Tourism students reveal both enthusiasm and concern about career prospects in the industry
Travel and tourism students attending the PATA Youth Symposium 2024 have revealed both enthusiasm and concern about future careers in tourism and hospitality, with many torn by the lure of opportunities to expand their horizons and fear of job instability.
During a roundtable discussion on interest in a travel and tourism career, a student from Bangkok University expressed fascination with the chance to meet people from different cultures. On the other hand, others, like Min, a student studying tourism, business, and events at Mae Fah Luang University, cited concerns about job stability and competition.
Students said stiff competition for positions by skilled workers from abroad has made it challenging for locals to find opportunities. At the same time, desired salaries are harder to come by.
A recurring concern expressed at the discussion was the impact of the pandemic. A Bangkok University student noted: “We saw how the pandemic caused massive layoffs, and that makes me worried about the future.”
Cultural perceptions and societal expectations also dampen enthusiasm. Lee from a Singapore university shared: “When I told people I wanted to be a flight attendant, they said I could do something better because the hospitality industry is seen as an easy option. However, I believe it requires specific knowledge, skills and maturation,” she expressed.
When asked about the most pressing topic they would like to address with industry professionals, students’ responses converged on the theme of work-life balance and development opportunities.
Natalia, a student in exhibition and event management from Silpakorn University, said: “It’s tough to find the right job because even when opportunities come up, you start questioning if the position is a good fit. Is it worth it? Will I be able to grow in this role?”
Students emphasised the need for the industry to offer more stable and fulfilling career paths as well as a desire for the industry to adapt to changing customer preferences and cultural dynamics.
Park Inn by Radisson debuts in Melbourne
Radisson Hotel Group has signed Park Inn by Radisson Melbourne Carlton, which marks its upper-midscale brand’s debut in Australia, and the group’s third hotel in Australia.
Park Inn by Radisson Melbourne Carlton is set to open its doors in 4Q2024, and is situated in the suburb of Parkville.
Following the conversion of an existing hotel, it will undergo a complete renovation and redesign to align with Park Inn by Radisson’s international standards.
Park Inn by Radisson Melbourne Carlton will feature 89 guestrooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a casual grab & go café, gym, pool, and two meeting rooms.
The hotel is just three-kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, and places guests on the doorstep of Australia’s top biotech and neuroscience R&D facilities, and Monash University, which is known for its Pharmaceutical Studies faculty. It is also situated close to Royal Park and Royal Melbourne Zoo, and opposite Princes Park, the home of Carlton Football Club, the leading AFL team, and 20km away from Tullamarine Airport.
A representative of Star Capital Group, parent of Frater Capital Group, said: “The contemporary Park Inn by Radisson, Melbourne Carlton, is the ideal market introduction to this upper-midscale brand. We have plans to continue to expand our hotel portfolio in Australasia and we eagerly anticipate further opportunities for collaboration with Radisson.”
Victor Kondarios, director, development, Australasia, RHG, added: “We are excited for this opportunity to introduce Park Inn by Radisson to Australia. Frater Capital Group is a strong company looking to grow its hotel portfolio. We are delighted to enter into this relationship with them, which includes a full range of support services such as revenue management, sales and marketing. We look forward to developing more hotels together in the future as we continue to expand across Australia.”
Aviation roundup: Air Astana, Hong Kong Airlines and more
Air Astana launches Astana-Phuket service
Air Astana will commence direct scheduled flights from Astana to Phuket October 26.
The new service will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with return flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
The airline has an existing Almaty to Phuket service, which currently flies five times a week – this service will fly daily from October 26.
All Phuket flights will be operated by Airbus A321LR aircraft configured with 16 business class seats and 150 economy class seats.
Hong Kong Airlines to resume direct Hong Kong-Gold Coast service
Hong Kong Airlines will restart its non-stop flights between Hong Kong and Gold Coast from January 17 next year.
Operating seasonally from January 17 to February 15, 2025, the four-times a week service will run for five weeks over the Chinese Lunar New Year period, offering approximately 6,000 seats on A330 wide-body aircraft.
Japan Airlines, Air Astana ink codeshare agreement
Japan Airlines and Air Astana have signed a codeshare agreement, allowing both airlines to place their respective codes on a new Almaty to Tokyo service scheduled to be launched in spring of 2026.
This agreement enhances connectivity between Kazakhstan and Japan for both business and leisure travellers, as well as more widely fostering greater movement of people between the two countries.
More details about routes and schedules will be announced following the integration of both airlines’ scheduling and ticketing systems.
Plaza Premium Group announces new leadership appointments
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has appointed Jonathan Song as chief commercial officer and Mei Mei Song as chief transformation officer.
In his new capacity, Jonathan will spearhead the global development of new airport hospitality services and facilities in new airports. He will also lead key strategic partnerships, enhancing and growing sales channels, product development, and drive PPG’s loyalty programme – Smart Traveller.
Mei Mei will oversee the brand’s evolution and implement transformation initiatives including enhancing customer experiences, diversifying PPG’s sales mix and anticipating future trends and opportunities, as well as lead PPG’s sustainability strategy.
Oliver Kreuzer helms as GM of The St. Regis Jakarta Hotel and Residences
The St. Regis Jakarta Hotel and Residences has named Oliver Kreuzer as general manager, where he will lead the team at the 282-key hotel.
With a career in the hospitality industry spanning over three decades, Kreuzer has worked in countries such as Europe, Asia, the US, and the Middle East.
PATA sets out plans to support members on climate-related impacts on business
As environmental disruptions and climate-related events increasingly impact travel, PATA has devised a multifaceted response to address these challenges.
PATA chiefs said the association’s response would involve strategic advocacy, bespoke consultancies, and capacity building – all aimed at fostering a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector.
“Our members across the region are actively pursuing sustainability and responsible tourism,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “A lot of organisations, especially in the tourism sector, are looking at it in a serious way. Many hotels are getting themselves certified, for example. More importantly, certification is spreading through the whole supply chain.”
One significant hurdle in tackling climate change within the tourism industry is the uneven impact across different geographical regions. Some destinations are bearing the brunt of climate change more visibly and urgently than others.
PATA chair Peter Semone noted: “The industry is still struggling a little to come to grips with climate change. Evidence must first be seen before there is motivation to think about mitigation and adaptation. However, some areas of the world are still lagging behind others in feeling the effects of climate change.”
Semone cited his experience in Timor-Leste, where he worked for five years, observing first-hand the devastating effects of climate change. “Hotels were washed into the ocean and people lost millions of dollars in the process,” he shared.
“In small island developing states like Timor-Leste, and even in Bali and many other coastal areas, the evidence is there. In other places, the evidence is a little more subtle, which is why the travel industry is waking up to the issue at different paces across the world.”
PATA’s approach to combating climate change involves not only working with national governments, but also engaging with provincial, municipal, and local level stakeholders.
Semone said: “In the past, our relationship with the government was national. We always felt (climate change) was a national governance issue, but what we’re recognising now is that so much has been decentralised across Asia-Pacific that we must work more at the (local) levels.”
This shift in focus allows PATA to tap into local hierarchies and involve communities more deeply in the sustainability conversation.
“Civil society is the first to recognise the problem because they’re experiencing it first-hand,” commented Semone. “Then, it can flow up to the government. I think this is the insertion point for an organisation like PATA.”
Another critical aspect of PATA’s strategy is to collaborate with development partners to support public sector efforts in delivering better public services and responding to climate change challenges.
“Governments are often supported by development partners from Europe and the US, or institutions like the Asian Development Bank,” informed Semone.
An essential, yet often overlooked, driver of sustainable tourism is the role of customer demand.
While PATA and other industry bodies can set the framework and provide guidance, it is ultimately travellers themselves who must push the industry towards more sustainable practices. Semone emphasised that customers need to take the reins and use their power of expression to drive changes in the industry.
“We’ve got to have this turning point where the customer says: tourism needs to do better and respond to climate change challenges,’” stressed Semone.
While the public sector has the resources to lead, he believes that consumer demand is the catalyst that will drive real change.
“If the market starts to shift towards sustainability because that’s what travellers want, then the entire industry will follow. It’s not just about top-down regulation; it’s about bottom-up demand. We need consumers to be part of this journey,” he concluded.
New career paths emerge as tourism industry evolves
As the tourism industry evolves in response to technological advancements and changing consumer preferences, new career opportunities are being carved out, expanding professional roles beyond the more visible ones like tour guides or hotel managers.
Experts speaking at the PATA Youth Symposium at Dusit Thani College on August 27 shed light on how youths can navigate their way into fulfilling roles within the industry.
Nerea Caldes, senior software developer at Travel Compositor, emphasised the growing importance of technology in tourism, highlighting the need for tech-savvy professionals who can bridge the gap between traditional tourism practices and innovative digital solutions.
She said: “We have developed a new search box powered by AI (artificial intelligence), where you can type in your holiday preferences in natural language, and it will filter the best options for you. This machine learning-driven approach is something that will become increasingly powerful in the coming years. The future will see even more integration of AI, making tech roles in tourism increasingly vital.”
She noted that youth entering the field should consider careers in software development, data analysis, and AI implementation.
Mike Stewart, general manager for Thailand and Laos at Intrepid Travel, noted opportunities for environmental sustainability experts.
For young professionals passionate about environmental issues, careers in sustainability management, eco-tourism consulting, and environmental impact assessment offer promising prospects.
He said: “The marketplace is changing; 10 years ago, sustainability was just talked about. Now, it’s gone into hyperdrive. True sustainability is being demanded and recognised, and it’s only going to grow.”
Andrew Jones, who holds the role of guardian at Sanctuary Resorts, shared his unique career path that led him to merge hospitality with community service.
“Tourism can be a force for good in the community. I’ve found a way to balance my career in hospitality with my passion for community service,” he reflected.
Speakers also underscored the growing importance of human resources (HR) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) roles as businesses strive to create inclusive environments and manage diverse teams.
Jones highlighted opportunities in often-overlooked roles within the various industry sectors.
“The airline industry offers more than just pilot and cabin crew positions. There are opportunities in aircraft maintenance, engineering, and even AI-driven loyalty programmes. Similarly, resort management encompasses roles in community development and sustainability, not just front-line positions,” he explained.
There are also opportunities to work in museum event management or as a mystery shopper for hotel chains.
“As the industry continues to adapt, there is a wealth of opportunities for young professionals to explore,” he concluded.
Niramol Jindanuwat, chief people officer at Dusit International, also pointed to the top ten “power skills” and attributes for a hospitality career in the modern era: detail orientation, the ability to be high-touch and high-tech, collaboration and teamwork, multi-tasking, global citizenship, and more.
Royal Caribbean Group, Meyer Turku ink agreement for next three Icon Class ships
Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) has signed an agreement with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to order a fourth Icon Class ship for delivery to Royal Caribbean International in 2027.
The agreement also includes options to build a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship. With this order, Meyer Turku will have built 21 ships for Royal Caribbean Group over 28 years.
The first ship in the Icon Class launched in January 2024, with Star of the Seas and the yet-to-be-named third Icon Class ship launching in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
RCG welcomed four new industry-leading ships this year, including Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas, Silversea’s Silver Ray and TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7. This order also comes on the heels of the company’s announcement for a seventh Oasis Class ship, set to debut for Royal Caribbean International in 2028.
Jason Liberty, president and CEO, RCG, commented: “Since its debut, Icon has changed the game in vacation experiences and exceeded our expectations in both guest satisfaction and financial performance.”
“This order is an important milestone for the future of shipbuilding in the maritime network in Finland,” added Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku. “With Icon of the Seas, our team, consisting of the shipyard and partners, have built an extraordinary ship in respect of naval architecture, energy efficiency and customer experience. This is yet another recognition of the professionalism of our personnel and of our leadership in the maritime industry’s innovation and green transition. The options underline the strong outlook of our order book.”
“This is great news for Finland. Royal Caribbean Group’s long-term partnership will continue to have a positive impact on our employment and economy,” said Petteri Orpo, prime minister of Finland. “Their commitment and investment in Finland speaks volumes about the strength of our maritime cluster and our world class shipyards.”
New culinary landmark EA Rooftop to elevate Bangkok’s dining scene
EA Rooftop, an integrated culinary lifestyle complex by Asset World Corporation (AWC) atop the Empire Tower in Sathorn’s CBD is set to launch on September 18. The project, spearheaded by AWC CEO and president Wallapa Traisorat, aims to tap into the growing bleisure trend.
With an investment of over one billion baht (US$29.3 million), the EA Rooftop project is expected to elevate The Empire into a global lifestyle destination.
The 10,000m² EA Rooftop, pronounced “ey-ah”, is a multi-level culinary haven featuring 2,500m² of outdoor dining and entertainment spaces. A unique lift, dubbed the Aya Experience, will transport guests between the various levels, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
The complex, spanning more than six-storeys, offers a diverse range of dining options. EA Gallery on the 55th floor houses casual dining options while a level up, EA Chef’s Table floor features Michelin-starred chefs and experiences such as competitions and collaborations between high-end chefs. Highlights on the 56th floor include Le Du Kaan, the first rooftop Thai restaurant by chef Thitid Tassanakajohn; K by Vicky Cheng, the first overseas venture by chef Vicky Cheng; and Sartoria by two-star Michelin chef Paulo Airaudo.
The experience culminates on the top four floors with Nobu Bangkok and its open-air Nobu Rooftop Bar on the 60th floor.
EA Rooftop will also offer some of the highest and most spacious high-end culinary and event spaces in Thailand, capable of accommodating large groups and events.
By end-2024, AWC will partially open a floor devoted to wellness cuisine.
Wallapa said: “Globally, high-end travellers are seeking new highlights, and places for their culinary bookings and dining programmes. EA Rooftop will offer a diverse selection of choices right in the city centre. We see immense potential in the Sathorn CBD, particularly in attracting MICE travellers who are increasingly merging leisure with business.”
Starting from December 5, Peach Aviation will commence daily flights between Osaka Kansai Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.
This is the second medium-haul international route by the low-cost carrier after Bangkok.
“We are very pleased that Peach will be the only Japanese airline to operate the Singapore-Osaka route. With a more spaced-out, cutting-edge Airbus A321LR aircraft, we will take you to Osaka in comfort and offer you an exciting experience in the booming Kansai region, which is set to host the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai,” said Satoru Endo, chief corporate planning officer of Peach Aviation.
Speaking at the official launch event in Singapore, Endo said that the Singapore route had been something the airline had wanted to launch for many years, and that “we’d like to take you to the parts of Japan you don’t yet know”.
From Osaka, Peach is further connected to 13 other destinations in Japan, including Nagoya, Tokyo, Sapporo, Fukuoka, Naha (Okinawa), and more.
In Singapore, EU Holidays has been selected as the global sales agent for Peach Aviation.
The flights will be operated by Airbus A321LR planes, which have a 20 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the previous A320ceo model. It is the first time these planes will enter into service in Japan.
The 218-seater A321LR plane has a wider seat pitch of 81cm, compared to the previous model at 76cm. Each seat also comes equipped with its own USB charging port.
Peach currently operates 27 domestic routes and 13 international routes with a fleet of 36 aircraft. Endo has shared that the airline may launch flights to other parts of South-east Asia in the future.
Ticket sales start from S$164.20 (US$126) for one-way and are inclusive of airport fees and other charges for departures from Singapore.