Meliá Hotels International has named Christian Lueke as the cluster director of sales and marketing (DOSM) for its first two properties in Thailand.
In his new role, Lueke will oversee sales and marketing at Meliá Koh Samui, which opened in January this year; as well as Meliá Chiang Mai, slated to open early next year in the kingdom’s mountainous north.
A hospitality veteran with three decades of industry experience across Europe, Asia and Africa, the German has worked in Thailand for 14 years, most recently as Minor Hotels & Resorts’ regional director of sales for Southeast Asia.
Before that, he was the Bangkok-based cluster DOSM for Hyatt Hotels, overseeing Park Hyatt Siem Reap, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and Hyatt Regency Phuket.
His previous roles also include stints as the DOSM for Destination Properties; the cluster DOSM at Courtyard By Marriott responsible for resorts in Surin, Patong, Kamala and Hua Hin; as well as the group DOSM for the Onyx Hospitality Group, formerly Amari Hotels and Resorts.
With over four million Covid-19 cases, India is now the second nation worst hit by the pandemic, rendering its residents among the least welcomed by overseas destinations and adding to the woes of India’s struggling outbound agents.
Indian travellers have been barred by most countries, including Malaysia which imposed a ban on September 1.
Indian medical staff at City Hospital, a designated Covid-19 centre in Delhi
Outbound travel agents told TTG India that even if the Indian government were to allow scheduled international flights to operate, outbound possibilities would remain low.
K Vijay Mohan, managing director of India’s Holiday World added that the Indian outbound demand was also challenged by tougher travel requirements today. “Thailand will only allow in passengers who stay in the country for a minimum of 30 days, while Indonesia has further delayed her reopening till the year-end,” he elaborated, adding that most Indians would not be travelling overseas any time soon.
Stifled travel demand has forced some Indian outbound travel agents to seek revenue elsewhere, with some turning to the domestic tourism market or looking outside of the travel and tourism industry.
A travel agent, who has requested for anonymity, told TTG India that he is now dealing in household cleaning products which are in great demand today.
“What else is one supposed to do when there is hardly any chance of outbound sentiments improving in the near future?” he rued.
Mohan said: “It is a very challenging time for outbound travel agents who have had no income for the last nine months. Majority of them thought in March that things would open up come September. But now, things are still closed and may remain so for the whole year.
“To make things worse, the central government will be collecting five per cent income tax at source (TCS) from travellers buying an outbound tour package beginning October 1.”
Naveen Manchanda, president of the Indian Association of Travel and Tourism Experts, said: “If the government doesn’t announce a bailout soon, a large number of outbound travel agencies will be wiped out.”
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group will cut around 4,300 positions across its three airlines – SIA, SilkAir and Scoot – as coronavirus continues to batter the global aviation industry.
However, the potential number of job cuts may be reduced to about 2,400 in Singapore and across overseas stations, due to a number of measures that the airline has taken since March, including a recruitment freeze, natural attrition, and a voluntary release scheme for cabin crew.
Singapore Airlines to slash 4,300 jobs as the pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on global aviation
“This decision was taken in light of the long road to recovery for the global airline industry due to the debilitating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the urgent need for the group’s airlines to adapt to an uncertain future,” it said.
The group reiterated that it expects to operate at less than 50 per cent of its capacity at the end of the financial year as compared to pre-Covid levels. Industry groups have also forecast that passenger traffic will not return to previous levels until around 2024, it added.
“Relative to most major airlines in the world, the SIA Group is in an even more vulnerable position as it does not have a domestic market that will be the first to see a recovery,” it said. “In order to remain viable in this uncertain landscape, the group’s airlines will operate a smaller fleet for a reduced network compared to their pre-Covid operations in the coming years.”
SIA said that it is working with Singapore-based unions to finalise the arrangements for those affected, and will try to minimise their stress and anxiety.
In a memo to staff, SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said that no one could have predicted the pandemic’s devastating impact on the global aviation industry at its onset early this year.
“Having to let go of our valuable and dedicated people is the hardest and most agonising decision that I have had to make in my 30 years with SIA,” he wrote.
“For our impacted colleagues, please know that this is not a reflection of your individual strengths and capabilities. It is the result of an unprecedented travel paralysis brought about by a global pandemic.
“Please also be assured that we will conduct the process in a fair and respectful manner, and do our best to ensure that you receive all the necessary support during this very trying time.”
One&Only Desaru Coast Rainforest Grand Pool Suite Bedroom Plunge Pool
One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia
Located in Johor, this is the first One&Only resort in Asia. Accommodation is spread across 42 Junior Suites, two two-bedroom Grand Suites, and a four-bedroom Villa One. For larger groups who prefer to maintain privacy, One&Only also offers the 1,500m2 Villa One, secluded from the main resort. The two-storey, four-bedroom villa boasts a private spa treatment room, a home office, and a central courtyard garden with ocean-facing lawns surrounding a 27m swimming pool. Facilities on the 52ha property include the Ember Beach Club, four F&B choices, two infinity pools, KidsOnly club, gym, pilates studio, yoga pavilion, and Chenot Spa.
Sheraton Belitung Resort, Indonesia
Sheraton Belitung Resort is the first five-star property to open on Belitung Island, part of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, located off the eastern coast of Sumatra. Located within a wildlife reserve, the 164-key property offers 695m2 of event space, ideal for intimate business events. Recreational facilities include a 24-hour fitness centre, kids’ club, outdoor infinity pool, and Shine Spa. There are also three F&B venues on-site – the all-day dining Island Restaurant, a Seafood Market Restaurant, and the Blue Lagoon lounge and bar.
Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda, Japan
The third Moxy-branded property in Japan has risen in Osaka’s Umeda district, a five-minute walk from Fukushima Station. There are 288 guestrooms within, each equipped with the latest technology such as a 55-inch flatscreen TV, USB ports, motion-activated guidelight, and fast and free Wi-Fi. The signature Bar Moxy doubles as the hotel’s check-in counter, where guests are greeted upon arrival with a complimentary Got Moxy cocktail. Other watering holes include outdoor area The Terrace and The Lounge, alongside a Grab and Go section. There is also a Library, as well as a 24-hour fitness centre complete with a pink punching bag.
JW Marriott Hotel Yinchuan and Courtyard by Marriott Yinchuan, China
Marriott has opened a dual-branded 513-key hotel in the cultural centre of Yinchuan adjacent to the Yinchuan International Convention and Exhibition Center. JW Marriott Hotel Yinchuan offers 247 guestrooms and 32 suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows. Amenities include signature Cantonese restaurant Ning Xin Ge, all-day diner JW Kitchen, an executive lounge, lobby bar, indoor swimming pool, and 24-hour fitness centre. Event spaces comprise the 1,400m2 JW Grand Ballroom that can accommodate 1,300 guests, 500m2 JW Ballroom, and 10 multifunction rooms. Meanwhile, the 234-key Courtyard by Marriott Yinchuan features a lobby lounge and an all-day dining restaurant.
A group of tourism associations in Malaysia have come together to urge the government to extend the loan moratorium for the travel and tour industry ending September 30 by another six months.
The call comes from the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) together with the Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, Bumiputera Travel and Tour Agents Association of Malaysia, Malaysia Chinese Tourism Association, Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (MITTA), Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association and Tour Bus Operators Association of Peninsular Malaysia.
Malaysia’s tourism businesses in dire need of a moratorium extension due to headwinds posed by the pandemic
Speaking on behalf of the associations, MATTA president, Tan Kok Liang, said: “To date, travel agents and tour operators have hardly had any business. Hence, without any income, how are they expected to service the loans of their vehicles and businesses?”
He added that travel agents and tour operators have not been able to benefit from the flourishing domestic tourism market, as domestic travellers opt to book directly with hotels to save on third-party fees. Also, travellers are choosing to do self-drive instead of hiring vehicles owned by travel agencies or tour operators.
“Due to the fact that everyone in the tourism industry is hungry for business, not only the hotels have gone directly to the consumers; airlines and attraction operators too have joined the fray. They, too, have offered packages and ignored the fact that license imposed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is required,” he said.
“Likewise, outbound tour operators and travel agencies are equally hard hit with hundreds of millions tied up in airline and hotel bookings that they have made on behalf of their clients.”
Tan highlighted that several tourism companies have appealed for the extension on the loan moratorium with the banks, but to no avail as the loan moratorium extension is only accessible to individuals, not companies.
Banks are only providing a rescheduling procedure to support businesses and impose a certain interest rate, depending on the situation, he said.
Rescheduling of the loan repayment is not a viable option for many tourism companies, he added, as their businesses have been running at zero income over the past six months, with the situation likely to persist in the next several months.
He also noted the recent travel advisory on entry restrictions where citizens from 23 countries have been barred from entering the country, including those from major inbound markets to Malaysia such as India, Indonesia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Russia and the UK.
In light of this, the hope for travel bubbles with some of these countries to boost the restart of tourism has now been dashed, Tan said, adding that “the industry can expect a further prolongation of the situation and will not be surprised that recovery can only happen in the second quarter of 2021”.
He said: “The government needs to assist us urgently by extending the loan moratorium for at least another six months due to the dire situation as mentioned above. Failing which, (it) will lead to a situation where most of us will be forced to shut down our businesses or may end up in bankruptcy. This situation will add on to the unemployment and retrenchment of the tourism workforce.”
Stressing that the tourism industry is now “in a grievous state” and “in dire need of all the help we can get”, Tan urged the government “to exercise its moral responsibility and reassess the situation in assisting and providing further extension on the loan moratorium for the tourism industry, particularly the travel and tour sector”.
In hopes of jumpstarting domestic tourism, Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) will hold a two-week sale offering up to 70 per cent discount and flexible terms on hotels and resorts across the Philippines.
Slated to take place from September 15-30, the September Online Sale (SOS) will be held virtually on HSMA’s website. Customers can also book directly each of the 89 participating hotels and resorts. Half of them are in metro Manila, while the rest are in Northern Luzon, Southern Luzon, Boracay, Visayas, and Palawan/Mindanao.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, one of the 89 properties participating in HSMA’s September Online Sale
Some promotions are valid for up to a year, while others have no expiration on their validity, said HSMA spokesperson Pearl Maclang during a recent Zoom press conference.
HSMA chair Margie Munsayac said the e-vouchers have very flexible terms, and though not refundable, are rebookable. Up for grabs during the sale are high-value packages inclusive of meals and airfares, with at least three hotels also offering packages that include Covid-19 tests.
The sale bodes well for Philippine tourism, which screeched to a halt since mid-March, but is gradually reopening with most destinations including Boracay, El Nido, Tagaytay, and Cebu easing to modified general community quarantine (MGCC), the lowest quarantine category that allows limited tourism.
Places like metro Manila remain on general community quarantine (GCC), the second lowest quarantine category, subject to review month-end.
Munsayac assured potential buyers that all the properties to be featured during the SOS have passed stringent safety and sanitation protocols as prescribed by the government.
“We have no illusions that life will be the same, after restrictions are lifted. But the public’s patronage and advanced bookings from the sale give us hope that things will get better. It will also enable us to plan ahead in terms of manpower and other operational requirements so that we will be able to hit the ground running when the pandemic scare is over,” said HSMA president Christine Ibarreta.
Maclang said targeted markets are leisure travellers like couples and families, corporate clients, tourism workers, travel agents and tour operators. She said that most hoteliers are positive they will start getting bookings during the sale, with some already receiving advanced reservations for stays this Christmas through the New Year, traditionally peak season in the Philippines.
Family-oriented Filipinos would want a change in scenery during their reunions after being cooped up for six months, she said, adding that since overseas travel is still off the cards, they will opt for staycations instead.
Changi Airport Jewel. Infrared thermal temperature screening and safe entry security checks at entrance. Travel concept. Reopening; coronavirus covid-19.
The availability of a Covid vaccine, virus containment success in destination markets, and quarantine exemptions are the top three influencing factors for Singaporeans to travel confidently, according to a new survey by Agoda.
While many are still dreaming of travelling overseas again, Singaporeans’ travel confidence remains cautious, found the survey. More than a third cited that the most important thing to boost their travel confidence is the availability of a vaccine to the masses, rising to 44 per cent for Gen Zs.
While Singaporeans remain cautious about overseas travel, more are opting for staycations to satisfy their wanderlust; infrared thermal temperature screening at entrance of Changi Airport Jewel pictured
One fifth of Singaporeans claim that the key to unlocking their travel confidence is when the destination market has successfully contained Covid-19, or when there are no quarantine requirements in their home market or at their destination.
Singaporeans over 55 are most likely to consider no quarantine as important (23 per cent), as compared to only 13 per cent among 18- to 24-year-olds. These are deemed more important compared to other factors such as setting up of travel bubbles and governments lifting blanket travel restrictions.
Against the backdrop of economic uncertainty brought on by Covid, nearly half of Singaporeans (48 per cent) are concerned about job security and financial security so they are likely to spend less on travel. Some 47 per cent stated they would now reconsider how and where to travel.
In light of this, staycations are on the up, with one in ten Singaporeans planning to take more staycations than they normally would. Once things improve, a quarter said they will stick to regional destinations. Singaporeans aged 25 to 44 are most likely to take extra staycations over this period.
Leveraging deals and discounts available for local stays (34 per cent) tops the reasons for booking staycations, followed by factors that bring about positive mental health benefits – such as decompressing from daily life stressors (21 per cent), as well as the opportunities of indulging in the luxury of hotels with amenities and to have private time away (both 16 per cent).
Interestingly, males are slightly more likely to book a staycation for private time and take advantage of discounts available for local stays, while females are more likely to book a staycation to indulge in the luxury of hotels’ amenities, as well as decompress from the daily stressors in life.
An increased focus on domestic tourism is expected to drive the growth of the midscale segment in India’s lodging industry, as the country further eases domestic travel restrictions, according to a HVS report.
As India enters the fourth stage of the government’s phased reopening, dubbed Unlock 4.0, it is expected that domestic leisure and business travel across the country will gradually recover.
India’s mid-market hotels to flourish on back of domestic tourism: HVS; Agra city in India with Taj Mahal in the background pictured
With safety being the key concern among post-pandemic travellers, Indian domestic tourists will pivot to “branded products” as they are perceived to be “safe”, said the report.
At the same time, it added, the ongoing economic headwinds are likely to drive the already value-driven customer seeking a full-service hotel more towards the midscale hotels.
Akash Datta, HVS senior vice president – consulting and valuation, and Dipti Mohan, senior manager – research with HVS South Asia, expect that a growing number of experiential travel-seekers will flock to fledgling leisure destinations in the country, where developing and managing a midscale hotel offers better value proposition.
The growth of this segment will also be fuelled by the rising demand from business travellers, driven by companies’ need to cut costs. Development of industrial corridors in the country has also resulted in increased captive demand for quality midscale hotels around highways, said the report.
Though supply growth is expected to be slower across segments in the current scenario, mid-market hotels will still be a more viable proposition as they require lower investments and can be developed on smaller land parcels, which has often been the limitation in the country for development of large format hotels.
Additionally, midscale hotels, unlike their upscale and luxury counterparts, have a higher ability to offer flexi-pricing and still be profitable due to lower operational costs.
Datta and Mohan said that the learnings from Covid will help future midscale hotels align to a more efficiently built product as contactless needs will lead to smaller public spaces, fewer restaurants and enhanced technology – all of which will help in reducing the capital costs, while increasing revenue generating areas like rooms and providing better returns on investment.
The key deterrents for the growth of this segment have been the high land and construction costs combined with high interest and short loan tenures, which make hotel projects unviable in India, said the report.
To help domestic tourism reach its full potential in India, it added, the government should facilitate the development of midscale hotels by allocating well located, fully zoned land parcels at viable prices or long-term leases.
According to the report, the midscale segment has become the largest sub-segment among the branded hotel supply in India, accounting for approximately 43 per cent of the total supply in the country in 2019.
Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) has initiated its 2020 Seoul Global Marketing Campaign on September 4 with a series of seven destination videos fronted by the hugely popular BTS boy band, the city’s Honorary Tourism Ambassador for the past four years.
Korean boy band BTS will front Seoul Tourism Organizations’ latest marketing campaign that seeks to engage the world virtually
The destination videos, released on VisitSeoul’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, will act as a daily countdown to the launch of the campaign’s commercial on September 11 as well as a special YouTube event where members of the public from around the world could stand to win prizes such as a Samsung Galaxy Note 20, souvenirs unique to Seoul, and BTS posters.
The new commercial will be released worldwide via VisitSeoul official website, YouTube channel, Facebook and Instagram.
The latest marketing campaign bears the city’s new slogan, See you in Seoul, and will see members of the boy band introducing various sights around the destination.
Hong Jae-sun, director of STO Global Marketing Team, hopes that the star power of BTS will draw a lot of attention, particularly from people “who are longing to go out into the world and travel again”.
Meanwhile, STO is maintaining trade-facing activities despite challenges in international travel. It is presently working on an online fam tour aimed at overseas travel agencies, scheduled for October.
This joins the destination agency’s ongoing Go! Seoul programme, an effort to strengthen cooperation with 40 major travel agencies from 20 countries through jointly curated personalised Seoul experiential tours.
An STO spokesperson told TTG Asia that a microsite is also being created to introduce “new contents on Seoul tourism”.
“Through the online fam tour, we will encourage overseas travel agencies to develop tourism products for next year,” said the spokesperson, adding that STO hopes to resume regular travel trade activities “once the situation improves”.
With Reinventing Travel in the New Normal being the theme for ITB Asia 2020, the three-day, 120-session virtual event has been specially curated to help travel professionals navigate current challenges and prepare for the industry’s recovery.
Travel industry professionals around the world will converge at the virtual event next month to share ideas and plans that will shape the next decade of travel in a post-pandemic world. The event will be hosted on ITB Community, which has more than 1,500 community members and over 400 buyers subscribed to date, since its launch two weeks ago.
ITB Asia 2020 will showcase strategies adopted by tourism businesses in navigating the new norm
Keynote sessions this year will highlight the emerging trends the travel industry should consider as they continue to navigate Covid-19. Speakers will also address industry’s best practices, business innovations, industry know-how and professional tips on how to adopt the mindset of industry leaders when navigating through challenges. Keynoters include representatives from Booking.com, Google, MakeMyTrip, trivago, and Viator.
ITB Asia 2020’s sessions will address six core themes, including corporate travel; destination marketing; hotel revenue and distribution; as well as tours, attractions and activities.
Thinking outside the box is critical when it comes to the future of corporate travel, and a series of conferences will urge participants to challenge their approach to “business as usual”. Key speakers will include HRS Group CEO Tobias Ragge, who will cover “The new prospects for corporate travel”; and Brett Thomson, general manager, corporate travel, TAG, who will discuss “Building a better solution for international mobility”.
The destination marketing conference series will see national tourism boards, destination agencies and marketing experts come together to discuss how to adapt strategies to serve customers in the new normal. Nicola Eliot, vice president, BBC StoryWorks APAC, BBC Global News will consider “How to create the right stories at the right time to reach out to an audience dreaming of travel”.
Hoteliers and those in related fields will share thoughts on how hotels and accommodation can adapt to the current situation as well as how to stay strong during this time. Park Hotel Group CEO Allen Law will discuss “Navigating the crisis and beyond: Rebound, Recession & Reimagination”, while Jennifer Li, executive vice president and chief business officer, Tujia will consider “How to revive homestays after the pandemic?”.
Participants will share thoughts and insights on how the Covid-19 pandemic has shaped the way the travel industry sees customers and businesses in the tours and activities market. Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton will host a speech on the tour operators of the future, while Musement co-founder & COO Claudio Bellinzona will discuss “What tours & activities companies can do to prepare for re-opening and recovery”.
Attendees of ITB Asia 2020 will have the opportunity to attend over 120 virtual conference sessions led by more than 120 expert speakers during the virtual event taking place from October 21-23, 2020.
For more information on ITB Asia 2020, click here.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group will cut around 4,300 positions across its three airlines – SIA, SilkAir and Scoot – as coronavirus continues to batter the global aviation industry.
However, the potential number of job cuts may be reduced to about 2,400 in Singapore and across overseas stations, due to a number of measures that the airline has taken since March, including a recruitment freeze, natural attrition, and a voluntary release scheme for cabin crew.
“This decision was taken in light of the long road to recovery for the global airline industry due to the debilitating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the urgent need for the group’s airlines to adapt to an uncertain future,” it said.
The group reiterated that it expects to operate at less than 50 per cent of its capacity at the end of the financial year as compared to pre-Covid levels. Industry groups have also forecast that passenger traffic will not return to previous levels until around 2024, it added.
“Relative to most major airlines in the world, the SIA Group is in an even more vulnerable position as it does not have a domestic market that will be the first to see a recovery,” it said. “In order to remain viable in this uncertain landscape, the group’s airlines will operate a smaller fleet for a reduced network compared to their pre-Covid operations in the coming years.”
SIA said that it is working with Singapore-based unions to finalise the arrangements for those affected, and will try to minimise their stress and anxiety.
In a memo to staff, SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said that no one could have predicted the pandemic’s devastating impact on the global aviation industry at its onset early this year.
“Having to let go of our valuable and dedicated people is the hardest and most agonising decision that I have had to make in my 30 years with SIA,” he wrote.
“For our impacted colleagues, please know that this is not a reflection of your individual strengths and capabilities. It is the result of an unprecedented travel paralysis brought about by a global pandemic.
“Please also be assured that we will conduct the process in a fair and respectful manner, and do our best to ensure that you receive all the necessary support during this very trying time.”