SHANGRI-LA Hotels & Resorts is looking to expand its mid-market Jen brand in the Philippines beyond Manila, as the group yesterday unveiled the rebranding of Traders Hotel Manil to Hotel Jen Manila.

Golden Whitehead, director – special projects for the Hotel Jen brand, told TTG Asia e-Daily that the company is exploring opportunities to launch Jen hotels in Bohol and Bacolod in Visayas, and Davao in Mindanao.

There are currently five Shangri-La properties but only one Hotel Jen in the Philippines, he noted. “Shangri-La hotels dominate the luxury market in Manila so there’s a mid-market gap. We’re trying to bridge the gap between the luxury and mid-market hotels.”

Whitehead said the brand’s focus in Asia includes the Philippines and countries without a Hotel Jen yet such as Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The group would like to manage rather than own the Jen hotels.

His comments to TTG Asia e-Daily came yesterday on the sidelines of Hotel Jen Manila’s rebranding from Traders Hotel Manila.

Apart from the six Traders hotels that were rebranded into Jen hotels this year and a further four next year, the company is also working on 18 different projects, including signed management agreements for Hotel Jen in Beijing and Kuala Lumpur.

Each hotel will have about 550 rooms, he said.

Separately, Shangri-La at The Fort will open in Manila in 2016.

CONFERMA and eNett International have joined hands to equip small- and medium-size TMCs on Conferma’s payment network with the ability to make supplier payments using virtual account numbers (VANs).

According to a press release, eNett will integrate into Conferma’s global payment network under the terms of the agreement.

VANs, automatically generated MasterCard numbers for supplier payments, automates the once manual payments handling and reconciliations processes that cost companies between US$300-$6,000 a week.

Furthermore, virtual cards can also improve security by reducing risk of fraud and supplier default.

eNett VaNs are available in 27 currencies, out of which 15 are locally funded and settled for lower cost foreign exchange. Users can start earning rebates once they begin transactions.

Conferma CEO, Simon Barker, said: “Our partnership with eNett will provide a much needed alternative funding model for small- and medium-size TMCs through our global travel payment network.

“Across the travel industry virtual card payments continue to replace expensive and error prone manual tasks with paperless, automated processes. This is a major boost for these businesses (which) will be able to reduce processing costs and free up their people to focus on delivering other customer needs.”

KEMPINSKI Hotels will operate and service three components within Kuala Lumpur’s large-scale luxury development, 8 Conlay, located in the heart of the city’s Golden Triangle.

The European hotel group had signed an agreement with KSK Group, via property development arm KSK Land, for the 260-key Kempinski hotel and the 403-unit Kempinski Residences.

Both Kempinski brand properties will anchor the development of 8 Conlay’s hotel tower, together with up to 1,092 units of 8 Conlay Residences, also serviced by Kempinski.

The 8 Conlay development is a few minutes’ walk from Bukit Bintang shopping district and the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur mall, as well as a 50-minute drive to/from Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The groundbreaking for 8 Conlay is scheduled to take place early next year and is expected to be completed by 2020.

Alejandro Bernabé, CEO of Kempinski Hotels, said in a release: “This unique project marks Kempinski’s entry into the important Malaysian market and underlines our commitment to expansion in South-east Asia.”

The hotel and residences will benefit from facilities such as Kempinski The Spa, a wellness concept which offers herbal treatments inspired by the seasons; a gym; swimming pool; and a variety of restaurants and bars.

TRAFFIC on the Bangkok-Hanoi route is set to increase from March 29, 2015 when Jetstar Pacific starts daily flights between the two capital cities on Airbus A320 aircraft.

This is the Vietnam-based carrier’s second flight to Thailand after the Ho Chi Minh City-Bangkok route that is scheduled to commence on December 10.

“For the first time, Jetstar customers from Bangkok will be able to enjoy our low fares and direct flights to the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi,” said Jetstar Pacific CEO, Le Hong Ha. “Thai travellers to Hanoi will also have access to the Jetstar Pacific network connecting passengers to Hanoi with four other domestic destinations – Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh, Danang and Nha Trang.”

In commemoration of the new flight, Jetstar Pacific will offer a special sale from Bangkok to Hanoi from 13.00 local time on November 20 to 08.00 on November 24, unless sold out. Full details are available on Jetstar.com.

Lead-in fares from Bangkok to Hanoi start from 2,149 baht (US$65.40).

FLIGHT Centre has rolled out a series of free-and-easy holiday packages in Singapore and will throw in a number of benefits for bookings made by December 31, 2014.

Each of The Captain’s Red Label Holidays features return flights with a “premium” airline and accommodation in the four-star category or higher.

Booking before December 31 on any of The Captain’s Red Label Holidays entitles the traveller to up to three of four Red Label bonuses including resort credit of up to S$150 (US$115.20), free private chauffeur ride from home to Singapore Changi Airport, 20 per cent off travel insurance, or a free room upgrade subject to availability.

Some itineraries already up for reservation include a two-night trip to Kuala Lumpur, staying at the Avani Sepang Goldcoast Resort priced from S$648. Red Label bonuses include a free transfer from home to Changi Airport and 20 per cent off travel insurance, valid for travel until March 31, 2015.

A three-night, all-inclusive Maldives holiday will see the traveller stay at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru from S$4,028. Bonuses include a free villa upgrade, free private chauffeur transfer to and from the airport, and a 20 per cent discount on travel insurance purchase.

The Ascott Limited is due to open its first Citadines property in South Korea, which will also mark the group’s largest property internationally, within the second half of 2015.

The 468-unit Citadines Haeundae Busan is located close to BEXCO, one of the largest exhibition and convention centres in South Korea, and Shinsegae Centum City department store.

It also offers easy access for residents needing to travel beyond the city – the Busan Gimhae International Airport is a 40-minute drive away, while the KTX train station can be reached within 20 minutes.

Lee Chee Koon, Ascott’s CEO, said: “We have been looking for opportunities to expand our presence in the market and see great potential in introducing our Citadines brand in South Korea.

“Busan is South Korea’s second largest metropolis after Seoul. It is home to the world’s fifth busiest seaport and is a leading tourist destination in South Korea. There is a growing expatriate community working in the shipbuilding, oil and gas, automotive and electronic manufacturing industries in Busan. Haeundae Beach, where Citadines Haeundae Busan is located, is also South Korea’s largest beach and attracts throngs of visitors each summer.”

Citadines Haeundae Busan will comprise studios and one-bedroom apartments, as well as a breakfast lounge.

STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts-owned Aloft will make its debut in Kathmandu in mid-2017.

Owned by Chhaya Devi Complex, Aloft Kathmandu Thamel will feature 175 rooms and will be part of a mixed-use development that includes 6,650m² of retail space.

Hotel facilities include the brand’s signature dining venue Nook, a fitness centre, swimming pool, business centre, and 920m² of flexible meeting space. Guests can also enjoy live music performances featuring emerging local artists at the hotel’s W XYZ bar.

“Aloft Hotels has emerged as a popular choice with owners and developers as the hotel brand that fills the void in the mid-market segment; and caters to the pent up demand for stylish, lifestyle hotel brands,” said Sudeep Jain, vice president of acquisitions and development in South Asia, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

Aloft Kathmandu Thamel will be Starwood’s second hotel in the country after its Sheraton hotel which is currently under construction.

COUNTRY Holidays, one of Singapore’s leading bespoke travel consultants, is literally taking Singaporeans out of this world.

As the only local exclusive seller of Bloon, a new space product targeted for launch in 2016, Chang Theng Hwee, founder and managing director of Country Holidays, said: “We are evolving with the ever-changing travel industry landscape. By being able to now send travellers into space, we show that we are constantly at the forefront of travel in Asia.”

Passengers aboard the Bloon “near-space ship” will spend five to six hours on their journey, including two hours at cruise altitude. This space ship, which can hold a maximum of four passengers, will soar to an altitude of over 118,000 feet (36km).

Chang said: “Travellers can enjoy dinner, sip on their favourite drink or simply relax in the cabin, enjoying the spectacular views and astonishing landscapes through panoramic windows.”

The bulk of the company’s customers comprise sophisticated, discerning and well-heeled consumers who are mostly not first-time travellers. “Most of them are aged 40-65, and are a mix of doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and professionals,” said Chang.

“Our customers are always asking us what’s next after having travelled almost every part of the world already, and (space travel) will be something different.”

Bookings are now available and these flights will begin from late 2016.

Travellers will be offered customisation options, including branding of the pod and launch dome. It will also be possible to fly with a professional retired astronaut who will provide commentary and training for high-altitude balloon piloting, among other available options.

For more extraterrestrial travel, Lynx Space Programme launched programmes inSingapore and Indonesia in 2013 while Space Expedition Corporation expanded into Asia with the opening a regional head office in Hong Kong that same year.

THE Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is promoting Hokkaido and Kyushu to the Philippines as winter and pilgrimage destinations respectively.

Leading a mission of 26 sellers to meet outbound operators at a Visit Japan Travel Seminar yesterday, Kazuhiro Ito, executive director, JNTO Bangkok, told TTG Asia e-Daily that while Filipinos are familiar with Tokyo and Osaka, promoting Hokkaido and Kyushu widens the options available for cherry blossom viewing, the main draw for this market.

Aurora Guevarra, sales officer, Discovery Tour, says Hokkaido is popular in winter and typical packages average 4D5N for families, while the lavender season in Furano brings visitors in June and July.

Aldwin Jason Lim, sales and marketing officer, H.I.S. (Philippines) Travel Corp, said his company promotes Hokkaido but added that more flight connections are needed to link to the destination.

Kyushu is positioning itself as a pilgrimage destination, with 130 churches around Nagasaki prefecture, including the site of St. Lorenzo Ruiz’s martyrdom. Less renowned among Filipinos, it is more accessible via Philippine Airlines’s Manila-Fukuoka flight.

Nina Fernandez, outbound tours supervisor for Friendship Tours, recommended Japan partners pilgrimage tours specialist Catholic Travel, as “Nagasaki would be a special experience for Filipino Catholics”.

This renewed push comes following a relaxation in visa requirements on September 30 this year. Filipinos deemed financially capable, who have been to Japan within the past three years or a non-Japan G7 country, will be issued a multiple-entry visa valid for five years for stays of either 15 or 30 days each time.

Philippine arrivals to Japan rose 34.8 per cent and 27.4 per cent in 2012 and 2013 respectively, and are expected to reach up to 80 per cent growth year-on-year for January to October 2014.