AirAsia said on Tuesday it will no longer charge customers a processing fee to make payments via credit card and online banking from October onwards.
“We still have some charges to drive traffic to cheaper, safer and less fraudless methods. But there will be methods with no fees,” said its group CEO Tony Fernandes in his Twitter post, which included the hashtags #technologyrules and #makingairfaresaffordable.
AirAsia to remove processing fee in October
AirAsia’s processing fees start at RM4 (US$0.97) for direct debit transactions and up to RM16 with UnionPay. No processing fee is charged for customers who use the airline’s e-wallet application BigPay.
Fernandes also said in a tweet that turning Malaysia into a low-cost hub has always been his goal, urging support from Malaysia Airports Holdings (MAHB) in that aim by providing low-cost airports and low airport taxes.
The LCC has been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with MAHB over over the imposition of revised passenger service charge at klia2.
Raffles Hotel Singapore, Singapore
After 2.5 years of restoration work, the iconic property has reopened completely, now offering an all-suite concept. There are 115 keys across nine suite categories, from the lead-in State Room Suites to the Presidential Suites. Recreational facilities on-site include the Raffles Spa, 24-hour gym and a rooftop swimming pool. There are 10 F&B concepts, ranging from the well-known Long Bar and its most famous cocktail, the Singapore Sling; to French restaurant La Dame de Pic by Anne-Sophie Pic of three-Michelin-star Maison Pic in Valence.
The Raffles Arcade has also been newly outfitted with a Raffles Boutique and various retail brands. Event planners may avail any of the seven indoor and outdoor function spaces, where the largest is the Jubilee Ballroom which can hold up to 500 guests cocktail-style.
Natra Bintan, Indonesia
Glamping resort Natra Bintan, part of Marriott’s Tribute Portfolio, has opened in Bintan Island, situated within the Chill Cove at Treasure Bay. There are a total of 100 safari-themed tents, each measuring over 40m2 and furnished with a four-poster bed, air-conditioning and an LCD TV, plus an attached garden and outdoor patio. As Natra sits directly on the Crystal Lagoon, guests will be able to swim and enjoy the water activities, from bumper boat-rides to slides and wakeboarding. The site is also home to the Patio restaurant and a al fresco bar lounge.
Minimal Hotel Avenue, Hong Kong
Tang’s Living Group launched Minimal Hotel Avenue as its 15th property and fourth under the Minimal Hotels brand. Located between Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui, the hotel comprises 51 rooms ranging from 17m2 to 38m2, some of which are interconnected. It was formerly known as Sunny Day Hotel.
Amari Pattaya, Thailand
Standing on the northern end of Pattaya Beach is the refurbished Amari Pattaya, where accommodation is now split into two buildings. The Amari Suites offer 49 one- and two-bedroom suites in a separate building from the other 248 guestrooms in the Amari Tower. All-new facilities on the property include free-form swimming pools, waterpark, Treehouse Kids Club, Breeze Spa, fitness centre, and several F&B options such as the Amaya Food Gallery.
The Amari Pattaya also offers refurbished function spaces, and its venue offerings include the newly-built pillar-free ballroom, four additional meeting rooms in Amari Tower, and the Beach Lawn. The property is able to handle meetings, conferences, incentives, and teambuilding activities for group sizes from 10 to 1,000 people.
Club Med Joyview Yanqing Beijing, China
Positioned alongside the Beijing Songshan Natural Reserve, the East-meets-West resort offers 307 rooms and suites. Family-friendly facilities include a spa, an indoor waterland, a playground, a kids’ club, and an indoor complex featuring an array of activities ranging from golf and ski simulators to a rock-climbing wall. F&B options on-site include The Marketplace for international cuisine, and Joy Bar offering cocktails and evening entertainment. The resort even has its own winery with a 44ha vineyard capable of producing more than 50,000 bottles of fine wine annually.
Club Med Joyview Yanqing Beijing also boasts a dedicated MICE centre spanning over 13,000m2, comprising a large banquet hall, an Amphi Theater with 962 seats, 11 meeting rooms and two multifunction rooms.
Dubai Frame, a new architectural landmark, holds the record as the world’s biggest picture frame
Home to several major transit hubs between Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East is pushing hard to change its reputation from a stopover spot to a standalone travel destination.
Dubai Frame, a new architectural landmark, holds the record as the world’s biggest picture frame
Several Middle Eastern cities already offer transit visas for passengers passing through to extend their trip and spend more time in the destinations. In 2017, a free transit visa for travellers with a layover of five to 96 hours (four days) in Doha was extended to all nationalities. Abu Dhabi offers a 14-day transit visa, and Dubai offers a 96-hour stopover visa.
While the region is still predominantly regarded as a transit destination, perceptions are shifting with the launch of new attractions and hotels, as well as an increase in flights and marketing campaigns, observed industry players at the recent Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai.
A new roster of attractions are also helping to fan travel interest to the Middle East. For example, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in November 2017 as the largest art museum in the Arabian peninsula.
Expectations are high that the Expo 2020 Dubai, a six-month mega event that will see a diverse array of activities, entertainment and events take place at a 438ha purpose-built site, will boost the region’s profile and attract more visitors into the future, John Williams, director of business development at Al Hadaf Travel & Tourism in Dubai told TTG Asia.
Said Williams: “We expect Expo 2020 to increase traffic. We are already seeing very strong interest from India and we are trying to (conduct more promotion in) Asia. Expo 2020 will play an important role in raising the UAE’s profile in these destinations and we expect to see a boost (in Asian arrivals) on the back of it.”
Yasser Moussa, deputy general manager at Al Bustan Centre and Residence in Dubai, said Expo 2020 is already proving to be a game changer. “We are already starting to feel the positive effects of Expo 2020 and are receiving a lot of big enquiries looking at longer stays of up to six nights. We expect this to be maintained with an increase in tourists after the expo,” he remarked.
Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, which opened last year on Yas Island, as well as the existing Ferrari World, are especially well received among Asian families, according to Marina Cipriano, general manager of Experience Hub (Yas Island’s trade arm). Upcoming attractions such as SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and a Warner Brothers’ hotel are set to elevate Yas Island’s popularity among the Asian market further, she added.
At the same time, the growing roster of attractions and visitor-friendly policies appear to have the combined effect of encouraging longer stays from the Asian markets.
Cipriano noted: “From Asian countries, a lot of people currently stay in the UAE for three to five days. Many will spend time in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and include Yas Island in (their itineraries). It seems to be a key draw for tourists from Asia, especially China and India.”
Not only is the average length of stay for Asian travellers increasing, Cipriano also observed that seven-day integrated packages are now becoming more popular.
Similarly for Moussa, China is emerging as a strong market, as Al Bustan has recorded healthy bookings between October and April, peaking for Chinese New Year in January 2020. He noted too that interest from South-east Asia is growing, with the UAE appealing as an “all-round destination”.
He added: “(The UAE) is a great place for families and shopping. You have the beaches, desert, entertainment and world-class attractions. We are now seeing people stay for an average of three to four nights.”
Meanwhile, as more Asian hospitality companies expand overseas and introduce familiar homegrown hotel brands to Arabian shores, they also help to bring the Middle East onto the radar of Asian travellers.
Thailand’s Centara Hotels & Resorts recently opened Centara West Bay Residences and Suites in the Qatari capital of Doha, and is poised to roll out a second 509-key Centara Grand property in the city before 1Q2020.
Markland Blaiklock, Centara’s deputy chief executive, said: “We want to develop in the region as we see a great opportunity. (The Middle East) is the gateway between two continents, and it has an exotic nature. Taking buggy rides to bash the dunes isn’t something you can do anywhere.”
Furthermore, the appetite of the Qatari government to push the destination on the global stage also made the country an attractive investment opportunity, he added. The country already hosts an annual tennis tournament, and is gearing up to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Said Blaiklock: “We realise Qatar is still in the early stages of development, not unlike Thailand a few decades ago. Qatar has two million annual visitors so it will take some time (to grow more arrivals), but the elements for success are there.”
Likewise, Thai hospitality company Dusit International also made its first foray into Qatar in April, opening a 264-key property in the heart of West Bay.
Gerhard Stutz, general manager at Dusit Doha Hotel, said: “Qatar is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world in terms of tourism, and its reputation as a destination of choice is only set to be cemented further when the FIFA World Cup is held here in 2022.”
As the region continues to see huge investment pour into the region, stabilising political climes and constant rejuvenation, the industry remains hopeful of the potential the Middle East holds as a leisure and business destination for Asian travellers.
With newer developments raising the profile of Macau’s Cotai Strip since 2007, hotels in the Macau Peninsula are determined to not be left behind.
Macau Peninsula
According to China Travel Service (Macao), travel department sales and marketing manager, Pun Cheng-man, hotel rates are lower in the peninsula, which is dominated by old hotels. During the low season, it’s typical to see weekday hotel rates in Cotai priced at MOP$900 (US$112), compared to MOP$600-700 in the Peninsula.
The two areas are generally non-competing, pointed out Crowne Plaza Macau’s sales director, Benedict Wu, with Cotai Strip hotels focused on casino guests.
However, hotel operators in the peninsula are impacted when the casino market softens and Cotai hotels lower their rates.
“To stay competitive, we are developing different markets instead of relying on the mainland Chinese. Since we are a non-casino hotel with a big ballroom, MICE and corporate clients are important to us.”
Artyzen Hospitality Group, vice president of Macau operations and Grand Lapa general manager, Rutger Verschuren, said: “We have to fight harder due to the limited marketing funds and other resources available compared with the more recent products and facilities in Cotai.”
However, he stressed that this is a healthy driving force as both areas appeal to different segments. “No hotel or destination can attract all markets. We are each (complementary).
“Cotai is more attractive to the mass market and ideal for huge MICE groups, but not all people are attracted to mega resorts where gaming facilities play a major role,” he elaborated. On the other hand, the Macau Peninsula targets more families, corporate guests, educational, government officials and diplomats, or simply those who prefer to be closer to local experiences.
Verschuren thinks a collaborative branding effort could lift the Macau Peninsula back into the limelight. His idea is to brand the Avenida da Amizade – the peninsula’s equivalent to the Cotai Strip – as the Friendship Road.
The avenue has lots to leverage on for this branding effort. It the longest avenue in Macau where hotels and attractions are concentrated. Avenida da Amizade spreads from near the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao bridge arrival terminal and Macau Ferry Terminal all the way to Grand Lisboa, next to a UNESCO heritage area and Macau’s famous walking streets and department stores, Verschuren explained.
He added: “I hope to drive a campaign with other properties to brand this strip in the peninsula as ‘The Friendship Road’ or ‘The Friendship Mile’. By uniting businesses along this strip, we can boost the identity of the peninsula.”
Qantas has appointed John Simeone as the new senior vice president for Asia and Papua New Guinea, based in Singapore.
Simeone will steer the commercial, financial and operational performance for Qantas across its Asian markets (excluding Japan). He takes over from Benjamin Tan, who has taken up a new role outside of Qantas after a four-year stint.
The aviation veteran has over 25 years of experience in the industry, which includes roles within network scheduling, pricing and yield, tourism development and crew operations. He was most recently head of business and government sales, with extensive experience in managing Qantas’ commercial relationships.
The combined effects of escalating trade wars, the impact of Brexit, possible oil supply shocks, and the growing likelihood of recession are set to slow global airfares and hotel rates in 2020, according to the sixth annual Global Travel Forecast, published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT)
After posting sharp rises in 2019, prices in the global travel industry are projected to slow in 2020, with flights rising a modest 1.2 per cent, hotels rising only 1.3 per cent, and rental car rates up one per cent.
India-based Jet Airways’ shutdown in April has inevitably led to higher airfares
While the global economy is doing well overall – and expected to grow a solid 3.6 per cent in 2020 – a raft of uncertainties are set to put a damper on pricing.
Scott Solombrino, GBTA COO and executive director, said: “Technological advancements and an increasingly volatile economic and political landscape across the globe have changed the way today’s travel buyers need to do their jobs. This annual forecast provides insights into the key drivers forcing these shifting priorities and gives a road map for travel buyers looking to plan their 2020 travel programs.”
Asia’s expansion has slowed down due to worsening US-China relations, tighter global financial conditions and natural disasters. But the region remains the most dynamic, with steady GDP growth, benign inflation and a sense of optimism, the report added.
Air
In Asia-Pacific, the shutdown of India-based Jet Airways’ operations in April created a gap in the market for some key routes, and the reduced competition has meant higher airfares. But with other airlines adding capacity to fill the vacuum, fares have begun to normalise.
Hotel
Meanwhile, Asia’s hospitality industry is booming with hotel investment volumes predicted to grow 15 per cent year-on-year. Japan will host the Rugby World Cup later this year, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, which will boost visitor numbers to the region. The Japanese hotel market is seeing a sharp increase in supply to accommodate the anticipated surge in visitors to the country during these events.
Ground
In China, steady demand and increased competition will hurt car suppliers. Across Asia-Pacific, ride-sharing is booming, with many companies allowing their employees to use these services for business travel. Providers like Didi Chuxing, Grab, Go-Jek and Ola are pursuing aggressive expansion plans, while taking steps to put more stringent safety measures in place.
AirAsia has appointed telecommunications executive Ricardo Isla as the new CEO of AirAsia Philippines.
He takes over from Dexter Comendador, who will continue working with AirAsia Philippines as COO. Comendador was appointed as CEO on January 10, 2017.
Isla joins AirAsia after more than a decade of international product development, sales and distribution experience with Philippines’ telecommunications giant PLDT Global Corporation. In addition to his most recent role as regional head of operations for the UK and Europe, Isla has held general manager positions in its international retail business, as well as in the US, Italy and Singapore.
Travelport is offering the first phase of the Next Generation Storefront (NGS) capability with multiple airlines and partners, including WhereTo, an online booking tool, and Travel Technology & Solutions, a global developer of innovative solutions for the travel and tourism industry.
NGS is an industry initiative to enable travel agencies to display airfares in a similar fashion as airlines showing their branded fares on their websites. Developed by industry body ATPCO, it aims to deliver a richer and more informed shopping experience for travellers. The “storefront” allows users to compare and choose between multiple branded fare offers and across different airlines’ flights – all on one screen.
Travelport offering first phase of Next Generation Storefront (NGS) which will enable travel agencies to display airfares
Complementing this, and powered by Travelport’s latest API, Trip Services, NGS will present airlines’ offerings by fare families and their ancillaries for easy comparison shopping. This will allow all Travelport’s partner travel agencies to display more flight options and information for travellers, so they can choose the offering that works best for their customers.
As the ATPCO standards continue to evolve, Travelport will facilitate exact comparisons across airlines’ full range of products, whether for online agencies, corporate booking tools or Travelport’s own travel agency desktop solution, Smartpoint.
The new displays will show different branded categories such as Basic Economy, Standard Economy and Economy Plus in a single display alongside one another, enabling users to select their preferred branded offer for each leg of their journey.
For example, travellers can book a business class ticket to their destination and an economy class seat for their return, with airport lounge access during a long layover. NGS will provide more flexibility, transparency and clarity to the user and let customers compare fare prices across different airlines and choose their preferred way of travelling.
With the ability to provide more options to travellers, including ancillaries like upgrades, baggage and Wi-Fi access, agencies can more easily support airlines’ retail sales while providing a better shopping experience for travellers.
Stephen Shurrock, Travelport’s CCO, said: “Whether through Rich Content and Branding, NDC or NGS, Travelport is committed to providing the broadest range of content and will continue to lead change. NGS will be key in driving a shift from ‘cheapest fare’ to ‘best value’. Displaying multiple options enhances consumer choice and gives airlines upsell opportunities, whilst providing measurable value to all partners.”
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has rolled out the withIN programme, which aims to offer the best available rates, special benefits and upgrades for travel agency members handpicked by its specialist global sales team.
A total of 360 agencies have been invited to join the exclusive travel community, including 8 Continents Travel, China; RASK Travel, the UK; Atelier Voyage, Germany; Smartflyer, Australia; Protravel International, the US; and Superviagem, Brazil.
SLH’s new withIN programme will offer better rates and benefits for its members
Newly launched this month, the withIN programme is now bookable via the GDS and the SLH Voice reservations team, with a dedicated travel agent website set to launch in 1Q2020. Affiliated travel agencies are granted commission levels at 10 per cent on standard room types and 15 per cent on suites (subject to a minimum of two nights).
Travel agencies signed up to the programme will be able to secure highly attractive benefits for their customers, including complimentary daily breakfast for two, a room upgrade to next room category (subject to availability at the time of check-in), early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability at the time of check-in), a credit worth minimum US$50 per room, per stay to be spent on non-accommodation extras such as F&B and spa on property, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi.
So far, 235 SLH hotels have signed up to the programme, including The Celino South Beach, Miami; Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane; The Merchant House, Bahrain; Finca Serena, Mallorca; Vintry & Mercer, London and The Outpost Hotel Sentosa, Singapore.
Carsten Lima, EMEA vice-president of sales for SLH, said: “We strongly believe in investing in our partnership approach to working with the best travel agencies. So our relationship with them continues to go from strength to strength. With the launch of withIN, we are making this partnership approach bigger and better, so that selected travel agencies working with us benefit from even more opportunities to promote and sell our participating SLH hotels regardless of luxury network affiliation”.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is ramping up its expansion focus in Asia-Pacific as it lines up a string of key openings, brand launches and new market entries across the region.
The hotel franchising company, which has about 9,200 hotels globally, boasts more than 173,000 rooms in Asia-Pacific, where it has 86 openings scheduled this year.
Wyndham Grand Yangon, Myanmar
All of the brands in the company’s portfolio, from Ramada and Days Inn to Super 8, now includes the suffix ‘by Wyndham’ – a significant step forward in Wyndham Hotels’ global branding strategy.
In Greater China, Wyndham Hotels is the largest international franchisor, with more than 1,500 properties and 149,000 rooms in its franchised system. Based on current trends, Wyndham expects to open about 500 hotels in China over the next three years.
Leo Liu, president of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Greater China, said: “We have sustained our strong growth momentum and delivered robust hotel opening and net rooms growth figures in China. Working closely with owners and developers in the region, we are striving to further expand our presence across Greater China, especially in Hong Kong and in the northern and south-western parts of China, where there is rapid growth and strong potential for further expansion of our footprint.”
In Greater China, the hospitality giant in January opened the 432-room Ramada by Wyndham Hong Kong Harbour View, followed in May by the opening of the Ramada by Wyndham Hong Kong Grand View, with 317 rooms and a signature rooftop swimming pool. Also, after reacquiring exclusive direct franchising rights for the Days Inn brand in China in 2018, Wyndham has opened seven new Days Inn by Wyndham properties this year, from Chongqing and Guangzhou to Changsha.
Wyndham is also growing rapidly in the South-east Asia and Pacific Rim (SEAPR) region, which expanded by 22 per cent year-over-year through the second quarter, and includes more than 24,000 rooms.
“This is a hugely exciting region, where dynamic economies, rising affluence and strong intra-regional travel is creating exceptional conditions for growth. These trends give Wyndham plenty of scope for expansion, both in established and emerging markets,” said Joon Aun Ooi, president and managing director of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, SEAPR.
Wyndham Hotels has also announced several notable market entries and expansions in the SEAPR region.
In January, Wyndham introduced the Days Inn brand to New Zealand with the opening of Days Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Hamilton. The addition bolsters Wyndham’s presence in New Zealand and in Hamilton, the region’s fourth-most-populous city and a key growth market.
Also in January, Wyndham introduced the Wyndham Grand brand in Myanmar with the opening of Wyndham Grand Yangon.
In June, Wyndham opened the 222-room Ramada by Wyndham Daejeon, its 41st hotel in South Korea. This follows the March openings of the 592-room Ramada Encore by Wyndham Gimpo Han River and the 467-room Ramada Encore by Wyndham Jeongseon Sabuk.
