UNWTO summit spotlights tourism efforts that help communities thrive
From the development of a language app to help South Koreans communicate with foreign guests, to homestays in the Maldives to support locals, several efforts have been carried out across the world to ensure that travel and tourism drive equitable benefits to the community.
Shining examples of community-based tourism were highlighted at the UNWTO Global Summit on Community-based Tourism held last week in the Maldives. The event was attended by delegates from 35 countries.
In the Pacific Islands, local women have been able to derive income by repurposing plastic bottles into jewellery and other handicrafts that can be purchased by visitors, shared Christopher Cocker, CEO of the Pacific Tourism Organisation. Local communities are also part of a Spend-a-night initiative, where locals produce and sell mats and mosquito nets to travellers for use on the beach.
Maldives vice president Faisal Naseem acknowledged that there must be “fair and equitable benefits to the community from tourism”.
In his keynote speech, Jafar Jafari, professor emeritus of the University of Wisconsin and a recognised expert in community-based tourism, emphasised that a “happy community will ensure a happy tourist”, and that local communities should be “working with tourists and not for tourists”.
Driving home this point is the creation of an online platform that enables locals in a Japanese village to direct visitors to less crowded areas, as a solution for over-tourism.
Another example is set by Indonesia, through the creation of an online platform that gave 18.5 million small and medium businesses, most of which are tourism-related, additional visibility.
Australia touts choice destinations to attract Indonesian visitors
Tourism Australia’s Yours to Explore campaign is pushing destinations such as Queensland and Western Australia, while forming partnerships with Indonesian financial institutions and outbound travel companies in a bid to entice Indonesians to visit Australia.
At a media gathering in Jakarta, Agitya Nuraini, Tourism Australia’s country manager in Indonesia, said: “As we welcome Indonesian travellers back to experience Australia, we encourage them to also explore beyond New South Wales and Victoria, including states that might be less familiar for them.”
Some of the programmes that Tourism Australia is offering include the Outback Queensland family adventure; the new Muttaburrasaurus Interpretation Centre in Muttaburra; the Eromanga Natural History Museum in Eromanga; the Aboriginal experiences such as Gay’Wu, the dilly bag tour for women; or stargazing with Yagurli Tours.
The NTO has also partnered with Bank Central Asia (BCA) as an official bank partner, as well as six major airlines and leading travel partners, to offer discounts to travellers.
Agatya told TTG Asia that Australia was already making strong headway towards recovering almost one-third of pre-pandemic arrivals from Indonesia, and she hoped to see this positive trajectory continue. She added that for the direct services from Jakarta, arrivals would be slightly above 30 per cent recovery by June this year.
However, since Australia opened its borders, the Department of Home Affairs has been receiving an influx of visa applications from various markets – this has led to an extended waiting period for applicants.
Agitya advised visitors to confirm their airline bookings upon receiving their visa approval, or to book tickets that allow date flexibility.
She said: “We highly recommend that travellers plan and apply for their visas early.”
In 2019, 222,000 Indonesians travelled to Australia, of which 152,000 were leisure travellers. Notably, 74 per cent of Indonesian leisure travellers are repeat visitors to Australia, of which 60 per cent have visited the country more than twice.
Travel agencies in Singapore gear up for comeback travel to Japan
Japan’s reopening to international travellers this month and the current favourable yen exchange rate have prompted travel agencies in Singapore to roll out attractive packages to satiate pent-up demand for the Land of the Rising Sun.
Since Japan announced in May that it will reopen from June 10 to tourists from 36 countries, including Singapore, tour companies have sprung into action.
Even with the higher number of procedures required currently for an organised tour to Japan, travel agencies expect the interest to remain strong into 2023.
For Chan Brothers Travel, one of Singapore’s largest travel agencies and tour operators, the strategy is multi-pronged. According to its spokesperson, Jeremiah Wong, the agency has launched longer tours that pack in enriched content to showcase the country’s offerings in greater detail.
The agency is also the first to introduce seasonal itineraries such as autumn, winter, and ski holidays to Hokkaido, as well as Sakura tours for April 2023.
On top of that, Chan Brothers Travel offers exclusive small group tours to Japan, capped at nine people – perfect for travellers who want more privacy with family and/or friends.
Wong said the agency is encouraging travellers to book in advance and beat potential airfare hikes by offering a time-limited offer of 50 per cent off the second traveller. Early bookers can also enjoy free cancellations and flexible refund policies.
A quick scan of the Internet reveals that a round-trip economy class flight on Singapore Airlines for the week before Christmas will set one back over S$3,000 (US$2,158.80). A flight with the same carrier for the same period in 2019, albeit booked in March the same year, cost under S$1,000.
Rising fares aside, travel agencies like H.I.S. International Travel are determined to appeal to tourists with its local expertise and extensive programmes.
Yusaku Koike, Singapore branch manager, H.I.S. International Travel, said: “The response has been overwhelming as people are thrilled to travel to Japan again. We have a few different itineraries to target different groups of travellers. For instance, our autumn itinerary is for those who want to catch the autumn maple leaf season, and our itinerary to Osaka caters to people who enjoy shopping.”
Koike told TTG Asia that H.I.S. has offices across Japan, and its connection with the Japan government and local prefectures means “we are able to provide not only a comprehensive itinerary but also exclusive services and information that travellers need, such as visa applications and immediate assistance from our Japan branches”.
Mike Harlow, general manager of luxury travel specialist Scott Dunn Asia, said: “It’s pretty clear that Japan will continue to be a popular destination – we are currently working to further expand our product and property offerings to bring more exclusive experiences that would appeal to our guests when the destination opens up for private tours and visits.”
Trip.com enhances traveller confidence with real-time digital updates
Trip.com is the first to implement Amadeus Travel Safety Conditions in partnership with Riskline as part of its commitment to deliver an exceptional customer experience by instilling full confidence back into the traveller journey.
Amadeus Travel Safety Conditions is a fully-digital solution that provides online players accurate information on Covid-19 risk levels along with general rules and safety measures.
Since 2020, Riskline has been closely tracking the development of the Covid-19 situation and communicating in real-time intelligence to its clients and partners via alert messages, travel advisories, special reports, and informer articles.
Meanwhile, Trip.com customers will receive real-time status updates about their travel destination, airport entry policies, post-arrival quarantine and testing requirements, Covid-19 travel passes, and any mandatory travel health insurance required. The data feed will also provide detailed Covid-19-related information for each country, including how countries respond to the crisis and its impact on travel.
Yudong Tan, CEO, flight business unit, Trip.com said: “Trip.com’s priority during this period of travel recovery is our commitment to safety for our customers. With Amadeus Travel Safety Conditions, we can facilitate efficient, safer and cleaner trips with up-to-date dynamic information in multiple languages, so that they are well prepared for travel with peace of mind throughout their entire journey.”
Frederic Barou, senior vice president, search & online, travel distribution, Asia-Pacific, Amadeus shared: “Amadeus is committed to making travel easy and safe, that’s why we have built a trusted Safe Travel Ecosystem with industry players and relevant authorities.”
Amadeus Travel Safety Conditions covers more than 200 countries and territories, and will support new languages – Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Bahasa, German, and French – during the second half of 2022.
Qantas brings back First Class to Singapore services
Qantas Airways has reintroduced on June 20 its First Class offering to customers travelling to and from Singapore with the return of its superjumbo A380 aircraft and the reopening of its First Lounge at Changi Airport.
The First Class offering is available on flights between Australia and Singapore, and Singapore and London. There are 14 First Suites and an on-board lounge in a supper club style with seating for 10 people and a snack menu.
Qantas has also re-opened its First Lounge at Changi Airport, which was launched in December 2019 and became one of the most popular lounges on the Qantas international network. It operated for only three months before closing due to the pandemic.
The 1,000m² First Lounge has capacity for 240 guests and offers a fine dining experience with a menu inspired by Singapore’s vibrant dining scene. Featured dishes include signature laksa with crayfish and rice noodles, barramundi with sambal browned butter, and shrimp-paste chicken wings.
The Carrara marble bar has an extensive beverage menu offering champagne, barista coffee and cocktails like the Merlion Blush.
The lounge features zones for dining, working and relaxing as well as 10 shower suites.
The First Lounge operates alongside the existing Qantas Business Lounge.
Stephanie Tully, chief customer officer, Qantas Group, said: “We’d only just opened our brand-new First Lounge before the pandemic forced its closure. Many of our Frequent Flyers never had the chance to see it.
“We’re delighted to once again welcome our customers back to this beautiful lounge at Changi Airport. Our lounge team is excited to be back and eager to offer the warmest hospitality to Qantas and our partner airline customers.”
She added: “Singapore plays an important role in Qantas’s worldwide network as we continue to ramp up capacity in line with strong travel demand. It’s great to have our First offering back both in the air and on the ground at Changi Airport, which is consistently recognised as one of the best airports in the world.”
Wink Hotels expands reach in Danang
Wink Hotels is set to open two new hotels in Vietnam’s coastal city of Danang. Wink Hotel Danang Centre is slated to open by the end of 2022, while Wink Hotel Danang Riverside hotel is due early 2023.
With hospitality focused on streamlined services, technology-driven stays, sustainability, and space-smart rooms, Wink debuted its first property in Ho Chi Minh City in March 2021. The two hotels in Danang will mark the next steps in Wink’s plans to expand with 20 hotels in Vietnam by 2029.
Wink Hotel Danang Riverside will offer 287 hotel rooms and 70 Wink Suites, with a 60m-long lobby on the fifth floor facing the Han River, three floors of restaurants, bars and entertainment facilities, a rooftop bar and pool, as well as a co-working space.
Wink Hotel Danang Centre is a 244-room hotel with a 19th floor sky lobby. It will offer 30 family rooms and a one-bedroom apartment.
Both hotels face each other across the Han River.
Accor signs new Mercure hotel in Japan
Accor has signed a management agreement with Samty K.K. for the opening of Mercure Haneda. Slated to complete in 2023, the 363-key property is the first international airport hotel close to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
Mercure Haneda will join Accor Japan’s network of 18 hotels and become the eighth Mercure hotel in the country.
The hotel will be located within a 10-minute drive from Haneda Airport and a few hundred metres away from Otorii Railway Station. The hotel is a short stroll to Anamori-inari Shrine, Haneda Innovation City, and local eateries.
“Accor has remained committed to expanding its footprint in Japan and has built up a network of 18 hotels in eight destinations. Mercure Haneda will be an exciting addition to its portfolio. Visitors are attracted to Japan as it has long been Asia’s important hub of business, innovation, and culture. The tourism industry is becoming one of the major economic engines for the country and we anticipate increasing arrivals in the coming years,” said Garth Simmons, CEO, Accor, South-east Asia, Japan and South Korea.
Mercure Haneda will feature a variety of offerings, including a restaurant, bar, fitness centre, three meeting rooms, and lounges for guests and crews. Design elements will highlight the tradition and handicraft, history of the Haneda neighbourhood, and Japanese sub-cultures.
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel rolls out reopening packages
To celebrate its reopening on July 1, Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has launched two staycation packages.
The Ultimate Urban Staycation includes a stay in the contemporary guestroom, complimentary breakfast for two, and S$100 (US$72) F&B dining credits. Prices start from S$395++.
The Ultimate Family Staycay comes with children-friendly arrangements, such as the M Passport Wallet, which contains an activity map, and free dining for little ones up to 12-years-old. The package includes complimentary breakfast for the family. Prices start from S$420++.
Guests can also enjoy an international buffet at Crossroads, where breakfast and lunch are priced from S$48++ per adult and S$28++ per child.
Marriott Bonvoy members can also earn and redeem points for their stay.
For more information, visit Marriott.
Christian Poda helms Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong has named Christian Poda as regional vice president and general manager.
A seasoned hotelier and business leader with 23 years of global luxury hotel experience, Poda will supervise the completion of Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s renovation. He will also oversee operations at Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou, Shenzhen and the upcoming opening of Four Seasons in Suzhou.
Prior to his latest appointment in Hong Kong, he was general manager of Four Seasons Hotel Beijing, where he welcomed important dignitaries to the hotel during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
The Crystal Cruises brand along with luxury vessels Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are now part of A&K Travel Group, and plans are underway to return the ships to service in 2023 after extensive refurbishment.
In a press release, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, co-chairman of A&K Travel Group, Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent, said he is “thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart”.
The Lefebvre family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises 35 years ago and pioneered a new way of cruising, but the business was eventually sold away.
“Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice,” d’Ovidio said.
Geoffrey Kent, co-chairman of A&K Travel Group and Crystal Cruises, and founder, co-chairman and CEO of Abercrombie & Kent, commented: “The idea of combining the unparalleled onboard service that Crystal Cruises is known for, with the extraordinary tailor-made experiences Abercrombie & Kent has been successfully providing for our guests for the past 60 years, fills me with excitement, enthusiasm and pride.”
Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent will report to Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group.