WTM 2002: New venue, new hopes

TTG Asia  -  World Travel Market 2002 will open with a party, to mark its new home at ExCeL and showcase the area as “the new London”. Delegates, no doubt, will hope that business will be just as spectacular.

A RIVER Thames spectacular, featuring the UK’s Royal Marines, helicopters, illuminated speedboats, lasers, coloured lights, aquatic pyrotechnics, music, fireworks and community choirs are just part of a welcome extravaganza planned for World Travel Market (WTM) 2002 on the opening day, November 11.

The party marks WTM’s move to the new waterside home of ExCeL in London’s east side.

WTM’s Official Welcome, WOW for short, is being staged on behalf of the business and tourism community on the east side of London, with assistance from TourEast London and the Mayor of London, Mr Ken Livingstone, champion of the regeneration that has transformed the area into “the new London”.

WOW “signals the start of a new era of dual growth for the event, in its new, spacious surroundings as well as the international industry as it looks to its future development,” WTM’s group exhibition director, Ms Fiona Jeffery, said.

The event is to start after the event closes for the evening.

The Greater London Authority, through the London Development Agency, is supporting the party with funding of £50,000 (US$77,847), which is being matched by ExCeL and other partners.

Mr Livingstone said: “London’s tourism industry employs more than 275,000 people directly and contributes more than £9 billion to the city’s economy and we can improve on this.

“Docklands, and in particular the east side of London, is the new London consisting of an attractive mix of historic buildings and towering architectural design. I welcome the opportunity to showcase this exciting and dynamic area to the international travel and tourism industry,” Mr Livingstone said.

Last year, Mr Livingstone offered a £4 million package for businesses badly affected by the events of 9-11.

The bid for emergency money was made by the Mayor’s London Tourist Action Group to counteract the business downturn. The money was made available to support the tourism, leisure, hospitality and cultural industries then and in the longer term.

This year, Mr Livingstone launched the draft London Plan, which will set the framework for preservation and enhancement of London.

ExCeL’s chief executive officer, Mr Jamie Buchan, said: “The riverside spectacular on WTM’s opening night will give the event a remarkable start.

“Over 40,000 visitors and exhibitors will have the opportunity to take advantage of everything which this area of London has to offer, and that’s terrific for the economy.”

News@PATA

INVITATION TO MICE PROFESSIONALS

The inaugural PATA-CEI Asia Pacific business event ("MICE") survey is currently online at http://www.oneworldi.net/ceipata/micesurvey.asp. The aim of the survey is to assess the health of the corporate business event sector in the Pacific Asia region. PATA encourages all industry operators associated with the business event (MICE) industry to fill out the online survey. For further information e-mail johnk@pata.th.com.

PATA CONFIRMS YOUTH BUYERS FOR PTM

PATA is targeting youth and student travel as one of the niche sectors at the 2003 PATA Travel Mart. Eight buyer delegates from the youth sector have so far confirmed attendance, among them Mr. Ronny Bayens, Managing Director, Connections, Belgium, Mr. Stephen Wu, President, Zion Tour, Chinese Taipei and Ms. Gail Sangster, Administrator-Cultural Exchange Programme for Canada. PATA Managing Director-Events, Ms. Sheila Leong, said: "Youth and student travel is one of many market niches which has huge potential in the Pacific Asia region." The 26th PATA Travel Mart will take place at Suntec Singapore, October 1-3, 2003. For further information e-mail Ms. Leong at sheila@pata.th.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PATA AT CONFERENCE

The 2003 PATA Annual Conference programme features four workshops to showcase the PATA at its best to prospective new members. These educational sessions will focus on PATA strategies in membership retention and growth, the role of the PATA chapter network, life members and Young Tourism Professionals. Dr. David Suzuki, Chairman of the David Suzuki Foundation in Canada and a speaker at the 1991 PATA Annual Conference in Bali, will deliver a plenary address on the environment. He will also facilitate a PATA workshop entitled "The PATA Promise - A Reality Check." The session will look at the results of the 1991 PATA declaration on the environment. The 2002 Conference hopes to adopt a similar declaration on culture and heritage. The Conference will take place in Bali, Indonesia, April 13-17, 2003. For further information e-mail: events@pata.th.com. Web site: http://www.pata.org/events/ewelcome.cfm?ebid=38.

PLAN YOUR PATA EVENT ATTENDANCE AT WTM

PATA Managing Director-Events, Ms. Sheila Leong, will attend the World Travel Market (WTM), November 11-14 in London to answer questions about two PATA events: PATA Travel Mart (October 1-3, 2003, Singapore), the best venue to buy and sell Pacific Asia travel products, and the 52nd PATA Annual Conference (April 13-17, 2003, Bali). Visit Ms. Leong at the PATA booth (AS4044 in the Asia Pacific area) to find out how the two events will help you make new contacts, strengthen existing relationships and target new market entries for business growth. You may wish to make an appointment with Ms. Leong. E-mail: sheila@pata.th.com.

DE JONG JOINS TRAVEL SUMMIT AT WTM

PATA President and CEO, Mr. Peter de Jong, will join the world’s leading travel authorities at an IPK International forum at WTM entitled, "The Latest Global Travel Trends 2002-2003." During the two-hour event the leaders of PATA, the World Tourism Organization (WTO), the European Travel Commission (ETC), the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) will deliver concise updates of the state of the global travel industry. IPK invites journalists and senior industry operators wishing to attend the event to pre-register online at http://www.worldtravelmart.co.uk/page.cfm/Link=234. The forum takes place 1400-1600 on Tuesday November 12 at City Side rooms 4 &5 at ExCeL in London. For further information e-mail to IPK’s Mr. Etienne Pauchant at pauchant@ipkinternational.com.

UK CHAPTER HOSTS BALI EVENT AT WTM

The PATA UK Chapter will hold a get-together at the Bali Village Stand (AS4370) 1600-1800 Monday November 11 during WTM. The meeting will be attended by Mr. I Gede Ardika, Minister for Culture and Tourism, Indonesia, and Mr. Setyanto P. Santosa, Executive Chairman of the Indonesia Culture and Tourism Board. The event has been generously sponsored by many PATA UK Chapter members and supporters such as Advantage Travel Centres, Bawtry Travel, Deeping Travel, Earth Television Network (Munich), Garuda Indonesia, Kuoni Travel, Marco Polo Hotels, RP Marketing, Reed Exhibitions, Regent Holidays, Silverbird Travel, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Trailfinders, Travelbag, Travelpack, Travel Weekly, Travel 2, and Worldchoice UK. For further information e-mail: david@pata.org.uk.

GOLD AWARDS ENTRIES NOW OPEN

PATA has announced the launch of the PATA Gold Awards 2003 ­ a programme to recognise excellence and innovation in the Pacific Asia travel industry. In order to attract entries by smaller operators, PATA has introduced awards in new sub-categories such as Government/Destination (National or State/City); Carrier (Regional, International, Domestic); and Industry (Hotel, Car Rental, Attraction, Tour Operator/Travel Agent/DMC/PCO, Distribution Network, Convention/Exhibition Venue, and Credit Card Company). PATA's Gold Awards are sponsored by the Macau Government Tourist Office. Award recipients will be honoured during a gala luncheon at the 52nd PATA Annual Conference in Bali, Indonesia, April 13-17, 2003. Details and entry forms are available at www.pata.org. The entry deadline is December 15, 2002. For more information, contact PATA Manager-Communications, Ms. Paveena Olansuksakul. Fax: (66-2) 658-2010. E-mail: goldawards@pata.th.com.

‘SEE YOU’ WEB SITE OFF TO SOARING START

With nearly 500,000 visitors in the first two weeks of operation, the PATA See You in Pacific Asia Web site is off to a soaring start. The site targets North American consumers and is full of special travel offers and information on PATA destinations. A search engine which will allow consumers to find PATA retail agents in their specific areas will be added soon. Visit the site at http://www.seeyouinpacificasia.com.

KIM JOINS PATA ON INTERNSHIP

PATA is pleased to announce that Mr. Kwang Nam Kim from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of  Korea has joined PATA as Consultant on a one-year internship, effective October 2002. His e-mail is kim@pata.th.com.

Cornell’s premier hospitality journal editor offers tips on how to get published in the Cornell HRA Quarterly

Michael Sturman, an associate professor of human resources management at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, was named editor of the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly as of July 2002. Now in its 42nd year of publication, the Cornell HRA Quarterly is considered the premier journal of applied research serving the hospitality industry. It is aimed at an audience of practitioners as well as scholars.

Sturman, who replaces Cornell Hotel School Associate Professor W. Michael Lynn, earned a Ph.D. in human resource management from Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations in 1997 and is a senior professional of human resources, as certified by the Society for Human Resource Management. His current research focuses on the prediction of individual job performance over time, the influence of compensation systems and the effects of human resource management on organizational performance. At Cornell Sturman teaches courses to undergraduate and graduate students and to executives. He is widely published in academic journals and practitioner publications and has contributed chapters to books on human resources.

For the October 2002 issue, Sturman’s first, he has assembled 10 articles focusing on the changes in the hotel industry’s operating environment following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Subjects range from a first-person account of how the Regent Wall Street participated in the New York City recovery effort to how Washington, D.C., hotels banded together to overcome the sudden drop in tourism to discussions of how case law and statutes have changed the relationship between labor and management.

“My goal as editor is to assemble quality articles that help bridge the divide between research and practice,” said Sturman. He seeks article submissions in all areas relevant to hospitality that treat important issues vigorously and thoroughly, “but they must be communicated in ways that help inform practice,” he said. While some articles may be targeted to readers in specialized areas, “all should clearly articulate the ‘so what?’ of the research and offer readers ideas about what they should do differently,” Sturman noted.

The Cornell HRA Quarterly is issued under the aegis of the Hotel School’s Center for Hospitality Research. For more information, see: http://www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/publications/HRAQ.  

Shangri-La Opens Hotel Training Centre In China

Demonstrating its ongoing commitment to employee training and guest satisfaction, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has opened the Shenzhen Training Centre in Shenzhen, southern China. The new training centre will groom Shangri-La’s talented mainland Chinese staff for key positions at its growing number of hotels in China and will help maintain the company’s high standards of excellence.

The training centre, which is located across the border from Hong Kong SAR, has begun offering classes to sous chefs on food and beverage operations and supervisors and assistant managers on front office management, housekeeping and laundry. These employees are selected for their dedication and high potential for career advancement. The classes are taught at the Shangri-La Hotel, Shenzhen by senior staff from the group’s hotels and corporate office.

“We are pleased to open our own training centre in China, which is one of the fastest growing economies and set to become a world player within the hospitality industry,” comments Giovanni Angelini, Shangri-La’s chief executive officer and managing director. “We are committed to being a preferred employer and recognise the critical role that our employees play at all levels.”

Shangri-La currently operates properties in the Asia Pacific region and is recognised as one of Asia’s preferred employers. The company has been committed to growth in mainland China since it opened its first hotel there in 1984. Today Hong Kong-based Shangri-La has almost 8,000 of its nearly 20,000 rooms and 16 of its 38 properties in mainland China, as well as a number of hotels under development there.

What does it take to be a leader?  

TravelWeeklyEast.com report

So you think you have what it takes to be a leader? Here’s an insight to what makes the world’s most respected business leaders tick and the values that drive them.

Which top bosses do you most admire? After a year of upheaval in the international business world, a new survey reveals that the most respected business leaders of the 21st century are those with high standards who are committed to their work, but who also manage to maintain a balanced life and share the rewards of their success.

Trends in the behaviour and values of senior managers around the world were unveiled following interviews in August with 150 industry leaders in 29 countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

The survey was carried out by research company IRN on behalf of Inter-Continental Hotels & Resorts. Business achievement and a good work/life balance ranked as the most important attributes of successful bosses around the world.

But respect from peers, recognition, remuneration, good public image, honesty and integrity were all rated highly, compared to more ostentatious signs of success such as celebrity status, self-promotion or lifestyle trappings.

On a personal level, ostentatious entertaining or lavish celebrations to reflect an individual’s status is now far less respected than bosses who share their success and rewards with colleagues and staff.

But the practical material rewards of success are also valued. Three-quarters of global business leaders agreed they still like to travel in style, echoing their high standards of living at home.

The survey had good news for the travel industry.

More than a third of global business leaders are planning to travel more in the next 12 months – 43 percent of America’s senior managers and 35 percent of those in Europe. In Asia, business leaders felt their already high levels of travel will stay the same, with only 11 percent saying they expected business travel to increase in the next 12 months.

The survey also identified a trend away from pure corporate hospitality to greater emphasis on community and environmental support.

Global business leaders said that corporate entertainment, such as secured seats at sporting events, is becoming less of a priority.

Instead, 23 percent of the senior management surveyed said community sponsorship had grown in importance in the past five years, while 16 percent believed environmental sponsorship had increased. Sixty percent of those surveyed work for corporations with a community sponsorship programme and 40 percent actively sponsor environmental projects.

Thomas R Oliver, chairman and chief executive of Six Continents Hotels, parent company of Inter-Continental Hotels & Resorts, said the results of the survey supported his company’s own extensive customer research. “It’s become obvious that international business leaders are changing; and our customers take their work and leisure time equally seriously,” he said.

“We weren’t surprised to see that four out of 10 of the global business leaders surveyed said their travel service standards have increased in the past five years.

“Two thirds also said that in the last year, they’ve increased their use of communications technology while they travel. Inter-Continental is changing along with them. We’ve invested millions in new hotels, in upgrading hotels and in a raft of service initiatives to respect their requirements from faster check-in to new technology.”

Jeff Smith, chairman and CEO of MM Group in the UK said, “When I’m travelling the thing I like most about a hotel is that it works. I hate arriving in a hotel and having to wait to check in – the expectation isn’t fulfilled. I value my time, because I value what I’m doing. I like it to work and I look for service not sycophancy. I want to be looked after but not be overwhelmed.”

Tony Kruglinski, president of Railroad Financial Corp, USA said, “When I travel the most important thing is taking care of myself. If I’m in good humour, if people are taking care of me and I’m not stressed out by the travel experience, I can do my job a lot better.”

TravelWeeklyEast.com report

Fiji's billion-dollar challenge

Fiji has been given a tough challenge by the government – make tourism the nation’s first billion dollar (US$469 million) industry by 2008.

Fiji welcomes more than 400,000 tourists a year – more than half its population – and tourism accounts for 40 percent of its foreign exchange.

The tourism industry is raking in half the figure now but Fiji Visitors Bureau representative Abhinay Sharma says it can hit the billion-dollar mark earlier – by 2006.

Australia and New Zealand account for half of the arrivals, especially during winter, when its 6,300-odd rooms are full. A 200-plus room Hilton due next year should help to ease the bottleneck.

“We are looking at new markets like India,” said Sharma, adding that participation in trade marts like the International Travel and Tourism Mart in New Delhi was one way to “test the waters”.

“When we visit places like India, Singapore and Hong Kong, we see a lot of stressed-out individuals who would appreciate the resorts we have.”

He said Fiji’s strategy was not to reinvent the wheel but entice travellers to Australia and New Zealand to extend their trip to the islands.

While its marketing budget may not be huge, it has celebrity endorsement. Australian actress Nicole Kidman and New Zealand star Russell Crowe holidayed at the same Fijian island resort last year. The US$1,300 a night Wakaya Club off Fiji’s main island Viti Levu is a favourite haunt for the rich and famous. Bill Gates spent his honeymoon there and actor Pierce Brosnan is a regular visitor

Vietnam says meetings matter for the county

TTG Asia  -  Following its successful debut into the lucrative meetings market at EIBTM in Geneva in May, Vietnam is about to make inroads into the MICE market with the launch of Vietnam When Meetings Matter.

The new programme is backed by Vietnam Airlines and brings together ground handler Saigon Tourism with 13 major international hotels located in Ho Chi Minh City and other major destinations in the south of the country.

The airline is once again acting as the catalyst to kick-start new business in the absence of a MICE division at the Vietnam National Tourism Association.

When Meetings Matter follows the same format successfully used in the Hanoi: Peaceful Venue for Your Next Conference programme launched earlier this year with the participation of six hotels and ground handler Hanoi Tourism. It aimed to attract corporate and government meetings to Hanoi and the north.

Vietnam Airlines MICE manager, Mr Nguyen Tuan Anh, said the new programme was designed to attract incentives and corporate meetings and would involve trade exhibitions, press advertising, media trips and a print-run of 10,000 full-colour booklets.

Next year a new programme will be introduced to replace the separate Hanoi and Saigon programmes and to include a ground handler and hotels from central Vietnam.

"We will also launch a website and a CD-Rom and we may expand our participation in overseas exhibitions, though we still want to retain our focus on attracting clients in the region because this is where our network as an airline is at its strongest," said Mr Nguyen.

Thailand - Cancellations spark call not to overreact - `No evidence of a specific threat'

Thailand has begun to feel the pinch of terrorist threats as tourists from several countries, Australia and Denmark in particular, are acting on warnings from their governments by cancelling travel plans. Cancellations are mounting as more Western countries are advising travellers to be on alert, particularly at restaurants and bars in Thailand where tourists are known to congregate. In Sydney yesterday, Australian tourists were urged to give the holiday island of Phuket a miss because of the risk of terrorist attacks.

Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer said there was no evidence of a specific threat but people had to be made aware of the potential danger. After warnings were issued in the past two days by the Danish and Australian authorities, advising their nationals to avoid major gathering spots, particularly Patong Beach in Phuket, about 800 Australians and two Danish incentive tour groups had cancelled their trips, said Vichit Na Ranong, chairman of the Tourism Federation of Thailand. Andrew Wood, the general manager of Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya's largest hotel and resort complex, said there had been ``some'' cancellations in the past few days, particularly from Australia.

Some executives in Thailand's tourism industry have expressed concern that the cancellations will be the start of the trend that will play havoc with the approaching high season in the country's tourism industry. Federation representatives yesterday met Tourism and Sports Minister Sonthaya Khunpluem and urged the government to take action to counter the negative impact on the industry. ``Just now, the point is not whether a [terrorist attack] will happen or not; the point is how to restore confidence among tourists about their safety,'' Mr Vichit said. Deputy Prime Minister Korn Dabbaransi, who oversees tourism, said the Foreign Ministry had issued an official statement to ambassadors in Thailand, telling them that the country was safe to visit.

Mr Korn said that so far there had not been much impact on tourism as Thailand had gained visitors who had switched their destinations to Phuket from Bali. ``Things are still under control; we shouldn't overreact otherwise tourists will feel more frightened,'' he said. Mr Wood said his company had told its business partners that the resort was taking the threat seriously and had increased security by co-operating with the police. Mr Sonthaya told a press conference that about 1,000 tourist police had been assigned to monitor entertainment spots including night venues in major tourist centres. ``However, we have to make sure this does not bother tourists, so most of the police will be in plain clothes,'' he said. Juthamas Siriwan, the governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that an official statement from Police Chief Pol Gen Sant Sarutanont would be distributed to all embassies and agencies, detailing security measures being taken. Mr Wood said the consensus at a recent tourism industry convention in Thailand was that the country was ``quite safe'' and travel agents had not seen many cancellations. ``The overall feeling in the industry is that the `Bali effect' will be limited for Thailand as long as there are no more incidents in Southeast Asia,'' he said. SOURCE: Bangkok Post

Caribbean Tourism Organisation News

After months of planning, the stage is now set for the opening of 25th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-25) which comes at possibly the most challenging period in the fifty-year history of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). At present, the industry continues to struggle to recover from the effects of September 11, 2001 and subsequent global events. The latest statistics compiled by the CTO's Research and Information Management Division indicate that arrivals were down 9.0 percent between January and June 2002, following a 10.7 percent fall in the Winter. 

"CTO and its membership are hoping that CTC-25 can set the platform from which the downward trend can be reversed," stated Karen Ford-Warner, deputy secretary general of CTO. A sustained and aggressive marketing campaign has been identified as one way to get visitors coming back to the Caribbean. The conference will explore various ways to market the region during the second general session dubbed, "A Non-Traditional View of Cooperative Marketing." 

"This most instructive and provocative topic serves as just one of the important reasons for travel agents and tourism industry professionals to attend the conference, an event that gives participants the opportunity to be part of reinventing the region's tourism industry," said Hugh Riley, the CTO's director of marketing for the Americas.

SG to CTC Delegates: It Can't Be Business As Usual- The Secretary General of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), Jean Holder has emphasized the need for industry leaders and officials to seek new and innovative ways to market the region. "The events of September 11, 2001 have made obvious the fact that it cannot be business as usual," Mr. Holder states in a message to delegates attending CTC- 25. But the secretary general suggests that there is already recognition of this fact. 

"We are optimistic that the recently completed Caribbean Tourism Strategic Plan offers ways to reposition the region's tourism industry in the 21st century," he states. Mr. Holder states in his message that the theme for CTC-25, Reinventing Caribbean Tourism, "emphasizes the daunting challenges that face the region's premier industry at this time." "The theme also demonstrates our commitment to tackling the crisis and to improving our position in the global marketplace," the secretary general says in his message which appears in the official CTC-25 programme. 

"CTC-25 will feature experts in virtually every field that impacts on tourism's performance and during the course of the next few days, through our plenaries, workshops and other functions we will try to find workable solutions to the many trials that face the industry," Mr. Holder states, adding, "The fact that we are all here exhibits our commitment to the continued growth and development of tourism within the Caribbean."

Tourism's "Hottest" Issues To Be Debated at CTC-25- This year's 25th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-25) will deal with some of the most controversial and provocative issues impacting on Caribbean tourism, Hugh Riley, the CTO's director of marketing for the Americans has promised. "(CTC-25) will be special," Mr. Riley said before leaving for Freeport to attend pre-conference meetings. 

"Carefully selected speakers will share their expertise on tourism's hottest issues; from the financial survival of trade and consumer groups, to controversial views of flight crew and passengers." One of the most controversial and hotly debated questions facing the industry since September 11, 2001 is whether pilots should be armed. This question, along with the contentious subject of airfares and who decides what the passenger should pay, are among some of the "hottest" matters that CTC-25 will deal with, Mr. Riley said. The CTO marketing director gave the assurance that all of the sessions would be geared towards helping delegates increase their Caribbean tourism business. 

"Solutions to problems affecting the development of a viable and sustainable tourism product will be addressed," Mr. Riley said. "CTC-25 will provide an excellent opportunity for the regional public and private sectors to evaluated the immense challenges of 2002 and to seek to chart new courses for the future," he concluded. Bahamas Prime Minister Hon. Perry Christie will keynote the conference, which opens on October 28, 2002 at Our Lucaya Golf and Beach Club, Grand Bahama Island.

Caribbean Youth Take Spotlight at CTC-25 - Fifteen young, bright and articulate students from CTO member states will represent their countries as "Ministers of Tourism" at the second Youth Congress at CTC-25. The Youth Congress is organised by CTO, in collaboration with Travel + Leisure magazine. It is structured to mirror a CTO Board of Directors Meeting and the participants discuss topics that are pertinent to Caribbean tourism. 

"The Youth Congress is a highly educational and exciting event for the students who get to discuss tourism issues with industry experts," stated Bonita Morgan, CTO's director of Human Resource Development. "They also get to experience hands on, how various sectors in the industry work." The Youth Congress aims to stimulate greater awareness and excitement about tourism among young people in the Caribbean by allowing them to research various facets of the tourism sector and share their ideas and visions with respect to the future directions for Caribbean tourism. 

This year the 14 to 17 year old "Ministers of Tourism" will discuss Building a Culture of Peace Through Tourism, Developing a Quality Service Culture in the Caribbean and Improving Intra-Caribbean Travel to Reap Greater Benefits for Caribbean Countries. "Their recommendations will be shared with an audience of Ministers of Tourism and other senior tourism practitioners from the private and public sector who will be in attendance at the event," Mrs. Morgan said. The first Youth Congress was held at CTC - 24 in Barbados in 2000. 

"Our young people performed admirably and showed a level of preparation and intensity that was quite extraordinary, while the countries present were proud to be associated with the event," Mrs. Morgan said of the inaugural Youth Congress.

Hotel rate samplers

TTG Asia  - Here is a quick look at how hotels in Asia expect the UK market to perform next year and how rates will move.

CHINA

Beijing

• The Great Wall Sheraton Hotel Beijing UK contribution to hotel: four per cent
  Market expectations 2003: six per cent increase
  Rate expectations: five per cent increase
  New value add: broadband available in all renovated rooms and guest relationship managers provide personalised service to guests.
• Swissôtel Beijing
  UK contribution to hotel: four per cent in room nights
  Market expectations 2003: four to five per cent increase, depending on Middle East conflict
  Rate expectations: Marginal increase New value add: newly renovated Superior rooms, coffee house.

Shanghai

• Renaissance Yangtze Shanghai Hotel
  UK contribution to hotel: around two per cent
  Rate expectations: around 10 per cent, since hotel has been renovated and rebranded Renaissance.
  New value add: this is a new hotel, outlets: Japanese Sushi Bar, Jazz Bar-the Cru and a health club.
• Portman Shangri-La
  UK contribution to hotel: 12 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: three per cent increase
  Rate expectations: 10 to 15 per cent increase
  New value add: completed renovation of ballroom, health club; Club Rooms upholstered; meeting rooms undergoing renovation early December.
• St Regis Shanghai (above)
  UK contribution to hotel: six per cent
  Market expectations 2003: 33 per cent increase Rate expectations: six to eight per cent increase
  New value add: free broadband Internet access in all rooms; unlimited in-room coffee or tea served by butlers; free pressing of two pieces of garments upon arrival; free “wind down” cocktails reception daily at the executive lounge; 24-hour butler service for all guests; in-room check-in offered.

HONG KONG

• Park Lane Hotel Hong Kong
  UK contribution to hotel: eight per cent
  Rate expectations: no dramatic rises
  Value add: 120 new rooms, built at a cost of US$2 million; popular street level George & Co bar became 60 per cent larger; building more new rooms and designing new meeting and conference facilities.
• The Peninsula Hong Kong (above)
  UK contribution to hotel: six per cent
  Rate expectations: maintain
  New value add: new in-room additions to be announced later.
• Hyatt Regency Hong Kong
  UK contribution to hotel: 3.5 per cent
  Rate expectations: 10 per cent rise in peak seasons
  New value add: a number of renovations and upgrades being planned.
• Royal Garden Hotel Hong Kong
  UK contribution to hotel: seven per cent
  Rate expectations: three per cent increase New value add: claims to have the fastest broadband service in Hong Kong, has opened a new Japanese restaurant and is extending its noted Martini Bar.

SINGAPORE

* In view of an increase in Goods & Services Tax starting January 2003, from two to five per cent, all hotels are increasing their rates in anticipation of higher operating costs.

• Marriott Hotel Singapore
  UK contribution to hotel: six to seven per cent
  Market expectations 2003: Slight increase
  Rate expectations: five to 10 per cent increase but probably closer to five per cent because of market conditions
  New value add: newly renovated ballroom and function rooms, opened a new bar called The Living Room. Wireless broadband has also been introduced throughout the hotel. All suites will be renovated in the summer period of 2003.
• The Beaufort Singapore
  UK contribution to hotel: five per cent
  Market expectations 2003: would like to see 25 per cent increase
  Rate expectations: less than five per cent
  New value add: a new tropical garden concept spa, Spa Botanica, to open in mid-November, offering 14 indoor treatment rooms and six outdoor garden pavilions, mud pools, labyrinths, floatation pools and other facilities. Newly renovated and renamed restaurant, The Cliff. Room renovations in 2003.
• Mandarin Singapore
  UK contribution to hotel: five per cent
  Market expectations 2003: one to two per cent
  Rate expectations: three to five per cent
  New value add: newly renovated main tower rooms, upgrading of South Tower rooms will commence with a soft refurbishment, focused on upholstery, bed-linen and carpeting.
• Century Roxy Park Hotel
  UK contribution to hotel: 3.5 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: 0.5 to four per cent
  Rate expectations: marginal increase
  New value add: new business centre and concierge desk, high speed Internet access available in all 481 guestrooms and suites, new spa with massage facilities and fitness centre further enhanced in 2003.
• Swissôtel Merchant Court
  UK contribution to hotel: eight per cent
  Market expectations 2003: gradual pick-up
  Rate expectations: at least two per cent
  New value add: the Executive Club Lounge and the Executive Club Rooms will be revamped by the beginning of next year.

MALAYSIA

Kuala Lumpur

• JW Marriott Hotel Kuala Lumpur
  UK contribution to hotel: 3.3 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: same
  Rate expectations: currently the same, but will increase once hotel is fully renovated by mid-2003
  New value add: an upgrade of facilities, new look and broadband access for rooms by mid-2003.
• The Regent Kuala Lumpur (above)
  UK contribution to hotel: 3.6 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: relatively flat unless there is a dramatic improvement in the UK economy
  Rate expectations: room rates will increase slightly in line with inflation
  New value add: three new meeting rooms and a new “call sequencing” feature in the reservations department to handle the requirements of large volume producers.

Langkawi

• Sheraton Perdana Resort Langkawi
  UK contribution to hotel: 17 per cent (the resort’s single biggest market)
  Rate expectations: nine per cent increase
  New value-add: spa facilities will be enhanced, leading to a change in name to Sheraton Perdana Resort & Spa Langkawi by year-end.
• Tanjung Rhu Resort Langkawi
  UK contribution to hotel: 15 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: five per cent increase
  Rate expectations: maintained until April 2004
  New value-add: new spa will open by January 2003.

Penang

• Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang (left)
  UK contribution to hotel: seven per cent
  Market expectations 2003: increase
  Rate expectations: Same
  New value add: Will work with selected agents for value added. Editor’s Note: E&O has undergone massive restoration.
• Bayview Beach Resort Penang
  UK contribution to hotel: 17 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: 20 per cent decrease
  Rate expectations: about 10 per cent decrease
  New value add: early bird bookings get free upgrade to next category booked.
• Mutiara Penang Beach Resort
  The UK contribution to hotel: 17,000 room nights in 2001; 7,400 room nights to-date (end -September)
  Market expectations 2003: slight increase
  Rate expectations: same.

INDONESIA

* Respondents are polled one month before the Bali bomb blast on October 13

Jakarta

• Gran Meliá Jakarta
  UK contribution to hotel: three per cent
  Market expectations 2003: 3.5 per cent increase
  Rate expectations: 10 to 15 per cent increase
  New value add: completed renovation of business centre and fitness centre; touch-up of guestrooms, floor by floor.
• Le Meridien, Jakarta
  UK contribution to hotel: three per cent
  Market expectations 2003: one per cent increase
  Rate expectations: eight per cent increase
  New value add: Royal Club Floor opening end October
• Mandarin Oriental, Jakarta (right)
  UK contribution to hotel: 6.3 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: eight per cent increase
  Rate expectations: three to five per cent increase
  New value add: completed guestroom renovation; installed high speed Internet access; changed telephone connections to fibre optic
  cable network; to spend US$600,000 on new bar/jazz lounge to open in December 2002; new 29-inch flat screen TV in guestrooms; new security standards in co-operation with AIG risk management; opened new Singapore-based representative office for Mandarin Oriental Hotels in Indonesia; built web-enabled reservation tool for corporate clients to access negotiated rates on-line.
• The Dharmawangsa, Jakarta
  UK contribution to hotel: six per cent
  Market expectations 2003: eight per cent increase
  Rate expectations: five per cent increase in corporate rates
  New value add: tailormade suite packages. Guests can select any service they prefer included. Package prices range from US$400 to US$1,650. Launching new treatment, Chocolate Ritual, in spa.

Bali

• Intan Village Bali
  UK contribution to hotel: 13 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: three per cent increase
  Rate expectations: 10 to 15 per cent increase
  New value add: bungalows will be renovated; rooms being upgraded; restaurant renovation completed; coffee shop will be upgraded.
• Sheraton Laguna Nusa Dua, Bali (above)
  UK contribution to hotel: eight per cent
  Market expectations 2003: 10 per cent increase
  Rate expectations: five to 10 per cent increase during peak periods; aggressive value add in low periods
  New value add: f&b discounts; spa treatment; bonus nights; new Laguna Gazebo; two new areas of development planned for next year.
• Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Bali
  UK contribution to hotel: 14 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: same
  Rate expectations: six to eight per cent increase
  New value add: plans to upgrade restaurants, add a sushi restaurant.
• The Oberoi Resort, Bali
  UK contribution to hotel: 12 per cent
  Market expectations 2003: 10 per cent increase
  Rate expectations: maintain
  New value add: Special bonus night offer during low season November 1 to March 3.

THE PHILIPPINES

Manila

• Makati Shangri-La Manila Hotel and EDSA Shangri-La Hotel
  Rate expectations: maintain
  New value add: Makati Shangri-La rooms have just been renovated; a new Horizon Club Lounge and an entirely new floor of Horizon Club Suites have opened.
• The Peninsula Manila
  Rate expectations: maintain
  New value add: putting broadband Internet services in all rooms by the first quarter of 2003.
• The Mandarin Oriental Manila
  Rate expectations: maintain
  New value add: the Oriental Spa and Yoga Studio.
• Dusit Hotel Nikko
  Rate expectations: maintain
  New value add: renovations will be done on all Club Floor restrooms by 2003.

Cebu

• Plantation Bay, Mactan Island
  Rate expectations: Maintain (following a 10 per cent increase in 2002)
  New value add: a large spa, offering a wide variety of treatments; will begin renovating rooms in 2003.
• Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Waterfront Airport Hotel, Mactan Island
  Rate expectations: corporate and incentive group rates will increase five to seven per cent. Rates for tour groups, especially for priority markets Korea and China, will decrease eight to 10 per cent
  New value add: a new Atlantic Ballroom at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, which can accommodate 4,000 people for a convention.
• Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort
  Rate expectations: corporate and leisure group rates will increase 10 per cent
  New value add: room renovation programme to start in December; all rooms will be renovated in phases by 2003.

Maribago Bluewater Resort, Mactan Island
Rate expectations: 15-20 per cent increase (rates have decreased constantly for the past five years)
New value add: A new wing with 25 rooms will open in 2003

Big leap forward for China incentives

TravelWeeklyEast.com

China’s incentive and meetings market is full of promise and the corporate sector is just waking up to the potential of incentives and meetings to motivate and reward employees.

Deputy general manager of China CYTS MICE Service, Beijing, Jun Hua Guo (left), said, “Our outbound industry is just 11 years old – it is just beginning and so far, most of the travel is still leisure. So there is lots of potential for MICE business.”

His company, which targets outbound and domestic corporate travel, handles multinationals such as IBM, Hewlett Packard, Amway and Pfizer.

But it’s not only multinationals who are employing incentives to reward and retain employees, local companies are also catching on to the practice.

CYTS for instance has just confirmed Singapore as the venue for what will be the first overseas incentive trip for China’s largest insurance company, China Life Insurance, in May 2003.

The group will comprise 700 insurance agents who will stay two nights in Singapore before embarking on a three-day cruise on Star Cruises’ Superstar Virgo.

As part of preparations for this landmark event, CYTS sent 15 of its staff from its MICE Service division to be trained by the Singapore Tourism Board. This training was one of the main reasons CYTS and China Life chose Singapore.

Another Chinese company which uses incentives to motivate its staff and dealers is the computer giant, Legend, said Guo. Last April, CYTS brought 1,200 Legend participants to the Philippines. It also sent a 700-strong group to Malaysia last year.

As a sign of the market growth, CYTS MICE Service has grown from a staff of eight to 30.

“The potential is great because the concept of real incentives is just beginning. Most of our programmes last six to seven days and we go to one destination. The programmes are very heavy on leisure with maybe a welcome dinner and award ceremony,” said Guo.

“Companies don’t seem too keen on the education element as yet.”

As to whether zero-based tours, a problem affecting South-east Asian destinations mostly, could affect the region’s attractiveness to incentive clients, Guo said, “We haven’t seen any negative impressions on the destination’s image.

“The corporate’s understanding is different and we specify, no shopping. We pay a higher tour fare.

“The suppliers in South-east Asia understand the Chinese market. In Australia, the DMCs are more cautious about the Chinese market.”   Contact: guojh@cytsonline.com

Voting commenced on October 1 2002, for the Ultimate Service Awards - the only global award for excellent service in the hotel industry

Customers and travellers around the world are urged to nominate hotels and give their thoughts on service in the hotel industry

The international hotel industry will soon have a clearer insight into what their customers think and feel about service and if customers “like staying in hotels”. Voting for The Ultimate Service Award 2002, the first and only global award that recognises and rewards good service in the hotel industry, will commence on October 1, 2002. The Awards are expected to attract thousands of internet votes from around the globe. This year, for the first time, customers will also be invited to give their views on the subject via an additional comment section.

From October 1 2002 to January 2003, business and leisure travellers around the world are invited to vote for the hotel that they believe offers exceptional levels of service.  Consumers can vote for any type of hotel - city or resort, budget or luxury, large or small.  The Award will be run across nine regions:  Europe, Middle East, Africa, North America, South America, Central America/Caribbean, Indian sub-continent/Ocean, Asia, and Australasia/Pacific.

The Award is an independent initiative in partnership with CNN Partner Hotels, American Express and Taylor Nelson Sofres Hospitality and Leisure.  Following the success of the inaugural Awards, Continental Airlines has also joined as the exclusive airline partner.

The concept of the Award is backed by a supervisory panel of the world’s top global hoteliers*.  The Award is aimed at acknowledging hotels that go out of their way to ensure their customers’ visits are memorable and enjoyable.

The winners will be announced in March 2003 at the International Hotel Investment Forum in Berlin.  Only one hotel from each of the regions will receive the accolade of the Ultimate Service Award 2002 and a commemorative crystal statue designed and  created by Villeroy and Boch.

Consumers can vote for their favourite hotel on the Ultimate Service Award’s partner websites:  www.cnn.com/hotels and www.tnsofres.com/hospitality&leisure. The Awards will be supported by an international television advertising campaign on CNN.

The 2001 recipients of the awards were:

About the Ultimate Service Award

The Ultimate Service Award has been set up by a distinguished planning committee, which genuinely cares about service delivery. The launch committee comprised:

Mary Gostelow, writer

Gordon Campbell Gray, owner of One Aldwych Hotel, London

Richard Garland, Richmond International and the RGA

Jane Lorigan, Taylor Nelson Sofres

Clive Nicholaou, Taylor Nelson Sofres Hospitality and Leisure

Trent Walsh, director of GAP and Leading Quality Assurance

Their work would not have been possible without the continuing support and guidance of representatives of partners: CNN, American Express, Continental Airlines, Taylor Nelson Sofres, Villeroy and Boch and Jonathan Worsley, Co-Chairman of the International Hotel Investment Forum, Berlin.

Many top associations, including the World Travel & Tourism council, also support the awards.

*  The complete list of the supervisory board are, in alphabetical order:

Giovanni Angelini, md/coo Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president World Travel & Tourism Council WTTC

Sven Boinet, member of the management board, Accor

Regis Bulot, president/ceo Relais & Chateaux

Peter Cass, president/ceo IndeCorp Corporation

Jennie Chua, president/coo Raffles International

Bob Cotter, coo Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Edouard Ettedgui, ceo Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group

Ed Fuller, president/md Marriott Lodging International

Wolf Hengst, president/coo Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

Dieter Huckestein, president hotels division Hilton Hotels Corporation

Paul McManus. president/ceo Leading Hotels of the World Ltd

Curtis Carlson Nelson, president/ceo Carlson Hospitality Worldwide)

PRS (Biki) Oberoi, vice-chairman/md The Oberoi Group

Thomas R Oliver, chairman/ceo Six Continents Hotels & Resorts

Eric Pfeffer, President, International Hotel & Restaurant Association

Georg Rafael, managing director Rafael Group SAM

Kurt Ritter, president/.ceo Rezidor SAS Hospitality

Brett Tollman, ceo Red Carnation Hotels

Reto Wittwer, president/ceo Kempinski Hotels & Resorts

Samoa Update

eTurbo.com -  Samoa launches new logo & branding The Samoa Visitors Bureau has officially unveiled it's new logo and branding "Samoa, The Treasured Islands of the South Pacific". The logo was first unveiled in Samoa, by the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Hans Jochem Keil to the nations tourism industry, followed by launches in Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand to industry partners this month. "The phrase 'treasured islands' was selected because the destination including its culture and its pristine beauty is treasured by the people who live here and by those who visit, and the experience it has to offer are treasured by the people we are looking to attract", he said.

Samoa Arrivals Statistics July 2002 Visitor arrivals into Samoa for the month of July 2002 from around the world were 8091, down 17% compared to the same period last year. The Top 5 markets for the month were: American Samoa 2795 (- 25.8%); New Zealand 1824 (-23.8); Australia 1178 (0.3%); USA 1051 (-8.3%);

Other European 210 (60.3%). The Top 5 markets in the various categories are as follows: Holiday/Leisure - NZ 589 (-35.1%), Australia 505 (-12.6%), Am Samoa 499 (-32.7%), USA 411 (4.1%), Other European 177 (80.6%); VFR - Am Samoa 1469 (-9.4%), NZ 611 (-22.9%), USA 339 (- 10.9), Australia 292 (29.8), Other Pacific Islands 75 (47.1%); Business/Conference - NZ 336 (-14.1%), Am Samoa 332 (-30%), Australia 247 (-2.4%), USA 133 (- 13.6%), Other Pacific Islands 20 (-47.4%); Sports - Australia 37 (146.7%),

Other Pacific Islands 10 (- 28.6%), Am Samoa 8 (-87.9%), NZ 7 (-80.6%), USA 7 (16.7%); Others - Am Samoa 487 (-43.8), NZ 281 (5.2%), USA 161 (-24.8%), Australia 97 (-6.7), Other Pacific Islands 78 (20%). Total visitors arrivals for the year to date - January to July 2002 were 48571 down 4% compared to the same period last year. Top 5 markets for the period were: Am Samoa 17710 (- 3.2%), NZ 12308 (-1.1%), Australia 5832 (0.1%), USA 5108 (-4.8%), Other Pacific Islands 2134 (17.2%).

Visitor arrivals by gender for July 2002 were Male 4379 (-15.1%) and Female 3712 (-19.2%). Total arrivals by carrier (air or sea) for the month were 11434 (- 15.3%). Top 5 carriers were: Polynesian Airlines 5047 (-25.4%), Air New Zealand 2838 (-8.3%), Samoa Air 2161 (-12.6%), Lady Naomi (ferry) 664 (-0.2%), Air Pacific 500 (59.2%). Overall 96% of visitors arrivals for July 2002 travelled to Samoa by air and 4% by sea. For a full copy of the July 2002 statistics contact your nearest Samoa Visitors Bureau office listed below.

New fast ferry inter-island service Inter - Islander Express Services has started and new fast ferry link between Mulifanua Wharf, Upolu and Salelologa Wharf, Savaii. The ferry named "Tausala Cedar o Samoa" carries 94 passengers and crosses the 35 km strait between the two islands in 40 minutes, compared to the one hour trip offered by the bigger Samoa Shipping Corporation passenger/vehicle ferry. One way fares cost S$10 (adults & children) and infants 2 years and under travel free.

Ferry tickets can be purchased from either the Mulifanua Wharf on Upolu or Salelologa Wharf on Savaii. The ferry is also available for charter hire. For further information contact Inter - Islander Express Services, ph/fax (685) 51413

International Media visit Samoa Samoa recently hosted a number of international journalists and media organisations from around the world. "Australian Associated Press" journalist Donna Schrimpton focussed on exotic places and adventure holidays, while the film crew from "The Great Outdoors" television programme filmed sites on both Upolu and Savaii.

New Zealand childrens programme presenters from "What Now" filmed a number of fun stories throughout both islands. French journalist Marc Dozier from "The Trek and Grand Reportage" covered soft adventure activities, while the Dutch film crew from "Yorin Travel TV" focussed on aspects of Samoan life.

Oz tourism still plunging

Australia's tourism leaders are calling for urgent action following the release of official figures showing overseas visitors to Australia in September fell by 11 percent from a year ago.

Australian Tourism Export Council managing director Peter Shelley said, "This is the six consecutive month of negative growth and the economic loss to the nation is mounting, having already been put at around A$2 billion by the government.

"The Ansett collapse, 911 tragedy, the slowdown in the world economy and global terrorism attacks have posed an unprecedented challenge for the Australian tourism export industry. The result has been half a million less visitors to Australia over the last 12 months." Shelley said the Bali atrocity would unquestionably raise further doubt in the minds of travellers to venture away from home.

"Australia's geographic positioning has always been a marketing challenge and there is no question the ongoing terrorism threat around the world and the uncertainty over Iraq continue to put in place impediments for international travel," he said.