Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) returns to Asia for the 2023-2024 cruise season, featuring 12 sailings ranging from 10 to 12 days on board Norwegian Jewel following a 16-day repositioning cruise from Seattle, Washington in the US to Tokyo, Japan.
Operating from October 2023 to March 2024, departure ports will comprise Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan; Singapore; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia; Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand; Bali (Benoa), Indonesia; and Seoul (Incheon), South Korea.
Norwegian Jewel will return to Asia for the 2023-2024 season
NCL will also make first-ever visits to four ports in the region – Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Salomague in the Philippines, and Hualien in Taiwan.
Norwegian Jewel’s port-intensive Asia itineraries mostly include less than two sea-days per cruise, as well as multiple late-night departures and overnight calls on select itineraries in Osaka, Japan; Singapore; and Phuket, Thailand.
Almost all cruises are open-jaw, allowing travellers to book-end their voyage with land explorations in different destinations.
“We’re thrilled to return to Asia and to reaffirm our commitment to one of the most sought-after cruise destinations around the world,” said Harry Sommer, president and CEO of NCL.
“Asia is a key source market, and our return allows our guests from Asia the freedom to sail with us from their doorstep. We couldn’t be more pleased to make our long-awaited return to this uniquely diverse and culturally rich region with Norwegian Jewel, a ship we already know is incredibly popular in Asia.”
In its foray into Japan, Banyan Tree Group will debut four brands in line with the country’s border reopening after a two-year break from international tourism.
The group’s partnership with Wealth Management Group saw two property launches on June 17, 2022: Dhawa Yura Kyoto, which is located beside the iconic bridge Sanjo Ohashi, and Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto, which is right in front of UNESCO World Heritage site Nijo Castle.
Banyan Tree Group’s partnership with Wealth Management Group saw Garrya Nijo Castle Kyoto launched on June 17 this year
Banyan Tree Group has also signed with Terraform Capital to collaborate on a newly-built Cassia in the ski resort of Niseko. Other hotels set to open are Banyan Tree Higashiyama and Banyan Tree Ashinoko Hakone.
The 52-key Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto will welcome guests in spring 2024, and will be the first and only hotel in Kyoto city to have a Noh (classical Japanese dance-drama) stage.
Launching in 2025 in Niseko, a popular ski resort destination in Japan, Cassia Hirafu will feature 50 keys for the resort and 113 keys for residential accommodation.
Banyan Tree Ashinoko Hakone will open in 2026 adjacent to Lake Ashino, renowned for its hot spring, historical destination and Mount Fuji views.
The group has also announced a strategic partnership with Intrance Hotels & Resorts, focusing on conversion projects to further propel the group’s growth in Japan.
Incoming travellers will no longer be required to register for the Thailand Pass from July 1, 2022. Thailand has also lifted the US$10,000 health insurance requirement if proof of vaccination or a pre-arrival negative Covid test result is provided.
Prior to arrival, vaccinated travellers must have a valid passport (or a border pass) and a certificate of Covid-19 vaccination, taken at least 14 days before travelling, in order to enter Thailand.
Travellers to Thailand will no longer need to register for the Thailand Pass from July 1
Unaccompanied minors aged five to 17 must have at least one dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement.
Unvaccinated travellers, including those not fully vaccinated, must have a valid passport (or a border pass) in order to enter the country.
Upon arrival, all travellers will undergo entry screening, including body temperature check, and present the required documents.
Vaccinated travellers and unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers who have proof of a negative result from an RT-PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel, will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the kingdom.
Unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers without a negative test result within 72 hours of travel are required to follow the public health instructions and guidelines, with expenses incurred borne by the travellers.
Qantas will boost its international network with services from Perth to Jakarta, Rome and Johannesburg, the latest of new international services by the airline since Australia reopened its borders in November 2021.
Supported by the Western Australian Government’s Reconnect WA package, Qantas will work with Tourism Western Australia and Perth Airport to boost inbound tourism from the three countries into Perth and regional Western Australia.
Qantas flights will reconnect Perth with Jakarta from November 30 with three flights per week
Qantas flights will reconnect Perth with Jakarta from November 30, beginning with three flights per week.
A first for Qantas, the route will support the growing trade and tourism links between Australia and Indonesia, and is expected to be popular with travellers connecting to other major Indonesian cities such as Surabaya and Medan.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: “Indonesia is a rapidly growing economy that’s home to more than 270 million people and these new flights will open up more trade and investment opportunities and a new gateway for travellers looking to explore Indonesia.”
With the popularity of Qantas’ Perth to London flight, the airline will also be launching seasonal flights from Perth to Rome, the only direct flight between Australia and continental Europe offered by any airline.
WA Premier Mark McGowan said: “The direct flights between Perth and Rome not only open Western Australia’s vast attractions up to Italian tourists, but for many Western Australians who have family links with Italy, it will bring benefits on a personal level, uniting them with loved ones by making it easier to visit family.”
Qantas will operate three flights a week from Sydney to Rome (via Perth). The direct flight to Rome will also serve as a jump-off point to several other European destinations including Athens Madrid, Milan and Nice with Qantas’ partner airlines.
Additionally, from November 1, 2022, Qantas will operate the only direct service from Perth to South Africa, operating three return flights per week.
The direct flight will cut six hours from the fastest current travel time, where Qantas flights from Perth to Johannesburg are presently via Sydney or Middle East. The route will also offer convenient one-stop connections for people travelling to and from other Australian cities.
Noting that a big South African population lives in Western Australia, Joyce said: “This will be great for people travelling in both directions to see family and friends. It will also help support the economic ties between Australia and South Africa.”
SHATEC has joined the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a member, following closely in the footsteps of Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and in line with Singapore’s plan for sustainable tourism through the Hotel Sustainability Roadmap by Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) and STB.
As a GSTC member, SHATEC seeks to create an ecosystem for training, development and implementation of innovative solutions and ideas to catalyse the industry’s agenda on sustainability.
Lim: we will work closely with strategic partners and agencies to deliver courses in water and energy conservation, waste management and sustainable sourcing
SHATEC’s CEO Lim Boon Kwee shared: “We will work closely with strategic partners and agencies to deliver courses such as improvement strategies in water and energy conservation, waste management and sustainable sourcing. We will also repurpose our role as a training provider to provide a platform for technology and innovation showcase, creating learning communities in support of the local hospitality enterprises’ sustainability journeys.”
The membership is another milestone in the institution’s sustainability roadmap, coined Sustainability@SHATEC, which connects a tripartite network of industry, students and organisation in advocating sustainability development goals in hospitality.
Cebu Pacific (CEB) will resume flights from Manila to Brunei beginning with a twice weekly frequency every Thursday and Saturday. This brings its total restored international destinations to 18.
The service will depart Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 19.10 and arrive at Brunei International Airport by 21.40; its return flight is scheduled to leave Brunei at 22.30 and arrive in Manila at 00.50 the following day.
Cebu Pacific will resume flights from Manila to Brunei
Xander Lao, CEB chief commercial officer said: “We are delighted to keep boosting our international flight frequencies as we continuously see strong demand for air travel. We are especially happy to bring this route back after a two-year hiatus as we know many of our kababayans are looking forward to visiting their family and friends – whether in Brunei, or back home in the Philippines.”
Fully-vaccinated Filipinos flying to Brunei are only required to present their proof of complete vaccination, along with an e-heath arrival declaration form which must be filled out not more than 24 hours before departure. A certificate of Travel Medical Insurance with minimum Covid-19 coverage of B$20,000 (US$14,400) must also be presented upon check-in.
Loyalty programmes get more creative and competitive to increase customer engagement
Hotels are moving from being a ‘travel product’ to a ‘lifestyle’ product
Perks are curated to appeal to both domestic and international travellers
Freshly revamped loyalty programmes show a turning point in how chains are re-engaging guests and increasing direct bookings and incremental revenues as customers get back on the road.
Chains including Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) and Shangri-La Group are going beyond the traditional earn-and-burn points for free nights, breakfasts, late check-outs and upgrades.
Shangri-La Group’s revamped Golden Circle comes with a new Members Day flash sale on the sixth day of each month
GHA Discovery, owned by independent hotel companies including Kempinski Group and Minor Hotels, relaunched last December, fielding the industry’s first digital rewards currency, Discovery Dollar or D$.
Members earn these dollars (D$1 = US$1) from day one, starting with four per cent on eligible spend, and higher as they move up the membership tiers.
Currently, a stay is required to redeem D$, but from next year, D$ can also be earned and burned in any GHA brand hotel on spa, dinner or drinks – even at home and without a stay. The programme already has offers that give members free access to hotel facilities such as beach, pool, gym and sauna.
To incentivise spending beyond room nights, the programme dangles not only stay deals but local offers – typically discounts on F&B, spa treatments – and unique experiences for members to book. A Helicity experience offered by Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta takes guests on a 30-minute private helicopter tour of the city, with a one-minute video as a keepsake.
Some 500 local offers and exclusive experiences are available, according to GHA Discovery CEO, Christopher Hartley. With NH Hotel Group having joined the alliance on June 20, Hartley expects a “substantial” boost in these offerings. Owned by Minor, NH has more than 350 hotels under three brands.
Shangri-La Group unfurled its revamped Golden Circle in April with similar threads: a simple and clear way to earn points (US$1 = 15 points) for all Shangri-La products and experiences. Special benefits, such as Shangri-La All Access, grants members full access to hotel facilities where they live, even without staying.
It offers more flexibility, such as using cash, points or both for stays and dining experiences, and removing blackout dates and dynamic redemption rates for all room redemptions. Plus it includes a new app that allows members to plan a trip, book a gourmet experience and buy items from the Shangri-La boutique directly via mobile.
A new Members Day incentivises members to book perks-laden stays, be it family vacation, staycation and others, curated by the Golden Circle team and released on the sixth day of each month. These offers are available for only 48 hours.
Christina Lu, Shangri-La Group’s chief marketing officer, said: “It’s not just about offering our members limited-time offers and good deals, but a curated showcase of the full range of Shangri-La products and experiences across the entire group – from our F&B offerings, Shangri-La branded merchandise, to our wellness and family experiences. It is meant to create a regular platform for members, so that they have reasons to engage with us on a more regular basis.”
Hartley: especially important to incentivise customers after their long break from travel
Changes that stick
The pandemic saw chains scrambling to cater to locals with deals such as family staycations, work or study from hotels, pool access, food delivery, and so on. This changes the idea of hotels from a ‘travel’ to ‘lifestyle’ component. As Lu puts it, it is about making Shangri-La “their second home”.
Chains are mindful of changes in customer behaviour as well. The frequent business traveller, for instance, may replace some trips with virtual meetings, but increase leisure and ‘bleisure’ travel.
This means chains have to ensure their programmes are relevant in post-lockdown, catering for both local and international demand, and new guest aspirations. This accounts for the loyalty programme transformation in the industry, and the eagerness of chains to reintroduce these programmes – and themselves – often with tactics such as giving double points or, in the case of GHA Discovery, double D$ in its recent campaign.
“We feel it is especially important to incentivise our customers to re-engage with GHA Discovery again after the long pandemic and to learn about our new programme. And giving them more D$ as a reward is a great way to achieve that,” said Hartley.
Some D$25 million have already been issued this year, which shows the programme is aiding the ongoing recovery for member brands, he said.
Fierce competition
The likes of GHA and Shangri-La must stand shoulder-to-shoulder – or taller – with behemoths such as IHG, Accor and Marriott, which have also transformed their loyalty programmes.
GHA Discovery, with 800 hotels and 22 million members is big, but small when compared with, say, IHG One Rewards with 6,000 hotels and 100 million members.
Already, loyalty plans are jostling to stand out through differentiation. A case in point is Good Travel With Marriott Bonvoy, which pulls together experiences that centre on environmental and marine preservation, as well as community engagement, across its hotels in Asia-Pacific for Bonvoy members to book.
A Coral Seed Making experience at The Ritz-Carlton in Okinawa raises awareness of how corals face threats from global warming and includes a lecture on coral ecology and making seedling in The Onna Fishing port. It costs 9,000 yen (US$66) per person.
The value of Good Travel goes beyond revenue, said Bart Buiring, Marriott International’s chief sales and marketing officer, Asia-Pacific.
He added: “The pandemic has shifted the way people travel. Travellers are more thoughtful and are increasingly making decisions with purpose in mind. We expect to meet these evolving demands by providing them with more ways to connect with local communities on a deeper level.”
Good Travel now features 100 hotels across the region since its pilot last year. Most of the experiences are new, with hotels creating them with local experts and NGOs, said Buiring, while the handful that were already available have gained more visibility through Marriott Bonvoy.
The response has been “overwhelming”, Buiring said. As to whether Good Travel will be expanded globally, he said the focus is to first expand it further in the region, especially as travel gradually returns.
Michael Marshall, chief commercial officer of Minor Hotels, said GHA Discovery can compete well.
“From our perspective, GHA ensures independent and culturally diverse hotel brands in the upscale and luxury segment can compete with major global brands, while retaining their individuality and uniqueness,” he said.
The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) and its technology partner, Fusionex Group, has launched a new AI-powered 24/7 B2C travel marketplace and platform called MATTA Online.
Officiating the launch ceremony on Wednesday, minister of tourism, arts and culture Malaysia, Nancy Shukri, shared: “This platform will serve the best needs of travellers – both Malaysians and foreigners alike – and will give tourism players, especially MATTA members a clear and distinct advantage in the online travel space.”
For a start, MATTA Online offers more than 300 domestic packages
MATTA president, Tan Kok Liang, explained that the intention behind developing the online platform was to support small and medium travel agents and tour operators in terms of marketing. He believed it will help to improve business opportunities, generate revenue and boost travel trade profitability.
“MATTA Online also provides an alternative for consumers to buy from a licensed platform to eliminate scammers, Internet fraud and unlicensed travel agents,” he added.
The platform will enable MATTA members to target a global consumer audience, and will serve SMEs as well as protect consumers by providing a safe, regulated and trusted environment to shop for travel packages. Tan opined that the platform will eventually help eliminate scammers, internet fraudsters and unlicensed travel agents that operate through various social media and unregulated platforms.
The packages on the platform are managed by members themselves, while MATTA acts as facilitator. Currently, there are over 300 domestic packages on the platform belonging to more than 150 travel agents and tour operators registered on the platform.
As the number of merchants on the platform grow, so will the number of packages being sold on the platform. By end of 2022, Tan expects the number of packages to reach 3,000.
The largest exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to travel out of Australia has arrived in Singapore for a presentation at the National Gallery Singapore from now until September 25, 2022.
The Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia will give audiences a rare and comprehensive look into First Peoples of Australia’s culture, history, and social action in the present. More than 170 artworks drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, including many of their most significant artworks, are on display.
The exhibition offers six themed sections – Ancestors + Creators, Country + Constellations, Community + Family, Culture + Ceremony, Trade + Influence and Resistance + Colonisation.
Visitors interested in diving deeper into the histories and culture of First Nations can attend art historical lectures, curator talks, artist dialogues and curator tours throughout the exhibition’s duration. Visitors can also look forward to performances, including Painting the Dance by Mariaa Randall and Henrietta Baird, and a special edition of the Gallery’s Resonates with Residency programme, featuring Singapore-based artist, Syafiq Halid.
Consumers in Asia-Pacific are showing a stronger interest in sustainability while traveling when compared to global averages, finds a study by Expedia Group that analyses data from Japan, India, China, and Australia.
A whooping 95 per cent of Asia-Pacific travellers are keen on sustainable options when booking a trip
APAC consumers seek sustainable options while travelling
Globally, 90% of travellers want to see sustainable options when booking a trip. This trend was even stronger in the APAC region, with 95% of travellers indicating interest in sustainable travel options, as compared to other surveyed regions, including the Americas at 74% looking for sustainable travel options, and Europe at 69%.
India and China emerge as countries showing the most interest in sustainable travel, with 98% of Indian and 96% of Chinese consumers saying they look for sustainable travel options.
Australia and Japan also show strong interest in sustainable travel, with 72% and 56% respectively saying they look for sustainable travel options.
Increasing importance of sustainable travel in Australia and Japan
Compared to previous trips, Japanese consumers are 280% more likely to stay in accommodations or lodging that are actively lessening environmental impact and 125% more likely to use environmentally friendly transport for their next trip.
For their future travels, Australian consumers are 74% more likely to use providers who declare a commitment to sustainable practices. Additionally, on their next trip, 63% of Australians plan to support local communities by buying from local stores and restaurants, rather than chains.
APAC consumers pay a premium for sustainable travel
APAC consumers are aware that sustainability comes at a cost, and they are willing to pay more to ensure that their trip is sustainable. Overall, 100% of APAC consumers said they would be willing to pay more for sustainable travel.
APAC consumers are willing to pay 41% more for sustainable travel options, with Indian consumers willing to pay up to 44% more. Those in Japan and Australia are willing to pay 25% or so for sustainable travel.
For 56% of APAC consumers, they are willing to pay more for sustainable food and activities, closely followed by additional transportation and lodging costs.
Sacrificing convenience and comfort for sustainable travel
Compared to the Americas and Europe, 96% of APAC consumers are willing to make sacrifices if it means that they can be a more sustainable traveller.
In giving up convenience and comfort while travelling, 53% of APAC consumers are willing to do so, followed by 50% who are willing to sacrifice time travelling to a destination and accommodation convenience.
Australian and Japanese consumers are more likely to sacrifice the time it takes to travel to a destination than other factors.
Sustainable travel differs by country
Sustainability has become a common term in many spaces, but the meaning of the word can differ from person to person and region to region. Across the APAC region, supporting local economies, supporting local cultures and communities, and lessening environmental impact are considered aspects of sustainable travel, according to about 70% of respondents.
Looking at the country-specific data, different patterns emerge. In Australia, over 75% consumers believe that lessening environmental impact is a part of sustainable travel. Australians were less likely to say that supporting local economies, cultures, and communities were part of sustainable travel. Fewer than 40% of respondents saw visiting lesser-known destinations as a part of sustainable travel.
Supporting local cultures and communities was the most popular response for Indian consumers, with 74% indicating that as sustainable travel. Chinese respondents were split between lessening environmental impact and supporting local economies as the most popular answers.
In Japan, supporting local economies as a part of sustainable travel had the highest percentage of respondents at 50%. Less than 40% of respondents saw supporting local cultures and communities or visiting lesser-known destinations as part of sustainable travel.
Looking for sustainable travel information from various sources
More than 66% of APAC consumers are looking to learn more about travel options with low environmental impact and options that support local cultures and communities. More than half want to see this information from local destinations, tourism, or visitor resource groups. Just under half of respondents want more information about sustainability from accommodation or lodging companies and transportation providers.
Preferred sustainable travel destinations differ by country
Over 50% of Chinese and Indian respondents are looking for sustainable options in major cities, compared to less than one-third looking for travel options in lesser-known towns or resorts.
However, 56% of Japanese consumers and 46% of Australians are looking for sustainable travel options in a lesser-known destination. Only 18% of Japanese respondents are looking for sustainable options in a major city.
APAC consumers pay a premium for sustainable travel
The largest exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to travel out of Australia has arrived in Singapore for a presentation at the National Gallery Singapore from now until September 25, 2022.
The Ever Present: First Peoples Art of Australia will give audiences a rare and comprehensive look into First Peoples of Australia’s culture, history, and social action in the present. More than 170 artworks drawn from the collections of the National Gallery of Australia and The Wesfarmers Collection of Australian Art, including many of their most significant artworks, are on display.
Visitors interested in diving deeper into the histories and culture of First Nations can attend art historical lectures, curator talks, artist dialogues and curator tours throughout the exhibition’s duration. Visitors can also look forward to performances, including Painting the Dance by Mariaa Randall and Henrietta Baird, and a special edition of the Gallery’s Resonates with Residency programme, featuring Singapore-based artist, Syafiq Halid.