Accor introduces traineeship programme for young indigenous talent
Accor has launched its new Accor Indigenous Hotel Traineeship to provide career pathways and development opportunities for indigenous young people keen to join the hospitality industry.
The programme has been designed in collaboration with various community and higher education partners, including Yugambeh Regional Aboriginal Corporation Alliance and Busy @ Work. Aimed at individuals aged 17-25, it is designed to cultivate long-term sustainable career pathways for future indigenous leaders within Accor.
The inaugural group of trainees hails from South East Queensland, specifically the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions, with Accor planning to expand the programme across Australia from next year.
Over the course of 12 months, the trainees will participate in a comprehensive full-time hotel-based traineeship, with theoretical components delivered by TAFE Queensland. Upon completion, trainees will complete a Certificate III in Hospitality Operations.
The traineeship offers a blend of classroom instruction and practical experience, with three training days per month, complemented by on-the-job training in various departments. All trainees will undergo three four-month departmental block rotations in F&B, housekeeping, and front office, providing them with a holistic understanding of hotel operations.
The traineeship programme forms part of Accor’s nation-leading Indigenous Careers Program, which has placed more than 2,500 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander team members into positions at Accor since its inception in 2015.
Similarly, in New Zealand, Accor has introduced the Tangata Whenua Program to enhance career opportunities for young Māori. This pilot initiative, spanning nine months, has already seen three participants placed in various departments, such as housekeeping, front office, and F&B, at Mercure Queenstown and Novotel Auckland Airport. These individuals benefit from comprehensive mentoring and educational assistance, provided jointly by Accor and Queenstown Resort College.
Accor Pacific chief operating officer PM&E, Adrian Williams, said: “Our Indigenous Hotel Traineeship is the culmination of significant dedication and support. We offer our trainees infinite avenues for career development and growth, a culture of inclusivity that is open to all, and open pathways to travel and work around the world, while respecting and valuing individual personalities. Through this new traineeship programme, we know we’ll secure incredible talent who will enjoy a rewarding career with Accor.
“This focus on personal capability development and pathways to leadership ensures Accor indigenous team members have opportunities to grow and build meaningful careers over the long term.”
Galaxy Macau unveils new edutainment centre for kids
Galaxy Kidz in Galaxy Macau Integrated Resort has upgraded its offerings for young guests, featuring a new edutainment centre with facilities and activities for children to discover nature and science while on holiday with their families.
Featuring décor inspired by mascot Wavey the peacock, along with a series of educational workshops, children staying at selected hotels within Galaxy Macau can immerse themselves in a range of learning experiences. Plus, parents can enjoy a stress-free child-rearing experience, yet also have the choice to join in the learning activities with their children.
Eligible hotels include Galaxy Hotel, The Banyan Tree Macau, Okura Hotel Macau, Raffles at Galaxy Macau, or Andaz Macau – upon arrival, Wavey the peacock will greet them, guide them through check-in and present them with a game passport. Playful and child-friendly amenities are also available in hotel rooms.
Young guests staying at these hotels enjoy a complimentary two-hour access to the brand-new Galaxy Kidz Edutainment Center located on the second floor of Galaxy Hotel. The centre provides opportunities to explore S.T.E.A.M. subjects, from scientific experiments in Wavey’s Lab to culinary adventures in Wavey’s Kitchen. There are also outdoor activities, movie time, and story time.
Parties can be arranged as well for birthdays or other celebrations as well.
PAL to resume Clark-Basco flights in July
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will reintroduce flights between Clark and Basco, Batanes beginning July 2, 2024.
This direct Clark-Basco-Clark service will operate four times weekly every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
At present, PAL flies out of Clark with daily flights to Cebu, thrice weekly to Caticlan (Boracay), and four times weekly to Busuanga (Coron).
M Social Phuket welcomes Pjey Mayandi as GM
M Social Phuket has appointed Pjey Mayandi as its general manager.
He brings more than 18 years of expertise to the hotel and was most recently at Soneva Fushi resort in the Maldives.
He first joined Millennium Hotels & Resorts in 2014 and played a pivotal role in the development and curation of the M Social brand – he also served as general manager of M Social Singapore, its inaugural global hotel.
A DMC for Asians
The names are almost similar – The Travel Corporation and Travel Corporation Asia – but they are different. Can you introduce Travel Corporation Asia please?
Our parent company The Travel Corporation (TTC) is now 104 years old (established in 1920), and represents multiple brands, one of them being Travel Corporation Asia (TCA). TCA has been operating in Asia since 1988, and is a DMC first and foremost, a ‘white label’ group tour operator that caters to the Asian market.
TCA curates and operates white label group coach tours to Europe and the UK based on what travel agencies want and their standards. Our teams have the flexibility and breadth to package budget to deluxe tours, however the majority of our programmes is in the mid- to premium level category, aligning with TCA’s brand pillars of quality, expertise, value, and trust.
Our clients are major travel agencies in main markets such as Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and Taiwan, with business also from Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia. TCA represents all of Asia.
TCA is built specifically for the Asian Market. Unique among the other TTC touring brands is that most of its tours are led by local tour managers in local language, which is important and comforting to our agent partners’ guests. So, for a tour out of Vietnam, a Vietnamese tour manager will take the group while a tour out of Hong Kong will have a Cantonese-speaking tour manager. While English-speaking tours can be provided, these only account for a very small percentage of TCA’s business.
Programmes include a mix of Asian and local cuisine, shopping opportunities, local experiences, and other things that Asian travellers are interested in doing while on holiday.
Furthermore, TCA is its own ground handler/DMC. Our hub based in London contracts directly for all of Europe and the UK, offering a one-stop shop for all group touring needs.
We have strategically placed and invested in an experienced operations team in London to work closely with European suppliers, providing our Asian clients 24/7 support in real time when they are travelling with us. This team is made out of people of Asian descent and who speak the local language.
Additionally, TCA’s sales teams work in-region and have been with the company for many years. They are highly experienced and hold close relations with our agent partners and understand the market and its requirements.
Is there enough awareness of TCA?
TCA has always flown under the radar. The business has been built over the years by strong partnerships and word-of-mouth, which is a testament to our brilliant teams and service offering. Our strength in customer service has helped the brand to grow without any form of marketing.
It is wonderful to have the opportunity to take the brand to the next level, bringing TCA from behind the scenes into the forefront as we further engage with the trade and spread brand awareness.
What synergies does TCA share with TTC?
TCA leverages and hugely benefits from utilising the buying power of TTC’s group of brands – there are 40 of them globally!
As you can imagine, the scale of TTC’s contracting network is vast, which includes hotels, restaurants, venues, as well as a premium transportation fleet. By tapping into this network for TCA, travel agents can be assured that brand standards are adhered to and a quality product is guaranteed.
The TTC ethos – Our Passion, Our Purpose and Our People – also run through the veins of TCA.
Having been in business since 1988, you must have seen how group tours have evolved through the years. What changes are most outstanding?
One of the main changes has been with technology. Technology has enabled travellers to research a lot more into their travel aspirations and make educated choices. From which hotels they will be staying at, where meals will be taken, what sights are included, and so on, travellers will look into specific locations and standards, and read reviews.
Hence, the travel industry must be a lot more transparent with details. Product design and delivery have become a collaborative process with our agent partners, ensuring that we not only deliver on but also exceed guest expectations. This is a great change.
Automation and digitisation have also freed up staff from attending to repetitive functions that could be handled more efficiently.
What is TCA’s team make-up in Asia?
TCA has designated offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Thailand and China. We have broad reach and are placed in regions to provide a premium service to our agent partners.
The Hong Kong office also manages and supports Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia – even the UK, the US and Canada because there are travel agents there with customers who like to tour Europe and the UK on tours developed for the Asian market.
There are country managers in all these areas, and they are led by Mae Cheah, who is also managing director of TTC Tour Brands in Asia.
TCA has recently resumed services in the China market, which has been very well-received, and we are currently further building up the team in Taiwan.
One of our main priorities post-pandemic has been rebuilding great teams and ensuring we have the right foundations and structure to support our fast-moving growth.
Which Asian sources markets are top for TCA?
TCA had a record year in 2023. The top performing markets were Taiwan, Singapore, and Thailand, with Vietnam close behind.
TCA’s traditional number one source market is Hong Kong. We are seeing a sharp incline in the trajectory this year, so we are forecasting much better results. There is still a delta compared to pre-pandemic performance, and we are not expecting a full recovery in 2024. This is attributed to multiple factors such as the economy, price increases, demand for shorthaul trips, and airline limitations for groups.
Which Asian markets could have done a lot better?
Our business out of markets such as Malaysia and Indonesia traditionally had a lower price point, so they are struggling to get back to where they were. The cost of Europe in general went up significantly between 2022 and 2024, and some markets are still adjusting to that shift. In 2023, tourism to Europe exceeded pre-pandemic levels, and that lifted prices. There was strong demand for Europe, particularly out of the US. These results were without the recovery of the Asian market.
It is extra hard for the Malaysian outbound market due to the weak ringgit. How can TCA make Europe still affordable for these travellers?
One of the key things is the duration – shorter tours are more affordable. Another is the location of the hotels and the standard, and keeping the inclusions to a minimum to offer guests flexibility to choose what they do and how much they wish to spend.
There are many ways TCA can pivot and flex because it does not sell off-the-shelf tours. We can put together whatever the agent partner wants to do. So, even if the agent partner typically sells premium but needs to cater to the current market condition, TCA can adjust packages to suit a more cost-conscious traveller.
What TCA will not do is sacrifice quality by cutting corners or offering a lower standard in customer service. We will always provide value for what is spent.
Is there stronger interest in cheaper parts of Europe?
Prague, Budapest, Croatia and Slovenia (the central to eastern Europe locations) are a little bit cheaper than, say, Paris and Rome, but are all still so beautiful and unique. So, we’re quite excited seeing a large spike in demand for these destinations in 2024.
Several recent consumer spend surveys point to a growing willingness among consumers to splurge on entertainment and live performances. Do you see this having an impact on tour itineraries?
Our inclusions are dictated by the requirements of our trade partners. We have an array of entertainment and cultural performances that are true to the destination, such as cultural performances – flamenco shows in Spain, highland dances in Ireland, and artisan workshops like glass-blowing in Venice and weaving in Perugia. These are the things that TCA excels in and where its programmes add value to the traveller experience.
While a TCA tour will not include tickets to a Taylor Swift concert, it could enable groups to pair the concert with a bespoke Europe add-on to make the most of their European trip.
Are there certain travel trends that TCA is watching closely for potential impact on operations?
Sustainability is one. The TreadRight Foundation is an important part of TTC (it is a not-for-profit philanthropic mission created in 2008 by the company). With TreadRight and its mission to Make Travel Matter, all TTC tour brands have developed a vast array of meaningful destination experiences which TCA can tap into.
Examples of such experiences include discovering the history of Italian hand-weaving through a private demonstration and learning how the traveller’s visit has an impact on the traditional art; discovering habitat conservation in Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia; and learning about the dangers facing turtles in Sri Lanka.
TTC takes the perspective that the travel industry depends on a thriving planet, with happy healthy communities and safeguarded wildlife. It is a privilege to be able to visit and take our guests to see the wonders that the world offers. So, it is our responsibility to leave each place better, so that the next generation of travellers can enjoy the amazing sights to come.
There are talks that revenge travel will lose steam in 2024 – what do you make of that?
In an era of wanderlust, travel is still very much here to stay. Tourism is resilient; there is an enduring desire to travel.
Travel demand remains strong, with TTC brands forecasting solid growth in 2024. TCA is currently 25 per cent up year-on-year. There is still significant room for outbound recovery across Asia. The reopening of several source markets, such as China, is accelerating in 2024.
Europe is the most popular tourist destination on the planet, enticing over 700 million visitors each year. It has incredible diversity of cultures, stunning scenery, and world-renowned cities. You cannot put a price on these experiences, connections and memories that will last a lifetime. So, TCA will continue to lead and innovate in both quality of service and transformative travel experiences by creating truly unique and memorable moments rooted in the destination.
Kuala Lumpur airport steps up security after shooting incident
Police have intensified security measures at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminals 1 and 2 in response to a shooting incident on April 14.
Allegedly targeting his wife at Terminal 1’s arrival hall, the gunman had set off a firecracker and opened fire, narrowly missing his intended target but injuring another person. The gunman has been apprehended by the police on April 15.
Shaharuddin M Saaid, executive director of the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners, commended the heightened security measures, emphasising the importance in reassuring travellers and bolstering Malaysia’s image as a safe destination. He advocated for similar measures at other tourist hotspots to manage large crowds effectively.
Arokia Das Anthony, executive director of The Essence of Asia Tours & Travel, expressed his sentiment that Malaysia remains a safe country despite isolated incidents. He appreciated the government’s swift response in stepping up security at the country’s main entry points, stressing the proactive approach to ensuring safety.
Mint Leong, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, shared the importance of tourists feeling safe upon entering the country, acknowledging the incident as isolated and personal, and cautioning against over-reaction that could deter future travellers.
“Balancing security measures (while) preserving the positive travel experience is essential to maintain confidence in visiting Malaysia,” she said.
TAT, Klook deepen collaboration to enhance Thailand as global tourism hub
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Klook have signed a Letter of Intent of Strategic Partnership to enhance collaborations on the development and promotion of quality tourism experiences in Thailand.
Under the agreement, TAT and Klook will enhance collaborations on increasing awareness and raising travel demand to Thailand, leveraging Thailand’s 5F soft power (food, film, festival, fight and fashion) to promote meaningful travel experiences in key and secondary cities, strengthening efforts on the promotion of sustainable and community tourism, and adopting digital transformation to help drive Thai tourism industry.
In addition, the partnership will help boost income distribution to local communities and strengthen Thailand’s sustainability profile, stimulating economic growth across the wider industry.
The collaboration will spotlight hidden gems and lesser known authentic Thai experiences by empowering small-medium operators with the tools to digitise their business and expand their reach to Klook’s global user base.
Both TAT and Klook will work closely together to forge partnerships with Thailand’s major ticketed festivals to offer an integrated booking experience, along with an extensive range of in-destination services across accommodation, curated experiences and local attractions.
TAT governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, remarked: “We have set our goals to collaborate and create comprehensive joint marketing with Klook to promote quality tourism experiences in the kingdom for (South-east Asia), South Asia, and South Pacific markets.”
“We are excited to team up with TAT to diversify and elevate tourism in Thailand with meaningful and exclusive experiences that best reflect the destination – from iconic activities to hidden gems and even mega-events including music festivals and sporting events,” said Eric Gnock Fah, COO & co-founder, Klook.
Klook currently offers close to 1,700 experiences and more than 10,000 packages in Thailand, with plans to increase offerings by 20 per cent this year. This will include curated experiences in line with Thailand’s 5F soft power, for example; tickets to Muay Thai matches in Bangkok and Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024.
Flights resume at Dubai airport
Dubai’s major airlines have returned to a full flight schedule after torrential rain hit the UAE and neighbouring countries last week.
Emirates and flydubai said operations were back to normal on Saturday but a passenger backlog remained. Emirates’ passengers previously stranded in the airport transit area have been rebooked and are en route to their destinations.
In order to prevent overcrowding at Dubai International airport, the airline has temporarily suspended check in at its hub and for passengers booked to fly in from points around the world. Flights inbound to Dubai were also cancelled, namely flights from Australasia, Africa and India.
British Airways has also returned to normal flight schedules since Sunday.
Dubai International has advised departing passengers not to arrive too early to prevent overcrowding at the airport, and that arriving at the terminal just three hours before departure would suffice.
HK Express to fly to Philippines’ Clark with new route
Cathay Pacific budget carrier HK Express will connect Hong Kong and Clark International Airport with four weekly flights starting June 6.
The Hong Kong-Clark services will depart at 07.55 on Mondays and Saturdays, and at 18.10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The flights from Clark to Hong Kong will operate on Mondays and Saturdays at 10.50, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 20.55.
Kempinski Hotels has revealed plans to open a duo of dual-branded Kempinski and Bristoria hotels in Yangzhou Economic Development Zone in China.
Both hotels are scheduled to complete in 2025.
The hotel management agreement was signed by Kempinski Hotel Group with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yangzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone Culture and Tourism Group Co.
When complete, the lakeside Kempinski Hotel Yangzhou Nuoyuan will offer 93 rooms and suites, and facilities like a swimming pool, spa, gym, fitness centre, and a ballroom.
Next door, Bristoria Hotel Yangzhou will have 312 guestrooms and a wide selection of meeting rooms and function spaces.
Easily accessible from Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport in less than an hour and linked directly to Nanjing and Shanghai via high-speed train, the hotels located are also close to some of Yangzhou’s cultural highlights, with activities including Guqin art, engraving printing technique, paper-cutting technique, Fuchun tea making, and more.