Centara has appointed Pannarat Tantrativud as the new assistant vice president – CRM & customer service.
She will be responsible for leading Centara’s CRM and loyalty strategies, as well as the Customer Contact Centre, ensuring optimal customer service, relationship management, retention and commercial returns.
Prior to joining Centara, she was the general manager at Scale 360 Co.
Outbound demand for holidays to China are strong for this coming autumn and winter seasons, share outbound agents from Malaysia.
For the lack of direct flights to Harbin, Apple Vacations’ group managing director, Koh Yock Heng, shared that the company’s solution is to organise charter flights during the 2024 Chinese New Year period, with the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival as a draw.
The tour packages were sold at the recent consumer MITM Travel Fair held at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur. According to Koh, 30 per cent of the 287-seat charter flight capacity by Malaysia Airlines was sold during the three-day fair.
He added that packaged tours for autumn departures to Tibet and Inner Mongolia also sold well during the fair – these tour packages depend on first-tier cities, Beijing and Shanghai, as gateway cities.
Koh also welcomed the recent announcement by Malaysia-headquartered AirAsia regarding improvements in air connectivity to China.
AirAsia will soon resume flights from Kota Kinabalu to Hangzhou starting with three flights weekly from September 2, while sister airline AirAsia X will be increasing services from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing from four to five flights weekly from September 1, and from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai from four to seven-times weekly commencing September 15.
AirAsia X will also increase frequencies from Kuala Lumpur to Hangzhou from three to four flights weekly from September 30.
Patrick Law, managing director, Confidence Travel & Tour, shared that the improvements in air connectivity between China and Malaysia bodes well for both countries.
Law was happy with the take-up rate of his company’s sale packaged tours with fixed departures to Guilin and Yangshuo at the recent MITM Travel Fair. After a three-year lockdown, China is now high on the radar for many Malaysians looking for an affordable medium-haul destination to explore.
Adam Kamal, director of Suka Holiday which specialises in tours for the Muslim outbound market, hoped that the improvements in air connectivity between Malaysia and China will also result in reasonable airfares on AirAsia and AirAsia X.
Observing that four-night tours to Beijing and Shanghai were most popular among the Muslim family segment, Kamal shared that the confidence level among Muslim travellers to China has returned, and the company will be starting group departures to China from August.
With the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 happening in Manila in less than a month, the Philippines has launched tour packages for locals and 50,000-plus foreigners to complement the highly-anticipated sporting event.
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa), Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, Tourism Congress of the Philippines, PATA Philippines Chapter, and a consortium of 10 travel agencies will offer attractive airfares, hotels and tour rates from August 1 to September 30, shared Philtoa president Fe Abling-Yu.
Southeast Travel Corp. general manager Marlene Insigne said the tour packages will be sold through a travel app or an online booking site which will also be clickable from the FIBA World Cup Philippines website, as well as on the Department of Tourism (DoT) website, all social media apps of DoT attachés and regional offices, participating hotels and resorts, and the consortium of 10 tour operators.
Insigne added that the link will also be available to the different social media apps of the national basketball association Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, and other sites of Cignal TV.
Manila, Jakarta and Okinawa will co-host the World Cup from August 25 to September 30, of which out of 92 games, 52 will be in Manila as well as the final phase between September 5-10.
“Sporting events are always a big boost to domestic tourism and the FIBA Basketball World Cup, by its sheer number of spectators from abroad and from the country, is going to be a big contributor to further growing tourism this year,” Abling-Yu said on the sidelines of the launch of Philtoa’s 34th Philippine Travel Mart (September 1-3, 2023).
Other sources commented that the preparations to drumbeat Philippine tourism is “super late” and “rushed”, adding that it would have a far greater impact if the tourism aspects were given sufficient time, thought, planning and preparation.
When asked whether metro Manila is prepared for the scores of VIPs and spectators, Arjun Shroff, managing director, Shroff International Travelcare, remarked: “(Thinking of) how to take care of them is a beautiful issue to worry about as hotels are set and ready for the big crowd that will be distributed all over, including Alabang and Quezon City.”
He added: “The World Cup will definitely elevate August, normally a shoulder season, into a peak season.”
Amadeus has joined forces with China’s retail platform, Meituan, in a partnership that will bring more benefits to the users on both sides.
Hoteliers using iHotelier Channel Management’s network of 400+ global and local channels will be able to connect directly to Meituan to share their availability, rates and inventory, further maximising their distribution capabilities and driving demand to their properties.
Meanwhile, Meituan’s platform is favoured among millennials in China, and enables its hundreds of millions of users to book anything from restaurants, movie tickets and travel itineraries. With this new partnership, Meituan will give its users access to new hotel content across the world.
“We’re happy to partner with Amadeus to expand the hotel inventory on our platform. We’re confident that together, we can boost travel bookings and help more travellers build better journeys,” said Vincent Xie, general manager, overseas lodging, Meituan.
“(Meituan’s) understanding of the market and user experience in China is unparalleled. We are proud to enable our iHotelier customers to connect to Meituan users,” added Malcolm Cheong, general manager, hospitality, China, Amadeus.
SC Capital Partners (SCCP) has teamed up with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM) to acquire a portfolio of 27 resort hotels in Japan from Daiwa House Industry.
The hotels are in major tourist destinations across Japan, capturing both domestic and inbound demand. The investment strategy will focus on increasing top-line revenue, rebranding initiatives, improving distribution channels, and refurbishment works.
The portfolio was acquired for approximately US$900 million and includes a total of 7,124 keys. Japan Hotel REIT Advisors Co. (JHRA) will play an integral role in capturing the recovery and maximising the further growth of the portfolio.
Suchad Chiaranussati, chairman and founder of SCCP Group, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of the largest and most prominent hotel portfolios in Japan. The extensive platform and network we have built in Japan over the last 13 years, particularly in the hospitality space, puts us in a unique position to capitalise on the long-term relative value of this highly sought-after sector.”
“Japan’s real estate sector continues to deliver superior returns, and the country’s hotel market is well positioned for growth from the rebound of travel,” added Mohamed Al Qubaisi, executive director, real estate department, ADIA.
Meanwhile, Takashi Murata, global co-head of GSAM is confident that these assets in Japan are “well-situated to benefit from the rebound” and through the implementation of their strategy, will be “positioned to attract further demand and generate differentiated returns”.
South Korea’s ONDA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CMH Solutions to expand and digital transform the Turkish hotel industry.
Under the agreement, ONDA will offer its cloud-based hotel management solution to hotels in the Turkish market, initially providing its SaaS-based hotel management solutions to hotels that CMH Solutions newly opens this year. ONDA also plans to expand its offering to a broader range of CMH-operated hotels in the future.
Since last year, ONDA has provided its property management system to luxury chain hotels and resorts, including Ananti at Gangnam. It has also built strong partnerships with global technology companies through the online room distribution system ONDA Hub.
Operating over 25 large hotels and resorts, CMH Solutions will be spearheading the distribution of ONDA’s cloud-based hotel management solutions in Turkey.
This collaboration will further develop the existing relations between the two countries, with the introduction of ONDA’s branded hotels in Turkey, including SoTA (State of The Art) Collection.
CMH Solutions will undertake the development, construction, and operation of ONDA-branded hotels in the country, while ONDA will provide the SaaS hotel management solutions.
Gardens by the Bay in Singapore presents its latest floral display in the Flower Dome – Orchid Extravaganza: Orchids of the East Tropics.
The new exhibit explores the botanical connection of the orchid, a flower that has been widely hybridised into a multitude of diverse and beautiful forms, where many popular hybrids in the region have origins that can be traced back to native orchids of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
From now to September 17, Orchid Extravaganza: Orchids of the East Tropics will showcase elements that unite the five countries – from orchids to architecture to culture. It will display more than 7,000 orchids, including the native species from each country.
There will also be recreations of traditional houses from each of the five countries, such as the ancestral house of the Torajan people in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, with its boat-shaped roof; and other cultural elements showcased such as traditional games, artefacts, music instruments, and more.
In addition, Love, Kebaya, a travelling exhibition curated by Singapore’s National Heritage Board will return to Gardens by the Bay. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey to discover the iconic kebaya, and its significance to the region’s shared cultural identity and living heritage.
For more information, visit Orchid Extravaganza 2023.
Shangri-La Singapore has welcomed Xavier Pougnard back as its hotel manager.
With a career spanning 23 years, Pougnard brings with him a wealth of experience in operating international five-star luxury hotels in key cities across Asia, Egypt, and the US since 1996.
Previously at Shangri-La Singapore from 2014 to 2019, he returns to the hotel from his most recent role as store leader at Apple Singapore, and will be responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the hotel.
Regenerative tourism is the direction which New Zealand has taken coming out of the pandemic, where the country’s goal is to go beyond sustainable travel, and help visitors leave it in a much better place than when they first arrived.
Before the pandemic, New Zealand was at risk from overtourism, where in 2019, the country of five million was hosting 11 million visitors a year from 2016 to 2019, shared Cameron Hayes, marketing manager sustainability, Tourism New Zealand. While this meant that the tourism sector was thriving and there were many economic and social benefits, this enormous number was putting a strain on the environment and its people.
This led to the creation of Tiaki – Care for New Zealand, as New Zealand sought to build back better after the pandemic. Tiaki, a Mãori word that loosely translates to care, conserve, and protect, is made up of five behavioural pillars (Protect Nature, Keep NZ Clean, Be Prepared, Drive Carefully, and Show Respect) that inspire visitors to travel safely and conscientiously.
Acknowledging the Tiaki promise is one thing; visitors are also encouraged to walk the talk, such as by giving wildlife space, not using a drone, keeping camping areas clean, not drinking and driving, paying attention to speed limits, not littering, and respecting Mãori sites.
Local tourism operators are making it easy for travellers to do the right thing.
Dale Burrows, director, Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, told TTG Asia: “One of our efforts includes a push for predator-free New Zealand, to give the kiwis (birds) a chance. We have partnered with Zero Invasive Predators and Predator Free South Westland initiative by assisting with transport to areas along the Lake Mapourika and Kiwi Sanctuary shoreline.
“We also assist with responses they have had through their network of AI Camera and monitoring systems in the surrounding rainforest.”
One of the company’s achievements was working with the Department of Conservation on the Operation Nest Egg programme to bring back the rare Rowi Kiwi back from the brink of extinction into a stable pocket of 500 birds; and in the last year or so, Franz Josef Wilderness Tours has also achieved carbon zero.
Guests on their tours within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park will also be able to check traps, and learn about conservation efforts firsthand.
Burrows added: “Education is a very important part of Tiaki. We teach guests about the flora and fauna of New Zealand, and sustainable practices like leaving only footprints.”
Similarly, Darren Gamble, tourism manager of Mount White Station in Arthur’s Pass, is offering longer, immersive stays that show tourists how close the locals’ relationship with the land is.
Gamble elaborated: “Visitors get to learn about beekeeping through the three-hour pollen-to-plate experience. They go out with the beekeepers to harvest the honey, then to the extraction, before trying some honey paired with wines. We also can take guests to see the sheep, shepherds, and 15 dogs they work with. There’s also a deer paddock on-site.”
By revelling in these experiences, Gamble pointed out travellers will be able to learn about what farmers struggle with, and show them how much effort goes into shearing a sheep to produce enough wool to make a sweater, as well as reconnect with nature to boost mental health.
Further up on the North Island, Sam Sutton, director, Rotorua Rafting and Rotorua Ziplines, is on a mission to plant 100,000 native trees, which will in turn rid 90 per cent of gorse (a yellow-flowering shrub that is a major invasive plant species in New Zealand).
He told TTG Asia: “We have a whole pest control network set up, and it’s easy for clients to participate in. These include planting a tree, or supporting a programme that deals with predators. New Zealand has the fastest rate of extinction of our indigenous species more so than any other country (due to invasive flora and fauna introduced by early settlers).”
During the company’s rafting tours, guides take time to point out the different flora and fauna and explain their purposes. They also explain why rats and possums are killed – because these introduced animals are destroying New Zealand’s ecosystem. Possums consume 20,000 tonnes of foliage each night, while 68,000 native birds are eaten by introduced predators every night.
Sutton opined: “Honestly, I don’t think there’s another industry that’s got more focus and buy-in from the operators in all aspects. In New Zealand, regenerative tourism is at the core essence of what everybody does.”
Rene de Monchy, chief executive, Tourism New Zealand, stated: “Our vision by 2030 is that we want all visitors to New Zealand to be of high quality, which will lead to a more productive and regenerative New Zealand.”
He noted that “high-quality visitors” go beyond “high net worth visitors”, and includes travellers who are engaged with New Zealand’s culture and nature, and undertake a range of experiences at different times of the year.
“Visitors to New Zealand who’ve been influenced by our work either on a consumer or trade level will spend more, visit more regions, and come in the off-peak seasons, and have higher efficacy for New Zealand after they leave.
“These visitors will enrich the wellbeing of New Zealand, help to create jobs, restore nature, and enhance our heritage building. That is very important to us,” said de Monchy.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) hosted a successful roadshow in Jakarta, Indonesia today, the first of a series of three roadshows in South-east Asia.
The second roadshow will be held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 2, followed by a third roadshow on August 4 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The roadshows not only promote Maldivian products and experiences, but also focuses on networking with the tour operators and travel agents from the region, strengthening trade relationships, and maintaining South-east Asia as one of the top source markets for the Maldives. Participants will also have the opportunity to win stay packages during the event.
A total of 17 companies from the Maldivian tourism industry are taking part in the roadshows, including Adaaran Resorts & Heritance Aarah Maldives, Furaveri Island Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, Inner Maldives Holidays, Island Life Travel, Lily Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives Getaways, Oaga Art Resort, Plumeria Hotels and Resorts, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa, Resort Life Maldives, Roam Maldives, Splendid Asia, Sun Siyam Travels, The Residence Maldives, Travel Connection Maldives and UI Maldives.
As of May 2023, the Maldives has welcomed a total of 24,573 arrivals from South-east Asia. MMPRC has also promoted the destination at major travel fairs in the region, such as MATTA 2023 in Malaysia and ADEX Ocean Mission 2023 in Singapore, and will participate in upcoming major trade shows such as NATAS Holidays 2023 and ITB Asia 2023.
