Trip Affiliates Network grows into China
Singapore-based Trip Affiliates Network (TAN) has partnered with Shenzhen JL-Tour (JLT) to bolster its expansion across China, a move that will enable tour and activities operators to unlock new profitable paths to growth.
Shenzhen JLT, owned by Tongcheng Group, is one of China’s leading B2B hotel wholesaler. Its partnership with TAN will provide an open ecosystem to traditionally offline B2B channels such as travel agencies, wholesalers and corporate travel intermediaries. Both companies will work together on specialised Joint Destination Marketing Campaigns to drive awareness of selected destinations while expanding the network of partners in the region.
Joy Yan, product director at Shenzhen JLT, said: “We will enable Trip Affiliates Network to access a range of resources from the Chinese mainland and distribute them across many channels.”
Yan added that Shenzhen JLT would benefit from TAN’s “broad range of resources, solutions and connected partners across the region” as well as its partnerships with Siteminder and Rategain “which will enable JLT to connect with overseas hotel groups easily”.
Josef Foo, TAN managing partner, said the partnership is his company’s “first foray into the Greater China region and is testament to the exceptional team here”.
“We are gathering critical mass as an ecosystem, helping tour and activity wholesalers improve market share and grow their direct bookings, while focusing on their channel relationships and building on long term profitability.”
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Oberoi Group enter strategic alliance
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group have forged a long-term partnership that will see them curate exclusive experiences and expand their global reach.
A press release on the global alliance states that both companies will retain their unique heritage and identity.
Tapping into the expertise of both brands, the alliance will work together to create unique culinary and wellness experiences and will also collaborate on innovation, sustainability and colleague learning and development. Joint efforts across these areas will provide synergies for both brands enabling both to further evolve the meaning of luxury hospitality.
Members of Fans of M.O. and Oberoi One, the brands’ respective recognition programmes, will have privileged access to over 50 luxury hotels in sought-after destinations, where they will receive superior recognition, exclusive experiences and offers, as well as invitations to bespoke events.
“We are delighted to launch this innovative partnership with The Oberoi Group, setting the stage for us to push the boundaries of luxury hospitality,” said James Riley, Mandarin Oriental’s group chief executive.
“We have long been ‘fans’ of Mandarin Oriental,” said Vikram Oberoi, managing director and CEO of EIH, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group. “Our brands complement each other extremely well as do our organisations values and culture. This exciting alliance will allow guests to experience new destinations and experiences in the legendary styles for which both companies are renowned.”
A&K Thailand crafts weekender series for locals
Abercrombie & Kent Thailand (A&K) has kicked off a series of weekend getaways that are designed to bring together travellers who wish to experience the county’s hidden treasures.
The themed tours, conducted across October and November, are kept small. They are led by private A&K guides, and guests are offered a chance to connect with cultural experts and destination insiders.
Four programmes are available.
The first, Northern Thai Explorers: Tribes, Treks and Tuk Tuks, will be conducted from October 16 to 19. The three-night adventure features whitewater rafting and a self-drive tuk tuk convoy into the scenic hills and valleys of northern Thailand. Opportunities to visit remote hill tribe communities and have an ethical elephant experience are included.
This is priced from 18,250 baht (US$582.90) per person, based on twin-share.
The second, Into the Wild: Family Fun in Khao Sok National Park, will be conducted from October 19 to 22. This educational adventure heads into the beautiful jungles and lake of Khao Sok National Park, where guests can spend time with a natural educator, learn how to forage for lunch, and spot monkeys on Cheow Lan Lake. Children of all ages are welcome.
This is priced from 17,220 baht per person, based on adult twin-share. Children under 12 years old pay 8.600 baht each, or participate for free if under four and sharing a bed with two full-paying adults.
The third, The Lanna Kingdom: Arts, Cuisine & Spirituality, will run from November 6 to 8. It journeys into Chiang Mai for a firsthand encounter with the city’s spiritual, culinary and artistic traditions, with opportunities to interact with local insiders and skilled artisans as well as craft fabrics and meditate.
This is priced from 16,400 baht per person, based on adult twin-share.
Finally, there is the Gardens and Communities of Old Bangkok, which is available on October 10, 09.00 and October 18, 14.30. Guests will encounter a little-known part of the Thai capital and hear stories of pioneers and merchant families from centuries ago.
This is priced at 600 baht per adult; 200 baht per child aged six to 12; free for five and under.
For more information, visit www.abercrombiekent.asia/thailand
Millennium rolls out Yacht-cation Escape
Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has launched a Yacht-cation Escape package that promises an indulgent break which includes premium accommodation and a sailing adventure to explore the Southern Islands of Singapore.
The package, available for booking at Orchard Hotel and M Social, is part of the company’s Take Happiness Seriously campaign, an initiative that encourages guests to prioritise happiness through curated activities.
Priced from S$1,600 (US$1,176) for two guests at Orchard Hotel, the two-day/one-night package features a stay in a Premier Suite, welcome afternoon tea, dinner at Hua Ting, gourmet picnic lunch set, chauffeured limousine ride to the Yacht Club, a four-hour yacht experience, breakfast and an early check-in and late check-out arrangement.
A three-day/two-night option is available from S$2,160.
The package from M Social is priced from S$1,380 for two persons on a two-day/one-night arrangement. Along with a stay in a Premier Loft, guests will enjoy welcome amenities, a mixology class, set dinner at Beast & Butterflies, gourmet picnic lunch set, chauffeured limousine ride to the Yacht Club, a four-hour yacht experience, breakfast, and an early check-in and late check-out arrangement.
A three-day/two-night option is available from S$1,560.
MHR has four other hotels in Singapore – Grand Copthorne Waterfront, M Hotel, Copthorne King’s Hotel, and Studio M. However, only Orchard Hotel and M Social are currently available for staycation bookings.
For more information, visit http://bit.ly/YachtcationOHS and http://bit.ly/YachtcationMSS
PATA, TTG round up industry experts to understand future of travel in special series
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and TTG Asia Media are collaborating on a series of articles that will look into the travel and tourism industry’s future, and provide guidance to stakeholders on how a responsible, meaningful and sustainable development could be achieved.
To provide these insights and advice, the series of six articles will draw inputs from industry leaders, policymakers and influential institutions, such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Tourism Working Group, World Economic Forum, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, and Asian Development Bank, etc.
The series will be published at the PATA Crisis Resource Center website, with the first out today. The first article, titled A Turning Point: Crafting tourism’s future together, looks at what what major regional travel and tourism bodies are doing to steer recovery, and how their efforts are backed by institutions beyond tourism’s usual boundaries.
Commenting on the initiative, PATA CEO Mario Hardy said: “Our Crisis Resource Center was established earlier this year as a leading platform to assist travel industry trade at this critical time. By collaborating with a partner as knowledgeable and as insightful as TTG Asia, we are excited to bring some new and unique perspectives into this the current pandemic and what it means for our regional stakeholders.”
Centara touts “ultimate staycation experience” with attractive deals
Centara Hotels & Resorts has kicked off the Even Stronger Together promotion campaign, offering staycationers extensive privileges such as daily hotel credits and shopping vouchers across all its properties worldwide.
Guests can enjoy reduced room rates ranging from 720 baht (US$23) to 3,120 baht per night, with daily hotel credits of up to 2,020 baht to spend on spa, food and drinks. They will also get Central department store gift vouchers of up to 1,600 baht per stay. Other perks include free early check-in from 09.00 and late check-out up to 21.00, subject to availability for stays from Sundays to Thursdays.
The promotion is inclusive of daily breakfast for two, with a half-board upgrade available for stays of four or more nights at select hotels. Up to two children stay for free when sharing existing bedding with parents.
Even Stronger Together can be booked from now until November 30, 2020, for stays through year-end.
Ovolo Hotels eschews meat in favour of sustainable dining
In conjunction with World Vegetarian Day on October 1, Ovolo Hotels has launched the Year of the Veg, becoming the first hotel group to go completely vegetarian across all its restaurants, bars, and food services for an entire year.
Inspired to act on climate change and environmental conservation, and in light of more consumers opting for vegetarian cuisine, the hotel group is phasing out meat to focus on creating plant-based cuisine instead.
For Ovolo in Hong Kong, the movement towards vegetarianism began at Veda at Ovolo Central which was Hong Kong’s first vegetarian hotel restaurant. Following suit, Komune, the all-day dining destination at Ovolo Southside, is cutting meat from its menus, and the hotel will soon debut a new fully vegetarian restaurant concept.
The movement will extend to Australia, with Ovolo’s Australian locations also going plant-based for the year. Monster Kitchen & Bar (Ovolo Nishi, Canberra), Za Za Ta (Ovolo The Valley, Brisbane), and Mr Percy (Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, Sydney) are also debuting new all-vegetarian menus. They will join Alibi Bar & Kitchen at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, which set the standard as the first 100 per cent plant-based hotel restaurant in Australia and New Zealand.
To further the plant-based cause, Ovolo is also revamping its room service menus, allowing guests to enjoy an array of vegetarian dishes in the comfort of their guestroom during this period.
Ovolo Group’s founder and CEO, Girish Jhunjhnuwala, said: “We want to be conscious about what we’re consuming and practice sustainability as much as we can because we believe this can have an enormous impact on the environment and humanity at large. To that end, we’re evolving our food offerings so that our guests can continue enjoying great dining experiences in a more sustainable manner.”
Year of the Veg is the latest in a series of eco-friendly initiatives that Ovolo Hotels has implemented over the last year. This includes eliminating single-use bathroom amenities made of plastic, replacing plastic straws with environmentally-friendly alternatives, and using reusable woven bags for slippers.
Banyan Tree branches further into Indonesia
As part of its regional expansion strategy, Banyan Tree Group is set to extend its multi-brand presence in Indonesia with five new hotels in the pipeline including three from the group’s upcoming new nature-centric brand extension, Banyan Tree Escape.
Upcoming properties comprise Banyan Tree Nipah, Lombok and Angsana Saranam, Bali; alongside potentially three hideaway resorts under its Banyan Tree Escape brand.
Set to open in 2Q2021, Angsana Saranam, Bali will be a 82-key wellbeing resort that will feature an Angsana Spa and wellbeing facilities such as a multifunctional activity centre, movement space and vitality pool for hydrotherapy and aqua activities. An organic farm will also feature harvest-to-dish activities.
Banyan Tree Nipah, Lombok will be a 72-key luxury beach resort featuring suites and villas with infinity pools and a hilltop oceanfront lobby. Its three dining venues will comprise an all-day restaurant, lobby lounge and beach shack. Scheduled to open in 2022, it will include the Banyan Tree Spa with wellness suites and hydrothermal facilities, alongside a beachfront multi-event space.
In light of the post-Covid quest for increased emphasis on wellbeing and sustainability, the group has unveiled an upcoming new brand extension, Banyan Tree Escape, with its first hotel to debut in the heart of Ubud, Bali in 2Q2021. Featuring its signature “no walls, no doors” experience concept, the brand aims to bring travellers on “a rewilding renewal through immersion in nature”. Further destinations include a private island and tropical rainforests in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara; and North Sumatra.
Additionally, the group said that it is in discussions to open more Cassia properties, following its first Cassia Bintan in Indonesia; and Dhawa hotels in the country’s super-priority destinations of Borobudur at Central Java, Labuan Bajo at East Nusa Tenggara, Mandalika in WNT, Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Likupang in North Sulawesi, and Bangka Belitung.
Malaysia Airlines embarks on urgent restructuring
Malaysia Airlines (MAB) will be undergoing a comprehensive restructuring of its business and capital structure, and has reached out to its lessors, creditors, and key suppliers recently as part of that exercise.
Its statement comes after a Reuters report stating that its parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), said in a letter to lessors that the group is unlikely to be able to make payments owed after November unless it receives more funding from state fund Khazanah.
The report quoted insiders as saying that the letter follows the national carrier’s request to its lessors for steep discounts on aircraft rentals as part of a broad restructuring plan.
The announcement of the restructuring exercise is the latest cost-cutting move by the airline as it seeks to weather the fallout posed by the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis. Since March, measures taken by the MAG to cut costs and conserve cash include introducing extensive salary cuts for the entire management team and pilots, introducing no-pay leave, seeking payment deferrals, and renegotiating contracts.
The resurgence of the coronavirus in some markets, the lack of a vaccine that needs to be widely distributed, and tight border restrictions remaining in place for its key markets will “hamper the return of international leisure and business travel demand for MAG in the next couple of years,” the airline said in a press statement.
As such, MAG said that it will take drastic steps in revising its long-term business plan further to ensure the group’s relevance and survival. This includes reworking its network and fleet plans to be able to cope with not only the uncertain and volatile aviation landscape, but also likely softer traffic demand for the foreseeable future, it added.
The airline said that it intends for the restructuring exercise to be completed over the next few months, but does not rule out taking “more drastic measures” if that outcome is not possible. It also said that it is committed to carrying out its restructuring exercise “in a fair manner through any form of mechanism that is appropriate”.
The persistent slow restart to air travel has resulted in AirAsia Japan’s demise yesterday as well as Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) decision to slash up to 2,700 jobs.
Established at Chubu Centrair International Airport in July 2014, AirAsia Japan is the latest business casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a press statement, AirAsia Japan said travel restrictions and the uncertainties it created have severely curtailed demand for business and leisure travel, resulting in flight reductions, cancellations and grounding of aircraft. These factors have weighed heavily on the company’s ability to continue operations.
Representative director and COO of AirAsia Japan, Jun Aida, said: “Despite our unrelenting efforts to sustain operations through successive and wide-ranging cost reduction initiatives, we have concluded that it would be an extremely challenging feat for us to continue operating without any visibility and certainty of a post-pandemic recovery path.
“I would like to express our deepest gratitude and appreciation to our loyal guests and other stakeholders who have supported us all along. This painful decision to cease operations was decided neither in haste nor taken lightly. It was agreed upon after conducting a thorough business review.”
AirAsia Japan’s exit will be carried out in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations including the Japan Civil Aeronautics Act.
Meanwhile, PAL will cut up to a third of its workforce as it continues to struggle with suppressed demand. It is running less than 15 per cent of its normal daily flights eight months after the Philippine government imposed travel curbs.
“The collapse in travel demand and persistent travel restrictions on most global and domestic routes have made retrenchment inevitable,” PAL said in a statement.