Marriott’s W checks into Melbourne

May 22, 2020

Marriott International will be marking the return of its W brand to Australia, with the opening of its second property in Melbourne this December, following a delay of its original June launch.

Forming the centerpiece of Cbus Property’s A$1.25 billion (US$816 million) Collins Arch mixed-use precinct, W Melbourne is touted as the city’s first luxury lifestyle hotel with a “rebellious luxury” edge.

W Melbourne will open its doors to guests this December

Located at 408 Flinders Lane, W Melbourne will feature 294 guest rooms, including 29 suites. Hotel facilities include four F&B outlets, starring a Japanese fine dining restaurant, an all-day dining venue, as well as two bars including a hybrid café-meets-wine-bar.

Other amenities include a fitness facility, a gold-roof adorned indoor pool with poolside bar and DJ booth, as well as 830m² of conference, meeting and event space, including a 426m² pillarless ballroom.

Aviation sector faces major headwinds, long road to recovery

By Rosa Ocampo

May 22, 2020

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The aviation industry will likely take three to four years to get back to pre-Covid-19 activity levels, while Emirates, one of the first airlines to be impacted by the pandemic, will be among the last to recover from the crisis.

That is the “pessimistic” prognosis by Gary Chapman, president, group services and DNATA, Emirates Group, taking into account not just the recovery from the crisis but also “the mother of all recessions that will follow” to be marked by waves of unemployment and disruptions.

Emirates may take three, four years to bounce back from the pandemic, says Gary Chapman during a webinar hosted by the Philippine’s tourism board

“I am very positive about the future and about our ability to come through this, but at the moment, it is a pretty horrible place to be in the aviation industry… because it is, frankly, a horror story,” Chapman said in a webinar called The Future of Travel, a World Travel and Tourism Council exclusive organised by the Philippine Department of Tourism.

He added that while there’s a need to plan for the uncertain future, “the real focus right now is making sure that we stop the haemorrhaging, the cash bleed that we’re all facing”.

It’s “a very emotional, a very difficult time” for Emirates, with 260 aircraft grounded and 105,000 staff in the organisation, while presently doing only a number of repatriation flights, he said.

Chapman shared that as a hub-and-spoke operator globally, Emirates will be among the last to recover from the pandemic given that “we have no domestic market” and “we are also bringing people (to and from all continents)”.

Based on what can be seen in the last few weeks as the pandemic progresses, “we become a little more pessimistic in the sense that we make forecasts and predictions… and it’s turning more and more into a worst-case scenario”, Chapman said.

“Any recovery will be toxic and erratic”, he added, as the travel and tourism sector fights for consistent and clear safety and security standards for travelling.

Chapman also noted the impracticality of some proposed travel protocols like a two-week quarantine for travellers and social distancing.

“There’s a risk that it will make the (travelling) experience rather unpleasant. You may compare it with going to the dentist for root canal and you have no anaesthetic and what happens is not about medical control but what the experience is going to be like,” he said.

Chapman added that “the talk of social distancing in aircraft is garbage as far as I’m concerned,” pointing out that the economics of it will be the “death knell” for the industry and that no airline will be able to operate commercially.

“If anyone wants that, let them buy six or seven seats and they can have their own space.”

Fare caps in place as India’s domestic skies open up

By Rohit Kaul

May 22, 2020

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The Indian government has allowed domestic flights to resume in a calibrated manner from May 25, after two months of grounding.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) that has to be followed by airlines, airports and passengers for the resumption of flights.

Domestic flights will resume from airports across all major Indian cities from May 25

To ensure affordability of air fares for passengers, the government has capped ticket prices for three months. The elderly, pregnant women and people with health issues have also been advised to avoid travel.

“The industry has been waiting for the systematic opening of domestic flights. Even though the capacity will be limited to begin with, it is a step in the right direction as many stranded people will be able to travel by air,” said Ankur Bhatia, executive director, Bird Group.

He added: “The government has given a detailed SOP which will be helpful in curtailing the spread of the virus. Fare cap might be challenging and impact the airline yields but these are extraordinary times and such measures are required.”

Kanika Tekriwal, CEO & founder of JetSetGo Aviation, said: “In the downtime, we were preparing ourselves to reopen our services by working on the guidelines prepared by the government to ensure the maximum safety of our guests. We are looking forward to the detailed plan of flying and reopening our bookings by the authorities.”

Industry players urged the government to also allow hotels to reopen to support tourist demand that will surface through the opening of flights.

“Most travellers would need to stay at hotels. Hotels on their end have used the lockdown period to prepare for reopening, putting into place measures such as social distancing,” said Bhatia.

However, a section of the travel trade was quick to add that it may take some time before domestic tourism starts picking up.

Arun Anand, managing director, Midtown Travels, said: “Domestic travel may slightly ease up, but travellers’ apprehension (to flying) has to go in order for demand to rise significantly.”

Planeterra raising funds to aid fragile communities

By TTG Asia

May 22, 2020

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Jia-Community-Centre-China-Distribution-Covid19 — Jia Community Centre in China distributes masks and thermometers to nearby villages during Covid-19

Planeterra Foundation, G Adventures’ non-profit partner, has launched a fund-raising campaign to help tourism-reliant communities weather the Covid-19 storm.

The Turn Travel into Impact from Home campaign aims to raise CAD$50,000 (US$35,800) in emergency funds for needy communities.

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Already, the campaign has raised more than CAD$15,000, allowing the non-profit to transfer grants to six of their partners to help support basic community needs, including food and medicine.

Among the first to receive funding is the AidChild Leadership Institute (ALI) in Uganda, which sees 50 per cent of their operating budgets generated by their tourism initiatives, including a cafe and guesthouse. The grant is helping to feed the 67 HIV-positive orphans in their care.

Despite hardships, many communities are demonstrating kindness and resilience, with project members offering support and services to others amid the crisis.

In China, the Jia Community Restaurant, which supports rural women and children by providing meaningful employment, has turned into a delivery and distribution centre for masks and thermometers for nearby villages.

Elsewhere in Zambia, the team at Tribal Textiles, which supports local artisans outside South Luangwa National Park, are using their workshop to sew 1,500 masks for local healthcare workers.

Planeterra president Jamie Sweeting said in a statement that fragile communities need the support now more than ever to ensure they are protected and can continue to offer life-changing experiences when travellers return in the future.

“Our global team is working overtime to support our projects, with grants to purchase food and medicine already going out to communities in Morocco, Belize, and Botswana,” she said.

We’re encouraged by projects that are helping one another and their communities, and we hope this fund will provide some relief and help to ensure jobs and organizations remain intact for when travellers inevitably return,” Sweeting continues.

Donations, which can be made here, will help project partners cover basic needs like food and medicine for their staff and beneficiaries, and provide support and vital resources to help tide them through this period.

Accor partners AXA to offer guests medical support

By TTG Asia

May 22, 2020

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Accor has teamed up with insurer AXA to provide medical support to guests at its 5,000 hotels across 110 destinations worldwide.

From July, the hospitality giant’s guests will be able to enjoy free medical teleconsultations, as well as access to AXA’s medical networks with “tens of thousands of vetted medical professionals”, which will allow hotels to make the most relevant referrals to their guests, in terms of language, speciality, and more.

Accor’s new partnership with AXA will allow its guests to enjoy free medical teleconsultations

The medical service complements Accor’s overall Covid-19 recovery plan, and is part of the group’s enhanced hygiene protocols put in place across its properties through its ALLSAFE Cleanliness label, the companies said in a statement.

Sébastien Bazin, chairman and CEO of Accor, said: “This distinctive partnership with AXA which we have been working on for several months makes even more sense in today’s context.

“In an increasingly complex environment, our 300,000 team members on the ground will be able to assist our guests and ensure their safety during their stays, turning our hotels into shelters.”

Engaging travel lovers today to champion the travel recovery tomorrow

By Industry Expert

May 22, 2020

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Currently, most travellers who love the journey are grounded. How can travel brands connect with travellers to reassure them, support them, and help them to once more take to the skies when the time is right?

The first few months of 2020 brought a seismic shift to travel. Under the influence of Covid-19, airlines, hotels and every business across the travel ecosystem has had to navigate uncharted territory. With certain Asian markets beginning to return to travel, now is the time to ask: How can we engage, support and assist travel lovers today, to champion the travel recovery of tomorrow?

Acting with continued empathy and flexibility
Asia-Pacific is the world’s top spender for outbound tourism and has the largest aggregate domestic travel market. However, in recent months, Covid-19 has left frequent travellers feeling frustrated and powerless. They have been cut-off from doing the thing they love, unable to plan for the future, and in many cases, prevented from doing their job. During this time, it has been imperative that travel brands provide flexibility with regards to rebooking and cancellation policies.

Many airlines, hotels, loyalty programmes and tourism operators have waived cancellation fees, relaxed loyalty membership earning requirements, and introduced more flexibility on future bookings – providing peace of mind at what has been a difficult time.

We also saw brands empower and reward loyal customers, by way of helping them to manage the challenges of Covid-19. Hong Kong’s flagship airline Cathay Pacific was one of the first to reward their Marco Polo Club members three months of relief points to enjoy when travel resumes; and the airline is allowing customers to make unlimited changes to tickets purchased before June 30 this year.

This type of action displayed loyalty to customers during this critical time, while also helping give back control at a time when many felt powerless. As travel lockdowns begin to lift, and we start to see a return to domestic travel in region, it remains imperative that businesses maintain this amenable, customer-first mindset; so customers feel brands are supporting and championing their return to travel.

Staying engaged and connected
Most brands have been on a communications journey, depending on when and how their business was affected by the outbreak. Now, with the first green shoots of progress being seen in markets like China, brands have the opportunity to get more creative with aspirational and even bold communications – because travel lovers need reassurance and crucial information, as much as they need a reminder that the joy of travelling is not forever lost.

Shangri-La launched a new Always Care. Always Here. campaign, while Lonely Planet is using social media to share cool travel finds – and these are just two examples of how brands can use timely, aspirational communications to stay front of mind and inspire people to keep their love for travel alive.

Diversify and grow
The coronavirus outbreak even spurred businesses to go one step further and add value by diversifying their offering during this unprecedented period. Carousell is working with the Singapore Brand Office to give free exposure to out-of-work creative freelancers, restaurants are transforming into grocery stores, and fashion and beauty brands are pivoting to produce face masks, face guards and hand sanitiser.

For travel organisations who invested in an online earn or redeem platforms – designed to reward customer loyalty – the Covid-led surge in online retail has provided a much needed ancillary revenue stream.

While enabling travel companies to stay in touch with grounded travellers, earn platforms also ensure that their customers can continue to build points and air miles with a range of retailers, to put towards a dream holiday once lockdowns lift.

At a time when many are trying to reduce outgoing spend, redeem platforms have proven popular with consumers wishing to use points instead of cash. With Asia being the world’s fastest-growing e-commerce market, it’s likely the importance of platforms such as these will only continue to grow as the world adjusts to its new normal.

Building traveller confidence in the journey
With markets in Asia already beginning their travel recovery journey, the new normal for now is domestic, followed closely by market-to-market routes. The optimism of Asia-Pacific travellers is fantastic news for global travel’s eventual recovery, but it’s also important to ask – what do customers expect from brands, in order for them to feel confident travelling?

A renewed focus on health and safety should be a priority. One recent survey found that disinfection procedures are the number one concern for nearly 80 per cent of travellers considering a return to the skies, with around three in four respondents also citing a desire for communications on safe places to travel.

These types of concerns have prompted travel industry action, such as Emirates’ decision to do Covid-19 testing for all passengers – and Hong Kong International Airport’s introduction of cleaning robots and disinfection booths.

It will be critical that travel brands not only institute health and safety measures, but also communicate these with frequency, clarity and transparency.

Travel brands can also consider new and creative ways to help travellers feel more comfortable and in-control after this intense period of unexpected disruption.

More collaboration across the travel ecosystem, to give customers an integrated door-to-door journey that feels connected, cohesive and catering to their needs at all times, will be core to this.

Looking towards travel recovery
After Covid-19, the future of travel may look very different than any of us imagined. But there’s no going back; and every business operating in and around the travel sector must take a stake in building that future.

With a cautious resumption of some travel in Asia-Pacific, the time to act is now – as travellers will remember the brands that went above and beyond to reward, reassure and reconnect with them during this difficult period.

Travel brands must take a stand, be kind and be innovative in order to show their customers that they are valued. Engaging travel lovers today will help ensure the travel recovery of tomorrow.

Myanmar, Cambodia pin hopes on China tourists for post-pandemic restart

By Marissa Carruthers

May 21, 2020

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Tourism authorities in Myanmar and Cambodia are eyeing to recapture the Chinese market once travel resumes.

At the latest meeting of Mekong Tourism Advisory Group (MeTAG), Hla Myint, director (promotions department) at Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, said the ministry has held virtual meetings with a number of Chinese tour operator representatives this week.

Cambodia aims to recapture Chinese outbound travel market; Chinese tour group visiting Bayon temple at Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia pictured

He elaborated: “The immediate emphasis is on encouraging the development of domestic tourism, but we also need to think about when we open our doors to international visitors… We are preparing to receive Chinese travellers in post-pandemic times.”

In 2019, China drove Myanmar’s tourism sector. A total of 344,268 arrivals saw a 75 per cent year-on-year increase, making the destination Myanmar’s number one source market.

At a webinar conducted by Mekong Tourism Advisory Group, Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism’s Hla Myint (top row; middle) said the ministry has held virtual meetings with Chinese tour operators as it looks to recapture the China market when travel rebounds

Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism (MoT) is also pinning hopes on China leading its recovery. Top Sopheak, secretary of state and MoT spokesman, said the country will continue to promote its “China Ready” strategy – a five-year plan to lure more Chinese visitors.

He added that tourism companies in the country are preparing a range of new tour packages targeting Chinese tourists post-pandemic.

Since 2017, Cambodia has welcomed a rapidly rising number of visitors from China. In 2019, more than two million Chinese tourists visited Cambodia, marking a 16.7 per cent year-on-year rise.

In another move, Cambodia this week lifted travel bans in place since mid-March on six countries: Iran, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the US.

Despite preparations being put in place, Xu Jing, former director of the UNWTO, warned not to expect any major international recovery until 3Q or 4Q of this year.

South Korean airlines to resume international flights from June

By Juyoung Lee

May 21, 2020

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South Korea’s major airlines are cautiously preparing to restart a handful of international flights from June, starting with countries which have not imposed entry bans, but only quarantine measures.

For one, the country’s second-largest carrier Asiana Airlines said it will cautiously reopen flight routes next month in an attempt to raise its operating rate from the current eight per cent to 17 per cent.

Asiana Airlines and Korean Air will reopen some international routes from June

It will restore 13 international routes and add 57 more flights during weekdays in an effort to prepare for the easing of entry restrictions in the near future and boost its profitability.

Out of the 13 restored routes, 12 will go to China. Also, the number of flights going to South-east Asian cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh will rise from the current three times a week to seven weekly connections, while flights to Phnom Penh and Manila will increase from three times a week to four times weekly.

“Although the demand for international flights is meagre compared to before, we have decided to reopen some routes for those that need to go on business trips and official government duties”, Asiana Airlines said in a press statement, adding that more routes may be opened based on demand.

Flights operated by Asiana Airlines going to Seattle will resume for the first time in 77 days, with thrice-weekly services, on the back of increasing cargo demand. As well, flights going to Frankfurt in Germany will be upped to four times a week from the current three.

Since May, Korean Air has been operating special flight services for Korean citizens in Sydney and Vancouver to Incheon regularly, while also adding daily flights between Incheon and New York. The national carrier said that from June, it will resume regular flights to destinations in South-east Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Yangon, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Singapore.

Smaller carriers like Eastar Jet and Air Busan have suspended all international flights until the end of June, while Jin Air, Jeju Air, T’way Air and Air Seoul have not officially announced a date for flight resumption.

APG Platform to roll out upgraded back office for travel agents

By TTG Asia

May 21, 2020

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APG Platform, the fully NDC-based B2B airline booking tool, will be launching a full upgrade to its back office system which will provide travel agents with a more user-friendly portal for booking administration and management.

The update will be launched once booking trends start to return, said APG in a statement.

APG Platform’s upcoming upgrade to to its back office system will enhance ease of use for travel agents

The APG Platform operates exclusively via NDC connectivity with airline customers like American Airlines and Turkish LCC Pegasus Airlines.

Thibault Lenoir, EVP commercial, observed: “Given the current situation, we are seeing more and more interest from airlines in the APG Platform as it offers a new distribution model at virtually zero cost to the airline, and the ability for airlines to offer travel agents dynamic pricing, as well as rich content and ancillary services in combination with flights.”

He added: “It is also good to see more airlines becoming NDC certified and any of these airlines can be connected to the APG Platform via an NDC API. We see most major NDC certified airlines are now connecting directly with their top travel agents via NDC links and the APG Platform is focused on helping these airlines benefit from NDC connectivity with those travel agents outside of their core group.”

The IT team behind APG Platform is currently working on implementations of further airlines who are using the current downtime to fast forward distribution developments, said APG, adding that it expects more airlines to come onto the platform in the following weeks.

However, APG added, no new travel agent sign-ups are expected until the travel industry starts to recover. On a positive note, by this summer, APG plans to be able to offer travel agents the option to connect to the platform via direct API as an alternative to the desktop online portal with which the APG Platform was initially launched.

Call for entries open for MIST programme

By TTG Asia

May 21, 2020

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The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) has opened applications for the fourth edition of the annual Mekong Innovative Startups in Tourism (MIST) programme.

The programme is jointly launched by MTCO and Destination Mekong, the public-private collaboration framework of the Lancang-Mekong Region.

The MIST programme aims to drive industry growth and inspire innovation in the tourism markets of the Greater Mekong Subregion; tourists enjoying a boat tour in Mekong Delta, Vietnam pictured

Applicants can submit under two categories: travel technology ventures and social impact ventures.

While MIST has previously only accepted applications from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, this year it also welcomes submissions from startups headquartered in the Yunnan Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in China.

“The Greater Mekong Subregion’s government, tourism, and hospitality leaders have embraced MIST as a force for innovation, sustainability, and growth in the region,” said Jens Thraenhart, executive director of the MTCO.

“Through this programme, we have created the ideal mechanism for tourism innovators and travel startups to get paired with investors and industry mentors who can equip them to scale and thrive.”

The MIST programme was launched in 2016 by Destination Mekong and the Mekong Business Initiative, with the backing of the Government of Australia, the Asian Development Bank, and the MTCO, to propel innovation in the tourism markets of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The MIST programme is guided by an international advisory board made up of travel executives and investors in the travel and tourism industry.

In 2017 and 2018, the final pitching competitions were integrated into the Mekong Tourism Forums in Luang Prabang, Laos, and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, respectively.

In 2019, Destination Mekong partnered with the Travel Startups Asia Forum in Bangkok, to host the final MIST pitching competition. The MIST Mentorships Bootcamp was hosted at the offices of the PATA in Bangkok, conducting workshops by investors, travel executives, and MIST alumni for MIST 2019 finalists. Winners of the travel technology category were invited to present at the MIST Forum at ITB Asia in Singapore, and winners of the social impact category will present at the next Mekong Tourism Forum.

The MIST Advisory Group recently met virtually to discuss that MIST 2020 will have a focus on resilience amid the current Covid-19 pandemic. Board members also agreed to conduct online MIST mentorship sessions for final startups with investors and MIST alumni.

The final MIST pitching competition may also be held virtually, if a physical event is not possible at the end of 2020, said MTCO in a statement.

Applications can be submitted at no cost here before July 15, 2020. More information about programme eligibility is available here.

Marriott’s W checks into Melbourne

Aviation sector faces major headwinds, long road to recovery

Fare caps in place as India’s domestic skies open up

Planeterra raising funds to aid fragile communities

Accor partners AXA to offer guests medical support

Engaging travel lovers today to champion the travel recovery tomorrow

Myanmar, Cambodia pin hopes on China tourists for post-pandemic restart

South Korean airlines to resume international flights from June

APG Platform to roll out upgraded back office for travel agents

Call for entries open for MIST programme

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