A LATE entrant to the game, Taiwan is now in hot pursuit of the Indian market with education initiatives and a new visa scheme.

From January this year, Indians sailing to Taiwan on Star Cruises ships can enter without visas. “The visa-free scheme is being revised and new routes and cruise lines will be added in the near future,” said Arthur Hsieh, director, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Singapore Office, speaking on the sidelines of a four-city road show in India last week.

A top source market for Taiwan, India sent 32,000 visitors in 2014, up 30 per cent over 2013.

Chung-Kwang Tien, Taiwan’s ambassador to India, said: “We have been a late entrant in India. Therefore, we are working hard towards achieving increased tourist arrivals from this potential market. We are looking forward to getting on board a brand ambassador and spreading awareness about Taiwan by educating tour operators.”

Noel Saxena, country head – India, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, shared: “We will be holding online training programmes for Indian travel consultants in March and a corporate MICE evening by June.”

Taiwan will promote newer areas of interest such as Kenting, Sun Moon Lake and Taroko, apart from Taipei, for India’s growing MICE market.

Hsieh said: “This year, we expect 15 per cent growth in arrivals from India. Reiterating our commitment to the Indian market, we have increased our marketing budget by 50 per cent, investing more in advertisements on billboards, taxis and movie theatres.”

THE Philippines will be on the receiving end of new Marriott hotels in the coming years as the hotel operator seeks to leverage the country’s potential as a business and resort destination.

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, Paul Foskey, executive vice president, hotel development in Asia-Pacific, Marriott International, said the group aims to launch new hotels and perhaps, new brands, here in the next five to 10 years.

“Unlike Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, there is still a noticeable absence of international upscale hotels in the Philippines. Even when we look at Manila, there are only a couple in the same category as Courtyard,” he said.

To open next year, 300-key urban hotel Courtyard by Marriott at the Iloilo Business Park near the upcoming Iloilo Convention Centre will target the MICE segment and balikbayans,or returning overseas Filipinos.

Marriott will open a JW Marriott in Puerto Princesa Palawan in 2017 with 200 rooms and 20 villas, six bars and restaurants, a 350-seat ballroom, several meeting rooms, and a full spa with eight suites.

Foskey said the two hotels will complement the group’s Marriott hotels in Cebu and Manila. The Marriott Hotel Manila will complete construction of the 5,000-pax Marriott Grand Ballroom and a new wing with 228 all-suite rooms by year-end.

“We are looking to opening more Courtyard properties in the Philippines. And yes, we are aiming not only for secondary cities like Baguio, but also primary cities like Metro Manila and Cebu, and we believe that the possibility of opening a new Courtyard after Iloilo will not be far off,” said Foskey.

MELCO Crown Entertainment has reported strong performance by City of Dreams Manila integrated resort, which has already welcomed 600,000 visitors and high occupancy rates since its December 15, 2014 soft opening.

The US$1.3 billion resort, the product of a partnership with a subsidiary of Henry Sy’s SM Group, has 930 rooms, 380 gaming tables, 1,700 slot games and 1,700 electronic games.

Melco’s co-chair and CEO, Lawrence Ho, commented: “We are effectively adding one-third more supply (of gaming machines) into the market.”

At the resort’s grand opening ceremony on Monday, Ho said that Melco is focusing on the Philippines’ stellar prospects as the fastest-growing gaming market in Asia, which was estimated to be worth US$2.3 billion in 2014.

Initial operations at the Manila property showed a 70-30 ratio in gaming to non-gaming revenue, and is expected to go up to 75-25 in the future, while occupancy rates have soared above 70 per cent since its soft opening.

Melco will tap its Chinese VIP market in Macau to bring high rollers to the Philippines, while also eyeing the “net of prospects” offered by the South-east Asian and Australian markets.

However, Ho said: “Ultimately, what we think will underpin this property is first and foremost the domestic market.

“We’re agnostic to whether (our revenue) comes from the VIP market or the mass slots, but we do think Manila will be a bigger slots market than Macau.”

The gaming boss skirted the issue of Macau, where gambling revenue fell 17.4 per cent year-on-year in January, according to Reuters that reported last month was the eighth consecutive month of decline. China’s anti-corruption drive is said to have scared off VIP gamers to Macau, the only area in Greater China where casino gambling is allowed.

But Ho was more willing to downplay speculation of Melco investments in South Korea, where locals are not allowed to enter or gamble at casinos, but admitted the company had mulled the possibility of Incheon and Jeju Island. “In our opinion, foreigners-only gaming markets are difficult…If one day the government changes its policy about locals, we would jump in, head first.”

This comes on the heels of last week’s announcement by Bloomberry Resorts – the owner-operators of Solaire Resort – that it has signed four real estate deals in Muui Island, South Korea to convert 12.2ha in the Incheon Free Economic Zone, into a leisure and tourism complex under Korean subsidiary, Solaire Korea.

THE Mantra Samui Resort in Koh Samui has been acquired and will be relaunched as the inaugural property under the Louis T Collection.

It is hospitality group Louis T Leonowens Thailand’s first step in building its portfolio.

The group takes its name and inspiration from the eponymous foreigner and avid traveller in Thai history, whose mother was the governess to the children of King Mongkut, and later became a captain in the Siam military, timber-trading magnate and luxury hotelier.

Adam Simkins, Louis T’s co-founder and board member of Louis T Leonowens Thailand, said: “Given that our company history is linked to Louis T Leonowens, it makes sense that we chose to have our first property in Thailand – a place where Louis spent the most productive years of his life and where his company still thrives today.”

“And of course, we see strong up-trends: Koh Samui is becoming an increasingly popular destination attracting tourists from many countries.”

The future Louis T hotel is situated on Koh Samui’s northern coast close to Bophut beach, and a soft renovation including a facelift will begin soon after takeover.

“Being both owner and operator, this property will not only be our first brand vehicle, but also serve as a proof of concept for many innovations that we want to carry out.” said Jing Zhou, senior director of strategic planning at Louis T. “We have got a gem in our hands, and we will spend some time to craft it into a nice piece of jewelry.”

 The hotel will feature a 24m outdoor infinity pool, a spa, an al fresco restaurant and rooms ranging in size from 50 to 100m².

WITH the aim to educate the Indian travel trade and public about its tourist destinations, Argentina’s NTO Instituto Nacional de Promoción Turistica (INPROTUR) held its first-ever roadshow in New Delhi last week.

The country welcomed only 5,600 Indian tourist arrivals last year and is aiming for 10 per cent growth this year from its modest base, and to that end will promote in India destinations like Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, Mendoza, El Calafate and San Carlos de Bariloche.

“Argentina has been the first South American country to target the Indian market. In the past we have participated in trade shows like SATTE and organised training sessions and seminars,” Medha Sampat, director of Knack Marketing, the India representative for INPROTUR.

“It’s the first time ever we are organising a roadshow in India in which DMCs from Argentina are participating. Our main aim is to educate travel consultants on Argentina as a tourist destination because people are still not aware about it.”

The three-city roadshow includes New Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru and the delegation will participate in OTM Mumbai from tomorrow to Friday, through which INPROTUR hopes to connect with some 700 travel consultants in India.

The tourism board had conducted training seminars in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai last September and will do the same in Pune, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Hyderabad in March and April.

“We are also looking to introduce an online training programme for Indian consultants around June this year to reach out to smaller cities. Last year we had MICE groups of 100-150 pax from India visiting Argentina. Apart from MICE our focus is to target high-end tourists from India. We will also come up with a  joint marketing campaign with Indian travel consultants later this year,” added Sampat.

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) has joined a growing number of airlines in offering a premium economy experience as it opens bookings for this cabin class on Singapore-Sydney flights.

The product will be first introduced on select SIA flights from Singapore to Sydney beginning on Singapore’s National Day, August 9.

Seats in the new cabin class range from 18.5 to 19.5 inches, with an eight-inch recline, and come with a full-leather finishing, a calf-rest and foot-bar. Amenities such as the headrest cover, cushion and blanket will also be colour coordinated for each seat.

In-flight entertainment comes in the form of 13.3-inch full HD monitors and noise-cancelling headphones for a better experience. Each passenger will also have an individual in-seat power supply, two USB ports, personal in-seat reading light, cocktail table and additional stowage space.

Premium Economy passengers can choose from three meal choices and select from the Premium Economy Book the Cook service that offers popular dishes. Besides SIA’s selection of wines, passengers can opt for champagne throughout the flight.

The new cabin class also gives passengers up to 35kg in baggage allowance and KrisFlyer members are entitled to 10 per cent more miles.

Premium Economy seats will gradually be made available from end-2015 to early 2016 on flights to other destinations including Beijing, Delhi, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, London, Mumbai, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo and Zurich, the airline said in a statement.

SIA has injected an estimated US$80 million into upgrading 19 Airbus A380s, 19 Boeing 777-300ERS and the first 20 A350s for a start.

For updated flight schedules and fare details of SIA’s Premium Economy cabin, visitwww.singaporeair.com or www.SIApremiumeconomy.com.

A MANAGEMENT agreement between Lanson Place Hospitality Management and Shanghai Yongye Group will see the former manage a Serviced Suites by Lanson Place Project, the Yongye Apartments in Shanghai.

The Yongye Apartments in Puxi marks Lanson’s fourth property in Shanghai and the 10^thaddition to its portfolio, and will feature 186 units in one- and two-bedroom configurations.

Targeted for opening in 4Q2015, the property will be situated in Huangpu district, adjacent to Madang Road Metro Station, for easy access to the finance and entertainment hubs of the city, Xujiahui and Xintiandi.

SOME Singaporeans are forgoing the traditional holiday indulgences of feasting and kicking back to relax by opting for fitness holidays this year, with more travellers displaying a keener interest in adventure sports during their vacations.

A survey by Hotels.com found that some 60 per cent of Singaporean travellers polled are planning a fitness holiday, and almost half of respondents or 46 per cent will be embarking on their first fitness holiday in 2015.

Furthermore, Asia-Pacific is the top destination for 78 per cent of Singaporeans intending to do a fitness holiday, out of which 53 per cent are inclined towards South-east Asia, and Europe is the choice of 13 per cent of voters.

More than one-third of survey participants, or 37 per cent, professed to having been on a fitness holiday before, and of this number 78 per cent felt that it had been a good cornerstone to build an active lifestyle upon.

Thirty per cent of respondents who have been on a fitness holiday before said they did so to relax and get away from the daily drudgery, and 27 per cent said it was to try a new workout.

However, one in five respondents have an ulterior motive – they view fitness holidays as a chance to meet hot potential love interests.

Katherine Cole, regional director at Hotels.com, said: “Singaporeans are a bunch of savvy and seasoned travellers with a thirst for all things new, including trending holiday concepts. This, coupled with the growing public awareness of the health risks that come with leading a sedentary lifestyle, has contributed to the rise of fitness holidays among locals.”

Singaporeans planning fitness holidays are most interested in land adventure sports such as bungee jumping, snowboarding and skydiving, followed by water adventure sports like windsurfing, cage-diving and whitewater rafting. Recreational activities like golfing and hiking came after, with spiritual and strength exercises such as pilates and yoga in fourth place. Competitive marathons, races and other sporting tournaments are in fifth place.

CORDIS Hotels and Resorts is Langham Hospitality Group’s new upscale hotel brand, which the group intends to develop in key Asian and North American cities through a combination of new-build and conversion projects.

Cordis will consist of new-build designs, resorts and residences that will reflect the property’s location and culture. In a media statement, the group said it has signed management agreements and letters intents to add eight hotels in seven cities to the Cordis pipeline.

Langham Hospitality Group CEO, Robert Warman, said: “Building on the successes of Langham Hotels and Resorts, we saw the need to create a collection of international upscale hotels and resorts that will deliver what our guests desire: personalised and efficient services, seamless technology, and authentic experiences in the best locations around the world.”

Cordis hotels, which will be rolled out in the next three years, include five in China, and one each in Hong Kong (to open in May 2015), Bali and Colombo, according to Warman.

The group also hopes to plant the Cordis flags in the future in other key citiessuch as London, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Orlando, San Francisco, Dubai, Singapore and Bangkok.

“We are very optimistic about the growth of this particular brand,” said Warman.

“As there are financial, cost-efficient benefits to developing hotels in the upscale tier, the time is right for us to enter high density markets such as North America and especially in China where there is a rising middle class, increasing domestic and international travel, and higher consumption levels. We see Cordis as complimentary to our existing portfolio and a real opportunity to have multiple properties in new markets in the coming years.”