Amadeus has joined the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA), bringing its travel technology expertise to the table in the quest to support a more prosperous and responsible hospitality sector.
The global travel tech company sees great potential to work alongside and connect with hospitality industry stakeholders and, together, contribute on the journey to SHA’s goal of Net Positive Hospitality – ensuring the industry gives back to destinations more than it takes.
Amadeus is the first global travel tech company to join as a member of Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
As part of its membership, Amadeus will hold a permanent position on the Senior Advisory Council that was established to provide strategic advice, create a network of influential leaders and drive change towards Net Positive Hospitality. Key areas of focus for Amadeus include education, accessibility and helping travellers and guests make informed decisions.
Glenn Mandziuk, CEO, SHA, commented: “Onboarding Amadeus to our Senior Advisory Council is an important step in tackling the challenges the hospitality industry faces. Having Amadeus as a member will help drive our collaborative approach on the journey to Net Positive Hospitality.”
“By sharing insights and experiences based on our best practices across all travel sectors, we aspire to help accelerate the advancement of the industry’s goals toward net positive hospitality. Building a more sustainable industry is an objective shared by Amadeus,” added Francisco Pérez-Lozao Rüter, president, hospitality, Amadeus.
Micro hotels – classified as smaller-sized lodgings with high-end, functional in-room furnishings usually found in high-density, urban locations – are gaining in popularity among young travellers in Asia-Pacific, with the region also pegged as the next big growth space.
According to Future Market Insights, the micro hotel market was estimated to be US$84 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$150.4 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of six per cent from 2022 to 2032.
Moxy debuted in Australia with Moxy Sydney Airport, pictured, in August last year
“(The) micro hotels (concept) is probably the fastest-growing segment in hospitality, and (I think) that more of the big hotel brands will be venturing out into a segment that Yotel pioneered. When we started, we were an oddity, and currently there are very few brands competing globally,” opined Hubert Viriot, CEO of Yotel.
He shared that the Asia-Pacific holds “massive potential” for Yotel, as the region “will have the largest tourism market in the world thanks to its very young population”. This comes as the micro hotels concept is a “perfect fit” for Asia-Pacific, as most people live in high-density cities.
It also helps that the younger generation of Asian travellers are very responsive to new concepts, new ideas, technology and social media, and are also “price-sensitive”, which makes them “not so loyal to legacy brands”, he noted.
Viriot added: “These young travellers want immediate recognition (as opposed to collecting points over many years for a free stay). They want a great experience, but they also want to save money to utilise their disposable income on experiences. Hotels are only a small component of travelling. That is why we offer cashback programmes, immediate upgrades, or a free experience at our hotels.”
Similarly for Marriott International, Moxy is one of its-fastest growing brands. In August 2023, Moxy debuted in Australia with Moxy Sydney Airport. This year, the brand will be opening outposts in Thailand (Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong) and India (Moxy Chennai and Moxy Bengaluru).
“Travellers in Asia-Pacific, especially Gen Z and millennials, continue to gravitate towards hotels that offer vibrant experiences, stylishly-designed rooms, and dynamic communal spaces at an affordable price point,” said John Toomey, chief sales & marketing officer, Asia-Pacific (excluding China).
For instance, Moxy’s lobbies are bars that doubles up as a reception for check-ins, while rooms are designed to maximise space while providing functionality such as motion-activated LED lights, tables and chairs that double as wall art, to roomy under-bed storage and sleek peg walls.
Toomey also expects Gen Z and millennials to lead demand among Asia-Pacific travellers, pointing out that when compared to other generations, they will prioritise travel above material goods, allocate more budget to trips, and take at least three trips a year.
“In 2024, we anticipate that young affluent travellers will also choose to rediscover familiar and nearby locations and immerse themselves in cultures. In addition, their demand for purpose-driven and personalised offerings will continue to increase and loyalty programmes will be the key differentiator in offering exclusive experiences,” he added.
TBO Tek Limited’s (TBO) wholly-owned subsidiary, Tek Travels DMCC, has acquired 100 per cent shareholding of Jumbonline Accommodations & Services, which has been demerged as an online business from Jumbo Tours Group.
The acquisition will enable TBO to further increase its presence in Europe, and reflects the growth plans that the company has set globally towards its vision of simplifying and empowering the travel ecosystem.
The acquisition will enable TBO to further increase its presence in Europe
As one of the biggest international tourism operators offering a range of services and products to tourism operators and travel agencies worldwide, the Jumbonline business distributes an extensive range of products for wholesalers and tour operators all on one single platform. The advanced API solution provides access to over 120,000 hotels with 15,000 hotels directly contracted.
Complementing this business are two other brands – Jumbobeds, the leading online wholesaler for travel agencies, and Jumbotransfers, which offers a wide range of transport services.
Gaurav Bhatnagar, co-founder & director of Tek Travels DMCC, said: “This acquisition will give us not only access to Jumbo’s clientele but quality content from across prime destinations in Europe right down to the Caribbean. We continue to expand our global footprint by staying true to our commitment to simplifying global travel.”
“We are very excited with this partnership and look forward to leveraging TBO’s strengths in travel distribution across the world, specifically in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific,” shared Ginés Martinez, CEO, Jumbo Tours Group.
Editor’s note: The previous headline incorrectly stated that TBO acquired Jumbo Tours Group – the acquisition was only for the online business of Jumbo Tours. The headline has been amended to show this.
With a deep history written in the walls and trees of some of the world’s oldest temples, Siem Reap contains many must-sees for history buffs, lovers of nature, or those seeking a restful destination.
As such, The Aviary has come up with a comprehensive list of five hidden gems for guests to visit during their stay at the resort.
The Aviary offers guests a list of hidden gems to explore in Siem Reap, such as the “Trilogies of Mountains” in the Angkor area, pictured
The five places comprise Preah Khan Temple, one of the most significant temples erected in the time of the ancient Khmer Empire; Phnom Bok Temple, one of the “Trilogies of Mountains” in the Angkor area; Kbal Spean River carvings on the riverbed; Wat Preah Ang Thom, an eight-metre tall statue of a reclining Buddha reaching nirvana; and Phnom Kulen mountain, located about two hours away from Siem Reap, where visitors can bathe in and enjoy the majestic waterfall surrounded by temples and natural landscapes.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has named Liew Chian Jia as its regional director of South-east Asia. In her new role, she will lead the development and implementation of HKTB’s marketing strategies in the region.
Liew joined HKTB in 2017 and has been instrumental in driving the trade partnerships and marketing Hong Kong to the travel trade in South-east Asia.
Prior to this appointment, she was the HKTB’s director of trade marketing for the South-east Asia region.
Sabre has appointed Samual Machado as managing director, who will be based in Mumbai and will oversee Sabre’s agency business across India and South Asia.
With a wealth of technology experience and a proven record of success across the travel ecosystem, Machado previously joined Sabre Hospitality Solutions in 2011 as head of account management in India, progressing through varied roles before moving to Singapore to drive sales for the Asia-Pacific region.
He was most recently the senior vice president, business development, travel & hospitality (APAC), at Teleperformance, a global digital business services company.
Asia’s cruising scene has heated up in recent months, with large cruise liners like Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) celebrating its long-awaited return to the region, and Celebrity Cruises debuting its Edge-Series ships in Asia.
To elevate the cruise passenger experience, both cruise liners’ Asia itineraries highlight opportunities for their guests to call at lesser-known destinations. However, smaller ports in the region can sometimes be found lacking in modern cruise terminal infrastructure, and coupled with cumbersome visa processes.
Both Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises will work closely with Asian authorities to elevate the Asian cruising experience; Norwegian Jewel, pictured
Ben Angell, NCL’s vice president and managing director, Asia Pacific, told TTG Asia: “Smaller ports often grapple with challenges like limited infrastructure and underdeveloped supply chains. That is why collaboration between local authorities and cruise lines like NCL is important.
“Through strategic planning and partnership, these ports can progressively adapt to accommodate larger capacities. Over time, the revenue generated from tourism can be reinvested into upgrading facilities, fostering a cycle of improvement and growth that benefits both the ports and the wider community.”
Angell added that working closely with local authorities is also crucial to ensure our operations do not negatively impact the environment.
Tim Jones, vice president and managing director, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Celebrity Cruises, said: “As we strengthen our collaboration with Asia’s governments and tourism boards, we hope to see investments in the development of port infrastructure and cruise terminals to further enhance passengers’ embarkation and debarkation processes.”
Jones also pointed out that “visa and immigration processes” in Asia “can be improved further”.
“While the ideal for us would be a future where these are no longer required for cruising, very similar to what we have for some itineraries in the US, Australia and Europe, we do acknowledge that cruising in Asia is still growing and maturing.
“We also believe in closer ties with our government partners to help make rules and regulations clearer, more transparent and consistent, not just across countries in the region but also within the same country,” Jones elaborated.
At the end of 2023, Celebrity Edge was first to set sail from Singapore on a 14-night itinerary exploring coastlines from Asia to Australia. Celebrity Millennium will be homeporting in Tokyo (Yokohama) from April to October this year, sailing 12-night itineraries. Following its season in Japan, Celebrity Millennium will join CelebritySolstice, and ply South-east Asian waters on 11-to-14-night sailings visiting 32 destinations from September 2024 to April 2025.
When asked if NCL would consider developing potential ports in Asia, similar to what Royal Caribbean has done with Penang, Angell shared that the cruise line will “collaborate with local authorities and stakeholders to enhance port development, focusing on regions we frequently sail”.
He related how Alaska, a prime destination for NCL guests, has seen “significant investment”, where parent company NCL Holdings facilitated the development of a second cruise pier at Icy Strait Point and expanded the Wilderness Landing Pier.
“We created a large vehicle-free zone, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the natural splendour of Alaska, including a dedicated viewing platform for coastal brown bears. Enhancements in destination experiences include the world’s largest ZipRider zip line, whale watching, kayaking, and various shore excursions that celebrate the rich heritage of the local Huna Tlingit community,” he elaborated.
Both NCL and Celebrity Cruises have also vowed to work closely with the Asia chapter of the Cruise Lines International Association to drive promotional efforts, infrastructure upgrading, and policies for the region.
“There is always more we can all do and it is incumbent on the cruise industry to collaborate and speak with one voice to ensure our message is heard across the region,” concluded Jones.
“Given the existing close ties between cruise associations and the industry, there’s a promising opportunity for these associations to act as central hubs, linking industry stakeholders, cruise lines, ports, and government authorities. By fostering collaboration within a unified framework, these associations can drive collective efforts to elevate the Asian cruising experience,” added Angell.
Clark International Airport (CRK) in the Philippines achieved an impressive growth in 2023 with nearly two million passengers, marking a substantial increase of 42 per cent against forecast and 158 per cent increase against 2022 numbers.
The forecast was done in cooperation with Changi Airports International, and is based on the projected restoration of airline seat capacity, taking into consideration border policies, demand recovery, airline plans and other airports’ constraints after the pandemic.
Clark International Airport facilitated a total of 14,892 flights in 2023
This growth not only indicates a robust recovery for the airport and the Central and Northern Luzon regions, but also reflects a positive trend in the broader aviation sector.
Throughout the year, CRK facilitated a total of 14,892 flights, including 11 international and 10 domestic flights.
Noel Manankil, president and CEO of Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp (the consortium that operates and manages CRK), shared: “The substantial increase in passenger numbers, surpassing both industry forecasts and previous year’s performance, is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the attractiveness of our airport.
“As we move forward, we vow to build on this success and explore new avenues for enhancement. Our goal is to exceed customer expectations, and we are excited about the opportunities that the coming year holds for Clark International Airport.”
According to the 2024 Henley Passport Index, six countries share the top spot with visa-free access to a number of destinations – Japan and Singapore, as well as EU member states France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
Japan and Singapore remain on top, having dominated first place on the index for the past five years.
Japan and Singapore share top billing with France, Germany, Italy and Spain in the 2024 Henley Passport Index
South Korea joins Finland and Sweden in second place with visa-free travel to 193 destinations, and another four EU nations — Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and Netherlands — share third place with access to 192 destinations.
The rest of the Top 10 is largely dominated by European countries, with the UK climbing up two ranks to fourth place with visa-free access to 191 destinations compared to just 188 a year ago. Australia and New Zealand passport holders share sixth place with 189 visa-free destinations, while the US retains its seventh place with access to 188 destinations without requiring a visa in advance.
The UAE has also leaped from 55th to 11th position, having added 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014. Meanwhile, China ranks 62nd with access to 85 destinations without a prior visa (compared to just 44 in 2014).
Although the general trend over the history of the 19-year-old ranking has been towards greater travel freedom, Christian H Kaelin, chairman of Henley & Partners, noted that the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than ever.
He said: “The average number of destinations travellers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, as we enter the new year, the top-ranked countries are now able to travel to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the ranking with access to just 28 countries without a visa.”
Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network) is partnering with China’s leading B2B wholesaler, TourMind China (TMC), to ensure real-time B2B distribution connectivity for all TA Network ecosystem partners.
Specialising in innovative Hotel API solutions, TMC offers an extensive array of hotel resources, a commitment to exceptional customer service and a team of seasoned professionals.
The collaboration will help TourMind China connect with the global market; Great Wall of China, pictured
TMC CEO and founder Karma Yang emphasised that this collaboration with TA Network is aimed at leveraging their extensive network and expertise in connecting with the global market: “This partnership marks a pivotal step for TMC in expanding distribution channels and enhancing brand visibility. An immediate benefit is the heightened exposure and visibility TourMind will gain as awareness of our brand spreads among enterprises in the hotel sector.”
“This strategic partnership not only opens new avenues for service offerings but also facilitates reaching a broader audience, establishing a robust presence in the international travel space,” added Jean Hsieh, regional director – ecosystem & partnerships, TA Network.
Prior to this appointment, she was the HKTB’s director of trade marketing for the South-east Asia region.
He was most recently the senior vice president, business development, travel & hospitality (APAC), at Teleperformance, a global digital business services company.
