Myanmar jubilant as Asian arrivals swell

February 12, 2018

inle-lake-local-with-thanaka — Uptrend in part due to visa relaxation policies

After seeing a staggering 109 per cent increase in visitors from Asia in 2017 over 2016, Myanmar has pledged to pump up its marketing efforts in the region going ahead.

Myanmar minister of hotels and tourism, Ohn Maung, said a visa waiver that has been in place for almost a year to the majority of South-east Asian citizens has led to a 13 per cent year-on-year increase in arrivals from the nations at Yangon International Airport.

Uptrend in part due to visa relaxation policies

Vietnam arrivals saw the largest increase at 75 per cent, followed by the Philippines (+62 per cent) and Singapore (+20 per cent). China and Thailand remained the top source markets, contributing more than 230,000 and 140,000 visitors respectively in 2017.

Ohn flagged up target markets such as Japan, China, India and South-east Asian countries. “We see these are the markets the growth is coming from at the moment,” he expained.

Thomas Carnevale, managing director of Asia Trails Tour Myanmar, noted a rise in enquiries to the country from the Asian market, especially with short stays and last-minute trips.

He also noted a jump in the number of Asian customers following the company on social media channels, with the main markets being the Philippines, Indonesia and Indochina region.

Cinn Tan, chief sales and marketing officer of Pan Pacific Hotels Group, which operates Pan Pacific Yangon, Parkroyal Yangon and Parkroyal Nay Pyi Taw, said Asia as a market is becoming increasingly important, with a rise in Thais taking annual pilgrimages to the country’s temples. More Indians and Chinese are visiting Myanmar to explore business opportunities.

While Asia will be a strong focus, Ohn said they aim to see an increase in Western tourists. This is being achieved through social media campaigns and a series of fam trips.

Short-term rentals threaten survival of budget hotels in Malaysia

By S Puvaneswary

February 12, 2018

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Increased competition from Airbnb is taking a toll on the occupancies of budget hotels in Malaysia, raising concerns over the viability of lower-tier accommodation providers in the formal economy.

Alongside declining arrivals into Malaysia last year, competition from Airbnb, which are not required to pay taxes and comply to government regulations, are reasons why budget hotels have a tough time surviving, Malaysia Budget Hotel Association president PK Leong said.

Budget hotels in Malaysia are doing what they can to keep their head above the water as arrivals dip

He revealed that year-on-year business revenue of the budget hotel sector had dropped by some 20 per cent in 2017 from the preceding year.

At the same time, tourist arrivals into the country declined 2.5 per cent to 21.5 million from January to October 2017.

He said that in reaction to the lack of business, hotels have engaged in price wars.”We are down to the bones, and there is no indication of (the situation) improving in 2018.”

It is increasingly difficult for budget hotels to survive, noted Leong. “In 2012, we needed about 55 per cent average room occupancy to break even,” he said. “Today, we need around 65 to 70 per cent as operating costs have increased. The two biggest costs for hotel operation is salaries and electricity bills.”

To cope, some hotels have had to close 50 per cent of their rooms and retrench employees, he said, adding that some 10 budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur ceased operations last year as they were making losses.

Meanwhile, Emmy Suraya Hussein, general manager at Seri Malaysia Hotel Genting, said hotel occupancy had plunged from 80 per cent when Genting outdoor theme park ceased operations in 2013 to the current levels of between 50 to 60 per cent. “We can still cover operating costs but profits are much lower,” she said.

“Our marketing strategy now is to capitalise on the Genting Premium Outlets (a 10-minute drive from the hotel) that opened last year by creating special weekday packages.”

Russian passenger jet crashes near Moscow

By TTG Asia

February 12, 2018

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A Russian plane carrying 71 people crashed into snowy terrain shortly after take-off from Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, killing all people on board, according to news reports.

Flight 703 was operated by the domestic Saratov Airlines and was headed for Orsk, a city in the Ural mountains near the border with Kazakhstan.

The Antonov An-148 aircraft was carrying 65 passengers, including at least three children, and six crew members, the Russian news agency Interfax said.

There were no survivors, Moscow’s regional transportation prosecutor-general confirmed.

The cause of the crash remains uncertain. Russia’s Investigative Committee said all possible causes of the crash would be considered, including weather conditions as the country has experienced record snowfall in recent weeks.

Marriott expands South Asia footprint with Samhi Hotels

By TTG Asia

February 12, 2018

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Fairfield-by-Marriott-Coimbatore — Fairfield by Marriott Coimbatore, one of the properties currently operational under Samhi

Marriott International has signed a five-hotel conversion deal with Samhi Hotels to grow its upper-midscale tier Fairfield by Marriott brand in India.

The addition of these properties will add a combined total of 583 new rooms in Chennai, Pune, Goa, Delhi and Bengaluru.

Fairfield by Marriott Coimbatore, one of the properties currently operational under Samhi

“With the conversion of these five hotels to Fairfield by Marriott, Samhi Hotels will now have 14 hotels managed by Marriott International across a range of our brands in India as we look at further expanding across the country,” said Paul Foskey, Marriott International’s chief development officer in Asia-Pacific, in a statement.

Neeraj Govil, area vice president, South Asia for Marriott International added: “We (will) continue to focus on growing our portfolio of upper-midscale hotels in India as we foresee immense growth opportunity in this segment, fuelled by an increasing number of travellers opting for hotels positioned in this tier to cater to their business and leisure needs.”

The Fairfield by Marriott brand has nine hotels currently open across India since it debuted in 2013. In addition to 10 operational Fairfield Hotels in South Asia, there are an additional 13 in the pipeline, including these five conversions with Samhi, taking the total count to 23 Fairfield by Marriott hotels in the region.

Heritage museum uses technology, seniors to preserve the past

By Pamela Chow

February 12, 2018

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chinatown-heritage-centre-posters — Making the attraction more kid- and family-friendly

Singapore’s Chinatown Heritage Centre (CHC), located within three restored shophouses on Pagoda Street, has undergone a makeover that features unique elements both new and old.

These include new multimedia guides with audiovisual commentaries in various languages in all galleries, augmented reality scenes that feature realistic and interactive photography props, as well as trishaw and walking trails around Chinatown.

The attraction is enhanced to be more kid- and family-friendly

The museum has also roped in the help of senior citizens aged 70-80 for Grandpa’s Shop, a mini provision shop in a retired trishaw, where the seniors will interact with visitors and share their memories of Singapore’s olden days.

“We hope to make CHC more family- and kids-friendly, and attract visitors who would normally stay away from museums and run far away from history,” explained Yiow Beng Png, director (board of directors), CHC.

With its revamp, the centre is calling for partnerships with more travel agents to extend its reach to new markets such as Japan, said Png.

He added: “Furthermore, the team at CHC will be happy to assist travel agents with bespoke experiences for their tour groups where viable.”

Football Hierro stands with responsible tourism

By TTG Asia

February 12, 2018

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hierro-unwto — Hierro (left) champions responsible tourism with Pololikashvili

Former Real Madrid star Fernando Hierro has been named UNWTO’s Ambassador for Responsible Tourism.

“Fernando is an exceptional athlete and an example of personal integrity, and as a friend of the UNWTO, he will help us promote the positive values and real benefits that tourism can represent,” said UNWTO’s secretary general, Zurab Pololikashvili.

Hierro (left) champions responsible tourism with Pololikashvili

Accepting the award from Pololikashvili, Hierro said: “As tourists, each of us can change the world if we act responsibly with regard to the places, the people and the cultures we visit. I feel part of this team and I support the World Tourism Organization in its efforts to ensure that tourism benefits everyone.”

Hierro’s legacy is closely associated with Real Madrid, a team with which he played more than 600 matches. Over his career, he won five Spanish La Liga titles, five Spanish Super Cups, the Copa del Rey, three UEFA Champions League titles and two Intercontinental Cups, among others.

He joins Spanish football coaching legend Vicente del Bosque, who was named Ambassador for Responsible Tourism last January 17 during the annual UNWTO Awards for Tourism Innovation.

The St Regis Singapore introduces new GM

By TTG Asia

February 12, 2018

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Xavi Gonzalez has been appointed as general manager at The St Regis Singapore.

The Spaniard has nearly 20 years of international experience in the hospitality industry, cutting his teeth in management roles within Marriott properties such as The Ritz-Carlton Penha Longa Golf & Spa Resort, Portugal; The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai Pudong as well as The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place.

He also played an instrumental role in several rebranding and launch projects including the opening of The New York EDITION, and most recently led the opening of The Sanya EDITION.

MITA’s Tour Buddy initiative comes under scrutiny

By S Puvaneswary

February 9, 2018

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borneo-mari-mari-cultural-village — MATTA's KL Tan says law requires guides to be licensed; tour guide at Mari Mari Cultural Village pictured

Barely two months since the launch of Tour Buddy, the digital sharing economy initiative introduced by the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association (MITA) in collaboration with government agency Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation has come under fire from the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), which has decried the programme’s legality and urged its members nationwide not to engage the service.

However, MITA claims Tour Buddy services fall well within the law and that MATTA has misunderstood the initiative and assumed it was competing with licensed tourist guides.

MATTA’s KL Tan says law requires guides to be licensed; tour guide at Mari Mari Cultural Village pictured

In a press statement, MATTA president, KL Tan, opined that the new service was in violation of Clause 19 of the Tourism Industry Act 1992, which states: “(1) No licensed tourism enterprise shall employ, or obtain for a tourist or any other person the services of, a tourist guide who is not licensed under this Act or whose licence has been suspended or revoked.”

“Tour buddies are illegal tourist guides and would be in hot soup if caught by officers from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture when enforcing Section 21.1 of the Tourism Industry Act, which states that ‘No person shall act, or hold himself out, as a tourist guide unless he is licensed under this part’,” he added.

If tour buddies were to organise tour packages and offer them online, he said, this would be in violation of the regulations set under the Tour Operating Business and Travel Agency Business that permit only licensed tour and travel agents to do so. Tourist guides are licensed only to execute tours assigned by tour operators, he argued.

On the other hand, MITA secretary-general, Adam Kamal, said the programme simply involved training participants on how to use the Tour Buddy mobile app to seek information on local places of interest including its history, best food and shopping places in the area.

Tour Buddy provides training to qualify hosts; screenshot from tourbuddy.my

He stressed: “Tour buddies are not tourist guides. They don’t do guiding. They are not meant to replace the role of tourist guides.”

Rather, the initiative can complement existing tour services, being a community-based tourism programme that encourages local communities –especially rural ones – to support the tourism ecosystem, according to Adam.

For example, individuals can promote their fruit farms or their village’s best-kept secret attractions, which can in turn benefit the tourism industry.

“Some of the tour buddies love to show their skills to tourists such as cooking, boat skills, video-taking, cycling and dance. MITA believes the Tour Buddy training will enhance the tourist experience and give more reasons for them to stay longer in Malaysia.”

He assured that MITA will not allow tour buddies to provide services if they were in violation of the law.

Chinese New Year travel bookings up 11 per cent: ForwardKeys

By TTG Asia

February 9, 2018

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chiang-mai-chinese-new-year — Japan, Thailand and Taiwan the top destinations for Chinese during the holidays

Asia-Pacific looks set to be the biggest beneficiary from the greater numbers of Chinese travelling abroad during the Lunar New Year, according to ForwardKeys.

Daily international departures are ahead 11 per cent on a comparable period last year, and ForwardKeys expects South-east Asia will experience additional uplift with the Chinese avoiding South Korea.

Japan, Thailand and Taiwan the top destinations for Chinese during the holidays

ForwardKeys further shows that Chinese travellers are making an early start from the beginning of their winter break at the end of January with figures already significantly ahead. Current bookings show that travellers will begin to peak from February 10 to February 14, ahead of the Chinese New Year (February 16) and the following Golden Week holiday.

Globally, Asia-Pacific is the top destination region. It has a market share of 76 per cent, ahead 13 per cent. But other parts of the world – the Americas, Europe and Africa & the Middle East, are showing steady, healthy growth, as the Chinese become increasingly attracted to international travel.

Japan, Thailand and Taiwan hold their positions as the top three destination countries. New Zealand tops the list of the fastest-growing destinations, ahead 30 per cent on last year; followed by Vietnam, ahead 22.5 per cent; and Hong Kong, ahead 18.3 per cent.

The pattern for Chinese travellers heading home after the celebrations tracks last year’s movement – peaking on February 21 at the end of Golden Week.

Two airports in Japan see the greatest increase in returning numbers – Sapporo, ahead 40 per cent, and Osaka, up 39 per cent. They are followed by Phuket and Dubai, ahead 34 per cent.

Chicago tops the list of those airports benefiting from Chinese homeward bound transfers.

Sri Lanka eager to double Indian arrivals

By Rohit Kaul

February 9, 2018

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Aiming to double Indian arrivals in the next couple of years, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is looking to up the ante in India through a mix of digital marketing and B2B shows to capture market share from competing destinations in South-east Asia.

As part of its digital focus, the tourism bureau has invited bids for a US$700,000 digital advertising campaign for the Indian market which it expects to introduce in May this year.

The Kelaniya Temple in Colombo, part of the Ramayana Trail.

“The digital advertising campaign in India will run for six months. In the past we have focused on electronic platforms to create a buzz but going ahead our impetus will be on digital marketing,” said Sutheash Balasubramaniam, managing director of SLTPB.

SLTPB is looking to push niche segments including golf, adventure and Ramayana trails – 50 sites mentioned in the Hindu epic.

“Nearly 25 of these sites are accessible. We have recently shot a high definition TV documentary to highlight stories related to these sites. We are working with scholars in India and Sri Lanka to develop literature that can present the right stories related to Ramayana. We will be educating Indian travel agents about the Ramayana trails through fam trips and roadshows,” said Balasubramaniam.

He added that the NTO expects to push the average length of stay of Indians, which is presently five to seven days, to 10 days by promoting lesser explored products like Ramayana trails.

The tourism board is also working to take on competition from South-east Asian destinations, including through the five or six roadshows it has planned for metro and non-metro cities.

“The number of Indian outbound travellers to Sri Lanka has increased over 17 per cent in the last six to seven years. Indian tourists have for a long time been visiting South-east Asian destinations while Sri Lanka is comparatively newer,” said Balasubramaniam.

Sri Lanka recorded about 385,000 Indian tourist arrivals in 2017, up 7.3 per cent over the previous year.

To better compete, the bureau is enhancing cooperation with private players to come up with packages, shared Viranga Bandara, SLTPB’s assistant director of marketing, India/SAARC region, adding that it brought 52 companies to the recently concluded SATTE 2018, up from 42 last year.

“We expect a lot of Indians considering the proximity and unique products like Ramayana Trail that are not present in any other regional competitors. We as a company handled about 2,000 pax from India last year, double the numbers over the previous year,” said Anton Perera, managing director, Relax Lanka Tours.

Myanmar jubilant as Asian arrivals swell

Short-term rentals threaten survival of budget hotels in Malaysia

Russian passenger jet crashes near Moscow

Marriott expands South Asia footprint with Samhi Hotels

Heritage museum uses technology, seniors to preserve the past

Football Hierro stands with responsible tourism

The St Regis Singapore introduces new GM

MITA’s Tour Buddy initiative comes under scrutiny

Chinese New Year travel bookings up 11 per cent: ForwardKeys

Sri Lanka eager to double Indian arrivals

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