Ahead of the G20 summit of the world’s largest economies, which includes a dedicated tourism segment, the UNWTO has signed an MoU with the IATA, to restore consumer confidence in air travel, while placing sustainability at the centre of recovery and future growth.

As well as focusing on building and maintaining confidence in international travel, the new agreement will also see UNWTO and IATA work closely together to foster innovation and promote greater public-private collaboration. As tourism restarts, this MoU will help ensure recovery is sustainable and inclusive.

IATA director general Alexandre de Juniac said: “The safe opening of international borders to tourism is essential. Tourists want to feel safe, and they want to be confident that their travel plans won’t be affected by last-minute changes to rules and regulations. For this to happen, even greater collaboration between the public and private sectors is needed.”

IATA has been an affiliate member of UNWTO since 1978, providing a strong voice for the international air transport sector. IATA is also an active member of the board of the UNWTO’s affiliate members and contributed to the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism, released in May to help guide governments and the private sector in their response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The guidelines included a distinct set of recommendations for the air transport sector, with a focus on the introduction of enhanced hygiene protocols to guarantee the safety of both passengers and airline workers. It also emphasised the need for strong partnership and coordination at every level of the airline sector.

-TTG Asia.

Sunway City Kuala Lumpur plans US$60 million transformation of its flagship five-star hotel

Sunway City Kuala Lumpur has earmarked US$60 million to transform its flagship property, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, in what will mark the resort’s most extensive initiative in its 24-year history.

The revamp is part of the group’s drive to establish Malaysia’s first fully integrated township as Asia’s leading integrated resort complex and a regional tourism hub.

Scheduled to reopen in phases from March 2021, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa will feature 478 rooms, alongside a restaurant, six cascading waterfalls among two landscaped pools, and extensive family and health facilities.

Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa’s transformation takes its place alongside the family-focused Sunway Lagoon theme park which stretches over 35ha and six entertainment zones. For business visitors, the Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre features 7,157m2of hi-tech space, flexible configurations and capacity to host some 4,000 delegates theatre-style or 6,000 for a cocktail reception for corporate events.

With design led by Nelson Yong, principal of Sunway Design, Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa has rebuilt swathes of the resort and reimagined spaces. New family facilities, specialist suites, pool villas, technology with smartphone key entry and motion sensors, live online fitness coaching, chromotherapy showers and wellness lighting to assist sleeping which is powered by Sunway Medical Centre, are all integrated into the holistic experience.

As part of Sunway’s sustainability commitment, a vertical farm by FutureX will be a key source of ingredients for all restaurants, offering healthy and farm-fresh produce for guests. The FutureX Farm, led by Sunway Innovation Labs, is an urban farm located in the heart of Sunway City Kuala Lumpur where farming professionals, tech companies, researchers and young talent create solutions focused on food and agritech.

In minimising the hotel’s carbon footprint, a host of environmental measures will be introduced. Contactless check-in/out and digital hotel directories will eliminate the need for paper, while energy-saving air-conditioning systems and smart curtains will help to regulate room temperatures. Solar panels, motion-sensor LED lighting and advanced water technologies will further enhance efficiency. Plastic laundry bags have been abolished.

-TTG Asia.

To view EXPERIENCE MALAYSIA Click here

-Tourism Malaysia.

With the pandemic accelerating consumer demand for contactless payment solutions, budget hotels in Malaysia are looking to switch their operating models in order to capitalise on the contactless economy.

The Malaysia Budget Hotel Association (MyBHA) is encouraging its members to shift to contactless payment methods to boost their hotels’ occupancies, through the launch of the Jom Nginap (which means Let’s Stay in Malay) campaign, in collaboration with e-wallet provider Touch ‘n Go (TNG) and local digital payment solution provider Gkash.

MyBHA’s national president, Emmy Suraya Hussein, shared: “We will be the first hotel association to initiate and engage with 14 million TnG eWallet users in the country.”

Under the campaign, TnG will exhibit and promote all participating hotels in the TnG eWallet app, while Gkash will provide digital wallet solutions through business apps at zero-entry costs.

MyBHA will initially engage with 200 hotels nationwide to participate in this campaign which will run from November 15 to December 31, 2020. Looking ahead, the association will encourage more hotels to participate in similar eWallet cashback campaigns in the future.

http://mybha.org/

Firefly Airlines will start jet operations from 1Q2021, as part of parent Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)’s revamped long-term business plan, with a focus on strengthening the revenue streams of each subsidiary as its premium carrier brand Malaysia Airlines (MAB) teeter on the brink.

Under the plan, Firefly will add up to 10 narrow body jets to its fleet in phases, serving the domestic, South-east Asia and Asia-Pacific markets out of Penang International Airport.

The low-cost carrier will be complementing sister company MAB in serving the leisure market, while diversifying its base connecting secondary cities in Malaysia to East Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

It will leverage on available resources and talents from within MAG, with the possibility of deploying the Boeing 737-800 aircraft from MAB. This will give the national carrier room to focus on its network serving the premium market, according to MAG.

MAG CEO Izham Ismail said: “Based on available forecasts, domestic and short-haul travel will be most preferred in the current environment, hence, it makes commercial sense for Firefly to supply this demand from the northern region. This is in line with the group’s enhanced Long-Term Business Plan, which has been realigned to suit the current and future environment post-Covid-19, with a focus on strengthening the revenue streams of each subsidiary.”

With the new jet operations, Firefly will offer a flexible service concept, with product unbundling to suit the leisure-focused and price-sensitive customers, providing a more significant value proposition.

The setup of Firefly’s Penang hub jet operations will require minimal investment by MAG in 2021, with an expected increase in production, measured in average seat per kilometre, by 36 per cent over the next five years, MAG said.

-TTG Asia.

Apple Vacations recently conducted a successful campaign offering outbound tour packages to 25 destinations including Slovenia; Lake Bled in Slovenia pictured

At a time when most international borders remain sealed, and Malaysians are banned from travelling abroad, outbound tour specialist Apple Vacations recently sold out its group tour packages to 25 destinations, under its seven-day travel recovery campaign run in early October.

Destinations that were on offer span the globe, including Cambodia, China, South Korea, Australia, Japan, UAE, and EurAt a time when most international borders remain sealed, and Malaysians are banned from travelling abroad, outbound tour specialist Apple Vacations recently sold out its group tour packages to 25 destinations, under its seven-day travel recovery campaign run in early October.

Destinations that were on offer span the globe, including Cambodia, China, South Korea, Australia, Japan, UAE, and Europe, among others.

Apple Vacations recently conducted a successful campaign offering outbound tour packages to

Its group managing director, Koh Yock Heng, shared that the competitive pricing of these full board group tour packages, with discounts up to 50 per cent alongside flexible departure dates in April and May 2021, was the reason why they were snapped up quickly.

For example, a nine-day/six-night package to Western Europe covering Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and France, all in costs RM5,399, instead of RM10,799. Elsewhere, a 10-day, seven-night holiday to the Balkans is priced at RM6,999 all in, as opposed to RM13,999.

Koh said the campaign is a collaboration between the agency, airlines, land operators and NTOs, who lent their support through joint marketing efforts.

“The airlines and ground operators also supported (the campaign) by giving big discounts on their end. If not for these partnerships, we would not have been able to come up with (competitively-priced packages for) this campaign,” he added.

Departure dates have been made flexible in the event that travel is not possible due to border restrictions. Koh shared: “The travel dates will then be postponed to new fixed departures. If clients are unable to go on these new dates, they can transfer their seats to someone else. And if that is not possible, we will give them a full refund.”

And should destinations reopen their borders to leisure tourists ahead of the set departure date, and Malaysia has lifted its ban on non-essential outbound travel, the tour will depart earlier. Koh said: “The idea is for us to be one of the first few visitors to visit a destination when it reopens.”

KUANTAN: Tourism industry operators in Taman Negara can finally heave a sigh of relief.

After weeks of uncertainty, the national park in Jerantut, which was abruptly closed to curb the spread of Covid-19 on Oct 6, will reopen its doors to visitors tomorrow.

A tour operator who declined to be named said tourism industry operators at the national park have been informed about the much-awaited decision to revoke the closure notice and resume operations.

"The operators will have to comply with all the standard operating procedures. Visitors from areas placed under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) are advised not to travel to the park.

"Both the Kuala Tahan and Merapoh entrances to Taman Negara will reopen to visitors. Hiking activities at Gunung Tahan has been also allowed to resume," he said.

It is learnt that the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) will be issuing an official statement on the reopening of the park under the new normal later today.

The move to close the park on Oct 6 for the second time this year sparked backlash from tourism industry operators as they face losses amounting to an estimated RM2 million.

On Monday, they submitted a memorandum to the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry on the matter. State Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin had also urged the government to revoke its order and reopen Taman Negara.

Sharkar said neither the national park nor Pahang was under the CMCO.

-nst online.

Travel suppliers in the South-east Asia region can now register their interest to participate in The Great 2021 ASEAN Travel Fest, a year-long B2B and B2C virtual travel festival designed to help regional hospitality suppliers source new business opportunities.

Organised by TTG Asia Media, the festival will spotlight one or more of the ten South-east Asian countries each month, starting from February through November; alongside an All ASEAN showcase in the month of June.

Each monthly destination showcase will take place over three days, comprising of two components: B2B Tradeshow and B2C Live Selling.

During the two-day B2B Tradeshow, which will take place on Thursday and Friday, participating sellers will be able to engage with travel trade buyers from Asia-Pacific and international markets, through a 24/7 virtual exhibition, walk-in business meetings, as well as interactive giveaways and games.

This will be followed by the B2C Live Selling on Saturday, where suppliers can connect with local and regional consumers through a virtual broadcasting event capped at two hours, and sell attractive deals and offers direct to them.

Leveraging on the popularity of live broadcast shopping, production of this segment promises to be hassle-free, with suppliers having to provide only their product information and inventory. The rest will be managed by TTG Asia Media, which will handle aspects from programming and production, to event hosting, live-stream platforms, and an online transaction medium.

Suppliers can also tap into TTG Asia Media’s vast network of travel professionals and enthusiasts to market their event to a wider audience.

Companies can get two showcases for the price of one, with the ROI-driven packages starting at US$2,500, which includes B2B participation with virtual booth and business meeting tools at one destination showcase, plus one All ASEAN showcase.

Other benefits include eight pre-scheduled appointments during the All ASEAN showcase, unlimited walk-in meetings for both showcases, alongside the opportunity to sponsor prizes for interactive games and giveaways.

The price excludes an additional US$2,000 participation fee per B2C Live Selling event, and a 20 per cent commission for inventory sold.

Register your interest here.

Penang's assam laksa has made it into the list of "The World's 50 Best Foods" by CNN Travel, earning a spot in the top10. - NSTP/LOONG WAI TING.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang's assam laksa has made it into the list of "The World's 50 Best Foods" by CNN Travel, earning a spot in the top10.

The spicy-sour fish broth with noodles came in seventh, ahead of Thailand's tom yum goong in eighth place, ice-cream (in ninth place) and Gabon's chicken muamba (in 10th place).

Thailand's massaman curry topped the list, followed by Italy's Neapolitan pizza and Mexico's chocolate.

In fourth spot is Japan's sushi, while China's Peking duck and Germany's hamburger came in fifth and sixth places, respectively.

Singapore's chili crab and chicken rice took the 35th and 45th spots, respectively.

A caption which accompanied an image of Penang's assam laksa in CNN Travel reads: "Poached, flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, lemongrass, onion, pineapple... one of Malaysia's most popular dishes is an addictive spicy-sour fish broth with noodles (especially great when fused with ginger), that'll have your nose running before the spoon even hits your lips.

CNN Travel said its staff members had scoured the planet to compile the list of 50 of the most delicious foods ever created. The article was updated on Sep 30.

Responding to the list, state Creative Economy and Tourism Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin posted on his Facebook page: "Maintaining our Top 10 rank on the list, Penang Assam Laksa is No.7 on CNN's list of World's Best 50 Foods".

Last year, CNN Travel, CNN International's travel website, named Penang as one of Asia's 17 best destinations to consider for one's next adventure, singling it out as a 'mecca' for food and architecture lovers.

On July 13, 2018, Bangkok-based CNN Travel senior producer Karla Cripps, in her article "George Town, Penang: Asia's greatest street food city?" wrote at length on Penang's street food culture and the state as an eater's paradise.

-nst online.

BATTERED tourism players are pinning high hopes on the 2021 Budget to revive the sector's fortunes and help them stay afloat.

Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) president Datuk Tan Kok Liang said the tourism industry would remain fragile and sensitive next year, and even beyond, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, he said, measures such as Penjana Tourism Financing did not sit well with small and medium-sized enterprises, who were cautious about future repayments.

He called for more effective measures to be introduced in the 2021 Budget to protect jobs and businesses in the sector.

"The moratorium should be extended until at least June as the tourism industry has been crippled and businesses are unable to repay their loans.

"Matta agrees with the Malaysian Association of Hotels on a proposed two-tiered wage subsidy system, similarly used in Singapore, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.

"The tiered system calls on the government to provide a 50 per cent subsidy for employees earning up to RM4,000 and 30 percent for those earning between RM4,001 and RM8,000.

"The wage subsidy programme should also be extended at least until June."

Tan asked the government to provide more funding to encourage tourism players to invest in digitalisation.

"As the national tourism association, we ask for a RM20 million grant to boost the Matta online platform and e-hailing platform for the marketplace.

"The government should incentivise domestic travel through a personal income tax relief of RM8,000 per person for domestic travel packages, purchased through licensed travel agencies or tour operators, inclusive of accommodation, ground transportation and tours."

Tan urged the government to introduce tax relief to boost consumer spending.

"Matta's budget wish list includes tax relief for businesses and individuals, double tax deductions for all costs for employees' local company trips (tour packages), and relief to companies which are willing to send their employees to local MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) events.

"These will encourage companies to retain and reskill their employees.

"Other relief proposed includes granting 100 percent exemption for import and excise duty, allowing the import of complete build-up coaches and higher-end tourism vehicles, extending tax incentives granted for inbound and domestic tour companies to 2023, and extending the Human Resources Development Fund levy exemption to next month.

"We hope for a bigger budget for upgrading tourism infrastructure; working capital for promotions and marketing (matching grant) and business adjustment post-Covid-19."

Tan said international travel restrictions were cutting into their earnings and that inbound tourism was one of Malaysia's most lucrative exports.

He urged the government to gradually reopen international borders in the first quarter of 2021, starting with ASEAN countries.

Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association president Uzaidi Udanis said: "Tourism players are getting familiar with new concepts, such as virtual tourism. So we welcome marketing incentives to boost our promotions."

He hoped the government would review the mandatory rule for travel agencies to have physical offices as a prerequisite to operate.

-nst online.

Tourism Malaysia presents X-Change Session, the 5th Series featuring representatives from Gamuda Cove, InterContinental Hotels Group and D'Artisan Cheese. Get to know our local products and latest updates online!

-Tourism Malaysia.

MALAYSIA, 3 November 2020 - AirAsia has been awarded Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline for the eighth consecutive year at the World Travel Awards (WTA) - one of the most prestigious, comprehensive and sought after awards programmes commemorating excellence across key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality. 

AirAsia emerged top in the category having received the highest votes from travel professionals and industry players from around the region, ahead of regional players such as Scoot, Nok Air, VietJet Air, Jetstar and Firefly to win the top low-cost carrier awards - Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2020 and Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew 2020.

Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia Groupsaid, “I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive Asia's Leading Low-Cost Airline 2020 Award for the eighth consecutive year. Winning the award this year is more important than ever and is of profound sentimental value as the  industry is going through the most  turbulent times. Our gratitude goes to every one of our over 600 million guests for their continued support and faith in us since day one, and their understanding as we weather through the most difficult period in AirAsia’s history. Most importantly, this award is dedicated to AirAsia’s Allstars (staff), including those who have left us recently through no fault of their own. I thank every Allstar for their commitment, perseverance and dedication  as we navigate our way through this incredibly challenging year.”

AirAsia Group Head of Cabin Crew Suhaila Hassan said, “This pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, and the journey has been far from easy. Despite the crisis, I can say with confidence that our dedicated crew have risen to the challenge to show their service excellence and hospitality, adapting to the constantly changing rules and regulations. Our focus is to safeguard the wellbeing, health and safety of each guest. And this award is a testament to our hard work and passion.” 

World Travel Awards Founder Graham E Cooke said, “Despite the unprecedented challenges faced by the aviation industry this year, AirAsia continues to lead the way in low-cost aviation in Asia and beyond. Its strive for excellence remains unrivalled and I am delighted that it has been acknowledged by both the travel trade and the public by being voted ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline 2020’ and ‘Asia’s Leading Low-Cost Airline Cabin Crew 2020’.”

Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards, one of the most prestigious and note-worthy awards programmes in the global and tourism industry, acknowledges and celebrates excellence across key sectors of travel, tourism and hospitality. The World Travel Awards brand is globally recognised as the ultimate hallmark of industry excellence.

Despite the incredible challenges faced by the aviation industry over the course of 2020, this year’s World Travel Awards programme saw record month-on-month voting numbers from the all-important tourism consumers, whilst the official website continues to receive more search traffic than in any previous year. 

Organisers say, this indicates that the hunger for travel and tourism is as strong as ever, providing encouraging signs to all in the aviation and tourism industries.

-AirAsia.

https://www.airasia.com/en/gb

6 November 2020 - Bagi pihak Kementerian Pelancongan, Seni dan Budaya (MOTAC), saya ingin merakamkan penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada Kerajaan di bawah pimpinan YAB Perdana Menteri, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, atas kejayaan Menteri Kewangan membentangkan satu bajet yang inklusif dengan mengambil kira keadaan yang amat mencabar pada masa ini.

Walaupun kita sedang berdepan dengan penularan wabak COVID-19 yang turut memberi impak kepada seluruh dunia, Kerajaan berjaya membentangkan Belanjawan 2021 yang mencerminkan keprihatinan kepimpinan YAB Perdana Menteri dalam memastikan semua pihak yang menyumbang kepada rantaian ekonomi berkaitan dengan sektor pelancongan seperti penginapan, pengangkutan, makanan dan minuman, agensi pelancongan, aset-aset warisan seni dan budaya serta pengurusan acara di negara ini, diberi perhatian.

MOTAC yakin kesungguhan Kerajaan dalam memastikan Matlamat Kedua, iaitu Kelangsungan perniagaan menerusi Strategi Ke-2 dalam memperkukuhkan sektor-sektor tumpuan, khasnya kelangsungan industri pelancongan menjadi suntikan semangat kepada semua yang terlibat dalam pertumbuhan sektor pelancongan, seni dan budaya di negara ini.

Antara tumpuan langsung adalah :-

1. RM50 juta untuk program latihan dan penempatan semula bagi 8000 kakitangan dari syarikat penerbangan di Malaysia;
2. Peluang pekerjaan kepada 500 orang daripada komuniti setempat dan Orang Asli sebagai jurupandu pelancong di semua taman negara bagi merancakkan eko-pelancongan;
3. RM50 juta disediakan bagi kerja-kerja penyelenggaraan dan baik pulih kemudahan pelancongan di seluruh negara;
4. RM20 juta juga diperuntukkan bagi menambah baik infrastruktur dan mempergiat promosi Kampung-Kampung Budaya di Terengganu, Melaka, Sarawak dan Negeri Sembilan;
5. RM10 juta ringgit diperuntukkan bagi memastikan bangunan warisan kebangsaan seperti Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, dan Carcosa Seri Negara juga akan terus kekal terpelihara dan menjadi ikon pelancongan;
6. RM35 juta kepada Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council bagi meningkatkan daya saing industri pelancongan kesihatan tempatan. Kerajaan juga akan melanjutkan pengecualian cukai pendapatan bagi eksport perkhidmatan jagaan kesihatan swasta sehingga tahun 2022;
7. RM1,000 di bawah Geran Khas Prihatin Tambahan akan diberikan kepada peniaga dan penjaja di Sabah. Geran khas ini juga akan diberikan kepada pemandu teksi, e-hailing, kereta sewa dan pemandu pelancong di Sabah;
8. Pengecualian levi tabung HRDF akan diberikan selama enam bulan berkuat kuasa 1 Januari 2021 bagi membantu mengurangkan beban aliran tunai syarikat yang masih terjejas. Pengecualian tersebut akan meliputi sektor pelancongan dan syarikat yang terjejas COVID-19; dan
9. RM150 juta diperuntukkan bagi inisiatif Shop Malaysia Online melalui usahasama dengan platform e-commerce utama untuk menggalakkan perbelanjaan secara dalam talian yang akan memanfaatkan 500 ribu usahawan tempatan termasuk pengusaha produk halal dan kraftangan.

Selain daripada itu, program peningkatan kemahiran dan latihan semula atau reskilling and upskilling menerusi peruntukan sebanyak RM100 juta ringgit kepada pihak berkuasa pembangunan wilayah terutamanya IRDA dan SEDIA untuk melengkapkan kemahiran baharu kepada tenaga kerja yang terjejas teruk akibat penutupan sempadan bagi pelancong asing mampu membantu mereka mendapat peluang kerja atau sumber pendapatan baharu.

Belanjawan 2021 turut menekankan kepada Pelaksanaan Program Subsidi Upah selama 3 bulan lagi dengan lebih bersasar, khususnya bagi pelancongan termasuk sektor peruncitan dengan kadar RM600 ringgit sebulan bagi pekerja bergaji RM4,000 ke bawah. Selain itu, had 200 pekerja bagi setiap permohonan akan ditingkatkan kepada 500 pekerja. Sebanyak 1.5 bilion ringgit diperuntukkan dan dijangka akan membantu kira-kira 70 ribu majikan dan 900 ribu pekerja.

Sokongan berterusan kerajaan terhadap industri pelancongan, seni dan budaya tempatan ini, sekaligus membolehkan MOTAC menjadi salah satu Kementerian teras dalam menyumbang kepada pemulihan ekonomi negara pasca COVID-19.

Kesemua aspek yang diberi perhatian ini secara tidak langsung membolehkan lebih ramai pihak dapat menyumbang kepada pertumbuhan industri pelancongan, seni dan budaya, merancang strategi yang lebih mampan dan berdaya saing dalam merancakkan kembali industri ini.

Oleh itu, saya juga ingin menyeru sahabat-sahabat penggiat industri pelancongan, seni dan budaya tanah air, marilah kita bersama-sama berganding bahu untuk memulihkan industri pelancongan, seni dan budaya negara dengan sokongan belanjawan yang telah diumumkan oleh Kerajaan pada hari ini.

-Pejabat Menteri, MOTAC.

Hafizh Syahrin will be racing for NTS RW Racing GP in 2021. The team is very proud to welcome the 26 years old Malaysian rider to join them, alongside 16 years old Belgian rider Barry Baltus. 

“We are proud and happy to have signed Hafizh, who is not only an experienced and talented rider, but also a very kind and nice person”, says NTS RW Racing GP team manager Jarno Janssen. “We are getting stronger and better every week, but we are still developing the bike. The input and feedback of a rider like Hafizh is very important in that process.”

Hafizh Syahrin too is happy with the contract. “I am pleased to stay in Moto2 and join NTS RW Racing GP. I know how much effort it takes to develop a new bike, but I believe in this project. NTS and the team have improved the bike a lot in a relatively short time, step by step. I hope that, with my experience and feedback, we can make big steps. I am convinced that we can do a good job together. I haven’t been at my best this season, which is why I am very pleased and thankful with the confidence that NTS RW Racing GP has in me.”

NTS RW Racing GP will start the new season with a private test on the 26th and 27th of November in Jerez.

-RW Racing GP.

photo: https://desarucoast.com/en

KUALA LUMPUR: Desaru Coast is well poised to be a premium beach destination that changes the tourism landscape in southern Malaysia, although the revival of local and international tourism will take some time.

In expressing the optimism, Desaru Development Holdings One Sdn Bhd managing director Roslina Arbak said Desaru Coast in Johor has wide open spaces spanning across 3,900 acres along a 17-km unspoiled beachfront.

"In addition, our specially curated activities embrace the new normal with stringent Standard Operating Procedures and safety measures, which has since become the routine normal for us at Desaru Coast to ensure the well-being of our visitors," she said in an email interview.

Desaru Development has several luxury resorts within Desaru Coast including Hard Rock Hotel Desaru Coast.

Roslina said 2020 was intended to be a significant year for tourism, leveraging on the "Malaysia, Truly Asia" slogan and repositioning the country as a premier destination for international travel in the region.

"Visit Malaysia Year 2020 targeted 30 million tourist arrivals and RM100 billion in tourist receipts for the year. However the Covid-19 pandemic has upturned all the best-laid plans which the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture had in place."

She said a transition to the new normal, in whatever form, would have to come gradually when travellers have the confidence that they can do what they used to do without endangering themselves or others.

"Gaining that confidence will require a continuation of the progress in adopting public-health interventions and community-wide responsible behavioral approach.

"Therefore, this can pave the way forward for the government to sustain the promotion of domestic tourism supported by health and safety measurements widely adopted across the hospitality industry."

Roslina added that an upswing in domestic tourism would increase demand for services related to travel trade, including airlines, accommodation, F&B retail and ground transportation.

On its strategies to remain competitive, she said a survey by Tourism Malaysia in mid-April 2020 had shown that the majority of respondents would consider hygiene and safety as the main priority in deciding to travel.

They have a strong desire for less crowded areas, with islands and beaches topping the list of desired destinations.

"Respondents also prioritise pricing and product attractiveness, prefer hotels and resorts, and self-drive over public transportation and air travel.

"Thus we looked at the pandemic as a good opportunity for us to truly position Desaru Coast within the domestic travel market. Travellers who typically would have gone abroad, now look within Malaysia, to get away from the crowd."

Roslina said it had curated a suite of flexible packages to meet the demands and expectations of the market during the challenging times.

"Desaru Coast have also developed new packages with specially curated itineraries that promote decoupling from crowded spaces by leveraging on the wide expanse of space available here. The way we operate has changed and evolved as part of the new norm.

"With the international ferry terminal opening next year, offering direct connectivity to Singapore, Desaru Coast is a perfect destination for corporate activities and bespoke events catering to both business and leisure travellers," she added.

-nst online.

https://desarucoast.com/en

Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar meets with Malaysia Rapid Transit System representatives on the RTS Link project; photo by The Johor Royal Press Office

The much-delayed JB-Singapore Rapid Transit (RTS) Link that connects Bukit Chagar in Johor Baru with Woodlands in Singapore may finally break ground at the end of this month, following a virtual launch planned on November 22 in conjunction with the birthday of the sultan of Johor Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

The Johor Royal Press Office said the ruler has been presented with project details, including launch arrangements and final designs for the station.

The RTS Link is expected to ease causeway congestions, improve connectivity between the two countries and generate shared economic and social benefits. When complete, it will be a standalone Light Rail Transit (LRT) System with the capacity to serve up to 10,000 commuters during peak periods, for every hour and in each direction.

-TTG Asia.

BANGKOK, November 11, 2020 -- Digitalization and innovation are key for SMEs survival as the travel industry emerges from COVID-19’s impact according to a report by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), conducted by Twenty31 Consulting Inc. and supported by Agoda, revealed at the World Travel Market today.  PATA’s research report “The role of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) in supporting Asia-Pacific SMEs in Recovery” aims to provide insights to benefit small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality and tourism space that make up a large proportion of travel providers, as they pivot and adapt in the face of COVID-19.

With the pandemic dramatically changing how and where consumers travel, it is essential for hospitality businesses, especially SMEs, to adapt their operations to thrive within a digital global ecosystem. The report highlights key areas where digital travel platforms and governments can support tourism SMEs in the Asia Pacific region. 

• SMEs are leveraging OTAs’ digital platforms to accelerate recovery. There is a shift in the dynamic of the relationship between SMEs and OTAs, with the latter being acknowledged and increasingly valued as a technology, data and marketing partner. It is vital for SME hospitality providers to understand trends and reach new audiences during these times. SMEs leveraging OTAs can reduce their top-down investment especially around payments features, customer support as well as marketing efforts. OTAs have also expanded opportunities for destination diversification, helping to drive tourism in second and third tier cities. “We have seen a real push for OTAs to do more than simply selling rooms. They are helping us with other services, and this is really helping us forecast our needs and drive more sales.” says a hospitality SME in Thailand.

• The use of data insights will future proof SMEs as they navigate today’s ever-changing landscape of the travel and tourism industry. OTAs are technology partners that are well placed to help provide SMEs a comprehensive understanding of data insights to enhance their businesses. Data insights can be used to optimize revenue through meta-search, machine learning, artificial intelligence. product diversification and platform centralization. “OTAs are now using AI tech to tailor offers to customers and that is going to be very interesting. This will likely allow SMEs to match our products and services with high-potential consumers and drive better ROI.” says a hospitality SME in Singapore.

• SMEs call on governments to work with OTAs to boost post-COVID travel recovery. During this crucial recovery period, more private-public collaboration will boost travel confidence, where the local government can draw on the private sector’s commercial expertise to spot and create new opportunities to improve the industry, businesses and lives impacted by COVID, as well as stay relevant in the transforming economic environment. “The government can do more to engage the private sector, especially around decision making and cooperative marketing.” – tour operator SME in Indonesia.

The study also looks at the changing landscape of the travel and tourism industry and how OTAs have rapidly accelerated the growth in the region where APAC-based OTAs represent more than a third of global gross bookings.

“Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) play a crucial role in the recovery process, where SMEs can leverage their data and digitize in order to adapt and build long term resiliency. We are optimistic that the industry will eventually recover with governments and private sectors coming together to ensure that no one gets left behind. We look forward to working with our partners, such as Agoda, as we continue to hear from SME operators and how we can advance the discussion around the future of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region, one that is sustainable and inclusive for all,” says Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association.

"Successful hoteliers use data and technology for price and marketing optimization. Increasingly, many SME tourism enterprises find themselves on the wrong side of the tech moat - unable to do complex data analytics and global marketing in-house. This report shows how SMEs successfully leverage platforms like Agoda to enjoy the benefits of technology to reach laser-targeted audiences in the far corners of the world. Agoda also helps SME hotels participate in several government partnership programs in Asia. SMEs are calling for further collaboration between governments and tech platforms to help revitalize the hard-hit tourism industry.” says Greg Wong, Managing Director of Global Affairs at Agoda.

The complimentary report is available on the PATA website at https://bit.ly/PATA_OTA_report.