Cultural awakening

August 20, 2019

Xiqu-Centre-(HKTB)-20150507_WKCDA_9056 — Xiqu Centre, one of the West Kowloon Cultural District’s landmark buildings, is a new home for traditional Chinese opera. Photo by HKTB

An increasingly vibrant and flourishing cultural and artistic scene currently unfolding in Hong Kong is stirring up greater interest among foreign visitors to seek out lesser-known facets of the city.

The growing arts and cultural scene is in part bolstered by active support pledged by the Hong Kong government to the sector’s development, with recent initiatives including HK$20 billion (US$2.6 billion) set aside for upgrading existing cultural hardware and building new facilities, and HK$500 million allocated to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) to acquire museum collections and organise exhibitions.

Xiqu Centre, one of the West Kowloon Cultural District’s landmark buildings, is a new home for traditional Chinese opera. Photo by HKTB

Having positioned itself as an art city in Asia through events like Art Basel and numerous openings of blue-chip galleries, a fresh crop of mega cultural projects launching over the next few years is set to inject a new buzz to Hong Kong’s arts and culture scene.

For instance, the 57-year-old Hong Kong Museum of Art will reopen in November this year on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront following a major makeover with an eye-catching glass façade. Not only will the institution see its total exhibition area expand by 40 per cent from 7,000m2 to 10,000m2 and the number of galleries increase from seven to 12, it has also received 350 Chinese painting and calligraphy masterpieces from Chih Lo Lou Art Promotion for its permanent collection.

West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD), a government-funded development project that seeks to create a hub of arts and cultural venues in a 40ha waterfront area west of Yau Ma Tei, will house numerous facilities. This includes the Xiqu Centre, a venue for Cantonese opera; Freespace, presenting contemporary arts performances; Lyric Theatre Complex, focusing on international dance and theatre: M+, a museum of visual culture; and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which will display Chinese art and culture from the imperial period.

Hong Kong’s flourishing cultural scene has given a visible marketing push for tour operators, say industry players.

For instance, Hong Kong A La Carte’s managing director Alexandra Malandain has added tours of Tai Kwun, a contemporary art and heritage centre housed in the restored and revitalised Central Police Station compound.

She explained: “The western market, especially FITs and corporates, is definitely interested in hosting events and meetings at the brand-new Tai Kwun. They like the way the compound mixes contemporary buildings with old ones. They are also keen on the art exhibitions and the numerous F&B offers there. The Museum for Contemporary Art, M+ and K11 should interest them as well.”

Likewise, Via Vai Travel, director, Sef Lam, also offers architecture and heritage tours of key and revitalised landmarks like the new University of Chicago campus in the old Victoria Detention Centre; the Haw Par Mansion, which has been given a new lease of life as Haw Par Music Farm; Xiqu Chinese opera, which gives “an excellent introduction to an art form many are not familiar with”; and twinning a visit to Tai Kwun with H Queen’s, a building dedicated to art and lifestyle.

“Based on our experience, these are popular destinations, each with its own attraction,” Lam remarked.

Nadia Quinn, lead guide at Hong Kong Greeters, told TTG Asia that such attractions not only add breadth to Hong Kong’s portfolio of tours, but also helps to cultivate a lasting impression of a destination offering “diversity and variety”.

She added: “We observed travellers attending Art Basel are mainly business people or those who have a direct connection to art and culture, whether through work or personal interest. I hope more staff training would help tourists receive friendly guidance upon their arrival at these new cultural attractions and make it easier for them to navigate.”

Hospitality players are also keen to get a piece of the action in Hong Kong’s flourishing arts scene, with the new Hotel Alexandra slated to open in early 2020 as a design-led property. Melding Victorian elegance and modern concepts to create an atmosphere evocative of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, the 840-room hotel will be adorned with art fixtures like engraved golden doors and pendant crystal chandeliers, general manager Christina Cheng informed.

She added: “We are excited to be a part of this integral artistry, bringing Hotel Alexandra to new heights within the growing art scene in Hong Kong, making it a friendly social hub space and a welcoming arena for creative campaigns, art installations and showcases.”

However, art and culture is often not the sole attraction for tourists visiting Hong Kong, noted Paul Chan, co-founder, Walk in Hong Kong.

He explained: “Except for Hong Kong Arts Month and Art Basel, there is no defining feature that stands out for the city’s cultural tourism push at this stage. Still, we need these kind of new attractions to build up the (momentum) with (multifaceted support) to boost tourism.

“Factors like quality of curated exhibitions, access to performances and events, as well as availability of a systematic information channel are crucial software to draw visitor interest. In fact, there isn’t any integrated system that shows what the city offers in a day, and ticketing is tied up with two ticketing agents that often have a lot of glitches during purchasing.”

It’s still early days for Hong Kong’s culture tourism development, Chan elaborated, as the under-construction WKCD is not yet anchored on the cultural hub ecosystem while existing institutions like Xiqu Centre needs supporting attractions in its vicinity to become a staple stop on tour itineraries.

The management of cultural venues is also a key link, Chan pointed out, stressing the importance of having a roster of “creative promotions and new themed exhibitions” for tour operators to incorporate them into walking tour programmes to attract international visitors.

Lam also noted: “In the long term, education is important to get tourism school students interested in arts and culture. I believe strongly in students acquiring hands-on experience and getting involved with an art form, so that they will develop a growing appreciation for the art form as they mature and share this knowledge and passion with the people being guided.”

Cathay Pacific CEO quits as airline hits turbulence amid HK protests

By TTG Asia

August 19, 2019

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Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Rupert Hogg, alongside chief customer and commercial officer Paul Loo, both resigned last Friday.

They will be succeeded by Augustus Tang and Ronald Lam respectively, starting from today. Lam will also remain the CEO of Hong Kong Express until a successor has been appointed.

Cathay Pacific Airways CEO Rupert Hogg is the latest casualty of Beijing’s immense displeasure over Hong Kong protests

In a statement, Hogg indicated that he and Loo, his deputy, resigned to “take responsibility” in light of recent “challenging weeks” for the airline.

According to AP, Hogg’s shock resignation came following pressure by Beijing over the participation of some of Cathay’s employees in the recent anti-government protests.

In a statement, John Slosar, chairman of Cathay Pacific, said that it needed a “new management team in place who can reset confidence and lead the airline to new heights”.

Hong Kong is entering its third month of protests that started in opposition to a proposed extradition law but which have since expanded to include demands for a more democratic system.

Growing demand drives Japan’s push for barrier-free tourism

By Kathryn Wortley

August 19, 2019

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Japan is ramping up its accessibility efforts to better cater to a growing number of overseas and domestic visitors with mobility issues. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 15 per cent of the 31 million inbound visitors to Japan in 2018 had a physical disability.

Meanwhile, Japan’s rapidly ageing population is resulting in more domestic travellers with reduced mobility. By 2030, 37.2 million people in Japan are expected to be aged 65 or older, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Research.

Japan is working towards building a barrier-free society amid growing demand

In anticipation of this growing need for improved accessibility, the government will be using the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to champion barrier-free access to transport, hotels and attractions. It has launched a Universal Design 2020 Action Plan to make universal facilities a legacy of the Games.

To date, 93 per cent of Tokyo’s subway stations and 1,000 taxis are wheelchair accessible. In soft infrastructure, the Japan Tourism Agency is supporting barrier-free mindset education to aid tourism staff.

“There is a need to create the infrastructure to allow every traveller, including the elderly and people with disabilities, to experience the ‘joy of travelling,’” the Council for a Tourism Vision to Support the Future of Japan said.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has launched a raft of new services, including one that allows passengers who require special assistance to register their information indefinitely, rather than on a per-use basis. The airline has also partnered with Panasonic to test self-driving electric wheelchairs at Narita International Airport and created Mobility as a Service, which offers on-demand transport for all on arrival.

“We think it is very important to promote accessible/universal tourism,” an ANA spokesperson told TTG Asia. “We will continue embracing the latest technological advancements and seeking out new innovations to improve every aspect of the air travel experience.”

Joshua Grisdale, founder of Accessible Japan, a website that offers information on barrier-free facilities, claims that although there are more barrier-free rooms, toilets and facilities in Japan, more needs to be done to communicate its availability in English.

“According to a recent survey, 54 per cent of disabled people said they would not travel to a destination if information on accessibility is not available,” he said.

Domestic tourism in Malaysia on the rise

By S Puvaneswary

August 19, 2019

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Domestic tourism in Malaysia posted a 10.9 per cent increase in 2018, growing to 78.2 million domestic tourists last year from 70.5 million the year before, revealed figures from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in a survey of some 100,000 respondents.

Pahang the top choice destination in 2018, recorded the highest number of domestic tourists at 9.2 million, followed by Johor (7.8 million), Perak (7.6 million), Selangor (6.8 million) and Negeri Sembilan (6.1 million).

Domestic tourism in Malaysia rose 10.9 per cent in 2018, with Pahang the top choice destination (Pictured: Taman Negara, Pahang)

Total expenditure by domestic tourists also rose by 11.7 per cent to RM60.4 billion (US$14.4 billion), from RM54.1 billion (US$12.9 billion) in 2017. Average per capita expenditure increased by 0.7 per cent to RM772 as compared to RM767 in 2017.

Expenditure on shopping recorded the highest percentage share of the total expenditure at 26.8 per cent, followed by fuel and F&B (13.9 per cent), visited households (13.7 per cent), accommodation (13 per cent), transportation (8.4 per cent), other activities (4.9 per cent) and expenditure before the trip/packages/entrance fees/tickets (3.9 per cent).

Unpaid lodging provided by relatives and friends were the main choice of accommodation last year. It recorded the highest percentage at 68.2 per cent, followed by hotels (20.4 per cent), apartments (4.4 per cent), homestays/vacation homes (3 per cent), chalets (2.3 per cent) and rest houses (1.7 per cent). The average length of stay rose 3.8 per cent to 2.44 nights last year, from 2.35 nights in 2017.

Most domestic tourists were between the ages of 25 and 39 years old, earning double income and no children or single office ladies, shared Musa Yusof, director-general, Tourism Malaysia in a joint press conference with the DOSM.

Secretary-general at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, Isham Ishak, said that the results of the domestic tourism survey will help the ministry in planning programmes and events to increase the number of domestic tourists, in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2020.

Lux Group takes full ownership of Emperor Cruises

By TTG Asia

August 19, 2019

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Vietnam-based Lux Group has fully acquired the five-star, all-inclusive Emperor Cruises, adding to the travel and hospitality company’s portfolio that includes the DMC Luxury Travel and Heritage Cruises.

Pham Ha, the president of Lux Group, told TTG Asia that he previously owned a 50 per cent stake in Emperor Cruises and has now bought the remaining stake to gain full ownership of the business. Financial details of the purchase have not been released.

Emperor Cruises is now part of Vietnam-based Lux Group, which also owns Luxury Travel

In a statement, Ha said that the company “will expand its portfolio of luxury small ship and expedition cruises to new cruising destinations” following the acquisition.

“Five new cruise ships will be added in Nha Trang Bay and Phu Quoc Island, and overnight cruises will be introduced for the first time in these amazing beach and island destinations,” Ha said.

Meanwhile, Heritage Cruises will begin sailing around Cat Ba Archipelago in the Gulf of Tonkin from September 7. The boutique cruise ship, which consists of 20 suites ranging from 33m² to 80m², is divided into three different categories – Delta, Ocean and Heritage Suites – with a maximum capacity of 60 guests.

Amenities onboard include two Vietnamese restaurants, an infinity swimming pool, a pool bar, wine cellar, lounge and a library.

Heritage Cruises also hosts a floating exhibition, L’Art de l’Annam, which showcases the first designer art gallery of artist Pham Luc, known as the Picasso of Vietnam, alongside the works of many Vietnamese artists.

Meet SE Asian ghosts at USS Halloween Horror Nights 9

By TTG Asia

August 19, 2019

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Halloween-Horror-Nights-9-Curse-of-the-Naga — Curse of the Naga

Universal Studios Singapore’s (USS) Halloween Horror Nights will return for its ninth edition, from September 27 till October 31 this year, featuring five haunted houses, two scare zones and two killer shows across 16 event nights.

Taking centre stage this year is Curse of the Naga, USS’ first regional collaboration with the directors of blockbuster Thai horror films Shutter and 4bia, Parkpoom Wongpoom and Gunn Purijitpanya, in the creation of the an original haunted house. Featuring elaborate landscape design, stunning special effects and original characters, the haunted house will transport guests from the colourful streets of Bangkok to a lost village that is under the spell of the Naga, a snake spirit.

Halloween Horror Nights 9 (Photo credit: Resorts World Sentosa)

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Those curious to unmask the horror and secrets behind Curse of the Naga can go for a daytime, behind-the-scenes guided tour, available at a top-up fee in addition to daytime admission ticket.

Adding on to the list of ever-popular Asian-inspired horrors is The Chalet Hauntings, brought to you by Official Partner Traveloka. Here, Singaporeans can relive one of the most commonly shared experiences of paranormal sightings in their teenage years. This house will feature the event’s most extensive collection of South-east Asian ghosts – from the mischievous Toyol to the bloodthirsty Langsuir – in a single house. Not for the faint-hearted, The Chalet Hauntings plays off one’s darkest fears with illusions that will trick the eyes and minds, raising fears and anxieties as guests unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of five teenagers.

Elsewhere, visitors can join the circus of clowns as they wreak havoc and train the next generation of red-nosed killers at Twisted Clown University or step into Spirit Dolls, an abandoned village where the only inhabitants are silent dolls watching everyone’s movement.

Those looking for a respite from the scares can head to Pantages Hollywood Theater where hosts Skin & Bones will present a repertoire of offbeat entertainment, quirky cast, along with terrifyingly funny acts in their live show. For a head-banging frenzy, join the mass of metal heads in Death Fest and rock out to the savage sounds of the Death Trap band. On peak nights, Death Trap will lead a morbid metal procession around the park with specially designed floats, electrifying acts, and culminating in a hardcore music festival bursting with pyrotechnics.

Tickets are now available for purchase at www.halloweenhorrornights.com.sg and guests can choose from 16 event nights (10 peak nights + six non-peak nights). From now till September 1, tickets can be purchased at S$65 (US$47; peak nights) and S$55 (non-peak nights). After which, regular tickets will cost S$70 for peak nights and S$60 for non-peak nights. Guests can also enjoy many of the theme park’s rides and attractions during event nights.

Travelport live tests Qantas’ NDC bookings

By TTG Asia

August 19, 2019

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Qantas_160420_0250-1200x772 — Travelport and Qantas have launched an NDC live production test

Travelport has begun handling its first bookings with Qantas using IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC) standard, as part of its continuing support for the airline’s NDC, including the Qantas Distribution Platform (QDP).

The bookings are made through Travelport Smartpoint in a live production test environment as Qantas prepares distribution of differentiated NDC content from late 2019.

Travelport and Qantas have launched an NDC live production test

This NDC connection to Qantas is the first by any GDS to the carrier and enables live bookings of NDC content to be made by selected agency partners taking part in the testing programme, including ATPI Corporate Travel, Globetrotter and Travel Beyond. It comes ahead of a rollout to the wider agency community in the coming months.

The development is part of the airline’s plans for the QDP which offers an improved customer experience via enhanced and personalised content.

Having been the first GDS to make a live NDC booking in October 2018, Travelport has already connected to five European airlines’ NDC content, said the travel technology company in a statement. It will follow up with an API NDC connection channel through Travelport’s Trip Service API with Qantas’ content among the first to be available through this channel. The Trip Service API is also currently part of a testing programme with an Australia-based OTA successfully coding to it.

Scott Barber, managing director Australia and New Zealand at Travelport commented: “Qantas shares our vision that NDC has the potential to enhance the travel experience for its customers, offering personalised and differentiated choice and a seamless booking experience. NDC delivery is complex and requires collaboration from all parts of the travel industry.

He added: “We value our relationship with Qantas and are grateful to our test agencies for partnering with us to ensure we deliver an NDC solution which makes the process of buying and managing travel continually better for everyone. The ongoing delivery of our NDC roadmap is a key part of this.”

The airline industry has been developing NDC since 2012 with the aim of extending customisation to agents and establishing closer relationships between airlines and customers.

British Airways trials VR entertainment on select flights

By TTG Asia

August 19, 2019

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British Airways has partnered SkyLights to offer some passengers their own 3D cinema in the skies as the airline trials a virtual reality (VR) headset.

From now till end 2019, customers travelling on select flights in first class from London Heathrow to New York JFK will be able to enjoy a selection of award-winning films, documentaries and travel programmes in 2D, 3D or 360-degree formats.

The AlloSky headsets from VR provider SkyLights, a former alumni of British Airways’ parent company IAG’s Hangar 51 startup accelerator programme, allow customers to fully immerse themselves in 3D view regardless of their seating position.

British Airways said it is the first UK airline to trial the technology after working with experts to select a range of therapeutic programmes, including guided meditation and sound therapy, specifically designed for customers who have a fear of flying.

Sajida Ismail, head of inflight product at British Airways, said that “VR has the power to revolutionise inflight entertainment” as the airline looks to enhance the customer journey both on the ground and in the air.

Earlier this year, British Airways trialled the technology at Heathrow Terminal 5, giving customers a glimpse of the Club World cabin through VR.

British Airways said it is investing £6.5 billion (US$7.8 billion) on airline amenities over five years, including the installation of Wi-Fi and power in every aircraft seat, fitting 128 longhaul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline recently introduced its Club Suite, a new business class seat with direct aisle access.

Amadeus names new heads for retail travel agency team

By TTG Asia

August 16, 2019

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Amadeus has appointed Champa Magesh as the executive vice president of retail in travel channels and managing director EMEA, replacing Leon Herce who has left Amadeus.

Magesh, who previously managed this travel channels segment in Asia-Pacific, will report to Decius Valmorbida, the president of the unit. She will also assume a regional leadership role responsible for the travel channels business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

From left: Champa Magesh & Ramona Bohwongprasert

Prior to her most recent role in Asia-Pacific, Magesh was the managing director of Amadeus in the UK and Ireland. Before joining Amadeus in 2014, Magesh worked internationally and has a background in diverse industries, having held positions in American Express, World Pay and Cisco Systems.

Taking over from Magesh in Asia-Pacific is Ramona Bohwongprasert, who is now Amadeus’ senior vice president of retail in travel channels, Asia-Pacific. She will report to Magesh.

In her previous role, Ramona led the consolidators & networks global organisation within the Retail Travel Agency team. She joined Amadeus in 1999 and has held a number of managerial positions across the organisation in Asia-Pacific and Europe.

The rising star of Indian Ocean

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

August 16, 2019

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A tropical island off the east coast of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is perhaps better known worldwide as a beach and honeymoon destination, but industry players want to show that the country offers cultural and natural riches beyond upmarket beaches.

Dubbed the gateway to Africa, the island nation of 2,040km² is rich in scenic beauty with a dramatic coastline fringed by white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, alongside a whole bucket-list of activities both on land and in water to provide once-in-lifetime experiences to visitors.

Mauritius offers plenty of attractions on land and in water (pictured: Le Morne peninsula as seen from the air)

Mauritius is also a melting pot of Asian, African and European influences, the result of centuries of immigration that created diverse traditions and a richly mixed cuisine on a previously uninhabited island barely five centuries ago.

Now, the country’s top tourism leaders and industry players are putting a stronger focus on attracting Asian travellers to its shores, expanding from its traditional core visitor markets of Europe and Africa.

Anil Kumarsingh Gayan, Mauritius’ minister of tourism, said: “We believe that Mauritius needs a share of the global tourism market. We want to promote Mauritius as a quality destination, and peg the country as a high-end destination.”

Asia’s superpowers India and China are key target markets for Mauritius, where historical and cultural ties to both countries run deep. “We share a natural affinity with India, while the Chinese in Mauritius date back some 200 years,” said Gayan.

About 70 per cent of the country’s population is descended from indentured Indian labourers taken there after the abolition of slavery during the 19th century. The small but sizeable Chinese community, meanwhile, were descendants of traders and artisans who migrated to Mauritius under French and British rule.

Arvind Bundhun, director of Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), revealed that the NTO has also rolled out “big visibility campaigns” in both India and China to shore up destination awareness of Mauritius among travel operators and consumers alike, with OTAs and social media also making a key part of its marketing offensive.

In China, MTPA already has appointed marketing reps to focus on Shanghai – where Air Mauritius has a direct service to – and surrounding cities.

As well, Bundhun sees potential in “developing the golf market from Asia” for Mauritius, where the country’s ample greens are set against breathtaking Indian Ocean backdrops.

On the island, more local travel players are also tapping the potential of the up-and-rising Asian markets.

Pont Naturel Quad, which was established last year by industry veteran Sweety Moheeputh, the ATV tour company has made inroads into the Chinese leisure market, riding on the connectivity gains made with Air Mauritius’ connection to Shanghai, as well as seasonal charter flights from other parts of China.

However, in order to make Mauritius a much more attractive and top-of-mind destination for Asian travellers, Moheeputh would like the airfares and connections to Mauritius to improve.

MTPA’s Bundhun admits that “affordability and visibility” are key challenges for Mauritius, especially when it comes to marketing Mauritius to the Asian markets, amid intensifying competition from other resort destinations like the Maldives and the Seychelles.

Air Mauritius obviously has a vital role to play in the country’s ambitions of luring more Asian visitors, a point that CEO Somas Appavou is only too aware of as the carrier seeks to build better connectivity with major air hubs around the world.

One key effort was the Africa-Asia Air Corridor, which was launched in 2016 to position Mauritius as a cross-continent hub by developing air traffic through Singapore, reviving Mauritius’ ancient role as an Indian Ocean transit role in the skies, said the airline chief.

“Singapore is an island among people. Mauritius is an island surrounded by fish. The thing is if you’re a small gateway – and we want to be a gateway between Asia and Africa – you have to build connections with the hubs,” said Appavou.

This air corridor initiative, according to the tourism minister, has also helped to market Mauritius as part of the “Blue and Green Safari” joint campaign, which sees the island nation promoted as attractive tourism destinations alongside Kenya and South Africa.

Furthermore, the recent delivery of the first two Airbus A330-900neo planes to Air Mauritius in April this year – an “fuel-efficient aircraft model” which offers better cost per seat than predecessors A330 classic or A319 – could help the airline achieve greater competitiveness in a costly operating environment and step up service frequencies to China and elsewhere in Asia in the near future, Appavou shared.

In Asia-Pacific, the national carrier currently flies to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru in India, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Perth.

Meanwhile, Air Mauritius is also trying to seal more alliances with Chinese carriers. Said Appavou: “We are working on (securing) partnerships with Chinese carriers in the pipeline, and we have started discussion with China Eastern Airlines.”

He remarked that Air Mauritius was climbing in Chinese traffic three years back, but the ongoing Sino-US trade war as well as an eroding yuan has caused the destination to lose momentum in courting the Chinese market.

Cultural awakening

Cathay Pacific CEO quits as airline hits turbulence amid HK protests

Growing demand drives Japan’s push for barrier-free tourism

Domestic tourism in Malaysia on the rise

Lux Group takes full ownership of Emperor Cruises

Meet SE Asian ghosts at USS Halloween Horror Nights 9

Travelport live tests Qantas’ NDC bookings

British Airways trials VR entertainment on select flights

Amadeus names new heads for retail travel agency team

The rising star of Indian Ocean

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