A MASSIVE marketing campaign forming the centrepiece of Bohol’s recovery efforts will offer hefty discounts, new attractions, and activities for trade and consumer alike in the new year.

Coming up first under Visit Bohol 2015 is the Bohol Travel Fair in Manila from January 9 to 11, where savings of up to 60 per cent on accommodation, tours, and travel essentials will be featured. There will also be a B2B component for trade.

The new campaign will feature and promote new attractions such as the white beaches of Anda; Lamanok Island; Banacon, Asia’s largest mangrove forest; a dive festival; two international music festivals; geo-science tours covering the change in Bohol’s land mass following the earthquake; among others.

These initiatives fall under the Bohol Tourism Recovery Programme, which was spearheaded by the Philippine Department of Tourism, together with the US Agency for International Development, UN World Tourism Organization, and PATA.

Bohol Tourism Council chair, Lucas Nunag, noted that the foreign market is growing faster than the domestic market, and that investors are already coming in as construction on the new airport begins next year.

“I expect additional supply of 1,000 high-end rooms with in the next two years, including the 2015 opening of 400 rooms and 12 villas at Henann Resort Alona Beach; a 200-key property being built by Be Hotels in Panglao; additional 60 rooms at Amorita Resort; and South Palms Resort which took over two-thirds of the 60ha Bohol Beach Club,” said Nunag.

Bohol tourism stakeholders went to Thailand’s Chiang Mai to learn more about developing homestays, ecotourism, and community-based tourism in the province, he added.

HARD Rock Hotels will debut its first property in India next March in the renowned beach area of Calangute.

Located 45 minutes from Goa International Airport, the 135-key Hard Rock Hotel Goa will offer the usual trappings of the brand.

These include the Sound of Your Stay, a free music amenity programme allowing in-room guitar rentals and playlist download upon check-in, an all-day dining restaurant, outdoor pool, poolside bar and grill, a Body Rock fitness centre, and a Rock Shop selling merchandise.

The hotel also comes with meeting and event space.

Abida Kumar, deputy general manager of Minar Travels Goa, welcomed the brand, calling it “synergetic with Goa’s (image) as a party and fun travel destination”.

LONGHAUL travel will be the hardest hit by the depreciation of the Malaysian ringgit and the impact could be seen as early as Lunar New Year 2015, say travel consultants here.

The Malaysian currency has slid 6.8 per cent since October 10.

“Travellers with family and business obligations to travel to Europe and North America will still travel. But others will postpone their holidays there and wait for the ringgit to strengthen,” said John Chan, general manager, NCR Travel & Tours.

He added: “I predict that next year, companies will also cut back on their travel and entertainment expenses.”

Adam Kamal, CEO of Rakyat Travel, said his company is already feeling the impact of the weakened ringgit on business and is absorbing the difference in currency exchange rates.

He commented: “People will still travel but there will be a shift (in destination choices). Due to aggressive airline promotions, South-east Asian and Asian destinations such as China and South Korea will benefit the most.”

Concurring with his point is Mint Leong, managing director of Sunflower Holidays, which customises tours to Europe.

She observed that families are still going on holiday, but are shortening their lengths of stay and downgrading accommodation on their vacations.

The Malaysian government is conducting a comprehensive study on the ringgit’s depreciation to determine its impact on imports, exports, inflation, manpower and others, according to national news agency Bernama.

STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts Worldwide’s The Luxury Collection will make its debut in Japan when the 39-key Suiran opens its doors in Kyoto in March 2015.

Developed as a ryokan-style accommodation, Suiran, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Kyoto is located in the city’s western Arashiyama district, occupying part of the grounds of Tenryuji Temple, a World Heritage site, and adjacent to the Hozugawa River, Kameyama Park and Hogoin Temple.

Each guestroom will be designed in culturally significant hues and traditional motifs of Kyoto. Facilities in the hotel include a lobby lounge, signature restaurant, meeting room, fitness center and spa, while the brand’s concierge service advises Kyoto’s destination highlights to new travellers.

In addition to the newly built guestrooms and facilities, Suiran will retain elements of its esteemed past including the preservation of two original structures – Enmei-kaku, built in 1899, and Hasshoken, constructed in 1910 – both of which are currently undergoing extensive renovations and will ultimately house a signature restaurant and cafe.

The signing of Suiran bolsters Starwood’s relationship with owner Mori Trust, which also owns The Westin Sendai in northern Japan. “We are very excited to debut The Luxury Collection in Japan with a property that epitomises the scenic beauty of this country in every season,” said Miwako Date, president, Mori Trust Hotels & Resorts and executive managing director, Mori Trust.

“Japan has a well-established hospitality industry with limited supply and few new developments at the high end of the market,” added Rajit Sukumaran, vice president, acquisition & development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia-Pacific. “With this distinguished new addition to our portfolio, we will continue to deliver on the Luxury Collection’s brand promise to offer guests unparalleled access to rich, indigenous experiences.”

Suiran joins Starwood’s portfolio of 23 Luxury Collection hotels in Asia-Pacific including the recently opened The Azure Qiantang in Hangzhou and The Castle Hotel in Dalian.

HONG Kong Disneyland Resort is wooing the South-east Asian market with a series of trade initiatives and packages.

The campaign blitz, which so far has reached Thailand and Taiwan before the Philippines, highlights the destination’s permanent light show Disney Paint the Night as well as Disney Sparkling Christmas – a seasonal campaign featuring Frozen characters such as Queen Elsa and Princess Anna.

In conjunction with an upcoming singing contest in the Philippines next year, the Sing-Along Disney Journey package will be made available for travel consultants’ promotion during the annual Travel Tour Expo in February, informed Larry Leung, director for travel trade sales at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. The one-day package includes resort ticket, a free meal coupon and a personalised nametag.

“Every year, between March and May, we also have a Star Guests programme, where (travel consultants) can show your appreciation for your VIP guests. You can bring them into Hong Kong Disneyland and we will have special moments for each of (them),” he added.

These initiatives come on top of the resort’s existing Travel Industry Salute Promotion, which enables trade members to enjoy 10 per cent off admission tickets and room offers at its two themed hotels in 2015; visitors who show a Cebu Pacific Air boarding pass and valid passport at CTS Hong Kong branches get 10 per cent discount on selected Hong Kong Disneyland travel products.

Next year, Leung said the resort will centre its marketing efforts on its 10^th year anniversary on September 12, the launch of its first Marvel-themed Iron Man experience in 2016 and the opening of an exploration-themed 750-room hotel in 2017.

Hong Kong Disneyland will continue its South-east Asian promotion in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Ipoh in January.

TRIBUTE Hotels, a newly formed hospitality brand by Hong Kong real estate development company District15, will launch its first property in Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon come April 2015.

Featuring a community-based, select service concept, the design-led property was transformed from a 13-storey former office building on Tung Fong Street.

District15 founders Alex Bent and Dinesh Nihalchand worked with international architect Alex Jones of Spawton Architecture and designer Candace Campos of Identity to create a style that combines both global and local elements.

The Tribute Hotel Yau Ma Tei will offer 24 comfortable rooms with just two room types: Big & Small. The twenty-two 14m2 Small Rooms have a king-size bed, walnut and brass desk, storage racks, en-suite bathrooms with brushed brass fittings and rain showers, while the two 26m2 Big Rooms (one per floor) are similarly appointed with the addition of bunk beds to accommodate up to four guests.

Tribute will offer a select complimentary F&B service providing guests with a grab-and-go cart in the lobby, similar to the trolleys found in traditional local teahouses, for breakfast and free-pour local craft beer in the evenings. The hotel is also working with local fashion houses, craftsmen and artisans to create a distinct guest experience including organic teas, coffee and a Hong Kong microbrew from local purveyors.

The hotel is located in close proximity to the major Kowloon shopping districts of Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui, and less than a minute walk from the Yau Ma Tei MTR station.

Introductory rates start from HK$1,300++ (US$168++).

INTERCONTINENTAL Hotels Group (IHG) has announced its latest signing in Singapore with the OUE Group for a new 243-room extension to Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, which opened in 2008.

The new 10-storey wing, due to open in 2016, will be located adjacent to the existing 320-room Crowne Plaza Changi Airport. Together, the hotel will feature 563 rooms, conference facilities for meetings and events, a business centre and round-the-clock business services.

F&B outlets in the hotel span Azur, the all-day dining restaurant; a specialty restaurant; a lobby lounge bar; and a warm and cool bar. Leisure facilities include a pool, health club and spa.

With the completion of the airport’s new runway, Terminal 4 and upcoming mixed-use complex which will link the existing three terminals and feature a range of retail outlets and leisure attractions, the new wing will complement Changi Airport’s growth as a key regional transit hub and lifestyle destination in the coming years.

Clarence Tan, senior vice president, development, Asia, Middle East and Africa, IHG, said: “Since it opened six years ago, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has seen strong demand from a mix of passengers in transit and both short- and- long-stay business and leisure travellers. Its proximity to Changi Airport – one of the world’s busiest airports – and the neighbouring business park make it the ideal choice for visitors.”

The signing of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport’s expansion will increase the business hotel’s room count by more than 75 percent and propels IHG’s development pipeline in the country past the 1,000-room mark.

IHG currently operates six hotels and more than 2,200 rooms across four brands in Singapore, including InterContinental Singapore, Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre, Holiday Inn Singapore Atrium, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road and Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay.

FLYING could get cheaper in 2015 as airlines are expected to pass on the savings made on slumping oil prices in recent months to the consumer.

Average return airfares, excluding taxes and surcharges, are expected to fall 5.1 per cent next year from 2014 levels. Due to airlines’ forward fuel-buying practices, IATA notes that the impact of lower fuel prices will be realised with a time lag.

Airlines are expected to post a collective global net profit of US$25 billion in 2015, up from the projected US$19.9 billion in 2014, according to IATA. This is based on projections that oil prices will average at US$85 per barrel.

Lower oil prices and stronger worldwide GDP growth are the main drivers behind the improved profitability.

Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO, said: “The industry outlook is improving. The global economy continues to recover and the fall in oil prices should strengthen the upturn next year. While we see airlines making US$25 billion in 2015, it is important to remember that this is still just a 3.2 per cent net profit margin.

“The industry story is largely positive, but there are a number of risks in today’s global environment – political unrest, conflicts and some weak regional economies – among them. And a 3.2 per cent net profit margin does not leave much room for a deterioration in the external environment before profits are hit.”

All regions are expected to report improved net profitability in 2015 over 2014. Airlines in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to achieve a net profit of US$5 billion in 2015 (up from US$3.5 billion in 2014) with a 2.2 per cent net profit margin.

BANGKOK Airways and Garuda Indonesia will enter into a codeshare agreement from December 15, 2014, with the codeshare routes already open for sale.

The new partnership will enable passengers of Garuda Indonesia a smooth transit in the Thai capital to connect to Bangkok Airways’ destinations including Samui, Lampang, Phuket, Udon Thani, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phnom Penh, Luang Prabang and Dhaka.

Likewise, Bangkok Airways passengers will be able to make reservation on Garuda Indonesia’s network which include Bangkok-Jakarta, Singapore-Jakarta, Jakarta-Denpasar Bali, Jakarta-Yogyakarta, Jakarta-Semarang, Jakarta-Surabaya and Jakarta-Ujung Pandang.

Peter Wiesner, Bangkok Airways’ senior vice president – network management, commented: “The codeshare agreement allows the passengers to benefit from the networks of both airlines to travel between Thailand and Indonesia with ideal connectivity and increase travel flexibility. Besides, codeshare flights via Bangkok and Jakarta will be able to reach domestic and International points of each country.”

Garuda Indonesia executive vice president sales and marketing, Erik Meijer, also commented: “We are pleased to announce this partnership with Bangkok Airways which extends our network even further within South-east Asia. Thailand is an important market for Indonesia and through this partnership we can offer more travel options for the increasing number of passengers travelling between the two countries. At the same time, the agreement is expected to boost trade and tourism activities by making Indonesia much more accessible for Thai visitors.”