Japan further extends state of emergency
Japan’s ongoing state of emergency has been extended from September 12 till the end of this month.
The new extension comes into force today, affecting 19 prefectures. The other prefectures will implement quasi-emergency measures, which will remain until September 30.
During this period, the government has urged residents to refrain from travel across prefectures, especially during the two national holidays next week – Respect for the Aged Day on September 20 and Autumnal Equinox Day on September 23.
According to economic revitalisation minister Nishimura Yasutoshi, who leads the country’s coronavirus response, more than 50 per cent of Japan’s population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
SriLankan Airlines’ free flights draw strong interest
National carrier SriLankan Airlines’ buy-one-get-one-free offer for passengers from India and Russia is seeing encouraging interest, particularly from the Indian market.
Airline officials revealed that flights from India have been fully booked since the promotion kicked in on September 1, 2021. The promotion is backed by SriLankan Airlines’ resumption of India routes on the same day; flights to New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum, Bengalaru and Cochin are now in operation.
Some Indian travellers are staying in Sri Lanka for seven to 14 days before proceeding to another destination of their choice, as commercial flights to and from India are presently banned until September 30.
The promotion for the Russian market was enforced in mid-August, and the ticket offer for both markets are tied to holiday packages that passengers must subscribe to. The packages, available in three- and five-night durations and longer, are curated by SriLankan Airlines and a member agency of the Sri Lanka Association for Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO).
SLAITO past president Mahen Kariyawasam confirms that there has been good response for the Indian tour package.
SriLankan Airlines resumed flights on July 30 to Moscow after a six-year hiatus. During the pandemic, Sri Lanka has been receiving a trickle of visitors, many from Russia and Ukraine.
From November, SriLankan Airlines will resume flights to Paris. Air France and Swiss International Airlines, through subsidiary airline Edelweiss, have also announced flights to Colombo from November, with expectations of demand rising for the winter traffic.
Qantas to turn away unvaccinated passengers on international flights
Australia’s Qantas has confirmed that it will make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for all passengers flying overseas, as it prepares for its year-end restart.
Australian media reported last week that CEO Alan Joyce said the airline would abide by a policy to only carry vaccinated passengers.
“Because we think that’s going to be one of the requirements to show that you’re flying safe and getting into those countries. We’re hoping that can happen by Christmas,” Joyce said.
In line with reopening preparations, Qantas is mandating full vaccination for all frontline staff, such as cabin crew, pilots and airport workers, by November 15. All remaining employees will need to be inoculated by end-March 2022.
However, Qantas has yet to announce if it would also require passengers on domestic flights to be vaccinated as well.
Hong Kong tour agency debuts Asia’s first real-time cruise booking platform
Goldjoy Travel, an outbound tour agency in Hong Kong, has launched a direct cruise online booking platform, in partnership with two of Genting Hong Kong cruise lines Dream Cruises and Crystal Cruises.
Touted as the first-of-its-kind solution in Asia, Direct Connect provides the agency’s customers with end-to-end online cruise booking services via its website goldjoy.com. The system has been designed using API technologies that enable 24×7 real-time cruise cabin pricing, availability and online reservation capability with instant confirmation.
The team at the 32-year-old agency took two years to develop the online cruise booking platform, in a bid to become the leading OTA for cruise bookings in Asia, said Fred Yip, Goldjoy’s executive director and son of the agency’s founder Freddy Yip.
Yip, who is also an engineer, said that globally over 70 per cent of cruise bookings are still being made through traditional travel agents and he believes the company is well-positioned to capture the shift in the growing consumer preference for an online booking alternative.
He explained: “Unlike the markets of North America and Europe which make up for 75 per cent of total cruise bookings globally, cruising is relatively new in Asia (including China), accounting for about 14 per cent of the global market share.” However, he added, the cruise market in Asia offers great potential, demonstrating double-digit growth annually post-Covid.
Yip added: “While air ticket commission has diminished, the profit margin for agents selling cruises remains significant. However, customer experience (when booking cruises) is not positive due to factors such as ever-fluctuating rates or making enquiries through phone calls which will require the agency to take time to revert.
“Therefore, our rationale behind this digital transformation is to address issues like non-transparent pricing structure and information as well as to tap the young market segment.”
Between 2019-2021, the cruise booking platform has completed integration with about six cruise liners offering more than 10,000 sailings, with another four due to come on board. It is estimated that the system will offer over 50,000 sailings by year-end as cruise lines begin to resume operations around the world.
Yip added that hard work lies ahead in growing the platform as international players are either not ready for the Asian market or prioritise other markets given Asia’s small presence in terms of market share.
He said: “For the next two years, we will only be focused on expanding the pie, not only in Hong Kong, but we also plan to make forays into Singapore and China’s Greater Bay Area. That’s why we have invested in R&D, technology and infrastructure to scale out to Asia-Pacific.”
Yip shared that the company is in the midst of creating a B2B version of the cruise booking platform in the form of smartphone apps for agents at SMEs as “it will enable them to do business anywhere and it’s more engaging than phone calls”.
More hotel closures expected in Thailand if pandemic drags on
Although hotels in Thailand saw a slight uptick in occupancy rate nationwide in August, alongside an increase in the number of active hotels, a majority of hoteliers will either close business temporarily or permanently if the pandemic continues to drag on, according to a recent survey.
The joint survey by the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and Bank of Thailand found that 52 per cent of hoteliers said they will close business temporarily if the Covid-19 situation persists, while nine per cent may decide to close permanently, and 30 per cent will delay investments. The remaining nine per cent said they will switch to other businesses.
The survey polled 234 operators, including 14 alternative state quarantine (ASQ) hotels and five hospitels (hotels turned into makeshift hospitals).
Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, president of THA, said that the 215 hotels surveyed, excluding ASQ hotels and hospitels, saw an occupancy rate of 10.6 per cent nationwide in August, a slight increase from 9.6 per cent in the previous month.
She also noted that 48.4 per cent of hotels was active in August, a jump from 40.1 per cent in July. The uptick was mainly driven by hotels in Bangkok which pivoted to focus on the long-stay market, and in Phuket which reopened to vaccinated tourists without quarantine in July.
However, 70 per cent of respondents said their liquidity in August declined by more than 20 per cent compared to the previous month, while 65 per cent have less than three months of cash reserves. Meanwhile, half of them have only enough liquidity for less than a month.
Of the 14 ASQ hotels surveyed, 27 per cent saw average occupancy rates of 22 and 15 per cent in August and September, respectively. For five hospitels, their revenue was no different from other regular hotels, with occupancy rates at 23 per cent in August and 25 per cent in September.
Self-piloted drone flights launched for Singapore travellers to visit Shizuoka, Japan
Travel-deprived Singaporeans can now take a virtual trip to the scenic Shizuoka prefecture to soak in breathtaking views of the magnificent Mount Fuji – by flying a drone remotely.
During the current pandemic downtime, the Shizuoka Prefectural Singapore Rep. Office worked with companies in Singapore and Shizuoka to introduce innovative hybrid travel products as a new form of travel mode to spark wanderlust and stimulate inbound travel demand.
One such new virtual exploration deploys the creative use of cross-border self-piloted drone flights, which the media and travel industry personnel got to experience first-hand at a recent Mount Fuji Drone Challenge in Asagiri event.
The location was chosen as a symbolic icon to connect Singapore to Japan, in celebration of 55 years of Singapore-Japan relations.
Generally, a drone operator needs to be on-site to fly it, with an operational range between 2-3 km from the user. This new drone remote control technology over the internet enables the operator to fly a drone remotely, even thousands of kilometres away.
During the session held in Singapore, participants were also given a virtual tour of the Asagiri Food Park, located at the foot of Mount Fuji in Shizuoka prefecture. They also tried their hand at creating their personalised blend using Shizuoka’s famous green tea via a livestream demo, and even visited a sake store virtually.
Apart from drone flying at the certified airfield, Asagiri Food Park also offers various unique hands-on activities for visitors.
Wataru Fukuda, chief representative of the Shizuoka Prefectural Government Representative Office in Singapore, told TTG Asia that the session to demonstrate the possibility of remote drone flights as a new virtual travel experience is part of the organisation’s efforts to continue engaging travel agents in Singapore to ensure the destination remains top-of-mind once tours to Japan is possible in the future.
He also proposed to travel agents who attended the session about staging such hybrid events at a future NATAS Travel Fair for Singapore travellers to not only experience Shizuoka prefecture but also the whole of Japan.
Bike & Chill at Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore
Oakwood Premier AMTD Singapore has launched the Bike & Chill stay package targeting both experienced and leisure cyclists keen on indulging in a day of cycling revelry, complete with bike privileges to boot.
The hotel’s close proximity to the Marina Bay and Coastal Park Connector bike trails makes it the perfect pit stop for guests’ cycling adventures around the city-state.
Partnering with active lifestyle tenants located within the same mixed-use development of Downtown Gallery with cycling concept stores aplenty, the Bike and Chill bundle pack that comes alongside every stay package booked will feature vouchers from tenants including cycling wear shop A-Cycle as well as active lifestyle concept store The Big Country.
Guests who book the package will be able to choose their preferred apartment category. Other inclusions are bicycle parking in an allocated bicycle shed within the hotel property, uncapped utilities, as well as a choice between a S$70 (US$52) dining credit for use at SE7ENTH or by the pool deck terrace or one-way bike transfer (up to two bikes only).
Rounding up the perks are round-the-clock concierge and technician services, and access to outdoor infinity pool and fitness centre.
The Bike & Chill package is valid for reservations and stays until December 31, 2021, with rates starting from S$270++ per night for Studio apartments.
Guidelines unveiled for Langkawi’s reopening to domestic tourists
Malaysia’s tourism minister has announced guidelines for domestic travellers visiting Langkawi under the new tourism bubble plan that will take effect from the country’s National Day on September 16.
Nancy Shukri, minister of tourism, arts and culture, said on Thursday that only fully vaccinated adults will be allowed to cross state borders to travel to Langkawi. Those under the age of 18 will have to be accompanied by their parents who must both be fully vaccinated.
Additionally, those travelling by road to Langkawi must use transportation provided by local tour agencies from their point of origin to the ferry jetty terminal in Langkawi. That regulation, however, will not apply to those travelling by road from Kedah mainland or the nearby state of Perlis as well as those flying into Langkawi.
Travellers must also apply for a police permit to travel to Langkawi. To obtain these permits, they must show supporting documents such as flight ticket, ferry ticket, hotel receipts or travel package receipts.
Activities allowed in Langkawi include beach and water activities; special interest activities such as golfing, scuba diving, cycling, angling and yachting; academic tours; as well as eco-tourism activities such as bird watching, caving, mountain climbing, white water rafting and jungle trekking. Visits to museums, art galleries, cultural heritage centres, theme parks and family entertainment centres are also allowed.
Nancy also said the tourism bubble in Langkawi will be closely monitored and the ministry will obtain feedback from the local communities to be evaluated and submitted to the National Security Council for consideration and further action, such as the reopening of more tourist destinations.
According to Nancy, more than 85.8 per cent of the local population in Langkawi have been fully vaccinated, and by the time tourism opens on the island, that number would have increased to more than 90 per cent.
Sharmini Violet, director of sales and marketing at Langkawi-based Megawater Sports & Holidays, shared that she could now start targeted marketing of her products and services to locals. She said: “The announcement made it very clear as to who is eligible to travel to Langkawi and what is needed to travel. Earlier, the SOPs had not been made known, which made planning a weekend getaway in Langkawi impossible.”
Uzaidi Udanis, president of the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, expressed hope that other tourist islands, such as Redang and Tioman, where most of the local communities have already been vaccinated, will also soon be opened to domestic tourists similar to the Langkawi tourism bubble, before the start of the annual year-end monsoon season. He said: “At least tourism stakeholders will be able to enjoy a little bit of business.”
Thai AirAsia to undertake crowdfunding as part of fundraising strategy
As part of its innovative fundraising strategy, Thai AirAsia has launched a crowdfunding campaign that allows retail investors and the general public to invest in the company and support its journey to recovery.
The debenture is now available for subscription through the Peer Power investment platform at peerpower.co.th. The low minimum requirement for investment will enable retail investors to actively participate in the drive, AirAsia said in a statement.
The airline added that it is confident of strong support from the investing public towards the campaign, drawing from positive signals from the airline’s restart of domestic flights, with 11 routes to be brought back into service from September 3.
Thai AirAsia CEO, Santisuk Klongchaiya, said that throughout the Covid-19 situation, Thai AirAsia continued to receive strong support from those outside the company who have remained confident in its growth potential and wish to support it so that it can quickly return to pre-pandemic health.
“We thank everyone for all of their support throughout this difficult situation. This crowdfunding campaign will be another avenue for people to show their support,” he said. “We are touched by the positive response that we have received so far that shows how much support and confidence the public has in AirAsia, which is just as important to us (in) overcoming this crisis.”
The campaign marks Thai AirAsia’s first foray into the new and increasingly popular funding alternative, which was recently approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Proceeds from the crowdfunding campaign will allow Thai AirAsia to shore up its short-term stability. It will be concurrently maintaining its existing funding plan, which consists of a capital raising and a business restructuring of Asia Aviation.
Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh has partnered ecoSPIRITS, a company that pioneers the world’s low-carbon method of packaging and distribution for high-end spirits, to establish a sustainable process for its flagship bar, The Attic.
ecoSPIRITS is a closed-loop distribution system which uses a low-waste, low-carbon spirits distribution technology, thereby minimising packaging waste and transport cost, to reduce carbon footprint emissions in the spirits supply chain. Premium spirits are contained in ecoTOTEs, a reusable vessel that carries 4.5 liters of spirit, which bartenders then use to sustainably refill their bottles. Emptied ecoTOTEs are returned, sanitised, fitted with tamper-proof seals and then re-distributed. These containers can be stacked and are shock-resistant, thus reducing wastage from breakages.
By partnering with ecoSPIRITS, Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh aims to reduce 40 per cent of its transport and packaging carbon emissions, including single-use glass wastage.
Herman Kemp, the hotel’s general manager, said the partnership would allow The Attic to “extend its popular sustainable cocktail menu in which all ingredients in the cocktail have zero wastage”.
Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh has been initiating several sustainable processes since its opening in January 2021. The hotel has joined up with Eggscellent, a cage-free chicken farm in Siem Reap; Ocean Gems, a sustainable seafood company; Beyond Meat, a plant-based, vegan meat company; and Moo Moo Farms, a domestic dairy farm. It also has a longstanding partnership with local NGO Eco-Soap Bank to collect used soap from the property’s 247 guestrooms for redistribution to vulnerable communities around South-east Asia and Africa.