Three of Hertz Global Holdings’ car rental brands – Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty – are now operating in Sri Lanka’s capital of Colombo, following the signing of a multi-brand partnership agreement with local franchise partner Andrew The Car Rental Company.
Mahen Kariyawasan, managing director, Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty Sri Lanka, said: “We intend to expand to the Colombo international airport and another downtown location by early 2018.”
Kariyawasan expressed optimism citing the country’s “booming tourism, growth in expatriate relocations and an increase in international investments”.
Rental options in Sri Lanka vary between short- and long-term, self- and chauffeur-drive options, with vehicles including compact, wagon/state, luxury cars, SUV and minibuses.
All international customers renting with Hertz in Sri Lanka will receive a free SIM card and gift coupons while supplies last.
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin recently hosted 180 travel representatives from the German-speaking market participating in the Hua Hin leg of DER Touristik Campus Live in Thailand 2017, a workshop organised by European tour operator DER Touristik.
Besides site inspection of the resort, the European agents were also treated to a cocktail reception in the topiary garden surrounded by Thai traditional music, as well as a themed Thai street food presentation at the welcome dinner party by the beachfront.
Event brief
The Transamerica Direct 2016 Client Conference was a three-city incentive programme for the top clients of the US-based Transamerica Life Insurance Company taking in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
During their stay in Tokyo, the group took part in The Walkshop, an English-language guided walk through the dense forest that surrounds Meiji Shrine. More than merely providing an explanation of the site’s history and significance, Walkshop participants are encouraged to focus on the three concepts of knowing, being and doing.
Drawing on East Asian culture to examine these important concepts, and how they interact, promotes efficient and effective action that can be applied in the work place or private life.
Challenges
The challenges occured in two stages – in the initial planning and after the event had commenced.
Senior management of Transamerica Direct had already selected Japan as the destination, so it was up to Amy Ingalls, director of the company’s Meeting Planning & Events office, to devise a programme that would engage a group of seasoned travellers and provide them with more than they could get from simply walking around the shrine with a brochure.
On site, weather was an issue as Tokyo is notoriously hot and humid in the summer with temperatures peaking in August. The heat can be energy-sapping and, in extreme cases, lead to people being taken unwell.
The final complication involved participants’ desire to snap as many selfies as possible. Some wandered off to take photos during the event, interrupting the flow of the event.
Solutions
Given that the party was largely made up of experienced travellers, Ingalls believes she made the right choice by engaging a DMC with local skills and knowledge, and then following their advice for a Walkshop event.
Weather issues were somewhat alleviated by warning the participants well in advance. With hindsight, Ingalls said future events should have staff stationed along the route ready to hand out cold water.
Banning selfies outright is impractical – and will not go down well with participants – so Ingalls resorted to explaining the schedule clearly to participants and included a set amount of time at the outset and end for them to get snap happy.
Key Takeaways
“I would choose (Japan) again as it is one of the cleanest, safest countries that I have ever visited, while the locals are all very polite and welcoming to tourists,” Ingalls remarked.
She was also pleased to have left the programme in the hands of a “fantastic” DMC, which knew the ideal excursion to both educate and entertain.
“I worked with James Kent at The J Team DMC and they (the team) were fantastic and very detailed,” she said. “They know the country very well and have a deep understanding of incentive programmes and the attendees.”
She gave the thumbs up to how The Walkshop provided “interaction and knowledge” to participants.
“The Walkshop was great for this age group; the average age was approximately 48,” she added. “The participants asked a lot of questions and enjoyed the interaction with Adam (Fulford, who devised the experience). But it is possible that a younger age group might not enjoy this format as much.”
Event: Transamerica Direct 2016 Client Conference Organiser: The J Team DMC and The Walkshop Venue: Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Date: August 6, 2016 Number of participants: 30
Event brief
The Transamerica Direct 2016 Client Conference was a three-city incentive programme for the top clients of the US-based Transamerica Life Insurance Company taking in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
During their stay in Tokyo, the group took part in The Walkshop, an English-language guided walk through the dense forest that surrounds Meiji Shrine. More than merely providing an explanation of the site’s history and significance, Walkshop participants are encouraged to focus on the three concepts of knowing, being and doing.
Drawing on East Asian culture to examine these important concepts, and how they interact, promotes efficient and effective action that can be applied in the work place or private life.
Challenges
The challenges occured in two stages – in the initial planning and after the event had commenced.
Senior management of Transamerica Direct had already selected Japan as the destination, so it was up to Amy Ingalls, director of the company’s Meeting Planning & Events office, to devise a programme that would engage a group of seasoned travellers and provide them with more than they could get from simply walking around the shrine with a brochure.
On site, weather was an issue as Tokyo is notoriously hot and humid in the summer with temperatures peaking in August. The heat can be energy-sapping and, in extreme cases, lead to people being taken unwell.
The final complication involved participants’ desire to snap as many selfies as possible. Some wandered off to take photos during the event, interrupting the flow of the event.
Solutions
Given that the party was largely made up of experienced travellers, Ingalls believes she made the right choice by engaging a DMC with local skills and knowledge, and then following their advice for a Walkshop event.
Weather issues were somewhat alleviated by warning the participants well in advance. With hindsight, Ingalls said future events should have staff stationed along the route ready to hand out cold water.
Banning selfies outright is impractical – and will not go down well with participants – so Ingalls resorted to explaining the schedule clearly to participants and included a set amount of time at the outset and end for them to get snap happy.
Key Takeaways
“I would choose (Japan) again as it is one of the cleanest, safest countries that I have ever visited, while the locals are all very polite and welcoming to tourists,” Ingalls remarked.
She was also pleased to have left the programme in the hands of a “fantastic” DMC, which knew the ideal excursion to both educate and entertain.
“I worked with James Kent at The J Team DMC and they (the team) were fantastic and very detailed,” she said. “They know the country very well and have a deep understanding of incentive programmes and the attendees.”
She gave the thumbs up to how The Walkshop provided “interaction and knowledge” to participants.
“The Walkshop was great for this age group; the average age was approximately 48,” she added. “The participants asked a lot of questions and enjoyed the interaction with Adam (Fulford, who devised the experience). But it is possible that a younger age group might not enjoy this format as much.”
Event: Transamerica Direct 2016 Client Conference Organiser: The J Team DMC and The Walkshop Venue: Meiji Shrine, Tokyo Date: August 6, 2016 Number of participants: 30
Tourism has mostly escaped the devastating effects of flooding and heavy rains in Sri Lanka over the past week, which resulted in at least 177 deaths and half a million people displaced in the country.
“Tourism-related activity has not been hampered because most hotels are located on the southern coastline; the airport is open, roads and hotels are operating,” Paddy Withana, chairman of state-run Sri Lanka Tourism told TTG Asia.
The impact is kept minimal as the May-June period is the traditional low season for tourism in Sri Lanka.
Officials at the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators added that round-tours were operating as usual and major cultural sites such as Kandy and Sigiriya rock were unaffected.
“We have asked for a report on the situation from hotels in affected areas but so far there’s been no major impact,” said Sanath Ukwatte, chairman, Tourist Hotels Association of Sri Lanka.
The floods caused by swollen rivers breaching their banks affected districts mostly south of the capital. Though most Sri Lankan hotels are on the southern coastline, many are located miles from the rivers, according to hoteliers interviewed. The floods are now receding.
CLIA will hold a river cruise conference in Asia for the first time next year.
The inaugural event in Asia will take place in Ho Chi Minh City on April 10, 2018, followed by a sailing on the Mekong River for travel agents on April 12.
Ho Chi Minh City
The announcement was made at the CLIA Conference. Further details will be announced when registration opens this summer.
CLIA member travel agents will be able to take advantage of a trade fair and conference sessions, which will focus on identifying potential river cruise customers and learning more about the wide variety of experiences offered on a river cruise holiday, and particularly around the cruise holiday choices in Asia.
In a move that parallels Lufthansa’s surcharge levy introduced in 2015, British Airways and Iberia will soon impose a fee of eight pounds (US$10) on bookings made through GDSs.
The surcharge will be effective from November 1 this year, covering fares across all cabins and classes, announced both airlines – owned by International Airline Group (IAG) – in a letter to the UK agents.
The fee is expected to recover “the additional costs applied” on existing distribution channels, namely GDSs like Amadeus, Travelport and Sabre.
Bookings made through channels such as the airlines’ websites, sales offices and call offices, as well as NDC channels, NDC via an IT service provider/aggregator or self-booking tools connected to both carriers via NDC, will be exempted from the booking fee.
Finnair, the flag carrier for Finland, has joined PATA as its aviation member, the first Nordic airline to do so in recent years.
“Finnair’s growth strategy is strongly linked to the Asia & Pacific region. Serving 18 Asian destinations non-stop from Helsinki… it is a natural step for us to join this leading association,” said Juha Jarvinen, the airline’s chief commercial officer and executive board member.
“We want to further develop our business and intensify the ties (with) important local tourism authorities, associations and regional/local companies,” he added.
As a PATA member, Finnair will have access to the organisation’s extensive network and in-depth research and insights provided by the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre, according to PATA CEO Mario Hardy.
A homely feel, roomy interiors and dazzling views of Kuala Lumpur’s downtown are what it takes for this new serviced residence to put a smile on S Puvaneswary‘s face
Location
The Face Suites is located on prime land in the Golden Triangle, considered the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s CBD. It is within walking distance to the Bukit Nanas monorail station, Quill City Mall and KL Life Centre, a contemporary dining and entertainment hub. Nearby attractions include Petronas Twin Towers, Aquaria KLCC, KL Tower and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.
Room
I immediately felt very welcome when I stepped into the living room of my one-bedroom suite and saw a plate of Christmas cookies laid out for me – my stay coincided with the Christmas season. Next to it was a welcome letter from the general manager, Sunny Tan.
The place was homely, with potted plants in the living room and TV area, as well as an assortment of books on the living room shelf and private study room. At 100m2, the suite was certainly expansive by city standards.
The living room space also included a full-sized refrigerator, a washing machine with dryer facilities, and a modern kitchenette equipped with a kitchen hood and microwave oven.
I loved that the work area was separated from the living space by a sliding door. For those wanting to work, the TV was located at the far end of the living room, well away from the work desk.
I noticed that all the different spaces of my suite had individually controlled air-conditioning, which is both practical and economical.
Facilities
The rooftop on level 51 offered a spectacular panoramic view of the city. Solely for recreation and dining purposes, level 51 also had a fully equipped gym, a reading room and best of all, a large, open air infinity pool, which also happens to be heated. It was an especially nice feeling to swim at night against a backdrop of a million lights shimmering from the high-rise buildings all around.
The semi-fine dining restaurant offering Western fusion dishes, Tangerine, and the Deepblue Bar, both located on the rooftop, will open soon.
Service
The staff were helpful, friendly and took care of my every need.
Verdict
I had a great experience staying in such a fantastic location in the city.
Barely a month after Thomas Cook India announced its purchase of Kuoni Global Travel Services’ DMC network in Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, JTB Corporation today announced its acquisition of all shares of Kuoni Global Travel Services for an undisclosed price.
The Kuoni Global Travel Services acquisition is a move to bolster JTB Corporation’s ambitions to become a top global DMC, as the partnership is expected to strengthen the inbound business services and increase the market share in Europe.
It will also support the expansion and strengthening of the global MICE services in Europe and the US markets, which is complementary to existing JTB MICE business, the company said in a statement.
Thomas Cook’s acquisition does not include Kuoni Destination Management Europe and Kuoni Destination Management US, which remain in the portfolio of Kuoni Global Travel Services.
Reto Wilhelm, CEO of Kuoni Global Travel Services, said: “JTB is one of the biggest and most respected market players in our industry. Joining JTB provides our company with the best positioned owner, which will help us realise the full potential of Kuoni Global Travel Services.”
Eijiro Yamakita, president & CEO of the European regional headquarters of JTB, said: “Kuoni Global Travel Services is one of the world’s leading travel companies with an important presence especially in Asian leisure and corporate groups visiting Europe. The acquisition offers an excellent opportunity to be a unique operator by gathering the network and knowledge. It enables the provision of detailed services to meet each customer’s needs with high added-value and the expansion of the inbound business.”
In the past few years, JTB has been expanding the inbound travel business to Europe, a major destination for travellers. By 2020, it is forecasted that foreign visitors to Europe will reach approximately 620 million (a 150 million increase from 2010), driven especially by China and Asian markets.
In addition to the Japan market, JTB has enhanced the outbound travel business from growing markets. In February, JTB also bought a 40 per cent share of Panorama Tours Indonesia to grow its Indonesian outbound business and inbound business into Japan.
The acquisition is subject to approval by the relevant competition a1uthorities and compliance with any other local legal requirements.
Kuoni Global Travel Services in a statement says it will continue efforts to be a neutral land operator to work with many companies other than JTB, paying full attention on the protection of any sensitive information.
Kariyawasan expressed optimism citing the country’s “booming tourism, growth in expatriate relocations and an increase in international investments”.
Ho Chi Minh City
