New sustainable lodge in Myanmar eyes longhaul travellers

February 14, 2020

A new sustainable lodge is aiming to lure more longhaul travellers to Myanmar’s untouched coastline, while giving back to the community.

Lalay Lodge opened its doors in January in the remote fishing village of Maung Shwe Lay in Rakhine State, offering visitors a slice of tropical beach paradise combined with a glimpse into authentic rural Burmese life.

Lalay Lodge

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In line with the values of conscious travellers, the nine-room resort was designed by Australian architect, Mary Lou Thompson, using natural, locally-sourced materials to blend in with its surroundings.

All 15 staff have been recruited from the village and undergone hospitality training. They are headed by an English-speaking general manager, who is also the only foreign employee.

As part of its sustainable pledge, the lodge has launched a coral reef protection programme and set up a waste collection system for the 1,500 villagers. It also uses solar power and no single-use plastic, and reuses grey water.

Edwin Briels, Lalay Lodge co-owner, said: “Involving communities is what tourism should be all about.”

Briels, who is also managing director of Khiri Travel Myanmar, has been organising day trips to the village, which sits a combined one-hour tuk tuk and boat cruise from Thandwe (Ngapali) airport, for the last seven years.

He said: “My local business partner (for the lodge) told me that if you’re born in a community like this and don’t want to be a fisherman or farmer, then there are no proper jobs. That’s why we started.”

Briels predicts the majority of guests will be longhaul travellers from Australia, Europe and America. They will also tap into regional visitors wanting to experience traditional Asian village life.

Added Briels: “It’s really good for communities to have jobs in their own area and building small lodges is one way to do this. Tourists don’t want to go to only the big attractions; they want to explore more of the countryside and do off-the-beaten-track activities. It’s really about village life, which is amazing in Myanmar.”

Currently, the average stay at the lodge is three nights, with management working with DMCs and FITs through online platforms, such as Booking.com and Agoda.

High-tech botanical garden to bloom in Tokyo’s Inari

By Kathryn Wortley

February 14, 2020

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Japanese leisure and entertainment giant Yomiuri Land is set to open a high-tech botanical garden which will allow visitors to soak up floral wonders year-round instead of only during bloom seasons.

Hana Biyori, which will sit adjacent to the Yomiuriland amusement park in west Tokyo’s Inari area, will launch on March 14.

Hana Biyori

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Visitors to the 40,000m² facility will be able to immerse themselves in a world of flowers and digital art. Displays will be equipped with projection mapping and imaging technology to show flowers in full bloom year-round.

The 1,500m² greenhouse will house 300 suspended flower “chandeliers,” the largest arrangement of its kind in the Kanto region, as well as a flowerbed over 20m long and 2m high. Outside, the garden will feature more than 130 tree species and 17,000 flowers every season.

Yusuke Okutani, a planning and advertising executive at Yomiuri Land, told TTG Asia that the move was driven by the desire to take on new challenges and keep offerings fresh and relevant to increasingly discerning travellers.

“Leisure needs have diversified along with changing customer needs. It is an era where bold ideas are not bound by the inevitable. Nothing can surpass the beauty of fresh flowers but recent innovations in digital technology have made possible a fascinating concept beyond imagination,” he said.

Japan’s flowers and foliage are a big draw for international tourists, resulting in annual booms in arrivals during the cherry blossom season and autumn foliage season. The spring and autumn seasons are therefore big business for the trade, with flower-related tours, events, activities and experiences.

With Hana Biyori offering year-round floral appeal, it is poised to become a new highlight for inbound visitors. Okutani hopes to attract particularly active seniors, extended families, as well as women in their 20s and 30s.

Hana Biyori is part of Yomiuri Land’s Super Amusement Park Vision, which promises “a fusion of nature and entertainment unlike anything seen before”. Other efforts include the renewal of Goodjoba with digital elements. The amusement park offers fun and experience of Japanese craftsmanship at four factories (automobile, food, fashion and stationery), and will reopen on March 6.

Boutique hoteliers are still mistaken when it comes to technology

By TTG Asia

February 14, 2020

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The demand for boutique hotels around the world continues to increase, according to a recent report by industry analyst Market.us global.

Major players like Marriott International and Hyatt aggressively market themselves for a bigger share of this valuable market. They have bought out others, scaled down existing properties within their portfolio, and rebranded to give their properties that authentic boutique feel that travellers are looking for.

What sets the boutique chains apart from the smaller independent operators, located in towns and cities in every country, is their access to technology which gives them the edge when it comes to delivering an all-round authentic experience. Tools like data analytics and related sources provide an integrity and promise that many independents struggle to compete with.

The tide is turning, however. The travel tech industry, which larger chains have enjoyed for years, is shifting, allowing smaller hotels to operate on a much more level playing field. There are tools out there that are affordable to the independents, providing a much needed boost in this market. Tools that are giving boutique hotels the opportunity to compete with the big chains while maintaining their unique bijou charm.

Being boutique means that you are flexible, with the freedom to implement new tools. Technology can help you manage guest experiences and problem-solving while your guests are with you. It’s the promise of a personalised, attentive hotel stay for visitors.

Apps available today (like Alexa for hotels) are able to use local knowledge which will enhance hotel guests’ stay by providing them with information on where the local markets or best street food are, and so on. As a boutique hotel, this tech maintains your authenticity because it’s more commonplace among the majority of visitors. They use it every day and it’s very affordable.

While apps offer a relatively cheap means of improving the guest experience, the real challenge for small hotels this year is how to improve hotel management. This is the engine that drives everything, and if you get that right, then the other hotel operations – marketing, sales and customer services – will fall into place.

Hotel property management systems (PMS) schedule and manage daily operations, enabling hotels to handle front office workflow (booking, guest check-in & checkout, etc). This helps hotel staff to better coordinate the operational functions across all the departments by streamlining operations, saving man-hours and serving guests.

Revenue Management Systems (RMS) automate your analytics, determine the right price for your rooms to maximise revenue and profitability. Put simply, a good RMS will enable you to sell the right product at the right time for the best price across the most effective channels.

Multilingual chatbots will boost your room sales. This smart technology provides a potential customer with a direct mode of communication to the hotel, who can answer any questions a prospective guest might have before they make a booking. Prospective guests are able to make an informed decision, and far less likely to book with a direct competitor.

All great stuff but well over budget, right? Wrong.

A New Ecosystem

For small hotels, finding the right software fit is critical, but more importantly, it has to be affordable. Large hotel chains have been using these systems for years and many boutique hotels, with limited budgets, have been playing catch up ever since.

For most small hotels, these stand-alone systems have been out of reach.

What we are moving towards now, however, is a new ecosystem, where tech companies and booking platforms like VLeisure are forging key partnerships that allow them to share this technology. These industry collaborations are making sales and distribution processes a level playing field for all hotels, regardless of their size and budget. This tech is no longer exclusive to large hotels with deep pockets. So, a PMS and an RMS is now a reality, and not a pipe dream.

The Future Is Bright

The more travel businesses like ours work together with tech providers, the greater the opportunity for independent properties to tap into these resources.

Unlike the retail industry, which is seeing more independent stores disappear from the high street, the travel industry is offering new opportunities for small hotels to thrive and compete. It’s the next stage of the boutique renaissance. Keep your ear to the ground because the future is bright for small hotels.

Heritage Line takes luxe cruising experiences to Upper Mekong

By TTG Asia

February 14, 2020

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Vietnamese boutique cruise operator Heritage Line has started accepting bookings for sailings on its new 10-berth ship Anouvong, which will be the first luxury boat to ply the Upper Mekong River in Laos upon its launch later this year.

The boat, which features eight staterooms and two suites, will plot a course from the Golden Triangle at the Thailand/Laos border in the north-west, through the royal city of Luang Prabang, and down to the Lao capital, Vientiane.

Heritage Line Anouvong plots a course along the Mekong River in central and northern Laos

The cruise operator offers two journeys: The shorter three-night sailing leaves Luang Prabang and heads to the town of Huay Xai on the Laos/Thailand border (or vice versa); while the longer journey, spanning seven or nine nights, charts a course between the Laos/Thailand border at Huay Xai and Vientiane.

The shorter trip includes a visit to the village of Huay Palang to meet ethnic Khmu tribes and other highlights such as Pak Ou Caves, which is home to 4,000 sacred Buddhist statues.

The longer alternative embraces sightseeing along remote river areas and various activities such as kayaking through calm, shallow stretches and a gourmet banquet on a river sandbank, as well as a full discovery of Luang Prabang.

Anouvong is expected to begin sailings on September 29, 2020. It is now open for bookings over the next few months through any travel agents or directly with Heritage Line. Bookings made before March 31 will enjoy a 10 per cent discount on the three-night journey.

New hotels: Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, Wanderlust, and more

By TTG Asia

February 14, 2020

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Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, Thailand
Avani Hotels & Resorts has opened the Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, marking the brand’s first entry into Thailand’s resort town of Krabi. Centrally located, the property offers 178 guestrooms and villas, the latter boasting a pool and relaxation area. On-site facilities include five F&B venues, a spa, a swimming pool, a gym, as well as indoor and outdoor playgrounds.

Wanderlust, Singapore
Following a complete facelift, the reimagined Wanderlust, the latest flexible living concept from 8M Collective, is now open for bookings. Embracing the select service model, Wanderlust offers a range of flexible rate packages and services depending on the desired length of stay. Amenities include complimentary laundry service, fully furnished pantries and common spaces.

The 29-key Wanderlust offers a range of room categories, from the Loft category, which features a lofted double bed to accommodate a separate living space, to the Wanderlust Room, which has a double bed and cosy fittings. The majority of rooms feature a kitchenette.

The property features an open-air terrace, a dipping pool, a Mama Shop that offers an array of locally sourced brands and staples, as well as a restaurant and bar helmed by Michelin-star-chef Rishi Naleendra, which is opening in April 2020.

Fusion Suites Vung Tau, Vietnam
Fusion’s newest and third-suite style property, Fusion Suites Vung Tau, has risen in southern Vietnam’s popular coastal playground. Located in the heart of Vung Tau, the 19-storey hotel features 171 suites and apartments, a spa, a rooftop infinity pool, an all-day dining restaurant, a roof-top bar, and market stalls in the lobby. Wellness services and facilities include a spa, yoga and meditation, a fitness studio, a Jacuzzi, and a rooftop pool.

Travelodge Ipoh, Malaysia
Travelodge Hotels Asia has ramped up its expansion in Malaysia with the debut of its fourth hotel, Travelodge Ipoh, which opens after a rebranding and refurbishment of the former Heritage Hotel Ipoh. The 268-key hotel offers rooms in five categories: Superior, Deluxe, Premier, Family Deluxe and Family Suite. The hotel offers two meeting rooms, three ballrooms and a grand ballroom, plus a self-service laundromat, a gym, a kids’ play area, a multi-functional communal and dining space.

JW Marriott Sanya Haitang Bay, China
Located on a 21.8 km-long shoreline, the JW Marriott Sanya Haitang Bay is JW Marriott’s second resort on Hainan island and 18^th hotel in Greater China. The property offers 142 guestrooms and 18 villas, ranging from 68m² to 667m², and each featuring private balconies.

Hotel facilities include an all-day open-kitchen restaurant, a lounge, a health club featuring over nine different-sized pools, and a spa. As well, guests can avail themselves of more than 3,490m² of meeting space, 7,980m² of outdoor lawn, flexible seating solutions and comprehensive business facilities.

Malaysia to roll out tourism stimulus package soon

By S Puvaneswary

February 13, 2020

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The Malaysian government will be handing out a stimulus package to boost the economy and cushion the business fallout from the coronavirus outbreak by either end February or early March.

The move was announced by finance minister Lim Guan Eng following a three-hour meeting with local tourism industry players on Monday. The finance ministry has also scheduled further meetings with local businesses.

Malaysian government plans stimulus package as the Covid-19 epidemic takes toll on the tourism industry; Pangkor Island in Malaysia pictured

Earlier, Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said the impact of the coronavirus outbreak had been felt most keenly by the tourism industry.

The Malaysian Association of Hotels reported total cancellations of 95,972 room nights, amounting to RM40 million (US$9.6 million) loss in revenue from January 26 to February 9.

Its CEO, Yap Lip Seng, shared: “We are tracking cancellations from our member hotels and the number is growing every day. Most cancellations are up to the end of February, with the majority originating from China. There are also cancellations from local Malaysians, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, (South) Korea and other countries. People are afraid to travel and that is a problem, despite the situation in Malaysia being well under control and we remaining safe for tourism.”

So far, out of the 18 positive Covid-19 cases recorded in Malaysia, 12 were China nationals while six were Malaysians.

The South Korean government has advised its citizens against travelling to Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand, in addition to China, due to the outbreak, reported Korean news agency Yonhap.

This will have a negative impact on arrivals from South Korea, which is among Malaysia’s biggest tourist source. For the first nine months of 2019, arrivals from South Korea increased by 9.7 per cent over the corresponding year to 508,080 tourists. The average length of stay of South Koreans was 6.5 nights and the per diem expenditure was RM728 (US$175.90).

On its part, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) will hold a travel fair targeted at the domestic market, in a bid to offset the shortfall from Chinese tourists and to meet consumer demand.

MATTA president Tan Kok Liang said the tourism fair, which is supported by Tourism Malaysia, will be held on April 4 and 5 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Airlines, hotels and major attractions taking part in the fair are expected to roll out irresistible offers to entice visitors.

As a quick fix to overcome the current slowdown, the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association is also focusing on domestic tourism by organising a week-long e-travel fair in late March.

The Philippines’ travel ban on Taiwan doesn’t make sense

By Rosa Ocampo

February 13, 2020

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The Philippines has placed a ban on arriving Taiwanese citizens as a precaution against the transmission of Covid-19 within the country.

The move would have been defensible if it were for public health and safety, like the travel ban imposed on China – where the coronavirus had originated from – and its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have suspended flights to and from Taiwan amid Covid-19 fears

The government’s reasons for the Taiwan ban is because the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Taiwan as being part of China and that the Philippines ascribes to the One China policy.

Note that the travel ban originally included just China, Hong Kong and Macau. Like an afterthought, Taiwan was lumped with the three more than a week later.

Jojo Clemente, president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, who hoped and implored the immediate overturn of the travel ban for Taiwan during the Congressional hearing on February 12, told me that the move was unnecessary since Taiwan “has its own safety protocols and probably quite stringent as well”.

As the government sticks to its lame excuse in including Taiwan in the travel ban, nowhere did it mention that Taiwan poses a health risk. Because it’s not a health risk, unlike China.

Put it this way: The 18 confirmed Covid-19 cases in Taiwan are much lower than those in say, Singapore and Japan, but the Philippines have not banned the others from entering the country.

The Philippine government’s reasoning is defective. And rightfully so, an indignant Taiwan wants the lifting of the travel ban.

Banning Taiwanese to the Philippines – which also means that Filipinos cannot go to Taiwan particularly as local airlines have stopped flying to Taipei, has grave repercussions to the tourism industry which is already hurting from numerous cancellations, rebookings, refunds, etc. due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Clemente noted that Taiwan is the Philippines’ fifth biggest inbound market so “closing that market will impose further hardships on an already battered industry”.

He is concerned that “a prolonged travel ban for no other reason than geopolitics may cause long-term damage for the tourism industry”.

It’s unthinkable what the economic ramifications are going to be for the Philippines should Taiwan discontinue its visa-free policy for Filipinos or worse, stop the flow of domestic helpers, factory workers and imports from the Philippines.

The free flow of travel is more beneficial to the Philippines than to Taiwan and halting it albeit temporarily is therefore more critical to the former.

The Philippines has a penchant for mixing politics and tourism, always with disastrous results, as even recent history had shown.

Time to heed the lessons from the past. Time to right the wrong. And it can do so beginning with the lifting of the travel ban on Taiwan, pronto.

Indonesia devises incentive programmes, special offers to ride through Covid-19 crisis

By Mimi Hudoyo

February 13, 2020

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Government-level incentive programmes and special tourism deals are among the solutions Indonesian tourism stakeholders have developed to combat the loss in inbound and outbound traffic due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Indonesia’s minister of finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati yesterday announced her office, alongside the Ministry of Transportation (MOT) and the Tourism Authority, are formulating incentive programmes for hotels and airlines to stimulate travel, particularly within the country.

The ASTINDO Travel Fair will take place as scheduled this and next month amid the Covid-19 outbreak; Thai Airways’ booth at ASTINDO Travel Fair 2019 pictured

She said the proposal was under review by the MOT and Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Budi Karya Sumadi, minister of transportation, hoped the proposed incentive will have positive impact on airfares and hotel rates, and allow the creation of attractively-priced bundle packages comprising flight and accommodation.

The initiative is in line with measures rolled out by the hotel industry.

The Visit Wonderful Indonesia (Viwi) Nusantara Shocking Deals 2020 was launched by Indonesia’s vice president Ma’ruf Amin at the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) National Conference last Monday.

The programme, which offers special rates to spur domestic travel, is initiated by several tourism industry associations, according to IHRA chairman Haryadi Sukamdani.

Meanwhile, the Indonesia Travel Agent Association (ASTINDO) has confirmed that it will push ahead with the ASTINDO Travel Fair in Jakarta, Palembang (February 21-23); and Padang, Surabaya and Bali (March 6-8).

ASTINDO chairman, Elly Hutabarat, is upbeat about the show’s success after seeing strong interest from participants. They include 100 exhibitors, of which 44 are travel agents; 16 airlines, such as Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and All Nippon Airlines; and NTOs from various countries like Singapore, Thailand, India, South Korea and Japan.

Elly believes that the outbreak will not discourage people to travel because many tourist destinations remain unaffected by it and almost all countries has preventive measures to curb the virus spread.

ASTINDO secretary general, Pauline Suharno, said its members reckon that neither Indonesia’s travel ban nor Singapore’s orange alert level status were good enough reasons to postpone the fair. The travel and tourism community are banking on the fair to boost business, following a wave of refunds and cancellations due to the epidemic.

Elly said during a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday that the tour packages bought by the visitors at ASTINDO Travel Fair is for travel later in May or June, and the outbreak would have ended by then.

Playing its part to correct misconceptions around Covid-19, ASTINO invited medical expert Erlina Burhan to speak with reporters.

Looking to harness the power of social media to bolster travel confidence and interest, ASTINDO is encouraging netizens to share their travel experiences, including tips and tricks, on Instagram with the hashtags #TipsTravellingAstindo and #AstindoTravelFair. Three winners with the most creative photos or stories will walk away with 500,000 rupiah (S$36.60) each on February 21 during the fair.

– Additional reporting by Kurniawan Ulung

Hotel owners and operators – how are you addressing the Covid-19 outbreak?

By Industry Expert

February 13, 2020

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The tourism and business travel sector feel the pain quickly whenever there is a constraint on international or local movement. As Covid-19 spreads, global travel is deeply affected. In many markets, passenger flows and property occupancies have weakened as travellers, businesses and governments make hard, though, predictable choices.

For the travel sector in Hong Kong (2019 protests) and Australia (bushfires) in particular, this comes at an already challenging time. It is likely some businesses will face cashflow difficulties.

What are we seeing?

Businesses in the hotels and resorts accommodation sector are focusing on Covid-19 at many levels as they work through the short- and longer-term implications of this epidemic.

As an employer…

Workplace legislation in most jurisdictions imposes a duty to look after the health, safety and welfare of employees as far as reasonably practicable, and we are seeing that as a key focus. Some concerns are less obvious at first glance, such as discrimination against perceived Chinese nationals and data protection issues around health declarations from clients and employees.

Employers may want to consider:

Staying abreast of current status and recommendations from local and international health organisations, and ensuring relevant internal communications are made regularly.
Educating staff to spot symptoms in themselves and other staff as well as incoming guests. Some operators may obtain medical advice to support the education efforts, including making the use of wipes, masks and other materials available and/or mandatory.
Restricting travel. Many businesses, including our own, have put the brakes on non-essential travel within Asia, and in some cases, more broadly. We hope that business travel will rebound strongly and swiftly once positive data emerges and confidence increases.
Checking health, long term disability and life insurance policies and any limitations in those policies. Do they cover epidemics? Is there a limit on the number of staff who can draw down benefits at any one time?
Implementing enhanced hygiene and property cleaning programmes.
Providing a safe workplace free from discrimination and harassment at a time of heightened tensions. The origins of Covid-19 are centred in Wuhan, China, and many assume that persons from mainland China or who have been in contact with Chinese nationals are more likely to be carriers of the disease. Spiked fears may cause many to overlook the fact that recent travel history should take precedence over the actual or perceived nationality of the individuals. Employers should be mindful to ensure that nobody is unduly discriminated against or harassed on grounds of nationality.
Asking appropriate staff to work from home. This may not be an option for on-property roles, such as housekeepers, chefs or waiters, though some businesses still need to consider managing their staffing complement if the downturn is prolonged.

When looking after guests, hotel operators may want to consider:

Accepting government-related quarantine business. Some hotels have been asked to accommodate at-risk travellers in isolation. Corporate accounts, FIT guests and hotel staff are likely to have strong views on potentially sharing any perceived risks.
Issuing declaration forms to staying guests and transient visitors, and seeking health and travel history information, to assist tracing at-risk individuals where a suspected or positive case arises in connection to the hotel. Care needs to be taken to only seek information that is permitted under applicable data protection laws, and dissemination and destruction of such information must be conducted in accordance with those controls. Medical information is particularly sensitive, and hotels must handle such data with care.

Staying prepared

Ensure crisis management protocols and infrastructure are available to support on-property teams with the consequences of a suspected or positive case in accordance with relevant local protocols and/or best practice.
Given this is unlikely to be the last such epidemic, develop a workable crisis plan that feasibly gathers and assesses information, balances risks, and introduces measures to protect as far as possible one’s business, staff and clients.

For owners and operators…

Currently, no market or geography looks immune to Covid-19. The scale of negative impact for some will be significant and long-lasting, especially considering that China has become a key tourism source market for many destinations. Owners and operators must keep in mind some key considerations in the running of their business:

A. Coronavirus outbreak as performance test releasing event?

It comes as no surprise that epidemics cause owners and third-party operators to reach for their hotel management contracts and check the force majeure events that release operators from any performance test or hurdles. We expect many hotels in Asia and beyond will have their performance test for the 2019/2020 financial year knocked out by Covid-19, especially where they have a single-limb GOP test (actual vs budgeted).

B. Budget deviations to prevent emergency

Hotel owners should expect shortfalls against budgeted performance as the spread of the outbreak impacts travel and bookings. Departures from approved budgets caused by emergency situations are permitted under most hotel management contracts.

In addition to the increase in expenditures to manage the emergency situation, cashflow and the GOP margins will be affected with revenues dropping as hotels witness travel bans, cancellation of stays, MICE events and weddings. Cashflow challenges at some properties will cause operators to make working capital calls on owners, particularly as most operators are issuing refunds for advance bookings and events.

C. Plugging the gap

Operators and asset managers are being asked to assess the likely impact of Chinese inbound business being withdrawn for 1Q and 2Q2020. In a number of markets, last year’s guest data shows that it will have a material impact on revenues, and the lower occupancy is expected to limit rate growth. Operators will look to adjust their marketing strategies to target domestic and other source markets to mitigate the loss from Chinese inbound business.

Government tourism marketing agencies have a strong role to play in mitigating the impact of Covid-19, as does the international effort to contain its transmission and spread.

Conclusion

The sector is in for a challenging period ahead. Owners and operators must remain vigilant as the Covid-19 situation continues to evolve and mitigate any potential risks, whether in health, safety or operations.

Indonesia extends visas for stranded Chinese tourists; Bali tourism to benefit

By Kurniawan Ulung

February 13, 2020

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Indonesia has decided to allow Chinese tourists stranded in the country to extend their stay for up to a month, as travel to China remains restricted as the country attempts to curtail the spread of Covid-19.

Coordinating economic minister Airlangga Hartanto said that in addition to waiving overstay penalties for Chinese travellers, the government would also set up hotlines for nine ministries, including the Transportation Ministry, Manpower Ministry, Health Ministry and Finance Ministry.

Bali’s tourism sector stands to benefit from visa extensions for Chinese tourists stranded in the country; Ubud Palace in Bali, Indonesia pictured

With no cases of infections in Indonesia, many stranded Chinese travellers have chosen to extend their stays in Bali where they feel safe, according to Elsye Deliana, head of Bali Liang, a member of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) Bali chapter that handles the Chinese market.

“Most of them are also worried about getting infected with the virus if they go home,” she added.

I Ketut Ardana, managing director of Bali Sunshine and chairman of ASITA Bali Chapter, expressed support for the government’s move, which he expects will contribute to much needed tourism receipts.

Citing Bank Indonesia’s report, he said that each Chinese traveller could spend 9.7 million rupiah (US$710) per visit on average.

Ketut projected that if the travel ban continued until March, Bali could lose 300,000 Chinese travellers, with potential loss of 2.9 trillion rupiah. He added that on the whole, the country could lose 500,000 Chinese tourists, amounting to a loss of 4.8 trillion rupiah.

Sudarsana, general manager of business development with Santika Indonesia Hotel and Resorts, said: “We should welcome them. (Chinese travellers who) extend their stay in Bali can be substitutes for those who cannot come to Bali (due to the travel ban).”

While Bali vice governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, who is also chairman of Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association Bali chapter, has urged his members to offer discounted rates for stranded Chinese travellers extending in Bali, few trade players are doing so.

Sudarsana expressed no intention of altering prices for the Chinese travellers, while Ardana intends to maintain the price of his tour packages.

New sustainable lodge in Myanmar eyes longhaul travellers

High-tech botanical garden to bloom in Tokyo’s Inari

Boutique hoteliers are still mistaken when it comes to technology

Heritage Line takes luxe cruising experiences to Upper Mekong

New hotels: Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort, Wanderlust, and more

Malaysia to roll out tourism stimulus package soon

The Philippines’ travel ban on Taiwan doesn’t make sense

Indonesia devises incentive programmes, special offers to ride through Covid-19 crisis

Hotel owners and operators – how are you addressing the Covid-19 outbreak?

Indonesia extends visas for stranded Chinese tourists; Bali tourism to benefit

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