THE Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) has reactivated its membership with world body United Federation of Travel Agents’ Association (UFTAA).

Now that UFTAA is under the leadership of Joe Borg Olivier, PTAA president Michelle Victoria said that the PTAA Board has decided to reactivate its membership so that they “can be part of the activities and advocacies as they apply to our country (the Philippines)”.

These include dialogues and consultations with International Air Transport Association. Recently, PTAA supported UFTAA’s stance against Lufthansa Group charging 16 euro (US$18) for every ticket issued using the global distribution system.

Victoria told TTG Asia e-daily: “There is also a need for national associations (like PTAA) to have representations in regional as well as international federations of travel industry stakeholders.”

She added that she would be attending a UFTAA meeting – that will tackle how the federation is being revitalised – in November.

It’s understood that PTAA put its status as inactive about three years ago when UFTAA was assessing its direction due to funding problems.

QANTAS will operate a new direct seasonal service between Bali and Sydney to address increased demand for the route.

Starting from December 4, 2015 until January 29, 2016 inclusive, the airline will operate four services per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using a B737 aircraft.

Qantas International CEO Gareth Evans said the airline was pleased to expand its offering to customers wanting a full service, premium travel option direct from Bali to Sydney.

He said: “This gives customers more options to travel to Australia during the busy school break and New Year holiday season.”

This service follows on the heels of last week’s announcement where Qantas said they would add more flights from Australia to Hong Kong and Manila, and operate 140 additional services from Australia to Singapore, Jakarta and New Zealand to cater to the peak season.

Fares start from Rp11,411,000 (US$788) return and are available for sale at qantas.com.

THE upcoming ATF 2016 TRAVEX from January 20-22 held in Manila, Philippines, has confirmed the participation of leading hospitality brands led by its corporate office at the exhibition showcase. This includes Best Western International Asia, CHM Hotels, FRHI Hotels & Resorts, Furama Hotels International, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, HPL Hotels & Resorts, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, Park Hotel Group, Premier Inn Hotel, Sol Melia, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts, and global room distribution portal, Hotelbeds.

Shirlena Tan, regional director of sales & marketing, Furama Hotels International shared why ATF is the platform to showcase the Furama brand to buyers. Tan said: “As the event delivers buyers that reach both discerning business and leisure travellers, we are able to present Furama, FuramaXclusive and FX Hotels as excellent choices for their consideration.”

The annual industry event that houses the largest collection of travel trade suppliers from across the 10 member ASEAN nations has also announced that exhibition floor space is quickly filling up, with close to 70 per cent of booths already secured by hotels, resorts, airlines, tour operators, themed attractions, tourism boards and other service providers.

Melia Hotels International believes ATF strengthens their position in South-east Asia. Ruben Cases, senior director of sales & marketing Asia Pacific said: “With 20 years of established presence in the region, ATF offers us the opportunity to reinforce alliances, negotiate strategic agreements and meet new players.”

Like the independent exhibitors from across the region, brands are also seeing the value of having a corporate presence at the show. The unparalleled reach to 400 validated, qualified global buyers and 100 international and local media during the three-day event is undoubtedly the biggest draw factor. In addition, corporate brands also cite valuable business generation prospects, product profiling, awareness and lead generation as must-attend reasons.

Lindawati Muhlis, head of sales & marketing Indonesia of Premier Inn South East Asia agreed: “In addition to regional inbound sales, our presence at ATF also increases market awareness for our brand across ASEAN and beyond.”

For more information on booth space, email atfsellers@ttgasia.com or visit www.atfphilippines.com.

THE tourism sector in Africa is seeing encouraging signs of recovery following the Ebola crisis which affected the western region of the continent last year.

Dave van Smeerdijk, sales and marketing director of Asilia Africa, the operator of luxury safaris in Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar, told TTG Asia e-Daily: “The Ebola crisis absolutely hammered us. People don’t realise that Paris and London were closer (to the Ebola-affected areas) than where we were.”

As the Ebola situation stabilises, there are positive signs of growth in the Asian traffic to Africa, according to Kim Nixon, managing director of A2A Safaris, whose clients mainly hail from Singapore and Hong Kong.

“So far, we’ve had 450 clients from Singapore and our business is currently accelerating at 20 per cent per year, compounded,” said Nixon. “It was a very good measure of the level of adventurousness in Singaporeans.”

According to Nixon, a majority of their market share consists of travellers aged 45 to 60, honeymoon couples and surprisingly, families with young children in tow. “Around 45 per cent of our clients are repeats,” he added.

With average prices of around US$10,000 per head for a seven- to eight-night safari package – excluding air tickets – many younger travellers are unable or unwilling to fork out that amount of money, he noted.

As such, A2A is shifting its focus to attract young professionals by offering high-quality experiences and accommodation at more affordable prices, explained Nixon. “The highest quality accommodation doesn’t necessarily dictate the best experience,” he remarked.

By Samual Ng

A WEAK ringgit and the haze have affected demand from Malaysia for the Singapore Grand Prix which starts today, travel experts report.

Mayflower Acme Tours’ deputy general manager – channel management, Abdul Rahman Mohamed, said: “This year, corporate demand is down 30 per cent. The weak ringgit and the haze are contributing factors. In the past, corporate oil and gas companies used to purchase packages from us as gifts to their CEOs and preferred clients, while the banking sector used to have competitions with F1 tickets and packages as prizes.”

Dream Holidays Planner Singapore’s business development director, Richard Ng, said most of his Malaysian clients put up in Johor Bahru due to cheaper hotel rates but travel to Singapore for the F1.

He added: “We’re not seeing as many Malaysian clients (compared with) last year because hotels (in Singapore) are now more expensive due to the weak ringgit.”

Raaj Navaratnaa, general manager of Johor Bahru-based New Asia Holiday Tours & Travel, agreed: “The savings is about 60 per cent when you compare a five-star international brand in Johor Bahru with its counterpart in Singapore.”

Navaratnaa is overseeing a group of 40 Thais staying in Johor Bahru for the Singapore Grand Prix, while a group of 30 Australians are extending their stay in Malaysia for an additional four nights. However, he has also received three last-minute cancellations for tours in Malaysia due to the haze.

BOUTIQUE hotel 137 Pillars House Chiang Mai has introduced a specially designed three-night package meant to take Singaporeans away from the haze.

The package includes a three-night stay at the Rajah Brooke Suite, round-trip limousine transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport, free welcome drink and fruit basket, half-day sightseeing tour to Chiang Mai Town and Doi Suthep Temple, 15 per cent discount on spa treatments as well as free LAN and Wi-Fi in the room.

It is priced at 29,300 baht (US$817) and subject to 17.7 per cent combined service charge and government tax, with the offer valid till October 31, 2015.

Guests may choose to extend their stay with best available rates, suite accommodation and free breakfast provided.

SANDS China, a majority owned subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands, has chosen Wilfred Wong as the company’s new president and COO. His appointment is effective from November 1, 2015, replacing Rob Goldstein.

Before joining Sands China, Wong was chairman and CEO of Hsin Chong Construction Group. He has also held top management positions in property development and construction business sectors, including K Wah International Holdings, Henderson China Holdings and the Shui On Group.

Wong also worked in the public sector as a member of the Hong Kong Basic Law Consultative Committee, the Preliminary Working Committee and in the Preparatory Committee responsible for establishing the Hong Kong Special Administration Region. He was also elected as member of the National People’s Congress of the PRC for 15 years from 1997 to 2012.

Commenting on the appointment of an industry outsider to helm the top position, Sheldon G Adelson, chairman of both Sands China and Las Vegas Sands, said: “We reached outside the gaming industry to find an executive who is highly educated, distinguished and ethical.

“(Wong)’s successful career in business and public service is going to provide the company with a different set of perspectives, insights and approaches that will be valuable to Sands China in the future.”