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Four Seasons Hotel Singapore reveals renovated suites

By TTG Asia
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Ambassador Suite

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has completed its year-long room renewal programme of its 225 guestrooms including its four suites.

All refurbished rooms and suites now boast large floor-to-ceiling windows, providing sweeping views of the city and allowing plenty of natural light in. In addition, the design of the four suites – the Royal Suite, Governor Suite, Ambassador Suite and the Presidential Suite – takes a leaf from Singapore’s storied history.

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore suites
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Ambassador Suite
Royal Suite
Governor Suite
Presidential Suite

For instance, the Royal Suite on the 18th floor is inspired by the nearby Singapore Botanic Gardens, while the 19th floor Ambassador Suite is as colourful and rich as the Peranakan (Straits Chinese) culture it takes after.

Aside from F&B venues such as the one-Michelin-star Jiang-Nan Chun, other amenities include the Four Seasons Spa, rooftop pool on the 20th floor, four tennis courts, and a fitness centre.

For meetings and conferences, Four Seasons Hotel Singapore has over 1,500m2 of meeting space, all of which recently underwent a refurbishment in 2016. This includes the two penthouse function rooms on the 20th floor with individual patios, as well as the pillarless 491m2 ballroom.

TTG Asia breaks for the Festival of Lights

By TTG Asia
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In celebration of Deepavali, TTG Asia will be taking a break on November 6, 2018. News will resume on November 7.

Here’s wishing all our Hindu readers a Happy Deepavali!

HOTECH 2020 Delivers the Future of Hotel Technology

By TTG
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Brought to you by iDeaS Revenue Solutions

The Asian hotel sector is rapidly evolving. As the regional business and leisure travel market grows, so does the level of competition from global hotel chains expanding their presence into new markets, as well as emerging local brands and boutique accommodation offerings. A hotelier’s ability to attract the right guest, at the right time, for the right price, has never been more challenging, and the need for advanced operating systems has never been greater. But what are the technologies that will actually add value to a hotelier’s business today? What are the market trends supporting travel industry growth, and what systems exist to help target these opportunities in the future?

To further hoteliers own understanding of industry and technology trends, IDeaS Revenue Solutions, the leading provider of revenue management software and advisory services, together with hospitality innovation leader Hotel ICON, staged a pivotal hotel technology summit. The sold-out event, called HOTECH 2020, attracted over 300 hotel executives from Hong Kong and across Asia to discuss the outlook for the regional hotel sector and the role of technology in sales, marketing and revenue disciplines.

“Many hotels across the APAC region are incorporating new technologies into their business. From chatbot concierge services to property specific apps, hoteliers are constantly looking at ways to enhance guest experiences,” said Richard Hatter, general manager Hotel ICON & adjunct associate professor at the School of Hotel and Tourism Management Hotel ICON & The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “HOTECH 2020 was a vitally important summit that promoted a message of hotel executives not only needing a working knowledge of common operational technology platforms, but also an understanding of how new solutions like AI and machine learning will disrupt the industry into the future. The hotel sector is still a ‘people and service business’. Technology needs to be employed correctly to furnish us with the right data to make the right decisions as well as delight our guests and win their return business.”

HOTECH 2020 featured top industry keynote speakers, such as Ephraim Lam from Facebook and hospitality digital marketing expert Anthony Yiu, along with multiple industry panel discussions, which featured market leaders from organisations such as Oracle, Expedia Group, YMCA, The Ascott and Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Discussions at the event covered topics such as consumer trends in the online travel market, operational technology advancements, disruptions in travel distribution, revenue management and AI in the hotel sector.

Ting Huang, research analyst for Euromonitor International, spoke at HOTEH 2020 about exploring the future of online travel. She discussed the state of the regional travel market and how the future of travel would be increasingly shaped online and via mobile channels.

“The opportunities for the Asian hotel sector are significant. Today, the regional travel market is worth USD $843 billion and makes up 35 per cent of the total global travel sector. However, what is key for Asian hoteliers is that a growing portion of their guests will come from within Asia Pacific, and China will account for half of this market. Therefore, it is vital that hoteliers understand what motivates and attracts in-region travellers to choose one hotel property over another, particularly in relation to online influences and mobile booking preferences,” said Huang.

“Authentic interaction with future guests must be relevant and linked to the demographic’s expectations as shaped by their consumer behaviours on platforms such as Facebook and Wechat. For instance, hoteliers looking to target millennial travellers could learn from AirAsia’s recent partnership with the mobile dating app Tinder for their ‘Meet Malaysia’ campaign. This campaign leveraged the popularity of the dating platform with younger travellers to show off the best aspects of Malaysia, encouraging individuals to swipe right and ‘match’ with the destination.”

What people say about a hotel online today not only impacts consumer perceptions of a property but can also directly influence its future financial performance. Rachel Grier, area managing director Asia Pacific for IDeaS, presented on this topic at HOTECH 2020.

“Online review sites and social media platforms were once relegated to the periphery of a revenue management strategy and handled exclusively by the public or guest relations department,” said Grier. “Recent Cornell research found a correlation between reputation scores and average rates. In the study, a one per cent uplift in reputation score led to an increase of 0.89 per cent in ADR and 0.5 per cent in occupancy. These numbers are significant.”

“In today’s digital ecosystem, hotel guests have more buying power than ever before. To not only survive but thrive in such a challenging environment going forward, it is vital that hoteliers ensure they deliver on the ‘seven Ps of marketing and revenue’.  This means not only ensuring your product (property) is as strong as it can be, but also generating the right promotions, in the right place, for the right price, targeting the right people, using the right proof points and following the correct processes,” continued Grier. “It is the revenue department that has access to the data that will enable marketing and sales to make better, more profitable and strategic decisions. Collaboration across these departments is essential as we move toward 2020.”

A key theme of discussion at HOTECH 2020 centred on the role AI would have on the industry. Dennis Leung from the SAS Institute directly addressed this topic in his presentation.

“What hotels throughout Asia need to embrace is that AI is not a distant opportunity for their industry. It is already here,” said Leung. “After all, hotels first began introducing automated decisions to the world of hotel revenue management nearly 30 years ago. Today an AI driven customer journey can help maximise ‘pre-trip’ conversion through customer journey targeting, omni-channel engagement and lead nurturing. The technology can assist hoteliers ‘on-trip’ through maximising basket value and guest satisfaction through real-time offers such as location or activity-based discounts. Finally, hoteliers can use AI to help drive customer loyalty ‘post-trip’ through generating guest feedback for future targeting and developing personalised loyalty offers.”

Panel discussions at HOTECH 2020 also looked at more practical issues around integrating new technologies into legacy hotel operating systems and how hotel executives themselves can upgrade their own capabilities to operate in an age of advanced automation.

“It is more important than ever for hoteliers to stay updated on the fast-moving trends across various demographics, trip types and booking behaviours,” said Boon Sian Chai, senior director of market management, Expedia Group. “Equally so, having a working knowledge of the tools and technologies we will all need to fulfil our roles successfully in the future is of critical importance.”

About IDeaS

With more than 1.6 million rooms priced daily on its advanced systems, IDeaS Revenue Solutions leads the industry with the latest revenue management software and advisory services. Powered by SAS® and with nearly three decades of experience, IDeaS proudly supports more than 10,000 clients in 124 countries and is relentless about providing hoteliers with insightful ways to manage the data behind hotel pricing.

IDeaS empowers clients to build and maintain revenue management cultures—from single entities to world-renowned estates—by focusing on a simple promise: Driving Better Revenue.
IDeaS has the knowledge, expertise and maturity to build upon proven revenue management principles with next-generation analytics for more user-friendly, insightful and profitable revenue opportunities—not just for rooms, but across the entire hotel enterprise. For more information, visit www.ideas.com.

About Hotel ICON

Unlike any other, Hotel ICON is an upscale Hong Kong hotel in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui East. Standing as a testament to Hong Kong’s creative energy and vibrant arts scene, Hotel ICON showcases work from the city’s celebrated designers and the world’s most acclaimed architects. Offering the ultimate in comfort and committed to service excellence, Hotel ICON’s 262 stylish guestrooms comprise seductive extras, including complimentary wired and Wi-Fi internet connections, smartphone with unlimited mobile data and an ultra-slim 40” Ultra High Definition LED TV. Located on level 9, Hotel ICON’s Angsana Spa is a tranquil oasis while the harbour-facing outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre allow guests to exercise while enjoying views of Hong Kong Island’s spectacular skyline.

With a maximum capacity of 580 persons, Hotel ICON’s grand Silverbox ballroom is the ideal venue for a celebration or theatre-style conference. Hotel ICON houses three restaurants: Above & Beyond, The Market and GREEN, providing guests with exceptional quality of the food and impeccable service. wallpaper* magazine included Hotel ICON in its 2011 list of the world’s Best Business Hotels and DestinAsian included the hotel in its Luxe List 2011. The premier hotel has also won in 2 categories including the Top 25 Hotels in Asia in the 2017 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. Join us by following our official social media accounts at @hoteliconhk and share your memorable moments with us by using the hashtag #hoteliconhk.

Minor, Pan Pacific take up stake in Global Hotel Alliance

By TTG Asia
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Minor's Dillip Rajakarier (left) and PPHG's Lothar Nessmann now on the GHA board

Longstanding members of Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), Bangkok-based Minor Hotels and Singapore-based Pan Pacific Hotels Group have made strategic investments to become the alliance’s shareholders, joining founding joint venture partners Omni Hotels and Resorts, Kempinski Hotels and Oracle Corporation.

The “substantial investments” the two new shareholders made will enable the alliance to accelerate its strategic growth plans, according to GHA. Minor’s investment is worth a total of US$3.2 million, representing a 10 per cent share of GHA, the same shareholding secured by Pan Pacific.

Minor’s Dillip Rajakarier (left) and Pan Pacific Hotels Group’s Lothar Nessmann now on the GHA board

As shareholders, both Minor CEO Dillip Rajakarier and Pan Pacific CEO Lothar Nessmann will now sit on the GHA board.

Rajakarier commented: “Minor has been involved with GHA since 2007 with our Anantara brand. Since then we have grown and developed our own brands and continue to acquire new ones, and membership of GHA fits well with our multi-brand strategy… We are delighted to be able to take our place as a shareholder in the business, with the opportunity to help guide its growth over the coming years.”

Pan Pacific, which joined GHA as a founder member in 2004, has “seen first-hand how the alliance can drive large volumes of corporate and leisure business into hotels across our Pan Pacific and Parkroyal brands”, said Nessmann.

He added: “With the Discovery programme delivering several points in incremental occupancy into our hotels each year from around the alliance network, it is easy to be a supporter of the platform, and we’re looking forward to contributing to its future success as shareholders.”

GHA’s CEO Chris Hartley also revealed that the alliance, which is marking its 15th anniversary in 2019, is “making substantial investments in CRM and shared technology” to enhance the Discovery loyalty programme.

“The 13 million Discovery members will produce US$1.7 billion in room revenues in 2018, of which around US$125 million is from customers moving between our member brands,” said Hartley.

“We plan to double those numbers in the next few years, as independent brands look to collaborate with each other to share the common challenge of competing with the ever-consolidating major brands and third-party distribution providers.”

Asian destinations win big amid Muslim travel boom

By TTG Asia
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Asia is set grow its market share of global Muslim travel spend to 22% or US$34 billion by the end of the decade, with non-Muslim destinations including China, Thailand and Singapore claiming a large percentage of this inbound expenditure, according to new research.

The Global Economic Impact of Muslim Tourism and Future Growth Projection: 2017-2020 report by Salam Standard further revealed that the GDP impact of Muslim travel in Asia is forecast to hit US$33 billion by 2020, up 27% from US$26.2 billion in 2017.

There is a huge opportunity for countries to develop halal-friendly tourism as the Asian Muslim travel community is set to grow

As a region of outbound Muslim travellers, Asia is starting to generate significant Muslim travel expenditure, which reached US$21 billion in 2017, or 21% of the global share, and is forecast to hit the US$29.6 billion mark by 2020.

“Asia is one of the top regions driving the growth of the global Muslim travel market, fuelled by a young and aspirational population and an increasingly-affluent middle class who are hungry to travel the world in a faith-compatible way, whether for business or leisure,” said Faeez Fadhlillah, co-founder and CEO of Salam Standard and Muslim-friendly hotel booking portal, Tripfez.

Muslim travellers from Malaysia, Indonesia and China will lead the way, according to Salam Standard, contributing 17% of the total global outbound spend by 2020 and outpacing European countries included in the study, who will contribute just 15% between them.

While Asia is a big feeder of Muslim travellers, the report urges Asian destinations to also look outside the region to key Muslim travel source markets in order to better capitalise on global growth trends.

The GDP impact of the global Muslim travel sector is projected to reach US$183 billion by 2020, up from US$148 billion in 2017.

Notably, the Middle East generated the majority of global outbound spend (61%) at US$62.2 billion. This is expected to reach US$72 billion by 2020, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE forecast to contribute 41% of the total Muslim travel spend worldwide by that date.

“One in three people worldwide will identify as Muslim by 2060 and to disregard this trend would be foolhardy,” said Faeez.

“With the Muslim population growth at 70% compared to the global average of 32%, the Muslim travel market presents many untapped opportunities for countries and organisations that successfully address its needs – and an enormous threat for those who ignore it.”

The full Global Economic Impact of Muslim Tourism and Future Growth Projection: 2017-2020 report will be launched on Salam Standard on November 6 during WTM in London.

Big demand for small aircraft in Asia

By Rosa Ocampo
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Bangkok Airways' ATR 72-600

Asia-Pacific is becoming a key driver of demand for small aircraft, with strong intra-regional travel patterns alongside the development of smaller, emerging tourist destinations.

“Asia is our biggest market and it’s in this region where we have the biggest growth,” said Jean-Daniel Kosowski, sales director of turboprop aircraft maker ATR on the sidelines of the recent 62nd Assembly of Presidents of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in Jeju.

Bangkok Airways’ ATR 72-600

Kosowski shared that Asia-Pacific comprises “a bit over a third” of ATR’s total market; its biggest client is Indonesia’s Lion Air with 100 ATR aircraft, followed by Malaysia with 55, Myanmar 44 and Air New Zealand 28.

TheATR 72-600has up to 78 seats and can fly for up to one hour and 15 minutes, ideal for island countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, home to developing destinations with small runways and nascent infrastructure.

The Asia-Pacific region is also seen as a fast-growing tourism region for Bombardier, according to sales director North Asia Marcel Grauer.

Early this year, Bombardier forecast that Asia-Pacific (excluding greater China) will take delivery of 2,050 small aircraft – 16 per cent of the worldwide market – by 2036, including 1,050 regional aircraft of 50 to 100 seats, and 1,000 single-aisle aircraft of 100 to 150 seats.

Grauer sees growing demand and opportunities for Bombardier aircraft in Japan, Mongolia, South Korea and the Philippines, apart from India.

The Bombardier Q400 aircraft, which has the speed of jets, has more capacity than ATR of up to 86 pax but also consumes more jet fuel.

Meanwhile, ATR ruled out speculation that a 100-seat aircraft in the works, citing the lack of demand for it at the moment. Rather than utilising bigger aircraft, it is promoting greater frequency on smaller aircraft as a way of creating capacity.

“We realise that very often there is a correlation between the number of seats in aircraft and the distance it can fly,” Kosowski explained.

“For example, you have no 56-seat aircraft that can fly 10 hours, no 400-seat aircraft designed for an hour’s flight. A 78-seat aircraft and a flying time of one hour and 15 minutes is a good combination. If you need to carry 100 pax, most of the time it is better to add a second flight,” he said.

Nadda Buranasiri takes helm as AirAsia X’s new group CEO

By TTG Asia
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Nadda Buranasiri

AirAsia X Thailand CEO Nadda Buranasiri has assumed the role of AirAsia X Group CEO, as co-group CEOs Kamarudin Meranun and Tony Fernandes are given redesignations as non-executive directors.

Both Kamarudin and Fernandes will continue to oversee the the strategic direction of the business and its operations as directors of AirAsia X.

Nadda Buranasiri

Nadda brings a wealth of experience in a broad range of industries, including senior roles in sales, advertising, banking and the music industry – where he once was the managing director of record label MCA, which later became Universal Music Thailand.

He joined the aviation industry in January 2014 as CEO of AirAsia X Thailand, and was instrumental in helping to set up the airline’s Bangkok-based longhaul operations.

WA banks on Perth flights to kick-start pursuit of Indian tourists

By Rohit Kaul
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Perth's newest stadium officially opened in January this year, stadium has a capacity of over 60,000 people

The ministry of tourism in Western Australia is planning a multi-million-dollar push in India while seeking to address the lack of direct air connectivity from the country.

In the coming months, Western Australia will roll out a marketing campaign in the Indian market, investing A$300,000 (US$214,284). In the first phase, it is partnering Thomas Cook to market tour packages for the first-ever cricket test match between India and Australia taking place in the brand-new stadium in Perth in December 2018.

Perth’s newest stadium officially opened in January this year; it has has a capacity of over 60,000 people

“In the next three years, there will be a multi-million-dollar investment in the Indian market post the commencement of direct flights to Perth,” minister of tourism, Western Australia, Paul Papalia, said.

During his visit to India last week, he held discussions with airlines as well as Indian minister of state for civil aviation, Jayant Sinha, to push for direct connectivity to Perth.

Indian national carrier, Air India, has agreed to explore the business case for the route.

Papalia: substantial investment in the India to lure more outbound traffic

“We have not marketed Western Australia in India as a tourism destination in the past. Our government is committed to diversify our economy beyond the commodity market. Building the Indian tourism market is a key focus area of this outlook. We are trying for direct connectivity to Perth and project our destination as the western gateway to Australia in the Indian market,” said Papalia.

The tourism minister added that though they are keen on direct flights from key markets like New Delhi and Mumbai, they are open to connectivity from other Indian cities as well.

“We are eyeing four-times weekly flights to begin with. Most of the Indians know about destinations like Sydney, Melbourne and Gold Coast but are unaware about our offerings. We want to present Western Australia for Indian travellers who want an authentic experience,” said Papalia.

As part of its other engagements to grow the Indian market, the ministry has also appointed a specialist to represent its tourism sector at the trade commission office in Mumbai. Presently, Western Australia receives about 28,000 leisure tourists from the Indian market.

NZ urges tourists to act as guardians of its land and environment

By TTG Asia
0

New Zealand’s tourism industry has come together to launch an initiative inviting visitors to care for its land and environment.

Under the banner of Tiaki – Care for New Zealand, the industry has launched the Tiaki Promise, which actively encourages all visitors to experience New Zealand in a way that keeps them safe, protects the natural environment, respects all cultures and preserves the country for future generations.

New Zealand’s tourism industry has come together to launch this major initiative targeted at inbound travellers

Tourism New Zealand’s chief executive Stephen England-Hall said: “The Tiaki Promise reminds people to travel responsibly as they enjoy what our country has to offer, making it clear what behaviours are expected from putting rubbish in the bin to driving safely and showing care and consideration for all.”

Visitors to New Zealand will learn about the Tiaki Promise before arriving and while travelling around the country. It will be promoted widely by all participating organisations and among the New Zealand tourism industry. Information will initially be available in English, Te Reo Māori, German and Chinese, with more languages to follow.

For now, the Tiaki Promise will be promoted through www.tiakinewzealand.co.nz, www.newzealand.com and on Air New Zealand’s international services. The Tiaki Promise video will also be made available to other international carriers to New Zealand, helping to spread the word to visitors as they embark on their journeys.

Social media support for the campaign will also be mobilised using the #tiakipromise hashtag.

Tiaki – Care for New Zealand is a collaboration between seven key organisations across the public and private sector – Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, Local Government New Zealand, New Zealand Māori Tourism, Tourism Holdings and Tourism Industry Aotearoa.

Tiaki means to care for people and place in New Zealand’s native language Te Reo Māori. The Tiaki Promise draws from indigenous Māori culture and tradition, and the belief that “people and land are one”, to promote responsible tourism.

According to a statement announcing the campaign, the Tiaki Promise symbol reflects the four core domains that shape New Zealand’s environment: Ranginui is the Sky Father, Tāne Mahuta is the Forest, Papatūānuku is Mother Earth and Tangaroa represents the oceans, rivers and lakes.

Black box from Lion Air flight JT610 found

By TTG Asia
0
Flight data analysis may take months

Indonesian divers yesterday found a black box from the Lion Air plane that crashed on Monday, which could be key to unravelling what caused the mishap.

The flight data recorder, recovered in waters off Tanjung Karawang, will be handed over to Indonesia’s transportation safety committee. At press time, the other black box, a cockpit voice recorder, has yet to be found.

Flight data analysis may take months

The head of Indonesia’s national transport safety committee was reported to have said that it could take up to three weeks to download data from the black boxes and up to six months to analyse it.

Flight JT610, heading for Pangkal Pinang, lost contact with ground staff 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta on Monday.

Flight tracking data available online show what’s been described as “erratic speed and altitude changes” in the minutes prior. However, safety experts cautioned that the data must be checked for accuracy against the plane’s black boxes.

Technical faults on the aircraft were reported a day before the crash, but airline spokespersons said it was cleared to fly on Monday “according to procedure”.

Passengers on the earlier flight from Bali described similar loss in altitude, likening the experience to being “in a roller coaster” as well as what seemed like engine problems before takeoff.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Salter Brothers Hospitality names Chris Curran as COO
TTG Asia | Building a new world
TTG Asia | Le Méridien Putrajaya welcomes new GM