Competition brings to light exciting Hong Kong tours
Six tours – out of 700 – have emerged winners in the Deeper into Hong Kong: Creative Itinerary Design Competition, which seeks to identify creative ways to showcase Hong Kong to travellers.
The competition, jointly organised by the Tourism Commission and Travel Industry Council (TIC), featured six contest themes and attracted 700 entries put forward by 135 travel agents. Tour ideas that entered into the competition included camping at fish farm in Sai Kung, peace bun workshop on Cheung Chau island, and a boat trip to see unique rock formations in the Hong Kong Geopark.
Amid stiff competition, the six tours that claimed the top prize in each theme were: Going Far Far Away – Exploring the enchanting Sha Tau Kok, Lai Chi Wo and Mui Tsz Lam by Walk in Hong Kong; Fun Water Adventure: Sai Kung Star Gazing and Marine Exploration by NDS Travel; Legacy of Joy: Cheung Chau Cultural Tour by Pok Yat Travel Company; HK Pop Culture: 100% Hong Kong by HR Travelling; Journey Through National History: A Story of History and Tong Lau by Toudays Travel Technology; and Unconventional Journey: 2-day Hong Kong Urban Legends Tour by Ambition Travel.
The winners not only took home a prize, but their winning tours also earn listings on the websites of both Hong Kong Tourism Board and TIC to attract enquiries and bookings.
Gianna Hsu, chairman of co-organiser TIC, said: “We encourage travel agents to design quality in-depth tours of distinct themes that display the east-meet-west culture and different faces of Hong Kong. Such tours will enhance the city’s competitiveness and lengthen visitors’ stay duration.”
Hsu noted that the competition attracted a wide range of agents, in addition to familiar players.
Commenting on his winning entry, Paul Chan, CEO and co-founder of Walk in Hong Kong, told TTG Asia: “Only a million out of seven million people in Hong Kong have been to Sha Tau Kok. The overnight tour promotes insightful experiences via interaction with villagers through workshops, guided tour, and activities.”
Kenji Tsang, outbound and inbound department manager of Ambition Travel, hoped that his winning tour would allow urban legends to remain with more generations to come, and entice young FITs to join guided tours while in Hong Kong.
Philippines, Austria strengthen tourism ties
The Philippines is aiming to beef up tourism cooperation with Austria, through a Memorandum of Tourism Cooperation, to capture more visitors from the emerging European source market.
In 2023, the Philippines saw an 89 per cent recovery rate of visitor arrivals from Austria at 13,180, compared to the 14,840 arrivals in 2019.
Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT) secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the Memorandum of Tourism Cooperation with Austria will mutually grow the tourism numbers of the two countries; exchange best practices in culture, heritage, and retirement tourism; strengthen sustainable tourism frameworks and upskilling programmes in hospitality; and facilitate the enhanced connectivity between the two.
She added: “We acknowledge the opportunity to strengthen the market; we also wish to maximise the opportunity to educate and inform Austrians about our tourism products in the Philippines which are of great interest to Europeans, including our beaches, dive sites, adventure offerings, and experiential travel across our islands and among our diverse communities.”
The Philippines and Austria currently benefit from tourism talent exchanges.
According to Austria’s state secretary for tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler, the largest employment sectors for Filipinos in Austria “are in tourism and care”, with almost a quarter of the Filipino diaspora in Austria currently working in the tourism sector.
Kraus-Winkler likewise broached the conclusion of a “working holiday programme” provided for in the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in Manila between the Austrian and Philippine Governments in October 2023.
“Tourism generally benefits from working holiday programmes, as young people want to gain experience in tourism worldwide. Experience has shown that young people often also want to explore the country where they are working and go on vacation during their stay of up to one year. We want to further expand the good cooperation between Austria and the Philippines in the field of tourism and promote the mobility of young people,” she said, adding that Austria is “looking forward to the talks on the rapid implementation of a working holiday programme, as we were recently able to conclude with the US.”
Kata Group implements a facelift with Beyond Series
Kata Group, said to be Phuket’s first hotel chain, has embarked on a trio of mega projects to reflect the company’s pursuit of market relevance and stronger presence. It has opened Beyond Skywalk Nangshi in December 2023, an 800 million baht (US$22.18 million) resort and skywalk destination, implemented a 300 million baht rebrand for Beyond Kata resort titled Colors of Beyond, and launched the Beyond Series which sees its existing portfolio segmented into three distinct categories.
Commenting on Colors of Beyond, Sassitt Thavornvongwongse, assistant vice president of commercial strategy for Kata Group and Beyond Resorts Thailand, said the rebrand is forward-looking to tap the new generation of travellers.
“Colors of Beyond is a refresh of the brand – not to leave (behind) our current customer groups, but to make it a little more attractive for the next generation of travellers who will be our guests for the next 20 to 25 years,” he said.
The 300 million baht investment will elevate Beyond Kata into a premier beachside resort on Kata Beach, catering to families and business events.
As for Beyond Series, Sassitt said there would now be three distinct series: the tranquil Mountain Series, the serene Sea Series, and the vibrant City Series.
Also new is Beyond Skywalk Nangshi, the group’s ninth property, as part of the Mountain Series. This is a 57-room hotel boasting what is now Thailand’s tallest and longest glass-floor walkway 80m above sea level overlooking Phang Nga Bay. It is situated near Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, about a 45-minutes’ drive from Phuket International Airport.
Sassitt shared that the group plans to renovate many properties in its portfolio, while looking out for new property locations in the Andaman region – Phuket, Phang Ngai, Krabi.
Ideal locations would be “very popular tourist destinations” and prime areas preferably not too far from the beach, he shared.
AirAsia X launches direct services to Kazakhstan
AirAsia X has commenced its Kuala Lumpur-Kazakhstan service, offering four-times-weekly flights between both destinations.
The new direct service is operated on an Airbus A330-300 with a seating capacity of 285, and departs every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Families enjoy free perks to explore Australia’s Queensland
Families are being lured to Queensland with the launch of Tourism and Events Queensland’s latest campaign in partnership with My Queensland.
Titled Festival of Free, this campaign offers a range of holiday packages, including free flights for kids, free tours and experiences for kids, and kids stay free inclusions across a range of hotels and resorts, from now till May 31.
Outstanding packages include five-night stays at Peppers Blue on Blue Resort at Magnetic Island, Freestyle Resort Port Douglas, and Novotel Surfers Paradise.
At Peppers Blue on Blue Resort Magnetic Island, families stay in a Studio Room inclusive of return flights with Virgin Australia (first kid flies free), a lunch time sailing cruise, daily breakfast for two, and more.
For Freestyle Resort Port Douglas, families fly on Virgin Australia (first kid flies free) with airport transfers, full-day Quicksilver Outer Barrier Reef Cruise (free for kid), entry to Wildlife Habitat, and more.
Lastly, the Novotel Surfers Paradise package comes with return flights (First kid flies free), and comprises daily buffet breakfast and a choice of experience such as unlimited entry to Dreamworld, White Water World and SkyPoint.
There are also deals available for those without children.
For more information, visit Festival of Free.
Alex Schellenberger helms as SVP, Brand at Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental has appointed Alex Schellenberger as its senior vice president, brand.
The German national has over two decades in global luxury brand building, storytelling and brand experience roles, and brings insights and expertise to this newly-created global role.
Based in Hong Kong, Schellenberger will be also be joining the Group Leadership Team.
La Vie Hotels & Resorts welcomes new cluster GM, Sri Lanka
Kristofer Quadros has been named cluster general manager, Sri Lanka, of La Vie Hotels & Resorts.
In his new role, Quadros will be responsible for managing the strategic performance and operations of Radisson Hotel Colombo, Radisson Blu Resort Galle and Radisson Hotel Kandy.
With more than 25 years of management experience across the globe including Maldives, Dubai and Indonesia, he was most recently general manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
Myanmar recovery still a long way
- Tourism dented by Covid-19 and the coup
- Travel advisories issued by Western countries still stand
- Tours have been redirected towards locals
After more than three years since Myanmar experienced the coup d’état, four since Covid-19 hit, the country’s tourism sector is nearly wiped out.
“Many tour operators are gone for good, others are hibernating, only very few are still active in one way or another,” said Jochen Meissner, managing director of Uncharted Horizons Myanmar.
Domestic tourism forms only a fraction of what it was prior to the pandemic and military coup, mainly comprising group bus tours to Bagan and Inle Lake, and Yangon city tours. Many tourist destinations remain severely restricted, especially in border regions, including Chin, northern Shan, Kayah and Kayin states, while the entire north is a war zone and off limits.
Uncharted Horizon Myanmar’s guest numbers and income are down to 10 to 15 per cent of pre-coup and Covid times, with only two freelance guides left out of the previous seven full-time staff.
Meissner noted that Western visitors have slumped to a few thousand annually, with no more group bookings. Russian, Chinese and Thai tourists form the majority of the small number of arrivals.
According to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, in 2023, there were 240,219 arrivals at Yangon International Airport, of which 88 per cent were from China and Asia. “It can be assumed that most are business travellers, while a very small percentage are tourists,” said May Myat Mon Win, general manager at Chatrium Hotel Royal Lake Yangon.
Despite dwindling expatriate numbers, today they form a large part of Uncharted Horizon’s business, along with local day tour group bookings for Yangon. These mainly comprise friends, company outings and team building trips.
Phyoe Wai Yar Zar, managing director at DTH Travel Myanmar, said currently a trimmed team of 12 are employed to deal with “day-to-day matters”. This includes a “few” monthly bookings, predominantly to Yangon and Bagan.
“Western governments continue to urge against travel to Myanmar due to the ongoing political and security instability,” he said, adding they “strongly advise against trips to most tourist areas throughout the country”.
Meissner said he also, as a tour operator, no longer encourages international tourists. “As long as the political situation doesn’t change and the armed conflict doesn’t stop, the situation in the tourism sector will definitely not improve.”
Edwin Briels, founder of Exploration Travel Myanmar, which recently expanded operations to Thailand to curate boutique tours in secondary segments, told TTG Asia: “Everyone is in survival mode.”
He added he received about one booking a month at his Lalay Lodge in Ngapali Beach, but since December 2023, it has become virtually impossible to access the area.
Local focus
Adaption has been key and, like Meissner, most have tapped into the domestic market.
Meisser said Uncharted Horizons is proactively targeting locals. “Our tours were originally designed for foreign visitors. We only later realised that they’re also a great experience for locals, most of whom have never been to areas we visit right across the river from downtown Yangon.”
Mon Win said the majority of hotels are now dependent on local demand in the form of leisure, events and wedding, mostly in Yangon and Mandalay. Kalaw, Ngwesaung and Chaugtha beach enjoy high occupancy rates during public and school holidays.
“The pandemic has changed the game for hoteliers,” she said, adding Chatrium’s traditional core market is Europe, America, Japan and Asia. Today, it mainly serves domestic clientele in the local business and leisure segments.
While DTH Myanmar welcomes a handful of foreign guests, the rest of the team is engaged with data loading for other DTH destinations. “We prioritise providing jobs for our team, primarily through outsourced work within our group’s international locations,” Wai Yar Zar said.
He added that while DTH has supported staff to find employment in other industries, “this has become increasingly difficult due to the growing number of people impacted by the country’s struggling economy”.
However, Briels believes that the industry can quickly rebound. “It’s been interesting to see how resilient Myanmar people are, and, when possible, the tourism industry will also show this resilience,” he told TTG Asia.
Meisser added: “Only with change on a political level will the situation improve. I know of many Myanmar fans waiting for this to happen and return as soon as the situation allows. Tourism will also play an important role in the rebuilding of the country.”
Indian hospitality players commit to sustainable practices
More and more Indian hospitality players are waking up to the idea of integrating sustainable practices into their daily operations.
A recent report by advisory firm KPMG in India titled Sustainability in Tourism: Reimagining India’s Sustainable Tourism Evolution highlighted that the sustainable tourism market in India was valued at US$26.01 million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$151.88 million by 2032, with a rapid CAGR of 19.3 per cent from 2022 to 2032.
The Federation of Hotels and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), earlier this month partnered with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance to work on joint projects and share knowledge, leveraging each other’s tools and programmes to promote best practices within India’s hospitality sector.
“This collaboration demonstrates our strong commitment to reducing our environmental impact while optimising our beneficial influence on the communities we serve,” said FHRAI president Pradeep Shetty.
As per the KPMG in India report, innovative and eco-friendly accommodations, such as solar-powered hotels, bamboo cottages, and zero-waste guesthouses, will become the norm rather than the exception in the country.
“All our produce is 100 per cent organic and comes from our farms, which include leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and herbs. We grow our own green salad leaves using hydroponic farming, which involves growing plants without soil, using water-based mineral nutrient solutions. Our hotels use solar energy for heating hot water, and 80 per cent of our lighting fixtures are energy-conserving LED. We are converting our fleet of vehicles to hybrid to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Our goal is to be paperless in most of our key departments and to introduce an e-ordering and billing system,” shared Kush Kapoor, CEO, Roseate Hotels & Resorts.
“We prioritise eco-friendly materials in the construction and maintenance of our luxury tents. This includes using recycled and biodegradable materials wherever possible, as well as reducing energy and water consumption through efficient systems and practices. Additionally, we actively engage with local communities to ensure that our operations have a positive impact on their livelihoods and cultural heritage. We source local produce and employ local staff, providing economic opportunities and fostering a sense of pride and ownership among community members,” said Bhavik Sheth, COO, Evoke Experiences – the company operates glamping sites across India.
However, implementing sustainable practices is challenging for Indian hospitality players.
Kapoor noted the need for upfront investments into technology, infrastructure, and materials, which can strain financial resources.
“Additionally, training staff to embrace and execute these new practices effectively demands time and resources,” he added.
Sheth said the need to balance environmental conservation with the luxury experience that guests expect required “careful planning and innovation”.
He added: “Operating in remote and culturally-rich areas also presents logistical challenges in terms of waste management, transportation, and access to resources.”
However, Indian hotels remain positive about adhering to sustainable tourism practices. “The long-term benefits of sustainability, both in terms of cost savings and environmental impact, make it a worthwhile endeavour for any forward-thinking hotelier,” concluded Kapoor.
The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, the UAE
New at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert are the ultra-luxury Signature Villas – eight private villas boasting 490m² of living space, for guests to enjoy a luxurious stay.
Guests can choose from four Sunrise Signature Pool Villas or four Sunset Signature Pool Villas, both of which come with a private butler, master bedroom with floor-to-ceiling windows, freestanding bathtub, outdoor shower, private terrace, complimentary minibar, an infinity pool with pool deck, fitness studio, and more.
Activities available include daily falcon and owl interaction, equestrian rides, and stargazing adventures.
Sydney Central, Australia
Situated in the heart of the dynamic and culturally diverse Haymarket, Sydney Central provides easy access to dining, shopping and entertainment options, with Central Station, the Light Rail network, and International Convention Centre and Capitol Theatre just close by.
Accommodation includes standard, superior and executive rooms, with amenities comprising a restaurant and bar, rooftop pool, gym, carpark, and event venues.
Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort, Malaysia
The 213-key Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort provides guests with a view of the tropical gardens and a nearby 27-hole golf course with an al fresco balcony in all rooms.
The hotel facilities include F&B offerings, pool lounge, swimming pool, kids’ pool, kids’ playroom, spa and gym. There is also a grand ballroom which accommodates up to 700 guests, and seven meeting rooms.
The resort is located just a short drive away from the UNESCO Heritage site of Melaka city, and attractions such as A’Famosa Waterworld and Safari Wonderland, Freeport A’Famosa Outlet & Coach Airways.
DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield, India
The 180-room DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Whitefield is located in the Whitefield neighbourhood in Bengaluru, the city’s first tech corridor connected to the Namma Metro system.
Onsite are three dining venues, fitness centre, rooftop pool, a pillar-less Grand Ballroom which accommodates 200 guests, and meeting rooms. There are also electric vehicle charging points available.
Just a 15-minute drive from the hotel are the Phoenix Marketcity and VR Bengaluru shopping malls.