An explosion of fun

October 4, 2013

As theme parks flourish in Asia, expert producers urge differentiation through storyline

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom

The year 2012 was a bountiful year for most of Asia-Pacific’s top 20 theme parks, with total attendance rising 5.8 per cent to 108.7 million visitors, according to the 2012 Theme Index Global Attractions Attendance Report by the Themed Entertainment Association and the Economics Practice at AECOM.

The year before that was rosy too, with the region’s top 20 players registering a total of 103.2 million visitors, up from 2010’s 96.1 million. That was despite the dip in attendance at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea (-3.2 per cent and -5.8 per cent respectively) in the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake. In fact, according to the 2011 Theme Index, the year was described as a bumper year for the region’s industry.

Industry players agree that the robust performance of Asia’s theme parks is due largely to the growing affluence of Asian consumers.

Mario O Mamon, vice chairman of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), noted that the region itself, with a population of 4.1 billion, provided a strong feeder market for Asian playgrounds.

Mamon, who is also chairman and president of Enchanted Kingdom theme park in the Philippines, added: “Furthermore, the exponential growth of low-cost carriers in this region has enabled more people to travel and make frequent trips. They want new attractions and experiences, thus creating a great need for theme parks to innovate.”

The crucial need to retain novelty is further compounded by the emergence of new attractions in the region and beyond.

Will Morey, chairman of IAAPA, and president/CEO of Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey, US, described the growth of Asia’s attractions industry as amazing, pointing to the number of major projects on the horizon such as Shanghai Disney Resort and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, China.

The race to outdo existing and upcoming attractions has created a “category of clients who want everything yesterday”, said Edward S Marks, executive and co-CEO of The Producers Group, a global attraction development and production specialist.

“These clients are willing to lose some originality (in order to open quick). They tend to point at existing attractions and say ‘we want one of those’. They are not a good fit for my company, as we design ideas,” said Marks. “We are also seeing a big trend worldwide towards media-driven attractions – rides that utilise 3D, 4D technology, for instance – and some attractions in China are completely media-driven.”

Theme park producers have, however, warned against relying heavily on high-tech rides to draw visitors. Karlson Yang, international business manager of Playfun Culture & Technology Co Shenzhen, which plans and designs amusement projects in China, explained simply: “Technology is easy to replicate.”

Natasha Varnica, CEO, global business development of US-based IdeAttack, said: “There is too much emphasis on the use of technology in theme parks. Any developer can create a high-tech ride or product that requires visitors to touch a screen and get a reaction, but few can perfect a unique storyline.”

Varnica pointed out that having a unique storyline was all the more important now, as “the young generation today is addicted to video games and game apps on smartphones”.

“One of the biggest challenges facing theme park developers today is to come up with a compelling experience that a video game or game app cannot provide,” she said.

Marks concurs, adding that the storyline is “the most overlooked aspect” of a theme park, a problem prevalent in Asia.

Fortunately, the growing presence of new, world-class theme parks and attractions in Asia is a boon for the industry, as it helps to raise the standards of properties, opined Paul Noland, president and CEO of IAAPA. He said: “The presence of world-class attractions helps to expand the market, as they educate the market on what truly world-class attractions are.”

Varnica said: “The positive effects of competition will be seen in China, when Shanghai Disney Resort opens. Theme park developers will be forced to raise their standards.”

According to Yang, the maturity of Chinese theme park developers and owners is already happening. “Future theme parks in China are already focusing on using the local culture and history to build a unique storyline, instead of just buying the latest high-tech rides.”

Numbers that matter

9 Of the top 20 amusement/theme parks in Asia-Pacific, determined by attendance figures, nine are in China. The strongest performing attraction is OCT East in Shenzhen, which drew 4.2 million visitors in 2012 and ranked ninth on the chart.

16 The number, in million, of people who visited Asia-Pacific’s top 15 water parks in 2012, registering a 7.4 per cent growth. This is the first time Asian water park attendance has surpassed that of North America.

From left: Cartoon Network Amazone; rest and play amid a scenic, natural environment at Villages Nature in Paris; hildren can fulfil various career ambitions at KidZania Singapore

Future wonderlands

Families and thrill-seekers are in for a treat, as new theme parks are emerging in exciting destinations across the world. TTG Asia highlights some of the attractions that will come online in the near future.

Cartoon Network Amazone, Thailand

Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, which operates multiple TV channels across Asia, is breaking new ground with the opening of the world’s first Cartoon Network-themed waterpark in Thailand.

Cartoon Network Amazone is scheduled to open in 1H2014 – later than the previously planned late-2013 launch – in Bang Saray, 10km south of Pattaya on the east coast of Thailand. The attraction covers about six hectares of coastal plains and is being developed in conjunction with Thailand’s Amazon Falls Co.

The waterpark takes inspiration from the Amazon rainforest and more directly, from characters on the Cartoon Network channel. Its 150 water attractions, some soaring over 20m into the air, are divided into 10 themed zones and include The Omniverse; Adventure Zone; Cartoonival; Riptide Rapids; Mega Wave and Surfarena. The rides introduce popular characters such as Ben 10 and The Powerpuff Girls.

Visitors can also enjoy an international selection of cuisine at Foodville.

CEO of Amazon Falls Co, Liakat Dhanji, said: “We anticipate approximately one million guests in our first year of operation, or an average of nearly 3,000 guests per day. We expect half of them to be Thai residents living within a 120km radius of the waterpark. The rest of our guests are likely to comprise international visitors, primarily from Russia, South-east Asia and China.”

The projected guest numbers will be welcome news for hotels and nearby attractions in the region, as families make multiple day trips to the area. Resorts such as The Tamarind, Palm Grove Resort and Sunset Park Resort & Spa will be well placed to serve large groups and families.– David Andrews

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, China
Hengqin Island, one of the largest islands of Zhuhai, Guangdong province, will see the completion of phase one of the massive Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park later this year.

The attraction will comprise eight themed areas, each boasting unique rides, performances and animal shows. Highlights include what is said to be the world’s largest cetacea and shark aquarium, which will have capacity for 23,000m3 of sea water, as well as a two-kilometre roller coaster that will weave above ground and under, allowing visitors to enjoy sightings of polar bears and sharks.

For the convenience of theme park visitors, the complex will also feature the 1,888-room Chimelong Hengqin Bay Hotel. It will be among the first facilities to be ready, opening this month. Other facilities at the hotel include several dining destinations, a 3,000m2 ballroom, a 1,300m2 ballroom, 26 meeting rooms, an executive club lounge and a spa. These facilities, in addition to the recreational options offered by the theme park, make the complex suitable for incentive and teambuilding programmes.

To drive awareness of the new attraction, Chimelong Group will participate in the 2014 Chinese New Year Parade in Hong Kong, among other marketing initiatives.

Perfect Tours Taiwan’s planning manager, Tiffany Wu, believes that Chimelong Ocean Kingdom will enhance the appeal of Hengqin Island and Zhuhai. “Zhuhai is perceived as a low-class tourist destination among the Taiwanese. With a new product like Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Taiwanese travellers, who love novel ideas, will be drawn to the area,” said Wu.– Prudence Lui

Enchanted Kingdom, the Philippines
Details are being worked out for a 10-year expansion masterplan that will transform Enchanted Kingdom, said to be the Philippines’ first and only world-class theme park, into an integrated resort with new attractions, commercial space, hotels and a convention centre.

Explaining the purpose of the redevelopment, Mario Mamon, president of the attraction in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, told TTG Asia: “We felt it is now time for us to realise our dream of turning our stand-alone theme park into an integrated resort concept – but without a gaming component. We like to follow the Disney model and have a product that offers wholesome family entertainment.

“We were able to acquire more land around the Enchanted Kingdom. It is now a 10-hectare park, but it will cover 35-40 hectares after expansion. I expect the first new attraction to open by end-2014 and the rest will open progressively.”

The future Enchanted Kingdom will feature a new attraction zone themed around the local culture, which will serve to “showcase (the Philippines) to the growing number of foreign inbound visitors and educate young Filipino children on their own culture”, revealed Mamon.

A new village showcasing Enchanted Kingdom’s mascot, Eldar the Wizard, and focusing on imparting family values is also being planned, along with a water park, retail and F&B space, two or three hotels with a target inventory of 500 to 1,000 rooms, and a convention centre with a main hall of at least 10,000m2.

“This development will…encourage our visitors to stay over the weekend. Our visitors now spend an average of four to six hours here, which is so because we have no hotels to offer them,” said Mamon, adding that the convention centre will allow the company to target business events and corporate groups.

Meanwhile, the Enchanted Kingdom has partnered a local film company to launch a new attraction later this month. It will be themed after Shake, Rattle & Roll 13, a popular local horror suspense film. – Karen Yue

Villages Nature, France
An idea that sparked between Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs and Euro Disney in 2003 led to the joint development of Villages Nature, an eco-friendly resort in Paris that will comprise more than 2,000 cottages and apartments, an iconic 2,500m2 outdoor geothermal lagoon, a waterpark, lush gardens, footpaths, a horse-back riding trail and an organic farm with educational activities for children.

Villages Nature will sit six kilometres south of Disneyland Paris and close to the La Vallée Village outlet shopping destination, making it a “very convenient retreat for travellers who still wish to be among the highlights of Paris”, said Pierre & Vacances CEO, Isabelle Wavrechin.

Phase one of Villages Nature, which will cover 180 hectares and include 1,730 cottages and apartments, a lakefront promenade with shops and themed restaurants as well as most of the recreational facilities, is expected to complete in 2016.

To fulfil Villages Nature’s sustainable commitment, 90 per cent of the resort will be retained as green space, construction will rely on sustainable methods and materials, 75 per cent of organic waste will be made into compost, geothermal energy will be used to supply heat across the resort and motorised vehicles will be prohibited in the compound, among other things.

“We will ask our guests to use the foot paths and the bike and horse-back riding trails instead. With such beautiful landscaping, going around the resort on foot, bicycles or horses will be very enjoyable and relaxing,” said Wavrechin.

“Villages Nature will be a familiy-oriented property,” she added. “It will appeal to Asians who tend to travel as one big family. With families in mind, our cottages and apartments are designed with well-equipped kitchens.” – Karen Yue

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Japan
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is keeping its adventures fresh for theme park fans with the creation of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Slated to open late-2014, the new attraction zone will be the first of its kind outside the US. Costing approximately US$482 million to build, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will house replicas of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade Village, and several rides that have already won the hearts of Harry Potter fans in the Orlando theme park.

KidZania Singapore
Singapore will offer another option for families with the opening of an indoor edutainment theme park for children on Sentosa island in 2015.

KidZania Singapore will be the anchor tenant of the new Family Entertainment Centre at Palawan Beach and will span 7,600m2, with capacity for 1,700 people at any one time. It has an annual target of 500,000 visitors.

The park is a kid-sized city where children aged four to 14 can role-play more than 90 different occupations, earn ‘money’ to pay for goods and services, and manage an ATM card.

Originally a Mexican concept, the S$90 million (US$70.5 million) Singapore franchise is owned by Malaysian company, Themed Attractions and Resorts, which also owns and manages KidZania Kuala Lumpur, and Legoland and Hello Kitty Town in Johor.

To ensure a unique flavour for distinction from other KidZania theme parks, Themed Attractions vice president for branding and group communications, Waikuan Wong, said KidZania Singapore would offer “localised and international role-play activities”.

Six industry partners have so far been secured for KidZania Singapore, namely Maybank, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, Yakult, Canon, The Soup Spoon and Killiney Kopitiam – the latter two being local F&B companies.

Through a pretend environment, Maybank will teach children financial literacy; Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific, behind-the-scene filmmaking; Yakult, lab research work; Canon, photographic know-how; and The Soup Spoon, healthy eating and cooking.

Killiney Kopitiam comes in as F&B retailer for the park.

Themed Attractions will continue to forge partnerships with more industry brands during the period leading up to the park’s opening. It is targeting 30-plus partners.

Themed Attractions’ plan is “not to compete with the other more established attractions in Singapore but rather, complement them”, according to Wong.

He added: “Unlike other theme parks, Kidzania will not offer any rides or arcade games.”

Wong said Themed Attractions would be working with industry partners, Singapore Tourism Board and Sentosa Development Corporation, on a series of pre-opening marketing campaigns. – Kathy Neo

US government shutdown ‘may hurt’ tourism

By Greg Lowe

October 3, 2013

TRAVEL planners expect the partial shutdown of the US federal government will be disrupting without having a long-term effect on business travel, but Brand USA has assured the trade that the US remains “open for business”.

Congress on Tuesday failed to agree to raise the government’s debt ceiling, leading to a partial government shutdown, which is expected to see 800,000 of a total two million government workers sent home. Government buildings and services, as well as public-funded monuments, museums and national parks including the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, the National Mall and the Statue of Liberty.

Roger Schreurs, director of Loco Enzo and chairman of SITE Netherlands, told TTG Asia e-Daily at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific: “It could be a disaster (if they shut down all national parks and public monuments), but in my experience these situations don’t normally last. New York, for example, is such a big city that it can absorb this.”

Incentive and meeting groups currently in the US or travelling there during the shutdown would be largely unaffected, provided their travel planner has contingencies in place, said Abe Korn of New York-based Worldwide Meeting & Event Services.

“Good planners will always have an alternative,” he said. “If I come here (Thailand), I will always have an alternative of equal quality for my clients in case an attraction is closed.”

Meanwhile Brand USA is urging tour operators to improvise itineraries, stressing that the “vast majority” of attractions will remain open.

Allaying the concerns of Asian outbound US specialists, Reene Ho-Phang, Brand USA’s managing director-Taiwan & Hong Kong, said the wider tourism scene in the US functioned in a similar manner to the set-up of Brand USA as a public-private partnership. “Tourism offerings in iconic cities such as Las Vegas, New York and San Francisco are funded by the industry, i.e., private enterprises, not by the government and therefore will not be affected by the shutdown. In many cases, private efforts and involvement mostly supercede governmental efforts. This is not found in Asia’s tourism scenario where the government plays the lead role.”

She added that Brand USA “wants to let the public know that America is open for business”.

Giving examples of how tour operators could improvise in DC, Ho-Phang said: “If the National Gallery of Art is closed, tour operators can direct visitors to see masterpieces at the Phillips Collection, Museum & Gardens and the Kreeger Museum. If you can’t tour the US capital, you can take an exciting city tour with Bike and Roll and City Segway Tours of Washington DC, and Cultural Tourism’s Arts4All Festival, including Walkington, DC neighbourhood tours.”

On visa and security checkpoint issues, she said: “We do not expect the partial ‘government shutdown’ to have a major adverse impact on travel operations. Customs and Border Protection, the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration have been deemed essential personnel and are unaffected by the shutdown.

“Consular operations domestically and overseas will remain 100 per cent operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. However, if a passport agency is located in a government building affected by a lapse in appropriations, the facility may become unsupported. The continuance of consular operations in such instances will be treated on a case-by-case basis by the Under Secretary for Management.”

Additional reporting by Raini Hamdi

Weak rupee bolsters India’s medical tourism market

By Shekhar Niyogi

October 3, 2013

THE depreciation of the rupee that has blunted outbound travel from India has given the country an edge in the inbound medical tourism sector, where medical procedures are now even cheaper than before.

An Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) study has revealed that inbound medical tourists have shot up by 40 per cent over the last six months, with New Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru and Mumbai emerging as front runners for this market.

S Rawat, secretary general of ASSOCHAM, said in a statement that the weakened rupee has made complex surgeries 35 to 45 per cent cheaper for patients from the Middle East, Africa and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries.

According to the study, a medical procedure that would have cost US$10,000 in 2012 is now priced US$7,000. Tourists paying in Australian dollars pay 45 per cent less today, while prices are 30 per cent cheaper than before when paid in euros.

RN Banerjee, consultant at the New Delhi-based Longfield management, which facilitates medical tourism, said: “Indian medical care is as good as anywhere in the world and was already cheap – some as much as 60 to 80 per cent less – compared to countries like the UK, the US and Singapore.

“Now the treatment packages are immensely more attractive and we are getting medical tourists even from the UK and US who wish to spend less and do not wish to wait or queue for surgeries in the UK’s National Health Service.”

He added that for countries in Africa, the Middle East and south Asia without good medical treatment, India was the “obvious” choice, providing “immediate attention, fluency in English and internationally accredited hospitals”.

Devi Shetty, founder and chairman of Narayana Hrudayalaya as well as cardiac surgeon, commented: “(India’s) greatest asset is our ability to produce the largest number of technically-skilled individuals. We also have the highest number of US Food and Drugs Administration-approved drug manufacturing outside the US.”

A separate Yes Bank-Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry study has projected medical tourist numbers in India to hit four million by 2015, with a yearly growth rate of 71 per cent.

TCEB tightens connections with ASEAN buyers

By Greg Lowe

October 3, 2013

THAILAND Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) introduced a range of incentives for regional meeting planners yesterday at the launch of its Thailand CONNECT brand, which is focused on driving MICE business from within the ASEAN region.

While Thailand’s MICE sector wants more done to support a recovery from traditional high-yield markets in Europe and the US, the bureau is bound by government policy to build business from within the region, said Supawan Teerarat, TCEB’s vice president for strategic and business development.

“Our aim is to support ASE- AN in the run up to the launch of the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community in 2015),” Supawan told TTG Asia e-Daily.

“We want to focus on making Thailand the (key) connection for ASEAN’s MICE industry.

“(Down the line) we are also planning to promote Thailand as a premium MICE destination (for groups with significant budgets), which will be more global,” she said.

TCEB’s budget for 2014 is 900 million baht (US$28.7 million), about 10 per cent higher than the previous fiscal year that ended last month. All promotional activities during the year will be spearheaded under the Thailand CONNECT brand.

About 25 per cent of the bureau’s budget has been allocated for subsidies, of which an initial 10 million baht has been set aside for new incentives introduced under the campaign.

For meetings and incentives, 200,000 baht is given to events with more than 200 international delegates spending a minimum of five nights in the country, with at least one night in a location other than the host city.

For exhibitions with 15 or more participants from Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Co-operation nations, which include Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, or ASEAN+6 nations, business matching for groups is provided. In addition, a subsidy of US$150 per person will be granted, provided each delegate has at least three business-matching appointments with Thai companies.

Conventions groups stand to benefit from promotional and public relations support within ASEAN+6 countries as well as Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.

Creative spend tactics to stretch the corporate travel dollar

By Paige Lee Pei Qi

October 3, 2013

WITH no higher corporate travel budgets in sight for 2014, travel managers at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific are devising creative ways to get the most out of allotted funds.

Usman E Gani, deputy manager – facilities (Travel), Tavant Technologies, India, told the TTG Asia e-Daily that his company has been encouraging its middle management staff travelling on lengthy trips to opt for serviced apartments instead of four-star hotels, as these properties offer 30 to 40 per cent in savings on accommodation spend.

Gani said: “The winning pitch for employees is usually the cooking facilities at serviced residences. Although top management still stay at five-star hotels, that does not matter much in terms of savings, as they do not travel as frequently as middle management, their length of stay is shorter and not many of them take trips.”

Another travel manager from India, Mohammad Ali, assistant manager – admin division, said his department is upgrading rooms for staff who agree to stay at “good three-star hotels” instead of lead-in room types at pricier five-star properties.

He said: “(This arrangement isn’t written) in black and white. We use our persuasive skills to convince our employees that the three-star property is the best choice, as there are no rooms in upscale properties nearby. We will also negotiate for free ancillary services such as Wi-Fi.”

Kok Siok Mei, assistant to CEO, Continental Automotive Components Malaysia, said the company is keeping a tight rein on the number of employees travelling for business and allowing only the “bare minimum”.

Kok added: “We also implement a fare comparison policy where we choose the airline that offers the cheapest fare. For short flights, such as those between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, we will opt for low-cost airlines.”

Travel managers are also turning to cheaper destinations for their events. Singapore-based BMW Group Asia, which has been given the same travel and events budget, has moved its product trainings and conferences out of the pricey city-state, favouring quality but affordable destinations such as Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangkok instead.

The luxury car company’s finance and administration purchasing manager, Tan Mei Ling, said: “Ever since the arrival of the integrated resorts, hotel prices in the city have been sky rocketing while we continue to be restricted by our hotel budget.”

Read more in the IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific Show Daily

Additional reporting by S Puvaneswary

Asia World Enterprise launches campaign with high-end focus

By David Andrews

October 3, 2013

DMC Asia World is hoping to capture a larger slice of the luxury travel market through the release of its The Ultimate To Do List South East Asia and Beyond online publication, which can be white labelled for market distribution.

Designed by Asia World to present clients with a selection of luxurious experiences coupled with suggested itineraries in South-east Asia, product selection was driven by the high-end market and features popular destinations with proven demand rather new products.

“This is a chance for tour companies around the world to white label a unique deluxe products brochure,” remarked Stephen McEvoy, managing director of Asia World Enterprise.

Alongside the publication will be supporting online content and access to tablet applications. A key element of the campaign is the ability for clients to white label the marketing collateral and online content for their own market distribution.

Asia World is hoping the new technology will connect with high-end travellers and convert bookings.

The services have been provided by Australian company Koolivoo, which aims to connect suppliers targeting travellers through niche trade channels where luxury services are an essential requirement in the purchasing cycle.

“The significant presentation drives new revenues and better yields through targeting traveller’s aspirations rather than commodity groupings where prices are driven down,” said Matt McKinley, managing director of Koolivoo.

Tourism Fiji announces new tourism expo for 2014

By TTG Asia

October 3, 2013

FIJI’S growing tourism industry will receive a boost in the form of Fijian Tourism Expo (FTE), a new major international tourism industry event.

Slated to take place at Sheraton Conference Centre in Denarau from May 5 to 8, 2014, the trade event will showcase local tourism operators, Fijian-made products and Fijian culture.

Rick Hamilton, CEO of Tourism Fiji, said: “It is the role of Tourism Fiji to provide a platform for our local industry to market itself to the world…Our focus will be to more effectively engage the Australian and New Zealand markets and to attract quality longhaul buyers from Asia, UK, Europe and the US.

“The FTE programme will be tailored to cater for the needs of local industry and deliver a unique Fijian experience. We will look after all service providers, big and small, and provide a more effective way of promoting Fiji as an international visitor destination of choice.”

The NTO has also appointed Sally Coopers as Tourism Fiji’s events and MICE director. One of her primary responsibilities will be to organise and run FTE.

Tailor-made for women

By TTG Asia

October 3, 2013

tipsheet

WHAT A spin-off brand from Hong Kong’s Travel Expert, Tailor Made Holidays (TMH) boasts the first-ever women-oriented travel concept in town. It officially kicked off in late April with retail outlets in Kowloon Bay’s Telford Plaza and Kowloon MTR station.

TMH offers themed FIT packages meant to wow female clients, such as cosmetic tours in South Korea as well as cooking classes and spa visits in Thailand. Details such as hotel locations are also well thought out. Its shopping product, for example, is packed with choices of hotels situated next to malls. In addition to shorthaul destinations, upscale ones farther away like the Seychelles are also included.

In terms of retailfront, shop design is more girlish and there are designated spaces for ladies’ handbags.

WHO Founded in 1986, Travel Expert (Asia) Enterprises started out arranging air tickets and offering hotel reservation services to independent travellers. This helped consolidate its expertise in the FIT segment, allowing it to go public in 2011. Currently, it has 65 outlets at easily accessible locations like MTR stations. Apart from TMH and Travel Expert (TE), the company also has brands reaching out to the business travel and cruise segments.

WHY Travel Expert (Asia) Enterprises CEO, Alfred Kam, said: “Having multiple brands enables us to serve different target segments as the TE brand is mass market, while TMH was created in view of the burgeoning number of female travellers due to their rising social status and key decision-making role when planning family travel.”

TMH also launched in China early this year but there it caters to the high-end wholesale FIT market looking for quality products and more privacy. Kam said that about 90 per cent of outbound traffic from China is still group tours so there is room for growth for the FIT business.

He explained: “The birth of our B2B model in China can be attributed to the rising number of travel agencies and consumers who want to buy from a quality Hong Kong brand when making overseas travel.”

TARGET TMH targets mid- to high-end female clients aged 25-40 as the trend is for more of them to travel in small groups now, said Kam.

There are also plans to add one or two shops in travel zones within key shopping arcades.
In China, the sales team will initially focus on travel consultants operating in the Pearl River Delta region, such as Shenzhen and Foshan.

Streamlined visa processes could add 57 million tourists for APEC countries: UNWTO

By TTG Asia

October 2, 2013

SMOOTHING out visa policies for inbound tourists could pave the way for up to 2.6 million additional jobs by 2016, 57 million more inbound travellers and an extra US$89 billion in international tourism receipts for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies.

These findings are presented in The Impact of Visa Facilitation in APEC Economies study jointly produced by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

According to the report, although countries have successfully collaborated and improved visa policies regionally, 21 per cent of expected arrivals to the region between 2014 and 2016 will still need to obtain a traditional visa.

The following have been singled out as areas to work on: the delivery of information, facilitating current processes to obtain visas, differentiated treatment to facilitate tourist travel, instituting eVisa programmes and establishing regional agreements for visa facilitation.

Addressing the APEC High Level Policy Dialogue on Travel Facilitation, UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai, said that “placing visa facilitation as a national priority can translate into significant socio-economic benefits in terms of income and jobs generated by the growth of tourism demand”.

“APEC has been a leading organisation in terms of regional integration and we believe that visa facilitation can contribute significantly to advance APEC’s objectives and the balanced growth of its economies,” he shared.

Indonesia’s minister of tourism and creative economy and host of the meeting, Mari Elka Pangestu, said: “The challenge now is to establish cooperation between officials working in tourism, finance, customs, immigration, security, transportation and airport authorities which are in different working groups.

“In 2013, through this High Level Policy Dialogue on Travel Facilitation held in Bali, for the first time, there is an attempt of coordination across fora and we hope to end up with some action plans on visa and travel facilitation.”

Typhoon Wutip lashes Vietnam but spares tourism

By David Andrews

October 2, 2013

CENTRAL Vietnam’s hotels and resorts have already bounced back in the wake of Typhoon Wutip, which hit Vietnam on Monday with sustained winds of up to 117kmh.

The typhoon killed at least three, left dozens of fishermen missing and damaged thousands of houses as it swept over Vietnam this week, according to AFP. It also caused minor floods in many of the streets around the Thu Bon River in Hoi An, although the main tourist districts were not affected.

Seafront hotels in the area advised guests from going outside due to the risk of falling tree limbs and reduced visibility from airborne sand.

Shyn Rose, client services manager at Golden Sand Resort and Spa in Hoi An reported a number of guests leaving early on September 28-29 to avoid the typhoon, but there are no cancellations of present bookings.

“We have closed the swimming pool due to sand being blown into our garden area from the beach, however all the rooms are okay and we are still operating as normal,” Rose commented.

There was also partial flooding along Highway No. 1 linking north and south Vietnam in the Ky Anh district of Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh Province.

Le Tat Thuong, operations manager at Destination Asia said the disruptions had been minimal owing to the fact it is the low season and the main affected area of Hoi An was easy to bypass. “Some guests decided to leave early on September 28, choosing to head north to Hanoi or simply stay in Danang.”

Lang Co Town in the Phu Loc district of Thua Thien – Hue Province, where Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts operates the Laguna Lang Co integrated development, was also lashed by the typhoon.

Said a Banyan Tree spokesperson: “On September 30, Typhoon Wutip passed through the area where Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co are situated. The property implemented the typhoon procedure and made all the necessary precautions to manage the impact of the storm.

“The safety of our guests and associates was our primary concern and we are happy to report that everyone is safe. There has been minimal damage and the resort has resumed full operations. The typhoon has passed by the resort and the weather is now clear.”