A series of behavioural trends among Asian consumers will present opportunities for hoteliers in 2017, a new report has asserted.

The study, jointly released by Sabre and TrendWatching, identifies three traits of Asian consumers that the hotel industry can potentially capitalise on in 2017.

These are: ‘Betterment’, a growing consumer desire for self-improvement; ‘Local Love’, embracing local products and services; and ‘Infolust’, the appetite for timely and relevant information to improve purchase decisions.

“Competition amongst hotels is high in many Asia Pacific markets, despite a positive outlook into 2017 and beyond. Rapid disruption in the range of accommodation options available and an evolution in consumer preferences is putting hotels under pressure to keep innovating,” said Sarah Kennedy Ellis, vice president of marketing & strategic development for Sabre Hospitality Solutions.

“One key way to maintain an edge in a fiercely competitive industry is to identify emerging consumer behaviours that present new opportunities to differentiate the travel experience.”

According to STR’s data, Asia Pacific’s average daily rate decreased 1.9% to US$97 in 2017, demonstrating the difficult market conditions facing the region’s hoteliers. To gain a competitive edge however, Sabre says that hoteliers can focus on satisfying its three Asian behavioural trends.

In terms of ‘Betterment’, hotels are being advised to hotels introduce self-improvement elements into the stay, such as the ability for guests to join local community programmes, dine healthily or improve their health and fitness.

To tap the ‘Local Love’ trend, hoteliers should increase their selection of local experiences, including partnerships with neighbourhood companies.

And finally, to satisfy their guests’ ‘Infolust’, hotels should look at harnessing messaging apps to share travel information and offer personalised services.

With the New Year behind us, many airlines have launched cut-price flights to a range of destinations as part of their January sales.

By booking now, it’s possible to pick up bargain return flights for 2017.

Singapore Airlines is offering great deals on a number of long haul flights from the UK.

The flagship carrier for Singapore has return flights to Phuket in Thailand from just £495.

This price includes all taxes, fees and surcharges.

The journey is comprised of two flights – one from London Heathrow to Singapore Changi International Airport, the other from Singapore to Phuket International Airport.

The flight takes 15 hours and 45 minutes, including a 50-minute layover in Singapore.

The £495 deal is available on certain flights departing between January 18 and July 6 and between August 14 and December 7.

Return travel to the UK must be completed by June 8 2018.

This offer ends soon – only those booking before January 31 can take advantage of this deal.

The ticket price also includes two bags for economy passengers – one piece of hand luggage and one bag that can be checked into the hold.

The piece of hand baggage can weigh up to 7kg, while the checked bag can be up to 30kg.

There is also complimentary food and drink available in economy class, with the option of choosing from three main courses.

One is suitable for vegetarians and another is inspired by traditional Singaporean cuisine.

A complimentary bar service is included too, and passengers can choose from a range of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks.

For more information on this and other Singapore Airlines deals, visit the Singapore Airlines website.

More details are emerging on a proposed alternative airport for Phuket island and its neighbouring provinces.

C9 Hotelworks CEO Bill Barnett in his latest newsletter update says the proposed airport project has tentatively been named the “Phang Nga – Andaman International Airport”.

Under consideration by provincial and government authorities for more than two years, C9 Hotelworks  pinpoints the proposed location on the mainland, north of Phuket Island.

Roughly half-way between Khao Lak resort and Phuket Island it could serve both resorts, while triggering expansion at other beaches along the Andaman Sea coast.

The newsletter also identifies the cash rich parent company of Bangkok Airways as the lead contender to develop the airport. It is understood the parent company is engaged in on-going talks with Phang Nga province to secure a large-scale land lease for the airport.

Usually a project of this magnitude would be open to competitive bids based on the outcome of an independent master plan that would address wider issues that are linked to green field airport developments including the impact on the environment, communities and local economy.

C9 Hotelworks claimed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was in the pipeline.

According to Barnett, the proposed airport site, covering 2,000 rai of land is at Moo 4, Baan Tha Dindaeng, Lam Kaeng Sub district, Thai Muang District.

Tentative plans for the runway are 3,000 metres, which would be more than Bangkok Airways’ privately owned airport on Samui Island.

There are already two airports in the area; one in Krabi and the other on Phuket Island. The latter is already at full capacity and authorities admit it would be extremely difficult and expensive to extend the airport area to allow for the construction of a second runway.

Last year, passenger arrivals at Phuket International Airport exceeded 6.4 million, while nearly Krabi Airport passed the 1.8 million level.

A new airport on the mainland, halfway between the popular Khao Lak beach resort and Phuket island, would ultimately become a gateway for a much wider coastal area and kick-start a massive expansion of resort-style real estate. Land prices would escalate and there would be considerable pressure to sell encroach on forests, while agricultural land that would be snapped up by rich Bangkok conglomerates.

Khao Lak already has 104 registered tourism establishments with 7,822 rooms.

(Initial source: C9 Hotelworks with additional comment)

Around 50 hoteliers have joined the recently formed Phuket Hotels Association, which is due to be officially launched at the up-coming Thailand Tourism Forum in January.

Reporting on the association’s progress, C9 Hotelworks CEO,  Bill Barnett, in his latest newsletter said the association had “quickly caught the attention of key players in the hotel industry on the island, reaching its target of 50 member hotels.”

Heading the association, as its founding president, is Trisara general manager Anthony Lark, a veteran hotelier who has opened various upscale resorts on the island.

Barnett noted that the PHA represented a membership profile of many of the island’s leading internationally branded and independent luxury and mid-scale hotels accounting for 8,820 rooms.

Lark said the aim was to double membership by the end of 2017.

“We are pleased that the industry on the island appreciates the importance of Phuket Hotels Association so we can build the profile of the destination and speak with the same voice in international markets as we develop Brand Phuket,” he told C9Hotelworks.

Phuket Hotels Association will be officially launched on 23 January, 2017 at the Thailand Tourism Forum to be hosted at InterContinental Bangkok.

The launch ceremony will be officiated by founder and Thailand hotel veteran, Wichit na Ranong, who will be accompanied by Outrigger Resorts vice president, sales & marketing Asia Pacific Mark Simmons and QUO CEO, David Keen.

Wichit na Raong was among the early pioneers of Phuket’s tourism business, opening the island’s first three-star hotel, Pearl Hotel in Phuket town, during the 1970s.

Among a long list of core objectives Phuket Hotels Association says it will promote positive stories about the experiences, natural beauty and people of Phuket, offering support to local government and the tourism authorities in promoting the destination.

However, its formation begs the question why the island needed another hotel association?

Thailand Hotels Association has a strong chapter on the island and there are other associations established with the assistance of government departments that target the island’s hoteliers.

PHA advocates will point to the fast growth of hotels with international links and investment that would justify an association that focuses entirely on the island’s up-scale hotels as opposed to THA which is a national association.

However, critics may claim it could be divisive at a time when the island’s tourism and hospitality would benefit from a single, united voice to represent the sector’s interests, A single body would also be able to lobby the government on policies impacting the hospitality trade from a position of strength.

It was not stated whether PHA would  have a seat and voting rights on the national Tourism Council of Thailand, an umbrella organisation that is supposed to unite all travel and hospitality associations in a single body recognised by the national government.

The new association will launch its first fundraising activity at a gala event in Phuket, 13 May 2017, which aims to raise THB3.5 million (USD100,000) for a hospitality-focused educational scholarship programme.

(Core source: C9 Hotelworks with added reporting and comment)

A hop and a skip from some of the world’s most extravagant private vessels, the well-heeled attendees of the inaugural Kata Rocks Superyacht Rendezvous – the highlight of an almost month-long yachting showcase on Thailand’s Phuket Island – punctured the evening air with the sound of popping champagne corks.

Long one of Thailand’s major boating destinations, Phuket boasts several yacht clubs, and harbors designs on being a regional yachting powerhouse. Kata Rocks is an upscale resort that sponsored various super-yacht events before launching its own major regatta this December 10-12.

Sadly, the weather didn’t cooperate. December normally brings glassy seas to Thailand’s top tourist island, which hosted the prestigious King’s Cup Regatta from December 3-10. Following right after the Kata Rocks event were the Thailand Yacht Show and the Asia Superyacht Rendezvous, both from December 15-18.

This was the 30th anniversary of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, but celebrations were noticeably somber following the recent death of the beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who spent 70 years on the throne. Thailand remains in a yearlong period of mourning, putting a damper on the usually festive gala finale.

Things picked up a notch at Kata though, as invited local guests mingled with jetsetters, and indeed yachtsetters, drawn by the heady mix of beach parties, boating excursions and nightly performances. Organizers billed the glamorous three-day celebration as a kind of social networking extravaganza for the super-yacht crowd.

Turnout was strong, with 15 enormous boats – almost double what had been expected. Most are regulars on the Mediterranean-Caribbean cruise circuit, but many were making their first jaunt to Asia, according to Olivier Badri, who handles sales and chartering for Titan Fleet, a provider of yachting management services.

Badri was on board Lauren L, an ultra-luxurious 90-meter boat that accommodates 36 guests in 20 staterooms. He rents it for US$ 700,000 per week, “not counting expenses.”

Potential customers were spirited aboard, and there were outings around the island to shindigs at supporting resorts, such as the stylish Surin Beach Resort, which commands a serene cove on Phuket’s northwestern shores.

Badri welcomed the opportunity to reach out to cruise aficionados not only in Thailand, but also in the whole increasingly affluent region from Singapore to Shanghai.

Besides the huge super-yachts, there were several old-school sailing craft, including the 51-meter Dunia Baru, a picturesque custom-built wooden craft based in Indonesia, and the Dallinghoo Schooner, a 30-meter sailing vessel operating around Southeast Asia but increasingly focused on the hot new destination of Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago.

Thomas Bruning, the German captain of the Dallinghoo, said the event would increase awareness of charters. “Phuket is a growing market and events like these really help.”

The Kata Rocks event boasted dozens of partners, from yacht operators and outfitters to high-end luxury brands – fitting for a chic, all-white resort that is carved into cliffs and affords idyllic views over offshore islands to the south. The development’s 34 villas, all clean white lines and sail-like canopies, shade private pools and expansive outdoor terraces.

Richard Pope, a developer from the United Kingdom and Kata Rocks’ CEO, bought the property in 2007, then spent nearly six years tunnelling and building on the difficult terrain. Another of the group’s partners brought experience from Monaco and of European yachting.

“We realized we could bring super-yachts to Phuket and really put on a high-quality event,” said Pope. “Boats want to come here and have the exposure to clients, not just in Thailand, but throughout Asia, and China.

“These boats typically sail through the Mediterranean and Caribbean. This is the natural next place.”

Thailand has set a new tourism record, exceeding 30 million international visitors for the first time in a single year.

The milestone was reached when Huang Junyi, a Chinese national, arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on 5 December 2016 following a flight from Guangzhou. This means that the country has now beaten its previous full-year record of 29.88 million visitors, set in 2015.

Ms Huang was greeted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Thai Airways and presented with a prize of two economy class return tickets to Thailand and a five-night hotel stay in the kingdom.

“This has been an amazing year for tourism in amazing Thailand as shown by the huge numbers of visitors,” said Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the TAT. “We have reached 30 million and the high season has only just kicked off. We know that more people will be coming to enjoy the cool weather and holiday festivities.”

The TAT has previously stated that it is not measuring its success based purely in terms of volume, but rather based on the value visitors bring to the country. The tourism board is projecting that international tourism revenues will increase 11.7% to THB1.62 trillion (US$46 billion) in 2016.

Tourism numbers have been enhanced by a relatively stable year in the country, at least prior to the national tragedy that occurred when the king passed away in October.

And to further boost arrivals in the high season, the country has now launched several initiatives to encourage international tourism and spending, including the waiver of tourist visa fees for visitors from 19 countries from 1 December 2016 to 28 February 2017, and halving of the price of visas-on-arrival. And to encourage more domestic travel, a long New Year holiday of four days, from 31 December to 3 January, has now been confirmed.

The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Under Royal Patronage, one of the most prestigious international sporting events in Asia, formally opened its 30th Anniversary edition at Kata Beach Resort last night, under the theme of ‘Heritage of Passion’.

Organized by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta Committee, under the auspices of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club in conjunction with the Royal Thai Navy, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, and the Province of Phuket, the 2016 event’s competitive classes include Keelboats and Multihulls, and International Dinghy Classes.

More than 200 international boats and yachts, as well as over 1,000 sailors, including Thai national team members and participants from over 30 countries, are taking part this year, from December 3 to 10.

All participants, local and international sailors and organizers held 89 seconds of silence to mourn the passing of HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the opening.

Kevin Whitcraft, President of the organizing committee, said “The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has been the pinnacle of international regattas in Asia. For this special year, the regatta is organized in memory of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and in honor of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun.”

“The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta has helped to position Thailand as one of the world’s most popular centers for international yachting. The regatta is again expected to drive global awareness of Thailand as such a destination, and to help its yachting industry continue to grow, contributing in no uncertain manner, both directly and indirectly, to the local economy,” said Mr Whitcraft.

The event is expected to generate more than 300 million baht over the week.

“This has a positive effect on Phuket and the brand of Phuket among travelers, as it has evolved to become ‘The World Class Yachting Festival’,” said Mr Whitcraft. “Within the Regatta, the committee has installed the Phuket Dinghy Series which has inspired youths in Southern Thailand from many sailing clubs in Phuket, Phang Nga and Songkhla, to take up sailing since its introduction in 2010. There is great motivation especially among young sailors here for competing at world championships; this can be attributed to His Majesty the Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej who was the legendary royal sailor.”

Fleets and races
This year, fleets comprise 12 different classes of Keelboats and Multihulls: IRC Zero (international ‘Grand Prix’ boats), the highly competitive IRC 1, IRC 2, along with Premier, Bareboat Charter, Open Charter, Firefly, Racing Multihulls, Cruising Multihulls, Cruising, Platu One Design and Pulse One Design.

Many of last year’s winners are back again to defend their class honors such as: ReRefine, Hurricane, Pine Pacific, Twin Sharks and Pop Eye.

Youth sailing
For the youth sailing races, the 30th anniversary continues a dedicated International Dinghy Class. The inclusion of dinghies has played a part in the development of youth sailing in Thailand, encouraging more young sailors to take up the sport. Classes are divided into Optimist (Boys), Optimist (Girls), Laser Radial, Laser Standard, Laser 4.7, and 420.

Victorious Thai sailors from the Phuket Dinghy Series, which took place from July to November, will receive Royal trophies together with other winners at the royal prize giving ceremony. Classes are divided into Optimist Boy, Optimist Girl and Laser.

“This year we will see our new wave of young Thai sailors compete in the International Dinghy Class; Bam Kamolwan Chanyim and Keerati Bualong, the first Thai Laser sailors to join the Olympics in Rio. We also welcome 39 youth sailors who qualify at the first session to SEA GAMES 2017,” said Mr Whitcraft.

Royal Trophy
Radab Kanjanavanit, committee member and Thai sailor, said: “The Phuket King’s Cup Regatta trophy itself is special in many ways. Designed by architect and entrepreneur ML Tridhosyuth Devakul, the trophy was royally bestowed upon the regatta. HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej is the ninth King of the Chakri Dynasty, and a skilled sailor and boating enthusiast. Sailing and the number nine is a theme that runs throughout the trophy design. There are nine beautiful sails coming out from the central silver column, which sits upon a base representing the sea. From its narrowest point, the base expands in width upwards towards the sails. There are in total nine bezels of growing width underneath the nine sails.”

Atop the vertical column sits the symbol of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, known in Thai as Depicting the Royal Cypher. The emblem features His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s initials above which is the Thai symbol for the number nine, signifying the ninth King of the dynasty; and, at the very top is the royal crown. The silver trophy sits on a column of Maka wood, adorned with the name of the regatta, the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta.

Partnership and Support
The 2016 regatta returns once again to its spiritual home, Kata Beach Resort & Spa. The resort has hosted nearly 20 consecutive regattas. As well as being the Principal Host Sponsor, the hotel is the main hub and operations center for race control, officiating and dispute resolution areas, the media center, as well as hosting the opening and closing parties and ceremonies.

The Phuket Gazette, Gazette Radio and The Nation are proud media sponsors of the King’s Cup, having supported the event with enthusiasm since 2016.

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports reports international visits exceeded 27.07 million, an improvement of 11.27% during January to October this year.

Released Tuesday, the ministry’s data showed the country attracted 27,076,308 international visits during the first 10 months of this year, compared to 24,332,817 visits during the same period last year.

The data is based on foreign passport, or ID holders, passing through international checkpoints (land, sea and air).

Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said Thailand is striving to become a quality leisure destination and is currently engaging in a clampdown on illegal zero-dollar tours to achieve that goal.

For the first 10 months of this year, China generated the most revenue at THB391,507 million followed by Malaysia (THB74,804 million) and Russia (THB64,328 million).

Other major markets on the revenue circulation chart were: United Kingdom (THB60,932 million); United States (THB53,796 million); Australia (THB53,083 million); South Korea (THB52,579 million); Japan (THB50,518 million); India (THB45,451 million); and Germany (THB42,995 million).

The minister added that the government’s decision to waive visa fees for tourists from 19 nations would help to boost the country’s tourism sector during high season period.

The Thai Cabinet approved the plan, last week, which will waive visa fees for tourists from 19 nations, 1 December to 28 February, next year.

The 19 nations eligible for the visa-fee waiver comprise of Andorra, Bulgaria, Bhutan, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Romania, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

India, China and Saudi Arabia are three markets that should benefit the most from the free visa privilege.

Some travel companies contacted TTR Weekly to complain claiming the scheme should have accommodated travellers, who live in countries that have direct airline links with Thailand. They claimed some of the nations, such as Andorra and Malta, are irrelevant as far as building tourist volume is concerned.

Iran is not on the list even though Thailand’s national airline THAI has started nonstop services. Agents said the scheme would have supported this new service.

According to the scheme, citizens from the 19 countries do not need to pay THB1,000 fee to process a visa at Thai embassies or consular offices.

The visa-on-arrival fee that was increased to THB2,000, , 27 September, was also reduced to THB1,000 for citizens of the 19 countries. The visa-on-arrival is valid for 15 days.

In addition, a 10-year visas for foreign residents 50 years should help to encourage Thailand’s tourism industry, she added.

Once the 10-year visa is up and running it will give a boost to the long-stay and retiree tourism market.

However, full details including the cost and actual introduction date are still pending.

October performance

In October, foreign travellers recorded 2,256,126 visits up 0.46% from 2,245,841 visits during the same month last year.

By regions, all markets recorded increases in the 10th month of the year except East Asia and the Oceania.

The Middle East recorded the highest growth of 29.41% from 47,007 to 60,833 visits.

Israel posted the highest arrivals with 21,921 visits increasing 166.97% from 8,211 visits.

Other main markets in the Middle East: United Arab Emirates (6,890; -14.44%); Kuwait (3,069; -26.53%); Egypt (2,089; +4.92%) and Saudi Arabia (1,380; +11.11%).

Europe posted an increase of 10.66% from 404,808 to 447,962 visits. The markets that showed improvements were: Russia (+30.34%); Germany (+17.41%); East Europe (+13.48%); Belgium (+13.00%); Austria (+12.85%); Switzerland (+11.48%); France (+10.69%); Spain (+8.28%); Italy (+3.06%); Netherland (+2.97%); Denmark (+2.00%); and United Kingdom (+0.46%).

The markets that showed declines were: Sweden (-12.56%); Finland (-10.88%); and Norway (-6.44%).

The Americas increased 8.19% from 98,434 to 106,492 visits. The United States recorded the highest arrivals at 73,524 up 4.04% from 70,667 followed by Canada (17,548; +3.45%), Brazil (5,731; +56.07%) and Argentina (2,960; +55.38%).

Africa showed an improvement of 2.10% from 13,608 to 13,894 visits. The main market South Africa increased 6.59% from 6,650 to 7,088.

South Asia represented a slightly increase of 0.06% from 117,643 to 117,710 visits. India led the field supplying 90,202 visits growing 0.97% from 89,339 followed by Bangladesh (8,844; -1.05%), Pakistan (6,298; +0.06%), Nepal (4,965; +26.79%) and Sri Lanka (4,285; -33.33%).

In contrast, East Asia (ASEAN included) decreased 3.38% from 1,482,025 to 1,431,952 visits.

The markets that showed declines were: China (-16.22%); South Korea (-8.77%); Taiwan (-4.96%); Cambodia (-1.34%); and Brunei (-0.11%).

The markets that showed improvements were: Hong Kong (+24.92%); Laos (+11.20%); Indonesia (+10.47%); Myanmar (+9.54%); the Philippines (+8.00%); Malaysia (+7.58%); Japan (+2.47%); Vietnam (+1.06%); and Singapore (+0.88%).

The Oceania reported a 6.11% decline from 82,316 to 77,283 visits. The main markets New Zealand and Australia decreased 8.38% (8,958) and 5.72% (68,117) respectively.  

Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has sounded an updated forecast on Russian arrivals to The Land of Smiles in 2016. In a recent interview for Russian TASS agency, Ms Kobkarn said that the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MoTS) expects 31-per-cent growth year-on-year in arrivals.

“As for the forecasts, there is every reason to believe that by the year’s end tourist flow from Russia will reach 1.15 million visitors. Year-on-year growth is expected to exceed 31%,” Minister Kobkarn told TASS.

Earlier this year the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) forecasted about one million Russian arrivals to the Kingdom in 2016, up 13% from last year.

“Arrivals from most of other countries are also showing growth, but in the Russian market it turned out to be the most significant. We appreciate it. Russians are not only coming back, they are discovering new destinations for themselves,” she added.

Talking about new trends in the Russian market, Ms Kobkarn pointed out an ongoing change in geographical preferences. According to Ms Kobkarn, the “vector of interest” has shifted from Pattaya towards the Southern provinces”, with Phuket being one of the destinations of high demand.

“Russians love beaches. Previously, Pattaya used to be the main destination for them. Now they are discovering the Southern provinces for themselves. Thus Phuket is highly popular, after visiting which, maybe, many would love to go to Krabi province,” Ms Kobkarn said.

Russian arrivals to Thailand breached the one-million mark for the first time in 2011 and totalled 1.32mn in 2012. The historical maximum was reached in 2013 when Thailand welcomed over 1.74mn visitors from Russia. Since then arrivals had been on the decline, until the recovery began in February this year.

Last week, Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) reported that Thailand lists high among the most popular New Year destinations for Russian tourists benefiting from zero competition from Egypt, flights to which were banned by the Russian government last year.

ATOR’s members include Russian tourism powerhouses Biblio Globus, Coral Travel, Intourist, Natalie Tours, Pegas Touristik and TUI Travel.

“In recent years Egypt used to be number one on the list of the so-called ‘winter sun’ destinations. Thus now the list is topped by destinations that can offer a relative alternative to Egypt”, said ATOR Executive Director Maya Lomidze.