BALI has seen an influx of high-spending Chinese tourists in the first four months of 2014, buoyed by convenient air connections and diversions from other South-east Asian destinations.

Bambang Sugiono, director of Gajah Bali Tour, told TTG Asia e-Daily during the recent Bali & Beyond Travel Fair: ““What is worth noting is that the number of travellers seeking higher-end accommodation has increased significantly since the fourth quarter of last year.

“There was some concern that the new law (on optional tours) imposed by the Chinese government would affect arrivals to Bali. Instead, we have not only seen growth in total arrivals but also seen high spenders coming in.”

From January to April, Chinese arrivals to Bali numbered 191,413 compared to 128,125 for the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy.

Highlighting the good air access between Bali and Chinese cities, he added that other push factors were Thailand’s political situation and the fallout from Malaysia Airlines’ missing flight MH370.

“The pattern is they come for a 5D4N trip with two nights in a villa and the rest in a resort, spending a minimum of US$1,200 per stay,” Bambang observed.

Ayana Resort and Spa Bali sales manager, Rosa Yeoh, said: “During the Lunar New Year holiday period, for example, our spa facilities were busy with Chinese guests. Even with our Spa on The Rock (the most expensive spa pavilion with exclusive spa treatment), the Chinese contributed some 95 per cent of sales.”

The Stones Legian, Bali, an Autograph Collection Hotel has also been getting high-end business from China. Irawan Hadiwijaya, the hotel’s sales manager, said: “We not only get Chinese guests staying at our Pool Suite but also (those) requesting helicopter transfers from the airport to the hotel, which by car only takes 15 minutes.”

A helicopter ride costs around US$2,700, including a 30-minute scenic ride.

ITALIAN flag carrier Alitalia is now working on a strategic partnership with Etihad Airways that will see it give up 49 per cent of shares in exchange for cash.

An Alitalia press release dated last Friday stated: “The board of directors of Alitalia – Compagnia Aerea Italian, chaired by Roberto Colaninno, met today in Rome to approve the proposal presented by Etihad Airways for a partnership between Alitalia and Etihad Airways. The board delegated the mandate to negotiate the contract to the president and chief executive officer.”

The New York Times reported that Etihad’s offer included an initial investment of 560 million euros (US$759.7 million) in exchange for a writedown of several hundred million euros in debt and the termination of 2,200 jobs. This makes up 15 per cent of the Italian carrier’s workforce.

Alitalia remains on the brink of bankruptcy after racking up 840 million in net losses after it was pulled back from the edge and privatised in 2009, according to the same New York Times report.

THE improved version of Travelport Mobile Agent (TMA) is set to be released on July 30, giving users access to a range of new features.

TMA, developed in partnership with Travelport Developer Network member TTS, lets travel consultants make customer bookings from their mobile devices and was first launched in 2011.

Significant features in TMA 3.0 include
– Improved, user-friendly interface and graphics for easier navigation and quicker access
– Enhanced content with improved data and access to more detailed information
– Faster travel platform response to command entries
– Customisable quick keys, PKeys, history and passenger name record stored in cloud, allowing the information to be synchronised across multiple devices
– Integration with Travelport’s Travelport ViewTrip itinerary tool
– Newsfeed with relevant travel articles

These come on top of the original TMA including full integration with Apollo, Galileo and Worldspan platforms.

TMA 3.0 will be available for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play beginning July 30.

BEST Western International has secured a second property in Cambodia, having taken over the management of a hotel now branded the Best Western River Palace Hotel, Phnom Penh.

The 59-key hotel is situated on the banks of the Tonle Sap River.

Glenn de Souza, vice president of international operations for Asia and Middle East, Best Western International, said: “This exciting city is fast becoming a regional hub for business and leisure travel, and the position of the Best Western River Palace Hotel means we are now at the very heart of Phnom Penh’s growth.

“Combined with our existing hotel in Siem Reap, this opening also means Best Western is now present in Cambodia’s two leading destinations,” he added.

Best Western River Palace Hotel features two F&B outlets: Palace Seafood Restaurant for Khmer and Western cuisine, and the Riviera Lounge Bar. It also comes with a fitness centre, a spa offering Cambodia’s only Turkish hammam, meeting space and VIP rooms, and a business centre.

Guestrooms overlook the river and feature free Wi-Fi and walk-in showers, among other amenities.

ARRIVALS to Malaysia are on the rise with 10 per cent year-on-year growth recorded for 1Q2014 at 7.1 million, over 6.5 million for the same period last year.

According to statistics from the Immigration Department of Malaysia, Singapore remains Malaysia’s largest source market by a large margin with 3.5 million arrivals in Q1.

In contrast, Malaysia’s second-largest source market, Indonesia, sent 676,328 arrivals. China takes third (520,466), followed by Thailand (333,131), Brunei (296,119), India (172,899), Australia (156,662), Japan (149,859), the Philippines (144,932), and the UK (125,814).

Malaysia’s growth comes in the face of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH370, which led to a suspension of Visit Malaysia Year promotions in China (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 28, 2014).

Unsurprisingly, South-east Asian countries accounted for 72.1 per cent or 5.1 million arrivals. Vietnam took tops for the highest growth of 30.1 per cent.

On the medium-haul front, South Korea saw the highest growth rate with 37.1 per cent. Medium-haul markets provided 20.1 per cent of arrivals or 1.4 million tourists.

Longhaul markets sent 0.5 million tourists or 7.9 per cent of total arrivals. The number of arrivals from Russia grew the fastest at a rate of 25.3 per cent.

CEBU Pacific Air (CEB) will tap the Filipino expatriate market with the introduction of its routes to Kuwait and Sydney that will begin this September.

Beginning September 2, CEB will operate the only direct service between Manila and Kuwait thrice a week.

On September 9, the LCC will commence four-times-weekly services from Manila to Sydney. Airbus A330-300 aircraft will be deployed on both routes.

“Our trademark low fares will allow our kababayans abroad, the global Filipinos, to visit home more often, as we had done in other destinations before, and at the same time attract Australian tourists into our shores,” said CEB president and CEO, Lance Gokongwei.

The airline is running an introductory offer from today until June 19 to mark the launch of these routes, for travel until December 31 this year.

Fares from Manila to Sydney start from 4,999 pesos (US$114), including fare, fuel surcharge and other fees but excluding the Philippine Travel Tax. Meanwhile, tickets to Kuwait start from one peso, exclusive of all other charges.

Visit www.cebupacificair.com for more information.

STARWOOD Hotels & Resorts Worldwide is set to launch the Four Points by Sheraton Puchong and Le Méridien Putrajaya by 2015, having signed a management agreement with IOI Properties Group for both.

“Malaysia’s strong economic growth and healthy tourism arrivals present us with a very exciting growth opportunity,” said Matthew Fry, senior vice president, acquisition & development, Asia-Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts.

“Starwood’s development in the fast-growing districts of Puchong and Putrajaya will enable us to cater to Malaysia’s growing middle class and the increased number of business and leisure travellers in the market.”

Four Points by Sheraton Puchong, scheduled to open in 4Q2014, is located within Puchong in Selangor. Situated in the town’s new business district, the hotel is 32km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport and a 20-minute drive to the Kuala Lumpur city centre.

The 249-key hotel will feature 1,100m2 of meeting space, a swimming pool, two F&B venues including the signature The Eatery, a fitness centre, free Wi-Fi, free bottled water and free coffee, among others.

Le Méridien Putrajaya is slated for a 2015 opening and will provide 350 guestrooms, two restaurant concepts, a fitness centre, spa facilities, a swimming pool and over 1,630m2 in events space.

It allows guests easy access to the city’s commercial and retail areas, including the IOI City Mall that will open later in 2014.