Tourism Australia has named Phillipa Harrison as its new managing director, replacing John O’Sullivan who quit in May to head up adventure tourism company Experience Co.
The promotion sees Harrison become the NTO’s first-ever female head, and comes after a period of several months during which she has held the managing director role in an acting capacity.
Phillipa Harrison
“This is a period of change, challenge and opportunity for our industry. With competition for the global travel wallet and the demands of the international traveller ever increasing, and both global and Australian tourism facing a number of significant headwinds, the need for a strong, cohesive and united industry has never been greater,” said Harrison.
She added that her focus is to retain Tourism Australia’s competitiveness through “creative and high impact marketing” and “the important distribution and partnership platforms we provide to the industry”.
Harrison was previously Tourism Australia’s executive general manager international, overseeing a network of international offices spanning 12 countries, and managing airline relationships and distribution channels.
After the Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi was ordered by the Maldives’ government last August to remove “anti-Islamic” human-like sculptures within the Coralarium — the Maldives’ first and only coral regeneration project in the form of an underwater art installation — the hotel has unveiled a series of new sculptures for the semi-submerged gallery.
Conceptualised by celebrated British environmentalist and eco-artist, Jason deCaires Taylor, the abstract sculptures are inspired by the natural beauty of the coral reef and have been designed to imitate the ethereal formation of coral colonies.
Maldive's first underwater art installation
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Rising from 10 semi-submerged plinths within the Coralarium, the installation aims to raise awareness of the threatened ecosystem, educate guests about the underwater world and rehabilitate the reef. Rising from the sea into the sky, the tessellated sculptures act as a visual connector between the aquatic world and the land.
Perched within Maldives’ largest resort lagoon, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi plays home to an abundance of marine life, from manta rays and turtles to bottlenose dolphins and over 250 species of tropical fish. Now, guests can get even closer to nature as they explore these sculptures and the aquatic life that dwells amongst them, accompanied by a resident marine biologist, as part of the property’s specially curated evening snorkelling tours.
The Coralarium structure, and the sculptures within, act as an artificial reef, encouraging local marine life to make it a home. Up to five metres tall, each of the soaring sculptures is constructed of more than 500 ceramic “starfish” that have been specifically designed to attract a variety of fish and crustaceans – the hard shells catch and hold biomass, or “fish food”, which encourage coral larvae to attach and thrive, while nooks and dark cubbyholes in the structures provide a hiding place for a variety of fish and shellfish. Each sculpture is brought to life through its union with the life that attaches to it, transforming them from concrete to textured, living organisms.
As one of the world’s most celebrated “underwater naturalists”, Taylor’s works become an integral part of the local eco-system, created with non-toxic, marine-grade compounds that is free from harmful pollutants.
The steel Coralarium structure, first installed in 2018, has quickly become inundated with marine life and adventurous guests eager to discover the thriving underwater world. Hard corals, sponges and thousands of schooling fish now live within its walls that are perforated with a coral pattern to allow beams of light to illuminate the sculptures.
Strategically placed to lead snorkellers into various “zones” of the Coralarium, the sculptures can be explored from a sea-scaped coral pathway, that leads from the 200m-infinity pool at the heart of the island – the longest in the Maldives.
Diving adventures and snorkelling sessions with the marine biologist showcase Fairmont Maldives’ best diving spots, right at the eight-kilometre-long house reef, home to many manta ray cleaning stations. Those inspired by Taylor’s installation can even create their own marine-inspired masterpiece in the on-site art studio, or plant their own coral, which they can see flourish as they revisit in years to come.
Eiheiji Hakujukan, Japan
Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko has opened Eiheiji Hakujukan, a hybrid of a temple lodging and an upscale Japanese inn. Located in Fukui Prefecture, the property is situated in front of Eiheiji, one of the two head temples of the Soto School of Zen Buddhism founded in 1244.
The 18-key lodging was developed for visitors to experience the world of Zen, and each room can accommodate up to four people on two beds and additional futons. Other facilities include a Japanese restaurant serving Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, large communal indoor and outdoor baths, Zen garden, and a multipurpose room where guests can practice zazen meditation.
The Clubhouse at Ulu, Indonesia
Sitting atop Uluwatu’s cliffs above the Indian Ocean, The Clubhouse at Ulu is a collection of seven suites. Each suite is named after the seven legendary surf breaks that surround the property – such as Padang Padang, Impossibles and Racetracks – and comes with four-poster beds, 1950s California style furnishings, and free-standing baths.
Guests will also have exclusive use of a private members’ lounge, a Clubhouse bar and in-suite or poolside spa treatments. In addition, they will also have access to the Ulu Cliffhouse beach club, which boasts a 25-metre infinity pool, a restaurant, and a bar.
InterContinental Phuket Resort, Thailand
The beachfront resort along Phuket’s Kamala Beach (also known as the Millionaire’s Mile) has opened with 221 rooms and villas. Aside from four F&B options, the resort’s recreational facilities include five swimming pools, a fitness centre, tennis court and Planet Trekkers Kids Club. There is also the Sati Spa and Wellness which boasts eight treatment rooms, a suite with jacuzzi, and nail salon. Club InterContinental guests will have access to a lounge on the second floor with beach vista frontage, indoor and outdoor dining areas, as well as a large private sundeck and infinity pool.
Hotel Purple, Hong Kong
Housed within this 24-storey boutique hotel in Tin Hau district are 83 rooms ranging from Studio Rooms to the One-Bedroom Deluxe. Keeping gadgets juiced will be easy, as every room offers wireless chargers, alongside ChargeSpot power banks and adapters located throughout the hotel. Guests are invited relax, or bond over local snacks and boardgames in the lounge, or sit in its balcony swing on the outdoor terrace. There is also a gym located across the road, where guests can work up a sweat free of charge.
Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas has appointed Michael Gaehler as the general manager of Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali.
A seasoned professional, Gaehler brings more than 33 years of experience within the high-end hospitality sector, and was most recently the general manager of the Oriental Residences Bangkok. He previously also worked at Regent Hotels & Resorts, managing the group’s hotels and resorts in Montenegro, Taiwan, China and Indonesia.
Gaehler began his hotel career as a chef in his hometown of Zurich, transitioning to broader F&B roles at some of Europe’s leading boutique hotels such as Villa il Tessoro in Tuscany, Hotel Le Vieux Manoir in Murten and Hotel Giardino in Ascona. He then moved to Asia and the Jia Causeway Bay in Hong Kong and The Chedi Chiang Mai, later assisting with the launch of Ananti Kumgang Mountain in North Korea, the country’s first five-star resort.
Performance by the Iban tribe in Sarawak at the Sarawak Cultural Village
Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has intensified efforts to create greater visibility for the East Malaysian state in its traditional market of Europe, after tourism took a hit following the loss of air services linking the continent to Malaysia in recent years.
European arrivals to Malaysia plunged when Malaysia Airlines axed Frankfurt from its flight network in April 2015, followed by Amsterdam and Paris in January 2016, as part of its route rationalisation exercise to stem losses.
Performance by the Iban tribe in Sarawak at the Sarawak Cultural Village
“With a bigger marketing budget, we are going all out to rebuild promotions in Europe by working with more airline partners and increasing our product offerings from this year on,” said STB’s CEO Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor.
Just months earlier, European carriers Air France and Lufthansa had also cancelled their services to Kuala Lumpur in October 2015 and February 2016 respectively.
The attention given to longhaul markets is deemed critical as key European markets including Germany, the UK, France and Benelux countries are year-round, high-yield tourists who spend an average of two weeks in Sarawak.
To boost arrivals from Europe, STB is working with airline partners that have European sectors on several tactical and joint marketing campaigns, said Sharzede.
In addition, STB had participated in ITB Berlin earlier this year, and will lead the private sector at the upcoming ITB Asia in Singapore and World Travel Market in London in November.
The board is targeting 77,138 tourist arrivals from Europe this year, representing a five per cent growth from 2018. It hopes to grow European tourist arrivals to 82,538 next year, which is also designated Visit Malaysia 2020, and to 84,800 European visitors in 2021.
While Sarawak’s past promotions for the European market were focused on soft adventure and cultural attractions, this year, the state NTO wants to raise interest in other areas such as nature, the local cuisine and unique festival offerings including the world renowned Rainforest World Music Festival on the foothills of Mount Santubong and the Borneo Jazz Festival in Miri.
Nature-based events being promoted in Europe include the International Bornean Frog Race, an event focused on promoting awareness, interest and education about amphibians and amphibian conservation around the world. Sarawak’s Kubah National Park is also home to the world’s second smallest frog, the Microhyla Nepenthicola species. Another annual event being promoted in Europe is the Sarawak International Bird Race. Sarawak has 22 bird areas designated by BirdLife International in which inhabits 54 endemic bird species.
“Including nature in the promotions is a good move as this will interest Europeans. If the marketing campaign is done well, we should see an increased interest to Sarawak next year,” said Manfred Kurz, managing director, Diethelm Travel Malaysia.
“It is good that STB is having multiple airline partnerships with airlines that service both Europe and Malaysia through their hubs, as it is a logical thing to do.
“The state government should look into infrastructure development and attracting more investments to the state. Having an international hotel brand on Damai Beach will make it easier to sell the destination, while also increasing the length of stay of Europeans.”
Nigel Wong, director, Urban Rhythms Tours, Adventures & Travel said growing the arrivals from the European longhaul market is ideal for the state which already attracts mature European travellers in their late 30s or older, as this segment likes destinations that are peaceful and not overcrowded.
“At ITB Berlin, there was a large amount of interest on Sabah and Sarawak. Both states conjure up images of a lush and pristine destination which appeals to the European market. STB’s marketing efforts will reinforce the image of Sarawak as an attractive tourism destination and help it reach its intended markets in Europe,” he said.
“Sarawak’s appeal has always been the rainforest, conservation of nature, wildlife and authentic experiences. This marketing effort by STB to promote diversified attractions will resonate well with the market. Along with regular product updates from the state NTO, we should be able to promote Sarawak as an exciting and attractive destination. Since ITB Berlin, we have already seen a pickup in bookings for the destination; with Visit Malaysia 2020 fast approaching, we hope interest will continue,” Wong added.
Adam Kamal, general manager, Tour East Malaysia, said: “We have a lot of requests from European travellers to Sarawak who are interested in visiting UNESCO World Heritage site Mulu National Park. We sell the destination as an educational adventure experience where visitors can learn about the earth’s geosystem while they seek adventure.
“With increased marketing and promotion of diversified attractions, this will attract repeat and new visitors from Europe. Because Sarawak is a niche destination, getting higher yield per tourist is always better than going after mass tourism which could negatively impact the destination.
“I hope the joint international tourism development programme between Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airports Holdings will also attract more Middle Eastern airlines to fly direct to Kuching as that will further boost tourism.”
More attractions are adding to Melaka’s appeal to leisure and business tourists
Melaka State Government’s Visit Melaka Year 2019 campaign, aimed at increasing visitor arrivals to 20 million tourists this year, is already bearing fruit.
The state saw a 17.5 per cent increase in tourist arrivals to 4.8 million in 1Q2019, from the same period last year. Of these, 3.4 million were domestic tourists and 1.4 million were foreign tourists.
More attractions are adding to Melaka’s appeal to leisure and business tourists
Under the umbrella campaign, initiatives are multi-pronged.
Special events have been curated for this campaign including the recent Melaka Food Festival, Melaka By the Sea Carnival in September, and Melaka Fiesta in October.
Tourism Melaka, through its Tourism Information Centres in Ayer Keroh and Jalan Kota, are giving away discount vouchers for entrance tickets to 28 attractions, including Melaka River Cruise, Menara Taming Sari, Encore Melaka and Melaka Maritime Museum.
Melaka’s travel trade partners have come onboard with the campaign, some pushing out their own initiatives.
Said Uzaidi Udanis, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA): “On our part, MITA organised a three-day inbound tourism boot camp in Melaka in July that was attended by 50 tour operators and product owners. We identified and developed eight new tourism products and packages for foreign markets. Some new ideas include a walk to Konet Island during low tide from Telok Gong and an overnight stay at the former mansion used by the governor of Melaka, Mohd Khalid Yaakob.”
He added: “Melaka may only be a small state, but it is steeped in history and culture. Its UNESCO recognition received in 2008 has also been a boost for tourism.”
Klaus Sennik, general manager, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Melaka, shared: “As a hotel, we are also taking our own initiatives to support the campaign through our hotel activities and campaigns to garner more publicity and support for this campaign which has resulted in a gradual increase in hotel occupancy.”
Asmaliana Ashari, senior manager, Tourism Melaka, said the campaign is also aimed at creating more awareness of the destination’s facilities and capabilities for business events.
Foreign tourists from this segment spend three times more than the average leisure tourist. Last year, the average spend per tourist per night was RM504 (US$122). For international business tourists, the average length of stay is six nights.
Arokia Das, director, Luxury Tours Malaysia, said: “With 186 events planned for the year, and new live theatre productions such as Encore Melaka and Rasa Melaka, it is easier to promote Melaka to meeting planners. These professionally-run shows with elements of heritage and culture cater to the needs of meeting planners.
“Meeting planners are looking for new destinations beyond Kuala Lumpur and within a two-hour drive from the city. In this respect, Melaka fits the bill. Kuala Lumpur has lost some of its allure for repeat leisure tourists because of the absence of new attractions; tourists have been cutting down their stay in the city to one or two days.
“We are trying to entice day trippers travelling south to Singapore to spend at least a night in Melaka instead, by highlighting the state’s rich history, culture, gastronomy and ecotourism products to Asian markets.”
A consortium led by South Korea’s Mirae Asset Global Investments (MAGI) has agreed to buy 15 hotels in the US from China’s troubled Anbang Insurance Group, according to Reuters.
Anbang, which was once among the most aggressive Chinese buyers of foreign assets, is now in the midst of selling down its overseas assets, added the report.
Mirae to acquire 15 of Anbang’s luxury hotels in the US, including the JW Marriott Essex House New York (above), for US$5.8 billion
The US commercial properties include New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, said MAGI, an asset management arm of Mirae Asset Group, in a statement.
The report also quoted an insider as saying that the deal, valued at US$5.8 billion, is expected to close by next January.
Anbang’s selling down of its overseas assets to pay off its debt comes after the Chinese government seized control of the firm last February, as part of a campaign to reduce financial risk.
Anbang’s former chairman, Wu Xiaohu, was later sentenced to 18 years in prison for fraud and embezzlement.
In August, Anbang put its entire US$2.4 billion Japan property portfolio up for sale.
Mirae Asset Group has invested aggressively in overseas properties over the last two years, including a landmark building worth US$960 million in Paris in July.
Marriott International has signed a landmark agreement with YTL Hotels to bring AC Hotels by Marriott, a design-led lifestyle brand, to Malaysia.
Under the agreement, three existing hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kuantan will fly the AC Hotels by Marriott brand flag following a strategic conversion in December.
Marriott International signs agreement with YTL Hotels to bring the AC Hotels by Marriott brand to Malaysia (Pictured; from left: Craig Smith, president & managing director, Asia Pacific, Marriott International; YTL Hotels’ executive director Dato’ Mark Yeoh; and Rajeev Menon, COO, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International)
Set to be the first Marriott International hotel in Penang, AC Hotel by Marriott Penang will be located in the island’s south-eastern district of Bukit Jambul. Situated near the hotel will be Penang’s SPICE (Subterranean Penang International Convention and Exhibition Center) Arena, a 4,500m2 indoor arena which serves as a major MICE venue, and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city of George Town.
AC Hotel by Marriott Kuala Lumpur will be located approximately four kilometres from the Kuala Lumpur City Center, the hub of Malaysian capital. The new hotel will also be within walking distance from the Titiwangsa monorail station and the Ampang LRT line, both of which link up to the city’s transportation hub of KL Sentral.
On the eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, AC Hotel by Marriott Kuantan will be located near the city centre, about five kilometres from Cempedak Bay and Beserah fishing village. Kuantan is also home to several industrial areas including the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park and Gambang Industrial Park.
YTL Hotels currently operate 12 Marriott International properties across Asia and Europe.
Hotel booking software provider SiteMinder has launched a partnership with HotelSwaps, the world’s first hotel room exchange programme for independently-owned and operated boutique and luxury hotels.
Under the partnership, hotels that use SiteMinder and meet HotelSwaps’ membership criteria can now trade their unsold rooms with other hotels using HotelCoins — HotelSwaps’ proprietary reservation system and digital currency.
SiteMinder has partnered HotelSwaps to trade their unsold rooms with other hotels using HotelSwaps’ proprietary reservation system and digital currency. Zorah Beach Hotel (above) is among the the latest hotels to join the HotelSwaps programme
The partnership is an opportunity for hotels to create an alternative value from otherwise unused rooms. By sharing those rooms with the global hotel community, hotels can increase their ancillary revenues during periods of lower occupancy, save on their business travel expenses and offer attractive incentive programmes to their executive staff.
Preben Vestdam, co-founder and CEO of HotelSwaps, said: “Hoteliers are doing a great job in optimising yields and maximising utilisation of their valuable hotel assets, but still billions of room nights stand empty every year in wonderful hotels around the world. HotelSwaps’ technology and HotelCoins currency allow hoteliers to share such unused capacity within the community of hotel professionals for their mutual benefit.”
James Bishop, senior director global demand partnerships at SiteMinder, said that the partnership will “offer HotelSwaps’ hotel members access to [SiteMinder’s] technology where their entire inventory can be managed within one environment”.
“Never has the influence of the sharing economy on the world been stronger and the threat of new competition for hotels been greater. With this new capability, independent boutiques and luxury hotels are empowered to tap into a new, unique driver of occupancy and revenue, and share their perishable assets with like-minded hoteliers to benefit the industry as a whole.”
From today, HotelSwaps member hotels can use SiteMinder to maintain their live inventory within the HotelSwaps reservation system and receive reservations in parallel with their other distribution channels. Hotel customers of SiteMinder can connect to HotelSwaps through SiteMinder’s platform, as with any of the 400 other distribution channels that are available within the company’s open ecosystem.
Thai hospitality group Centara Hotels & Resorts has signed management agreements for three new hotels owned by Maikhao Dream Company in Phuket’s Mai Khao Beach area.
Two properties are already in operation and will fall under Centara management from September 11, 2019, while the third property is in development.
Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa (above) has now come under Centara management
The 22-key Maikhao Dream Villa Resort & Spa, which has joined the Centara Boutique Collection as of September 11, 2019, is the only beachfront villa resort on the shores of Mai Khao Beach. The resort offers private villas, 460m2 two-bedroom villas and 650m2 three-bedroom villas.
Each of the 22 villas has its own private pool and whirlpool, outdoor pavilion and kitchen. Resort facilities include a swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, kids’ club, retail shop, library and business lounge, as well as an international all-day dining restaurant and wine cellar. Phuket International Airport is a 20-minute drive from the resort.
Also coming under Centara management from September 11, 2019, is the 142-key Maikhao Hotel, a midscale hotel which opened in early 2019. It offers studios, standard and superior twin rooms, as well as one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. Facilities include a main swimming pool with separate kids’ pool, fitness centre, meeting rooms, beer garden, karaoke room and an all-day dining restaurant.
Centara’s chairman of the board Suthikiati Chirathivat (fourth from right) and Centara’s CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat (third from right) signed an agreement with Maikhao Dream Company’s managing director Mikhail Tyurin (fourth from left) for three new hotels in Phuket
The 280-key Centra by Centara Maikhao Resort Phuket is a greenfield development currently under construction. Slated to open in 2024, the resort will feature facilities including a swimming pool, fitness centre, meeting venues, a kids’ club and an all-day dining venue.
The new agreements expand Centara’s presence across the island to a total of nine hotels and resorts, with eight in operation.
Eiheiji Hakujukan, Japan
Japanese hospitality company Fujita Kanko has opened Eiheiji Hakujukan, a hybrid of a temple lodging and an upscale Japanese inn. Located in Fukui Prefecture, the property is situated in front of Eiheiji, one of the two head temples of the Soto School of Zen Buddhism founded in 1244.
The 18-key lodging was developed for visitors to experience the world of Zen, and each room can accommodate up to four people on two beds and additional futons. Other facilities include a Japanese restaurant serving Buddhist vegetarian cuisine, large communal indoor and outdoor baths, Zen garden, and a multipurpose room where guests can practice zazen meditation.
The Clubhouse at Ulu, Indonesia
Sitting atop Uluwatu’s cliffs above the Indian Ocean, The Clubhouse at Ulu is a collection of seven suites. Each suite is named after the seven legendary surf breaks that surround the property – such as Padang Padang, Impossibles and Racetracks – and comes with four-poster beds, 1950s California style furnishings, and free-standing baths.
Guests will also have exclusive use of a private members’ lounge, a Clubhouse bar and in-suite or poolside spa treatments. In addition, they will also have access to the Ulu Cliffhouse beach club, which boasts a 25-metre infinity pool, a restaurant, and a bar.
InterContinental Phuket Resort, Thailand
The beachfront resort along Phuket’s Kamala Beach (also known as the Millionaire’s Mile) has opened with 221 rooms and villas. Aside from four F&B options, the resort’s recreational facilities include five swimming pools, a fitness centre, tennis court and Planet Trekkers Kids Club. There is also the Sati Spa and Wellness which boasts eight treatment rooms, a suite with jacuzzi, and nail salon. Club InterContinental guests will have access to a lounge on the second floor with beach vista frontage, indoor and outdoor dining areas, as well as a large private sundeck and infinity pool.
Hotel Purple, Hong Kong
Housed within this 24-storey boutique hotel in Tin Hau district are 83 rooms ranging from Studio Rooms to the One-Bedroom Deluxe. Keeping gadgets juiced will be easy, as every room offers wireless chargers, alongside ChargeSpot power banks and adapters located throughout the hotel. Guests are invited relax, or bond over local snacks and boardgames in the lounge, or sit in its balcony swing on the outdoor terrace. There is also a gym located across the road, where guests can work up a sweat free of charge.