Hyatt acquires Exhale wellness brand

August 31, 2017

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is beefing up its health and fitness offerings with the purchase of spa operator Exhale for an undisclosed amount.

Hyatt will oversee the 25 Exhale locations in the US and Caribbean, and already has plans to expand the brand to Hyatt hotels in more resort settings and freestanding locations as well. The hotel giant also plans to offer Exhale-related perks for members of the World of Hyatt loyalty programme.

Exhale offers fitness classes, spa treatments and wellness retreats (photo credit: Instagram/@exhalespa)

Meanwhile, Exhale “will operate as a distinct standalone brand within Hyatt’s wellness category”, said the spa operator’s CEO and founder, Annbeth Eschbach, in a statement.

This is the second wellness company Hyatt has acquired this year, following its purchase of Miraval Group in January. The Chicago-based hotel company has plans to integrate the Miraval brand into its portfolio and develop more Miraval-branded resorts.

Aviation roundup: Finnair, Vietjet and Nepal’s Shree Airlines

By TTG Asia

August 31, 2017

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Finnair expands network in China

Finland’s flagship carrier has announced Nanjing as its seventh destination in Greater China.

Taking off on May 13, 2018, the new Helsinki-Nanjing service will be operated with an Airbus A330 aircraft. The route will be operated thrice weekly during the summer season and twice weekly in winter.

Vietjet links up Hanoi, Yangon

Vietjet launched daily Hanoi-Yangon services on August 26, its second route connecting Vietnam and Myanmar.

Flights depart Hanoi at 12.05 and arrive at 13.30, while the return service departs Yangon at 14.30 and arrives in Hanoi at 16.55.

Singapore Airlines, Alaska Airlines in codeshare deal

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will from September 27 enter into a codeshare partnership with Alaska Airlines to expand its footprint in the North American market.

Under the agreement, SIA will add its SQ designator code to Alaska Airlines flights on routes serving 18 destinations within the US and to Mexico. Existing codeshare flights operated by Virgin America – which was acquired by Alaska Air Group in 2016 – on routes serving 19 destinations within the US will also be included under the new agreement.

Members of SIA’s frequent flyer programme KrisFlyer will be able to accrue miles when travelling on both carriers from September 27, while Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan members will be able to redeem miles for SIA-operated flights at a later date.

Shree Airlines jets off

Nepal’s largest operator of helicopters Shree Airlines has expanded into commercial passenger jet service, following its recent acquisition of three Bombardier CRJ Series aircraft – two CRJ200 and one CRJ700.

The Nepali carrier commenced services with its first CRJ200 aircraft on August 11, and plans to equip its CRJ700 with six seats in business class.

Shree will operate between Kathmandu and the regional destinations of Bhadrapur, Bhairawaha, Dhangadi, Biratnagar and Nepalgunj.

Qantas reshuffles executive leadership

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2017

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Qantas Group has announced a reorganisation of its executive leadership team, taking effect in November this year.

Alison Webster, currently executive manager of freight, catering & airports, will become CEO of Qantas International. In her nearly 30 years’ experience in aviation, including 13 at Qantas, she has held senior executive roles across commercial, customer, and operations at Qantas and British Airways.

She replaces Gareth Evans, who has been appointed CEO of Jetstar Group, while current Jetstar Group chief Jayne Hrdlicka will become CEO of Qantas loyalty and digital ventures, which now also includes innovation.

Meanwhile, Lesley Grant, currently CEO of Qantas loyalty, will be Qantas’ new group executive of people and culture, succeeding Jon Scriven who is retiring after over eight years at the company.

As well, Andrew David, present CEO of Qantas Domestic, will take on additional responsibility for Qantas freight, catering and airports.

The new executive leaders will report to Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce, who said the changes reflect talent optimisation and renewal in the company.

“Over the past three years, our senior executive team has led the group through a major turnaround. We’re now entering a phase of ongoing improvement and innovation, and these changes will help drive that,” said Joyce in a statement.

Hong Kong eyes youth travel to revive Indian market

By Rohit Kaul

August 30, 2017

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hong-kong-old-town-central-walking-trails — HKTB promoting Old Town Central walking trails

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is taking steps to attract younger travellers from India in hopes of reversing declining arrivals from the market.

Hong Kong recorded 149,000 overnight arrivals from India in the first six months of 2017, a 15 per cent dip from the same period last year. The decline has been attributed to the introduction of pre-arrival registration for the Indian market, the strengthening the Hong Kong dollar, and an increase in direct flights between India and mainland China.

HKTB promoting Old Town Central walking trails

“The pre-arrival registration has (put) a few people off visiting (Hong Kong) because it takes a while for travellers to understand the new process. Indian tourists see Hong Kong as a last-minute destination. Without successfully registering for pre-arrival, it will take Indian travellers longer to get a visa,” said Peter Hoslin, HKTB’s regional director, Europe and new markets on the sidelines of a recent mission to Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi.

The HKTB’s focus is now on India’s seasoned travellers in their early 20s to early 40s. “We (are targeting) New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru as we see an inclination (of travellers) in these cities to visit Asian destinations,” he added. “We want to target young, evolved travellers who have been to a few destinations before they choose Hong Kong.

“For us, young travellers comprise 54 per cent of the Indian overnight stay. Most of our visitors from India (70 per cent) are visiting Hong Kong for the first time. We want to (increase the share of) younger segment as they are likely to be repeat visitors,” said Hoslin.

With attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park already popular among Indian travellers, the NTO is now looking to promote experiential products such as walking trails in Old Town Central among India’s youth segment.

Apart from travel trade partnerships, the HKTB is banking on fam trips for trade and media, in addition to digital and social media strategies, to reach out to young Indian travellers. Its new TV commercial, scheduled to run from September, is expected to help attract the segment.

Short notice for tax roll-out frustrates Cambodian trade

By Marissa Carruthers

August 30, 2017

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sihanoukville-pier — Short notice affects bottom line of some trade players

The last-minute implementation of a US$2 environmental tax on visitors taking boat trips from Sihanoukville to outlying islands has been met with criticism from the Cambodian trade.

Government officials gave just three days’ notice ahead of the tax’s initial roll-out on August 10, but within a few days of implementation it was postponed until October 1 to give the authorities more time to organise a structure.

Short notice affects bottom line of some trade players

While officials say the tax levied will be used to protect the environment as development gains pace rapidly off the coast, many tour operators were left footing hefty bills and offering explanation to their clients.

Pierre-Andre Romano, general manager of Exo Travel Cambodia, said the short notice means the company had to cover the extra costs for all confirmed bookings, brochure products and group series, extending to thousands of clients.

“We’ll lose quite a significant amount of money this year because of these short notices,” said Romano, referring also to the last-minute hike of ticket prices to Angkor Wat Archeological Park, the National Museum, Toul Sleng and the Royal Palace in recent months.

Miles Gravett, manager of Khiri Cambodia, commented: “It’s always a challenge when unilateral decisions that affect our bottom line are made with little to no notice.”

Another concern is the collection of the fee, currently not included in ticket prices. Visitors instead hand over cash to officials at the pier.

Gravett said: “Two dollars is not the end of the world but an inconvenience; no one likes to feel they are being taken advantage of, which could be the case if this policy is not clearly communicated and transparently implemented.”

However, if used correctly, taking action to protect and conserve the marine environment is essential. Hopes are high that waste management programmes will be improved, educational initiatives rolled out and aggressive anti-litter campaigns enforced.

“This is absolutely crucial for the future of the (Cambodian) mainland as a tourist destination,” said Mick Spencer, owner of ANA Travel in Sihanoukville.

Waldorf Astoria to make Maldives debut in 2019

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2017

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Hilton’s Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is set to make its debut Maldives appearance with a new-build resort spanning three islands in the South Male Atoll.

Scheduled to open in 1Q2019, Waldorf Astoria Maldives will be Hilton’s second property in the atoll nation.

This will be Hilton’s second property in the Maldives

Located approximately 23km from Velana International Airport, which is about 20 minutes from Male, the resort will feature 130 guestrooms and 10 dining outlets.

InVision sets sights on Nha Trang hotel and residences

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2017

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Bangkok-headquartered InVision Hospitality will manage the 2.1 trillion Vietnamese dong (US$93.4 million) Scenia Bay complex in Nha Trang, slated to open in 2020.

Covering 7,666m², the project is set to feature 700 condominium units for sale and over 270 Glow Hotel guestrooms.

Nam Tien Lao Cai’s Cao Thi Thu Hien (left) and InVision Hospitality’s Kevin Beauvais at the signing ceremony

Scenia Bay marks InVision Hospitality’s fifth signing in Vietnam, after Glow Ma Belle Danang (2019), Mai House Saigon (2018), Mai House Hoi An Beach (2020) and Montgomerie Links Hotel & Villas, Danang (2017).

Food first, then nature for Singaporean tourists: Tourism NZ

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2017

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Singaporean travellers tend most to seek local food when overseas, with 79 per cent of respondents indicating that preference, according to a recent Tourism New Zealand and Blackbox Research survey.

As well, more than four in 10 look forward to enjoying the best of a country’s natural scenery and wildlife, and just a quarter (25 per cent) ranked the engagement in local cultural activities as an enjoyable holiday activity.

Food from Olive Café in Wellington during the city’s annual culinary festival, Visa Wellington On A Plate (Credit: Visa Wellington On a Plate; Tourism New Zealand)

Just over three in 10 (34 per cent) chose travelling on a local train as the preferred mode of travel while on holiday overseas, while 23 per cent showed a preference for self-drive holidays.

Given the findings, Tourism New Zealand is highlighting cultural and food experiences available in the destination, including feasting with the Maoris and culinary festivals.

The latest figures released by Stats NZ revealed that the country has seen a total of 57,696 Singaporean travellers this year ending in June, a 7.9 per cent increase on the previous year.

“Singapore is currently our largest market in South-east Asia, and our fourth largest in Asia,” said Tourism New Zealand’s regional manager for South and South East Asia, Steven Dixon.

Shimizu joins Andaz Singapore as operations director

By TTG Asia

August 30, 2017

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Andaz Singapore, which is scheduled to open in October, has appointed Chikako Shimizu as its director of operations.

In her new role, Shimizu will oversee the hotel’s daily operations and managing the teams from concierge, front office, F&B, engineering, security and housekeeping.

She was most recently the executive assistant manager, rooms at Grand Hyatt Singapore.

The Japanese national brings with her over 23 years of industry experience, and has held various positions at Hyatt properties across Macau, Australia, Japan, China and Indonesia.

Wat Arun to reopen after three-year-long restoration

By TTG Asia

August 29, 2017

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wat-arun-pagoda — Renovations to secure the base of the pagoda

Bangkok’s Temple of Dawn pagoda, also known as Wat Arun, will officially reopen this year-end after a three-year closure for repairs and renovation.

Under direction from Thailand’s Fine Arts Department, Wat Arun started undergoing renovation over three years ago, specifically to secure the base of a 66.8m-high pagoda decorated with seashells and bits of Chinese porcelain, the main feature of the temple.

Renovations to secure the base of the pagoda

Yuthasak Supasorn, governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand, said: “This was the biggest repair and renovation work to take place on the temple in recent memory using the latest restoration technology.”

The completion of renovations will be commemorated in a 10-day long celebration from December 27, 2017 to January 5, 2018. The festivities will include a tribute to King Taksin, who ordered the previously mentioned restoration of the temple during his reign, along with Thai dance performances and an exhibition on the temple’s history.

Hyatt acquires Exhale wellness brand

Aviation roundup: Finnair, Vietjet and Nepal’s Shree Airlines

Qantas reshuffles executive leadership

Hong Kong eyes youth travel to revive Indian market

Short notice for tax roll-out frustrates Cambodian trade

Waldorf Astoria to make Maldives debut in 2019

InVision sets sights on Nha Trang hotel and residences

Food first, then nature for Singaporean tourists: Tourism NZ

Shimizu joins Andaz Singapore as operations director

Wat Arun to reopen after three-year-long restoration

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