Taiwan rolls out three-part plan to win back tourists

June 10, 2020

As it readies to welcome back international tourists in 3Q2020, Taiwan has launched a three-phase reopening plan, which includes the budgeting of NT$2 billion (US$67.6 million) for tourism re-introduction.

Phase one, currently underway, includes the drawing up of a pandemic prevention tourism plan, comprising various tourism-related guidelines including quick action plans in the event of a fresh outbreak. Travel and tourism players have also undergone training courses schooling them on how to bolster confidence among tourists.

Covid-19 prevention plan, training courses for players in travel form part of Taiwan’s tourism recovery plan; Taiwan’s highest peak Yushan Mountain pictured

In the second phase, an estimated NT$2 billion has been budgeted for tourism re-introduction. As part of the training, up to 300,000 tourism players will partake in local FAM tours to be eligible for additional relief subsidies. Designed to familiarise agents with the health and safety measures established at tourist spots, the itineraries will cover local specialty outlets, homestays, attractions, shopping, and more.

These efforts will build up towards the restart of international tourism under the third phase, following Taiwan’s implementation and successful testing of the measures adopted at the domestic level.

Thailand draws up safety guidelines for tourist attractions, beaches

By TTG Asia

June 9, 2020

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Thailand’s health department and public health ministry are recommending curbs on the number of visitors at popular tourist spots to avoid a second wave of Covid-19, as the government mulls the reopening of more attractions and businesses ahead of schedule.

Following a two-month closure, Bang Saen Beach in Chonburi province begun welcoming visitors again this week.

Safe distancing and wearing of masks among new guidelines for Thailand’s tourist spots and beaches

Department of Health (DOH) director-general, Panpimol Wipulakorn, said that even though restrictions on domestic travel have been eased, travellers should continue to practise safety measures such as social distancing, wearing masks, and regular handwashing.

The DOH is collaborating with the relevant agencies to establish health and safety guidelines at tourist attractions and beaches. Tourists numbers will be limited and they will have to maintain a safe distance from each other. As well, water activities will be limited, with fewer allowed on banana boats, speed boats, and rubber hoops.

Tourists are expected to strictly adhere to the location’s guidelines, wear a mask at all times on the beach, wash their hands frequently, refrain from shouting when swimming, and maintain a one- to two-metre distance from each other both on land and in water. Public employees are also required to wear a face shield and gloves.

In addition, handwashing stations and gel will be made available at tourist facilities, while public washrooms will be cleaned at least every two hours.

Taweesilp Visanuyothin, spokesperson for the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said businesses and activities which has plans to prevent virus transmission may reopen ahead of schedule in the final phase of the Covid-19 lockdown.

He added that the CCSA is also discussing the fourth and final phase of the relaxation of businesses and activities that are in the highest-risk category, such as pubs, bars, discos, and event venues.

The government plans to completely lift the lockdown on all businesses and activities across the country on July 1. This includes the lifting of interprovincial travel restrictions, as well as ending the emergency decree and curfew. Both the emergency decree, as well as the ban on international travel will end June 30.

Indonesian hotels roll out discounts to woo travellers

By Tiara Maharani

June 9, 2020

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From throwing in free nights, to dangling discounts and pay-now-stay-later deals, hotels in Indonesia are sparing no effort to drive up demand and clinch sales in a bid to keep operations afloat amid the pandemic.

Since May 21, Atria Hotel Magelang (AHM) has started holding weekly live auctions on the hotel’s Instagram account, selling discounted rooms, F&B vouchers, and social gathering and wedding packages.

Indonesian hotels like InterContinental Bali Resort (above) are resorting to discounts and pay-now, stay-later promotions with long validity periods to attract travellers

Bids for room vouchers start from 200,000 rupiah (US$14), while F&B vouchers go for 100,000 rupiah, with bid increments set at 25,000 rupiah.

Chandra Irawan, general manager of AHM, shared that the auction was to generate cash flow for the hotel. “We are not looking for profit, this is our effort to survive,” he elaborated.

He shared that the four-star hotel has been able to sell at least 20 to 30 vouchers during each hour-long auction.

Santika Indonesia Hotels & Resorts, on the other hand, has chosen to organise the Santika Online Travel Fair, to keep the business afloat.

Its general manager of business development and marketing communications, Sudarsana said: “About 75 per cent of our hotels are shut down. To be able to resume operations, these hotels need money, that is expected to be obtained from online travel fair.”

Sudarsana elaborated that funds raised from the online travel fair will help the hotel to maintain cash flow, especially since hotel expenses have surged as they had to buy personal protective equipment for hotel employees and guests, while sales of hotel rooms have plunged.

The Santika Online Travel Fair, which was held from May 26 to June 6, was held through the Santika member app MyValue, reaching out to the hotel chain’s 600,0000 loyalty members. In total, Santika managed to sell 1,920 vouchers.

During the online fair, besides offering packages at attractive rates, Santika also provided additional cash back benefits in the form of MyValue points that can be used to make purchases at the hotel chain’s properties or Gramedia book stores throughout Indonesia.

Sudarsana added that the move helped to grow the company’s loyal customer base, and increase the number of downloads for their app.

Elsewhere, a number of properties have rolled out pay-now, stay-later packages with flexible dates that are valid for up to two years.

InterContinental Bali Resort is throwing in one free night stay for every two-night booking at the resort, offering savings of up to 30 per cent, with the flexibility to use the vouchers any time in the next 24 months.

Its area director of sales & marketing, Radka Janotova, said that the promotion has helped the resort to tide through these difficult times. “The number of vouchers sold exceeded our expectations and it just goes to show that people want to come to Bali when the situation improves,” he added.

Over at The Jayakarta SP Hotel & Spa Jakarta, in addition to dangling discounts, the hotel is offering pre-paid vouchers that are valid for use up till December 30, 2022.

Its general manager, Rahadian Firmansyah, explained: “We have taken this policy because it is not easy for customers to plan their holiday in the near future as some experts have projected that business will recover in the next one or two years.”

Since launching the promotion in April, the hotel has received bookings for stays between the end of 2020 and mid-2021.

Commenting on the various initiatives by the hotels, Umberto Cadamuro, COO Inbound of Pacto, opined that with most travellers adopting a wait-and-see approach, such marketing tactics provide a win-win for both guests and hotels.

He recommended hotels to collaborate with tour operators to create special packages, in order to drive the sector’s recovery.

Similar expectations were echoed by Monas Tjahjono, managing director of Monas Tours & Travel Surabaya, which has also rolled out a special hotel package deal to create demand.

He said: “The profit margin from the sale of these packages may be small, but it helps to keep the revenue flowing nonetheless and ensure the survival of travel businesses.”

Malaysia sets stage for domestic tourism recovery

By S Puvaneswary

June 9, 2020

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Malaysia hotels and tourism players are gearing up to welcome domestic travellers again, as the country will allow interstate travel from Wednesday under the recovery movement control order (RMCO).

From June 10 to August 31, the RMCO replaces the country’s conditional movement control order (CMCO), and will see the easing of interstate travel, as well as meetings and workshops, under strict health protocols. However, the country’s borders will remain shut.

Malaysia embarks on a new recovery phase, which will see a phased reopening of majority of business activities

Under the RMCO, museums, indoor busking and recreational fishing activities will be allowed to commence, but pubs, nightclubs, theme parks, karaoke centres, foot reflexology centres, sporting events with a large number of spectators in stadiums, swimming in public pools and contact sports are still banned.

Making the announcement in a televised broadcast on Sunday, prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, said the RMCO will feature more lenient restrictions and formed part of the country’s exit strategy.

The RMCO will be based on seven strategies: enhanced public health, legislation and enforcement, enhanced border control, reopening of all sectors of the economy, embracing the new normal, community responsibility empowerment, and protection of risk groups.

These strategies will be executed by the Special Ministerial Committee on the implementation of the RMCO.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) CEO, Yap Lip Seng, said the move is significant for the tourism industry as it marks the beginning of the resumption of domestic travel, which will pave the way to industry recovery.

He added: “Tourism stakeholders had long prepared for this day to come, particularly the hotel industry with its very own guidelines to ensure a clean and safe stay for tourists and guests alike.”

On May 1, MAH published its base guidelines for hotels, designed to steer hotels into the new norm of hotel operations in the post-Covid era, benchmarked against Ministry of Health’s requirements and best practices from other countries and major hotel chains around the world.

Entering the RMCO, Yap said the industry is expecting a pick up in not only leisure travel but also business travellers. Although hotels generally are investing and spending more in compliance to SOPs, many are rolling back room rates, offering attractive packages and promotions for direct bookings on their websites, according to Yap.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents president, KL Tan, said the easing of restrictions to allow interstate travel “could help rejuvenate economic activities in the value chain”.

He added: “The service industry is a significant revenue earner and employment provider, so this will minimise retrenchment in the tourism industry.”

Tan hoped the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak would not impose additional restrictions on domestic travellers from other states, such as a requirement for health certificates.

To pave the way for faster recovery, he also hoped the government would consider gradually opening up the country’s borders to allow tourists from low-risk countries such as Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Australia.

Tan said delaying the opening up of international borders will decimate the country’s tourism industry, which employs more than 3.5 million people.

“We hope the government will reassess the easing of borders sooner than August 31, to further strengthen economic activities,” he added.

Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association president, Uzaidi Udanis, shared that as the forestry department remains closed, activities such as jungle trekking, white water rafting and camping are still not allowed.

Expressing hopes that the forestry department will soon establish SOPs so that ecotourism activities can resume, he said that ecotourism is the country’s strength and gives it an advantage over other nations.

“We believe (ecotourism) activities are very safe, and since tour operators have the contact details of clients, contact tracing can be easily done, if required.”

The association is also in talks with an insurance company to obtain Covid-19 protection for its members’ guests, Uzaidi shared, adding that the coverage “will give more confidence for locals to travel domestically”.

Avis, Budget Singapore step up safety measures

By TTG Asia

June 9, 2020

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Avis Singapore and Budget Singapore have launched new safety initiatives to reassure their car rental customers of the highest standards of safety and cleanliness.

Dubbed the Avis Safety Pledge and Budget Worry-Free Promise, the safety protocols will be rolled out in all Avis Singapore and Budget Singapore’s rental stations, as the country eases its circuit breaker measures.

Avis, Budget put in place enhanced cleaning protocols, including the disinfecting of vehicles before each rental

Both Avis and Budget have enhanced cleaning and disinfecting measures. All vehicles are cleaned before every rental, with special attention paid to high-touch point surfaces such as the steering wheel, indicators, dashboard, hand grips, cup holders, and all door handles.

Social distancing measures are also observed at rental stations where counter shields have been installed, while employees will wear gloves and masks when facing customers.

Tom Mooney, managing director, Pacific, Avis Budget Group: “Car rental is currently in a unique position as it can provide a private travel solution, a safer alternative to some other transport modes where the customer can control their own environment.”

Customers in Singapore can choose to receive their rented, clean cars at preferred locations, and use the key drop system while returning their vehicles, with no physical interaction required. Avis customers signed up with the loyalty scheme Avis Preferred can also benefit from having paperwork prepared ahead of time for swift collection of their vehicles.

In addition, Avis and Budget have also made all direct rental bookings more flexible. Customers who book directly with Avis and Budget will be able to modify or cancel any reservation made for rentals starting before September 1, 2020 without any additional fee. Furthermore, customers who chose to cancel their reservation before the booking start date will get a full refund.

Tourism recovery must be built on sustainability: UNWTO

By TTG Asia

June 9, 2020

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In conjunction with World Environment Day, the UNWTO-led One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme has unveiled its new vision for global tourism – and that is the need to build towards a more sustainable and resilient recovery.

The One Planet Vision for the Responsible Recovery of the Tourism Sector builds on the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism, with the aim to emerge stronger and more sustainable from the Covid-19 crisis.

UNWTO has unveiled its vision for the future of tourism, where sustainability will become the new normal

The Vision is structured around six lines of action to guide responsible tourism recovery for people, planet and prosperity, namely, public health, social inclusion, biodiversity conservation, climate action, circular economy, and governance and finance.

UNWTO’s call to sustainability action come as several destinations across the world start to loosen restrictions on travel and mobility, and the tourism sector readies to relaunch.

“Sustainability must no longer be a niche part of tourism, but must be the new norm for every part of our sector. This is one of the central elements of our Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism. It is in our hands to transform tourism and emerging from Covid-19 becomes a turning point for sustainability,” said UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili.

The One Planet Vision calls for a more sustainable recovery for the tourism sector, which will boost its resilience to better tackle future crises. The Vision will support the development and implementation of recovery plans, which contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and to the Paris Agreement.

At a time when governments and the private sector are embarking on the path to recovery, the time is right to keep advancing towards a more economically, social and environmentally sustainable tourism model, said UNWTO in a press statement.

Sabina Fluxà, vice-chairman and CEO of Iberostar Group, said that the hotel group “has responded by integrating sustainability in elevated safety protocols and further committing to our circular economy policies to ensure any new waste is managed properly”.

Global destinations get WTTC safety nod

By TTG Asia

June 9, 2020

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WTTC-gives-global-destinations-stamp-of-approval-for-safety-protocols — Key destinations recognised by the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp

Major destinations around the world have been awarded the world’s first global safety and hygiene stamp, launched recently by the WTTC.

The endorsements hail from many major holiday destinations worldwide, including Bulgaria, Turkey, Jamaica, and Mauritius.

Key destinations recognised by the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp

WTTC designed the Safe Travels stamp to boost consumer confidence by enabling travellers to identify destinations and businesses around the world which have adopted its health and hygiene global standardised protocols.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC president & CEO, said that the number of global destinations signing up to be certified by the WTTC Safe Travels stamp is “growing at a rapid pace”.

Countries that have adopted WTTC’s new protocols include Turkey, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Mauritius, Canada’s Ontario, Portugal, Saudi Arabia and the Mexican destinations of Baja California Sur and Yucatan.

Popular city destinations for holidaymakers which have also been given the WTTC Safe Travels stamp of approval include Barcelona, Cancun, Madrid and Seville.

Malaysia Airlines restarts international flights in July

By TTG Asia

June 9, 2020

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MAS — Malaysia Airlines plans to resume some of its international flights from July

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) will resume some of its international flights in July to facilitate essential inter-state travel, allowing the reunion of families who have been separated due to travel restrictions across the the world.

However, Malaysians are still not allowed to travel abroad, and the border remains closed.

Malaysia Airlines plans to resume some of its international flights from July

The national carrier will adjust its network capacity from time to time to ensure passenger demands are met, prior to normalising the schedule in October for both domestic and international destinations, MAS said in a press statement.

For the months of June and July, the airline has scheduled twice-weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Alor Setar, Johor Baru, Kota Baru, Langkawi, Terengganu, Labuan, Miri, Sandakan and Tawau. Flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan, Bintulu and Sibu will be once a week.

As well, there will be thrice-weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Penang and Kuching in June, while flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching will be increased to five times a week in July.

From July, MAS will recommence twice-weekly services between Kuala Lumpur and Dhaka, Kathmandu, London, Osaka, Narita, Incheon, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Denpasar, Phuket and Cambodia.

However, services between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne will be twice-weekly until July 18, and once a week from July 19 to July 31. Services between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney will be twice-weekly until July 5, and once a week from July 6 to 31.

On the international front, in July, MAS will resume flights to Singapore, Bangkok, Surabaya, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Taipei and Guangzhou, among other cities. Full flight schedules are available on the airline’s website.

Passengers are urged to perform online or mobile check-in to reduce interaction and avoid the queues at the airport, especially those travelling on domestic and regional routes.

A finer way to fly

By TTG Asia

June 9, 2020

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Air New Zealand
Air New Zealand (Air NZ) is working on making lie-flat beds in economy class a reality, in what would be an industry-first move to shake up the base offering of rival airlines. A launch isn’t confirmed but Air NZ appears to be in the final stages of developing the Economy Skynest after three years of research and testing at their Hangar 22 innovation centre in Auckland.

The Skynest accommodates six full-length bookable sleeping pods, each equipped with a full-sized pillow, sheets and blanket, ear plugs, privacy curtains and lighting designed for sleep. Other features are also being explored, including a separate reading light, a USB outlet for personal devices, and an improved ventilation outlet.

“The scale of the challenge in developing the Economy Skynest and working through its certification with the necessary regulators is immense, but we believe it is a prize worth chasing and one that we think has the potential to
be a game changer for the industry,” said a spokesperson
at Air NZ.

“If successful, we expect other airlines to explore licensing the Economy Skynest from us just as they have with the Economy Skycouch,” he continued, referring to another innovation introduced in 2010 that effectively combined three economy seats and turning them into a couch.

Air NZ also prides itself in providing gate-to-gate inflight entertainment, the ability to order food and drinks from passenger touchscreens, and its own AI chatbot Oscar which can answer commonly asked questions about flight, baggage, lounge and Airpoints.

But would the Skynest cannibalise Air NZ’s business class offering? The airline doesn’t think so. “The Economy Skynest is tailored for economy travellers and clearly differentiated from our business class offerings,” said the spokesperson.

“It is envisaged to be an added option for economy passengers where they will be able to book a session in the pod and still have their seats for the remaining portions of the flight. A clear pain point for economy travellers on longhaul flights is the inability to stretch out, and the development of the Economy Skynest is a direct response to that feedback,” he concluded. – Adelaine Ng

ANA
Japan’s largest airline is boosting efficiency, comfort and barrier-free facilities on the ground. ANA rolled out the range of new offerings in March to improve passenger experience.

For international departures at Haneda Airport Terminal 2, self-service baggage drops with capability in seven languages have been installed. Smart lanes that allow four customers to use baggage screening lanes simultaneously are in place to reduce security waiting times.

There is also wheelchair-accessible counter and streamlined check-in for passengers who need special assistance.

Four new lounges have been opened, three at Haneda and one at Narita International Airport.

At Haneda, the 360-pax ANA Suite Lounge focuses on privacy and relaxation as well as made-to-order F&B. Its reception area features a Japanese garden and bamboo forest, designed to promote a calming atmosphere. The Napping Area features six beds and five reclining chairs as well as a private area with booths fitted with televisions.

In the Live Kitchen, chefs serve omelets in the morning and nigiri sushi in the evening, while the Bar prepares coffee by day and more than 20 kinds of cocktails at night.

The 900-pax ANA Lounge also has a Live Kitchen and Bar as well as 24 booths offering semi-seclusion and a kids’ room.

Open from 04.30 to 12.30, the ANA Arrival Lounge has a footbath with an ocean view and 18 shower rooms, two of which are barrier-free. It also serves light meals and beverages.

At Narita, the ANA Lounge is located in Satellite 2, catering to passengers departing from farther gates or taking a bus to their aircraft.

“Ensuring that passengers can easily access one of ANA’s lounges no matter where they are located in the airport exemplifies ANA’s commitment to Japanese hospitality and passenger convenience,” commented Hideki Kunugi, executive vice president of ANA, on the lounge’s location. – Kathryn Wortley

Emirates
One of Emirates’ most recent innovations is its biometric path at Terminal 3 of the Dubai International Airport.

Utilising the latest biometric technology, comprising a mix of facial and iris recognition, Emirates passengers will be able to check in for their flight, complete immigration formalities, enter the Emirates Lounge, and board their flights. Notably, this is a world-first for passport control, where passengers are “cleared” by immigration authorities without human intervention or the need for a physical passport stamp.

This technology can be found at select check-in counters, at the Emirates Lounge in Concourse B for premium passengers, and at select boarding gates. For instance, customers flying from Dubai to any of its 12 destinations in the US can benefit from this service, reducing the time taken for identity checks.

The Dubai-headquartered airline also adopts a customer-centric, technology-enabled approach to enhance a passenger’s travel experience through big data, predictive analytics, artificial intelligence, crowd sourcing and collaboration.

In 2018, Emirates introduced 3D seat models on emirates.com, becoming the first airline to introduce web virtual reality (VR) technology on its digital platform. In 2019, Emirates introduced a new function on its app to allow customers to create bespoke playlists ahead of their flight and sync it to their seats once on board.

Big data is also used to better understand an individual passenger’s needs and predict what they would want for a personalised flight experience. For example, flight attendants have access to tablets onboard filled with data gleaned from its website and the 25 million members of the frequent flyer programme, Emirates Skywards.

Regardless of cabin class, all customers can look forward to savouring regionally-inspired and diet-specific meals, to enjoying over 4,500 channels of on-demand audio and visual entertainment in multiple languages on its inflight entertainment system, ice.

On the ground, Emirates’ airport lounges are an integral part of the airline’s service and product offering for its premium and loyal customers.

The Emirates First and Business Class lounge at Changi Airport, for example, was designed with a focus on comfort and quality, offering facilities such as LED TVs, showers, a business centre as well as a dedicated dining area which features an extensive menu of complimentary hot and cold dishes.

First and Business Class passengers can enjoy complimentary chauffeur service the airline offers in over 75 cities worldwide, for a seamless journey from start to finish. Those travelling with young children meanwhile, will benefit from dedicated and faster check-ins, complimentary strollers, family baggage allowance and early bag drop-off when they travel via Dubai International Airport. – Rachel AJ Lee

The changing face of Thai luxury travel

By Anne Somanas

June 9, 2020

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“The word luxury is out; we’ve reached the age where it’s very unfashionable to be pretentious.” These words, uttered by Leanne Reddie Hucker, director of sales & marketing, Rosewood Bangkok, at the Thailand Tourism Forum in Bangkok on January 20, days before Wuhan shut itself down in a bid to contain the coronavirus, have taken on new meaning in the pandemic’s wake as the crisis has upended the luxury travel industry, and spurred greater demand for more targeted and personalised services.

“There is no question we have entered a new era of defining the traveller. The one-size-fits-all approach is not going to work anymore,” Hucker added. “Memory creation, personalised experiences are in. The key to the heart of a new luxury consumer is personal relevance.”

Little did she know how much weight her words, spoken before a thousand hoteliers and travel industry professionals in a ballroom at the Intercontinental Bangkok, would carry in the following months, as no one could have predicted how the burgeoning Covid-19 crisis would instantly transform how the world defines luxury.

But the crisis offers hotels themselves a luxury – the luxury of time to rethink themselves and refine essences and brand messages, said Laurel Tuohy, deputy content director at Bangkok-based hospitality brand consultation agency QUO.

“Although it’s a scary and uncertain time, I think that, looked at with a certain optimism, high-end hotels and brands can use this down time well. It’s the perfect chance for brands to reassess who they are, how they’ve changed and what differentiates them from the rest,” she stated.

QUO is hosting a series of podcasts titled the Future of Travel, in which themes of simplicity, radical localism and less crowding have emerged, with the new luxury defined by authentic local experiences, integration of technology and wellbeing as core components of a hotel’s offer.

These are themes that many of Bangkok’s luxury hotels are focusing on as they prepare to relaunch. As part of its efforts in stepping up sanitation to tackle the new normal, Rosewood Bangkok’s Hucker said the hotel “will heighten existing health and safety techniques, policies, and procedures”.

Elsewhere, at the opulent 285-room Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, whose scheduled May opening has been pushed to 3Q2020, Aaishah Bohari, director of sales and marketing told TTG Asia: “The pandemic has changed the world’s views and expectations of travel which directly impacts the choices people will make when they can travel again.”

Speaking of the hotel’s 4,000m² of wellness facilities and carefully designed health-centric programmes, she added: “At our hotel, well-being is at the heart of every guest experience. Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok is designed in every sense with comfort and well-being in mind. Health or wellness has taken centre stage and this allows us to enter an already crowded market with a point of differentiation that is relevant and important – more so now – to discerning travellers.”

“We are now planning a series of campaigns leading to our opening later this year, from beautiful performances specific to various service touchpoints that are unique to the Kempinski DNA to inclusive dining experiences where every culinary ethos is embraced.”

Localisation is a strong theme at another long-awaited luxury opening: Capella Bangkok, situated in cultural hotspot Charoenkrung overlooking the Chao Phraya river. It is now slated for an end-of-year opening due to the coronavirus crisis. “By promising ‘Crafted Moments, Steeped in Tradition’, our new-age urban resort maintains a great connection with the local community,” said John Blanco, its general manager, of the hotel’s plans to draw luxury travellers.

“The hotel’s Capella Culturist team will assist to craft original and inspiring experiences around the neighbourhood’s highlights for food, wellness and culture, allowing guests to discover their inner selves with energising alfresco activities during their stay.”

Other luxury properties are making use of the downtime to upskill their staff. At the Hotel Villa De Pranakorn – Sam Yod district’s first five-star boutique hotel which opened in February – for instance, kitchen staff have been undergoing cooking courses, while accountants are brushing up their computer software skills.

“As we are a new hotel, this break gives us time for staff training and making sure we have more knowledge and experience, so we will be ready when we are back in business,” shared Erik Lannge, general manager of the luxury heritage hotel.

At the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, one of the city’s most established luxury fortresses, a special taskforce has been set up to reimagine the new normal after Covid-19, and adapt its services and products to meet evolving guest needs.

“This (crisis) is going to require us to rethink and redesign the way we operate and accelerate the green and sustainable transformations initiated in the past,” said its general manager Edouard Demptos.

“Additional precautionary measures such as social distancing capacity in event venues and restaurants are being developed so that guests are assured that it’s safe to meet and stay at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. To communicate all our efforts, we are preparing a holistic marketing communications plan that is digitally-driven and customer-centric.”

Taiwan rolls out three-part plan to win back tourists

Thailand draws up safety guidelines for tourist attractions, beaches

Indonesian hotels roll out discounts to woo travellers

Malaysia sets stage for domestic tourism recovery

Avis, Budget Singapore step up safety measures

Tourism recovery must be built on sustainability: UNWTO

Global destinations get WTTC safety nod

Malaysia Airlines restarts international flights in July

A finer way to fly

The changing face of Thai luxury travel

Tried and Tested

Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West

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