AirAsia to set up new low-cost airline with Vietjet Air

After establishing bases in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, AirAsia has set its sights on Vietnam where it will establish a new low-cost airline with new partner, Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Co (Vietjet Air).
AirAsia yesterday said in a statement it had bought from Madam Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao a 30% equity stake in Vietjet Air for 180 billion dong that would allow it to set up a Vietnam-based joint venture low-cost airline to be known as Vietjet AirAsia.

It said the stake sale was approved by Vietnam’s Transportation Ministry on Tuesday and the joint venture airline did not require fresh capital injection.

It is highly likely that AirAsia will second some of its aircraft for the operations in Vietnam and drive the venture given its expertise in running low-cost airlines.

Vietjet AirAsia will operate both domestic and international flights and is currently finalising details regarding routes, frequencies and launch of flight.

It hopes to launch commercial operations between April and June this year.

According to its website, Vietjet Air was the first private airline to receive a business licence in December 2007 but has yet to offer commercial flights.

However, its rival Indochina Airlines – the second private airline to be licensed in the country – started offering flights in November 2008.

But this airline owes almost 30 billion dong (US$1.6mil) for jet fuel and services, and has been unable to operate its sole plane since November, according to reports originating from Vietnam.
Jetstar Pacific Airlines Joint-Stock Aviation Co, 27%-owned by Sydney-based Qantas Airways Ltd, is now the only provider of domestic flights in the country apart from state-owned carrier Vietnam Airlines Corp.

Vietnam Airlines is the country’s only airline operating international flights. It carried more than 9.3 million passengers in 2009.

A total of 17.5 million passengers went through the country’s airports last year.

Vietjet Air has a share capital of 600 billion dong (RM112mil) and its founding shareholders are Sovico Holdings, HCMC Housing Joint Stock Commercial Bank and some individuals from Vietnam’s civil aviation industry.

Following the completion of the share transfer, the shareholding structure in the joint venture airline will be AirAsia via AA International Ltd with 30%, Sovico Holdings with 51% and Nguyen Thanh Hung with 19%.
The move by AirAsia to enter Vietnam is to strengthen its base in the Asean region which has a population of nearly 600 million.

“The birth of VieJet AirAsia contributes to the diversification of the aviation market in Vietnam, providing more options by way of low fares to meet the air travel needs of the people in Vietnam and in the region,” the statement said.


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

Innovation is the key

THE Tourism Ministry wants states to be more innovative and creative in promoting their tourism products.
Its minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said Perak had vast tourism potential with its ecotourism products like the Belum Forest Reserve, its caves, rich tin mining history and as a food heaven.
“The ministry’s plan for Perak included a booklet about the state and also a traveler’s food guide to promote tourism.
“I will be meeting Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and state Tourism executive councillor Datuk Hamidah Osman to discuss the ministry’s plans to boost tourism under the 10th Malaysia Plan,” she said.

The higher, the better: Dr Ng celebrating Chinese New Year with MCA grassroot leaders from various divisions with the auspicious yee sang during lunch on Saturday in Ipoh. On Ng's right is Perak MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon.

Dr Ng was speaking to reporters during a Chinese New Year lunch with about 100 MCA grassroots leaders from nine divisions in Perak on Saturday.
Ng said there was a need for human resources and knowledge management in the tourism sector so as not to lose out to other countries, adding that some 80% of those involved in the tourism sector were non-professionals.
She said smaller hotels and home stays were getting popular.
The tourist arrivals last year was 23 million surpassing the ministry’s target of 19 million.
This year the ministry hopes to woo 24 million visitors who will bring in an estimated revenue of RM5.2bil.


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

MAS offers CNY bargains

Malaysia Airlines (MAS) is offering Everyday Low Fares for destinations worldwide in conjunction with the Chinese New Year.

Those interested are able to book the tickets until Feb 12.

Among the destinations offered are Bali, Hong Kong and Frank­furt.

The travelling period is between March 10 and Jan 14, 2011.

The tickets are available online at www.malaysiaairlines.com, MAS ticketing offices and travel agents.

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

Resorts World Singapore Gets Ready for Chinese New year

The interior of a room in Festive Hotel, one of the four hotels in Resorts World Sentosa (RWS). The room has been especially decorated for children. RWS, one of Singapore's integrated resorts (IRs), held its soft opening for all the public areas that are ready for visitors on 20 January 2010. -BH

Entrance to the Festive Hotel. The Hard Rock Cafe Hotel and Festive Hotel of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) are already receiving guests as a soft launch to their official opening on the 20th. These guests are family members and friends of the staff of Resorts World Sentosa, and they enjoy an overnight stay for just $38 per room. - Ashleigh Sim, ST

With the cutting of the ribbons and lion dance at 8.18am sharp, RWS CEO Tan Hee Teck, and Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chairman of RWS and Genting Group, declared the four hotels, 10 restaurants and lounges, and five retail shops open. The opening was a relatively low-keyed one attended by RWS and Genting top suits, their business partners and the media. -ST

Customer service ambassadors dressed in safari outfits stood and mingled around, ready to direct visitors. -TNP

Resembling an elephant with spider’s legs, the sculpture, which has a gold obelisk on the animal’s back, looks similar to the ones made by Spanish artist Salvador Dali. -TNP

Sculptures of a nude "fat" man and woman in the walkway between the Hotel Michael and Crockfords Tower. The statues, possibly sculpted by Colombian artist Fernando Botero, is titled "Adam and Eve". -TNP

Potted yellow chrysanthemums standing around a small makeshift stage just outside the casino. -TNP



Resorts World Sentosa expects 13 million visitors for first year

Resorts World Sentosa, the Genting Group’s latest and largest family destination in Singapore, expects 13 million visitors in its first year of operations.

The resort, spanning over 49 ha on Sentosa Island, is built at a cost S$6.45bil, and is Genting Group’s most expensive, most exquisite and ambitious project.

Schduled to open soon, Resorts World Sentosa will be home to South East Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, six luxury hotels, marine life park and a casino, among others.

Robin Goh

The Festive Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Crockfords Tower and Hotel Michael opened to the public on Jan 20.
Visitors to Universal Studios alone is expected at 4.5 million per year, said Resorts World Sentosa Pte Ltd assistant director Communi-cations Robin Goh to Malaysian reporters on a familiarisation trip to the resort recently.
The first weekend opening to the public saw the resort commanding more than 90% hotel occupancy, mostly local guests.
Goh said the resort expected more foreign visitors when Universal Studios and the casino open.
“Preparation work is almost done at Universal Studios and the park’s operation team are gearing up for the opening. We have not got the casino licence yet and are working closely with the authorities to obtain all necessary licences.
“The date depends on certain factors as safety is our number one priority,” said Goh.
As for Malaysian visitors, he said: ”The Malaysian market is very important to us. After all, we are a Malaysian group and we want all Malaysians to be part of this (resort).
“We also want Malaysians to come and enjoy all the offerings, including Universal Studios, and be proud because this resort is built by a Malaysian company,” he said.
For the convenience of prospective visitors from Malaysia, the resort has tied up with Malaysian travel agents who can facilitate their trip and offer them better rates.
“They (Malaysian travel agents) have different packages to offer which include transport (by air or bus), hotel accommodation and universal studio tickets. We also have a Malaysian bus programme which brings people from different states in Malaysia straight to Resorts World Sentosa,” he said.

Source : AsiaOne Star


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

Malacca Dirty hotels claim disputed

State tourism authorities have brushed off travellers’ reviews in TripAdvisor, which ranked two hotels here as among the top 10 dirtiest hotels in Asia.
It was not an accurate representation of the situation here and was carried out without a proper rating system, said state Tourism, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Seet Har Cheow.
The US-based travel portal, which forms the world’s biggest travel community, has listed on its site the 2010 Dirtiest Hotels in Asia.

Thorough checks: Malacca Tourism Promotion Division general manager Nazary Ahmad checking the bedroom linen while a Malacca Historic City Council officer (below) inspects the toilet in one of the rooms at a hotel in Malacca yesterday.

A Thai resort topped the list, while two Malacca hotels were ranked at the fourth and ninth positions.
The results was based on accumulated feedback given by hotel guests over a four-year period.
Speaking to reporters yesterday after visiting Mahkota Hotel, which was ranked fourth, Seet noted that the complaints raised by travellers were not solely on the cleanliness issue but also other aspects such as service quality and others.
“The review is not a good reflection of the hotel’s true situation.
“There were both negative and positive comments,” he said.
However, Seet, who was accompanied by health officers from the Malacca Historic City Council and tourism promotion officers, said the state would take note of the views and work on any short-comings.

“The hotels named in the list should take note of the reviews,” he added.
Edward Lau, general manager of Mahkota Hotel, located along the Banda Hilir coastline, said the management was taking steps to address grievances raised by its former guests.
“We have also e-mailed to the website concerned to get a proper clarification on how they carried out their online rating system,” he said.
He said it was unfair for the website to introduce such a review with no proper criteria in the rating system, which was based on feedback received over an extended period.
Seri Costa Hotel manager Helen Yap also shared the same sentiment, saying that it was unfair for such a review to seem to “represent” entirely the cleanliness of hotels.
“We always make it a point to look into complaints made by our guests to improve the hotel further.”
The review has listed Seri Costa Hotel at the ninth spot.


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

Roaring start for Park Royal KL hotel

THE Park Royal Hotel Kuala Lumpur hosted a Chinese New Year Appreciation Dinner, celebrating the auspicious start to 2010 in the spirit of the Tiger at its Orchid Grand Ballroom recently.
The event saw the attendance of the hotel’s top management, business partners, hotel guests and members of the media.

Intriguing: Hotel guests were entertained by a lion dance performance.

Park Royal general manager Lloyd Daser welcomed the guests and tossed yee sang with them.
“As we approach the Year of the Tiger, we look forward to a year full of accomplishment and excitement for Park Royal and other Pan Pacific brands.
“The Tiger is a sign of strength and determination, but opportunities are waiting for those willing to take on the challenge,” Dasser said.
The evening saw performances from an eight-piece all female drum troupe from Chong Hwa Shaolin Gor Chor Association.


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

Federal Hotel to celebrate Yan Yat in style

THE Federal Hotel Kuala Lumpur is going traditional this festive season and is having a show to celebrate Yan Yat on Feb 20 at 7pm.
Yan Yat which is known as “everyone’s birthday” or the “common man’s birthday” falls on the seventh day of the Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese custom, Yan Yat which is also known as renri, is the day human beings were created.

Serenading: Chan Ai-Jia (right) and Han Jie will entertain guests at Federal Hotel on Yan Yat day

It is celebrated not only in China, but also other regions influenced by the Chinese culture and in Malaysia it is celebrated on a grand scale where families come together to toss yee sang and make good wishes as well as toast for happiness and prosperity.
This year, the hotel is having a show featuring award-winning singers Chan Ai-Jia and Han-Jie, as well as GS dancers in a one-hour show while guests enjoy an eight-course menu. The show itself will take guests on a nostalgic journey as singers serenade audience with golden oldies and evergreen numbers as well as contemporary pop songs.
“It is going to be exciting and festive and the show’s repertoire will include plenty of interaction between the audience and me,’’ said Han-Jie who who will also be emcee for the evening.
“The presence of the GS dancers will also make the evening lively as they will provide a visual treat since they will be changing costumes on and off for the show,’’ he said.
The dinner show will be held at the ballroom on Level 2. Prices per table of 10 are at RM1,388++ (1st tier) and RM1,188++ (2sd tier).
The menu will kick off with the celebratory Salmon Yee Sang, followed by Shark’s Fin with Crabmeat, Prosperous Chicken, Steamed Red Snapper with Supreme Soya Sauce, Braised Mushroom, Sea Cucumber with Broccoli, Glutinous Rice in Lotus Leaf, Sweetened Sea Coconut with Ginseng and Deep Fried Mini Lotus Paste Bun.


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

Local Chains Sitting Out Hotel and Travel Boom in Malaysia

Malaysia's growing travel industry.

Naza Group of companies is best known for selling imported cars. But in November it made headlines announcing it would spend $231 million to build five hotels around Kuala Lumpur over the next five years. With three hotels already in its portfolio, Naza seemed on its way to becoming something that Malaysia's never had--a sizable homegrown hotel chain outside of the resort niche.

Not so fast. Last month Chief Executive S.M. Nasarudin told FORBES ASIA that Naza's plans have been scaled back to just two hotels, at a cost of $75 million. One will carry the Naza Talyya name, a brand that caters to the masses, and the other will be either a luxury or boutique hotel. He declined to explain why three hotels were dropped.

While Malaysian businesspeople are reluctant to build local hotel chains, big international brands such as the Mandarin Oriental, Nikko Hotels, Hilton and others have jumped into the market. The Hyatt and Four Seasons chains will open hotels in Malaysia in the next few years. A new Doubletree in Kuala Lumpur is expected to start accepting guests in May.

What the foreign invaders see is the country's growing travel business. Malaysia's profile has risen considerably since the world's tallest twins, the Petronas Towers, opened more than a decade ago. More and more, the country finds itself on itineraries, with low-fare airline Air Asia--perhaps Malaysia's most recognized brand--making it easier and cheaper to get to and around the country. Arrivals of visitors who stayed at least one night hit 23.7 million last year, up from 7.9 million in 1999. Tourism is now the country's second-highest revenue producer (behind manufacturing), accounting for 12.3% of the gross domestic product last year.

At the same time a more open regulatory environment for the industry--compared with other parts of the region except Singapore and Hong Kong--is attracting hotel investment from abroad. Foreigners find it easier to buy property and to move their money in and out of the country.

Are local companies missing out on a good business? They don't seem to think so. While there may be an undersupply of hotels in Malaysia, there's apparently an oversupply in the Klang Valley, and ten more three-, four- or five-star hotels are slated to open by the end of next year, an 8.7% increase. That's keeping room rates down and hitting returns. Average rates in Malaysia are lower than anywhere else in the region. A room in a five-star hotel can be had for $100, unheard of in most Asian countries. In fact, a World Economic Forum report on travel and tourism found that Malaysia was the fourth-most-price-competitive country in the world last year. Low prices mean that occupancy rates are holding firm at their historical average of 60% to 70%, but that's a shade too low to draw many local investors into the sector.

What's more, the travel industry was hit last month by the publicity over a series of attacks on churches, mosques and temples that rocked the nation. Investors were already jittery due to rising ethnic tensions, and after the attacks the tourism minister conceded that they may well affect tourist arrivals.

Yet in many ways Malaysia is ideally suited for long-term growth in the hospitality industry that could nurture local operators. Operating costs are low, the infrastructure is solid, and the country's always eager industrial-promotion authorities tout this as a strategic sector. Indeed, the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak on the famed island of Borneo are becoming outdoor-travel destinations. And the country sits comfortably between the two extremes in the region, undeveloped Asia on the one hand and a seemingly Westernized version on the other, making it attractive for visitors who want a taste of the "real" Asia without the fuss.

The lack of a successful, recognizable homegrown hotel operator is a peculiar distinction for Malaysia. Thailand has Dusit Thani and Centara Hotels, for example. Malaysia notably does have the Shangri-La chain, started by tycoon Robert Kuok, but it largely makes its mark abroad.

Ivo Nekvapil, vice president of the hotel association, blames inept local operators. He says that when they do jump into the sector they often don't invest enough money. Too many, he says, look for a short cut; they fail to understand their customers, deliver quality service, carve out a niche for themselves and secure foreign tie-ups to glean expertise. "Branding [in hospitality] takes 20 years and millions of dollars," he says.

This is something Tune Hotels seems to understand well. Tune is the closest Malaysia has come to building a hotel brand on its home turf. Cofounded by Air Asia Chief Executive Tony Fernandes in 2007, it's looking to offer little beyond high comfort and security at a low price. Tune has shown promise; it has 7 hotels now--5 in Malaysia and 2 in Indonesia--and last year it signed contracts to open 44 more. But most of those will be overseas. By 2015 Tune hopes to have 30 hotels in India and 64 elsewhere in Southeast Asia and China, compared with only 20 in Malaysia. Others are planned for Australia, the Middle East and even London.

Other Malaysian hoteliers are also setting their sights abroad. Cititel Hotel Management plans to open two branches of its Express budget line in Malaysia, where it now has four hotels. But it will be relying heavily on growth in Vietnam, Thailand, Australia, the Philippines and London--which each host one Cititel hotel--to boost its earnings.

Malaysian property giant ta Enterprise now runs three hotels but none in Malaysia. It may open two hotels in Kuala Lumpur, one under its Aava "Asian flavor" brand that it's looking to market offering five-star service and four-star accommodation. It opened an Aava hotel in Canada in November. Its aim is to develop its own chain, but Managing Director Alicia Tiah says: "We're interested in overseas growth primarily. We don't want to be known as a local brand. We want to cater more to business travelers." She says business travelers are willing to spend more and "Malaysia is not a main destination for business travelers," adding that rates of return there "are not so fantastic--we want to invest in countries where the exchange rate has a chance to go up."

The trend in hospitality may reflect the exodus of capital from the country, which has hurt the exchange rate. UBS says Malaysia suffered the biggest foreign-exchange losses in Asia in 2008. The country's reserves fell by a third from April 2008 to last November, to $96.3 billion.

But foreign hotel operators using stronger currencies continue to stake out turf in the country's hotel sector. Some 5,600 hotel rooms with a four- or five-star rating are expected to come on line within three years; most will be built by overseas companies. Malaysia is getting lots more places for people to stay, but it may still have to make do without a big brand to call its own.


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