Indian hospitality players commit to sustainable practices
More and more Indian hospitality players are waking up to the idea of integrating sustainable practices into their daily operations.
A recent report by advisory firm KPMG in India titled Sustainability in Tourism: Reimagining India’s Sustainable Tourism Evolution highlighted that the sustainable tourism market in India was valued at US$26.01 million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$151.88 million by 2032, with a rapid CAGR of 19.3 per cent from 2022 to 2032.
The Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), earlier this month partnered with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to work on joint projects and share knowledge, leveraging each other’s tools and programmes to promote best practices within India’s hospitality sector.
“This collaboration demonstrates our strong commitment to reducing our environmental impact while optimising our beneficial influence on the communities we serve,” said FHRAI president Pradeep Shetty.
As per the KPMG in India report, innovative and eco-friendly accommodations, such as solar-powered hotels, bamboo cottages, and zero-waste guesthouses, will become the norm rather than the exception in the country.
“All our produce is 100 per cent organic and comes from our farms, which include leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. We grow our own green salad leaves using hydroponic farming, which involves growing plants without soil, using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. Our hotels use solar energy for heating hot water, and 80 per cent of our lighting fixtures are energy-conserving LED. We are converting our fleet of vehicles to hybrid to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Our goal is to be paperless in most of our key departments and to introduce an e-ordering and billing system,” shared Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts.
“We prioritise eco-friendly materials in the construction and maintenance of our luxury tents. This includes using recycled and biodegradable materials wherever possible, as well as reducing energy and water consumption through efficient systems and practices. Additionally, we actively engage with local communities to ensure that our operations have a positive impact on their livelihoods and cultural heritage. We source local produce and employ local staff, providing economic opportunities and fostering a sense of pride and ownership among community members,” said Bhavik Sheth, COO, Evoke Experiences – the company operates glamping sites across India.
However, implementing sustainable practices is challenging for Indian hospitality players.
Kapoor noted the need for upfront investments into technology, infrastructure, and materials, which can strain financial resources.
“Additionally, training staff to embrace and execute these new practices effectively demands time and resources,” he added.
Sheth said the need to balance environmental conservation with the luxury experience that guests expect required “careful planning and innovation”.
He added: “Operating in remote and culturally-rich areas also presents logistical challenges in terms of waste management, transportation, and access to resources.”
However, Indian hotels remain positive about adhering to sustainable tourism practices. “The long-term benefits of sustainability, both in terms of cost savings and environmental impact, make it a worthwhile endeavour for any forward-thinking hotelier,” concluded Kapoor.
AirAsia Cambodia readies for take-off in May
AirAsia Cambodia will commence operations from May 2, flying to three domestic destinations – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville.
The airline will utilise two A320 aircraft based at Phnom Penh International Airport.
Flights to all three destinations, with daily frequencies, are now available for booking on the AirAsia website and the AirAsia MOVE app.
To celebrate this launch, AirAsia Cambodia is currently having a 6,000 FREE Seats promotion for those travelling between May 2, 2024 and March 29, 2025. All flight bookings can also be paid through its main payment processing service provider – Oriental Bank’s payment gateway service which covers a wide range of payment options, from all card schemes to KHQR tailored to Cambodian guests.
AirAsia Cambodia CEO, Vissoth Nam said: “As a truly local airline, we are proud to introduce affordable fares to the Kingdom. This will not only improve connectivity but also encourage travellers to stay longer in the country. Our vision is to transform the way people travel in Cambodia and make air travel an integral part of the country’s transportation network by offering great value fares, exceptional service, and strong connectivity starting with these three destinations.”
Korean Air to expand international services for summer 2024
Korean Air will resume services to four cities in China, Europe and South-east Asia, and increase flight frequencies on major routes, for the upcoming summer season.
On April 2, the airline will restart its three weekly flights between Seoul Incheon and Zurich, while its Seoul Incheon-Zhangjiajie route will resume from April 23.
In addition, on April 24, Korean Air will resume its Seoul Incheon-Zhengzhou services, to operate four flights per week, as well as restart daily flights on the Busan-Bangkok route on April 25.
Korean Air will also increase flight frequencies on the Seoul Incheon-Budapest from three to four weekly flights, the Seoul Incheon-Bangkok route from three to four daily flights, and the Seoul Incheon-Manila route from two to three daily flights.
Since January, the airline has also added two additional frequencies on the Seoul Incheon-Bali route to offer eleven weekly flights.
In North America, the airline will increase services on the Seoul Incheon-Dallas route from four flights per week to daily flights.
A thousand feathers now in IHG’s Asia-Pacific cap
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) now has 1,012 open hotels in Asia-Pacific, a major milestone for the global hospitality company as it accelerates its growth across the region.
Rajit Sukumaran, senior vice president & managing director, East Asia & Pacific (EAPAC), IHG, said: “To hit 1,000 open hotels in Asia-Pacific – including more than 700 in Greater China – is a fantastic achievement for IHG in one of the most dynamic regions in the world. We’re seizing the great long-term opportunities by investing in our brands, delivering great returns for our owners, and driving growth in our markets.”
The group launched several new properties across many brands in the region last year.
“We’re also investing in our six Luxury & Lifestyle brands, which account for 22 per cent of our global pipeline, around twice the amount five years ago,” shared Sukumaran, adding that in recognising the power of conversions, IHG also intends to “grow our brand portfolio in Asia-Pacific in this space – including Garner, our new midscale conversion brand, which will soon have three properties in Osaka, Japan, and which has a great future across the region”.
Assessing the region’s travel and tourism potential, the group noted that demand for hotel stays is on the rise due to long term and relaxed travel arrangements, including visa-waiver agreements between countries, and the creation of new flight routes and new airlines. Business travel bookings, including for groups and meetings, are also climbing, with Asia-Pacific accounting for the largest share of global business travel spend and poised to reach US$800 billion by 2027, including the return of large conferences and events such as the upcoming World Business Forum in Singapore.
Sukumaran said: “Industry statistics are showing a strong construction pipeline of over 5,700 projects across the region with over 1,200 to open this year alone in the hospitality sector.
“Overall, we’re really looking forward to what we’re going to achieve in Asia-Pacific over the next decade as we expand our presence in the region’s established and emerging markets, and deliver experiences cherished by travellers of today and tomorrow.”
Save more when touring Tropical North Queensland
Visitors to Tropical North Queensland can enjoy A$100 (US$65) off hundreds of tours including Great Barrier Reef trips, scenic helicopter flights and guided rainforest adventures from today with the national launch of the Tropical Dollars campaign.
This Tropical Dollars discount will be applied to tours booked through Experience Oz with a minimum spend of A$200.
Tropical North Queensland is known for its flowing waterfalls as well as being home to the world’s oldest rainforest, giving visitors a great opportunity to pack more activities into their holiday.
Family-friendly options include snorkelling and visiting the wildlife parks to feed a kangaroo and watch a crocodile leap from the water.
Accommodation ranges from luxury hotels and resorts to family-friendly apartments, with easy access to amenities like restaurants and bars.
The Tropical Dollars tours are available for bookings through to June 21, with no blackout periods, and can be redeemed when booking through Experience Oz.
For more information, visit Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Malaysia anticipates healthy numbers from Indian travellers this summer
Summer has long reigned as Malaysia’s peak season for tourist arrivals from India, and the prospects for this year appear exceptionally bright, as affirmed by key players within the Malaysian tourism industry.
This optimism is fuelled, in part, by the strengthened direct air links between Malaysia and India, alongside proactive initiatives spearheaded by the Malaysian government.
Notably, the recent implementation of visa-free entry for Indian passport holders, valid for up to 30 days from December 1, 2023, to December 30, 2024, alongside the favourable exchange rate of the weak ringgit, has sparked heightened anticipation for increased tourism arrivals this season.
This year’s Indian summer season falls from the second week of May until end July.
Zahira Tahir, founder and CEO of Universal Holidays, emphasised that while Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to Malaysia, some degree of advance planning remains essential.
She shared: “Last-minute airfares can be prohibitively expensive, and securing hotel accommodations in prime locations – particularly in favoured destinations like Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, and Genting – may prove challenging.”
Year-on-year, her company has targeted a 50 per cent increase in bookings for the upcoming summer season. While arrivals last summer were mostly from the northern and southern regions, this year the company is also getting many bookings from eastern and western India due to improved direct air links, in addition to the northern and southern regions.
Zahira added: “The buying power from the Indian market has also improved compared to pre-Covid days. Now, they are looking for branded four- and five-star properties. In the past, it used to be mainly budget properties.”
Arokia Das Anthony, executive director of The Essence of Asia Tours & Travel, revealed that his company anticipates a significant 30 per cent surge in Indian arrivals this summer compared to the previous year.
Last year, the company handled close to 5,000 travellers from India over the three-month summer season, of which 60 per cent were FIT bookings, he shared.
He noted that a significant challenge last year was the limited availability of airline seats to Malaysia, leading to many travellers postponing their holiday plans. However, this year has witnessed substantial improvements in air connectivity.
For airlines, AirAsia Malaysia has announced new direct routes from Kuala Lumpur to Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam and Ahmedabad among others while Malaysia Airlines has announced that it will double frequencies on the Kuala Lumpur-Trivandrum route from April to four flights weekly – its Kuala Lumpur-Amritsar route has already been increased to four times weekly since January 15.
Arokia also mentioned a surge in inquiries for Langkawi, prompting the company to develop new nature-based experiential tours tailored for young travellers.
Zulkifli Rahman, director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, highlighted an upward trend in bookings from India year-on-year. Additionally, there has been an increase in forward bookings for multi-generational travel and long-term stays compared to last year. Moreover, bookings are also pouring in for groups of friends travelling together, with requests for rooms in close proximity or on the same floor.
Klook utilises extended Songkran festival to boost tourism
Hong Kong-based travel start-up Klook has orchestrated a comprehensive strategy to capitalise on the extended Songkran festival, aligning with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) promotion of festivals.
The festival, now extended from three to 21 days following UNESCO’s recognition of Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, presents a prime opportunity for Klook to stimulate both inbound and outbound tourism.
In preparation, Klook is offering Songkran-specific experiences throughout the month of April while extending their validity beyond the typical one-week period, along with launching early bird promotions mid-March that target travellers from key markets.
“We’re seeing a spike already from markets like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore – a 200 per cent increase in booking activity and interest for Thailand during that time period,” shared Michelle Ho, Klook Thailand and the Philippines’ general manager, adding that the platform has not only witnessed travellers booking sooner for Songkran travels this year, but also extensions of their April trips to explore beyond the typical music and water festivals.
She expressed optimism about the extended festival’s potential to drive economic activity in Thailand.
“We’ve been in close contact with TAT to understand how we can help to stimulate (festival-driven tourism) in Thailand, and we’re coming in not just to promote or communicate that there are such festivals within the market, but as a technology partner for the tourism world to be able to distribute (local festivals) to the wider global market,” she stated at a Bangkok press conference, adding that while the platform runs major campaigns to promote iconic festivals like Songkran, it also aims to highlight the beauty and appeal of other festivals in Thailand which appeal has yet to be tapped.
Klook is also actively collaborating with local partners to develop more activities around all 5F’s of soft power highlighted by the TAT – food, fashion, film, fights and festivals.
On the outbound front, Klook is employing innovative marketing strategies like music videos and TikTok challenges to engage Thai travellers travelling abroad for the new year, including promotions such as Buy-1-Get-1 theme park tickets and family bundle deals to entice travellers to destinations like Japan and Hong Kong.
These global travel activities are being promoted via its Klook Fun Like No Other online campaign from now until April 30, including the recent offline Klook Summer Fest travel festival held from March 15-17 at Central World.
Sabah takes steps to become a medical wellness tourism hub
European Wellness is collaborating with the Sabah state government to position Sabah as a premier destination for medical wellness tourism on the global stage.
The partnership aims to harness Sabah’s natural beauty, rich heritage, and European Wellness’s expertise to create a holistic healthcare experience, with an emphasis on medical wellness and education tourism.
Mike Chan, a stem cell scientist and chairman of European Wellness, has pledged US$80 million to establish a biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research facility at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, an initiative that has been endorsed and supported by chief minister, Hajiji Noor.
Chan, along with his Sabahan wife Michelle Wong, aim to expand operations in Sabah, catering to the ASEAN and Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) markets.
In the wake of global health challenges impaired by the Covid-19 pandemic, this collaboration marks a pivotal moment in Sabah’s journey towards tourism, economic recovery and healthcare excellence.
New community for adventure-seekers takes shape in Singapore
Three avid explorers have come together to form 3Playtopia, a made-in-Singapore community-based platform that allows travellers to turn their best destination discoveries into inspiring itineraries that they will also lead, benefitting other like-minded wanderers.
3Playtopia – where the numeral three represents air, sea, and land as well as you, me and us – targets adventure seekers who are drawn to unique destinations and experiences, from Asia to Africa.
Alicia Seah, one of the founders of 3Playtopia and an experienced travel and tourism marketer based in Singapore, told TTG Asia that the platform is designed for well-travelled individuals who desire programmes out of the ordinary or are transformative as well as those keen to explore but lack travel buddies or time to plan.
The other two founders are Chong Lee Ling, who works in a financial institution and has travelled across 61 countries; and Chew S F, an accomplished IT professional with a profound love for adventure.
Seah, who carries the title, chief of happiness, emphasised the community spirit of 3Playtopia, saying that the company’s slogan was, Where Travel Meets Adventure, Strangers become Friends.
The platform currently lists a number of adventures curated and led by what Seah refers to as “travel-preneurs” – people who are passionate about and familiar with the destination, and who are ready and willing to build and lead a tour. For example, a 12-day Iceland Ring Road Tour is organised by adventurer Daniel Goh.
“These travel-preneurs started off as regular travellers joining our community and then deciding that they want to share their favourite destinations and trips with others too. As more travellers join our tours, more will be sold on our concept and be keen to build and lead their own niche programmes too,” she added.
Aspiring travel-preneurs have to undergo an interview before they are approved and allowed to curate and lead tours.
3Playtopia retails its tours on its website, 3playtopia.com, and via a strategic partnership with EU Holidays, one of Singapore’s biggest outbound travel agencies.
Alan Ang Wee Tat, managing director of EU Holidays, said the partnership was a reflection of the company’s desire for a “diversified portfolio” that allows it to be better prepared “for the future as different types of travel evolve over time”.
“This initiative aligns with our commitment to remaining pertinent and accessible in an increasingly digital world, ensuring that we consistently address the changing preferences of travellers,” he added.
Its latest project is with the Taiwan Visitors Association, where they will jointly craft three trips aimed at showcasing Taiwan’s breath-taking mountains and opportunities for natural adventures.
“Taiwan is already a well-known holiday destination, loved for its vibrant night markets and food culture. However, Taiwan is 70 per cent mountains, which gives it a huge potential to develop mountain holidays and adventure tourism,” explained Seah.
Taiwan Tourism Administration Singapore office expressed strong support for 3Playtopia and its commitment to highlighting the different tourism aspects of Taiwan.
The trips are built for different levels of expertise. Beginners can join the five-day, four-night Secret Hikes of Taipei, which include fun visits to four lively night markets. Intermediate trekkers can join the Dali Datong Trail to explore Taiwan’s last aboriginal villages, such as those inhabited by the Truku people, while enjoying a coastal mountain vista.
For advanced trekkers, the majestic Jade Mountain awaits. Also known as Yu Shan, it rises 3,952m above sea level and is Taiwan’s tallest mountain. This trip will feature a period of preparation, where experienced mountaineer Joanne Soo – who had conquered Mount Everest – will lead activities to build participants’ endurance, guide them on acquiring the right gear, and educate them on trekking etiquette and expectations.
Besides ascending mountains, participants can also partake in a range of activities, such as ATV riding, paragliding, and visits to picturesque flower fields.
After more than three years since Myanmar experienced the coup d’état, four since Covid-19 hit, the country’s tourism sector is nearly wiped out.
“Many tour operators are gone for good, others are hibernating, only very few are still active in one way or another,” said Jochen Meissner, managing director of Uncharted Horizons Myanmar.
Domestic tourism forms only a fraction of what it was prior to the pandemic and military coup, mainly comprising group bus tours to Bagan and Inle Lake, and Yangon city tours. Many tourist destinations remain severely restricted, especially in border regions, including Chin, northern Shan, Kayah and Kayin states, while the entire north is a war zone and off limits.
Uncharted Horizon Myanmar’s guest numbers and income are down to 10 to 15 per cent of pre-coup and Covid times, with only two freelance guides left out of the previous seven full-time staff.
Meissner noted that Western visitors have slumped to a few thousand annually, with no more group bookings. Russian, Chinese and Thai tourists form the majority of the small number of arrivals.
According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, in 2023, there were 240,219 arrivals at Yangon International Airport, of which 88 per cent were from China and Asia. “It can be assumed that most are business travellers, while a very small percentage are tourists,” said May Myat Mon Win, general manager at Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon.
Despite dwindling expatriate numbers, today they form a large part of Uncharted Horizon’s business, along with local day tour group bookings for Yangon. These mainly comprise friends, company outings and team building trips.
Phyoe Wai Yar Zar, managing director at DTH Travel Myanmar, said currently a trimmed team of 12 are employed to deal with “day-to-day matters”. This includes a “few” monthly bookings, predominantly to Yangon and Bagan.
“Western governments continue to urge against travel to Myanmar due to the ongoing political and security instability,” he said, adding they “strongly advise against trips to most tourist areas throughout the country”.
Meissner said he also, as a tour operator, no longer encourages international tourists. “As long as the political situation doesn’t change and the armed conflict doesn’t stop, the situation in the tourism sector will definitely not improve.”
Edwin Briels, founder of Exploration Travel Myanmar, which recently expanded operations to Thailand to curate boutique tours in secondary segments, told TTG Asia: “Everyone is in survival mode.”
He added he received about one booking a month at his Lalay Lodge in Ngapali Beach, but since December 2023, it has become virtually impossible to access the area.
Local focus
Adaption has been key and, like Meissner, most have tapped into the domestic market.
Meisser said Uncharted Horizons is proactively targeting locals. “Our tours were originally designed for foreign visitors. We only later realised that they’re also a great experience for locals, most of whom have never been to areas we visit right across the river from downtown Yangon.”
Mon Win said the majority of hotels are now dependent on local demand in the form of leisure, events and wedding, mostly in Yangon and Mandalay. Kalaw, Ngwesaung and Chaugtha beach enjoy high occupancy rates during public and school holidays.
“The pandemic has changed the game for hoteliers,” she said, adding Chatrium’s traditional core market is Europe, America, Japan and Asia. Today, it mainly serves domestic clientele in the local business and leisure segments.
While DTH Myanmar welcomes a handful of foreign guests, the rest of the team is engaged with data loading for other DTH destinations. “We prioritise providing jobs for our team, primarily through outsourced work within our group’s international locations,” Wai Yar Zar said.
He added that while DTH has supported staff to find employment in other industries, “this has become increasingly difficult due to the growing number of people impacted by the country’s struggling economy”.
However, Briels believes that the industry can quickly rebound. “It’s been interesting to see how resilient Myanmar people are, and, when possible, the tourism industry will also show this resilience,” he told TTG Asia.
Meisser added: “Only with change on a political level will the situation improve. I know of many Myanmar fans waiting for this to happen and return as soon as the situation allows. Tourism will also play an important role in the rebuilding of the country.”