TTG Asia Media continues to convert glittering journalistic prose to gold as it celebrates its 40^th year in the travel and tourism industry, winning for the fourth time the PATA Gold Award for Travel Journalism – Industry Business Article.

Earning the accolade is Team on board, the TTGmice cover story for November 2013 that looks at the rise of Asian meetings on cruise ships and investigates cruise operators’ claims that teambuilding and networking are more effective at sea than on land.

The article was written by TTG’s senior editor Raini Hamdi with inputs from Paige Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary, Mimi Hudoyo, Shekhar Niyogi, Rosa Ocampo and Prudence Lui.

This is the fourth time TTGmice has been conferred the Gold Award for Travel Journalism – Industry Business Article, having also won in 2009, 2011 and 2013.

The awards luncheon and presentation will take place at Diamond Island City Hall, Phnom Penh on September 19 during the PATA Travel Mart and PATA Executive Board and Board Meeting.

Martin J Craigs, CEO of PATA, said: “On behalf of PATA, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to all 2014 Grand and Gold Award winners. We are pleased to recognise their achievements at the PATA Gold Awards Luncheon and Presentation, and look forward to celebrating their accomplishments at the PATA Travel Mart in Phnom Penh.”

TYPHOON Rammasun sped through Manila for three hours yesterday, stripping the capital city of power and tragically taking 20 lives, while shutting down flight operations for the morning.

Airlines took quickly to social media platforms on Tuesday and Wednesday to announce flight cancellations.

Cebu Pacific Air cancelled international flights to Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Shanghai, Bangkok and Osaka, as well as a host of domestic flights.

Likewise Philippine Airlines announced on Tuesday that it was scrapping international flights to destinations including Riyadh, Fukuoka, Bangkok, Seoul, Los Angeles, Toronto, among others, and many domestic services.

According to Inquirer.net, the news website of the Philippines’ most-read daily The Philippine Daily Inquirer, airport operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were grounded between 07.00 to 10.40 yesterday while the typhoon passed.

The eye of the typhoon locally known as Glenda passed through the south of the city, bringing winds at up to 120kph and gusts of up to 165kph, said the Inquirer.net article.

Aircraft parked at NAIA were not spared either. A Singapore Airlines aircraft hit an air bridge, breaking its left wing, while a Malaysian Airlines airplane’s right fuselage was damaged when it rammed into service stairs at the terminal, blown by strong typhoon winds.

YTL Hotels has announced the first property under its new brand that promises luxurious yet authentic experiences: Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse in Hokkaido.

Kasara will also expand its portfolio to include properties in Koh Samui, Thailand and Pulau Tiga, Borneo, where it weaves local influences, cultures and traditions with luxury amenities.

Luke Hurford, vice president of sales and marketing, YTL Hotels, commented on the new brand: “It is with great excitement that we now reveal Kasara. The privilege of early morning access to hidden powder stashes guided by a local Niseko Village expert, native fishermen in long-tailed boats serving up a sumptuous seafood feast in Koh Samui, holistic immersion into natural mud baths in Borneo and free-diving into the aquamarine waters of the Coral Triangle – these are some of the authentic experiences which await the Kasara guest, alongside stunning properties in exotic locations.”

Kasara Niseko Village Townhouse is located at the foot of Mount Niseko Annupuri in Hokkaido, within the group’s ski resort Niseko Village. It will open its doors to guests on December 1.

The property offers access to its famous powder snow in December each year, views of Mount Yotei, accommodation with ski-in and ski-out facilities, onsens, dining and après ski options.

Rates begin at US$2,000 for a three-bedroom townhouse.

TWO industry veterans have combined forces to launch boutique DMC Stream Events Asia in Thailand, placing an emphasis on “personal touch” and “relationship management”.

Established in January, Stream Events Asia is led by CEO Nong Maneesub, who used to head Pacific World Thailand as regional managing director, and managing director Kristanee Srisatin, formerly general manager of Destination Asia Thailand.

In addition to its core focus on incentives and meeting planning, Stream Events Asia will also provide luxury FIT services and special interest programmes spanning culinary, culture and wellness.

Despite starting up amid Thailand’s recent political instability, a lean staff of five full-timers and fewer overhead costs offered an opportunity for the new outfit to train its sights on building brand awareness and getting its systems and products ready within its first year of operation, Kristanee shared.

Besides seeking business from regional corporates in Hong Kong and Singapore, the founding duo will also leverage their vast network of industry connections to expand in key markets like Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK and South Africa.

“We are also interested in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Latin America as these markets have growing spending power and corporate meeting demand. We will also join Tourism Authority of Thailand’s roadshows to enter these new markets,” Kristanee added.

Having made their mark in Thailand’s MICE business industry over the past two decades, the desire to provide more intimate services in an industry that is increasingly driven by revenue and numbers was what inspired the boutique DMC, shared Kristanee.

“We find that more and more incentive and meeting planners prefer to work with a small company who can provide personalised services with personal attention rather than a big company with the lack of management involvement or care for their business,” she said.

While some MICE planners have brought their searches online, there still exist clients who favour working with smaller firms for their human touch and flexibility, she opined. “Although incentive group sizes and budgets are generally smaller and the elements are less elaborate than before, we will still tailormake each programme to be like mini incentives.”

ETIHAD Airways will launch a daily service between New Delhi and San Francisco via Abu Dhabi, shortening what has traditionally been a two-stop itinerary for travellers.

From November 18, the Gulf carrier will deploy a 346-seater Boeing 777-300ER in a three-class configuration, leased from Jet Airways.

GMJ Thampy, chairman and managing director of Riya Group Enterprises, parent organisation to a number of travel companies, said: “Right now people who wish to fly to San Francisco from New Delhi on Etihad Airways have to halt at two destinations – Abu Dhabi and Los Angeles. With this new flight, flying time will be drastically reduced. Many Indian students are in San Francisco, constituting a potential segment for the airline.”

“Indian arrivals to San Francisco will definitely increase with the new flight. Etihad has an edge since they have a US pre-clearance facility in Abu Dhabi, thus all customs and immigration gets done in Abu Dhabi and one lands in the US as a domestic passenger,” commented Anil Kalsi, managing partner of Ambe World Travels.

However, Rajji Rai, chairman of Uniglobe Swiftravel, said demand will not see a huge increment as it is not a direct flight. “Indian travellers don’t mind transiting for the price difference offered. Also considering the strong demand, there will be little impact on load factors for airlines already operating this sector.”

SINGAPORE-registered vehicles entering Malaysia will be expected to pay for a vehicle entry permit (VEP) in the near future.

Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Abdul Razak was reported in the media as saying yesterday that the federal government will discuss proposed rates for the VEP with the Johor state government, which will keep a portion of the money collected. Details are still being fine-tuned.

Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents vice president of ground transportation, S Jayakumar, said: “Part of the revenue that goes to Johor should be used to develop tourism there.

“However, the mechanism of implementation and rate structure should be reciprocal to what Singapore has implemented for Malaysian vehicles entering the city-state.”

Private vehicles from Malaysia can enter Singapore 10 times a year free-of-charge, after which a fee of S$20 (US$16) per day is imposed for entry between 02.00 and 17.00 from Mondays to Fridays. From August 1, this will be increased to S$35 per entry.

According to Jayakumar, Malaysian tour coaches entering Singapore must apply for and pay the monthly Singapore road tax.

MALAYSIAN authorities are once again beefing up security along the east coast of Sabah, especially in Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna and Sandakan, following a new round of violence in the area.

Inspector-general of Malaysia’s police force, Khalid Abu Bakar, told a press conference yesterday that a fresh deployment of 330 policemen and 350 soldiers is under way. They will be stationed at areas including the resort islands off the coast of Sabah and fish farms.

Designated sea routes for traffic between Sabah and the Southern Philippines, as well as details of a curfew will soon be announced.

This comes in the wake of the death of a policeman and the kidnapping of another officer on Mabul Island, off Semporna, on Saturday (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 14, 2014).

It was reported in the New Straits Times today that the kidnappers contacted the Malaysian police late Sunday night demanding a ransom of 10 million, but did not specify any currency or provide instructions and conditions.

The Sun reported today that Malaysia is investigating if Nur Misuari, former Moro National Liberation Front Leader, is the mastermind behind the spate of kidnappings in Sabah.

The paper also quoted Khalid as saying the police is studying the Malaysian navy’s recommendation to adopt a ‘shoot-on-sight’ policy on suspicious vessels off the east Sabah coast.

RENOWNED musical, The Sound of Music, officially premiered yesterday in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands’ MasterCard Theatres, tugging at heartstrings with its familiar tunes and bevy of young talent.

Running until August 10, the critically acclaimed production hails from West End’s London Palladium. Both the original 1959 Broadway production and 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews were award winning.

Based on the true story of a nun-turned-governess Maria who brings music and love into the lives of Captain von Trapp and his seven children, expect lively and heartwarming renditions of My Favourite Things, Do-Re-Mi and Edelweiss, among other songs by power duo, Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Shows run at 20.00 from Tuesdays to Fridays, 14.00 and 20.00 on Saturdays, and 12.00 and 18.00 on Sundays. Ticket prices start from S$65 (US$52) for a D Reserve seat to S$780 for a VIP Box of four seats.