Muslim travel contributed over US$138 billion to global GDP in 2015 and accounts for more than 10 per cent of tourism spend worldwide, according to the inaugural Global Economic Impact of Muslim Tourism Report 2015 by Salam Standard.

“To put this into perspective, the GDP impact is larger than the entire economy of Morocco or Kuwait,” said the report’s author, Faeez Fadhlillah, co-founder and CEO of Salam Standard and sister firm, Tripfez.

The US and EU emerged as top beneficiaries of Muslim travel spending, netting nearly US$64 billion of inbound expenditure in 2015, or around 44 per cent of the total. They also collect the most Muslim tourist-related tax – to the tune of US$12.5 billion, according to the report.

In terms of tourism spend overseas, the Middle East leads the pack to account for 60 per cent of all outbound Muslim tourism expenditure, worth some US$60 billion. The region also accrues the largest share of their tourism GDP from Muslim travellers (28 per cent).

Asia and Europe are the second largest markets in terms of outbound Muslim travel expenditure, each generating around 20 per cent of total spend.

In terms of direct employment, Thailand is the largest beneficiary, with more than a quarter of a million jobs supported by the Muslim travel sector. And overall, Asia has more than 2.3 million people employed in this sector, surpassing other regions.

Looking ahead, Fadhlillah said: “The sector is expected to grow by 50 per cent in volume and 35 per cent in value over the next five years, but its potential is yet to be unlocked.

“We advise governments and tourism entities in key markets worldwide to put strategies in place that will foster the growth of their Muslim travel sectors and drive demand that will benefit their economies immeasurably.”

Salam Standard, launched in October last year, is an online reference tool for Muslim travellers that categorises hotels according to their adherence to Muslim-friendly standards.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

The implementation of recommendations by the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) has eased runway congestion at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) since September, but industry players are anticipating greater relief from a new airport.

The ban on small aircraft on non-commercial flights from NAIA during peak hours and their transfer to Sangley Point in Cavite has markedly improved airlines’ on-time performance from 55 per cent to 78 per cent.

“This very simple rule by the government is bringing big benefits,” said Alexander Lao, vice president passenger sales of ACAP member Cebu Pacific.

Lao added that the government hired British consultant NATS to increase NAIA’s capacity from 40 to 50 or more movements per hour.

But Maritess Pastofide, assistant general manager of Wayfair Tours, observed that passengers are not feeling the improved on-time performance. What’s needed, Pastorfide said, is a new airport that will serve metro Manila, especially with visitor traffic increasing.

And while airlines were expecting an announcement on a new airport by year-end, Roberto Lim, transportation undersecretary heading the aviation sector, was tight-lipped about when a decision can be made.

He however revealed that two proposals are being considered: the construction of an airport on a 1,600ha site in Bulacan, north of Manila, for four runways plus two more in the future and with a commitment to complete two runways within president Duterte’s term until mid-2022.

The second is an international airport and seaport on a 1,200-ha site in Sangley Point, Cavite – a few minutes away from NAIA by helicopter – for two runways with a provision for expansion.

TTG Asia will be taking a break from December 19 after a fruitful year. We look forward to coming back stronger on January 9, 2017, and to continue bringing you the most breaking news in the travel trade.

The entire TTG Asia Media team wishes all readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Phu Quoc

As Vietnam looks to capitalise on the rising visibility of its beaches in recent years, efforts to market the southern island of Phu Quoc have been met with limited success in Singapore, according to agent feedback at a Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) roadshow last week.

When Vietnam Airlines launched flights between Singapore and Phu Quoc in July 2014, Gloree Travels’ sales and marketing director Serene Lim was among the group of Singaporean agents who enjoyed the short-lived service before it was terminated in October 2015.

While agent feedback on the destination was positive, Lim said the Phu Quoc service was “not quite in demand” as its twice-weekly frequency afforded few options for travel dates and duration.

Today, she observes that the destination continues to appeal more to European travellers. “Many Singaporeans still like shopping and affordability, and Ho Chi Minh City offers more options for that,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Le Thu Ha, representative of the travel industry management department of VNAT, highlighted to Singaporean agents at the roadshow that the country boasts “over 100 beach locales such as those in Danang, Nha Trang, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc”.

She added: “There are further plans for flights from Singapore to (beach destinations) such as Danang and Phu Quoc island.”

Of the beach destinations highlighted, only Danang currently enjoys direct connections from Singapore, whereas transits are required to get to Cam Ranh International Airport (closest to gateway to Nha Trang) and Phu Quoc International Airport.

Mongkok, Hong Kong

A shifting market preference for online bookings and independent travel has significantly transformed the Hong Kong travel agency landscape, leading to a change of ownership for several established operators in recent months.

Inbound travel agency Associated Tours has closed shop after over 40 years in operation following the passing of its major owner. It has been taken over by Gray Line Tour in November 2016, with six full-time staff joining the company.

Gray Line managing director, Michael Wu, told TTG Asia: “Associated Tours has sold its coach business to Kwoon Chung Bus while we take up its longhaul MICE and inbound travel as these are the missing links for us.

“With dwindling group tours, burgeoning FITs and OTA trends, traditional agents face even more competition. Given limited resources, it’s hard for SMEs agents to compete,” Wu remarked.

“As the business environment keeps changing, traditional agents like us have to create new ideas in order to generate higher turnover.”

Meanwhile, tailor-made tour specialist Concorde Travel, which was established in 1978, has joined forces with the Jebsen Travel Group since last month.

Said Concorde’s managing director Graham Elsom: “Joining Jebsen allows Concorde Travel to leverage the Jebsen Travel Group’s extensive travel industry portfolio and access the best deals.”

The entire Concorde team has been absorbed by Jebsen, while Elsom will act as travel consultant and business development advisor. The name Concorde Travel, however, will cease to exist.

London-based B2B accommodation wholesaler Travellanda has appointed Maing Fong as its GSA in Myanmar, in a strategic move to expand its distribution in a key emerging market.

Maing Fong has since rebranded as Travellanda Myanmar and will act as the exclusive selling agent for Travellanda in Myanmar.

Meanwhile, access to Travellanda’s White Label System will enable Maing Fong to instantly build its business without the need to develop its own technology.

Arzu Sutcu, head of online at Travellanda, said: “Myanmar is an important market for us… Our team will be providing any necessary support and technology to help grow this region.”

Lin Myat Tun, CEO of Maing Fong (Travellanda Myanmar), said: “The competitive product range and technology they have provided us with will allow us to further increase our footprint within the region.”

Mario Hardy

PATA has signed an MoU with the Fiji-based South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) to promote and develop sustainable tourism across the Pacific island destinations.

The partnership will grant the SPTO access to PATA’s online data platform, PATAmPower, which provides tourism related data including on international arrivals.

In return, SPTO will be encouraging destinations to provide all relevant statistical information to enable PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre to provide analysis of trends and long-term forecasts.

“We continue to encourage tourists to visit lesser-known destinations and are looking forward to working with SPTO in promoting further the importance of sustainable tourism development,” said PATA CEO Mario Hardy.

“There are endless possibilities for leisure, adventure and cultural tourism throughout the South Pacific, and our partnership with the SPTO will raise awareness about these destinations in many influential source markets.”

SPTO’s chief executive Christopher Cocker said: “We have a common goal of promoting the Pacific Islands and providing our respective members with benefits and services which will be enriched if we, as regional tourism bodies and associations, share our expertise and experience, and work together.”

Regional carrier SilkAir will take over two of parent Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) services in April, as part of the SIA Group’s route optimisation drive.

SilkAir’s thrice-weekly services will replace SIA’s SQ466/SQ467 flights, while SIA will continue to operate its daily night flight SQ468 and return flight SQ469.

The new service to Colombo, MI428, will be scheduled on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with a same-day return flight operating as MI427, similar to the current SIA timing.

The Colombo services will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft with business and economy class cabins, extending the SilkAir network to 53 destinations across 15 countries.

Rosewood Phuket

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is launching a new integrative wellness concept, Asaya, for debut at Rosewood Phuket in April 2017.

The brand fuses alternative therapies, lifestyle and nutrition coaching, educational wellness programming, fitness activities and healing treatments, with an overarching dedication to ingredients and design.

Wellness sessions will begin with a meeting with lifestyle coaches, nutritionists and therapists, who will tailor treatments to help guests fulfil specific goals.

Another feature is the option for group treatments in the private Signature Suites or Villas, which will provide treatment areas, hydrotherapy zones, and indoor and outdoor social spaces.

As well, visitors may choose to extend the wellness experience with a stay in an overnight Asaya Suite with separate sleeping, living and therapy areas.

Asaya will also offer a variety of indoor and outdoor fitness activities, from yoga and tai chi to high-impact activities such as spinning, boxing and bootcamp. A partnership with Technogym will allow Asaya to incorporate wellness and social uses into its fitness centres.

Niamh O’Connell, Rosewood’s group vice president – guest experience and wellness, said: “Recognising the gaps that exist in the luxury hotel spa arena, we created a concept that will help establish a foundation of well-being, offering fluid and flexible solutions to individual needs and evolve with the guest along their lifelong wellness journey.”

After its Phuket debut, the Asaya brand will be introduced at Rosewood Hong Kong when it opens in 2018, as well as other Rosewood properties around the world.