One Farrer builds art haven status

January 25, 2016

THE Singapore Art Week may have ended yesterday but the art party continues with The Farrer Park Company launching this Wednesday a 240-page book detailing the process of building the massive art collection at the One Farrer complex.

There are more than 700 original artworks commissioned for specific spaces throughout the complex, which includes One Farrer Hotel & Spa, One Farrer Conference Centre, Farrer Park Hospital, Farrer Park Medical Centre and Owen Link, a retail and dining zone. The collection, which is not for sale, is permanent but is not only for the enjoyment of hotel guests. Free one-hour guided tours are given daily from 15.00 starting at the hotel lobby while private tours with a minimum of six persons may be arranged by appointment.

The voluminous coffee-table book takes readers from ‘Creating A Vision’ through the varied ‘galleries’, highlighting many of the art pieces done by over 60 well-known and emerging artists living and working throughout Greater Asia. It ends with ‘Building A Collection’ which describes the conceptualisation, creation, commissioning, selection and installation of the collection, which is already recognised as one of the most comprehensive in the region.

Art is increasingly a magnet to draw visitors to Singapore. The just-concluded Singapore Art Week, for example, has grown over four years and draws more international visitors. It comprises three art fairs. Of these, Art Stage, the anchor, alone saw 71 new galleries. Seventy-five per cent of its exhibitors were from Asia, reinforcing its identity as matchmaker for collectors, artists, curators and enthusiasts in the region.

The Singapore Art Week, organised annually around this time by the National Arts Council, Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore Economic Development Board, also boasts site-specific events, art walks and tours.

The launch of Farrer Park’s ‘Art.Lifestyle.Environment’ book coincidentally dovetails a week of art frenzy. Following a private launch on January 27, there will be an art exhibition and sale of art by artists represented at the complex in the grand ballroom of the hotel on January 29 (18.00 to 20.00) and January 30 (12.00 to 16.00). The exhibition is open to the general public at no charge.

“This is a book about the unique and intuitive process of creating an art collection. It chronicles a three-year journey from the genesis of a vision to the reality of conceptualising and commissioning a rich collection”, said Richard Helfer, chairman, One Farrer Hotel & Spa, who helmed the book project and is its editor.

Exo Travel bolsters management team

By TTG Asia

January 25, 2016

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Jason Rolan, general manager of Laos, Exo Travel

EXO Travel has made several new appointments to its management team in South-east Asia.

Jason Rolan joins as general manager of Laos after spending more than 10 years in Asia’s tourism industry. He is able to speak, read and write fluent Lao and most recently worked in Laos for Khiri Travel.

English national Matthew Blench is now director of Exo Adventure and was most recently DMC Treasure Travel Laos’ general manager. In his new role, he will be leading the future strategic direction and maintaining operational oversight of Exo Adventure.

Jean-Baptiste Richard, who is fluent in Thai, joins as assistant general manager of Thailand, and had previously worked for Exo Travel between 2005 and 2008 as product manager and north Thailand operations manager in Chiang Mai.

Marriott distributes inventory on Rakuten Travel

By TTG Asia

January 25, 2016

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(From right) Peggy Fang Roe, chief sales and marketing officer, Marriott International, AsiaPacific, and Kazunori Takeda, managing executive officer and director, Rakuten

MARRIOTT International has signed an agreement with Rakuten Travel to distribute all of its hotel inventory on the online travel platform.

The agreement, to commence sometime in 1Q2016, will enable Japanese travellers to check room inventory and rates, as well as make bookings at more than 4,300 Marriott hotels worldwide via any digital device.

“Rakuten Travel deeply understands the buying behavior of Japanese travellers, particularly online, and that is a big focus for us,” said Peggy Fang Roe, chief sales and marketing officer at Marriott International, Asia Pacific.

Overheard: Pssst, Hilton to launch 13th brand

By Raini Hamdi

January 25, 2016

HILTON Worldwide is close to launching its 13th brand, which will also mark its entry into the budget/economy space.

Although we’re short of details right now, we understand from a source that the brand is intended to be an “entry level” to Hilton for millennials. The thinking behind it is that if the chain can hook them with it – and its loyalty programme HHonors – then they will also stay at its other 12 brands as their disposable income grows. Which is why no effort has been spared to come up with a prototype that “will be the best offering in its market space”.

The brand will be rolled out in the US first and not in Asia just yet. We figure Hilton’s APAC chief Martin Rinck won’t mind that, since there is plenty on his hands already, including the less familiar brands to Asia like Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton by Hilton, not to mention the two brands Hilton launched last year, Canopy by Hilton and Curio Collection. Of these, Hampton is gaining a real traction, thanks to an agreement with Plateno Hotels to grow 400 Hampton hotels in China over the next 10 years.

Meanwhile, Singapore tycoon Ong Beng Seng is parting with real dollars to renovate Hilton Singapore, the crown jewel under his hotel properties. At the end of this month, the hotel will unveil refurbished rooms on the upper floors to meet changing guest needs. We managed to get a sneak preview – it looks more homely, more spacious, is brighter and, yes, modish. With the hotel’s location on Orchard Road, the old hotel is far from wilting away.

The lobby too has been transformed, as has F&B. A new restaurant Opus Bar & Grill on the lobby level serves a select range of prime cuts and sustainably sourced seafood in the evenings and a sold-out brunch on Sundays.

Cambodian incentives go farther

By Dannon Har

January 25, 2016

INCENTIVE groups from Cambodia are increasingly skipping destinations along its borders and choosing to fly to South-east Asian destinations farther afield, encouraged by affordable direct flights.

Ang Kim Eang, president and CEO of Great Angkor Tours and president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, told TTGmice e-Weekly that Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines are gaining in popularity among Cambodian corporate clients.

“These destinations are accessible by many direct flights, so it is easy to move people,” Ang explained, adding that clients’ thirst for new experiences is also driving the new trend.

Most Cambodian incentive groups have been to nearby countries like Vietnam.

Ang has seen a 20 to 30 per cent increase in incentive travellers in 2015 over 2014. Some 60 to 70 per cent of his MICE groups choose to visit South-east Asian destinations.

Mann Ratana, general manager of Worldwide Tours Agency in Cambodia, shares similar observations and believes that the strong presence of LCCs in the region has made flying more affordable.

Malaysia, and especially Singapore, are bestsellers and many of her clients are making repeat visits. She had to charter flights in order to accommodate her groups.

According to Ang, most of the bookings come from the corporate banking, insurance, microfinance, trading and spare part businesses, with group sizes ranging from 30 to 60 people.

While longhaul demand is meagre in comparison, Ang has noted a five to 10 per cent year-on-year increment in 2015.

Zanadu launches VR app in China

By TTG Asia

January 22, 2016

TRAVEL platform Zanadu.cn now offers a travel virtual reality (VR) app targeted at the affluent Chinese market. The company has also recently raised more than 80 million yuan (US$12.5 million) in financing from Tencent Holdings.

“The luxury travel industry in China is experiencing a major growth spurt. The affluent Chinese traveller is always looking for new outlets to explore a chosen destination before making a financial commitment,” said Dirk Eschenbacher, creative director and chief marketing officer, Zanadu.

“Zanadu saw this demand as the perfect opportunity to create a virtual reality bridge between travellers and luxe destinations, through a unique experiential journey.”

The app is available on iOS App store and Android Google Play Store.

FRHI debuts new hotel brand Neqta

By TTG Asia

January 22, 2016

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FRHI Hotels & Resorts, in a joint venture with China’s Jiangsu Golden Land Group, has introduced the new Neqta Hotels brand aimed at the upper mid-scale segment in China.

The first property to fly the Neqta flag opened in Shanghai’s Xuhui district, close to the city’s World Expo site, with a second hotel expected to soon open in Nanjing.

Neqta-branded hotels will feature modern amenities, contemporary designs, meeting facilities and multi-functional public spaces, such as a breakfast and coffee shop venue turning into a cocktail bar and lounge in the evening.

“Expanding into the right markets will be a top priority and we believe there is a natural opportunity to develop Neqta Hotels within many of Golden Land’s predominantly mixed-use developments,” said Joseph Soh, managing director of the joint venture between FRHI and Golden Land.

“With an average room count of about 150 and room sizes in the 28m2 to 32m2 range, we also see the brand being a compelling business proposition for Chinese property developers looking to invest.”

Hua Hin acquires international shine

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

January 22, 2016

DUBBED Thailand’s legacy beach resort destination, Hua Hin is traditionally dominated by the domestic Thai weekend market but a rising tide of new hotels and attractions has continued to diversify its offerings and enable suppliers to attract a wider client base.

Better infrastructure, interesting attractions ranging from vineyards to temple caves, as well as upcoming internationally branded properties like Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa and So Sofitel Hua Hin spell “exciting” times ahead for Go Vacation Thailand’s director of business development, Tobias Fischer.

“Europeans have always been a repeat market, and Hua Hin has always been a good extension destination for the more senior travellers,” said Fischer. “(With the new developments), Hua Hin will become more appealing to the younger travellers as well as families (from the longhaul market).”

As observed throughout Thailand, the growth market of China is also spreading into secondary destinations like Hua Hin. “Over 2015, the Asian markets are growing rapidly for Hua Hin and we’re seeing visitors from China, Taiwan and South Korea focusing on the destination,” noted Pattamaporn Soparat, director of sales at the 77-key So Sofitel Hua Hin, which will open its doors in February.

The first So Sofitel resort in Asia will leverage the brand’s design-centric ethos to pursue a “balanced” portfolio comprising longhaul, MICE and regional markets to spread occupancies throughout the week, she added.

Similarly, Srayut Ekahitanonda, CEO of the 40-room Let’s Sea Hua Hin Al Fresco Resort and the newly launched 47-room Loligo Resort Hua Hin, will target repeat guests, families and friends as its core markets for the latter property.

“We cannot rely on the Thai weekender market only; we need mixed markets,” he said.

There is little doubt that Thai and foreign travel interest in Hua Hin will continue to grow, but unlike Pattaya on the eastern seaboard, which has benefited tremendously from improvements in highways to place it a 1.5-hour drive from Bangkok, it still takes at least 2.5 hours by road to reach Hua Hin from the capital.

Hence, direct air links connecting inland destinations like Chiang Mai or Luang Prabang would enable tour operators to bypass Bangkok and better promote Hua Hin as part of a multi-destination itinerary, Srayut posited. Kan Air’s existing Chiang Mai-Hua Hin service has not been well promoted and its limited frequency and seats also made it a harder sell for the trade, he told TTG Asia e-Daily.

For Hua Hin to successfully develop as week-long, year-round destination, it must retain its unique selling points to avoid the risk of becoming “another Pattaya”, industry members pointed out.

Urged Pattamaporn: “Hua Hin has everything already. I would not prefer anything new but for existing operators like Cicada Market and Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Park to maintain its local character and not become overly commercialised.”

Read more ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 stories in the digital edition of our Show Dailies here.

Multiple new air links to lift Cebu’s tourism business

By Rosa Ocampo

January 22, 2016

INBOUND tour operators from Cebu are looking forward to the launch of several new regional and longhaul flights that will enable the resort destination to further grow arrivals from Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Eva Air will commence four weekly flights between Taipei and Cebu on March 27; Emirates will fly between Dubai and Cebu via Clark from March 30; Philippine Airlines will add a link between Los Angeles and Cebu in March.

Matt Poonin, manager, sales and marketing at Travelite Travel & Tours in Cebu, said his company is developing the Taiwanese market further by joining a roadshow being planned by the Central Visayas Department of Tourism to Taipei later this year.

Poonin anticipates the new flights by Emirates will also result in increased arrivals from Central Europe, especially from France, Germany and the Netherlands.

He said Travelite had developed new tours combining Cebu and Bohol as well as Cebu, Bohol and Siquijor for the European markets. Water activities will be highlighted in these packages.

Poonin has also just received a request from an automotive distributor in Paris for an incentive trip to Cebu, flying via Emirates from Paris to Dubai then to Clark and ultimately to Cebu.

Destination Specialists inbound manager, Marlyn Ebora, said: “Currently, most Europeans to Cebu like to travel by Singapore Airlines to Manila and then take a connecting flight to Cebu. Emirates has now provided another option and competition is good for consumers as it may result in more competitive airfares.

“We expect the new flights to draw more Europeans and we are working with hoteliers and ground transportation companies to offer better rates for European visitors.”

Emirates’ new services to Cebu come hot on the heels of the Philippines’ push to attract more Muslim tourists. One of the challenges Cebu currently faces in the pursuit of Muslim travellers is the lack of Muslim-friendly restaurants and facilities, but these issues are being addressed.

Rowena Lu Mentecillo, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DoT), Bohol and Cebu, said the DoT Central Office together with the National Commission of Muslim Filipinos had recently conducted a halal project briefing to 10 hoteliers in Cebu.

This will eventually lead to accreditation of Muslim-friendly restaurants and facilities.

Alice Queblatin, managing director, Southwind Travel & Tours (Cebu), told TTG Asia e-Daily that Qatar Airways is considering coming back to Cebu which used to serve from Doha five years ago. Should that happen, Cebu will get a further boost in arrivals from new markets in the Middle East and Europe.

Queblatin added that the forthcoming service from Los Angeles, operated by Philippine Airlines, will be targeted at mainstream Americans rather than Filipinos residing there. The Cebu travel trade will join a DoT roadshow to the US at the end of this month.

Mary Grace Paulino, tourism officer with the Cebu Provincial Government, said the province is getting an increasing number of arrivals, flights and investors.

In preparation for this, the province has started building a second terminal at the Mactan International Airport which will be operational in 2018.

Additional reporting from S Puvaneswary

Read more ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 stories in the digital edition of our Show Dailies here.

Love for SE Asia grows as Aussie dollar slips

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

January 22, 2016

A WEAKER Australian dollar may work in the favour of South-east Asia as travellers from Down Under are now more likely to choose the region over longhaul destinations for their holidays, said Australian buyers at ATF.

Nick Page, managing director of Oasis Travel in Brisbane, said: “We have not seen any ill effects of the falling Aussie dollar, and this works well in our favour as the Asian destinations are relatively cheaper than Europe, the Americas and Africa.”

Tim Lim, general manager of Brisbane-based EC Travel, agreed: “There are a lot of cheap airfares and promotions in South-east Asia that will attract our travellers so the currency issue does not affect them much.”

With Australia comprising 20 per cent of his clientele, Henry Llames, operation manager of Borneo Rainforest Lodge, is optimistic that Borneo’s allure will remain strong.

“Borneo has always been cheaper for travel and they will probably think of us first if they want to find cheaper holidays,” he commented.

As Australian travellers shift their travel choices “closer to home”, Handy Events & Conferences Queensland director, Tony Handy, predicts a 10 per cent rise in demand for South-east Asia in the next two years, as it is “still good value” for Australians to visit countries like Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

CEO & founding director of Victoria-based Adventure Travel, Anthony Hill, said: “Apart from the affordability, South-east Asia is also very attractive because of new attractions opening up in many countries.”

While Thailand remains his top-selling destination, Hill sees the biggest growth in travel bookings to Myanmar as the country is still a novel destination for many Australians.

Vivian Lucero, senior sales manager of Henann Resort in Bohol, the Philippines, said Australia, which is among the property’s top five visitor source markets, has shown a steady year-on-year growth of about 10 per cent and the momentum is likely to continue.

An Australian-based global tours and activities provider, who declined to be named, predicts that in addition to South-east Asia, travel interest will be observed for domestic destinations in Australia and nearby countries like New Zealand and Fiji.

Read more ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 stories in the digital edition of our Show Dailies here.