YouTrip, Singapore’s first multi-currency mobile wallet, has partnered Dutch travel marketplace Withlocals to bring virtual travel to Singaporeans through an array of curated experiences from across 50 destinations.
This partnership hopes to recreate some parts of the travel experience online for vacation-deprived Singaporeans, said YouTrip in a statement, citing a strong desire to travel among its community of users.
YouTrip partners Withlocals to offer more than 100 virtual experiences, guided by local hosts
When the pandemic hit, the Eindhoven-based Withlocals brought their experiences online. Similar to offline experiences, travellers can take private or group tours and activities hosted by local hosts all over the world through video conferencing in the comfort of their own homes.
Boasting over 100 experiences, Withlocals offers travellers curated experiences from destinations like Amsterdam, Rome, and Athens. Guided by local hosts, virtual travellers can indulge in street-walking tours, cooking classes, mythical storytelling, or an exchange of local cultures.
Each online experience caters to group sizes of one to 14 participants, with prices starting from 22 euros (US$24) for a one- to two-hour session.
To mark the launch of the partnership, YouTrip and Withlocals will be a hosting a free online live event on June 6 from 17.00 to 18.00, where attendees can experience a virtual tour of Berlin, Pompeii and Amsterdam, hosted by locals from each city.
Maldivian authorities have bowed to requests from the tourism and travel industry to refrain from imposing new fees on tourist arrivals when the country reopens its borders sometime in July.
Draft guidelines issued earlier for the country’s reopening to tourism included the imposition of an entry visa fee of US$100 per arrival, and a mandatory Covid-19 swab test at the airport which will set each arriving passenger back US$100. Pre-pandemic, a 30-day free visa was issued on arrival in the Maldives for all nationalities.
The Maldives will reopen its borders to international tourists from July
In a statement on Saturday, the Ministry of Tourism said it will be reopening its borders to visitors in July – four months after the Maldives suspended issuance of on-arrival visas on March 27 to curb Covid-19 – and assured that guests will not be imposed any additional fees to enter the country.
Thoyyib Mohamed, managing director of the state-run Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation, said the guidelines were sent to various tourism trade associations for their feedback, and that they decided to can the proposed fees imposed on tourist arrivals at the trade’s behest.
He said they are awaiting the government’s final approval of the guidelines. According to the draft guidelines released by the Ministry of Tourism, among the changes are a compulsory safe tourism licence of US$50,000 for every approved resort to operate.
As well, on-arrival visas will be granted to tourists committed to a minimum stay of 14 nights in the Maldives, but the entirety of the stay must be booked in one tourist facility.
In addition to taking a PCR test on arrival, also compulsory is the requirement of a negative PCR report dated a maximum of seven days prior to landing in the Maldives and/or a positive anti-body test report taken a maximum of two weeks prior to landing in the Maldives to be produced at the designated airport on arrival.
Check-in procedures at resorts will also change. Upon arrival, tourists shall be escorted directly to their rooms, where they will be given a detailed web-based check-in option to be completed in-room. Additionally, a safe distance of 1m shall be maintained between tourists and staff at all times.
The guidelines stipulate that tourists are to remain in their rooms until the receipt of their on-arrival PCR test results, which will be within 48 hours of sampling, with meals served directly to the room during this period.
Tourists are able to use the common facilities of the resort once they have confirmed to be negative. Buffets are banned at resorts, while a 2m spacing between tables are to be observed strictly.
As at Sunday, there were 1,672 Covid-19 cases in the Maldives, with five deaths.
Update, June 2, 14.15: Tourism Ministry officials have clarified that these are still draft guidelines and subject to change based on proposals and recommendations from the industry.
The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) luxury guided vacation brand, Luxury Gold, has released its Ruby Level as part of its eLearning Masterclass programme, in a bid to support travel advisors amid the recovery phase.
As the second level launched from the brand’s series, The Ruby Level was originally released with the first Sapphire level last September through TCC’s Travel Agent Academy.
Luxury Gold guests touring Doge’s Palace in Venice during an after-hours private visit, which travel advisors will learn about by taking the Ruby Level masterclass
After completing the new Ruby Level, Travel Advisors will gain a deep understanding of the Luxury Gold difference, where the brand sits in the market, how to sell Luxury Gold journeys confidently, and gain in-depth knowledge of favourite journeys to Europe.
“We are all adapting to this changing world and as we pivot to rebuild our industry, we hope to help our valued Travel Advisors come out stronger than ever and together,” said Anthony Lim, managing director, Luxury Gold.
“Taking this time to develop skills and knowledge will benefit Advisors’ business in the long run, and our Ruby Level eLearning course will offer the ideal opportunity to focus on developing those skills we will need to recover.”
By completing the new Ruby Level eLearning programme, advisors will be able to confidently sell Luxury Gold’s immersive small group journeys and maximise commissions. In addition, they will become eligible for FAM trips and discounts on selected journeys, and be equipped with the necessary knowledge to share with their clients about experiential travel.
Travel advisors can now register for the Ruby Level of the eLearning programme here, by registering through the TTC Academy. After which they will receive a welcome email to sign up for and begin the second level of the Luxury Gold Masterclass.
Marcel Holman has been named managing director of The Langham, Hong Kong and regional vice president, operations – China for The Langham Hotels and Resorts.
In his new role, he will drive the strategy, operations and processes for all China hotels under the luxury brand.
With over 25 years’ experience, Holman was most recently the vice president, China for The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts, and general manager of The Sukhothai Shanghai.
Prior to that, Holman held leadership roles at Shangri-La hotels for more than 11 years. In 2015, he was instrumental in the conceptualisation, preparations and execution of Shangri-La’s first external food and beverage complex (MEGA 50), comprising three lifestyle venues and a ballroom. During his time with the group, he also assumed the leadership role of general manager – projects for the Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts properties in Singapore, Shanghai and Jakarta.
The Dutch national started his international hospitality career in 1993, dabbling in various operational roles, followed by consecutive assignments at InterContinental Hotels Group, Rotana Hotels, and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts in Australia, Greater China and the UAE.
Phatsalawadee Pimpila has been named Meliá Koh Samui’s director of sales and marketing.
The Thai national was previously director of sales for Kanda Residences, another five-star hotel situated on Koh Samui, Thailand.
Pimpila has also worked as the managing and sales director for O-Pa Television, that she co-founded, focused on travel and leisure television production. She also served as a presenter for a weekly show the company produced for a Thai digital TV channel.
Other roles she has assumed in her two-decade-long career in sales and marketing include senior sales management roles for Hua Hin-based hotel Unico Sandara Cha-Am, production company Capital TV, and developer Celadon Land Asia Pacific.
Aspiring Singapore and Thai travellers are showing renewed optimism for travel, with a spike in searches for domestic and regional trips, according to recent search data in both countries on Expedia’s websites.
Following the latest phase of easing lockdown, travel search results on the Expedia Thailand platform have soared, with search data revealing Thais’ sound travel plans beyond the wishlist, with Thailand cities ranking among top destinations.
With uncertainty enveloping international travel, Singapore and Thailand travellers are planning staycations in the short-term, according to Expedia data
With international travel restrictions still in place, domestic and short-haul travel planning has proven to be more promising, according to search data collected by Expedia.co.th.
For the entire month of April 2020, Expedia studied over 5,000 searches on its website by visitors looking to travel from April 2020. Results revealed that there is high thirst for travel, and Thais were searching and planning well beyond merely browsing. Dates were chosen for future check-in periods, showing more confidence in making the bookings; showing that the site visitors were inclined to actual travelling and scheduling in mind.
Indicating high interest for domestic travel, data found that seven out of the top 10 destinations searched for check-in period between October and December 2020 were mostly within Thailand, led by Phuket (12.82%), followed by Bangkok (11.54%), Chiang Mai (4.88%), and Pattaya (4.84%).
Other top choices include Japan’s Tokyo (4.42%), Thailand’s Krabi and Koh Samui (3.98% and 3.5%, respectively), Japan’s Osaka (2.88%), Thailand’s Trat (2.8%), and South Korea’s Seoul (2.58%).
Similarly, looking out to the year 2021, the top 10 destinations searched for check-in period in 2021 during the months of January and February also consisted mostly of domestic travel, with Tokyo (1.92%) emerging as the forerunner, followed by Phuket (1.86%), Bangkok (1.32%), Japan’s Sapporo (0.78%), Seoul (0.76%), Krabi (0.68%), Pattaya (0.62%), Chiang Mai (0.60%), Koh Samui (0.40%), and Phang Nga (0.38%).
Over in Singapore, as the country’s circuit breaker eases, Expedia data revealed that locals are looking for staycation options in the near term, with an eye on overseas Asian destinations for their year-end travels.
According to accommodation searches conducted on Expedia.com.sg in the month of April 2020, staycations are Singaporeans’ preferred choice for a getaway from June through to December this year.
In view of the gradual reopening of international borders in time to come, Singaporeans have also shown renewed interest in overseas travel. Hinting at a positive uptick in consumer travel sentiments, Expedia data showed that Singaporeans have been searching for overseas travel options, with a particular interest in Asian destinations such as Tokyo, Taipei and Bangkok for their year-end travels.
As the resumption of international travel may still be some time away, Singaporeans are looking to go on staycations in lieu of overseas travel starting from the month of June, when the circuit breaker measures begin to ease. According to Expedia.com.sg, data on standalone hotel searches in April for check-in stays between June to July this year revealed that four in 10 accommodation searches were for staycations.
Come 2021, Singaporeans seem to display renewed optimism for travel to resume normalcy in the new year. Data on Expedia.com.sg showed that searches for travel to any one destination surpassed searches for local staycations for check-in dates of between January to February 2021.
In addition, Tokyo cemented its place as the top international destination searched by Singaporeans during this period.
Top travel destinations for check-in dates between January to February 2021 are Tokyo, the Maldives, Bangkok, Niseko, Seoul, Bali, Taipei, Johor, Sapporo, and Okinawa.
In the coming months, Singaporeans are also looking to kickstart travel. With travel restrictions expected to be progressively lifted in the later months of this year, Expedia.com.sg also analysed search data on international travel destinations for the year-end.
During the period of October to December 2020, Expedia found that Asian destinations such as Tokyo, Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul and the Maldives were among the most-searched travel spots by Singaporeans.
Top travel destinations for October to December 2020 are Tokyo, Taipei, Bangkok, Seoul, the Maldives, Bali, Phuket, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Hong Kong.
The demands and standards of the luxury market segment are already stringent, but this will likely intensify when travel begins to open up around the world.
Speaking in a webinar yesterday, Belmond’s newly appointed divisional managing director, Asia Pacific, Iain Langridge, shared that the definition of luxury travel will change once demand returns.
Planning how to go the extra mile to cater to its clients post-Covid forms part of Belmond’s recovery strategy, with exclusive tours and digital experiences among its new offerings
“Going forward, it’s going to be a question of how we can offer space, privacy and nature to our guests. It’s not just about health and safety, but the whole experience. Of course, our cleanliness protocols will be reinforced, but this is a real opportunity to go over and above what our guests are expecting, and to offer new services and experiences,” he explained.
New features that the company is exploring include dedicated butlers, exclusive out-of-hours access to cultural attractions, as well as the integration of digital experiences into the journey.
This takes cue from the observation that more consumers are now responding positively with the brand’s social media communications and activations, and that “the desire for culture and entertainment has grown during this time”, noted Arnaud Champenois, senior vice president, brand & marketing, Belmond.
Other special considerations will also be taken with larger groups, who will demand to make the most of the security and space that a luxury company can provide, said Langridge.
The company has begun to look into the future, as it will reopen the first of its properties in Italy on June 19, as well as all of its Asia properties from July 1.
Following its return, Belmond will prioritise short-haul markets, including China, Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and Hong Kong, revealed Champenois.
“We’re focused on our Asia strategy, on markets where it’s easier to travel in the short-term,” he described.
He added that the company will communicate the brand’s emphasis on heritage as it has proven “relevant” to these markets. It is particularly keen on moving into China through Wechat and Weibo.
To help the tourism sector emerge stronger from Covid-19, UNWTO has released a set of guidelines that highlight the need for safe, seamless travel to restore traveller confidence, and to embrace innovation and the digital transformation of global tourism.
Produced alongside the Global Tourism Crisis Committee, the guidelines aim to support governments and the private sector to recover from an unparalleled crisis.
UNWTO’s newly-released guidelines for tourism recovery include the need for health and safety protocols to instill confidence in travellers; Malaysia’s Health Ministry officers using a thermal scanner to check the temperatures of passengers arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport pictured
Depending on when travel restrictions are lifted, the UN body warned that international tourist arrivals could fall by between 60-80 per cent, putting 100-120 million jobs at risk and likely leading to US$910 billion to US$1.2 trillion loss in exports.
UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “These guidelines provide both governments and businesses with a comprehensive set of measures designed to help them open tourism up again in a safe, seamless and responsible manner.
“They are the product of the enhanced cooperation that has characterised tourism’s response to this shared challenge, building on knowledge and inputs from across the public and private sectors, and from several UN agencies, as part of the UN’s wider response.”
As a follow-up of the Recommendations for Action already endorsed by the Committee, the new guide is focused on seven priorities for tourism recovery, revolving around mitigating the economic impact, developing safety protocols and coordinated responds, and fostering innovation.
The guidelines highlight the importance of restoring the confidence of the travellers through safety and security protocols designed to reduce risks in each step of the tourism value chain. These protocols include the implementation of check procedures, including temperature scans, testing, physical distancing, enhanced frequency of cleaning, and the provision of hygiene kits for safe air travel, hospitality services or safe events.
In addition, the guidelines also highlight the opportunity to foster a digital transformation of destinations, companies and employees with initiatives such as the free online training with the UNWTO Online Academy and the implementation of apps such as the Hi Card to improve international interoperability at airports and hotels. The role of technology in promoting social distancing in hotels and tourist destinations is also highlighted.
This comes as UNWTO strengthens its partnership with Google to promote digital learning and online skills training so as to provide new opportunities across the global tourism sector.
Pololikashvili added: “The past weeks have highlighted the enhanced role technology plays in our lives and furthering the digital transformation of tourism will make the sector more resilient and create opportunities for people all around the world.”
In celebration of Global Wellness Day on June 13, Thailand’s Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui will be hosting a range of virtual healing and mindful experiences conducted by its well-being experts and visiting masters.
The online series, which will be broadcast on the resort’s Instagram page, will offer a range of experiences, from wellness cooking to mindfulness sessions with visiting practitioners.
Homebound travellers can take part in Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui’s Wellbeing Therapy virtual session on June 13, as part of a series of virtual experiences hosted by the resort
“We wanted to share some simple and easy-to-follow experiences that can become a part of (one’s) daily routine, while staying at home,” explained Kotchaphan Mekloy, spa manager.
Helmed by holistic health practitioner Carol Kandell, the Art of Mindfulness session will focus on conscious awareness of thoughts and words.
“It utilises Neuro-Linguistic Programming techniques. We all complain, but just how often, we may not realise. Complaining, gossiping and criticising are destructive to not only our relationships with others, but also to the very cells in our bodies. These unconscious habits lead to both physical and emotional breakdowns,” she explained.
During this 60-minute workshop, participants will discuss the reason people complain and how to lovingly counteract these habits of speech.
In the virtual Wellbeing Therapy session, resident therapist Sakol Chotchuang will help guests quickly and efficiently revitalise energy levels. “There are times when you feel the need for an instant ‘pick me up.’ This series of stretches will help promote circulation, increase blood flow to the muscles and improve overall health.”
Elsewhere, spa supervisor Rattanapron Morkmeung will share tips on a homemade guava and lime zest scrub that will transport participants to experience the island life.
Bringing focus to the resort’s menus featuring ocean-fresh seafood, chef Ivo Benidio will demonstrate a simple and healthy recipe using fresh catch, while Jon Curiel, director of restaurants, brings his expertise in beverages to share his favourite health shot.
Domestic air travel in China, which has been recovering slowly in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, has now reached more than 50 per cent of 2019 volumes, based on issued air tickets, according to data from ForwardKeys.
In addition, analysis of flight ticketing data reveals a significant uptick in last-minute domestic flight bookings in China between May 11 and May 21. During that period, the lead time between ticketing and travel shortened dramatically; 72 per cent of flight tickets were issued within four days of the travel date, compared with 51 per cent at the equivalent point in 2019.
Chinese domestic air travel breaks the 50 per cent barrier: ForwardKeys
ForwardKeys believed that this phenomenon is significantly influenced by students returning to university, as the timing coincides with universities reopening – a milestone that is expected to stimulate Chinese consumers to travel more.
Looking back to the start of 2020, air travel surged in the first three weeks of January, thanks to Chinese New Year. However, the Covid-19 outbreak spoiled the party, and by mid-February, the aviation market in China had all but collapsed.
Recovery began in the last week of that month, with passenger traffic jumping 62.9 per cent (all be it from a very low base), coinciding with a weak restart of the economy and an increase in seat capacity. Throughout March and April, air travel continued to pick up slowly, until it received a fillip from the Labour Day holiday at the start of May.
While all this sounds encouraging, it is likely that a stronger recovery is underway in the hospitality sector, with many people choosing to drive or take the high-speed train rather than fly.
According to the Travel Willingness Survey conducted by China Tourism Academy and China’s OTA Ctrip in March, 41 per cent of travellers said that they would travel by car once the coronavirus outbreak had been contained, 29 per cent would travel by train, 16 per cent would take a coach trip and only 14 per cent would fly.
Furthermore, China’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has reported that 60 per cent of vacationers travelled by car during the Labour Day holiday period. This hypothesis is further supported by reports of hotel occupancy now exceeding 60 per cent.
Despite the rosy outlook, the revival needs to be kept in perspective, as at the moment the business is mostly local; and, typically, the shorter the distance people travel, the less they tend to spend, said ForwardKeys.
As of now, group travel between provinces is still prohibited, but comment on various Chinese social media platforms predicts that the ban will be lifted in June, although there is no official news yet.
Olivier Ponti, vice president insights, ForwardKeys, said: “At the end of April, we were expecting to see an increase in domestic flight bookings as soon as domestic travel restrictions were eased – and that indeed happened. Nevertheless, some restrictions are still in place, so there is potential for further recovery when they are also removed.
“With regards to international travel, current strict restriction which limits 134 flights a week is due to be eased in the coming months, according to China’s aviation authority’s statement on May 27. However, at this stage, the increased capacity is mainly intended to accommodate the demand of overseas Chinese to return home. I regret that there is no sign yet of a recovery in Chinese outbound tourism.”
He concluded: “I expect 2020 to be the year of the staycation for two principal reasons. First, in China (and in other countries too), the rules applying to international travel are continuously changing, which inhibits consumers from planning and booking a vacation abroad. Second, people are generally reluctant to give up on a holiday, so if a domestic break is all they can get, many will settle for that.”
