Autonomous commercial aircraft on the horizon

November 23, 2017

cockpit-generic — Boeing wants to advance autonomy of commercial aircraft

Autonomous aircraft and technologies allowing single-pilot or even unmanned operation of commercial planes could become a reality in future.

Last month, Boeing signed an agreement with plans to acquire Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, which specialises in autonomous systems technologies to enable robotic aircraft for future aerospace applications and vehicles.

Advancing autonomy of commercial aircraft

“The combined strength and innovation of our teams will advance the development of autonomy for our commercial and military systems,” said Greg Hyslop, chief technology officer and senior vice president of Boeing Engineering, Test & Technology.

Leveraging autonomous systems that include perception, machine learning and advanced flight control systems, Aurora has designed, produced and flown more than 30 unmanned air vehicles since the company was founded in 1989. Aurora Flight Sciences is a leader in the emerging field of electric propulsion for aircraft.

Once acquired, Aurora will be a subsidiary under Boeing Engineering, Test & Technology known as Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company, while retaining an independent operating model.

More recently, Airbus’ chief technology officer, Paul Eremenko, was reported by Singapore’s Straits Times to have discussed a “disruptive approach” to trim crew size for future aircraft on a Bloomberg Television broadcast.

The Straits Times quoted Eremenko to have said that Airbus was pursuing single-pilot operation and “the technologies needed to make that happen have also put us on the path towards unpiloted operation”.

Airbnb takes Trips to new APAC cities

By TTG Asia

November 23, 2017

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airbnb-trips-experiences — Airbnb now offering local host-led experiences in Melbourne

Airbnb is expanding Experiences, activity products launched as part of its Trips platform in November last year, to Melbourne, Bali and Hong Kong.

With the new portfolio additions, 120 new experiences will join the existing 600 in Asia-Pacific across cities including Bangkok, Queenstown, Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City, New Delhi, Osaka, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.

Airbnb now offering local host-led experiences in Melbourne

According to Airbnb, Asia-Pacific-booked Experiences are growing at 14 times since January 2017, with Tokyo one of the five most popular global markets by bookings.

There are now more than 3,100 Airbnb Experiences offered in over 40 cities worldwide, and upcoming additions to the Trips platform globally include Hawaii, Buenos Aires, Costa Rica and Jamaica, all launching before the year end.

Like its home sharing platform, Trips focuses on local host-led activities varying from Kimono making or exploring the local fish market in Japan, Muay Thai Boxing or cycle tours in Bangkok.

“Travellers are seeking alternative adventures, whether they are travelling alone or with groups of friends or family. As well as seeking unique accommodation options, there is the desire among travellers to destinations such as Bali and Melbourne to enjoy their destination through the eyes of a local,” explained Parin Mehta, APAC Trips director for Airbnb.

“Experiences is also a great way to unleash economic opportunity for locals. In the city, Airbnb has emerged as a platform for people to monetise their passions and talents. Our greatest assets are time and potential and Experiences is a way to unlock that,” said Mehta.

SLH teams up with JNTO to offer ‘prestige’ packages

By TTG Asia

November 23, 2017

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Sukiyabashi-Jiro-Honten-Tempura-Kondo — The Tokyo Luxury Gourmet Tour includes private sushi dinner hosted by Chef Jiro (left), typically only for Japanese residents; and dinner at two Michelin-starred Tempura Kondo

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has partnered Japan National Tourism Organization and local partners through a luxury travel consortium led by Dentsu Ad-gear to launch four packages between November, 2017 and March, 2018.

The two- to five-day packages are said to allow guests to “get under the skin” of Japan through its cuisine, nature, history and culture, with SLH touting “prestige activities, some not usually accessible to international visitors”.

The Tokyo Luxury Gourmet Tour includes private sushi dinner hosted by Chef Jiro (left), typically only for Japanese residents; and dinner at two Michelin-starred Tempura Kondo

The first experience, taking place December 11-12 and with prices starting from 250,000 yen (US$2,200) per person, offers a two-day gastronomic journey through Tokyo that includes a private sushi dinner at Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten hosted by Chef Jiro himself, usually only available for reservations from Japanese residents. Also included is a private tour of Tsukiji market led by a fourth generation sushi chef and a dinner at the two Michelin-starred Tempura Kondo.

Guests are also offered omotenashi hospitality at the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, the most recent addition to SLH’s 12 hotels across Japan, located in the Tokyo neighbourhood of Meguro.

In addition, the three-day cultural and Michelin experience in Nara (March 5-7, 2018) includes a visit to the “Shunie” festival at Todaiji Temple in Nara, a kaiseki dinner at Nara’s three-star Michelin restaurant Wa Yamamura, complete with a two-night stay in Noborioji Hotel Nara. Prices start from 137,760 yen per person based on double occupancy.

Wedding or photoshoot package at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo, SLH’s newest hotel in Japan

Also available is the five-day natural wonders of Yakushima Island (until March 16, 2018), which takes guests to Kyushu for rainforest treks with a guide and villa stay at the Sankara Hotel & Spa. Guests can also opt for private yoga classes, sea kayaking and diving, or attend craft workshops to make their own bath salts, chopsticks or ceramics. Prices start from 810,000 yen per person based on double occupancy.

Meanwhile, the two-day Japanese Wedding Experience will offer the opportunity for a traditional Japanese wedding or couples photoshoot in the halls of Hotel Gajoen Tokyo. The package includes a dinner and cultural performance, a team to take care of wedding details and a stay in one of the hotel’s suites. Prices start from 387,500 yen based on double occupancy.

Mt Agung erupts but flights continue so far

By Mimi Hudoyo

November 22, 2017

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mount-agung4 — Flights into Bali continue, and authorities urge locals to stay calm

Mount Agung erupted on November 21 at 17.05 local time, announced the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation.

This comes barely a month after the volcano alert level was lowered from ‘dangerous’ to ‘high alert’. Despite the eruption – which saw thick grey smoke rising to a maximum height of about 700m above the peak – the status remains on alert level three.

The disaster management agency said the eruption was small so far, with volcanic ashes blowing to the east and southeast, and urged locals to not panic and pay attention to the official recommendations and instructions.

Flights into Bali continue, and authorities urge locals to stay calm

“A phreatic eruption can be a stand-alone eruption, but can also be a preliminary eruption before a series of magmatic eruption,” Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, head of central data information and public relations of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), said.

The eruption at Mount Agung, a phreatic eruption, was caused by heavy-pressure vapour formed by the heating of the water underground, or rain water absorbed into the crater soil and coming into direct contact with the magma, Sutopo explained.

It is currently rainy season in Bali.

Meanwhile, the Bali Tourism Board (BTB) Mount Agung Task Force urges the public to monitor official sources, such as the Bali Tourism Board, PVMBG and MAGMA Indonesia, and “not be influenced by dramatic hoax reports emanating from the social network and a number of foreign news agency”.

Three to four hours after the eruption, flights to and from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, located more than 60km south of the volcano, were operating largely to schedule with no indication of flight delays or cancellations linked to the eruption, it pointed out.

The World Organization of Volcanic Observatories (WOVO) has an ‘orange’ warning in place for Mount Agung, a rating used by aviators. ‘Orange’ is the second highest alert level indicating the volcano is exhibiting an increased likelihood of an eruption but with little or no volcanic ash being emitted into the atmosphere, it said.

Estimates at sunset on Tuesday put the ash-cloud top at around 3,842m above sea level, warning the height might be more than can be easily observed. The current ash cloud is moving to the east-southeast of the volcano.

Chinese make better travellers, Sri Lankan operators say

By Yixin Ng

November 22, 2017

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Chinese-traveller-Sri-Lanka — A female Chinese tourist in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka

With their preference for round-trips and more activity-filled tour programmes, Chinese travellers are moving up the wishlist of Sri Lankan tour operators.

Arjuna, Exotic Holiday International spokesperson, told TTG Asia that Russia is its top source of business, but China, in second place, is set to overtake the once darling market both in terms of numbers and upselling opportunity.

A female Chinese tourist in Rambukkana, Sri Lanka

While Russian travellers tend to opt for beach holidays, Chinese on the other hand have a preference for round-trip or multi-city tours, he explained.

“Yes, we get more Russian travellers, but the Chinese want more out of their holidays (with us). We want more Chinese travellers and expect that (the market would outperform) Russia,” he shared.

A popular programme for the Chinese, he continued, covers Colombo, Kandy, Sigriyar, and more.

On a typical month, the company receives 800 Chinese travellers. Moreover, for special programmes catering to Chinese companies a single group be as large as 250 pax, he said, citing the example of a New Year corporate event last December.

And these numbers are not just coming from first-tier Chinese cities.

Earlier this year in March, Exotic Holiday International welcomed over 150 women from an organisation in Kunming who attended a special Sri Lanka programme tailored for them in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Kunming also represents an important market for Lahiru Weerawardana, managing director of Sri Lankan DMC Travel Trends Leisure.

He shared that with thrice-weekly flights now connecting the Chinese city and Sri Lanka, the opportunities are hard to deny.

The Sri Lankan tourism bureau is also bringing more promotional activities to Kunming now, he said.

Marianas charms Chinese travellers with many faces

By Yixin Ng

November 22, 2017

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The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) was at the recently concluded CITM 2017 to position the Northern Mariana Islands as a multi-faceted destination, with activities and attractions appealing not only to the beach-loving crowd, but also to culture vultures and sports fanatics.

MVA’s deputy managing director Judy Torres said in FY2017 (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017), the destination saw an 11 per cent year-on-year increase in Chinese arrivals to 229,000.

“We did not expect to see such results at the beginning of the financial year, but we gained additional air services through the year, which helped,” she remarked.

Now, Saipan enjoys connections from Hangzhou (Beijing Capital Airlines), Shanghai and Guangzhou (Sichuan Airlines) and Beijing (China Eastern Airlines).

Encouraged by the success it has seen in China, MVA is intensifying efforts in the marketplace. And here at CITM 2017, it will play up on a series of sports events coming up in Saipan, namely the Hell of the Marianas, Saipan Marathon, Ironman 70.3 Saipan and so on.

Other events MVA is hoping to bring attention to include the Annual Tinian Hot Paper Festival, Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival and Beer Garden and Saipan International Fishing Tournament.

More than just hotels and sightseeing, MVA officers told TTG Asia that the destination offers opportunities for tourists to discover the local culture, for example at the night market in downtown Garapan.

“There are local food, drinks, handicraft and even local cultural performances,” Torres shared.

With December 12 (a day that sees massive shopping discounts being offered across China) round the corner, MVA is hoping to cooperate with its partners in China to push out special packages for honeymooners and families.

Maldives airport undergoes further transformation

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2017

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The Maldives’ Velana International Airport, renamed from Male International Airport earlier this year, has now deployed Amadeus’ airport management solutions in anticipation of an increase in number of travellers and to future-proof its business.

The changes come after years of growth that anchored tourism as the Maldives’ main economic contributor, with the airport today serving 2.6 million passengers and over 35 scheduled and chartered carriers annually.

Velena International Airport in the Maldives Velana rolls out Amadeus airport management solutions

Adil Moosa, managing director, Maldives Airports Company Limited, said: “The recent change in our name to Velana International Airport signifies new beginnings, with new infrastructure developments for the future and we’ve started by transforming our technology and processes with Amadeus.

“With the increasing flow of visitors to the Maldives, it was becoming a strain to maintain efficiency and deliver quality experiences due to numerous manual processes.”

Through the partnership, Velana has deployed Amadeus Airport Operational Database (AODB), to host, manage, and disseminate complex flight-related information. Amadeus AODB provides complete visibility of flight schedules up to 365 days ahead to forecast passenger and baggage demand. Velana has also implemented Amadeus Airport Fixed Resource Management Solution which allows the airport to determine the best resource allocation against its flight schedule.

Together, the two solutions enable the airport to accurately plan an optimised management of its resources far in advance. Velana will be able to make data-driven decisions for precise resource allocation, resulting in better slot adherence and increased on-time performance, according to a press release.

Moosa commented that since implementing the solutions, the airport is already seeing cost savings, reduced delays, and healthier profit margins.

Silversea hoists sails for Asia

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2017

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Silver-Whisper — Silver Whisper, one of the four ships deployed to Asia

For the 2017/18 winter season, Silversea Cruises is deploying to Asia four ships across its classic and expedition fleets.

The Silver Shadow will sail across the South China Sea to/from Hong Kong and Singapore on January 21, 2018, February 2 and 22, 2018, and March 3 and 25, 2018; while the Silver Whisper will also be sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore on March 20, 2018.

Silver Whisper, one of the four ships deployed by the company to Asia

Launched in the spring of 2017, Silversea’s new ultra-luxury ship and latest flagship, Silver Muse, will bring guests from Singapore to Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Myanmar. The itineraries include the limestone structures of Halong Bay, the Philippines’ coral reefs and beaches, Myanmar’s Shwedagon Paya, and so on.

Part of Silverseas’s expedition fleet, the Silver Discoverer will sail on eight expedition cruises from November 2017 to March 2018 offering guests bespoke Asian adventures as they sail across the Java Sea from Bali to Singapore, the Andaman Sea to Phuket, the Bay of Bengal to Colombo, Sri Lanka, the South China Sea to Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong, and across the East China Sea to Nagasaki and Niigata in Japan.

The cruises include a privately escorted excursion by Biruté Mary Galdikas, the world’s foremost authority on orangutans, visits to a UNESCO-protected national park, searching for birds and leopards on the Andaman Islands, cruising through the Tian River by Zodiac and more.

Washington DC launches WeChat travel guide

By TTG Asia

November 22, 2017

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washington-monument-potomac-river — Chinese audio guides for top attractions

Destination DC (DDC), the official marketing organisation for Washington, DC, has expanded its partnership with WeChat with the launch of a City Experience Mini Program app to guide Chinese travellers visiting the city, a first in the US.

Through its partnership with WeChat, DDC is expecting to enhance the visitor experience for the 304,000 Chinese travellers who visit Washington, DC every year, with a focus on growing Chinese visitation, said Elliott Ferguson II, president and CEO of DDC.

Chinese audio guides for top attractions

The new DDC City Experience Mini Program is an interactive guide with a “map driven layout” of the top attractions and places to eat and shop. Apart from providing walking directions and details such as opening and closing times, the app has audio tours in Mandarin for top city attractions.

Over the past year, DDC has been building a following on its WeChat Official Service account (account ID: visitdc), on which it achieved the highest traffic growth among US cities on the platform in 2016.

With the Tencent expanded partnership, DDC continues to grow Welcome China (the organisation’s certification program for its members) by catering to Chinese travellers before, during and after they arrive in Washington, DC.

To manage the Service Account and build the WeChat Mini Program, DDC had partnered The Momentum Group, a WeChat marketing and solutions provider.

China’s rural tourism efforts lift villages out of poverty

By Pamela Chow

November 21, 2017

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Chen-Wei-Hefei-Tourism[2] — Chen: leveraging growing appeal of lesser-known destinations

Rural villages in China are reporting unprecedented growth spurred by a nationwide initiative of poverty alleviation through rural tourism, with footfalls in remote attractions last year accounting for almost half the country’s total domestic movement.

Of China’s 4.4 billion-strong domestic tourism market in 2016, 2.1 billion participated in rural tourism. These travellers generated a total of RMB570 billion (US$86 billion) in revenue, which in turn benefited 6.72 million villagers.

Chen: leveraging growing appeal of lesser-known destinations

“The rapid development that Hefei City has seen is unbelievable,” remarked Chen Wei, director of Hefei City Tourism Bureau. “Because tourists now like to visit less-frequented places, lesser-known areas like Hefei are becoming more popular.”

He told TTG Asia that after promoting the city’s “three melons commune” as a brand, Hefei is gearing to open up its more remote villages with a focus on accessibility and hospitality.

Similarly in the Jiangbei district of Ningbo, Zhejiang, rural tourism has brought a spike in visitor volume and business to remote villages that had previously fallen by the wayside.

Last year, receipts from produce at farming communities “multiplied several times”, said Chen Zhi Xiao, section staff of Jiangbei District Tourism Bureau.
He added that the bureau has been working with local tour operators to promote specialty products of each village and offer farming experiences for visitors.

Such rural tours have helped place these previously inaccessible farming villages on the tourist map, observed Jiangbei’s Chen.

Autonomous commercial aircraft on the horizon

Airbnb takes Trips to new APAC cities

SLH teams up with JNTO to offer ‘prestige’ packages

Mt Agung erupts but flights continue so far

Chinese make better travellers, Sri Lankan operators say

Marianas charms Chinese travellers with many faces

Maldives airport undergoes further transformation

Silversea hoists sails for Asia

Washington DC launches WeChat travel guide

China’s rural tourism efforts lift villages out of poverty

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