Thailand takes steps to improve transport safety for tourists

February 13, 2019

The Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT) is joining hands with state agencies including the Department of Land Transport, Marine Department and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to improve tourist safety standards nationwide and overturn perceptions of the country as a dangerous tourist destination.

TCT revealed that countries such as the UK and China have expressed concerns about their citizens travelling to Thailand amid the kingdom’s inadequate safety standards.

The first round of safety standards will be first implemented for tourist buses

First to launch this April will be safety standards for tour buses. Apart from vehicle checks, bus drivers must be trained regarding tour services, have limited driving hours and drive responsibly.

At least 1,000 tour buses out of 15,000 buses nationwide should meet the standards within this year, assured TCT’s vice president Wasuchet Sophonsathien.

Wasuchet, who is also the president of the Thai Transportation Operators Association, added that certified tour buses would also receive a safety standard logo. Government bodies like the TAT, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, will promote the logo and set an example by using these certified buses.

The logo will be publicised through Chinese government websites as well, he noted.

In addition, TCT members in popular beach destinations including Pattaya, Phuket and Krabi have been working closely with the Thai Marine Department and local tour operators to look for illegal tour boats and unlicensed captains since the Phuket boat tragedy in mid-2018. Hundreds of arrests have been made.

Wasuchet further revealed TCT will be launching tour boat standards by the end of this year. Plans for the next two years include getting tour boat operators to install GPS devices and providing GPS tracking wristbands to their passengers.

“This will help to upgrade Thai tourism standards concretely, and is the most important project of the council this year,” said TCT president Chairat Triratanajarasporn.

Apart from improving land and marine transportation standards, TCT will also focus on other aspects of tourism safety such as food, accommodation, tour guides and cybersecurity. It will also set up a technology subcommittee to help tourism operators keep up to date with the latest technology, added Chairat.

Dusit names new GSO heads in Europe and India, opens sales office in Germany

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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rolf-hinze-anthony-vale-dusit — Hinze (left) and Vale will head up Dusit GSOs in Germany and the UK respectively

Dusit International has announced new heads for its global sales offices (GSO) in India and Europe, including a new office in Germany.

Recently appointed to take over the reins of Dusit’s GSO in Mumbai is Snehal Koli. As director of sales – GSO India, Koli will be responsible for providing sales and marketing services to the Dusit group across all market segments in India, including leisure, MICE and corporate business. Her primary focus is on tier one and two cities, such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chennai, but she will also cover emerging cities for outbound travel.

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With over a decade of international hospitality experience, Koli has worked in sales and marketing for global hotel chains such as Onyx Hospitality Group (Amari Hotels), Accor Hotels, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, and Sarovar Hotels, as well as Costa Cruises.

In Europe, Dusit has enhanced its sales structure to include a GSO in Germany to complement the company’s existing GSO in the UK.

Based in Neu-Isenburg, the new office is headed by Rolf Hinze, director of sales – GSO Germany, who will oversee sales and marketing activities across Austria, Switzerland, Benelux and his native Germany.

Hinze brings to the role more than 30 years of experience leading GSOs for hotel companies such as Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses Hotels & Resorts and Minor Hotels.

Further enhancing its presence in Europe, Dusit has appointed Anthony Vale as director of sales – GSO UK. Based in London, Vale is responsible for Dusit’s sales and marketing activities across France, Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, and the UK.

Vale has worked in sales for international companies such as Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and Qatar Airways, as well as key UK-based tour operators like Tradewinds.

Nearly 900 million visitor arrivals projected for APAC in 2023

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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Caucasian travellers in Nepal's Patan Durbar Square

Asia-Pacific destinations could see foreign visitor arrivals grow an average of 5.5% per annum between 2018 and 2023 to close to 900 million foreign visitor arrivals in 2023, according to projections by PATA in its Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2019-2023 released last week.

Looking at 40 destinations within Asia-Pacific, the report said the overall annual growth rate for international visitors is estimated to have been around 7.8% in 2018, generating an inbound volume of around 688 million for the year – almost 50 million more foreign arrivals than in 2017.

Caucasian travellers in Nepal’s Patan Durbar Square

Asia will continue its strong growth momentum with an expected annual average growth rate for foreign visitor arrivals of 6.2% between 2018 and 2023, while the Pacific and the Americas follow with average growth rates of 4.4% and 3.1% per year respectively, over the same period.

Driven by its strong average annual growth rate, Asia is expected to receive the bulk of the foreign arrivals between 2018 and 2023. After capturing a relative share of close to 74% of foreign arrivals in 2018, the proportion into Asia is expected to increase to over 76% by the end of the 2023 forecast period.

The impact on the Americas and the Pacific is a slight contraction in their respective relative shares from 22.4% in 2018 to just under 20% in 2023 for the former, and from 4% to 3.8% for the latter, even as their respective numbers of foreign arrivals increase.

Asia will also be the strongest generator of foreign arrivals into Asia-Pacific over the forecast period, improving its relative share of arrivals from 63.9 percentage points in 2018, to over 66 percentage points in 2023.

Intra-regional travel flows remain important for both the Americas and Asia, with the former destination region seeing over three-quarters of its foreign arrivals originating within that region in both 2018 and 2023.

Similarly, for Asia, where intra-regional travel flows will increase in relative terms, from almost 94% in 2018 to over 94% by 2023.

The Pacific destination region differs, in as much as more than half of its inbound international visitor arrivals originated in Asia in 2018 with that proportion forecast to increase to around 57% by 2023. Even so, the intra-regional flows from the Pacific to the Pacific remain significant at over 30% in 2023.

PATA CEO Mario Hardy commented: “Asia continues to be the engine of growth for foreign arrivals into Asia-Pacific, with intra-regional flows in particular, remaining important. This intra-regional activity is true for the Americas as well, but less so for the Pacific which is rapidly becoming more popular with Asian markets.”

He added: “In developing a service mindset we need to ask ourselves are we preparing to welcome 898 million foreign arrivals into Asia-Pacific in 2023, or should we think of that instead, as one very special visitor, 898 million times. Your perspective on that can make all the difference.”

JAL allows flights to be booked further in advance

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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Japan Airlines (JAL) will change the reservation start date for international flights from the conventional 330 days to 360 days prior to departure.

The change will be in effect from April 1, ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in July-August next year, expected to bring a significant increase in arrivals to the country and contribute to the visitor boom Japan has seen in recent years.

Japan Airlines will allow international flights to be booked 360 days prior to departure

JAL said the move will help meet the needs of overseas visitors who wish to plan their trips to Japan in 2020, including hotel bookings, as early as possible.

The carrier is able to extend the advance booking time beyond the conventional 360 days because of a renewal of its passenger service system that was completed in November 2017.

The airline said “equal efforts will be carried out for domestic flights going forward”.

Hokkaido’s Kiroro village set for US$900m transformation into alpine destination

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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Property Perfect has unveiled a masterplan to transform Kiroro, a mountain village in the heart of Hokkaido popular with ski and board enthusiasts, into a year-round alpine destination for vacationers of all types.

Having acquired the Kiroro Resort in 2012, the Thailand-listed property development company is investing 100 billion yen (US$900 million) over the next decade to create a destination encompassing hotels and residences, a restaurant and bar scene, shops and other mountain amenities.

Yu Kiroro, a collection of exclusive ski-in ski-out private residences

“We knew when we discovered Kiroro that we had an opportunity to create something unique and special,” said Chainid Adhyanasakul, CEO of Property Perfect. “We are redefining the Asian alpine experience by building a connected and cohesive mountain community with easy access to the world’s best ski powder, outstanding mountain experiences and the seaside towns of Hokkaido.”

Over the next 10 years, Property Perfect will develop a valley village at the base of the mountain with a range of luxury villas, townhomes and apartments centred around the Gateway, a ski club and centre with ski-in and ski-out access to shops, restaurants, services and a kids centre.

The village offers dining and shopping areas, alpine amenities and access to outdoor activities and local attractions.

Property Perfect has already renovated and rebranded two existing hotels within the Marriott portfolio. The Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort offers 140 guestrooms right at the base of the slopes, while the Kiroro, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers 282 guestrooms and suites, each with mountain views.

By the end of 2019, Property Perfect will complete Yu Kiroro, a collection of exclusive ski-in ski-out private residences at the base of the mountain. Yu Kiroro offers 108 one-, two- and three-bedroom and penthouse freehold luxury private residences fully furnished with premium services such as ski valet, a natural indoor-outdoor onsen, 24-hour concierge, fitness centre and lounge, and all-day dining.

A dining district with 11 restaurants and bars has also opened up in the village offering an array of cuisines from Hokkaido sushi to Italian to international buffets. Kiroro’s bar and lounge scene will be built out over the next decade with additional venues.

The resort has curated a host of year-round, outdoor activities that take full advantage of Kiroro’s environs and Hokkaido’s cultural attractions. The Kiroro ski season, the longest in Japan, runs from late November through early May.

The ski resort features two peaks with 22 groomed runs and expanses of ungroomed, off-piste powder and tree skiing, accessible by nine lifts and a gondola.

An additional combination gondola/ski lift will open in late 2019 and connect the two hotels and Yu Kiroro to the ski runs. The resort’s Mountain Center can coordinate activities on and off the mountain, which include a snow park, guided snow cat and snowshoeing tours and more. In the summertime, the resort can coordinate golf, fishing, hiking and tours to nearby seaside towns.

Adventure Travel Trade Association journeys to ITB China

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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shannon-stowell-atta — Shannon Stowell, CEO of ATTA

For the first time, ITB China 2019 will feature a dedicated Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) pavilion.

The show organiser announced that ATTA has been confirmed as the official adventure travel partner for the upcoming show, taking place May 15-17, 2019 in Shanghai.

The association will make a first appearance at the B2B travel trade show with a dedicated ATTA pavilion supporting its members, international destinations and tour operators in doing business with Chinese buyers.

Established in 1990, ATTA now serves more than 1,000 members in 100 countries worldwide, comprising tour operators, tourism boards, speciality agents and accommodation providers.

ITB China has identified customised and themed travel as overarching trend topic covered in its 2019 edition. Adventure travel will hence be one of the focus topics jointly developed with ATTA, which will also be hosting a dedicated adventure travel session at the ITB China Conference.

In a statement, ITB China organisers said it will help Chinese professional travel buyers discover adventure travel products through more international channels, including recommending them to participate in ATTA’s global events.

Park Hotel Group unveils loyalty programme for hotel guests and diners

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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Grand_Park_City_Hall_Swimming_Pool — Grand Park City Hall in Singapore

Singapore-based Park Hotel Group is extending its Park Rewards loyalty programme to guests and dining patrons, touting many ways to earn, no expiry of points, and no blackout dates.

Members earn points, named PARK$, on every qualified spend when they dine, stay or book at participating hotels, restaurants and bars.

Members will soon also be able to earn PARK$ when they refer friends and family to Park Rewards and when they review any participating restaurant or bar.

As long as members keep their account active by earning or redeeming every 12 months, PARK$ will not expire, the group shared in a statement.

Members have more choices to use their PARK$ to redeem rewards, which are offered through collaborations with retail, entertainment and lifestyle partners of the group.

Moreover, redemption for Park Hotel Group e-vouchers are instant and with no blackout dates, so members can book their rooms and use these e-vouchers even during peak travel dates and holiday seasons subject to availability.

“Our customers have been requesting for a loyalty programme for a while now. We wanted to make sure that if we had one, we would avoid all the pet peeves that come with most of the programmes out there. Park Rewards had to be simple to understand, convenient for the customer and engaging. With instant ‘earn and burn’ feature, members staying or dining with us can redeem and use their vouchers any time before the bill is settled. Doing without lengthy lead times and blackout dates will provide our members the freedom of being spontaneous,” commented Shin Hui Tan, executive director, Park Hotel Group.

Park Rewards offers one-tier corporate membership and three-tier lifestyle membership. Members who have both lifestyle and corporate memberships need to manage only one account, and can earn and accumulate PARK$ under a single account.

In the lifestyle category, Member is the entry level tier, followed by Insider, the second tier, and Ambassador the topmost tier. To qualify for a status upgrade, members have to meet the minimum qualified stay or spend criteria at participating hotels, restaurants or bars.

Members with higher statuses enjoy up to three times the earn rate on qualified spend as the basic Member alongside other perks including priority room upgrade, priority late check-out, as well as complimentary daily mini bar.

While lifestyle membership is open to all, eligibility criteria apply for corporate membership, although qualifying details were not made known in the group’s announcement.

Wyndham hires new SE Asia director of revenue, sales and marketing

By TTG Asia

February 13, 2019

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Rosmalia Hardman has been named the new director of revenue, sales and marketing for Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific’s managed properties across South-east Asia.

From the company’s corporate office in Singapore, Rosmalia will lead a team focusing on building strategic marketing campaigns, strengthening revenue channels and driving sales growth at Wyndham’s collection of properties in South-east Asia.

The Singaporean joins Wyndham with more than 30 years of experience driving revenue improvements and creating cross-sector partnerships in a range of industries including hospitality, business services, property development and education across Asia and the Middle East.

Prior to her appointment, Rosmalia was chief brand and marketing officer at SIS Group of Schools in Indonesia.

Previously, she developed experience in marketing and sales in the hospitality industry through senior executive roles in companies like Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Melia Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels and Resorts and Kempinski Hotels.

She also worked as the chief marketing officer at property developer, Lippo Karawaci, where she oversaw the expansion of Aryaduta Hotel Group.

What makes Digital Travel APAC different from other travel conferences

By TTG

February 13, 2019

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Brought to you by WBR Singapore

Organisers of the Digital Travel APAC event (1 – 3 April 2019, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore) have increased the speakers’ list by 20 on last year’s podium turnout.

The line up of more than 80 speakers represents some of the world’s most innovative and disruptive travel companies.

In the latest brochure release, the organisers estimate more than 400 Heads of eCommerce, Digital Marketing and Customer Experience in travel, hospitality and leisure are heading to Digital Travel APAC 2019.

Event highlights include presentations on delivering a seamless travel experience, and how to meet the needs of the domestic and outbound travellers with AI, big data and intelligent hardware.

Social media’s influence on ‘experiential’ travellers and how to adapt and profit from this new global trend in order to boost conversions will also be gaining stage time.

Here’s a snapshot of the speaker faculty in 2019:

Jerome Thil, VP Digital Innovation, Singapore Airlines
Candice Iyog, VP of Marketing & Distribution, Cebu Pacific
Michael Perera, Head of Loyalty & Product Owner of Go-Points, GO-JEK
Yuki Huang, Chie Marketing Officer, KKday
Rotsen Quispe, Head of International Marketing, Traveloka
Spencer Lee, Head of Commercial, AirAsia
Mindy Teo, VP of Brand, Marketing & Digital Innovation, The Ascott
Azran Osman-Rani, TEDx Speaker, Ex-CEO, iflix & AirAsia X

What makes Digital Travel APAC different?

NEW! Hotel Power Panel

Hear from heavyweight hoteliers on how they are rebooting their thinking to keep up with changing customer preferences, increased competition, new technologies and alternative accommodation to own the experiences they deliver to their guests 24/7. Then you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions important to you.

NEW! OTA Keynote Panel

OTAs are in a constant cycle of change and innovation. Hear from the leaders in the OTA space as they demonstrate how to create that seamless experience, localise and diversify their offering to become a dominant market leader. Then you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions important to you.

NEW! Airline Only Think Tank

In this airline only gathering, you’ll join your fellow attendees in an intimate environment. The private setting means you can discuss your challenges openly with peers and make new friends based on common interests.

NEW! Asian Low-Cost Airline Panel

Don’t miss the low-cost airline panel where our all-star line-up of speakers from Scoot, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, HK Express and Lion Air will discuss how they have been at the forefront of innovation in the digital space.

Learn more about the event here: https://bit.ly/2UxxYwu

P.S. As a distinguished TTG subscriber, you’re entitled to a 15% discount! Simply quote ‘DTA19_TTG’ via email to sgwbrinfo@wbresearch.com

Taiwan has 2 20:20 vision for Indian market

By Rohit Kaul

February 12, 2019

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sixty-stone-mountain-hualien-taiwan — Sixty Stone Mountain in Hualien, Taiwan

Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) is stepping up its marketing and trade efforts in India as it sets a 20 per cent growth target from this part of the world by 2020.

The tourism bureau has come up with a new strategy for the Indian market termed ‘2 20:20’. By targeting two per cent of the high-income population in India as well as cooperate with the country’s top 20 top tour operators, TTB aims to increase tourist arrivals from India by 20 per cent by 2020.

“Our main objective is to create awareness about Taiwan as a leisure destination in India. For example there are about 268 mountains in Taiwan higher than 3,000m, while in a destination like New Zealand there are only 10 such mountains. Taiwan is also very popular for its food tours. So, we will be promoting such sides of Taiwan through outdoor advertising and partnering with seven-star multiplex chain Inox,” said Trust Lin, director, TTB Singapore Branch.

TTB last year increased its marketing budget for India by six times, taking it to US$1.2 million annually. “We are looking to further increase the budget for the Indian market going ahead,” added Lin.

Taiwan’s growing interest in the Indian market also comes amid dwindling tourist arrivals from mainland China, Taiwan’s traditional main source market.

This is also in line with Taiwan’s new Southbound policy, which focuses on the 18 international markets making up 25 per cent of the destination’s international arrivals. India, with its base still relatively low with 38,000 arrivals, will be the main target market.

“Taiwan is still a new market to India. A market like Singapore which has almost same flight time from India as Taiwan receives 1.3 million Indian tourist arrivals, while our numbers are very low. We will also collaborate with other destinations like Singapore to have twin city tours to promote Taiwan in India,” said Lin.

“A lot of Indians opt for cruise holidays. We are the number two cruise destination in Asia and every year we have more than 600 ports of call to visit Taiwan. So, we will be promoting Taiwan as a cruise destination in India as well,” Lin further said.

TTB is also keen to promote Taiwan for film and television serial shoots in India which it believes will go a long way in promoting Taiwan as a leisure destination here. It plans to introduce this year a new online training programme for Indian travel agents which will provide certificates to agencies who successfully complete the training and a chance to win complimentary trip to Taiwan. TTB will also promote its incentive scheme aimed at Southbound countries in India.

“If one is handling a group of more than 50 pax staying in Taiwan for more than three nights, they qualify (for an incentive of) US$26 per pax. In addition we can cooperate with PCOs for joint marketing. We are keen to project Taiwan as a new incentive destination in India,” said Lin.

“The challenge still remains of the perception about the destination and awareness among travellers. Taiwan will have to constantly engage and work closely with the tour operators and on the other hand continue with marketing initiatives promoting Taiwan as Asia’s best kept secret,” said Vineet Raina, founder & managing director, Pink Elephant Sport & Pink Elephant Journeys.

Thailand takes steps to improve transport safety for tourists

Dusit names new GSO heads in Europe and India, opens sales office in Germany

Nearly 900 million visitor arrivals projected for APAC in 2023

JAL allows flights to be booked further in advance

Hokkaido’s Kiroro village set for US$900m transformation into alpine destination

Adventure Travel Trade Association journeys to ITB China

Park Hotel Group unveils loyalty programme for hotel guests and diners

Wyndham hires new SE Asia director of revenue, sales and marketing

What makes Digital Travel APAC different from other travel conferences

Taiwan has 2 20:20 vision for Indian market

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