Preferred Hotels & Resorts targets Asia-Pacific’s luxury travel boom
Preferred Hotels & Resorts currently have more than 90 properties in Asia Pacific – out of over 600 across the globe – in their portfolio, but the hospitality chain is motivated to expand their presence in the region.
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, shared with TTG Asia on the sidelines of ILTM Asia Pacific 2024: “Asia is one of the biggest source markets for luxury global travel, and a hotspot for luxury travellers from North America and Europe. We also know that there are large number of Asians who choose to travel within Asia, and there are multiple seasonal opportunities that we can leverage to satisfy this sector.”
She pointed out that there were “tremendous opportunities” here, as there are so many independent hotels in South-east Asia (especially Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia), Australia, and China.
“We are looking for properties in all major markets so that we can provide travellers the options and convenience for multi-city itineraries that will allow them to travel around the region. That explains our regular presence at events like ILTM Asia Pacific,” Ueberroth added.
Meanwhile, for the China market that took a beating during the pandemic where some member hotels have ceased operations, things are looking up this year.
Ueberroth shared: “Our team has been strengthened with a recent senior appointment based in Beijing. We are currently looking into opportunities and partnerships in both major and secondary destinations in China, and are excited about the return of luxury Chinese travellers.”
Since the start of 2024, Preferred has welcomed over 40 new members, of which 10 to 15 per cent are from Asia-Pacific. Thirteen of these new members are also new builds.
When asked about trends in the luxury travel market, Ueberroth observed that luxury travellers these days are looking for ultra-personalisation in their stays; are seeking experiences that will transform them and have an impact on their lives; and want sustainable travel that goes beyond the 3Rs( Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and delve deeper into the culture and heritage of the local community.
TAT, Freedomverse elevate travel experience in Thailand with new campaign
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Freedomverse, the innovative Web3 builder behind the Freedom World application, have introduced the Freedom World mobile app designed to enhance community-driven experiences as well as facilitate engagement and information exchange through the community of the Discover Thailand by Amazing Thailand x Freedom World campaign.
The campaign will focus initially on Koh Samui and its neighbouring islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands, located in the Gulf of Thailand, aiming to stimulate travel during the Green Season from July to October 2024. It then aims to include more than 50 local businesses with plans to expand to other provinces across Thailand in the next phases.
Discover Thailand will foster long-term relationships between business owners and tourists, reinforcing Thailand’s image as a destination for the new generation, especially digital nomads, and driving tourism revenue to local communities, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
The Freedom World app will help facilitate and create a community for domestic and international travellers, and is available in Thai and English. It offers features including push notifications, which allow travellers to stay updated with current events and promotions, interactive maps, gamified activities and missions with rewards for the completion, and community-building functionalities that allow members to chat and invite other members and connect with fellow travellers.
Local merchants and businesses who join the campaign can subsequently contribute to offering curated experiences and engaging with the community members.
Somradee Chitchong, deputy governor for domestic marketing at TAT, said: “TAT aims to revitalise Thailand’s tourism industry in 2024 with a focus on quality and sustainable transformation. This partnership with the Freedom World app provides a digital platform that enhances travel experiences for the new generation of travellers.”
“This partnership in our home country perfectly aligns with our mission and commitment to co-creating and expanding the ecosystem, providing equal opportunities for small businesses and communities,” added Didi Wimonpun Wiboonma, chief communications and marketing officer of Freedomverse.
Sri Lanka Tourism hosts networking session in Kolkata
Sri Lanka Tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, hosted an exclusive networking evening on a cruise over the Ganges River on July 10.
The event highlighted Sri Lanka’s diverse natural landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage to the travel trade and media of Kolkata through engaging discussions and presentations. Attendees were treated to a showcase of Sri Lanka’s varied attractions, ranging from pristine beaches to ancient temples, marking a new chapter of tourism excellence for the island nation.
Under the resonant tagline Sri Lanka – You’ll Come Back for More, the event aimed to entice Indian travellers by highlighting Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings. The networking evening brought together around 300 of Kolkata’s travel agents, key figures in the industry, and media representatives, who engaged with a strong delegation led by 25 DMCs specialising in leisure and MICE as well as leading hotels, resorts, homestays, tour operators, and other service providers from Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the extended visa-free entry for Indian nationals is expected to boost arrivals.
Sri Lanka has adopted an aggressive approach towards the Indian market by establishing a strong presence through multi-city B2B roadshows in Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi. These efforts are complemented by participation in major travel trade shows like the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai and the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange in New Delhi. The year-long marketing efforts will be intensified with participation in various travel exhibitions such as TTF-Kolkata and IITM-Bengaluru, IITM-Chennai and so on. Another round of B2B roadshows in other Tier-II markets is planned for September this year.
Aviation roundup: Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia and more
Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines get approval for commercial joint venture
Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have received the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore’s approval for their commercial joint venture agreement.
With this approval, the airlines will be able to deepen their strategic partnership on a wider range of commercial activities that will bring greater benefits to both airlines, as well as Indonesia and Singapore.
These potentially include operating joint revenue sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules, and exploring joint sales and marketing initiatives.
The airlines today codeshare on a wide range of flights, including between Singapore and Indonesian cities of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as on longhaul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai.
AirAsia flies to Labuan Bajo
AirAsia has introduced direct flights to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia from Malaysia.
This new service operates three weekly flights to Labuan Bajo from Kuala Lumpur, adding to AirAsia’s current 13 routes in Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati, Banda Aceh, Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Balikpapan; as well as from Penang to Jakarta and Medan.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Indonesia flies to 11 routes in Malaysia from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching; Bali to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu; Medan to Kuala Lumpur and Penang; Lombok to Kuala Lumpur; as well as from Surabaya to Johor Bahru.
China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines expand codeshare flights
China Southern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are expanding their codeshare flights to include Guangzhou-Penang, Kuala Lumpur-Beijing Daxing and Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai Pudong routes from July 10.
China Southern Airlines aims to increase its capacity in the Malaysian market to 73 flights per week to meet the various travel demands.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines currently operates 54 weekly flights to China, covering Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Daxing and Xiamen.
Marriott Bonvoy kicks off Summer Music Fest 2024 in Japan
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel programme, is turning up the volume with live music events at Moxy and Aloft hotels for this year’s Summer Music Fest.
Summer Music Fest 2024 will present a line-up of music events across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto from July through September. A diverse range of talented and unique Japanese artists, from Tik Tok and YouTube sensations, singer-songwriters, to a monomane performer will headline the events.
Performances will be held at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda on July 20, Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho on August 10, Aloft Tokyo Ginza on August 17, Moxy Kyoto on September 7, and Aloft Osaka Dojima on September 20.
Alongside the music festivities, the six participating hotels will also offer summer-themed food and beverage menus at their restaurants and bars from July to September.
Travel platforms target younger travellers with authentic, personalised offerings
Digital travel platforms are ramping up their focus on the millennial and Gen Z demographic with data showing strong demand and surge bookings during special social media marketing events, their merchandise value contribution and the impact of celebrity endorsements and holiday periods.
These platforms are investing in appealing to this younger, tech-savvy cohort with what they like – a seamless, customised and entertaining travel planning experience.
Trip.com Group launched live-streaming in 2020, and according to Trip.com Group chief marketing officer Bo Sun, live-streaming appeals to a broad demographic, including tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z travellers who are looking for interactive and visually appealing content.
“By leveraging popular social media platforms and live-streaming services, we can reach a wider and more diverse audience,” he added.
In 1Q2024, Trip.com Group’s live-streams drove a substantial 55.7 per cent increase in gross merchandise value (GMV) compared to the same period last year.
Recent live-streaming sessions featured travel destinations such as Thailand and Singapore to showcase their unique attractions and available travel products in real-time.
On the appeal of such events, Sun noted: “During our live-streams, hosts share valuable travel tips, recommend destinations and provide exclusive discounts on hotels, tour tickets and limited-time coupons.”
In February, Trip.com Group collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and held a live-stream in Phuket for its Mega Sale event.
“This event not only highlighted Thailand’s diverse attractions with millions of views but also generated significant GMV of over US$7 million and over 24,000 orders,” Sun shared.
A month earlier, in Singapore, the live broadcast saw high volumes – exceeding 5.41 million bookings – and the Mega Sale event at Singapore Changi Airport achieved US$5.5 million in total GMV of Singapore travel products.
Sun added: “While the audience is currently primarily Chinese, we will further apply this strategy for other locales to align with emerging live-stream trends in the other regions.”
At Airbnb, 2023 data showed strong demand from millennial and Gen Z travellers, and approximately 50 per cent of first-time bookers in Asia-Pacific were aged between 18 and 30 years old.
A spokesperson told TTG Asia that around 90 per cent of first-time bookers in the Indian market last year were millennials and Gen Z travellers.
Between 2022 and 2023, Airbnb saw millennials and Gen Z guests “drive a surge in travel to Thailand” and “bookings in Thailand by Indian guests on Airbnb increased more than 60 per cent year-on-year”.
She also shared that there was a noticeable surge of interest during the Holi and Easter long weekends in 2023 when searches by Indian guests for stays in Thailand during that period increased by more than 200 per cent.
“Over the last few years, we’ve announced several product updates, with the most recent being the launch of a new category of extraordinary experiences hosted by the greatest names in music, film, television, art, and sports, among others,” noted the spokesperson.
Jeremy Bek, general manager, global head of travel at Rakuten Travel observed an increase in high-spending travellers and higher-ranked members driving business, particularly from countries such as Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan to Japan.
Bek stated: “These travellers are often looking for highly authentic experiences, including stays at ryokans in less frequented cities, as well as unique cultural experiences and gourmet dining, such as kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner).”
While Rakuten Travel does not specifically record age-related data in the booking process, it recognises the significant impact of younger, under-40 travellers driving demand on its platform.
“This demographic is tech-savvy, values unique and personalised experiences, and is more likely to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations,” he shared. “Their preferences for experiential travel and their willingness to spend on unique experiences are shaping the future of the travel industry, making them a key focus for our growth and innovation strategies.”
Regular sales and campaigns also play a significant role in driving bookings and revenue for Rakuten Travel.
Bek continued: “Particularly, our recurring mega sale, dubbed Rakuten Travel Super Sale, offers substantial discounts of up to 75 per cent and encourages travellers to take advantage of our exclusive offers and receive significant interest and bookings.
“Additionally, these campaigns help increase brand awareness, especially in countries where our brand presence is still growing.”
“At Rakuten Travel, we are leveraging various tech innovations to enhance and personalise the travel experience,” he added.
Rakuten Travel offers detailed meal plans, allowing travellers to select their choice of meals at ryokans, and meal filters to help users find accommodations that meet their dietary preferences – these are seen as important for younger travellers who value personalised and unique culinary experiences.
“Compared to other OTAs, Rakuten Travel provides more accommodation-type filters, including options like machiyas (traditional townhouses), which cater to those seeking authentic Japanese stays – something that is not available on other platforms,” explained Bek.
“Moreover, the younger demographic is more adventurous and wishes to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations that are less accessible by public transportation and more easily accessible by car. As such, we have introduced a car rental reservation service in multiple languages, including English, Korean and traditional Chinese, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive search functionality, making it easy for travellers to book rental cars on the same platform as the accommodations booking website.”
Kulon Progo ups the ante on tourism developments
Kulon Progo Regency in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is stepping up its game to attract more visitors by upgrading its tourism villages to reach a premium level.
The upgrade includes developing homestays, more live-in activities, and experiencing life with the local community.
Speaking at a recent media fam trip in conjunction with the rebranding of Hotel Morazen Yogyakarta, Joko Mursito, the regency tourism office head, said the presence of Yogyakarta International Airport (YIA) has elevated the profile of Kulon Progo, bringing new developments like the first international standard hospital with helipad facility in Yogyakarta, as well as branded hotels including ibis, Swiss-Belhotel, Novotel and Morazen – all of which have prompted homestays to raise their standards in terms of services and products.
Joko noted: “Community empowerment has been the basis of tourism development in Kulon Progo. The fact that we have received the Indonesia Tourism Village Awards for four years in a row, a (record) in Indonesia, proves that we have been successful in the development.”
The tourism office and village authorities are also collaborating with surrounding hotels to train, mentor, and prepare them on how to host visitors with hotel-style service.
Hengky Tambayong, deputy chairman of Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) Kulon Progo Chapter and general manager of Hotel Morazen Yogyakarta, shared: “We are working with the local authorities to accelerate the development of attractions and human resources. For example, we have trained hawkers at Glagah Beach to improve their food quality and presentation, and helped villages to create SOPs for their services using hotel standards. We also conduct in-house hospitality training for students.”
In fact, Joko said that competitions among the tourism villages are held occasionally, whereby the judges from tourism-related associations will buy, stay, and assess the overall programme.
The regency government also stipulates that each tourism village must have its own themed package to ensure travellers have many choices of activities when visiting Kulon Progo, and for the tourism economy to be distributed evenly in the regency.
“We have created travel packages to make it easier for travellers to pick the ones that suit their interests,” Joko explained.
Examples of packages available include bird conservation activities at Jatimulyo Village, educational tourism at Tinalah Tourism Village, nature tourism at Ngargosari Village with views of ancient volcanoes, and outbound activities at Hargotirto Village.
Other than cooperating on product and human resources development, Hengky said stakeholders are ramping up promotions to put Kulon Progo on the map.
Although YIA has a capacity of 70,000 passengers, the airport’s traffic is only around 8,000 to 12,000 passengers per day, and only 20 per cent of that traffic stays at Kulon Progo; the rest head to Yogyakarta city centre and other cities in Central Java. This means, Henky noted, there is still room to grow.
Additionally, IHRA has approached Yogyakarta Tourism Promotion Board to work with airlines to promote cultural and unique events, such as the fisherman’s festival and durian party, as well as requested Borobudur Authority Board to include Kulon Progo in their international promotions.
Contiki rolls out new trips worldwide
Youth travel brand Contiki has launched brand new trips across the world, including some to destinations that the brand has never visited before.
The North American Glaciers and National Parks trips show travellers the incredible Banff & Jasper National Parks in Canada and Glacier National Park in the US in just 12 days, and is packed with unique experiences including a Red Jammer bus ride, playing ice hockey with professionals, and even learning from indigenous people about their culture and traditions.
Vietnam’s ever-growing appeal has already made it a popular destination for Contiki travellers. After the 10-day Vietnam Highlights trip and the 27-day Ultimate South East Asia trip, the brand has now introduced a great-value five-day trip that visits the Ha Giang Loop in Northern Vietnam. Travellers will have the chance to learn about traditional H’mong art and crafts, and trail along the Nho Que river on a boat with local guides.
Contiki has launched a brand new South Korean Soul trip that now includes four days in Jeju Island – popular for its haenyeo (women sea divers) culture, and a hotspot for K-drama lovers too. It is one of the very first youth travel brands to offer a product that visits this incredible island.
Contiki has also dropped two new trips that now give travellers the chance to go from Delhi to Kathmandu by coach and internal flights, followed by a trek with varying difficulty levels to choose from.
In addition, Contiki is now offering travellers savings from 10 to 15 per cent off these new trips.
“Asia is the new young-traveller hotspot, and the success of our South Korean Soul trip proves it. That’s why we’ve decided to expand our offering in South Korea, and there’s no better choice than Jeju Island,” said Taryn Welsh, Asia operations director at Contiki.
Megan Baiada, project manager for Contiki Asia, shared: “Travelling along the Ha Giang Loop and seeing the lush landscapes of Northern Vietnam is on the bucket list for a lot of travellers who visit South-east Asia – and now they have the chance to do it with us.”
DoubleTree by Hilton hits 100th property milestone in Asia-Pacific
DoubleTree by Hilton has surpassed 100 properties in Asia-Pacific, reinforcing Hilton’s leadership and commitment to growth in one of the world’s most dynamic hospitality markets.
This milestone is driven by recent and upcoming hotel openings across the region, including DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran and DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Bintaro Jaya in Indonesia; DoubleTree by Hilton Kyoto Station and DoubleTree by Hilton Osaka Castle in Japan; DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield in India; and DoubleTree by Hilton Yantai Golden Coast in China.
The company’s recent franchise model expansion with the DoubleTree by Hilton brand is set to significantly boost this growth – offering owners in Greater China enhanced opportunities to leverage the brand’s market presence and Hilton’s commercial engine and network effect.
With nearly 80 additional DoubleTree by Hilton properties in the Asia-Pacific pipeline, the brand will contribute to Hilton’s target to surpass 1,000 trading hotels in the region by 2025.
Clarence Tan, senior vice president, development, Asia Pacific, said: “Our expanded franchise model paves the way for further growth, as we stay focused on delivering reliable and friendly stays to guests, and best-in-class returns to owners.
“We are optimistic about the brand’s growth momentum and look forward to capturing even more opportunities in this segment.”
More night-time entertainment is being developed and launched in Japan as part of efforts to enhance the country’s reputation as an all-round destination.
Japan has long trailed its competitors in the number and variety of activities available in the evenings, with no Japanese destination making Statista’s list of Top 10 cities with the best nightlife according to tourism marketing professionals worldwide as of January this year.
However, the country’s dramatic inbound tourism rebound is driving record demand for night-time entertainment, prompting tourism and hospitality stakeholders to act.
Tokyo Night & Light, a projection mapping show designed “to create a new tourist resource to add colour to Tokyo at night”, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, uses a government building in Shinjuku to showcase light and sound in artistic ways five times every night.
At almost 14,000m², the area used for the screen holds a Guinness World Record for the largest permanent architectural projection-mapped display.
The Sumo Hall Hirakuza, which opened in Osaka in May, offers evening “sumo entertainment” with international visitors in mind. The attraction involves bouts between former professional sumo wrestlers in a sumo ring.
Also in Osaka, Boat Race Suminoe is hoping to attract inbound travellers visiting the city for World Expo 2025. Tourism stakeholders, including JTB and the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau, are developing programmes to enjoy kyotei boat racing at night.
Expected to launch in the autumn, the tours would allow visitors to place bets on the races, which involve six boats racing three laps around a 600-metre course, and gain insight into boat racing from local guides.