Expedia-AirAsia union gives birth to Asian web booking business

THE REGION'S booming online travel market has pushed Expedia, Inc. and AirAsia to join forces and establish a 50:50 joint venture company, said to be the first of its kind between a low-cost carrier and an online travel agent.

Under the agreement announced today, a new company will be formed to operate Expedia-branded businesses in Japan, India, South-east Asia and other East Asian markets, as well as AirAsia's packaging and hotel booking websites, AirAsiaGo and GoRooms.

The joint venture will have the exclusive online third-party distribution rights in the region for AirAsia and AirAsiaX flights and travel packages. In addition, Expedia will also be the exclusive third-party travel provider for AirAsia inventory on its sites worldwide.

At the helm of the Singapore-based company is vice president and managing director of Expedia Asia Pacific, Dan Lynn, who will be relocating from Sydney.

Said the new CEO: “Expedia brings global strength in our supplier relationships, a very strong technology background and an understanding of online marketing. AirAsia complements that with its unique understanding of the Asian markets, its very compelling and unique inventory that is low-price but high-quality and its very deep understanding of social media.”
AirAsia Group CEO, Tony Fernandes, said: “We think we have a 'Rolls-Royce partner' here. (Expedia is) going to take our content around the world, which will help AirAsia and AirAsiaX promote our flights in markets that we haven't reached before. Plus, we'll be able to get new ancillary income.”
When asked if the partnership would cannibalise sales on AirAsia's own website, he said: “Who cares? AirAsia.com is a site that's always trying to cope. Everytime we have a sale, our system falls over even though we double, triple, quadruple the capacity. We can't cope with the demand. That's why I said there's no problem sharing some of that.”

Fernandes explained that the Expedia and AirAsia sites would be branded differently and target separate market segments. For example, Expedia may be more dominant in certain countries like Japan, where it is already established, while AirAsiaGo would be bigger in China.

Calling this new venture Expedia's “Asia organisation”, president of Expedia Worldwide, Scott Durchslag, said: “This is going to offer a much more efficient and effective alternative for consumers to travel, so I think it will have a significant impact on traditional, offline travel agents. This is a big leap forward in terms of what's possible.”

Expedia, which rolled out its Singapore website last month, launched its Malaysia and Thailand products today. It will continue to run a full-service business, offering other airline content.



Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysian homestay reservation portal goes live

MALAYSIA Homestay Cooperative and Malaysia Homestay Association have jointly launched an online portal, MalaysiaHomestays.com, which allows individual and group travellers to book and receive instant confirmation of their reservations.

The portal, which went live January 2, is in line with Malaysia tourism ministry and stakeholder plans this year to extend promotions beyond Asia, and reach out to long-haul markets such as the Netherlands, UK and Germany in Europe and Australia.

Tourism Malaysia will start promoting the homestay packages at international travel markets such as ITB Berlin and World Travel Market this year.

MalaysiaHomestays.com

Source : TTG

 [tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Tourism Malaysia re-allocates promotion budget

TOURISM Malaysia will change how it spends its money next year due to rising costs. This includes scaling back its presence at some international trade shows and reducing the amount spent on print advertising.

The NTO's annual advertising and promotion budget has been capped at RM200 million (US$63.8 million) since 2001 without any adjustments for inflation. This was even reduced to RM150 million this year as part of a government cost-cutting drive.

Tourism Malaysia would still have a big presence at major shows such as the Arabian Travel Market and World Travel Market, but would be represented by its overseas tourism officers at others, said deputy director-general (marketing) Amirrudin Abu.

Amirrudin said it was "important to maintain a presence as a show of confidence to the market" but the NTO had to also stretch the budget.

He added that Tourism Malaysia was increasing its spending on Internet and social media marketing, as print advertising was getting more costly.



Source : TTG

 [tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Longhaul demand surges for Malaysia

OUTBOUND agents are all smiles over the enthusiastic demand for longhaul destinations this year-end. The improved economy and pent-up demand have spurred bookings from those who had shelved travel plans last year due to economic uncertainties.

Malaysian Harmony Tours & Travel CEO, Cooper Huang, said demand for high-end tour packages, such as the nine-day New Zealand full-board package from RM7,188 (US$2,269) and nine-day Tunisia tour from RM6,488, were moving beyond his expectations. He expected sales volumes this year to surpass last year's by at least 10 per cent.

Echoing similar sentiments was Mayflower Acme Tours deputy general manager of channel management, Abdul Rahman Mohamed, who noted that Malaysians were looking for value add-ons. He said the company's Europe combo deal packages, combining air tickets, taxes and travel vouchers worth RM500, were well received. He added that popular outbound destinations for year-end travel were London, Paris and Amsterdam.

Huang and Abdul Rahman were among 50 exhibitors at the three-day Malaysia International Travel Mart in Kuala Lumpur, organised by the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association with Malaysia Airlines as the main sponsor. The travel fair ended yesterday.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

MAS fights for air space with AirAsia

MALAYSIA Airlines (MAS) ramps up flights to Yangon, Myanmar from Kuala Lumpur from September 2. Facing off with AirAsia, MAS will have daily flights, up from its current five weekly flights.

The increase in service frequency follows low-cost carrier AirAsia's new daily flights on the same route on July 20. The latter is offering fares from as low as US$9 per way.

MAS is offering a return fare of US$206 nett to mark the start of the improved frequency. Regular fares, excluding surcharges and taxes, will start from US$279. Meanwhile, Malaysia's move to stop issuing visa-on-arrival (VOA) to tourists from seven countries, including Myanmar, from August 15 is believed to have no impact on Myanmar travellers, said an officer at the Malaysian embassy in Yangon.

He explained that the majority of Myanmar travellers preferred to arrange their visa in advance at the embassy as it is cheaper. VOA at Kuala Lumpur Airport costs RM100 (US$31.40) while a visa obtained from the embassy in Yangon is US$6.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia wants visitors to shop more

MALAYSIA wants to grow shopping revenue from the current 28 per cent of total tourism revenue to 35 per cent by 2020.

To attract more foreign shoppers to the country during the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival (MMSC) from July 24 to September 16, Tourism Malaysia overseas offices have distributed Tourist Privilege Cards from leading malls such as Sunway Pyramid and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. These cards provide discounts on selected purchases.

Now in its 11th year, MMSC is designed to target high-yield Middle East tourists as well as those on summer holidays from countries in the northern hemisphere.

Tourism minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said: “As shopping marks a major component of tourism revenue, focus is being placed on identifying more goods to be listed under duty free and promoting the Bukit Bintang /Kuala Lumpur City Centre district as the premier shopping hub.”

In 2009, shopping revenue amounted to RM15.1 billion (US$4.7 billion) of the total tourist receipts of RM53.4 billion.

To View more SALES events click HERE

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Easier transfer between KLIA terminals for connecting passengers

SHUTTLE coaches will ply the airside between the Kuala Lumpur International Airport's low-cost carrier terminal and main terminal building by this year-end, providing easier transfers for passengers with connecting flights.

Malaysia Airports Holdings senior general manager operation services Azmi Murad said the new service would save the approximately 500 passengers shuttling between the two terminals everyday a 15-minute drive.

However, passengers would still have to carry their luggage from one terminal building to another and check-in again for their connecting flight, as interlining facilities would not yet be available.


Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia prepares for Middle East season

Malaysia has embarked on a new tactical campaign to bring in more tourists from the Middle East during the market's summer holidays from July to October.

The country will offer more activities to entice Arab tourists to stay longer in Malaysia during the month-long Ramadhan fasting period (August 11 to September 9) and Eid ul Fitr festival.

Newly-launched 1Malaysia Contemporary Art Tourism 2010, from July to September, is poised to become an annual event attracting more high-yield visitors and art aficionados.

Other events during the Middle East travel season are the Putrajaya Flower & Garden Festival from July 10 to 18 and the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival from July 24 to September 16.

Tourism Malaysia is working with relevant authorities to keep shopping malls open beyond 22.30 to give Middle East tourists more time to shop for the Eid ul Fitr festival. The NTO is also working with the religious department to get Middle East Imams (religious leaders) to perform Tarawih prayers during Ramadhan.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia outlines plan to lure in yield

MALAYSIA should enhance its product development and promotions to grab a greater share of the high-yield market.

These were among the recommendations presented to industry leaders yesterday by consulting firm, Jelas Dinamik, which had been commissioned by the Tourism Ministry to conduct a study on developing niche segments for high-yield longhaul markets, namely the UK, Germany, France, Russia and Sweden.

The study examined 13 categories – MICE, taxi service, car rental, promotional activities, luxury trains, food festivals, luxury cruises, hotels, airlines, golf tourism, ecotourism, spa/wellness and medical tourism.

The firm advised the Malaysian trade to create more boutique hotels, engage specialised marketing companies to push golf tourism and encourage environmentally-friendly certification of golf courses, allow foreign spa operators to enter the market, and carry out specific and focused promotional activities targeted at high-spending tourists.

To give ecotourism a further boost, facilities at lesser-known ecotourism locations should be upgraded and a variety of activities should be introduced at eco-lodges.

The Malaysian government is seeking to escape the middle-income trap and capture a greater share of high-yield tourists. The 2020 target is to get 3.5 times more tourist receipts than the 2010 target of RM54 billion (US$16.8 million).

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Strong wave of bookings for Malaysian June holidays

OUTBOUND agents report strong demand for regional and longhaul destinations during the upcoming two-week school holidays that start on June 7.

Parlo Tours general manager Kerry Tam said she had sold out group departures for a 10-day holiday combining three countries - Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Russia and Central Europe are also popular destinations.

Ramza Travel & Tours managing director Kay Azmin said the Gold Coast in Australia is a popular family destination due to its many theme parks.

She said 13-day Umrah tours to Mecca and Medina are also very popular. "Many choose group travel as the costs work out to be cheaper than FIT travel."

Sutra Travel managing director Syed Razif Al Yahya said total package prices for Umrah had increased by 10 to 15 per cent over last year, mainly because of the short supply of rooms in Mecca.

He added that leisure travel to regional destinations continue to thrive, particularly those points serviced by low-cost carrier AirAsia.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia goes for yield

MALAYSIA is shifting its direction from attracting mass, middle income tourists to high-yield visitors.

The target by 2020 is to bring in 3.5 times more tourism receipts than the present 2010 target of RM54 billion (US$16 billion), Amirrudin Abu, Tourism Malaysia's deputy director-general (marketing) told TTG Asia.

Yesterday, a lab initiated by the NTO's Performance Management and Delivery Unit kicked off a two-month exercise to brainstorm with key players from a cross-section of the tourism industry on getting out of the middle-income trap and wooing upscale tourists instead.

The lab will discuss how niche segments can be further marketed for optimum results, how to add value to current offerings, capacity building, infrastructure development and new markets.

"By August, we will have an inkling of what is the way forward," said Amirrudin.

Recommendations from the lab may result in Tourism Malaysia reviewing its role and destination marketing activities.

For years now, the Ministry of Tourism and its marketing arm, Tourism Malaysia, have been emphasising niche segments such as Malaysia My Second Home, MICE, Health and Education Tourism as these segments generate thrice as much revenue as the leisure segment.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysian hotels reject proposed two-tier rate system

TWO hotel associations have poured cold water on the Tourism Ministry's recent proposal that hoteliers introduce a two-tier rate system.

Tourism Minister, Dr Ng Yen Yen, proposed having a lower rate for locals and a higher one for foreigners to allow hotels to raise their rates to reflect their service standards, without burdening domestic travellers.

Shaharuddin M Saaid, executive director of the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners, said the system would not work since the cost of furnishing rooms and providing guest services were the same for all guests, irrespective of their nationality. He added that a two-tier system was open to abuse.

He proposed instead that Tourism Malaysia develop strategies to attract more high-yield tourists who would opt for five-star and luxury properties. "Once the (rates of) five-star properties go up, four- and three-star properties can move up as well."

Malaysian Association of Hotels vice president Ivo Nekvapil said market forces should dictate hotels' average room rates. He said the association had made a study last year on a two-tier system and the findings were not favourable.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia revises tourism revenue target

MALAYSIA has revised its tourism receipt target for this year to RM54 billion (US$15.9 billion), an increase of RM2 billion, tourism minister Dr Ng Yen Yen said on February 18.

A new target was set as tourism revenue for 2009 came up to RM52 billion, from a total of 23.65 million tourists.

Malaysia registered 1,896,918 tourists for January this year, an increase of 1.4 per cent compared to the same period in 2009.

The top 10 markets were Singapore (1,001,806), Indonesia (202,124), Thailand (97,050), China, including Hong Kong and Macau (95,473), Brunei (67,544), Australia (54,136), India (48,426), the UK (32,739), the Philippines (32,040) and Japan (30,757).For this year, the tourism ministry has set a target of 24 million visitor arrivals.


Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia targets 2010 arrivals surge

TOURISM Malaysia has set a target of 22 million tourist arrivals for 2010, up three million from this year's target of 19 million arrivals.

Cumulative tourist arrivals recorded from January to August 2009 totalled 15.4 million, an increase of 4.4 per cent compared to 14.7 million for the same period in 2008.

For 2010, Tourism Malaysia will continue to keep regional markets as the main focus of its marketing efforts, while longhaul markets will not be neglected, said Tourism Malaysia's deputy director-general (marketing) Amirrudin Abu.

Abu added: "We will also see how we can promote Malaysia to complement Singapore's integrated resorts (Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa). We can be to Singapore what Shenzhen is to Hong Kong. We will strengthen bilateral agreements with the Singapore NTO and work more closely with Singapore's travel trade."


Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

AirAsia, named Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier

AirAsia Bhd was named the “Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier” while chief executive officer Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes was named “Travel Personality of The Year” by leading Asia-Pacific travel news publisher TTG.

AirAsia received the award for being the best in service, network and schedules; in dealings with travel agents for reservations, confirmations and commission payments; and in sales and marketing team professionalism. It won the same award in 2005 and 2008.

“AirAsia was unanimously named ‘Best Asian Low-Cost Carrier’ by the readers of TTG Asia, TTG China, TTGmice and TTG-BTmice who cast 43,000 votes in a poll held from June to August this year,” the company said in a statement yesterday.

“The award reflects the airline’s popularity among travel trade insiders and the travelling public.”

Meanwhile, TTG’s editorial board named Fernandes the “Travel Personality of The Year” for being the “most outstanding individual for taking proactive steps to develop the travel industry and for demonstrating innovation in his field.”

“Tony has led the airline in revolutionising air travel and popularising low fares that now allow everyone to fly,” the company said.

In the same statement, Fernandes said the award reflected AirAsia’s commitment to growing tourism in the region.

“While other airlines are contracting, AirAsia is expanding, believing that it is vitally important for Asia to receive as much support as it can get for the sustenance of its economies, including through growth in tourism.

“We have championed tourism in Asia by offering flights that are truly accessible to everyone,” he said.

The awards were held at the 20th Annual TTG Travel Awards 2009 Ceremony and Gala Dinner in Bangkok yesterday. About 700 travel industry professionals attended the event.


Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

KL hotels expect 2010 upswing

KUALA Lumpur hotels are optimistic that business will improve in 2010 on the back of new business secured and improvements in the global economy

Many hotels expect a strong pick up in occupancies this fourth quarter from corporate and leisure markets business after occupancies tumbled during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan from August 22 to September 19.

Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur expects to close October with an 81 per cent occupancy, which is higher than September's 76 per cent. The hotel is looking to tap key commercial cities in the fast growing markets of China and India and the emerging Russia and CIS markets next year, said its general manager, John Eaton.

The Grand Dorsett Subang Kuala Lumpur hopes to close October with a 78 per cent occupancy, a marked improvement from September's 55 per cent. Formerly the Sheraton Subang, the hotel is anticipating higher demand for MICE in 2010. "We plan to increase staff by five per cent in the banquet and operations area," said its general manager Jasmine Abdullah Heng.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia eyes deluxe China MICE for 2010

INBOUND Malaysian travel agents with big China volumes expect the deluxe MICE segment to return strongly in 2010 following poor performance this year and last.

Three Star Holidays managing director Bernard Low said he had already confirmed four groups for next year, ranging from 160 to 500 people per group, a vast improvement on the four groups secured this year.

Low said: "The main draw is that Malaysia remains a value for money destination for the high-end category. Our ground rates are cheaper by 10 per cent compared to Indonesia and Thailand. However, for the budget MICE category, I predict a drop in 2010 since Malaysia is not as affordable as neighbouring destinations. Airfares to Thailand and Indonesia are cheaper by 10 per cent."

Another inbound travel agent, BTT Travel Services executive director Sam Kwan, said he had received two enquiries for 2010 for Sabah from the deluxe segment. Kwan said the typical budget was RM1,500 (US$429) per person for ground arrangements for five days, roughly double the budget of "normal" MICE groups.



Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

China inbound drought hits Malaysian agents

MALAYSIAN travel agents big on China inbound are expecting a 20 to 30 per cent year-on-year drop in arrivals during China's National Day/Golden Week celebration from October 1 to 7. They attribute the decline to regional competition and the A/H1N1 pandemic, which has led China to impose strict quarantine measures for students and the general avoidance of overseas travel.

Traditionally, this travel period sees between six to eight charters from China to Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and Penang, but so far, only two charters from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah have been confirmed.

Many five-star hotels in Sabah are fighting to remain competitive by not imposing a surcharge this year.

Nexus Resort Karambunai director of sales & marketing Brendan Wong said: "China is a very price-sensitive market and removing the traditional surcharge will help us remain competitive."

Travel agents are also fighting for market share by lowering their tour fares. Three Star Holidays managing director Bernard Low said his group series tour fares had been reduced by five to 10 per cent compared to 2008.


Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

Malaysia enjoys bumper July in Tourist Arrivals

MALAYSIA recorded a total of two million tourist arrivals for the month of July 2009 – an increase of 3.9 per cent – up from 1.9 million visitors for the same month in 2008, according to data released by Tourism Malaysia.

Cumulatively, tourist arrivals recorded from January to July this year reached 13.35 million, representing an increase of 3.6 per cent compared to 12.89 million for the same period in 2008.

The top 10 tourist-generating markets for July were Singapore (1,029,421), Indonesia (214,073), Thailand (120,940), China (including Hong Kong & Macau) (89,782), Brunei (51,055), Australia (50,132), India (44,797), the UK (42,821), the Philippines (33,717), and Japan (33,458).


Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]

ONLINE travel bookings soared 30 per cent in Q2 2009

ONLINE travel bookings soared 30 per cent in the second quarter of 2009 as more travel agents use the Internet to reach out to new clients, with Abacus International expecting its online segment volume (bookings through the Abacus system coming through online sources) to increase 10 per cent this year.

The majority of these online players are traditional travel agents who have invested in the online platform to complement their brick-and-mortar bookings, with Abacus vice-president channel management Patrick Lai saying the Zuji's of the region remain only a handful of players.

The 30 per cent growth in Q2 2009 was on top of a 13 per cent growth in Q1 2009 - the only channel that remained stable and, indeed, was the star performer in the volatile market of the past 12 months.

More agents are urged to invest in the online space. Small and medium-sized agencies need not think the investment is beyond their reach, assures Abacus vice-president marketing Brett Henry, who points out that technology costs are now cheaper while solutions to create an online shopfront are easy and quick to set up.

Online bookings are expected to be fastest growing in South Korea, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand.

"Agency business owners who got into it two to three years ago are now reaping the benefits," Henry said.

Source : TTG
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel tourism news]