Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) has appointed Alex McNeil as its chief expedition officer, in which he will oversee all aspects of HX’s global itinerary and expedition experience in this newly-created role.
With over 15 years of experience and nearly 200 expeditions in his belt, McNeil will ensure that each voyage is meticulously designed and curated to offer unparalleled exploration, education, and leave a positive impact on any communities they interact with.
He was previously senior vice president of product and guest experience at HX for 18 months, and prior to that, he served as director of expedition experience and innovation at Quark Expeditions.
Marc LeBlanc and Laura Robinson have joined the team at Shinta Mani Wild, a Bensley Collection in Cambodia.
LeBlanc will take on the role of general manager and has 17 years of international experience with senior roles in the Cayman Islands, Sint Maarten, the Maldives, and Indonesia.
From left: Laura Robinson and Marc LeBlanc
Robinson is the new operations and sustainability manager, and has held a variety of hospitality management roles in Trinidad and Tobago, Malaysia, Bahamas, Honduras, Cayman Islands and Indonesia.
The weather is looking like a Katy Perry song for a while now – it’s hot then it’s cold, it’s yes then it’s no, it’s in then it’s out, it’s up then it’s down – utterly erratic. It is nothing to sing about, not when unexpected weather disrupts travel and event plans while extreme conditions result in aviation accidents.
Look what freak storms did to eastern and southern China in March and April – they destroyed buildings and infrastructure. Look what a rainstorm did to Dubai in April – it recorded a year’s worth of rain in just 12 hours. Look what severe air turbulence did to passengers and crew onboard three flights, each operated by different airlines, in May alone.
While aviation experts have said such severe air turbulence is rare, with resulting fatalities rarer still, social media chatter and my conversations with flight crew on separate occassions since the start of this year have highlighted more troubled flights, with bumps, scrapes, and spills becoming commonplace.
Are people withdrawing from flights then? According to data from YouGov BrandIndex in the aftermath of the Singapore Airlines SQ321 accident, which had the worst outcome – one fatal case and several severe injuries – travel considerations with the airline slumped in the following week. Fortunately, intentions rebounded by end-May.
It may be easy to brush these off as freak incidents and carry on as usual. However, it is wiser to take heed and be more stringent with inflight safety procedures for both passengers and crew.
Weather has an impact on travel programmes too – some tour and experience operators in parts of South-east Asia that are baked by hotter than usual temperatures have had to tweak their programmes, either by starting much earlier in the day or after sunset, when the air is cooler. Alternative plans and friendlier refund conditions due to unsuitable weather conditions should also be a must by now.
While increasingly unusual weather conditions have yet to reshape travel seasons, this could well happen some day and is a reminder for destinations to get cracking now – if it isn’t already – to spread travel demand out across the year and into more locations.
Resorts World Cruises (RWC), will expand its global footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the upcoming homeport deployment of Resorts World One in Dubai from October 18, 2024 to April 13, 2025.
Resorts World One is expected to make 75 calls in the region with 150,000 passengers over the six-month period, which will significantly contribute to the growth of cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The ship will attract a new segment of Fly-Cruise passengers from India, increasing diversity to the Arabian Gulf cruise market.
Resorts World One combines premium amenities with diverse culinary options, ensuring a boutique lifestyle and entertainment voyage through the Arabian Gulf and beyond
Resorts World One will sail from Dubai from October 18 onwards, offering itineraries that include the two-night Sir Baniyas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a three-night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a two-night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays.
Guests will have the flexibility to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a four-, five- or a seven-night cruise.
Shore excursions and onboard activities will allow passengers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Dubai and the surrounding region especially Muscat, Khasab and Sir Baniyas Island. Visits to iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and shopping destinations will be part of the itinerary for tourists while Bollywood DJ parties and music bands, pyjama and foam parties, movies, will be among other attractions onboard.
To cater to a diverse target audience, certified vegetarian and Jain cuisine will also be available to cater to travellers from India and others who prefer specialised vegetarian selections. With the ship’s deployment in the Arabian Gulf, Resorts World One will provide regional Muslim travellers with the convenience and access to certified halal-friendly offerings onboard the ship. Guests can also make pre-advanced appointments to have the crew of the same gender attend to the guests for selected onboard services such as the spa.
“With easy access and regular flight connectivity from India to Dubai, Indian travellers will also have more travel and vacation options to explore multiple destinations with a cruise vacation, paving the way for a new and exciting era of Fly-Cruise exploration,” said Naresh Rawal, vice president – sales (South Asia and Middle East), RWC.
Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network) has introduced an advanced connectivity tool that will boost the efficiency and effectiveness of travel agents, help increase inventory, boost sales and commissions, improve productivity, reduce errors, and deliver superior customer service.
Hotel Switch is a tool that integrates multiple features to enhance travel agents’ ability to offer a wide range of accommodation and manage bookings efficiently.
The Hotel Switch platform will boost the efficiency and effectiveness of travel agents
The platform maps to over two hundred thousand hotels linked to the TA Network, allowing agents to provide clients with a wide range of accommodation options, catering to different preferences and budgets.
Real-time updates on allotments and/or blackouts when rooms are unavailable are automated, ensuring that agents have access to the best available rates 24/7.
Tactical hotel/package promotions enable agents to earn higher commissions like OTAs and offer competitive deals and promotions, while the automated 24/7 feature offers instant booking and confirmation. Furthermore, complimentary VCC payment support is available.
Agents will also be able to book directly with hotels instead of using third-party online hotel suppliers, which help eliminate check-in issues and provide a smoother, more reliable booking experience for clients.
“Hotel Switch is a vital tool for travel agents aiming to stay competitive and meet the evolving demands of their clients,” said Josef Foo, managing partner, TA Network.
Ember Beach Club at One&Only Desaru Coast is presenting the third edition of the Ember Curates series on August 17, featuring a Michelin-starred dinner collaboration with two renowned chefs: Mano Thevar of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Thevar, and Andrew Walsh of one-Michelin-star CURE.
For one night only, Ember Beach Club will host a four-hands gastronomic experience, where guests can expect to be delighted with a collaborative menu with pairings that meld the styles of distinct South Asian flavours from Thevar, alongside the seafood and barbecue inspired flavours from Walsh’s signature creations at Ember Beach Club.
From left: Andrew Walsh and Mano Thevar
Limited seats are available for booking at 650 ringgit (US$139) per person, with room rates starting from 2,900 ringgit.
The first One&Only resort in South-east Asia is easily accessible two hours by car from Singapore or 90-minutes via the Singapore-Desaru ferry service.
Sri Lanka Tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, hosted an exclusive networking evening on a cruise over the Ganges River on July 10.
The event highlighted Sri Lanka’s diverse natural landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage to the travel trade and media of Kolkata through engaging discussions and presentations. Attendees were treated to a showcase of Sri Lanka’s varied attractions, ranging from pristine beaches to ancient temples, marking a new chapter of tourism excellence for the island nation.
Attendees at the networking event were treated to a showcase of Sri Lanka’s offerings through discussions, presentations and performances
Under the resonant tagline Sri Lanka – You’ll Come Back for More, the event aimed to entice Indian travellers by highlighting Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings. The networking evening brought together around 300 of Kolkata’s travel agents, key figures in the industry, and media representatives, who engaged with a strong delegation led by 25 DMCs specialising in leisure and MICE as well as leading hotels, resorts, homestays, tour operators, and other service providers from Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the extended visa-free entry for Indian nationals is expected to boost arrivals.
Sri Lanka has adopted an aggressive approach towards the Indian market by establishing a strong presence through multi-city B2B roadshows in Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi. These efforts are complemented by participation in major travel trade shows like the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai and the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange in New Delhi. The year-long marketing efforts will be intensified with participation in various travel exhibitions such as TTF-Kolkata and IITM-Bengaluru, IITM-Chennai and so on. Another round of B2B roadshows in other Tier-II markets is planned for September this year.
Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines get approval for commercial joint venture Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have received the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore’s approval for their commercial joint venture agreement.
With this approval, the airlines will be able to deepen their strategic partnership on a wider range of commercial activities that will bring greater benefits to both airlines, as well as Indonesia and Singapore.
These potentially include operating joint revenue sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules, and exploring joint sales and marketing initiatives.
The airlines today codeshare on a wide range of flights, including between Singapore and Indonesian cities of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as on longhaul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai.
AirAsia
AirAsia flies to Labuan Bajo AirAsia has introduced direct flights to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia from Malaysia.
This new service operates three weekly flights to Labuan Bajo from Kuala Lumpur, adding to AirAsia’s current 13 routes in Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati, Banda Aceh, Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Balikpapan; as well as from Penang to Jakarta and Medan.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Indonesia flies to 11 routes in Malaysia from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching; Bali to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu; Medan to Kuala Lumpur and Penang; Lombok to Kuala Lumpur; as well as from Surabaya to Johor Bahru.
China Southern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines
China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines expand codeshare flights China Southern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are expanding their codeshare flights to include Guangzhou-Penang, Kuala Lumpur-Beijing Daxing and Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai Pudong routes from July 10.
China Southern Airlines aims to increase its capacity in the Malaysian market to 73 flights per week to meet the various travel demands.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines currently operates 54 weekly flights to China, covering Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Daxing and Xiamen.
Digital travel platforms are ramping up their focus on the millennial and Gen Z demographic with data showing strong demand and surge bookings during special social media marketing events, their merchandise value contribution and the impact of celebrity endorsements and holiday periods.
These platforms are investing in appealing to this younger, tech-savvy cohort with what they like – a seamless, customised and entertaining travel planning experience.
Sun: popular social media platforms and live-streaming services reach a wider and more diverse audience
Trip.com Group launched live-streaming in 2020, and according to Trip.com Group chief marketing officer Bo Sun, live-streaming appeals to a broad demographic, including tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z travellers who are looking for interactive and visually appealing content.
“By leveraging popular social media platforms and live-streaming services, we can reach a wider and more diverse audience,” he added.
In 1Q2024, Trip.com Group’s live-streams drove a substantial 55.7 per cent increase in gross merchandise value (GMV) compared to the same period last year.
Recent live-streaming sessions featured travel destinations such as Thailand and Singapore to showcase their unique attractions and available travel products in real-time.
On the appeal of such events, Sun noted: “During our live-streams, hosts share valuable travel tips, recommend destinations and provide exclusive discounts on hotels, tour tickets and limited-time coupons.”
In February, Trip.com Group collaborated with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and held a live-stream in Phuket for its Mega Sale event.
“This event not only highlighted Thailand’s diverse attractions with millions of views but also generated significant GMV of over US$7 million and over 24,000 orders,” Sun shared.
A month earlier, in Singapore, the live broadcast saw high volumes – exceeding 5.41 million bookings – and the Mega Sale event at Singapore Changi Airport achieved US$5.5 million in total GMV of Singapore travel products.
Sun added: “While the audience is currently primarily Chinese, we will further apply this strategy for other locales to align with emerging live-stream trends in the other regions.”
At Airbnb, 2023 data showed strong demand from millennial and Gen Z travellers, and approximately 50 per cent of first-time bookers in Asia-Pacific were aged between 18 and 30 years old.
A spokesperson told TTG Asia that around 90 per cent of first-time bookers in the Indian market last year were millennials and Gen Z travellers.
Between 2022 and 2023, Airbnb saw millennials and Gen Z guests “drive a surge in travel to Thailand” and “bookings in Thailand by Indian guests on Airbnb increased more than 60 per cent year-on-year”.
She also shared that there was a noticeable surge of interest during the Holi and Easter long weekends in 2023 when searches by Indian guests for stays in Thailand during that period increased by more than 200 per cent.
Bek: the younger demographic is more adventurous and wishes to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations
“Over the last few years, we’ve announced several product updates, with the most recent being the launch of a new category of extraordinary experiences hosted by the greatest names in music, film, television, art, and sports, among others,” noted the spokesperson.
Jeremy Bek, general manager, global head of travel at Rakuten Travel observed an increase in high-spending travellers and higher-ranked members driving business, particularly from countries such as Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan to Japan.
Bek stated: “These travellers are often looking for highly authentic experiences, including stays at ryokans in less frequented cities, as well as unique cultural experiences and gourmet dining, such as kaiseki (traditional multi-course Japanese dinner).”
While Rakuten Travel does not specifically record age-related data in the booking process, it recognises the significant impact of younger, under-40 travellers driving demand on its platform.
“This demographic is tech-savvy, values unique and personalised experiences, and is more likely to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations,” he shared. “Their preferences for experiential travel and their willingness to spend on unique experiences are shaping the future of the travel industry, making them a key focus for our growth and innovation strategies.”
Regular sales and campaigns also play a significant role in driving bookings and revenue for Rakuten Travel.
Bek continued: “Particularly, our recurring mega sale, dubbed Rakuten Travel Super Sale, offers substantial discounts of up to 75 per cent and encourages travellers to take advantage of our exclusive offers and receive significant interest and bookings.
“Additionally, these campaigns help increase brand awareness, especially in countries where our brand presence is still growing.”
“At Rakuten Travel, we are leveraging various tech innovations to enhance and personalise the travel experience,” he added.
Rakuten Travel offers detailed meal plans, allowing travellers to select their choice of meals at ryokans, and meal filters to help users find accommodations that meet their dietary preferences – these are seen as important for younger travellers who value personalised and unique culinary experiences.
“Compared to other OTAs, Rakuten Travel provides more accommodation-type filters, including options like machiyas (traditional townhouses), which cater to those seeking authentic Japanese stays – something that is not available on other platforms,” explained Bek.
“Moreover, the younger demographic is more adventurous and wishes to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations that are less accessible by public transportation and more easily accessible by car. As such, we have introduced a car rental reservation service in multiple languages, including English, Korean and traditional Chinese, with a user-friendly interface and intuitive search functionality, making it easy for travellers to book rental cars on the same platform as the accommodations booking website.”
The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh, Vietnam
Situated along Vietnam’s south-central coast, The Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh offers 207 guestrooms, suites and pool villas, including a selection of private pool villas.
Onsite are restaurants, lounge, bar, spa, fitness centre, ball courts, water sports facilities, three outdoor pools, including a kids’ pool, a ballroom as well as meeting rooms.
Just a 10-minute drive to Cam Ranh International Airport, the resort is also a 45-minute drive away from the centre of Nha Trang city.
Wyndham Sun Moon Lake
Wyndham Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan
The 203-key Wyndham Sun Moon Lake offers family-friendly rooms and private hot spring baths in every room. Hotel facilities include a fitness centre, spa, two restaurants, two bars, café, and event spaces.
Nestled on the shores of Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan’s largest natural lake, guests can explore nearby attractions such as the Sun Moon Lake Ropeway, Nine Frogs Tower, and Man Mo Temple.
Novotel Melbourne Airport
Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport, Australia
The dual-branded Novotel & ibis Styles Melbourne Airport features 464 guestrooms split across Accor’s Novotel (248 rooms) and ibis Styles (216 rooms) brands.
Both hotels feature a full range of facilities to cater to business, conference, and leisure guests, including three F&B outlets, function spaces for up to 330 guests, and hotel-serviced co-working space Aerofoil Workspace.
Within walking distance to the Melbourne Airport terminal precinct, both hotels also provide easy access to local attractions including URBNSurf, Essendon Football Club and the Sunbury wine region.
Jumeirah Makkah
Jumeirah Makkah, Saudi Arabia
Located in Jabal Omar and a short walk from the Great Mosque of Makkah, Jumeirah Makkah boasts 1,121 keys of rooms, suites, apartments, and residences.
The hotel has eight dining destinations, three meeting rooms and event spaces accommodating between 10 to 70 people.
Hotel guests will also have the option to book entire floors, which feature 14 rooms and suites per level.
He was previously senior vice president of product and guest experience at HX for 18 months, and prior to that, he served as director of expedition experience and innovation at Quark Expeditions.
Resorts World Cruises (RWC), will expand its global footprint to the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman with the upcoming homeport deployment of Resorts World One in Dubai from October 18, 2024 to April 13, 2025.
Resorts World One is expected to make 75 calls in the region with 150,000 passengers over the six-month period, which will significantly contribute to the growth of cruise tourism in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. The ship will attract a new segment of Fly-Cruise passengers from India, increasing diversity to the Arabian Gulf cruise market.
Resorts World One will sail from Dubai from October 18 onwards, offering itineraries that include the two-night Sir Baniyas Weekend Cruise with departures on Fridays; a three-night Oman Cruise to Khasab and Muscat departing on Sundays; and a two-night Doha Cruise departing on Wednesdays.
Guests will have the flexibility to combine two or all three of the itineraries to increase the cruise length to a four-, five- or a seven-night cruise.
Shore excursions and onboard activities will allow passengers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Dubai and the surrounding region especially Muscat, Khasab and Sir Baniyas Island. Visits to iconic landmarks, heritage sites, and shopping destinations will be part of the itinerary for tourists while Bollywood DJ parties and music bands, pyjama and foam parties, movies, will be among other attractions onboard.
To cater to a diverse target audience, certified vegetarian and Jain cuisine will also be available to cater to travellers from India and others who prefer specialised vegetarian selections. With the ship’s deployment in the Arabian Gulf, Resorts World One will provide regional Muslim travellers with the convenience and access to certified halal-friendly offerings onboard the ship. Guests can also make pre-advanced appointments to have the crew of the same gender attend to the guests for selected onboard services such as the spa.
“With easy access and regular flight connectivity from India to Dubai, Indian travellers will also have more travel and vacation options to explore multiple destinations with a cruise vacation, paving the way for a new and exciting era of Fly-Cruise exploration,” said Naresh Rawal, vice president – sales (South Asia and Middle East), RWC.