LOOKING to build on momentum gained from the launch of Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) twice-weekly Manila-Bali services in April, Aneka Kartika Tours & Travel Service will embark on its first-ever sales mission to Manila this month.

The Surabaya-based DMC, together with representatives from eight Indonesian hotels and seven Asian airlines serving Indonesia, will jointly participate at Pesta Indonesia in Manila on May 15.

Targeting some 100 travel industry members in the Philippines, the event aims to increase awareness of Indonesia and stimulate interest in sending groups to the destination.

Adjie Wahjono, operations manager, Aneka Kartika Tours & Travel Service said: “We have been working on (the Philippine) market since seven years ago, even before PAL started Manila-Jakarta direct flights, and have seen the market growing well over the past three years.”

“Now, with PAL serving (both) Jakarta and Bali, we feel it is important to bring our hotel partners to meet the travel industry in Manila.”

According to Adjie, Philippine visitors to Indonesia usually consist of FITs, families and corporate incentives. They stay an average of three nights, visiting theme parks, and shopping in Jakarta, Bandung and Bali.

“Many Filipinos have no idea where Jakarta, Bali and Borobudur are yet. We have had requests to combine Jakarta with Borobudur or Bali in one day, which is possible but (over intensive),” he said.

“We hope (the Filipino travel trade) will understand Indonesia better (after the sales mission), and in turn look to increase (outbound) traffic (to Indonesia).”

BEST Western International (BWI) has opened Best Western Wana Riverside Hotel in Malacca, as part of ongoing expansion efforts in Malaysia.

“We hope to be able to help cater for a new wave of business and leisure tourists attracted to this historical city,” said Glenn de Souza, BWI vice president International Operations – Asia & the Middle East.

Located on the banks of the Melaka River, the 170-key Best Western Wana Riverside offers a mix of superior, deluxe, grand deluxe, studio and executive rooms, ranging in size from 29 – 40m². The hotel also features meeting facilities for up to 400 persons, a sports bar, and a riverside café.

BWI is scheduled to operate 15 properties in Malaysia by 1Q2015, offering more than 1,700 rooms across nine cities.

Lionel Yeo

SINGAPORE will have a new tourism head honcho when Lionel Yeo takes over as the Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) chief executive from June 1.

Yeo will replace incumbent Aw Kah Peng, who step down on May 31 to pursue personal interests, after more than 20 years in the public sector.

Yeo is currently deputy secretary (Development) in the Public Service Division of the Prime Minister’s Office, and CEO and dean of the Civil Service College.

Before that, he was a director in the Trade Division of the Ministry of Trade & Industry, and a director for taxation policy at the Ministry of Finance.

He had also previously worked on developing cultural and social policies at the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts and the Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports, respectively.

Meanwhile, asked about her next move, Aw said: “As far as my mum is concerned, my interests now concern taking her on a nice holiday (smiles), and as far as my husband is concerned, it now is about learning to cook better (laughs).”

She added: “It has been an amazing journey, working with the tourism industry and with STB. Because it’s all about people with a passion who want to make a difference in helping to grow Singapore’s tourism sector, collaboratively.”

SINGAPORE and Colombia have signed a bilateral Air Services Agreement, which enables airlines of both countries to operate any number of direct passenger services between the two nations.

In addition, the airlines will be able to operate, under certain limitations, up to seven services per week between, and beyond, both countries.

The signing took place on the sidelines of a three-day visit to Singapore by Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos Calderón.

AUSTRALIA has downgraded its travel advisory to Bali in response to heightened security efforts by Indonesian authorities, who successfully foiled a terrorist attack in Sanur, Denpasar in March.

Previously, the Australian government advised its citizens to “reconsider the need to travel” to the popular island resort. Now, Canberra has toned down its stance to “exercise a high degree of caution”, putting the destination on the same tier as Thailand and the Philippines.

“This a positive development based on a carefully considered assessment of the level of threat to Australian travellers in Indonesia,” said Australian ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty.

Bali Hotels Association (BHA) chairman, Jean-Charles Le Coz, said: “I am happy that our efforts in maintaining safety and security have been recognised internationally, especially by our biggest market.”

Le Coz cited recent initiatives by BHA to improve the level of security in Bali, such as organising workshops on surveillance detection, and founding the Integrated Police Radio Community Bali programme that allows BHA members and other tourism stakeholders to contact the police directly via UHF radio.

Australia is Bali’s top source market, accounting for more than 26 per cent of arrivals. Inbound numbers in March 2012 saw a 24 per cent year-on-year increase over March 2011.

MARRIOTT International will open three new properties in Thailand this year, including Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa, Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit and Marriott Executive Apartments Bangkok – Sukhumvit Thonglor.

Craig Smith, COO, Marriott International, Asia. “In addition to these three hotels, we will continue to grow in Thailand with a further five hotels set to open in the next three to four years.” Marriott International currently operates 16 properties in the country.”

Located in Bangkok’s Thonglor district, Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit will offer 296 guest rooms and suites, three restaurants, bars and lounges, four meeting rooms and a grand ballroom. The hotel will also boast a rooftop bar and restaurant.

Located on Mae Phim beach in the resort area of Rayong, the 206-room Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa will feature 7,120m2 of meeting space including a grand ballroom, five meeting rooms, and an outdoor area overlooking the Gulf of Thailand.

Marriott Executive Apartments Bangkok – Sukhumvit Thonglor, located in the same building as Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, will offer a total of 74 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.

MYANMAR will introduce a new visa on arrival (VOA) scheme for business travellers from ASEAN member countries, effective June 1.

Speaking at a recent press conference in Nay Pyi Taw, the country’s Immigration Minister, U Khin Yi, said business travellers from the other nine ASEAN member states would be able to avail of the new VOA facility when flying into Yangon International Airport.

The VOA will cost US$40 and allow stays of up to 70 days, he said, adding that it would be extended to citizens of other countries at a later date.

In May 2010, Myanmar adopted a VOA system for overseas visitors arriving at Yangon and Mandalay International Airports. The scheme was scrapped just four months later by the country’s Immigration and National Registration Department.

A VOA facility is currently available for visitors arriving in the country on Myanmar Airways International flights from Phnom Penh and Guangzhou.