Adyen, Shiji partner to streamline hospitality payments
Global payments provider Adyen has completed an integration with Shiji Payments, providing hospitality businesses the ability to utilise the Adyen platform together with Shiji, a network solutions provider for the hospitality industry.
The integration simplifies the payment process for hospitality businesses by removing the need for a list of platforms and suppliers which usually includes separate processes for property management systems, F&B point of sale, and guest experience platforms.
Hotels can consolidate all of these front-end business systems and payment needs, including having the same point of sale setups across regions and easier reconciliation across all channels, to ultimately deliver a seamless customer experience.
Michael Balzer, vice president Shiji Payments, Shiji, said: “Our partnership with Adyen allows us to further improve the operational efficiency of our customers by providing a platform that guarantees a truly seamless and personalised experience for their hotel guests.”
New hotels: Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, Mercure Auckland Queen Street, and more
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, the Maldives
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts has opened the Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa, marking the Paris-born brand’s debut in the island country. Located on Thilamaafushi, the southern pocket of Lhaviyani Atoll, the resort presents 141 one, two and three-bedroom villas, each featuring views across the beaches, the Indian Ocean or turquoise lagoon. Facilities include a spa and two infinity pools. The resort also features six restaurants and bars, including Japanese restaurant Tabemasu, adults-only bar Riviera, farm-to-table concept Waves Café, the poolside Velaa Bar + Grill, and all-day beachside marketplace Turquoise. The Le Méridien Hub, a social gathering place, serves barista-crafted coffee beverages as part of the brand’s collaboration with illy coffee. The resort is accessible by a 35-minute seaplane journey north of Velana (MLE) International Airport, Malé.
Mercure Auckland Queen Street, Australia
Located in the heart of Queen Street, the 96-room Mercure Auckland Queen Street boasts contemporary design and boutique interiors. Each of the hotel’s guestrooms feature unlimited free Wi-Fi, 50-inch smart TV and a work desk. Deluxe rooms are also fitted with an outdoor balcony. For families, the hotel has inter or outer-connecting rooms. Other services and amenities include 24-hour reception, fitness centre, boardroom and reduced mobility rooms. Set at the centre of the hotel with street access and a coffee window is The Basement Restaurant and Bar, an all-day dining restaurant offering Italian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi; India
Tata Group’s Taj Mahal in New Delhi has launched one and two bedroom Luxury Residences with contemporary facilities and personalised services. All 14 residences feature living and dining spaces, interconnected suites, walk-in rain showers, wardrobes, as well as fully equipped kitchens. Guests benefit from the hotel’s services including concierge and butler services, personalised and flexible gastronomic offerings and culinary consultants, dedicated housekeeping, and access to the Taj Club Lounge. Taj Mahal, New Delhi has been undergoing an extensive renovation, and has unveiled an all-new avatar of Machan, Emperor Lounge, a refreshed lobby, transformed suites and rooms, and reimagined offerings at The Chambers.
Bali to get third Anantara resort
Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas will be opening its third resort on the Indonesian island of Bali with the signing of Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, scheduled to open in mid-2022.
Located in the traditional hillside village of Payangan, a 1.5-hour drive from Bali’s international airport and 35 minutes from the centre of Ubud by car, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort will feature 85 guestrooms and one and two-bedroom pool villas. Those who would like to stay longer have the opportunity to own their own slice of paradise with a choice of 15 Anantara residences, with a starting price of US$650,000++.
Guests and residents can choose from several restaurants offering sustainable local and international cuisine. Locally sourced organic produce from the lush hills surrounding the resort will be served directly from farm to table. Nutritionally healthy menus will also be on offer, alongside Romantic Dining by Design experiences with a private chef.
Facilities will include an infinity swimming pool, a gym and fitness facility, dedicated kids’ and teens’ clubs, as well as meeting spaces. There will also be a spa equipped with single and couple’s treatment rooms, foot massage pods and a hair salon.
IHG expands footprint in Nepal with Holiday Inn Express and Suites signing in Kathmandu
IHG Hotels & Resorts has inked an agreement with DMR APA Joint Venture to develop a new 100-key hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital.
Expected to open by 1Q2024, the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan will be located in Rabi Bhawan Kathmandu, near Soaltee Mode or Tahachal. The hotel will feature modern guestrooms, a ‘Great Room’, a bar and lounge, a fitness facility, as well as meeting rooms.
With the signing of Holiday Inn Express and Suites Kathmandu Rabi Bhawan, IHG will have six hotels in the pipeline in the country, across its mainstream brands – Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express.
Charting a course for growth
Why has Nobu Hospitality chosen Thailand to open a restaurant in, and why in the midst of a pandemic?
Location, supply and demand naturally come into play when deciding our first space in Asia. Thailand as a destination has both urban and non-urban locations, which fit very well with our hotel profile and its services.
Our partner, Asset World Corporation (AWC), will be adding at least three Nobu properties in Thailand, including one in the capital city, Bangkok. A typical hotel project might take anywhere from two to five years to develop and open, so now is precisely the time to plan for recovery.
Tell us more about the properties in Thailand – what can we expect?
The first opening will be Bangkok’s first ever Nobu Restaurant, which would help position the city as a world-class food destination. The restaurant will also enhance the existing property, Empire Tower, turning it into a large mixed-use facility and lifestyle destination in the heart of Bangkok’s CBD.
We plan to open multiple Nobu hotels and restaurants in Thailand’s most compelling destination, and our growth plan with AWC will extend to multiple hotels across the region.
Where else in Asia does Nobu plan to expand its footprint?
We want to work with country or regional partners on an exclusive basis. This has been our strategy in North America and Europe, and the same will be applied to our Asia expansion. Locations in Asia that we have our eyes on include Indonesia, China, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.
We currently have a portfolio of over 20 hotels, and the pool is set to grow with more announcements this year.
Having started out as an F&B establishment, what was the primary driver behind Nobu’s foray into the hospitality world?
After Nobu’s success in the global food scene and the demand for Nobu restaurants increased worldwide, it was only natural for the brand to enter the hotel industry. We were already being approached to open in many locations, including hotels.
We asked ourselves, “If we’re going to set up in those locations, why not do it ourselves?” We have something that people want – a credible, renowned restaurant – which helps to elevate (our hotels’) branding and create a unique social experience on property.
Also, when we went into the hospitality sector, we didn’t set out to reinvent the hotel experience. Our aim was to bring the brand’s culture and service to the hotel sector and create a 24/7 experience. One of the reasons why we succeeded was because our partners took what we already had in our restaurants, and migrate it into a holistic experience within the hotel.
How closely do you think F&B is tied to the hotel or travel experience?
Since the beginning, Nobu has been about creating memorable experiences around food, but we can’t depend on hotel guests to fill restaurants.
We make sure the hotel restaurant is a destination on its own. We then fill a hotel with guests, and open restaurants with their own pool of customers. Many chains bring in third-party restaurateurs, which creates a little bit of a mismatch, ending up with an operation that is far from seamless.
Has the pandemic dampened your hopes and visions for the brand and hotel business?
There is no denying the hospitality industry has been hit the hardest over the past 18 months. Thankfully, we do have strong brand loyalty and were encouraged by guest numbers at our hotels during Covid-19. Guests come to us because they trust that we are committed to ensuring their safety during this period, while providing a comfortable stay.
We continue to be fully committed to our hotel and restaurant partners. We are confident in the strength of our brand and our business model, and we are pressing on with our growth plans, while employing more team members.
Our business model is one built for the long-term, and even though the macro-environment has sustained hits, it hasn’t changed our long-term planning.
What else can we expect from Nobu moving forward?
We’re working on several new locations in the US with existing and new ownership partners. We’re also seeking to enter new markets in Europe, such as Portugal, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Serbia, and Turkey. We will also be expanding our presence in Spain, and we’re working on projects in the Middle East. Over the next 24 months, we expect to open properties in Marrakesh, Atlanta, and Toronto.
India’s extension of international flight ban upsets trade
Indian tourism stakeholders expressed disappointment at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)’s extension of the ban on international commercial passenger flights to and from India until September 30.
The ban was originally scheduled to lift on August 31, and the extension has dampened the spirits of tour operators who were hoping that the reboot would kickstart tourism recovery.
“We needed a forward-looking approach for the industry in these times of distress. We didn’t receive any support from the government and the least we expect is a chance for us to stand back on our feet,” said Ajay Prakash, CEO of Nomad Travels and president of the Travel Agents Federation of India.
“Other countries are opening up for tourism and we aren’t. The resumption of scheduled international flight operations would have created an impression among tourists that India is safe to travel.”
International flights were first suspended in India on March 23, 2020 following the outbreak of Covid-19. Since then, the aviation regulator has extended the ban several times. However, special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May 2020 and under bilateral air bubble arrangements with selected countries since July 2020.
“We were hoping that international flights would resume as the pandemic situation in India and many countries, mainly in Europe, has improved considerably, but this decision has again put brakes on our expectations,” said Sanjay Razdan, director of Razdan Holidays and joint secretary of the Indian Association of Tour Operators.
“Restarting regular international flights (at the beginning of September) would also have sent a positive signal to the international community and we could have expected people to start travelling from October 2021.”
The trade has also raised questions as to how the government’s recently announced free tourist visa scheme will help spur inbound demand, if the international flight ban were to remain in place.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had earlier this year announced that once international travel resumes, the first five lakh (hundred thousand) tourist visas will be issued free of charge. The benefit that will be available only once per tourist will be applicable till March 31, 2022.
“What’s the point of issuing free visas if we don’t have flights (coming into the country)?” said Prakash. “Inbound travel will now require a lot of planning. A tourist has to be assured about his or her safety at every touchpoint in the course of travel. If we don’t resume international flights now, how is the industry supposed to be ready before the inbound peak season that begins from October?”
Razdan appealed to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA to resume international flights soon, and said the country should at least allow entry to fully vaccinated travellers from destinations with high vaccination rates.
Qantas Group outlines international restart plan
The Qantas Group has unveiled more details on preparations for restarting its international flights by the end of this year, with plans linked to the vaccine rollout in Australia and key overseas markets.
The plans are based on the projection that Australia will reach the National Cabinet’s ‘Phase C’ vaccination threshold of 80 per cent in December, which would trigger the gradual reopening of international borders.
As such, Qantas and Jetstar are now preparing for potential travel resumption with key markets like the UK, North America and parts of Asia which also have high and increasing levels of vaccination, making them highly likely to be classed as low-risk countries for vaccinated travellers to visit and return from under reduced quarantine requirements.
Flights to destinations that still have low vaccination rates and high levels of Covid infection will now be pushed out from December 2021 until April 2022 – including Bali, Jakarta, Manila, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Johannesburg.
Assuming current projections hold and the 80 per cent vaccine threshold is met in December, Qantas and Jetstar plan to trigger a gradual restart.
From mid-December, flights would start from Australia to low-risk destinations, which are likely to include Singapore, the US, Japan, the UK, and Canada using Boeing 787s and Airbus A330s. Services to Fiji will be operated using Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s.
Flights between Australia and New Zealand will be on sale for travel from mid-December, on the assumption some or all parts of the two-way bubble restart.
Qantas’ ability to fly non-stop between Australia and London is expected to be in even higher demand post-Covid. The airline is investigating using Darwin as a transit point as an alternative (or in addition) to its existing Perth hub given conservative border policies in Western Australia.
Five A380s will return to service ahead of schedule. These would fly between Sydney and LA from July 2022, and between Sydney and London (via Singapore) from November 2022.
Qantas will extend the range of its A330-200 aircraft to operate some trans-Pacific routes such as Brisbane-Los Angeles and Brisbane-San Francisco.
Flights to Hong Kong will restart in February and the rest of the Qantas and Jetstar international network is planned to open up from April 2022, with capacity increasing gradually.
Vietnam’s Alma Resort utilises temporary closure to upskill staff
Alma Resort Cam Ranh has joined forces with Australia-based hospitality training platform Typsy to upskill hundreds of its hotel staff after a Covid-19 flare-up in Vietnam forced the resort to temporarily close.
Offering what it describes as a “Netflix-style” library of hospitality training videos by industry experts, Typsy’s content is broken down into three key areas: courses, lessons and mentor sessions. Learners are encouraged to explore their interests and passions, build skills, and earn industry-recognised qualifications.
Alma Resort Cam Ranh’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler said the resort signed up with Typsy as part of its efforts to “do everything we possibly can” to retain and motivate staff, amid the pandemic’s devastating toll on the tourism industry.
“We have increasingly used digital means such as video calling to engage with and train our staff since the onset of Covid-19 and Typsy lifts such efforts to a new dimension by offering peer-to-peer learning in a contactless manner and developing a culture of upskilling at our resort,” said Laubichler-Pichler. “This effort to invest in our staff signals we are serious about retaining and developing them, particularly while they’re not on the payroll due to a temporary hotel closure.”
”We have seen an uptake from businesses keen to continue offering professional development to staff to upskill and cross skill teams to ensure staff are well-equipped and educated when hospitality operations return,” added Typsy’s founder and CEO Jonathan Plowright.
Fearing a drain of talent that has yet to be measured, Laubichler-Pichler urged hoteliers and other tourism service providers to try their best to hold on to staff for as long as possible through means such as training.
He said: “The silver lining is that there’s been a proliferation of digital solutions to help combat the problems associated with Covid-19 in the new normal – an example of this has been our resort’s very own mobile app that we developed to offer contactless communication with guests and staff.”
Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021 opens to support post-pandemic tourism recovery
Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021 opens today, offering a mix of buyers/sellers meetings, networking sessions, the educational PTM Forum as well as product briefings.
In an online address on Sep 1, PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera said travel behaviours and patterns “will dramatically change post-Covid-19”, and the virtual travel trade event “is the perfect opportunity to explore new markets and products”.
Ortiguera also called on travel and tourism stakeholders to “begin strategies and plans for (their) business”, as vaccination programmes are rolled out across the world, allowing some destinations to reopen their borders.
Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021, which runs in conjunction with the Sichuan International Travel Expo, sees participation from travel and tourism sellers hailing from Japan, South Korea, mainland China, Macau, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, India, and Nepal in Asia as well as Azerbaijan, Guam, Solomons and Kiribati.
Virtual PATA Travel Mart 2021 will conclude on September 5.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has made it easier for travellers to pay in their preferred currency when shopping on the airline’s website by deploying Amadeus technology.
The Philippine national carrier is the first airline to deploy multi-currency pricing through Amadeus’ FX Box platform. International passengers shopping on the airline’s website can now choose to have the offer presented in their preferred currency, enhancing the shopping experience.
At the same time, the service allows the airline to control the exchange rates used. With the newly launched FX Box Platform, Philippine Airlines’ offers are repriced in the passenger’s currency based on direct access to highly competitive exchange rates.
Bart Tompkins, managing director, payments, Amadeus, commented: “Displaying the offer in the traveller’s currency drastically improves the shopping experience and boosts conversion rates. Imagine a US citizen who’s travelled to Japan and then needs to book a flight to the Philippines. It’s hard for that US traveller to compare the airline’s offer and make a decision when it’s priced in Japanese yen or Philippine pesos.”
Wilson H. Go, chief information officer, PAL, explained: “By working with Amadeus, we’ve made it easier for international travellers to book our flights in currencies they understand. Enhancing the traveller’s payment options with FX Box provides transparency and improves the experience of our travellers.
“Making travel simpler and easier through digital innovations is a key priority for PAL as we prepare to add more flights and welcome an increased number of international travellers on our nonstop flights within Asia, to North America, the UK, and the Middle East.”