Jeff Wagoner will soon join Outrigger Hotels and Resorts as president and CEO, effective April 26, 2018. Meanwhile, KSL Resorts co-founder and CEO Scott Dalecio, who has been serving as Outrigger’s interim CEO since early 2017, will become executive chairman of the Hawaii-based global hospitality brand.
Wagoner boasts wide-ranging hospitality leadership experience in both domestic and international markets. His previous appointments include executive vice president of hotel operations for Trump Hotels as well as several senior level positions within the Wyndham Hotel Group, including president Wyndham Hotel Group Management, executive vice president global brand services and president Wyndham Hotels and Resorts.
Jeff Wagoner
The appointment of Wagoner comes at a time of expansion and growth of Outrigger, the company said in a press release.
Outrigger’s portfolio currently includes nine premium beachfront resorts in Hawaii, Fiji, Thailand, Guam, Mauritius and the Maldives – alongside 27 owned and/or managed hotels, resorts and vacation condominiums.
Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation will be closing Maya Bay in Krabi’s Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park for four months from June 1 until September 30, Bangkok Post reported.
This has been done in a bid to give the crowded island a rest, as the bay’s fragile marine ecological system has been severely damaged by mass tourism. Currently, it welcomes more than 4,000 tourists per day, which is above its carrying capacity.
Maya Beach will be closed for a stint due to environmental concerns and tourism overload
Further measures will be taken to ensure the ecosystem improves. For instance, the department will ban all boats parking in front of the beach as that is the main cause of damage to the island’s coral reef. A new boat parking site at Losama Bay, which is located close to Maya Bay, will be constructed and tourists can follow a trail to Maya Bay.
A plan to rehabilitate the coral reef is also under way, as well as the implementation of a charge for tourists who visit the island.
The department will also be working with four universities to study tourist capacity at the marine park. Discussions also include possible closure of other islands – Koh Tapoo and Kao Ping Kan in Phang Nga National Park, Koh Rok in Mu Koh Lanta National Park in Krabi province, including parts of Similan National Park in Phang Nga province – to recover their marine ecological systems.
Royal Caribbean International has taken delivery of what’s said to be the largest cruise ship in the world, the product of 36 months of work undertaken by 4,700 shipbuilders and crew members.
Delivered from STX France shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, the 25th ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, Symphony of the Seas, is 228,081 gross registered tons, measures 72.5m tall and spans 362.1m long. She will welcome 5,518 guests at double occupancy in 2,759 staterooms, including 28 additional balcony rooms.
Symphony of the Seas begins its first voyage
“Symphony will take family vacationing to a new level… This ship is the perfect blend of our greatest hits we know guests love and a lineup of new restaurants, activities and unparalleled entertainment,” said Royal Caribbean Cruises chairman and CEO Richard Fain.
New F&B options include a seafood restaurant, the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, a signature candy and ice-cream shop on the boardwalk and a Mexican street food eatery. The ship will also feature Royal Caribbean’s first glow-in-the-dark laser tag as well as a Rubicon-themed escape room.
Another highlight is the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-level, 125m2 suite featuring an in-room slide, a private cinema with an 85-inch HD TV, a floor-to-ceiling LEGO wall, a 19.7m2 balcony complete with a ping pong table and a full-size whirlpool.
Symphony of the Seas welcomed her first guests on Saturday, March 31 for a five-night preview sailing, calling on Naples and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
The ship’s maiden seven-night Mediterranean voyage then departs on April 7 from Barcelona, Spain. It will homeport in Barcelona for the summer, visiting Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Provence, France; and Florence/Pisa, Rome and Naples, Italy. Beginning Nov 10, Miami, Florida will become the ship’s year-round homeport. The seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises will call on Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s new destination in the Bahamas.
Abdulla Ghiyas, president of the Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO), has been named the 2018 PATA Face of the Future.
MATATO is engaged in various activities such as advocacy and lobbying, training and workshops, fam trips, loan schemes via different financial institutions, recognition programmes, travel conferences and forums, publications and more. The association last year organised destination stands and road shows, exhibiting brand Maldives in 14 countries around the world.
Abdulla is also deputy managing director of Inner Maldives Holidays, as well as director for Ace Travels Maldives and Spence Maldives, which are joint ventures with Sri Lankan blue chip conglomerate Aitken Spence.
Testament to his abilities, he was the youngest board director of the Maldives Monetary Authority from 2014 to 2017. In 2010, Chamber International Maldives named him one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons in Maldives for his role in the business turnaround in Inner Maldives Holiday.
Abdulla also contributes to the Consulate of the Republic of Seychelles to the Maldives as the deputy.
As the 2018 PATA Face of the Future, Abdulla will also be invited to join the 2018/2019 PATA executive board as a non-voting member and observer.
Last year, the PATA Face of the Future accolade was awarded to Faeez Fadhlillah, CEO and co-founder of travel booking engine Tripfez.
Weeding out “fake travel agencies” is looking to be a crucial but uphill task in the Philippines, some agencies tell TTG Asia.
One reason for the prevalence of such businesses, they say, is the ease of opening a travel agency in the country. All that’s required is a business permit from the local government, without need for accreditation from the Department of Tourism (DoT) or membership with organisations like the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA).
Online businesses, including those that sell via social media, meanwhile, can remain unchecked until the act of fraud has been committed.
As a preventive measure, PTAA is educating the public to use trusted agencies through newspaper ads and forums. “The DoT has no police power so it cannot monitor every agency. It is important for (consumers) to check if the agency is accredited with the DoT,” the association’s president, Marlene Jante, cautioned.
Among the reported cases of fraud last year was one where a group of travellers paid an alleged travel agency for air tickets to Japan, which the agency didn’t book. Another group bought tour packages to Boracay via Facebook which also turned out to be a dud. Still another traveller booked two rooms in an El Nido resort through an online agency but got just one room, a lower-tier one, upon arrival.
Paul So, managing director of Great Sights Travel and Tours, noted the proliferation of vans or coasters that accept “joiners” for overland tours at low prices, sometimes US$50 for several days in Sagada, transport and accommodation included.
They rob legitimate agencies of clientele, endanger tourists and are less able to provide professional services including knowledgeable tour guides, So opined.
Moreover, these joiner tours contribute to overcrowding at destinations such as Sagada, Banaue and Baguio. “They have gone the way of mass tourism”, he lamented, adding that these tourists are not properly briefed and do not respect the culture and tradition of these destinations.
So hopes to dialogue with local government units in the Cordillera to make them aware that these joiner tours do not bring value to the destination.
And with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) disallowing agencies from offering passport processing services on the basis of fraudulent practices, accredited agents say “fake agencies” are to blame.
“We have been urging the public to transact only with legitimate and accredited travel agencies. The DFA has yet to prove that any of our members are engaged in any malicious activities,” Jante said.
Hong Kong is still popular as a shopping destination for Chinese visitors
With mainland Chinese outbound travel hitting 130 million last year, Hong Kong still tops the list of outbound destinations even as Chinese become more adventurous and eager to seek out exotic locales.
Hong Kong is still popular as a shopping destination for Chinese visitors
It is unlikely Hong Kong will lose its appeal to Chinese travellers in the short term, as arrivals numbers from China to the territory show no signs of decline. Take last year as an example – the city hosted no fewer than about 44.5 million Chinese visitors, up 3.9 per cent from 2016.
Despite already being a top source market, China’s immense population means it still has room to grow, given that only a small percentage of Chinese have been given approval to visit the territory, Hong Kong Tour Guides General Union chairman Wong Ka-ngai told TTG Asia.
“Groups from the wealthy cities of South China still make repeat visits here for shopping,” Wong noted. “The appreciation of the renminbi is an impetus as well, making it more affordable to shop here.”
He added: “From my experience, Chinese travellers nowadays opt for longhaul destinations like Europe just to be able to say ‘been there, done that’. They don’t wish to make such a long trip again and Hong Kong still remains top of their list.”
However, CTS (HK) MICE Service director Ng Hei On believes that Hong Kong clearly has to sharpen its attractions proposition to entice the Chinese market, as Chinese travellers become increasingly sophisticated and no longer crave for luxury brands or shopping.
Said Ng: “What concerns me is whether we can draw more (Chinese) high spenders and make them stay longer. It’s tough to attract them because hotel rates are especially jacked up during exhibition seasons. Therefore, they may switch to affordable destinations in South-east Asia.”
Vigor Tours’ Greater China manager, Coral Wu, also expressed concern over Hong Kong’s image as a pricey destination. She added: “Currency is also an issue as the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar, so when the greenback is strong it drives them to South-east Asia as pricing affects (their desire to visit Hong Kong).”
Furthermore, South-east Asian destinations like Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines have been stepping up efforts to win more Chinese traffic, leveraging their strengths in offering value-for-money packages in tropical settings, according to Holiday World Tours, managing director, Paul Leung.
“Chinese travellers from Central China are particularly fond of sunshine and beach experiences i.e. Cebu and Boracay. We can’t compete with these nature resources and our advantage are theme parks and shopping,” said Leung. “Perhaps Hong Kong should start exploring new products in order to woo Chinese visitors.”
Wong agreed: “From the leisure travel perspective, I would like to see more modern and contemporary attractions. As heritage is a strength of China that we can’t compete with, interesting and creative events like e-sports games may be a way to lure more mainland visitors.”
As well, the Hong Kong trade should bank on opportunities arising from new developments in the Pearl River Delta region, suggested Sincere International Travel Service managing director Charles Ng.
“New infrastructure developments like High Speed Rail and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will open up new opportunities. More tourist traffic from the west of Guangdong Province is expected with improved accessibility, so I remain positive on China inbound business.”
TUI sees 'interesting' potential in being the handling agent for cruise companies
Hotelbeds Group is selling its destination management division – including the Destination Services, Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services and Pacific World brands – to TUI for 110 million euros (US$136 million).
TUI had earlier sold Hotelbeds for 1.2 billion euros in 2016 to private equity group Cinven and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.
TUI sees ‘interesting’ potential in being the handling agent for cruise companies
The deal will allow TUI to expand the destination services market, which is estimated at around 140 billion euros and currently growing at around seven per cent year on year, the company said in a press release.
Fritz Joussen, TUI group CEO, commented: “The global market for these services is growing and offers considerable potential for TUI.”
TUI also sees “interesting” potential as the handling agent for cruise companies in port, enabling it to become a supplier rather than a customer. “The acquisition will thus bring commercial synergies to the group’s cruise line business”, said Joussen.
For Hotelbeds Group, which doubled the size of its business through the acquisitions of Tourico Holidays and GTA last year, the latest deal will result in a “simplified structure” that will enable it to “focus fully on (its) bedbank core”, said executive chairman, Joan Vilà.
And while Vilà said the Destination Management division has been “highly successful over the last 18 months”, the company came to the decision that selling to TUI – which initiated the deal – would be in the best interest of all stakeholders including employees and business partners.
“TUI is well placed to continue the division’s growth trajectory, given its own core tour operator strategy as well as the longstanding and significant relationship between our two groups, with TUI being an important customer and partner,” he added.
Encouraging visitors to hop from island to island and from resort to resort
The Maldives has found great success in its ‘one island one resort’ tourism concept, but industry watchers are saying the destination needs to explore new positions in order to stay attractive for international travellers.
Despite hopes that higher arrivals will come with the new airport runway and terminal in the Maldives, local resort operators remain concerned about continuing to attract tourists and repeat visitors.
Speaking at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) 2018, Mark Hehir, CEO & curator, The Small Maldives Island, said that the “next challenge” for Maldives tourism is to “get more direct flights in” to meet the country’s projected international arrival target of five to seven million.
Encouraging visitors to hop from island to island and from resort to resort
Another speaker, David Keen, CEO, QUO, agreed: “There is a sexiness and desire for the Maldives, whose brand is incredibly strong… It has the depth and breadth to grow through verticals.”
Resorts have already begun testing the waters. Amilla Fushi, run by The Small Maldives Island, last year hosted a pop-up concept with Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen.
This was the start of upcoming efforts to lift the profile of the UNESCO Biosphere of Baa Atoll as a “destination within a destination”, shared Hehir.
He further proposed that the island resorts could consider launching inter-resort transfers, where guests can dine across different destination dining options and “not be stuck on one island”, which is often what stunts repeat visitorship.
A similar concept is already taking shape with Thai developer Singha Estate’s ongoing Emboodhoo Lagoon project, an integrated leisure and entertainment resort destination that spans nine resort islands in an area called Crossroads.
The latest brand signed for the development is Curio Collection by Hilton, which will be managed by Singha Estate subsidiary S Hotels & Resorts as part of a franchise agreement.
Opening in end-2018, the new Curio Collection by Hilton resort will have 198 guest rooms, beach villas and overwater villas as well as facilities such as a fitness centre and swimming pool. In addition to duty-free shops and multiple restaurants, guests of the resort will also enjoy access to Crossroads’ beach club, watersports, dive centre, cultural centre and kids club.
Meanwhile, Hehir asserted that if the inter-resort vision is going to be successful, resorts must cultivate “strong relationships” with DMCs and tour operators.
Air Olsplof, a newly launched LCC, is extending free air tickets on all routes, but here’s the catch – passengers are charged for lavatory use, on top of the usual ancillaries such as baggage, seat selection and meals.
The airline is launching with four routes, two within Asia and the other two intercontinental. Passengers will be charged US$3 for lavatory use in the first 100 miles from takeoff, and the amount increases by US$1 for every subsequent 50 miles.
Lavatory use joins the list of chargeable ancillaries?
Toiletries are to be purchased directly from the cabin crew. You may want to keep this in mind since passengers are charged every time they enter the toilet – and that includes stepping in to see a room bereft of supplies, immediately stepping out again for the amenities, before re-entering.
If you’re still with us by this point, hoping to find out about this airline, where they fly, and which nutter came up with this ludicrous idea, we’re happy to reveal that Air Olsplof is an anagram, or ‘April Fools’ rearranged.
Thankfully for our bladders (and sanity), the airline does not (yet) exist. Airlines out there, please don’t get any ideas.
We hope this early April Fool’s prank gave you a good laugh!
International arrivals to Kashmir currently 'minimal'
Travel stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir are keen to reverse the sagging tourism fortunes of the state, which has been hit by the rise in insurgency for the last two years and corresponding negative media coverage.
As part of its endeavour to spread the message that the valley remains safe for tourism, the state tourism department is presently hosting the 64th annual convention of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), a major trade event being held in the state after a gap of 31 years.
International arrivals to Kashmir currently ‘minimal’
“We expect that post hosting of this convention, which has witnessed participation from agents (across) India, tourist arrivals will increase in the state multifold and dispel the myth that the destination is unsafe for tourists,” said Sunil Kumar, president of TAAI. “It is also a great opportunity for leading travel agents to get familiar with tourism products of the state.”
According to the government’s economic survey report, 7.3 million tourists visited the state in 2017, down from 8.4 million in 2016 and 9.2 million in 2015.
“The international tourist arrivals in Kashmir at present are minimal though there is an increase in demand from markets like Middle East, South-east Asia and Bangladesh,” said Zahoor Qari, chairman, Jammu & Kashmir chapter, TAAI. “However, the travel advisories issued by the US and Europe is the main challenge to attract tourist arrivals from these key source inbound markets.”
TAAI leadership and representatives from tourism ministry, Jammu and Kashmir addressing mediapersons
Film tourism has been identified as a key area that could bolster the travel sector in the Kashmir Valley, with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti having visited several Indian states last year along with industry stakeholders to hold meetings with tour operators, agents and movie stars.
“We plan to work closely with film production houses to attract more movie shootings in the state. We are looking at ways to incentivise production houses to promote the valley for film shots. It is part of our strategy to showcase tourist destinations here,” said Tasaduq Mufti, tourism minister, Jammu & Kashmir.
The state tourism department is also holding talks with Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India to organise a roadshow later this year to showcase Kashmir as a golf destination for Taiwanese.
Said Rajan Sehgal, president, India Golf Tourism Association: “Kashmir boasts of world-class golf courses. If international golfing events are organised in the state, it will result in attracting many international golfers.”
According to Mehmood Shah, tourism director of Jammu & Kashmir, the state tourism department continues to participate in domestic as well as international tourism marts and roadshows, in addition to organising events and festivals like Kargil Marathon, Tosa Maidan Festival and Gurez Festival to attract tourists.
