As the 3,883-guest Norwegian Joy last weekend pulled into Singapore, a month ahead of its first sailings in China, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) shared that it is pursuing more than just a numbers game in China, with market understanding and brand loyalty also key to its strategy.

“It’s not our aspiration to be the largest brand in China, we just want to be the best… (the Norwegian Joy) builds on what’s been done to open up the Chinese market over the past years, providing a product that will resonate well with Chinese consumers,” said Harry Sommer, NCLH’s executive vice president, international business development.

NCLH’s partnership with Alibaba, which was announced earlier this month, is expected to not only widen the cruise line’s reach among consumers in China, but also deepen its understanding of the Chinese market.

“Alibaba controls 70-80 per cent of the online Chinese market for everything from paper towels to Maseratis and everything in between. The sheer amount of consumer data they have makes them a force to be reckoned and a partner that helps us understand consumer tastes, what drives purchase decisions, tailor marketing and sales messages and make onboard products valuable.”

NCLH’s senior vice president and managing director for Asia-Pacific, Steve Odell, cites customer loyalty as a “critical part” of NCLH’s larger business and will continue to be so as the company enters China.

In fact, past guests can make up 60 per cent or more of demand, according to Sommer.

The new ship was unveiled in its entirety for the first time last Saturday, as 800 guests in Singapore – including media, travel agents and their customers – were introduced to onboard features such as a Ferrari-branded go-kart track, gaming arcade, 28 dining options and retail brands counting Apple, Cartier, Bulgari and Starbucks.

Indonesian millennials are showing a greater thirst for discovery and spontaneity during their travels, according to an Agoda survey.

Gede Gunawam, country director of Agoda International Indonesia, said: “The survey shows a big shift from the relatively sedentary approach to travel in the past. We are seeing the emergence of a much more adventurous and independent-minded travellers here.”

Of the 1,000 independent millennials (travelling domestically or outbound) surveyed, 40.8 per cent were motivated by challenging experiences and 42.1 per cent the local culture.

Forty per cent indicate they do not need Google maps when travelling, preferring to walk the streets without a plan. In fact, 52 per cent of them take this further and take wrong turns on purpose.

Moreover, there is a growing demand for unconventional accommodation such as homestays with local cultural experiences or tented camps. Gede said the average accommodation spending in Indonesia is between 700,000 rupiah (US$53) and 800,000 per night, compared to 1.3-1.5 million rupiah in Japan.

Reflecting their active nature, the study reveals that as soon as they check into and step out of a hotel, 45 per cent of respondents will explore the destination and 36 per cent choose to find a place to eat.

They might not do it at home, but 67 per cent shop at the local markets, and 45 per cent like to haggle with the local shopkeeper.

While these millennials are independent travellers in many ways, they are also followers in other aspects. Forty per cent of respondents indicated they like to wear matching outfits with their friends. While travelling, 72 per cent take selfies, 64 per cent upload photos on the instagram and 50 per cent check in on Facebook.

The survey was a chapter of the ongoing #agodabasecamp campaign launched in Jakarta on May 17.

The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has raised the UK’s terror threat level from ‘severe’ to ‘critical’, the highest the nation has seen in a decade, following an attack in Manchester that left 22 dead and more injured.

The new threat indicator by UK security and intelligence agency Mi5 means another attack is not only highly likely but also “expected imminently”.

An explosion went off during a pop concert at Manchester Arena 

On Mi5’s website, UK prime minister Theresa May was quoted to have said: “The work undertaken throughout the day has revealed that it is a possibility we cannot ignore that there is a wider group of individuals linked to this attack.”

The prime minister has also activated the anti-terror Operation Temperer, a government plan to deploy troops to support police personnel in key locations following a major attack.

Nearly 1,000 members of the Armed Forces were being deployed as of May 24.

Meituan-Dianping, China’s largest service-focused e-commerce platform, has launched Meituan Travel, a new travel and leisure platform consolidating the company’s offerings across accommodation, domestic travel, outbound travel and transportation units.

A highlight of the newly unified platform is the company’s ability to cross sell multi-category products and services. Among all customers booking hotel rooms on the platform, 32 per cent also place dining or catering orders and 17 per cent tickets for activities.

According to a Meituan statement, the platform is already China’s leading online accommodation booking service provider in terms of room nights sold, recording more than 17 million room nights in April 2017.

Meituan Travel partners more than 340,000 hotels in China and 200,000 overseas. It also introduced a Hazelnut B&B application recently, with 150,000 accommodation listings expected in 2017.

It also touts having the largest online domestic attraction and excursion package ticketing platform offering 400 cities and 20,000 packages, with 67 million domestic sightseeing attraction tickets sold in 2016.

For outbound travel, a Meituan-Dianping application and travel guide covers 215 countries and regions. According to the company, it is among the top three most-used apps by Chinese tourists when travelling abroad, next to WeChat and Google Maps.

As of April, 2017, Meituan-Dianping is posting three digit year-on-year increases in revenue and is operating profitably.

Here’s our weekly roundup of new air routes in Asia.

Turkish Airlines goes to Phuket

Starting July 17, 2017, Turkish Airlines will introduce four-times weekly Istanbul–Phuket flights, in addition to its twice-daily service to Bangkok.

TK172 will depart Istanbul on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 14.30, and arrive in Phuket 04.00 the following day. The return leg, TK173, will depart Phuket on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 05.30, and arrive in Istanbul at 12.00.

More international flights for Lion Air, Batik Air

Two airlines under the Lion Air Group – Lion Air and Batik Air – will launch three new international flights this quarter.

Lion Air has started flying daily between Kuala Lumpur and Medan. Flights depart Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 14.30, while flights from Medan’s Kualanamu International Airport will depart at 15.30.

In addition, on June 10, 2017, Batik Air will ply the Jakarta – Kuala Lumpur route daily. Flights depart Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 14.35, while flight from Kuala Lumpur 19.20.

Batik Air will also launch twice-daily flights between Denpasar and Perth beginning June 21, 2017. Flights from Ngurah Rai International Airport depart at 13.10 and 19.55, while return legs from Perth will depart at 08.40 and 17.30.

Philippine Airlines flies again to Kuala Lumpur

After a three-year respite, Philippine Airlines will resume twice-daily flights to Kuala Lumpur from June 8, 2017.

PR525 departs Manila every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 07.25 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 11.00. Its return flight PR526 leaves KL on the same days at 12.10 local time and touches down in Manila at 15.50.

The other flight, PR527, leaves Manila every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11.30 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 15.00 local time. Its return service PR528 departs Kuala Lumpur on the same days at 16.00 local time and touches down in Manila at 19.30.

An Airbus A321 will be utilised on the route, offering 199 seats across three classes – 12 in business, 18 in premium economy and 169 in economy.

Air China links up Shenzhen and Melbourne

Air China will on June 20, 2017 commence thrice-weekly flights between Shenzhen and Melbourne, operating on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

The service will utilise an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, featuring 30 lie-flat bed business class seats, and 2017 economy class seats.

Currently, Air China operates a thrice-weekly service from Melbourne to Beijing and flies four-times weekly between Melbourne and Shanghai.

Vietjet flies from Danang to Seoul

Vietjet will launch a daily flight with Danang and Seoul beginning May 31, 2017.

The flight from Danang departs at 23.45 and arrives in Seoul at 06.00. The return flight takes off at 07.00 and lands in Danang at 09.40.

China’s Juneyao Airlines has become the first connecting partner under Star Alliance’s partnership model that allows regional low-cost or hybrid airlines to link to its network without having to become a full member.

This model has enabled Star Alliance to achieve “two important goals”, stated the alliance’s CEO Jeffrey Goh. “First, as an alliance we can offer regional airlines an attractive way to connect to our global alliance network, without requiring full membership. Going forward, this will enable us to strategically enhance our network,” he said.

“Second, with Juneyao Airlines we strengthen our market position in Shanghai, a city which is already served by 17 of our member airlines
and which will now offer even better connectivity to our customers.”

As a connecting partner, Juneyao Airlines now offers Star Alliance members transfer opportunities at either of Shanghai’s two airports and through check-in in both directions.

Qualifying Star Alliance Gold Status passengers can enjoy the following privileges on their Juneyao Airlines connecting flights: lounge access; fast track security; additional baggage; and priority for check-in boarding, standby and baggage delivery.

Juneyao Airlines has sealed agreements with Star Alliance member airlines, enabling frequent flyer members of Air Canada, Air China, EVA Air, Singapore Airlines and United to earn and use miles when travelling on the Chinese airline.