Ed Brea joins One&Only Hayman Island as GM

September 2, 2015

ONE&ONLY Resorts has appointed Ed Brea as general manager of One&Only Hayman Island, located in the Great Barrier Reef, effective from September 1.

In his new role, Brea will be responsible for the entire operation of the resort and its continued strategic development. He brings with him over 30 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry and has held key positions with brands like Hyatt and Shangri-La.

He began his career in the 1980s with the Hyatt Regency Maui in Hawaii where he worked in different F&B roles. After developing within the Hyatt group, he was eventually appointed resident manager at Grand Hyatt Taipei in 1999.

In 2000, Brea joined Shangri-La and held leadership roles in Canada, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and most recently, Thailand. He was tasked with launching new resort brands within Shangri-La and has led teams overseeing projects, rebrandings and pre-openings.

Lufthansa rolls out GDS levy, claims interest in direct connectivity

By TTG Asia

September 2, 2015

THE Lufthansa Group – including Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS – yesterday implemented the controversial GDS levy of 16 euros (US$18) for any ticket issue via GDS.

In a press statement, Lufthansa claims that the efforts to develop and establish new “direct connect” booking channels are generating strong interest among the industry partners.

“The market is clearly ready for innovations and developments of this kind,” said Jens Bischof, executive oard member and chief commercial officer of Lufthansa German Airlines. “Our realignment of our distribution has prompted an intensive exchange of views and experiences within our industry.”

“This process has had its share of controversy, too,” Bischof admitted. “But we are still as convinced as ever that offering advanced and, at the same time, substantially cheaper additional booking channels – that also allow us to better present our products – is in our customers’ best interests.”

According to the release, customers of the Lufthansa Group can avoid paying for the new DCC by making their bookings via its member airlines’ websites, an airline service centre, or at an airport desk.

There will be no changes for corporate clients making their bookings at their individually-agreed contractual rates (i.e. with no DCC) via www.LH.com. The Lufthansa Group has also signed an agreement with Concur to provide corporate customer travel management units with special programmes for managing bookings from next year onwards.

Air Astana lets fliers bid for upgrades to business class

By TTG Asia

September 2, 2015

PASSENGERS on Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan, can expect to upgrade to business class for a fraction of the original fee with the introduction of a bidding system.

The online tool allows economy passengers to bid and name their own price for a chance to be considered for an upgrade to business class. The higher the bid, the higher the chance of being successful with their offer.

Customers who book an eligible flight will receive an email inviting them to make their bid up to 72 hours before departure, which will then be reviewed 48 hours prior to the flight. Successful bidders will be sent their upgraded tickets via email with payment only processed after a winning bid.

Richard Ledger, vice president sales worldwide at Air Astana, said: “Our aim is to make better use of our cabin inventory while ensuring the best customer experience.”

Those who book through ticket offices and travel consultants are also entitled to the offer.

Indonesia’s hotel investment unabated despite economic slowdown

By Mimi Hudoyo

September 2, 2015

Artist impression of The Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran. Credit: Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts

INTERNATIONAL hospitality brands continue to expand their presence in Indonesia despite the country’s struggling economy.

Andreas Mattmüller, COO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts in the Middle East and Asia, said: “Indonesia is a key market for our expansion in this exciting region for the hospitality sector.”

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has announced its debut property in Indonesia, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran, which is set for a 3Q2016 launch in the south of Bali.

Besides ongoing partnership discussions in Jakarta, Surabaya and Bandung, the Swiss hospitality group will be adding eight properties over the next three years in the region, including Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines, added Mattmüller.

Meanwhile, Plateno Hotels Group has made Jakarta its Australasia regional base with a pipeline of properties already in place.

Kevin Wallace, managing director Australia of Plateno Hotels Group, said: “Indonesia has a strong potential and we are looking at operating between 30 and 40 properties in the next three years.”

In Bali alone, besides the operational 75-room 7 Days Premium Kuta Bali, Plateno also plans to open other brands in Nusa Dua, Ubud and Denpasar between December 2015 and mid-2016.

In West Java, the group has taken over the management of The Mirah Bogor. The hotel is currently under renovation and is being upgraded to become a co-branded 7 Days Premium and James Joyce Coffetel property.

Apart from Indonesia, Wallace also expressed interest in expanding the Plateno brand to the Philippines, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and India.

Digital strategies key to winning Indonesian Millennial travellers

By Mimi Hudoyo

September 2, 2015

Credit: 123rf

TECHNOLOGY has a key role to play for travel players to successfully attract Indonesian Millennials, an emerging market segment which has displayed a penchant for taking holidays on impulse, a heavy reliance on word of mouth, travelling twice a year with each trip lasting an average of four nights.

These were the observations shared during TravelRave 2015: Capturing the Next Wave of Tourism Growth in Indonesia, a roundtable discussion organised by Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in Jakarta yesterday.

Andrew Phua, director, exhibitions and conferences at STB, said: “Millennials are a tremendous opportunity for the travel industry. To successfully capture this market, players will need to understand their preferences and deliver what they are looking for.”

He added: “The Asian Millennials are poised to be the main growth drivers in the tourism industry. They spent US$215 billion on travel in 2013 and are expected to increase their travel budget by 58 per cent by 2020.”

Danny Kim, analyst, travel team at Google APAC, said: “Millennials’ online behavior have changed significantly over the past few years. As mobile and Internet penetration continue to expand, people have greater access to information and options in each phase of their consumer journey.”

Concurred Gaery Undarsa, managing director and co-founder at Tiket.com: “Increasing internet coverage and the widespread use of smartphones has opened up a huge space in the online booking industry. It is thus the industry’s role to educate the market on the benefits that can be reaped.”

Recognising the need to stay competitive amid changing market demands, Indonesian travel players are increasingly integrating technology into their business operations.

Anthony Akili, group president and CEO of Smailing Tours and Travel Service, said: “In Smailing, 70 per cent of our market are business travellers and we’re focusing on the high-end segment for the leisure side. We are preparing our online platform for this and hopefully we will be able to launch next year.”

Adi Satria, vice president of sales, marketing and distribution for Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore at AccorHotels, revealed that they had just launched an online check-in function for hotels in Indonesia to provide a seamless travel experience for customers.

[Sponsored Post] Appeal of ASEAN destinations draws Chinese buyers to ATF 2016

By TTG Asia

September 2, 2015

A GROUP of 30 Chinese buyers from the Greater China Region, inclusive of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, are expected to attend ATF 2016. Due to the proximity of both regions, many Chinese travellers have set their sights on South-east Asian destinations for their leisure and incentive trips.

Confirmed hosted buyer Chow Keng Fong, general manager of Poloair Holidays Shanghai, China who organised an incentive trip for 65 people in January to Bangkok and Chiangmai, says that Thailand is one of the ASEAN countries that is popular among Chinese travellers in terms of its attractions, shopping and culinary experiences. “With demand at hand, ATF is ever more so an important travel industry event and I find it very relevant to our business expansion plan. The event will allow me to gather new knowledge of products and services in the region, network with industry players and search for new business partners,” remarked Chow.

Liu Hui, general manager of Chengdu Great Expectations MICE Company, Chengdu, China, another confirmed hosted buyer, agreed that participating at ATF 2016 will provide the opportunity to learn more about innovative products and services from local travel agencies in the ASEAN region. Explains Liu, “As we create packages comprising of travel, MICE, and golf activities for our clients, we want to know more about ASEAN’s tourism resources, connect with local suppliers and build a working relationship with them.”

A total of 400 hosted buyers from around the world are expected to attend the three-day ATF TRAVEX event that runs from January 20-22, 2016 in Manila.

Click here to see who our buyer applicants want to meet. Book a booth now before the early bird promotion ends on September 15, 2015.

For more information about exhibiting, email atfsellers@ttgasia.com or visit www.atfphilippines.com/Exhibitor.php.

Chinese travellers to Thailand unrattled by bomb or currency woes

By Michael Mackey

September 2, 2015

THE Chinese inbound traffic to Thailand is expected to hike significantly this year despite the recent Bangkok bombings and renminbi devaluation in China, according to a leading Thai research house.

“We expect Chinese tourist arrivals to grow more than 50 per cent this year,” Kangana Chockpisansin, head of Kasikorn Research Centre’s macroeconomic research unit told TTG Asia e-Daily.

One reason accounting for the optimism is the low base in 2014 caused by last year’s coup, which had been preceded by months of demonstrations.

Another reason was due to the visa fee exemption for Chinese visitors from August 1 to October 31 last year, which saw a good reception from the Chinese market, he added.

According to Kangana, Chinese tourist arrivals for the first seven months of 2015 reached 4.8 million, surging 114 per cent from the same period last year.

An expected slowdown in the number of Chinese arrivals later this year is likely to pull the overall Chinese growth figures down to a 56 per cent increase year-on-year though.

However, Kangana believes that measures by the Chinese government and People’s Bank of China to stabilise the situation will limit downsides.

Trade sentiments remain generally positive too. According to Charoen Wangananont, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, as of June 2015 inbound Chinese traffic grew nearly 100 per cent compared with mid-2014.

Despite the recent turmoil, Charoen is confident the national target of 28 million visitors in total will be met by year-end, estimating that 7.5 million of them will come from China.

Asia’s new wonderlands

By Raini Hamdi

September 2, 2015

Head’s up kids and the young at heart — the following theme parks will make their debut in the next two years

Planet J, Macau
By Raini Hamdi

Opening date & location Opening this summer, Planet J is located in Sands Cotai Central, Macau.

Target Asian markets China, Taiwan and South-east Asia.

USPs Ever imagined playing a RPG online game physically? Planet J is the world’s first player-centric Live-Action-Role-Play theme park.

“At Planet J you won’t find a roller coaster, but out-of-the-world role-playing games, where players can physically act out the actions of fantasy characters, pursue goals and interact with other adventurers between realistic and virtual settings,” explained a spokesperson.

Connecting the players with the park is a mobile device called Magic Scroll, a personalised mobile gear that connects to over 200 whimsical games. Blending state-of-the-art technology and experiential storytelling, it will take players into a total immersive experience, from exhilarating quests for individuals to dazzling group challenges.

Pricing strategy Price packages range from HK$500 (US$65) to HK$1,000, depending on the number of people sharing one magic scroll. Packages include individual passes – i.e. one person entering the park with a magic scroll – or group passes, e.g. two to three players come as a team and share a scroll.

Shanghai Disney Resort
By Paige Lee Pei Qi

Opening date & location Opening in spring 2016 in Pudong, Shanghai.

Target Asian markets China in particular, plus Asia.

USPs Shanghai Disney Resort will be a world-class family vacation destination that combines classic Disney characters and storytelling with the uniqueness and beauty of China.

The resort’s vision is to build an “authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese” destination with unique architectural features. It also targets to provide unique content and experience to mainland Chinese visitors and international guests by introducing Chinese elements in various aspects like festivities, dining and entertainment.

Pricing strategy To be confirmed.

Movie Animation Park Studios, Perak
By S Puvaneswary

Opening date & location Opening mid-2016 in Perak, Malaysia, Movie Animation Park Studios (MAPS) will be located along the North-South Expressway and a 20-minute drive from Ipoh city.

Target Asian markets Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, China and India.

USPs Poised to be Asia’s first animation theme park, MAPS will be one of the most unique and exciting projects underway in the leisure tourism landscape in Malaysia, according to Darren McLean, co-founder and CEO of MAPS.

There will be more than 40 attractions in six themed zones. Highlights include a car and bike live stunt show, DreamWorks Animation Adventure Zone featuring themed attractions such as Mr Peabody & Sherman, The Croods and Casper The Friendly Ghost; South-east Asia’s first Smurfs live animation attraction; and the world’s first BoBoiBoy animation attraction.

Pricing strategy To be revealed by end 2015.

credit-Resorts-World-Genting

20th Century Fox World, Malaysia
By S Puvaneswary

Opening date & location Opening by end-2016 as part of Resorts World Genting.

Target Asian markets South-east Asia, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and India.

USPs Chow Wei Heng, vice president of marketing, Resorts World Genting, said: “This will be the world’s first 20th Century Fox World theme park. We are bringing the rich heritage of 20th Century Fox movies and television from the screen to be experienced on the ground.

“We cover a wide range of entertainment of family-themed attractions like Ice Age, sci-fi films such as Alien vs Predator and global blockbusters like Night at the Museum.”

Pricing strategy To be confirmed.

Shanghai Haichang Polar Ocean Park
By Prudence Lui

Opening date & location Scheduled to commence operation in 2017, it will be situated on the north-western side of Dishui Lake in Shanghai. The park is a 30-minute drive from Pudong International Airport and an hour’s drive from downtown Shanghai.

Target Asian markets East Asia.

USPs Haichang Holdings aims to create a world-class marine park with the largest number of marine species on exhibition. It also seeks to display the animals innovatively while providing entertainment through marine animal shows, in addition to having a diverse range of science-themed educational programmes.

Pricing strategy To be confirmed.

IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai
By Feizal Samath

Opening date & location Opening end-2015 on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.

Target Asian markets The Asian market as a whole, in line with the Dubai Corporation of Tourism and Commerce Marketing’s global strategy.

USPs According to Lennard Otto, general manager, IMG Worlds of Adventure: “As the world’s largest indoor temperature-controlled theme park at 140,000m2, we will offer guests a year-round attraction that is insulated from the Gulf’s typically very hot and humid summer months.

“Partnerships with globally renowned brands such as Marvel and Cartoon Network will result in a unique mix of exciting themed rides and attractions catering to a wide range of ages and nationalities.”

Pricing strategy Prices will be revealed closer to the opening date.

Dubai Parks & Resorts
By Feizal Samath

Opening date & location October 2016. The 232ha destination is located on Sheikh Zayed Road close to the Palm Jebel Ali.

Target Asian markets China, Hong Kong, India and South-east Asia.

USPs Vinit Shah, chief destination management officer, said: “Dubai Parks & Resorts will comprise three separate theme parks: Motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood-inspired theme park concept; Legoland Dubai, the first Legoland theme park in the Middle East; and Bollywood Parks Dubai, a first-of-its-kind entertainment destination that will showcase the Bollywood movie experience.”

The multi-themed complex will also feature Lapita Hotel, a Polynesian-themed hotel operated by the Marriott Group, and Riverland Dubai, a waterfront entertainment, retail and dining destination connecting the theme parks.

Pricing strategy The theme parks will adopt an entrance-fee approach where the majority of the rides and attractions will be free. Entrance to Riverland Dubai will be free of charge.

This article was first published in TTG Asia, August 7, 2015 issue, on page 18. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

Additional reporting from Paige Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary, Prudence Lui, and Feizal Samath

Opening doors wider

By Rohit Kaul

September 2, 2015

India’s new online visa facility has won plaudits from tourists, but the trade wants the scheme to be further refined and properly marketed to achieve greater results

The Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi is among the airports in India to be implemented with the e-Tourist Visa facility

India’s new e-Tourist Visa (eTV) facility, which enables visitors to arrive at nine Indian airports after applying for the visa online, has fallen short of the expectations to raise international tourist arrivals to the country.

Launched on November 27 last year for citizens of 43 countries – including the US, Germany, Australia, Japan and  Singapore – the eTV scheme was recently extended to China, Macau and Hong Kong, widening the programme to 76 countries.

“We could have recorded significant international tourist arrivals if the facility was extended to major traffic generating countries like the UK, Italy, Spain and Sweden,” said Subhash Goyal, president, Indian Association of Tour Operators.

“Also, the eTV is valid with one entry, this facility does not provide double- or multi-entry visa. Most tourists who visit India like to add neighbouring countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan to the itinerary; they do not take India-only holiday packages. We have been pleading since its introduction to have a double-entry visa,” he added.

Added Simone Wan, CEO and managing director, StayWell Hospitality Group: “Traditionally, getting a business visa for India is a difficult process but the Indian government has taken a step in the right direction with the eTV. However, there is a need to educate travellers and overseas tour operators that such a scheme exists.”

Arun Anand, managing director of Midtown Travels, agreed: “It is also important that the ministry of tourism creates awareness in countries which have been extended the scheme, instead of just adding more countries.”

According to India’s ministry of tourism, a total of 110,657 tourists arrived on the eTV from January to May 2015, up 1,024.4 per cent from 9,841 during the same period last year. However, this growth may be attributed to the introduction of the eTV for 76 countries, compared with the visa-on-arrival scheme that was extended to 12 countries.

Anand said: “The best way to gauge the success of the eTV is to compare total tourist arrivals from the markets that have been provided with the facility to the number of tourists arriving from these markets on eTVs.”

About 2.8 million foreign tourists visited India between January and April 2015, a mere increase of 2.7 per cent from the previous year, according to statistics from India’s Ministry of Tourism (MOT). Foreign tourist arrivals in May 2015 was about 500,000, a growth of 9.2 per cent year-on-year.

“Since the facility was launched at the end of the last year, we have to give it some time before its success can be measured,” urged Lalit Panwar, secretary of MOT.

Despite the lukewarm response from the trade, some tour operators have seen a spike in growth since the facility was introduced last year, enabling them to tap segments like luxury and weekend travellers.

“The eTV has allowed for spontaneous travel decisions. The difficult visa regime in the past resulted in many international tourists opting for other destinations,” said Amal Purandare, head India operations, Arzoo.com. “Its real success can only be gauged in the coming years when there is a significant increase in international tourist arrivals.”

Prashant Narayan, COO and head leisure travel inbound business, Thomas Cook India, said: “With the new government’s pro-tourism intent and introduction of eTV, India has been placed on the tourist radar for both the leisure and MICE segments. (We) have seen 10 to 12 per cent year-on-year growth in booking for inbound tourism.”

This article was first published in TTG Asia, August 7, 2015 issue, on page 23. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

Barclay goes into the wild as Wildlife Reserves Singapore CEO

By TTG Asia

September 1, 2015

WILDLIFE Reserves Singapore (WRS) has appointed Mike Barclay as its new CEO with effect from October 1.

Before joining WRS, Barclay was the CEO at Sentosa Development Corporation since August 2008. Prior to that, he spent 16 years with Singapore Airlines, attaining the position of CEO of SilkAir in 2004.

WRS manages Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari, River Safari and Singapore Zoo.

Credit: Wildlife Reserves Singapore