Naspers exits MakeMyTrip, leaves Ctrip largest stakeholder in portal
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With the signing of a new deal, Naspers will exchange its entire shareholding in MakeMyTrip for newly issued shares of Ctrip, while Ctrip will acquire Naspers’ current shareholding in the Indian OTA.
Concurrent with the share exchange, Ctrip will invest certain ordinary shares and class B shares of MakeMyTrip in a third-party investment entity.
Naspers exits MakeMyTrip, leaves Ctrip as the portal’s largest stakeholder
Following the transaction, Naspers will own 5.6 per cent of Ctrip’s outstanding ordinary shares, and Ctrip and the third-party investment entity will own ordinary shares and class B shares of MakeMyTrip representing approximately 49.0 per cent and four per cent of MakeMyTrip’s total voting rights, respectively.
Deep Kalra, chairman and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said: “We have worked with Ctrip in the past years and are excited to take this partnership to the next level. We will leverage this investment to benefit from the tremendous growth potential in travel and tourism between our two countries (China and India).”
“We are also delighted to welcome Naspers to become our shareholder. Ctrip will continue to work hard to create greater value for our customers, our partners and all shareholders,” Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip commented.
The transaction is expected to close as soon as practicable in the second half of 2019 and is subject to customary closing conditions, including the requisite regulatory approvals.
Bangkok still winning city, but others are catching up fast
DMCs in Asia have announced temporary changes to itineraries in view of next weekend’s official coronation of King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the first in nearly seven decades for Thailand.
In a notice issued to partners, Asian Trails Thailand said that during the celebrations around the royal coronation of Vajiralongkorn – also known as King Rama X – from May 2 to 6, many roads, particular near the Grand Palace and some parts of the Chao Phraya River will be closed.
Asian Trails Thailand is cancelling all tours around the Grand Palace
“All excursions around the Grand Palace have to be cancelled,” the DMC announced.
The crowing will take place on Saturday, May 4, with Monday, May 6 declared a public holiday for the whole country. Celebrations and ceremonies in relation to the coronation are expected to take off during this three day royal and religious event.
Various roads and landmarks in Bangkok’s Rattanakosin district will be closed off in lieu of this nationwide broadcasted ceremony. According to government channels, security measures around the official coronation venues are extremely tight which may result in operational changes and possible congestion in other parts of the city, the DMC explained.
“Asian Trails Thailand is taking all measures to ensure that we continue to run our operations as smooth as possible. During these days, we will monitor the situation closely and continue to offer alternative tour options for in-house guests,” the DMC said, adding that it will inform partners of any major changes to itineraries that may ensue.
Also acknowledging the road closures and restricted access to key tourist attractions such as the Grand Palaces and temples in the Rattanakosin area, Destination Asia Thailand said it is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary.
On the other hand, it pointed out to partners that clients in Bangkok during this period will have “a unique opportunity to bear witness to a once in a life time event”.
Khiri Travel advised: “The Royal Coronation is a joyous occasion for the Thai people and you will see many wearing yellow shirts during this time, as part of the nationwide celebrations. If your customers would like to participate, they are welcome to wear yellow, the royal color, from April to July.”
In addition to the Hindu and Buddhist rituals that began this month and ceremonies performed by the king leading up to his official coronation in May, later in the year, a Royal Barge Procession will give visitors to Thailand another chance to see the nation’s new king.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered Thrillophilia, an Indian platform that lists over 10,000 activities and experiences.
With an estimated 50 million Indian tourists expected to travel abroad by 2020, Thailand is eyeing about two million Indian tourists in 2019. India is currently the sixth visitor source market for the destination.
A screenshot from the Thrillophilia website
Commenting on the partnership, Cholada Shiddhivarn, director of TAT’s Mumbai Office, said: “As a destination, we want to reach out to the millennials who are constantly seeking for offbeat experiences and also adventure sports… Through this association, we are aiming to introduce and promote New Shades of Amazing Thailand to the new age Indian traveller”.
Thrillophilia says it will promote “off beat destinations” such as Chiang Rai, Ko Samui, Khao Yai and Chiang Mai, beyond the popular the Bangkok-Pattaya circuit.
More than 100 experiences in Thailand are now available for booking on Thrillophilia. Examples include Flight of the Gibbon in Chiang Mai, Art in Paradise in Pattaya, Temple Tour in Chiang Rai, Death Railway in Kanchanaburi, Adventure at Khao Yai, Khao Sok tour and more.
The partnership also seeks to encourage more Indian women travellers to travel to Thailand by highlighting special experiences that cater to them, such as culinary lessons, Muay Thai boxing classes and meditation in temples.
Thrillophilia’s promotions on online channels as well as marketing and social media campaigns will be built around the theme of ‘Experience Thailand Differently’.
Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2019 will return for its sixth year, taking place on June 25-29 at the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (BNDCC).
Organised by the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA Bali), this year’s event has adopted the theme of Journey to Sustainable Tourism.
The BBFT is back this year for the sixth time
Once again the venue for BBTF 2019, the BNDCC is located within Bali’s Nusa Dua Complex operated by the Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) on the southernmost tip of Bali.
In addition to being home to the BNDCC, the ITDC Complex is home to some 5,000 starred hotel rooms; a wide-range of dining, shopping and entertainment venues; and a championship 18-hole golf-course – all scattered along a white-sand beach.
BBTF 2019 is on target to attract over 200 sellers with the closing deadline falling on May 8, 2019. Meanwhile, the organisers say sellers are registering at a record pace.
Some 250 buyers from 52 countries are already confirmed with one month remaining before the event. The organisers expect an eventual buyer turnout of 300. Most of this year’s buyers hail from Europe – 30 UK buyers have registered, follow by France, the Netherlands, Italy, German as well as Eastern European countries like Bulgaria, Estonia, Poland and Russia.
The sixth BBTF is supported by the Ministry of Tourism. A gala dinner will open the event on June 26 (Wednesday) with another festive farewell dinner hosted by the ITDC slated for June 28 (Friday).
Courtyard by Marriott Nagoya will open in early 2022 to become the brand’s sixth property in Japan.
The hotel will be located in the largest city of the Chubu region, where many Japanese manufacturing companies’ headquarters are located including Toyota Motor Corporations in Toyota City.
Courtyard by Marriott Nagoya to open in 2022
Courtyard by Marriott Nagoya will have 12 storeys, and feature 360 contemporary rooms including 10 suites. Guests will be able to dine in Nagoya Kitchen, a semi-open kitchen with live cooking stations. Aside from a fitness centre, the hotel will have a a ballroom, divisible by two, and four meeting rooms.
Located in 10-minute walk distance to the nearest Fushimi Station and 18 minutes’ walk to Nagoya Station, guests will be able to reach Sakae for shopping, dining and entertainment options within a 15-minute walk, while other attractions including Higashiyama Zoo and Legoland are also only a short distance away.
The property is a 45-minute drive from Chubu International airport, a 100-minute journey by bullet train from Tokyo and 50 minutes from Osaka.
Online exclusive deal is available for Mastercard holders only
In celebration of the Singapore Cable Car’s 45th anniversary, Mastercard cardholders will be able to purchase the Singapore Cable Car Sky Pass at S$4.50 (US$3.30).
Online exclusive deal is available for Mastercard holders only
The promotion is valid for a limited time for purchases on One Faber Group’s online store paid by Mastercard only.
Sky Pass holders will also be entitled to additional 45th anniversary treats, including Miraculous, a daily multi-media light show, and a self-guided activity.
Australia’s Queensland State has unveiled a new indigenous interactive culture experience entitled Spirits of the Red Sand.
During the interactive production, guests move from set to set as they journey back in time to 1880s Queensland and experience the trials and challenges as the British and Aboriginal ways of life collide. Told by Jarrah, the only surviving member of three Aboriginal brothers, the show is set within a real 19th-century Australian town complete with Church, Pub and Indigenous village.
Spirits of the Red Sand
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The theatre and dinner experience can be found in Beenleigh, a town located between Brisbane and The Gold Coast. Round-trip transfers from select hotels from both Brisbane and The Gold Coast.
Tickets cost A$120 (US$85) for adults, A$25 for children aged between five and nine, A$65 for 10-15 year olds, and A$99 for students and seniors. Dinner is a chargrilled Australian barbecue with dessert and a licensed bar.
Spirits of the Red Sand is the only South East Queensland tourism experience to be endorsed by Tourism Australia’s Discover Aboriginal Experiences Program.
Tourists visiting the Prambanan Temple compound in Yogyakarta
As one of the world’s largest countries by land and population, Indonesia holds vast potential for tourism, some economy hotel players say, but there are obstacles in the way of unlocking growth opportunities, including the lack of local market understanding of international businesses as well as human resource challenges.
Hartono Liman, CEO of LoyalGuest.com said: “Compared to other destinations (in the region), there are so many untapped destinations in the country. The government has been developing infrastructure – airports, seaports and roads across the country, resulting in the growth of domestic travel.
Tourists visiting the Prambanan Temple compound in Yogyakarta
“Thanks to budget airlines, the middle to low income classes can now travel. The new infrastructure being built now allows people to vacation in nearby destinations,” Hartono said.
Speaking at a keynote panel at Travel Meet Asia organised by Messe Berlin in Jakarta, Hartono said that the growth of the vast low to middle class market would still be huge in the years to come as the national GDP climbs.
“Destinations within two- to three hours’ drive will be in demand,” he surmised, adding that the new highways built across Java and Sumatra have cut short travelling times and given travellers new options farther afield.
Amit Saberwal, founder & CEO of RedDoorz, a South-east Asian value hotel chain, said: “Indonesia is the most exciting travel market. It has among the (highest rates of e-commerce consumption) in the world. In fact, it is bigger than China: 76 per cent of the people have bought (at least) one e-commerce or done an economic transaction on the mobile phone, while China is 74 per cent.”
Saberwal added: “The government has really been pushing the domestic market, so we plan to go wider across the country and deeper into the cities.”
Domestic travellers typically pave the road for international tourism in emerging destinations. Local travel spurs the development of infrastructure, before these areas open up to the international travel community, he explained.
However, Albina Lanina, COO of Zen Rooms, a chain of independent budget hotels in South-east Asia, said: “Human resources in an asset but at the same time it is a challenge in Indonesia. The budget segment (accommodations) is not ready for international travellers. (There are) language and skills barriers.
Zen Rooms, which assists budget accommodation providers across South-east Asia in areas like operation efficiencies and online presence, also provides English language classes for staff in Indonesia.
She also noted that with only some three per cent of the population utilising cards for online payment, cash payment option is essential in the country.
Saberwal further highlighted the need for businesses to understand the situation and characteristics of local markets. Home-grown players like Traveloka and Tiket.com are more successful than global players in Indonesia because of this.
He said: “Cities in Indonesia are different. Online penetrations is not the same in each city. In Jakarta it is extremely high but it may not be the same in other cities. Therefore players like Traveloka, Tiket.com and all are reaching out to the customers both online and offline. You see their (promotions) at the airports, on TV, everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Hartono said that based on LoyalGuest data, Indonesians book more than one room (1.2) per visit, which suggests they travel either with families or groups of friends.
“They like to spend time together. Therefore, a hotel with limited common rooms is likely to be less favoured by the market,” he said.
Sri Lanka's visa-on-arrival for 39 nationalities suspended after officials found foreign links to terror attacks
Sri Lanka has suspended a free visa-on-arrival (VoA) scheme which was to roll out on May 1 and benefit nationals of 39 countries after the devastating Easter Sunday attacks that killed nearly 360 people.
“Visa to enter Sri Lanka was to be granted to citizens of 39 countries on arrival in the country from May 1 on gratis (free) basis as per a Cabinet decision earlier this month. However, owing to the current security situation following the terror attacks on Easter Sunday, the government has decided to put the programme on hold until further notice,” the Tourism Ministry said in a statement yesterday.
Sri Lanka’s visa-on-arrival for 39 nationalities suspended after officials found foreign links to terror attacks
In Thursday’s statement on the suspension of the free VoA, minister of tourism John Amaratunga was quoted as saying that investigations have revealed foreign links to the attacks and “we don’t want this facility to be abused”.
The VoA programme was conceived as part of a larger initiative to increase tourist arrivals to the country during the six month off-season period from May to October.
Hotels Association of Sri Lanka President Sanath Ukwatte was quoted in local media as saying that from initial estimates, tourism earnings would suffer a loss of US$1.5 billion this year due to the attacks on three hotels. Since the end of a 30-year civil conflict in 2009, tourism has been the fastest-growing industry and earner of foreign currency.
Ukwatte said this was the first time in Sri Lanka, even during the 30-year-old conflict, that terrorists attacked tourists and hotels.
Only a few people patronised the Kingsbury Hotel, one of three hotels hit by suicide bombers, which reopened on Thursday after Sunday’s attacks. Imara De Chickera, the hotel’s director of communications and spokesperson, said just two Chinese had used the restaurant in the hotel while there were no in-house guests. “We got a few booking inquiries for May-August,” she said.
The other two affected hotels, the Shangri-La has been closed until further notice while the Cinnamon Grand was having limited operations since the blasts.
Meanwhile the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) expressed concern and empathy over the attack, saying: “We have seen so many disasters and calamities affecting people from around the world and tragic incidents, like the recent shooting in Christchurch. But never before has such tragedy directly implicated ICCA members like in Sri Lanka.
“We were speechless when we heard that The Kingsbury Hotel has been attacked along with other member hotels, the Cinnamon Hotel and Shangri-La Colombo (a former member). We only hope that the authorities will restore order and security and the preparators and their mastermind will be caught.
“As a gesture of camaraderie, at the upcoming ICCA Asia Pacific Chapter Meeting at IMEX Frankfurt on 20th May, we will pay our respects to the victims of these Sri Lanka attacks”.
While the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka has directed churches to cancel mass and avoid public gatherings, some Muslim ministers also urged mosques to cancel the routine Friday noon prayers which draw crowds, to avoid possible retaliatory attacks.
At least 359 people, including 40 foreigners, died in the attacks at the three hotels and three churches across the land on Easter Sunday. International Islamic terror group ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the worst single strike even during the 30-year Tamil separatist conflict which ended in May 2009. The government has blamed a breakaway faction, with foreign links, of the Islamic group called National Thowheeth Jama’ath for the attacks.
The country has been placed under a security blanket and Thursday also passed with search operations across the capital and outside.
Security authorities said the country’s main Bandaranaike International Airport at Katunayake, 30km north of Colombo, was only allowing passengers entry to the exit and entry terminals while car parks near the building have been closed. Passengers and their vehicles were subject to thorough searches at military-manned checkpoints.
Tourists enjoying the view at the recently-opened King Power Mahanakhon Tower
The Thailand government has approved the extension of the waiver of visa-on-arrival (VoA) fees for visitors hailing from 21 nations for another half year more, reported The Bangkok Post.
Initially scheduled to expire on April 30, the 2,000 baht (US$63) fee exemption will now be extended until October 31.
Tourists enjoying the view at the recently-opened King Power Mahanakhon Tower
While this move is estimated to cost the Thai government 2.9 billion baht in lost revenue, it is hoped that it will draw more foreign visitors and generate 104.6 billion baht in tourism income, according to The Bangkok Post.
The government first waived the VoA fee for visitors from 21 countries at the tail end of 2018. This measure was then extended to April 30.
