Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/613755
22 | www.travelweekly-asia.com Ali Wong , Business Development Director, Costa Cruises Asia Pacifi c & China BEST CRUISE SHIP Costa Victoria (Costa Cruises) Photo: Jack Lim, Sales Manager, and Ali Wong, Costa Crociere. Your thoughts on winning the award? Costa Group Asia is honoured by the industry's recognition of our unique 'Italy at Sea' cruise holidays. This affi rms our world-class customer service and the growing trust and demand from guests in Asia. We'd like to thank all trade partners and guests for their unfailing support. The one thing you want to do to improve your business in 2016? In 2016, Costa Group Asia hopes to provide more innovative onboard programmes and itineraries for our guests, further leveraging the increased capacity brought by Costa Fortuna. Starting in April 2016, Costa Fortuna will be deployed to Asia, which will boost our brand's capacity in the region by 49%. What is your winning formula in Asia? Costa's winning formula consists of our unique "Italy at Sea" experiences plus customised services. We offer rich and immersive Italian experiences – from hospitality to cuisine and to art, and we ensure that itineraries are tailored to bring guests to the most popular destinations with an assortment of local programmes and services. Photo: Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Deputy Governor International Marketing – Asia & South Pacifi c, Tourism Authority of Thailand. Costa's winning formula consists of our unique "Italy at Sea" experiences plus customised services. We offer rich and immersive Italian experiences. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand DESTINATION OF THE YEA R (ASIA PACIFIC) Thailand Your thoughts on winning the award? It is an honour to be conferred the 'Destination of the Year' by Travel Weekly's esteemed readers. Serving as a good indicator of our performance and results of our concerted efforts, this is a signifi cant achievement and encouragement to each individual in Thailand's tourism industry. The one thing you want to do to improve your business in 2016? With plenty of room for expansion of the tourism business, we are determined to use our best efforts to retain Thailand's popularity with visitors. More importantly, we also acknowledge the importance of balance between tourism growth and its social and environmental impact. Therefore we will have a strategic shift of focus from 'quantity' to 'quality' for a sustainable and well-integrated tourism industry. By enhancing the overall quality of the visitor experience, we are confi dent of further boosting Thailand's tourism industry. Nicholas Ionides, Vice President Public Affairs BEST AIRLINE (GLOBAL/ SERVICE EXCELLENCE) Singapore Airlines Your thoughts on winning the award? We are honoured to have been named the recipient of this prestigious award. Although we are not in the business to seek out such accolades, it is a validation of the hard work and dedication of our staff around the world. The one thing you want to do to improve your business in 2016? Our business model is based around the main pillars of product leadership, service excellence and network connectivity, and all must come together to ensure we have product and service offerings that are appealing to our customers. Moving into 2016, we have many programmes in place to enhance our offerings in all three of these areas, for example with upgraded lounges, the introduction of new-generation A350 aircraft, new routes, and much more. It is also particularly important that we listen to our customers, taking into account their feedback, which we incorporate into the development of our new-generation product and service offerings. Travel Weekly Asia Readers Choice Awards 2015 Photo: Sheldon Hee, Vice President, Marketing Communications & Development, Singapore Airlines.