TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Friday, 3rd April 2026
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TTG Asia | Colbert Collection to debut in Italy as Minor Hotels targets soft brand growth
TTG Asia | Thailand rolls out targeted fuel subsidies ahead of Songkran travel
TTG Asia | StarCruises adds Kaohsiung and Penghu to three-night Hong Kong sailings
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Roiback incorporates online check-in for hotel clients

By TTG Asia
0
Guests can check in and put in their room choice online

Roiback, a Spain-headquartered tech company that manages the direct channel of hotel sales, has launched an online check-in for hotel guests.

Guests will be able to use the new online check-in functionality by scanning their verification documents and providing a digital signature. The data is then autocompleted and integrated directly to the hotel management operative system (PMS). This way, reception staff will also not have to fill out the paperwork manually.

Guests can check in and put in their room choice online

Another function of the new system also allows the hotel to pre-assign a room during the process of check-in and the guest is also able to choose the desired type of room that the hotel has. The customer then receives a push notification when the room is available.

There is also the option to gather a customer’s data and integrate them to loyalty programmes. The Roiback programme can also create a Wi-Fi access key integrated directly with the online check-in, as well as the integration with Salto system that allows a mobile phone to act as a key and open doors.

Once the booking process is finished, the customer receives the room’s electronic key or an access code that can be used during all the stay. To complete the service and speed up the process, Roiback has also included the possibility of paying through the online check-in, where a customer will be able to pay the total cost, and any tourist tax, before arrival.

This functionality is currently integrated with over 30 types of PMS and available for all hotels who work with Roiback.

SWISS launches new series stopover packages for Switzerland

By TTG Asia
0

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has joined hands with Switzerland Tourism and Switzerland Travel Centre to roll out stopover travel packages.

Named Stopover Switzerland, an initial range of eight different tourist packages – covering all Swiss regions and with all accommodation and public transport included – have been launched.

SWISS rolls out combination packages covering all Swiss regions

Single destination packages are bookable for one to four nights, and guests can choose one Swiss city such as Zurich, Interlaken or Lucerne as the base for their excursions. Accommodation is also included, and travellers will stay at a three- or four-star hotel at the chosen destination.

All packages also include a Swiss Travel Pass for 1st or 2nd class travel, giving unlimited rides on Switzerland’s public transport system for the duration of the stopover. Tips on possible local trips and activities will also be provided for guests to make the most out of their stay.

The multi-destination Stopover Switzerland packages, which are bookable for two to four nights, offer a fixed itinerary including transport with different locations for the overnight stays in three- or four-star hotels, as well as a flexible range of activities.

Guests can, for example, choose the Best of Switzerland package, which includes excursions to some of the most popular lakes and mountains in the country.

The packages can be booked at www.swiss.com/stopover, in connection with a flight or independently of any flight arrangements. The range of these stopover packages will be steadily expanded in the future.

Singapore’s Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel gets new GM

By TTG Asia
0

Farid Alain Schoucair has rejoined Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) as general manager of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore.

Schoucair brings with him a wealth of industry experience, having lived and worked in many parts of the world including Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Dubai, Jeju, Saipan and Manila.

His previous roles include general manager at New World Makati Hotel, and general manager of Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur, which is part of MHR.

Domestic travel heats up in Malaysia amid economic uncertainty

By S Puvaneswary
0
Fishing boat at tropical rainforest at Kenyir Lake in Terengganu, Malaysia, a man made lake built for purpose of hydroelectric power supply - Image

Malaysian travel agents are reporting a cut back on travel spend and shift towards domestic holidays, with the Central Bank of Malaysia lowering its projection for the year’s GDP growth from 4.9 per cent to between 4.3 per cent to 4.8 per cent due to headwinds from global events such as the US-China trade spat and Brexit deadlock.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) secretary-general, Nigel Wong, said: “Cautious in a period of economic uncertainty, Malaysians tend to holiday locally. The recent MATTA Fair in Kuala Lumpur recorded domestic sales in excess of RM20 million (US$4.9 million) as compared to last year’s RM12 million. There was more demand for booths at the domestic hall this year. MATTA sold 255 booths in the domestic halls, compared with 246 booths last year.

Lake Kenyir in Terengganu is a popular holiday spot domestically

Wong shared: “We have seen a trend for a year now of travellers choosing regional and medium haul destinations in Asia over longhaul travel. Outbound longhaul travel has plateaued. This is based on MATTA Fair figures and feedback from the industry.”

John Chan, business advisor at Isma Holidays in Johor, said: “Malaysians are still upbeat travellers but we notice they are optimising their budget spend. We notice that the middle class, instead of going on two holidays, one longhaul and one medium haul destination, are now opting to travel to more regional destinations in Asia. South-east Asia including Indochina is popular, as are Japan, South Korea and China.

“On our part, we have increased our travel product offerings in Asia and South-east Asia, and we are running more promotional campaigns. We are also working with travel suppliers to come up with attractive and affordable travel packages. The tour packages we have are about five to 10 per cent lower across the board as compared with prices in 2018.”

Alex Lee, CEO, Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours in Terengganu, said he saw a 10 per cent increase in sales for the recent week-long school holiday period, especially to the islands off Terengganu and also to Lake Kenyir.

He said: “There is increased demand for snorkelling activities. On our part, we are promoting sustainable activities such as collecting rubbish from the islands and donating to NGO efforts on wildlife conservation. This is well received by the public who are keen to do their small part in conservation efforts.”

Andy Yow, director of sales and marketing, Vivanta Rebak Island, Langkawi, shared that the hotel works with select OTAs to further drive domestic sales through special packages during the upcoming May/ June Malaysian school holidays.

It recently rolled out a package for members of Glenmarie Golf & Country Club during the March school holidays, promoting a 4D2N “escape to a private island resort” for two adults and two children.

New waterfront lifestyle area in Sentosa to enliven night scene

By TTG Asia
0
Bars, food trucks and live music under the stars are among the draws of the new attraction

Siloso Green, a new lifestyle quarter featuring eateries, shops, event spaces, and waterfront accommodation, will be opening in Sentosa by this year-end to draw more visitors at night.

The new development will take over the 24,500m2 space vacated by Underwater World, and boast a shipping container theme. Bars, food trucks and live music are among the draws of the new attraction, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said in a statement last Friday.

Siloso Green aims to enliven Singapore’s night scene

About 30 per cent of Sentosa’s attractions currently open until 21.00 or later, while a number of bars and beach clubs operate up to 01.00 on most days, SDC said.

In a Straits Times report, Jacqueline Tan, assistant chief executive of SDC, said that a pilot trial of driverless shuttle buses will be made available later this year, allowing visitors to hail them using their smartphones for transport around the island.

In addition, electric car sharing service BlueSG will be adding more stations in other parts of the island.

“These options will provide guests with more on-demand transportation options at night, when the frequency of other transportation options might be lower,” Tan told The Straits Times.

The push to draw more visitors after dusk is part of larger plans to redevelop Sentosa and integrate it with the upcoming Greater Southern Waterfront district, which will cover Singapore’s southern coastline.

There are plans to reshape the entire island of Sentosa, as well as its adjacent island of Pulau Brani to provide more scope for new attractions and investments. Meanwhile, Sentosa’s masterplan for 2030 involves new attractions, improvement of transport connectivity and enhancement of its beaches.

Qantas chief strikes deal with 10-year-old CEO of fledgling airline

By TTG Asia
0
The two CEOs at the fruitful airline discussion

Qantas has partnered with fledgling local carrier Oceania Express, as well as started a behind-the-scenes programme for budding airline executives, after a meeting between the two airline bosses in Sydney.

This follows 10-year-old Alex Jacquot’s – Oceania Express’ self-appointed CEO – letter to Qantas Group’s CEO Alan Joyce asking for advice on how to run an airline he founded during his school holidays.

The two CEOs at the fruitful airline discussion

Joyce hosted the meeting at the national carrier’s headquarters, and were joined by Qantas Group executives Olivia Wirth (CEO, Qantas Loyalty) and John Gissing (CEO, QantasLink), plus Oceania Express’s 10-year-old deputy CEO Wolf Stringer and seven-year-old head of in-flight service, Mila Jacquot.

As part of the agreement, Jacquot was presented with a new logo, business cards and artist impression of the Oceania Express brand on a state-of-the-art Boeing Dreamliner. The domain name oceaniaexpress.com.au has also been registered on Jacquot’s behalf. Jacquot and his co-founders also received a tour of the Qantas Integrated Operations Centre, engineering facilities and one of its Airbus A380.

During the 30-minute meeting, the six airline executives discussed aircraft types, in-flight catering and the importance of a frequent flyer programme. Improving passenger comfort on ultra longhaul flights was a focus, particularly given Qantas’ plans to fly direct from the east coast of Australia to London and New York by 2022.

Speaking after the meeting, Joyce said: “The aviation industry needs people who think big and Alex has that in spades. It was a pleasure meeting with him and his co-founders.

“We wanted to capture all that enthusiasm and formalise a connection between Australia’s oldest and newest airlines. Today we signed a MoU for our airlines to cooperate from 2026, once Alex has completed high school. It might be pushed out a bit if he chooses to go to university, which I hope he does.”

Jacquot added: “This is a big day for our little airline. We’ve got a lot to learn from them but they can learn from us, too. We’ve got some ideas about how to make long flights less boring. I like the Qantas in-flight entertainment for kids but I think we can beat it.”

Since the exchange of letters between the two CEOs, Qantas has received scores of notes from other children with a strong passion for aviation, driving the inauguration of the Qantas Future High Flyers programme.

The programme, set to be timed with school holidays later this year, will offer a select number of school children the opportunity to experience a day in the life at the Flying Kangaroo in Sydney. Young aviators will meet with engineers, pilots and head office staff, as well as share their thoughts on how the customer experience can be improved.

Bohol grapples with undetermined tourism capacity as arrivals surge

By Rosa Ocampo
0
Baclayon Church in Bohol

In the Philippines, Bohol is facing “game-changing developments and very formidable challenges” as tourism growth, according to Bohol Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) chair Lucas Nunag.

In his presentation during Rajah Travel’s maiden Travel Talk session last week, Nunag said that the government, which announced last year that all Philippine destinations will have their own carrying capacity, needs to determine first the maximum number of tourists to be allowed in Bohol.

Baclayon Church in Bohol

This is crucial so investors poised to build hotels and other tourism facilities would know how far they can go, which markets to target, and how to make the industry more inclusive.

Benefiting from Boracay’s six-month closure last year and the recent opening of the international airport in Panglao, Bohol expects a “dramatic” increase in arrivals this year, up from 1.5 million the previous year.

The “unexpected overtourism” is centred in Panglao – best known for its white beach – where the bigger tourist developments are concentrated although some baby steps are being taken to introduce other tourist attractions in the mainland, Nunag said.

He also noted issues about hotels and other establishments in Panglao violating the coastal easement rule of 25 + 5m and that “hopefully authorities would also be as firm in enforcing it as they are in Boracay”.

Another challenge in Bohol’s growing tourism is the food supply, he said, because most of the province’s herbs and vegetables are still imported from Mindanao.

Bohol’s dedicated tourism assets of nature, culture and heritage may also be threatened by the interest of gaming companies to open casinos in the province – which the PTC and private stakeholders countered by issuing a manifesto against it.

“We hope that Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp) will listen”, Nunag said.

They were able to convince higher authorities in Bohol to reject building a coal-powered electric plant meant to address electric blackouts. “There are already serious discussions about bringing in coal-powered plant” but the private sector, local business groups, civic organisations and the church issued a manifesto against it, he said.

Nunag is also apprehensive about the possible “degradation to our cultural and heritage treasures (due to) so many outside influences coming in” so a cultural mapping in terms of hospitality training, performances, visual arts, etc. are currently being undertaken.

Bohol is also coming out with better church pilgrimage tours since most of the centuries-old churches damaged by the 2013 earthquake have already been restored or closed to being restored hence “they have richer stories to tell”.

Advance notice from tour operators, entrance fees required for Similan Islands visits

By TTG Asia
0
Ko Paet Mu Ko Similan National Park

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has revealed more details surrounding the protection of Mu Ko Similan National Park.

There will now be an entry fee to the attraction, priced at 500 baht (US$16) for adults and 300 baht for children. Fees are collected at any of four locations, one of which is the Park’s Office on the mainland in the village of Thap Lamu. The other three are in the island archipelago itself – Park Ranger Unit 1 Ko Mieng, Park Ranger Unit 2 Ko Similan and Park Ranger Unit 3 Ko Tachai.

Mu Ko Similan National Park will now have an entry fee pegged to it

Also, in line with the recent cap on visitor numbers, tour operators are now required to give one-day notice to the park before entering during the period of March 21 to May 15, 2019.

The cap is set at not more than 1,625 visitors per day for excursions on islands from Ko Si to Ko Paet, and not more than 1,700 visitors per day for excursions from Ko Paet to Ko Si.

For diving, the cap is not more than 525 visitors per day.

As of June 2018, overnight stays were banned on the Similan Islands.

Unapproved boats are not permitted to enter the Mu Ko Similan National Park.

Tour East hires Europe sales rep

By TTG Asia
0
XX

Singapore-based DMC Tour East has appointed Plateau International as its sales and marketing representative in Europe, a partnership that begins today.

Plateau International has a remit covering all European markets, with the exception of the UK and Scandinavia.

Plateau International will help boost sales and marketing for Europe

Chris Bailey, senior vice president of sales & marketing international of Tour East, expects the partnership to take its Asian products to the European travel trade moving forward.

Tour East has MICE programmes in Singapore, Hong Kong, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, the Myanmar, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Australia and New Zealand.

Hertz rolls out premium collection in UK

By TTG Asia
0
XX

Hertz Europe is launching The British Collection in the UK, designed to offer a more premium end-to-end experience.

The new collection features Land Rover and Jaguar luxury cars for rental, British-themed lounges, and a suite of extras – including pick-up options, additional driver and unlimited mileage to enhance the experience.

The dedicated lounge decked out with the best of British furnishings in the Hertz office

Models available for hire include the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Jaguar F Pace, E Pace, XE and XF, from the Hertz locations at London Heathrow Airport, Marble Arch, and Edinburgh Airport – with free additional driver, and unlimited mileage included in the rates.

For added convenience, airport terminal delivery and collection is also part of the package for Heathrow and Edinburgh rentals – and local pick up and drop off for Marble Arch.

The three locations will offer a “dedicated lounge” featuring best of British furnishings from interior design company, Tom Dixon, and enjoy a refreshing ‘botanical’ drink from Seedlip, the world’s first non-alcoholic spirits brand: an ideal choice for nominated drivers and passengers alike.

Hertz has also commissioned London florist, McQueens, to curate a unique in-lounge garden experience, featuring a selection of plants and flowers from across the UK, to recreate the feel of a classic British country garden.

To complete the experience, Hertz worked with British artist Lauren Baker to develop a new neon light installation to launch The British Collection, signifying the union of modern and premium brands from the UK.

The unveiling of The British Collection follows the launch of the premium Selezione Italia range in Italy last year.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Thailand rolls out targeted fuel subsidies ahead of Songkran travel
TTG Asia | StarCruises adds Kaohsiung and Penghu to three-night Hong Kong sailings
TTG Asia | Colbert Collection to debut in Italy as Minor Hotels targets soft brand growth