Hotel industry and travel news from around the Asia Pacific region; this week: Korean increases flights to malaysia, 20% of total arrivals to Myanmar are luxury travellers from Europe, Ovolo and more...
Korean Air Increases Flights to Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand Between July 23 and August 24, flights between Seoul (Incheon) and Chiang Mai will run daily instead of four-times-weekly, while services to Nha Trang in Vietnam will be increased from twice-weekly to four-times-weekly from July 19 to September 10. Flights out of Seoul (Incheon) to Kota Kinabalu will rise from two times a week to four from July 28 to August 22. Furthermore, Korean Air will increase services to Danang from daily to 10 times a week beginning July 28. The South Korean airline is also increasing flights not only to Southeast Asia but to the States as well.
Vintage Luxury Yatch Hotel Soon to Set Off in Yangon According to research, 20% of total arrivals to Myanmar are luxury travellers from European markets such as Germany, Russia and the Netherlands and from Asia, Japan. The Finland-made vessel which is owned by local Hla Hla Pa Pa Company will set off at Botataung Jetty offering 5 stories with 104 rooms. It is also the country's first floating vessel. Room rates at the Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel range from US$250 to above US$800. The company is planning to add a 400-room vessel in future next to the current one.
Chinese Travel to Recover in Malaysia Tourism Malaysia aggressively strikes up marketing partnerships with airlines and working with outbound operators in China to arrange for charters in order to boost visitation of Chinese travellers. A 6 month advertising campaign is initiated with AirAsia and AirAsia X to promote holiday packages flying to 12 destinations in China. A contribution of 26, 386 arrivals and RM76.2 million (US$24 million) in tourist receipts is expected from the 158 flights projected from the collaboration efforts of Tourism Malaysia. These efforts included intensifying promotions in China's second- and third-tier cities, where the population is more open to holidaying in Malaysia.
Flights Resume from Okinawa On July 9, aircrafts bounded in Okinawa have resume flights as Typhoon Negumi moves towards the north of the Eastern China Sea. International flights were cancelled earlier this week as Typhoon Neoguri approached. All Nippon Airways (ANA) said normal operations are expected for domestic flights to and from Okinawa's Naha, Miyako and Ishigaki airports. Flag carrier Japan Airlines also stated that domestic operations would return to normal although Amami-Oshima Airport flights may experience irregular operations.
New Convention Exhibition Centre Boosts MICE Infrastructure in Indonesia Opening in 2015 at the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia Convention Exhibition Centre (ICE) being the largest is expected to accommodate up to 10,000 with its 33 meeting rooms and total area of 100,000 metre square. The growth of MICE and economic stability in Indonesia is drawing a lot of convention and exhibition operators to the country, which will in turn bring international shows to the country on top of local events. Jakarta needs more convention and exhibition space to cater for these shows as the existing MICE venues are very packed with events. It will be managed by Hannover Fairs International, a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe.
Ovolo Hotel Expands With Three Hotel Acquisitions in Australia With the purchase of 3 hotels Down Under – Blue Sydney (100 rooms), Hotel 1888 in Sydney (90 rooms) and Oaks on Lonsdale in Melbourne (148 rooms), Ovolo Hotels seizes a unique opportunity to expand its presence in Australia A timeframe for the rebranding of these properties to the Ovolo brand has not been set yet. Ovolo Hotels first entered the Australian market in 2012 with the opening of the 42-suite Ovolo Melbourne. With Sydney and Melbourne continuing to be the top destinations for hotel investors and for foreign capital into Australia, Ovolo seeks to amplify the hallmarks of the brand to the market.
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