Trip.com Group will be strengthening collaborations with its stakeholders to promote and position Japan as a destination.
Trip.com Group’s chief marketing officer Sun Bo had met up with Koichi Wada, commissioner of Japan Tourism Agency, last Friday to share how the group will further promote tourism to destinations around the world, including Japan.
Trip.com Group will work with Japan Tourism Agency to promote Japan as a destination
He noted that Japan has consistently been ranked among the top five destinations (in terms of bookings and search volumes) since it eased its entry restrictions in 4Q2022.
Sun shared: “Travellers’ trends and preferences have shifted as a result of the pandemic, and we are ready to work with Japan Tourism Agency and other partners to promote Japan to our travellers through a targeted strategy.”
“There are various attractions in Japanese local areas… every traveller will be able to enjoy not only Japanese cuisine, but also other variety of activities,” said Wada, adding that they look forward to welcoming visitors from China soon.
As part of its ongoing efforts to promote various destinations, Trip.com Group hosted its third edition of the Super World Trip at Sanrio Puroland in Tama City, Tokyo, on March 1, with the support of its partner JR Kyushu.
South-east Asia is providing TUI Group’s TUI Blue brand with a hotbed of opportunities to grow the global hotel brand, according to its managing director.
As part of TUI Blue’s grand vision to launch more than 300 hotels worldwide, it has set its sights firmly on the region.
TUI Blue hosted a private event on the sidelines of ITB Berlin to engage with investors and current owners
“It’s an important region for us,” said Artur Gerber, CEO and managing director, TUI Blue. “We did a lot of research and it showed very clearly there is space for us in South-east Asia.”
As part of its expansion plans, TUI Blue has set up business development offices in Dubai to focus on Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, with another in Hong Kong for South-east Asia. TUI Blue The Passage is slated to open in Thailand this summer, with another to rise on the Cambodian island of Koh Rong in the coming years.
Gerber said the entry of TUI Blue is supported by the strength of the mother company’s brand, with TUI Group known worldwide.
“A lot of partners already know TUI. For example, in Bali, a lot of hotels receive TUI tour operator guests, which means the industry already knows the brand. We believe we can bring many customers from Europe to the region,” said Gerber.
“We already have sales systems in place across the world, so we have the opportunity to fill the hotels.”
In addition, TUI Blue is expanding into regions where TUI Group is not so well known. Gerber said this also presents opportunities for both TUI and the destinations.
“We can help these regions get more attention from European customers because TUI, as the world’s leading leisure tourism company, can carry out more marketing for these destinations. This is a clear benefit that we see,” he noted.
TUI Blue’s expansion is made possible through international partnerships, investments and franchises. Prior to the pandemic, the group shook up its business model after heavily investing in ships and hotels between 2013 and 2019.
“We’re now looking for partnerships and investors and it’s encouraging that we have signed many agreements in the last few months. There are still many possibilities to find partners around the world and in South-east Asia,” Gerber said.
There is no rest for The Anam team, which has just unveiled its second property in Vietnam’s Mui Ne but is already embarking on the design and plans for yet another ambitious project in Phuc Yen.
Sharing details of the group’s “next big project”, Laurent Myter, group general manager, The Anam, told TTG Asia that a massive and “stunning” beach location in Phu Yen, a two-hour drive north of Cam Ranh, will allow the construction of two resorts.
From left: Koerner and Myter
“One will be The Anam, and the second will be a global luxury brand. We are still looking into partnerships. It could be a St Regis, a Ritz Carlton or a Rosewood – essentially a very high-end product,” said Myter, adding that government permits to build overwater villas there have been secured. Should plans pan out and these overwater villas are built, the new property will be the first in Vietnam to boast such accommodation.
Martin Koerner, group commercial director, said the two resorts will be distinctly different, each with its own value propositions and unique services.
“Both our location and the resorts’ configuration will give us private and exclusive access to the beach, which is an unusual aspect in South-east Asia,” opined Myter.
Besides the Phuc Yen development, the company is also close to finalising a convention centre and lifestyle complex right next to The Anam Cam Ranh. Named Axi Plaza, the beachfront building will pack in 10,000m² of shopping and dining facilities, a conference hall for up to 1,000 pax, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views.
Axi Plaza has confirmed its first business event for this July.
Myter believes that the opening of Axi Plaza and business events coming in will bring greater attention to Cam Ranh.
Resorts World Cruises has announced that from April 11, Resorts World One will call on Penghu, a collective name for nearly 90 islands, in Taiwan.
The ship will now offer vacationers a convenient alternative to visit the island county of Taiwan every Tuesday during the four-day/three-night cruise, which features two destinations as part of the itinerary for sailings departing from Kaohsiung and Hong Kong.
Resorts World One will call on Penghu, the island county of Taiwan, from April 11
Activities at Penghu include the beaches, snorkelling, fishing and island-hopping boat tours. Guests can also savour the seafood delicacies, shop for local dried seafood, and explore the historic Magong city renowned for its rich heritage and culture with natural scenery.
In addition, shore excursions can be made to Baisha Island, famous for the Baoan Temple, where a 200-year-old Banyan Tree covers 660m² of land and beaches such as Shili and Sanshui.
Michael Goh, president, Resorts World Cruises, said: “Resorts World One will grow and increase the inbound and outbound tourism, which will enhance and create new economic opportunities for Kaohsiung, Penghu and across Taiwan.”
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has signed Radisson Red Phuket Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand, slated to open later this year.
A conversion of an existing property owned by Destination Group, Radisson Red Phuket Patong Beach will mark the debut of the Radisson Red brand in the country. Destination Group also recently partnered with RHG for Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin and Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket.
Radisson Red Phuket Patong Beach marks the debut of the Radisson Red brand in Thailand
The 390-key hotel will feature a rooftop beach club, rooftop pool, restaurants, lounge, grab-go kiosk gym, spa, movie theatre, video arcade, and kids’ club. At the lobby, guests will be greeted by the hotel’s mascot – a life-sized sculpture of a red lacquered elephant wearing earphones – and a red tuk-tuk, a nod to Thailand’s most prominent national icons.
The property is also nearby the beach and surrounded by retail malls, restaurants and nightlife.
Ramzy Fenianos, chief development officer, Asia-Pacific, RHG, said: “With its striking design, upbeat vibe and the flexibility to let guests seamlessly switch between business and leisure, Radisson Red has the power to inject new life into hotels and destinations. This makes it the perfect fit for Patong Beach, one of Thailand’s most dynamic tourism hubs.”
“This is the first hotel to be designed to meet the desires of (post-lockdown) travellers to Phuket. We are not just selling a room, but more so, we are selling an amazing Instagrammable experience in our resorts,” added Gary Murray, founder & CEO, Destination Group.
RHG currently operates six hotels in Thailand across four brands in Bangkok, Phuket and Hua Hin, with further expansion plans in the pipeline.
Starting April 16, operations at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in the Philippines for Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan will be relocated from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3.
Jetstar’s flight schedule, ground handler, check-in facilities and check-in timings will remain unchanged.
Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan’s operations will relocate to Manila’s international airport Terminal 3 from April 16
Jetstar passengers booked to travel to/from NAIA from April 16 will receive an updated email itinerary to reflect the new terminal.
The airport will provide a complimentary shuttle bus service for passengers needing to access other terminals.
TFE Hotels has launched a new global leadership structure which comprises three new global officer roles.
Amanda Hoolihan takes on the role of global revenue officer and will work to enhance TFE’s revenue management practices and drive innovation and results for the group.
From left: Amanda Hoolihan, Katia Giurtalis, and Shahnaz Bakhshay
Katia Giurtalis has been named the new global marketing officer and will be responsible for steering the global growth of TFE’s brands, and ensuring guest experiences are enhanced through digital technology.
Shahnaz Bakhshay is the new global sales officer, and will focus on developing and implementing global (and local) sales strategies and driving cross pollination of client coverage.
The youth travel segment is growing and has the potential to support tourism’s positive impact on cultural longevity, sustainability and local businesses – yet it is often overlooked, said tourism players.
Many assume that youths lack disposable income, explained Wendy Morrill, head of research & education, WYSE Travel Confederation.
Youths are a segment to watch as they prioritise meaningful connections that support local communities
In 2019, youths – loosely defined as a segment aged 18 to 29 – made up about 23 per cent of international arrivals, translating to 336 million travellers. This is equivalent to US$333 billion in tourism receipts, where 60 per cent of their travel budget is spent in the destination.
Travel with meaning and purpose
According to Morrill, this segment does not travel for weekends and short holidays. Instead, they seek “educational” experiences and “some form of cultural exchange”. Trips are “purposeful and meaningful, both economically and socially”, and can be formal, such as a study programme at a university, or informal like a working holiday.
Pedro Lucena, partnerships manager with accommodation specialist Selina, told TTG Asia that young travellers at its properties have opportunities to make “meaningful connections”.
“For example, in our Lisbon hotel, we have a meetup every Thursday, where locals come to the hotel to network with guests from all over the world,” he said.
Lucena added that such connections can lead to enriching local experiences. For instance, the same property offers a workshop with a local craftswoman, where participants can paint a tile using a traditional Portuguese method dating back to the 17th century. They get to fire their tile and take it home as a souvenir.
Agreeing that youths drive demand for purposeful travel, Chanjira Khadseesai, spokesperson for The Green Lion, said: “(On our programmes), these youths learn about themselves, learn how to support each other, learn how to share, and learn to respect other cultures. This is very important now.”
The B2B company works with travel agents to promote meaningful programmes filled with local culture and volunteerism. These programmes run from a week up to six months for travellers aged 18 to 25 in 32 destinations.
“Most of our travellers are from Europe on their gap year break, and their top three destinations are Indonesia, Thailand, and Costa Rica. Their average programme length is around four weeks,” shared Chanjira.
Growing independence
Youths obtain their travelling stipend from their parents, who are more open-minded these days about letting their children experience meaningful travel, she added.
While gap year breaks funded by parents are common in Australia, the UK, and parts of Western Europe, Michael Ebert, director of Tourism Adventure Group (TAG), said the rest of the world is slowly catching on.
TAG supports youth travellers visiting Australia and New Zealand with trip planning. The group also supplies accommodation and offers services to help working holidaymakers settle in.
Ebert elaborated: “We notice that these working holidaymakers would stick with one employer for six months, save up all their money, and (spend the remaining duration of their travel visa) travelling around the country. When they find a place they really like, they stay there for four or five months to experience what it’s like being a local.”
When asked whether Asian youths are doing the same, Ebert said the trend had weakened in recent years. He hopes that Asian demand will return soon.
For destinations and travel businesses keen to attract the youths, Carylann Assante, CEO of SYTA The Voice of Student & Youth Travel, said an even younger group – those aged 12 to 18 – is the one to watch now.
Assante said many of them travel to assess potential colleges and universities overseas, and will continue to explore destinations once they begin to study abroad.
This segment has strong spending potential too.
“We have a study that showed that while adults might spend US$500 in a week in New York City, students will spend US$1,000 because they will shop and buy gifts for friends and family,” she said.
Morrill concluded: “Youth travel is a stable segment that will only continue to grow. This group will also make more responsible (and sustainable) choices, which can become life-long habits.”
Khiri Travel has restarted offering tours to Myanmar in a bid to save livelihoods destroyed by a lack of international tourists.
“Tourism is a force for good and that’s our mission. While there’s definitely an issue with a very repressive government, it doesn’t involve tourism or tourism locations,” said Khiri Travel CEO and founder, Willem Niemeijer, who visited the country recently.
Niemeijer:Yangon and Inle Lake have had zero tourists since Covid
He said while there are many areas that are dangerous to visit, the main tourist destinations of Yangon, Inle Lake, Mandalay, Bago, Ngapali Beach and Mergui Archipelago are safe.
“I understand that for a lot of tour operators this might be an issue, but we know that some people want to travel to Myanmar. As long as it’s reasonably safe, and it’s more than reasonably safe if you stay in the highlights, then it’s fine. Of course, there are places you shouldn’t be going and we know where they are,” Niemeijer added.
He said during his visit to Yangon and Inle Lake, he met with tour guides and other tourism-related businesses, whose livelihoods have been destroyed due to lack of tourists.
“They’ve had zero tourists since Covid – it’s unfair and heart-breaking. Boat drivers depend on it, guides depend on it, so do small businesses that have set up over the 10-plus years (like) bike rentals, home cooking on the lake, all of these things,” he said.
Niemeijer added that while concerns may be made about tourism funding the regime, Khiri only deals with locally-owned businesses, including hotels, transport and guides.
He remarked that most of the money goes to visas and domestic flights, however, it would be better “if 80 per cent of the money goes to the locals” while the government, which has no issues with money, receives 20 per cent instead.
He added that Khiri has teams on the ground who are able to monitor the situation constantly.
According to BDEX, in October 2022, the average monthly salary in Myanmar for companies with fewer than 15 employees was US$117.
“They don’t ask for a massive number of tourists, just a few to keep morale going. Our strategy is not asking for everyone to put Myanmar back on their programme – that’s unrealistic. But we need specialist tour operators to keep this in mind.”
Sabah Tourism Board (STB) has rebranded its destination to Feel Sabah, North Borneo in a bid to emphasise the location of Sabah in the northern part of Borneo Island, and attract more European tourists.
Launching this rebranding exercise at ITB Berlin 2023, minister of tourism, culture and environment, Christina Liew, said: “The name ‘North Borneo’ (now Sabah) sounds exotic and evokes nostalgic feelings of yearning for this destination. It is also of historical significance as the state was then known as ‘North Borneo’ prior to gaining our independence in 1963.”
Sabah Tourism Board has rebranded the destination to emphasise its location in the northern part of Borneo Island
She explained that there are people around the world who have not heard about Sabah despite years of promoting the destination and its “diverse natural attractions and iconic wildlife”.
“However, we are aware that at the mention of Borneo or North Borneo, it rings a bell. Europeans in particular associate Sabah with Borneo. Hence, we are determined to rebrand this tourist destination with Feel Sabah, North Borneo to create a new identity in the travel marketplace,” stated Liew, adding that Sabah is home to natural wonders such as Mount Kinabalu, Maliau Basin and Tip of Borneo.
With the recent resumption of international direct flights, cruise tourism and optimism about mounting regular or chartered flights from new destinations, Liew said Sabah targets 2.2 million arrivals for 2023 and will work towards attaining 2.5 million arrivals.
“If we succeed in hitting the 2.5 million mark, this would indicate an increase by 45.35 per cent compared with 1.72 million arrivals in 2022.”
She shared that based on data from 2019, the top feeder markets comprised visitors from Taiwan, China, Brunei, Singapore and South Korea, while the top inbound tourism markets from Europe came from Germany, France, Netherlands and Italy.
Liew added that plans are afoot to explore prospects of luring tourists from new tourism markets in the US, Australia, Japan and India via tourism roadshows by STB.
