Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 26 | ITB ASIA OFFICIAL DAILIES news highlights MAJORITY OF TRAVELLERS IN ASIA ARE EXPLORERS By Esther Faith Lew The Polarisation of Asian Travellers report, released by Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific, shows that 38 percent of travellers in Asia are explorers, with followers coming in at 23 percent, connectors at 20 percent and opportunists at 18 percent. The report reveals these four dominant travellers types and notes their behaviours and motivations. This comes at a time when travel as a social currency is at a premium, with 86 percent of respondents utilising unique travel experiences to forge connections with family and friends. As a result, travel preferences are becoming more customised as their journeys JAPAN MAKES STRONG MOVES IN MICE TOURISM Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) returns to ITB Asia after five years to leverage on this year's focus on MICE tourism. The MOU was signed with ITB Asia on August 25. This followed close on the heels of JNTO Singapore's official appointment in April as a newly established bureau to offer support services to meeting and incentive planners in Asia Pacific. Helmed BY ESTHER FAITH LEW Sabre Travel's new report identifies the behaviours and motivations take on more fluid and non-linear paths in discovery. In terms of behaviours, 42 percent prefer to be taken care of while 58 percent want to take control of their travel journey, which includes how they source for information and arrange their itineraries. Their motivations are polarised in two distinct ways that reflect internal and external factors: 44 percent want to gain life and travel experiences to share with others, while 56 percent want to build their individuality and life experiences for themselves. Said Todd Arthur, vice president, sales & market development, Sabre Travel Network Asia Pacific: "This study goes beyond the standard demographic or trip-based segmentation to look at changing behaviours and motivations of travellers. If travel companies know more about these drivers, they can shape their services to fit. Explorers are most likely to plan on-the-go, perhaps driven by a desire to avoid being bound by plans. For travel providers, this presents an opportunity to make more on-demand mobile planning services and platforms available. This will harness extra business for the travel provider and build loyalty with the traveller, who feels appropriately supported with the right tools to have the travel experience they're seeking." The takeaways from this report translates into practical strategies that could be utilised by travel agencies who are looking to evolve and adapt to a fast-changing landscape. Travel agencies could influence the trend-setters by partnering travel bloggers and social media personalities, with live streaming for sponsored trips to generate attention. The opportunity to co-create itineraries presents itself as well to connect with explorers and connectors; 79 percent say they would use a platform to crowdsource trip planning and itinerary. Travel agencies also face the new possibilities to be a tour companion who provides an experience that is priceless as social currency. For instance, trips with gaming opportunities via Augmented Reality will make it spontaneous and experiential. Technology such as travel chat bots via mobile will allow easy planning, booking and sharing for connectors and followers. The report was based on responses from 3,000 business and leisure travellers in Asia Pacific in the past year. It also incorporated interviews with industry experts from Sabre Travel, Sabre Labs, Veena World, Cathay Pacific Airways, Facebook, Check-in Asia Hotels & Travel, Association of Asia Pacific Airlines and AirBnB. by deputy director Susan Maria Ong, JNTO Singapore MICE joins the stable of offices in New York, London and Seoul. "From this region, interest for MICE will continue to be on the upward trend. The income level from Asian countries has increased, resulting in the demand for travel. The visa waiver implementation has also helped arrivals from the respective countries in Asia. Japan now ranks top in Asia for hosting international meetings and our goal is to maintain this position as competition gets intense," said Ong. She also shared that source markets such as Singapore and Malaysia have recorded an average of 20 percent year-on-year growth. To attract planners, the bureau currently drives interest with Japan Incentive Awards 2016 and Meet Japan, a hosted buyers programme for association and convention decision makers. It will also focus on providing planners with comprehensive support in the bidding process. Japan currently expects to hit 40 million international arrivals in JNTO establishes Singapore MICE bureau and signs MOU with ITB Asia 2020 when it hosts Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics. The projection for 2016 is 16 million arrivals, which was achieved by August. CHILL AT CÉ LA VI Maximise your daytime to hunt down and meet potential prospects, but come nightfall, take the opportunity to experience Singapore's vibrant nightlife with a visit to CÉ LA VI Singapore. Recently crowned as the venue offering the "Best Nightlife Experience" by the Singapore Tourism Board, the premier rooftop night club sits atop the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and features a mod-Asian restaurant, an outdoor Sky Bar and club lounge. The alfresco Sky Bar overlooks the city and Marina Bay. Head for the tables near the fringe for best uninterrupted views, and take your pick from an extensive cocktail selection. At the Club Lounge, diners can enjoy free flow tapas on the hour with purchase of any drink from 6 to 11pm. Pulsating beats spun by the DJ will come varying music styles from house to Dysko. Wednesdays are Ladies Night, so ladies enjoy free entry and a complimentary pour from 9pm onwards. At midnight, one lucky individual walks away with S$2,500 (US$1,800) worth of luxury prizes. Travel Weekly Asia will be hosting two functions at CÉ LA VI Singapore. The first tonight from 9pm to midnight, and the second, on October 20 from 6 to 8pm. Visit us at Booth D57 to RSVP and collect your wristband for confirmation and entry to the event. Invitations are limited. BY LEE XIN HUI Todd Arthur, vice president, sales & market development.

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