That’s all folks – as we bid goodbye to a year of ups and downs, the TTG Asia team recollects the outstanding and not-so-great moments encountered while working the ground
Best My best interview of the year was with Pansy Ho, managing director of Shun Tak Holdings, which seems to have a finger in every pie of Macau tourism.
Like her father Stanley Ho, she’s a force behind Macau’s tourism destiny, but I glimpsed new-generation thinking, passion and drive. She was powerful yet accessible, talking patiently to each of the delegates circling her after her panel at the PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok. When my turn came, she agreed to a 30-minute private interview at the Centara lounge. I made her promise to be there (I had an experience when the CEO just didn’t show up) – she was there before me.
Worst A CEO friend wanted me to develop “strategic communications and promotions”, “beautiful full-page features” and “interviews with photos” for him and his company in not just TTG Asia print but “also TTG UK and others”.
I’d featured him when he launched his company and acquiesced whenever he asked for email addresses in the early days, but this was a little greedy of a friend, aside from being offensive to a journalist, who does not do PR.
Raini Hamdi, senior editor
Best I attended the Asian Attractions Expo for the first time this year 
when it was held at Marina Bay Sands in June, and was awestruck by all the science and technology that went into creating a theme park. I used to think that anything with 4D capability was wonderful, but after walking through the exhibition, I realised how backward I was. Also, through my interviews with International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ chiefs and production specialists, I learnt that the sole pursuit of the latest technology will not bring lasting success, as theme parks are an emotional product and a great storyline is king. The expo made me appreciate theme parks so much more.
Worst None, thankfully!
Karen Yue, group editor
Best This year’s TravelRave Leaders Gala was well-executed by 
Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Held at Gardens by the Bay, it offered a platform to mingle with the region’s who’s who and showcased the country’s event capabilities amid a verdant setting. The F&B was orchestrated by pop-up restaurant Gastrogig, which rounded up an unconventional culinary collective, from a gourmet food truck-cum-social enterprise to edible gardens. This wasn’t all. An STB representative booked cabs for delegates as transport out of the park was anticipated to be a problem. Good service is always a winner.
Worst I was rudely brushed off by a seller at ITB Asia who had earlier granted an interview to my TTG China colleague. Even after I explained that we worked for two separate publications, she insisted it was “first come, first served”. It was the first time in my years of reporting I encountered such a “policy”.
Gracia Chiang, deputy group editor
Best I was assigned to stay at Banyan Tree Hotel & Resorts’ upscale Banyan Tree Lang Co property. It was four glorious days of sun and sea, being chauffeured around in buggies, feasting on top-notch Vietnamese fare and getting some me time by the private pool of my own villa. The highlight was a visit to a local fishing village. There, a sun-baked fisherwoman with an endearingly toothy grin steered our party through mangrove swamps and emerald green waters in a coracle held together with tar and buffalo dung. Which is far more charming than it sounds, I assure you.
Worst I was tasked to go to the launch of a refurbished cruise ship in January and to interview the cruise line’s CEO.
Despite having sent in my questions at the PR department’s request, the CEO had not been briefed and refused to answer most questions due to their “sensitive” nature, leaving me with very little to report on. Worse, the PR in-charge later said with thinly veiled patronisation: “Well, you’re not a real reporter, are you?” It was disappointing to see how the region’s leading cruise line could be so unprofessional.
Hannah Koh, assistant editor, TTG Asia Online
Best The impressive hospitality from the Taiwanese during a fam trip 
there. And I am not just talking about the locals in the hosted facilities, but basically everyone from the taxi driver to the guy selling street snacks. They literally welcomed me with open arms, making me feel right at home.
Worst During a media event, the company spokesman introduced me to everyone as a representative from Channel NewsAsia and I had to awkwardly clarify that I am from TTG Asia. He did not seem apologetic too.
Lee Pei Qi, assistant editor, Singapore
Best In 2008, Exotissimo Travel’s Hamish Keith hired me for a position in the company, prompting my move to Bangkok and launching a career in travel journalism. Five years later, we saw a reversal of roles as I got to interview my ex-boss-turned-friend Hamish in my position as a TTG Asiareporter. I enjoyed the interview and felt very happy to be part of Thailand’s dynamic tourism landscape. After all, Thailand has become my second home.
Worst When I approached the staff of a Chinese airline for more information at a recent tradeshow, all of them ignored me; one even gave me an exasperated look and asked me to visit the website instead. And when I asked for a contact, they said they were sales staff and could not provide a point of contact to their marketing/communications department. I wonder why the airline bothered to take up a booth space at the show when the money could be spent on training its staff on better communication skills.
Xinyi Liang-Pholsena, assistant editor, Thailand
Best Stumbling on the Chinese government’s new tourism law that 
became effective October 1 while interviewing Malaysian inbound agencies handling the Chinese market for their 2014 business predictions. I was very lucky to get an opportunity to sit in at their discussions. This turned out to be a page one story in TTG Asia.
Worst The worse function I attended was the launch of the 1Malaysia year-end sale in mid-November. As it was during the rainy season, the organiser created a temporary tent to hold this event. It rained heavily that evening. The tent leaked and was just too small to accommodate everyone. Many reporters turned up for this event and anticipated a press conference with the tourism minister, who did not want to hold one. Perhaps he anticipated unwelcomed questions on the kidnapping of the Taiwanese tourist and her husband who was killed in Pom Pom Island just two days earlier.
I was sorely disappointed. Why were the media called to cover an event without a press conference? Why not just send out a press release and save everyone time and money?
S Puvaneswary, editor, Malaysia/Brunei
Best The fam trip to Solok, West Sumatra. The trip was an eye-opener for me, showing me how a small city which did not exist on the Indonesian tourism map managed to place itself on it within 10 years of development. From a city deserted by its inhabitants following the end of the coal era, Solok has managed to draw people back and develop agricultural and travel-related businesses. I was impressed by the local government and community’s ability to accommodate a large number of guests for dinner at the old railway station, despite the lack of restaurants.
Worst When one airline, through its media consultant, invited TTG Asia to attend its press conference at ITB Berlin and I was assigned to cover it. The press conference turned out to be in German, which I don’t understand, and there was no English press release.
I requested for an interview with the airline’s executive right after the press conference but was turned down due to the person’s full schedule. The English press release eventually arrived in my mail box in the evening, but I couldn’t submit my story without seeking additional information.
Mimi Hudoyo, editor, Indonesia
Best Chatting with Phoenix Voyages’ Jean Michel Romon about his calamitous experiences as the official ground agent for the World Economic Forum in Naypyidaw, Myanmar. It was the first major event to be hosted in the country, which has scant infrastructure for such events. For some 2,500 delegates, the 220-strong team arranged 5,000 room nights across 22 hotels, more than 800 transfers and 14 charter flights. To ensure attendees could get from A to B in the city, 146 cars and buses had to be transported from Yangon and Mandalay as Naypyidaw has only 11 private taxis. But as Romon said: “It was hard but worth it. Everyone was proud to play a part, especially the Burmese.”
Worst Networking and meeting sources are especially important when reporting on trade events. But at September’s Global Tourism Economy Forum in Macau, journalists were separated from delegates, save for pre-arranged interviews. We dined and were accommodated separately, and only had an hour post-event to rub shoulders with the travel trade’s great and good, by which time most seemed more keen on wine than being interviewed.
Greg Lowe, correspondent, Thailand
Best The city’s grand dame – The Peninsula Hong Kong – threw a celebratory gala to mark its 85thanniversary. The open house concept was adopted, with all outlets lavishly decorated and opened to invited guests, complete with free flow of wine, food, live music and entertainment.
Worst Taipei ITF this year, which was branded as its biggest show ever. I had to pin down as many trade buyers and sellers in the first morning, which was the only session for the trade. The show drew more than 310,000 visitors, and I lost my voice after three days.
Prudence Lui, correspondent, Hong Kong
Best One of the best interviews was with Chris Heim of Sea Explorers,
a diving and travel expert company based in Cebu, which opened in 1989 and now operates in four main locations. Meeting him and other dive operators gave me the chance to write about one of the Philippines’ genuine advantages as the world’s true centre of marine biodiversity: the best diving in the world is here, guys.
Worst At one travel association’s meeting, Department of Foreign Affairs representatives were there to brief the members on changes in passporting procedures. When the Q&A rolled around, some travel consultants were very vocal about feeling excluded from the new process, which intends to end the need for their services. This avenue of business is starting to close for the trade, but some appear to hang on without looking for other opportunities.
Marriane Carandang, correspondent, The Philippines
Best Interviews with John Paul Cabalza, president, Philippine Travel Agencies Association. Not only is he nice, accessible and approachable, he also has depth. His comments are well-thought out and analytical.
Worst In the Visayas just weeks apart, the tragedy wrought by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that crippled Bohol and to a much lesser extent Cebu, followed by super typhoon Haiyan that flattened Tacloban, eastern Samar, certain parts of Cebu and several other destinations.
Rosa Ocampo, correspondent, The Philippines
Best Undoubtedly ATM in Dubai. It was an event that unfolded with
clockwork precision. The media conferences and briefings were spaced well with plenty of prior information handed out at the media centre that was located in the hub of all activity and not tucked away in a corner as in many other events. The exhibitor booths were also buzzing with activity and were well manned so one got the opportunity to speak to at least one person during any unscheduled visit.
Worst Although the maiden IBTM India was a success with its one-on-one meeting format, as hosted media I was offered two nights’ accommodation for a three-day event and no airport-hotel transfers. On the final day, one had to check out in the middle of the day’s proceedings and leave before all the sessions were over as we had to catch our respective flights. One expects an international event to make it more convenient for hosted delegates and I hope they will next year. I would want to work through the entire IBTM India event as it was buzzing!
Shekhar Niyogi, chief correspondent, India
Best/Worst Meeting a group of Chinese travel consultants in 
Colombo for an interview, I was more intrigued than amused to find there was a Mr Sketic (I heard it as ‘sceptic’), Mr Trigger (certainly looked a happy bloke) and Mr Sword among them. Honestly!
The interview went on well, but there were occasions when they couldn’t understand my English (or maybe my accent). There were times they smiled sheepishly or nodded their heads; I didn’t know whether they nodded in agreement or didn’t understand a clue of what I said!
Feizal Samath, correspondent, Sri Lanka
Best The opening of Courtyard by Marriott Pune Chakan in August was the best event for me. Apart from the fact that the property is located in a serene and peaceful setting, I finally got to be on a media fam trip! The opening also coincided with my birthday so that was special too. It was my first trip to Pune, and I found the city to be a wonderful place for a sojourn, thanks to its pleasant weather and people.
Worst The “exclusive interview” with a senior official of the Ministry of Tourism in the beginning of the year turned out to be a damp squib. Even though I waited for three hours at the ministry’s office for the interview, the senior diplomat was not keen to answer my questions and would only divulge information that I already had.
Rohit Kaul, correspondent, New Delhi
The rest of us
From left: Kathy Neo, copy editor, Sim Kok Chwee, correspondent-at-large, Lina Tan, editorial assistant, Redmond Sia and Goh Meng Yong, creative designer
