Sands Resorts Macao leaps forward with accessibility
Sands Resorts Macao will introduce Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) check-in and direct bus transfer service effective March 1, providing convenience and comfort for its guests.
It is said to be the first integrated resort in the destination to offer such services.
Guests can now enjoy the convenience of checking in for their flights directly from the integrated resort, saving valuable time while enjoying a seamless journey to HKIA. Furthermore, it is expected that this initiative will play a role in supporting the MGTO’s visitor number goals for 2024 and beyond.
The new bus service – part of Phase 1 of expanded transportation offerings – will depart from The Venetian Macao directly to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge port, providing a convenient link to HKIA.
Stephanie Tanpure, vice president of sales, Sands China, said: “The introduction of airport check-in and direct bus transfers is a critical component of our response to calls to enhance the accessibility of Macau as a destination. We are committed to ensuring that every guest’s journey with us is as easy and convenient as possible.”
Silversea prepares for Silver Ray’s debut in June
Silversea’s second Nova-class ship, Silver Ray, celebrated a successful float out at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on February 25, as she nears her debut sailing scheduled in June this year.
Silver Ray will then spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean, before crossing the Atlantic in December.
The float out marks a significant milestone in a ship’s construction, representing the project’s advancement into its final stages. Now nearing completion – approximately 15 months since Meyer Werft first cut steel for the ship – Silver Ray is the sixth addition to Silversea’s fleet in just three years.
“With the float out of Silver Ray, excitement is building for the launch of the second ship in our pioneering Nova-class,” said Silversea president Barbara Muckermann.
“We received such incredibly strong feedback on Silver Nova from guests, travel advisors, and members of the press following her launch in August 2023. Sustaining the wave of innovation that is driving our success, the launch of Silver Ray will strengthen Royal Caribbean Group’s unwavering commitment to delivering a lifetime of vacations for guests, with its industry-leading global brands.”
With pioneering energy efficiency standards, Silver Nova and Silver Ray are 40 per cent more energy efficient than required international standards and regulations. On board, guests enjoy the brand’s hallmarks of luxury with a range of enhancements, including all-new venues and suite options, new Otium wellness experiences and amenities, and enrichments to the S.A.L.T. culinary programme, with the introduction of the S.A.L.T. Chef’s Table.
Staff training key to tourism business well-being: Singapore industry leaders
While the tourism sector in Singapore is poised for growth following recovery from the pandemic, a new NTUC LearningHub report found that business leaders are kept awake by five key challenges, three of which relate to human resources.
Key findings from NTUC LearningHub’s Industry Insights Report 2024 on Tourism revealed that the top challenges are changes in travel behaviour/spending (63 per cent); existing employees lacking the depth of skills required to cater to the changing trends (57 per cent); a shortage of tourism professionals (53 per cent); employees being unwilling to take on training (45 per cent); and travellers only visiting Singapore for seasonal events (44 per cent).
Despite these challenges, only 48 per cent of leaders in the tourism sector have sent their employees for tourism-related training, with nearly 29 per cent expressing the intention to do so in the future and 23 per cent not intending to do so at all.
Amid emerging trends in tourism – such as the increased use of technology in tourism (76 per cent), demand for greater service excellence (66 per cent), the growing importance of holistic wellness travel and regenerative tourism (40 per cent), and increased demand for the practice of sustainability in tourism (37 per cent) – nearly all tourism leaders (51 per cent strongly agree, 43 per cent somewhat agree) perceive that these trends create more job opportunities in the market.
In fact, almost 77 per cent of them are keen to hire talent to fill tourism job roles. The top job roles according to tourism leaders are marketing communications officers (32 per cent), administrative staff (30 per cent), and event managers/executives/specialists (28 per cent).
With organisations currently employing technologies like contactless payment options (69 per cent), AI chatbots (38 per cent), cybersecurity (31 per cent), big data (27 per cent), and IoT management (14 per cent), leaders in the sector are keen to send their employees for training in areas of digital/technology (79 per cent). This is followed by other training areas such as service engagement (77 per cent), sustainability (41 per cent), and holistic wellness travel and regenerative tourism (26 per cent).
In terms of service excellence, 70 per cent of tourism leaders strongly agree that tourism professionals need to upskill to enhance service experience, as only three per cent of leaders consider the quality of service in Singapore’s tourism sector as excellent. On the other hand, more than half of tourism leaders (52 per cent) consider it to be only average or below.
In addition, 75 per cent of tourism leaders reveal that their organisation intends to incorporate sustainability in their tourism offerings. Currently, energy conversion (63 per cent), sustainable waste management (58 per cent), sustainable sourcing and procurement (56 per cent), carbon footprint management (53 per cent), and water conservation (50 per cent) are the top sustainability measures organisations employ.
At present, only 15 per cent of tourism leaders are very familiar with holistic wellness and regenerative tourism, while 53 per cent are somewhat familiar. Despite that, about nine in ten agree (29 per cent strongly agree, 64 per cent somewhat agree) that it is important for Singapore to expand into holistic wellness travel and regenerative tourism.
Commenting on the report findings, Tay Ee Learn, chief sector skills officer, NTUC LearningHub, said: “In this dynamic landscape, tourism organisations must embrace transformation and align their business strategies with emerging trends to gain a competitive edge. It is paramount that these organisations shift their focus from merely filling job roles to skills upgrading to arm their workforce for new and redesigned job roles in the future workplace. By identifying skills gaps in the current workforce, communicating the urgency of upskilling and reskilling to employees, and providing readily available training opportunities, organisations can cultivate a conducive environment that facilitates the continuous learning and development of workers; thereby, securing a highly competent and motivated talent pool.”
The NTUC LearningHub’s Industry Insights Report 2024 on Tourism surveyed 167 business leaders in the tourism sector and interviews with experts from the Singapore Tourism Board, Workforce Singapore, and Resorts World Sentosa, and explores the sentiments towards hiring, training, and in-demand skills among leaders within the tourism sector.
China Southern Airlines launches new Guangzhou-Doha service
China Southern Airlines, Qatar Airways’ codeshare partner, is launching a new route connecting Guangzhou and Doha from April 22.
The new service will be operated on the Boeing 787 aircraft and will offer four weekly non-stop flights.
This will see China Southern becoming the third codeshare partner for Qatar Airways in China, joining its oneworld partner Cathay Pacific and Xiamen Airlines.
South African Airways to introduce Perth-Johannesburg flight
South African Airways will commence its non-stop three times a week service from Perth, Australia to Johannesburg, South Africa from April 28.
The 10-hour flight will depart O R Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at night, and arrive at Perth International Airport the following day. Flights from Perth are scheduled on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with arrivals on the same day in Johannesburg.
This new route will be the second inter-oceanic route to be reopened following the launch of the Sao Paulo, Brazil route in October 2023.
Ascott announces leadership appointments
The Ascott Limited is strengthening its top leadership team with new C-suite appointments. These appointments will bolster and capitalise operations, commercial, strategic planning, and hospitality design efforts.
Lee Ngor Houai has been appointed as chief operating officer, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), South Asia and China, Ascott where he will lead growth and oversee operations in these key regions.
In her new role as chief commercial officer for Ascott, Tan Bee Leng leads the company’s ecosystem of revenue-generation and brand-related functions.
As chief strategy officer, Ascott and managing director, South-east Asia, Ascott, Wong Kar Ling will drive the development of Ascott’s global strategy and seeks opportunities to chart the course of growth through strategic initiatives including mergers and acquisitions, transformation, and partnerships.
Tourism Selangor relies on Indian trade associations to grow arrivals
Tourism Selangor, the tourism promotion agency of Selangor state in Malaysia, has formalised partnerships with three major Indian travel trade associations – Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA), and South Tamil Nadu Association of Travel & Tourism – to increase tourist arrivals from the South Asian nation.
These strategic alliances are also expected to strengthen the partnership of the tourism board with travel agents across India.
“Our collaboration with these three associations will help us to identify markets in India that hold potential for us. India is a large country with many states so with the help of these MoCs, we are expecting to forge relationships with travel agents across the country,” Azrul Shah Bin Mohamad, CEO, Tourism Selangor told TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Memorandum of Collaboration signing ceremony last week.
As part of the Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign, the ambition is to attract 100,000 Indian tourists. The most recent data available with the tourism board indicates that in 2022, Selangor welcomed 65,573 visitors from India.
Azrul noted: “At present, India is our fifth largest source market for international tourists. Our goal is to elevate India to one of our top three source markets. This is our first visit to India post-Covid as part of Tourism Malaysia’s roadshow, where we covered cities including Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and New Delhi. We are aiming to organise a standalone roadshow in India in the near future.”
OTOAI president Riaz Munshi said: “We are dedicated to working closely with Tourism Selangor to create new opportunities for our members and contribute to the growth of tourism in the region.”
Some of the products that Tourism Selangor is looking to promote in the Indian market include theme parks, eco-tourism, gastronomy, shopping, MICE, beaches and adventure.
Aviareps, Shanghai connects global travel players with new platform
Aviareps, an international representation, marketing and communications company for the travel industry, has teamed up with the Shanghai Municipal Government to launch SmoothTravel, a platform that facilitates business between the global travel industry and Chinese industry players.
SmoothTravel is recognised as Shanghai’s official online B2B travel platform, and it supports both inbound and outbound Chinese travel agencies, tour wholesalers, OTAs, and MICE agents in the East China market.
Overseas members are able to use the platform to identify new inbound or outbound China travel trade partners, and make use of SmoothTravel’s Member Matching Manager to meet with qualified Chinese travel trade partners based on their requirements.
For international travel businesses, SmoothTravel provides a unique payment guarantee system to minimise risks associated with new China travel industry partners.
A comprehensive travel insurance programme is also offered for Chinese members to ensure risk reduction for both outbound and inbound sectors. In addition, a bilingual mediation system to resolve any disputes is provided at no cost to members.
Moreover, by leveraging extensive China government and industry resources, SmoothTravel will be able to share the latest research on China’s outbound travel market, industry trends, and consumer preferences. This includes surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, and on-site visits.
The platform also offers two-way training for both overseas and Chinese members. Members can commission SmoothTravel for custom-tailored tourism market research to optimise their market strategies.
Zhu Yihong, director of the Shanghai government’s Tourism Market Quality Center, stated in a press release that the platform “will allow the Chinese travel trade to offer higher quality and safer overseas travel products”, and “play a key role in promoting Chinese consumers’ awareness of cross-border travel insurance”.
Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand extend operational alliance
Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Air New Zealand will reauthorise their joint venture alliance for another five years until March 2029, which will see both airlines operate a total of four daily seasonal services between Auckland and Singapore from October 27, 2024 to March 29, 2025.
The extension is subject to regulatory approval.
Over the course of the 10-year partnership, both airlines have grown the seat capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by nearly 50 per cent. This includes the addition of up to three daily services between Auckland and Singapore, and a daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.
With the fourth daily seasonal service between Auckland and Singapore, the carriers will jointly operate 38 weekly return services between New Zealand and Singapore during peak months, translating to more than 893,000 seats available every year.
Air New Zealand chief transformation and alliances officer, Mike Williams, commented: “The partnership gives New Zealanders access to the world on Singapore Airlines’ vast network beyond the Singapore gateway into destinations in Europe, India and South-east Asia. With the partnership extended for a further five years, together with Singapore Airlines, we can continue to stimulate trade and tourism, and provide customers with greater choice and connectivity.”
Dai Haoyu, acting senior vice president marketing planning, SIA, said: “The extension of our alliance allows us to continue offering our customers even more options between Singapore and New Zealand, as well as to domestic destinations with New Zealand and around the world.”
The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) opened its travel fair this morning at the Singapore Expo with expectations of a strong visitor crowd that would mirror the robust demand for travel seen throughout 2023.
Speaking at the NATAS Travel 2024 opening ceremony, Simon Er, deputy president of NATAS, said demand for travel is still “robust, strong and ongoing” and “hopes for visitor numbers to top 102,000”.
Interest in courting Singapore residents this year is much stronger, evident by an expanded Travel Fair 2024 featuring 66 exhibitors compared to 51 in the February 2023 fair. The range of sellers include travel agencies, national tourism organisations, and other players in the industry.
Guest-of-Honour gracing the opening ceremony was Melissa Ow, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board (STB), who spoke about Singapore’s tourism recovery and continued attractiveness as a destination with business and leisure offerings. She also acknowledged the increased demand for authentic experiences and is also optimistic that outbound travel remains healthy.
When asked for projected transaction value by the time the fair ends on Sunday, Er said such information would not be available.
Appetite for package tours continues to remain strong in 2024 among all types of travellers, from multi-generational families to couples, according to travel agencies that TTG Asia spoke to at the fair.
They also predict destinations such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Europe to remain perennial favourites of Singapore residents. However, demand for destinations farther afield will also pick up, especially for Norway and Finland to catch the Northern Lights, due to reports that the phenomenon will be at its strongest this year
“Travellers are also looking for more experiential and in-depth tours”, said Diana Tan, head of department (HR & public relations), CTC Travel.
She observed a stronger desire for new sights. “People want to start exploring places they’ve never been to before to get a different experience,” she said.
Younger travellers, for instance, have made enquiries and bookings to places such as Antarctica. There has also been more demand for Xinjiang and Silk Road tours, Nepal, Egypt and Morocco, as well as requests for English-speaking guides.
Similarly, Jeremiah Wong, senior marketing communications manager, Chan Brothers Travel, noted an increase in more off-the-beaten-path destinations.
He expects bookings for the company’s Bhutan packages, which were popular in 2023, to gain more traction as they now include a chartered direct flight to the country. There has also been a healthy increase in interest to places such as Mongolia and Uzbekistan – also because of chartered flights.
Both Tan and Wong also noted that travellers were making their travel plans earlier than usual.
Wong has seen bookings made more than six months in advance especially for seasonal travel during popular periods, such as the cherry blossom season. High airfares post-Covid have also motivated people to confirm their travel plans earlier.
Among his customers, Wong noted strong demand for all types of package tours, from the fully planned ones to self-drive packages among multi-generational families, and has also observed more single travellers making bookings.
He added that even travellers who used to travel free and easy have converted to package tours as they appreciate the convenience.