Living the glory days

September 2, 2016

TTG Asia finds out why destinations should not rest on UNESCO laurels as industry players share how the coveted status interplays with tourism in the region

Singapore Botanic Gardens
Blossoming into maturity

Established in 1859, Singapore Botanic Gardens was inscribed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015, marking a first for the city-state.

Highlights at this tropical garden paradise include the National Orchid Garden, home to the world’s largest orchid display with over 60,000 plants and orchids.

Nigel Taylor, group director at Singapore Botanic Gardens and National Parks Board (NParks), said: “Following its inscription, NParks is committed to sustaining Singapore’s green legacy through the gardens’ site management plan. Measures such as the protection of the gardens’ centuries-old trees have been set in place.”

There are also plans to add more orchid varieties to the National Orchid Garden, introduce a new Learning Forest and extend the Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden, he shared.

As well, the gardens in April announced it will develop a new Ethnobotany Garden to allow visitors to learn about plants used by indigenous cultures of South-east Asia.

Taylor added: “This will enhance the gardens’ role as an educational provider, which is in line with UNESCO’s mission.”

And since its UNESCO inscription last year, the gardens has recorded an increase in footfall, said Taylor, and now attracts more than 4.7 million visitors annually.

However, the garden does not rank top among Singapore’s must-sees, Ajambar Basmet, director of Chariot Travels noted, urging strong marketing to raise awareness of and leverage the gardens’ new UNESCO status.

Likewise, Samson Tan, CEO of GTMC Travel, wants more marketing to promote the gardens, especially at the ground level.He said: “The venue management needs to sit down with the NATAS inbound committee to brainstorm new marketing (activities) and get the industry to roll out (the initiatives in a concerted way).”

Reporting by Paige Lee Pei Qi

Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Wounded coast still a star

The world’s largest coral reef, which stretches over 2,000km along the Queensland coastline, continues to be a tourist magnate despite facing a current mass bleaching crisis.

Alex de Waal, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, said half of the visitors to the site are domestic but the number of international tourists is growing rapidly. Top source market China supplied approximately 200,000 visitors last year, followed by the US and Japan at about 130,000 and 100,000 respectively.

In recent months, the reef has reportedly been plagued with one of the worst coral bleaching crises in history with at least 35 per cent of corals in the northern and central areas killed.

Professor Terry Hughes, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University, stated: “This year is the third time in 18 years that the Great Barrier Reef has experienced mass bleaching due to global warming. The current event is much more extreme than we’ve measured before.”

Nevertheless, Waal emphasised that this environmental issue has “minimal impact on the tourist”.

“This doesn’t mean the death of the reef. It’s like having a sun tan, you get burnt but don’t die. Visitors are still able to see the beautiful colours of the reef.”

Caitlin Williams, a spokesperson from the Capta Group, agreed: “We still have huge numbers of people wanting to visit the reef and there is no change in any of the sites that they visit.”

Williams added that the reef remains a top “must-do” for any visitor to Queensland.

Likewise, Andy Indra, senior sales manager of Experience Tour Australia, said the reef is still a popular destination and with its identity as renowned UNESCO World Heritage Sites clearly cemented, there is no lack of awareness of this spectacular site.

Reporting by Paige Lee Pei Qi

George Town, Malaysia
A market for festivals

Penang’s George Town has undergone tremendous transformation from its 18th century beginnings as the first British Straits Settlement to become UNESCO listed in 2008 and globally recognised for its vibrant arts and culture scene.

In honour of the UNESCO designation, the George Town Festival was inaugurated in 2010. Every year, the month-long event transforms the city into a stage showcasing local and international acts. The festival attracts some 250,000 visitors annually, both domestic and international.

In addition to the George Town Festival, Penang island also boasts a trio of cultural festivals in the last quarter of the year – the George Town Literary Festival, In-Between Arts Festival and Penang Island Jazz Festival.

Its growing array of festivals aside, George Town’s UNESCO status is also deemed advantageous for tour operators.

“The branding is important as travellers will trust an internationally recognised brand more than they would a tour operator. It makes it easier for operators to promote,” Manfred Kurz, managing director, Diethelm Travel Malaysia, said.

Henry Ong, head of business development, Holiday Tours, agreed: “The branding is an endorsement by a world body and it is important for the Caucasian markets such as Australia and Europe since they are travelling from afar to come here.”

On what more can be done, Kurz said: “Most of our Penang programmes are based around its heritage. The local government should train more special guides to conduct heritage tours and special interest tours in George Town. There is also room for improvement on the maintenance of the old site.”

In 2015, Penang saw a 4.7 per cent increase in arrivals to 683,897 tourists, a feat considering the 6.3 per cent decrease in overall arrivals into Malaysia in 2015.

Reporting by S Puvaneswary

Khao Yai, Thailand
Lush tourism potential

Located in Thailand’s north-east is the country’s oldest national park, Khao Yai, which was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Covering more than 2,000km2 of forest and grassland, the park teems with natural life and features such as the Haew Narok Waterfall (left) where Leonardo Dicaprio’s famed jump in The Beach was filmed.

Travel operators interviewed see value in the park’s UNESCO status.

Pornthip Hirunkate, managing director – Thailand, Destination Asia, said: “The UNESCO brand is a useful selling tool in bringing the right kind of exposure – it is also attractive as people aspire to visit renowned destinations.”

Samuel Desmier, Abercrombie & Kent’s regional managing director for South-east Asia, commented: “It is always a huge draw for travellers planning their vacations in South-east Asia. It’s a stamp of approval from the foremost authority on culture and natural beauty, and travellers commonly believe that a UNESCO Site shouldn’t be missed.”

Khao Yai’s developments over the last 10 years have made it a destination “of potential” for the luxury tour operator.

Added Desmier: “If the vineyards in Khao Yai continue to develop, the area has the potential to become the Napa Valley of South-east Asia. (Together with) its UNESCO status and the small collection of boutique five-star properties such as Kirimaya and Muti Maya, we expect the area to shine in the next five years.”

But illegal land encroachment has become an issue for Khao Yai as it grows as a hillside resort location, with the Thai government recently clamping down on properties built in the national reserve.

Pornthip remarked: “Khao Yai is a unique destination in Thailand – currently the state of tourism in and around the park needs to be controlled for the ecological future of the park and its inhabitants.”

Reporting by Xinyi Liang-Pholensa

Angkor Wat Archaeological Park, Cambodia
A push for conservation

Angkor Wat is undoubtedly Cambodia’s largest tourist attraction, drawing more than 2.1 million visitors to explore the ancient temple complex in 2015.

Spanning over 40,000ha, the archaeological park in Siem Reap is home to hundreds of temples dating from the 9th to 15th century, including the iconic Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm.

Agents say Angkor is Cambodia’s biggest selling point, with its World Heritage badge offering no additional incentive to travellers. “Angkor sells itself,” says Exo Travel’s Cambodia general manager, Pierre-André Romano, adding that 80 per cent of clients include Angkor in their itineraries. “The challenge is always to sell other elements of Cambodia.”

Likewise, Angkor also forms the centrepiece of Discover the Mekong’s itineraries, said CEO Kimhean Pich. However, the company has created tours that showcase the wider area of Siem Reap province to travellers. “We need to show there is more than just Angkor Wat,” he added.

Angkor’s World Heritage status – awarded in 1992 – has brought with it benefits, such as conservation and restoration efforts. During the last decade, decaying sections of Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm have been restored to their former glory, with work ongoing.

In June, the Cambodian government requested further help from UNESCO to assist with restoration training, claiming erosion, tourist traffic and pollution were creating a greater need.

In response to fears raised over whether the ancient structures can cope with heavy visitor volumes, the governing Apsara Authority has installed designated walkways and wooden steps to protect vulnerable areas and promoted the use of bicycles and electric bikes.

In May, all traffic was banned from the front of Angkor Wat to cut down on congestion.

Reporting by Paige Lee Pei Qi

Luang Prabang, Laos
Keeping development in check

Dubbed the best-preserved city in South-east Asia, Luang Prabang was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, but the status has not been particularly important in marketing the town.

“(The UNESCO status) is a plus and nice to have,” said Laurent Granier, co-founder and general manager of Laos Mood Travel. “But I have not noticed any agency and clients telling me they come to Luang Prabang because it is listed.”

Jon Bourbaud, Laos general manager at Apple Tree Group added: “The label is more important to ensure that future development does not happen too fast (and) bring negative impacts to Luang Prabang.”

Luang Prabang’s World Heritage Site status has helped to protect its rich architectural heritage, as regulations are placed on hotel sizes and buildings, remarked Bourbaud. He shared that Apple Tree Group’s new Parasol Blanc hotel, for example, cannot have a swimming pool due to its location is in a wetland area surrounded by natural ponds.

Granier believes the UNESCO label has helped attract newer markets like China and South Korea, especially with Lao Airlines launching new air routes to China.

But Luang Prabang’s pre-eminent status as a World Heritage site tends to overshadow other destinations in Laos.

Added Granier: “Luang Prabang has so much ‘charm’ that visiting anywhere after it is somehow challenging to propose. Sadly, Vientiane and other provinces do not have the matching profiles to be featured confidently.

“(That said), Luang Prabang is still too often the object of an extension from Bangkok or Hanoi,” he elaborated.

Reporting by Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the Philippines
Ebb and flow of a famed site

Home to the world’s longest underground river, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park does not draw the resounding praise from tourists and agents that one might expect.

The site has had its UNESCO badge since 1999 but it only found fame in 2012 when it was recognised under a separate accolade, the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

Tourists started arriving in droves, leading the city government to limit visitation to 800 pax a day or half the daily demand.

Still, this left some concerned about the environmental impacts of tourism and whether the UNESCO committee’s recommendations are being followed.

Although the use of audio guides in place of local boatmen has helped to minimise noise in the cave, Felise Cruz, marketing and operations manager of Trips Travel, opined that tours now are less interactive and do not offer the touch of local humour.

Cruz explained that Asians, in contrast to Europeans, are less awed by the attraction since neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam share similar geography with the Philippines.

Wilson Techico, vice president for business and product development, Uni-Orient Travel, would like to see more activities introduced in the area so tourists can spend more time there.

It takes two hours to get from Puerto Princesa to the river but the river tour alone only takes about 45 minutes.

Techico said a programme packed with more activities can make the experience more memorable, adding that the few restaurants in the area serve just “basic” food.

Reporting by Rosa Ocampo

Sundarbans National Park, India
No roaring reception

Inbound operators acknowledge that this UNESCO World Heritage site has far from met its full tourism potential.

“Until now Sundarbans has been projected (mostly) as the home of the royal Bengal tiger. The challenge is to reposition it in the international market as a magical world of mangrove, rivers, flora and fauna and a site for (ecotourism),” said Surajit Bose, joint director, tourism, government of West Bengal.

Trade sources shared that roughly 5,500 foreign tourists visited the park during last year’s inbound season.

Rajib Banerjee, director, East Wind Holidays, said international demand is weak due to inadequate marketing.

“Despite being a UNESCO site, Sundarbans received less traction compared to some other sanctuaries because of the lack of infrastructure and regional connectivity,” explained Dipak Deva – managing director, Travel Corporation, India.

“A lack of forest lodges, boats and improper safety measures make it difficult to sell to foreign tourists,” added Ravi Gosain, director, Erco Travels.

Compounding the challenge is the lack of guides who speak foreign languages, both Amaresh Tiwari, managing director, AT Seasons & Vacations Travel and Arun Anand, managing director, Midtown Travels pointed out.

Nevertheless, the park’s UNESCO title brings a glimmer of hope. Tiwari remarked: “We always highlight (the UNESCO badge) in our brochures and marketing material to sell the destination.”

Also optimistic, Anand added: “There is a segment of international tourists who always keep in mind to visit such sites.”

Reporting by Rohit Kaul

Himeji Castle, Japan
Location matters

Among the most popular of Japan’s 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites is the ancient Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron castle.

A record number of over 2.8 million people visited the castle in the town of Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture in the financial year ending March 31, 2015, of which 306,348 were from overseas, nearly four times the figure of the previous year. The previous record of over 1.7 million visitors was set in 1964.

The UNESCO tag carries great weight for visitors to Japan. Shigeki Misawa of the sales division of inbound specialists Freeplus said: “In our experience, virtually all tourists coming to Japan on a package tour will go to at least one UNESCO site.”

However, agents expressed that there are other important factors such as location and proximity to other attractions.

“Himeji Castle is very popular with overseas groups because it is convenient to reach, while somewhere like Shiretoko is much harder to get to,” said Hayashi Nori, director of sales of Tokyo Asean Service.

He added: “Places like Shiretoko or the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture have relatively few other attractions… Groups will not be happy to travel for three hours just to see one thing.”

Nori opined there are ways to better capitalise on the appeal of UNESCO sites. “The national government and local authorities need to do more, such as providing information on how to get to the more remote sites or details on accommodation,” he said.

“It would (also) be helpful if local governments hold workshops for agents to inform us of additional attractions in their regions.”

Reporting by Julian Ryall

Kandy, Sri Lanka
Paving the way

Widely seen as Sri Lanka’s cultural capital, the pre-colonial kingdom is one of eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country.

Famous for the 17th century Sacred Temple of the Tooth, the city is also home to the Kandy Esala Perahera, a 10-day Buddhist ceremony replete with elephants in ceremonial gear, dancers, drummers and stilt-walkers that parade the streets.

Rodney Armstrong, past president of the Kandy Hoteliers’ Association and resident manager at Mahaweli Reach Hotel – Kandy, said the city, 115km north of Colombo, has great potential of serving as a hub and destination for three-night stays if roads are widened and traffic congestion is alleviated. Currently, single-night itineraries are more typical of visits to the city.

Similarly, traffic poses the biggest problem in growing Kandy’s tourism for Colombo-based inbound agents like Mahen Kariyawasam, managing director of Andrews Travels, who added that the authorities have plans to build tunnels to help road users bypass the busy city centre.

Government plans include the widening of entry roads. A new four-lane highway from Colombo is on the cards, aimed at shaving the trip time from at least 180 minutes to 60-80 minutes.

Both Mahen and Armstrong also see value in adding a dance theatre to the city, which they suggested could be the cultural centre of the city where authentic Kandyan dances and other cultural events are showcased.

At least 80 per cent of foreign visitors to Sri Lanka visited Kandy last year, according to Sri Lankan Tourism.

Reporting by Feizal Samath

This article was first published in TTG Asia September 2016 issue. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

Photo of the Day: GM of The Fullerton Heritage knighted

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2016

Giovanni Viterale (right), general manager of The Fullerton Heritage knighted with the Order of the Star of Italy

General manager of Singapore’s The Fullerton Heritage, Giovanni Viterale, has been honored by the president of Italy with the bestowing of the Order of the Star of Italy upon the hospitality industry veteran. Viterale was knighted on August 26 for his efforts in facilitating the promotion of friendship and cooperation between Italy and Asia.

The Fullerton Heritage comprises establishments The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, One Fullerton, The Fullerton Pavilion, Clifford Pier and Customs House. The Fullerton Hotel was recently gazetted as Singapore’s 71st National Monument in December 2015.

[PERSPECTIVES] Keeping road-warriors safe in a crazy world

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2016

THERE are always risks that travellers need be aware of regardless of their destination. What is important is for travellers and organisations to understand these travel risks and have processes and systems in place to mitigate these risks. Preparation and mitigation of travel risks is paramount to ensure a safer travel.

The risk for a worker travelling or working abroad can cover a wide range of issues in addition to the traditional occupational safety, health and security considerations.

Some of these issues are: health issues such as cardiovascular diseases; quality and accessibility of adequate healthcare; location-specific infection risks; lost medication; lost travel documents; the quality of state security and emergency services; road traffic accidents; political unrest; violent crime, terrorism and conflicts; major accidents; natural disasters; as well as cultural and legal complexities.

A recent Ipsos Global Advisor study found that although 80 per cent of travellers had concerns about safety abroad, less than four in 10 travellers research about the level of crime at a destination, what neighbourhoods they should avoid, the safety standards of public transport, or security features at their accommodation before they travel.

The study also reported that while 71 per cent of senior executive travellers had experienced a medical problem abroad, only 15 per cent assessed the adequacy of local healthcare before travelling. In addition, nearly one in three trips abroad are to countries with higher risk ratings than the traveller’s home country.

For companies, Duty of Care to employees is the expectation – not the exception. International travel is a large component of many organisations to such an extent that the definition of the workplace is evolving, integrating professional travel and assignments.

In order to fulfil its Duty of Care responsibility to employees, organisations need to consider the different needs of the many types of working travellers. They can be a senior executive who is travelling to close an important deal, a consulting technician who is travelling to service a system or a manual labourer working with a large group building a road through a jungle.

When employees feel unwell or unsafe when travelling, it will cause them to feel extremely vulnerable. As such, organisations need to ensure that adequate measures and support are in place for their employees.

A practical framework which organisations can use should include these elements: policy development and implementation; dynamic threat and hazard identification and risk assessment; organising, planning and implementation; evaluation; and action for improvement.

Organisations should ensure that adequate health, safety, security and legal protection measures are in place for their workers on international travel assignments for the following reasons.

First, prevention, timely intervention and mitigation of incidents reduce costly disruption to business activities, help to improve morale and strengthen productivity.

Secondly, an adequate identification of threats and hazards, and the management of risks during an incident may allow for the continuation of activities or the development of new opportunities, which could have otherwise have been lost.

Meeting these responsibilities can mean a positive return on investment. Moreover, this protection is an important part of corporate social responsibility. It is important to ensure that all relevant legal obligations are met, hence reducing risks that an organisation could face with litigation.

juliana_gim

Juliana Gim is the managing director of International SOS Singapore.

By Juliana Gim

Bali to welcome Asia-Pacific marketing experts this October

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2016

MORE than 20 inspirational speakers – from the world’s leading enterprises and a broad variety of industries – will share their experience building and promoting global brands on social media at the upcoming Engage Bali 2016 conference.

More than 200 marketing experts from all over Asia-Pacific are expected to attend.

“For the first time ever, we are bringing to Bali an entire constellation of the world’s best digital marketers, such as the legendary Daniel Morel who led Wunderman, a leading global digital agency, for 14 years, and Veronica McGregor who launched NASA on Twitter and has won many awards in the field of social marketing,” said Robert Lang, CEO of Socialbakers.

Other digital marketing gurus speaking at Engage Bali include Dennis Owen from Cathay Pacific, Sabeen Ahmad from Publicis Groupe, Lars Silberbauer Andersen from Lego, and Paul Moore from Australian Open.

Keynote speakers will shed light on best practices for creating powerful stories, attracting millions of followers, engaging target audiences and boosting companies’ business performance with the help of social media. In addition to the main conference, participants will be able to attend a full-day programme of workshops and trainings.

To be held at the Grand Hyatt Bali resort in Nusa Dua, Indonesia from October 7-8, 2016, the conference is conducted by Socialbakers, a social media analytics provider, and supported by Telkomsel, Indonesia’s largest mobile operator.

Sanya guns for MICE city recognition with new MICE forum, ICCA membership

By Caroline Boey

September 1, 2016

SANYA has taken major steps to be China’s next top MICE destination, and one of them include the inauguration of the International Island Sanya Forum that concludes tomorrow.

The MICE-focused forum is a project three years in the making by the Sanya Tourism Development Commission (STDC) and its partners. The event has drawn more than 200 delegates from all over China as well as international MICE media representatives.

Also significant at today’s MICE forum was STDC becoming an ICCA member and the incorporation of a China MICE tourism advisory board which comprises eight of the country’s leading MICE companies.

Ni Hui, president of Grand China MICE and a representative of the board, said the aim is to help develop Sanya into a world-class MICE destination.

He added that delegates attending events organised by his company were satisfied with the hardware and software in Sanya which is benefitting from continuous infrastructure upgrades.

Meanwhile, Noor Ahmad Hamid, director of Asia-Pacific with ICCA, reported that for the first time Sanya has made it to the 2014/2015 Asia-Pacific city rankings.

Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya unveils meetings and events spaces

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2016

The hotel’s Siam Grand Ballroom can be divided into two independent spaces

THE Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya hotel, which opened in December last year, is ready to welcome MICE groups.

The beachfront hotel now features business events spaces such as the 392m² Siam Grand Ballroom (for up to 350 pax in theatre seating or 200 in banquet arrangement), which can be divided into two ‘Siam Rooms’; three separate Marina Conference Rooms (each for 20 to 40 pax); and a pre-function foyer.

Hayden Edgtton, general manager of Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya, said: “There has already been strong interest and bookings for the MICE facilities and packages.”

Apart from working with clients to arrange half- and full-day meeting packages, themed parties and gala dinners, the hotel’s meetings and events team can also host chartered yacht parties for groups at the nearby marina.

To launch the MICE facilities, the property is offering a promotion for bleisure travellers.

From now until December 21, 2016, clients who confirm bookings 30 days before check-in will enjoy benefits that come with the Early Bird Business Package, including complimentary Wi-Fi in guestrooms, a choice of Thai or International lunch menu, full-day use of the meeting rooms, and a choice of an early morning coffee break, themed coffee break or pre-dinner cocktails.

Weekday room rates for the package start from just 4,000 baht (US$115.50).

Korea MICE Bureau touts new website upgrades, offers prizes

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2016

THE Korea MICE Bureau (KMB) has relaunched its website with upgrades to help business event organisers along the planning process.

First launched in 2009, KoreaConvention.org is a resource for anyone interested in holding meetings, incentives, and other business events in South Korea.

The redesign provides an enhanced planning experience with an updated database of venues and accommodation, MICE events calendar, and free downloadable guides.

One main highlight is a new Request for Proposal page, which allows planners to submit event specifications and track the progress of their application.

“We want the new website to be the ultimate planning tool for all events in Korea,” said Hee Jin Cho, head of the Korea MICE promotion team.

“We aim to make life as easy as possible for organisers, along with showing them that Korea is an accessible, friendly meetings destination,” he added.

To promote the upgraded website, KMB is offering prizes to 54 winners, who will be rewarded as follows:

Top prize: roundtrip flights to South Korea + 4D3N stay at a five-star hotel (one winner)
Samsung Gear 360 (three winners)
US$20 Amazon gift card (50 winners)

To enter, participants need to answer one question about the official KMB website and supply their personal details.

Entries will be accepted from September 1 to November 30 and winners will be announced on December 9.

For more details, visit the event page at http://koreaconvention.org/eng/event/servey.kc.

South Korea to welcome largest Japanese incentive group

By Julian Ryall

September 1, 2016

MORE than 10,000 employees of an association that arranges funerals and weddings in Japan are to take part in an incentive tour to Seoul and Busan, the largest Japanese incentive group to ever visit South Korea.

The Tokyo-based mutual fund society, Zengokyo, has 229 member companies and 2.4 million clients. Its staff will visit South Korea over a period spanning six months between this autumn and next spring, said the Busan Tourism Organisation (BTO).

“This is the first time that over 10,000 employees will visit Korea on an incentive trip from Japan. We see this as a clear indication that Japanese firms are considering Busan as a destination for their incentive trips again,” Yoon Joong-hwa, convention marketing manager for the BTO, told TTGmice e-Weekly.

“This is a mega event that will bring enormous benefits to the local economy. (Moreover), the period from December to March is the off-season for Busan’s MICE industry, so this will serve as a solution to our off-season issues,” he added.

Groups bound for Busan will also explore nearby tourist destinations, including the picturesque coastal cities of Gyeongju, Tongyeong and Geoje. Those who are scheduled to be in Busan in October will also get to attend the Busan One Asia Festival, one of South Korea’s largest music, culture performance and food festivals.

A further 1,000 employees are scheduled to visit Seoul, with shopping expeditions and casino visits high up on the list of things to do.

Hope for minimal impact on tourism amid Zika fears in Singapore

By Dannon Har

September 1, 2016

A GROWING number of countries worldwide are issuing travel advisories to Singapore as cases of Zika infection in the city-state climbed to 115 (as of August 31) in less than a week.

After Australia and Taiwan first issued travel notices for those travelling to Singapore, the UK, US and South Korea have also now done the same.

Nations are warning against travel to Singapore especially for those who are pregnant or planning to conceive.

“Singapore’s first cases of locally transmitted Zika virus were confirmed in August 2016. You should discuss your travel plans with your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant,” stated the UK government on its foreign travel advisory portal.

For South Koreans, they will receive a text message with a Zika warning when they arrive in Singapore. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advised South Korean women to avoid pregnancy for two months after returning from a country on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list.

Singapore was added to the CDC list with a Level 2 alert, which encourages travellers to practice enhanced precautions.

“Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, CDC recommends that travellers to Singapore protect themselves from mosquito bites. Sexual transmission of Zika virus is also possible, so travellers are encouraged to use condoms (or other barriers to prevent infection) or not have sex,” stated CDC on its website.

Pregnant women should not travel to Singapore at all, CDC further cautioned.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s neighbouring countries Malaysia and Indonesia have stepped up measures including thermal screening at airport terminals and border crossings.

“Zika will create fear for tourists wanting to holiday in Singapore and it is bad for the tourism industry,” commented Abdul Rahman Mohamed, general manager of Mayflower Holidays in Malaysia.

“The government must be very transparent in containing the outbreak to create confidence. This must be managed properly.”

The Singapore Tourism Board has stated that it is premature to consider any impact on tourism for now.

Singapore inbound operator Tour East concurs. “At this moment, there is no immediate impact. We have not received any cancellations and I have made a few calls to my contacts in the inbound segment and it is the same feedback,” assured Judy Lum, senior vice-president sales & marketing at Tour East.

“We hope there will be minimal impact despite the travel advisories especially with so many people willing to travel to Brazil during the Olympics despite the high level of infection in Brazil. I believe the fear of Zika virus is not as magnified as the press made it out to be.”

The virus has been found to be locally transmitted, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), meaning those infected were not known to have travelled to Zika-infected areas recently.

The MOH alongside Singapore’s National Environment Agency is currently ramping up efforts to contain the spread of the disease, which includes identifying potential clusters for vector control efforts.

Additional reporting from S Puvaneswary

BeMyGuest opens first China office in Hangzhou

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2016

ACTIVITIES, tours and attractions provider BeMyGuest has opened an office in Hangzhou, China as part of expansion plans in the market.

Headed by general manager He Xiaoxing, the new office is set up to provide capacity for increased customer support, engineering and key leadership functions for the Chinese market.

BeMyGuest China will continue focusing on its B2B business in China with its API already integrated with Chinese OTAs such as Ctrip.

Additionally, it is offering Chinese travel agents a wholesale platform, BeMyGuest’s Agents Marketplace, to provide them access to industry rates and products specifically for Chinese travellers.

“BeMyGuest China will allow us to increase our capabilities in key areas that align with our current and future growth plans. This will allow us to expand our core teams to support the growth we are experiencing while giving us dedicated facilities to host partner briefings and attract talent to join the team,” said Clement Wong, CEO of BeMyGuest.

“Under the leadership of Xiaoxing, we are very confident of scaling our Chinese business. Our team is excited about the rapid growth we are experiencing in China and this move represents a commitment to continue to build on the success our team has accomplished in the world’s largest outbound travel market.”