New platform launched to sell Thailand tours and activities to Indian tourists

July 3, 2018

toasticket — ToastTicket a response to post-demonetisation India and FIT trend

Thai Destination, which operates in the Indian outbound market, has launched ToastTicket.com to respond to India’s move towards a cashless society and the global trend towards independent travel.

The ToastTicket.com platform helps travellers plan their trips to Thailand by browsing and booking tickets for activities and attractions such as waterparks and performances.

ToastTicket a response to post-demonetisation India and FIT trend

The platform also offers a special selection of day and multi-day tour packages to destinations like Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Designed by Singapore travel technology firm Smart Travel Global, the web application allows travellers to access information on activities and adjust their travel plans and itineraries, with options to cancel the booking within 24 hours and to instantly make payment via smartphones.

Natwalai Niankhao, CEO of Thai Destination and Smart Travel Global PTE, is confident of the continued growth of Indian outbound travel, which numbered 20 million in 2017. Of these, seven per cent travelled to Thailand.

While the Indian market is still “not popular for travel business operators” in the destination, Thai Destination said in a statement that it expects the technology, worth nearly 10 million baht (US$303,301) in investments, to enhance the company’s fully integrated travel services and eventually triple the total revenue.

Natwalai said: “We have been operating in the Indian market for more than nine years, so we understand the needs and behaviours of Indian consumers. Moreover, Thailand remains one of the top destinations for Indian travellers and there is tremendous room to grow more.”

Radisson, Hainan Airlines launch loyalty programme partnership

By TTG Asia

July 3, 2018

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Radisson Hotel Group and Hainan Airlines, both part of the HNA Group family of brands, are deepening their relationship with a new loyalty programme partnership.

To kick off this partnership, members of Radisson Rewards, the global rewards programme from Radisson Hotel Group, will be able to redeem their points for flights with Hainan Airlines and nine other carriers under the Fortune Wings Club frequent flyer programme.

Radisson Hotel Dakar Diamniadio, Senegal

Radisson Rewards members will now be able to exchange Radisson Rewards points for Fortune Wings points. Moreover, Fortune Wing Club members who are guests at Radisson Hotel Group’s global collection of 1,100+ properties can redeem their earned Radisson Rewards points for free flights on Hainan partner airlines, free room nights, gift cards and more.

Under the loyalty partnership, 10 Radisson Rewards points are equivalent to one Fortune Wings point, with the minimum redemption being 2,000 Radisson Rewards points, which converts to 200 Fortune Wings points.

The partnership will be promoted via both companies’ marketing and social media channels, including WeChat and Weibo.

Jambuluwuk Oceano Seminyak Hotel Bali

By TTG Asia

July 3, 2018

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Jambuluwuk-Oceano-Seminyak-Hotel-2 — Deluxe Premier room

Location
The six-storey, 138-key hotel is located on Jalan Petitenget, an area lined with some of Bali’s most famous restaurants and bars, spas and chic boutiques.

Rooms
There are six room categories. I stayed in a 40m² Deluxe Premier room, which was one of the few in its category with direct pool access. The full-length glass windows and doors leading to the swimming pool area afforded a full view of the hotel’s garden and waterfall as well.

The room’s layout – with a mini living room and working corner – made me feel at home. There are also two TV sets, and guests can enjoy screentime from the sofa or in bed. The artistic décor offer guests a sense of place that they are in Bali.

F&B
The Clubhouse is located on the hotel’s rooftop, and offers both a breakfast buffet, and a la carte menu for lunch and dinner. The Clubhouse also serves artisan coffee featuring local brews from Aceh, Toraja, Bali and Sumatra.

The breakfast spread has a good mix of Indonesian and international dishes. The beef soto – flavourful beef vermicelli soup served piping hot – was my favourite among the Indonesian dishes.

During lunch, I tried Jambuluwuk’s signature Sego Luwuk, a set dish comprising coconut rice, beef rendang, and sautéed papaya leaves and clams in sambal sauce. Small in package but big in taste, this scrumptious dish filled me up.

Besides The Clubhouse, the hotel has two other F&B venues. In the lobby is the Croustille Artisan Bakery selling cupcakes, croissants and Danish pastries.

Next door is Frestro & Bar. The restaurant’s menu is international, and focuses on organic products from local farms. My dinner of coffee wood smoked quail was delicious. I could taste the smoky flavour at first bite, and the stuffing was so savoury and juicy at the same time.

Facilities
Besides the swimming pool on the ground floor, the hotel has another pool on the rooftop with a deck and sunbathing area. Also on the rooftop is a gym and spa. Other facilities include a lounge, kid’s club, and two meeting spaces which can hold up to 120 pax theatre-style.

Service
Generally great. My check-in process was speedy, and the hotel staff are friendly and efficient.

When I had a problem with my TV set, the technician came very quickly to fix the remote. When I needed to dress a small cut, housekeeping brought me a band aid, Betadine, and cotton in a blitz.

I also enjoyed the spa service, where I indulged in a head and shoulder massage, as well as a manicure and pedicure.

Verdict
A cosy and well designed hotel, with a great location and facilities to boot.

No. of rooms 138
Rates From US$90
Contact details
Tel: (62) 877 800 40080 or (62) 812 399 9969
Email: rsv.seminyak@jambuluwuk.com

Finally, Thailand comes out of closet and rolls out carpet for LGBT travellers

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

July 2, 2018

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Long perceived as a top destination for LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual plus) travellers in Asia, Thailand has quietly been pursuing this niche market segment but it is only this year that the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is openly coming out to target the pink dollar.

Such is the interest that TAT is now giving to the niche sector that it has spearheaded the first LGBT+ Travel Symposium: Thailand in Bangkok, in addition to being the presenting LGBT partner at ITB Berlin 2018 earlier this year.

Thailand wants to be a model destination for LGBT+ tourism

The LGBT+ Travel Symposium: Thailand was a two-day networking and educational event that took place at So Sofitel Bangkok on June 29-30, bringing together 55 LGBT+ travel buyers and media from around the world to meet with the Thai travel trade to exchange insights on the best practices in sales, marketing and operations to reach the LGBT+ market worldwide.

Speaking at the LGBT+ Travel Symposium last Friday, Srisuda Wanapinyosak, TAT’s deputy governor of Europe, Middle East, Asia and the America’s Marketing Group, said: “We have been watching the LGBT+ segment with great interest in the last decade. Our aim is to see exponential growth in Thailand as a LGBT+ destination, and we hope to be a model for this segment.”

Encouraging inclusive tourism is a key etho of the TAT, as Thailand is regarded by the LGBT community as a “safe, tolerant and respectful” destination, Srisuda pointed out. “Our mission is to position Thailand as a preferred destination to experience diversity.

TAT’s Srisuda Wanapinyosak (in pink dress; front row) and PATA’s Mario Hardy (far left) pose with speakers and participants at the symposium

“We are proud that LGBT travellers can stay anywhere in Thailand with a complete peace of mind. Our kingdom is open to every possible shade under the rainbow,” she added, a reference to the TAT’s latest Open to the New Shades campaign, which encourages all types of travellers to discover the diversity in experiences in Thailand.

There’s an economic incentive to this niche segment, of course. Underscoring the importance of this lucrative segment to Thailand, Uwern Jong, editor-in-chief of luxury travel magazine for gay people OutThere and LGBT+ travel ambassador for the TAT, stated: “The total global value of LGBT+ travel is reported at US$200 billion dollars; it grows at an average of eight per cent year-on-year when mainstream travel grows at just 3.8 per cent. LGBT+ people made an estimated 81 million journeys last year.

“Demographically, they earn 22 per cent more than their straight counterparts and on average they spend 55 per cent more on travel, so it’s easy to see that the LGBT+ sector makes a dynamic and influential contribution to the global economy – and it is crucial (as a market) for Thailand,” Jong stressed.

According to Peter Jordan, founder of tourism market intelligence provider Gen C Traveller, the LGBT+ tourism market is not only seeing “increasing visibility”, it is also seeing “increased diversification in products, destinations and events”.

More organisations are starting to take an interest in the LGBT+ sector as a result, which is apparent in UNWTO’s Global Report on LGBT Tourism developed in collaboration with the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), for which Jordan has been commissioned as author for the first two editions.

He believes these reports not only mark “a true milestone” for global tourism but also “demonstrates recognition and credibility for the LGBT+ market at the highest level of tourism policymaking”, he added. Soon to be released is the new European Travel Commission and IGLTA joint research Handbook on LGBTQ Tourism in Europe.

The LGBT+ sector is also of interest to PATA, which had entered into an organisational partnership with IGLTA since 2015, shared the organisation’s chief executive Mario Hardy.

But despite a significant shift in societal attitudes towards greater acceptance of LGBT+ people in the last decade, Hardy recognises that this remains “a sensitive topic” and is even taboo in some parts of Asia.

“There is still a lot of work to be done,” he reminded, urging travel sellers to display greater inclusivity and respect to LGBT+ travellers. Simple gestures such as doing away with ‘his & hers‘ slippers or having gender-neutral bathrooms will go a long way in making this group of travellers feel welcomed.

Sabre makes Abdul Iyer regional director of SE Asia

By TTG Asia

July 2, 2018

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Sabre Corporation has appointed Abdul Iyer as regional director, South-east Asia.

In his new role, Abdul will oversee business development activities, drive sales and support joint venture market sales initiatives in the Indochina region, including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia.

Having joined Sabre in 2008, Abdul has taken on several roles leading consulting, strategic planning and conversion sales. He also led efforts to secure top accounts in South and South-east Asia while spearheading strategic business development for the global travel technology company.

Prior to joining Sabre, Iyer was senior consultant at Ernst & Young and managed projects across multiple industries.

Marked increase in India’s visa fees could deter M’sians from visiting

By S Puvaneswary

July 2, 2018

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India has hiked the tourist visa fees for Malaysians to RM462.60 (US$156.30) since July 1, leading some trade members to speculate that leisure outbound interest to the destination may suffer.

The fee hike will also come with an increased stay period covered by the multi-entry visa, from the existing six months (at a price of RM194.60) to a year.

Malaysia’s outbound travellers may be more inclined to visit other countries in lieu of visa hike

On June 25, the eVisa fee was also increased from US$50 to US$80, valid for 120 days.

Anand Arun, development director at Anand Travels, said the sudden increase in visa fee caught the travel trade by surprise.

He shared: “It will definitely have an impact on Malaysian families travelling to India during the peak year-end travel period. Sri Lanka and Nepal stand to gain as their visa fees are much cheaper. It costs only RM95 for 15-day single-entry visa to Nepal.”

K Thangavelu, president, Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (MITTA), expects the new visa application fee to deter Malaysians who intend to visit India once for sightseeing and who are not regular visitors.

He added: “Book early and you can get low-cost flights to Indian cities to Tiruchirappalli and Kochi for less than the visa price.”

Together with other travel associations in Malaysia, MITTA plans to meet with the Indian High Commissioner in Kuala Lumpur to request for the earlier fee of 194.60 ringgit to be reinstated.

The processing fee was raised to RM457 on April 1, 2017, Thangavelu shared, but after talks between MITTA and the Indian High Commissioner to Kuala Lumpur, the previous fee of RM194.60 was reinstated.

Latest airport closure becomes a litmus test for Bali’s crisis readiness

By Mimi Hudoyo

July 2, 2018

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ngurah-rai-airport — Flights starting to resume at Ngurah Rai, but Lombok airport now closed

The Mount Agung eruption that caused the abrupt closure of Ngurah Rai International Airport last Friday was a litmus test for the Balinese travel trade’s readiness in crisis management, as the incident took place as the island was hosting the annual Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2018.

But it was clearly business as usual for the Balinese travel industry, TTG Asia observed on the BBTF show floor, with buyers and sellers continuing their meetings since morning.

Ngurah Rai International Airport reopened on Friday at around 14.30 and was back in full swing by Saturday

While a couple of the sellers expressed concerns over the impacts on business should the closure persists, several international buyers TTG Asia spoke to played down the ash threat.

Amy Foss, director of Smarago Reizen in The Netherlands, was one unperturbed buyer at BBTF. “ Natural disasters happen and no one can predict them,” she said. “The last time Mount Agung erupted (November 2017) did not dampen the interest of our clients to travel here.”

Rob Haynes, director of Red Tree UK, commented: “I think the travel industry here is used to something like this. They know how to handle the clients, providing the (vital) information but without giving too much to scare them.”

As a travel industry executive, Karine Hosana, owner and manager of Travel Truck France, said she was “personally not concerned” with the airport closure but clients, should they be travelling in Bali when they face such situations, might have more concerns.

What clients need under such circumstances, according to the Balinese operators, are someone to take care of them, give them directions and ease their concerns.

I Made Badra, the regent of Badung – where Ngurah Rai Airport and the major tourist attractions in Bali are located – said: “We have had a standing mitigation procedure if and when a natural disaster takes place, and it has been effected today (last Friday).

“A total of 191 stranded passengers were transported by bus to Surabaya and (by fast boat) to Lombok to catch flights from there. The free transfer includes one meal on the way. We also provide one-night free accommodation with breakfast for stranded passengers staying in Bali.”

Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport was reopened on Friday afternoon at around 14.30 and resumed normal operations by Saturday morning.

The temporary closure sparked the cancellation of 446 flights, comprising 239 domestic and 207 international. Thousands of tourists were stranded on the Indonesian resort island, and Badung Regency estimated a loss of a business volume of 75,000 pax due to the closure.

Additional reporting by Tiara Maharani

SE Asia’s first Marvel Experience attraction lands in Bangkok

By TTG Asia

July 2, 2018

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marvel-A42I8950 — Meet and greet Marvel characters

The first Marvel Experience-branded attraction to land in South-east Asia, The Marvel Experience: Thailand, has opened at the Megabanga mall in Bangkok.

Spanning two hectares, The Marvel Experience: Thailand is divided into two main zones: The Reception Building and The Attraction Zone.

Meet and greet with characters from the Marvel universe

The Reception Building includes the ticket office, Avengers Café, Super Hero Snack Bar and the Marvel Adventure Zone for kids. It also features the Marvel Experience Super Store, offering guests a range of Marvel licensed products, including an exclusive selection of The Marvel Experience Thailand merchandise.

The Holding Zone Beta is the prepping area before the future agents head into battle in the Attraction Zone. This is the active zone where S.H.I.E.L.D agents young and old can join a two-hour battle alongside the Marvel Heroes in a combination of immersive hyper reality, interactive and multimedia technology games, as well as augmented and virtual reality simulations.

The experience also includes a 4-D Motion Ride, a 360-degree 4-D stereoscopic projection dome as well as the chance to come face-to-face with Marvel heroes.

Rick Licht, CEO of Hero Ventures, stated: “From our success with the launch of The Marvel Experience (TMX) in the United States of America and elsewhere, a number of countries have reached out and invited us to bring TMX to them. As Thailand is a major fanbase for Marvel, we believe that Thailand is the perfect country to which we should bring this adventure.

In Thailand, TMX is collaborating with local partner Hero Experience to manage the installation. Hero Experience hopes the attraction will be a key tourist attraction in the city to help increase tourism numbers for Thailand, according to co-CEO Surakiat Thienthong.

Surachart Thienthong, CMO of Hero Experience, said: “We plan to communicate with both Thai people and international tourists. For Thailand, our strategy is to integrate marketing communication across all media channels: TV, radio, online, out-of-home media, including marketing activities every month. (For the international market), we will promote through media and key influencers in each country as well as find the right travel agent partners to broaden our target groups.”

AccorHotels buys half of NY-based lifestyle hospitality group

By TTG Asia

July 2, 2018

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Mondrian-Park-Avenue — sbe's Mondrian Park Avenue, New York City

AccorHotels has signed a letter of intent to acquire a 50 per cent stake in sbe Entertainment Group in a US$319 million deal, further demonstrating its ambitions in the luxury lifestyle hospitality segment.

AccorHotels will acquire 50 per cent of sbe’s common equity held in part by Cain International for US$125 million, while sbe’s founder and CEO Sam Nazarian will continue to own the remaining 50 per cent.

sbe’s Mondrian Park Avenue, New York City

In addition, AccorHotels will invest US$194 million in a new preferred debt instrument that will be used to redeem all existing preferred units, also held in part by Cain International.

The investment will allow sbe to leverage AccorHotels’ global hospitality platform while remaining an independent luxury lifestyle operator. Sbe will continue to be led by Nazarian as well as its management team while retaining its global headquarters in New York.

Nazarian said: “This long-term investment by AccorHotels provides sbe, its customers and hotel owners with greater depth and breadth around the world.”

With the acquisition, sbe hotels will be available on the AccorHotels distribution platform, be featured on Accorhotels.com and be part of the AccorHotels loyalty programme.

“Building on our acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group in 2016, this investment will further accelerate our growth both domestically in the US and in new markets internationally, particularly in Europe,” Nazarian continued.

Sébastien Bazin, chairman & CEO, AccorHotels, said the deal “marks a new step in expanding AccorHotels’ footprint in this fast-growing segment in key US cities such as Miami, Los Angeles or Las Vegas, and in other international destinations”.

Sbe’s hospitality and residential brands include SLS, Delano, Mondrian, Hyde, The Originals (Sanderson, St. Martin Lane, Hudson, 10 Karakoy, Shore Club) and the Redbury Hotels. Through its Disruptive Restaurant Group platform, sbe has created culinary brands Katsuya, Umami Burger, Cleo, Leynia, Diez & Siez and Filia and innovative entertainment brands including Hyde nightclub and dayclub, Nightingale, Privilege dayclub Black Orchid, S Bar, Skybar and the Doheny Room.

Landmark destinations in its portfolio include, Delano South Beach in Miami, SLS Baha Mar in the Bahamas, Mondrian Doha in Qatar, Hyde Bellagio in Las Vegas, Mondrian Park Avenue in New York City and the newly-opened 57 story SLS LUX Brickell in Miami. Upcoming opening includes Delano Rio de Janeiro, Delano Dubai at the Palm and Hyde Midtown in Miami.

Sbe’s pipeline includes projects in global gateway cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Washington DC, Dubai, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Cancun, Tokyo and Los Cabos.

By the end of 2018 sbe will operate 25 hotels, comprising 7,498 keys with a majority in North America, 170 restaurants and entertainment venues in global destinations as well as new properties in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. It currently has a further 20 hotels and residences around the world in its pipeline, as well as 59 standalone restaurants and nightlife venues.

The transaction is expected to be completed by July 31, 2018.

ATPI evolves Ticket Window technology to embrace NDC

By TTG Asia

July 2, 2018

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airplane-tech-concept — Distributors evolving with new standard

New Distribution Capability (NDC) content from airlines currently not available via GDS channels is now available through ATPI Ticket Window, a proprietary fare aggregation system by TMC, ATPI.

ATPI Ticket Window sources fares and availability from around the world and delivers a consolidated view to ATPI agent desktops. The system ensures that agents can book the best possible fare, even if it is only available on a non-GDS platform or in one particular country.

Finding innovative ways around problem of content fragmentation

The new enhancement to ATPI Ticket Window enables NDC content not available through the GDS, i.e. special fares available through airline’s own NDC channels, and content from existing APIs with partners and LCCs.

Andrew Waller, CEO, ATPI Group, explained: “Content fragmentation is a challenge that we have continuously innovated to find ways around. NDC is no different. We cannot rely wholly on future GDS NDC solutions and they are still some way off.”

This is the latest ATPI technology release following the TMC’s global alliance with NDC-certified Serko and its new booking tool Zeno, which already provides integrated NDC content and capability. ATPI is licensed to offer Zeno to new and existing customers in more than 50 countries for the next five years.

New platform launched to sell Thailand tours and activities to Indian tourists

Radisson, Hainan Airlines launch loyalty programme partnership

Jambuluwuk Oceano Seminyak Hotel Bali

Finally, Thailand comes out of closet and rolls out carpet for LGBT travellers

Sabre makes Abdul Iyer regional director of SE Asia

Marked increase in India’s visa fees could deter M’sians from visiting

Latest airport closure becomes a litmus test for Bali’s crisis readiness

SE Asia’s first Marvel Experience attraction lands in Bangkok

AccorHotels buys half of NY-based lifestyle hospitality group

ATPI evolves Ticket Window technology to embrace NDC

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Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West

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