The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) has partnered Makati-based school iACADEMY to launch the Experience Philippines, an augmented reality app which houses a treasure chest of visuals and information about the history of Intramuros, the famed walled city of Manila.
Currently, the AR feature only works on the DOT logo and certain sites in Intramuros, including the Gallery of Presidents, the Fort Santiago Gate, the Ayuntamiento, the Manila Cathedral, San Agustin Church, and the Churches of our Lady of Lourdes, of San Ignacio, of San Francisco, and of Recollects.
DoT has launched the AR app Experience Philippines which dives into the past of Intramuros city
There are hopes to expand this technology to other tourist sites around the country, according to DOT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Tourist sites that the DOT is eyeing for AR development include the Banaue Rice Terraces, Corregidor, Mt. Samat, Puerto Princesa, Pampanga and Mt. Pinatubo.
Intramuros administration administrator Guiller Asido believes the app will help attract more visitors to the city. “Culture buffs will enjoy Intramuros more with this app as they will be able to see how Fort Santiago and other historical sites looked like before,” he said.
The Experience Philippines app, which is available through Google Play and the Apple App Store, also serves as a compact version of the www.philippines.travel.
Japan’s JTB Corp has launched its revamped Rurubu Travel and JAPANiCAN.com websites, in collaboration with Asia-based OTA Agoda.
The websites, which leverage Agoda’s technology expertise in marketing optimisation, machine learning and AI capabilities, are the OTA’s first white label ventures of this scale.
JTB Corp unveils its revamped JAPANiCAN.com and Rurubu Travel websites
The newly refreshed websites will feature 12,000 properties on Rurubu Travel and 8,000 on JAPANiCAN.
As part of the partnership with JTB, Agoda will also have preferred access to the 12,000 properties in JTB’s inventory, which will allow its customers access to a greater variety of properties throughout Japan.
For the past year, over 100 engineers, designers, product and marketing specialists and business development and relationship managers from JTB and Agoda have collaborated on developing back-end and front-end technology to improve customers’ interaction experience with the websites by reducing search and booking journey inefficiencies, designing a more user-friendly interface, and improving connectivity response speeds for search results and booking.
In addition, Agoda’s AI and machine learning tools have helped to deliver personalisation of searches, showing relevant choices of types, location and budgets of accommodation, thus making it easier for consumers to find what they are looking for, much more efficiently. This is combined with Agoda’s marketing optimisation technology which will help JTB track and target travellers with the right selection of properties.
While the revamped sites leverage Agoda’s technology and infrastructure, Agoda worked closely with JTB to customise the look and feel of the sites to Rurubu Travel and JAPANiCAN’s branding, as well as tailor certain processes and features specific to their market.
That includes integrating payment flows through JTB’s preferred payment gateway, and meal plan and occupancy settings for ryokans to meet the expectations of Japanese customers and requirements of traditional Japanese accommodation partners.
“This hasn’t been just a facelift; this project has been a complete reengineering of how these websites’ function by Agoda to improve connectivity and processes, and ultimately help accelerate JTB’s digital and e-commerce ambitions,” explained John Brown, CEO, Agoda.
Agoda and JTB will continue their collaboration with other projects, including the development of an extranet to allow JTB partner properties to dynamically manage their content and inventory.
Swiss-Belhotel International will be launching 12 new properties in Indonesia by 2022.
The new properties will encompass four brands: Swiss-Belexpress, Zest, Swiss-Belinn, and Swiss-Belhotel. They will be located across the archipelago, including Cilegon, Bali, Surabaya, and Jakarta.
Swiss-Belhotel to launch 12 new properties in Indonesia by 2022; Swiss-Belhotel Makassar in Losari Beach pictured
Nine of the new properties will open this year, namely, the 115-room Swiss-Belexpress Cilegon; the 163-room Swiss-Belhotel Arjuna, Legian, Bali; the 88-room Swiss-Belhotel Cendrawasih Biak; the 227-room Swiss-Belhotel Darmo Surabaya; the 316-room Swiss-Belhotel Kelapa Gading, Jakarta; the 252-room Swiss-Belhotel Solo; the 138-room Swiss-Belinn Cikarang; the 95-room Zest Parang Raja Solo; and the 53-room The Gamat Bay, Bali.
The 118-room Zest Ambon will open in 2021, followed by the 239-room Swiss-Belhotel Puri Indah Jakarta, and the 269-room Swiss-Belhotel Purwokerto in 2022.
Larapinta Trek (Photo Credit: Graham Michael Freeman, Great Walks of Australia)
Australian Walking Holidays has launched a seven-day Central Australian experience that combines three highlights of Australia’s Red Centre.
The new Larapinta, Kings Canyon and Uluru in Comfort trip brings active travellers to explore the Larapinta Trail, the Kings Canyon and the sacred site of Uluru.
Australian Walking Holidays' Central Australia experience
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Larapinta Trek (Photo Credit: Graham Michael Freeman, Great Walks of Australia)
Fearless Campsite (Photo Credit: Shaana McNaught, Australian Walking Holidays)
Uluru in Northern Territory, Australia
Professionally guided and fully supported throughout, guests will stay in exclusive eco-campsites on the Larapinta Trail near Alice Springs, as well as permanent campsites at Kings Canyon Resort and Uluru.
The trip costs A$3,395 (US$2,274) per person (twin share), and departs on June 2 and July 28, 2020.
The price includes airport transfers, all meals, all accommodation, services of professional wilderness guide and support staff, fees to Aboriginal Traditional Owners and National Parks, and all transport during the tour.
BRUNEI
Ulu Temburong National Park is on my 2020 radar as the 30km Temburong bridge linking Brunei-Muara to Temburong will be opened, thereby reducing travel time between the two districts and making it easier to promote and market the national park as a tourist attraction. – CP Foo, general manager, Century Travel
Brunei’s Ulu Temburong National Park is home to virgin rainforest
CAMBODIA
In 2020, the Ministry of Tourism will be actively promoting ecotourism offerings in the provinces of Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, Mondulkiri and Kratie. Visitors will have the opportunity to mingle with indigenous tribes and see wild elephants in Mondulkiri. River dolphins are renowned in Kratie, as are the many natural wonders in Stung Treng and Rattanakiri. – Prak Vuthy, director of overseas tourism marketing and promotion department, Ministry of Tourism Cambodia
Ecotourism is growing in rural Cambodia and we have created itineraries to cater to its demand. Kratie is a good destination for viewing endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, and there are plenty of homestay options in both the province and Mekong River islands. We will also be promoting more community-driven products in lesser-known provinces such as Stung Treng and Rattanakiri. – Mak Kun, product manager, VLK Royal Tourism
Fishermen at Tonle Sap Lake, Kratie, Cambodia
INDONESIA
President Joko Widodo has mandated the development of five “super-priority destinations” (Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, Borobudur, Lake Toba and Likupang) to encourage visitors to explore the archipelago beyond the popular tourist resort island Bali.
The ministry has earmarked Rp9.4 trillion (US$668 million) in developing their infrastructure, amenities, destination marketing and other aspects. It is then important to create an ecosystem of preserving culture and empowering communities economically to ensure continuity in sustainable tourism. We project the growth of new businesses and job creations with more international tourism events happening in Indonesia. – Wishnutama Kusubandio, Indonesia minister of tourism and creative economy
Our focus in 2020 is to develop train tours in West Java, as some routes have been built or reopened. Bandung’s municipal government is in talks with Kereta Api Indonesia with developing alternatives to support existing train routes from Jakarta via Bogor.
The reopened Bogor-Sukabumi route features a number of historical attractions such as a megalithic site on Gunung Padang. Train journeys will also enable travellers to pass the longest bridge on Java Island – named (Jembatan Cikubang) – and tea plantations – both of which have been around since the Dutch colonial era.
Air-conditioned trains also connect Bandung to other tourist destinations such as Pangandaran and Garut in West Java. – Daniel Nugraha, director, Exotic Java Trails
Aerial view of Cikubang Bridge in West Java, the longest active train bridge in Indonesia
LAOS
Due to improvements in infrastructure and air connectivity, we are expecting significant tourism growth for Laos in 2020. Heritage boutique hotels in the UNESCO site of Luang Prabang, in particular, have proven to be a huge draw for customers seeking new experiences. This means we can offer additional options as an add-on extension for those travelling in other Indochina countries. – Ian Woods, group business development director, ICS Travel Group
Nagas Luang Prabang, a boutique hotel in Laos’ former royal capital
MALAYSIA
A new destination highlighted in our domestic and international promotions is Desaru Coast in Johor, which is relatively unknown to international markets. Launched in July 2019, this integrated destination has attractions and facilities that will appeal to both leisure and business travellers. Desaru Coast spans over 1,600ha along a pristine 17km beachfront. Tourists can stay at upscale hotels, play golf and have fun at Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast, which is home to one of the biggest wave pools in the world. – Musa Yusof, director-general, Tourism Malaysia
Langkawi is a very good destination for ecotourism, and its UNESCO Global Geopark status adds to its touristy appeal. It is also a duty-free island where alcohol can be purchased at a lower price compared to other parts of the country. The availability of liquor, good resorts, sun, sand and sea make this the perfect destination experience for western markets, which we wish to grow. – Nigel Wong, director, Urban Rhythms Tours, Adventures & Travel
Tanjung Rhu Beach in Langkawi Island
MYANMAR
Myanmar is a country with diverse attractions offering culture, nature, heritage, food and festivals. In 2020, we will introduce Tanintharyi Region as a destination ideal for adventure trips and island stays with its abundance of natural rainforests and unspoilt marine resources. – May Myat Mon Win, chairperson, Myanmar Tourism Marketing Association
Recent developments in infrastructure have led to growth in cruise and tour operations in the Mergui Archipelago, a hidden paradise that I believe is turning into a hotspot. – Zarni Htwe, managing director, Adventure Myanmar Tours & Incentives
Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago is seeing more cruise and tour operations
PHILIPPINES
Iloilo is a prime tourist area not only for leisure travellers but also for MICE thanks to its beaches, sustainable urban development, rich cultural heritage, and cuisine that fuses Spanish, Chinese and local influences.
The presence of an international airport and wide thoroughfares also make Iloilo more accessible to travellers while the rehabilitation of the Iloilo River, completion of the scenic 8km Esplanade, and renovation of historic and heritage buildings and sites are all targeted at the development of sustainable tourism. – Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, tourism secretary, Philippines
Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron islands in Palawan are popular among tourists due to their diversified offerings, ranging from underground river wonders to karst and limestone scenery. The pristine white beaches of Palawan’s San Vicente are also meriting a number of enquiries.
Those from the US, Australia and other longhaul markets usually spend 8D/7N exploring these destinations. – Irine Maliwanag, general manager, Im-ACTIVE Tours, Events, MICE Management & Services
Miagao Church, a historical landmark in Iloilo, the Philippines
SINGAPORE
Following the recent close of the Jurong Lake District’s Expression of Interest exercise, we are reviewing concepts from interested parties in 2H2020. We will consider attraction concepts such as nature or tech-based edutainment that appeal to families and working adults, as the site will complement the neighbouring Jurong Lake Gardens and the new Science Centre.
We hope the new tourism development will be a world-class leisure destination with attractions, hotels, and other lifestyle offerings. It will be aligned with the wider vision of the Jurong Lake District becoming a vibrant mixed-use business and leisure district that leverages its unique waterfront setting and surrounding greenery. – Jean Ng, executive director, attractions, entertainment and tourism concept development, Singapore Tourism Board
We are looking at going into more heartland areas, as there are many pockets still unexplored by tourists in Singapore. Our Ang Mo Kio Bird Singing Club tour is doing very well, so we hope to explore other neighbourhoods such as Toa Payoh. For our customers who are mainly from Europe and America, and especially those who have visited Singapore before, they are looking for experiences beyond attractions such as the Merlion and Sentosa. – Jasmine Tan, co-founder, Oriental Travel and Tours
Oriental Travel & Tours takes visitors into Singapore’s heartland
THAILAND
The Tourism Authority of Thailand will continue to focus on promoting linkages between major and emerging destinations to balance the seasonality factor and achieve a better distribution of tourist arrivals between urban and rural areas.
For the longhaul markets, we are creating awareness in emerging destinations offering a combination of natural and cultural travel experiences such as Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Phatthalung, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Chanthaburi and Trat.
For the shorthaul markets, including South-east Asia, we are promoting Surat Thani, Ko Samui and its vicinity as affordable luxury destinations. Our Get Active Retreat Islands initiative will encourage responsible tourism and diving activities. – Yuthasak Supasorn, governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient royal capital, is the destination to look out for this year. Dotted with red-brick ruins where kings and queens once lived and worshipped, the city is on the cusp of a renaissance with new cafés and boutiques popping up, bringing in a fresh, youthful vibe with lots of Instagram-worthy venues. Guests can travel by helicopter to see the ruins and countryside from a different angle, or take a more leisurely route with an immersive overnight journey along the river from Bangkok. – Tim Cook, country manager, Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, Abercrombie & Kent
Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of Ayutthaya’s best known temples
VIETNAM
Hoi An, Hue and Dalat will undoubtedly see an increase in traffic for 2020, as they offer unique experiences from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Phuc Quoc is gaining attention too, with direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and its year-round accessibility.
Personally, I hope Phong Nha gets more attention. Their cave system and landscape are serene and captivating. Access and infrastructure remain limited but this will change in the next few years. – Ken Lau, CEO/founder, Adventoro Travel
Son Doong, the largest cave in the world, is at the heart of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh, Vietnam
Despite the threat of a global economic recession, travellers across the world, including Indonesian travellers, are increasingly prioritising value over cost, according to Travelport’s Global Digital Traveler Research 2019.
Hence, savvy travel providers need to consider how they can come up with the best values to entice Indonesian travellers, said Raymond Setokusumo, president director of Galileo Indonesia Perdana, Travelport’s operator in Indonesia.
Technology key to unlocking the best value, personalised offers which Indonesian travellers seek, says Travelport’s Gary Harford (far right; pictured alongside Galileo Indonesia’s Raymond Setokusumo, and ASTINDO’s Elly Hutabarat)
The report, which surveyed 23,000 people from across 20 countries, including 500 from Indonesia, found that in terms of choosing an airline, for example, value is a top priority for nearly nine out of 10 travellers in Indonesia (88 per cent), with just six per cent booking solely on cost. They seek to personalise their flights with add-ons, such as extra legroom and meal upgrades.
Travellers in Indonesia prioritise airline reliability (91 per cent vs the global average of 86 per cent), great customer service (88 per cent vs 81 per cent), good on-board experience (88 per cent vs 77 per cent) and ideal route/timing (88 per cent vs 80 per cent).
On the other hand, Travelport reported that more than half of the travellers in Indonesia (52 per cent) are frustrated that they are unable to speak to a human being when using technology to make travel bookings.
Also, when attempting to personalise their experiences, a growing number of these Indonesian travellers are frustrated at not being able to understand what is included as standard (61 per cent, a massive 40 percentage point increase from 2018). Similarly, not knowing what add-ons are available is another pain point for 63 per cent of these travellers.
Speaking at the report’s launch in Jakarta on January 30, Gary Harford, regional director APAC operator territories, said: “Travellers expect an experience from travel providers that is as simple and engaging as any other retailer. Our research shows that technology is crucial to this – whether it’s in serving the personalised offers which travellers in Indonesia expect, or helping them find the best value.”
Commenting on the findings, Putu Ayu Aristyadewi, vice president of marketing communications at Smailing Tour, agreed that Indonesian travellers today demand value, not only when booking their tickets but also their holidays. Therefore, she prefers to listen to the needs of her clients, who are largely made up of high-end travellers.
To understand them better, Putu said, Smailing Tour rolled out Smailing Xperiences, a programme that allows travellers to craft their itineraries based on best values that they sought, thereby bypassing the traditional travel agency to plan their holidays.
As timing is top of mind for Indonesian travellers, Putu added that she set Xperiences at flexible times and dates.
However, South Tangerang-based Safa Tour owner Khairul Gumay dismissed the survey’s finding that Indonesian travellers prioritise value over cost, pointing out how certain segments of travellers still sought out affordable airfares when booking flights.
Case in point: To cater to the growing number of budget-conscious millennial travellers, Safa Tour rolled out low-cost semi-backpacker tour packages, such as 5D4N Japan Trip priced at 12 million rupiah (US$876).
“In Japan, for example, everything is expensive. So, for this package, we bring guests to a hostel, instead of a hotel. This is not a big deal for them because at least, their desire to visit Japan has become a reality,” he said.
As they grapple with the fallout from coronavirus, travel agencies in the Philippines are resorting to promoting safe and responsible travel, dangling steep discounts and adding value to the travel experience, turning to longhaul and domestic travel, and tapping celebrities’ star power.
Beset by doubts, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) a few days ago mulled cancelling its 27th Travel Tour Expo (TTE) 2020, the country’s biggest consumer travel fair, which begins today (Friday).
Philippine travel players eye longhaul and domestic travellers to make up for shortfall in regional tourist arrivals due to coronavirus
On its decision to push through with the three-day event, PTAA president Ritchie Tuano explained: “As an association, we have to take the lead in reducing travel scare and promote safe travel and precautionary measures recommended by the World Health Organization and the Department of Health.”
Tuano said they were also overwhelmed by the success of TTE 2020’s two-day B2B component held from February 2-4, whereby other than cancellations from China, all sellers from 25 countries met with 300 buyers across the Philippines.
Precautionary measures being implemented at TTE 2020 include a medical team with ambulance on standby, hand sanitisers and alcohol dispensers, distribution of leaflets on how to avoid infection/contamination, and mandatory body temperature checks on all access points.
Apart from dangling travel deals having the lowest prices in the 27-year history of TTE, PTAA also chose the 10 most travelled Filipino celebrities, based on their social media postings.
“(Celebrities) do a lot to boost the visits to different locations. Their fans aspire to go where they go. They provide both the glamour factor and the reassurance that the place is safe to visit,” Tuano explained.
Travel agents said the coronavirus scare has a greater impact on travel than SARS and H1N1 due to social media influence, plus the fact that China is the second biggest inbound market for the Philippines while Hong Kong is one of the top outbound destinations for Filipinos.
Golden Sky Travel and Tours president, Dolly Santos, said the outbound challenge is for travel to South-east Asian destinations, where the bulk of trip postponements and cancellations are, as tourists do not require a visa to travel there, except to Japan and South Korea.
But Santos pointed out that it’s not that easy to cancel longhaul trips because the visas issued are restricted to the travel dates and air tickets are difficult to rebook for groups.
Echoing the strategies of multiple agencies, Rowena Baltazar, managing director of newly-formed A-List Travel Solutions, said that they are targeting the domestic travellers by promoting various destinations on social media.
The country’s cache of over 100 million domestic tourists has proven effective in helping the Philippine travel trade sail through tough times in the past, by sheer volume alone compared to just eight million foreign inbound tourists.
Baltazar added that visa assistance and processing is a good source of income for them.
Meanwhile, Tuano said they are also diverting their marketing and promotions to other destinations without travel restrictions like Japan and South Korea and for inbound, to source markets like India and the Middle East.
Golden Eagle Travel and Tours president, Michelle Victoria, noted that industry players were adopting cost-saving measures to tide through these tough times, for instance, TTE exhibitors were resorting to car pooling and opting for non-hotel options.
Vietnam-based luxury DMC is aiming to disrupt the market and offer a platform for South-east Asian SME operators to shine.
In an age of corporate buy-outs and acquisition of DMCs, the team behind Luxperia are doing things differently. The Ho Chi Minh City-headquartered company has spent the last 14 months gathering a collective of boutique operators from across South-east Asia to curate innovative itineraries that tap into their wealth of ground knowledge.
Luxperia partners SME operators to curate travel experiences around Asia
Linh Le, principal and co-founder of Luxperia, said: “During the last 10 years, there has been a lot of acquisitions with corporates buying DMCs and tour operators, through to ground suppliers. However, we’re seeing growth in the number of local SME operators. We don’t want to create another DMC model but a network of smaller DMCs to work as one collective.”
Luxperia has brought together a network of experts in MICE, adventure and culinary tourism across the region to craft creative itineraries that offer authentic and unique local experiences, enabling the DMC to curate a diverse range of luxury, niche-led itineraries.
Said Le: “We want to make it win-win for both economies and international buyers. We are seeing increased competition from large DMCs, but we want to use that as a positive. If we can turn it around and share best practices, learn from one another, then there’s huge benefits for SME operators to join together.”
Sustainability is another key driver of Luxperia’s philosophy. Its collective of operators includes grassroots experts able to tap into their local networks, ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism.
Added Le: “It’s important we support and boost local economies with each of these small individual players. For example, a regional expert in northern Laos would know local communities and cottage industries. Supporting these artisan villages, buying local produce and introducing crafts to international tourists helps the growth of the micro-economy and adds to jobs.”
With Luxperia’s Spain-based CEO Vicente Catala having established the company in Spain, Portugal and Latin America, Le is now tasked with growing business from English-speaking markets, including the UK, Australia, Europe and the US.
Added Le: “What’s most important is we offer a multifaceted win-win scenario for local people and communities, the buyer and the end consumer.”
To join Luxperia’s collective, visit https://luxperia.com/.
International air passenger markets had moderated against a backdrop of a slowdown in the global economy, and uncertainties surrounding trade negotiations, according to preliminary traffic figures for the full year 2019 released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
In aggregate, the region’s airlines registered a 4.2% increase in the number of international passengers carried to a combined 375.5 million in 2019, a “relatively moderate” performance compared with the stronger annual growth rates of previous years, said Andrew Herdman, AAPA director general.
Air passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific showed 4.2 per cent growth in 2019
Measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), demand grew by 4.1%, reflecting the relative strength of both short- and long-haul travel markets. After accounting for a 3.7% increase in available seat capacity, the average international passenger load factor edged 0.3 percentage points higher to 80.9% for the year.
Herdman said: “Whilst increased geopolitical and trade tensions may have affected business confidence levels and overall traffic demand, new routes and frequencies providing more options to travellers as well as attractive air fares continued to drive passenger numbers higher in 2019, supported by ongoing regional economic expansion.
“Overall, in 2019, Asian airlines faced an intensely competitive operating environment, with downward pressure on yields and profitability, only partially alleviated by the 7.2% fall in global jet fuel prices to an average of US$79 per barrel for the year.”
Looking ahead, Herdman said the travel restrictions and widespread public concern rising from the coronavirus outbreak has led to significant falls in demand for air travel on routes to, from and within China, adding on to an already cloudy outlook for 2020.
Hilton has partnered real estate company Tokyu Land Corporation (TLC) to open a new LXR Hotels & Resorts property in Kyoto, Japan, marking the debut of the luxury brand in Asia-Pacific.
An exterior rendering of the upcoming property
Slated to open in autumn 2021, the 114-key hotel will be located at the foothills of the Takagamine mountains in the northern part of Kyoto, and will form part of the 11.5ha Shozan Resort Kyoto.
The new Kyoto signing marks the second franchise agreement between Hilton and TLC, following the Kyukaruizawa Kikyo, Curio Collection by Hilton in 2018.
