StayWell Signs Second Park Regis Hotel in India

StayWell Hospitality Group will open Park Regis Jaipur in July 2015

Australian-based StayWell Hospitality Group has today announced the expansion of its international network of hotels in India with the signing of the Groups' second Park Regis property in the country; Park Regis Jaipur.

The relaunch of the property, currently known as the Holiday Inn Jaipur, is scheduled to operate under the Park Regis banner from 2nd July and follows a refurbishment and renovation upgrade which has elevated its offering in line with the Park Regis' internationally renowned upscale brand offering.

StayWell Hospitality Group CEO Simon Wan says this expansion into the Indian market is a sign of the future for the brand which has concrete plans of growth within the region.

"The opening of the Park Regis Jaipur is the first of up to eleven hotels scheduled to open under the StayWell Hospitality Group banner in 2015," Mr Wan said.

"One quarter of the world's population aged under 25 live in India and these people are highly educated, technologically savvy and avid travellers.

This strategy runs parallel to the groups' global expansion project which has its sights firmly set on 100 hotels by 2017.

"While our international growth strategy is multi-faceted, we are actively looking at refurbishing and re-branding existing hotels to decrease the time and resources needed to enter new markets," said Mr Wan.

Rohit Vig, Managing Director of StayWell Hospitality Group in India says "The new Park Regis, located close to Amer Fort, is home to a number of the regions tourist attractions, has 72 rooms, on-site gym, pool, multi-cuisine dining options, meeting spaces and a pool-side banquet area for the extensive Indian Weddings. We are excited about this new partnership with Mr Dinesh Abbi and his family, as they are one of the oldest hoteliers in the country with a rich experience in owning and operating hotels in multiple locations. Whilst this is the second Park Regis we have signed it will open before Park Regis Goa which is scheduled to open by the end of this year.

Mr. Dinesh Abbi, Director of Craft Palace Hotels (India) Pvt Limited says "We are excited about our association with Australian-based StayWell Hospitality Group and are optimistic that we will gain immensely from this strategic partnership. The brand recall and international visibility of Park Regis will create demand from a fresh segment for our rooms and also their brand standard and standard operating procedures will improve the operational efficiency. The rebranding exercise and product improvement plan is being jointly handled."

Travellers Urged to #FollowADifferentPath with Crooked Compass

The Crooked Compass Travel App, available to download now,
is calling on all travellers to go beyond the tourist traps and
become seasoned travellers by following a different path.

 New Travel App Reveals the World's Best Kept Secrets

A new travel app, available to download now, is calling on Australians to go beyond the tourist traps and become seasoned travellers by following a different path.

Travel industry professional Lisa Pagotto and founder of Crooked Compass, a holistic travel platform, launched the Crooked Compass Travel App which includes information on over 1,000 unique travel experiences, interactive maps, a bucket list creator and need-to-know insider information.

"The Crooked Compass Travel App is a great tool for travellers who have 'been there, done that' and want something exciting and unique to add to their travels," says Lisa. "It's also for those who are not interested in seeing the stock-standard tourist sights and want to discover the soul of a destination or experience the culture like a local."

Making a traveller more than a tourist, the Crooked Compass Travel App is full of rare experiences travellers have not heard of before, across 134 countries covering 11 categories - from adrenaline fuelled adventures, animal encounters, eating like a local, unique accommodation, festivals and many more.

Whether you want to swim in hidden caves, bungee over an active volcano, snow shoe through the Mesa Verde, eat in a restaurant dug into the sand or sleep in a vintage 727 aircraft, each page provides thorough information on what the experience is, the best time of year to experience it, where it is located, how to get there, how much it costs and how to book.

Making a traveller more than a tourist, the Crooked Compass Travel App is full of rare experiences travellers have not heard of before, across 134 countries covering 11 categories, as well as interactive maps, a bucket list creator and need-to-know insider information.

"With all this information in one platform and insider tips personalising each experience, travellers can spend their time discovering these unique experiences rather than being stuck in an internet café researching what to see and do. The easy-to-use interface connects directly with Facebook and Twitter allowing recommendations to be shared or for bragging rights for those who love to flaunt their travel conquests to friends and family."

"An 'Experience of the Day' is also featured each time a user opens the app, helping to inspire while the bucket list creator fuels the fire for future adventures," concluded Lisa.

Following Lisa's recent Round the World trip, further experiences will be added to the App including unique experiences from Mudgee, Vanuatu, Azores, Lisbon, Madrid, Dubai and Oman to name a few.

Download the Crooked Compass Travel App from the App store or Google Play

Minor Hotel Group Multiple Expansion Announcements

Big start to 2015 including Europe, South America and North Africa

Anantara Jabal Al Akhdar Resort (due to open late 2015)

Minor Hotel Group (MHG), an owner, investor and operator with a portfolio of 133 hotels and resorts and almost 17,000 keys in 22 countries across Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, South America, Africa and the Indian Ocean, has kicked off 2015 by adding four new countries to its portfolio including two new continents, plus six camps in Africa and a new flagship Anantara hotel in Thailand.

2015 NEWS TO DATE
In January Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara welcomed its first guests. Located 20 minutes by luxury ferry off the coast of the Qatari capital, the 141-room resort features the first over water villas in Qatar and an extensive selection of facilities including a spa and dedicated wellness centre, ten pin bowling, cinema, surf pool and nine hole golf putting course. This was followed in February by the opening of AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa. Located on Mahé’s west coast, the 124-room resort blends a contemporary vibe with its European heritage style and offers accommodation, leisure activities and dining options for every age of traveller.

In March MHG added Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel to the brand’s portfolio. Located in prestigious Rajadamri in the city’s Siam district, the hotel is Anantara’s flagship in its home market of Thailand. The 354-room property is 100% owned by MHG and was reflagged from Four Seasons Bangkok. MHG has confirmed an investment of USD 20 million to enhance the hotel over the coming months.

Also in January MHG announced the strategic acquisition of six Tivoli hotels in Portugal and Brazil, and the Tivoli Hotels & Resorts brand for Brazil. The milestone EUR 168 million investment represents MHG’s entry into the hospitality sector in two new continents and establishes Portugal and Brazil as MHG’s two strategically-chosen countries for future expansion into Europe and South America.

The Brazil acquisition comprises of two properties – a hotel in Sao Paulo and a resort in the heart of an ecological reserve on the coast close to Salvador in Bahia. The investment also represents MHG making strategic asset acquisitions of four Tivoli properties in Portugal – one in the country’s capital of Lisbon and three in the Algarve, one of Europe’s premier tourism destinations. Tivoli is a member of Global Hotel Alliance which three of MHG’s existing brands – Anantara, AVANI and PER AQUUM – also belong to.

Most recently, MHG has added six camps in Kenya to its African portfolio, the result of two of East Africa’s most prestigious property portfolios merging, following the acquisition of Cheli & Peacock Group of Companies by the Elewana Collection. The acquisition sees the six Cheli & Peacock properties, namely, Elsa’s Kopje, Elephant Pepper Camp, Joy’s Camp, Tortilis Camp, Kitich Camp and Lewa Safari Camp, merge under the banner of the Elewana Collection to form a comprehensive circuit of 14 properties spanning the highlights of Northern Tanzania, Kenya and Zanzibar.

Oaks Pinnacle, Melbourne Renamed as Oaks South Yarra

One year after opening its doors to travellers, the new-build Oaks Pinnacle hotel – part of leading accommodation provider Oaks Hotels & Resorts' 51-strong property portfolio – has been renamed as Oaks South Yarra, effective immediately.

The rename is in recognition of the property's covetable inner-city South Yarra location, situated on Yarra Street and intersecting with Toorak Road, providing guests with unprecedented access to Chapel Street's world-class shopping, dining, nightlife and entertainment.

Head Commercial Officer for Oaks Hotels & Resorts, Rex Demanser, commented,“We believe the renaming of Oaks Pinnacle to Oaks South Yarra is a more fitting title that sets the property apart from our CBD and Southbank properties. It will also ensure the hotel's location is front of mind when travellers are choosing Melbourne accommodation for business or leisure stays.”

To celebrate a successful first year of business and its new name, Oaks South Yarra has released an incredible 'Winter Warmer' deal, inviting travellers to stay in style in a studio from $99 per night (minimum two night stay), available for stays until 30 September 2015. Studios are contemporary in design and feature full kitchen facilities, a private balcony with city and laneway views, bright interiors and modern appliances.  

Spanning 10 floors, Oaks South Yarra boasts a rooftop terrace and sundeck for guests to enjoy, while a range of public transport options are available on Oaks South Yarra's doorstep, including the South Yarra train and tram stations, for guests wanting to discover all that Melbourne offers.

Oaks South Yarra is one of six Oaks Hotels & Resorts' properties in Melbourne, including Oaks on Collins, Oaks on Market, Oaks on Lonsdale and Oaks on William in the CBD, and WRAP on Southbank.

Terms and conditions apply; subject to availability; minimum two-night stay; valid for travel until 30 September 2015; unserviced rate.

Traveloscopy | 

Winter Savings: Hyatt to Launch Flash Sale on July 4

Hyatt is pleased to announce the launch of a Winter Flash Sale. From July 4–7, discounts of 10%–40% will be available off stays at Hyatt hotels in Asia Pacific between July 11 and August 31, 2015. 

Hyatt Winter Flash Sales Begins on July 4

“Our Winter Flash Sale is an opportunity to welcome guests to Hyatt and introduce both existing and new clients to some our exciting new hotels,” says Carina Chorengel, Senior Vice President, Brands and Commercial Strategy, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “We are thrilled about the latest additions to the Hyatt family, including the private paradise of Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort; the majestic complex of Grand Hyatt Lijiang; Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, set within an exhilarating entertainment mecca; and Hyatt Regency Naha Okinawa, offering genuine Okinawan-style hospitality. Our hope is that guests can take advantage of the special offers to experience and enjoy our newest hotels, while saving on the cost of their winter holiday.”

Traveloscopy | 

Tourism Australia Deepens China Partnerships

Tourism Australia has signed three important strategic marketing deals in China this week aimed at promoting Australia to high yielding travellers and business events professionals in an overseas tourism market now valued at $5.7 billion annually.

The wide-reaching, multiple marketing deals consist of partnership agreements with two major airlines - China Eastern Airlines and Singapore Airlines – as well as with one of one of China's largest e-commerce companies specialising in travel services, Alibaba.

The commercial deals were all signed in Shanghai by Tourism Australia Managing Director John O'Sullivan, its outgoing Chairman Geoff Dixon and new Regional General Manager for Greater China, Andrew Hogg.

Mr O'Sullivan said each of the agreements were different in nature but, together, would help strengthen distribution and Australia's ability to target China's rapidly growing and lucrative free and independent travel (FIT) segment.

The first deal was signed with Alibaba, one of China's largest e-commerce companies, which provides businesses with online payment and search services. The company has recently launched an electronic transaction site called Alipay, where Chinese consumers can purchase customised travel packages.

Under the new, three-year partnership, Australia will become the first overseas long-haul destination to ­­have its own dedicated sales webpage on Alitrip's website. The portal will be co-branded using 'There's Nothing Like Australia' campaign assets and feature Australian travel packages offered by Tourism Australia's dedicated network of preferred travel distribution partners in China. 

Mr O'Sullivan said the deal would help tap into the fast growing online travel market in China, allowing Tourism Australia and its state and territory tourism partners to target the Chinese FIT market with highly personalised travel packages.

"The partnership with AliBaba is a landmark deal since it gives us a huge distribution and conversion platform within our most valuable international market. It also gives us access to consumer data which will help us better target our destination message and sell quality Australian holiday packages within a market which is already worth $5.7 billion a year to us," he said.

The second deal signed in China was with China Eastern Airlines. The new deal extends an existing memoranda of understanding by a further three years and will see the two parties jointly spend up to $11.5 million on campaigns and other marketing activities at a time when the airline expects to significantly expand its services to Australia. A key feature of the agreement will see China Eastern, Tourism Australia and its key distribution partners in China work collaboratively on building and selling travel packages.

China Eastern Airlines currently operates 68 direct flights a week between Beijing, Shanghai and Nanjing in China and Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns in Australia. 

The final agreement with Singapore Airlines focuses on business events within the Greater China market, complementing and existing MoU already in place between the two parties which covers the leisure market.

Under the new agreement, the two parties will each contribute A$1.35 million towards jointly developing a range of campaigns, marketing and promotion activities within Greater China, targeting MICE agents and corporate buyers.

Mr O'Sullivan said the three deals would give Tourism Australia significant competitive advantage in a market which was being aggressively targeted by an increasing number of global tourism destinations.

“As the first Western market to be given Approved Destination Status back in 1999, I suppose we enjoyed a bit of a competitive advantage in this market, but any head start has long since been lost with 130 other countries now actively marketing to the Chinese. These deals aim to keep us ahead of the pack,” he said.

Mr Dixon said the three partnerships were critical to Tourism Australia in terms of increasing customer reach, reinforcing destination messaging and, ultimately, converting awareness and intent into actual travel bookings.

“These are three partners who are well established within China and who also have the ability to reach our target customer. What's so important about these deals is that it gives us strong commercial platforms to convert new and high yielding business for Australia,” Mr Dixon said.

He said the new marketing agreements would provide significant impetus to the latest phase of Tourism Australia's Restaurant Australia campaign, which was already seeing strong results within China. 

The three deals signed in Shanghai complement other destination marketing and distribution activities already being undertaken by Tourism Australia for the China visitor market, including developing a new network of specialist travel agencies to sell high yielding Australian holiday packages.

Tourism Australia is also developing a second version of its bespokeaustralia.cn website, specifically for the China market.

China is currently Australia's second largest inbound market in terms of visitor numbers with 839,500 visitor arrivals in 2014, up 18.4 per cent on 2013, and worth A$5.7 billion in overnight visitor expenditure.

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ICC Cricket World Cup Demontrates Value of Big Events

The findings of a new report analysing the economic impact and benefits of this year's ICC Cricket World Cup demonstrate the value and importance of Australian tourism backing large scale events, according to Australia's national tourism organisation.

The tourism benefits of the tournament to Australia included: • 770k in total attendance at the Australian matches; • 370k visitors, including 100k from overseas; • $325m in international visitor spending; • 1.5m bed nights, including 815k for international visitors

John O'Sullivan, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, said large scale events – particularly blue ribbon sporting tournaments - were a significant driver of visitor demand and expenditure, something which came out strongly in the report.

“Beyond increased visitor numbers and tourism spending, these high profile events also help to showcase our country to huge television audiences in some of our most important international markets,” he said.

“By the time 2015 draws to a close, Australia will have hosted the AFC Asia Cup 2015, the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Netball World Championships – and we've still got the Rugby League World Cup in 2017 and Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast to come, in 2018.

“These are all events which typically attract international visitors who stay longer, travel further and spend more. That's a real sweet spot for any national tourism organisation and why we're so focused upon developing a targeted event strategy to maximise the tourism potential and economic return of Australia's year round calendar of top quality events,” Mr O'Sullivan said.

Mr O'Sullivan said that the publication of the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report was timely, coming just days after the launch of the Australian Government's 'sports diplomacy' strategy at Parliament House.

He said Tourism Australia would continue to work closely with event organisers, state and territory tourism partners and its own overseas offices to identify and promote those events which it believed appealed mostly strongly to consumers in its target inbound markets.

The Australian Government's sports diplomacy strategy aims to bring together government and sporting organisations to leverage Australia's sporting skills, facilities and knowledge to promote Australia and help strengthen international relationships with countries around the world.

A key element of this sports diplomacy strategy is to highlight Australia's excellent track record in hosting major sporting events like the ICC Cricket World Cup, and the opportunity they provide to showcase Australia more broadly and generate long-term economic, diplomatic, tourism and community benefits.

The release of the PwC report comes just days after international arrivals data from the Australian Bureau of Statistic (ABS) revealed a 46% spike in visitor arrivals from India during. the month of March, coinciding with their team's appearance in the semi-final of Cricket World Cup.

Traveloscopy |