Tourism Asia Online

Vol. 07 | No: 12. December 2011

THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE ANNOUNCED Spirituality To Be Asia’s Best Wellness Tourism Asset Research Report First International Travel Trade Event in Myanmar Takes Place in Bagan

CAMBODIA

JAPAN

MAURITIUS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

CHINA

KENYA

PHILIPPINES

UNITED KINGDOM

HOLYLAND TOURS

MACAU

SINGAPORE

U.S.A

HONG KONG

MALAYSIA

SRI LANKA

VIETNAM

INDIA

MALDIVES

THAILAND

COMBO TOURS

contents december 10 08 Maldives Announces

New Nation Brand President and Cabinet approve QUO Keen's "Always Natural" identity

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THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE ANNOUNCED Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Table Mountain

14 Spirituality To Be Asia’s

Best Wellness Tourism Asset Research Report Research Report

Tourism Asia | December 2011

20

Vietnam’s travel firms anxiously awaiting foreign tourists

3

contents december

12

BUSINESS TRAVEL PRICES TO INCREASE IN 2012

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First International Travel Trade Event in Myanmar Takes Place in Bagan

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Vietnam’s travel firms anxiously awaiting foreign tourists The high inbound tourism season in winter lasts from

As the country opens rapidly, the first inter-

October to March. While some travel firms put high

national tourism event is dedicated to

hopes on the new season, many others only wish they

sustainable tourism

will have the same number of clients as the same period of the last year. Especially, some have reported

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts announces plans to launch W Jakarta Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced plans to open W Jakarta in 2015, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in Jakarta and its second hotel in Indonesia after opening W Retreat & Spa Bali - Semin-

sharp falls in the number of travelers who have booked tours so far.

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Outrigger to Manage Idyllic Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa, Thailand Outrigger Hotels and Resorts today announced that it will manage the idyllic Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa as its third hotel property in Thailand.

yak in 2011.

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Tourism Asia | December 2011

From the editor’s desk Managing Editor

:

Sreekumara Menon

India is probably the ultimate destination of

Group Editor

:

Janeesh Jalaluddin

all kinds of pilgrims following any faith

Executive Editor

:

Kriebel George

around the world. The great religions like

Photo Editor

:

Madhu Menon

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christi-

Art Editor

:

Dileep

anity and Sikhism are the integral part of

Senior Correspondent :

Subhash Ghosh

Indian culture and heritage whose values

Senior Sub Editor

:

Anish Kumar

and

Editorial Team

:

Anu S

soil and the sky of India.

faiths

are

mingled

with

the

air,

:

Viji V S

Marketing

:

Suresh Kumar S

Legal Advisor

India is the land of gods and diverse religions where lies the

:

Adv. Preeja K S

Financial Controller

serenity of its heritage. India is dotted with pilgrimages. Great

:

Abhilash S P

religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism have originated on the Indian soil. Over 80% of India's population practices

Representatives North India

:

Vinod Chandana

East India

:

Gagan Sarangi

West India

:

S K Singh

Bahrain

:

Shine G Nair

Bangalore

:

Bhagvan Din Kumar

Bhubaneshwar

:

Gagan Sarangi

Chennai

:

Balachandar

Dubai

:

Shinu

New Delhi

:

Annie Chacko

Philippines

:

Cynthia Lim

Pune

:

S K Singh

Qatar

:

Aneena Jacob

Singapore

:

Ajith Menon

Srilanka

:

Prebuddha

Thailand

:

Tae

All communications to: Tourism Asia Ground Floor, ‘Tower House’, Convent Road Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Phone: +91 471 2470660, Fax: +91 471 2470660

Hinduism, the ancient indigenous religion of India which has a wide variety of forms and expressions. Muslims constitute about 10% of the Indian population. Other significant religious groups in India include Jains, and Christians. Buddhism is almost extinct in the land of its birth, but many exiled Tibetan Buddhists now make their home in India, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. India's famed spirituality has made it a popular destination for spiritually-inclined travelers..

There are a number of Tour operators in the country that offer various pilgrimage tour packages to tourists. These operators also arrange for the stay, the food and other comforts for the pilgrimage. Any pilgrimage tour in India is sure to make you feel elated. These pilgrimage tours are sure to provide the tourists with peace and tranquility.

Pilgrimage tourism as a business has also become big in India in the recent times. There is no denying to the fact that Indians are religious and religion is a part of their life. The boom in the

Email: news@tourismasiaonline.info website: www.tourismasiaonline.info

travel industry has helped tourists to visit these pilgrimage

Regd Office:

world are being attracted to India for its pilgrimage destina-

‘Sreeji Nivas’ , Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram

spots often. A lot of people from across different parts of the tions.

Edited and Published by: Sreekumara Menon For Advertisements: marketing@tourismasiaonline.info The news and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verify the facts before making business decisions using the same.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010

Tourism Asia | December 2011

V.Sreekumara Menon Editor & Publisher editor@tourismasiaonline.info +91 9447798108

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News & Views

Maldives Announces

New Nation Brand

President and Cabinet approve QUO Keen's "Always Natural" identity A new nation brand for the Republic of Maldives, has been unveiled in the island nation's capital, Male. The logo and "Always Natural" tagline, developed by QUO Keen, was approved by President Mohamed Nasheed at a full cabinet meeting. It was then unveiled to the media on October 25 by Thoyyib Mohamed Waheed, State Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Simon Hawkins, the MD of the MMPRC (Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation) and David Keen, CEO of QUO Keen, the specialist brand consultancy for the global tourism industry.

"The slogan and logo are designed to underscore the outstanding natural beauty of the Maldives, which tourists from all segments of the market consistently rate as one of their main reasons for visiting the country", said MMPRC Chairperson Thoyyib Mohamed.

identity for the Maldives which goes above and beyond the current image of a luxury honeymoon destination. The final identity will be brought into immediate use.

ability, and those drawn to conduct business with a country of unique natural characteristics. The new brand offers unique cross-marketing possibilities."

The mark has been created with the aim of becoming not just a tourism brand, but a brand with transferability to all areas of Maldivian life and livelihood, from sustainable energy, to fishing and other local industries, to the natural smiles of the people of the Islands.

The identity reinforces government policy of repositioning the Maldives as a country focused on sustainability, and with a wide range of offerings across all spectrums. It draws on the topography, culture, and people of the nation and will appeal not only to traditional markets, but also to the growing inbound tourism

David Keen added: "While the mark and tagline speak clearly of the natural beauty of the Islands and will appeal to tourists around the world, the new identity has also been created for investors interested in the drive towards sustain-

markets of China, Japan and India.

"The MMPRC is delighted with the end result and we look forward to proudly communicating the new brand to the world," added Simon Hawkins, Managing Director of the MMPRC.

David Keen, CEO of QUO Keen said: "We have created a brand that stands for the Maldivian people, for tourism and for all of Maldivian industry. The slogan "Always Natural" talks to the wonderful character of the people of the Maldives, to sustainability and to the ultimate tourism experience. The logo has been hand-crafted to express the natural elements of the country formed in a thumb print."

QUO Keen has worked in close conjunction with key stakeholders including the MMPRC and other public and private bodies. It carried out extensive research projects in order to craft a new unified

Tourism Asia | December 2011

8

News & Views

Outrigger to Manage Idyllic Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa,Thailand Outrigger Hotels and Resorts today announced that it will manage the idyllic Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa as its third hotel property in Thailand. Outrigger assumed full sales and marketing responsibility for the resort on November 3, 2011, and will have complete operational control by November 1, 2012. The resort will continue to operate under its current name, Phi Phi Island

Tourism Asia | December 2011

Village Beach Resort and Spa, until November 1, 2012, at which time it will be rebranded as "Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa".

Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa, which has 112 villas, four restaurants, two bars, a spa, fitness centre, and a dive and activity centre, is located on

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News & Views the quiet northern peninsula of Phi Phi Don island. The whole area is characterized by white powder sands, colourful coral reefs, turquoise waters and spectacular views of the inner Andaman Sea. The resort is a much sought-after property, ranking first of 36 Phi Phi Don island properties on TripAdvisor速, the world's largest travel site offering consumer generated reviews, photos, and advice on hotels, attractions, restaurants, and vacations.

Phi Phi Island is located 30 miles from Phuket and 26 miles from Krabi in the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand. The island can be accessed by public ferries as well as the hotel's new private luxury boat. Both Phuket and Krabi are serviced by domestic and international flights.

Tourism Asia | December 2011

Thirty-eight new villas will be built over the next year, bringing the total number of villas in the resort to 150. Renovations worth US$1.7 million will be made to the property to align it with Outrigger's brand standards prior to the resort's relaunch as Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa on November 1, 2012.

Darren Edmonstone, Outrigger's Manag

ing Director for the Asia-Pacific region, said: "Phi Phi island is famous for its absolutely majestic scenery, and the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa is a magical, award-winning property. We are proud to have been chosen to manage this iconic resort and welcome this property into our growing collection of beachfront resort hotels in AsiaPacific."

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News & Views

BUSINESS TRAVEL PRICES TO INCREASE IN 2012

encouraging news as far as car rentals are concerned as this is an area where businesses are expected to continue saving on a global scale. This is the short-term prediction, whereas the situation may improve after 2012.

As business people start to travel again and have the need to acquire new contacts, prices are expected to go up, especially in Asia and Latin America.

many Europeans are still capable of traveling by car or train and North Americans are still afraid of splashing out on business trips.

Not too long ago it appeared that conference calling and internet searching was the way forward in terms of making contacts abroad for businesses as the business class section of many aircraft was reduced to a half empty part of the plane with business people paying the same as economy passengers were 5 years ago.

However according to the forecast of American Express, the situation is different in Latin America and Asia, where business travel is set to soar and airline companies along with hotels are set to grab the opportunity to make a lot of money in years to come.

The good news for airlines is that the ties, suits and laptops are stepping aboard again and business travel is most certainly on the up throughout the globe.

The rise in Europe and North America is expected to be rather conservative, as

Tourism Asia | December 2011

AMEX Global Business Travel Global Forecast is an annual report by American Express predicting transport prices. It has predicted a rise in air travel because of more business passengers travel by plane nowadays and be cause of increased rates and overnights stays in world’s hotels.

However, it has provided slightly less 12

News & Views

Spirituality To Be Asia’s Best Wellness Tourism Asset Research Report Spiritual & Holistic products and services are set to be the most important assets and demand components of the health and wellness sector in the Far East and South East Asia by 2020, according to a research report distributed at the World Travel Market 2011 here last week.

Published by Wellness Tourism Worldwide (WTW), a newly formed alliance of wellness and tourism related businesses, organizations and institutions, the research also forecasts that private health insurance will play a more important role in providing policies that cover wellness travel. Entitled “The 4WR: Wellness for Whom, Where and What? Wellness Travel 2020,� the report was prepared by Xellum Ltd. (Hungary) with the support from Global Spa and Wellness (USA) and the cooperation of Hungarian National Tourism Plc.

Tourism Asia | December 2011

It was an attempt to better segment the various emerging products and services globally and break them down into areas of specialisation by geographical region.

It also seeks to identify the biggest opportunities in wellness tourism over the next 10 years by drawing up input from from 140 experts representing stakeholders from wellness, tourism, spa and healthcare industries in over 50 countries.

care systems in addition to consumer interest in integrative health/complementary medicine and increased globalisation.

The report says that although wellness tourism is, and expected to remain, one of the fastest growing forms of international and domestic tourism, there is one major risk: the globalisation of standardised and uniform products and services.

The bottom-line objective is to help developers, managers and policy makers build on or develop individual competitive advantages and avoid costly common mistakes. Research shows the wellness industry will increase due to the aging population, an increase in chronic disease conditions resulting in disability and overburdened, fragmented health

Today, the report says that the most popular wellness tourism services are: Beauty treatments (89% of the respondents named it as popular or very popular); Sport & fitness services (89%), Leisure and recreational spas (85%), and Spa & wellness resorts (83%, respectively). Yoga and meditation (60%) are also very well established and popular.

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News & Views

THE NEW 7 WONDERS OF NATURE ANNOUNCED New7Wonders of Nature campaign over the past four years, starting with over 440 locations from over 220 countries and all the way to the 28 Finalist candidates from whom the New7Wonders of Nature have been chosen.”

Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Table Mountain The first count of the global vote to elect the New7Wonders of Nature has been announced. In alphabetical order, they are: Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa Underground River, Table Mountain.

Announcing the results at the headquarters of the New7Wonders Foundation in Zurich, Switzerland, Bernard Weber, Founder-President of New7Wonders, said: “I would like to thank the many champions, citizens, voluntary organizations, public bodies and governments that have helped promote the

Tourism Asia | December 2011

The results announced on Nov 11 are provisional and based on the first count of votes completed since voting ended at 11:11 GMT. The results will now be checked, validated and independently verified. Once the voting validation process is completed, in early 2012, New7Wonders will then work with the confirmed winners to organize the Official Inauguration events.

“We congratulate each of these participants on achieving their provisional New7Wonders of Nature status, and look forward to completing the confirmation process to celebrate each one in their own Official Inauguration ceremony early in 2012,” said Bernard Weber, adding, “When the New7Wonders of Nature are confirmed they will join the man-made New 7 Wonders of the World in becoming part of Global Memory for humankind for ever.”

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News & Events

Vietnam’s travel firms anxiously awaiting foreign tourists The high inbound tourism season in winter lasts from October to March.

While some travel firms put high hopes on the new season, many others only wish they will have the same number of clients as the same period of the last year. Especially, some have reported sharp falls in the number of travelers who have booked tours so far.

“We feel worried now and we have been trying to attract more travelers.

It is very difficult to find the partners who can provide travelers,” said Nguyen Quoc Ky, General Director of Vietravel.

According to Lac Hong Voyages, travelers from Asian markets may decrease by 20-30 percent in comparison with the last year’s winter.

Vietravel has reported little increases from South East Asian and Japanese markets, but sharp falls have been anticipated for other markets, including Europe and theUS.

The gloomy picture of Vietnam’s tourism proves to be not a surprise at all. The bad global economic performance has forced consumers to cut down their expenses. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s key markets are facing some serious problems.

Europe, which includes the US, Germany, France, Spain and Italia, is in big economic difficulties. TheUS, Australia and North East Asian countries, including Japan, are also facing the same challenges.

The same situation is occurring with many other travel firms. Especially, some of them have predicted the sharp decrease of 30 percent of the European market.

The best solution to lure more tourists to Vietnam, according to travel firms, is lowering tour fees. However, the firms believe that this is “an impossible mission” for now,

when everything is getting more and more expensive, which has made the input costs higher.

Regarding the tour fees, most of international travel firms have affirmed that the fees would increase at least by 15-25 percent this season in comparison with the same period of the last year, even though travel firms have to accept lower profits.

In the global economic downturn, foreign partners have continuously asked Vietnamese travel firms to reduce fees. Meanwhile, service providers (road transport, restaurant, hotel, meals) in Vietnam all are attempting to raise fees, which make it impossible to design competitive products to lure more travelers.

According to Ky of Vietravel, the fees of the tours to Vietnam are always higher than the tours to other neighboring destinations. However, the tour fees keep increasing year after year.

“In other countries, the petrol price increase has also badly affected the tourism industry. However, the involved parties can sit together and cooperate to lower tour fees to attract more travelers. But in Vietnam, no cooperation agreement can be reached,” Ky said.

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Tourism Asia | December 2011

News & Views

Starwood Hotels & Resorts announces plans to launch W Jakarta Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced plans to open W Jakarta in 2015, marking the debut of W Hotels Worldwide in Jakarta and its second hotel in Indonesia after opening W Retreat & Spa Bali - Seminyak in 2011.

Located as part of super-block, Ciputra World Jakarta 2 (CWJ 2), in the heart of Jakarta's Central Business District, W Jakarta is owned by PT Ciputra Property Tbk (CTRP) through its subsidiary PT Sarananeka Indahpancar (SNIP) and will feature 300 guestrooms.

"Following the opening of W Bali, the expansion into Jakarta is another milestone in bringing the W brand to the world's most exciting and vibrant cities and resort destinations," said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le MĂŠridien. Founded in 1998 in New York City, W Hotels continues to transform into a global powerhouse.

When it opens in 2015, W Jakarta is slated to become the W brand's twelfth property in the Asia Pacific region, following the 2014 openings of W Beijing and W Shanghai. With more than 13 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by the end of 2015 in vibrant destinations around the world, from Paris to Bangkok, Singapore to Mumbai, and Milan to Verbier, Switzerland.

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"We are delighted to work with Ciputra Group, a visionary developer with 30 years of experience, on this highly anticipated project," said Chuck Abbott, Regional Vice President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Brunei. "W Jakarta will change the landscape of Jakarta's luxurious hotels and will provide guests and locals alike with W's vibrant signature programming set in a stunning, cutting-edge design environment at the heart of Jakarta's CBD."

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Tourism Asia | December 2011

News & Events

First International Travel Trade Event in Myanmar Takes Place in Bagan With Myanmar featuring in the international news, and the world watching as the country opens up, the first international travel trade event in Myanmar will be held in the countrys historic ancient capital of Bagan, this Sunday, November 27. With the outlook of increased international engagement and a relaxation of regulations, business leaders, investors and global tourism professionals are enthusiastic about the prospects of engaging with Myanmar.

Tour operators, hoteliers, international organizations and government officials from the Greater Mekong Sub-region and around the world will convene at the Travel Leaders Symposium on Sustainable Tourism. They will make new contacts and map out strengths, opportunities and challenges of managing the anticipated tourism boom in Myanmar.

The forum venue is one of the worlds largest ancient cities containing over 2,500 temples dating from the 11th century.

We are looking forward to welcoming guests from all Asia and the world, said H.E. U Tint Hsan, Minister, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. We are very proud to host this event in an iconic location in Myanmar. We want to build a successful and sustainable tourism future for the country. Bagan is a good place to start.

Organizers expect over 100 participants at the event. According to Luzi Matzig, Chief Executive Officer of Asian Trails, a major tour operator in the region, Myan

Tourism Asia | December 2011

As the country opens rapidly, the first international tourism event is dedicated to sustainable tourism mar stands at a crossroads of tourism development. The country is one of the worlds most exciting new travel destinations. As a spectacular choice for international visitors, it also faces the challenge of growing tourism while preserving the authenticity of the indigenous travel experience.

Discussion entitled, The Future Sustainable Tourism in Myanmar.

of

During the event, sessions will be held on topics such as sustainable tourism and the environment, best-case practices in community-based tourism and using social media for responsible tourism development. Participants will also examine how modern technology such as electronic visas can contribute to the growth of arrivals and the efficiency of tourism in Myanmar and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. The event will wrap up with a Travel Leaders Roundtable

travel independently, and pay a premium over joining traditional tour groups.

These travellers like to experience and interact at a deeper level with the local culture, heritage, and the people. Myanmar offers an incredible range of such experiences.

Mason Florence, Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), said: Myanmar is quickly re-emerging as Asias next fabulous tourism destination for visitors who prefer to

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