TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Sunday, 14th December 2025
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Salter Brothers Hospitality names Chris Curran as COO
TTG Asia | Building a new world
TTG Asia | Le Méridien Putrajaya welcomes new GM
Page 1543

Philippines to reopen Toronto tourism office, targets Canadian snowbirds

By TTG Asia
0

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) will reopen its Toronto office by 2018, with Philippine ambassador to Canada Petronila Garcia and DoT secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo in agreement that this is an opportune time to nurture the growing interest in the country among Canadians.

Next to the US and Saudi Arabia, Canada hosts the largest Filipino community overseas. The 700,000 Filipinos immigrants, nearly half of whom reside in Toronto, make up the country’s third largest immigrant group.

“Canada is a country of immigrants and it recognises the Filipino’s role in the community. There is a growing curiosity where the Filipinos came from. Also noting that the Philippines as the fastest growing economy in South-east Asia, more Canadian businessmen are also interested the Philippines,” said Garcia.

In particular, Canadian snowbirds represent a significant target market for the Philippines. During a recent visit to Canada, Teo met with the Canada’s Snowbird Association (CSA), a 100,000-member strong group that facilitates travel during Canada’s winter season.

Teo said having CSA members spending up to six months in the Philippines can significantly boost revenues of tourism stakeholders in the country.

Speaking at the Philippine Tapestry Gala night in Toronto held as part of the recent Mabuhay Philippines Festival, Teo urged Filipinos in Canada to promote travel to the Philippines while assuring Canadians that the country also makes a good investment and retirement destination.

With a growth rate of 18.4 per cent, Canada accounted for 108,243 arrivals, placing it the seventh top source market for the Philippines in 1H2017. It was also one of the Philippines’ highest spending origin markets.

Dusit sets up global sales office in Mumbai

By TTG Asia
0
Bhagat heads the new office

Thailand-based Dusit International has launched a new global sales office (GSO) in Mumbai to manage sales across all market segments including leisure, MICE and corporate business.

Heading the office is Keshwar Bhagat, director of sales – GSO India, who will be responsible for selling all Dusit Hotels & Resorts, establishing marketing partnerships with leading local companies, and preparing inroads for Dusit-branded hotels to open in India in three-to-five years.

Bhagat heads the new office

The Indian office will focus on Tier 1 cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, but will also cover smaller cities which are emerging as important source markets for outbound travel.

The opening of a GSO in India was a strategic move to tap India as one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound travel markets, as the Thai hotel group plans to grow its worldwide portfolio to 80 properties within the next four years, said Lim Boon Kwee, COO, Dusit International.

Khiri Travel Vietnam’s third branch opens in Hoi An

By TTG Asia
0

Khiri Travel Vietnam has launched a new office in Hoi An on September 1, making it the company’s third in the country after its Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi branches.

The new office will be helmed by Hoi An branch office coordinator, Thanh Le, who will report to Khiri Travel Vietnam’s general manager, Oleg Shafranov.

The destination’s heritage attractions will feature strongly in the company’s Vietnam itineraries. For example, a half-day Hoi An – A Path Less Travelled morning guided walk will take guests around the 15th-century town’s handicraft shops, back lanes and cultural attractions.

AirAsia’s 2Q profit soars despite higher costs

By TTG Asia
0
Healthy operating profits for the group but associate airlines still catching up

In 2Q2017 ending June 30, the AirAsia group posted a 37 per cent increase in operating profit to RM517 million (US$121 million), as revenue increased to RM2.38 billion, supported by a 10 per cent increase in passengers carried alongside a two per cent increase in load factor.

“The consolidated accounts combining our Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippine units show we have managed to fight higher fuel costs with strong (growth in) revenue and operating profit,” AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes commented.

Healthy operating profits for the group but associate airlines still catching up

Revenue per available seat kilometre averaged 15.35 Malaysian sen, up 11 per cent. The group attributes the increase to higher average fare per passenger of RM177, up 10 per cent year-on-year, and an increase in ancillary income from RM47 to RM49 per passenger.

Cost per available seat kilometre (CASK) averaged 13.22 Malaysian sen, up five per cent from 12.54 Malaysian sen largely due to higher aircraft fuel expenses. The average fuel price for the group was US$69 per barrel jet kerosene in 1Q2017, compared to US$59 per barrel in the same quarter last year.

“In the lead-up to the stock market listings of Indonesia AirAsia and Philippines AirAsia… both airlines have produced stable profits this quarter of RM59 million and RM29 million respectively. After a successful turnaround, both operations are now more streamlined and better able to compete,” Fernandes said.

And while Thai AirAsia reported weakened financial performance, it still emerged as the only profitable airline in Thailand, where operating conditions were less favourable in the quarter, Fernandes shared.

Operating profit for Thai AirAsia fell 48 per cent year-on-year to 397 million baht (US$12 million). Revenue was up seven per cent to 8.4 billion baht based on a 13 per cent increase in passengers carried, while CASK increased from 4.02 US cents in 2Q2016 to 4.39 US cents, attributed to fuel prices in addition to a January hike in excise tax on jet fuel used on domestic flights.

Fernandes commented: “Our strategy for long-term growth in Thailand is to continue to maintain our leading share in the domestic market while growing our international network. We hope to include Thai AirAsia in our consolidated accounts before the end of the year.”

Turning to the group’s associate company in India, Fernandes reported “spectacular” growth to one million passengers carried in a quarter after growing capacity 83 per cent year-on-year. The group expects AirAsia India will begin to show sizable profit once international operations take off in end-2018.

Datai Langkawi closes for facelift

By TTG Asia
0

Datai Langkawi this week closed its doors to undergo its first extensive renovation since its opening in 1993.

Scheduled for completion in July next year, the 10-month project will include the renovation of rooms, suites and villas; additional spa pavilions; a refreshed retail space; a new beach-side fitness centre; as well as an overall enhancement of the landscaping.


Staff waving on the day the property closed for refurbishment

Another highlight is the construction of a Nature Centre, which when open will be overseen by the resort’s resident naturalist Irshad Mobarak.

The luxury resort is expected to retain its “Datai DNA” with the redesign undertaken by Didier Lefort, a member of the team of architects behind the hotel’s original look.

Air Seychelles launches scenic flights

By TTG Asia
0

The Seychelles’ national airline is now offering scenic flights at low altitudes, allowing guests a bird’s-eye view of Seychelles’ main island Mahé and its surrounds.

The 30-minute flights depart from Seychelles International Airport, with two itineraries – North Mahé and South Mahé – available.

Available daily between 1330 to 1500, the service is operated on a Twin Otter DHC-6 400 aircraft with 19 seats, of which 11 are window seats.

Flights have to be booked 24 hours in advance and will be sold on a charter basis instead of individual seats.

Air Seychelles is currently working with the travel trade and DMCs to distribute the new product. Guests wanting to avail of the experience can book their scenic flights with local DMCs as well as directly with Air Seychelles. DMCs can also choose to have a guide accompany the guests on the scenic tours.

Shorthaul demand, Chinese comeback buoy Thailand’s hopes for robust 3Q

By TTG Asia
0
Demand from shorthaul markets expected to surge during school holidays and Ramadan

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) expects to enjoy continued growth both in tourist arrivals and tourism revenue during 3Q2017, pointing to favourable factors such as shorthaul holiday demand and increased airlift.

International visitor arrivals are expected to grow by five per cent to 8.7 million with tourism revenue increasing 10 per cent to 460 billion baht (US$13 billion).

Demand from shorthaul markets expected to surge during school holidays and Ramadan

TAT projects arrivals from South-east Asia to grow seven per cent to about 2.5 million tourists, while North-east Asia will remain the top inbound source market with 3.7 million visitors (+ two per cent). Visitors from Europe are likely to reach 1.3 million tourists (+ eight per cent), while strong growth are expected for the Middle East (+14 per cent to 340,000), South Asia (+11 per cent to 390,000) and the Americas (+ nine per cent to 280,000).

Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT governor, said: “The positive outlook is based on factors including a surge in travel demand from shorthaul markets during school holidays and the month of Ramadan.

“A Chinese market recovery that started from May also had a positive effect on Thailand’s overall tourism arrivals. At the same time, longhaul markets including the US and Russia continue to grow steadily.”

Improved air access from Taiwan, Indonesia, China and Turkey is seen as another favourable factor. Examples of new flights include from Taipei, Bali and Shenzhen to Bangkok; from Guangzhou to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai; from Changsa to Chiang Rai; and from Istanbul to Phuket.

Thailand also ranked among ForwardKeys’ top destinations with a four per cent share of overall future bookings made from June to August 2017.

The rosy outlook also reflected the optimistic expectations that Thai travel industry leaders have for the country this year after a strong 1H performance.

Thailand welcomed 17.3 million tourists in 1H2017, generating 876 billion baht for the Thai economy. TAT targets Thailand to finish 2017 with tourism earnings of 1.8 trillion baht.

Tourism Indonesia goes on sales drive for Chinese Muslims

By TTG Asia
0
Indonesia wants to be top choice for Muslim travellers

Tourism Indonesia is leading a five-day mission to China to tap Muslim travel demand in key areas of the country including Xi’an, Jinan and Beijing.

Riyanto Sofyan, chairman of the Halal Tourism Acceleration and Development Team of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, said the visit to China was part of a drive to help achieve the target of 20 million international tourists and five million Muslim visitors to Indonesia by 2019.

Indonesia wants to be top choice for Muslim travellers

He added: “Our sales mission is a key element of our ongoing drive to increase our appeal to Muslim tourists across the world and become the destination of choice. China is a key market for us especially as we (share) a long-standing relationship, economic partnerships and close proximity.

“Our aim is to attract a greater share of the Chinese tourists who travel to destinations in our region each year,” he said ahead of the mission.

Comprising tourism experts, local hotels, airlines and travel agents, the delegation will showcase, promote and develop how Indonesia caters to the needs of Chinese Muslim visitors as well as provide insights on the prospects of the halal tourism market through workshops and presentations.

Apart from targeting deals and securing partnerships with Chinese travel agents and tour operators, Riyanto said the delegation also hopes to “encourage Chinese agents to include the destination in their brochures and programmes”.

Official data from the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism shows that from 2013 to 2016, halal tourism rose 15.5 per cent, while Chinese tourist arrivals continues on an upward trajectory to hit 1.5 million in 2016, up 27 per cent on the previous year.

China and Indonesia are also part of the One Belt, One Road initiative, which aims to recreate the Silk Road and increase investment and tourism among countries on that road.

In the 2017 Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index, Indonesia climbed one position to become the third best performing destination for Muslim travel.

 

UK travel tech specialist forays into Asia with new HK office

By TTG Asia
0
Leung: changing how North Asian travel companies sell

Attracted by the strong growth potential of Asia’s booming leisure travel market, UK-based travel technology specialist Traveltek Group has entered into North Asia with a new regional office in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong office is headed by experienced industry professional Simon Leung, who previously held senior roles with Amadeus and Travelport in Asia and most recently ran his own travel technology consultancy in China.

As Traveltek’s business development manager North Asia, Leung is responsible for raising awareness of the benefits the company’s advanced technology can bring to travel agents, cruise specialists and tour operators in Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

Leung: hoping to revolutionalise how North Asian travel companies sell

“Traveltek has the potential to revolutionise the way in which travel companies in North Asia sell travel,” said Leung. “It is not only the first provider in the region to offer travel agencies the ability to dynamically package cruise with flights, accommodation and other ancillaries, but its API connection is new to the market too, giving travel companies access to multiple global suppliers on a single platform, providing huge cost savings.”

Leung added that Traveltek can also help “to educate the Asian travel industry about the potential of the cruise market” by providing the technology to help them maximise sales.

The company offers the Cruise Super Itineraries solution, which enables agents to select components of a custom cruise itinerary and sell them as one single package.

Traveltek partners can also take advantage of a single API connection to more than 300 global industry suppliers, including consolidated cruise content from 190 of the world’s leading lines.

Multi-channel distribution options that display packages in multiple currencies and languages; a back-office system that produces bookings reports and client documentation; a CRM that manages clients and enquiries; and a tour operating platform that controls pricing and distributes contracts are also part of the travel technology specialist’s portfolio.

Traveltek’s debut in North Asia is part of an ambitious global expansion plan.
Last year the company secured an investment of US$6.8 million from UK-based private equity fund manager YFM to plough into product development and establishing new international operations.

The company launched its first Middle East operation in Dubai last month, and further expansion in other growth markets worldwide will soon be announced.

Carlson Rezidor casts die for casino resort in Phu Quoc

By TTG Asia
0

Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has inked a management contract with Phu Quoc Tourist Investment & Development JS Company to develop the Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc.

The signing marks the second resort in Vietnam for the group, following Radisson Blu Resort Cam Ranh Bay, slated to open in 2018.


Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc’s lobby

Scheduled to open in 4Q2017, Radisson Blu Resort Phu Quoc will have 522 rooms and suites, as well as a casino – the first in Vietnam to permit domestic entry. Facilities include an all-day dining and bar option that will serve international cuisine, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, spa and VIP lounge.

Located a 27km drive away from Phu Quoc International Airport, the new-build hotel is also part of an integrated resort that includes a convention centre, safari park, theatre, water park, retail stores, multiple restaurants and a 27-hole golf course.

1...1,5421,5431,544...2,861Page 1,543 of 2,861

Tried and Tested

What to Buy Now

 
Subscribe To
Advertise With Us
 
Asia-Pacific's Leading Travel Trade Business Resource Since 1974

  • All Rights Reserved

Copyright TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd © 2024-2025
Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Building a new world
TTG Asia | Le Méridien Putrajaya welcomes new GM
TTG Asia | Salter Brothers Hospitality names Chris Curran as COO