Halal Restaurant Week spotlights South Korea’s growing Muslim-friendly dining scene

September 4, 2019

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will host the fourth edition of Halal Restaurant Week Korea, a two-month promotional event designed to attract Muslim visitors to South Korea, from September 1 to October 31.

The annual event, which partners 150 Muslim-friendly restaurants to offer special discounts, is designed to promote South Korea to tap the rising important of the global Muslim tourism market.

Indian eatery Manokamana, which is a certified Muslim-friendly restaurant in South Korea, is one of the 152 dining spots across the country taking part in this year’s Halal Restaurant Week Korea

The Halal Restaurant Week Korea promotion was initiated to mitigate the difficulties that Muslim tourists often face during mealtimes due to the lack of halal-friendly restaurants in South Korea, as well as improve the tourist infrastructure of the country to better serve the needs of Muslim tourists.

The promotion will provide Muslim tourists with information on halal offerings and discounts, and to combine the showcase the adaptability of Korean cuisine to halal requirements.

During this period, visitors to South Korea will have access to discounts and other benefits from KTO-designated Muslim-friendly restaurants and major tourist sites.

This year’s event will include 152 Muslim-friendly restaurants and 40 major tourist sites and experience programmes to allow a greater range of benefits as compared to last year’s event.

Visitors will also have access to the Halal Restaurant Week Korea coupon book through the KTO offices in major Muslim-tourist regions, namely, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, New Delhi, Dubai, Istanbul and Almaty. The book includes discount coupons with values of KRW3,000 (US$2) and KRW10,000 which can be used at Muslim-friendly restaurants. It also contains coupons for key attractions and the experience programme. In addition, 54 Muslim-friendly restaurants will offer special set menus during the promotion period and coupon discounts up to KRW10,000.

Since 2016, KTO has been trying to steadily increase the number of Muslim-friendly restaurants in South Korea. Muslim restaurants all over the country are subdivided into four categories – halal-certified, self-certified, Muslim-friendly, and pork-free – depending on detailed criteria such as their usage of halal ingredients and pork. The number of designated Muslim-friendly restaurants rose from 135 in 2016 to 250 by end 2018.

KTO’s support project also includes the establishment of a mobile prayer room in Jeju’s “Tamnara Republic” for the convenience of Muslim travellers to perform their prayers. Additional prayer mats are also provided in prayer rooms located in major tourist sites and hotels. Moreover, KTO seeks to develop new tourist packages in K-Wave and other fields catering to Muslim tourists, in addition to premium packages like medical tourism to offer a diversified response to different demands from Muslim markets.

These combined efforts have led to South Korea’s growing reputation as a Muslim-friendly destination. In the 2019 Global Muslim Travel Index report, South Korea emerged the eight most attractive destination among Muslims in the world. The number of Muslim visitors to South Korea annually is expected to exceed the one million mark for the first time in 2019.

More event information, coupons and list of participating organisations for the Halal Restaurant Week Korea can be found here.

Accor breaks ground on new Melbourne Airport Hotel

By TTG Asia

September 4, 2019

0

The first sod was turned on Monday on the construction of a dual-branded hotel at Melbourne Airport.

The 464-room hotel, to be operated under the Novotel and ibis Styles’ brands, was created to serve Melbourne’s burgeoning conference and tourism markets. It will be located steps from Terminal 4 within a new precinct known as The Hive.

(From left) Accor Pacific’s Simon McGrath, Melbourne Airport’s Linc Horton, Victorian Tourism Minister’s Martin Pakula and Built Director Vic & SA’s Ross Walker broke ground on Accor’s new dual-branded hotel at Melbourne Airport

Future hotel guests can expect gym and pool facilities, a café, bar and restaurant as well as conference rooms.

Melbourne Airport’s chief of property Linc Horton said the project represents the airport’s latest milestone in supporting the state as it moves toward becoming Australia’s biggest city.

Horton said: “We believe this new development will bring a much needed social hub to our space (that brings) visitors and business colleagues together on the doorstep of the airport.”

“Importantly, it will also open up around 120 job opportunities for hospitality and tourism staff – a huge boost for the City of Hume.”

Simon McGrath, COO for AccorHotels Pacific, said: “Worldwide, Accor is an airport hotel specialist and we continue to innovate and lead in this sector.

“With more than 650 flights in and out of Melbourne Airport every day, we’re confident that this hotel will quickly become a new destination in itself for passengers, offering easy access to a choice of great accommodation, amenities and state-of-the-art conferencing, just steps away from Terminal 4.”

The dual-branded hotel, constructed by Built Director Vic & SA, will open in 2021.

Korea Tourism Organization MICE Manager

By TTG

September 3, 2019

0

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is the National Tourism Organization of the Republic of Korea, with offices located worldwide to promote and boost tourism to Korea, so as to make it one of the top destinations in the world.

The KTO Singapore Office is looking for enthusiastic and hardworking individual for the following position:

Korea Tourism Organization MICE Manager

1-year contract (including 2-months probation) | S$3,600~S$5,400 (commensurate with experience)

As a Korea Tourism Organization MICE Manager, Your key responsibilities on the job include :

Contact point and handling enquiries for trade, consumers, organizers with regards to MICE related products and services
Regular contact with consumes, MICE planners, travel agencies and other trade partners to explore new opportunities to promote Korea
Execute and follow through incentive claims and operational support for MICE events (eg working with HQ on site inspection, subsidy support, incentive support from other bureau offices and etc)
Monitor competitor destinations MICE products offer and development
Manage and coordinate ITB Asia or other ad hoc trade fair invites
Encourage trade partners and consumers to improve itineraries through adding new festivals/events/destinations
Invite and arrange travel agents and media to fam trips and trade shows
Arrange and execute presentations to trade and consumers
Solicit new trade partners through data mining and networking sessions.
To maintain and ensure cordial relationship with all trade partners and organizers
Organize and execute regular MICE workshops and seminars to trade partners and consumers.
Maintain (mainly print media) advertising planning for MICE department
Ad-hoc MICE campaign promotion (eg Inspiring & Sharing MICE campaign)

Applicants should possess at least the following requirements:

Diploma in tourism or any related fields
Experience in MICE field would be added advantage
Excellent written and spoken English language
Basic skill in conversational and written Korean would be an added advantage
Service-oriented, quick learner, team player, IT-savvy
Knowledge of MICE Industry in Korea would be an added advantage
Able to commence employment in September/October 2019

Recontract opportunities are available based on assessment after 1 year.

Send your detailed resume with a recent photograph of yourself to us at kto.recruitment@gmail.com by 16 September 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified for an interview. Overseas applicants will be interviewed via video conferencing.

New cluster GM for Anantara’s two Phuket properties

By TTG Asia

September 3, 2019

0

Minor Hotels has appointed James Hewitson as the new cluster general manager of two of the group’s Thailand properties – Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas and Anantara Vacation Club Phuket.

Prior to his Thailand move, he oversaw the pre-opening and running of the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara in Oman for four years as general manager.

Born and raised in the UK, Hewitson has climbed up the ranks since joining Minor in 2010. He started in Koh Samui in Thailand, before moving to the Anantara Dubai The Palm in the UAE, and then onto a general manager position at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.

Veteran hotelier takes charge of The Anam, in Vietnam’s Cam Ranh

By TTG Asia

September 3, 2019

0

Philippe Cavory has been appointed to the helm of The Anam, in Cam Ranh, Vietnam.

The French national comes to the resort after four years with YTL Hotels, during which he oversaw a collection of five-star resorts in Malaysia as area general manager.

The seasoned professional possesses almost four decades of experience in the luxury hospitality industry across four continents. He has worked in senior management roles for companies including Cheval Blanc Randheli and Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, Banyan Tree properties in the Maldives, Morocco and Laos, and at Lux Grand Gaube in Mauritius.

In addition to Asia and Africa, his career has taken him across Europe and to the US. Along with hotel management, he has substantial experience with hotel openings and renovations.

At one point, Cavory was a sommelier based in Miami with Royal Caribbean Cruises, as well as an F&B consultant for the Eastern and Oriental Express in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, before rising through the ranks at various luxury hotels.

GM Ronan Henaff helms Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

By TTG Asia

September 3, 2019

0

Ronan Henaff has been appointed general manager of Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li.

In this role, Henaff has been placed responsible for all aspects of Capella Shanghai’s operations, enhancing employee development and guest satisfaction, strategic planning and brand recognition.

The Frenchman joins Capella Shanghai from The Shanghai Edition, where he led the hotel’s opening.

Henaff has some 25 years of hospitality experience, having started his hospitality career in the US in 1994, before moving on to work for recognised brands such as Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood and Setai Hotel Group.

Chiang Mai steps up efforts to woo growing Muslim travel market

By Marissa Carruthers

September 3, 2019

0

Thailand tourism players are priming Chiang Mai to become a halal-friendly destination by investing in improved services and halal tourism infrastructure to cater to the rapidly-growing segment of Muslim travellers.

At the International MICE Conference and Forum 2019 in Chiang Mai, Korakod Kanongnuch, president of Thailand Halal Tourism Association (THAT), said: “Muslim travellers represent a big piece of cake, and everyone wants a share.

Chiang Mai hopes to court more Muslim visitors to the city (pictured: Muslim tourists at Royal Park Rajapruek in Chiang Mai)

“Chiang Mai has the potential to be a key Thai destination for Muslim visitors,” he added.

Senior lecturer Ismah Osman of Malaysia’s Universiti Teknologi Mara said the city is on the right track to welcoming the fast-growing number of Muslim travellers, with more hotels and services catering to market demand.

Dullah Jehdeng, owner and managing director of Nanyeeya Entertainment Travel, said Chiang Mai is emerging as one of the top destinations for Muslim travellers from South-east Asia, especially Malaysia, due to the rising availability of services.

“Chiang Mai already has a strong Muslim culture and we have many places that serve diverse Muslim food, and many halal and Muslim-friendly hotels,” he said.

The city is home to 12 Muslim-owned hotels and THAT is working with tourism-related organisations to educate them on how to meet the needs of Muslim customers. Daily flights connecting Chiang Mai to Kuala Lumpur have also boosted inbound numbers from Malaysia.

Chiang Mai is also home to a strong Chinese Muslim community, several Muslim communities and historic mosques. There is a surplus of halal food, influenced by the Chinese, Burmese and Thai Muslim residents in the area, said Jehdeng.

A halal chef competition, which took place in Chiang Mai on August 1, helped to further raise the Thai city’s profile. Destinations are also being developed to serve Muslim visitors. One such example is Ping Luang village, which is home to a Chinese Muslim community. The community-based tourism project will be ready to welcome guests next year.

Halal tourism, catering to Muslim travellers, is the fastest-growing segment of the global tourism market.

South-east Asia will welcome over 18 million Muslim visitor arrivals by 2020, accounting for 15 per cent of total visitor arrivals in the region, according to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2018.

IATA extends BSP to Myanmar

By TTG Asia

September 3, 2019

0

IATA has launched the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) in Myanmar as of September 1, 2019, which is expected to ease the reporting of ticket sales and remittance for participating travel agents and settlement of their sales to airlines.

Prior to the implementation of the BSP, agents in Myanmar had to interact directly with each of the respective airlines to report and remit their ticket sales – an inefficient and time-consuming exercise. The introduction of the BSP will streamline and standardise the process and format for sales reporting and remittance by agents to the airlines.

IATA has launched the Billing and Settlement Plan in Myanmar as of September 1, 2019

With the BSP, both airlines and travel agents will receive only one sales report, said IATA. Travel agents will only need to make one payment for all their sales to the airlines via the BSP by a pre-determined date. Airlines will then receive one consolidated payment from the BSP.

Conrad Clifford, IATA’s regional vice president for Asia-Pacific, said: “Aviation is a growing sector in Myanmar. As the country continues to develop and with more international airlines operating services in Myanmar, it is timely to introduce the BSP. Not only will it bring efficiencies in the interactions between airlines and travel agents, it will also modernise and support the growth of Myanmar’s travel and tourism sector.”

About five airlines and 12 travel agents are participating in the Myanmar BSP during the start-up phase, with more expected to join in the coming months.

Clifford added that on top of introducing the BSP, IATA has also opened its first office in Myanmar in April. “Through this office, we hope to enhance our partnership with the various aviation stakeholders to support Myanmar’s aviation development through the implementation of global standards and industry best practices,” he said.

In the next 20 years, air travel in Myanmar is expected to grow by an average of eight per cent annually, ahead of the global average of 3.9 per cent. By 2038, Myanmar is expected to be an air travel market of 37 million passengers, close to five times the current numbers.

Ascott broadens Singapore footprint with four openings this year, including two new brands

By TTG Asia

September 3, 2019

0

lyf_Funan_Singapore_facade — lyf Funan Singapore

The Ascott expects to cement its position as “the largest serviced residence operator in Singapore” as it launches a record four openings in the city this year and introduces a pair of new brands in Singapore.

Ervin Yeo, Ascott’s regional general manager for Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, said: “We are on a strong growth trajectory, with our presence in our home market of Singapore expanding by over 60 per cent in the past two years. We have a record opening of four properties this year and another four are expected to open by 2021.”

Ascott's new openings in Singapore

1 of 3

He added: “With the government’s pro-business policies as well as exciting initiatives to rejuvenate the city and attract investors and tourists, we see strong demand for international-class lodging properties. We will further step up Ascott’s presence in Singapore through strategic acquisitions, partnerships, management contracts, franchises and leases.”

“We are expanding our product offerings in Singapore with new-to-market brands including the ‘lyf’ co-living brand and Citadines Connect, a line of business hotels with select services. Ascott is also managing Huazhu Hotels Group’s first hotel outside of China under its Ji Hotel brand.”

Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore, secured under a franchise agreement, is slated to open in 2021 as the brand’s first property in Singapore. Located a stone’s throw away from Dhoby Ghaut MRT station and Plaza Singapura near Orchard Road, Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore will increase Ascott’s Singapore portfolio to a total of 17 properties across over 3,100 units.

Meanwhile, Ascott’s four property openings in Singapore this year will add 846 units to the lodging scene. The first amongst the four properties to open is lyf Funan Singapore, followed by Citadines Balestier Singapore and Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore in September, while Citadines Rochor Singapore is slated to open in December.

lyf Funan Singapore, Ascott’s first property under the millennial-oriented co living brand, is located in the heart of Singapore’s Civic & Cultural District as part of the Funan integrated retail and commercial development.

Citadines Balestier Singapore sits atop a three-storey retail podium with proximity to the Novena MRT station, while Citadines Rochor Singapore is part of an integrated development, which includes the Tekka Place retail podium, and the Rochor MRT station right at its doorstep.

Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore is situated within walking distance to Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station and CapitaLand’s Plaza Singapura mall.

To meet rising demand for short-stay accommodation, lyf Funan Singapore, Ji Hotel Orchard Singapore and Citadines Rochor Singapore will have the flexibility of taking in daily stays under full hotel licenses.

Besides Citadines Connect City Centre Singapore, Ascott is slated to open Citadines Raffles Place Singapore, lyf Farrer Park Singapore and lyf one-north Singapore in the next two years.

China’s online hotel reservation market buoyed by post-90s generation

By TTG Asia

September 3, 2019

0

China’s online hotel reservation market continues to grow rapidly, with huge potential in the rise of online rates as compared to developed markets such as Europe, the US and Japan, according to the latest research from Trustdata’s Mobile Big Data Monitoring service.

Monthly active users reached 100 million in 2Q, while room nights reserved in 1H were up 20 per cent year-on-year, based on data from the report.

China’s online hotel reservation market continues to grow rapidly, with Meituan the forerunner in terms of room nights reserved in 1H2019

China’s per capita GDP is expected to exceed US$10,000 in 2019, accelerating the increase of new tourists and boosting the demand for hotel reservations.

The report also showed that the age composition of Chinese online hotel reservation users has changed, with post-90s and post-00s becoming the main consumers, while the potential for post-2000s are huge.

Young users born in the 1990s and 2000s, who carry less financial burdens and have strong willingness to spend online are driving the growth of online hotel reservations.

It added that young users’ needs and scenarios for online hotel reservations are becoming increasingly diversified and personalised.

Online hotel reservations have continued to penetrate in country-level markets in 1H2019, with “small town areas” registering multiple growth and 70 per cent of new users from third- and lower-tier cities.

Other performance insights from the report include:

In 1H2019, Meituan led the industry in terms of room nights reserved, accounting for 47.3 per cent of the market, more than the total share of Ctrip, Qunar and eLong combined. Coming in second place is traditional OTA Ctrip.

Meituan and Fliggy led the industry in terms of the number of young users, with post-90s and post-00s accounting for more than 50 per cent of users.

Ctrip ranked first in user retention, while Tongcheng-eLong and Meituan ranked second and third.

Qunar ranked first in terms of daily opens, followed by Tongcheng-eLong and Meituan.

OTA players around the world form a four-pole competitive landscape, and leisure travel is the key area of battle. Similar to Expedia, Ctrip has been developing for 20 years and focusing on business travel. Meituan, though young, is similar to Booking in nature, focusing mainly on the leisure and vacation market.

Halal Restaurant Week spotlights South Korea’s growing Muslim-friendly dining scene

Accor breaks ground on new Melbourne Airport Hotel

Korea Tourism Organization MICE Manager

New cluster GM for Anantara’s two Phuket properties

Veteran hotelier takes charge of The Anam, in Vietnam’s Cam Ranh

GM Ronan Henaff helms Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li

Chiang Mai steps up efforts to woo growing Muslim travel market

IATA extends BSP to Myanmar

Ascott broadens Singapore footprint with four openings this year, including two new brands

China’s online hotel reservation market buoyed by post-90s generation

Tried and Tested

Disney Adventure

What to Buy Now

Plaza Premium unveils Langkawi lounge with opening access offer