Sri Lankan minister apologises for Maldives criticism at ITB Berlin
Sri Lanka’s tourism minister Harin Fernando has issued an apology for his comments on the Maldives made during a press briefing at ITB Berlin last week.
Speaking at the tradeshow, Fernando said Sri Lanka had much more to offer tourists than the Maldives.
“Maldives just has the beach – I’m not criticising – but you stay there for five days, you get fed up of it. That’s it. You’re just (on) an island, you are caught up in one place,” he said.
Following severe criticism of his opinion, Fernando tweeted: “My statement made in Berlin regarding the beautiful Maldive islands has been taken out of context and been misrepresented on social media. I wish to clarify that we work together with our neighbour on tourism and would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
Various Maldivian officers have responded to Fernando’s comments.
Maldives tourism minister Abdulla Mausoom, in a tweet, said the Maldives has been declared the world’s leading destination for the past four years including 2022. “Thanks to developers and service providers for making the Maldives simply the best and addictive,” he said.
Maldives parliamentarian Mohamed Shifau invited the Sri Lankan minister to visit his country and experience world-class hospitality.
Hong Kong Airlines operates direct flights to Fukuoka for the first time
Hong Kong Airlines will launch a four-times-weekly flight connecting Hong Kong and Fukuoka, Japan, from April 7, 2023.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, HX640 will depart Hong Kong at 10.25, and arrive in Fukuoka at 15.00. The return flight, HX641 will take off from Fukuoka at 16.00, and arrive back in Hong Kong at 18.35.
The company has also announced it would resume its five-times-weekly service to Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and daily service to Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport starting from April 17.
China to restore all visas from March 15
China’s foreign ministry said today that it would restore the issuance of all types of visas from March 15 – signalling the country’s complete reopening to foreign tourists for the first time in three years since the pandemic.
Areas in China that were visa-free pre-pandemic, such as Hainan and Guangdong (for foreigners from Hong Kong and Macau), will regain its accessibility.
The authorities also said it would honour visas issued before March 28, 2020 that are still within their validity dates.
Island Shangri-La beckons with new themed rooms
Following the completion of renovations to its guestrooms and suites, Island Shangri-La has now launched a series of unique themed experiences for families.
Guests can chose from four themed experiences – Princess World, Space Travel, Safari Park and Northern Lights. The themes are conveyed through special decorations and an overhead projector, which help to transform the rooms into a magical wonderland for little children.
The newly renovated rooms and suites are available from HK$4,800+ (US$611.50) per night, which includes a complimentary hotel credit of up to HK$2,000 (depending on room type) and a free upgrade to a themed experience.
For more information, email reservations.isl@shangri-la.com.
Post-quake Turkey remains open to tourism
The massive earthquake that struck Turkey in February may not have led to country-wide destruction but it has resulted in some cancellations by worried travellers.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s central and southern regions – along with northern and western Syria – is said to be the deadliest in Turkey’s modern history due to its massive death toll of 48,000.
Turkey tourism sellers who turned up at ITB Berlin 2023 were eager to inform buyers and media representatives that the majority of their country is still safe to visit.
Aylin Ozsavas, CEO and owner, Fuego Travel, said 10 per cent of her bookings were cancelled as result of the news of the disaster. She emphasised that the media focus showered on the earthquake “is not good for Turkey and the travel sector”.
While Akay Travel Service has escaped from cancellations, spokesperson Alp Sargin told TTG Asia that that the number of reservations following the earthquake has declined slightly.
Sargin said: “The world has to know that the earthquake did not affect all of Turkey. Turkey has 81 cities, and there are many with no fault lines underneath, all of which are perfectly safe to visit.”
Ozsavas echoed: “We have so many other places to visit, like the Black Sea region, and Antalya.”
She added: “Tourism is incredibly important to Turkey, and we need tourists to return (so that some of the money) will flow towards the earthquake-hit region and help with its rebuilding.”
Ecehan Dolgun, spokesperson for Kusadasi Municipality, said the destination has suffered a handful of cancellations due to the earthquake. Fortunately, cruise ships have maintained port calls at Kusadasi, a major cruise port in the destination that serves as a jumping off point for travellers visiting Ephesus in Izmir Province.
Pointing to the map, Dolgun stressed: “Kusadasi is located very far away from the earthquake area. It’s on the western side of the country, nearer to Greece. It is very safe to visit.”
Injourney revamps to develop destination-focused tourism
Indonesia’s state-owned tourism holding company, Injourney, is revamping its strategy to enhance the Indonesian tourism ecosystem’s appeal to international tourists.
In a significant shift, the company will move away from marketing-oriented tourism development to destination-focused tourism development.
Injourney integrates all state-owned company subsidiaries related to tourism, with members such as Angkasa Pura I and II airport management, Hotel Indonesia Group, Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation, Borobudur Temple Tourism Park, Prambanan and Ratu Boko, and Sarinah Department Store.
Speaking at the Indonesia Tourism Outlook event in Jakarta, Dony Oskaria, the president director of Injourney, said the company’s new approach shifts the government’s focus from marketing to developing tourist destinations that offer unique experiences.
“In the next five years, there will be (more) destination developments, especially in super-priority destinations such as Danau Toba, Mandalika, Borobudur, Labuan Bajo, as well as in Bali,” he added.
For instance, Injourney plans to construct a 43-hectare medical tourism destination in Sanur, Bali which will comprise an international hospital, botanical garden and beach resort.
The international hospital will collaborate with renowned medical institutions worldwide, including the Mayo Clinic, a surgery clinic and retirement home, both from South Korea, a fertility clinic from Australia, and feature immunology technology from Japan.
Dony said that 1,000 hotel rooms and a convention hall which will “be the biggest hall in the Sanur area” will also be built.
Injourney is also revitalising several tourist attractions – the Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII) in East Jakarta will become the Indonesia Opera, an amusement park representing Indonesia’s cultural diversity in a more interactive way and gives insight into the daily life of the indigenous people.
Furthermore, Injourney is shifting its paradigm on tourism products to focus on creating more content through sports events, culinary festivals, cultural festivals, and business events, as compared to the previous angle on natural beauty and cultural diversity. Examples include the F1 Boat Race on Lake Toba and the MotoGP held in Mandalika.
The company is also changing its mindset from an operations-based company to a service-based company, particularly at airports, where waiting time counts as a form of service, and the spirit of hospitality should reflect that of the Indonesian people.
Koho Surf rides the wave to expansion in South-east Asia
Koho Surf, a Thailand-based water sports activity provider, has quickly positioned itself as a leader in its field and is drastically expanding operations just six months after launching.
Falling under the umbrella of Destination Group, Koho Surf started life on Phuket’s Kata Beach in August last year. Since then, it has opened in five other Thai destinations, with its latest venture slated to open in Khao Lak this April.
Koho Surf has also spread its wings to Indonesia, opening in Gili Trawangan, with another centre set to open in Bali’s Kuta beach in April, and further locations like Sri Lanka by August.
Being under Destination Group, Koho Surf has been able “to open at their properties and offer a package of experiences that include water activities and accommodation of all types – from backpackers to independent travellers and families”, shared general manager Iza Pająkowska.
As well as surfing, the operator offers snorkelling, diving, stand-up paddle boarding and sea safaris, and has crafted camps and activities geared towards families. It also plans to incorporate yoga into its agenda in the near future.
“We’re very close to nature and sell experiences to open-minded people who want to travel and explore responsibly,” Pająkowska said, adding the company works closely with locals and advocates responsible water adventures and the importance of keeping the beach and sea clean.
In addition to South-east Asia, Koho Surf is exploring expanding into Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil, with Destination Group currently researching suitable locations and properties to open.
Chroma Hospitality unveils new campaign
Filipino-owned Chroma Hospitality – comprising three brands Crimson Hotels & Resorts, Quest Hotels, and Timberland Highlands Resorts – has launched a new campaign entitled The Time is Now to encourage travellers, both leisure and for business events, to visit the
Philippines.
The campaign dishes out travel perks for bookings made during the campaign period, which runs for a year.
Chroma Hospitality’s vice president sales and marketing, Carmela H Bocanegra, told TTG Asia that in line with the campaign, the group will reopen Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan in Cebu, after a pandemic-induced closure. It will greet guests with redesigned facilities and a new Japanese restaurant. The property’s event facilities will also be revamped later this year.
Prior to the pandemic, the resort welcomed 30 per cent domestic guests, and 70 per cent from South Korea, China and Russia. This year, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan will focus on western European markets such as France and Germany.
“Aside from roadshows, we are working with local wholesalers and TUI, and are trying to appoint a GSA here in Europe,” said Bocanegra.
Further on in 4Q2024, Chroma will open its first property under its new brand, Grafik – the 256-key Grafik Baguio in Camp John Hay. The sustainability-focused hotel will feature three F&B outlets, a spa, and meeting facilities.
Fusion Hotel Group launches new properties in Vietnam
Fusion Hotel Group (Fusion) is expanding its portfolio with three new Vietnam properties set to open this year – Fusion Resort & Villas Danang, Fusion Suites Hanoi and HIIVE Binh Duong.
Having started with a single property in Vietnam in 2008, Fusion has since expanded its current footprint to 16 hotels throughout Vietnam and Thailand.
HIIVE Binh Duong is a 172-key hotel centrally located in a leading Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park and within the greater Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area. It will house meeting facilities and co-working spaces, golf simulator, fitness centre, and sports bar.
Beachfront resort Fusion Resort & Villas Danang will offer 242 rooms, including 85 private villas, as well as dining, entertainment, and wellness facilities where guests will get to enjoy a daily complimentary treatment.
Early in 2024, Fusion will debut in Vietnam’s capital with 238-key Fusion Suites Hanoi, which features a full spa facility and Japanese-style onsen, along with the brand’s signature restaurant. Part of a mixed-use development and high-end shopping mall, the hotel is located near tourist attractions, including the One Pillar Pagoda, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Presidential Palace.
Aside from Vietnam, Fusion’s CEO Peter Meyer said the group is looking to further expand in Thailand as well as in South-east Asia.
The Spanish Tourist Office has stepped up marketing efforts in Hong Kong, with a market research now underway to better understand what Hong Kong travellers want out of their post-lockdown holidays.
Speaking to TTG Asia during a recent trade partners engagement event, jointly hosted by the NTO and Barcelona Turisme, Ana Maria Lafuente Córdoba, counsellor for tourism South China, Hong Kong and Macau, said the study will also look into travel patterns.
The Spanish Tourist Office is also investing in a training guide to educate Spanish travel trade partners on the Hong Kong source market, with topics such as marketing how-to and product preferences. Furthermore, content on its online training platform, Spain Specialist Programe, has been renewed, and fam trips are in the works.
Córdoba revealed that fam trips for the press and travel agents are being planned for April/May and September/October respectively.
The NTO hopes to inspire longer stays among Hong Kong travellers this year with mono-destination products, and the team will return to Hong Kong next month to help agents in the market develop new itineraries.
Barcelona Turisme has crafted ten themes to widen its marketing promotion and present the popular destination as a place with great variety. Besides nature, gastronomy and sports, which Barcelona is already known for, the tourism office is now dangling creativity, talent and innovation angles.
It is also pushing scientific tourism, luring travellers with seven scientific routes and visits to 46 research and technological development centres.
Mateo Asensio, promotion director with Barcelona Turisme, shared that the office has invested in digitalised marketing for the Hong Kong market. WeChat and Tiktok accounts have been established to convey Barcelona’s best.
It is also moving away from roadshows involving hundreds of attendees to focused gatherings that spotlight tailor-made products.
Asensio further shared that more public or private partnerships are being forged for destination promotions. Currently, Barcelona Turisme is collaborating with Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona; Turkish Airlines; and Barcelona Turisme for activations in Hong Kong.
But for Spain to claw back more Hong Kong travellers, air connectivity has to improve. Spain and Hong Kong are now only joined by a twice-weekly Hong Kong-Madrid service operated by Cathay Pacific, with a third service to come in July. There are still no direct flights between Hong Kong and Barcelona.