Euro Falls, Asia Rises

ITB Berlin, Germany March 6, 2015

TUI, Aitken Spence revive Euro falls, Asia rises charters to Sri Lanka Pricing strategy is key for Far East to gain from euro devaluation By S Puvaneswary flights between the two coun- CHARTER flights from the UK, tries beginning 1H16. By Raini Hamdi Michael Frese, CEO of DER they make their pricing for Eu- Netherlands and Scandinavia to National flag carrier SriLan- GERMAN tour operators are Touristik, which operates DER- rope. Rates to faraway countries Sri Lanka are on the way as TUI kan Airlines will also start predicting that the devaluation TOUR, Meier`s Weltreisen and will become more expensive for and Sri Lanka’s Aitken Spence codesharing operations with of the euro can turn the tide ADAC-Reisen, said German tour winter 2015 onwards. Those who Travels renew old ties. AirBerlin for daily Berlin-Co- for Asia, especially if sellers play operators, not just his company, depend on the European market TUI and Aitken Spence lombo flights from March 27, their cards right and are level- have seen a tremendous increase will probably be more careful have confirmed weekly char- said Kaushal Seneviratne, re- headed about pricing. to the west, possibly due to inci- (not to outprice themselves),” ter flights for winter 2016, said gional manager for UK, Europe While the impact of dents such as the coup added Frese. Madubhani Perera, director/ & North America of the airline. the falling euro is not be- in Thailand and the Asian Trails’ CEO, Laurent marketing at Sri Lanka Tourism “The European market is an ing felt yet, as the big tour MH accidents, aside Kuenzle, said: “This year at ITB, Promotion Bureau (SLTPB). important one for Sri Lanka as operators have hedged from those destina- it is all about price, price, price Nalin Jayasundera, managing the average traveller spends 10- the exchange rate and are tions themselves be- because of the euro devaluation. director of Aitken Spence Trav- 14 days in the destination, as able to sell their packages ing affordable. “The message that is coming els, said: “Aitken Spence Trav- compared with Asians who stay at the rate of last summer, “We all have seen out from European tour opera- els last worked with TUI more three-four days,” said Perera. pricing will be a big issue big increases – 50 per tors is, because of the devalua- than a decade ago. To further increase the length for 2016, they said. Baldus: expect cent or so – to the tion and the economy, which has “Aitken Spence will provide of stay, SLTPB is promoting Asia could seize the price-led shift Dominican Republic, not recovered to levels we want these tourists with options for new destinations on the east opportunity to grab back Ger- Cuba and even smaller places to see, the market is price sensi- round-island tours, beach stays coast to Europe, including Trin- man tourist flow to the west – like St Lucia and Barbados. As tive and they want to have the with excursions, or a combina- comalee, Pasikudah, Nilaveli, Caribbean, Mexico, Latin Amer- well, the Indian Ocean – Sri same prices in euro as in last year. tion of both.” Arugam Bay, and UNESCO ica – which has been going on Lanka, Seychelles and Mauritius. “This means we have to work These charters are one of World Heritage Site Sinharaja since last year, they added. But this can easily change in the on tour options that match that more upcoming flights to link Forest Reserve. “Latin America, for example, coming winter when the price kind of budget so that they can Sri Lanka and Europe, as SLTPB It will also organise a road- is running well but we feel it has relation between, say, Thailand continue to sell the packages to yesterday started discussions show to six major German cities reached its pricing limits and, and the Caribbean, then be- their consumers.” with Lufthansa’s low-cost sub- in 2H15 to promote to consum- with the US dollar being more comes much bigger (due to the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Me- sidiary, Eurowings, to com- ers and trade alike. Germany is expensive, it is getting more dif- devaluation). nam Riverside general manager, mence twice-weekly charter Sri Lanka’s second largest Euro- ficult to sell,” said Holger Baldus, “If hotels in Asia are not in- Klaus Sennik, said he would flights from Cologne to Colom- pean market and welcomed 20 managing director of Marco creasing rates too much, maintain his already bo in summer 2016, and with per cent more German tourists Polo Reisen. if the Asian destination competitive room Austrian Airlines for scheduled in 2014 than in the year before. “In this price-conscious mar- has no or small inflation rate, pointing out that ket, (German travellers) may de- only, and if there are no Bangkok has 705 hotels Kraft launches eins in April and fer their trip there to two or three big currency fluctua- and there are “all kinds Kraft is starting years later and shift to value-for- tions – say the Thai baht of offers” everywhere GeoMedia Consulting managing to negotiate money countries.” falls against the euro in the city. director, Stefan Kraft, is back in rates with sup- This could cause a flow back – then there could be a But he would lower the tour operating business with a pliers at this to destinations such as Vietnam, shift (back to Asia),” said Kuenzle: price, his F&B prices at the new venture, eins Travel, focusing ITB, including Thailand and Sri Lanka, said Bal- Frese. price, price hotel. “It can be unfair on premium wellness and health those from dus, pointing out that land costs For 2016, he said land prices to a guest when he sees he has to tours. He said there is a niche for the Far East. Kraft: new niche for a similar tour in Vietnam are would increase 10-15 per cent pay 11 euros for a club sandwich it in Berlin, which lacks high-end German consumers will be half that of Latin America, while simply due to the falling euro. because it’s now 34 baht to one operators specialising in the area. making bookings with him airfares and connections are bet- “Hopefully, hotels are taking euro compared to 50 baht be- The company will begin operations mostly online, he said. ter to the Far East. this into consideration when fore,” said Sennik.

5column (236mm) x 90mm 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 2 News/Snapshots More visas on arrival soon Myanmar tourism By Raini Hamdi population requiring a visa last ties, especially if these are such THE UNWTO aims to bring year was already an improve- big markets, like Brazil, China unscathed by fighting down to 50 per cent this year ment over 2008, when the figure or India,” said Rifai. the percentage of the world’s was 77 per cent. Last year, 19 per UNWTO has launched a By Mimi Hudoyo But Myanmar tour opera- population requiring a tradi- cent of the world’s population Visa Openness index to help EUROPEAN fascination for tors say that business has con- tional visa prior to travel, from was able to enter a destination governments ease visa facilita- Myanmar remains untouched, tinued to be positive, and the 62 per cent last year. without a visa, while 16 tion. ASEAN was found to be with tour operators attending South-east Asian nation has UNWTO secre- per cent could receive a the friendliest region, where ITB Berlin reporting growth in brought 50 travel stakeholders tary-general Taleb visa-on-arrival (VOA), only 12 per cent of the world’s bookings for 2015 despite news to Berlin, its biggest delegation Rifai told the Daily compared with 17 per population requires a tradition- of violence close to the to date. that this is a “realistic” cent and six per cent in al visa prior to arrival. Myanmar-China bor- Zanaida Des Au- aim, given that coun- 2008. “Any government which are der. bris, sales manager tries are now realis- “We’re not saying now a bit more convinced that Phyoe Wai Yar Zar, Europe, Myanmar ing that technology ‘abolish the visa’. We’re they need to look at their visa chairman of Myanmar Bavarian Travels and can help ease visa fa- Rifai: free saying why don’t you system can access our data- movement Tourism Marketing, Tours, said: “We have cilitation, while there do VOA or e-visas... base. said there had been seen growing demand is real correlation between If there are undesirable people, “Sometimes it’s just as sim- concerns among the to Myanmar from eased travel restrictions and they can be stopped (with to- ple as saying, can you please Phyoe Wai Yar Zar: trade if Myanmar was (German-speaking increased number of jobs and day’s sophisticated technology), improve your website, make it business as usual safe to visit, but there markets). At this economic growth. but don’t stop people because more friendly and understand- has been no impact on arrivals. point, bookings for 2015 are The percentage of the world they are ‘unwanted’ nationali- able,” said Rifai. “Since the conflict on the up by 20 per cent over last north-eastern Chinese border, year.” Finding new ground in emerging Europe we have been sending updates Customers have approached that the location (of the fight- her with safety concerns, but TO SUPPLEMENT declining “If our venture in Hungary markets constitute a small part ing) is remote and the situa- there have been no cancella- arrivals from Western Europe, works well, we will extend it to of business, year-on-year growth tion has been contained,” he tions or postponements so far. inbound travel agencies in Ma- include other similar markets was 15-20 per cent in 2014. said, adding that a group of his Similarly, Thatoe Thuza- laysia are turning to emerging like Poland.” But Chau noted said that clients had crossed into My- raung, director general of markets on the continent. Likewise, Wilson Chau from business from emerging mar- anmar from Yunnan without Authentic Myanmar Travel & Saini Vermeulen, head of in- Discovery Overland Holidays kets is seasonal, favouring win- incident at the same time the Tours, reported stronger Euro- ternational sales at Panorama in Kuala Lumpur is looking for ter. Travellers prefer three- to violence was taking place. pean interest. “We have come Tours Malaysia, said the com- more partners especially from four-star hotels and have an av- Clashes between ethnic Ko- up with new special interest pany is eyeing FIT and group Poland and the Czech Republic, erage spend smaller than that of kang rebels and government products, such as trekking in travel from Hungary this year, markets he has been working for their Western counterparts. – S troops broke out in northern Kyaing Tong and southern especially during summer. the last five years. Although these Puvaneswary Shan state in early February. Shan state (for Europeans).” Glowing and growing Bright smiles to welcome new friends and business partners, finds Eugene Tang

Onyx Hospitality Group Thailand’s Peter Foster, Debrah Pascoe and Kullapranee Sawareephol

Design Hotels Singapore Tourism Board (STB) India’s Chee Pey Chang, STB Germany’s Martina Denhard, Janice Singapore’s Pan Paciﬁc Hotels Group Singapore’s Yuen Lai Yap, Michaela Menzel, Karin Thönes and Brigitte U Fleischauer, and STB’s Leong Yue Kheong Carsten Lima Donald Lim and Fabian Seet Lawrence

China Travel International Sanya’s Jerry Wang, Beyond Summits China’s Maggie Zhang, Sanya Tourism Association’s Guojiang Chen, Sanya Tourism Development Commission’s Wang Feifei, Huayu Group Austria’s Willi K Kollmann, Sanya Tourism China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) Germany’s Development Commission’s Yuan Xiao Wei, Beyond Summits China’s Isabella Hou Xiang Shi and CNTA’s Yaying Li JacTravel UK’s Mario Bodini, Malcolm Lindop and Abba Lee and Huayu Group Austria’s Renate Kollmann

6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 4 News/Snapshots Hunting for new European feeders Garuda hitches on Czech deal for new sources

By Mimi Hudoyo flight time to Jakarta, with good con- GARUDA Indonesia has sealed a com- nections to domestic routes at a more mercial cooperation agreement with economical price for travellers,” he Czech Airlines that will see the latter added. become a feeder source to its European But Rocky Praputranto, operations hub in Amsterdam. director of Panorama Destination, said: The agreement, signed on February “I’m not sure what the extent of coop- 23, covers passenger codeshare, joint eration with Czech Airlines is, but what SWITCH ON TO GOASEAN marketing and promotion, mainte- we actually need is a Garuda GSA in the The message of South-east Asian tourism officials (above) could not have nance, repair and overhaul, and train- Czech Republic that can push sales for ing. the airline.” been clearer at yesterday’s launch of GOASEAN, a 24-hour TV channel that Dian Ediono, general manager for A ready market for Garuda’s Am- will showcase the best of the region’s tourism. GOASEAN will roll out this continental Europe and Russia, Garuda sterdam-Jakarta connection exists, as June in Malaysia and globally by 2017. Indonesia, said the codeshare turns the evidenced by the feeder markets using Czech Republic into a feeder market KLM flights, but the carrier must drum for Amsterdam and that the airline is up awareness beyond the capital of the seeking similar partnerships with air- Netherlands, he said. lines from countries neighbouring the Garuda flies Jakarta-Amsterdam- BKK Air seeks partners Netherlands, though he was unable to London four times a week in the low BANGKOK Airways is looking for more network management. Europeans al- disclose which ones. season from January to March and five airlines to partner in codeshare and inter- ready form the largest share of Bangkok “There are opportunities to develop times weekly the rest of the year. line agreements to increase the accessibil- Airways’ overseas passengers at 40 per other source markets now that we are Dion said Garuda is aiming to make ity of its Koh Samui hub and attract more cent, versus the 34.1 per cent share for a (premium) airline and flying the new the service a daily one. European passengers. North Asian and South-east Asian pas- Boeing 777-300ER (in three classes). Marintour Indonesia’s executive di- Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, presi- sengers. We can cater to all segments – tour- rector, Ismail Ali, expected that Garu- dent, Bangkok Airways, said European For this summer season, Bangkok ists and business travellers alike,” said da’s recruitment of feeder markets and Middle Eastern carriers that fly into Airways will raise flight frequencies on Dion. would not dilute the potential of the Kuala Lumpur and Singapore are of spe- the Koh Samui-Singapore route from Welcoming the move, Herman Ruk- sizeable Dutch market. cific interest as his airline could provide daily to 10 times weekly, and Koh Sam- manadi, managing director of Bhara “Our partner (in the Netherlands) an onward connection to Koh Samui, its ui-Kuala Lumpur from daily to 11 times Tours, said that while direct flights uses Garuda a lot and we receive groups second hub after Bangkok. weekly. from Europe would be the best scenar- and FITs flying Garuda every week,” he By mid-2015, Bangkok Airways will Meanwhile, it will start a new direct io for tour operators, developing feeder said. “What Garuda needs is to work sign a codeshare agreement with Aus- service linking Chiang Mai and Manda- markets through codeshares is “one with preferred tour operators there to trian Airlines, the seventh European lay, as well as new domestic flights from step forward”. continue developing business from the airline it has such an arrangement with, Chiang Mai to Phuket and Udon Thani. “Taking Garuda means a shorter Netherlands.” said Peter Wiesner, senior vice president, – S Puvaneswary Thumbs up for a good show Eugene Tang checks in with exhibitors who are absolutely raring to go on Day 2 of ITB

The Garden Hotel, Guangzhou’s Franco Io Plaza Premium Lounge Hong Kong’s Pauline Cheung, Siew Kiat Wang and Jonathan Song, Crewe Associates Paris’ Jean-Claude Baumgarten, and Plaza Premium Lounge Hong Kong’s Linda Song

Taipei Tourism Oﬃce Germany’s Johnson Wang (ﬁfth from left) and his team roaring into ITB

Hedaco Travel & Tours Malaysia’s Esmadee Endut, Terengganu Tour- ism’s Zaihan Cheku Abd Outrigger Resorts’ Ken Scott, Mark Simmons and Anabela Rahman and Wan Mohd Dos Santos, and Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort’s Osaka Government Tourism Bureau’s Firdaus Wan Sembak Rory Campbell Nana Kurauchi and Tetsuya Nakamura 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 5 Medical tourism Seeing the doctor As health and wellness tourism becomes a rising trend worldwide, what are the region’s players doing to grab a slice of this lucrative market? By Paige Lee Pei Qi, Greg Lowe, S Puvaneswary and Mimi Hudoyo

SINGAPORE - KEEPING THE GLOW The Lion City is a bright point in South-east Asia’s medical tourism scene but complacency could see that position under threat from developing neighbours. A Health Outcomes and Spend- ing Index by The Economist Intel- ligence Unit – which weighs population health against healthcare spending in 166 countries – placed

Half Page (Horizonal) 5column (236mm) x 180mm

ITB Berlin day3 p5-6 medical Tourismxymyfinalfeb13(H).indd 5 13/2/15 3:06 pm 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 6 Medical tourism

Singapore second internationally, coming after Japan. are increasing healthcare spending, giving patients more However, Beng Teck Liang, CEO of Singapore Medi- reasons to remain in their country for simple medical S$832 million (US$632.2 million) in cal Group (SMG), said: “The key challenge with medical procedures.” tourism is (developing) markets are catching up with Sin- He also said that the lack of nurses and doctors con- medical tourism receipts in 2013 gapore in standards and quality of healthcare. It could be tinues to affect healthcare organisations globally. “Even if a matter of ﬁve to 10 years. For Singapore to remain the healthcare organisations would like to grow business at a preferred choice for medical tourism, we have to innovate faster rate, we are constrained by the availability of man- to stay ahead in the industry.” power.” Foreigners make up 30 per cent of the hospital’s 10,756 hospital beds in Singapore’s 25 “Complex diagnosis that are surgical and oncology patient numbers. hospitals and specialty centres in 2012 related have higher proportions of medical tourists,” The bulk of the foreigners seeking healthcare services he observed, but added that SMG is seeing a gradual in- in Singapore in 2011 are Indonesians and Malaysians re- crease in tourists seeking cosmetic and aesthetic treat- spectively, with growing numbers emerging from Bangla- Indonesia is the top source market ments. desh, Vietnam and Myanmar. for medical tourism in 2014 Likewise, Rafﬂes Hospital deputy director for hospital marketing, Foo Min Meng, said: “Developing countries

THAILAND - A LONG-STANDING PROPONENT (TAT) anticipates this market segment will grow from However, intense competition from other countries A leading medical tourism hub in the region, Thailand contributing 16 billion baht a year to as much as 50 bil- presents a key challenge. Thailand, Singapore and India attracts more than 2.5 million health and wellness travel- lion within the next five years. account for 90 per cent of Asia’s medical tourism market, lers to generate 140 billion baht (US$4.3 billion) a year. A TAT study has revealed that patients stay up to three according to MyMedHoliday.com. While that builds the Japan remains Thailand’s top source market for medi- days for dermatology treatments and medical check- region’s overall appeal within the global market, it also cal tourists, followed by the US, the UK, the GCC and ups, three weeks for plastic surgery, and from one to six increases competition within Asia. Australia, according to the most recent official statistics months for more extensive medical treatments. published in 2013, although the US and UK have moved Meanwhile, travellers visiting the kingdom for plastic up the leaderboard ahead of the Middle East over the past surgery spend about 130,000 baht per person, with the 130,000 baht (US$3,950) was the few years. treatment accounting for 40 per cent of expenditure. estimated average spent on plastic It is not hard to see how Thailand, already known Those coming for dermatology treatments over the week- surgery in 2012 for its attentive service and hospitality standards, reigns end, especially from Hong Kong and Singapore, spend in this market. The kingdom currently has 37 hospitals about 20,000 baht to 35,000 baht. accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) To seize the opportunities presented by the sector, certification, and Bumrungrad International Hospital TAT has rolled out a number of strategies to promote 37 JCI-accredited hospitals are available was ranked among the world’s best hospitals in 2014 by the health and wellness market under its 2015 Discover in Thailand, the highest in Asia the Medical Travel Quality Alliance. Thainess campaign. The NTO plans to strengthen the Wellness is also a core growth area for Thailand’s country’s positioning as the rehabilitation destination of tourism. The country has a large spa and wellness sec- choice for the Middle Easterners; rehabilitation, wellness tors, which forms the backbone of the alternative health and beauty treatments for the European market, medical Japan was the top source market segment. About 80 per cent of guests are foreign tourists. check-ups, beauty treatments and dental work for Asians; for medical tourists in 2013 With some 1,400 spas, and an annual sectoral growth of and wellness and medical check-ups for visitors from the five to six per cent, the Tourism Authority of Thailand US.

MALAYSIA - MORE PROMOTION NEEDED from a lack of recognition among potential customers. Eager to attract medical tourists, Malaysia has been Azizan Noordin, Tourism Malaysia deputy direc- ramping up its infrastructure in pursuit of this segment. tor-general (promotion), said one challenge is the Indonesia is the top market The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) has lack of awareness internationally of Malaysia’s medical for 2014 introduced concierge and lounge services at the Kuala facilities. The NTO thus regularly invites overseas hospi- Lumpur and Penang international airports in the last two tal administrators, travel consultants and media for fam years. The service is integrated with the MHTC Careline, trips. a hotline medical tourists can use for enquiries and as- Rafeah Arifﬁn, senior general manager, group market- sistance with appointment booking. ing & corporate communications at KPJ Healthcare, said: 770,134 healthcare travellers Healthcare service provider Ramsay Sime Darby “The government should do more to promote Malaysia visited Malaysia in 2013 Health Care is also set to open Mediplex at its Subang as a medical tourism destination as awareness is lacking Jaya Medical Centre in Selangor state in February 2015. in this area.” As the country’s ﬁrst purpose-built healthcare and retail Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care’s director, strategic complex, it will offer preventive medicine and cosmetic marketing, branding & communications – Malaysia, Ed- procedures and, by 2016, feature accommodation for gar Toral, added: “Another challenge is competition from RM690.2 million (US$193 million) outpatient and foreign patients. countries that have been in this space longer than Malay- in medical tourism receipts in 2013 However, despite the greater attention given to the sia, (plus) the delay in getting visa renewals for medical medical tourism segment, Malaysia continues to suffer tourists who require follow-up treatments.”

INDONESIA - MORE OUTFLOW THAN INFLOW said Fitriana. Better known as a source of healthcare travellers, Indo- The hospital is also equipped with an Australian- nesia is just beginning to invest in its medical tourism standard surgical theatre and has “laid the initial ground- US$232.80 was spent per visit sector. work with our Australian counterparts to bring Austral- per traveller in 2013 The Ministry of Tourism has identiﬁed 16 target mar- ian plastic surgeons to Bali with their patients”. It is also kets for this niche, including Singapore, Malaysia and offering plastic surgery by leading Indonesian surgeons at Australia as primary sources. a more affordable price. However, Fitriana Dosun, head of marketing, BIMC Indonesia could also leverage its strength in wellness. Siloam Hospitals Group Bali, said the medical tourism “Bali will become a destination for surgery and convales- 0.2% of tourists visited Indonesia in sector in Indonesia is “nascent” compared with neigh- cence at any of its after-care resorts,” said Fitriana. 2013 for health and wellness tourism bouring Thailand and Malaysia. However, few hospitals in Indonesia understand and BIMC Hospital Nusa Dua, part of BIMC Siloam are investing in medical tourism, noted Akhyaruddin, Hospitals Group, receives online enquiries daily from director of MICE and special interest tourism develop- international markets. “But it’s our close proximity to ment, directorate general of destination development, Australia, a country well known for high medical costs Ministry of Tourism. Australia is the top-spending health and long waiting periods for treatments, that is our big- Akhyaruddin also highlighted the lack of a hospital- and wellness market for Indonesia, gest market, especially since we have invested in Aus- ity mindset among doctors in Indonesia, where patients spending US$815 per visit in 2013 tralian Council on Healthcare Standards accreditation,” have to wait for a long time to receive treatment.

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6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 8 Destination Malaysia Well prepared for the numbers Malaysia is hopeful of luring more German tourists on the back of lower airfares and immersive tours. By S Puvaneswary udeyismail/123RF.com German tourists to Malaysia are showing a keener interest in exploring cultural experiences

ith Lufthansa’s launch of hand experience of the events, which “This year we have developed over 30 five-times weekly Frank- include Rainforest World Music Festival, cultural products in the east coast for Destination in numbers furt-Kuala Lumpur ser- Malaysia Mask Festival and Aborigine this market. We are focusing on tradi- vices since March 2014 on Festival. tional music and dance. We have seen aW route previously monopolised by Malay- He added that the NTO will promote forward bookings for summer from as 29.4 million sia Airlines (MAS), it comes as no surprise the east coast of West Malaysia and the early as January, which is quite unu- Tourism Malaysia’s total arrivals that German arrivals to Malaysia rose states of Sabah and Sarawak in East Ma- sual.” target for 2015, five per cent higher 19.7 per cent to 106,624 in the first eight laysia to this market. Lee, who is also CEO of Terrapuri Her- than 2014 months of 2014, compared with 89,099 in Travel operators in Malaysia are also itage Village resort in Penarik, Tereng- the same period in 2013. seeing a greater German interest in the ganu, expects forward bookings for this The increased capacity has led to east coast of Peninsula Malaysia. summer from the German-speaking mar- 9.8 greater competition on the Frankfurt- Arokia Das, senior manager of Luxury ket to double from the previous year. The average length of stay (number Kuala Lumpur route, which in turn has Tours Malaysia, said his company will He added: “I think the depreciation of of nights) of both German and Swiss helped to reduce airfares and contrib- be introducing a seven-night package the ringgit as well as promotions by Tour- tourists to Malaysia in 2013, a slight uted to a spike in German business in this year to the east coast, covering Kota ism Malaysia have contributed to (grow- drop from 10.3 and 10 nights respec- 2013, said Yap Sook Ling, managing di- Bharu, Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan, as ing) interest in the destination.” tively in 2012 rector of Asian Overland Services (AOS) well as a beach stay at Perhentian or Re- Likewise, Nathan Vaithi, general man- Tours & Travel. dang Islands, both off the coast of Tereng- ager of Mutiara Taman Negara National Ganneesh Ramaa, manager of Luxury ganu. Park Resort, anticipates at least a year- Tours Malaysia, believes that Lufthansa’s He explained: “The package provides on-year increase of 10 per cent from the US$94.90 strength in its Eastern European network authentic village experiences which the German-speaking markets. The average daily expenditure of is also a pull factor. German-speaking markets are very keen The 103-room resort, which complet- German tourists to Malaysia in 2013, He commented: “It will also help at- on. They like to try local food and see ed a revamp in May 2014, had last year in- up from US$82.55 in 2012; expendi- tract travellers from East European coun- how local handicrafts such as kites, batik vited bloggers and magazine writers from ture of Swiss tourists also rose from tries to travel to Malaysia via Frankfurt. and traditional boats are made. These, as Germany to experience its offerings and US$81.07 in 2012 to US$88.11 in 2013 This is a big advantage as there is limited well as catching squid together with local is thus expecting to reap stronger German connectivity to South-east Asia from East- fishermen, will be incorporated into the interest from the coverage. ern Europe.” itinerary.” Andy Yow, director of sales and mar- 62.6% According to Tourism Malaysia deputy Said Ping Anchorage Travel & Tours keting at Vivanta by Taj - Rebak Island The average occupancy rate of hotels director-general (promotion), Azizan CEO, Alex Lee, who has observed a grow- Langkawi that was rebranded from Resort in Malaysia in 2013, compared with Noordin, many of the signature events ing interest among the German-speaking Island Resort Langkawi last May, is also 62.4 per cent in 2012 held in conjunction with the Malaysia tourists in the Malay culture of the penin- optimistic that this year will bring more Year of Festivals 2015 will appeal to the sular east coast: “For years, we have been German arrivals. German-speaking markets. trying to promote the Malay culture in the He said: “Contracted rates have been 209,527 Tourism Malaysia will leverage the east coast and we are now seeing the fruits maintained over the last four years. At The total number of rooms across 3,094 campaign by conducting tactical adver- of our labour. German-speaking tourists US$200 nett per room per night, this pri- hotels in Malaysia in 2013, a 7.2 per tising through various media platforms, used to be interested (only) in the colonial vate resort is now more affordable consid- cent year-on-year rise from 195,445 as well as organising familiarisation trips history and Peranakan culture of West ering the recent depreciation of the ring- rooms and 2,274 hotels in 2012 for the trade and media to have first- Malaysia. git.”

ITB Berlin day3 p8-10 Malaysia-knmyxymyALfinalfeb13.indd 8 13/2/15 3:08 pm Advertorial

THERE’s s OMETHING FOR EVERYONE - alwaY s!

ITB Berlin 2015 Hall 26.a Booth 108

Buzzing with glamorousMacau new hotels, thrilling entertainment - What and shopping and dining a delights, Thrill ! Hang out Macau is reinventing itself as a multifaceted destination with all-round appeal. 2015 will see with shrek and the the arrival of some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and attractions. Dreamworks Gang! 2015 looks set to be another exciting year for Macau with a strong The Hollywood-inspired next-generation destination resort Studio line-up of activities and openings of new hotels and attractions. City will open in mid-2015, promising visitors movie-star treatment at its glamorous hotels and all shopping, dining and entertainment More hotels venues. Studio City will be home to a new Macau icon and Asia’s There are now more choices than ever. Government figures highest ferris wheel – Golden Eye – as well as DC Comics’ Batman Dark indicated a supply of 28,892 rooms with an average occupancy rate Flight, the world’s first Batman film franchise ride. Its shopping mall of 86% in 2014. 46 projects are on the drawing board, which will The Boulevard is designed like a movie-studio. supply an estimated 25,600 rooms. Soon to be completed include Also set to open in 2015 are Galaxy Entertainment Groups’ two Harbourview Hotel (444 rooms), Crowne Plaza Macau (208 rooms), major projects – Phase II of its flagship integrated resort Galaxy Macau The Ritz-Carlton (251 rooms), JW Marriott (1,015 rooms), Broadway and its new entertainment district called The Broadway. Opening soon: studio City The Galaxy Macau Hotel (320 rooms), St Regis Hotel (400 rooms), Legend Palace All these new attractions will complement “The Historic Centre Hotel (229 rooms), Hollywood Roosevelt Macau (373 rooms), of Macau”, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and evergreen visitors’ Studio City (1,600 rooms), and The Parisian Macao (3,000 rooms). favourite. Walking tours from the Macau Govenrment Tourist Office lead visitors to lesser-known quarters to discover Macau’s rich East- Major upcoming events Leisure and entertainment meets-West history, nature, arts and culture. • Macau Arts Festival May-June 2015 Macau’s determined diversification plan has paid off. Its success in Popular entertainment in Macau now include Vegas-style live • Macau Lotus Flower Festival June 2015 developing sub-sectors such as business events, family entertainment, performances, sports, concerts, exhibitions and the DreamWorks • Dragon Boat Festival June 2015 shopping and culture and heritage means that everyone from Experience at Sands Cotai Central. vacationing families to the convention participants now have plenty • Macau International Fireworks Display Contest of excellent-value options. Business meetings September 5-October 1, 2015 Macau’s world-class MICE facilities and venues are now capable • Macau International Music Festival October-November 2015 of accommodating even very large groups. The Cotai Arena at The • Macau Food Festival November 2015 Venetian Macao successfully hosted the 8,700-delegate Tupperware • Macau Grand Prix November 19-22, 2015 convention in 2014. Galaxy Macau’s 2015 expansion will boost its own capacity to 3,000 for meetings, incentives and banquets. Better access Access is now easier than ever, via land, sea and air. Macau International Airport is connected to 35 destinations in Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam. Passenger numbers rose 11 per cent year-on-year in 2014. Visitors also have the option of flying into Hong Kong, which has Macau — compact connections to the world’s major cities, then hop right on to a ferry and accessible at the airport’s Sky Pier and be in Macau in an hour. There are also frequent ferry services from Hong Kong, such as Macau Government Tourist Head Office the high-speed TurboJet service which operates 24-hours a day. Alameda Dr. Carlos d’Assumpcao, nºs 335-341, Edificio “Hot Line”, 12º andar, Macau Macau itself is very compact – nowhere is more than half an Tel: +853 2831 5566 Hotline: +853 2833 3000 senado square, part of “The Historic Center of Macau”, a UNEsCO hour away! Sightseeing spots abound and travel is a breeze. E-mail: [email protected] world Heritage site. Citizens from 75 countries now enjoy visa-free travel to Macau. www.macautourism.gov.mo

TTGITBDaily-MGTOF.indd 2 2/13/15 7:13:19 PM 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 10 Destination Malaysia

WHAT’S NEW VIEWPOINTS

1 Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015 rooms and suites with the brand’s signa- What are your business prospects for 2015? The Malaysia Year of Festivals 2015 (My- ture Residence Club Living Room offering Fest 2015) campaign will complement exclusive benefits such as complimentary the country’s aims of attracting 36 mil- breakfast, all-day refreshments and dedi- Andrea Lee, area director - Kuala Lumpur, Destination Asia lion tourist arrivals and RM168 billion cated concierge service for Residence Club (Malaysia) (US$46.2 million) in tourist receipts in and hotel suite guests. It is looking positive for our various business streams. The 2020 under the Malaysia Tourism Trans- Besides a restaurant and rooftop bar, development of the cruise industry in Asia, inclusive of the ports in formation Plan. the hotel also offers an outdoor rooftop Malaysia, and the aggressive push by the various NTOs in ASEAN, Themed Endless Celebrations, the year- pool and gym, plus 2,000m2 of meeting is bound to attract more cruise liners, especially during the winter long calendar offers more than 200 events and event space including a ballroom season. related to cultural festivals, arts and music accommodating up to 1,000 guests and The slowly spurring US and UK economies with continued downward showcases, food promotions, shopping eight meeting rooms. trend of unemployment rates are opening up opportunities for outbound travel, even to the and sports. These events include the Mah- Far East. Australia and, to an extent, New Zealand continue to be strong for us as important Meri Festival and Formula One Festival, 4 British Airways resumes daily inbound incentive travel and corporate meeting (markets). both in March; Penang World Music Fes- flights to Kuala Lumpur tival in April; Magic of the Night in May; British Airways will resume direct dai- Rainforest World Music Festival in Au- ly flights between London and Kuala KL Tan, general manager, Borneo Trails Tours & Travel gust; Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix Lumpur from May 27, 2015, after sus- As we compete regionally with other destinations, it will be a very in October; and Malaysia Year End Sale in pending services to the Malaysian capital challenging year due to the implementation of the goods and services November and December. in 2001 as global travel slowed after the tax by the government starting April 1, 2015 and the complete 9/11 incident. removal of fuel subsidy for diesel and RON95 fuel in November 2 Penang hop-on hop-off city tour Once services resume, British Airways 2014. Both these factors will make the price of our tour packages Introduced in November 2014, the Pen- will arrive at and depart from London’s more expensive – we are looking at an increase of between three and ang hop-on hop-off city tour is operated Heathrow Terminal 5. The service will five per cent. on open-top, double-decker buses ply- be operated on a Boeing B777-200ER, ing two routes – Teluk Bahang-Persiaran increasing capacity by 219 seats on each Gurney, known as the beach route; and sector daily. HOW TO SELL Persiaran Gurney-Penang Hill, known as The London-Kuala Lumpur route is the city route, covering a total of 60 attrac- currently monopolised by Malaysia Air- tions and 33 designated stops. lines, which flies twice daily on this sector Passengers can stay for the full tour or using a 500-seat Airbus A380. alight at any of the stops. Each bus will have a driver accompanied by a tour as- 5 Lego Star Wars Miniland Model sistant, and tourists will be given a guide Display at Legoland Malaysia book highlighting attractions, shopping, The Lego Star Wars Miniland Model Dis- accommodation and food/drinks op- play was launched at Legoland Malay- tions within walking distance from the sia Resort in September 2014. Featuring bus stops. Bus services run from 09.00 to more than 2,000 Lego models built to a 20.00 daily. 1:20 scale using 1.5 million Lego bricks, the attraction showcases seven scenes 3 New World Petaling Jaya Hotel from the six Star Wars films and The Clone New World Hotels & Resorts has been Wars animated series in detail. appointed by WCT Holdings to manage The model display also features au- New World Petaling Jaya Hotel, scheduled thentic Star Wars sounds, actions and to open in 3Q2016. lighting effects to create a realistic and The hotel will occupy the top 12 floors enjoyable experience. All the models for of a dual-use tower that also includes The this project were built in various locations Azure residences. including Malaysia, Germany and Czech The property will feature 316 guest Republic.

From top: The Datai Langkawi; Nam Restaurant

Play golf at Els Club Teluk Nam Restaurant serves Datai, an 18-hole championship creative and authentic DOgolf course that opened in May EAT meals infused with local and 2014 as the newest golf course in Malaysia. imported ingredients to provide a distinctive A signiﬁcant feature of this venue is its ﬂair and unique dining experience in location amongst spectacular landscapes, Langkawi. It also offers guests great views of from the lush backdrop of the rainforest Langkawi’s expansive wetlands and mountain nestled against the Machincang Mountain ranges at sunset, accompanied by vistas of range to the turquoise waters of the water buffaloes cooling off in the evening Andaman Sea. Open to The Datai Langkawi breeze and migratory birds swooping down guests as well as for public play at a daily onto the lagoon’s waters. fee, the club also has golf packages available for guests playing multiple rounds of golf Whether situated in through its relationships with various hotels the main building in Langkawi. STAY overlooking the Datai Bay, enveloped by lush rainforest Catch a show at the 6D foliage or set directly on a tranquil beach CineMotion at Langkawi’s by the Andaman Sea, each of The Datai SEEOriental Village, which Langkawi’s 125 luxurious villas, suites elevates the movie-going experience to and rooms has its own charm and distinct greater heights. Viewers sit on 5D special atmosphere. This hotel is home to six dining effect chairs that can rock from side to side outlets, an award-winning spa and the Els and tip upwards or downwards in line with Club Teluk Datai golf course. Private lessons the story. Being part of the movie means that for intermediate and advanced golfers are From left: New World Petaling Jaya Hotel; a life-sized Lego statue of Darth Vader on display at Legoland the audience will feel raindrops and gusts of available for guests, while beginners can join Malaysia wind as the movie progresses. a complimentary class.

ITB Berlin day3 p8-10 Malaysia-knmyxymyALfinalfeb13.indd 10 13/2/15 3:08 pm

6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 12 Destination Thailand A mature market stays strong Tourists from resilient German-speaking markets are hitting lesser-known beach destinations, writes Greg Lowe

Southern Thailand, including Phang Nga National Park (pictured), enjoys immense popularity among German-speaking visitors Destination in numbers 1 million The number of arrivals from German- speaking markets in 2014, down 2.4 per cent year-on-year 717,631 The number of arrivals from Germany in 2014 200,649 The number of arrivals from Switzer- land in 2014 100,504 The number of arrivals from Austria in 2014 28 million The number of international arrivals targeted by Tourism Authority of Thailand in 2015

performance close to 2013’s. Nataly Wanhoff, a key account director at Diethelm, said most of the company’s Germanic clients head to southern Thai- land, the Andaman Sea and its islands. In terms of trends, Phuket has started to lose its lustre with German-speaking markets to the beneﬁt of Khao Lak, about an hour’s drive north of the island. Custom- ers are also becoming more adventurous and signing up for walking, cycling and kayak tours, as well as showing more interest in responsible tourism products. “If all stays ‘good’ (in terms of Thai- land’s political stability) we should see an increase again in 2015,” she said. “Mar- keting campaigns with attractive offers throughout the year for various regions of Thailand are planned also for 2015, as were done in 2014. “German-speaking countries still have a lot of repeat visitors to Thailand. They

perszing1982/123RF.com expect stability, safety and good, reliable standards. The current martial law is still a erman-speaking markets will grow by five per cent and revenue military coup still cause problems for the hindrance for families and first-time visi- proved relatively resilient to by eight per cent. The Austrian market trade. tors who are deciding whether to come to Thailand’s political crises last is expected to increase by seven per cent Tobias Fischer, director of business Thailand.” year. Arrivals from the cluster in terms of visitor numbers and nine per development at Go Vacation Thailand, Given the high return rate of tourists Gdeclined by 2.4 per cent from the previous cent in terms of revenue.” said the company received some 150,000 from Europe, specialists are also market- year, compared with the overall 6.7 per Thailand will need all the help it can German-speaking visitors last year, who ing lesser-known destinations to attract cent drop in international visitors, accord- get in driving recovery this year. While the stayed an average of 12 days and opted repeat visitors. ing to the Tourism Authority of Thailand overall market has picked up, the collapse for a mix of city stop overs, cultural round While TAT has no specific strategies tar- (TAT). of the rouble has seen plummeting arriv- trips and beach extensions. geting German-speaking markets, beyond Of the 1.1 million visitors from those als from Russia – the third largest source “The pick-up of bookings for the win- its broad-based 2015 Discover Thainess markets, 717,631 were from Germany, market by volume after China and Malay- ter season usually starts in the beginning campaign, the NTO is confident its overall 200,649 from Switzerland and 100,504 sia. This makes it all the more important of September,” he said. “However, we strategy that focuses on emerging destina- from Austria. Looking forward, TAT gov- to win back visitors from affluent Euro- could feel the hesitation after the political tions will resonate with those markets. ernor Thawatchai Arunyik said the cluster pean markets, who on average tend to stay unrest in Thailand. The bookings for the “Top destinations continue to be Bang- should grow at the same rate as the rest of longer and spend more. winter season only came in big in the sec- kok, Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga, Pattaya, Europe this year. Travel companies specialising in those ond half of October.” Chiang Mai and Koh Samui,” said Tha- “TAT expects the number of travellers markets remain relatively upbeat about “Luckily by the end of the year we were watchai. from Europe to increase by six per cent last year’s performance, in what proved able again to come close to 2013. 1Q2015 “Through TAT’s aggressive push, sec- in 2015 and revenue to grow by nine per to be a difficult year all round. While they year-to-date looks good.” ondary and new destinations such as Koh cent,” he said. “For the German-speaking expect business to improve, political un- Diethelm Travel Group, which also Chang and Koh Kut, have started to wel- market, TAT predicts that the number of dercurrents and the fact that the country has strong trade from German-speaking come more tourists from German-speak- visitors from Germany and Switzerland remains under martial law since last May’s countries, reported closing 2014 with a ing markets.”

ITB Berlin day3 p12-14 thailandxyredxyhhfeb13.indd 12 13/2/15 3:09 pm

6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 14 Destination Thailand

WHAT’S NEW VIEWPOINTS

What are your business prospects for 2015?

Philip Wigglesworth, business development director, Destination Asia Thailand For 2015 we remain optimistic – we continue to push forward and are looking to expand our market share in new markets. Our prospects look bright and, as long as we continue to offer and deliver top-quality services at competitive market prices and remain resilient to all the challenging forces in 2015, we hope it will be a good year for Destina- tion Asia and Thailand alike.

Willem Niemeijer, CEO, Khiri Group While I do not expect Thailand to fully return to pre-crisis levels in 2015, I do think we will see a healthy increase over 2014. The country has one of the best value propositions in the region – fantastic natural resources and a natural hospitality in its culture that is second to none. Tour operators know this – and their clients too. We expect them to be putting Thailand Clockwise from above: Pullman Khao Lak Katiliya Resort and Villas; Nam- back on top of the list (this) year. In short: I am saah Bottling Trust; Cartoon Network very optimistic. Amazone

HOW TO SELL

Expique offers Bangkok’s sightseeing with a culinary scene has DOdifference through EAT ﬂourished in recent its range of small group tours years and the city added another in Bangkok, which can be done feather to its cap in December on foot, cycle or tuk tuk. Options with the opening of L’Atelier de include exploring the city by day Joël Robuchon. Run by chef and night, visiting lesser-known Robuchon, who has the most temples and markets, and learning Michelin stars in the world (25 at about the historical inﬂuences of last count), the restaurant serves Eastern and Western architecture haute cuisine in an open-style on the local cityscape. Photography workshop surroundings. Bookings tours are also on offer. are essential at this hot spot.

1 Water parks make a Escape Khao Yai, a smaller benefited from new mall open- The Hall of Located splash property with 54 rooms and vil- ings last year. Central Embassy Opium is arguably on Kata 2014 was year of the water park, las, is also located near the park brought international brand SEEone of the best STAY beach on beginning with the opening of and has its own organic garden, boutiques, galleries and gourmet museums in Thailand, but it is too the south-western tip of Phuket, Splashdown Waterpark Pattaya produce from which is served in dining options. Siam Square One often overlooked. The impressive Kata Rocks offers luxurious in early 2014. the restaurant. offers a lower-scale but more permanent exhibition documents seclusion for high-budget This was followed by the Thames Valley is, without a youth-focused array of shops 5,000 years of use and abuse of clients with its offering of 34 launch of Cartoon Network Am- doubt, the most eclectic open- and eateries. the poppy-derived drug and charts oceanfront Sky Villas, each of azone in October last year. The ing in the area. Modelled on Beyond Bangkok, the March its trade throughout the region and which boasts a private infinity park features 10 themed zones, a village in England’s Home launch of Central Festival Samui in Thailand, from the scurrilous pool and terrace among its water roller coasters and the Counties, the villas are fash- marked the arrival of the island’s days of the British East India facilities. Its restaurant combines world’s largest aqua playground ioned on rural cottages and the first large-size, high-end shop- Company and the resulting Opium influences from Thailand, the with more than 150 different wa- resort even boasts its own mini- ping development. Wars with imperial China to the Mediterranean and Australasia, ter features. castle, which serves as a restau- present day. It makes an excellent while the Infinite Luxury Spa offers When Ramayana Water Park rant and events space. 5 Pullman Khao Lak addition to a trip to Chiang Rai and a host of therapeutic and wellness opens in the middle of this year Katiliya Resort and Villas the Golden Triangle. treatments. in Pattaya, it will become the 3 Bangkok’s fine dining Located on a 600m stretch of largest water park in Thailand. scene private beach, just an hour’s Hua Hin, home to Black Last year marked the opening drive from Phuket International Mountain Waterpark, also wel- of a number of world-class res- Airport, Pullman Khao Lak Ka- comed Vana Nava Hua Hin last taurants in the Thai capital. Pep- tiliya Resort and Villas consists December. pina, the sister of the popular of 223 rooms and suites and 97 Roman-style Appia, has opened villas. 2 New boutique hotels at to offer Neapolitan-style pizzas. The resort is home to six res- Khao Yai Fans of modern Thai cooking taurants, which include Italian, The area surrounding Khao Yai welcomed the arrival of Nam- Thai, Indian, Japanese and Ko- National Park, a UNESCO World saah Bottling Trust, chef Ian Kit- rean cuisine options, as well as Heritage Site north-east of Bang- tichai’s latest outlet that serves two bars. kok, saw a number of hotel open- Asian-inspired comfort food in a Leisure facilities span five ings last year, strengthening its renovated town mansion. swimming pools, a spa, two fit- upper-scale offerings for both in- However, the best comes last, ness centres and a kids’ club, plus ternational and domestic tourists. with the December opening of a dedicated lifestyle team on call Botanica Khao Yai is perhaps Origins, where young chef Mar- to facilitate a wide array of leisure the most contemporary of the cus Townsend serves five- to activities available on site. recent additions. The 116-room 33-course menus. Meeting facilities include property sits on the edge of jun- the 400m² Chong Fa Ballroom, gle-clad hills and features a spa, 4 Shopping galore in which can accommodate up to swimming pools and a barbecue Thailand 1,000 guests, and three medium- pit, among its facilities. Thailand’s luxury retail market size function rooms. L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

ITB Berlin day3 p12-14 thailandxyredxyhhfeb13.indd 14 16/2/15 10:21 am The Much Awaited Corporate Travel The Leading Corporate Travel World (CTW) China Management Conference For China Is Finally Here 中国首屈一指的商务旅游管理论坛与展览会万众期待 14 to 16 April 2015 l 2015年4月14-16日中国国际商旅大会 Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center of International Sourcing 即将登场上海跨国采购会展中心

Simultaneous translation for both English and Chinese speaking delegates 将提供中/英文 For All Chinese Corporate Travel Professionals and International 同声传译 Corporate Travel Professionals With Responsibilities In China 专为中国商务旅行管理人士及负责中国商旅职务的外国商旅管理专业人士定制

HOW CORPORATE TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS HAVE BENEFITTED FROM OUR PAST EVENTS IN CHINA 商务旅行行业人士从我们在中国举办的系列活动中获益良多

Great For Peer-Sharing and Enhancing Knowledge 通过学习其它跨国的实践经验，节省我公司 Attending the Corporate Travel Roundtable meant I could interact with my 的差旅开支 industry peers and share our experiences with each other. At the same time, IT&CM China举办的商旅圆桌是一个非常好的平台, 让我 I also enhanced my knowledge with relevant information with regards to the 可以向多位跨国企业的代表学习不同的实践经验, 从而帮 corporate travel management ﬁeld. 助我更好地节省我公司的差旅开支。

Philips Healthcare 诺华制药有限公司（中国区） Stephanie Ye, Assistant Marketing Manager Emily Tang, 商务旅游类别采购经理 Participant of IT&CM China’s Corporate Travel Roundtable IT&CM China 商旅圆桌会参与者

Scan this QR Code These Corporate Travel Professionals Welcomed 扫描此二维码欢迎以下的商旅管理专业人士参加

Organised By Platinum Serviced Ofﬁcial Media Moblie App Partner Residence Sponsor

CARLSON WAGONLIT ÉQUIVALENCE PANTONES ÉQUIVALENCES QUADRI CWL_07_0774_Logo_Carlson_Print 22/02/2007 PANTONE 320 C CYAN 100% JAUNE 40% 82, bd des Batignolles - 75017 Paris - FRANCE Tél. : +33 (0)1 53 42 35 35 / Fax : +33 (0)1 42 94 06 78 Media Afﬁliates 支持媒体: Web : www.carrenoir.com Ce chier est un document d’exécution créé sur Illustrator version 10 ou ultérieure). Contributing Media 支持媒体:

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CTWChina 2015 is proud to be part of the Shanghai Business Events Week. 2015中国(上海)国际奖励旅游及大会博览会很荣幸的能作为上海商务活动周的一部分举行 Where The MICE Industry Comes Together In Shanghai. An Exciting Week of Business, Education And Networking Events. 国际奖励旅游和大会博览会行业的各个成员企业齐聚上海，在令人兴奋的一周时间里，共同参与这次教育以及商业交流的活动。

CTW China 260x380.indd 1 20/1/15 3:59 pm Destination China The dragon gives chase Industry players are calling for China to intensify marketing and branding eﬀorts to grow the small German market. By Li Xu

Guilin’s dramatic karst landscape is a key draw for German visitors to China chuyu/123RF.com

espite the general decline in inbound Nevertheless, Xu is confident of She added: “Attraction managers need Dtourism to China since 2010, the growth from the German market for to consider generating revenue beyond Destination in numbers German market nevertheless managed a 2015, with an upcoming project for admissions. Restaurants, hotels and sou- 0.4 per cent growth for the first 11 months some 120 outdoor enthusiasts from Ger- venir stores need to accommodate West- of 2014 to reach 608,200 visitors, accord- many, Luxembourg and Belgium to ex- ern tourists’ needs.” 22.8% ing to China National Tourism Adminis- perience China’s offerings during their The gradual renminbi appreciation The growth of Germany inbound tration (CNTA). participation in the 2015 Chengdu IVV and depreciation of certain currencies like figures to China in 2013 compared Its rank as China’s second-largest Eu- Olympiad. the Japanese yen also contributed to the with 2008 ropean source market following Russia Several inbound tour operators told negative performance of China inbound notwithstanding, Germany accounted for the Daily that classic itineraries covering tourism. Odyssey Tours’ Li observed the only 0.5 per cent of the market share; in Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai and Guilin are tightening budgets among her clients, comparison, Hong Kong, Macau and Tai- still the most popular among German- plus cancellations and switching of desti- 33.9% wan together represented 79.5 per cent. speaking tourists. nations. The percentage of leisure visitors “We welcomed 2,379 guests from Ger- “Most of our customers choose regular Meanwhile, trade players and the from January to September 2014, many, Switzerland and Austria in 2014, tours combining cultural experiences and academia have been calling for more comprising a third of total inbound 50 per cent more than in 2013,” said Lissy nature exploration,” said Lois Li, market- marketing and branding efforts for the numbers to China and a further Xu, market manager for Germany, China ing manager, Odyssey Tours, highlighting country. CRTR’s study suggests that pro- decline from 38.5% in 2013 Highlights. the Great Wall, Terracotta Warriors and vincial DMCs lead the online presence With a dedicated German-speaking Guilin’s Li River as the hottest attractions. improvement utilising big data collected team for the market since 2002, the Guilin- Suzhou’s classic gardens and the Great specially from Germany, while Chuangx- 66.2% based company receives mostly FIT tour- Wall topped China’s attractions according in Li, inbound tourism expert at China The occupancy rate in China as of ists directly through its website, which is to German residents’ Google search dur- Tourism Academy, notes that a better November 2014, according to STR in both English and German language. ing 2008 to 2013, in a study conducted by national brand is needed to change the Global Xu shared: “Only five per cent of the Peking University Center for Recreation German media’s passiveness towards guests booked with us through their lo- and Tourism Research (CRTR). China. cal travel agencies last year. We had very However, Cheryl Tseng, lead researcher However, a tourism marketing plan 147,991 limited success partnering European tour of the CRTR study, opined that China is is still missing from CNTA’s agenda for The number of rooms under contract agencies through tradeshows like ITB losing its attractiveness, as “a lot of tourist 2015. With a stronger domestic focus, in China, representing 27.1% of Berlin and WTM. We figure ongoing so- attractions are similar to one another and CNTA merely targets a maintainence of the total share in Asia-Pacific, as of cial media marketing and direct commu- there is a lack of quality facilities”, along international arrival numbers and hopes November 2014, according to STR nications with our customers are more with high admission fees at some tourist the new tax refund scheme would encour- Global important for our business development.” attractions. age higher tourist spending on shopping.

VIEWPOINTS What are your business prospects for 2015?

Lissy Xu, market manager for Germany, China Highlights Lois Li, marketing manager, Odyssey Tours Our no-shopping policy will be extended from English-speaking mar- There has been an increasing demand in adventure travel for the kets to German markets this year to ensure high quality, best value European market; French and German travellers have shown great and no hidden traps for our customers. We will continue investing interest in nature and ethnic culture. To be more competitive in the in the European market. The number of European customers is current gloomy inbound market, we (will) do our best to maximise expected to rise 30 to 50 per cent in 2015. our customers’ experiences.

ITB Berlin day3 p16-17 ChinaknmyxymyALfinalFeb13(H).indd 16 13/2/15 3:10 pm 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 17

HOW TO SELL WHAT’S NEW

The 14th IVV Chengdu, price competition in the 1 China broadens tourist hotels in the next five years. It (Internationaler city will benefit tourists. tax refund scheme will also be a minority share- DOVolkssportverband) China’s Ministry of Finance has holder in a joint venture for op- Olympiad will be held in Chengdu Foodies can visit launched a nationwide tourist erations and development of Ac- in September. This Germany- a teahouse in tax refund scheme for overseas cor’s luxury and upscale brands originated sport-for-all event will EAT Chengdu, drinking visitors, expanding the pro- in the Greater China region. offer a unique outdoor exercise tea, snacking and chatting like gramme from just Hainan prov- The partners also plan to link experience in Chengdu’s finest the laid-back locals. Shunxing ince where it was first introduced up their global reservation and wetlands and Lohas Green Road. Ancient Teahouse also offers a in 2011. loyalty platforms, culminating in Foreigners as well as visitors Combining the trip with visits to the great Sichuan opera performance. over 5,600 hotels worldwide and from Hong Kong, Macau, and capital Beijing or the historical Xi’an over 47 million loyalty members Taiwan who have lived in the adds cultural immersion. as of December 1, 2014. mainland for no more than 183 days are eligible to claim a tax 3 New theme parks Without visiting Chengdu Shuangliu International refund of 11 per cent at major This year will welcome the trial Airport Chengdu airports, ports and land check- operation of Hello Kitty Park in SEEResearch Base points throughout China for Anji, Zhejiang province while nal have been planned, target- , a trip of Giant Panda Breeding purchases of RMB500 (US$80) 1H2016 will see the launch of ing total passenger capacity of to Chengdu is never complete. The or more at designated stores. Shanghai Disneyland, featuring 72 million by 2025. High-speed base is more than a zoo, as it also classic Disney family entertain- trains and long-distance com- tries to help pandas adapt to the 2 Accor-Huazhu alliance ment with Chinese elements. muting buses have also been natural habitat. Autumn and winter Accor and China Lodging Other theme parks that are on considered to facilitate regional are the seasons to see newborns in Group (or Huazhu) reached track for opening include the At- transportation. the nursery. a strategic long-term alliance lantis in Sanya in 2016; Shanghai Meanwhile, Chengdu re- last December, under which Haichang Polar Ocean World in ceived approval for its second The St Regis Accor’s economy and midscale 2017; Universal Studio Beijing in airport in January, becom- Chengdu brands will enter Huazhu’s loy- 2019; as well as 12 Wanda theme ing the third Chinese city after STAY opened in end- alty and distribution networks. parks across China. Shanghai and Beijing with two 2014, strategically located within Huazhu will also receive ex- airports. The airport will have steps of Tianfu Square and Chunxi clusive rights as a master fran- 4 Second airports for three runways for 40 million Road and featuring its signature chisee in China, Taiwan and Beijing and Chengdu passengers by 2025. The cur- 24/7 butler services for all guests. Mongolia. The construction of Beijing’s rent Chengdu Shuangliu Inter- With 12 more new upscale hotels Huazhu plans to open 350 to second airport is underway. Four national Airport welcomed 37.7 totalling 3,342 rooms this year in 400 new economy and midscale runways and a 700,000m2 termi- million passengers in 2014.

Half Page (Horizonal) 5column (236mm) x 180mm

ITB Berlin day3 p16-17 ChinaknmyxymyALfinalFeb13(H).indd 17 13/2/15 3:10 pm Destination Indonesia Forging ahead in Germany With the government focusing on nearby countries, the trade is going it alone in German-speaking markets. By Mimi Hudoyo

Taman Ayun, a royal temple of the Mengwi Empire, Destination in numbers is a landmark in Bali’s Badung Regency 8.5 million The number of visitor arrivals for January-November 2014, marking a 7.3 per cent increase 68.9% The average occupancy of Bali hotels between January-November 2014, up by 4.1 percentage points compared with the same period in 2013, according to STR Global

Rp1.1 million Bali’s RevPAR from January-November 2014, equivalent to US$86.50, nine per cent higher than during the same period in 2013, according to STR Global 39,000 The estimated number of rooms in Bali by end-2014, compared with 34,000 in 2013, according to STR Global

in Europe, so the market can still per- form.” However, Indonesia, which does business in US dollars, is facing competition from neighbouring countries that quote prices in local currencies. Therefore, Pacto will dangle promo- chuyu/123RF.com tions and special rates to lure German- speaking markets. “While this (tactic) is adung Promotion Board, the wholesalers and retailers to sell Bali and nesia’s aggressive marketing campaign nothing new, we believe that prompt ad- newly set up promotional body Indonesia,” he said. at ITB Berlin over the last two years justment to new market conditions is the of Bali’s Badung Regency (not The Badung Promotion Board was has ensured the continuous growth of key to success,” said Umberto. “We also to be confused with Bandung, spurred to action as the declining euro European arrivals despite the economic hosted a fam trip for journalists from theB capital of West Java) is making its against the US dollar makes the longhaul situation, any slowdown in promo- Austria last year, so hopefully we will see international presence in Germany felt European market more challenging to tions would have a negative impact for a renewed interest from this country as with a table-top session in Frankfurt and court, as does Indonesia’s own market- tourism, especially with the weakening well in 2015.” by participating in ITB Berlin. ing refocus to short- and medium-haul euro. On the other hand, Bhara Tours has Held on March 2 in Frankfurt, the destinations. He said: “As a player in the longhaul secured new business out of Germany, table-top session saw 12 suppliers from Tourism minister Arief Yahya an- market, especially Germany, we will con- proving it is not all gloom and doom Bali meeting German wholesalers and nounced in early February that the tinue to maintain our presence in the with the market. Managing director Her- retail agents in the board’s first major government would allocate 50 per cent market, (so that hopefully) we can at man Rukmanadi said: “We have signed a event since its inauguration last August. of its promotional budget to chase in- least reach last year’s level of business.” contract with a German tour operator Herdy Sayoga, board member, Badung tra-ASEAN travel, 30 per cent to other With Germany’s main trade players who is entering Asia for the first time, for Promotion Board, said: “The table-top Asian markets and Australia, and 20 per well-versed with Indonesian products, a series of experiential tours.” session is meant to update business cent for the longhaul market. This re- the country should look at B2C market- The tours, running from September partners, especially the retail agents, on flects Indonesia’s aims for 20 million ar- ing to raise awareness among the travel- 2015 to June 2016, will combine Singa- products – not only from the Badung rivals by 2019 – 50 per cent is expected ling public, added Ismail. pore and Bali, and is expected to appeal area, but also Bali and even Indonesia. to come from ASEAN, 30 per cent from Umberto Cadamuro, COO inbound to 50-60 year old travellers that the Ger- “Our job in Badung is to give trav- the rest of Asia and Australia, and the of Pacto, said: “The huge drop in the man tour operator caters for. “We are ex- ellers who have stayed with us before remaining 20 per cent from longhaul euro is certainly not helping the booking pecting this to continue in the following reasons to stay longer, and those who markets. flow, especially during 1Q2015. How- season where we might introduce other choose to stay elsewhere in Bali, reasons Ismail Ali, executive director, Marin- ever, Germany, Switzerland and Austria routes such as Singapore-Jogjakarta-Ba- to visit us. To do that, we need to entice tur Indonesia, noted that while Indo- remain some of the strongest economies li,” said Herman.

VIEWPOINTS What are your business prospects for 2015?

Adjie Wahjono, director of operations, AnekaKartika Tours Nicole Zerbola, sales manager, Happy Trails Indonesia Our European markets will improve fairly, especially from Germany, I expect the German market to do the best in 2015; we have been having steady growth France and Benelux. I believe they have reached their lowest point from them the last couple of years and we predict this will continue. I feel that the last year although 2015 will not be a full upswing year. We also Germans are slowly discovering Indonesia as a great holiday destination. Somehow the expect a so-so situation from the Scandinavian and UK markets image of (Indonesia) has improved, which, for us, shows in the booking numbers. after two long seasons in 2013 and 2014. Nevertheless, I am conﬁdent they will continue improving in 2015.

ITB Berlin day3 p18-19 IndonesiaALhhmy1hhxyred2feb13(H).indd 18 13/2/15 3:14 pm 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 19

HOW TO SELL WHAT’S NEW

Water rafting on Ayung River in Bali makes a safe, 1 Lufthansa introduces fun and a breathtaking experience for all visitors. Grab your premium economy class oars and partake in an exhilarating rafting adventure as you DO Lufthansa is introducing premi- Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta navigate through 33 class II and III rapids along a 9.6km stretch of the um economy and an improved Ayung River against a backdrop of wild unspoiled rainforest, towering business class to Indonesia start- bathrobe and toilet amenities, gorges and magnificent rice paddy terraces. The two-hour journey by bout is targeted to be ready by ing early June. refreshments throughout the Bali Adventure Tours is followed by a hot shower and buffet lunch at a early-2018. Premium economy passen- day, and evening cocktails with private restaurant. Six toll roads of a total of gers will receive double the usual 69,770km with a budget of Rp42 hors d’oeuvres at the Mulia Ex- baggage allowance (two bags trillion (US$3.5 billion) are also ecutive Lounge. Taman Nusa in Bali’s Gianyar hills is a 15ha cultural each up to 23kg), and a 50 per in the planning. Development of Guests staying at The Suites park displaying various traditional houses from around cent larger seat pitch. For 25 eu- the toll road will be divided into also receive benefits such as Indonesia as well as museums in a tropical setting. The SEE ros (US$31), they also get access three phases with the first one to airport transfers, immigration park offers comprehensive information on the culture and customs of to the Business Class Lounge be- start in early-2015 and finish in assistance and VVIP private various ethnic groups in attractive and interactive ways. The cultural fore take-off. 2018, while the second and third pickup at the aircraft doorsteps. village displays more than 60 traditional houses, some of which are The upgraded business class will begin in 2018 and 2020 re- Different services are available hundreds of years old, taking visitors on a historical journey from the now has seats that are able to specively. for different room categories. prehistoric to early-Indonesia era. transform into an almost 2m lie- flat bed and a 15-inch screen for 3 Hotel Mulia Senayan 4 Trans Resort Bali debuts Café Degan, located on Bali’s Jalan Petitenget, serves in-flight entertainment. launches The Suites in Seminyak up popular Indonesian specialties and an assortment Hotel Mulia Senayan, Jakarta The Trans Resort Bali is a new EAT of Thai favourites in a traditional Javanese joglo house. 2 Jakarta adds MRT and has introduced The Suites collec- luxury property that opened its Recommended menu items include soto ayam, a popular Indonesian toll roads tion following a refurbishment doors in December 2014 in the chicken soup; ikan panggang kemangi, slow simmered fish with ginger, The Jakarta Mass Rapid Tran- of the 996-room hotel. Seminyak area. chilli, tamarind and lemongrass; as well as daging sambal hijau, spicy sit that is under development is The Suites comprise the Jun- The 184-key resort features beef in green chilli, tomato, lime leaf and lemongrass. expected to stretch more than ior Suite, Royal Suite, The Baron guestrooms, suites and 16 pala- 108km, including 21.7km for Suite, The Earl Suite, The Mar- tial villas with private pools. Park Hotel Group’s first resort in Indonesia, Park the North-South Line (from quess Suite and The Duke Suite Two F&B facilities are avail- Hotel Nusa Dua Bali, is scheduled to commence Lebak Bulus to Kampung Ban- in ascending order of luxury, able. Meeting facilities include STAY operations in the first quarter of 2015. Nestled on dan) and 87km for the East- spanning 57m² to 595m². The Grand Ballroom with maxi- 3.4ha of land, the upcoming resort has 152 guestrooms and suites West Line (from Balaraja to Ci- All suites provide guests with mum capacity of 1,100 pax and with room sizes ranging from 25m2 to 209m2. It also has 39 villas, karang). 1,000 thread-count bedding, seven boardrooms. comprising 35 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom units, each with a The first phase stretching priority check-in and check-out Other facilities include a spa, private swimming pool and a traditional Balinese pavilion set in a lush 15.7km from Lebak Bulus to lane, priority access to all F&B fitness centre, kids’ club and the tropical garden. the Hotel Indonesia Rounda- outlet, butler service, luxury Mozaic Beach Club.

VIEW FROM THE TOP James Reed, CEO and managing director of Destination Asia, on why PPS 619/02/2013(022926) online is a must for the DMC, which is continuing to expand in the region

No. 1715/October 24, 2014

Half Page (Horizonal) www.ttgasia.com | TTG Asia e-Daily 5column (236mm) x 180mm

APP, APP AND AWAY More travel agencies and tour operators are building their own apps in order to target mobile-savvy customers TTG Asia App | TTG Asia DIGITAL

RAISING THE PUTTING THE STATE OF THE ART SHANGHAI FOR

STANDARDS HOUSE IN ORDER Singapore has seen high-quality art FAMILIES Indonesia wants its tourism professionals Singapore has imposed stricter rules on venues coming on stream and a ﬂurry The opening of Shanghai Disney Resort and businesses to be certiﬁed in the run- the conversion of shophouses to boutique of events making an appearance. But is and other attractions will help increase up to the ASEAN Economic Community hotels in the city’s historic districts this attractive enough for tourists? the city’s appeal among younger visitors

24Oct ttgAsia p01 covergc.indd 1 5/2/15 11:58 am

TTG Travel Trade Publishing is a Business Group of TTG Asia Media 1 Science Park Road #04-07 The Capricorn Singapore Science Park II Singapore 117528 Tel: (65) 6395 7575 • Fax: (65) 6536 0896 • www.ttgasiamedia.com

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ITB Berlin day3 p18-19 IndonesiaALhhmy1hhxyred2feb13(H).indd 19 13/2/15 3:14 pm Cruising

Voyager of the Seas at Port Klang

gapore-centred fly-cruise segment are the Philippines and Indonesia. Jenica Ferrer, sales and operations of- ficer at Travel People Philippines, Costa Cruises’ preferred sales agent and ground- handler in the Philippines, said about ASEAN cruising half of Costa’s Filipino clients sail around ASEAN. Ferrer attributes “strong bookings” to the lower cost of cruising compared with other means of travel, especially competitive fly-cruises in the region due to the finds sea legs proliferation of LCCs. Filipinos like flying into Singapore and sailing to Thailand and Malaysia, though International cruise operators may be embracing South-east Asia as a market as well as some also venture farther to Shanghai, Ja- a destination but are travellers from around the region returning their affections? Mimi pan and South Korea. Elsewhere in the region, travel consult- Hudoyo, S Puvaneswary, Paige Lee Pei Qi, Greg Lowe and Rosa Ocampo find out more ants are also reporting a continued prefer- ence for ASEAN cruises. Anthony Chan, ea-based explorations of South- “The number of guests from ASEAN packages in (2015).” group managing director and CEO, Chan east Asia are experiencing a surge taking up regional cruises has also grown First-time cruisers and large family Brothers Travel Singapore, said: “We have in demand from within and out- 50 per cent year-on-year, especially with… groups from the region tend to take three- seen a 30 per cent year-on-year increase in side the region, and cruise lines the arrival of the new Quantum of the Seas to five-day cruises, opt for larger ships and demand for regional cruises from Singa- have been quick to expand their (in Singapore this) June,” said Yap. also prefer more affordable itineraries with- pore.” reachS here with new homeportings and Royal Caribbean International’s Mariner in South-east Asia since it is nearer to home. Passengers range from busy profes- itineraries in recent years. of the Seas is plying 29 sailings for the cur- Farriek commented that Princess sionals to multi-generation families and Intra-ASEAN cruising remains the rent Singapore season until March 2015. Cruises is seeing an “increase in first-time groups of friends with a budget, he said. dominant choice, report cruise lines and Itineraries range from three to five nights, cruisers and young Asians”. Based on Car- “Since international cruise liners began travel consultants. cruising to Malaysia and/or Thailand. nival Asia’s research, a larger proportion deploying ships in South-east Asia, they Carnival Asia has also doubled its re- of 18- to 30-year-olds in Singapore aspire A growing middle class lure more ships gional market share in the past two years to go on a cruise holiday than the over-65 ASEAN travellers are taking up regional as well. Farriek Tawfik, director of South- age group. SuperStar Aquarius’ Dynasty Restaurant itineraries over international itinerar- east Asia of Carnival’s Princess Cruises, Given such a forecast, it is unsurprising ies 70:30, according to Royal Caribbean credited this to the region’s booming con- that Princess Cruises entered a strategic Cruises’ managing director, Singapore sumer market and rising purchasing pow- partnership with Changi Airport Group and South-east Asia, Jennifer Yap, who at- er of the middle class. “We expect double- and Singapore Tourism Board to promote tributed this to closer proximity and bet- digit growth in passenger traffic and 30 fly-cruises out of Singapore last year. ter flight availability. per cent growth in sales for regional cruise Markets ripe for plucking for the Sin-

Demand for cruising in South-east Asia is growing because travellers want to try the facilities on board, the duration is short and the price is aﬀordable.

Rudiana Director of sales, WITA Tour Indonesia

ITB Berlin day3 p20 Cruisingxyfinalfeb13(H).indd 20 13/2/15 3:16 pm 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 21

have been promoting heavily in Indonesia, gravitate towards far-flung destinations. than the regular cruiser and therefore is local clients, who range from 40 to 80 collaborating with travel companies and Paul Garcia, director of public rela- seeking destinations much farther afield, years old and comprise both FIT and offering promotional fares,” said WITA tions at Crystal Cruises, said that while though they sometimes book a regional group travel. Tour Indonesia’s director of sales, Rudi- demand for cruises from Asia-based sailing at the very last minute if they opt Star Cruises’ Goh added: “Our afflu- ana, who said demand for ASEAN cruis- clients remains strong, especially from for a last-minute holiday.” ent guests are eager to experience long- ing has been increasing. Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan, most Likewise, cruise specialists in Thai- haul cruises to worldwide destinations Meanwhile Buhdy Bok, senior vice travellers are opting to go beyond South- land say demand for intra-regional especially with our ships, Norwegian president Pacific Asia and China, Costa east Asia. Mediterranean and Baltic itin- trips remains weak. Supanee Bencharit, Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway.” Cruises, noted China’s growing appetite eraries remain firm favourites. managing director of SEA Tours Thai- Popular destinations include Alaska, the for intra-ASEAN cruises, such that the He explained: “The ultra-luxury land, said Crystal Cruises and Oceania Mediterranean and Caribbean, or Ha- Costa Serena will be deployed year-round cruise guest is much more adventurous Cruises remain the leading choices for waii, he shared. in Shanghai starting April 2015. On the other hand, local markets have also been a mainstay for Star Cruises. “Star Cruises’ three key ASEAN markets are Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia,” said Michael Goh, vice president sales. “Both our two- and three-night destination-cen- tric cruises (in Asia) are very popular with ASEAN travellers.” “We’ve seen year-on-year growth in the family segment for SuperStar Libra mainly due to its affordable pricing. The fact that it is homeported in Penang, which has good access out of our main customer base Kuala Lumpur, also helps,” Goh said.

Enter the Muslim, incentive markets The lucrative Muslim market is also taking to cruising, in the meantime. Rakyat Travel Kuala Lumpur’s CEO, Adam Kamal, told TTG Asia: “We’ve seen a 20 per cent increase in year-on-year bookings for family travel on SuperStar Libra, mainly due to the availability of ha- lal food on board. This is very important to entice the Muslim market, which is our main customer base.” Sunﬂower Holidays Kuala Lumpur’s managing director, Mint Leong, said the Junior Page company is promoting the idea of cruising 4 column (173mm) x 280mm as an incentive, which is still a novel idea in Malaysia. “In 2014 we started to market SuperStar Libra’s 4D3N cruise from Pen- ang to local corporates looking for new incentive ideas.” Negotiations with two multi-level marketing companies for incentive cruises are also underway at the moment, she revealed. “We have seen demand growing in the last two years from both FITs and corporate incentives for South-east Asian cruises. They take 4D3N or 5D4N packages, boarding in Singapore and cruising to Malaysia and Thailand,” said Edhi Sutad- harma, general manager of Golden Rama Tours and Travel Indonesia.

Far-ﬂung destinations keep appeal On the other hand, cruise travellers with deeper pockets in South-east Asia tend to

ITB Berlin day3 p20 Cruisingxyfinalfeb13(H).indd 21 13/2/15 3:16 pm 6.3.2015 TTG Show Daily ITB Berlin 22 Snapshots For all the world to see TTG’s Eugene Tang captures the action at ITB, where international destinations and hoteliers are strutting their stuﬀ

The Kowloon Hotel Hong Kong’s Ice Cheng, Harbour Grand Kowloon Hong Kong’s Doris Li (seated), Harbour Plaza North Point Hong Kong’s Amanda Chan, Harbour Grand Hong Kong’s Elaine Chow and Macau Government Tourist Oﬃce Germany’s Stefanie Sonnen- Harbour Plaza Metropolis Hong Kong’s Lucetta Chan (seated) schein, Margit Schwarz, Regina Bopp and Christine Petit-Wolf

Third from left: Cambodia Ministry of Tourism’s Visothy So, So Mara and Song Tong Hap Seoul Tourism Organization’s Jihyun Kim The South Beach Singapore’s Henry Ng

EDITORIAL Karen Yue Group Editor Xinyi Liang-Pholsena Assistant Editor, TTG Asia Hannah Koh Assistant Editor, TTG Asia Online Paige Lee Pei Qi Assistant Editor, Singapore Kathy Neo Copy Editor S Puvaneswary Editor, Malaysia/Brunei Mimi Hudoyo Editor, Indonesia Caroline Boey Senior Correspondent, China & Special Projects Eugene Tang Photographer Redmond Sia, Goh Meng Yong Creative Designers Lina Tan Editorial Assistant Amos Low Editorial Intern

CONTRIBUTORS Lowcosttravelgroup Spain’s Alex Gisbert, lowcosttravelgroup Switzerland’s Neil Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Suwat Sidthilaw, Tourism Authority of Greg Lowe, Rosa Ocampo, Feizal Samath, Beard, lowcosttravelgroup Thailand’s Adam Alford and lowcosttravelgroup UK’s Thailand’s (TAT) Kalin Sarasin, Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ Kobkarn Sim Kok Chwee, Li Xu, Oliver Slow, Paul Evans Wattanavrangkul, and TAT’s Thawatchai Arunyik and Parnuvach Narkavong Murray Bailey, Prudence Lui, Rohit Kaul

SALES & MARKETING Michael Chow Group Publisher Karen Cheung Senior Business Manager Shirley Tan Senior Business Manager Jonathan Yap Senior Business Manager Cheryl Lim Advertisement Administration Manager Cheryl Tan Corporate Marketing Manager Stephanie Toh Marketing Executive

PUBLISHING SERVICES Tony Yeo Division Manager Haze Loh Senior Creative Designer Lynn Lim Web Executive Carol Wong Senior Circulation Executive

TTG ASIA MEDIA Grand Park Orchard Singapore’s Frank Huch, Park Hotel Darren Ng Managing Director Group UK’s Gerald Fitzpatrick, Park Hotel Clarke Quay Sin- Hong Kong Tourism Board’s James Tung, Peter Hoslin, and Raini Hamdi Senior Editor gapore’s Serrin Sim and Park Hotel Group Singapore’s Anne The Peninsula Hotels UK’s Antoine Hong Kong Tourism Board Germany’s Anette Wendel-Menke Tan and Mohd K Raﬁn Vergeot and Stephane Haubois

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