AS SINGAPORE continues to receive record numbers of overseas visitors, the emergence of illegal tour guides is fast becoming a bugbear in the country.

Licensed tour guides accuse their illegal counterparts of sullying the destination’s image, relaying incorrect information to tourists, and infringing on their business.

The issue came to the fore recently when local media reported about the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) cautioning a local tour operator, Singapore Ducktours, for its use of illegal guides over the past five years.

According to Jean Wang, chairman of the 400-member Society of Tourist Guides (Singapore), the problem has always existed, but is now gaining prominence due to the tourism boom.

“Sad to say, tour companies from neighbouring countries – such as Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia – are apt to avoid using local (Singapore) guides. A number depend on tour leaders or guides from home to impart information (about Singapore), which can be wrong and misleading at times,” she said.

“Often, the decision to use illegal guides boils down to cost. It is cheaper to rely on hires from home rather than pay a local firm to engage a licensed (Singapore-based) guide.”

Wang added that these imposters tend to ply their trade at free attractions such as Merlion Park and Chinatown, where it is easier to evade detection.

“Unfortunately, when we inform STB about illegal guides, it takes time to send an inspector down. Often, these so-called guides manage to get away just in the nick of time,” she said.

“Moreover, it is impossible for STB to observe or control what tour leaders or guides say to passengers on coaches, and hence, wrong messages about Singapore are being transmitted.”

In an email reply to TTG Asia e-Daily’s queries, STB said it was trying to nip the problem in the bud by conducting several enforcement operations this month. Last year, the NTO carried out 200 such enforcement drives, double its efforts in 2010. It has also introduced a larger, watermarked license card for tour guides starting this month.

“Besides stepping up enforcement operations and educating the travel industry about the need to use licensed travel guides, STB is always mindful that the tourism landscape is dynamic, and that the needs of all parties, from travel (consultants) and tourist guides to our visitors, are rapidly changing. Hence, the board conducts regular reviews of the Travel Agents Act & Regulations to ensure relevancy,” the NTO added.

THAI AirAsia (TAA) is considering shifting its base of operations from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Don Mueang Airport, a decision that is expected to shake up the domestic LCC sector.

Airports of Thailand (AOT), which operates both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang, is currently in advanced negotiations with TAA, according to Brian Sinclair Thompson, president, Board of Airline Representatives in Thailand.

AOT is focusing its pitch to the LCC on an incentive package which includes concessions and political backing for a long-term move.

Tassapon Bijleveld, TAA chief executive, said: “We are currently looking into the pros and cons of moving to Don Mueang Airport, including the conveniences and connectivity offered to passengers who will depart and arrive in Don Mueang.”

“There are still many details that need to be studied, including the incentive packages, the available facilities and the capacity of the place.”

If the move goes through, other budget carriers are likely to follow suit. Thai Airways International (THAI) has already stated it is considering moving its low-cost subsidiary, THAI Smile Air, to Don Mueang in the future. THAI Smile is scheduled to launch operations from Suvarnabhumi this July.

In February, the Thai government unveiled plans to redevelop Don Mueang into an LCC hub to ease congestion at Suvarnabhumi, which is expected to process 52 millon passengers this year – beyond its annual passenger capacity of 45 million.

DRAGONAIR will commence four weekly flights between Hong Kong and Kolkata in October, using an Airbus A320 aircraft, once the new airport terminal in Kolkata takes off.

Patrick Yeung, CEO, Dragonair, said: “The launch of a new service to Kolkata marks an important step in building Dragonair’s presence in India, following the launch of flights to Bangalore in 2008.”

The trade is confident that the new Dragonair route will boost outbound travel to greater China, as Indians are able to avail of visas-on-arrival in Hong Kong.

Sanjay Maniar, director, Travelaid Kolkata, said: “Hong Kong and Macau are hot destinations (for travellers) from eastern India, and a direct flight is sure to increase numbers by at least 20 per cent. We also expect greater demand for China, as Dragonair offers connections to 19 Chinese cities.”

Anil Punjabi, chairman – east, Travel Agents Federation of India, said: “Added international flights augur well for outbound and inbound business to eastern India. More flights are needed to fill the gaps left by Kingfisher Airlines and Air India’s (service withdrawals).”

“Hong Kong is a popular destination, and (the new flights) will help the trade to book groups with confidence,” he added.

DUSIT International is set to mark its foray into India through Dusit Bird Hotels (DBH), a joint venture with India’s Bird Hospitality Services.

DBH will launch Dusit Devarana New Delhi by year-end. DusitD2 New Delhi, the first dusitD2 hotel outside of Thailand, is also in the works.

Sunil Mathur, regional VP, Dusit Bird Hotels, said: “We are looking to expand in a very big way and introduce all the brands under Dusit International in the Indian hospitality market, which is filled with Western brands.”

“It is high time that we had a leading Asian hospitality brand in India.”

Besides New Delhi, DBH is planning to open a Dusit Deverana each in Jaipur and Rishikesh, and a Dusit Thani in Goa, within the next three years.

Apart from the owner-operator model, Mathur said DBH was also considering management deals, as many local hotel developers had shown an interest in working with the group.

THE MALDIVES is ramping up its tourism marketing initiatives targeted at overseas markets to build on signs of recovery in April from political unrest earlier in the year.

Following roadshows in Beijing, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Hangzhou in April, the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) will organise roadshows in Singapore and South Korea next month.

MMPRC is also planning fam tours for journalists from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Lebanon.

Last month, arrival numbers to the Maldives fell by 0.8 per cent year-on-year to 79,288, compared to 5.3-per cent and 4.7-per cent drops in February and March, respectively.

German visitor numbers grew by 8.1 per cent to 10,145. The UK, once the largest inbound market, declined 20 per cent to 8,934.

The most significant recovery came from China – arrivals rose 3.5 per cent year-on-year to 10,523, after tumbling 28.4 per cent in March and 34.8 per cent in February.

MYANMAR will offer visas-on-arrival (VOA) to conference attendees and transit visitors from 27 countries, effective June 1.

This is an extension of its plan to offer VOAs to business travellers from ASEAN member countries.

Under the new arrangement, visitors from ASEAN, Australia, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the UK and the US, will be able to avail of a 70-day business visa for US$50, a 28-day entry visa for meetings, workshops and events for US$40, or a 24-hour transit visa for US$20.

While only available at Yangon International Airport for now, the VOA service will be introduced at Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay airports in the near future. A tourist VOA is also in the pipeline.

VOA is currently granted to visitors from any country arriving on Myanmar Airways International flights from Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Guangzhou.

SINGAPORE and Portugal have signed a bilateral air sevices agreement.

This will allow their respective flag carriers to operate between both countries via and beyond to any third nation, without restrictions in capacity, frequency, and aircraft type.

Also ratified were agreements aimed at boosting cooperation in the areas of education, science and technology.

The President of Portugal, Anibal Cavaco Silva, is currently on a two-day state visit to Singapore.

THE CIVIL Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will launch a new US$3.9-million Aviation Promotion Programme, which will help local aviation firms gain access to global markets through sponsoring their participation at international trade events.

Speaking at yesterday’s Aviation Community Reception 2012, Singapore’s Minister for Transport, Lui Tuck Yew, said: “As Singapore aviation continues to compete on the international stage, there is a need for stronger collaboration between the industry and government to overcome barriers to entry overseas and expand market access.”

“The programme will help local companies expand market access globally through funding support for participation at international trade shows and business campaigns.”

“Overall, the programme will further strengthen the partnership between the industry and CAAS to maintain Singapore’s position at the forefront of aviation.”

Meanwhile, Lui said CAAS would also expand the scope of the Aviation Innovation Programme (AIP), which functions under its Aviation Development Fund.

Originally aimed at supporting the development of new and enhanced capabilities within the local aviation industry, the AIP can now also be tapped on for projects that will bring about a significant productivity gain.

“Through this, we hope to spur more companies to embark on innovative ways to boost productivity, optimise resources and improve overall competitiveness,” said Lui.

GARUDA Indonesia resumed daily services between Jakarta and Taipei on May 24, 2012, following an eight-year hiatus on the route.

The flag carrier will use a Boeing B737-800NG aircraft with 12 business- and 144 economy-class seats.

Elisa Lumbantoruan, executive vice president Marketing & Sales, Garuda Indonesia, said the re-launch was part of the airline’s ongoing network expansion.

“Through the reopening of this route, Garuda can hopefully bridge and increase trade and tourism between the two cities,” she said.

Garuda recently signed an agreement with China Airlines to codeshare on the Taiwanese carrier’s Taipei-Jakarta, Taipei-Denpasar and Taipei-Singapore-Surabaya routes.

An impending extension of this codeshare arrangement will enable Garuda customers to avail of connecting flights operated by China Airlines to longhaul destinations such as San Francisco and Los Angeles.

SPAIN will receive a welcome boost from international longhaul tourism if Madrid manages to outbid Istanbul and Tokyo for the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Despite the country’s much publicised financial woes, the Spanish capital recently emerged as the frontrunner among the three cities shortlisted to stage the quadrennial event.

According to Ignacio Fernández, CEO, Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau, hosting the Olympics would serve to boost Madrid’s status as a hub for Asian sports enthusiasts.

“Madrid already has a good sporting image in Asia, thanks to its football teams, especially Real Madrid, and (winning the host city rights for the Olympics) should help a lot in attracting tourists from what is a very significant market”, he said.

While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pointed out that the costs of preparing for the event could “prove to be a challenge” for Spain, Fernández countered that about 77 per cent of the required infrastructure was already in place.

This includes an Olympic stadium that is earmarked to become the future home ground of the city’s second football team, Atletico Madrid, “while the extra work needed to be done will in itself help reactivate the (Spanish) economy”, he said.

The IOC is scheduled to convene in Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 7, 2013 to elect the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics.