Travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys will launch in October a 36-month forecasting solution that is specifically tailored to brands and retailers located in airports. Said to be an industry-first, the tool will help brands and retailers to optimise strategy, enhance long-term marketing, and plan growth with precision.
Powered by self-learning and machine learning AI models, the solution continuously improves, offering duty-free retailers and other airport businesses an evolving tool to make smarter, more accurate strategic decisions.
ForwardKeys’s new forecasting tool will aid brands and retailers located in airports
Unlike traditional forecasts, which extrapolate from historical data, ForwardKeys combines up-to-the-minute booking data with its proprietary air capacity projections to deliver a more dynamic and responsive outlook.
It boasts global coverage spanning 4,750 airports and 900 airlines, and will differentiate domestic and international traffic.
The new tool complements ForwardKeys’ more granular 12-month forecast, which remains valuable for optimising day-to-day operations and reacting quickly to short-term shifts in traveller behaviour in a dynamic market.
Marina Giuliano, vice president, travel retail at ForwardKeys, said in a press release: “Our clients can now enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making up to three years into the future, which was not possible before. These forecasts enable brands and retailers to adapt strategy to the specific preferences and habits of different customer groups. Updates on market changes ensure decisions are always based on the freshest data available.”
ForwardKeys underscored the importance of accurate forecasting for the travel retail industry, as it faces rapid changes due to external factors like fluctuating market conditions and passenger flow disruptions.
With September marking Korean Air’s 35th year of flying to Indonesia, the airline has expressed intentions to deepen its presence in the market. Starting next month, Korean Air will boost its services between South Korea and Indonesia.
Its direct Seoul Incheon-Denpasar Bali service will be increased from 11 times a week to twice daily starting October 20. Operating throughout the winter season, which ends March 25, 2025, the service will be flown on the new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner. The aircraft will replace the current B777-300ER and B787-9 on this route, allowing Korean Air to boost seat capacity by 45 per cent.
Korean Air celebrates its 35th year of flying to Indonesia this month
Speaking at a media roundtable in Jakarta last week, Tae Seok Lee, Korean Air’s Indonesian country manager, said: “Increasing our Bali service and bringing in our newest wide-body aircraft shows our commitment towards growing demand and staying competitive on this important route.”
Latest Statistics Indonesia data shows that South Korea is Bali’s fifth largest international inbound tourism market.
Lee said South Korean travellers valued Bali’s strong appeal.
“The island’s unique blend of centuries-old cultural traditions and world-class leisure facilities attracts a diverse range of visitors, from cultural enthusiasts to vacationing families,” he remarked.
“We see great potential in Bali’s continued growth as one of the top destinations for South Korean travellers.”
Passengers on the new B787-10 will have both Economy (289 seats) and Prestige Class (36 seats) to choose from. It is also the first aircraft to offer the airline’s new business class product.
The B787-10 Prestige Class, known as Prestige Suites 2.0, features lie-flat seats with a 46-inch (117cm) pitch and a width of 21 inches, 23.8-inch personal 4K monitors for inflight entertainment, as well as wireless charging pads and powerful 60W USB-C charging ports.
The one-two-one configuration provides easy aisle access for all Prestige-Class passengers.
Besides Bali, Korean Air also flies daily to Jakarta from Seoul Incheon International Airport, operated on Boeing 777-300ER.
Lee added that travellers from Indonesia often flew onwards to other destinations from the airline’s hub at Seoul Incheon Terminal 2.
Meanwhile, Lee said details for the 2025 summer season would be finalised at a later date.
SingHaiyi has appointed the Hyatt Regency brand to managed its new property in the Maldives, with the all-villa resort set to open as Hyatt Regency Samarafushi Maldives in late 2027.
This will be Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s third property in the destination, joining Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and Alila Kothaifaru Maldives.
From left: High commissioner of Republic of Maldives to Singapore Mohamed Luveiz, SingHaiyi’s Gallent Tang and Raymond Chia, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation’s Andrew Mensforth
Located 25 minutes away from Valena International Airport in Malé by speedboat, the resort’s prime location is expected to be a large draw for sun-seekers, culture lovers and marine enthusiasts seeking an accessible yet tranquil retreat. The North Malé Atoll is close to the capital and known for its proximity to popular diving and snorkelling sites where manta rays and hawksbill turtles are frequently spotted. Prime surfing destinations like Pasta Point and Sultans will also be accessible from the resort.
David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, Hyatt, said: “The Hyatt Regency brand is rooted in a culture of bringing people together and fostering a spirit of community. For more than 55 years, it has inspired Hyatt guests to seek personal connections and professional collaborations in more than 40 countries around the globe.”
Gallant Tang, executive director of SingHaiyi, added: “With plans to be SingHaiyi Hospitality’s second property in the Maldives, Hyatt Regency Samarafushi Maldives will enhance our strategic presence in the destination. We have selected Hyatt because of its established reputation and leadership in the hospitality industry. We are excited to collaborate with Hyatt to develop a resort which will embody the elements of the Hyatt Regency brand that guests appreciate.”
The celebratory mood at TTG Asia Media has flowed on to Bangkok where the company hosted a cake-cutting ceremony for its Golden Anniversary during its 33rd TTG Travel Awards gala dinner.
The occasion was graced by Chen Hong, major shareholder and chairman of TTG Asia Media, who acknowledged the company’s accomplishment in the travel and tourism industry under the leadership of managing director Darren Ng.
TTG Asia Media’s major shareholder and chairman Chen Hong (second from left) is joined by members of the company’s heads of department Chimmy Tsui (first from left), Darren Ng, Pierre Quek and Karen Yue
“TTG achieving 50 years is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates the company’s commitment to our partners and the industry as a whole,” said Chen.
Addressing Ng, Chen said: “Your leadership and dedication has been instrumental in bringing TTG to where it is today. In your decades at TTG, you have led the company to great success even through challenging periods.”
Chen also expressed gratitude towards the company’s staff. “Your efforts have helped TTG Asia Media become a leader in the travel trade media and events industry. Without your hard work and dedication, this success would not have been possible,” he said.
Chen, who had earlier visited TTG Asia Media’s IT&CM Asia and CTW Asia-Pacific double-bill trade event at the Bangkok Convention Centre CentralWorld last week, said he was “pleased to see that this exhibition has grown through the years, once again proving that everyone is working as one, overcoming difficulties and paving the way to the future”.
Chen concluded his encouraging speech with a vision of the future, where he sees TTG Asia Media remaining humble, continuing to work collaboratively with its peers, and staying focused.
Birthday wishes have also streamed in from readers and industry colleagues following that evening.
Soon-hwa Wong, CEO for Asia Tourism and PATA ambassador for Greater China, expressed on social media: “Congrats team TTG Asia Media for 50 glorious years of sharing travel news and insights to keep all of us updated and informed.”
Eileen Quek, assistant director, sales (international) with Constellar, wrote: “What a fabulous milestone and achievement! To many more amazing years of growth, success and partnership!”
With shopping on trips sliding out of favour among new-age travellers, Hong Kong has found power in its calendar of festivals and events to encourage travellers to stick around and spend while satisfying the growing appetite for unique experiences.
Speaking to TTG Asia, Dane Cheng, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said Hong Kong’s focus on creating outstanding festivals and events has shaped the destination’s reputation as a lively city.
Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival in October 2023 featured music performances and coincided with Halloween celebrations
Cheng said: “Hong Kong has many traditional festivals that remain genuine and celebrated by the locals. Hong Kong also has lively celebrations for other non-Chinese festivals such as Halloween and Christmas. Alongside these festivals are fascinating events like the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and Art Basel.
“Many of these are organised in clusters, so that people who fly to Hong Kong to participate in them can also experience many other things. Therefore, while Hong Kong is not a new destination, people have come to recognise that Hong Kong still feels new because there is always something fresh and interesting to do.”
Cheng said HKTB teams are always looking to outdo themselves when it comes to delivering these popular festivals and events.
“Events in Hong Kong must do better every year, otherwise those in other destinations will catch up,” he remarked.
Citing the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival as an example, Cheng said efforts have been made to elevate the event throughout its 12-year existence.
“The team is constantly testing out new things. The festival does not only feature wine; it showcases different kinds of alcoholic beverages and we are introducing non-alcoholic drinks too. The event brings in a wide spectrum of cuisine and restaurants, not just the Michelin-star types. The team has recently added an entertainment element, so now the festival gets a carnival vibe,” he explained.
He expressed pride in the fact that Hong Kong’s festivals and events are supported by the local community.
“There’s nothing in this world that you can invent only for tourists. Experiences and events must be supported by the local community to be successful,” he emphasised.
He added: “With the exception of superstar concerts, which tend to attract 50 to 60 per cent of audience from outside of the host country, the majority of events must first gain the love of locals. Our Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival enjoyed a fantastic turnout last year – the first one since Hong Kong’s reopening. It drew 140,000 visitors, out of which about 10 per cent were tourists from China, the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.”
Other high-profile festivals and events in Hong Kong attract a larger population of visitors. Overseas visitors tend to make up about 30 to 40 per cent of the attendance at the extravagant Chinese New Year parades while the tourist population stands at 40 per cent for the Hong Kong Sevens. Thirty per cent of attendees at both the Hong Kong Winterfest and the Hong Kong Cyclothon are from abroad.
Hong Kong’s festival and events potential will likely be elevated with the opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park next year. It has capacity for 50,000 people attending a sports event, and up to 60,000 people at a concert.
Cheng opined that Hong Kong’s festivals and events also add an interesting dimension to corporate event programmes, as attendees can join in during their free time. This corresponds with the trend of business travellers seeking quality leisure time during their trip.
The Indonesia Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE), will launch its inaugural Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair (WITF) 2024 from October 2 to 4 at Swissôtel PIK Avenue in Pantai Indah Kapuk 2 (PIK 2), North Jakarta.
Aimed to be a private-sector led annual event in Jakarta, WITF is set to serve as a marketplace for the tourism industry around the world to meet with their counterparts from across Indonesia.
WITF 2024 will be held at PIK Avenue located in Pantai Indah Kapuk, Jakarta, pictured (Photo: Okim Komariah Dahlan)
Hariyadi Sukamdani, chairman of GIPI, commented: “By uniting all of Indonesia’s tourism potential in one event, we believe that WITF 2024 will make a significant contribution to national economic growth.”
In this first edition, WITF was able to achieve its target of 150 sellers, while international buyers totalled more than 190, surpassing the target of 150.
The buyers come from 38 countries in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia as well as South-east Asia, with some sponsored by Garuda Indonesia, Emirates Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
“We have also invited some corporate buyers to visit the show as some sellers also provide business events products,” he added.
According to data from the committee, sellers come from the western tip to the eastern-most province of the country, Papua.
Budi Tirtawisata, chairman of the WITF 2024 committee, shared that thanks to the GIPI members, who hail from 36 various travel related associations, along with the wide range of destinations represented, the event “presents a wide variety of products ranging from hotel and travel companies to recreational and theme parks, transportation companies and travel technology companies”.
As for the venue choice, Budi explained: “At PIK 2, there are several hotels nearby and some others near the airport. Besides, PIK 2 is also an upcoming destination (near) Jakarta.”
In addition, event delegates will get a chance to tour the facilities at PIK 2 before the opening dinner on October 2.
In parallel with WITF 2024, the MoTCE will also organise the 2nd South-east Asia Tourism Business Events Forum (SEABEF) on October 2-3 at the same location, of which about 400 participants are expected to attend. Under the theme The Transformative Impact of Sustainability on The Business Events Industry, SEABEF 2024 will bring up pressing issues like sustainability, human development, technological information and destination leveraging.
International speakers at the forum will include Waikin Wong, regional director of Asia Pacific at ICCA and Mark Cochrane, regional Asia Pacific director of UFI.
American Express has released an Amex Trendex on shopping, travel and entertainment trends shaping the upcoming holiday season.
The global index is based on a survey of consumers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Spain, the UK, and the US, which showed that regardless of who the holidays are spent with, the festive spirit is alive with plans for travel, special activities and gift giving.
Me-cations are gaining popularity among Australian adults who wish to focus on themselves
According to the Amex Trendex, 68% of Australian adults travelling this holiday season are doing so to visit family. Me-cations are also popular for Australian, with over half of the Australian adults surveyed (59%) travelling to focus on themselves. This increases to 60% among Gen Z and 67% among millennials.
Additionally, 58% of Australians plan to travel with family, 42% with their partner or significant other, and 22% with friends.
While me-cations are one of the top items on Australians’ holiday wish lists, almost one-third (30%) of Australians plan to host a holiday party or gathering this year, which increases to 33% among the Gen Z age group.
Furthermore, Australians are planning to spend more on travel (38%), hosting (25%), entertainment or experiences (21%), and gift shopping (17%) this holiday season compared to 2023. In fact, 74% agree they would rather share a fun experience or trip with friends than exchange gifts.
Among Australians gifting experiences this holiday season, top gifts include entertainment experiences such as concert tickets or sporting events (59%), F&B experiences such as a cooking class, wine class or dinner reservation (51%), and luxury experiences like spas or manicures (45%).
Corinne Ng, vice president and general manager of travel and lifestyle services, American Express APAC, said: “With less than 100 days until Christmas, Australians are embracing the spirit of giving this holiday season and prioritising meaningful moments. That could be gifting themselves time away, travelling to visit family, hosting events with friends and family, or taking the time to find a sentimental gift.”
InterContinental Khao Yai Resort has partnered with Bangkok-based Siam Scenic, which offers private charter and sightseeing flights across Thailand, to introduce a new luxury private charter Luxury Country Retreat Package from Bangkok to Khao Yai in Thailand.
Guests will travel in style with flights aboard the VIP-configured Cessna Caravan EX, offering up to six guests the comfort of private air travel at an accessible cost, while enjoying aerial views of Ayutthaya and Khao Yai landscapes.
The package includes a private round trip charter flight operated by Siam Scenic
InterContinental Khao Yai Resort offers 19 suites that were restored and upcycled from abandoned heritage train carriages from the 19th century. The resort is located in a lush tropical landscape with over 30,000 trees and five lakes, complete with walking trails, a koi pond and resident swans, with facilities like F&B options, spa, kids’ club, and more.
Priced from 188,000 baht (US$5,717), the Luxury Country Retreat Package is perfect for up to six guests, and includes accommodation in three one-bedroom Heritage Railcar Suites for two nights (with daily breakfast), private round trip charter flight from Klong 11 Private Airfield in Bangkok to Khao Yai Private Airfield (40 minutes each way), and round trip road transfers to and from all airports.
Vietjet expands Vietnam-India connectivity
Vietjet will expand its presence in India with direct flights connecting Danang with Ahmedabad.
This service will commence on October 23 with two round-trip flights per week, flying every Wednesday and Saturday.
Vietjet currently operates eight routes with 60 flights per week from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, and Ahmedabad to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang.
Air Astana
Air Astana to commence new winter services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Air Astana will be introducing three new services – from Atyrau in western Kazakhstan to Dubai on October 26, from Astana to Abu Dhabi on October 30, and from Almaty to Abu Dhabi on December 12.
Each of the services will be operated twice a week using Airbus A321neo and Airbus A321LR aircraft.
These new winter season services to the Middle East will add to the existing 20 services a week from Almaty and Astana to Dubai and six services a week from Almaty and Shymkent to Saudi Arabia.
China Southern Airlines
China Southern Airlines launches direct Guangzhou-Adelaide flights
China Southern Airlines will once again link Adelaide in Australia with Guangzhou province on China’s southern coast from December 12, with three flights a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The China airline previously ran the route from December 2016, but shelved it in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The services will be operated on Boeing Dreamliner 787-8s and together provide an extra 798 seats to the Middle Kingdom each week.
Jetstar
Jetstar to connect Gold Coast with two New Zealand cities
Queensland Airports and Qantas Group have partnered to connect the city of Gold Coast to New Zealand, with Jetstar to operate services from Gold Coast Airport to Hamilton and Dunedin three times each week from June 2025.
The two new routes build on Gold Coast Airport’s existing New Zealand connections to Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch.
Tourism Expo Japan 2024 commenced on September 26, welcoming representatives from 80 countries and regions to Tokyo to the country’s largest showcase for domestic and international travel.
Organised by the Japan Travel and Tourism Association (JTTA) Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) and Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the country’s annual flagship travel event is expected to attract 180,000 visitors through September 29 as well as tourism professionals for business meetings and seminars.
Tourism Expo Japan 2024 kicked off with representatives of the JTTA, JNTO and Japan Tourism Agency
Masanobu Komoda, chairman and CEO of JTTA, opened the event with optimism.
“Japan’s inbound tourism recovery has been remarkable,” he said, adding his hope that growth of the travel industry continues with Osaka’s hosting of Expo 2025.
Prime minister Fumio Kishida said Japan is on course this year to welcome 35 million overseas tourists who are expected to spend eight trillion yen (US$55.3 billion), setting new records for the country’s inbound tourism.
“Tourism is a pillar of Japan’s growth strategy and a game-changer for regional revitalisation,” he stated.
However, there is a need to tackle overtourism and ensure responsible growth of the industry, he explained, noting the government’s aim “to create sustainable tourist destinations and communities that are good for living, good for visiting and good for hosting”.
Atsumi Gamo, president of JNTO, said event organisers would be doing their part to promote less-well-known destinations by hosting 50 buyers on familiarisation trips in Tohoku and Hokkaido after the expo. Participants will experience rafting, cycling and making traditional crafts as part of their adventure tours.
Another theme in 2024 is boosting outbound travel, which has recovered to only 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. With 40 per cent of the 1,384 companies and organisations represented at the expo this year from overseas, expectations are high for full recovery soon, said Komoda.
More than 4,000 students were provided with free tickets to this year’s event to help inspire greater interest in overseas travel among young people, added Hiroyuki Takahashi, chairman of JATA.
The Indonesia Tourism Industry Association (GIPI), with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE), will launch its inaugural Wonderful Indonesia Tourism Fair (WITF) 2024 from October 2 to 4 at Swissôtel PIK Avenue in Pantai Indah Kapuk 2 (PIK 2), North Jakarta.
Aimed to be a private-sector led annual event in Jakarta, WITF is set to serve as a marketplace for the tourism industry around the world to meet with their counterparts from across Indonesia.
Hariyadi Sukamdani, chairman of GIPI, commented: “By uniting all of Indonesia’s tourism potential in one event, we believe that WITF 2024 will make a significant contribution to national economic growth.”
In this first edition, WITF was able to achieve its target of 150 sellers, while international buyers totalled more than 190, surpassing the target of 150.
The buyers come from 38 countries in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Asia as well as South-east Asia, with some sponsored by Garuda Indonesia, Emirates Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
“We have also invited some corporate buyers to visit the show as some sellers also provide business events products,” he added.
According to data from the committee, sellers come from the western tip to the eastern-most province of the country, Papua.
Budi Tirtawisata, chairman of the WITF 2024 committee, shared that thanks to the GIPI members, who hail from 36 various travel related associations, along with the wide range of destinations represented, the event “presents a wide variety of products ranging from hotel and travel companies to recreational and theme parks, transportation companies and travel technology companies”.
As for the venue choice, Budi explained: “At PIK 2, there are several hotels nearby and some others near the airport. Besides, PIK 2 is also an upcoming destination (near) Jakarta.”
In addition, event delegates will get a chance to tour the facilities at PIK 2 before the opening dinner on October 2.
In parallel with WITF 2024, the MoTCE will also organise the 2nd South-east Asia Tourism Business Events Forum (SEABEF) on October 2-3 at the same location, of which about 400 participants are expected to attend. Under the theme The Transformative Impact of Sustainability on The Business Events Industry, SEABEF 2024 will bring up pressing issues like sustainability, human development, technological information and destination leveraging.
International speakers at the forum will include Waikin Wong, regional director of Asia Pacific at ICCA and Mark Cochrane, regional Asia Pacific director of UFI.