Tourism Malaysia extends Covid-19 food relief
As the ongoing pandemic continues to take a toll on the travel and tourism sector, Tourism Malaysia’s Singapore branch office has initiated a food donation drive to assist Malaysians in the outbound travel industry.
Held over the past weekend, the donation drive collection sought for donations of suggested food items which will then be distributed to the recipients on September 13, 2020, in celebration of Malaysia Day.
The Malaysian community in Singapore are faced with the dilemma of returning home to be with their families, or maintaining their jobs in Singapore on a higher standard of living, the organisation said in a statement on the initiative, which is supported by Malaysia’s Ministry of International Trade & Industry.
By invoking the spirit of unity to uplift affected Malaysians, the organisation said it believes they will be driven to overcome this challenging period.
IHG signs two new hotels in Bangladesh
IHG continues to expand its footprint in South-west Asia with the signing of a management agreement with developer Evalona Limited for two new-build hotels in Bangladesh.
The 200-room Holiday Inn Resort Kuakata is due to open in early 2026, while the 150-key Crowne Plaza Kuakata will open its doors in 1Q2028.
This marks the third signing across four hotels for IHG in the South-west Asia region since 2Q2020, affirming an optimistic medium- to long-term outlook despite the ongoing global pandemic.
Located approximately 280km from Dhaka, Kuakata is a beach town on the banks of the Bay of Bengal in Southern Bangladesh. Positioned as a destination for leisure travellers, Holiday Inn Resort Kuakata will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a fitness centre, a retail area, as well as an indoor and outdoor recreation area. A meeting room and a boardroom is also available for guests with business needs.
Targeting business travellers, Crowne Plaza Kuakata will offer meeting spaces spanning a total of 2,475m², including a ballroom accommodating 800-900 guests, two function rooms, two meeting rooms, a business centre and a boardroom. Hotel amenities include an all-day dining restaurant, two specialty restaurants, a lobby lounge and bar, spa, fitness centre, outdoor pool and recreation area.
Emirates cleared US$1.4b in pandemic refunds
Emirates has returned more than AED$5 billion (US$1.4 billion) in Covid-19-related travel refunds to date, as it strives to clear the “massive and unprecedented backlog” caused by the pandemic.
More than 1.4 million refund requests have been completed since March, representing 90 per cent of the airline’s backlog, according to a release. This includes all requests received from customers worldwide up until end-June, save for a few cases which require further manual review.
Emirates said that it has invested additional resources to ramp up its processing capability since the pandemic’s onset. The Dubai-based carrier also continues to work with industry partners to facilitate refunds for those who have booked their Emirates flights through travel agents, including enabling direct refunds processing via GDS.
Costa Cruises returns to sea
Italian cruise ship Costa Deliziosa is the latest liner to resume services, setting sail from the Adriatic port of Trieste on Sunday, more than five months after the pandemic put global sailings on pause.
This marks the return of the first Carnival-owned Costa Cruises ship to the sea, with a stringent set of health and safety protocols in place.
Michael Thamm, group CEO, Costa Group & Carnival Asia, said: “For the last few weeks, we’ve been working together with the authorities on implementation of the new health procedures that will allow our guests to make the most of their cruise experience while ensuring maximum safety.
“Meanwhile, we’re continuously monitoring the situation with a view to gradually reintroducing cruising on more ships from October, with itineraries extended also to include guests from our other markets.”
Costa Cruises said that its resumption arrangements and procedures have been fully advised by the Italian government and relevant health authorities, and are in accordance with the Costa Safety Protocol.
Safety measures for guests include staggered entry timings, online check-ins, temperature scanning, health questionnaires, and rapid swab tests. Guests will only be cleared for boarding once they have tested negative.
Prior to embarking, crew members have also been tested with molecular swab at intervals and been quarantined for 14 days. In addition, each member of crew will have a monthly swab test.
The destinations on Costa Deliziosa’s itinerary can be visited only by joining the protected excursions organised by the company for small groups of people on sanitised means of transport, and subject to temperature measurement before leaving and rejoining the ship.
In line with the safety protocols, the shipboard amenities and entertainment have also been redesigned. New measures include repeat performances of the live shows for smaller audiences; a switch from buffet restaurants to seated dining in the restaurants; a revision in seating capacity in theatres, bars and restaurants; as well as staggered entry timings and capacity caps for select facilities. Enhanced cleaning and sanitisation will also be implemented in all areas on board.
Other measures include increased sanitation frequency, hand sanitiser dispensers throughout the ship, the introduction of self-service clinical thermometer kiosks, as well as medical staff and supplies. Costa Cruises is also the first cruise company to obtain RINA Biosafety Trust Certification.
Costa Cruises said that it is now working closely with relevant national and local authorities to define the dedicated protocols for different countries and areas in Asia, to resume cruise travelling safely as soon as possible.
Domestic bookings in Singapore on the rise: Tripadvisor
Singapore’s tourism recovery is being bolstered by an increase in domestic travel bookings, making it among the fastest recovering destinations in Asia-Pacific since last year, according to a recent report by Tripadvisor.
Findings from Tripadvisor’s Seasonal Travel Index for Fall sheds light on where Singaporeans are travelling to this autumn as tourism markets continue their path to recovery during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recent Tripadvisor site data shows that globally, domestic travel for the fall season (September 1 to November 30, 2020) continues to gradually recover, with nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of all travellers planning domestic fall getaways. Of those travellers, 79 per cent of them are planning a September trip – the busiest fall travel month.
Outdoor adventures, which have gained popularity since the beginning of the pandemic, are continuing to interest travellers this fall. In fact, 45 per cent of Singaporean travellers are more likely to consider outdoor or nature trips and 37 per cent are more likely to consider road trips now, compared to before the pandemic.
When it comes to fall domestic bookings, Singapore leads the pack, with Tripadvisor seeing the number of users booking domestic travel on the platform increasing year-on-year. While outbound travel is still down year-on-year, domestic travel is recovering the quickest this season linked to searches for hotel bookings for local staycations.
Singaporean travellers surveyed indicated that making memories with family and friends, relaxation and enjoying nature were at the top of their list for their next trip.
In terms of hotel type, travellers’ tastes differ across the globe. While luxury hotels over-index for domestic travellers in the Americas, quaint hotels stand out in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Over in Asia-Pacific, green hotels are triumphing over the competition.
While long trips are ‘out’, last-minute travel is ‘in’. More travellers are looking for short getaways, with 55 per cent of fall travellers booking two- to five-night stays, and 36 per cent booking one-night stays. Fall travellers are also booking more near-term trips, often less than a week in advance.
Across the globe, safety remains critical. Some 68 per cent of global travellers say safety and cleanliness of establishments are important when travelling locally.
“Despite the disruptions that Covid-19 has brought upon travel this year, it’s heartening to see that 66 per cent of Singaporean travellers continue to express that travel is important to them, even if they can’t experience the world like they used to,” said Jane Lim, vice president for global markets at Tripadvisor.
“We’re seeing travellers booking staycations and weekend escapes locally, getting creative with their trips and exploring what’s around them where they can. This fall, we’re seeing a rising trend of travellers looking to relax and rejuvenate, as well as making memories with family and friends.”
Top Asia-Pacific destinations for fall 2020, based on year-over-year recovery are, in order, Broome, Australia; Puncak, Indonesia; Kuantan, Malaysia; Sentosa Island, Singapore; Port Dickson, Malaysia; Bandung, Indonesia; Jakarta, Indonesia; Singapore, Singapore; Hamilton Island, Austalia; and Byron Bay, Australia.
Across the region, beach and outdoor destinations are gaining interest and jumping in rank year-over-year.
In light of the pandemic, the study also found that travellers are more budget-conscious – domestic travellers across the globe are searching for hotel stays less expensive than last year. While more travellers are viewing luxurious resorts and all-inclusive properties, campgrounds and farmhouses are recovering the fastest year-on-year and since last week.
Meanwhile, travelling with one’s pet is an amenity with promising signs of recovery, and supporting the outdoor trend, hiking is recovering faster than any other amenities offered by hotels across the world year-on-year.
Rumours fly about Thomas Cook’s imminent return
China’s Fosun Tourism Group, which bought the Thomas Cook’s trademark following its collapse last year, is planning to relaunch the famous British brand as an online travel agent.
An announcement of the rebirth of the 178-year-old tour operator is expected in the coming days, even as British travel companies battle headwinds posed by the pandemic, according to a Sky News report.
However, the report added, the relaunch would also hinge on Fosun securing regulatory approvals as well as the introduction of further quarantine measures on British citizens.
An insider told Sky News that the timing of the relaunch is uncertain, but that plans for Thomas Cook to be reborn as an online travel agency was at an advanced stage. According to the report, Fosun has recruited a number of former Thomas Cook executives to work on the brand’s relaunch.
Fosun, which had been Thomas Cook’s biggest shareholder prior to the agency’s demise, had acquired the brand’s name and other intellectual property assets for £11 million (US$14.3 million).
Xinjiang gets the nod for regional tourism
Non-local tourists are welcomed again in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, after authorities eased tourism restrictions on September 5.
According to a news report by China Global Television Network (CGTN), all scenic areas and tour agencies in the destination are still required to adhere to official guidelines on epidemic prevention and control.
Tianchi alpine lake in Fukang City welcomed more than 600 tourists from outside the region on September 5 alone. The Kum Tag Desert in Shanshan County also received more than 100 non-local tourists.
Cheng Xiaofeng, secretary of the Communist Party Committee of the Tianchi scenic area, told CGTN that all sightseeing spots have reopened, and tickets for staggered entry are sold online.
At present, tourists traveling in and out of Xinjiang are not required to undergo Covid-19 tests or isolation. They only need to show their health codes and comply with local epidemic prevention requirements.
Local infections, fear hamper Japan’s domestic travel progress
Japan’s Go To Travel domestic travel stimulus, which partially covers residents’ transport and accommodation expenses, has met with mixed reception and lukewarm uptake in its first weeks, attracting only two million users in its first month.
The programme was launched on July 22 by the Japan Tourism Agency in a bid to encourage local support for the country’s tourism industry as international travel continues to be restricted.
However, participation has been limited, hampered by the exclusion of Tokyo due to high Covid-19 infection rates and mixed messaging from local governments.
Miyazaki prefecture on southern Kyushu has asked residents to avoid travel, while visitors to Iwate, northern Honshu, were not welcomed. In Okinawa, an uptick in Covid-19 infections following the launch prompted the prefectural government to declare a state of emergency.
Participation has been limited among providers too. Only 17,000 of Japan’s estimated 35,000 eligible accommodation providers are registered under the campaign.
Graham Davis, owner of Cottage Davis Yakushima, an accommodation and eatery on Yakushima, a World Heritage site popular in the summer months, said local accommodation providers were “nervous” about hosting.
Before such a campaign, “owners need to be more confident (about cleaning regulations) and tourists need to think about what tourism looks like in the future,” he said.
Most Japanese residents who took up the Go To Travel programme had chosen to stay local and travel by car. During the peak period of Obon in mid-August, passenger numbers were down 65 per cent year-on-year on domestic flights and 76 per cent year-on-year on shinkansen and other trains run by six companies in the Japan Railways Group.
At Shiroyama Hotel Kagoshima, another popular summer destination, 70 per cent of visitors since July 22 have been local, with half hailing from the prefecture and half from elsewhere in Kyushu, shared Yoshinami Egashita, director of accommodation sales. The remaining 30 per cent arrived from Tokyo, despite not being eligible for the campaign.
Marriott launches weekday staycation campaign for Singapore
Marriott International’s new #VacayWithAStaycay campaign in Singapore aims to encourage domestic vacations throughout the week, with immersive experiences as lures to help guests to refresh their body and mind.
The hotel company noted that research has shown that taking time off on Mondays or mid-week could be highly beneficial to one’s well-being and productivity. With that in mind, the campaign presents three unique themed packages that fit various price points and offer experiences suitable for couples, families and gourmands.
The packages are available at: Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel; W Singapore-Sentosa Cove; The St. Regis Singapore; and The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.
Marriott Bonvoy members stand to enjoy up to 20 per cent discount on rooms and suites.
The #VacayWithAStaycay campaign kicked off on September 1 and will run until October 30, for stay bookings between now and May 31, 2021.
For more information, visit the campaign site.
As Phuket’s hotel industry inches closer to breaking point, industry leaders are urging the government to throw a lifeline to the beleaguered sector in hopes of tiding it through the high season.
The call comes as Thailand’s controversial Phuket Model international travel reopening scheme runs into a roadblock due to a new virus case. Meanwhile, hotels in Thailand’s leading resort island struggle to sustain operating viability based on domestic tourism.
According to the Airports of Thailand, passenger arrivals at the aviation gateway have plunged 65 per cent year-on-year from January through July of this year.
What remains clear is that the 86,000 rooms in Phuket’s registered accommodation establishments cannot realistically break-even or even be cash-flow positive with only domestic demand. This realistically could set the scene for 50,000 job losses in the hotel sector this year if there’s no support forthcoming or international visitors are not allowed in.
One of the green shoots is the Alternative Local State Quarantine (ALSQ) programme, with over 60 island properties applying. While this programme is meant to emulate the ASQ programme in Bangkok, given there are no direct flights to Phuket, the government needs wider support of a return of international travellers at a local level and implement inter-ministerial coordination before it could materialise. But this may take months.
Anthony Lark, president of the Phuket Hotels Association that represents 78 hotels in Phuket, said: “The math simply doesn’t work with single-digit occupancies being reported. No amount of induced local demand can prevent the dramatic continued loss of jobs and rapidly eroding financial crisis for owners and operators. We strongly advocate a safe, pragmatic, and strategic reopening for foreign travellers.”
With tourism being the lead economic indicator in Phuket, data newly released by hospitality consulting group C9 Hotelworks reveals the Covid-19 impact on the hotel development pipeline with 69 per cent of hotels now being delayed or put on hold.
Looking at the economic consequences, at the end of 2019, there were 1,758 licensed accommodation establishments on the island and today incoming projects stand at 58 hotels, representing a 19 per cent rise in supply with 16,476 additional rooms planned.
C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett said: “Thailand’s failure to relaunch overseas tourism creates a dangerously perilous scenario for Phuket’s hospitality industry. The domino financial impact is not only on hotels and the expanded tourism sector, but it suffocates the development pipeline. This will negatively trigger the erosion of jobs in construction, real estate, retail and ultimately be manifested in consumer credit defaults. The situation is bad, and likely to get worse, as operating hotels (which) remain incur losses day in and day out.”
In terms of updating the Phuket hotel situation on the ground, there continues to be much controversy and a lack of national and local consensus over the proposed Safe and Sealed sandbox long-stay programme. While a stark warning was issued last week by the Bank of Thailand (BoT) over the potential disruption to the heavily tourism-dependent country, the fate of Phuket’s coming high season remains very challenged.
Citing a way forward, C9’s Bill Barnett said: “Any reopening plan must not only be well planned but has to win the hearts and minds of the Thai people to see any chance of success. While the island may hold the keys to the Kingdom in leading a restoration of tourism, the more critical issue is how hotels can fight for their lives in the current state of limbo.”
Speaking about Phuket’s current situation, Anthony Lark added: “Firstly, greater proactive dialogue between the public and private sector has to be undertaken. We can’t simply say we are now in unknown territory forever. Steps must be taken and a single voice formed.
“Secondly, the BoT has to look at interim measures to assist hotels with short-term operating bridge loans to weather the storm and retain jobs. Tourism is a human endeavour, and without protecting and nurturing our Thai workforce, there will be no recovery.”