East Asia Institute of Management acquires NATAS’ training arm

October 19, 2017

natas-easb — EASB will take over training at the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore

The East Asia Institute of Management (EASB) is acquiring a majority share of the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS), the training arm of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS).

NATAS said this is the association’s first step in transforming the travel trade, with EASB taking over training of new entrants and existing agents with a three-step approach.

New ties (from left): TMIS’ JK Lim, NATAS’ Steven Ler with EASB’s Andrew Chua and Patrick Tan

Termed New Blend, it comprises bite-sized learning, video streaming and gamification – with a focus on integrating mobile technology into learning processes, said Andrew Chua, principal and executive chairman of EASB.

This will acclimatise trainees to working with mobile solutions, especially with the technological disruptions in the travel industry today, said Chua.

Steven Ler, acting president of NATAS, added that the partnership is the association’s first step in pushing for technology confidence in Singapore’s travel trade sector.

He said: “We are focusing on two main pillars: technology and manpower. These will be the key supports in transforming the travel trade. (With EASB) NATAS now has a focused arm to build curriculums that support new initiatives, in terms of technology and getting the right skill sets.”

In the next three to six months, NATAS will be launching an online human resource portal for greater visibility of demand and supply in the trade, said Ler.

He added that NATAS is also working closely with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to transform tourism businesses, with several initiatives in the pipeline.

These developments may help veterans overcome their “resentment” of technology as a threat to their jobs, said Robin Yap, president, Asia, The Travel Corporation, who sees technology as a complementary tool to agency services.

“While we are embracing technology, this is a people industry, which requires people to deliver services,” said Yap. “This will be facilitated by technology, but the human element (is still needed) to deliver the finer touches.”

With increased efforts between NATAS and STB, Yap hopes to see more local travel players follow in the footsteps of agencies like BeMyGuest and emerge into the global sphere.

Bellew to leave Malaysia Airlines to return to Ryanair

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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Peter-Bellew,-Chief-operations-officer-of-Malaysia-Airlines — Bellew re-joining Ryanair is "unexpected" news for Malaysia Airlines

Peter Bellew is leaving Malaysia Airlines after just over a year in charge as its CEO to return to Ryanair as COO and tackle a pilot shortage that has led to over 20,000 flight cancellations.

Bellew had been Ryanair’s director of flight operations until 2014 before joining Malaysia Airlines as COO in September 2015 and taking over Christopher Mueller as chief executive in July last year, according to a Reuters article.

Bellew re-joining Ryanair is “unexpected” news for Malaysia Airlines

With Ryanair under fire for the cancellation of 20,000 flights, a statement from the airline said that Bellew would specifically be responsible for managing pilots and “(ensuring) that the pilot rostering failure which Ryanair suffered in early September will never be repeated”.

Bellew will leave Malaysia Airlines in the midst a three-year turnaround programme at the airline, set back in recent years by high-profile incidents such as the mysterious disappearance of flight MH370 and MH17 being shot down over eastern Ukraine.

Malaysia Airlines said the announcement was “unexpected”, with Bellew as recently as September 27 expressing commitment to the airline in response to speculation of him re-joining Ryanair. Bellew was quoted by Malaysia Airlines as saying that the airline’s turnaround would be “the greatest achievement of my life”.

The turnaround of Malaysia Airlines remains on track and on schedule, as per the MAS Recovery Plan, Malaysia Airlines assured.

US holidays push Panorama Philippines to half a million in sales in Manila

By S Puvaneswary

October 19, 2017

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santa-monica — Vuilleumier: Agents entrusted especially when it comes to longer haul holidays

New outbound agency Panorama Holidays Philippines, which aims to specialise in leisure and business events to the US and Europe, claims it has made US$500,000 in sales at the recent three-day consumer travel fair, World Travel Expo in Manila.

Its group managing director, Richard Vuilleumier, said its bestsellers wreathe 10D7N USA East Coast packages and 7D4N USA West Coast packages. For both packages, the company offered two free packages for every two packages purchased.

Vuilleumier: Agents entrusted especially when it comes to longer haul holidays

Vuilleumier said: “It was a successful sales strategy because we knew most holiday makers from the Philippines travel with families. Rooms in the US are large and fit four people as they have two queen-sized beds.

“Being an international company with offices in Malaysia and Vietnam, we believe we can, in time, become a market leader in the Philippines for the longhaul segment specialising in US and Europe due to the fact there are few big competitors. We are able to make bulk purchases from suppliers and get passengers internationally to join our group departures to Europe and US. This gives us an upper hand.”

In Malaysia, Panorama Holidays Malaysia changed its focus last year to concentrate only on the US and European markets. Previously its outbound focus was mainly on shorthaul and mediumhaul destinations.

Vuilleumier’s rationale: “Consumers tend to make their own bookings online for the short and mediumhaul segments. Longhaul tends to be multiple destinations and this is where travel agents still have an advantage. Travellers are not as confident planning their itineraries and making their own bookings. They still rely on an agent.”

Singapore travel companies boost Malaysia-bound coach fleets

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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Singapore’s Transtar Travel & Tours and WTS Travel & Tours have each expanded their fleet by adding 10 units of the Scania K-series coach – the manufacturer’s largest delivery of the kind – which will be deployed on new routes between Singapore and Malaysia.

Transtar Travel & Tours, a leading express coach company established in Singapore in 1994, operates between Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malacca, Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands. The latest acquisition will allow the company to introduce two new routes between Gelang Patah Sentral Bus Terminal in Johor Bahru and Singapore.

Transtar Travel & Tours’ Elson Yap (middle) takes a closer look at one of the new coach units together with Scania’s Mark Cameron (far left), and Transtar Travel Group’s Tajarul Yusmi bin Mohd Yusup

The first of these routes, starting in December, will cover Singapore’s Central Business District, while the second commencing in April 2018 will cover the Jurong and Tuas industrial areas, Clementi and Buona Vista. Adding these to its two existing routes between Singapore and Johor Bahru, the company will provide passengers with more than 70 pick-up and alighting points on the island.

WTS Travel & Tours, established as a travel subsidiary of Woodlands Transport in 1989, currently operates coach services between Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malacca, Muar, Tangkak, Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands. It plans to announce its new routes and travel packages at a later date.

Micker Sia, managing director of WTS Travel & Tours, said: “We expect to see between 10 and 15 per cent increase in passenger traffic when we put the new coaches on the road.”

Narita adds electronic screening capabilities

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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tokyo-narita-airport — Japan airports anticipating inbound increase

Following a national directive from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau to upgrade checkpoint security to comply with international standards, Tokyo’s Narita International Airport has deployed 13 new passenger screening capabilities by Smiths Detection.

Using unique, flat-panel millimetre-wave technology, Smiths Detection stated that the eqo portals allows checkpoints to evolve from mechanical screening to electronically steered technology, offering better image quality and system reliability.

Japan airports anticipating inbound increase

The portals offers a “rapid means” of detecting concealed objects – of materials including metals, liquids and narcotics – using the system’s real-time automated detection interface.

“More than 20 million visitors entered Japan last year and this number is expected to increase due to the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic games in 2020,” commented Nathan Manzi, vice president of Asia Pacific at Smiths Detection.

“For this reason, Japan’s International airports are seeking to increase and strengthen the effectiveness of the security process while ensuring that passengers move quickly and seamlessly through them. Narita selected our eqo solution as it offers a small footprint and the highest passenger throughput comparable to alternative products in the market.”

Marriott brings select service AC Hotels to Asia with Tokyo signing

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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ac-tokyo — First AC Hotels in Japan set to open in 2020

Marriott International has signed the AC by Marriott Tokyo Ginza hotel, which will open in the Ginza entertainment district in summer 2020 and mark the entry of the AC Hotels brand into Japan.

The 15-storey new-build owned by Tobu Railway, and operated by Tobu Hotel Management, will feature 296 guestrooms, a meeting room, exercise room, AC Library, executive lounge on the top floor, international all-day dining restaurant AC Kitchen, and AC Lounge and Bar for breakfast, tapas-inspired small bites and hand-crafted drinks.

First AC Hotels in Japan set to open in 2020

Tobu Hotel Management already has a relationship with Marriott International with the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel Ginza and the recently signed The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko.

Shigeta Atsushi, president, Tobu Hotel Management, commented that the AC Hotels brand will be introduced at a time when Tokyo’s inbound and domestic travel market is steadily increasing and in need of select service hotels.

Aviation: AirAsia Japan, Hong Kong Airlines, and more route updates

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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AirAsia returns to Japan
AirAsia Japan is back in business with its maiden service from Nagoya to Sapporo. The twice-daily service will commence on October 29 from Nagoya, AirAsia Japan’s main hub.

DJ0001 and DJ0009 will depart Chubu Centrair International Airport at 07.35 and 17.10, and arrive in New Chitose Airport 09.25 and 19.00 respectively.

The return flight will depart Sapporo at 10.00 and 19.35, and arrive back in Nagoya at 12.05 and 21.40 respectively.

AirAsia Japan is a joint venture between AirAsia Berhad, Rakuten, Octave Japan Infrastructure Fund I GK, Noevir Holdings and Alpen. The airline operates two A320-200 aircraft from its hub at Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport.

Hong Kong Airlines expands presence in North America
Hong Kong Airlines will fly from Hong Kong to San Francisco from March 25, 2018.

The service will be operated with an Airbus A350 featuring 334 seats, with 33 in Business Class, 108 in Economy Comfort and 193 in Economy Class.

Taking approximately 13 hours, HX060 will depart Hong Kong at 12.20 and arrive in San Francisco at 10.15 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return flights will depart San Francisco at 12.00 on the same days, and arrive back in Hong Kong at 17.25 the following day.

New non-stop route between Qingdao and London
Starting from November 17, Beijing Capital Airlines will launch a twice-weekly service between London and Qingdao.

Utilising an Airbus A330, JD432 will depart London on Mondays and Fridays at 22.00 and arrive in Qingdao at 17.30 the following day. The return flight will depart on the same days, from Qingdao at 15.05 and arrive in London at 19.50.

Special opening rates at first Singapore Courtyard

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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Courtyard_by_Marriott_Singapore_Novena_Facade_(Day)_ — Singapore's first Courtyard set for November opening

Opening on November 1, the first Courtyard branded hotel in Singapore is offering a special introductory rate of S$239⁺⁺ (US$176.20) onwards for a one-night stay at its Deluxe room, including buffet breakfast for one at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Sky22.

Singapore’s first Courtyard set for November opening

The 250-room Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena will also feature facilities including a rooftop infinity pool on level 33 and the Urbana rooftop bar. The hotel forms part of the Royal Square at Novena mixed-use development, which also offers retail and dining options.

Bookings can be made on the hotel’s website for stays from November 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. To access the special rates, enter promotional code “NEW”.

Tina Sim is GM of Orchard Hotel Singapore

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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Millennium Hotels and Resorts has appointed Tina Sim as general manager of Orchard Hotel Singapore, the property’s first female general manager.

The Singaporean will lead and drive strategic growth and operational excellence of the 656-room property.

She brings with her almost three decades of operations and hotel management experience amassed from previous key leadership roles with global luxury hospitality brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, Conrad Centennial Singapore, The Fullerton Hotel, the Shangri-La Group and, most recently, Parkroyal on Pickering.

Eva Moral heads first Hilton Garden Inn in Singapore

By TTG Asia

October 19, 2017

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Hilton Garden Inn has appointed Eva Moral as general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Singapore Serangoon. Moral replaces Carey Osborne, the pre-opening general manager for the hotel.

With more than 19 years of hospitality experience, Moral was most recently director of operations of Hilton Pattaya in Thailand.

Since joining the Hilton team in 2007, Moral has worked across the globe, in locations that include Dubai, Spain, Portugal and Thailand, at various Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn properties.

East Asia Institute of Management acquires NATAS’ training arm

Bellew to leave Malaysia Airlines to return to Ryanair

US holidays push Panorama Philippines to half a million in sales in Manila

Singapore travel companies boost Malaysia-bound coach fleets

Narita adds electronic screening capabilities

Marriott brings select service AC Hotels to Asia with Tokyo signing

Aviation: AirAsia Japan, Hong Kong Airlines, and more route updates

Special opening rates at first Singapore Courtyard

Tina Sim is GM of Orchard Hotel Singapore

Eva Moral heads first Hilton Garden Inn in Singapore

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