In case you missed the news, duly and diligently reported by TTG Asia’s network of correspondents in the region, Raini Hamdi trawls through our bounty this year and presents this collection

The Chedi one day, Anantara the next. See unfriendliest news of the year 

Most inspiring news of the year
Travel agencies in the region are crossing boundaries in order to expand the size of their market. Some examples: Australia’s Corporate Travel Management acquisition of Westminster Travel Hong Kong, effective January 2014, giving it a springboard to China; STIC Travel Group India, which set up its first overseas office in Singapore to capture Asian outbound to India and bring more Indian tourists to South-east Asia; Luxury Travel Vietnam, which opened a JV, Asia Premium Travel, in Cambodia, possibly the country’s first high-end tour operator; Flight Centre Australia, which opened its fourth store in Singapore and promised to be a game-changer in how it engages today’s customers; Asiatravel.com Holdings, which inked an agreement with China Xinhua Travel Network Services to power its online wholesale system.

Most shocking news of the year
The collapse of Oad Reizen. The outbound travel company in the Netherlands had been around since 1924, sending tour groups to some 60 countries across the world. Indonesian hoteliers and ground operators said they saw numbers from OAD declining but did not see its bankruptcy coming.

Over in Spain, one of the country’s leading integrated travel groups and Asia specialists, Orizonia, also collapsed, while another, Globalia, announced plans to axe 175 of its travel agencies, a major source of clients for its longhaul tour operator, Latitudes.

Saddest news of the year
Mother Nature wielded a strong hand this year, destroying many lives and tourism livelihoods. Central Philippines is still reeling from the impact of Typhoon Haiyan. In October, Central Vietnam was whipped by a second typhoon in less than a month as Nari passed through, forcing the airport and coastal resorts to shut. Also in October, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Bohol and Cebu, disrupting airport and ferry operations and destroying Bohol’s road network.

In September, Typhoon Usagi, or Odette, resulted in flight delays and cancellations to countries in its path, Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, China and Taiwan.

In mid-June, flash floods devastated the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand. Even though only Kedarnath was affected, arrivals plunged 85 per cent.

Happiest news of the year
Om Prakash, director of Inorbit Tours Mumbai and ex-chairman of the Travel Agents Association of India Western Region, issued an open invitation to travel consultants to beat stress by joining daily laughter sessions at the Laughter Club of Worli Seaface in Mumbai. According to Prakash, laughing helps us relax our muscles, activates our immune system, reduces our stress levels, and aids us in sleeping, eating and healing.

Sounds better than Eat, Pray, Love. Make sure you laugh your way through 2014.

Friendliest news of the year
Two fiercely competing NTOs, Japan and South Korea, joined hands to offer a single vacation combining the two destinations. The initiative was a first between Japan National Tourist Organization and Korea Tourism Organization, and was driven by their directors in the Singapore office.

The ‘Kimchi & Sushi’ initiative was timely: Japan had recovered from the 3/11 tsunami, while South Korea’s Gangnam Psy-ched the NTOs up for a successful tie-up. Four carriers and 13 local travel agencies were roped in to twin the destinations in time for the NATAS Travel Fair in February this year.

Unfriendliest news of the year
Minor Hotel Group (MHG) was jubilating that it signed up its 100th property, The Chedi Chiang Mai, and was rebranding it Anantara – but we noticed legal actions being initiated by General Hotel Management (GHM) against the owning company and MHG over the management takeover. GHM said “the manner in which it was carried out was wrongful and violated key conditions and criteria from the existing agreement”.

Incidentally, has anyone noticed that the acronym MHG is GHM in the reverse?

2013 saw a string of other high-profile owner-chain partings, including Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group from the Dhara Devi in Chiang Mai (“different aspirations for its management and long-term development”), Starwood Hotels & Resorts from Le Méridien Khao Lak (effective January 15, 2014) and Hilton Worldwide from the Iru Fushi in the Maldives (“unforeseen and due to factors outside Hilton’s control”).

Sickest news of the year
A proposed plan to charge all foreign visitors to Thailand an entry fee of 500 baht (US$15.50), the money collected to solve a problem caused by a tiny number of sick or injured foreign tourists who checked into hospitals in Thailand for treatment and left behind unpaid bills, running into millions of baht a month. So the health ministry came up with the idea of how the government could foot this bill, through the entry tax. Apparently the tourism ministry supported it.

Most glamorous news of the year
And the winner goes to…Zhangjiajie National Forest Park in Hunan province, which we reported had gained greater stardom following the premiere of 2009 science-fiction movie, Avatar. The movie was filmed at the natural attraction which has spectacular columnar land formations. Bet you didn’t know that.

The number of tour groups to the national park had tripled since the movie hit the screens. There are now 854 hotels in the park, 53 of which are star-rated. Two- to three-day photography tours are even offered to avid Avatar fans who want to be photographed at specific film locations.

Least surprising news of the year
The number of international standard rooms in Yangon is set to soar within the next four years as brands enter the as-yet untapped Myanmar market, predicted Jones Lang LaSalle’s (JLL) Hotels and Hospitality Group.

While Myanmar’s Ministry of Hotels & Tourism counted 9,110 hotel rooms in the city, JLL estimated that only 1,500-2,000 were of international standard due to previous economic sanctions that kept European and American hotel operators out. This would quadruple to about 7,000 rooms by 2017, it said.

Smelliest news of the year
A 4D3N Deluxe Durian Tour Package, jointly offered by Tourism Malaysia and EGL Tours Hong Kong, sold 800 packages, recording sales of RM1.3 million (US$406,758) for 15 group departures to Penang in June and July. The package included durian sampling and buffets, along with a tour of Penang’s popular heritage sites.

Our story, Durian tours spiked sales, led us to another trail, thanks to a reader, Lindsay Gasik, who directed us to her durian blog, www.yearofthedurian.com.

We must say the Durian Porn section under Photos is juicier than porn – go check it out.

We wrote. You read and responded. Here’s a recap of the hottest stories in the Asian travel trade as covered by TTG Asia‘s team of reporters in the region

This article was first published in TTG Asia, December 13, 2013 – January 16, 2014 issue, on page 2. To read more, please view our digital edition or click here to subscribe.

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.