Malaysia Airlines teams up with Apple Vacations, global cruise lines
Malaysia Airlines has signed a one-year strategic cruise partnership with Apple Vacations – complemented by collaborations with global cruise lines such as Peace Boat, Princess Cruises, Resorts World Cruises, and Uniworld River Cruises – to promote a seamless air-cruise product.
This collaboration allows Malaysia Airlines to promote a seamless travel experience through MHcruise packages, complementing Apple Vacations’ fly-cruise offerings. These packages provide vacationers with the convenience of air travel and the allure of cruising at attractive and competitive fares, tailored to meet diverse preferences, from luxurious to budget-friendly options.
Koh Yock Heng, co-founder and group managing director of Apple Vacations, said: “The emerging trend of fly-cruise packages is appealing to holiday-goers looking for seamless connectivity and convenient booking options.”
“Through our collaboration, we’re not only expanding our offerings but also fuelling a positive ripple effect throughout Malaysia’s tourism industry. By curating unparalleled travel experiences, we’re not only attracting visitors, but also fostering sustainable economic growth and development,” commented Dersenish Aresandiran, chief commercial officer of airlines, Malaysia Aviation Group.
“Together, we are pioneering new standards, revitalising the travel landscape, and positioning Malaysia as a premier destination for global travellers as well as anchoring Malaysia as a gateway to Asia and beyond.”
APSWC annual roundtable tackles AI integration for spa and wellness industry
Members of the Asia Pacific Spa and Wellness Coalition (APSWC) convened at the end of March for their annual Round Table event in Bangkok, Thailand for discussions dedicated to the ethical considerations and potential benefits of integrating AI into spa and wellness services, along with other issues of weight such as sustainability, an aging workforce and how wellness can combat digital pollutants in modern life.
Amid the dialogue, it became evident that while wellness providers approach AI integration with caution, they also recognise its potential for improving various aspects of their businesses.
“Managing AI integration within the spa and wellness industry requires a balanced approach prioritising human values, ethics, and sustainable practices while accepting that AI can provide the ‘what’ and ‘how’ but not the ‘why’ of business,” stated Cybille Barcebal, corporate wellness manager for Araw Hospitality Group.
Victoria Kruse, brand consultant wellness and spa at JA Resorts & Hotels – whose consultancy is currently exploring the use of AI to enhance screening solutions and create more tailored programmes for well-being – encouraged the evaluation of both marketing and operational needs during integration.
“AI has the potential to address many specific pain points. We must differentiate between back-end efficiency improvements and front-end customer experiences. There should also be an expert checking (results) on both ends, because AI is not always 100 per cent accurate,” she advised.
Regarding concerns about job displacement, Faheem Ebrahim, founder and managing director of Xin Performance and head of technology on the APSWC board, reassured attendees that AI should augment rather than replace human roles. He emphasised the importance of engaging with AI at different levels, and suggested hiring a data analyst as a springboard if unsure where to begin.
The APSWC 2024 white paper summarising all discussion results will be uploaded to the association’s website later this week.
“The paper is (created) to be a catalyst for action once the key issues and the steps to be taken are identified. Some issues can be resolved with a bit of hard work and commitment by individual operators or business owners, while others require the input or assistance of third parties. It is, naturally, up to us as stakeholders to proactively request that assistance,” said APSWC chairman Andrew Jacka.
He also shared that the association is in touch with the Department of Tourism Thailand about reviewing the ASEAN Spa Services Standard, which has not been updated since its release in 2016.
Journify launches new fly and stay package
Journify, the travel experience and lifestyle platform of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), has launched its latest product – Journify Fly & Stay – in partnership with Clarity TTS, a travel software as service provider.
This new platform simplifies the travel process, allowing travellers to efficiently plan and book their flights and hotels on a single, user-friendly platform, with packages starting from just 399 ringgit (US$84) for a three-day-two-night stay.
This new offering also marks an expansion of Journify’s suite of travel services, encompassing travel passes, attraction tickets, tour packages, airport transfers and more.
In addition, Journify has been named as the official travel partner of the Trifecta Spartan events in Johor (April 27-28), Jakarta (May 25) and Singapore (June 22), allowing participants to benefit from extra savings on Journify for these three destinations.
For participants looking for flight and hotel packages, the Journify Fly & Stay package offers a 10 per cent discount on the total booking price when staying a minimum of two nights. Participants can also enjoy a 10 per cent discount on hotel stays for Journify Hotels bookings by purchasing an ASEAN Zone 2 or 3 MHflypass during the promo period from now until June 22.
Philip See, CEO of loyalty & travel services at MAG, shared: “Journify not only allows travellers to craft personalised itineraries and collaborate with friends, but also facilitates shopping with the added perk of getting their items delivered to their boarding gate, and earn points that can be redeemed later, making Journify a comprehensive travel companion for the modern explorer.”
Vietjet links Ho Chi Minh City with Xi’an
Vietjet will operate a direct service connecting Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City to China’s Xi’an from April 29, with four return flights per week.
This new route follows the recent launch of direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City to Shanghai and Chengdu.
The Ho Chi Minh City-Xi’an service departs every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday while the return flights from Xi’an to Ho Chi Minh City take off on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
TTG Conversation: Five Questions with Nick Lim, The Travel Corporation
The rise in extreme weather conditions over the years is a cause for concern for the travel and tourism industry, as business can be impacted by scorching heat, flooding, loss of habitat, and disruptions to living conditions in affected destinations, reflects Nick Lim, CEO for Asia with The Travel Corporation.
In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions, Lim discusses what travel and tourism industry players can do to reduce environmental strains even as they cannot control the weather, how tour operations have to be very nimble to cope with increasingly unexpected changes in weather conditions, and how The Travel Corporation’s very own How We Tread Right sustainable tourism strategy is responding to the urgency for more responsible travel behaviour.
Traveloka to promote Hong Kong to South-east Asian travellers
Traveloka is teaming up with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to draw more visitors from across South-east Asia to Hong Kong by showcasing the destination’s highlights.
This collaboration is expected to boost tourism growth in Hong Kong further and position the city as a premier destination for South-east Asian travellers.
According to HKTB, Hong Kong’s tourism sector has steadily climbed since the reopening of international borders, with data showing a surge of 33 million international visitor arrivals from January to December 2023, a 60-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Traveloka president Caesar Indra enthused: “Establishing a partnership between Traveloka and HKTB will further reinforce our dedication to promote global destinations on our platform, and encourage travellers to explore new experiences.”
Liew Chian Jia, regional director, Southeast Asia of HKTB, said: “Partnering with Traveloka is pivotal for us as it unlocks the tourism potential in Hong Kong and helps us understand consumers better. Therefore, we aspire to this collaboration not only to attract more travellers from South-east Asia to explore the charms of Hong Kong but also to contribute positively to the aviation and hospitality industries in the region.”
Trip.com Group launches free Shanghai city tours for transit travellers
Travellers transiting at Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) for more than eight hours will be able to participate in free layover city tours offered by Trip.com Group from April 15.
Transiting international travellers can choose to join these hassle-free Shanghai Express tours which include transportation, attraction tickets, e-sim cards, and team insurance.
Current itineraries include the Shanghai Highlights City Tour (09.00-14.00); the Strolling Under the Trees Citywalk Tour (16.00-22.00); and the Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour (18.00-23.00) – all led by English-speaking guides.
Those seeking to travel light may store their luggage at the airport or on the shuttle bus if space permits. Meals are not included.
Each free tour accommodates a maximum of ten travellers and lasts five to six hours, including transportation from and back to the airport.
The tours will be available to international travellers who are eligible for China’s 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy, as well as those holding a 24-hour temporary entry permit issued by the airport border inspection.
Travellers may head to the Trip.com Group currency exchange counter on Island A in the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 for in-person registration after passing through customs. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Trip.com’s head of marketing Han Feng said: “We will leverage our extensive resources to ensure a memorable tour experience and provide world-class customer service to help flyers enjoy what Shanghai has to offer.”
Wyndham ramps up flagship Singapore launch, builds on franchising success
The Peninsula Excelsior Singapore, a Wyndham Hotel, will soon be renamed Wyndham Singapore during its official launch in 2H2024, following an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation.
When asked why the company opted to refurbish instead of a new build, Joon Aun Ooi, president, Asia Pacific Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, stated that this caught the company’s attention as it provided convenient access to Singapore’s main attractions and business centres, and appeals to both leisure and business travellers.
Offering 591 keys, Wyndham Singapore – located in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District – will feature a fitness centre, sauna, two swimming pools, two restaurants, an executive lounge, and a grand ballroom that can accommodate up to 30 tables.
“This property not only serves as a coveted destination, but also as a key stage for introducing the Wyndham flagship brand to this key strategic market. This move highlights our keen interest in debuting the flagship Wyndham brand in Singapore as soon as the opportunity presented itself, underscoring the strategic importance of the city in our growth plans across Asia-Pacific,” he elaborated.
According to Ooi, hotel franchising as a business model has been gaining popularity in Asia-Pacific, and it has grown over the last few years. “In 2023, we saw a strong uplift in franchising deals, where franchising deals was about 60 per cent of all deal types signed across Asia-Pacific. In 2022, this was less than 50 per cent.”
Hotel owners that opt for Wyndham will be able to access Wyndham Advantage, which encompasses advanced revenue generation systems, comprehensive operational support, and a vast database of over 106 million members belonging to the Wyndham Rewards loyalty programme.
“Hotel franchising allows the owners of hotels to tap into a suite of offerings designed to increase revenue, while allowing them to operate their properties in a more cost-efficient way which is particularly important under the current economic climate of inflation and rising costs which eat into the operating margins of a hotel,” he explained.
For now, Ooi is focused on the resurgence of Chinese travellers, with outbound numbers expected to jump from 20 million in 2020 to an estimated 130 million in 2024, fuelled by longer holidays, easier visa processes, and ramp up in flight frequencies.
“Recognising the diverse preferences of these travellers is crucial; they range from digitally-savvy millennials seeking personalised experiences to older generations preferring traditional group tours. Understanding these distinctions is vital, and tailoring our offerings to cater to the varied tastes and requirements of different Chinese traveller segments is essential,” he said.
Radisson Hotel Group welcomes back Chinese travellers with tailored programme
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG), together with its owners and shareholders Jin Jiang International, has rolled out its Guan Xin (Welcome China) programme which includes the expansion of its co-branded hotels as well as a new bespoke amenity programme for Chinese travellers.
Following the initial co-branding launch at Radisson Blu Hotel, Frankfurt in 2019, RHG will be launching eight additional co-branded properties in 2024 in EMEA across its Radisson Collection and Radisson Blu brands in key markets in France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands, including Radisson Collection Grand Place, Brussels; Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel, Oslo; Radisson Blu Royal Garden Hotel, Trondheim; Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromsø; Radisson Blu Royal Viking Hotel, Stockholm; Radisson Blu Hotel, Amsterdam; Radisson Blu Hotel, Milan; and Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice.
Chinese guests will find a range of features and amenities specifically designed and curated for them at these hotels. In the guestrooms, personalised touches like the provision of tea kettles, a selection of Chinese teas, and Chinese television channels will be included at co-branded hotels.
The co-branded hotels will also feature a range of new food and beverage options for Chinese-speaking travellers, including the addition of traditional dishes like congee and noodles as well as curated selection of dishes available as part of the daily breakfast service. Guests that pay with Chinese Union pay cards will receive welcome cards, while WeChat Pay and Alipay will be available at the end of 2024 for online payments.
These offerings specifically tailored for the Chinese travellers, will be offered on top of the existing amenities for other international travellers, and communication in English and multiple foreign languages.
Currently nearly 20 hotels across EMEA offer the standard Guan Xin amenity programme to Chinese guests. In addition to the hotel co-branding programme, RHG will extend the Guan Xin amenity programme to other RHG properties in EMEA that wish to opt-in based on the hotels’ guest needs and expectations.
“With foreign visas gradually becoming more accessible and increased international flight routes, we are hoping to see the long-awaited return of outbound Chinese travellers to EMEA continue to grow. We look forward to welcoming more Chinese travellers with our new Guan Xin programme to make them feel right at home,” shared Eric De Neef, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at RHG.
Addu City and its nearby atolls in the southern-most part of the Maldives have strong potential for tourism development, with access aided by Gan International Airport. Efforts to position Addu City will include promotion of local tourism through unique marketing approaches.
Fathmath Thaufeeq, CEO & MD of Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) shared this opinion at the preliminary meetings for the South Symposium 2024 last week, an event that will take place later this year to foster productive exchanges on the region’s tourism industry.
Fathmath added that Addu City could leverage the Maldives’ experience in tourism development, and called on all industry stakeholders to assist and be involved in boosting tourism to the South of Maldives.