Macau launches new tourism campaign
The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) has launched a new campaign, Experience Macao Limited Edition, to attract international visitors and boost the local tourism and economy.
This innovative online interactive games campaign aims to attract international passport holders (excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) to participate, offering 100 attractive prizes including travel opportunities to Macau.
The campaign kicked off on August 26, and will continue with events on September 16 and October 7. International visitors can register and take part in the 10-day online question game once a day. If they answer three questions about Macau correctly, they can instantly enter a lucky draw for a chance to win prizes, such as exclusively-crafted experiences sponsored by six integrated resorts comprising accommodation, round-trip air ticket to Macau, World Heritage visit, cultural heritage experiences, dining at Michelin-star restaurants, and more.
In addition, the 100 winners can stand a chance to win the ultimate prize of a 30-day trip, which includes round-trip air tickets for two, hotel accommodation, gastronomy, cultural and activity experiences, as well as tickets to tourist attractions and shows. All they have to do is share their trip moments in Macau on Instagram with the official hashtag #MacaoLimitedEdition, tag MGTO’s official account, and the post that garners the most likes by December 31 will be selected as the winner.
Speaking at an online-offline press conference, MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, remarked: “The game is designed to captivate both Macau enthusiasts and those just beginning to discover the wonder of our city. We want to reach out to new markets like the Middle East in addition to South-east Asia.
“Each prize has been carefully curated to offer a unique glimpse into Macau’s diverse offerings, i.e. special access to cultural sites, bespoke dining experiences and unique tours of Macau’s most iconic attractions.”
She added that MGTO has also partnered with Klook to offer these experiences for sale.
On the other hand, an agent, who requested not to be named, suggested that if the Macau government hopes to attract more foreign visitors, it can introduce subsidies for local travel agents, such as cash incentives for each inbound tour participant, which will result in the agents coming up with competitive quotations for overseas clientele.
Japan to introduce new entry system for foreign visitors
The Japanese government is set to introduce a new travel authorisation system requiring all international visitors to declare personal information online in order to enter the country.
The new system will operate similarly to the US’ ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which was introduced as an anti-terrorism measure. The Japanese version, tentatively named JESTA, will also screen visitors prior to entry, using a similar online system.
The government plans to launch JESTA by 2030.
The implementation of this new system aims to reduce the number of illegal immigrants who come to Japan from visa-exempt countries and regions. Travellers from the 71 countries will be required to declare their details using JESTA once it is launched.
The 71 visa-exempt countries and regions include Australia, Brunei, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Qatar, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, the US, and more.
JESTA will require visa-exempt foreign nationals to declare their purpose of entry and place of stay online for screening by the Immigration Services Agency before they travel. If the application is flagged as an illegal-stay risk, the travel authorisation required to leave the country will not be granted, and the traveller will be encouraged to obtain a formal visa through their local embassy instead.
The Japanese government will also introduce another system which will run on a trial basis during this fiscal year. Passenger information will be sent to the Immigration Services Agency after boarding procedures have been completed, and will be checked against a list of ‘blacklisted’ travellers, including foreign nationals of interest and those with criminal records. If any, the airline will be notified in order to refuse boarding to those passengers.
More details about JESTA will be provided closer to the launch date.
Bintan Resorts teams up with VFS Global to welcome Indian travellers
Bintan Resorts has partnered with VFS Global in a strategic move to attract more Indian travellers to the Indonesian resort.
The partnership agreement was signed on August 29 at the Grand Lagoi Hotel in Bintan Resorts.
The collaboration aims to enhance the visibility and appeal of Bintan Island, positioning it as a top choice for Indian travellers and welcome them to enjoy the island’s offerings. Leveraging VFS Global’s extensive network across India in all major and secondary cities, along with its strong connections with businesses, media, and corporate entities, the partnership is expected to boost tourism from India to Bintan Island.
The partnership will launch a targeted marketing campaign in major Indian cities, with a dual-destination approach to capitalise on the appeal of two travel experiences – Bintan and Singapore. There will also be a tagline highlighting Bintan’s unique attractions from family-friendly vacations and adrenaline-pumping adventures to culinary experiences and special events such as weddings, MICE and more.
Promotions will focus on the digital and social media platforms, in collaboration with influencers, B2B sales, and organising workshops and familiarisation trips for influencers and content creators.
Abdul Wahab, COO of Bintan Resorts, shared: “This collaboration will elevate Bintan’s status as a must-visit destination for Indian tourists. By positioning Bintan Resorts as a complementary destination to Singapore, easily accessible by a hassle-free 60-minute ferry ride from the city-state, we aim to attract a double-digit share of these Indian visitors.”
“Of immediate priority for both partners is to reintroduce Bintan’s offerings to the Indian audiences and socialise them to the sheer convenience of hopping on to the island from the shores of Singapore to enjoy themselves as families, small and big groups,” added G B Srithar, head of tourism services at VFS Global.
Accor renews partnership in Australia
Accor has signed partnership renewal agreements for more than 40 hotels, comprising 5,500 keys, across Australia.
Accor Pacific partners have also invested more than A$450 million (US$304.3 million) in hotel renovations and refurbishments since the beginning of 2022.
Marking its 40th renewal, Accor recently solidified its partnership with Silversea Investments through a long-term franchise agreement that will see significant investment to refurbish Novotel Sydney Parramatta and Mercure Sydney Parramatta, which will be rebranded to Novotel Sydney Rosehill upon completion of the renovation. Now managed by Trilogy Hotels, the importance of these hotels will grow even further as Parramatta’s massive infrastructure development continues and the new Western Sydney Airport launches in 2026.
The Sunshine Coast’s premier five-star hotel, Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, also recently extended their partnership with Accor for this flagship Sofitel. The resort will soon announce its renovation plans to enhance further its luxury positioning on Noosa’s Hasting Street.
In addition, Accor Pacific has developed the largest dedicated hotel franchise platform, with the largest franchise support team in the market, allowing the group to work with franchise owners or third-party operators in a way that suits their business and investment strategies.
Accor Pacific COO PM&E, Adrian Williams, said Accor’s network of more than 350 hotels in Australia had been built on the strength of the group’s well-established relationships with international and local hotel owners.
“Accor has been operating in Australia for over 30 years now… we are privileged to have many long-term owner relationships, and our team is continually working with their hotels to ensure they deliver above-market performance.”
He shared that the group has also invested in “providing even more operational support for our hotels, growing the number of operational leaders based in key cities across the Pacific region” for faster decision-making and allocation of resources.
“We’ve developed the largest hotel management platform in the Pacific with more than 300 above property team members to help support and drive performance for over 200 managed hotels. We are the only operator to have dedicated operational teams with heads of operations based in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Launceston, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Auckland and Fiji.”
BWH Hotels expands in Vietnam
BWH Hotels has signed Best Western Premier Sky Hue in Vietnam, which will offer 396 rooms across its two towers that are connected by a rooftop sky deck.
The hotel is slated to open in 2025.
Guests will be able to explore Hue’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed treasures, including the Imperial Citadel, which dates from 1802 and served as the political, administrative and cultural centre of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty until 1945.
“Vietnam is one of our key strategic markets, so the signing of this property in such an iconic destination – the country’s imperial capital city – is a notable milestone. We look forward to welcoming both domestic and international guests to this exceptional new hotel, which blends contemporary facilities with local charm,” said Olivier Berrivin, vice president – APAC, BWH Hotels.
Japan Airlines, Liverpool Football Club unveil lounge at Anfield Stadium
Japan Airlines (JAL) and Liverpool Football Club (LFC) celebrated the opening of the Japan Airlines Lounge at Anfield Stadium, marking a key milestone in their new multi-year partnership announced in June 2024.
The Japan Airlines Lounge, accessible through purchased hospitality packages, offers a vibrant space with a three-course menu and match day service.
Occupying the former 1892 hospitality space, the new lounge will be open during Liverpool FC home matches. Its design was inspired by elements of Japanese nature and architecture, seen in the use of timbers, soft lighting, and clean lines with modern contemporary furnishings throughout.
The lounge unveiling is part of a broader partnership between JAL and Liverpool FC, with plans for additional collaborations such as joint efforts through the LFC Foundation, as well as programmes for Thailand and other regions.
Junko Sakihara, deputy vice president customer experience, JAL commented: “We are thrilled to launch the Japan Airlines Lounge at Anfield, marking an initial key step in our multi-year partnership with Liverpool FC. This lounge uniquely blends Japanese hospitality with football, uniting two cultures that value tradition, excellence, and community. We look forward to building a strong connection between our brands.”
The Langham, Gold Coast names new GM
The Langham, Gold Coast has appointed Arpad Romandy as general manager.
Romandy brings with him over 30 years of extensive hospitality experience, where his career includes roles with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) across England, Spain, and the US, as well as Shangri-La Sydney. He was most recently general manager of InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.
In his new role, Romandy will oversee all facets of hotel operations, including finance, sales and marketing, and human resources. He will report to Jeffrey van Vorsselen, regional vice president, operations.
Collinson International makes two appointments
Collinson International has appointed Marco Pera as chief technology and data officer and Fabio De Grazia as chief product officer.
Pera transitioned from his role as senior vice president for data, platforms, and technology, one he has held since joining Collinson International in July 2023. A seasoned technology and data executive with over twenty-four years of experience, he will manage and evolve the company’s platform ecosystem and advance how data and intelligence are used.
De Grazia joins after eight years at Visa where he was vice president and head of product and solutions for the MENA region, spearheading the modernisation of product offerings, achieving significant revenue growth and operational efficiency. In his new role, De Grazia will define and create experiences which will help sculpt the future travel experience.
Visa-free travel sparks bilateral traffic between Malaysia and China
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, both countries have introduced visa-free travel policies for their citizens.
Malaysians enjoy visa-free entry to China until the end of 2025, while Chinese travellers to Malaysia benefit similarly until the end of 2026.
These initiatives have sparked a significant surge in bilateral tourism.
Sandy Ren, senior sales manager at Guilin-headquartered Tang Dynasty Tours, highlighted the positive impact of these policies on her inbound business.
“With the continuation of the visa-free policies and direct air accessibility from Kuala Lumpur to Guilin, we see further opportunities to collaborate with Malaysian outbound agents to expand the incentive and leisure travel markets,” she said.
Ren also shared that direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Guilin have encouraged Malaysian incentive groups to spend five to six days in Guilin and to regard the Chinese city as a mono destination.
Additionally, Malaysian travellers have the option to transit through Guangzhou and experience the bullet train to Guilin – a popular choice among families and incentive groups looking to combine two destinations in one trip.
Adam Kamal, director of Suka Travel & Tours, reported that demand for Muslim tour packages from Malaysia to China has soared, surpassing sales for other popular options like Taiwan and South Korea. Demand comes from both FITs and groups.
Muslim customers are keen to venture beyond Tier 1 Chinese cities, drawn by the availability of Muslim-friendly restaurants and the convenience of carrying halal packed food from Malaysia.
“In the past, selling tours to China was challenging due to the complicated visa application process, which required securing an appointment with the Chinese Embassy, with no approval guaranteed,” explained Adam.
While visa is no longer an issue, Adam finds airline seats a challenge today. Due to seat shortages, he is limiting group sizes to between 20 and 25 pax.
Due to the lack of direct flights from Chinese cities to Langkawi, the Malaysian island has to rely on direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Mohammed Al Maidama, director of sales and marketing, Parkroyal Langkawi Resort, told TTG Asia: “On average, Chinese visitors to our resort stay for three or four nights. If we had direct flights, the average length of stay would be longer.”
For 2025, he is projecting a 10 to 15 per cent increase in guests from China.
Taiwan is set to launch a new campaign to revive its tourism industry, which has struggled since a major earthquake in April, the largest in 25 years, caused damage and roadblocks in Hualien County and led to the temporary closure of Taroko Gorge, one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions, which received 2.44 million visitors in 2021.
The campaign will feature promotional airfares to attract international visitors, crucial for the country’s recovery. The earthquake struck on April 3, just before the high tourism season, resulting in a significant drop in visitor numbers, with only 600,000 arrivals to the country in April, compared to the one million expected.
Trust HJ Lin, deputy director general of the Taiwan Tourism Administration, emphasised Taiwan’s quick recovery, noting that most of the country was back to normal the next day, and that impacted areas, like the road to Taroko Gorge, are expected to reopen later this year or early next year.
“We understand the concerns sparked by the earthquake, but it’s important to note that 90 per cent of international tourists visit the western side of Taiwan, which was largely unaffected,” he added.
Taiwan experiences frequent earthquakes due to co-existing on the same seismic belt as Japan.
Lin also highlighted Taiwan’s strict building regulations, pointing to the Taipei 101’s damper system as an example of the country’s earthquake preparedness, which is heightened due to its experience with the 1999 Chi Chi earthquake.
“Our strict regulations on public and residential buildings help minimise damage, so even severe earthquakes – which are rare in our country – leave Taiwan largely unhurt and undamaged,” he said.
The tourism industry was just beginning to recover post-lockdown, with 800,000 foreign visitors in March, when the quake hit, leading to widespread cancellations and delaying of trips by travellers. The weak Japanese yen, which drew travellers, also complicated Taiwan’s recovery.
In response, Taiwan’s new promotional campaign aims to restore confidence among travellers.
Lin mentioned that special fare promotions with airlines will be rolled out soon, while the new Waves of Wonder branding launched in May 2024 works to underscore the country’s uniqueness as a top destination and showcase Taiwan’s endless plethora of highlights and hidden gems even outside of quake-hit Hualien.
The Taiwan Tourism Administration will also host its Thailand roadshow on September 20-22 at Siam Paragon to woo Thai travellers with new surprises.