MORE than 50 per cent of passengers would use their mobile phones to check flight status, baggage status and airport directions by 2016, and the majority of airlines and airports would offer these services, according to Smart Thinking, a research report released by SITA yesterday.

The report also says that 100 per cent of airlines and 90 per cent of airports are investing in business intelligence solutions to provide the intelligent information across their operations, which these, and other services, demand.

By end-2016, bag status updates will be offered by 61 per cent of airlines; 79 per cent of airports will provide status notifications, such as queue times through security and walking time to gate; and more than three quarters will also be providing navigation at the airport via mobile apps.

Nigel Pickford, director for market Insight, SITA, said: “Our research has clearly shown that the move to smartphone apps and mobile services is well underway. But many of the services that airlines and airports are planning are heavily dependent on their ability to provide more meaningful data and insight – providing passengers and staff the right information at the right time.

“Efforts are being made across the industry to collaborate and SITA has established the Business Intelligence Maturity Index to benchmark the progress.

“We asked airlines and airports to measure themselves in four categories of business intelligence best practice for this index: data access and management, infrastructure, data presentation and governance. Our analysis shows that on average the industry is only halfway to achieving best-in-class and further progress is needed.”

He also highlighted: “Airlines and airports face the issue though that while passengers are very keen to access information about their journey, they are also sensitive about privacy. The smart use of non-intrusive passenger information, however, will provide benefits to airlines and passengers.”

Looking ahead, the report also points out that the combination of business intelligence and predictive analysis will help improve passenger experience, while optimising the use of infrastructure and space at airports.

Airlines and airports will be more proactive by analysing past events and combining live data feeds from multiple sources to predict future events and take preventative action before they occur, thereby reaping significant benefits for passengers and the industry alike.

SENTOSA’S Songs of the Sea will make its final performance on May 4, 2014 after a seven-year run, while a new multi-sensory production will debut in June.

More than 5,000 tickets at a 50 per cent discount started being offered on Sentosa’s Facebook page yesterday, along with an Instagram contest where participants stand to win a backstage visit. Premium seats are available at S$18 (US$14) per person, while standard seats are at S$15 (standard rate), and S$12 (for local residents).

The 25-minute show produced by events company ECA2 features a live cast, dramatic effects and pyrotechnics. Reflecting Singapore culture, it is performed daily at 19.40 and 20.40 to audiences in its outdoor theatre, which sits up to 2,500 people.

Sentosa Development Corporation said it would share more details of the new show, also produced by ECA2, closer to the date.

SIEM Reap is poised to receive a record number of visitors heading for the Angkor Sangkran celebrations over the Khmer New Year.

Pak Sokhom, secretary of state for the Ministry of Tourism, said: “This is the second year we see Sangkran celebrations at Angkor Wat and we expect in excess of 200,000 visitors over the three days.

“Many hotels will be operating close to full capacity as we are seeing an increase in tourists not only from the Western markets, but also from China and Japan.”

The Angkor Sangkran festival will be held from April 13 to 16 within the Angkor temple complex.

Christian De Boer, general manager of Shinta Mani, said: “Shinta Mani is virtually fully booked over the New Year festivities. We haven’t increased our rates for over this period. I believe there are sufficient facilities in Siem Reap to deal with the expected increased in tourism numbers that are mainly regional.”

Steve Lidgey, general manager of A Touch of Asia, added: “Over the Khmer New Year period, Western tourists are low in numbers while domestic traveller numbers surge.

Thai tourist numbers will be greater this year as the Thai-Khmer relationship has improved and more flights now operate from Bangkok to Siem Reap.”

THE European Union yesterday lifted the ban on Cebu Pacific flying to Europe, just hours after the US Federal Aviation Authority upgraded the Philippines’ status from Category 2 to 1 (TTG Asia e-Daily, April 10, 2014).

This double aviation victory means that like Philippine Airlines, which was allowed to return to Europe last July, Cebu Pacific can now fly longhaul to both Europe and the US after the safety issues have been addressed.

Cebu Pacific president Lance Gokongwei said the airline would fly to the two continents within the year, eyeing Guam, Saipan and Hawaii in the US while still studying the routes in Europe.
Cebu Pacific will purchase 50 additional aircraft until 2021 for the US and European expansion, added Gokongwei.

Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines president, Ramon Ang, said the legacy carrier would return to New York within the year without precluding other East Coast cities, in addition to its 26 weekly flights to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Honolulu and Guam.

Ang said PAL would “deploy our modern and fuel-efficient Boeing 777-300ER fleet to the US” and “explore new destination opportunities in one of the Philippines’ largest passenger markets”.
The travel trade welcomes the landmark lifting of the ban as crucial to improving the Philippines’ connectivity and accessibility.

AA Yaptinchay, general manager of Kirschner Travel Manila, said: “Not only could we fly in more visitors with better schedules, but also the presence of airlines from the Philippines would mean visibility and promotions to new markets in Europe and the US.”

THEME park company Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is venturing to markets outside North America, having announced yesterday its plan to build a Six Flags-branded theme park in Dubai.

The project, a strategic partnership with Meraas Leisure and Entertainment belonging to Dubai-based real estate development company Meraas Holding, is planned for a late-2017 opening within the multi-themed park project in Jebel Ali.

“The cornerstone of our international expansion strategy has always been finding the right partner in the right location and, with Meraas in Dubai, we have done exactly that,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, chairman, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment.

Raed Al Nuaimi, chief leisure and entertainment officer of Meraas, said: “As part of our commitment towards creating one-of-a-kind experiences and contributing towards the Dubai Tourism Vision 2020, our association with Six Flags will help us develop a world-class destination that redefines the industry and positively impacts the regional tourism sector.”

Terms of the arrangement were not disclosed. Six Flags Entertainment currently has 18 theme parks across the US, Mexico and Canada.

SINGAPORE Tourism Board (STB) today launched Rediscover, the second wave of its 50^thanniversary celebrations, shining the spotlight on long-standing icons that may have been eclipsed by the city’s string of recent openings.

Running from April to October, there will be carnival-style events, behind-the-scenes tours, sports-oriented activities as well as art, heritage and architecture talks and tours.

STB assistant chief executive, experience development group, Melissa Ow, said: “It’s not always about discovering the new, but (it’s) also important to help people revisit, reconnect and understand that there is really so much that we offer as a city, as a destination.”

As it commemorates 50 years of tourism development and promotion, STB wants locals to reacquaint with established attractions as well as build a better understanding of the tourism industry and the careers it has to offer.

However, Ow said that the invitation is extended to overseas visitors as well. Promotions will be carried on STB’s marketing platforms, but as capacity on many of the tours is limited, registration has to be on a first-come, first-served basis, she pointed out.

Kicking off next Easter weekend is an egg-themed carnival at Jurong Bird Park, Singapore’s first major attraction.

Other highlights include a back-of-house tour which showcases how Singapore’s cable car system operates, access to the zoo’s hospital and kitchen to see how animals are cared for, an exclusive view of the iconic rotunda and dome at the National Museum and cruise ship open-house visits.

There will also be opportunities to see the soon-to-be-opened Singapore Sports Hub, with guided tours led by local sporting personalities such as C Kunalan.

The first phase of Tourism50 – Reminisce – was launched last month and focused on evoking memories of older attractions such as Haw Par Villa. The third phase – Celebrate – will feature festive light-ups and events leading up to the country’s 50^th year of independence next year.

More information is available at www.xinmsn.com/rediscoversg.

THE US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has restored the Philippines to Category 1 status according to the international aviation safety standards as set out by ICAO.

This follows a review of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) conducted last month that found it to have met standards in technical expertise, trained personnel, record keeping or inspection procedures.

With the safety status upgrade, Philippine airlines can operate flights to the US and carry the code of US carriers.

The Philippines held Category 1 rating until January 2008, when it was downgraded.

Aileen Clemente, executive vice president of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, said the body was “delighted and excited” about the development.

“This will hopefully provide more optimal connectivity (to the) Trans-Pacific area,” she said, adding that this would allow the Philippines to be an Asian hub.

PAL executives confirmed that they were in the process of preparing a statement, but were awaiting formal confirmation by the CAAP, and would release the statement today or tomorrow.

Cebu Pacific Air vice president for corporate affairs, Jorenz Tañada, said: “We congratulate CAAP at this most significant achievement. We are excited at the prospect of flying to the US. This can only bode well for the Philippine aviation industry in general and Philippine carriers in particular.”

The EU last year rescinded its ban on national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 11, 2013) and the airline has since unveiled plans to launch services to Europe (TTG Asia e-Daily, September 18, 2013).

The FAA Category 2 status was viewed by the industry as the last hurdle for Philippine aviation after the lifting of the EU ban.