VIRGIN Atlantic is weaving in the use of wearable technology such as the Google Glass and Sony Smartwatch technology to its concierge service at London Heathrow airport in a six-week test.

The airline has equipped each concierge staff member in its Upper Class Wing with either a Google Glass or Sony Smartwatch 2 that will display the individual passenger’s information via an integrated, purpose-built dispatch app developed by SITA and Virgin Atlantic. The app manages all task allocation and concierge availability.

This allows concierge staff to greet passengers by name and begin the check-in process once they arrive at the airport, as well as provide them with their latest flight information, weather and local events at their destination.

In future, the service could extend to displaying information about a passenger’s dietary and refreshment preferences.

Dave Bulman, director of IT, Virgin Atlantic, said in a media release: “While it’s fantastic that more people can now fly than ever before, the fact that air travel has become so accessible has led to some of the sheen being lost for many passengers. Our wearable technology pilot with SITA makes us the first in the industry to test how Google Glass and other wearable technology can improve the customer experience.”

Results of the six-week pilot test will be evaluated before the service is rolled out elsewhere in future.

Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic is also partnering with SITA to test iBeacon, a low-powered Bluetooth transmitter than can notify nearby Apple devices of services, discounts and updates on their flight boarding schedules, also for Upper Class passengers at Heathrow.

MALAYSIA-BASED YTL Hotels has unveiled three newly refurbished Vistana Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan and Penang with better offerings for the business traveller.

The facelift included the full reworking of guestrooms and public spaces, with new facilities such as 24-hour gyms, grab-and-go Barista coffee bars and business solutions centre HUB247.

Guests can also make use of the free Wi-Fi throughout the hotels.

Mark Yeoh, executive director of YTL Hotels, said: “Our endeavour comes at a timely moment, in hand with Tourism Malaysia’s Visit Malaysia 2014 (campaign).”

The company will be expanding the Vistana Hotels brand throughout Malaysia and the region in the next few years, it said in a media statement.

ADI Sumarmo International Airport Solo and Adisucipto International Airport will reopen tomorrow, the last two airports in Java to resume regular operations since last Friday.

Juanda International Airport in Surabaya, Ahmad Yani International Airport in Semarang and Abdul Rahman Saleh Airport in Malang opened during the weekend.

Thick layers of ash from a volcanic eruption descended on East and Central Java late last week, resulting in flight cancellations and attraction closures (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 14, 2014).

Angkasa Pura I Airport Authority spokesperson, Handy Heryudhityawan told the media that Jogjakarta and Solo had been the worst affected, so it took time to clean the airports of the ash.

Garuda Indonesia cancelled a total of 129 flights last Friday and 127 on Saturday, while LCC Citilink scrapped 50 flights on Friday and Saturday. Lion Air cancelled 90 per cent of services to affected airports on Friday.

In the meantime, iconic tourist attractions like Borobudur and the Prambanan Temples will remain closed for 10 days for cleaning, according to Borobudur, Prambanan, Ratu Boko Park Authority president director, Laily Prihatiningtyas in a statement.

*Our article originally stated that Adi Sumarmo International Airport would reopen on February 17, which was correct as press time. Following an update issued by the relevant authorities, TTG Asia e-Daily has amended the reopening date in the copy to February 18.

NEW DMC A Touch of Asia has started selling customised itineraries to individual and group travellers from Phnom Penh, with a second office in Siem Reap already on the way.

Currently catering to FITs, group travellers, MICE, ad hoc groups and school groups, A Touch of Asia is looking to provide similar services in other South-east Asian destinations in the near future.

The new DMC was founded by three travel professionals. General manager Steve Lidgey comes from a background of sales and products that began in the UK; Sothy Math worked at another top DMC as a senior reservations manager; and Hong Sok Heng worked over a decade at Sofitel Luxury Hotels as director of sales for the two Cambodian properties incorporating the Phokeethra Country Club in Siem Reap.

Lidgey commented: “Year on year, travel to Cambodia is increasing from all markets. With an increase of flight options into Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, numbers will continue to increase in the coming years. The challenge is to manage the higher numbers at temples such as Angkor Wat. However, with careful planning the masses can still be avoided. Product development has included family cooking classes, combined cycle and kayak tours for beginners and authentic village experiences for visitors of all ages.”

A Touch of Asia’s website is available at www.atouchofasia.travel

MYANMAR has busted its tourism target for 2013 and will aim for three million visitors in 2014, reported the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

Beween January and December 2013, some two million foreign visitors entered the country via air transport (885,476), water routes (6,086) and through overland checkpoints (1.2 million).

Yangon remains the top gateway to Myanmar as 803,014 travellers, representing a 44.8 per cent year-on-year increase, came through the city. Out of this number, over half hailed from Asia while 157,840 flew in from Europe.

Thailand still accounts for the top source market with 116,126 arrivals, followed by Japan (66,772), South Korea (54,599) and China (54,325). France is the top inbound European country with 33,250 visitors, while the UK takes second place (31,172 ) and Germany, third (25,565).

The number of travellers entering with business visas jumped 32.3 per cent to 151,320, group tours increased 8.3 per cent to total 114,456 tourists, while FIT arrivals rose 25 per cent to 293,648.

Travel professionals are anticipating a 40 per cent rise in tourist arrivals between 2014 and 2015.

However, Aung Myat Kyaw, managing director of Orchestra Travel in Yangon, expressed hope to see a balance in demand and supply (in tourism) and the sustainable development of the industry in the future.

Myanmar began allowing Philippine nationals to enter the country visa-free for up to 14 days on January 4 (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 8, 2014), and entered a mutual visa waiver with Cambodia in December 2013.

PULLMAN Jakarta Indonesia has opened following a US$15 million transformation of its rooms, public areas and restaurants to reflect the brand’s new identity of blending work and play.

The grand opening of the hotel was celebrated yesterday with Asia’s first Pullman ArtNight, a showcase of contemporary Indonesian art in the hotel’s lobby, dining areas and ballroom.

Michael Isenberg, Chairman and COO of Accor Asia-Pacific, said that travel, architecture, design, art and culture are at the heart of the new Pullman brand and Pullman ArtNight is part of the global commitment to support emerging and established artists.

“As part of the (new) approach, works of art will be showcased in each Pullman hotel around the world through permanent and temporary exhibitions and partnership with local and international artists.”

The 427-key hotel has completed the renovation of the Main Tower Lobby, Pullman Tower Lobby, the Kemixtri Gastro Bar, Le Chocolat Lounge, Poetree Lounges and the 1,000-pax Grand on Thamrin Ballroom. Wayang kulit (traditional shadow puppetry) motifs are found throughout the hotel in contemporary art pieces.

Indonesian minister of tourism and creative economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, who attended the press conference yesterday, said the creative economy grew wherever the hospitality and tourism industry did. “People buy souvenirs, hotel developers need architects, interior decorators, garden landscaping (services).”

“There are so many hotels built in Indonesia and I always encourage (hoteliers) to use, as much as possible, local creative industrial products. Therefore, I appreciate Accor, especially the Pullman (brand), where you have made a big attempt to include contemporary and local traditional values in the properties.”

Unlike the new-built Pullman hotels in Bali and Jakarta Central Park, Pullman Jakarta Indonesia was initially opened as President Hotel in the 1970s and and changed hands several times before it was taken up Accor. Three more Pullman hotels are currently under construction in Bandung, Ciawi and Surabaya.

IN-FLIGHT comfort will feature strongly in the future of longhaul economy travel as Asian passengers shape demand in the 21st century, with cabins providing everything from 3D-enabled entertainment to conference call facilities.

A study conducted by global future consultancy Future Laboratory and published by Airbus,The Future of Comfort: Asia, forecasts that Asia will contribute 45 per cent of travellers by 2032, making Asians the dominant force behind evolving travel demand.

The report simultaneously threw light on three future macro trends for comfort in demand in Asia: Wi-Fi-enabled cabins with telephone and conference-calling facilities; 3D-enabled entertainment; and a more relaxing cabin for greater in-flight well-being, measured through air quality, cabin quietness, mood lighting and seat space.

Although the publication identified two distinct types of travellers – new emerging affluent travellers and high-income frequent travellers – both groups place similar importance on in-flight creature comforts.

With 70 per cent of travellers travelling for business, Asian flyers regard a productive flight as one where they can relax (78 per cent), sleep (58 per cent) and then work (56 per cent). Asian passengers are inclined to use flights to rest in order to be productive later while Western travellers seize the opportunity to catch up on work.

Fifty-eight per cent of Asian travellers ranked their seats as the top factor influencing comfort levels and 60 per cent said wider seats would provide ‘improved standards of comfort’, while 42 per cent would pay for more space.

Other elements that could improve comfort include more legroom (48 per cent), adjustable seating (43 per cent), quiet zones (42 per cent) and more arm room (37 per cent).

Kevin Keniston, head of passenger comforts, Airbus: “The voice of the Asian passenger is fast becoming the dominant voice in the aviation industry and will dictate the future of flight. This new research clearly shows that comfort is paramount to satisfying the needs of longhaul travel for the Asian population now and in the future.”

EMIRATES and budget carrier Jetstar have sealed an agreement for codesharing and the alignment of frequent flyer programmes.

In the partnership that was announced yesterday, Emirates’ code will now be carried on 27 routes Jetstar routes in Australia, New Zealand and South-east Asia.

Specifically, this includes seven domestic routes in Australia; four new routes in New Zealand; six new routes between Australia and New Zealand; and 10 international routes from Singapore to Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Emirates passengers travelling on these codeshare flights are guaranteed full service including F&B options and the same luggage allowance as on an Emirates-operated flight.

Codeshare itineraries are already on sale for travel until April 6.

Adnan Kazim, divisional senior vice president, planning, aeropolitical & industry affairs for Emirates, said: “The new link between Emirates and Jetstar offers our passengers a number of benefits including new routes to destinations that are not part of the Emirates network today.”

At the same time, members of Emirates Skywards, the airline’s frequent flyer programme, can accumulate miles on codeshare flights. They are also able to purchase reward flights on any Jetstar-operated route from March 1 onwards.