Fiji targets Asian travellers

November 15, 2012

The island nation embarks on a rebranding spree to spruce up its image

Naisoso Island

Having been allocated US$23.5 million from the government, Tourism Fiji is currently undergoing a major rebranding campaign, with the Chinese market being among its primary targets.

The NTO’s rebranding exercise comes on the heels of national carrier Air Pacific’s decision to revert to its 1951 name of Fiji Airways from 2013. Its revitalising efforts include the addition of three new aircraft and a revamped fleet, as well as fresh furnishings and enhanced in-flight offerings.

Earlier this year, Air Pacific set up a new office in Hong Kong while a Shanghai marketing and PR office was recently established to support the existing Hong Kong office.

According to Dave Pflieger, managing director and CEO of Air Pacific and chairman of Tourism Fiji, the Hong Kong and Shanghai offices will be used to boost outbound traffic from China – currently Fiji’s fifth biggest source market – as well as the wider middle-class Asian market through offering destination and product information.

Samu Savou, the Beijing-based trade commissioner of The Pacific Islands Forum, said Fiji’s natural assets would appeal to Chinese travellers. “They won’t come here for shopping or for luxurious living and cuisine. Chinese will come to the islands because of our pristine environment and our unique cultures.”

Besides targeting frequent Chinese travellers, Tourism Fiji also seeks to establish the archipelago as an alternative to popular Asian islands such as Bali and Phuket by offering improved flight facilities, more competitive travel packages and a broader range of accommodation options, according to Dixon Seeto, president of the Fiji Islands Hotel & Tourism Association.

Meanwhile, Jetstar is also luring Asian visitors to the Pacific nation with multi-country holiday packages that include Australia, New Zealand and Fiji from its Asian bases. The launch of Jetstar Japan earlier this year is also expected to encourage travel to Fiji via New Zealand or Australia, marking a welcome return of Japanese tourists after Air Pacific’s service to Tokyo ceased in 2009.

While Fiji is better known for its exclusive island resorts, a number of four- and five-star properties are under development on the main island of Viti Levu.

Two new casinos have broken ground, one on Denarau and one in Suva, while the historic Grand Pacific Hotel will open next year after a multi-million dollar refurbishment. Naisoso Island, connected to Nadi by a bridge, will soon be home to a Peppers resort as well as a four-star property, alongside restaurants and leisure facilities.

Reporting by Natasha Dragun

GDS players roll out mobile-ready tools

By Gracia Chiang

November 15, 2012

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Travelport and Amadeus have unveiled new web-based solutions to offer Asia-Pacific travel consultants access to their respective GDSs via the Internet, allowing them to serve clients after office hours or on the go.

Amadeus’ new Mobile Access is the smartphone and tablet version of Amadeus Selling Platform, enabling access to travel content such as fare quotes, bookings, PNR creation, modification and cancellation, ticketing and sales reports across air, cars and hotels. It will be available in India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Taiwan.

Travelport’s mobile solution, GalileoTerminal, can be used to book flights, quote fares, issue tickets and perform other business-critical functions. It will be launched in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia from next month, before being rolled out progressively to the rest of the region in 2013. Currently in its first version, Travelport will enhance GalileoTerminal to a point-and-click system eventually.

Said Chua Hui-Wan, Travelport senior regional director for Asia-Pacific: “Regardless of whether they are corporate or leisure travel agencies, they are telling us again and again that mobile is the way they want to access, whether for convenience or to be able to be there 24/7 for their customers.”

Chua hoped such a solution will be a catalyst to new ways of doing business. “The first step is to get agencies into this mode of technology then expand beyond that…It’s not just using mobile to access, but how to make themselves a lot more visible to the consumer who is viewing and booking travel on mobile.”

Bruno des Fontaines, vice president, business solutions, Amadeus Asia-Pacific, said: “As consumers increasingly look to travel comparison sites and even direct bookings to arrange their travel, Mobile Access helps travel agencies maximise sales, efficiency and customer service in a highly competitive environment.

“Not only does the tool support new sales, but it allows (consultants) to provide a premium service to existing customers, ensuring customer loyalty with no additional cost involved.”

Uluru Meeting Place to open November 16

By TTG Asia

November 15, 2012

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LOCATED at Australia’s largest attraction Ayers Rock, Uluru Meeting Place (UMP) opens tomorrow, giving event planners a reason to dream big.

The owners, Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, spent some A$30 million (US$31.3 million) on the new conference centre as well as the makeover of the adjacent Sails in the Desert Hotel, both part of the larger Ayers Rock Resort.

The result is a series of striking modern spaces designed with indigenous flair, from the three meeting rooms in Sails to the two main conference rooms in UMP, namely the Tjungu Ballroom and Wanari Conference Room with seating capacity for 420 and 300 people respectively. All 231 guestrooms at Sails have also been given a facelift.

Coinciding with the launch, a range of teambuilding activities has been introduced, including hosted talks and cultural performances. A new, premium under-the-stars dining experience, Tali Wiru, has commenced, offering guests the opportunity to dine outdoors with views of The Rock, as have the Outback Sky Journeys, a series of stargazing tours.

Voyages’ executive general manager sales, marketing and distribution, Ray Stone, said: “We see great potential here for the Asian market – it’s an emerging market that has real scope for growth in the near future, especially in the area of incentives and meetings.”

Stone told TTGmice e-Weekly that Voyages was working closely with a number of business, tourism, trade and events groups to actively promote UMP throughout the region.

By Natasha Dragun

Qatar National Convention Centre to deliver COP18/CMP8’s green message

By TTG Asia

November 15, 2012

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THE Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) will set an example of how ‘green’ MICE events can be when the eco-friendly venue, built to be 32 per cent more energy efficient than buildings of similar size, scope and usage, hosts the UN Climate Change Conference (COP18/CMP8).

COP18/CMP8 is scheduled to run from November 26 to December 7 and draw an estimated 17,000 participants.

QNCC, which is fitted with 3,500m² of solar panelling, will provide up to 12.5 per cent of the centre’s energy needs or 40.8MWh in total, during the conference.

The centre has also prepared environmentally-friendly food packaging for 21 ‘grab and go’ food outlets for delegates and visitors during the event, with bowls made from sugar cane residue, salad bowls and drinking cups for cold drinks from natural starch, as well as cutlery and coffee cups from natural cellulose.

Adam Mather-Brown, general manager, QNCC, said: “Energy efficiency was a specific consideration during the design and build phase of the project. Qatar has a desert climate and cooling systems are of paramount importance. The centre was designed and built to the highest environmental standards and conceived with a focus on sustainability, a feature that complements the objectives of COP18/CMP8.

“Its use of solar power is an innovative way to reduce the building’s impact on the planet, a benefit that is very relevant for this event.”

Cox & Kings India ties up with Berlin Tourism for MICE

By Shekhar Niyogi

November 15, 2012

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COX & KINGS India has tied up with Berlin Tourism to promote the historic city to major Indian companies, in a bid to tap the burgeoning Indian outbound MICE market.

Road shows were held in New Delhi and Mumbai to showcase attractions and MICE venues such as Brandenburg Gate, Olympic Stadium, State Opera House and East Side Gallery.

Lately, Indian leisure and MICE travellers have shown interest in exploring off-the-beaten-track destinations in Germany.

Ajay Seth, vice president outbound MICE, Cox & Kings India, said: “Berlin has state-of-the-art conference facilities as well as renowned museums and art galleries, and these make it an attractive MICE destination. Moreover, (the city) is very well-connected by flights operated by many airlines.”

Romit Theophilus, director of marketing and sales, German National Tourist Office India, said: “Germany is more economical than other European countries and this is one of the reasons why it is the second-most important destination in (this region) after the UK.”

Theophilus also compared Berlin to New York, saying that hotel rates in the German capital city were lower, thanks to a larger supply of rooms.

In 2011, 547,000 Indians travelled to Germany while 600,000 are expected to do so in 2012.

Zanadu opens doors to China luxury market

By Raini Hamdi

November 15, 2012

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FORMER YTL Hotels president James McBride has become an entrepreneur, staking equity in several ventures, one of which is Zanadu.cn, China’s first by-invitation-only luxury travel website and online travel agency.

Since it went live six months ago, Zanadu, which has a 24/7 booking engine, claims a membership of 10,000 affluent Chinese customers and promotes lifestyle experiences to them. Membership is free, comprising urban, educated and upwardly-mobile 25-40-year-old Chinese individuals.

To date, Zanadu has curated about 200 luxury and boutique hotels around the world for its members.

Keen interest among luxury hotels and resorts worldwide to crack the affluent Chinese market will see the launch of Zanadu 360, a marketing, e-commerce and representation service, in January, said McBride. An executive director will come on board next month to oversee Zanadu 360.

“It’s a natural evolution. General managers (of luxury properties) used to make a beeline for New York and London (US and Europe are the largest luxury markets), and it’s a matter of time when they will go to Beijing and Shanghai,” McBride said.

Separately, McBride and partner Christopher Burch of Burch Creative Capital and founder of Tory Burch, have taken a stake in a small, exclusive resort hideaway on the Indonesian island of Sumba, 400 miles south of Bali.

Built in 1989 by Claude Graves, who remains a partner, Nihiwatu operates in conjunction with the Sumba Foundation, appealing to an increasing number of luxury travellers who want purpose-driven travel.

The property encompasses 175 hectares of tropical forest, rice terraces and grasslands, while its 2.5km of beachfront are protected by headlands that ensure total exclusivity for guests.

“It has one of the best surf waves in the world,” Mc Bride said, envisioning more Nihiwatu-type resorts – luxury with an element of adventure, be it surfing or mountain-climbing, with a foundation associated with it – in destinations like Fiji and the Maldives.

McBride is also involved in Burch’s latest retail concept, C Wonder, which offers “astonishing value” luxury clothing, accessories and home decor in an exciting setting and with an inspiring customer service concept.

China-Iran agreement paves way for Chinese influx

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

November 15, 2012

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A PARTNERSHIP established between the Iranian and Chinese governments in August 2011 to facilitate travel between the two countries has created stronger Chinese interest in Iran.

The partnership contract includes the appointment of official travel agencies to handle visa applications and letters of invitation for Chinese travellers. This development has helped to pave the way for more Chinese leisure travel to Iran, which previously drew mostly corporate and government travellers from the Middle Kingdom.

Available air access between China and Iran has also helped. Iranian carrier Mahan Air flies thrice weekly between Tehran and Shanghai, while China Southern Airlines has Tehran-Urumqi services.

As such, Iranian tour operators are now keen to grow their volume of Chinese travellers.

Hadi Shirazi, managing director of Arfa Tour & Travel Agency in Tehran, whose company is one of Iran’s official Chinese tour handlers, told TTG Asia e-Daily: “We have seen three times more Chinese business since August 2011.

“Chinese tourists visiting Iran tend to be keen on historical sites. Iranian destinations popular with the Chinese include Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. They usually stay a week in Iran, and average spend per person is US$800.”

Dina Cheraghvand, marketing manager of Dorna Tour Agency, has also raked in more Chinese business. She said: “We are seeing more Chinese FITs and backpackers but not many groups yet when compared to other countries. This is probably because Chinese travellers still regard Iran as an exotic, lesser-known destination.

“It is clear that Iran’s tourism players are shifting their focus to the East. The Western market tends not to view Iran very well, so we hope the Chinese will regard our country better,” said Cheraghvand, who added that her company is courting travellers from China and Malaysia in particular.

To reduce language barriers, the Iranian Cultural Tourism and Heritage Organisation is training more tour guides to be conversant in Mandarin, according to Shakib.

Las Vegas to cash in on emerging China segments

By Xinyi Liang-Pholsena

November 15, 2012

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HAVING established a successful presence among Chinese travellers, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is now reaching out to new segments such as MICE, luxury travel and secondary cities in the country, according to Renee Ho-Phang, managing director of BrandStory, LVCVA’s appointed marketing firm for China.

Ho-Phang noted that Chinese arrivals to Las Vegas had been growing at an annual rate of 30 per cent, and 80 per cent of these visitors would have the glitzy American city on their itinerary.

Ramped-up focus on the Chinese MICE segment would help to fill rooms during the weekdays, she said, adding that the city’s inventory of 151,000 rooms and more than 985,000m² of exhibition space would appeal to large-scale groups from China. LVCVA will organise fam trips for Chinese MICE sellers next year.

“Meanwhile, Chinese travellers have evolved. They now desire more luxurious and experiential holidays, and are increasingly inclined to stay at deluxe properties in Las Vegas such as Caesars Palace, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino and Wynn.”To attract China’s deep-pocketed travellers, LVCVA will first market to clubs and associations in key cities, and later to second-tier cities such as Chengdu, Hangzhou and Shenzhen.

She said: “We remain interested in China’s mass market segment, (leveraging) programmes such as Chinese New Year celebrations in Las Vegas to (attract) the Chinese.”

More than 1,000 Chinese tourists visited Las Vegas during the Lunar New Year this year, and a 30 per cent increase is expected in 2013.

Best Western plots massive expansion in Indonesia

By TTG Asia

November 15, 2012

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BEST Western International is set to grow its portfolio in Indonesia with the opening of 25 new hotels in the next three years, beefing up its room count in the country from just over 600 now to almost 3,500 by beginning 2015.

The new developments will span nine destinations and two of Best Western’s brand tiers – the midscale Best Western and luxury Best Western Premier.

Glenn de Souza, Best Western International’s vice president international operations – Asia & the Middle East, said: “With the world’s fourth-largest population, a burgeoning middle class and an increased focus on both domestic and inbound tourism, Indonesia is one of the most exciting hotel markets in the world today.”

Currently, Best Western operates three hotels in Bali, a city hotel in Jakarta and a Best Western Premier hotel in Solo. By the end of 2012, this portfolio is expected to increase to six hotels, starting with the addition of a first property in Semarang, the 259-room Best Western Star Hotel.

Best Western’s Indonesian expansion will gather pace in 2013 with the opening of at least 11 hotels. Jakarta will be a key growth area with the addition of four new properties: Best Western Hariston, Best Western Serpong, Best Western Mall of Indonesia and Best Western Mansion Satrio in Jakarta Golden Triangle.

Also in 2013, Best Western Premier Candi in Semarang and Best Western Sun Heritage in Bali will grow the collections in these two destinations, while Best Western will also debut in five new Indonesian markets: Banjarmasin, Makassar, Bogor, Palu and Malang.

In 2014, Best Western’s Indonesian expansion will continue with the opening of hotels in Bandung, Manado, Samarinda, Balikpapan and Pontianak.

Finally in early 2015, Best Western will debut in Surabaya and Solo Baru.

SilkAir finalises order for 54 Boeing aircraft

By TTG Asia

November 15, 2012

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SILKAIR is set to begin its fleet transition to Boeing aircraft, having sealed a deal with the aircraft maker for 54 planes totalling a hefty US$4.9 billion.

The airline’s order for 23 Next-Generation 737-800s and 31 737 Max 8s is the largest order in the airline’s history.

Both models are said to fly farther than competing airplanes, enabling the airline to open new routes. They also feature the Boeing Sky Interior, which has modern sculpted sidewalls and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins, among other highlights.

The 737 Max 8 builds on the Next-Generation 737 and comes with engines that deliver a 13 per cent fuel-use improvement rate over the most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes today and an eight per cent operating cost per seat advantage over future competitors, said a joint SilkAir-Boeing press release.

“The capability of the 737s will enable us to spread our wings to even more destinations and increase capacity on existing routes,” said SilkAir chief executive Leslie Thng.

Fiji targets Asian travellers

GDS players roll out mobile-ready tools

Uluru Meeting Place to open November 16

Qatar National Convention Centre to deliver COP18/CMP8’s green message

Cox & Kings India ties up with Berlin Tourism for MICE

Zanadu opens doors to China luxury market

China-Iran agreement paves way for Chinese influx

Las Vegas to cash in on emerging China segments

Best Western plots massive expansion in Indonesia

SilkAir finalises order for 54 Boeing aircraft

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