The Annual HVS Asia-Pacific Hotel Operator Guide 2020 – Excerpt

By Pawinee Chaisiriroj, Apichaya Wongsuwan and Daniel Voellm
In this Seventh Edition, over one million existing and more than half a million pipeline rooms spread over 7,148 properties were captured. This publication features 55 operators. The analysis covers 33 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific and 1,133 markets with existing hotels as well as 832 markets with proposed hotels.
 
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Marketing in Uncharted Waters - The COVID Era

By Ajay Mehtani
Should Marketing Spends be put on hold during these unprecedented times? Read our article to know more.
 
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Japan Injects JPY1.35 Trillion to Stimulate Domestic Tourism

The Japanese government has announced a plan to incentivise domestic tourism by offering financial aid for locals to travel when the coronavirus subsides. The Japan Tourism Agency, an agency of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, will be running a JPY1.35 trillion (USD12.5 billion) programme aimed at reinvigorating Japan’s tourism industry. According to a member of the agency, the state-run Go to Travel Campaign will offer a 50% discount off air, sea, and land transport, and halve the costs of overnight stays. Details on the implementation have yet to be set. The launch and phased rollouts are expected to be slow, and dependent on the coronavirus situation in each prefecture. The coronavirus situation will be closely monitored during the campaign with indications that the plans might first be made available for travel to nearby prefectures, followed by regions and, finally, nationwide. The campaign will be available through large and small travel companies.

Airlines in Vietnam Seeks to Resume Domestic and Several International Flights

Vietnam-based Vietnam Airlines Group, comprising of Vietnam Airlines, Jetstar Pacific, and Vietnam Air Services Company (“VASCO”), is planning to gradually restore all domestic network by the beginning of June. On the other hand, the Vietnam’s Civil Aviation Authority (“CAAV”) is seeking government approval to partially resume international flights from 1 June 2020. According to Vietnam Airlines, it is estimated that by June 2020, the Vietnam flag carrier will completely recover its domestic flight network after the resumption of Danang to Van Don and Danang to Can Tho routes. Vietnam Airlines has also mentioned its intention to launch new routes to “diversify its product portfolio”. The carrier said from 16 May 2020, it will increase its flight frequency for all its domestic routes in Vietnam. Similarly, Jetstar Pacific and VASCO will also increase the flight frequency for all domestic routes. However, the flight schedule adjustment will still be subjected to actual situation and functional authorities’ approval. According to Vietnam Airlines, all passengers will have to wear face masks throughout the flights and adhere to health and safety protocols. Additionally, all the carriers will continue to disinfect the entire aircraft and remove in-flight meals on domestic flights according to the regulation from CAAV.

Korean Airline Seeks to Resume Flights on 19 International Routes from June

South Korea-based national flag carrier, Korean Air, is planning to resume several international routes from 1 June 2020. The 19 international routes included Washington, D.C., Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Frankfurt, Singapore, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur. Since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, Korean Air flights were down to 55 per week on 13 international routes. Before the pandemic, the airline would operate 900 flights on 110 routes. With the gradual opening of routes, Korean Air flights will increase to 146 on 32 international routes. The decision was made as demand grows following ease in coronavirus restrictions by many countries.

Absolute Share Price Performance, as on 29 May 2020