In support of South-east Asian travel and tourism recovery, TTG Asia Media will host a six-month long B2B exhibition showcase from June to November this year.
Presented as The Great ASEAN Travel Fest Plus 2022, the event will feature interactive booths with 3D booth imaging and sales enablement capabilities, unlimited Walk-in Meets throughout 180 days, and monthly engagement activities to bring buyers and sellers together.
The Great ASEAN Travel Fest Plus 2022 will offer buyers a better understanding of latest tourism products available across South-East Asia and beyond; a traditional Indonesian dancer performing her art
A highlight of the online event is the two Open Houses, once in June and the other in November, where there will be themed streaming to highlight specific destinations as well as travel and hospitality brands.
Buyers will earn incentives and training certificates from their participation, while sellers will benefit from wider exposure beyond the travel trade industry.
Commenting on the event, Cheryl Tan, head of TTG Events, said: “This year’s event expands the benefits of a B2B tradeshow beyond just two to three days, by offering six months of unlimited exposure and traffic to destinations and brands.
“The show’s unique formula combines a variety of monthly engagement activities to provide valuable opportunities for buyers to engage with exhibitors through one-on-one meetings, streaming content, brand festival showcases, training videos, mission-to-win interactive games and more throughout the half-year duration. Buyers are also generously rewarded for their time with the show’s incentive scheme.
“As reflected with the Plus extension in the event name, the 2022 edition will also welcome suppliers beyond ASEAN, and looks forward to a diversified representation of destinations and brands.”
The Great ASEAN Travel Fest Plus 2022 is supported by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
TTG Asia Media’s inaugural The Great ASEAN Travel Fest, launched in May 2021, featured a plethora of hotels and resorts, tour specialists and destination marketers and NTOs, such as Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road; Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia; Panorama Destination; and Santika Indonesia Hotels and Resorts.
Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands (MBS) has begun a major renovation of its existing infrastructure, in addition to its expansion project that is now expected to be completed in 2026, one year after the original projection of 2025.
The US$1 billion reinvestment will span hotel rooms and suites, new F&B offerings and other enhancements to the integrated resort – the biggest upgrade expenditure to be made since the integrated resort’s opening in 2010. Works will be completed in phases over 2022 and 2023, transforming the design and significantly elevating the hospitality experience in the luxury travel segment, which is predicted to lead the tourism recovery.
A major upgrade of Marina Bay Sands is underway, alongside an expansion that will add new hardware to the sprawling integrated resort
According to a press statement, the renovation investment demonstrates parent company Las Vegas Sands’ confidence in Singapore and ongoing commitment to the country’s tourism industry.
“We are firmly of the view that Asia will continue to lead as a primary driver of growth in travel, and Singapore will remain a top destination of choice. Our reinvestment as well as our planned multi-billion-dollar expansion that we announced in 2019 represent a further demonstration of our long-term support for Singapore. It reaffirms our confidence in the future and our commitment to offering industry-leading luxury products and hospitality experiences to our guests,” said Robert G Goldstein, Las Vegas Sands’ chairman and CEO.
The renewed features across the property will be joined by new hardware from the expansion project, such as a performance arena, a fourth tower featuring about 1,000 hotel rooms, a sky roof with a swimming pool and a restaurant, as well as new ballrooms, exhibition halls and luxury retailers.
Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts has announced that Nigel Fisher, has been appointed general manager of its Banyan Tree Krabi, which opened in October 2020.
The Australian national possesses some 37 years’ experience in luxury hotel management across Asia and Australia.
After graduating from Switzerland’s École hôtelière de Lausanne in 1985, Fisher returned to Australia to join Hyatt International Hotels, where he would spend the next 15 years. In the 2000s, he was resident manager at the Four Seasons Sydney and at the Great Barrier Reef’s Hayman Island.
He then took on the role of general manager at leading hotels in Malaysia and the Philippines before moving to Banyan Tree in 2015. From his first post at Banyan Tree Huangshan in China, he stepped up as area general manager for Lijiang and Ringha. Fisher then oversaw the opening of the Angsana Penang, before being lured across the border to Thailand.
With expectations that post-pandemic travel lers will crave personalised tours that are customised, localised and smaller in size, Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) has developed a suite of special interest products and different marketing strategies to capture the new market.
Rizki Handayani, deputy minister for tourism products and events, said the pandemic has triggered rising demand for special interest tours – once eclipsed by the ministry’s prioritisation of mass tourism, but is now being given renewed focus, with an aim of revitalising and strengthening those product offerings.
Travellers can experience a purification ceremony as part of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy’s new programme line-up. Credit Werkudara Group
Adventure Outlook 2022 survey, for example, showed that 99 per cent of over 2,000 Indonesian respondents wanted to take adventure trips post-pandemic.
Cahyo Alkantara, chairman of the Indonesia Adventure Travel Trade Association, said: “(At the beginning of the pandemic,) adventure tourism was projected to be the last to recover, but it turns out now that it will be the first to come back strongly as travellers are looking for outdoor activities.”
One indicator is the mushrooming of upmarket camp and camper van sites in places like Ciwidey, Bandung; Puncak, Bogor in West Java; as well as Purworejo and Semarang Regencies in Central Java.
Some travel companies like Exotic Java Tours have turned some of their vans into camper vans, while transportation companies such as San Group have rushed to produce them.
However, nature and adventure are not the only segments the MoTEC is zooming in on. The ministry is also developing products themed around concepts like heritage, ecotourism, medical and wellness, gastronomy, marine and diving, Muslim-friendly, and village tourism.
On the heritage front, the ministry recently launched the Borobudur Trail of Civilisation, a collection of nine thematic travel products, namely, Waluku: Cultivating Civilisation, Skilled Hands, Body and Soul, Tropical Flora’s Wonderland, Walking with Stars, Sudhana Manohara: The Eternal Love Story, Journey of the stones, Jalaka Fable Stories, and Music and Rhyme.
The concepts of all nine activities are built around the reliefs found at the Borobudur temple.
Rizki said: “The Borobudur Temple reliefs tell more than the Buddhist teachings. You find love stories, wellness, music, astronomy, and many more depicted on them. The temple is actually a universal ‘library’ which can tell many stories that can appeal to travellers of different interests.”
Arya Galih, coordinator product and promotion of cultural and man-made tourism at MoTCE’s Special Interest Tourism Directorate, said: “The relief of Princess Maya having a massage treatment by her ladies-in-waiting showed that wellness treatment through massage and herbal medication to keep the royalty fit have existed during and even before the Ancient Mataram Kingdom time.”
Based on this, the Body and Soul product is developed by empowering the local community and maximising local Balkondes, which are lodgings built in cooperation between the village community and state-owned companies.
Rizki said: “There are 15 Balkondes – and instead of just offering accommodation and a tour around the vicinity, we would like to add different experiences based on the reliefs. One lodging which offers traditional massages, for example, will receive story content, (assistance to) create the (spa) menu, and trainings for the masseuse guides from us. So will other Balkondes offering different experiences.”
Meanwhile, Waluku: Cultivating Civilisation immerses guests in the traditional process of growing rice. In Skilled Hands, visitors learn earthenware pottery and batik painting.
For the more adventurous, the Tropical Flora’s Wonderland takes them hiking and identify flora found at the reliefs, while Walking with Stars is a camping experience to learn about astronomy and its relation to the temple.
Such travel products will be developed particularly in the five super priority destinations, including Borobudur, in line with the goal of creating new attractions in these destinations. In Toba, experiences at the Toba Geopark will be based on the heritage theme; while Yogyakarta-Solo-Semarang (Joglosemar), the supporting clusters of Borobudur in Central Java, will boast offerings with wellness at its core.
Rizki said: “When we talk about herbal medication, there is no better place (to promote it) than Central Java. Big jamu (herbal drinks) plants are located in this province.”
At the same time, MoTCE will expand the range of such products in other destinations, such as Bali, a health and wellness hub; Jakarta, an emerging medical tourism destination, as well as Medan and Surabaya, home to 15 prominent hospitals collectively.
Market-wise, Rizki said that due to their niches, the most effective way of promoting these products is through special interest trade shows and sales missions, once travel resumes.
In the meantime, travel products are being developed with experts on the different categories and the special interest travel industry.
According to Rizki, as 70 per cent of the ministry’s focus next year will still be on the domestic market, it will trial the programmes domestically, while raising awareness for them in overseas markets.
The Philippine tourism secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat has issued a reminder to all arriving travellers of the country’s entry requirements, as borders prepare to reopen to international leisure travellers on February 10.
Puyat made the statement, following the issuance of Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 160-B, which details the new entry, testing and quarantine protocols for foreign nationals coming from 157 visa-free countries.
The Philippines’ reopening on February 10 will restore the livelihood of millions of Filipinos working in tourism-related establishments and businesses who have been displaced by the pandemic; Manila Bay pictured
She emphasised that the new entry guidelines take careful consideration of the health and safety of both visitors and the general public.
All arriving visitors must present an acceptable proof of vaccination; a negative PCR test obtained 48 hours before departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs for their return journey; valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than 30 days from arrival in the Philippines; passports valid for a period of at least six months at the time of their arrival in the Philippines; and travel insurance with at least US$35,000 in coverage for Covid-19 treatment from reputed insurers.
The Philippines’ reopening applies only to fully vaccinated foreign travellers as well as unvaccinated children under the age of 12, provide they are traveling with fully vaccinated foreign parents.
Unvaccinated foreign children below 12 years old that are travelling with their Filipino parent/s will need to fulfil entry, testing, and quarantine protocols that apply to their Filipino parent/s.
Meanwhile, those between 12 to 17 years old must follow the protocols based on their vaccination status, and shall be accompanied by their parents during their facility-based quarantine.
While foreign visitors are exempted from facility-based quarantine, Puyat said travellers should continue to self-monitor and report to the local government unit of their destination should they exhibit any Covid symptoms.
“The opening of our borders to eligible foreign visitors and the rebound of the tourism industry can only mean the restoration of the livelihood of millions of Filipinos working in tourism-related establishments and businesses who have been displaced by the pandemic. It will contribute greatly to the eventual revival of the Philippine economy”, Puyat added.
Genting Malaysia’s new theme park, Genting SkyWorlds, will finally soft-open on February 8, following several delays since 2019.
Lee Thiam Kit, head of business operations and strategies with Genting Malaysia, said in a press statement that the attraction’s opening would support the tourism sector and the economy with the creation of over 1,000 jobs, as well as “put Malaysia and Pahang on the world tourism map”.
Genting SkyWorlds soft-opens on February 8
Built across 10.5ha of land at an elevation of 1,829m above sea level, Genting SkyWorlds offers nine movie- and adventure-inspired ‘worlds’, incorporating original intellectual properties, as well as movie-themed rides and attractions.
A 20 per cent discount on ticket prices is offered during the soft-opening phase. However, some attractions will not be available to guests.
Greg Pearn, vice president, head – theme park operations, Resorts World Genting, acknowledged that opening a theme park during the pandemic has been a challenge. “While every effort has been made to ensure our full offerings are available, a small selection of attractions require a little more time to be completed, something the team is working hard to achieve,” he said.
Universal Holiday’s founder and CEO, Zahira Tahir, said the theme park would make it easier to promote Malaysia to the Asian and Middle Eastern markets, as this is a key attraction for families visiting Malaysia.
She added: “It would also increase the length of stay of tourists. When the theme park was closed prior to the pandemic, our clients from India and the Middle East made only day trips to Genting. Earlier on, when the outdoor theme park was opened, they used to stay for one or two nights in Resorts World Genting.”
Adam Kamal, head of procurement & domestic market at Ice Holidays, said the published rates were comparable with other major theme parks in the country. However, no agent rates are offered. To sell the theme park to the domestic market, a mark-up will be needed, but that will make the rates higher than what are published online, according to Adam.
Genting Malaysia is anticipating direct online bookings from the domestic market. It has also developed an app which provides a comprehensive guide to Genting SkyWorlds, with real-time information. The app enables guests to navigate and experience the park virtually prior to arrival, giving a head-start on what to do, where to go and how to get there. Among other features, guests will be able to check wait times for rides, attractions and shows; receive promotional offers and discount vouchers; discover dining, shopping, games, and the theme park’s advanced Photo+ service.
Diethelm-Keller Holding has sold its remaining shares in Thailand-headquartered DMC Diethelm Travel to Stefan Römer, CEO of Diethelm Travel and founder of Tourasia, finalising a change in ownership of what is recognised as one of Asia’s most established travel companies.
According to a Diethelm Travel statement issued last Friday, Tourasia Roemer, Arcothai International and investor Gonpo Tsering will take over Diethelm Travel together and “bring Diethelm Travel to the new era of travel empowered with advance IT system while staying true to our DNA as your trusted DMC in Asia”.
Tourasia Roemer, Arcothai International and investor Gonpo Tsering take over ownership of Diethelm Travel; Stefan Römer pictured
Römer said: “I am excited to assume full ownership of Diethelm Travel together with my new partners and would like to thank Diethelm Keller Travel Holding for the great partnership over the years as well as their trust in us to successfully lead the business into the future. I am confident that Diethelm Travel is well positioned to take advantage of the travel industry taking off again in 2022.”
Diethelm Travel today has an extensive network of 13 fully licensed and insured offices throughout Asia, in destinations such as Bhutan, Malaysia, the Maldives, Singapore and Vietnam.
What is CTC’s outlook for the coming year as more borders open and the fully vaccinated can travel quarantine-free travel?
CTC is cautiously optimistic about corporate travel recovery in 2022. With global vaccination percentage rates continuing to increase and the availability of medicine targeting Covid-19 patients gradually coming to the market, I think the worst has already passed.
Having said that, the continuous mutation of the virus – such as the Delta Plu, Mu, and Omicron variants – remains the biggest uncertainty in 2022.
What must travellers consider if they are willing to go on a business trip and what resources can travel managers turn to to keep up-to-date?
Let me use Singapore’s change of Covid-19 national strategy from “zero tolerance” to “living with Covid” as an example. The consequence of this policy has resulted in the immediate opening of its border. But infections rose to an unprecedented record high, with more than 5,000 cases per day reported, forcing the government to tighten some restrictions. In my view, the pendulum effect will still be felt in 2022.
CTC continues to engage travel manager members and share new knowledge. I was in Shanghai to host the Travel Smart Conference at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Yangtze Shanghai, on November 30, 2021, where more than 100 participants attended.
On December 7 and 8, 2021, CTC hosted the Corporate Travel Summit at Royal Randwick Racecourse in Sydney.
In the event that physical events are not possible, CTC will continue to run our virtual events. To help travel managers’ do their jobs better, virtual sessions on topics such as the new ISO 31030 on travel risk management, sustainability, etc., have been organised.
What are some key corporate travel trends to look out for in 2022?
Most of our members are telling us domestic travel has resumed. However, international corporate travel is “still sitting on the fence”. One point is clear though: with an increased use of event technology, training or internal meeting trips will be significantly reduced.
What are the opportunities for corporate travel recovery in 2022?
Many new international treaties facilitating freer trade have been reached, such as the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership), CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific), EU/China CAI (CU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment), and more.
With implementation starting in 2022, international trade is forecast to continue to expand at a rapid pace in years to come. And as we all know, corporate travel is the paramount prerequisite to negotiating business deals.
Some countries adopting a “living with Covid” policy have already opened their borders. The US, the second-biggest corporate travel spend country, for example, is showing an upward trend for both domestic and international travel.
Vietnam is working towards a full reopening of her borders to international tourists by April 30, 2022.
This is a major step forward in reopening since the government allowed five localities – Phu Quoc Island, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Quang Ninh – to join a pilot programme to welcome again foreign tourists since November last year. Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh were the latest two localities to join the programme.
Vietnam will progress from limited traveller access to a full-scale reopening come April 30; Ho Chi Minh City pictured
The country has welcomed about 8,500 international tourists from South Korea, Russia, Singapore, the UK and the US to date.
When Vietnam fully reopens her borders, all arrivals will have to present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, issued at least 14 days before entry, or show proof of recovery from Covid-19 within six months prior to entry. They must also present a negative PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours prior to entry, and ensure that their travel insurance provides at least US$50,000 of Covid-19 treatment coverage.
There will be separate requirements for partially vaccinated or young children.
Under the current protocols, vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from the virus would still be required to self-isolate for three days at their place of residence. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals are required to self-isolate for seven days.
Discovery Princess has joined the Princess Cruises fleet, following an official handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.
Discovery Princess expands the fleet to 15 MedallionClass vessels and features an evolution of the design platform used for the cruise line’s previous Royal-Class ships.
Discovery Princess expands the fleet to 15 MedallionClass vessels
The 3,660-guest Discovery Princess is the sixth and final Royal-Class new-build. Guests will enjoy 270-degree views from the largest balconies at sea in the Sky Suites, unwind in ultimate comfort at The Sanctuary, and indulge in world-class dining options. New Broadway-style production shows are also lined up in the state-of-the-art Princess Theater.
Discovery Princess uses the latest technologies to reduce fuel consumption, treat wastewater, and support the company’s environmental compliance efforts.
In addition, Discovery Princess offers Princess MedallionClass Vacations which begins with the Medallion wearable, a device that enables expedited contactless boarding to enhanced service such as having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship.
Guests can also utilise MedallionNet, which promises the best Wi-Fi at sea.
Discovery Princess will depart Italy and make her way to the Port of Los Angeles to begin a series of Mexican Riviera and California Coast voyages, before heading up the Pacific coast for a season of seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle.
Vietnam is working towards a full reopening of her borders to international tourists by April 30, 2022.
This is a major step forward in reopening since the government allowed five localities – Phu Quoc Island, Quang Nam, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Quang Ninh – to join a pilot programme to welcome again foreign tourists since November last year. Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Dinh were the latest two localities to join the programme.
The country has welcomed about 8,500 international tourists from South Korea, Russia, Singapore, the UK and the US to date.
When Vietnam fully reopens her borders, all arrivals will have to present a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, issued at least 14 days before entry, or show proof of recovery from Covid-19 within six months prior to entry. They must also present a negative PCR test certificate issued no more than 72 hours prior to entry, and ensure that their travel insurance provides at least US$50,000 of Covid-19 treatment coverage.
There will be separate requirements for partially vaccinated or young children.
Under the current protocols, vaccinated individuals and those who have recovered from the virus would still be required to self-isolate for three days at their place of residence. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals are required to self-isolate for seven days.