Christchurch Airport is working tirelessly to restore air links, update hardware and advance on sustainability goals – all to ensure the country has a healthy second airport.
Scott Callaway, general manager, trade development, Christchurch Airport, said a reliable second airport is crucial in the event of weather incidents.
Christchurch Airport’s Hydrogen Consortium aims to pioneer the commercial deployment of green hydrogen-powered aircraft
Callaway said: “We need to work hard to build our international arrivals up, as they are of high value to New Zealand and the South Island.”
Christchurch Airport is the gateway to South Island, which is working to achieve 40 per cent of international arrivals to New Zealand.
In 2019, Christchurch Airport welcomed seven million passengers a year.
“We did some research previously, and for every dollar we bring into the economy, NZ$50 (US$31.70) is spent downstream, and that is a big multiplier that goes beyond Christchurch and spread throughout the South Island,” added Callaway.
When asked about air links with China, he said the airport currently has an “undertaking from China Southern Airlines”.
He said: “China is really important to the South Island and Christchurch Airport. We’ve done a lot of work in marketing (to the Chinese market), such as partnering with Alibaba. Our expectation is that it will come back strong. (For now), it is still quite early in its recovery.”
There are also discussions with Singapore Airlines and Emirates, two carriers that are crucial in bringing in international visitors. Unfortunately, ticket prices on both carriers are sky high, driven up by pent-up demand from both business and leisure travellers.
“At some point in the next six to 12 months, we should see a softening in pricing. The demand will still be high, but I think that (the current pricing) is temporary,” he opined.
In addition to sustainability initiatives in place since 2016 – such as hand-sorting rubbish and introducing electric vehicles – Christchurch Airport is also exploring the feasibility of electric planes. In fact, New Zealand’s first two-seater electric plane was assembled in Christchurch.
“The future of aviation is on everybody’s mind. Although we don’t believe that electric planes have a huge place in the future, their technology is something worth exploring,” Callaway remarked.
More crucial in the airport’s sustainability efforts is the Hydrogen Consortium announced in February 2023, where the vision is to support the country in pioneering the commercial deployment of green hydrogen-powered aircraft. Consortium partners include Christchurch Airport, Airbus, Air New Zealand, global green energy company Fortescue Future Industries, next generation energy company Hiringa Energy, and liquid hydrogen solution pioneers Fabrum.
“The cost of producing hydrogen and delivering it to the aviation industry is a consideration. (We are looking into) producing our own hydrogen, which will lower the cost as it is a complex material to transport. If we can start producing it, we get an economic advantage,” he pointed out.
The first phase will focus on research, which will be completed by the end of 2023. The second phase will focus on whether hydrogen aircraft test flights can be held in New Zealand.
Japanese retailers are expanding their duty-free offering and hiring multilingual staff in anticipation of a surge in inbound tourists following the complete removal of the country’s border measures on April 29.
As visitors to Japan spent a record 4.81 trillion yen (US$43.6 billion) on shopping in 2019, retailers are preparing for a sharp rebound in sales in the coming months.
Japanese retailers are preparing to welcome more international visitors at their branches across the country
International visitors numbered 4.8 million over January-March 2023, amounting to about 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels; and 1.82 million arrived in March alone, a record-high since the pandemic, which the Japan National Tourism Organization attributes to the popular cherry blossom season and the return of international cruises at Japanese ports.
Japanese retailers are preparing to welcome more international visitors at their branches across the country.
Drugstore and health and beauty product retailer MatsukiyoCocokata & Co., has boosted the number of its stores offering duty-free shopping by 20 per cent to 1,200 nationwide.
Yamada Holdings, one of the largest consumer electronics and home appliances retail chains in Japan, has increased the ratio of its duty-free locations to 30 per cent, up from 10 per cent pre-pandemic. The company also plans to operate 260 stores from this month, up from 170 pre-pandemic, including at newly-opened sites in rural areas.
Japan’s largest department store group Isetan Mitsukoshi increased the number of staff engaged in its personal shopping section, which caters to wealthy individuals including tourists, by 40 per cent in April.
Matsuya Co., which operates department stores in Tokyo’s Ginza and Asakusa districts, is also eyeing more staff as a result of its preliminary duty-free sales figures for March, which showed recovery to 99 per cent of sales in March 2019, with jewellery and luxury items, in particular, selling well.
Osaka-headquartered department store Daimaru Matsuzakaya, meanwhile, is equipping more employees with handheld translation devices.
Princess Cruises has revealed the name of its second Sphere Class cruise ship – Star Princess, which will debut on August 4, 2025 with her inaugural Mediterranean sailing.
Star Princess joins Sun Princess as the largest ships ever built for Princess Cruises. The new ship will carry 4,300 guests, and feature intimate settings with a number of new spaces such as transformational entertainment venue The Dome; an array of F&B concepts; an expanded casino; a two-story spa; and entertainment headlined by Cirque Éloize.
Star Princess is Princess Cruises’ second Sphere Class cruise ship
Guests will have a variety of staterooms and suites choices, including the new Reserve and Signature Collections.
Star Princess will be the second in the Princess fleet to be powered by LNG fuel technology and built with the most advanced sustainable innovations available.
Star Princess cruises go on sale from June 1, 2023.
The new Ultra Luxury Package from Anantara Angkor Resort combines an action-packed Angkor Wat adventure with a three-night stay near Cambodia’s most sacred site – the temples of Angkor Wat.
The package features a host of experiences beyond the ruins: scenic countryside rides by bicycle, quad, Vespa or vintage jeep; kayaking through the floating villages of Tonle Sap lake; cooking classes; healing Khmer massage therapies; and much more.
Guests can participate in cooking classes with Anantara’s signature Spice Spoons experience
To help guests build a luxury Siem Reap itinerary that best matches their interests, the resort’s Experience Butler will be on hand to plan everything from private tours of Angkor Wat at sunrise to special dining experiences.
Priced from US$950 per night for two, the Ultra Luxury Package includes accommodation in a suite, daily meals, VIP arrival experience, daily bespoke tours and experiences, return airport transfers, Angkor Wat exploration with guide, transport and passes provided, an Angkor Eye ride, tuk-tuk transfers into town, one spa treatment per person, and more.
Emirates has committed US$200 million towards research and development (R&D) projects focused on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation, with funds to be disbursed over three years.
The airline will also identify partnerships with leading organisations working on solutions in advanced fuel and energy technologies, with the Emirates’ Environmental Sustainability Executive Steering Group overseeing disbursements.
Emirates will partner organisations that are working on solutions in advanced fuel and energy technologies
“We are ring-fencing US$200 million to invest in advanced fuel and energy solutions for aviation, which is where airlines currently face the biggest impediment in reducing our environmental impact,” said Emirates Airline’s president, Tim Clark.
“We looked long and hard at the reality we face in commercial aircraft and engine technology, fuel supply chain, and our industry’s regulatory and eco-system requirements. It’s clear that with the current pathways available to airlines in terms of emissions reduction, our industry won’t be able to hit net zero targets in the prescribed timeline.
“We believe our industry needs better solutions, and that’s why we’re looking to partner with leading organisations on R&D. Our aim is to contribute meaningfully to practical solutions for the long-term sustainability of commercial aviation.”
He added that Emirates will continue to implement environmentally responsible practices throughout our business until viable solutions can be found – these include uplifting SAF, ensuring fleet operations are efficient, and inducting modern aircraft into the fleet.
Clark emphasised that the fund does not apply to “activities we consider business-as-usual”.
Emirates’ environmental policy and strategy focuses its activities on three areas: emissions reduction, responsible consumption, and the conservation of wildlife and habitats.
The airline successfully completed the first 100 per cent SAF-powered demonstration flight in January, which was in partnership with Boeing and GE.
It also participates in a range of industry working groups and stakeholder engagements on sustainable aviation fuel, and has contributed to the development of the UAE’s power-to-liquid fuels roadmap, launched in July 2022, as well as the UAE’s National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap launched in January 2023.
The airline’s comprehensive fuel efficiency programme comprises initiatives like flexible routings – partnering with air navigation service providers to create the most efficient flight plan; and fuel efficient practices when on the ground by using ground power units instead of the aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit and switching one or two engines off while taxiing in after landing.
Japan has selected 24 countries and regions in Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific to receive priority promotion as tourist destinations in a newly-launched project to boost outbound tourism.
Run by the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), the project aims to support the country’s airline and travel agencies, whose recovery has been slowed due to Japanese people’s hesitancy to resume international trips.
Japan hopes to encourage outbound travel to 24 countries and regions with the launch of a new campaign
Only 694,000 Japanese people travelled overseas in March 2023, equating to 36 per cent of the number recorded in March 2019.
The JTA and JATA announced the list of recommended locations as part of a public promotion of their initiative to unveil the slogan Ima-koso! Kaigai, which means “now’s the time to go abroad”.
The 24 countries and regions are China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Canada, the US, Hawaii, Guam, Mexico, Spain, Finland, France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Australia.
The official tourism bureaus of these destinations will collaborate with JTA and JATA to heighten the appeal of their offerings for the Japanese market, while Japan-based travel agencies are set to create more competitively priced packages aimed at younger people.
“We hope that this declaration will be a good opportunity for people to travel overseas,” said the JTA in a statement. “The appeal of overseas travel lies in spending invaluable time in breathtaking scenery, tasting authentic local cuisine and interacting with people from other countries.”
The campaign aims to “pave the way toward recovery in travellers during the summer holidays”, added JATA chairman Hiroyuki Takahashi.
JATA also announced it will open lottery applications on May 15 for Japanese people who acquire a 10-year passport and fly overseas between July 1 and September 30. Winners will receive 8,000 yen (US$59) in electronic money.
Australia-headquartered Crystalbrook Collection has purchased a second property in Sydney down in The Rocks, allowing it to take its expansion plans forward.
Sophia Bakopanos, director brand and digital marketing, Crystalbook Collection, said: “We are working very closely with the local indigenous community in Sydney, where we speak with them about their stories and what’s important to them, so that we can use the hotel to help share and celebrate those stories. I think as tourism operators, this is something we have to be accountable for, as it is a pivotal part of Australian history,” she elaborated.
Each Crystalbrook property exudes its own personality based on its neighbourhood; Crystalbrook Kingsley, pictured
She stressed that none of Crystalbrook’s properties are “cookie-cutter”. Instead, each property sports its own personality derived from the location it stands in. Aside from protecting culture, minimising waste and promoting responsible travel are Crystalbrook’s other aims. The group currently has seven hotels in operation throughout Australia.
Bakopanos said: “We’re also quite keen to have a hotel in Melbourne; and if there’s an opportunity, New Zealand, (before we look even) farther afield. We want to ensure the company’s growth strategy is sustainable, while looking for opportunities to better the way in which our hotels operate.”
She told TTG Asia that Crystalbrook Collection is strong domestically, and international demand is returning slowly, aided by new air routes such as Virgin Australia’s Cairns-Haneda flight commencing June 28.
As such, Bakopanos is planning for the group’s “international PR strategy to build partnerships”, as well as collaboration with OTAs.
To garner more interest from the public, Crystalbook positions its bars and restaurants as destinations on their own.
“Hotels have a stigma that their restaurants aren’t great, so we’re trying to change that perception. So far, this strategy has worked out for us,” noted Bakopanos.
White Desert, established by record-breaking polar explorer Patrick Woodhead and his wife in 2005 to bring travellers into the belly of Antarctica, has crafted a new adventure – a 21-day journey that will take guests to 10 iconic destinations across seven continents.
Named 7 Continent Adventure, the tour is the first product of the White Desert World series, which will welcome other tours in the future.
Kwessi Dunes lodges (pictured) is nestled in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, one of southern Africa’s largest private nature reserves
The tour is said to be as diverse as it is luxurious.
Co-founder and CEO of White Desert, Patrick Woodhead said: “These countries have been chosen because they are unusual, many are hard-to-reach destinations, and they all epitomise the height of adventure without sacrificing a luxurious experience.”
Starting in Mexico City, guests will travel to Colombia, Easter Island, Fiji, Borneo, India, Turkey, Namibia, South Africa, and conclude with White Desert’s signature trip – into Antarctica. The finale even comes with two choices – either White Desert Antarctica’s Greatest Day trip into the 7th Continent, where they will have a few hours on ice, or extend their stay for a further five days in Antarctica before flying back to Cape Town (numbers strictly limited).
The tour will focus on offering authentic, local experiences and highlights will include Caribbean cooking in Cartagena, a graffiti street art tour of Getsemani, and a sailing trip to Club de Pesca for a night of rum, chocolate and salsa music. Guests will also get to sample the best food and drink offerings, experience epic street parties, join in with local traditions, go on off-the-beaten track city tours, enjoy collaborations with artisans and musicians, and more.
Guests will travel around the world in a unique Boeing 757-200 set up in a private configuration with 50 lie-flat seats. All air operations will endeavour to use sustainable aviation fuel where possible and the White Desert World journey will be fully offset.
White Desert World’s 7 Continent Adventure is available for a maximum of 50 guests and will take place from January 10 to 31, 2024. White Desert World’s team will be travelling alongside the group and experienced local guides will be supporting on the ground in each destination. Prices start from US$178,000 per person, with a supplement for an Antarctic extension starting from US$32,000 per person.
White Desert World works with travel agents to retail the experience to their customers.
Juergen Kreipl is the new general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.
A seasoned hotelier with over thirty years of experience in global luxury hospitality, Kreipl’s enthusiasm is already driving results, with exciting new programming in the pipeline.
He most recently served as general manager of InterContinental Genève in Switzerland.
Family reunions through overseas vacations were a common sight as Covid-19 fears waned, isolation ended and international borders progressively reopened to travellers throughout 2022. This trend looks set to stay, with travel and tourism companies describing family travel as a growing and promising segment.
According to Agoda’s Family Travel Trend survey 2022, conducted in partnership with YouGov and released in December 2022, four out of five travellers will take a vacation with their immediate family in the next 12 months.
Four out of five travellers will take a vacation with their immediate family in the next 12 months, finds Agoda and YouGov study
The survey polled 10,000 travellers aged 18 and above from across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan, South Korea, and the US.
While travelling with friends proves more popular than travelling with extended family, 52 per cent are keen to catch up with relatives on their vacation.
Travellers from Singapore (61 per cent), Taiwan (61 per cent) and Vietnam (59 per cent) are most likely to take at least one trip with immediate family, while the Philippines (47 per cent), Indonesia (40 per cent) and Malaysia (35 per cent) are most likely to plan two or more family jaunts in the coming year.
Family groups have featured strongly throughout 2022 for The Lux Collective’s portfolio of properties across Mauritius and Reunion Island, the Maldives and China, with Asian groups typically drawn to Lux* South Ari Atoll. In China, Lux* Chongzuo in Guangxi and the seven Lux* Tea Horse Road resorts in Yunnan are still attracting the domestic crowd since international travel access had only just eased in February.
The company’s CEO, Paul Jones, said this segment is lucrative, as it typically consists of five to six people per group across two to three generations; families prefer villas or interconnected rooms/suites that offer ample space for everyone, and they stay for six nights on average; family groups also gladly splurge on F&B, spa and group activities within the hotel or resort, observed Jones.
Amenities such as pools, kids’ clubs and family-friendly activities also score well with such multi-generational travel groups.
Family travel “continues to drive increased occupancy” this year, said Jones.
“We see a strong demand for family-friendly accommodation and experiences, as families prioritise quality time travelling together and creating memorable experiences post-Covid,” he said.
Family bookings are on the rise too at Radisson Hotel Group’s resorts. Andre de Jong, area senior vice president, South East Asia and Pacific, told TTG Asia that the Radisson Blu Resort Maldives, for instance, has seen “significant pickup in bookings of the family villa room type”.
The preference for spacious accommodations is not only driven by the need for comfort but also by the desire for more privacy and quality family time.
“We foresee demand continuing to increase with the return of multi-generational travel, thanks to the reopening of the Chinese market. Additionally, we are seeing positive trends in the Australian and European markets, especially during the school holidays,” said de Jong.
He pointed out that “families are increasingly travelling together for leisure and are willing to spend more on accommodation and activities”.
Shared wanderlust is benefitting tour operators too. Nick Lim, Asia CEO at The Travel Corporation (TTC), noted that whole family trips are on the rise for his brands since the resumption of travel, peaking during the school holidays.
Lim said improving ease of travel and greater confidence in vaccine efficacy for children and teenagers have helped to grow the appetite for travel among families. While there are still months to go before the November and December school holidays, families have booked up Trafalgar and Uniworld’s Christmas itineraries.
Escorted tours work great for families, as “(they) can sit back, relax and not worry about planning, safety or the complexity of coordinating transportation”, opined Lim.
He observed that family groups travelling with TTC brands are “worldly and often curious about the history, culture and the way of life of local people”, and they prefer “local, authentic experiences that connect them to their destination”.
“Tours with TTC are enriching for the entire family because children are exposed to the culture of the destination and of their fellow travellers from all over the world. Guests walk away from the destination with more than what history books can teach them,” he said.
A family visiting Italy can participate in Trafalgar’s Gladiators, Gondolas and Gold itinerary, where they will experience life as a gladiator at a Gladiator School in Rome
Family lures
Hoteliers say families from different geographical markets have specific holiday preferences.
Jones noted that European families typically seek out enriching programmes at kids’ club for the little ones, while the adults go for spa, watersports and cooking/pastry classes on their own.
De Jong said US and European families prefer off-site or outdoor activities that allow children to explore and discover the destination and immerse in local culture.
As for the Asian market, both Jones and de Jong agree that families tended to value time spent together.
“It is important to understand the different preferences of families from different markets that will enable them to reconnect with loved ones and create memorable moments together. By tailoring our offerings to cater to these preferences, we can ensure that families have a memorable and enjoyable vacation experience,” said de Jong.
That said, de Jong emphasised that “certain basics” remain for engaging families. Radisson Hotel Group’s family programme, Rad Family, is designed to enable families to create memorable moments together, no matter which property they are spending time at. F&B is an integral part of the programme, where hearty and healthy kid-friendly meals contribute to the complete vacation experience.
Launched in 2019, Rad Family is being rolled out progressively across hotels and resorts in the South-east Asia and Pacific regions. Pilot programmes are in the works for Radisson Blu Phu Quoc Resort in Vietnam and the soon-to-open Radisson Collection Resort Galle in Sri Lanka.
Over at The Lux Collective, collaboration with external partners ensures activity-packed vacations for its guests. A variety of family experiences are brought in throughout the year, such as Expert-led Workshops conducted by professional trainers and collaborators to deliver a mix of education and entertainment for everyone in the family.
Placing further emphasis on quality guest experiences, the company’s flagship brand Lux* recently unveiled a new Life Extraordinary campaign, through which breathtaking adventures, such as swimming alongside the whale sharks as a family, are curated under the banner, Extraordinary Experiences. These add to Lux* resorts’ signature onsite offerings, from tailor-made Lux* ME Spa and wellness sessions to unique guest activities like junk art galleries and film screenings on the beach.
Jones said all properties under the group are designed with families in mind. Interconnecting rooms are available in Lux* Le Morne, Lux* Grand Gaube, Lux* Belle Mare, and Lux* South Ari Atoll, while the Play kids club in all properties offers programmes for the young ones as well as for everyone in the family.
Differences in holiday preferences are also seen through tour choices. Lim noted that different TTC brands attract families with different priorities. For example, families that seek value and choice of experiences tend to pick Costsaver tours, while those that crave enriching experiences tend to gravitate towards Trafalgar tours.
That said, family group bookings are especially strong with Trafalgar.
“Trafalgar has the most comprehensive list of itineraries and experiences of all tour brands, with over 300-plus tours in our arsenal,” said Lim.
This year, Asian families keen to discover Europe can bookmark Trafalgar’s eight-day Christmas Markets of Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The tour calls at magical market stalls and spotlights old-world traditions, local craftsmanship and mesmerising city backdrops.
For families looking to customise their experience, Costsaver’s seven-day Jewels of Italy shines.The tour uncovers centuries of tradition, heritage, and culture, while visiting iconic landmarks such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Young adults who are looking to treat their parents to a premium holiday can consider the nine-day Best of Britain tour from Insight Vacations. Traversing Scotland, Wales and England, families visit the most magnificent sights in the UK, including Edinburgh Castle, Stonehenge and the English Lake District.
He most recently served as general manager of InterContinental Genève in Switzerland.
