemic accessibility hurt by flight disruptions

By Prudence Lui

November 21, 2022

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Continued operational challenges among airlines operating flights to and from Hong Kong have been aggravated by a pick up in travel demand since the city eased its travel restrictions on September 26, resulting in numerous flight disruptions.

Explaining the underlying causes of flight disruptions, Tommy Tam, chairman of the Society of IATA Passenger Agents, told TTG Asia that foreign carrier crew members are required to observe quarantine arrangements upon their arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, while air and ground operations are burdened by serious talent shortage.

Flight disruptions have impacted short-haul services and contributed to greater workload for travel partners

While travel demand has improved, most of it is driven by FITs and not yet groups. Hence, airlines are still having to make the “commercial decision” to combine flights with low occupancy.

Tam observed that most of the flight disruptions have impacted short-haul services.

For travel agents, these disruptions have contributed to greater workload at a time when many are running on reduced manpower.

CTM Asia’s CEO Larry Lo said the procedures to deal with flight cancellations and rescheduling have tripled the workload of his employees.

“From our clients’ prospective, these are poor experiences that leave a negative impression (on the airline),” said Lo.

While flight cancellations were common during the height of Covid-19, disruptions today are unexpected, he said and urged airlines to “communicate with us earlier and give us more time to prepare (for changes)”.

While international connections to Hong Kong are set to improve in 2023, with British Airways returning to service in Hong Kong next month and Air France and Qantas Airways come January, the exit of Virgin Atlantic after 20 years of service is said to have left a dent in Hong Kong’s post-lockdown accessibility, dampening Hong Kong’s status as an aviation hub, said Tam.

In response to TTG Asia‘s questions about service plans ahead, a Hong Kong Express spokesperson said a comprehensive review of its 2023 flight schedule has been conducted and clear plans for the new year will be provided to allow customers “sufficient time to make their own plans accordingly”.

Singapore is Tourism Western Australia’s top international market

By TTG Asia

November 21, 2022

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Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) has launched a new campaign, Walking On A Dream, in Singapore, where the city-state has emerged the top source market for international visitors into the state.

Aimed at aspirational travellers, the campaign brings to life the wonders of Western Australia and references its rich Aboriginal culture. The A$15 million (US$9.9 million) campaign will feature across various media including print, OOH, digital and social platforms.

From left: Tourism Western Australia’s Ava Ang and Melissa Forbes, and Eastern Hemisphere Markets’ Vivienne Li

As one of Western Australia’s closest neighbours, Tourism WA managing director Carolyn Turnbull said Singapore is an extremely important market and hopes “to entice more Singapore residents to visit us for the first time or come back to explore new destinations within the state”.

Tapping into Singaporeans’ love of Western Australian food and wines, the campaign was launched at Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends, helmed by Perth-born chef Dave Pynt, where industry partners and media were treated to a taste of Western Australian produce and local wines.

Tourism WA acting executive director marketing, Melissa Forbes, commented that the new brand campaign is unique and memorable, much like Western Australia.

She said: “We have a whole host of activity going live in Singapore, including high impact Walking On A Dream assets in premium shopping and entertainment areas such as Raffles City and ION Orchard, as well as targeted social media marketing.”

Tourism WA Singapore and Malaysia country manager, Ava Ang, shared that Western Australia offers a wealth of extraordinary experiences – from wine discoveries, Aboriginal immersions, high-end dining and shopping, to swimming with whale sharks and more.

“Pre-Covid, 87 per cent of Singapore leisure visitors to Wester Australia were on a return visit to Australia. We hope this new campaign showcasing Western Australia’s magical landscapes will inspire Singapore residents to travel beyond Perth and discover new experiences.”

Philippines takes steps to build up tourism in Mindanao

OTAs have the opportunity to make a lasting impression on travellers: Travelport

NH Hotel to debut in Asia next year

SLH celebrates first anniversary of Considerate Collection

Discover Kuala Lumpur with The Chow Kit

Brice Borin helms Pimalai Resort & Spa

Adventure Awaits You In Davao

Lucrative wedding market back on track for Indian hotels

Hong Kong’s post-pandemic accessibility hurt by flight disruptions

Singapore is Tourism Western Australia’s top international market

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