Wirex rolls out multi-currency Visa Travelcard in APAC

November 14, 2019

Borderless payment platform Wirex has unveiled a new multi-currency Wirex Visa Travelcard that will allow customers across the Asia-Pacific region to “seamlessly spend multiple crypto and fiat currencies, and earn crypto rewards wherever they travel”.

All cryptocurrency exchanges to legal tender fiat currency takes place before users transact on the Visa network.

Wirex launches multi-currency Wirex Visa Travelcard for the Asia-Pacific region

The card, which is compatible with more than 150 currencies, and enables holders to link multiple fiat currencies without extra fees, is accepted at 54 million outlets around the world where Visa is accepted.

It also pays customers up to 1.5 per cent back in Bitcoin on all in-store purchases through its Cryptoback programme.

Pavel Matveev, Wirex’s co-founder and CEO, said: “We have witnessed an explosion in demand for hybrid fiat and crypto-enabled banking alternatives in Asia-Pacific, where people need payments redesigned for the future, allowing them to unlock the value of their different currencies.”

He added: “The evolution of Wirex’s offering in Asia-Pacific represents more than just the next stage in the platform’s growth strategy; it is a tangible example of our mission to provide a genuine alternative to conventional financial services by connecting traditional and digital ecosystems on one borderless payment platform.”

To allow as many people as possible to experience the Wirex Visa Travelcard, Wirex is removing fees, including account management and traditional currency exchange fees, for a limited period.

Agoda launches enhanced API service for B2B2C partners

By TTG Asia

November 14, 2019

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Agoda has released a suite of enhanced products and technology to help businesses looking to capitalise on the growing travel sector.

The company’s enhanced API allows partners, from distributors to corporate travel agents, convenient and quick access to its inventory of over 2.5 million properties in over 200 countries and territories. Their customers will be able to choose from different accommodation options such as hotels, resorts, villas, ryokans, guesthouses and vacation rentals.

Agoda’s enhanced API will give its partners quick access to its inventory of over 2.5 million properties

Agoda has already signed deals with three GDSs so that corporate partners can connect to its extensive inventory and search for the best rates for their clients.

Additionally, partners who wish to expand their travel offerings beyond accommodation can now enjoy competitive rates on Agoda’s growing Flights inventory, said the company in a statement.

For partners that need access to inventory and best-in-class rates but want to maintain the look and feel of their brand, Agoda’s latest white label platform is a fully-loaded “turn-key” solution that allows them to provide their customers an online experience that they are used to, from customisable colours, URL to product selection.

Partners with their own inventory also have the option of using a white label extranet where they can seamlessly manage their supply along with Agoda’s.

Mike Saslow, head of strategic partnerships, North America, said: “Our partners tell us that access to Agoda’s best-in-class rates and the ability to offer a familiar brand experience to their customers are key features companies look for in a partner to help them drive conversion and customer loyalty.“

Agoda has developed a single sign-on solution that will improve travellers’ overall booking experience as they can automatically login from the partner’s site to Agoda’s platform, making the process more seamless. Single sign-on will also allow travellers to participate in the partner’s loyalty or reward program, while taking advantage of Agoda’s member rates, hence reducing friction and improving conversion for partners.

Swiss-Belhotel unveils major Vietnam expansion plans

By TTG Asia

November 14, 2019

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Swiss-Belresort_Tuyen_Lam_Dalat — Swiss-Belresort Tuyen Lam

Swiss-Belhotel International will be expanding its portfolio in Vietnam with a series of new hotels, resorts and residences in destinations all across the country.

Currently, the group operates one hotel in Vietnam, Swiss-Belresort Tuyen Lam, an elegant upscale retreat in the country’s Central Highlands.

Swiss-Belhotel's Vietnam properties

1 of 2

But the Hong Kong-based hospitality company is now planning a significant expansion of its Vietnamese portfolio, with the target of launching at least 10 hotels and resorts in the next three to four years.

Destinations under consideration include key cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong and Danang; beachfront locations like Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon and Van Phong; as well as cultural sites such as Sapa and Hoi An.

The group already has two confirmed properties in the pipeline.

Slated to open by end 2019, Swiss-Belhotel Suites & Residences Ha Long Bay will feature 298 apartment-style rooms, a spa, fitness centre, swimming pools, multiple F&B outlets, a ballroom and meeting rooms.

In 2022, Swiss-Belresort Bai Dai Phu Quoc will open on the coast of Phu Quoc, southern Vietnam’s “Pearl Island”. Resort facilities include 218 rooms and villas, outdoor pools, a spa, dining options such as a seafood restaurant and beach club, as well as space for events and weddings.

Swiss-Belhotel International’s development in Vietnam forms part of a broader global growth strategy. By end 2020, the group expects to increase its total portfolio to 250 properties comprising approximately 25,000 rooms under its 14 diverse brands.

Aman names new head of global sales & distribution

By TTG Asia

November 14, 2019

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Greg Ward has been appointed head of global sales & distribution at Aman, where he will oversee all sales activities across the portfolio and key source markets, as well as managing the global sales team of Aman representatives both on and off property.

Based in the Zug office, Ward will also help define the future vision and strategy for Aman while working closely with COO Roland Fasel.

With over 25 years of experience in the luxury hospitality, retail and private aviation sector, Ward was most recently the vice president of sales at Shangri-La Group.

Prior to that, Ward was the group sales & marketing director for TDA Capital Group where he worked with Royal Demeure Hotels, Resorts and Residences, Royal Demeure Aviation and jewellery company Niquesa. Greg has previously held sales & marketing positions at von Essen, Mandarin Oriental, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

Potato Head’s creative village in Bali to soft launch next month

By TTG Asia

November 14, 2019

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Desa Potato Head, Bali’s first creative village which has been marketed as a place where music, art, design, food, wellness and sustainability will collide, will soft open to the public next month.

The Desa (which means village in Indonesian) already includes Katamama and the brand’s landmark Beach Club. The final element of Akili’s decade-spanning project is the Creative Centre, designed in partnership with Rem Koolhaas-founded OMA and led by managing partner-architect David Gianotten.

Desa Potato Head will soft open to the public next month

The Creative Centre will include 168 guest rooms, a farm-to-table restaurant, numerous bars, a multifunctional gallery, a kids’ club, several rooftop activation areas, an amphitheatre, a beachfront pool with daybeds, a music recording studio, a permanent home for dance music’s Wild Life Archive, and next door, a subterranean discotheque designed in partnership with DJ Harvey.

Potato Head will unveil each of the aforementioned spaces throughout early 2020 while adding to their programming, which will include beach workouts developed by Ocho System, various forms of sound healing, long-table dinners, sustainability workshops, sunset performances and music events.

The soft launch will shine a light on Potato Head’s global and local collaborators. Each studio features furniture and amenities made from recycled plastics and planet-friendly materials conceptualised by celebrated British designers Max Lamb and Faye Toogood, whose work is brought to life by Balinese artisans using indigenous materials and techniques as well as Potato Head’s own Sustainism Lab, an R&D team dedicated to finding circular solutions.

As part of its sustainability efforts, anyone checking into Potato Head Studios or Katamama will receive a zero-waste kit, which includes a water bottle, RPET tote bag, bamboo straws and other essentials, as well as refillable amenities like sunscreen, after-sun care and insect repellent.

Guests can stay at Potato Head Studios from December 17, 2019. Bookings are now open online at potatohead.co for the Creative Centre and Katamama. The fully completed Desa will open in May 2020.

FAA downgrades Malaysia air safety rating

By TTG Asia

November 13, 2019

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The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has downgraded Malaysia’s air safety rating, citing that Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) no longer meets international safety standards.

The downgrade of Malaysia’s air safety rating from Category 1 to Category 2, was based on an FAA review of CAAM in April 2019.

US aviation authority downgrades Malaysia’s air safety rating

The FAA stated that the rating means that CAAM is deficient in one or more areas, such as “technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping, and/or inspection procedures”.

The CAAM has requested the US agency to reassesses its operations within the next year.

“In carrying out (our) duties as an aviation regulator, some shortcomings exist. We wish to emphasise that the assessment only covered CAAM’s role as an aviation regulator,” CAAM chairman Ahmad Ridzwan Mohd Salleh said in a statement.

He added that “plans are already well underway to address the findings of the audit” with the goal of getting its Category 1 rating restored.

The downgrade does not affect existing flights, but Malaysia’s airlines are now restricted from establishing new flights to the US, the FAA said.

At present, the only Malaysian airline route to the US is AirAsia X services from Kuala Lumpur to Honolulu via Osaka.

Under Malaysia’s Category 2 rating, the FAA will also not allow reciprocal codesharing arrangements between US carriers and Malaysian airlines.

Vietnam plants first overseas tourism office in London

By TTG Asia

November 13, 2019

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Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) has selected London as the location for its first overseas representative office in a move to bring the country’s tourism assets closer to the UK travellers, assist with trip inspiration, and encourage travellers to visit.

The new tourism office is a project of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and TAB, a private consortium of industry stakeholders supporting the development of tourism in Vietnam. PC Agency, a specialist travel consultancy firm, have been appointed to manage media and trade relations for the UK and Ireland markets.

Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board opened its first overseas tourism office in London in bid to attract more UK travellers to the country; Bai Tu Long Bay pictured

“Opening our first international office in the UK is a significant milestone for Vietnam,” Tran Trong Kien, chairman of TAB said. “The UK will be one of our biggest and most important markets. Travellers love Vietnam’s local food, vibrant cities, great beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as our unique culture. This office will show a welcoming Vietnam and help more British travellers realise these amazing experiences.”

The news comes on the heels of the debut of a new destination marketing campaign ‘VietnamNOW’, which aims to refresh Vietnam’s image as a travel destination abroad.

With enhanced marketing efforts, Vietnam hopes aims to attract 500,000 British visitors by 2023, up from the current 290,000 travellers from the UK that visit the country yearly.

New inbound flights raise prospects for Myanmar tourism

By Marissa Carruthers

November 13, 2019

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Tourism players are hopeful that a string of new flights will boost inbound tourism to Myanmar.

In recent months, a number of airlines have started operating new routes connecting China with Myanmar, with other international airlines announcing imminent flights. Chinese destinations include new routes to Hangzhou, Shanghai and Wuhan.

A string of new flights will help boost inbound tourism to Myanmar

Last month, Indian LCC IndiGo Airlines started daily direct flights from Kolkata to Yangon. Last year, Indian passport holders were granted visa-on-arrivals (VoAs) in a bid to bolster interest in Myanmar.

From December 10, 2019, Dubai-based LCC flydubai will also launch daily flights from Dubai to Yangon and the Thai island of Krabi, which is operated via a stop in Yangon in Myanmar.

The new direct flights to Yangon International Airport will give passengers easier access to Myanmar.

Khiri Travel Myanmar’s managing director Edwin Briels said: “International flights will always help to boost tourism greatly.”

He predicted the flight between Yangon and Krabi will be particularly appealing to travellers wanting to combine the two destinations. “Clients visiting the Thai beaches can easily combine their trip with a culture experience in Myanmar,” he said.

Sammy Samuels, managing director of Myanmar Shalom Travels, added that the opening of new routes by LCCs flydubai and Indigo Airlines offers affordable access to Myanmar.

“This move will be good for travellers looking to explore Myanmar on an affordable airfare. There are also more people from Myanmar travelling aboard. I am sure airlines are interested in those as well,” he said.

With 10 airlines now flying between Myanmar and about 15 different Chinese destinations, hopes are high that the industry can tap into the high-end segment.

Briels noted that in light of an increase in “highly-educated and culturally-interested travellers” from across Asia, including China. To cater to this growing demand, Khiri Travel Myanmar employs Chinese-speaking staff.

Added Briels: “Just as from any other market, we also see Chinese clients in the higher segment who are interested in culture, history and good food.”

However, Hla Aye, managing director of Yangon-based Shan Yoma Travel & Tours, said more direct flights from Europe are needed for Myanmar to truly get back on track.

Oyo enters Thailand as part of SE Asia expansion plans

By TTG Asia

November 13, 2019

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Oyo Hotels and Homes has officially made its foray into Thailand, with the opening of 8,000 rooms in 250 hotels across 13 cities, including Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and Hua Hin.

While Thailand is a relatively new market for Oyo, CEO for South-east Asia & Middle East, Mandar Vaidya, said the country will grow to play a significant role in the growth of its business in South-east Asia.

In attendance at the event to announce Oyo’s arrival into Thailand were (from right) Oyo’s Mandar Vaidya; Embassy of India, Bangkok’s Alpana Dubey; and Oyo Thailand’s Ashutosh Singh

“South-east Asia, and in particular Malaysia, was Oyo’s first foray outside of India. Today, Oyo is present in 160-plus cities over 2,500 franchised and leased hotels across Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. That number will rise with the addition of Oyo Thailand,” he added.

“The addition of Thailand to the Oyo family in South-east Asia and the expected influx of tourists particularly from Asia to Thailand, and the increased frequency of flights by airlines into Thailand will reinforce our market leadership position in the region and help us achieve our goal of having two million rooms under management in South-east Asia by 2025.”

Ashutosh Singh, country head, Oyo Thailand, said: “We are bullish about growing our footprint in this beautiful country. Despite coming into Thailand only a few months ago, we have 8,000 rooms in 13 cities. We see strong demand in the middle- to upper-end properties in the tourism market in Thailand and aim to expand our footprint in the country.”

Expo 2020 Dubai tickets now available through authorised resellers

By TTG Asia

November 13, 2019

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With the launch of the mega event now less than a year to go, Expo 2020 Dubai has signed up more than 1,000 authorised ticket resellers (ATRs) in key markets around the world, including OTAs, tour operators, hotel groups and airlines.

That number puts the event on track to achieving its goal to welcome 70 per cent of visitors from outside the UAE and “make the next World Expo the most international in its 168-year history”.

Expo 2020 has activated reseller networks in target markets based on how prospective visitors in those countries book tickets at varying stages of their journey-planning process. So far, the ATR network represents indicative commitments for more than two million tickets, said the company.

Sanjive Khosla, CCO, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Expo 2020’s comprehensive ATR network surpasses any previous World Expo at this stage of event preparations. The global travel industry is the main conduit that will drive international visitation, and with our solid start, we are on track to attract the most international audience ever to a World Expo.”

A single-day adult (aged 18 and over) ticket will cost AED$120 (US$33). A three-day pass, which is valid for a two-week period after first use, will be priced at AED$260 (US$71).

Expo 2020 will also offer a range of concessions to students, children aged five and under, seniors aged 65 and over, as well as people of determination and their assistants. Tickets go on sale next year.

Expo 2020 Dubai, which runs from October 2020 to April 2021, will feature over 60 live shows daily, performances from world-famous artists, daily parades, more than 200 F&B outlets serving a world of cuisines, and 192 country pavilions, among others.

Wirex rolls out multi-currency Visa Travelcard in APAC

Agoda launches enhanced API service for B2B2C partners

Swiss-Belhotel unveils major Vietnam expansion plans

Aman names new head of global sales & distribution

Potato Head’s creative village in Bali to soft launch next month

FAA downgrades Malaysia air safety rating

Vietnam plants first overseas tourism office in London

New inbound flights raise prospects for Myanmar tourism

Oyo enters Thailand as part of SE Asia expansion plans

Expo 2020 Dubai tickets now available through authorised resellers

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