India sheds ‘unsafe’ image with PR campaign, security measures

June 16, 2014

INDIA’S Ministry of Tourism is convening a high-level meeting and rolling out an international PR campaign to dispel the country’s negative image as a female-traveller-unfriendly destination and restore confidence among foreign tourists.

First in this two-prong strategy is a meeting that will gather the country’s tourism ministers and private sector delegates to discuss measures to improve the safety of foreign tourists. According to a ministry source, the meeting will take place within the next two months.

The ministry is joining hands with public-private partnership body, Experience India Society, to revamp India’s international image through a PR campaign that will be launched in the UK, Germany, Japan and the US for starters.

Speaking at a meeting with the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) last week, tourism minister Shripad Yesso Naik said: “I am aware that the tourism industry in India is concerned about the safety and security of tourists, especially women. It is one of our topmost priorities to address this concern. We will soon work out a PR strategy to create a positive image of the country.”

The campaign blueprint will be finalised today and TTG Asia e-Daily understands that it will include fam trips for media and single female travellers, and advertising, among others.

However, Rajan Sehgal, managing director, Arrivals Air Services, felt more remains to be done. “A mere PR plan won’t help the cause. We need to have all hotels having women-only floors, and to sensitise our taxi drivers and tour guides towards respecting women travellers. Apart from male security personnel, we also need female security personnel so that female travellers feel comfortable.”

Sarab Jit Singh, senior vice president, IATO, emphasised the importance of timing, saying: “Half-baked and half-hearted approaches will not yield any result…It is important that the PR plan is approved on time and that there are no delays.”

Spanish travel advisory spooks outbound Thailand reservations

By David Ing

June 16, 2014

BOOKINGS to Thailand are being cancelled in droves because of Spain’s unwarranted travel advisory that should be dropped, says the Spanish Confederation of Travel Agencies (CEAV).

CEAV president Rafael Gallego said that the security situation at most Thai resorts is normal and called the travel advisory, which was issued in May following the coup, “exaggerated”.

He also urged Spanish authorities to revise the document “to avoid a situation of generalised concern among travellers, which is seriously prejudicial to the travel consultants sector”.

Major tour operator to Asia La Cuarta Isla, part of the Barcelo Group, said the warning is affecting not just current bookings but also reservations for the peak month of August and later in the year.

Product manager Natalia Sanchez said: “Cancellations are coming in all the time. We reckon it’s between 30 and 35 per cent so far.

“All the travel consultants are saying the same thing – that it is because of the travel advisory.”

She added: “Thailand is our number one destination in Asia and for the Spanish market as a whole. But now people are switching to countries like Vietnam and Indonesia instead, and also to the Caribbean.”

UPDATE (June 17, 2014) : Spain has since withdrawn its travel advisory against Thailand but warns its citizens to remain careful while travelling there

GHM trumps in The Setai Miami court case against Lehman Brothers

By TTG Asia

June 16, 2014

GHM has been cleared of claims of mismanagement at The Setai Miami by property owner Lehman Brothers after two years or arbitration proceedings in Florida.

The ICC International Court of Arbitration last week ruled that the allegations brought against GHM were groundless and ordered damages to be paid to the hotel company for improper termination of the hotel management agreement.

In March 2012, Lehman Brothers forcefully took over The Setai Miami with claims that GHM was mismanaging the property.

However, Lehman’s own expert during the trial admitted that GHM had “achieved RevPAR levels 76 per cent higher than the competitive set”.

In its findings, the Tribunal rebuked Lehman for seeking excuses for termination of the agreement. Lehman is expected to make full compensation to GHM within 30 days of the ruling.

GHM president, Hans R Jenni, said in a media statement: “Needless to say, we are very pleased with the Tribunal’s conclusion, along with the complete and total legal victory. More importantly, it vindicates GHM of the wrongful accusations and upholds our reputation as a hotel management company of the highest repute and calibre.”

Recouping losses

By Greg Lowe

June 13, 2014

Will military intervention end Thailand’s political impasse and bring normalcy to the country or will it put a spanner in the works to revive tourism?

Thai army chief general Prayuth Chan-ocha’s seizure of power in a coup d’état on May 22 dealt another blow to the country’s tourism trade, which was already reeling from six months of street protests.

The general said he staged Thailand’s latest coup to restore peace and order to the kingdom. Whether his bid will be successful in the long term remains to be seen, but the imposition of martial law brought an immediate end to the almost daily, and often deadly, clashes between pro- and anti-government groups.

Curfew curbs unrest, arrivals
Military rule and the curfew are clearly having chilling effects on the tourism industry, which accounts for about 6.5 per cent of the Thai economy and employs more than four million people.

Kubilay Atac, general manager of Pegas Touristik Thailand, one of the country’s largest inbound operators specialising in the Russian market, said the coup was having a “huge” negative impact on arrivals.

“The problem is nationwide, but Bangkok and Pattaya are the worse affected,” he said. “We’re receiving hundreds of calls a day concerning safety from overseas agencies and clients.”

Almost half of the MICE groups due to arrive in Thailand in the immediate term have cancelled, said Pornthip Hirunkate, managing director of Destination Asia Thailand and vice president of the Tourism Council of Thailand. FIT and group series are faring better, but cancellations still run at 20 per cent.

“We’ve talked with a lot of other people in the trade, and they’re experiencing the same impact,” said Pornthip.

Other travel specialists said while they had not had too many cancellations, advance bookings for this year’s peak season were down significantly. Many believe the best thing the local industry can do is to provide accurate updates to their clients about the ground situation and that Thailand remains open for business despite the constitutional and political crisis.
Hans van den Born, managing director of Diethelm Travel Thailand, said that during a recent regional company meeting in Bangkok, staff and executives hit the capital’s streets to interview tourists for their reactions on the current situation, most of which were positive. They are now showing the video clips to clients.

Chotechuang Soorangura, associate managing director of NS Travel & Tours, said his company had also used Facetime and Skype on their connected devices to show international clients a live feed of daily life in Bangkok.

While communicating with clients is key, many in the trade feel there is little more they can do at the moment and do not think promotions or heavy room discounts will help win back tourists, as Tobias Fischer, business development manager at Go Vacation Thailand explained.

“Until there’s some sort of end in sight to the current situation there’s no point in investing much in (hotel) promotions,” he said. “Tourists need to feel confident about coming to Thailand again.”

At press time, the nighttime curfew has been lifted in 10 destinations namely Phuket, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Krabi, Phang Nga, Hat Yai, Koh Chang and Koh Phangan.
Most visitors to Thailand will not be affected by military rule. Key attractions, infrastructure and transport systems are operating normally. The curfew from 00.00 to 04.00, which remains in Bangkok and other parts of the country, is the issue that impinges most on the visitor experience.

People arriving or departing the country are permitted to travel during the curfew, but they are advised to keep their passports, air tickets and related information on hand in case they are stopped by the military. It is also a legal requirement to carry an official photo ID or a passport at all times when in Thailand. Spot checks are more likely given the current situation, and failure to produce the necessary documents can result in arrest. Meanwhile, passengers unable to secure transport from Suvarnabhumi Airport during curfew hours can use the CIP Lounges on the third floor.

Travellers are also urged to read the fine print of their insurance policies relating to claims directly related to a coup, said Michele Anne Minjoot, vice president and head of communications at ACE Travel Insurance.

“Thailand remains open for business and anybody traveling there should heed their local country’s travel advisory,” she said. “We have not imposed any additional policy restrictions or increased our premiums due to the coup d’état.”

But the fact remains that coups, curfews and martial law scare away tourists and business travellers, as do travel advisories which have been issued by more than 50 countries. As a result, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has shaved 2.6 million arrivals and 96 billion baht (US$2.9 billion) from its 2014 target.

Domestic crisis, regional impact
While neighbouring countries have not been immune to the crisis in Thailand, its overall impact is more ambiguous.

George Ehrlich-Adam, general manager, Exotissimo Vietnam, said: “We have had two groups that requested a change to Vietnam due to issues in Thailand, but we do not see any particular spike otherwise with shifted bookings. Our numbers are slightly up compared with last year, and as we are in the low season there is less of an immediate effect.”

Paul Stevens, vice president of operations for Accor Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines, said: “It is hard to say whether or not the developments in Thailand have had an impact on the tourist traffic into neighbouring countries.

“However, while business in Thailand has been lower than expected, our hotels in Vietnam had a strong first quarter this year with almost 25 per cent increase in the number of guests.”

In Cambodia, Christian de Boer, general manager of Shinta Mani Resort in Siem Reap, saw an initial downturn in business post-coup, but this was swiftly followed by a last-minute surge in bookings a few days later from travellers diverting to Cambodia from Thailand.

But Steve Lidgey, general manager of Phnom Penh-based A Touch of Asia, remarked: “Business is definitely down in Cambodia against last year where the Western markets are concerned, and we expect fewer last-minute bookings. However, the Asian market, which is about 80 per cent of our business, remains strong.”

Likewise, Nick Reth, operations director and owner of Phnom Penh-based Apsara Tours, expects some negative impact as close to half of his clients, especially those from Europe and the US, visit Cambodia in combination with Thailand or Vietnam. “However, only a small number of groups have cancelled their trips due to the unrest,” he commented.

Over in Laos, “there has been a slowdown in terms of confirmation speed from clients interested in tours combining Laos and Thailand”, said Laurent Granier, co-founder and general manager, Laos Mood Travel. “Enquiries keep coming in, but people are cautious with the news and developments in Thailand – making them hesitant to pay deposits. Suvarnabhumi Airport is still a major gateway to Laos and clients will ask about the situation there.”

Country in limbo
In the bigger picture, Thailand is probably now as politically divided as it ever has been. With elections not expected to be held for at least a year-and-a-half and an increasingly vocal anti-coup movement staging small peaceful rallies, the potential for further unrest remains a distinct possibility.

That said, many trade players believe the country will weather the current political storm. Speaking the day after martial law was declared on May 19, Moevenpick’s COO Middle East and Asia, Andreas Mattmüller, said: “Thailand is like a cat, it always manages to land on its feet.”

The problem is, statistically speaking, if you drop a cat out of a tree enough times it will eventually break its back. With some 20 coups under Thailand’s belt since 1932, will this putsch be the one that tips the balance?

USEFUL INFORMATION
• Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Centre 1672
• Tourist Police Call Centre 1155
• AOT (Suvarnabhumi Airport) Call Centre 1722
• Regular official news www.tatnews.org
• Useful local blog with tourism and incident updates www.richardbarrow.com/@RichardBarrow (Twitter)

Additional reporting by David Andrews

An open letter to the ambassadors of nations represented in Thailand and the international media

By TTG Asia

June 13, 2014

In the wake of recent political developments in Thailand, I feel compelled to write to address what I believe to be gross misinterpretations of the current situation in Thailand by certain Western nations and elements of the international media. As a naturalised Thai citizen born in America – and who have lived in Thailand for over 51 years without forgetting my Western roots – I feel that I have a unique perspective on recent events and the reactions to them.

I am distressed by the interpretations made of both the coup that recently took place in Thailand and the situation that led to it. Put succinctly, many of the Western nations and international media have gotten it wrong. From where we sit in Thailand today, it is not an issue of which political party was right and which was wrong. All Thais will pull together to work within a system that is acceptable and sustainable to the Thai majority. Vilifying one party or politician will not lead to constructive reconciliation moving forward.

A coup d’état is not a positive event by any means. I do not believe that the Thai military considered it to be positive, but rather a necessary step that was taken reluctantly. I cannot think of one Western country that has in recent memory experienced the social and political gridlock that Thailand suffered through for the past six months, resulting in government and political paralysis against a background of increasing violence and needless loss of lives. As the situation escalated, it became painfully clear that there would be no resolution as neither side of the political divide offered any reasonable compromise or demonstrated any inclination to compromise. The military showed great restraint as it stood by watching the situation deteriorate, allowing ample time and opportunity for the politicians to resolve the crisis. The price for that period was paid for by the Thai people, in blood, stress and economic sacrifice and only when it was clear that that there was no other reasonable solution did the Thai military step in.

It is easy for people far away to have characterised events in Thailand as a clash between ‘pro’ and ‘anti’ democracy protestors. This is not correct. There are very few people on either side of the political debate who oppose the idea of a functional democratic system for Thailand. I believe the Thai military, the majority of political parties in Thailand and the Thai people all want democracy, and a stable and functioning democracy that represents the will of the Thai majority.

I believe the current environment provides the platform for an effective ‘reboot’ of Thai democracy that will meet the needs and aspirations of the Thai people. Thailand is a relatively young democracy and as every Western democracy has gone through periods of great change and reform, this is precisely what Thailand is experiencing as part of the maturation of its political system. Recent developments are an important step towards the establishment of a strong and stable political structure that will underpin Thailand’s success going forward.

However, Thailand is not only facing political challenges, but also the compounding effects of exaggerated media reports which paint a distorted and unrealistic picture of the situation. While such reporting may sell newspapers and draw TV audiences, it is fear-mongering which promotes a misunderstanding of the situation — this in turn influences government travel warnings worldwide and has a disastrous effect on tourism. There are no concerns whatsoever for personal safety within Bangkok’s large expatriate community or the millions of tourists still enjoying their holidays in Thailand, yet this is not mentioned in the international media reports or travel warnings. Life goes on very much as usual in Thailand but this is far from the impression that one gets when watching the international news channels.

Hospitality has a huge impact on the Thai economy, generating millions of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue for a country that is known throughout the world for its charm, safety and hospitality. However, 62 countries have issued travel advisories for Thailand, 18 of which contain a red alert advising citizens to defer all travel to Thailand, according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry. These travel warnings are baffling to those of us who understand Thailand and fly in the face of the fact that Thailand continues to peacefully welcome millions of travellers from all over the world. It is the responsibility of all parties, and the media in particular, to present the situation accurately and in proper context to promote understanding, rather than misunderstanding, of the situation. All parties involved need to think hard about the detrimental effect that their words and actions are having on the people of Thailand.

Today’s travellers are savvier than they have ever been and with many countries around the world facing economic challenges, political difficulties and natural disasters, our globetrotting community understands how to take these factors into account when making their travel plans. Increasingly, travellers are relying on first-hand advice from people at ground zero who understand that this is simply part of the international travel landscape. If the media continues to promote sensationalistic and simplistic viewpoints of the situation in Thailand, they not only do a disservice to the viewing public but also run a very real risk of making themselves irrelevant.

Thailand remains a peaceful and welcoming country, with unique natural and cultural attractions for travellers to experience and is very much open for business — this is the reality and this is the message that is NOT being sent by most major international media outlets and embassies.

Despite my deep concerns regarding the media’s portrayal of the current situation in Thailand, I have great respect and appreciation for the positive role that the media can play in promoting understanding of countries and cultures. I am hopeful that all parties concerned, the media and foreign missions to Thailand included, can pull together for the greater good of the Thailand that we know and love. I urge the media to exercise its persuasive power with principle and integrity, to promote an honest and clear understanding of the current situation. I urge foreign governments to reassess the severity of their travel warnings and to revise and update prior statements to reflect the reality that Thailand is completely safe for travel. I applaud those nations and media outlets already portraying news of the coup and the security situation in Thailand in a balanced manner — your integrity is appreciated.

We all agree that the tourism industry is critical to the growth of Thailand and its economy, and it should not become a casualty of misunderstanding, misrepresentation and hyperbole. Thailand very much remains open for business and is as safe, friendly and welcoming for tourists as it has always been.

I know that my letter is only one voice, but without voices there can be no conversation. I hope that my thoughts will at least cause some reflection, and generate informed dialogue, on the realities of Thailand today.

Your sincerely,
William E Heinecke
CEO and chairman
Minor International

By William E Heinecke, CEO and chairman, Minor International

Decoding a coup

By Raini Hamdi

June 13, 2014

Clearly, there’s a wide gap between how Thai sellers and buyers perceive a military intervention in Thailand. The former sees it as a measure towards certainty. For the latter it has uncertainty written all over it.

When the Thai army invoked martial law on May 20, followed by a military coup two days later, many Thai hoteliers, DMCs and PCOs described the move as being “actually good” in as far as its intention to restore peace and order in the country, which has been embroiled in a political stand-off for seven months, goes.

They were at pains to explain there is nothing sinister about a coup in Thailand, that its people are going about working, dining, shopping as normally as ever. Thai sellers interviewed at IMEX in Frankfurt the day martial law was imposed – the same day the show opened – said they were not surprised at all, although they thought it might be imposed a bit later.

Buyers, on the other hand, were shocked.

Clearly, there’s a wide gap between how Thai sellers and buyers perceive a military intervention in Thailand. The former sees it as a measure towards certainty, and something that is so normal in Thailand – after all it’s the 19th coup. For the latter, a coup has the word uncertainty written all over it and is anything but normal.

Fact is, words like ‘coup d’etat’, ‘martial law’, ‘curfew’, ‘banned’, ‘black-out’ are all negative, despite their impositions in Thailand bringing some positive effects for the industry (for example, at writing time, the protests had stopped). Can we blame any tourist for hesitating to visit when he sees that there’s a curfew from midnight to 04.00, that he can’t gather with a group of five friends as there’s a ban on that, that it is strongly recommended he allocates at least three hours of travel time to the airport and stay updated with traffic news to avoid missing his flights, that International SOS has advised to defer non-essential travel to Bangkok, that several countries have also issued travel advisories for Thailand, including Malaysia, India, Singapore and Ireland? Too hard.

In today’s world of travel being a click and low-cost air seat away, recovery is irrelevant. As Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, said: “Cycles are gone, and there is now only action and reaction.”

The military intervention will hurt leisure and MICE arrivals further in the next few months. What the Thai industry needs to do is swallow this bitter pill and focus its energies on positive actions that will enable it to compete effectively in the long term.

Use the time, for example, to rally the government to ease visa restrictions on markets such as China – look at how destinations such as Japan and the US are reaping rewards of easing entry requirements. Invest on training and raising the professionalism and morale of service staff. Clean up and beautify Bangkok. Review Thailand’s brand image to see if it speaks to a wider audience, not just tourists but investors. Be creative with marketing – how about an attractive rate for airline staff, hoteliers, travel agencies and other industry members in ASEAN to holiday in Thailand?

Oh yes, make people laugh too, to defuse the tension. I simply love Swissôtel Le Concorde Bangkok’s Curfew Rate which came out the day after the coup.

Bintan’s Treasure Bay signs on US brands, Chiva-Som

By TTG Asia

June 13, 2014

BINTAN will see the Phase 1 opening of mega integrated resort, Treasure Bay Bintan, in 4Q2014, whose pioneering development will be an adventure hotel offering guests proximity to nature.

Malaysia-based Landmarks, which also owns The Andaman in Langkawi, announced that Phase 1 is anticipated to add 1,500 room keys to the island.

Spanning 90ha, it will feature Chill Cove, which boasts the largest Crystal Lagoon in Asia, as well as entertainment areas, bars, restaurants, aquatic sports facilities, retail areas and locations for at least eight hotels. To date, 60 per cent of these hotels have been committed to by renowned international and boutique operators.

Targeting nature and wellness visitors, Phase 1 will also include a destination health resort helmed by Canyon Ranch; a 40-hectare natural discovery centre with a mangrove enclave; river canoeing and other eco-themed activities; and a 20-hectare organic farm producing fruits and vegetables.

Phase 1 is fully planned and ready for implementation, and forms part of a 20-year master development to be rolled out in three phases, across the whole 338ha that is Treasure Bay Bintan.

In Phase 2, boutique health and wellness brand Chiva-Som will manage a resort under a new brand.

Changi Airport extends financial aid to airlines amid challenging environment

By TTG Asia

June 13, 2014

CHANGI Airport Group yesterday announced the rolling out of a wide-ranging Growth and Assistance Incentive (GAIN) programme to be implemented over the coming year.

In a press statement, the Group said with GAIN, a total of S$100 million (US$80.1 million) will be committed through various initiatives aimed at lowering costs for airlines, boosting passenger traffic and improving operational efficiency at Changi Airport.

From July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, all airlines operating at Changi Airport will enjoy an across-the-board reduction in operating costs, including rebates of 50 per cent on aircraft parking fees and 15 per cent on aerobridge fees.

A new package rewarding airlines for growing transfer traffic at the airport will also be introduced.

Airlines are also being encouraged to leverage the FAST@Changi initiative, which covers a range of self-service options for departing passengers. More details on FAST@Changi will be provided in due course.

Lee Seow Hiang, the Group’s CEO, said: “While we cannot iron out the volatilities of the industry cycle, we believe that GAIN will provide helpful temporary cost relief as airlines implement the necessary measures needed to adjust to the evolving market environment.”

According to Singapore’s broadsheet The Straits Times, the programme is a lifeline thrown in the wake of the Group’s year-on-year passenger traffic decline recorded in February and March this year, likely due to Malaysia Airlines’ MH370 incident and the Thai political instability, which have hit demand from its biggest markets China and Thailand.

AIBTM reinvents tradeshow format

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

June 13, 2014

THE Americas Incentive, Business Travel & Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) will take on a new name and show format to become an exclusive, invitation-only event come 2015.

To be rebranded as IBTM America, the 2015 show will feature a unique turnkey, plug-and-play solution where a 2.4m by 2.4m standard pod will be provided to exhibitors on arrival, reducing exhibiting hassles and removing additional costs associated with set-up or tear-down, freight or drayage.

A flat, all-inclusive price of US$9,500 will be charged for each modular booth design.
The new format is a result of consultation and feedback from the industry, according to Michael Lyons, exhibition director of AIBTM at Reed Travel Exhibitions.

“Exhibitors have told us that it’s getting more expensive to come to a show because the booths and spaces are expensive – shipping, building and taking down the booth, plus labour and extras,” he said.

“(Exhibitors) only have so much budget and corporate budgets are being squeezed, but there are many more events to attend every year, so they have to make a choice on the best event for their ROI,” he continued.

“It’s not just about taking the money of those willing to pay to be here. This will level the playing field so it doesn’t matter if an exhibitor has a bigger booth. What’s relevant is dialogue and conversation.”

IBTM America will also boast a 1:1 buyer-seller ratio limited to 250 suppliers and buyers respectively. Hosted buyers are pre-qualified and selected for their interest in placing US business, and exhibitors will be from all sectors of the MICE market, comprising 60 per cent from the US and 40, international.

Both exhibitors and buyers will take part in a mutual match system for their appointment diary.
At the same time, IBTM America will do away with hosted buyer functions. In place will be meals, events and networking functions that include both buyers and suppliers, said the event organiser.

Said Lyons: “We realised that sometimes the exhibitors felt excluded and they weren’t getting enough access to the hosted buyers. By making the ability to bring the buyers and sellers together multiple times throughout the course of three days, we will create a community with more touchpoints and bring this down to a smaller, more intimate event.”

Reed Travel Exhibitions, however, will not be introducing this “hybrid solution” to other shows under its IBTM portfolio.

Said Sallie Coventry, portfolio director, IBTM Global Events Portfolio: “Our two table-tops in India and South Africa have been incredibly successful and are an absolute fit for those markets, but EIBTM is our flagship and that’s about ground presence – it’s a different proposition. Every show is tailored to the market.”

AIBTM 2014, which took place in Orlando from June 10 to 12, drew 1,200 buyers and 508 exhibitors this year. IBTM America will take place in Chicago in 2015 and Orlando in 2016.

Lombok trade rallies for Jetstar’s Perth services to continue

By Mimi Hudoyo

June 13, 2014

JETSTAR’S impending cessation of its four-weekly Perth-Lombok services on October 17 is a blow to the travel industry on the island.

Lombok has enjoyed significant growth in arrivals from Australia since the services commenced last October, but in less than a year, Jetstar had on June 5 announced it is making changes to the Perth network due to weak demand.

“Despite our best efforts to promote Lombok as a destination, we are just not seeing enough demand to sustain services at this time,” said the airline’s spokesperson.

Jetstar will up its Perth-Denpasar service to thrice daily and offer passengers who have booked to fly (Perth-Lombok) after October 16 a flight to Denpasar, or a full refund, plus a voucher of A$50 (US$47).

Stevan Servin, chairman, Lombok Hotel Association, said: “We are sad to hear this. Even without much promotion, Jetstar’s average load factor is 63 per cent. Just last week we (the travel industry) met with Australian wholesalers to create promotional programmes to boost (Jetstar’s load factor) further.”

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, Servin said West Nusa Tenggara vice governor would travel to Australia next Tuesday to meet with Jetstar executives to explore ways to continue the service.

Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort Lombok director of sales, Jelantik Suharta, who attended the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair, said: “It will be a big loss for us. Our Australia market has been up from five to 25 per cent since Jetstar started direct flights.

“Australian visitors have stayed up to six nights with us, which means the flight has (helped) Lombok to become a mono destination.”

Judy Anglim, product manager, Specialist Infinity Australia, said the development of new hotels, especially upmarket villas, has given Lombok something to offer high-end travellers.

She added: “What the direct flight has done is increase much awareness of the destination. We are going to push for it to stay.

“Besides, Garuda Indonesia has been offering an add-on between Bali and Lombok for A$50 (for travellers) from Australia. As long as Garuda continues to do so, I think Lombok will continue to be attractive to the Australians.”