The Indispensable Travel Industry Read

Feature Highlight
5 in 10 APAC travellers use video in the research process

4 in 10 APAC travellers use online to share experiences of their last trip

8 in 10 APAC travellers use online to research hotels

4 in 10 APAC travellers use mobile to research hotels

3 in 10 APAC travellers post about their hotel on social networks during their trip

5 in 10 travellers in APAC book hotels online

Booking travel
Vol. 4 Issue 11 | November 2013 | www.travelweeklyweb.com | Published by Travel & Meetings Group, Contineo Media Pte Ltd

Hotels

Vietnams Nha Trang Bay hot in demand

Page 15

Airlines

From left: Christian Gke, CEO Messe Berlin, organiser of ITB Asia and Lionel Yeo, chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board

The deal is sealed

SINGAPORE Starting next year and for the next three years that follow, you can expect an even stronger conference line-up at ITB Asia. The deal was sealed on October 25, 2013, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and ITB Asia. This year, the show delivered over 3,850 minutes of high powered content over 20 sessions led by industry partners.Leveraging the efficiencies and valuable synergies surrounding both platforms, this enhanced partnership with STB promises new content for the show by harnessing collective insights from top industry leaders to uncover more business opportunities and provide an even more effective knowledge sharing platform for travel professionals. Our aim and focus for ITB Asia is aligned with that of STB to build a platform that facilitates the exchange of insights to discover new trends and celebrate Asian tourism at its best. Working with STB to gather travel professionals and business leaders from the entire spectrum of the industry will help us generate even more strategic networking, business and collaboration opportunities to drive more quality buyers and visitors to the show, said Nino Gruettke, executive director of ITB Asia. ITB Asia aims to provide visitors with the latest insights and practical knowledge on the travel industry. Each years conference programme boasts a strong line-up and is specially tailored to address

Southeast Asias first Dreamliner

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the latest developments, challenges and trends across the travel industry. Since ITB Asia started its run in Singapore six years ago, it has been a fruitful partnership between Messe Berlin and the Singapore Tourism Board, said Lionel Yeo, chief executive, STB. As an organisation, we look for partners that can challenge us, and who are prepared to be challenged by us. Our belief is that this spirit of mutual motivation will raise our game and push boundaries. Messe Berlin is one such partner, hence Im optimistic about this continued partnership and I look forward to more collaborations to provide greater value and exceptional experiences. The ongoing collaboration with ITB Asia and STB has added to the breadth and depth of relevant Asian-focused content available. One such example is the Future Leaders programme, a new strategic initiative that was launched last year to address the need to attract new talent in the travel and tourism industry. The second edition comprised a half-day conference titled Future Leaders Building Quality Tourism Careers organised by Messe Berlin and STB in partnership with Nanyang Technologial University and Hospitality Club. ITB Asia, STB and UNWTO also came together once again to organise a panel discussion on salient trends of key Southeast Asian outbound markets. Turn to page 3 for more on ITB Asia 2013.

PEOPLE www.travelweeklyweb.com

El Kwang joins The Star, Sydney

SYDNEY The Star, Sydney welcomes well known tourism and events professional El Kwang, who joined the team this week in the position of director of Sales. Holding senior sales, marketing, business development and management positions at Dockside Group, Accor Hotels and Doltone House, Kwang returns to Australia bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience of local and international markets. Kwang invaluable insight into the regions thirst for Australian products and experiences. Im very excited to be joining the dedicated, customer-focused team at The Star. I look forward to sharing my experiences from previous roles in Australia and my recent stint working and living in Asia, to help further develop the offering of this dynamic property, said Kwang. With a reputable career gained over 15 years in the tourism, hospitality and events industry, Kwang embodies the personality and passion for the industry that Jakki Temple, general manager, Sales and Marketing sees as the perfect combination for The Star. Were absolutely thrilled to have El joining the team. As an industry leader and past colleague of mine, his passion for the industry and his creativity make him a valuable addition to our team, said Temple.

His most recent role as Vice President for Business and Tourism Publishing Asia, gave

Jon Bourbaud takes over as GM of Bagan Lodge

MYANMAR A new face arrives on the scene in Myanmars ancient capital this month as Apple Tree Asia welcomes Jon Bourbaud as general manager of Bagan Lodge. Bourbaud brings almost two decades of hospitality industry expertise to the newly opened upscale resort, located just outside the historic Bagan Archaeological Zone. The 85-room boutique lodge is the latest destination post for the 46-year-old Aussie native, who has carved out a career at the helm of leading heritage, golf, beach and city properties across Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam. Bourbaud holds a diploma in Hotel Management and a certificate in Catering from Melbournes prestigious William Angliss Institute. He began his career as an executive chef for Novotel hotels in Auckland and Brisbane, and spent a year as executive chef at the Mercure Hotel Sydney before uprooting for Vietnam in 2001. From 2001 to 2013, Bourbaud scaled the ranks of senior management in leading hotels across Vietnam--from F&B director of the Duxton Hotel the five-star Sofitel Dalat Palace Hotel. Bourbaud makes the jump from Vietnam to Myanmar fresh off a three-year stint as general manager of La Veranda Resort in Phu Quoc, an MGallery Collection hotel. Situated 300 kilometres southwest of Mandalay, Bagan Lodges stylised tented guest rooms and landscaped grounds are are only a stones throw from more than 2,000 ruins, temples and shrines that formed the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Bagan. Bourbaud is conversant in English, French and Vietnamese.

Saigon, to executive assistant manager of the Novotel Phan Thiet Ocean Dunes & Golf Resort, to general manager of

Allan Ball is Six Senses Laamus new DOSM

BANGKOK Alan Ball has been appointed as the director of Sales and Marketing for Six Senses Laamu. He will be London-based. With extensive experience in similar senior roles with top properties in the Maldives, Alan brings a wealth of destination and product knowledge to the role. Throughout his well travelled career Alan has built and led teams focused on increasing growth through sales management engagement. His earlier background experience also includes travel agency sales with the UK offices of Abercrombie & Kent and Gullivers Sports Travel, thus rounding out his hospitality and tourism knowledge. "We are very pleased to welcome Alan to Six Senses Laamu and look forward to his leadership in this key role," said Marteyne van Well, general manager of the resort. "Six Senses Laamu has tremendous opportunity and Alan's demonstrated track record of sophisticated sales and marketing execution will help us accelerate our growth and achieve our financial performance goals. Our investment in sales and marketing resources will drive growth in existing as well as new geographic and vertical markets."

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NOVEMBER 2013 | TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA

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