Plans for e-visa, direct India-Philippines flight get put off
The delayed implementation of e-visa and mounting of direct flights between Manila and Delhi stymie the growth of the promising tourist market from India to the Philippines.
PATA Philippines Chapter chair and Ark Travel Express president Paz Alberto said the industry has been clamouring for the implementation of the e-visa as the best way to attract Indian tourists, especially since many countries have allowed visa-free entry for travellers from India.
At the recent Philippine Travel Exchange’s PHITEX educational talk, Alberto also said the plan for Air India to codeshare with Philippine Airlines (PAL) in flying direct from Delhi to Manila this October is most likely to take place next year.
Arrivals from India have been rising over the past years, at times easing out longhaul source markets in the top Philippine arrivals despite the need to streamline visa processing and PAL stopping its Delhi-Manila service years ago.
E-visa is still under testing even as the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) announced it will take place this year. Indian nationals still have to make a personal appearance at the Philippine embassy in Delhi for visa processing, which could take a month or so.
However, the Philippines allows visa-free entry to Indian travellers who have Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore, the US or the UK visas for a stay of 14 days extended to a maximum of 21 days.
In a previous interview with reporters, tourism secretary Christina Frasco said a joint working group from the Indian government recently visited the Philippines to collaborate with the DoT “for the purpose of repairing the Philippine tourism landscape in terms of opening it up to the Indian market”.
Frasco shared that talks have been successful so far in trying to have local and Indian carriers “to mount flights to the Philippines” as well as for the DoT “to provide proof of concept and to test the market through charter flights”.
She added that DoT is coordinating with tour operators and travel agents to mount group travel from India in a bid to prove that there is indeed a growing demand for Indian travellers to come to the Philippines.
JHL Collections unveils new mid-scale hotel brand
In celebration of its fourth anniversary, Indonesian hospitality company JHL Collections has launched Noema, a new mid-scale resort brand that plays up local experiences.
The first Noema property will open in Bali this December, offering 157 rooms and facilities including a restaurant, swimming pool, spa, and fitness centre. It will differentiate itself from other properties in the same category through architecture, art, interior design and culinary to connect guests with the local environment and traditions.
Satria Wei, executive director of JHL Collections, added: “Noema focuses on offering experiences with a variety of activities, such as cooking classes, sustainable art and craft workshops, as well as wellness programmes. All activities are based on local communities’ values and culture.”
Beyond Noema, the group is also keen to grow its presence in resort destinations. It will debut a new glamping concept on Gili Trawangan island, with 55 luxury tents. It is scheduled to welcome first guests at the end of the year, and will be the seventh property that JHL Collections owns and manages.
Additionally, two new hotels in Bali and Ende, Nusa Tenggara Timur are in the pipeline for 2025.
Venny Hermawan, CEO of JHL Collection, recently revealed plans to expand its business through hotel management in collaboration with capital partners. She aims to manage four hotels from external investors in 2025 and have 24 new managed hotel in the next five years.
Venny added that for the past four years, the company has focused on forming an identity and building service standards defined by LIGHT: Limitless, Integrity, Growth, Helpful, Think Outside of The Box.
“We must first ensure that the company is running properly from upstream to downstream; only then we can be confident to open ourselves up to managing property with investor partners,” she said.
In the long run, JHL Collections aims to enter the international hospitality market, targeting to open its first property in South-east Asia in the next three years.
TUI Blue expands portfolio in China, South-east Asia
TUI Blue is strengthening its presence in Asia with a series of new hotel openings in China and South-east Asia, following the successful launch of new hotels in Thailand and Vietnam in the last months.
The brand will make its debut in China with three new properties, and one in Malaysia.
The new properties in China comprise the 83-room Blue Wusongkou Cruise Port in Shanghai, the recently opened TUI Blue Taicang with 129 rooms near Tianjing Lake, and TUI Blue Yangshuo Xiangheli, Guilin.
Over in Malaysia, the 150-key TUI Blue The Haven Ipoh welcomed its first guests this month. Further launches in South-east Asia are already being planned, with TUI Blue Maduzi Bangkok in Thailand and TUI Blue Berawa in Bali soon to open.
“Our rapid expansion in China and South-east Asia underscores the strong demand for the TUI Blue brand in these fast-growing travel markets,” said Artur Gerber, managing director of TUI Blue Hotels & Resorts. “As we continue to bring our unique blend of leisure accommodations and locally-inspired experiences to more destinations, we are confident that TUI Blue is an excellent addition to the region’s hospitality landscape.”
Aviation roundup: Emirates, Jetstar Asia and more
Emirates launches flights to Madagascar
Emirates had made its debut flight to Antananarivo, Madagascar, which was celebrated with a water canon salute at Ivato International Airport.
Serviced by the Boeing 777-300ER, the aircraft offers a three-class configuration, featuring eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class and 310 seats in Economy Class.
Emirates will fly four times a week from Dubai to Antananarivo via the Seychelles, operating on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Jetstar Asia to resume low-fare flights between Singapore and Medan
Jetstar Asia has resumed its low-fare flights between Singapore and Medan, Indonesia, after a four-year suspension.
Commencing on November 1, the return service will operate daily between Singapore’s Changi Airport and Medan’s Kualanamu International Airport.
Vietjet adds flights from Vietnam to Taiwan and Hong Kong
Vietjet will increase its flight frequency from Vietnam to Taiwan and Hong Kong starting October 27, providing more convenient and affordable flying options for travellers during the year-end festive season.
For Taiwan, Vietjet will add new daily flights on the routes linking Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Taipei, increasing the number of round-trip flights from one to two per day on each route. Additionally, Vietjet will also increase the flight frequency from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc to Taichung and Kaohsiung to daily on each route.
The service between Danang and Hong Kong will also see daily services, up from four weekly flights currently.
The Phu Quoc-Hong Kong route will transition to a daily service, up from three flights per week.
Korean Air to expand network to China and Japan
Korean Air is resuming several routes to China and Japan, as well as increasing frequencies on other popular routes.
The airline will restart its Seoul Incheon-Mudanjiang and Busan-Qingdao services on October 22 and December 1, respectively, following a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The Seoul Incheon-Mudanjiang route will operate five times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and the Busan-Qingdao route will operate daily.
Korean Air is also increasing frequencies on several routes to China. The airline has increased frequencies on its Seoul Incheon-Zhengzhou route from four weekly flights to a daily service on August 12. Similarly, the Seoul Incheon-Xiamen route will see an increase in frequency from four weekly flights to a daily service from October 1.
The Seoul Incheon-Taichung route will undergo a two-phase enhancement. From September 10 to October 26, the route will be serviced four times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, increasing to daily flights from October 27.
Also starting from October 27, the airline will relaunch its Seoul Incheon-Nagasaki route for the winter season after a break of more than 11 years. This route will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
The Seoul Incheon-Osaka route will also see a temporary increase in service. From September 2 to October 26, the airline will operate four daily flights, up from the existing three daily flights.
Legoland Malaysia celebrates 12th anniversary with fun-tastic deals
Legoland Malaysia Resort turns 12 this year, and has rolled out a series of activities and events for families.
Highlights include the final build of its 7.5m-long Lego dragon on September 16 with an ancient drum performance and the winning name chosen by guests; diving into a world of dreams at the Lego Dreamzzz Adventure 4D Movie; building castles and swords at the Kingdom Warrior Challenge; meeting the royal characters of Lego Kingdoms: WizardBricky and Elvie, and more.
In the lead-up to the 12th anniversary, guests can also take part in a special Lego Cake Decorating Activity, where they will build and add their own decorations to the Lego cake. For Annual Pass holders, anniversary deals comprise discounts on hotel stays, day tickets, Lego adult playsets, and F&B, as well as complimentary ice cream, slice of cake for birthday kids, and kids’ meals. Terms and conditions apply.
For more information, visit Legoland Malaysia Resort.
Simon Beaumont helms as GM of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort
Minor Hotels has appointed Simon Beaumont as the new general manager of Avani+ Khao Lak Resort. In his new role, Beaumont will oversee operations at the resort leveraging his extensive experience and strategic vision to elevate guest experiences and drive business growth.
During his 35 years in the hospitality industry, Beaumont has held various F&B and senior leadership positions across his native Australia, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.
Most recently, he served as interim chief executive officer at Azerbaijan’s Absheron Hotel Group, where he oversaw 14 internationally branded properties, spearheading strategic growth and operational excellence.
Jati, Koh Russey Island, appoints new GM
Lisa Gerosa has been named general manager at Jati resort on Koh Russey Island, Cambodia, due to open in 1Q2025.
She has worked in European hotels including the Sheraton Belgravia in London and The Westin in Venice. She recently spent 10 years in the Maldives as general manager with Atmosphere Core properties, giving her the experience in managing logistics and teams living on private islands.
Feeding a youthful wanderlust
Asia-Pacific is the most youthful region in the world, with Gen Z people (born between 1996 and 2012) and the millennials (born between 1980 and 1995) each making up a quarter of the population.
These population segments are one to watch, as their spending habits will impact businesses – including that of travel and tourism companies – around the world. Studies on these travellers by various organisations have identified unique characteristics that could drive meaningful tourism development.
Global management consulting firm Kearney’s recent report on the Asia-Pacific travel retail industry found that millennial and Gen Z travellers value experiences over material possessions or purchases.
“For many of them, travel is seen as a gateway to unlock a multitude of experiences. As such, they are likely to spend more on travel than the older population, making them an attractive target segment for businesses to curate unique travel experiences that meet their evolving expectations,” shared Siddharth Pathak, senior partner, head of consumer industries and retail for Asia-Pacific at Kearney.
Pathak shared that these travellers are also looking for wide and varied travel experiences. To be able to successfully tap this market, businesses need to hone a greater understanding of what these experiences entail and execute accordingly.
He also pointed out that young travellers are more budget conscious, necessitating pricing adjustments to eliminate unsustainable price points.
Rhydian James, chief commercial officer at Discova, agreed that young travellers are value-driven rather than price-driven.
He shared: “They are willing to spend more if they perceive value, differentiation, and personalisation in their package. As young millennials enter their 30s and 40s, they will generally have more disposable income and young families. They seek opportunities to teach and learn, not just to see. When travelling with families, they often prefer private experiences tailored to their circumstances.”
James described Gen Z travellers as being digitally connected, experience-driven, and adventurous.
Banyan Group’s senior vice president, head of regional operations and group specialist services and deputy managing director of hospitality management, Philip Lim, echoed these observations. Banyan Group’s long-held strategy of incorporating local culture into the guest experience has earned it a place in the hearts of millennials and Gen Z travellers.
Citing examples of such experiences, Lim said: “At Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto and Dhawa Yura Kyoto (both in Japan), our guests can participate in kintsugi (art of mending pottery with lacquer and powdered gold, silver, or platinum) workshops and zen meditation sessions with local monks. These experiences not only enrich their stay, but also foster a deep connection with the destination, aligning perfectly with the experiential priorities of these travellers.”
The group is also leveraging artificial intelligence to tailor marketing and personalise travel experiences for its millennial and Gen Z guests.
The hunger for unique experiences has led to growing attention on off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Booking.com listed Jozankei in Japan, Ella in Sri Lanka, and Mui Né in Vietnam as trending destinations for 2024.
Its managing director APAC, Laura Houldsworth, said: “Promoting lesser-known destinations not only fulfills the wanderlust of these travellers but also supports millennials and Gen Zers’ sustainable travel ambitions by diverting attention away from over-touristed areas.”
However, promoting off-the-beaten-path destinations comes with challenges. Houldsworth explained that one of the main obstacles is the perception that such destinations lack the necessary infrastructure and amenities that travellers expect.
“First-time travellers may feel apprehensive about visiting lesser-known places. Additionally, raising awareness about the unique attractions and experiences these destinations offer requires targeted marketing efforts and partnerships with local tourism boards.”
Bearing in mind that the influential generation is generally environmentally conscious, Hyatt is bringing more attention to its properties’ sustainable efforts.
Carina Chorengel, senior vice president – commercial, Asia-Pacific at Hyatt, shared: “We are increasingly creating opportunities to directly engage guests and involve them in this sustainable journey. For example, Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort is home to a Marine Biological Center that educates guests about marine life at the resort’s house reef, elevating the guest experience beyond traditional recreation offerings.”
The Robertson House welcomes new GM
The Robertson House has appointed Kris Wong as its new general manager, where she is set to enhance the hotel’s offerings by creating unique, personalised experiences that connect guests with Singapore’s culture and history.
With a career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality industry, she brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence to her new role.
Prior to her tenure at The Robertson House, Wong held key leadership positions at renowned hotels across Singapore and Malaysia.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) has unveiled Marhaba Boracay, a first-of-its-kind Muslim-friendly cove for families and travellers.
Initiated by the Local Government Unit of Malay (LGU-Malay) and the DoT, in partnership with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Marhaba Boracay is located in the cove area of the Boracay Newcoast private beach.
The Marhaba Boracay project is in line with the DoT’s goal of promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism and strengthening the position of key destinations such as Boracay Island on the world stage.
Patterned after other existing Muslim-friendly beaches in tourism destinations such as the Maldives and Thailand, the Marhaba Cove spans around 850m² and is envisioned as a special-use area for Muslim travellers and families, taking into consideration Islamic laws. The island will also serve up halal and Muslim-friendly culinary offerings.
To further respond to the needs of Muslim guests, the DoT has actively carried out its accreditation of Muslim-friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs) – as of December 2023, there is a total of 289 MFAEs and 237 Muslim-friendly restaurants nationwide.
Earlier this year in May, the DoT and Megaworld Hotels and Resorts entered into an agreement during the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, seeking to transform all 13 of their properties into MFAEs. Since the signing, two of the group’s hotels, Savoy Hotel and Belmont Boracay, have been accredited as MFAEs.
Boracay Island is also famous among divers, being home to numerous dive sites and offerings. To enhance the overall safety of tourists and divers visiting the island, the DoT, through its infrastructure arm, TIEZA, will install hyperbaric chambers on the island, and launch its own Tourist First Aid Facilities across the country, with Boracay Island identified as a pilot destination.
Tourism secretary Christina Frasco commented: “Marhaba represents our dedication to ensuring that all travellers, regardless of faith, can enjoy the world-renowned shores of Boracay. Our efforts in the halal tourism portfolio are just beginning, and with the continued support from our partners, we envision that the Philippines will not only emerge, but thrive as a halal and Muslim-friendly destination.”