MODENA by Fraser Bangkok, a 239-unit serviced residence, is set to open in the Thai capital in 2016, marking the brand’s launch in Thailand following its debut in China in 2010 by Frasers Hospitality.

“Thailand is an ideal market for the introduction of our Modena by Fraser brand, which has been refreshed to appeal to socially conscious Millennials who seek form and function,” said Choe Peng Sum, CEO of Frasers Hospitality.

The property will be sited within a mixed-use development, FYI Center, located at the corner of Rama IV Road, near Queen Sirikit MRT and the National Convention Centre.

Units range from fully furnished studios to three-bedroom apartments, and come with complimentary high-speed Internet access. Facilities include a 24-hour gym, steam and sauna facilities, self-service launderette as well as meeting and conference rooms.

In addition, takeaway meals at its all-day-dining restaurant and arranged visits to local attractions are offered to guests.

LCC HK Express has begun twice-weekly flights from Hong Kong to Hiroshima, its sixth Japanese destination in its network.

Flights depart from Hong Kong at 14.00 every Tuesday and Saturday, arriving at Hiroshima at 18.10. Return flights from Hiroshima depart at 18.55 on the same days and will reach Hong Kong at 21.55.

The airline is celebrating the launch of the route with a one-way ticket offer, with prices starting at HK$280 (US$36) for bookings made between October 27 and November 2 this year for travel until January 31, 2016.

Credit: Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

HAILED as the latest game-changing innovation in the video games and movie industries, virtual reality (VR) headsets have now entered the travel trade in a big way as Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts began the use of Samsung Gear VR across its 17 global sales offices.

According to a media statement, over a quarter of Shangri-La’s 94 properties already have 360-degree videos available for viewing on the headsets, with a full roll-out expected in 2016.

These devices, powered by VR technology company Oculus, are used primarily as promotional and education tools, allowing travel agents, meeting planners and potential clients the ability to virtually experience Shangri-La properties worldwide.

“Shangri-La is investing significantly in technology and the future of travel content, which is why we are embracing virtual reality on this scale,” said Steven Taylor, chief marketing officer of Shangri-La International Hotel Management.

“Travel experts play a critical role in their fields and the traveller’s decision-making process. This is why our first VR efforts are focused on them,” added Taylor.

“Their clients depend on them to ensure holidays, business trips and meetings are enjoyable and effective. Shangri-La’s VR experiences will enhance their knowledge about our hotels and their ability to sell with confidence to their clients.”

Those who have their own Oculus-compatible VR headset can also download and view the 360-degree videos from Shangri-La’s website.

US-BASED vacation rental site HomeAway has fully acquired Singapore startup Travelmob this month, following its majority-stake purchase of the company back in July 2013. With the takeover, Travelmob will be rebranded as HomeAway.

As part of its continued plans to penetrate Asia-Pacific, Travelmob has launched 14 new localised HomeAway websites to cater to big travel markets such as China, Japan, India, Indonesia and South Korea.

HomeAway’s Asia headquarters will be based in Singapore, led by Travelmob’s co-founder Prashant Kirtane, now vice president of Asia at HomeAway. In his new role, Kirtane will report to Dan Lynn, HomeAway’s vice president of Asia-Pacific.

“Vacation rentals are immensely popular with families and groups, which is why HomeAway customers will generate US$14 to 16 billion in rental revenue this year,” said Lynn. “We see a huge demand for this type of unique travel experience in Asia, and are excited the Travelmob acquisition has significantly expanded our portfolio of properties in the region.”

Kirtane added: “Asian travellers are quickly catching on to the benefits of renting a whole house – from a money saving, comfort and also experience point of view. We’re seeing significant year-on-year growth driven primarily by women booking vacations for their families, from the likes of Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan.”

Yangon International Airport

MYANMAR’s Ministry of Hotels and Tourism is expecting tourist arrivals in 2015 to reach 4.5 million, which will surpass its previous records of 2.1 million visitors in 2013 and 3.8 million last year.

From January to September this year, Yangon alone recorded 759,181 arrivals, representing a 25 per cent increase from the same period last year.

More than 73 per cent of visitors to Yangon were from Asian countries (564,023), with about 108,542 originating from Thailand – the largest single group by nationality – followed by China (71,645), Japan (63,970) and South Korea (44,471).

Europeans accounted for 113,379 visitors, led by the UK (24,053), followed by France (23,840) and Germany (16,970).

“Since arrivals are continuously increasing, we should focus more on quality of service in order to cater to increasing demands,” said Htay Aung, minister of hotels and tourism. He added that Myanmar now has a total of 47 hotel FDI projects providing 9,030 rooms.

Despite the growth, Phyu Phyu Mar, managing partner of Seven Star Tours believes Myanmar still has plenty to offer visitors. “There are a lot more places we can promote as new destinations. For example, Kachin State, Sagaing Region, and Nan Yung and Pan Saung where the Naga tribes are living are potential places to attract more visitors in the future,” he said.

MALAYSIA will implement an online visa application process for China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Canada and the US by mid-2016, announced prime minister Najib Abdul Razak during his recent national budget speech.

Welcoming the move, Tan Kok Liang, vice president inbound, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), said: “It will encourage visa applications and reduce administrative burden while maintaining strict and effective immigration controls.”

Adam Kamal, deputy president 2, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, is also sanguine. “It will certainly help last-minute bookings to Malaysia but we still need to wait for the immigration department to come out with a circular on the implementation of e-visa as tourists will need to know if there will be costs involved,” he commented.

For 2016, the Malaysian government is targeting 30.5 million arrivals and RM103 billion (US$24.2 billion) in tourism receipts, up from this year’s goal of 29.4 million arrivals and 89 billion ringgit in tourism receipts. The government has also allocated a RM1.2 billion budget to the Tourism and Culture Ministry for next year.