ASEAN tourism ministers have finally endorsed a four-year joint marketing plan that is targeted at achieving the tourism objectives of the ASEAN Economic Community, due to take effect in 2015, and maintaining double digit tourism growth for the region.

The ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2011-2015 is the foundation of the ASEAN Tourism Marketing Strategy 2012-2015, adopted by ASEAN tourism ministers at ATF 2012 in Manado (TTG Asia e-Daily, January 12, 2012).

The plan will comprise a swathe of initiatives such as a new ASEAN for ASEAN campaign, a new website, as well as digital campaigns and special promotions targeting the growth markets of China, South Korea, Japan, India and Australia.

“Our strategy is designed to help build global recognition of South-east Asia as a competitive, world-class tourism destination,” said ASEAN secretary-general, Surin Pitsuwan.

“Our focus is on drawing visitors to the region and encouraging them to visit more than one country. As each has its own unique attractions, we will capitalise on the marketing capacity and resources of our individual NTOs to spread the word.”

ASEAN tourism marketing working group chairperson, Sansern Ngaorungsi, said: “While ASEAN’s niche, tactical campaigns will target sectors such as adventure, experiential, business and long stay, and show the diversity of ASEAN, mass tourism demand for mainstream attractions is expected to keep growing and bring important economic benefits to ASEAN destinations.”

One niche sector, cruise, is being favoured by ASEAN because riverine and sea cruise ships usually visit more than one destination. To promote cruise ship activity in the region, Singapore will be hosting the Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific 2012 conference and tradeshow from September 17-18 (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 24, 2012).

BEST Western International (BWI) has launched Best Western Klassique Sukhumvit, the chain’s seventh hotel and third new opening of the year in the Thai capital.

Situated in the centre of Bangkok, close to the Thong Lor and Sukhumvit areas, Best Western Klassique Sukhumvit offers 42 guestrooms ranging in size from 23m2 to 46m2. The hotel features an all-day dining restaurant, Café @ Klassique, and one family suite to cater for parents travelling with children.

“The launch of Best Western Klassique Sukhumvit cements our diverse portfolio in the Thai capital, adding a modern, boutique option in an up- and-coming district of Bangkok,” said Glenn de Souza, BWI’s vice president International Operations – Asia & the Middle East.

So far this year, BWI has added two new hotels in the city: the 145-room Best Western Premier Sukhumvit, and 265-room Best Western Plus Grand Howard.

The addition of Best Western Klassique Sukhumvit expands the group’s Bangkok portfolio to seven hotels offering more than 900 rooms. This is expected to increase to 10 hotels with more than 1,300 rooms in the near future.

JET Airways has reconfigured some of its Boeing B777-300ER aircraft to accommodate more passengers, squeezing in an additional 34 economy-class seats per plane.

The Indian carrier achieved this by slotting in ten narrower seats per row where there were previously nine. The number of seats in first and business class remains at eight and 30, respectively.

The higher density B777-300ERs will initially be deployed on flights between New Delhi and London (Heathrow) starting October 16, and on Mumbai–London (Heathrow) services from November 1.

AIRASIA will raise the frequency of its Kuala Lumpur–Yangon services from daily to twice per day, starting October 8.

The additional frequency will depart Kuala Lumpur at 06.55 and arrive in Yangon at 08.00. The return sector will take off from Yangon at 08.30 and land in Kuala Lumpur at 12.50.

Ace Altair Travels managing director, Antony Leopold, said the flight timing for the additional frequency would be a great incentive for travellers wanting to arrive in Yangon early, so that they have more time to spare at the destination.

He added: “Yangon is also a new and emerging market that has just opened up. It is a good (source) market to tap as many passengers will be travelling outbound for the first time. We will work with our partners in Yangon to promote leisure group travel to Malaysia.”

AirAsia first started Kuala Lumpur–Yangon flights on July 20, 2010. The existing service departs Kuala Lumpur at 17.10 and arrives in Yangon at 18.20. The return leg leaves Yangon at 18.50 and reaches Kuala Lumpur at 23.05.

ABSOLUTE Hotel Services Group has unveiled the latest addition to its portfolio in Thailand, U Sukhumvit Bangkok, which is scheduled to open by early 2014.

Situated on Sukhumvit Soi 15, U Sukhumvit Bangkok will offer 94 rooms ranging in size from 30 – 40 m2. Facilities will include a themed all-day dining restaurant, a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness centre, a library/business centre, and free WiFi connectivity.

Denmark-based Evaristti Studios has been appointed as the interior designer for the project.

“With this being our second U property in Bangkok, we are delighted with the Thailand expansion of the brand – which now includes Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Kanchanaburi, with properties shortly to be announced in Hua Hin and Pattaya,” said Jonathan Wigley, CEO of Absolute Hotel Services Group.

COMO Hotels & Resorts has completed a revamp of its brand identity that aims to convey the company’s personalised approach to hospitality. The hotel chain’s nine properties, while keeping their individual names and logos, will now be underpinned with ‘by COMO’.

The Singapore-based hotel firm has also launched a new website, comohotels.com, and a news-driven blog, comohotels.com/blog. The website features tablet- and mobile-friendly content, such as locally-researched destination guides, accommodation and event venue floor plans, and a resource library for trade partners and media professionals.

Gabriela Henrichwark, global marketing director for COMO Hotels & Resorts, said: “COMO’s new website is designed to deliver a user-friendly customer experience to facilitate comprehensive travel planning from research to booking, while the blog extends our existing social media presence. Our fresh branding retains each property’s uniqueness, while extending COMO’s group-wide promise of a highly personalised, luxury travel experience.”

Founded by Singaporean entrepreneur Christina Ong, COMO Hotels & Resorts comprises The Halkin by COMO in London, Metropolitan by COMO in Bangkok and London, Parrot Cay by COMO in the Turks & Caicos, Cocoa Island by COMO in the Maldives, Uma by COMO in Paro, Bhutan and Ubud, Bali, as well as COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali.

This September, Uma by COMO, Punakha is scheduled to open in Bhutan. This will be followed by openings in Phuket and other key destinations in 2013.

A NEW nonprofit organisation that aims to develop the Singapore River into one of the country’s top attractions was officially inaugurated on Monday.

Working in tandem with the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore River One (SRO), which comprises 20 private sector stakeholders whose businesses span the length of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, intends to execute a five-year business plan to make the precinct more attractive to local and international visitors.

Tyrone Tabing, newly appointed executive director of SRO, said the revamp of the river was vital for Singapore to fulfil its goal of becoming a world-class destination.

“Despite the (Singapore River) district’s inherent (tourism) potential, there has not been any real holistic effort in the past to drive traffic to the river. There’s definitely a real need to market and promote all three quays in a synergetic manner to make the river a focal point of visitor activity,” he said.

According to Tabing, events will play a pivotal role in SRO’s vision of “bringing the river to life”. “SRO is currently working on an events strategy that will draw visitors to this area – probably through a series of festivals, tournaments, dinner cruises or even entertainment barges. Nothing has been set in concrete, but we are keen to pursue these avenues,” he said.

Other plans in the pipeline include a more comprehensive pedestrian and signage system which will help improve connectivity between Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay, a mobile application to access maps and information about the area, as well as a loyalty programme for the water taxi service scheduled to launch in the new year (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 6, 2012).