UNWTO, ICAO partner for aviation and tourism recovery

October 28, 2021

UNWTO and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have agreed to strengthen their partnership with the aim of supporting the safe restart of travel and tourism and accelerating the two sectors’ shift towards greater resilience and sustainability.

In the immediate term, UNWTO and ICAO will work to support aviation and tourism to bounce back from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

UNWTO-ICAO partnership to drive sustainable recovery for travel and tourism

Under the agreement, both organisations also commit to enhancing coordination at every level, from policy research and management areas, to border management and facilitation of safe and seamless travel.

The MoU also recognises the importance of securing relevant finance mechanisms to accelerate the shift towards greener travel and tourism, with a commitment to joint advocacy and fundraising efforts.

UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism and air travel are essential pillars of growth and opportunity, most notably for developing countries and communities. As air travel resumes and tourism restarts, both sectors must collaborate to support the livelihoods of today and to build a more resilient and sustainable future. The partnership between UNWTO and ICAO will allow exactly this.”

ICAO council president Salvatore Sciacchitano added: “This agreement is an important step to help our organisations address joint data and research initiatives, the modernisation and financing of aviation infrastructure, and the alleviation of economic regulatory constraints to enhance air connectivity and seamless travel.”

New hotels: Mamaka by Ovolo, Jumeirah Maldives, and more

By TTG Asia

October 28, 2021

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Mamaka by Ovolo, Indonesia
Ovolo Hotels has launched its first Indonesian property, Mamaka by Ovolo in Bali; which is also the group’s first property outside of Hong Kong and Australia. Located in the Kuta-Legian neighbourhood, on the Kuta beachfront, the eclectically designed urban resort features 191 rooms and suites. Mamaka’s signature Swagger and Top Gun suites offer a private mini-bar with a shaker, jigger, strainer, long bar spoon and more, inviting guests to be creative and concoct their own in-room cocktails. Facilities include a 24/7 Wellness Zone featuring a fitness centre with TRX gym equipment, boxing gear and a balancing surfboard activity. The facility is also open to non-guests who purchase a membership package.

Guests can relish Pan-Asian street food-inspired fare along with handcrafted cocktails and beverages at Street 32 Cocktail Bar & Eatery. Set within a corner of Street 32, One Pink Goat, also known as OPG coffee, brings the best locally sourced coffee beans and blends to the Kuta-Legian strip. Elsewhere, a rooftop bar and recreational space overlooking the Indian Ocean allows guests to soak up stunning sunset views while savouring cocktails. The hotel also offers a variety of meeting and event spaces for hosting conferences, business meetings and social gatherings.

Jumeirah Maldives, the Maldives
Adding to Jumeirah Group’s growing portfolio of hotels, guests can now discover Jumeirah Maldives, an all-villa luxury resort tucked away in the North Malé Atoll, easily reachable by speedboat or seaplane from Malé Airport. Jumeirah Maldives offers 67 beach and over-water villas in one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations, all assuring panoramic views of the Indian Ocean. Each villa features a private infinity pool and rooftop terrace with a dedicated dining area, while the three-bedroom villas also boast their own gym.

The group’s two signature restaurants, Shimmers and Kayto, showcase Mediterranean and Nikkei flavours. Delivering casual alfresco dining, Shimmers will feature chef Roberto Rispoli’s cuisine set against a backdrop of sunrises, ocean views and chilled vibes thanks to a resident DJ and regular live music performances. Kayto, meanwhile, will captivate guests over dinner, with an open kitchen concept. Other facilities include a spa, splash waterpark and indoor play area for kids, and an outdoor cinema.

Guests can enjoy an array of activities including water sports, beach volleyball, billiards and tennis at the resort’s court location, or partake in experiences such as underwater photography, planting coconut trees and making coconut oil. A highlight is the submarine tour transporting guests through the marine habitat. Daily yoga classes are also held at this tropical paradise.

The Botanica Sanctuary, Indonesia
Situated in the Puncak area in Bogor regency, West Java, The Botanica Sanctuary, an Agung Sedayu Group property, is home to 166 rooms in eight different categories including 38 suites. Managed by Tauzia Hotels, a member of The Ascott Limited, the luxury resort boasts mountain views and pine forests. Two F&B facilities are on offer – all-day dining restaurant The Garden Brasserie and the Gyu Steak House, a specialty restaurant which serves grilled meats. Other amenities include a rooftop infinity pool with separate Jacuzzi, outdoor fitness centre, air balloon and giant swing. A ballroom and breakout rooms are also available for events.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Wuxi; China
Radisson Collection Hotel, Wuxi is nestled in the city’s Xishan district, just a 20-minute drive from Sunan Shuofang International Airport and 15 minutes from Wuxi Railway Station. Guests can stay in a choice of 318 rooms or suites, ranging from the 40m² Collection Superior Rooms to the 258m² Presidential Suite, all featuring sleep-inducing beds, working areas, Nespresso coffee machines, fast Wi-Fi and smart bathroom fixtures.

The property will be the first to offer the brand’s new wellness concept, The Spa at Radisson Collection, which comprises massage and yoga spaces, a sauna and an indoor swimming pool. There are five F&B offerings, including all-day dining venue Maillard 69, Chinese restaurant Lan Ting Ge, Japanese restaurant Ji Bai Qiu, and whisky bar Elaresanse. Meeting planners can host events in 2,400m²of flexible function venue space, including an 800-guest Grand Ballroom.

Digitalisation, agility key for building resilience, say travel experts

By S Puvaneswary

October 26, 2021

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The ability to be agile and adapt to evolving travel demands is crucial for the thrivability of tourism businesses in a post-vaccine era, as countries reopen to international tourists and domestic travel picks up steam.

That was the common refrain from the speakers at this morning’s ITB Asia’s C-Suite talks.

Agoda has seen a growing trend of more people using mobile devices for travel bookings during the pandemic

John Brown, Agoda CEO, shared that the pandemic has led to many travel companies having to become more agile and be swift to adapt to new market demands and trends in order to survive.

He opined that the requirement for quarantine while travelling in Asia is going to stay “for quite some time” and OTAs and hotels that are quick to respond to government requirements will stay ahead of the curve.

He believed that eventually, it will come to a point where quarantine requirements will only be overnight, and tourism players that have lined up innovative tour packages that meet new consumer demands will be well poised to tap that pent-up thirst for travel.

The digitisation of booking processes will also help accelerate the sector’s recovery. Brown shared that Agoda has seen an increase in the use of mobile devices to book travel accommodation in Asia amid the pandemic, contributing to more than half the number of bookings on the platform. He expects that figure to rise further, especially among Gen Y and Gen X who are eager to travel again as border restrictions ease across Asia.

He advised tourism players to invest in good mobile apps that can give customers a great experience, as that would help with brand loyalty.

While the pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, DMCs have been slow to adopt and have remained largely offline, with interactions with travel agents and tour operators largely executed over email and bookings managed in separate unconnected systems, shared Hamish Keith, CEO of Exo Travel Group, in a separate presentation.

He said: “This is not surprising as the DMC business is all about people and human interaction, and each programme contains multiple moving parts that are very difficult to automate.”

Customisation of the travel programme to suit the varying needs of clients makes it difficult to digitalise the booking process, he added.

However, Keith stressed on the importance for DMCs to have a digital interface that will enable agents to select and book specific customised products online in real-time. He also shared that Exo Travel Group is currently working on creating a system that can cater to fully digitised dynamic pricing for complex tailor-made tour itineraries.

Based on the company’s digitalisation experience, Keith shared that DMCs embarking on their digitalisation journey should only automate what makes sense to them, and their IT system should incorporate an option for taking a booking offline.

Carlos Muñoz, Hotelbeds CCO, shared that with the foreseeable expansion of international travel as destinations reopen and allow their citizens to travel abroad, the company is in a good position to provide value to hoteliers who want access to difficult-to-reach customer segments such as travel agencies and airline loyalty schemes.

He added: “We have invested a lot in terms of technology and processes as well as partnerships. We also provide access to non-competing distribution channels, so we do not compete with hoteliers for the end consumer.”

Visit Maldives rolls out global MICE campaign

By TTG India

October 25, 2021

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Visit Maldives recently launched a global campaign entitled Redefining MICE, during a luncheon held on the sidelines of the MILT Congress that took place in Grand Hyatt Mumbai.

The purpose of this campaign is to promote the Maldives as an emerging top destination for business events, one that seamlessly merges business with leisure through different experiences.

Visit Maldives representatives at the launch event

During the launch event, Visit Maldives, along with industry partners Baglioni Resort Maldives & Villa Hotels & Resorts, gave a presentation on offers available for the business events segment, followed by a conference and networking sessions.

Attendees were also provided with the latest destination information and travel guidelines, highlighting the Maldives’ attributes such as its naturally social-distanced geography, and its stringent safety measures.

Activities such as global media campaigns, participation in business events tradeshows, social media campaigns, business events roadshows, distribution of digital brochures and videos, and fam trips, will take place over these two months. There will also be a dedicated landing page for business events on Visit Maldives’ website.

New WTTC report provides recommendations to drive tourism recovery

By TTG Asia

October 25, 2021

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new report that highlights the pain points to restore international mobility, and recommendations to drive the recovery of the travel and tourism sector, while enhancing its resilience.

With the pandemic bringing international travel to an almost complete standstill due to border closures and severe travel restrictions, travel and tourism suffered more than any other sector over the past 18 months.

High testing costs and continued travel restrictions hinder accessibility of travel and create elitist system: WTTC

The sector’s contribution to global GDP fell from nearly US$9.2 trillion in 2019, to just US$4.7 trillion in 2020, representing a loss of almost US$4.5 trillion. Furthermore, some 62 million travel and tourism jobs were lost.

The report, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, highlights WTTC’s latest economic projections which reveal the sector’s recovery is set to be slower than expected this year, largely linked to continued border closures and challenges linked to international mobility.

The sector’s contribution to GDP is expected to rise by a modest 30.7 per cent year-on-year in 2021, representing only US$1.4 trillion increase, and at the current rate of recovery, travel and tourism’s contribution to GDP could see a similar year-on-year rise of 31.7 per cent in 2022.

Meanwhile, the sector’s jobs are set to rise by a mere 0.7 per cent this year, representing only two million jobs, followed by 18 per cent increase next year.

The report reveals pain points that focus on the urgent challenge to restore international mobility, framed by the need to address the weaknesses of the sector shown during the pandemic by redesigning a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future.

It demonstrates how international border closures, uncertainty due to changing rules, the prohibitive cost of testing, and the lack of reciprocity and uneven vaccination rollout have hindered the recovery of the travel and tourism sector during the past 18 months.

Julia Simpson, president & CEO, WTTC, said: “The travel and tourism sector is key for many livelihoods which continue to be affected by the failure to harmonise and standardise Covid-19 regulations worldwide. There is no excuse for a patchwork of regulations; countries need to join forces and harmonise the rules. Many developing countries rely on international travel for their economy and have been left devastated.

“As it stands, only 34 per cent of the global population have been fully vaccinated, showing that there are still large vaccine rollout inequalities globally. A swift and equitable immunisation plan, alongside worldwide reciprocal recognition of all WHO approved vaccines, is needed to safely reopen international travel and promptly resume the economic activity.”

The report outlines recommendations to achieve a swift recovery of the travel and tourism sector, including a focus based on international coordination to reopen borders, fair testing conditions, digitalisation for travel facilitation, as well as sustainability and social impact at the core of the sector.

European holidaymakers’ appetite for travel to Asia growing

By S Puvaneswary

October 25, 2021

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European outbound travel agents are seeing a strong interest for longhaul travel to Asia for spring and summer next year, and Asian countries that have good air connectivity and quarantine-free entry will stand to gain.

Guillaume Linton, president & CEO of France-based Asia Voyage, said that the French market is keen on “simplicity and accessibility” and government policies that create “constraints or long processes will be a no-go”.

European travellers keen on holidaying at destinations that have quarantine-free measures, say agents

He shared that rising prices for medium-haul destinations for summer 2022 made Asia an attractive alternative, provided prices were reasonable. His company has seen bookings pick up for Japan, Bali and Australia for travel next spring.

“Travellers are looking for new types of nature-based and outdoor experiences that are well packaged and structured,” he said at last week’s virtual tourism programme X-Change Malaysia, where tourism experts discussed ideas to help revive Malaysia’s tourism industry.

Another speaker, Mariah Hamid, managing director of UK-based outbound agency Aerticket Emerald, also stressed that European travellers are inclined to go to destinations which do not require quarantine or a lot of paperwork to enter.

An emerging trend she noticed among vacationers from the UK is the rise in multi-generational travel. “They seek new experiences, and doing things and creating memories together,” she said, adding that outdoor and nature activities such as trekking were of particular interest.

Both Linton and Mariah agreed that Malaysia’s tourism products such as nature-based attractions will stand the country in good stead to gain strong forward bookings from the European market for the spring season.

However, this would hinge on the government announcing a concrete date for border reopening as well as the regulatory framework surrounding the reopening, they added.

Linton said that travel agents will play a pivotal role in helping tourism to recover, as he has seen an increase in travellers enlisting the help of agents to advise and assist them in preparing for their longhaul trips.

Malaysia set to reopen to foreigners in stages, starting with Langkawi

By S Puvaneswary

October 25, 2021

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Malaysia’s popular holiday destination of Langkawi is gearing up to welcome back foreign tourists for the first time in 20 months under an international tourism bubble initiative which will kick off on November 15.

Prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the pilot project will be carried out for three months for evaluation by the National Security Council and Health Ministry before it is rolled out to other islands and destinations in the country.

Langkawi readies for November 15 reopening under international tourism bubble initiative

However, the list of approved countries whose citizens can holiday in Langkawi under the pilot project has yet to be announced. It will be subject to the approvals of the relevant government authorities.

The requirement for foreign tourists entering Langkawi is a minimum three-day stay with proof of a negative PCR test result taken 72 hours before departure. They will also be required to have insurance coverage of at least US$80,000 and to download the MySejahtera contact tracing app.

Foreign tourists arriving at the main gateway of Kuala Lumpur International Airport are to undergo rapid molecular testing before continuing their journey to Langkawi, while those flying directly to Langkawi will have to undergo PCR testing on the second day of their arrival.

Travellers staying for only three days can use their second day Covid-19 swab test to depart from Malaysia, while those staying for more than five days are to undergo a test on the fifth day. All costs will be borne by the traveller.

The pilot project is targeted at fully vaccinated, high-yield individuals; and children under the age of 18 have to be accompanied by their parents or guardians.

Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners secretary, Anthony Wong, commended the government’s efforts to test incoming foreign arrivals for Covid-19 and said that hotels should also test long-staying guests as “it takes five days or more for an infected person to show symptoms”.

With more than 94 per cent of the adult population fully vaccinated, Wong also called on the authorities to reopen the rest of the country quickly to help the tourism industry survive.

Uzaidi Udanis, president, Malaysian Inbound Tourism Association, said it was the right move not to impose a quarantine on foreign tourists as it would have acted as a deterrent.

With regards to the list of approved countries for the pilot project, he called on the authorities to look at markets where its citizens are allowed to travel overseas and return to their home countries without quarantine.

Nigel Wong, secretary-general, Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents, opined that the government should quickly firm up the list of countries permitted to enter Langkawi so that industry players can plan their marketing and promotional activities and rebuild their distribution partnerships.

He hoped that Singapore, due to its close proximity which makes frequent visits to Langkawi possible, would be among the first countries whose citizens will be permitted entry.

At a press conference last week, tourism, arts and culture minister, Nancy Shukri, said that she will be meeting with officials from Singapore this week to discuss resuming cross-border travel between the two countries. She had also hinted that Malaysia would be opening up to Singapore “very soon”.

Indian inbound market rejuvenated as tourist visas resume

By Rohit Kaul

October 25, 2021

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Tourism industry stakeholders in India are looking forward to the return of international visitors following the government’s recent decision to resume issuing tourist visas after 1.5 years of suspension due to the pandemic.

India began granting tourist visas to foreign travellers arriving on chartered flights from October 15, while visas for those on regular commercial flights will be granted from November 15.

India has since October 15 allowed foreign tourists on chartered flights to enter the country

The inbound stakeholders have been appealing to the government to reopen borders to international tourists and begin issuance of tourist visas with the pandemic situation improving and vaccination rates picking up. With international tourism flows at a standstill for 19 months, it has resulted in severe financial distress among tourism and hospitality players.

Dipak Deva, managing director, Travel Corporation of India, heartily welcomed the government’s announcement on the restart of tourist visa issuance.

“This, coupled with the earlier announcement of free visas for the first 500,000 inbound tourists, is a critical move that will give fillip and accelerate a much-needed revival of inbound tourism,” he said.

He noted that the sector plays a critical role in the country’s economy, with more than nine per cent contribution to India’s GDP and US$30 billion in net foreign exchange receipts, while also helping to create jobs.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman earlier this year had announced once the tourist visa issuance for international travel is restarted, the first 500,000 tourists will be issued visas free of charge. The benefit that will be available only once per tourist will be applicable till March 31, 2022.

A section of tour operators said that with India reopening for international tourism, now is the time to reposition the destination to suit present demands.

“Tour operators have to now think of out-of-the-box ideas, keeping in mind the evolving demands of today’s travellers,” said Debjit Dutta, CEO of Impression Tourism Services.

“Traditionally, India has been promoted as a rich cultural destination. However, now tourists are more inclined towards natural and remote destinations. So, we have to highlight niche experiences like village tourism, keeping in mind best cleanliness and sanitisation practices.”

Dutta added that while the Incredible India campaign has been “extremely successful”, the campaign now needs to focus on highlighting less-traversed regional destinations like East India and North-east India.

He elaborated: “These regions offer rich natural experiences and are unexplored. Focusing on lesser-known destinations in international markets will also help us to draw more tourists besides ensuring that inbound tourist arrivals in India are not just confined to already popular destinations like Golden Triangle and Kerala.”

Centara expands Thailand Rediscovered Campaign

By TTG India

October 22, 2021

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Following the overwhelming success of its Phuket Rediscovered campaign, Centara Hotels & Resorts, is rolling out special deals in more key destinations across Thailand.

The Ultimate Seven Night Experience offers travellers the chance to enjoy a full- or half-board meal plan in Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Hua Hin, or Bangkok, complete with a choice of activities for guests to immerse in the local culture and experience more of the destination.

Centara Hotels & Resorts rolls out new packages for travellers to enjoy more of Thailand

Since July 2021, vaccinated travellers to Phuket have been able to visit the resort island without the need to quarantine. Thailand has also recently announced plans to welcome fully immunised visitors from 10 countries including the US, UK, Singapore, China, and Germany, who will be able to visit anywhere in the country from November 1, 2021.

Thailand Discovered offers are available for booking from now until December 20, 2021 for stays until March 31, 2022. Rates start from 52,500 baht (US$1,573.30) net for a seven-night stay for two guests. CentaraThe1 members enjoy 15 per cent savings.

Phuket Rediscovered: a seven-night experience comes with accommodation at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket or Maikhao Dream Villa Resort and Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, choice of activities, and more.

Krabi Rediscovered: a seven-night beach escape is enhanced with a full-board meal plan, roundtrip airport transfers and complimentary excursions to a choice of Phi Phi Island, Four Islands, or Hong Island.

Hua Hin Rediscovered: the seaside charm is played up with a half-board stay in a pool villa at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, complete with private roundtrip transfers to and from Bangkok, a Thai cooking class, and an exquisite afternoon tea set.

Pattaya Rediscovered: a full-board stay at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya is perfect for families, thanks to the property’s new playground, The Lost World Adventure Land, which features slides, trampolines, and digging pit, as well as aerial courses and obstacle courses in the sky.

Bangkok Rediscovered: enjoy the Thai capital with a full-board stay at Centara Grand at CentralWorld, complete with roundtrip airport transfers and complimentary Champagne.

Bookings are open from now till December 20, for stays until March 31, 2022.

For more information, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/thailand-rediscovered

Saudi Arabia plans oil-rig-inspired tourism attraction

By TTG India

October 22, 2021

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A 150,000m2 tourist destination inspired by offshore oil platforms, to be named The Rig, will open in the Arabian Gulf, backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

While a completion date has yet to be set, PIF has revealed that The Rig will feature a number of tourist attractions, including three hotels, world-class restaurants, helipads, and a range of adventurous activities, including extreme sports.

The Rig will be a complete tourist destination, featuring hotels, restaurants, adventure activities and more

In a press statement issued on October 16, PIF said the project is one of its key strategic sectors, and is expected to be a significant value-add to the local economy.

To ensure the sustainable preservation of the environment in the project’s vicinity, the project will follow leading global standards and best practices, further supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts on environmental protection.

The Rig’s unique proposition is expected to attract tourists from around the world, while being especially popular with citizens and residents of the GCC countries in the region, stated PIF.

PIF is supporting Saudi Arabia’s tourism ambitions, and has in place a strategy for 2021-2025 to drive innovation in the destination’s tourism and entertainment sectors. It has several projects and companies in various regions within the country, including the Red Sea Development Company, Alsoudah Development Company and the Cruise Saudi Company.

UNWTO, ICAO partner for aviation and tourism recovery

New hotels: Mamaka by Ovolo, Jumeirah Maldives, and more

Digitalisation, agility key for building resilience, say travel experts

Visit Maldives rolls out global MICE campaign

New WTTC report provides recommendations to drive tourism recovery

European holidaymakers’ appetite for travel to Asia growing

Malaysia set to reopen to foreigners in stages, starting with Langkawi

Indian inbound market rejuvenated as tourist visas resume

Centara expands Thailand Rediscovered Campaign

Saudi Arabia plans oil-rig-inspired tourism attraction

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