Disruptive technologies pose no threat to Thai hotels

January 26, 2016

WHILE disruptive technologies from the likes of Agoda and Airbnb have created headwinds for the US and western European hotels in recent years, Thailand’s hospitality industry will likely remain resilient against such threats, according to experts at the Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) 2016.

The consensus is that Airbnb is only able to capture portions of the budget/low-end segments in Thailand, while OTAs such as Agoda, seem to compliment rather than jeopardize the old hotel business model.

Tim Hughes, vice president of business development, Agoda, said that OTAs are just another booking channel and that the hotel industry can profit from their growth. “It is a very big market. It is not a race between direct and OTA. It is not a winner takes all market. It is an opportunity for everyone,” he said.

Ben Emery, Marriott International’s South-east asia area director of revenue strategy, explained that OTAs provide a service to attract guests, but ultimately, “it is the hotel’s business to turn them into loyal customers.”

There are also differences in booking habits to consider. Anthony Green, director of digital development, Minor Hotel Group, remarked that Russians prefer direct booking over using OTAs, while the Chinese prefer the latter.

By Athip Jittarerk

Government meetings on the radar of new Meliá Yangon

By Karen Yue

January 26, 2016

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THE five-star Meliá Yangon, which is targeting a May opening, is reaching for high level ASEAN and APEC meetings to establish a strong foundation in Myanmar’s MICE industry.

Speaking to TTGmice e-Weekly in an interview, Susie Moe Aung, director of sales & marketing with the 430-key hotel’s opening team, said Meliá Yangon will appeal to such high profile meetings with its extensive meeting facilities and luxurious suites that can “support political events and their participants”.

The hotel’s Grand Ballroom, Junior Ballroom and six meeting rooms offer more than 2,000m² of space altogether.

“Meeting planners do not have to worry about service quality and reliability of function space and support equipment because the property comes with the Meliá brand promise and is of international five-star standard,” said Susie Moe Aung, adding that the hotel’s dining facilities are also designed to support large groups.

Its 375-seat all-day dining restaurant, for instance, is said to be the biggest hotel restaurant in Yangon.

Susie Moe Aung believes that event delegates will appreciate the hotel’s location on the main road and 15 minutes by car from the airport and city centre, which allows them to escape the traffic jam.

“Plus, the hotel is linked to Yangon’s largest and newest mall, Myanmar Plaza, and the new office tower, Myanmar Centre,” she added.

“We may be months away from opening, but MICE interest has been strong. We have many enquiries for rates and information from conference organisers, in particular medical ones. So besides aiming for government meetings, we are also paying attention to corporate events,” Susie Moe Aung said.

Ecotourism summit debuts in Malaysia

By S Puvaneswary

January 25, 2016

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THE first Malaysia Ecotourism Summit and the 6th World Ecotourism Conference, expected to draw participation from 100 delegates to Mulu Marriott Resort and Spa in Sarawak, will be taking place from January 27 to 30, 2016.

Delegates will comprise mostly high-profile government decision-makers, academicians and representatives from NGOs and international organisations worldwide. Resource experts will also present case studies surrounding the theme: Tourism Clusters and Thematic Corridors for Sustainable Development.

Lee Choon Loong, president, Malaysian Ecotourism Association and convenor of the event, said: “The first Malaysia Ecotourism Summit will present and discuss the salient points from the new ten-year Malaysia National Ecotourism Plan (NEP) 2015-2025 and seek feedback from industry players before it is officially launched by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia.” The NEP replaces the previous plan adopted in 1996.

Lee added: “World Ecotourism Conference’s theme, Ecotourism in UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Uplifting Communities, Opportunities and Economies, is focused on communities and opportunities around natural World Heritage Sites, and the outcomes will generate positive impacts on the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.”

This event is co-organised by The Malaysian Ecotourism Association (MEA) and DISCOVERYMICE, an affiliate member of UNWTO, and supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Tourism Malaysia, Sarawak State Government, Sarawak Forestry Corporation and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Centre of Innovative Planning and Development.

JAL, ANA consider abolishing fuel surcharges

By Julian Ryall

January 25, 2016

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TWO of Japan’s major airlines will likely decide to abolish fuel surcharges in February on the back of plunging oil prices.

Both Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) currently levy a fuel surcharge of 7,000 yen (US$59) on flights out of Japan to longhaul destinations, but with oil trading at 12-year lows, the airlines are considering reducing the levy to zero.

“It is very possible that we will abolish the surcharge entirely,” said Maho Ito, spokeswoman for ANA, adding that fuel surcharges were also reduced to zero back in July 2009.

A decision will be made, probably in mid-February, on the levy applied to tickets in the April-June period, she said.

JAL will similarly make a decision on its fuel surcharges in mid-February, according to spokesman Jian Yang.

Both JAL and ANA eliminated surcharges on flights that originated overseas in December.

The airlines first introduced fuel surcharges in February 2005 as oil prices climbed and peaked in 2008.

One Farrer builds art haven status

By Raini Hamdi

January 25, 2016

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Disruptive technologies pose no threat to Thai hotels

Government meetings on the radar of new Meliá Yangon

Ecotourism summit debuts in Malaysia

JAL, ANA consider abolishing fuel surcharges

One Farrer builds art haven status

Exo Travel bolsters management team

Marriott distributes inventory on Rakuten Travel

Overheard: Pssst, Hilton to launch 13th brand

Cambodian incentives go farther

Zanadu launches VR app in China

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