Accor’s growth in Malaysia on the rise

May 27, 2022

Accor is expecting its hotel occupancies in the country to surpass 2019 levels by 2H2023, with its presence in every major destination in Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings, Penang, Melaka, Taiping, Kota Bahru, Johor, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching and Miri.

Garth Simmons, CEO for Accor South-east Asia, Japan and South Korea, shared with TTG Asia that with the recent easing of travel regulations, Accor is expecting a strong recovery on both domestic and main inbound markets with a clear ramp up in 3Q2022 and 4Q2022, in all the destinations where it is present.

Simmons: people are eager to travel and discover new experiences

While the forecast is 19 per cent below 2019 levels by end 2022, Accor hotels in Malaysia have forecasted the average daily rate (ADR) to be in line or even higher than 2019 by end 2022, with premium and luxury branded properties’ ADR less impacted and already on par with 2019.

Simmons revealed that the country’s borders reopened, Accor has seen a strong pick up of international reservations through online channels, especially from the South-east Asia region. At press time, the fastest growing source markets for Accor hotels in Malaysia are from Singapore, Australia and Indonesia.

To help drive recovery, Accor hotels have curated attractive offers to entice local and international travellers alike.

Simmons said: “Our focus continues to be on being locally relevant for the leisure domestic market, offering even more memorable and new experiences powered by our lifestyle loyalty programme ALL – Accor Live Limitless. Leisure guests wanting to explore and experience something different can expect more from their stay.

“Our other key priority is to capture the rebound of international travel through engaging loyalty benefits and targeted campaigns so we can gain greater market share. As restrictions continue to be eased worldwide, people are eager to travel and discover new experiences.”

Singapore strengthens trade partnerships to drive Indonesian visitation

By Dhini Oktavianti

May 27, 2022

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Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has signed two Memoranda of Cooperation (MoC) with lifestyle super app Traveloka and Trans Digital Media to muscle up destination campaigning in Indonesia.

The MoC initiative is part of the SingapoReimagine recovery campaign, and aims to position Singapore as the holiday destination of choice with great offers following the city’s reopening to fully-vaccinated visitors with no quarantine and testing requirements under the Vaccinated Travel Framework.

From left: STB’s John Conceicao, Singapore ambassador to Indonesia Anil Kumar Nayar, and STB’s Juliana Kua

John Conceicao, STB’s executive director South-east Asia, said: “With the strong rebound in the Indonesia market in recent months as a result of quarantine-free and test-free travel for the fully vaccinated, we are doubling down on our SingapoReimagine recovery campaign to maintain top-of-mind awareness and recapture mindshare among our target audiences.

“Through our partnerships with Traveloka and Trans Digital Media we hope to entice Indonesian travellers with a wide range of curated tactical offers such as flight and hotel packages and other lifestyle offerings to drive and sustain visitorship through to next year.”

The partnership with Traveloka will drive interest to a wider target audience and provide an easier booking experience for Singapore offerings not just in Indonesia, but also four other markets in the region – Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

Conceicao told TTG Asia that the move to drive regional arrivals through super apps is not new to STB. STB Indonesia had previously partnered with Traveloka in 2019, while an MoU with airasia was inked in February this year to promote travel to Singapore on the airasia Super App.

“So, in 2022, you will see a lot more examples of campaigns with super apps,” he added.

Shirley Lesmana, chief marketing officer, Traveloka, said that prior to the pandemic, Singapore was “consistently among the top three tourist destinations for Indonesians, and we are hoping that this partnership will continue the momentum, revitalising the wanderlust in Indonesians to travel to Singapore”.

The partnership with Trans Digital Media will see AntaVaya, one of Indonesia’s largest travel agencies, creating new destination products supported by exclusive Bank Mega deals that will be promoted throughout the company’s media and retail outlets.

Abdul Aziz, president director, Trans Digital Media, said: “We believe that people are eager to start travelling again as the global situation continues to improve and allows for safer travel.

“With this partnership, we hope to be able to support Singapore’s tourism recovery to emerge even stronger than before.”

Commenting on the partnership with Trans Digital Media, Juliana Kua, assistant CEO with STB, said the arrangement is “the first for us, probably globally”, in the way that it is a partnership that spans “a wide array of businesses (such as banking, tours and travel, retail, fashion and media) that affect every consumer”.

STB is also relying on star power to reach Indonesian consumers. It partnered three Indonesian celebrities – Sarah Sechan, Marissa Nasution and Denada Tambunan – to showcase a different side of what the city-state has to offer through a three-part SingapoReimagine video series.

According to Kua, Singapore welcomed 58,270 Indonesian visitors to Singapore in April 2022, up from 13,620 in March.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to take in additional information

Greenview crafts new tool to measure accommodation carbon impact

By TTG Asia

May 27, 2022

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Greenview, a specialist in sustainability software, data and programmes in hospitality, has developed the Hotel Footprinting Tool, a free solution that allows users to calculate the carbon footprint of their hotel stays.

The Hotel Footprinting Tool is powered by data from over 20,000 hotels around the world collected via the Cornell Hotel Sustainability Benchmarking Index and using the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative methodology.

Greenview crafts new tool allowing users to calculate the carbon footprint of hotel stays

Users can input the location, star rating and number of nights to the tool, and obtain an instant carbon footprint for their stay based on the average emissions of hotels in that market.

Bulk data download is also available for corporate users.

Greenview CEO, Eric Ricaurte, noted that more companies are looking to quantify the hotel footprint as part of business travel, and to rely on sound data when providing offset solutions.

“We are excited to present the Hotel Footprinting Tool which allows companies and travel intermediaries to access a global dataset of hotel carbon footprints which can be integrated into calculations and systems quickly and efficiently. We look forward to releasing an even more comprehensive dataset supported by all the major brands,” he added.

Commenting on the new tool, Patrick O’Meara, Interim CEO, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance said: “It provides a simple solution to those wishing to calculate their hotel emissions for Scope 3 business travel, and users will be assured that the estimations are globally consistent and comparable. As the requirement for such calculations increases, common approaches based on robust data are vital.”

Sails are up for a ‘sailcation’

By TTG Asia

May 27, 2022

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Discover Sailing Asia (DSA) has launched a new five-day/four-night cruise to Pulau Tioman – the first of its kind in the region.

Known for its wonderful waters for freediving, sailors can go snorkelling and admire the underwater life up-close, and visit islands such as Pulau Tulai, Tiger Reef, Pulau Labas, Pulau Chebeh and more.

Departing Marina at Keppel Bay every Wednesday morning, prices start from S$1,926 (US$1,400) per pax. An early bird promotion is ongoing, ending May 29, 2022, with 15 per cent off for all cruises by DSA.

The cruise requires a minimum of six guests, and no more than eight.

For more information, visit Discover Sailing Asia.

The Travel Corporation 2021 progresses on sustainability front

By TTG Asia

May 26, 2022

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The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) first official Impact Report released May 18 detailed progress against its 11 sustainability goals launched in September 2020.

Since the launch of How We Tread Right (HWTR) – the company’s ongoing five-year sustainability strategy, efforts have continued towards achieving goals that are anchored to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

The Travel Corporation’s Impact Report details progress against its 11 sustainability goals (Photo: The Travel Corporation)

Key takeaways from the Impact Report highlight cumulative progress from September 2020 through December 2021. TTC developed net zero targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative; carbon neutral trips by Contiki since January 2021; sourced 28 per cent of its global electricity needs from renewable sources; switched nine additional properties to 100 per cent renewable electricity; introduced food waste management systems at 30 per cent of its hotels and Uniworld ships; and reduced printed brochures by 88 per cent from 2019.

The company offered 65 TTC itineraries visiting 110 developing regions; and introduced 554 Make Travel Matter Experiences across TTC itineraries as well as educational experiences designed to advance the UNSDGs, where in 2021, 51 per cent was achieved, surpassing the goal set to reach 50 per cent by 2025.

TTC also assessed 400 over wildlife experiences to ensure there was 100 per cent compliance with the company’s Animal Welfare Policy.

Investors banking on sustainable tourism to attract visitors

By Rosa Ocampo

May 26, 2022

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Investors are putting their money on sustainable travel opportunities in keeping with shifting consumer and industry trends, it transpired at the recent WTTC 21st Global Summit in Manila.

Intrepid Travel Group chair, Darrell Wade, said that in the last 10 to 15 years, clients are preferring more purpose-driven and sustainable travel, now the key driver of choice for booking trips.

Purpose-driven and sustainable travel is now the key driver of choice for travellers

Intrepid Travel announced in January that it acquired Wildland Trekking, a US-based environmentally-conscious tour operator focused on active and outdoor adventures.

Wade shared: “Our clients want to be outside so we just acquired a walking company in the US, for instance. We are putting a significant investment into cycling. These used to be fringe activities and are now mainstream as people want to get out and to travel in a way that there is low carbon footprint.

“And so, it is really starting to change our thinking about putting in our investment dollars now going forward.”

Gaming enterprise MGM China Holdings is also on the same investment direction, in the gaming and entertainment capital of Macau.

MGM China Holdings’s co-chair and executive director, Pansy Ho, said that they wanted to position Macau as a destination for leisure and recreational aspects, by reactivating the country’s plentiful outdoor offerings, such as walking trails and seaside activities.

This is the area of MGM’s investments, added Ho, because “it is not us who will drive tourist arrivals; it is the tourists”.

Ho also pointed out that the public and investors will look at the sustainability indexes of listed companies, tracking their performance based on their commitment to the United Nations’ SDG efforts.

The way Covid-19 has changed how Asian travellers think about sustainable tourism “is really a call-out to the destinations to tailor it to the emerging consumer needs”, said PATA CEO, Liz Ortiguera.

Ortiguera said investment priorities should be in training in terms of destination management, and in reinforcing sustainability and addressing the specific needs of each destination in the national, provincial and local levels.

Decarbonised transport initiatives is also critical as travel and tourism contributes to 58 per cent of global, human-driven carbon dioxide emission, with transport being about 75 per cent of that, accommodation 25 per cent, and the rest others, Ortiguera said.

New hotels: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, Mövenpick Hotel Auckland and more

By TTG Asia

May 26, 2022

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Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, Maldives
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is a private island retreat located in the picturesque Raa Atoll at the northern edge of the Maldives.

The all-pool-villa resort offers serenity and discovery in a relatively untouched corner of the archipelago renowned for its abundant marine life, and can be reached via a 45-minute seaplane journey from Malé.

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives offers 80 pool villas, all of which come with a private pool and sun deck where guests can bask in picture-perfect views and enjoy personalised service. The resort’s main facilities include the infinity pool, kids’ club, spa, restaurant and bar.

Guests can also explore a wide range of water activities and excursions organised through expert marine guides at the resort’s Water Sports and Dive Centre.

Mövenpick Hotel Auckland, New Zealand
Located in the heart-of-the-city with access to some of the best commercial, retail, dining and leisure attractions in Tāmaki Makaurau, Mövenpick Hotel Auckland is tipped to be a standout in New Zealand with amenities such as a Chocolate Hour, 24-hour Sundae Service, and signature restaurant and bar.

The hotel boasts 207 guestrooms and suites, on-site and virtual gyms, a signature restaurant and bar, a street-side café, a dedicated meeting and events conference room, valet parking and a library.

Chocolate lovers will delight at the daily Chocolate Hour – a decadent chocolate experience with live demonstrations every afternoon in the hotel lobby, or lounge in bed with the 24-hour Sundae Service available in-room. Kids are entitled to free ice cream for the duration of their stay, and guests will be offered energy shots blended with juice or yogurt and fresh fruit and vegetables at the breakfast counter.

Mercure Samui Chaweng Beach Tana, Thailand
Situated on the east coast of Koh Samui is Mercure Samui Chaweng Beach Tana, offering guests a stunning new beachfront experience.

The new extension of Mercure Samui Chaweng Beach Tana comprises 81 guestrooms and villas with direct access to the beach. There is a vast outdoor pool overlooking the ocean, and new dining experiences including a cosy beach bar, al-fresco rooftop bar, and an all-day dining restaurant, which serves up local and international menus.

The resort is five kilometres away from Samui International Airport, and nearby attractions such as Angthong National Marine Park, Pig Island, Big Buddha Temple, and the famous Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.

Microtel by Wyndham Wellington Central, New Zealand
Microtel by Wyndham Wellington Central is situated on Vivian Street, within walking distance to the city’s key attractions.

The 81-key hotel features key technology enhancements including the use of an interactive lobby and the ability to offer contactless arrival experiences through mobile check-in and keyless entry.

Travellers can spoil themselves with high street shopping and an array of dining options, as well as visit the nearby Wellington Museum for a taste of local culture and history or watch a live sporting match at the Wellington Sports Stadium.

Thailand ponders endemic sandboxes for island hot spots

By Alastair Newport

May 26, 2022

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Thailand’s efforts to combat Covid-19 impact on tourism businesses may now include declaring the disease as endemic on three of the country’s most popular islands – Phuket, Koh Samui and Koh Chang.

If in place, this status would enable bars, restaurants and entertainment venues on the islands to resume trading, stimulating domestic travel and providing a boost for local hotels and DMCs.

Koh Samui is one of the islands to possibly declare Covid-19 as endemic as early as July

The motion to designate the disease as endemic, presented by health secretary Kiattiphum Wongrajit recently to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration, includes the need for the locations to show a high percentage of vaccinations in the local population, well-prepared and responsive medical services, and a drop in infections.

In a Bangkok Post report, the health secretary said the three islands were selected for their tourism potential as top destinations in Thailand, as well as their “limited areas, meaning diseases can be more easily controlled there”.

Kiattiphum believes that putting these endemic sandboxes into action is a step towards Thailand declaring Covid-19 as endemic nationally as early as July.

People visiting venues in the endemic sandboxes will have to follow strict requirements, including being fully vaccinated and wearing masks.

Reopening bars and entertainment spots will act as a powerful stimulant for the local tourism industry. However, challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine war and continued international travel restrictions imposed by China have led to muted industry sentiments. Stakeholders see the proposal as being overdue and having little effect on broader issues.

Thanusak Phuengdet, president of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, said because the rate of daily infections continues to fall, the hospitality sector must be empowered to reopen more swiftly if they are to return to pre-Covid levels of business.

Travel recovery surpasses expectations

By Rosa Ocampo

May 26, 2022

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International travel is fast recovering beyond expectations, according to industry leaders during WTTC’s 21st Global Summit in Manila last month.

Marriott International group president, Craig Smith, enthused: “We have been blown away by how fast we have recovered. We have missed every forecast in every place when those gates opened. I’ve been through four to five downturns in my career – I’ve never seen a recovery this fast.”

Hotels’ average rates are also speeding ahead.

“In the past, it was three years to recover these average rates,” Smith added.

Surprisingly, the luxury travel segment leads the pack.

“Everyone is shocked at the pace luxury travel returns when everyone was expecting it to be impaired. Pricing growth in top-end luxury resorts is stronger than any other segments globally,” said IHG group CEO Keith Barr.

Barr attributed the luxury tourism’s return to the strength of consumers in general. After two years, the cost did not matter – they just wanted to travel.

HotelPlanner and meetings.com CEO, Tim Hentschel, noted “huge rebound” in weddings while sports tourism was the first to recover in the US and around the world.

“The younger generations have driven back the interest to travel internationally, not necessarily in all countries. Millennials have the highest and most sustained levels of interest to travel, hence, they’re still the engine of travel around the world regardless of their region,” Hentschel explained.

Rajah Travel president and chairperson, Aileen Clemente, said “bleisure and luxury are the travel segments growing more” although “the pace of recovery is not the same everywhere in the world”.

Clemente added that recovery depends on factors, including the destinations’ location, visa and vaccination protocols, and anticipated fear of being stuck in a country due to a lack of transparent procedures.

Cathay Pacific 2021 addresses ESG commitments

By TTG Asia

May 26, 2022

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The Cathay Pacific Group’s annual Sustainable Development Report has underlined the company’s commitment and progress in the areas of environmental, social and governance and towards its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

One highlight was helping to deliver vaccinations around the world. The airline raced against time to develop a dedicated Vaccine Solution to make Covid-19 vaccines available to global communities. In 2021, over 165 million vaccine doses along with other essential medical supplies were delivered to Hong Kong and beyond by Cathay Pacific.

Another was its progress towards carbon neutrality. Cathay Pacific was one of the first airlines in Asia to target 10 per cent SAF use by 2030 and has committed to purchasing more than 350 million gallons of SAF beginning from 2024 alongside oneworld Alliance peers.

It developed Asia’s first major Corporate SAF Programme in 2021, with the launch of its pilot phase in April 2022, bringing SAF into Hong Kong International Airport for uplift for the very first time.

The airline also co-founded the Aviation Climate Taskforce, an industry platform through which it will accelerate the development of breakthrough technologies that will help drive the decarbonisation of civil aviation.

Additionally, the airline has pledged to increase female representation at senior positions by 25 per cent – reaching 30 per cent in total – by 2025. To drive changes, a Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee and a dedicated team were set up in 2021.

Accor’s growth in Malaysia on the rise

Singapore strengthens trade partnerships to drive Indonesian visitation

Greenview crafts new tool to measure accommodation carbon impact

Sails are up for a ‘sailcation’

The Travel Corporation 2021 progresses on sustainability front

Investors banking on sustainable tourism to attract visitors

New hotels: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, Mövenpick Hotel Auckland and more

Thailand ponders endemic sandboxes for island hot spots

Travel recovery surpasses expectations

Cathay Pacific 2021 addresses ESG commitments

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