AIRASIA X plans to raise up to RM859.3 million (US$274.9 million) through an IPO exercise to fund its fleet expansion plans and repay bank loans.

The company is offering 790.1 million shares at an indicative price range of RM1.15-1.45 for institutional investors. The deal will be priced on June 24.

Proceeds from the IPO will be used to repay bank borrowings, purchase new aircraft and for working capital.

The airline also has plans to set up new hubs in Indonesia and Thailand. Its CEO, Azran Osman-Rani, said: “The initial process of getting licensing from the regulatory bodies are underway.”

AirAsia X is looking at creating hubs in Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar and Tokyo – cities with AirAsia hubs in order to capitalise on AirAsia’s massive feeder network to build a stronger brand and group presence in the Asia-Pacific region (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 22, 2013).

The longhaul arm of AirAsia will take delivery of seven new Airbus A330 aircraft and another seven aircraft next year, part of its scheme to increase its operating fleet size to 32 by 2016, through a mixed strategy of purchasing and leasing aircraft.

The new aircraft will be used to increase frequencies on current routes and introduce new ones.

Tony Fernandes, CEO, AirAsia Group, said AirAsia X would also resume flights to India but declined to reveal whether the airline would recommence services to Delhi and Mumbai.

AirAsia X’s services from Kuala Lumpur to Mumbai and New Delhi were suspended on January 31, 2012 and March 22, 2012 respectively.

SOME 97 travel consultants in Singapore have been recognised for their expertise under the NATAS (National Association of Travel Agents Singapore) Accreditation Scheme since its launch on March 14 (TTG Asia e-Daily, February 22, 2013), and at least 92 individuals are now in line for the next enrolment.

Describing the response to the new scheme as “excellent”, NATAS spokesperson, Alvin Lim, said that several more applications were pending confirmation and the target was to accredit 300 travel consultants by end of 2013.

“We have offered a 50 per cent discount on course fees for the first 100 applicants in the second enrolment to make this programme more accessible to travel consultants from both inbound and outbound travel companies,” said NATAS COO, Anita Tan, adding that while fees are meant to be borne by the travel consultants themselves, some agencies have offered to absorb the cost for their employees.

The three-stage programme (TTG Asia Online, Tip Sheet) costs S$50 (US$39.74), S$75 and S$100 depending on the level of accreditation. When accreditation expires in two to three years’ time, consultants must upgrade their skills through courses to earn a renewal.

According to Tan, the scheme is currently supported by 19 industry leaders, among them are Chung Tak Ing, senior assistant general manager of ASA Holidays and Lee Hwee Noi, manager of Hong Thai Travel services.

“We will review our panel of industry leaders regularly as we are concerned that (the activity) may be too taxing for them. This is a voluntary service after all, and each assessment takes up a full day. Our next review will likely be at the end of this year or early next year,” said Tan.

She added: “Through NATAS Accreditation, we hope to recognise travel consultants who choose to upgrade themselves on their own accord. The accreditation is for the individual, not the company, so it is to their own benefit to earn this recognition. At the same time, the scheme gives consumers a mark of assurance, knowing that the travel consultant serving them is a professional who will deliver quality and reliable service and advice.”

To raise the awareness of this “stamp of quality” among consumers, NATAS is running advertisements in traditional print media and on buses that ply commercial and heartland networks, as well as in a travel supplement to be published during its travel fair this August.

THE Myanmar government last week unveiled a new tourism master plan for the country on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Naypyidaw, a joint effort between the government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Norwegian government.

Funded by the Norwegian government, the plan outlines 39 development projects worth almost US$500 million.

Projects outlined aim to grow international air arrivals to destinations Mandalay and Naypyidaw, improve the Bagan river port, build feeder roads in areas such as Ngapali Beach and Inle Lake, strengthen tourism education and training, and identify US$44.5 million in new training and partnerships.

The plan also calls for tourism police divisions to be set up, as well as a Tourism Executive Coordination Board to bring tourism-related ministries, agencies and federations together under an umbrella organisation. The board will be chaired at the vice-president level.

It also suggests the introduction of pilot community-based tourism initiatives to ethnic communities to prepare locals for and give them control over tourism.

The 1993 tourism law will also be reviewed and updated to streamline licensing formalities for tourism stakeholders, and amend the regulations involving the gaming subsector, labour and the establishment of outbound tour operations for Myanmar citizens.

ADB vice president, Stephen Groff, said: “Tourism will be a pillar of Myanmar’s economy, and it has the potential to create meaningful job opportunities for the country’s people, including those living in poor communities.”

“This plan is a long-term vision, and a solid start to ensuring tourism contributes equitable social and economic development in Myanmar,” he added.

ADB estimates international arrivals will reach 7.5 million by 2020 to bring in US$10.1 billion in tourism receipts, if Myanmar continues with its reforms. Under a high growth scenario, tourism could provide up to 1.4 million jobs by 2020.

Foreign arrivals at Yangon airport stood at 253,136 for the first four months of 2013, up almost 44 per cent year-on-year over 2012’s 175,930, according to figures from the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism.

VISITORS from some 45 countries will be able to make 72-hour visa-free transits in Chengdu, as long as they have a third country visa and valid air ticket.

According to China Daily, Chengdu becomes the fourth Chinese city to implement such a scheme, which has already taken root in Beijing, Shanghai (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 27, 2012) and Guangzhou.

It has not yet been announced when the policy will take effect.

Citizens of the following countries will be eligible for the scheme: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

HOTELIER and philantropist Peter Gautschi has passed away, the industry still in shock over his sudden, tragic death on June 6 in a car crash in Myanmar, where he was pursuing his passion to help the underprivileged.

A report said a Toyota Prado travelling on the Yangon-Naypyidaw expressway, carrying the 86-year-old Swiss and two other passengers, collided with a car ahead while its driver was trying to overtake. Gautschi and two women were killed on the spot while four others were injured.

The 86-year-old Swiss was much loved and hugely respected. An outpouring of sadness in email exchanges that are being circulated by friends and former associates described a great man who was “the Swiss hotel pioneer in all of Asia”, “the grand man of hospitality”, “the best boss ever with a very kind heart” and “a truly strong man (who put) smiles on children’s faces, providing an education which allows them to live a dignified life”.

Gautschi retired in 2001 after five decades in the hotel business, including almost 30 years with The Peninsula Group. He also founded Swiss-Belhotel International.

He created the Studer Trust (www.studertrust.org), named after his mother Margaretha’s maiden name, upon finding his US$40,000 sponsorship of a new school in Henan, China, through UNESCO, was misspent and wasted. In 2010 alone, Studer Trust completed more than 130 projects, mostly schools in China and Myanmar, at a cost of more than US$1.3 million, by avoiding bureaucracy. Gautschi collaborated with civilians instead of governments and personally covered the salaries of a few employees in the field.

Studer Trust now also extends its charity from building schools in China and Myanmar to assisting old-age homes. Gautschi worked with a small team of retirees as his support in Hong Kong; many of his friends became donors, including the Kadoorie family.

Peter Borer, COO, The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH), said: “Peter Gautschi worked with The Peninsula Group for almost 30 years, starting as assistant to The Peninsula Hong Kong’s general manager Leo Gaddi and rising to president.  He was the inspiration in making our company what it is today, setting the foundations and high standards by which we still abide. Mentor for so many, from the highest to the lowest, he inspired many careers. He passed away doing what he loved best, helping the underprivileged and thus demonstrating what a fine human being he was. All of us at The Peninsula Hotels are grateful for his leadership and friendship, and will miss him greatly.”

Gautschi supervised the first major renovation of The Peninsula Hong Kong after World War II. Under his guidance, HSH began to expand overseas. Peninsula Overseas Management was set up to provide management services for overseas hotels. The company also opened The Peninsula Manila, built the Repulse Bay Apartments, acquired Tai Pan Laundry, set up the Clubs Division, acquired a stake in The Peninsula Bangkok and built St. John’s Building in Hong Kong.

Gautschi will be cremated in Myanmar on Monday, June 10, and his ashes will be brought to Hong Kong where arrangements will be made to scatter them at sea according to his wishes.

He also wished for no religious rites but had written instructions that he would like a memorial gathering for friends to enjoy some wine. His many friends will be contacted at a later date regarding a memorial gathering in Hong Kong.

QUAY-SIDE retail lifestyle and family entertainment complex Little Red Cube became the flagbearer of Puteri Harbour in Nusajaya, and the pioneer property under the Little Red Cube brand when it launched on Wednesday.

Located strategically at the waterfront marina of Puteri Harbour, Little Red Cube is within walking distance to the new ferry terminal that opened in May, from where four ferry services traverse the one-and-a-half-hour distance to Batam daily. Ferry services linking Puteri Harbour and Singapore will commence in July.

Little Red Cube is also a 25-minute drive from Senai International Airport.

Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) COO, Eddy Leong, said the company expects to attract domestic and South-east Asian visitors, as more than 75 per cent of flights into Malaysia come from the region.

He added that the plan is also to build up awareness of the Little Red Cube brand among the urban population and then export it overseas. There is no time frame set for brand expansion at the moment.

Developed by DRH to the tune of RM500 million (US$161.9 million), Little Red Cube comprises two indoor theme parks, Hello Kitty Town and Little Big Club, Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour, and a host of retail and F&B outlets.

Luxury Tours Malaysia manager, Ganneesh Ramaa, said: “All the while, Nusajaya (has been) part of a day programme with a visit to the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park. With the opening of Traders Hotel (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 31, 2013), we can now do overnight packages in Nusajaya and even combine Puteri Harbour with a day trip to Singapore and a stay at Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour.”

Similarly, Saini Vermeulen, head of international sales at Panorama Tours Malaysia, remarked: “The opening of Traders Hotel Puteri Harbour will further enhance our twin destination theme park packages combining Singapore and Johor, as we can now sell Puteri Harbour as an overnight destination.”

AIRASIA is set to launch daily flights from Bangkok to the Myanmar capital of Naypyidaw this October, in anticipation of increased demand for flight options to the latter.

The LCC currently runs thrice-daily flights between Bangkok and Yangon, and a daily flight between Bangkok to Mandalay. It also operates a daily Kuala Lumpur-Yangon service.

“With the 27^th SEA Games approaching in December 2013, Myanmar’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014, and the ASEAN Economic Community taking place in 2015, there will be tremendous demand to connect the capital city (of Myanmar) to the rest of the world, and Bangkok is the perfect place to start,” said Tony Fernandes, group CEO, AirAsia.

He remarked that Myanmar was also the gateway to India and China, as well as a regional investment hotspot following the country’s successful economic reforms.

“With its foreign direct investment growing five times from 2011 to 2012, there is no better time to offer the world more access to this hot destination,” he added.

GARUDA Indonesia will join SkyTeam in March 2014 as the airline alliance’s 20^th international member and second South-east Asia member.

Garuda president and CEO, Emirsyah Satar, said: “Joining SkyTeam is a long-term development strategy for Garuda, and for years we have been upgrading our service and actively forging cooperation with SkyTeam member airlines with this objective in mind.

“As the first Indonesian airline to join this world-class alliance, our strategic target is to continuously strengthen profitability and boost international market competitiveness.”

SkyTeam managing director, Michael Wisbrun, commented: “Garuda Indonesia’s domestic and growing international network will give SkyTeam a footprint in Indonesia, as we strengthen our presence in the South-east Asia region.”

“Garuda has worked hard to meet the membership criteria required by SkyTeam, including implementing a new IT platform, and we look forward to welcoming the airline in March next year,” Wisbrun added.

Garuda already cooperates with SkyTeam airlines, such as Korean Air, Vietnam Airlines, China Southern Airlines and China Airlines.

INDIA’S travel operators are reporting stronger foreign interest in the north-eastern states of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, and have cheered the Ministry of Home Affairs’ move in liberalising travel to the area.

Travellers were previously required to obtain permits for travel to the three states, but the mandate was lifted in 2010 and has been extended annually since.

“Lifting of the protected areas order, to some extent, has resulted in an increase in the number of foreign visitors to Manipur, Mizoram and in particular, Nagaland,” reported Ashish Phookan, managing director, Jungle Travels India, and chairman, north-east chapter, Indian Association of Tour Operators.

“Most visitors are from Europe, and UK remains the largest (source market). There is also a lot of interest among Israeli visitors in visiting Manipur and Mizoram.”

EB Blah, CEO of Clara Tours, also noted more enquiries from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region. “There is good demand from Bangladesh. The relaxation (of travel) is helping to increase interest from the SAARC region in the three states.”

India’s north-east region includes the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. According to the Ministry of Tourism, about 58,000 tourists visited the north-east in 2012, an 18 per cent increase over 2011, but numbers to the three states remain dismal.

Sanjay Basu, managing director, Far Horizon Tours, said the government’s efforts to “open up” north-east India for tourism would pay off in the long run. “Apart from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland is also now growing as a tourist destination,” he said.

But PK Dong, chairman, Dong & Associates, and tourism consultant to Mizoram Tourism, said there was a “need to publicise this (liberalisation of travel) to the three states”.

Taking advantage of the spurt in awareness, Phookan said his agency was promoting tours through overseas tour operators and hopes to inform international visitors about the region’s offerings “be it in terms of wildlife, interactions with ancient tribal communities and trekking”.

He also said that the north-east still lacked basic infrastructure in terms of accommodation, good roads and wayside amenities.

“However, the situation presents us with the great opportunity to develop environmentally sensitive facilities that would attract discerning travellers from across the world and from within India. We think there is a need to develop facilities keeping in mind the traditional bond with the local communities have always had with nature, and that will become the main unique selling point in promoting north-east destinations,” Phookan commented.