THE Association of Air Ticketing Companies in Indonesia (ASTINDO) is organising its third ASTINDO Fair in March, which is expected to be double the size of last year’s event and draw twice as many participants as travel demand in the country grows.

ASTINDO president, Elly Hutabarat, said the show, to be held March 22-24, would occupy the 4,000m² Plenary Hall of the Jakarta Convention Center, twice the size of the hall used last year.

With more space, the association expects the number of participating companies to double from 77 to 144, and the maximum space allowance per company to increase from 36m² to 72m². ASTINDO also predicts a rise in visitor numbers, from 45,000 to 50,000, and a 10 per cent increase in business transactions over 2012’s total of Rp48 billion (US$5 million).

Speaking to the media during the trade launch of the event yesterday, Hutabarat said: “We have seen increasing demand for domestic and outbound travel, thanks to the growth of the middle class in Indonesia. People do not only travel during the holiday seasons now, but also at other times of the year such as when airlines offer special fares or during the low season.”

This is reflected in the growing interest from NTOs, airlines, travel agencies as well as other travel-related companies such as banks and insurance companies to participate in thefair.

“This year, we are also inviting more regional tourism promotion boards and regional tourism offices to promote their destinations, as we know that domestic travel demand is huge. The number of trips last year was estimated to reach 245 million,” she said.

Last year’s fair attracted 45 travel companies, seven airlines, eight NTOs, one regional tourist office and several travel-related firms.

PANORAMA Tours Malaysia is ready to venture deeper into the cruise business and will add Star Cruises products to its offerings next month.

The company was recently appointed the preferred sales agent for Star Cruises. It already sells trips on Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Managing director, Richard Vuilleumier, said he intends for the company to become a cruise specialist, buoyed by the big and relatively untapped market for cruising in Malaysia. “Itis less competitive, and the commission level (from selling cruises) is higher than (that from) selling leisure products. It is a big market for those aged mid-30s and above, working professionals with families and retirees,” he said.

Vuilleumier said cruises to Alaska, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean were popular among  Malaysian passengers.

“Cruising is an all-year round market, with no high or low seasons, and whether it is winter or summer in the destination the cruise operator is selling, the product will sell,” he added.

ORIENT-Express Hotels launched today its Associate Hotels programme, with its first member being Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz, France.

Under this new programme, associate hotels will have access to Orient-Express’ full suite of sales, marketing and public relations support in 17 markets, global voice reservations and dedicated distribution under the code OE, as well as an online presence with next generation websites.

Associate hotels may also avail of strategic partnerships such as the Bellini Club, Orient-Express’ preferred agent programme.

The associate hotel programme is by invitation only and partner hotels are selected according to a set of criteria, including reputation, being a market leader in their destination and congruency with Orient-Express’ portfolio, in addition to meeting very high independently assessed quality standards.

David Williams, chief marketing officer of Orient-Express, said the programme was a chance to enhance the company’s portfolio by joining hands with independent luxury hotels.

“In return for providing access to our highly-valued international sales force and strategic marketing channels, this initiative enables us to curate new destinations for our guests to discover,” he explained.

BEST Western International has opened the second hotel under its Best Western Premier brand and fifth property in Vietnam, the Best Western Premier Hon Tam Resort & Residences.

Located on Hon Tam Island close to Nha Trang, the 49-bungalow eco-resort is only accessible by boat.

Glenn de Souza, vice president international operations-Asia & the Middle East, said: “Vietnam is one of Asia’s hottest new destinations and the Nha Trang coast is now drawing large numbers of domestic and international visitors.”

Best Western International plans to quicken the pace of its development plans in the country, and has a further three hotels expected to launch in Vietnam by end-2014.

Accommodation options range from the 52m² Deluxe Bungalows to the 64m² Family Suite Bungalows, each featuring a private balcony and equipped with amenities such as flat-screen televisions and free Wi-Fi. Facilities include four F&B outlets, a swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, sauna, steam room, karaoke room, game room as well as meeting spaces in the form of the resort’s two meeting rooms and an outdoor venue with a 900-pax capacity.

REGENT Hotels and Resorts will welcome two jewels in its crown this year with the launch of the Regent Phuket Cape Panwa and Regent Bali.

“It’s an exciting time for Regent. Both the Phuket and Bali properties will immediately become flagships for the Regent brand in these two absolutely crucial resort island markets in Asia,” said Regent Hotels and Resorts’ president, Ralf Ohletz von Plettenberg.

Launching this month, Regent Bali is situated on the eastern part of Bali’s coastline in the Sanur district. The hotel features a four-hectare tropical garden, a 200m beach, 94 suites, one beachfront Regent Villa, 25 Regent Residences, a spa and two dining outlets.

Over in Thailand, Regent Phuket Cape Panwa will welcome guests in December, offering 70 rooms with panoramic sea views and 35 pool suites. The resort is located on Cape Panwa on the south-eastern tip of Phuket.

Both hotels were designed by Bangkok-based Blink Design Group. Its founder and creative director, Clint Nagata, said the firm is helping Regent “return to its Asian roots”.