The post Collinsons report shows Asians willing to spend for travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Travel engagement solutions firm Collinson International just released its 2024 Travel Benefits and Customer Engagement Report. 

This report covers travel habits in the Asia Pacific, offering a comprehensive analysis of behaviours, perceptions, and preferences of travellers in the region.

Featured information includes how much individual travellers are willing to spend for trips and experiences on both global and domestic levels.

Travel equals a third of annual expenditures

Based on the responses of 7,250 respondents across 14 markets in Asia Pacific, key findings show that travel is one of the highest spend categories for respondents across all markets.

Southeast Asia, in particular, is beginning to look like an emergent powerhouse in terms of travel spending. The report particularly shows how Singaporean respondents spend around US$10,619 on trips per year, around double the amount spent in mainland China and Japan.

Travellers from Malaysia and Thailand are not far behind, as they also spend considerably on travel annually, budgeting US$5,939 and US$5,548 respectively.

Travel as a prime mover for consumer spending

Commenting on the findings, Collinson International’s vice-president for business solutions in the Asia Pacific Rohan Bhalla said: “Our research has shown that travel is a key driver for consumer expenditure. This ‘travel resonance’ is especially strong with Southeast Asian survey respondents, further demonstrating how much the region is primed to be the next travel powerhouse.” 

Bhalla added that, beyond the rise of Indian outbound travellers and the much-anticipated Chinese outbound travel resurgence, tourism professionals should not ignore the potential of Southeast Asia’s travel market.

Indeed, even before the pandemic, this dynamic region generated over 40 million departures and US$53 billion in outbound travel expenditures.

Likewise, travel is not the only factor motivating Asians to spend. Many are also on the lookout for enhanced experiences

Consumers in Asia Pacific are not just looking to travel more, but are also desiring enhanced experiences. Around 44 percent of respondents ranked airport lounge access as their top travel-related credit card benefit, outstripping service-oriented benefits like security fast-track and airport transfers. 

In addition, approximately 90 percent of respondents in the region considered access to airport lounges a travel benefit that they would expect on any credit card with an annual fee. 

On the other hand, 89 percent remarked that they would consider switching to a new card if it offered membership with their favourite airport lounge access programme if such a benefit was unavailable with their current card.

Other perks

The research also revealed that travel experiences beyond airport lounge access, such as accessing dining offers while travelling, are highly valued amongst Asia Pacific travellers.

Indeed, respondents in Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and the Philippines listed ‘dining offers’ in their top five most preferred travel benefits.

Bhalla said of this: “With strong, positive consumer sentiment towards travel, brands, particularly in the financial services sector, have a unique opportunity to leverage travel as a key competitive advantage. By integrating travel and airport related benefits and experiences into customer engagement and loyalty programmes, brands are able to level-up their customer value proposition, enhance customer satisfaction, differentiate from competition, and deliver measurable business impact.”

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The post Sands China opens the Aoyi Primary School in Jiangxi Province appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Senior executives from Sands China Ltd led a group of 20 brand ambassadors on a visit to Jiangxi Province’s Xiushui County as it formally handed over the Aoyi Primary School on Tuesday, 10th September.

Construction for the school was jointly funded by Sands China  and the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (Macau) Ltd (CCECC).

Representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Sands China team members and volunteers, CCECC, the Policy Research and Regional Development Bureau of the Macao SAR, the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR, and Aoyi Primary School were all on hand for the formal turnover and inauguration.

Sands China executive vice-chairman Wilfred Wong said of the endeavour:  “The Aoyi Primary School construction project represents our proactive response to the national rural revitalisation strategy and serves as a crucial step in aiding the Macao SAR government’s efforts in rural revitalisation in Jiangxi’s Xiushui County. We are thrilled to take part in this project, and to partner with CCECC to enhance the educational infrastructure in Xiushui County.”

Wong added that Sands China firmly believes that it can create a more conducive learning environment for local children by improving the foundational educational resources in the region. At the same time, it also seeks to establish a robust groundwork for the county’s long-term economic and social development through the construction of schools and other initiatives. 

He concluded by saying: “We hope that the connection between the two places will endure, and through this project, we can extend the caring spirit of the Sands Cares Ambassadors, demonstrating a sense of patriotism and love for Macao.”

More room to learn

The original school building was located at the base of a hill. As a result, the campus had limited space, as well as an insufficient number of functional classrooms and sports facilities that failed to meet safety standards, potentially endangering students, particularly during storms. 

This prompted involved parties to relocate the Aoyi Primary School. This new location covers an area of about 3,900 square metres in Xiushui’s Huanggang town, including a construction area of about 1,700 square metres. 

Also, the addition of the school gives school-aged children in the surrounding villages and towns critically needed access to education.

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The post Leading aerobatic teams to show off at Bali International Airshow appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Indonesia’s Jupiter Aerobatic Team and Neptunus Aerobatic Team are slated to thrill participants with their flying displays at this year’s Bali International Airshow.

Along with a solo flight display from Australia’s F-35A Lightning II, the aerobatic teams are among those promising to entertain guests throughout the event’s run from 18th to 21st September.  

Pilots will be showcasing their precision, skill, and artistry in their captivating aerial displays.

A masterful display of flying

The Jupiter Aerobatic Team, part of the Indonesian Air Force, will fly six KT-1B Wongbee aircraft. These planes, painted in vibrant red and white, are equipped with white smoke generators and will perform complex manoeuvres across the Bali skies.

The KT-1B Wongbee, with a wingspan of 10.6 metres and a top speed of 350 knots (648.2 km/h), will allow the team to demonstrate their exceptional aerobatic skills, honed through years of international performances at events like the 2023 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) and the 2024 Singapore Airshow. 

Joining them is the Neptunus Aerobatic Team from the Indonesian Naval Aviation Center, flying six Bonanza G36 light aircraft. Due to the different characteristics of aircraft, the manoeuvres and acrobatics formations performed by the Neptune team differed from those performed by the Jupiter team of the Air Force.

However, the Neptunus team will deliver equally exciting and entertaining performances. The Bonanza G36, with a wingspan of 10.12 metres and a top speed of 205 knots (463km/h), has been a crowd favourite at events such as the “Hari Ulang Tahun (HUT) Penerbangan Angkatan Laut (TNI AL) 2016”, the 2017 Indonesia Naval Base Open Day, and the 2018 Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) in Lombok Island. The latter event had 25 countries participating from Asia, Africa, Europe, and America.

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The post Michelin-starred chef Christian Le Squer joins InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Christian Le Squer joins the culinary team at the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort’s signature culinary outlet La Maison 1888.

At La Maison 1888, Le Squer steps up to the restaurant’s classical French cuisine with masterful techniques and imaginative touches, including a number of delectable Vietnamese influences. 

According to hotel general manager Seif Hamdy: “We are thrilled to welcome [Christian Le Squer] to InterContinental Danang. He is, quite simply, one of the world’s greatest chefs, the holder of three Michelin stars for 22 consecutive years and global Chef of the Year by Gault & Millau in 2023. He is going to bring enormous energy, creativity, and a new vision to truly elevate the experience for our guests.” 

Back in July, La Maison 1888 was honoured with its first Michelin Star, making it star in July the only restaurant in central Vietnam to receive such recognition. Now, Le Squer adds to its lustre by bringing in his unique style of fashion-inspired contemporary haute cuisine.

Beyond gastronomic chic

Every plate the chef produces is a work of art: bright, vibrant and beautiful. Infused with passion, his menus will change with the seasons and showcase the finest local produce, including fresh seafood. He refers to this as “moving”: when a fresh ingredient is no longer available at the quality he seeks, he moves on.

Le Squer said of his work: “Having taken several trips to Vietnam, and especially to Danang, I have been able to understand the clientele and what they want. They come to taste a menu that balances tradition and innovation in French culinary art, and they also come to experience the elegance that represents haute cuisine.” 

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The post Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai Hotel to open in spring 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Agora Hospitalities Co, Ltd and Dorsett Hospitality International announced that they are jointly introducing a new brand, Dorsett by Agora, the first property of which is slated to open in spring of next year.

Located just a 10-minute train ride from the heart of Osaka’s Minami  district, Namba, the soon-to-open Dorsett by Agora Osaka Sakai is situated in a prime location surrounded by Osaka’s only World Heritage site, the  Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group, as well as areas rich in the history and culture of Sakai.

The hotel features a spacious seaside terrace and guest rooms with stunning views of the old Sakai Port. The  refreshing and serene atmosphere provides a comfortable welcome for guests. Those staying here can enjoy beautiful sunsets in the evening and the sparkling night  views of Sakai City not only from their rooms but  also from various parts of the hotel.

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The post Fliggy presents its Mid-Autumn Festival Travel Forecast for this year appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Alibaba’s online travel platform Fliggy released the newest edition of its Mid-Autumn Festival Travel Forecast just in time for one of the busiest seasons of the year.

Based on observations of the East Asian travel market over the past few weeks, there has been a significant increase in travel bookings compared to figures registered at the time of this year’s Dragon Boat Festival.

In terms of domestic travel in China, hotel bookings in the country are up by 60 percent compared to where they were during the same period in 2019. Of these, upscale hotel and boutique homestays made up around 60 percent of all bookings.

The forecast also noted how rates for domestic flights and hotels are lower than during the same period last year but slightly higher than in 2019.

What to do and where to go

In terms of getting to specific destinations, the Fliggy forecast noted how car rentals doubled in time for this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival, making numbers considerably higher than those registered the year before the pandemic. 

A number of seasonal activities have also piqued the interest of would-be travellers, with moon viewings, flower appreciation events, lanterns displays, and temple fairs. Interest in these events is up by 60 percent from where it was last year.

The report shows that popular destinations for the season include Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Xi’an. At the same time, the report also noted increased interest in emergent destinations like the Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Jingdezhen, Yanbian, Datong, and Diqing.

For those heading overseas, many of the trips booked are off to Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.

 

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The post UK’s Meadow Bay Villages shows support for British military and their families appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

British holiday and residential parks provider Meadow Bay Villages recently partnered with armed forces charity Give Us Time to support the work of the country’s military personnel.

Throughout this year, Meadow Bay Villages donated complimentary holidays to service families, giving them a moment of respite and an invaluable opportunity for families to reconnect, strengthen their bonds, and create lasting memories.

To date, the company has donated 32 holiday packages, enabling families to enjoy breaks at the Hayling Island Holiday Park in Hampshire and the Billing Aquadrome in Northampton. These packages cover the company’s accommodation offerings, including its brand-new gold standard caravans.

Company CEO Geoffrey Smith said of the initiative: “[We are] deeply honoured to announce our partnership with Give Us Time. Through this collaboration, we eagerly anticipate welcoming families [they support] to enjoy much-needed holiday breaks. These moments of respite provide an invaluable opportunity for families to reconnect, strengthen their bonds, and create lasting memories.”

Give Us Time operations director Alex Youngs added: “We’re thrilled that Meadow Bay Village has joined Give Us Time as a charity partner. The growing number of families joining us this year shows how essential these getaways are in allowing Armed Forces’ families to spend time away together and create lasting memories. We’re sure that families will thoroughly enjoy all the opportunities Meadow Bay Village offers to spend time together away from the stresses of everyday military life.”

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The post Indonesia sets moratorium against hotel construction in Bali appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Indonesian government is poised to impose a moratorium against the construction of hotels, villas, and nightspots in the popular resort island of Bali in a bid to curb overdevelopment and overtourism.

As of end-2023, there were 541 hotels operating in Bali, up from 507 in 2019.

The imposition of the moratorium is also part of government plans to reform tourism on the island by way of improved quality in terms of services and amenities, increased opportunities for employment, and the preservation of the area’s cultural heritage.

According to relevant authorities, the moratorium may be in place for up to ten years. This is meant to return a sense of balance to the island destination in terms of security, culture, and its economy.

As of Saturday, 7th September, the island’s interim governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya proposed that the moratorium should cover four of the busiest areas in Bali.  However, the government has yet to announce when the moratorium will take effect.

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The post Daryl Kornelsen takes global sales role at VIVA Cruises appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

European river cruise firm ViVA Cruises appointed sales and marketing veteran Daryl Kornelsen as its new head of global sales. 

The Canadian industry-renowned sales expert brings decades of global experience in sales and marketing to his new role and he plans to expand VIVA Cruises’ sales team within the foreseeable future.

VIVA Cruises CEO Andrea Kruse said of Kornelsen and his future team: “With this skilled and experienced management team, we are positioned to strengthen our position as a true international player in river cruises.”

Kruse added that, with his international experience and passion for premium products, Kornelsen is the perfect fit for VIVA Cruises, pointing out how he will be instrumental in shaping the cruise line’s global growth. 

Kornelsen also stands to play a key role in the further development and expansion of VIVA Cruises’ international sales strategy, particularly into the UK market.

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