TRAVEL providers, including airlines and OTAs, will be able to offer UnionPay as an online payment method directly via the Amadeus Payment Platform after a new agreement signed between the Chinese cross-border payment service provider and the technology solutions provider.

With this agreement, Chinese travellers will now find it easier to travel overseas as they pay with their preferred payment card, allowing travel providers to gain a strong foothold into Chinese outbound and domestic tourism.

Celia Pereiro, head of Amadeus travel payments, said the new agreement offers travel providers a quick and easy link to UnionPay’s large base of cardholders in China.

UnionPay is the biggest card scheme worldwide with over 4.3 billion cards in circulation, supporting every major Chinese consumer bank. Last year, the UnionPay network accounted for 80 per cent of total payments made by outbound Chinese tourists.

This latest development rides on the back of Amadeus’s recent agreement with Alipay, one of China’s leading online payment service providers that accounts for nearly 50 per cent of all online payments, according to Pereiro.

She said: “With (Alipay and UnionPay), we help our customers to target new segments that are already paying with this method of payment. We can now integrate the process of payment with this new method in the selling process, which facilitates the whole process and makes it faster and more efficient.

“Our customers will have a shortcut to the Asian giant (China) by offering millions of potential Chinese travellers the option to pay with their preferred payment methods. They are not limited to Chinese outbound travel – they will also be able to access Chinese consumers who live outside China,” Pereiro added.

China was ranked by UN World Tourism Organization as the world’s top-spending tourism market in 2012.

HOMEGROWN brand Hotel Clover is looking to expand in Asia, with a target to open 10 new properties overseas within the next three years.

This two-year-old boutique hotel chain, which aims to provide an “alternative experience” currently has four properties to its name, with the newest being the 88-key Hotel Clover 33 Jalan Sultan that opened earlier this month.

According to Hotel Clover’s CEO, Teo Kok Hwee, the brand is set to open its fifth hotel in Singapore by 3Q next year and will focus efforts overseas thereafter.

Each Hotel Clover is furnished according to a unique theme. The brand’s first property, Hotel Clover 769 North Bridge Road, is branded as a vintage-themed hotel. Its second, Hotel Clover 5 Hong Kong Street, is a modern business hotel, while its third, Hotel Clover The Arts, is an art-themed hotel.

General manager of the one-month-old Hotel 33 Jalan Sultan, Karis Sun, said: “The theme in this hotel is all about creating a serene urban sanctuary to make our guests feel relaxed in the woods and greenery.”

Occupancy rates have been highly favourable at 90 per cent since opening, with most guests coming from South-east Asian countries, shared Sun.

However, new measures implemented by the Urban Redevelopment Authority in July to prevent the proliferation of hotels, boarding houses and backpackers’ hostels in areas not intended for hotel use has put a damper on Teo’s plans to open more boutique hotels in historic areas, encouraging Hotel Clover to look beyond Singapore.

Two new four-star hotels in Shanghai and Bangkok are set to open in 2Q 2015 and early 2016 respectively, but unlike their local counterparks, both will offer over 300 rooms each.

Teo said: “It is also appropriately timed as now that we have established ourselves in Singapore, we can take the brand to greater heights overseas like in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Indonesia and even Japan.”

PATA’s Malaysia Chapter is organising a hub city forum in Kuala Lumpur to address the challenges and opportunities arising from the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year.

This one-day forum on October 15, themed ASEAN Economic Community 2015 – Where is Tourism Heading?, is expected to attract around 250 delegates, comprising government officers and tourism industry players from the private sector.

PATA Malaysia Chapter chairman, Azizan Noordin, said: “During this forum, we will get expert views from invited speakers from the European Union on the challenges and opportunities faced by the European community.  Issues raised at the forum will be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia as well as ASEAN Summit 2015, where Malaysia is the chair.”

Three panel discussions are scheduled:
–       Tourism Development Policies under AEC2015, which will explore the role of policies and regulations, and how it can facilitate the industry’s development in 2015 and beyond
–        ASEAN Implementation Plan, which looks at improving connectivity, crisis management and recovery, multi-country thematic circuits, integrated products and aligned accreditation
–       Embracing AEC New Opportunities, centred around the importance of regional partnership, branding, human capital development and sustainability in the rapidly growing ASEAN market.

Panellists will include representatives from NTOs including the Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Department of Tourism Philippines, as well as Alexander Kesper, team leader, ASEAN – EU Management Programme, and Klaus Geil, head of sector, external aviation policy, European Commission.

M Ali, honorary secretary of PATA Malaysia Chapter, said: “It is timely to have this forum as AEC 2015 is just round the corner. While it is a game changer that will enhance travel facilitation and connectivity within ASEAN, many issues need to be addressed such as free flow of tourists into the region, free movement of coaches and free movement of tourism personnel.”

HOSTED association planners attending EIBTM in Barcleona this November are being granted greater freedom of choice and flexibility in how they use their time during the show.

Prompted by feedback from association meeting planners and a focus group help in London in May, EIBTM has launched the My Association My Club initiative.

Graeme Barnett, EIBTM senior exhibition director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said: “Association meeting planners have very specific needs and this new offer includes flexibility at its core.

“From freedom to explore the show floor and discover new suppliers, building an education programme of their choice, and having the time to meet with members of their community. It’s all about creating their own personalised programme and that is what the launch of My Association My Club aims to deliver.”

Benefits from the new programme include:
–       Flexible schedule with time to explore and discover new suppliers and innovations
–       A personalised diary with pre-scheduled appointments of the association hosted buyer’s choice
–       Opportunity to connect with contacts and meet other international association peers at networking events
–       Selection of education sessions that association planners can choose from to meet their own business needs
–       Access to a dedicated business-style Club Lounge on the show floor with free lunch, refreshments, and Wi-Fi. It also functions as a chance to meet contacts and peers
–       Support from a dedicated helper for registration
–       Free flights, trail travel, and transfers
–       Four- to five-star association accommodation

All hosted buyer applications are individually reviewed and accepted based on strict qualifying criteria.

For more information about My Association My Club, visit www.eibtm.com/myclub

A SUBSIDIARY of Singapore-listed Straco Corporation announced today it has signed an agreement to purchase the Singapore Flyer and will reveal plans for the iconic attraction at a later date.

Wu Hsioh Kwang, chairman of Straco Corporation, commented in a press release: “The Singapore Flyer is a defining Singapore attraction, and represents an exciting opportunity to expand our presence in the region and contribute to the Singapore tourism industry. As a Singaporean company, we are especially proud to add this unique icon to our portfolio of high-quality assets.”

“Future plans for the Singapore Flyer will be shared when Straco Leisure officially takes over,” he added.

Straco Leisure is a joint venture company between Straco Corp subsidiary Bay Attractions and WTS Leisure, with a focus on attractions and tourism-related projects in China.

The Singapore Flyer is the company’s first attraction in Singapore.

Placed under receivership Ferrier Hodgson in 2013 or five years since it first opened, the Singapore Flyer was reported by local media to have been struggling to attract visitors.

THE Lion City is the number one overseas destination for Indonesians travelling during the Lebaran holiday, according to flight and hotel search data provided by Wego Indonesia.

In the area of flight searches, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur ranked as second and third most sought destinations after Bali.

However, Malaysia, Japan and the Netherlands saw the largest increase in flight clicks year-on-year, growing by 40, 23 and 63 per cent respectively.

Countries that saw negative growth in flight searches for the Lebaran period include Thailand and China, falling 20 per cent year-on-year, possibly due to the local political situations.

Nevertheless, most Indonesians travelled domestic during this holiday season. Graham Hills, managing director of Wego Indonesia, commented: “The ratio of domestic and international flight searches remained similar year-on-year…This could be more reflective of tradition as Lebaran is the key time for Indonesian to visit with family; which is dominated by land transport options such as train, bus and private vehicles.”

Lion Air, Garuda Indonesia, Citilink, Sriwijaya and AirAsia were the top choices for domestic flights, while Indonesian travellers headed overseas showed a preference for AirAsia, Lion Air, Tigerair, Malaysia Airlines, and Garuda Indonesia.

Singapore was also the most searched overseas destination for hotels, coming in fifth place after Bandung, Bali, Jogjakarta and Jakarta.

“Bandung accommodation received around 20 per cent more share of hotel searches year-on-year, and both Malang and Bogor were fast movers. On average, Indonesians spent US$73 per night on domestic accommodation while Singapore dominated internationally with an average room rate of US$159, averaging three nights,” said Hills.

THE Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) has appointed Cox & Kings to operate luxury train Deccan Odyssey for the next five years, with scope for another five-year extension.

As part of the tie-up, Cox & Kings will manage all on-board and external services, sales, marketing, and operational activities related to the rail tour.

Jagdish Patil, managing director, MTDC, said: “This association will ensure the desired level of professionalism required to manage such a service, which has to cater to various demands of customers.

Deccan Odyssey begins its season on October 4 and will serve 10 different itineraries ranging from 3D2N to 8D7N tour packages, covering destinations including Goa, Ahmedabad, Hampi, Sanchi, Jaipur, Agra and Ranthambore.

“Maharashtra receives around 20 per cent of the total foreign arrivals to India. Deccan Odyssey is among the best luxury trains in the world… and is popular among international travellers who expect high service standards. Such a tie-up will ensure their expectations are met,” said Rajji Rai, chairman, Uniglobe Swiftravel.

MARCO Polo welcomes a new addition to its China portfolio today, opening in Changzhou, which is an hour away from Shanghai by high-speed train.

Marco Polo Changzhou is located in Xinbei District, close to China Dinosaur Land and Dino-Valley Hot Spring as well as the Zaojiang River.

Boasting 7.7ha of lush gardens, the hotel offers 271 rooms and suites in the main hotel building and a further 31 rooms and suties in The Mansion, including its Presidential Suite.

Amenities offered include The Continental Club for guests staying on designated floors, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa, an outdoor tennis court and a chess room. Almost 2,000m² of indoor meeting facilities comprising a pillarless Marco Polo Ballroom and 17 multi-fuction rooms are also available for hire.

Opening in this first phase is Garden Café that serves all-day dining and buffet spreads. Other F&B choices such as the Jiulong Ya Yuan Chinese Restaurant serving Cantonese and Huaiyang cuisines and Spanish-themed Tapas Y Vino will begin operations in future.

THE United Nations’ civil aviation body, ICAO, will launch two new projects to improve communications and information sharing about conflict zones between airlines and states.

Announcing these at the end of a two-day meeting held by an ICAO task force specially convened to address the issue, the first project will examine how the existing Notice to Airmen system can be harnessed better for the urgent dissemination of information, reported Reuters.

The second pilot project, the set-up of a new centralised system to share information quickly, will be spearheaded by “key ICAO partners”.

Reuters quoted task force chairman, David McMIllan, saying that the two projects are aimed at ensuring the safety of civilian passengers and crews.

Calls for closer cooperation between state and aviation bodies came fast and furious after passenger aircraft Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine almost six weeks ago.