The Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2023 will be themed Reconnecting to Quality & Sustainable Tourism to align with the growing need for cultural awareness, sustainable tourism, environmental considerations, and the increasing desire for responsible travel.
As such, the ninth edition of BBTF aims to showcase and promote sustainable tourism products that will contribute to a responsible future. The event will also emphasise the significance of health and well-being, community-based tourism, and reflect on the current growth of the wellness and medical tourism industry.
This year’s BBTF event will welcome new integrated industry participants from state-owned enterprises as well as Indonesian exhibitors; BBTF 2022, pictured
BBTF 2023’s committee head, I Putu Winastra, said: “Travellers are seeking quality and sustainability – the Indonesian government recognises this demand and has prioritised the development of such tourism.”
Expecting the event to go beyond mere rhetoric, Putu shared that sellers have been asked to register relevant products, such as health, wellness, or spiritual travel offerings, while buyers are encouraged to specify their desired products. This approach aims to ensure that the theme is reflected in the tangible offerings of the fair.
As part of the show, the BBTF committee will also organise seminars to discuss the opportunities and challenges of quality and sustainable tourism, as well as the development of health tourism businesses.
BBTF 2023 will feature 230 sellers from Indonesia, China, Italy, Malaysia, and the US, along with 335 buyers from 51 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Asia, and the US. Qatar Airways will also be present.
This year, BBTF will welcome several new integrated industry participants from state-owned enterprises, who will join Indonesian exhibitors representing Bali, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, East Kalimantan, Bangka Belitung Islands, Riau Islands, West Java, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, and West Sumatra.
To elevate halal culinary excellence in Singapore, the first-ever HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards 2024 was launched at last week’s Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023.
Starting in October, some 500 establishments will be shortlisted and evaluated by chefs and food critics. Award categories include Restaurant, Cuisine, Special (such as cafés and dessert/pastry shops), and Chef. The awards will be presented on May 31 next year at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2024.
The first-ever HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards 2024 was launched at Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023
Inspired by the Michelin Guide, the event is the brainchild of CrescentRating and HalalTrip CEO Fazal Bahardeen, who reached out to the Singapore Halal Culinary Federation (SHCF) to work together to identify, recognise and promote the best halal restaurants across various categories in the city-state.
Fazal remarked it was time to elevate halal cuisine and fill a gap as the food scene had developed beyond just halal certification to embody a complete culinary experience.
“Today’s Muslim diners are not only looking for halal-certified establishments but are also seeking out destinations that offer a diverse range of quality halal cuisines. This trend reflects a broader shift in halal dining, with a focus on quality, creativity, and a wide array of culinary options,” he noted.
Fazal further emphasised the need to recognise and promote the best halal culinary experiences in destinations.
According to a 2021 study, a Singapore Muslim consumer’s 2019 expenditure on halal dining and delivery was S$700 million (USS$518.9 million) and 60 per cent of respondents dined with a non-Muslim friend in a halal restaurant at least once a month.
Meanwhile, Fazal is exploring the possibility of expanding the inaugural 2024 event to cities in other destinations like Malaysia and Indonesia.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has teamed up with LFG Property to launch the first Caption by Hyatt hotel in Sydney, Australia.
Slated to be completed in early 2025, this development will mark the debut of the Caption by Hyatt brand in the country.
The first Caption by Hyatt hotel in Sydney is slated to open early 2025
The 174-key hotel will be centrally located in Haymarket, a vibrant multicultural neighbourhood at the southern end of the Sydney Central Business District, home to the city’s Chinatown, Capitol Theatre, and nearby attractions like Darling Harbour, Sydney International Convention Centre, F&B, several universities and the new Tech Central innovation and technology precinct.
“We are excited to work with LFG Property to bring the Caption by Hyatt brand to Australia for the first time,” said David Udell, group president, Asia-Pacific, Hyatt. “This new development will create an environment where guests and locals alike can feel at home, in a space that reflects the character of the community.”
Over the next two years, Hyatt has plans to expand the Caption by Hyatt hotel brand in Australia, as well as in China, Japan and Vietnam.
Sands China kicked off the first edition of The Macao Showcase at its sister property, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
The largest operator of integrated resorts in Macau led a delegation of about 200 from local SMEs, associations and media to the city-state to showcase Macau’s appeal as a world centre of tourism, as well as premier leisure and MICE destination.
The Macao Showcase features a gala dinner where guests were entertained with a bespoke show
The three-day extravaganza from June 7 to 9 celebrated the best of Macau with an opening ceremony, comprehensive trade show titled A Taste of Macao, MICE and luxury forum, as well as a gala dinner.
The trade show allowed visitors to experience the multi-faceted charms of Macau from its gastronomy, fashion, arts & culture to wellness offerings, while international thought leaders and industry experts discussed a wide range of current trends in five themed sessions at the forum.
The gala dinner spotlighted Sands China’s signature culinary excellence, with menu offerings crafted by its celebrated chefs. Guests were also entertained in a bespoke show curated for the evening, including a “front-row” fashion experience featuring Macau’s fashion talents and performances by UK-based The Overtones.
Hong Kong Airlines is ramping up its flight operations by increasing connections between Hong Kong and key destinations in mainland China.
Hong Kong Airlines ramps up flight operations between Hong Kong and mainland China
From June 15, daily flights to Chongqing will resume while flights to Hangzhou will increase to 10 times weekly. The daily Hong Kong-Sanya service will also resume from July 1.
The All Nippon Airways (ANA) Group has joined the Pokémon Air Adventure programme through its partnership with The Pokémon Company, introducing the new Pikachu Jet NH which flies between Tokyo and Bangkok.
The ANA Pikachu Jet displays a Pokémon livery on the exterior with Pikachu-themed designs throughout the interior, including themed cabin crew aprons and other in-flight amenities.
The new Pikachu Jet NH flies between Tokyo and Bangkok from now till October 28
In addition, exclusive commemorative gifts will be available for all Pikachu Jet passengers, including a Pikachu-adorned kifuda (Japanese wooden tags), Pokémon stickers, and special Pokémon-themed boarding certificates.
The Pikachu Jet NH made its inaugural flight on June 4, flying from Tokyo to Bangkok. This service will continue to operate till October 28.
Other destinations in the line-up include Singapore, Jakarta, Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, Delhi, Sydney, Vancouver, and Honolulu.
Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel, Japan On the upper floors of the 48-storey Tokyu Kabukicho Tower is Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel featuring 97 rooms and suites that overlook the city skyline.
Penthouse guests will enjoy a 24/7 personal butler service upon request, private chef for in-room fine dining, and access to the Penthouse Lounge located on the 46th floor.
Onsite are three restaurants that serve up French dishes, Teppanyaki fare, and Edomae-style sushi, as well as the hotel’s Bar Bellustar. There is also a spa available for guests.
Best Western Ratchada Hotel
Best Western Ratchada Hotel, Thailand Best Western Ratchada Hotel is located right in the heart of the Ratchada district, just a few minutes from the Embassy of PR China and the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
The hotel offers 120 rooms including double, twin or family options, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, and boardroom.
Both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports are just a 30-40-minutes’ drive away. The property is also nearby Phra Ram 9 MRT subway station and Thailand Cultural Centre MRT subway station.
Dorsett Melbourne
Dorsett Melbourne, Australia Situated in Melbourne’s CBD area is the 316-key Dorsett Melbourne, a pet-friendly hotel with amenities such as a lobby lounge, restaurant, bar, indoor heated pool, spa, sauna, steam room, wellness room, gym and meeting rooms. New restaurants and cafés will be introduced later this year.
Dorsett Melbourne is accessible to Southern Cross Station, Marvel Stadium, Flagstaff Gardens, Spencer Street outlets and is a short walk or tram ride to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Queen Victoria Market.
Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel
Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel, Japan Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A Parkroyal Hotel boasts 538 guestrooms and is located on the 18th to 38th floor of the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower.
Guests can choose to stay in one of the nine specially-created guestrooms (through a collaboration with renowned local artists) that depict the ancient art history and culture of Kabukicho and Shinjuku.
The property has a restaurant and bar on the 17th floor, as well as event venues such as a rooftop terrace for live entertainment, and an outdoor space.
Held in Batam, Indonesia from 26th to 29th August 2023, the conference will showcase 20 international speakers, researchers, and thought leaders over 6 tracks, 10 panel sessions, and 2 concurrent sessions.
Anddy Fong, ARTDO President, shared that there will be 27 countries taking part in the conference which aims to promote the learning, sharing of experiences, and developing of talents internationally in today’s rapidly changing environment while concurrently sharing the wonders of Indonesian hospitality.
Further details of the conferece programme are available here while registration is available here. Secure your slot now.
Travel and tourism industry players engaged in a panel discussion on the power of short-form videos at TikTok’s inaugural event for the sector, Travel Unboxed, in May
Travel and tourism industry players engaged in a panel discussion on the power of short-form videos at TikTok’s inaugural event for the sector, Travel Unboxed, in May
As border restrictions ease and the travel industry recovers, tourists are making up for lost time and eager to explore the world once again.
To cut through the cluttered competitive space for their attention, travel brands must be able to inspire wanderlust, connect deeply with them and satisfy their motivations.
With TikTok, industry players can now capitalise on personalised content delivered through its recommendation engine to reach targeted travellers before they even have an intent to travel.
To demonstrate the power of short-form videos for the travel and tourism industry, TikTok organised its first-ever physical event curated for the sector, Travel Unboxed, in May. It was attended by more than 170 representatives from OTAs, airlines, hotels and media agencies from South-east Asia.
Travel Unboxed 2023
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Travel brands and agencies across the region participated in networking and breakout sessions
More than 170 representatives from OTAs, airlines, hotels and media agencies in South-east Asia were present
Event attendees got to enjoy immersive experiences at the experiential zones on-site
Travel Unboxed was TikTok's first-ever physical event curated for the industry
Real experiences, real reviews, real travellers TikTok creates the intent to travel by making it possible to travel through the experiences of other travellers. Users share their authentic experiences on the short-form video platform with a like-minded community, through the raw and real moments captured during their journeys.
In fact, the unique #ForYou feed offers tailored travel content allowing time-strapped travellers to immerse in experiences before they embark on a trip.
According to a TikTok commissioned survey on travel in South-east Asia last year, 80 per cent of TikTok users agree that the platform had inspired them to travel. About 70 per cent of them also indicated that they like to share their travel experiences with others on TikTok.
A case in point – Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) videos gained traction through TikTok, with travellers sharing their love and interest in Singapore as a tourist destination and helped built brand love across the platform through the hashtag #visitSingapore. These videos have over 379 million views to date.
Driving real results & impact Apart from the democratisation of content and creativity that gave rise to videos that are deemed more authentic and relatable to fellow travellers, TikTok’s marketing mix can enable brands to reach travellers effectively.
Brands have seen success and higher efficiency since tapping into TikTok’s suite of solutions that powers full-funnel campaigns.
For example, they saw up to two times more conversions, 36 per cent more efficient CPA (cost per acquisition), and 33 per cent higher CVR (conversation rate) when running a full-funnel campaign, according to TikTok’s Media Settings Levers Driving Performance Study, South-east Asia, 2022.
Brands can therefore reap short-term benefits with immediate conversions with performance solutions and gain a long-term impact by building brand love and broadening reach through branding solutions on TikTok.
Georgina Koh, director, marketing activation, STB, panelist at the Travel Unboxed event, believed that moving forward, people are going to be increasingly engaged in raw and unfiltered content, rather than polished, highly glossy productions.
“As a destination and travel brand, it’s important for us to harness the power of tools that allow people to develop creative content on their own in a very real and authentic way.”
Another panelist, Marcus Yong, vice president, global marketing, Klook even saw the future potential of bridging the online-to-offline travel experience with TikTok – forming a repeated cycle from the online stage where travellers search for what to do, taking part in the activity at the destination offline, and creating a short-form video, leaving a review, to discovering new activities at the location.
@tiktokforbusinesssea✈ Experience the trip before the trip on TikTok! Watch TikTok Unboxed 2023 at the LINK IN BIO to learn how to leverage #travel, #content, and #community for your brand. #TikTokTravelUnboxed #Marketing #TravelMarketing♬ original sound – TikTok for Business SEA
Reaching out to a diverse & passionate travel community TikTok’s growing user base has led to the explosion of travel reviews and content which are at the forefront of driving the culture of travel.
Rich and diverse subcultures arising from hashtags, such as #familytravel and #streetfood, managed to garner billions of views, because of the community’s shared interest in the topics.
TikTok’s research also identified five key personas among its users – nature lovers (68 per cent), culture seekers (64 per cent), foodies (57 per cent), event-goers (57 per cent) and luxury travellers (29 per cent).
Insights showed that nature lovers are travellers who are most excited about nature, love the outdoors, and value places with sustainability practices. They are more likely to consider environmental factors when making travel plans.
Luxury travellers will splurge on an elevated travelling experience and have spent US$7,500 on average over the past year on their vacations.
Currently, there is a mix of targeting techniques and options available on TikTok such as interest, behaviour, hashtag targeting and even contextual targeting, where brands are able to place their advertisement or branded content before and after a piece of relevant content to target these personas.
TikTok offers brands the opportunity to play in the space where inspiration begins, before travellers even have the intent to travel. With real travellers sharing authentic experiences on the short-video platform, brands can utilise TikTok’s suite of solutions to show up where it matters in the multi-touch journey to drive real results and impact.
TikTok is the trip before the trip.
Ready to unleash the power of short-from videos to turbocharge your marketing efforts?
Find out how your brand can tap on TikTok to fuel inspiration before potential travellers even consider a trip here.
To learn how to leverage TikTok to unlock the full potential of your travel business, check out the video on-demand of Travel Unboxed 2023 here.
Christchurch has been laser-focused on shifting perceptions from its broken image of the 2011 earthquake, and is in the process of building a new city identity that positions it as an appealing place for both leisure and business travellers.
Ali Adams, chief executive, ChristchurchNZ, shared: “At the moment, we have two tourism plans that we’re developing. One for Christchurch, and one for the surrounding regions. These will be completed soon. The support of the tourism sector and recovery of the visitor economy have been absolutely crucial to Christchurch. I can’t stress how valued visitors are here in Christchurch; we really want tourism here.”
One of the murals seen during Watch This Space’s Walking Street Art Tour (Photo: Rachel AJ Lee)
For example, cruise ships can now call at Christchurch after a 12-year hiatus. Between October 2022 and April 2023, Christchurch welcomed 123,000 cruise passengers through the purpose-built Lyttelton terminal.
Adams said of this significant milestone: “Eleven years on from our last large passenger cruise ship, we have a fresh, revitalised city and new tourism experiences on offer.”
New city experiences include paddling on the Avon River with Waka On Avon, Amiki Tours’ culture and food tours, Watch This Space’s Walking Street Art Tour, while new accommodations include The Mayfair and The Observatory Hotel.
Local tour operators echo Adams’ positive sentiments.
Watch This Space’s creative director, Reuben Woods, told TTG Asia: “I am confident that visitors to the city will find a wide range of attractions and as such, I think the future of tourism is positive. With a range of events and experiences developing here, I can see the city shedding the gateway identity it has perhaps held previously.”
The Art in the Streets walking tour serves to do just that, by reconciling the impact of the quakes while contributing to the re-imagination of the city. Visitors will get to view colourful murals and graffiti art of all sizes, learn about the history of urban art, and insights into the artist’s inspiration behind each work.
Amiki Tours’ lead guide Riwai Grace, added: “Our job is simple – to let go of the past perceptions and narratives of this region and positively promote us as a must-do destination. As a new indigenous operator, it is so great to have our borders open again. We hope to see a flow of arriving international travellers who will embrace cultural experiences and will want to genuinely engage with the spaces and people that they visit.”
Amiki Tours offers a range of walking food tours that combine storytelling, history, culture and city sights with kai (food), manaakitanga (hospitality) and whanaungatanga (connection). Guests will learn facts about Christchurch and the significance of pounamu (green jade) in Māori culture, while meandering to cosy bars like Salut Salut for their cheese platters and extensive New Zealand wine list or convivial spots such as Kaiser Brew Garden, run by three German-Kiwi brothers who handcraft their beers.
Moving forward, Grace added that partnerships – with the local councils, ChristchurchNZ, and tourism operators – are incredibly crucial in ensuring the region continues to have a “positive narrative”.
Woods pointed out that partnerships with OTAs was also necessary to showcase the “activities and experiences Christchurch’s local talent and resources are producing”.
Pre-Covid, travel agents drove about 70 per cent of all international businesses into Christchurch, and in turn throughout the South Island, representing about NZ$1 billion (US$607,920) in 2019.
Adams concluded: “What remains strongest (in Christchurch) is that community spirit and sense of togetherness that runs deep over the challenges of the past decade. It has taken leadership, collaboration and a creative, open-minded approach from all of us. These things don’t happen easily, and the revitalisation of Christchurch has not been done in isolation.”
