Tourism New Zealand targets off-peak growth
Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) is focused on growing year-round tourist arrivals for New Zealand, particularly by encouraging visitation during the off-peak seasons from March to November.
Gregg Wafelbakker, general manager Asia, TNZ, shared: “We aim to increase the value of tourism in New Zealand by US$5 billion over the next four years, with 70 per cent of that growth coming from off-peak arrivals.
“By encouraging arrivals during the off-peak season, we support the tourism industry and economy while providing an exceptional experience for travellers, with fewer crowds and attractive offers.”
He highlighted that South-east Asian markets play a crucial role in this strategy, as visitors from these countries often travel during school holidays and festive breaks, which align with New Zealand’s off-peak season.
“We have more arrivals from South-east Asia visiting during the off-peak season than our global average from all markets.
“Off-peak consideration among active considerers living in South-east Asia – people who are thinking about a holiday in New Zealand – is at an average of 85 per cent. They are drawn to New Zealand’s landscapes, nature, wildlife, and local cuisine. They also find New Zealand an appealing road trip destination, with self-drive and campervan holidays becoming more popular. Off-peak seasons offer less busy roads and stunning scenery as they travel throughout the country.”
While Singapore is a mature market, new potential markets in South-east Asia include Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Wafelbakker recently led a delegation of 39 exhibitors from New Zealand to Kiwi Link Southeast Asia 2024, held in Kuala Lumpur from July 15-16. The New Zealand exhibitors met with 36 travel trade buyers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia over the two-day event.
The event showcased New Zealand as a great off-peak destination for international visitors, and aimed to build strong selling capability of product managers and increase New Zealand’s share of voice among travel trade across South-east Asia.
Krissy Griggs, visitor markets manager for ChristchurchNZ, noted that Singapore Airlines’ direct daily flights from Singapore to Christchurch have boosted arrivals from Singapore and Malaysia to the South Island.
She said: “Singapore Airlines is currently the only airline from South-east Asia flying directly to Christchurch. Typically, visitors from Singapore spend two or three days in Christchurch before exploring other destinations in the South Island.”
Thailand welcomes Laotian tourists with new Vientiane-Bangkok train service
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and State Railway of Thailand (SRT) welcomed the first group of passengers on the full trial train travelling from Laos to Bangkok on July 14.
The train departed from Lao PDR’s Vientiane Train Station (Khamsavath) and arrived at Bangkok’s Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Station. This new train service is scheduled to officially begin operations this Friday, July 19.
The Bangkok-Vientiane (Khamsavath) train service is an extension of the current Bangkok-Nong Khai route, and is a project between the Thai and Laotian governments to better connect the two countries’ rail systems.
The outgoing train, Rapid No. 133, will depart Bangkok in the evening and arrive in Vientiane the next morning and vice versa for the returning train, Rapid No. 134.
Both trains comprise 30 seats in the second-class air-conditioned sleeper carriage, 64 seats in the second-class air-conditioned carriage, and 152 seats in two of the third-class ordinary carriages with fans.
SRT also operates Rapid No. 147/148 between Udon Thani and Khamsavath Station.
TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said: “The extended train route will enhance cross-border tourism and economic activities and strengthen relations between the two nations. It also aligns with TAT’s strategy to boost cross-border tourism and intra-ASEAN travel.”
“We hope to welcome more Laotian tourists and maintain Thailand’s well-established position as the preferred travel destination among the Laotians.”
Resorts World Cruises introduces new boutique cruise vacations in the Arabian Gulf
Resorts World Cruises (RWC) will expand its global footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the upcoming homeport deployment of Resorts World One in Dubai from October 18, 2024 to April 13, 2025.
Resorts World One is expected to make 75 calls in the region with 150,000 passengers over the six-month period, which will significantly contribute to the growth of cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The ship will attract a new segment of Fly-Cruise passengers from India, increasing diversity to the Arabian Gulf cruise market.
Resorts World One will sail from Dubai from October 18 onwards, offering itineraries that include the two-night Sir Baniyas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a three-night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a two-night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays.
Guests will have the flexibility to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a four-, five- or a seven-night cruise.
Shore excursions and onboard activities will allow passengers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Dubai and the surrounding region especially Muscat, Khasab and Sir Baniyas Island. Visits to iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and shopping destinations will be part of the itinerary for tourists while Bollywood DJ parties and music bands, pyjama and foam parties, movies, will be among other attractions onboard.
To cater to a diverse target audience, certified vegetarian and Jain cuisine will also be available to cater to travellers from India and others who prefer specialised vegetarian selections. With the ship’s deployment in the Arabian Gulf, Resorts World One will provide regional Muslim travellers with the convenience and access to certified halal-friendly offerings onboard the ship. Guests can also make pre-advanced appointments to have the crew of the same gender attend to the guests for selected onboard services such as the spa.
“With easy access and regular flight connectivity from India to Dubai, Indian travellers will also have more travel and vacation options to explore multiple destinations with a cruise vacation, paving the way for a new and exciting era of Fly-Cruise exploration,” said Naresh Rawal, vice president – sales (South Asia and Middle East), RWC.
World Express Malaysia to reveal refreshed look and offerings
Following the April brand refresh of World Express Singapore (WES), marking its 55th anniversary, World Express Malaysia (WEM) will unveil its new website together with the new logo on name cards and other collaterals by the end of July.
WEM is part of Melewar Group’s travel and tourism-related companies and group president Seri Iskandar Bin Tunku Abdullah, known in the industry as TI, said the new branding “reflects the new and fresh vibrancy that World Express now stands for”.
TI and WES chairman Tan Chee Chye became business partners through their PATA affiliation.
WEM executive director Cherry Lee and WES managing director Darren Tan have been working closely on the “new look” and team members from both sides attended an operations retreat and product refresher in Penang last week.
Lee told TTG Asia that she will work with Tan to co-sell both countries and leverage on WEM’s offices in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Kota Kinabalu as the Local Insider for Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo.
The pair will be co-sellers at the upcoming PATA Travel Mart taking place in Bangkok at the end of August focusing on the UK, the US and English-speaking markets.
Despite the rise in transport costs and guide fees, Malaysia still offers value for money due to the currency exchange, Lee noted.
She welcomed the increase in air capacity with the return of daily British Airways flights between London and Kuala Lumpur on November 10 to tap leisure and meetings and incentive clients.
Commenting on new WEM products and services, she shared: “We are looking to promote Singapore-Malaysia self-drive holidays and increase the length of overland coach tours.
“For example, coach tours will feature two nights in Malacca instead of one, and three instead of two in Kuala Lumpur to allow more time for market visits and cooking programmes in Malacca; and longer walking tours in Kuala Lumpur and Penang beyond the current four hours for more in-depth discovery of heritage, natural habitats, etc.”
WEM will also be stepping up its handling of shore excursions for WES’s cruise clients from Singapore, she added.
New transit lounge opens at Philippines’ NAIA Terminal 1
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) have officially opened the new Passenger Transit Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
The transit lounge – located at the pre-departure area – is open 24 hours daily and is adjacent to the OFW Lounge.
The lounge provides a comfortable and relaxing space for passengers with connecting flights as well as a suitable holding area for inadmissible passengers excluded by the Bureau of Immigration.
Amenities at the lounge includes comfortable seats, charging stations, and shower facilities.
Light up the skies with kites at Hoiana Resort & Golf
Hoiana Resort & Golf will launch the inaugural International Kite Festival in Vietnam this July to showcase the craftsmanship and beauty of kite making and performing.
This four-day festival will run from July 25 to 28, and is an integral element of Hoiana’s Summer Vibes campaign.
Guests can look forward to an array of activities, including kite-flying performances by teams from 12 different countries and regions, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, India and Vietnam.
The festival will feature a diverse range of kites and a colourful display area, along with the LED kite flying programme, which will illuminate the night sky on July 26, 27 and 28, as well as a music night featuring talented young performers on July 27.
In addition, guests can immerse themselves in kite making workshops, enjoy a variety of international cuisines, witness magic shows, experience fire dance performances, create memories in a photo booth, and partake in a myriad of other entertainment activities.
A Stay & Kite package is available, where guests will receive a 250,000 dong (US$9.90) food and beverage voucher, plus unlimited access to the kite festival area. For outside guests, complimentary kite festival area access is available once they register for Hoiana Premium Rewards or purchase a food and beverage voucher.
For more information, visit Hoiana Resort & Golf.
Osaka’s new lifestyle hub to gradually open
A new mixed-use development in Osaka that promises to facilitate innovation, well-being and a challenge-mindset for residents, visitors and businesses is set to partially open within weeks.
Grand Green Osaka aims to transform the north part of the city into a contemporary district with a wide range of facilities, improved transport links and 45,000m² of green space. Facilities will include shops, restaurants, a spa, a museum, sports and edutainment cubes, an information centre and a 120m-long canopy-covered event space.
It will also house three hotels catering to different markets: the luxury Waldorf Astoria Osaka with 252 rooms, the upscale Hotel Hankyu Gran Respire Osaka with 482 rooms and Canopy Osaka Umeda, a lifestyle property with 308 rooms.
The complex will be opened in full within fiscal year 2027 and a new train station under the development with a direct connection to Kansai International Airport will be opened by JR West in 2023. By 2031, this new train line will extend to Shin-Osaka Station, a gateway to the Shinkansen lines, thereby boosting access to other parts of Japan.
Designed to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors alike, Grand Green Osaka will centre around the new Umekita Park (a tentative name). It will feature abundant spaces for visitors to relax and interact with nature, such as the Reflection Lawn, which will host various activities and events for up to 10,000 people.
The park will also act as an a sustainable ecosystem to support biodiversity and an evacuation space to boost the city’s disaster resilience.
Malaysia to propel smart hotel innovations
The Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with hospitality technology solutions provider, Vendfun, to enhance technological advancements and promote smart hotel initiatives within Malaysia’s hospitality industry.
The MoU marks a significant step towards the development of smart hotels, with both parties sharing a common vision of harnessing advanced technology to revolutionise the hospitality sector, enhancing guest experiences and improving operational efficiency.
MyBHA and Vendfun will work together to develop and promote smart hotel concepts within Malaysia. This initiative includes introducing technological solutions that can transform traditional hotel operations into smart, efficient, and guest-friendly experiences.
The collaboration will focus on several key smart hotel initiatives, including smart check-In and check-out systems to reduce wait times and enhance guest convenience; energy-efficient solutions such as smart lighting, HVAC systems, and water management to promote sustainability and reduce operational costs; digital room key system and artificial intelligence-powered guest services to provide tailored recommendations, personalised greetings, and efficient service delivery.
In addition, MyBHA and Vendfun will jointly organise training and development programmes to equip hotel staff, owners and investors with the necessary skills to manage and utilise new technologies.
These programmes will include hands-on training sessions to ensure participants gain practical experience in using advanced technologies as well as seminars led by industry experts to discuss the latest trends and advancements in smart hotel solutions.
The partnership will also focus on conducting joint research and development initiatives to innovate and adapt to evolving industry demands.
Sri Ganesh Michiel, president of MyBHA, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “By embracing advanced technologies, we are not only enhancing the guest experience but also ensuring that our members remain competitive in an increasingly digital world.”
“Our goal is to leverage our technological expertise to create innovative and efficient hotel operations that benefit both guests and hotel owners. This MoU signifies our commitment to driving the future of hospitality in Malaysia,” added Benny Wee, CEO of Vendfun.
Niccolo Hotels’ new campaign targets millennial, Gen Z travellers
Niccolo Hotels has unveiled its Persona N campaign designed to encourage guests to connect with themselves through stay experiences, culinary presentations, wellness offerings, and art and design appreciation.
The new campaign also aims for guests, particularly millennial and Gen Z travellers, to embrace facets of their identity, and to enjoy the immersive experiences offered at the Niccolo Hotels situated in the heart of Chengdu, Changsha, Chongqing, Suzhou and Hong Kong.
To support the campaign, a video was developed to showcase Niccolo Hotels’ understanding of millennial and Gen Z travellers and their motivation to follow their passions. Depicting immersive experiences that go beyond luxurious accommodation, various personas – The Creator, The Indulger, The Retreater, The Harmonist and The Socializer – are featured engaging with art pieces, embracing time in solitude with wellness activities, enjoying a dining experience and night life.
In addition, a survey by iiMedia Research revealed that consumers are now gravitating towards more relaxed and comfortable travel options, with 60 per cent of consumers stating their primary motivation for holiday travel is to unwind and alleviate stress, while in terms of hotel preferences, 24.6 per cent indicated they would choose to stay at a luxury hotel.
The campaign runs from now till August 31, where guests can enjoy up to 25 per cent off the best available rate for a minimum two-night stay, which comes with daily breakfast for two. Members of Cathay Pacific’s frequent flyer programme will also earn double Asia Miles.
“We conceived Persona N to reiterate the on-property experiences for millennial and Gen Z travellers, who have steadily grown to form a significant portion of the brand’s customer base,” said Holger Jakobs, vice president sales and marketing, Wharf Hotels. “Known to be independent travellers and individualistic, these two generations display unique behavioural trends and are increasingly focused on self-discovery, self-indulgence and fulfilment.”
Numerous Thai media sources have reported a poisoning incident at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok hotel this evening in Bangkok, Thailand.
Six foreign individuals were allegedly found dead via ingestion of a toxic substance a hotel room. Police discovered the bodies of three men and three women, identified as two Vietnamese-Americans and four Vietnamese nationals.
Lumpini police were alerted to the incident at around 17.30.
Initial local media reports earlier in the evening incorrectly described the incident as a shootout, but investigators confirmed there were no signs of struggle or bruises on the victims, and their luggage was found near the door.
The victims had arrived at the hotel in two separate groups – one on July 13, and another the next day. They were due to check out today and had their bags already packed.
The case drew significant attention, with both Thai and foreign media converging on the scene.
Thai prime minister Srettha Thavisin arrived at the hotel around 21.00, and hosted a press briefing with national police chief Torsak Sukvimol and Bangkok police commissioner Thiti Saengsawang.
Thiti revealed that suicide has been ruled out as a cause, and that the investigation is focusing on murderous intent.
Srettha said he had met with the Vietnamese ambassador.
“There shouldn’t be an impact on the tourism sector,” he stated at the briefing, reassuring the public that the incident was not related to robbery or assault.
Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke emphasised that steps are being taken to contain public panic and to prevent this incident from impacting tourism.
Previous incidents, including the Erawan bombing in 2015 and Paragon shooting in October 2024, damaged Thailand’s tourism figures and targets.