The Swiss Travel Pass has been updated and expanded, and Indian tourists who purchase this all-in-one ticket will be able to use it for all rail, road and water travel in Switzerland.
This India-only offer also gives travellers an extra travel day on a four-day Swiss Travel Pass, and two extra travel days on the eight-day Swiss Travel Pass.
All travel by rail, road and waterways are covered, including panoramic trains such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, and Golden Pass Line. The pass also allows Indian travellers to travel free on public transportation in more than 90 Swiss cities, and allows free admission to more than 500 museums.
In addition, travellers can also travel free to Mt Schilthorn, Mt Rigi and Mt Schilthorn, and get a up to a 50 per cent discount on additional mountain railways. The pass also allows children under the age of 16 to travel free.
This offer can be bought from now until December 31, 2018, but travel must be completed by March 31, 2019.
For more information, or to book, visit www.Myswitzerland.com/specialoffers.
TTG Asia Media publisher Michael Chow has stepped into an advisory role as publisher emeritus following 30 years of service with the company.
His announcement on July 31 garnered much attention from industry leaders, many of whom wrote in to recognise the positive contributions, valuable friendship and wonderful memories made during Michael’s decades-long contribution to TTG:
Micahel Chow, Publisher Emeritus
Kent Zhu President, Genting Cruise Lines
Many congratulations to you on the fantastic achievements of TTG under your 30 years’ leadership. I have been fortunate enough to have your personal support in my various assignments and established our friendship since we got to know each other in the early 90’s.
Melissa Ow Acting chief, Singapore Tourism Board
Congratulations to you on a long and successful career in travel media. You have played a significant role in bearing witness to so many momentous milestones in the evolution of this sector. I thank you for the support that TTG has rendered to the growth of tourism in Singapore and to the work of the Singapore Tourism Board over the past 30 years.
Supatra Chirathivat Senior vice president, development, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Time really flies! Just realised that we have known each other for 30 years already! Wishing you all the best in your retirement, and soon I will follow. Please do keep in touch, as always. Our friendship will, of course, remain forever. All the best to you and your family.
Patrick Fiat General manager, Royal Plaza on Scotts
You are so much part of TTG, Michael, Darren, Raini, the three mousqueteers! TTG will never be the same. As well, I am very happy to for you. A new journey is starting.Wishing you all the best. Friendship as always!
Aloysius Lee Former CEO, South Beach Hotel Development
You should be proud of your achievements and I am also proud to have a friend like you. Your publication enlightens us and you warm us with your friendship.
Chan Kar Heng CEO, Chan Brothers
Well done, Michael! You are the envy of many. Not only did you have a successful and distinguished career, you are also a popular character that everyone likes to befriend. Congratulations! All the best going forward!
Attracting more European tourists is now a top agenda for Tourism Malaysia
After national flag carrier Malaysia Airlines axed most of its routes to Europe, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and Tourism Malaysia is eager to rebuild its European feeder markets by working with overseas partners.
European arrivals to Malaysia took a hit when Malaysia Airlines pulled the plug of its Frankfurt route in April 2015, followed by Amsterdam and Paris in January 2016. European carriers Air France and Lufthansa had also cancelled services to Kuala Lumpur in October 2015 and February 2016 respectively.
Attracting more European tourists is now a top agenda for Tourism Malaysia
With hubs that service both Europe and Malaysia, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines are coming onto Tourism Malaysia’s radar as choice partners to grow arrivals from Europe in the long term, noted Tourism Malaysia’s director-general, Mirza Mohammad Taiyab.
Mirza shared that Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airports Holdings have set up a joint fund to attract more European airlines to fly to Malaysia.
Currently, airlines offering connections from Europe to Malaysia are KLM and Turkish Airlines. Condor, the leisure airline of Thomas Cook, will commence new flights between Frankfurt and Kuala Lumpur from November 5.
While Tourism Malaysia works towards rebuilding connectivity as a long-term solution, in the shorter term it is focused on building awareness about the country’s offerings among European travel agents.
This year, Tourism Malaysia is targeting 1.5 million tourists from Europe, up from 1.1 million arrivals in 2017.
It recently signed an MoU with the European Travel Agents and Tour Operators Association (ECTAA) to become the association’s preferred destination partner for the year.
The partnership led to ECTAA organising its semi-annual meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the first to be held outside of Europe, which hosted 46 delegates from 25 tourism associations in Europe.
The European delegates, some visiting Malaysia for the first time, were given the option of attending four-day post tours covering Selangor, Langkawi and Sabah.
At the meeting, delegates were also given an overview on what the country has to offer for leisure and business visitors by Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau.
Through the MoU, ECTAA would highlight diverse travel and tourism products in Malaysia to its members across European countries, shared Mirza.
In another strategic partnership to step up promotions in Europe, Malaysia has been named the official partner country of ITB Berlin 2019.
Mirza said: “Malaysia’s official partner country title at ITB 2019 will entail publicity opportunities globally as well as the potential to reach out to key decision makers and top industry players.”
Travel suppliers in Malaysia welcome the NTO’s intensified efforts in Europe, while also rolling out marketing activities of their own to attract outbound travellers from the continent.
Fiona Hagan, general manager at Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa in Kota Kinabalu, said: “Exposure at ITB Berlin will get the country in front of many key decision makers in Europe and keep the destination top of mind. We support all initiatives that knock on doors of agents in Europe.”
Hanley Chew, CEO of Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are confident that with promotions by Tourism Malaysia, there will be an increase in European arrivals to Malaysia.
“In 2017, guests from Europe only (made up) seven per cent of room nights at our property, a three per cent decrease compared with 2016. For this year, we are targeting a 10 per cent increase over 2017 for total room nights contributed by European guests.”
The hotel is also participating in tradeshows, performing sales calls and continuing direct contracting with travel agents in Europe through its London sales office.
Jai Kishan, general manager, New World Petaling Jaya, suggested that further destination awareness of Malaysia in Europe could be created by directly reaching out to travel consumers on the ground through social media campaigns and by inviting media and film crew on fam trips to Malaysia.
“Malaysia is not lacking in (business and leisure) offerings when compared to our neighbouring countries,” said Kishan.
“What’s lacking is awareness of our offerings in the European markets and with Tourism Malaysia’s efforts, it is just a matter of time before this changes.”
No longer content with being a gaming haven, the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’ is now working towards transforming itself into a foodie destination after clinching recognition as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy last October.
A traditional shop on the streets of Macau
At the annual marketing meeting held in June 2018, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) revealed that gastronomy and festivals will be a key focus of its marketing plan going forward.
An MGTO spokesperson said: “Following Macau’s designation, the government unfolded a four-year action plan (2018-2021) which includes various initiatives in six categories, and (identified) the 2018 Macao Year of Gastronomy as one of the key highlights of the four-year action plan.
MGTO plans to promote Macau’s “cultural image”, as well as organise or support international events in line with the gastronomy theme.
The tourism body will work towards integrating gastronomy in existing events including the Parade for Celebration of Chinese New Year in February and the Macau Light Festival in December, the spokesperson shared.
In 2019, MGTO will organise the International Gastronomy Forum for the third year, while also pushing for the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant Awards Ceremony to be hosted in Macau again in 2019.
Moreover, MGTO intends to continue to support local associations and private sector organisations, as well as work with other government departments on gastronomy-related festivals and events. Some recently concluded examples include the Malaysian Food Festival 2018 (August 16-31) and the Southeast Asia Food Carnival (mid-August).
On the ground, MGTO is rolling out different promotional activities through its representatives in various source markets, working with travel agencies to promote the destination’s travel products.
Pamela Chan, associate director – head of marketing, Taipa Village Destination, remarked: “With the territory’s growing recognition (among foodies), Taipa Village continues to receive an increasing number of visitors.”
Taipa Village has been hosting regular tours for media, industry partners and teambuilding clients who are keen to explore the destination’s mix of art, cultural and dining experiences.
“Gastronomy is the main highlight. We once hosted a teambuilding company for a treasure hunt activity in Taipa Village, with eight spots assigned as check points. The treasure hunt concluded with a Macanese cha gordo (fat tea) at Macanese restaurant La Famiglia,” Chan continued.
While lauding MGTO’s new direction, Manuel Wu, managing director of Macau Explorer Cultural Travel, which runs gourmet/food tours, sees room in developing food tourism offerings in Macau beyond large-scale events.
Wu said: “I haven’t seen any surge of similar tours from other operators in the market; what they offer mostly echo MGTO’s promotions promotions such as those focusing on food festivals.
“This is really due to the limitation of the local infrastructure. Many family-run outlets, for instance, are small and simply can’t manage big groups,” he added.
To develop Macau’s food tourism, Wu wants more to be done to help small food businesses survive. He said: “In the long run, it’d be helpful if the government could lend support to these small outlets because escalating rentals are driving the successors of ageing restaurant owners’ to close business and rent out the premises.”
Another issue Wu pinpointed, is the difficulty of experienced chefs in finding successors to pass on their skills due to a lack of interest among the younger generation.
“It’s vital for the government to incentivise the younger generation to pick up the cooking profession and preserve this traditional local neighbourhood food culture.”
On top of cooking classes, Wu’s company offers tours that visit traditional family-run food outlets, some with over 50 years of history in old districts like the Inner Harbour of Macau Peninsula.
“So far, enquiries are mostly from South-east Asia agents asking if I can organise street food tours for groups to venture into local market areas,” Wu said.
MGTO says it is taking steps to give visibility to food businesses on the ground. It has been collecting information from local associations about eateries and restaurants along its eight recommended walking routes (Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities – Walking Tour Routes), and plotting these food haunts along the routes.
“Currently, MGTO is compiling additional information including opening hours, type of cuisines and locations by district in order to fully promote the dining scene and attract visitors and residents to different districts,” the MGTO spokesperson shared.
When a hotel gets reviews, it increases the visibility of that hotel and increases the chance of more bookings. For that reason, it is important that hotels encourage their guests to write reviews.
Our research shows that guests are 3.6 times more likely to write a review when a hotel reaches out to seek feedback.
Some of the ways in which you can encourage guests to review are to ask for their feedback on-site, use a customised guest survey, or perhaps offer them a perk to give a review.
To ask for feedback while a guest is on your property, we recommend using a guest messaging tool. Let guests know that you provide a messaging feature for them to come to you if they need to ask questions, get directions, request toiletries or for any other enquiries you may have. At this point, it will be easy for you to check in with the guest to see if they are enjoying their experience at the hotel. If you keep the lines of communication open, feedback will follow.
When your guests check out of the hotel, a friendly reminder of how much you value their feedback and letting them know that it helps you to improve your service, will serve as a handy reminder to them to review the hotel. A post-stay survey, for example, also allows them to express their honest opinion about their stay.
A customisable guest survey is a great way to ask for feedback, because it puts you in the control seat. You can ask the questions that you really want answers to, such as how the guest is responding to a new hotel feature or service. You can also ask open ended questions, offering a scale response, of say 1-10, to determine how they feel about a certain aspect of your service.
A survey is a clear, direct way of asking for feedback and it typically gets a response. Collecting such reviews positively influences hotel rankings and ultimately increases revenue.
If budget permits, offering a perk helps prompt guests to submit a review. A spa pass, a free dinner or cocktail would often spur the guest into action. This is a great way to steer guests into learning more about your services as it adds to an excellent stay and experience.
Another way to choose a perk is to assess past reviews to see what guests appreciate the most about your hotel, and then offer those features or services as perks for future guests to obtain their feedback.
Asking for honest feedback indicates to the guest that you really care about their opinion.
TrustYou is a guest feedback platform used worldwide by suppliers in the tourism and hospitality sector for reputation management purposes.
Chinese tourists outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok
Thailand will miss its Chinese arrival target during the Golden Week holiday, with travel confidence from the China market still not restored three months on from the Phuket boat tragedy.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) revised its projection on the Chinese tourist arrivals in the country downward from 250,000 to 205,000 during the October 1-7 peak period.
Chinese tourists outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok
Based on ForwardKeys data, which excludes LCCs and Chinese airlines, flight bookings during the period dropped 35 per cent.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) expects Chinese arrivals to Thailand via its members to hit rock-bottom in September. For the first 20 days of September, Chinese arrivals plunged 37 per cent year-on-year. The association hopes the confidence of Chinese travellers will start to recover in November.
Both TAT and ATTA forecast that the July 5 boat tragedy in Phuket would also impact their Chinese market projection in 2018, and have lowered the target from 12 million to 10.5 million visitors.
TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn said arrivals in the Golden Week would be down by only one per cent compared with traffic in the same period last year, but Chinese visitors’ spending is projected to increase by 5.9 per cent to 6.2 billion baht (US$190 million) during China’s seven-day holiday thanks to the NTO’s focus on quality tourism.
Adith Chairattananon, honorary secretary-general of ATTA, said Thailand lost its business opportunities to competitors after 47 Chinese tourists were killed in the boat accident. Many chartered flights that were originally planned to fly from China to Thailand in the second half of this year turned to other countries including Vietnam, he said.
Besides, Chinese tour operators are still awaiting new investment projects in Thailand amid concerns over tourist safety. “The Thai government must have a long-term plan on tourism security and standard, not only for the Chinese market but also others,” urged Adith.
While the Indian outbound sector is likely to see the impacts of a weaker rupee for the upcoming holiday season, agents are expecting demand for destinations like South-east Asia to pick up as Indian travellers seek to make the most of their money.
The Indian rupee has been the worst performing Asian currency in 2018, having tumbled 13 per cent in value this year so far.
Agents think South-east Asia will be a popular holiday destination for India’s outbound travellers as it would allow them to make the most out of their money
“Rupee depreciation is a matter of concern for small- and medium-size agents. We are worried that there may be a decline of about 15 per cent in demand in this financial year,” Teddy Thomas, director, Oasis Xpress Travel & Tours, told TTG Asia on the sidelines of the TAFI Annual Convention 2018 in Abu Dhabi.
The weakening currency has affected bookings that span longer duration, like honeymoon travel, said Vikas Khanduri, CEO, Holiday Merchants.
“Rupee depreciation also means that besides the cost of land arrangements going up, it’s making cost of experiences like dining in a high-end restaurant or shopping dearer. So now honeymooning couples travelling to destinations like Australia and New Zealand, who may have the opportunity to in between stop at no extra cost on airfare at transit points like Singapore and Malaysia, will not take that option.”
With the rupee depreciation, some agents are expecting outbound demand for longhaul destinations like Europe to take the biggest hit.
“As longhaul holiday destinations will become more expensive, they are likely to be more affected. This may result in many Indian travellers opting for South-east Asian destinations. However, we are also seeing Indian tourists who otherwise would have chosen long-duration holidays in South-east Asian destinations, opting for short holidays,” said Pradip Lulla, managing director, Cupid Travel & Tours.
Lulla added that destinations like Turkey, where the currency depreciation against the dollar has been steeper than India, have an opportunity to tap the Indian outbound market.
“Travellers from India will now prefer international destinations where the value of the rupee is at par or not depreciated. Also, we do not expect travellers to reschedule or postpone their travel plans, however, they may look at budget accommodation options and other measures to reduce expenses during their stay,” said Aloke Bajpai, CEO & co-founder, Ixigo.
Chinese tourism investment in Indonesia has surged in recent years, totalling US$333.4 million last year, second only to investment from Singapore.
Speaking at the opening of the Third Coordinating Meeting of the Ministry of Tourism in Jakarta earlier this week, Indonesia tourism minister Arief Yahya said: “The growth of investment from China is quite surprising. Five years ago, we did not even see China on the list of investors. Today it has become the second biggest foreign investor in tourism sector in line with the growth of arrivals from China.”
Foreign tourism investments concentrated in Bali, Jakarta (pictured) and Riau Islands
Total investment in Indonesia’s accommodation and restaurants hit US$1.4 billion last year, with the largest chunk from Singapore (US$462.7 million), followed by China and South Korea (US$69.3 million).
As expected, Bali, Jakarta and Riau Islands – the most visited tourist destinations in the country – received the bulk of these investments.
China has not been a key source of foreign tourism investment until recently. In the last four years, Singapore has been the biggest investor, followed by Hong Kong, the British Virgin Islands, South Korea and Japan, according to Wisnu Soedibjo, deputy chairman of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board.
Over the past four years, investment in tourism has grown at an average of 36 per cent annually, he added.
Still, Arief estimates the destination needs an additional Rp500 trillion (US$34 billion) in investment for 2019-2024. To meet tourism growth targets, the destination would need around 120,000 more hotel rooms, 15,000 restaurants, 100 recreational parks, 100 dive operators, 100 marinas and 100 more Special Economic Zone, he opined.
Outside of the private sector, these investments would come from the government sector – including the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Airport Authorities, Ministry Communications and Information and Ministry of Tourism.
“Apart from the banks as the source of fund, this will be the first time in history that investment in tourism will be supported by the capital market,” Arief said.
Best Western Hotels & Resorts is introducing a pair of boutique franchise brands, Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel, in the upscale and upper midscale segments respectively.
The conversion brands could help reposition existing properties to improve their performance and enhance their asset value, in addition to broadening their customer base, according to Best Western.
Sadie Hotel will be positioned in the upper segment
In particular, the brands will offer hoteliers a design and renovation programme, while allowing them the chance to incorporate the local flair of their respective market.
David Kong, president & CEO at Best Western Hotels & Resorts, said: “Both Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel present the opportunity for independent hoteliers or developers with branded hotels to reposition their property in a unique way, taking advantage of our cost-effective, turnkey and customised design and renovation programme.”
“A dedicated onboarding team will ensure these repositioned hotels are quickly integrated with Best Western’s powerful revenue engines intended to drive a fast ramp-up in business.”
Every hotel will be on boarded with “near immediate access” to Best Western’s website, global partnerships and sales team, and revenue management system.
Aiden Hotel will be positioned in the upper middle segment
Hotels will also have access to a revenue manager to maximise revenue and reduce operating costs, as well as the Best Western Rewards programme.
Moreover, a marketing and PR playbook will also be provided to help each hotel to drive social media visibility and buzz.
Each Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel will feature a multi-functional public area with either a café or bar; modern seating areas; and mobile check-in.
With the launch of Sadie Hotel and Aiden Hotel, Best Western now features 13 brands in its portfolio.
SIA currently services six cities in Australia; Yarra river in Melbourne pictured
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Tourism Australia have signed a three-year strategic marketing deal worth A$11 million (US$8 million) as both parties reaffirm their commercial ties.
The agreement will see the two parties jointly fund a range of tourism campaigns and promotional activities in eight of Australia’s key inbound markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, India, Japan, Germany and the UK.
SIA currently services six cities in Australia; Yarra river in Melbourne pictured
Tourism Australia’s managing director, John O’Sullivan, said in a statement: “The eight markets covered by this agreement represented four million international visitors and A$22 billion in collective spending last year, which is a measure of the importance of our ongoing partnership with SIA. The strength of their network and the quality of their product are significant assets that we know resonate strongly with the type of high-value traveller that we are targeting in both Asia and Europe.”
SIA currently operates more than 130 scheduled flights per week to Australia, serving Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. This represents eight per cent of all Australia’s international arrivals. Together with subsidiary airlines SilkAir and Scoot, the SIA Group has close to 170 weekly flights to Australia.
