THE PHILIPPINES is reverting to tried-and-tested slogans such as WOW Philippines as it develops a new brand campaign for 2011 and beyond after the spectacular failure of the Pilipinas, Kay Ganda! branding shortly after its November 15 release.

“We will only make the announcement when we are ready,” said Benito Bengzon Jr., Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) assistant secretary, International Tourism Promotions. “In the meantime, we will continue going about our usual efforts such as participating in travel fairs and engaging the media, and introducing more joint promotions and tactical advertising.”

Putting the debacle behind it, the country is introducing a new “action-oriented” five-year national tourism development plan focusing on access and infrastructure, according to DoT secretary Alberto Lim.

– Full story in TTG Asia

EUROPEAN buyers decry being squeezed out of Bali, which is expecting another spurt of growth in the Australian market this year.

A UK buyer has charged that Bali hoteliers are “arrogant”, merely interested in Australian tourists, and have increased their contract rates by 20 to 30 per cent for the UK market.

Other European buyers are less scathing, but have described Bali as “challenging” to sell. TUI Netherlands product manager Asia, Sebastian de Vries, said: “On the one hand, the Holland market is price-sensitive and the euro’s devaluation (is not helping). On the other hand, airfares have increased and hotel prices in Bali are up because the island is doing well with the Australian and regional markets.”

Bali hoteliers deny giving longhaul markets the short shrift. In fact, several said they were trying to achieve a balanced mix as it was risky to have too much business from one market. But many have been able to maximise yields by turning to OTAs, which they said was also good for cashflow
because of immediate payments.

– Full story in TTG Asia

THE DEMISE of Best Tours in Belgium late last month is forcing smaller Belgian tour operators to relook their strategies in anticipation of the big boys in the market becoming only bigger in the wake of the collapse.

This may in turn result in niche, away-from-the-mass-market ASEAN destinations such as Indochina being featured more prominently in Belgium than ever before.

Best Tours was largely seen as the biggest Belgian-owned outfit specialising in Asian destinations such as Thailand, Vietnam and China.

Marc Lambert, CEO, Antipodes Voyages, said the focal issue in the Belgian market now was that its bankruptcy meant that the “bigger players were getting even bigger”. “In order to fight big players like TUI and Thomas Cook, which are generalists that also cover Asia in their programmes, Australasia specialists like us need to find niche destinations and products in places like Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.”

– Full story in TTG Asia

ASEAN outbound tour operators are expecting double-digit growths in business this year, thanks to a stronger regional economy and more intra-regional flights.

Shroff International Travel Care Philippines managing director Arjun Shroff forecasts Philippine outbound to grow up to 18 per cent this year, with about half of the travellers opting for Asian destinations.

“Asia is priority. It is the most affordable destination and is easy to connect with as airlines have been launching new routes and increasing flights between cities within the region,” he said.

KBS Thailand managing director Kosol Boonma said increasing intra-regional air traffic from the Philippines was also benefiting Thailand. He expects Thai outbound to grow 10 per cent, nurtured by a stronger baht.

– Full story in TTG Asia, January 28

By Sirima Eamtako

Additional reporting by Mimi Hudoyo

DORISON Travel Singapore is seeing good response for culinary tours to South-east Asia which it launched last April.

Managing director Jimmy Sim said most of the bookings were from Singapore clients and longhaul travellers as part of their South-east Asian programmes.

The tours to Thailand and Indonesia last four to five days, with each group comprising no more than 15 participants, who visit local markets, get shopping and cooking lessons from quality chefs and learn about Asian spices and the culture behind popular dishes.

– Full story in TTG Asia

Additional reporting from Brian Higgs

THE NEW Asia Cruise Terminal Association aims to grow its ASEAN membership, which now comprises only Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The association was initiated by the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) and Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Development Company. China, South Korea, Japan and Taiwan are its other members.

SCC chairman Soo Kok Leng said a concerted effort to develop cruising infrastructure in Asia was needed, as “cruise liners, when planning their itineraries, are guided by how marketable the destinations are”.

He urged: “It would be to everyone’s benefit to be a part of this forum, as we work towards…building our region into the Caribbean of the East.”

– Full story in TTG Asia

THAI hotels are advised to continue with tacticals this year and maintain rates for the next contracting season, with buyers citing a weak economy and currency, especially in Europe, coupled with room oversupply in some Thai areas, as the main reasons.

Hotelbeds’ head of contracting Thailand/Indochina, Alon Miler, based in Bangkok, said it was pointless for them to raise rates, only to roll out stay/pay deals later.

Bangkok-based Go Vacation Thailand’s executive director for product and contracting, Hermann Wegmueller, said the stronger baht against the euro had already caused prices in Thailand to rise by 20 to 25 per cent over the last six months.

Even markets whose economies are stronger are making similar calls. Wettstein Switzerland’s senior product manager Dagmar Waeber said even if Thai hotels were to ask for a small percentage hike, that would translate to a big increase due to the strong baht. “I would suggest hotels to maintain rates, but not drop them, as that would be asking too much,” she said.

– Full report in TTG Asia

By Sirima Eamtako

MYANMAR Airways International (MAI) has outlined a four-year expansion in light of political changes in the country, which it expects will result in tourism growth.

MAI managing director Aung Gyi said: “The changing government – from military to civilian – has sent a positive message not only to tourists but investors and businessmen. We are expecting the number of visitors to Myanmar to grow. In line with this, we have set up a four-year expansion plan. We are planning to add up to 10 more aircraft to our fleet, and are looking at investing in the Airbus A330.”

This would enable MAI to expand its route network in ASEAN and China, he said, in terms of both point-to-point services and sixth freedom traffic.

Aung said: “We are considering extending services to Indonesia on our Yangon-Singapore current service, for example.”

– Full story in TTG Asia

AIR France will resume flights from Paris to Phnom Penh on March 27 after a 35-year hiatus, marking the first longhaul service connecting Europe and Cambodia. The carrier previously served its former colony from the early 50s until the Khmer Rouge seized control in 1975.

Voyageurs Associes managing director Jacky Pilo said: “The fact that you have the French national carrier serving this route is very important. We will be able to gather travellers from around France and increase our business out of Paris with these flights.”

Asia Voyages deputy director of production Virginie Gerbault said: “While it is still too early to give exact figures, there will definitely be an increase in business.”

Gerbault added Asia Voyages had already been approached by Air France and was developing packages and special promotions for the next winter season, targeting FITs and groups in particular.

– Full story in TTG Asia