Philippines amps up dive tourism offerings
The Philippines is developing more dive spots and improving existing ones as part of an aggressive bid to sustain the inroads gained over the years.
The latest offering, Romblon-Boracay dive and island hopping circuit combining Romblon and Boracay, is showing great prospects, said Maria Margarita Nograles, chief operating officer of Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DoT).
Emerging dive sites including Romblon, Marinduque, Batanes, Siquijor and Leyte are gaining popularity, she added.
“Diving is a priority product. Marketing and promotions over the years are paying off as the foreign market is responding very well with more divers coming to the Philippines,” shared Nograles.
Indeed, the DoT reported that foreign dive visitors last year contributed 37 billion pesos (US$651.41 million) or over 17.5 per cent of the Philippines’ total tourism receipts.
Philippines as a divers’ paradise is strong in Europe and North Asia given the endless possibilities in the country with over 7,000 islands, as well as its location in the Coral Triangle.
To sustain existing markets and tap new ones, Nograles said the country participated in eight international dive shows and will participate in two more this year – the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association in the US, and the Dive, Resort and Travel Show in Hong Kong.
TPB is also organising fam trips for tour operators, DMCs and influencers to showcase various diving products in the country.
At the recent first Dive Dialogue initiated by the DoT in Cebu, tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco shared that to ensure that scuba divers will have access to affordable treatment for decompression sickness, hyperbaric chambers have been provided in popular dive sites in Mabini, Batangas; Panglao, Bohol; Mandaue, Cebu; and Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Additional hyperbaric chambers will be placed in Dumaguete, Boracay, Puerto Galera, and Daanbantayan Island, Frasco said.
The country’s own dive expo brand, the Philippine International Dive Expo – combining a dive travel exchange, B2B meeting programme, dive conferences and seminars, exhibition booths, and fam tours to key and emerging dive destinations – will enter its fourth edition next year.
Asia-Pacific is the next frontier for Yotel
Yotel has kickstarted its ambitious expansion plans, with 14 properties in the global pipeline set to open within the next three years, a number of which will be located in Asia-Pacific.
“Our next two properties, which will open in 4Q2024, will be located in Bangkok and Tokyo. Each will have around 250 keys, and both will be our two new flagships, being the first in their respective countries,” Hubert Viriot, CEO of Yotel, told TTG Asia.
He added that both Thailand and Japan are “critical” markets, with plans for expansion in both countries. Japan will also be getting a new development office to “boost Yotel’s growth”.
Kuala Lumpur will get two new properties – a Yotel and a Yotelpad. The latter is a serviced apartment brand that targets the long-stay market.
“They will be in different locations. Yotelpad in Malaysia will also be the first in Asia-Pacific,” he added.
When asked why Singapore did not get first dibs on Yotelpad (Yotel Singapore opened in 2017, and YotelAir Changi Airport in 2019), Viriot laughed and said: “The opportunity came up in Malaysia, and it doesn’t mean we’re not interested in Singapore. We should have a third brand here soon.”
In fact, he highlighted that both Singapore properties are doing well, stating that 2023 was the “best year ever” both in terms of room rate and occupancy. For these two properties, 80 per cent of the guests are Asian.
Development opportunities in Australia and New Zealand also abound.
Viriot said: “We have another project in Perth coming up. We are actively looking for opportunities in Sydney as well. Given the price of real estate in most cities in Australia, our concept makes complete sense. We help hotel owners maximise their piece of real estate, while catering to current travel trends.
“We will also have our first project in New Zealand, though I can’t name which city or brand yet.”
Noticeably, the three largest countries in the region – China, India and Indonesia – will not be getting a Yotel yet, because “these countries are so large, they require a specific strategy”.
“We’ve got good headwind ahead of us, and Asia-Pacific holds massive potential. The brand is well-recognised, and the concept is accepted by a variety of customers. This is what we are expanding as rapidly as we can,” concluded Viriot.
TBO.com holds bold vision for Asia-Pacific
Travel distribution platform, TBO.com, is actively expanding its presence in Asia-Pacific, in alignment with its ambitious goal of becoming the largest travel distribution platform in the region by 2025.
Vijayeta James, who assumed the role of commercial director for Asia-Pacific and China in 2022, has been instrumental in driving this growth strategy.
She told TTG Asia that plans are right on track.
TBO.com’s Asia expansion began with the establishment of a fully equipped office in Kuala Lumpur in November 2022, dedicated to sales, contracting, and local operations.
A mere three months later, an office was opened in Indonesia; an office in Seoul follows this month.
Notably, TBO.com has maintained a presence in Shanghai since 2019, despite challenging times during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Next year, there are plans to establish three more full-fledged offices in Asia-Pacific – details will come later.
Simultaneously, there are intentions to double the workforce in existing offices, with the aim of significantly improving client services.
Additionally, TBO.com has broadened its offerings this year by introducing Umra packages, targeting agents selling pilgrimage arrangements to travellers in Malaysia, the Philippines, and Southern Thailand.
The company is also actively exploring potential acquisitions in the market, including local DMCs and regional travel distribution companies.
Vijayeta highlighted significant opportunities in the region: “Presently, 80 per cent of travellers are regional, but with the gradual addition of longhaul capacity to the market, we envision that from 2H2024, there will be substantial growth in longhaul business, both inbound and outbound.”
This aligns well with TBO.com’s strong presence in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.
Pan Pacific Perth to showcase revamped look in 2024
Pan Pacific Perth’s extensive refurbishment, which commenced earlier this year, is scheduled to reach completion by mid-late 2024.
Located on Adelaide Terrace and featuring views of the Swan River, the hotel transformation will include complete refurbishment of 392 guestrooms and suites, as well as the revitalisation of 96 Pacific Club rooms and suites. The eight versatile spaces on the convention level will also be completely renovated, including the two large capacity ballrooms and pre-function area.
Plans for a remodelled porte cochère and entire lobby will begin in the new year, including redesign of two of the hotel’s popular dining outlets. The Pacific Club lounge on level seven will also feature a reimagined design to elevate accessibility of the club lounge services.
The first of the newly-refurbished rooms are now available for booking.
Marriott signs three properties in Vietnam
Marriott International will introduce three new luxury resorts in Vietnam, with the debut of two new brands into the country – Ritz-Carlton Reserve and The Luxury Collection on the tropical paradise of Hon Thom Island in Phu Quoc – and Vietnam’s third JW Marriott Hotel set for Trang An, in northern Vietnam.
Slated to open in 2028, JW Marriott Trang An Resort & Spa will feature 150 rooms and suites, plus a collection of 35 one- and two-bedroom villas, with options for private pools. Plans for the resort also include two restaurants, a café, lobby lounge and two bars, two pool zones, spa, fitness centre, kids’ club, recreational activity centre, ballroom and two meeting rooms.
The Luxury Collection Resort, Hon Thom Island is scheduled to open in 2029 with 305 rooms and suites. Facilities will comprise two pool areas, kids’ club, activity centre, fitness centre, spa, restaurants and bars, as well as event venues.
Anticipated to open in 2028 and slated to be designed by Bill Bensley, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Hon Thom Island is will offer a curated collection of 40 pool villas, two resort pools, spa, salon, fitness centre, restaurants, bars and meeting spaces. In addition, the resort will also feature Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment educational programme for kids.
Singapore Grand Prix 2024 sees overwhelming demand for tickets
With Early Bird tickets to the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024 already sold out, Singapore GP will start sales of regular priced tickets earlier than originally planned to November 1 to meet the demand.
Sales across all hospitality categories have also been equally strong, with dedicated suites at the Formula 1 Paddock Club, Sky Suite, and Lounge@Turn 3 for next year’s race almost fully taken up.
All tickets to the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2024 provide access to the concerts at the Padang Stage in Zone 4.
“After a record year in 2023, interest across all hospitality products remain extremely strong. With a return rate of over 70 per cent, many categories are already close to selling out for 2024,” said Shamini Suppiah, director of hospitality and sponsorship sales, Singapore GP.
Alii Palau Airlines commences Singapore-Palau service
Alii Palau Airlines will launch a new route directly connecting Singapore to Koror, Palau, on November 23.
Operated by Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair), the national carrier of the Royal Government of Bhutan, this new service will connect three destinations – Bhutan, Singapore and Palau.
The five-hour flight will be operated on the Airbus A320neo, flying once a week on Thursdays from November 23 to December 20. From December 21, flights will be increased to twice-weekly on Thursdays and Sundays.
Asia gets more of Philippine NTO’s love
Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT), is focusing on ever-changing Asia where most of its key source markets are.
Of the 13 key markets bringing more than 100,000 tourists a year, eight are in Asia: South Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Malaysia and Hong Kong. The rest are longhaul: the US, Canada, the UK, Germany and Australia.
“While strengthening existing relationships, especially post-pandemic, remains a priority, we are committed to maximising our potential in key strategic markets,” TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Nograles told TTG Asia.
In South Korea, the Philippines has “transitioned from targeting honeymooners and English-as-second-language (ESL) consumers to focusing on families and FITs”.
It is also “expanding MICE opportunities” from South-east Asia, and has stepped up focused efforts on India with a roadshow across four Indian cities, concentrating on luxury travel, destination weddings, and corporate incentive trips.
Nograles also noted Vietnam’s potential. Recent market profiles show that over half of Vietnamese tourists visit the Philippines for vacation and pleasure, and the rest for friends and relatives.
Given these market insights, TPB is integrating the new brand campaign, Love the Philippines “into international shows and media efforts, with plans to expand its reach further”, Nograles said.
While tourist favourites Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan and Manila are taking off with direct international flights, TPB is also shining the spotlight on hidden ecotourism gems of Ilocos Norte, Cotabato’s waterfall network, Antique’s pristine beaches, and Tawi-Tawi’s stunning shores.
TPB has allocated a 1.2 billion pesos (US$212 million) budget for this fiscal year – a modest sum when compared to its extensive responsibilities.
However, as a testament to its remarkable efficiency and resourcefulness, Nograles said that to date, “TPB has organised, participated and supported 200 programmes, events and tours generating over five billion pesos in sales leads and 690 million pesos in media value on advertising and PR exposure for the country all over the world”.
Malaysian tourism thrives amid weak ringgit
Malaysian inbound players have reported improved business prospects this year, as the weak ringgit grants travellers greater buying power.
The ringgit has weakened substantially against the US dollar, declining by more than 10 per cent since the start of 2022. It has also weakened when measured year-to-date against other major currencies such as the euro, pound sterling, Japanese yen, and Singapore dollar.
Anthea Yeo, director of sales and marketing at Grand Margherita Hotel & Riverside Majestic Hotel in Kuching, said she was seeing increased volumes of group tours out of eastern Europe.
She shared: “In the past, group sizes were around 15 people. Now we see 20 people or more in a group.”
Ling How Kang, managing director of Sibu-based Greatown Travel, revealed that many Singaporeans visiting Sibu are now purchasing additional luggage before departing, just to stow their haul from shopping sprees in Sibu — local food products and handcrafted items are popular.
He said Sibu is still considered a new destination for Singaporeans, and access is aided by AirAsia’s direct flights launched in December 2022.
He said: “In 2H2023, we’ve observed a growing interest among Singaporeans to visit Sibu. The number of travel groups has surged, and group sizes have expanded from 10 to 12 during the initial flights to groups numbering in the 20s and 30s. Forward bookings are also looking promising.”
Hannah Choo, director of sales, CPH Travel Agencies (Sarawak), noted that although her Italian guests still prefer budget accommodation, they are enriching their itineraries with more nature-based tours.
Meanwhile, Rosmawati Sayuti, the proprietor of Bayu Lestari Island Resort in Johor, disclosed that her 21-room resort successfully hosted two private weddings for guests from Australia and New Zealand this year, with organisers reserving the entire resort for those occasions. Furthermore, a television production team from Sweden has reserved the entire resort for a three-month period in the coming year.
According to Rosmawati, the devaluation of the ringgit has contributed to making the destination even more appealing to international visitors.
The 2024 edition of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will return to Dubai from May 6 to 9 with the theme, Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship.
Attendees will consider how the segments of leisure, business, luxury and MICE are driving economic growth and sustainable development across destinations, hospitality and aviation, creating fresh opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors from across the Middle East and beyond.
Danielle Curtis, ATM’s exhibition director, said: “Holidaymakers represent a crucial focus for the Middle East’s travel community, but leisure is only one component of a much bigger picture. Business, luxury and MICE travel are also making significant contributions to economic growth and sustainable development, with Statista predicting a global market volume of more than US$1 trillion by 2027.
“It is therefore no surprise that the travel and tourism sector is creating unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, thousands of whom will showcase their innovations, exchange ideas and forge new partnerships at ATM 2024,” she added.
The travel and tourism sector is on course to contribute US$49.18 billion to the UAE economy alone in 2023, according to figures released by the WTTC. This figure is predicted to reach US$64.12 billion by 2033, accounting for an impressive 10.2 per cent of the nation’s GDP.
As the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry continues to mature, it is expected to create new jobs and income for millions of people from across the globe. The UAE Government, for instance, estimates that the country’s travel and tourism market will support 770,000 jobs by 2027. At the same time, the sector is expected to generate ever-increasing revenues for regional economies – Gulf travellers spending approximately 6.5 times more than tourists from other parts of the world, according to the UN Tourism.
Sustainable development will represent another key focus at ATM 2024. Dubai’s Department for Economy and Tourism (DET), ATM’s Destination Partner, will showcase its ongoing efforts to protect the environment and secure a greener and more sustainable future for the emirate.