A noticeable part of Filipino cultures involves treating all guests as welcome visitors, whether they are foreigners or not. While the Philippines is notable for its food and the stunning tropical scenery that travelers find there, experts say it is the hospitality of this island nation that is driving word of mouth and attracting newcomers to this corner of the world.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ("Alibaba") (NYSE: BABA) and Marriott International, Inc. ("Marriott International") (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced the establishment of a joint venture to redefine the travel experience for the hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers traveling abroad and domestically every year.
ITB Asia has secured a major partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization of Singapore (KTO). The memorandum of cooperation with Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd, organisers of Asia's leading travel trade show, looks to boost Korea's appeal as a key destination place in Southeast Asia.
The relaxation of visa regulations for mainland Chinese tourists visiting Hong Kong has dramatically increased the number of arrivals, almost completely changed the tourists' profiles and altered what they do once in the city, according to Ph.D. graduate Dr Anyu Liu and Professor Bob McKercher of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In a recently published article the researchers highlight the extent of changes to visitor behaviour and satisfaction, and note that other countries wanting to adjust their visa regulations to exploit the huge potential of the Chinese tourism market should consider the Hong Kong example and plan ahead.
The smartest minds in hotel revenue management will convene 11 October for the third annual Revenue Strategy Forum (RSF) Hong Kong, to discuss ways hotels can optimize their pricing and distribution in the face of an increasingly dynamic marketplace and new industry challenges. Hotel ICON will host the daylong conference, which will feature insights from leading hospitality executives and the founders of co-host Duetto.
ITB Asia, "Asia's Leading Travel Trade Show", has seen successful buyer programme partnerships for 2017 following the increased involvement of exhibitors this year, with 90% of recommended buyers targeted to attend the event.
Leading accommodation provider Oaks Hotels & Resorts, a division of Minor Hotels, is delighted to officially announce the launch of its Chinese 'guì bīn' program across selected properties next month.
Japan authorities reported on their plans to use their cruise ships as hotels during the much-awaited 2020 Summer Olympics. According to governmental sources cited by Japan News, the Japanese government is currently progressing well in their goal to make cruise ships function as hotels. This innovation is planned for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo. As of now, Japanese laws do not allow cruise ships to moor for more than 15 days. The only exception was the Queen Elizabeth 2 liner, which could accommodate more than 1,500 people. It stayed for 65 days during the Exotic Showcase in Yokohama in 1989.
Shinta Mani Hotels, Cambodia's leading luxury boutique hotel group has embarked on an evolutionary journey that will rebrand its existing two properties, Shinta Mani Club and Shinta Mani Resort on 1 July. Development plans include two unique and exquisite new properties in collaboration with acclaimed designer and architect Bill Bensley, to open in late 2017 and mid 2018 respectively.
Leading hotel and resort operator, Mantra Group, has united the Group's 128 properties across Australia, New Zealand, Bali and Hawaii, consolidating its multi-branded portfolio into a new single consumer brand, known simply as Mantra Hotels.
Next Story Group, a company reimagining urban spaces, today announces Kafnu. Synthesizing the best aspects of co-working, co-living, hotel, retail and private club, Kafnu is a blended space designed for the new generation of creators, from entrepreneurs to remote workers to artists to global nomads. Two Kafnu urban community hubs will open in Hong Kong and Taipei before the end of 2017.
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) has announced plans for a new educational session on Chinese travelers during next week's HITEC Toronto. The session will be organized by HFTP's allied association, China Hospitality Technology Alliance (CHTA), and is scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto, Ontario Canada.
Today, Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd has announced the acquisition of TrustYou, the world's largest guest feedback platform, with the goal to further invest in the international hospitality and travel market. This marks a major milestone for TrustYou and results in increased opportunities for growth across the globe. TrustYou's management will remain to be lead by the two founders, Jakob Riegger and Benjamin Jost, in collaboration with the global management team, who is committed to stay on board on a long-term basis. Through this investment, customers and partners will benefit from broader and faster product development as well as optimized customer service and account management.
In 2016, Asia and the Pacific received 309 million international tourist arrivals, 9% more than in 2015; by 2030 this number is expected to reach 535 million. Over 20 countries gathered in Bangladesh on 16-17 May for the 29th joint meeting of the UNWTO Commissions for Asia and the Pacific and South Asia, to discuss challenges facing the sector in the region, opportunities for sustainable tourism development and the programme of work of UNWTO in Asia for the coming two years.
Agilysys, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGYS), a leading global provider of next-generation hospitality software solutions and services, today announced that Wilson Lu, regional director for the company's North Asia region, will be featured on an industry panel at the upcoming Global Gaming Expo Asia (G2E Asia). This year's event, which marks its 10th anniversary, is being held May 16-18 at The Venetian Macao.
Malaysia and World's Leading Travel Trade Show® announce an official partnership for 2019 edition
Policy leaders, statisticians, academicians and private sector will convene in Manila, The Philippines, next June 2017 (21-24), to discuss new methodologies to measure the full impacts of tourism. The 6th edition of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) International Conference on Statistics, an official event of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017, will address the topic of 'Measuring Sustainable Tourism'.
Organizers of the Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) accelerator program announced that 12 startups from Cambodia, the Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam have qualified to pitch their business plans to investors at the Mekong Tourism Forum, 6 June in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.
Earlier this week, the President of IH&RA Dr. Ghassan Aidi signed an agreement with the President of China Hotel Association, Mrs. Han Ming, to organize IH&RA's 53rd Annual Congress to be taking place at the Dragon Hotel, Hangzhou, October 13-15 2017. The Dragon Hotel was the venue for the G20 Summit which took place in September 2016.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary as 'Asia's Leading Travel Trade Show', ITB Asia 2017 is celebrating its milestone year with a flying start as the trade show sees a surge in exhibitor demand from industry heavyweights as well as the travel technology sector.