Raini Hamdi asks hotel CEOs which brand in their portfolio best fits their personality

From left: Sonia Cheng, Simon C Barlow and Ricco M deBlank

Sonia Cheng
CEO, Rosewood Hotel Group, Hong Kong 

Our three brands are a reflection of me in some ways. Rosewood for its appreciation of culture and a sense of place. New World Hotels – essentially contemporary Oriental – definitely my values and outlook. But since it’s the end-of-year holiday season and I’m feeling festive, if I had to choose which brand is most ‘me’, I’d have to say pentahotels – it’s fun, forward-thinking and grounded in the community – and I’d like to think I’m the same way.

Ricco M deBlank
CEO, Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP), Hong Kong

I AM A RITZ-SEASONS.

Editor’s Note: No, deBlank hasn’t created a new brand. He’s a mix between Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton, brands in SHKP’s portfolio, which also includes a Crowne Plaza and a Holiday Inn Express, among others, in Hong Kong

Simon C Barlow
President, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, Asia-Pacific, Singapore

I’m a Radisson Blu. It represents my passion for people, design, good food and of course, red wine!

From left: Glenn de Souza, with wife Lorna, and Brett Butcher

Glenn de Souza
Vice president international operations, Asia and the Middle East, Best Western International, Thailand

I’d like to think I’m a Best Western Premier (Best Western International’s top brand tier). It is designed for the adventurous traveller who appreciates unique experiences, but with all the comforts of home. That reflects me quite well, as I like to travel and my job takes me all across the world. But at the end of the day, I love to come home and enjoy life with my family and friends.

Brett Butcher
CEO, Langham Hospitality Group, Hong Kong

I’m a Langham Place. I like keeping it real and authentic yet still casual and not compromising on the quality of experience.
Langham Place is young at heart with a strong creative and less formal outlook but still delivering an excellent, luxury travel experience.
I personally enjoy art and am continuously inspired by the new ideas delivered by art. Walking through a Langham Place hotel is like walking through an art gallery.

From left: Jan Smits, Iqbal Jumabhoy and Bill Heinecke

Jan Smits
CEO, InterContinental Hotels Group, Asia, Middle East & Africa, Singapore

I’m a Holiday Inn Express, a brand grounded in strong roots yet is fresh, young at heart, exciting and represents a new way of thinking for both guests and the business. I’d like to think that we’re mixing things up in our region and paving the way for a bit of a game change in the industry.

It is also fast expanding in countries that hold a special place in my heart – namely Indonesia, where I grew up, and Australia, a place I will always call home no matter where I am in the world.

Iqbal Jumabhoy
Managing director & group CEO, SilverNeedle Hospitality, Singapore

I’m a Next Hotel, as it conjures everything modern, sophisticated and sleek where everything works seamlessly and efficiently. I’d like to think of myself as being as efficient while I multi-task, although that is perhaps best left to others to judge.

Editor’s Note: Next Hotel is a new brand by SilverNeedle Hospitality targeting modern business travellers. The first is scheduled to open in Brisbane in mid-2014.

Bill Heinecke
CEO & chairman, Minor Corporation, Thailand

I’m an Anantara. I created Anantara in 2001 because I felt there was a need for a hotel brand that combines luxury with a sense of adventure and discovery in exotic locations across the planet.

I take great pride in the destination experience philosophy that lies at the heart of the Anantara brand, and in my heart too. Each Anantara has been designed to capture the individual soul and culture of its location, be it in the mountains of the Golden Triangle, the unspoiled beauty of the Maldives, the towering red dunes of the Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi or the limestone cliffs of Uluwatu, Bali.

Having grown up in Asia, I have always been attracted to the perfect blend of adventure, discovery, exoticism and culture. Anantara reflects all of these things and – I guess it also reflects what I, too, really love about life!

From left: Thirayuth Chirathivat, Martin Rinck and Arthur Kiong

Thirayuth Chirathivat
CEO, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand

I’m a Centara Grand, as I feel I have a mature personality that appreciates and enjoys the luxuries of life, but I don’t feel the need to pay excessively for them. My office is at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, and I feel at home there, on top of the world every time I gaze out the window at the Bangkok cityscape.

But there is also a part of me that is Cosi, the brand we launched a year ago which is designed for those who want everything done quickly and are at ease with technology. Primarily, these are young people, and although I am now celebrating two years as CEO here, I like to think I’m still young and dynamic.

Martin Rinck 
President, Hilton Worldwide Asia-Pacific, Singapore

If I were a brand, I’d be a Conrad because of its philosophy: The greatest luxury is the luxury of being yourself.

I too believe luxury is not about price or opulence but the quality and memory of the experience. Conrad offers a freedom of choice, allowing guests to tailor their stay according to personal preferences, down to small details like how they like their messages delivered, preferred bathroom amenities and pillow selection. This highly personalised approach is a reflection of my own travel behaviours.

Conrad’s contemporary design and service style also resonate strongly with me. I love the way Conrad strives to continue learning, growing and reinventing itself in a way that creates new opportunities and possibilities to engage with guests, similar to the philosophy of eternal learning I myself follow.

It is a brand for the future global luxury traveller. As well, it advocates Hilton Worldwide’s values of giving back to the communities we work and live in, which is a true reflection of my own personal values.

In the end, richness is not in what we have but in who we are.

Arthur Kiong
CEO, Far East Hospitality Management, Singapore

Personally, Oasia resonates the most with my personality. The brand offers discerning travellers an opportunity to rejuvenate – away from the hustle and bustle of the city – and anticipates their travel needs ahead of time. Likewise, it’s in my nature to enjoy tranquillity and comfort without excess.

I also love attention to details without being overstated. Similarly, Oasia presents just the right touch of world-class design without screaming for attention.

This article was first published in TTG Asia, December 13, 2013 – January 16, 2014 issue, on page 4. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

Asian countries highlight their milestone achievements in 2013 as they break new ground 

From left: Petronas Twin Towers; Plain of Jars; Kai Tak Cruise Terminal; River Safari Giant Panda Forest

We recently reopened our tourism office in Istanbul, which will oversee our markets in Turkey, Armenia, Romania, Azerbaijan and Bulgaria. We have seen arrivals growing from these markets and with an office in Istanbul, we will be able to further promote Malaysia to these markets.

Azizan Noordin

Deputy director general, planning, Tourism Malaysia

2013 has been an exciting year for Singapore. We continued to elevate the country’s status as a vibrant leisure destination with new attractions such as the River Safari, and exciting tourism content including the famed private art museum Pinacothèque de Paris and the season-ending Women’s Tennis Association Championships. The launch of our Kickstart Fund this year has also enabled us to tap into creative minds and support the development of innovative lifestyle concepts.

Lynette Pang

Assistant chief executive, marketing group Singapore Tourism Board

The highlight of the year was developing special interest tourism through a number of events, including jazz festivals, sporting events (such as the Jakarta Marathon and Musi Triathlon) and cruises (such as Sail Komodo).

The Ministry has also stepped up efforts to create unique events outside  the tourism mainstream to expand our means of attracting travellers to the country.

It is also working together with the Indonesia Tourism Promotion Board, whose role, among others, is to promote creative tourism involving the creative industries in the country.

Esthy Reko Astuti

Director general, tourism marketing, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy

Our highlight of the year was definitely the restoration and reopening of Sungnyemun, the Great South Gate of Seoul. When erected in 1398, the massive two-storey pagoda-style gate served as a main entrance to the royal city of the Joseon Dynasty. For centuries, through trials and triumphs, the gate has stood watch over the capital and fittingly earned the title of National Treasure Number One. Sungnyemun is an enduring historical landmark as well as a symbol of South Korean hospitality.

Maureen O’Crowley 

Vice president, Seoul Convention Bureau

There were several milestone events but the most important one was the launch of our new global marketing and promotion tagline, Amazing Thailand: It begins with the people. This tagline is designed to reflect our positioning and core values. It is also an extension of our longstanding marketing tagline, Amazing Thailand.

The tagline speaks of the increasingly human-centric aspect of Amazing Thailand. It deepens the emotional value of visiting the country, one that is linked to its people in their attitude, hospitality and spirit. It is also a core component of our adherence to the Marketing 3.0 concept whereby customers are treated as complex, multi-dimensional human beings.

Today’s travellers are choosing destinations and services that satisfy deeper needs for participation, creativity, community and idealism. We believe that Thailand is able to provide travellers with all of these aspects.

Suraphon Svetasreni

Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand

We have been preparing to organise a caravan tour in the second week of 2014 to the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khouang province and Vieng Xay caves in Houaphanh province, in north-eastern Laos. The purpose of this event is to promote the new tour route showcasing the historic stone jars and caves.

Houaphanh, one of the least visited provinces in the country, is home to 22 different ethnic groups. The province offers an authentic, varied experience where travellers can learn about weaving techniques, enjoy the pristine natural environment and explore the mysterious standing stones of Hintang Archaeological Park that dates back more than 2,000 years.

Viengxay Caves, or the ‘Hidden City’, is a network of caves used during the Lao revolutionary movement and the site of a little-known episode of the world’s history.

Saly Phimphinith

Director general, tourism marketing Lao Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism

Tokyo being selected as the host country for the Olympic Games in 2020. This is also a remarkable opportunity for overseas visitors to come to know the various prefectures of Japan.

Besides Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido, there are many other attractive places across Japan, such as Shirakawa-go in the Chubu region, Wakayama in Kansai, and the Kyushu and Shikoku regions where travellers can enjoy streets lined with traditional houses, local produce and great food, as well as activities like fruit picking, fishing, driving through refreshing highlands and shopping. JNTO feels that it is necessary to promote these local charming hotspots that have yet to be widely known to the world and the Olympics is a great catalyst to showcase them.

With the depreciation of the Japanese yen, now is the best opportunity to enjoy a trip to Japan and experience omotenashi (Japanese hospitality).

Hideki Manabe

Executive director, Singapore office, Japan National Tourism Organization

2013 saw the completion of an important tourism infrastructure in Hong Kong, the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. Hong Kong Tourism Board has stepped up the terminal’s promotion as Asia’s cruise hub. A ground-breaking effort was our collaboration with Taiwan Tourism Bureau to invite an international cruise line to deploy its vessel to Hong Kong and Taiwan, with Hong Kong as the home port. This marked a significant milestone in regional cooperation to grow Asia’s cruise tourism market.

This year, visitor arrivals grew steadily, with new markets demonstrating encouraging performances. Russia, the GCC countries and Vietnam recorded double-digit growth in the first three quarters, while India recorded a stable rise. In terms of marketing, we continued to inject new elements into our mega events. In the recent Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival, we set up a tasting room for exclusive culinary activities and divided the venue into six zones, offering guests a unique experience of Hong Kong’s sumptuous wine and food offerings.

Anthony Lau

Executive director,  Hong Kong Tourism Board

Additional reporting from Lee Pei Qi, S Puvaneswary, Mimi Hudoyo, Karen Yue, Hannah Koh and Prudence Lui

This article was first published in TTG Asia, December 13, 2013 – January 16, 2014 issue, on page 6. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

From hurling tomatoes in Spain to scaling stupas in Myanmar, fam trips are fertile grounds for fresh product inspiration. Travel buyers from all over the world share their best experiences this year

Lisa Chau

Assistant general manager, Guangzhou Anlu Travel Service

I recently went to Spain, participated in their tomato festival and we really painted the town red because everyone was throwing tomatoes at each other as part of the celebration. It was really unique because this was something not possible in any other country in the world.

I think Asians will definitely like this idea because it is so fun so I will consider bringing groups there next year. – Lee Pei Qi

Alina Sithideth

MICE & group travel specialist, Flight Centre Singapore

My best fam trip was to Dublin, organised by Etihad Airways and Tourism Ireland in March.

The highlight of the fam trip for me was marching through Dublin as part of the Saint Patrick’s Day parade. We were able to show our Aussie colours with a tad of green! The food was fresh, all made in Dublin and the shopping was fantastic.

The fam trip also took us outside of Dublin, where we stayed for one or two nights at B&Bs in other parts of Ireland. I also got to visit the amazing Upper Lake at Glendalough.

As a specialist in MICE and special interest groups, it was good to see the course of the Dublin Marathon first-hand, as well as what else there is around and get a feeling of the area. It gave me so many ideas on what to do and which areas could be sold in the future.

I could take special interest groups to watch the musical performances there, as Ireland has hundreds of years of history in music. Ireland can also be a destination for religious pilgrimages – the round towers were built near monasteries by monks of the early Irish church. – Hannah Koh

Tony Hwang 

President, Island Marketing South Korea

I attended a fam trip to Vietnam recently and found the destination has the potential to become a new destination for South Korean travellers. Korean Air flies (from Seoul) to Danang and new hotels like Angsana Lang Co have made Vietnam suitable for the Korean market.

We have been sending travellers to Hawaii, the Philippines, Thailand and Bali, and now we can introduce Vietnam as a new destination. We are preparing honeymoon packages (combining) Nha Trang and Danang for next year. – Mimi Hudoyo

Mário Grilo

Director, Incentive & Travel Designer Portugal

Myanmar was my most memorable fam trip in 2013. The country has all the ingredients to be a fantastic destination. People are very nice and genuine, and there is an array of (ethnicities) and tribes with more than 100 dialects – truly a melting pot. Myanmar has many attractions, from mysterious cities like Mandalay and Bagan to the beautiful Inle Lake with serene waters and traditional fishing lifestyles, as well as Yangon with its very beautiful and imposing colonial English architecture.

Since Myanmar is a truly cultural destination, programmes should focus on this fundamental aspect. Time wise you have to allocate enough days in each of Myanmar’s main cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and Inle Lake. A duration of eight to nine nights is therefore the minimum, and you must carefully select the temples to visit and (bundle them with) market trips, shopping and leisure time. Avoid showing places that could be considered similar in the eyes of the European traveller. – Hannah Koh

Sreat Mom Sophear

Director, Sophiya Travel & Tours Cambodia

The post-show Phuket tour for IT&CMA 2013 was my best fam trip. From the start till the end, the arrangements were pretty good with flexible time management, as well as care and attention from the tour guide despite a few hiccups.

During the trip, I met a lot of tourism professionals from different countries and we shared our experiences and knowledge. I also experienced a lot of interesting activities such as the Thai traditional dance, fire show, elephant riding and teambuilding activities on the beach.

Phuket is one of the most interesting destinations in Thailand, and we are keen to develop this destination for MICE, leisure, honeymoon and family clients.

In 2014, we are eyeing new destinations in Asia-Pacific such as Bhutan, Mongolia, Taiwan, New Zealand, Nepal and the Maldives. We are packaging different categories – MICE, leisure, business, study, medical or honeymoon tours – depending on the destination. – Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

Mauro Lazzari

Business development manager, HTMS International (Czech Republic)

India is going to be my brand-new destination. It is getting too common to always visit Europe (for Czech Republicans). I explored the Golden Triangle route recently, and I especially like Jaipur, the Pink City. I think the contrasting cultural experiences between Czech Republic and India will be exciting.  – Lee Pei Qi

Alicia Seah

Marketing communications director, Dynasty Travel Singapore 

The best fam trip I went on this year (with previous company CTC Travel) was organised by the Japan National Tourism Organization to Shikoku and Hiroshima. That was the first time I visited these places. There were unique experiences such as cycling on the Setouchi Shimanami Kaido (expressway) which gave us a very different perspective of seeing the surrounding areas. I also remember walking on a suspension bridge in Shikoku which tested my bravery. I loved the fam trip as it was well organised and gave me a first-hand experience of the destination.

From this trip, we came up with seven- and nine-day programmes to Hiroshima and Shikoku. – S Puvaneswary

Eka Moncarre

General manager, Panorama Leisure France

The best fam trip I had this year was a five-day, four-night trip  organised by the Portuguese National Tourist Office to Porto and Madeira in September. I was among the 29 travel consultants and corporate clients from France who attended the fam trip. It was well organised and there were buyer-meet-seller sessions in both Porto and Madeira, giving us opportunities to know the sellers and their products better.

After the trip, we started selling 12 days/nine nights to Spain and Portugal or Portugal for 10 days/seven nights. I believe Portugal will be easy to sell as the weather is nice and the destination is competitive compared to France where the cost of living is higher. – S Puvaneswary

This article was first published in TTG Asia, December 13, 2013 – January 16, 2014 issue, on page 8. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.