TTO_May_2016_1-16_web

Travel Trade
OuTbOund
May 2016 - ISSUE #9
rade
Scandinavia
und
Travel Trade
OuTbOund
Hotels, airlines, airports and guests:
No insurance, when terror hits Page 2
Scandinavia
Turkey pays millions to get tourists Page 6
Mice is now a word in Chinese Page 10-13
VTNM on the way to Iceland Page 7

Few hotels have insurance
against the costs of terror
“It is not possible to sign insurance in Scandinavia against the
costs of terrorist attacks on hotels. To sign such a “terrorist insurance”
you must go abroad, f. ex. to Chubb or Lloyds in London.
They sign insurance that covers employees, guests and buildings
in case of a terrorist attack.
I do not know how many hotels in Scandinavia who has such a
“terrorist insurance.” But it is not my impression that it’s widely
widespread,” says Allan L. Agerholm, CEO of BC Hospitality
Group, which includes the hotels Marriott, Bella Sky and
Crowne Plaza in Copenhagen. Moreover, Allan L. Agerholm is
Vice Chaiman of Horesta.
“Do Marriott, Bella Sky and Crown Plaza have a “Terrorist Insurance?”?
“I have no comment to make. If guests ask we privately answer
whether we have such insurance. But we never discuss security
Private insurance
covers terror
“When going abroad as a tourist, always make
sure to have a travel insurance that covers you
for evacuation and has crisis assistance. Most
travel insurance companies like Europæiske
ERV has this as a cover in their standard product.
And you will therefore not need to buy a
separate ‘terror insurance,” says Mark Bartram,
Nordic Head of Marketing and Communications,
Europæiske Travel Insurance, ERV, Denmark
to TTO Scandinavia.
“How is it different compared to normal travel
insurance?”
“It doesn’t since it will most likely be part of the
travel insurance that you are going to buy.”
“How much more expensive is it?”
“The cost is therefore also the same.”
“What`s “terrorism insurance. What does is cover?”
“There are mainly three things that you have
to make sure that your travel insurance covers
besides medical treatment and it is Evacuation,
Crisis Assistance and third Crisis Assistance for
Relatives. This will ensure that you as a tourist
can be Evacuated out of the country without any
costs if the local Government or your Ministry
of Foreign Affairs recommends this. Crisis Assistance
ensures that you can get professional
Travel Trade
OuTbOund
help if you have experienced or seen things that
call for you talking to a professional therapist.”
“Is Scandinavia
it valid all countries? Are there places in the
world you do not approve?”
or insurance in public.”
“Would you recommend that to sign such insurance?”
“There is a risk of doing business. Each hotel must assess whether
there is a risk of being harmed by a terrorist attack, among
other things from where the hotel is located. So to sign such insurance
is up to the individual hotel.”
“But if you have not taken out such insurance, you have to pay
the bill in the event of a terrorist attack?
“Yes, that’s right,” says Allan L. Agerholm.
“Arp Hansen has not drawn terrorist insurance. We have all
sorts of other insurance policies covering employees and guests.
But no insurance against terror. It is force majeure. But we see
regularly on our insurance strategy in line with developments
in the world around us, “says Dorte Krak, CEO, Arp. Hansen
hotels with 11 hotels in Copenhagen.
“We have no insurance against terror. It is force majeure. But we see regularly on our insurance strategy
in line with developments in the world around us, “says Dorte Krak, CEO, Arp. Hansen hotels.
“Our travel insurances does not cover in warzones, besides this you are covered
all over the world if you make sure to buy insurance that covers you outside
Europe.”
“Can you buy the same kind of “terrorism insurance” in all countries in Scandinavia?”
“It is my qualified guess that in all Scandinavian countries it is possible to buy
a travel insurance that covers you in case of a terror attack.”
“Have you seen an increase in sales of insurance with terrorist protection after
more terror f. Ex. in Paris, Brussels, Bangkok, Turkey, Egypt etc.?”
“We have not seen an increase of sold travel insurances when traveling to these
countries as a consequence of the recent terror attacks. We have however seen
a decrease of sold travel insurances to these countries, but this is as a result of
fewer people traveling to these destinations as tourists,” says Mark Bartram.
Travel Trade
OuTbOund
Published by: , Copenhagen, Denmark. CVR DK29314055
Managing editor:
Carsten Elsted
Travel editor:
Carsten A. Andersen
Contact:
editor@ttoscandinavia.com
Layout:
Agnese Klavina

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No fairness in a penalty of 4-600
Euros for customers who paid less
than 100 Euros for their air fares.
“The airline industry has been singled out to
pay in many cases a multiple of the original
product price. In addition to always paying
for accommodation, ground transport, meals
and eventual rerouting on to other carriers
or leasing in of aircraft in cases of any delay,”
says Hrafn Thorgeirsson, CEO, Primera Air.
“The Supreme Court decision will hopefully
shed light on the lack of logic and
fairness in the regulation towards the
airline industry which has been singled
out to pay in many cases a multiple of the
original product price. In addition to always
paying for accommodation, ground
transport, meals and eventual rerouting
on to other carriers or leasing in of aircraft
in cases of any delay.
I think that there should be penalties for
airlines who do not provide meals, accommodation
and care when applicable
and needed during any delays over 2
hours. There is however little logic and
certainly no fairness in applying a penalty
of between 4-600 Euros for customers
who perhaps paid less than 100 Euros for
their air fares,” says Hrafn Thorgeirsson,
CEO, Primera Air to TTO Scandinavia.
This follows the Supreme Court in Denmark
has ruled that twelve Primera Air
passengers should receive compensation
for delays due to technical problems. Primera
Air must pay each of the passengers
DKK 3,000 (€400) in damages.
Hrafn Thorgeirsson:
“Airlines only make money when aircraft
are in the air so there is no motivation
for any airline to delay unnecessarily or
unfairly any flight. Any delay has always
been an expensive exercise for all carriers.
Our industry has of course created
an environment of safety that would
have been unimaginable even 20 years
ago. Our standards are not just set high
– they are always highest possibly achievable
and aircraft have up to 3 backup systems
to ensure the safety of passengers
and crews. Laws, regulations, instructions
from manufacturers, own quality
systems and constant checking by legal
authorities of all aspects of aviation companies
in the EU means that our organization
and our aircraft need to be in such
a standardized and perfect condition to
meet these requirments.
However due to the same standards of
quality cited above we must also always
err on the side of safety – this means that
aircraft can never be operated if there
is a shadow of doubt as to the absolute
safety of all passengers and crews. These
high standards also mean that on occasion
aircraft will necessarily be delayed
to maintain safety and security in some
cases too.
My proposal is:
First Rule – compensation if DEPAR-
TURE delayed over 4-9 hours if flight
is over 2 hours and up to 6 hours – 100
EUR
Second - compensation if DEPARTURE
delayed over 10 hours if flight is 6 hours
and beyond – 250 EUR
Third - no compensation shall be lower
than 100 EUR in any case but never higher
than original price of ticket purchased
excluding taxes and fees
An aircraft carrying 150 passengers each
way to X-airport is now costing 120,000
EUR – delayed beyond 3 hours and let us
say this is an Atlantic island and the aircraft
will be delayed 24 hours there. In
addition the airline will have to pay:
• HOTEL ROOMS
• BUSSES/TAXIS
• LEASING IN OTHER AIRCRAFT
• REROUTING OF AIRCRAFT
• REPAYMENT OF SERVICES
• MEALS AND FOOD
• EXTRA CREW
• FERRYING BACK OF EMPTY
AIRCRAFT AFTER REPAIR
• DOUBLE HANDLING COSTS
• OVERTIME OF STAFF
• LESSENED UTILIZATION OF
STAFF AND EQUIPMENT.
Everyone can also see how the regime
of the EU261 affects smaller carriers,
low-cost and leisure airline who operate
point-to-point flights more harshly that
other carriers and the directive itself creates
an ENTRY BARRIER for competition
in both the short and long term. A
smaller carrier of perhaps 4 aircraft can
be bankrupted within a few days of having
an aircraft damaged by a 3rd party
such as another operator which strikes
wingtip of smaller carrier´s plane. Such
damage can take weeks to repair. The
smaller carrier´s aircraft was parked is
found to be 100 percent no fault.
So to end where I started – airlines benefit
only when aircraft are AIRWORTHY
and AIRBORNE so there is no need to
penalize airlines this way.
“Will the Supreme Court decision in
Denmark influence compensation in
Sweden, Norway, Baltic and Finland?
“You are asking me a legal question and
I am not a legally trained person. But in
my personal opinion than most probably
the decision will affect our understanding
of this Directive,” says Hrafn Thorgeirsson.
4
>> Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

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Turkey offers grants to
keep the tourists
6,000 US Dollars per plane with
more than 100 passengers
In an attempt to hold on to the tourists
and support tourism, the Turkish government
has decided to provide 6,000
US dollars in grants to charter organizers
in Scandinavia and other countries in
Europe, which comes in an aircraft with
more than 100 passengers. It happens after
the decline in tourism to Turkey after
bombings, political unrest and threat of
new terror
The agreement applies only to charter organizers,
not travel agents.
The agreement was originally to be effective
in April and May to five airports two
cope with low load factors.
But the agreement has now been extended
and valid until September.
”It is meant for charter flights only as
far as I know. Even if we get a grant of
6,000 US Dollars per aircraft we will lose
money compared to last summer. For
the price of travel to Turkey has fallen by
about 10 percent, about 100 US dollars,
compared with last summer.
Even if we get a grant of 6,000 US Dollars
in a plane with 189 passengers, we will
lose about 6,000 US Dollars compared to
what we got last summer.
But we want to keep Turkey, and people
also like to travel to Turkey.
So I hope that travels together have made
a profit when the season is over, “says
Peder Hornshøj, CEO Bravo Tours and
Sun Tours and chairman for “RID Charter
Organizers in Denmark.”
“We welcome the initiative from the
Turkish Government. This is absolutely
helping in a difficult period, where demand
for Turkey is a little bit down and
sales prices at the moment below normal.
The subsidy is per flight landing in Turkey
with more than 100 passengers. For
the Tour operators in RID in Denmark
8 of us will get part of the subsidies and
probably 1 or 2 more outside RID will get
it.
It is difficult to say how much money, it
is a help, but it will not cover the missing
income we are losing because of lower
prices and cancelled flights.
My guess is that the decline from Denmark
to Turkey in summer 16 will be between
15 and 20 %. But Turkey will still
be one of the biggest destinations from
Denmark. The third biggest country with
tourists flights from DK.
The people not flying to Turkey this summer,
is flying to Greece, to Spain and Portugal
mainly. But also other destinations
as ex Bulgaria,” says Peder Hornshøj.
Not to travel agencies in Sweden
“In Sweden we are not aware of any
grants to travel agencies in regard to
supporting tourism to Turkey. We don’t
have any statistics of the decline in trips
to Turkey, but there seems to be a higher
demand for trips to Europe and countries
like Spain, Italy and Greece instead
of Turkey this year.” says Anna Lennhammer,
Secretary General and Managing
Director, SRF, Association of Swedish
Agents and Tour Operators.
There are complex conditions for the subsidies.
They only apply to flights by planes
with 100 seats or more. At least 11 passengers
of the relevant incoming agency
must be on the flight, regardless of which
tour operator they booked with. The
$6,000 subsidy is then divided up according
to the number of passengers whose
agency has the right to apply for funding.
Leisure airlines in Germany are cutting
back capacity to Turkey this summer in
response to the slump in bookings, forcing
tour operators to reschedule flight
times for booked passengers. Experts
predict a 25% drop in German visitor
numbers to Antalya this summer.
Condor, for example, has cut about one
third of its capacity to Turkey this summer
but Thomas Cook and Neckermann
Reisen are aiming to ensure that passengers
can still fly on the same day as they
originally booked.
DER Touristik, with a 20% reduction
in flight capacity, and TUI, which is rerouting
TUIfly services, is also trying to
keep the flight time changes as minimal
as possible.
“We welcome the initiative from the Turkish
Government. This is absolutely helping in a
difficult period, where demand for Turkey is a
little bit down and sales prices at the moment
below normal,” says Peder Hornshøj,
CEO Bravo Tours and Sun Tours.
6
>> Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

Iceland enjoys a
successful growth
in MICE tourism
Through strategic marketing efforts the MICE sector
in Iceland has grown by 25% since 2013 and the annual
growth in 2015 was 11%.
In recent years the importance of the social and economic
contribution of the MICE market has gained
more interest among the Icelandic government. This
is reflected in national and international collaboration
and why our Minister of Industry and Commerce
Ragnheidur Elín Árnadóttir was asked to chair
the Politicians Forum at IMEX 2016 in Frankfurt, as
well as taking part in an open debate on topics relating
to the international meetings industry.
Reykjavík, Iceland is quickly becoming a popular
year round destination for meetings, incentives, conferences
and events (MICE) in Europe. Situated midway
between North America and Europe, a growing
number of international companies and organizations
are choosing Reykjavik for its convenient location,
interesting venues, great food, comfortable hotels
and thriving culture. A surprisingly high number
of airlines offer direct flights to Keflavik International
Airport, and it seems like new connections are added
every day. The Icelandic nature is inspiring through
its beauty, energy and diversity and supplies the stimulation
needed to inject creativity and innovation to
meetings and events.
Time to sign-up for
Vestnorden Travel Mart
The organizers of Vestnorden Travel
Mart have opened up the registration
for the most comprehensive
venue concerning the three unique
and exotic destinations in the North
Atlantic.
Surveys show that Iceland, Greenland
and the Faroe Islands both individually
together represent an upcoming market
in a broad sense. The destinations have
unique nature, tranquility and friendly
inhabitants in common, but they also
represent three different worlds.
The 31. Vestnorden Travel Mart takes
place October 4.-6. in Reykjavík, the capital
of Iceland and it’s now open for registration.
Since the beginning in 1986 Iceland
has hosted the event every second
year, whereas Greenland and the Faroe
Island organize the trade show every
fourth year
Vestnorden Travel Mart is the most important
business-to-business trade show
in the North Atlantic region, where major
representatives from the three nations
in the High North present their unique
products for international buyers from
the professional travel industry.
New opportunities
“The goal for the Vestnorden Travel Mart
is to establish new travel trade opportunities
as well as reinforcing established
relationships with the key actors in the
tourism field of the three destinations,
says organizer Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, Director,
Tourism and Creative Industries
of Promote Iceland.
The trade show of Vestnorden Travel
Mart offers an extensive professional introduction
to the products of the three
destinations, whether it concerns natural,
cultural or adventure experiences.
As this year’s event takes place in Iceland
the majority of exhibitors are Icelandic
companies.
But there will also be representatives
from both Greenland and the Faroe Islands,
who proudly present the highlights
of their destinations. Apart from
the concentrated trade show there is a
great opportunity for the buyers to discover
the three destinations on their own
as pre and post tours are arranged.
Win-win situation
- We see the trade show as a valuable venue
each year for suppliers of the three destinations
as well as the buyers to connect
with new contacts and businesses and
strengthen the ties with the three countries,
Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir says.
Every year the organizers are working
hard to improve the event. There has been
raised some critic voices over the mismatch
between buyers and sellers. A new
list of invited potential buyers is produced,
and Inga Hlín says, that is not a question
of numbers but quality of the buyers.
This means that companies, who haven’t
got an invitation, but take interest in having
Iceland, Greenland or the Faroe Islands
in their catalogue, should sign up for
participating in Vestnorden Travel Mart.
Those, who have received an invitation,
probably already have decided to go to Iceland
in the beginning of October.
Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

MUC is important for us
We hope to reach profit with
our operations by 2019
“Having our own airline has a remarkable and positive
influence on Estonian economy as a whole. In
addition, it gives Estonians possibility to fly direct
to many important European destinations on comfortable
times, which is also important on holding
and creating valuable business relations for Estonia,”
says Erik Sakkov, board member, Nordica to
TTO Scandinavia.
Estonia’s new national carrier, Nordic Aviation Group (NAG),
has rebranded, taking the name Nordica. NAG was set up by
the Baltic nation’s government as a fallback in advance of the
demise of Estonia Air last autumn. The European Commission
had found Estonian Air had breached state subsidy rules and
was ordered to pay back 85 MEUR in aid. Unable to do so, it
filed for bankruptcy.
“Why have you chosen the name Nordica?”
“The adoption of the name ‘Nordica’ is a logical step forward
from the former name ‘Nordic Aviation Group’, as it is shorter,
more to the point and emphasizes the Nordic connections
of the airline. We sought to choose a new name that is neutral,
sounds good internationally and is suitable in light of our future
business opportunities. The harmony and suitability of the
name with the name of our partner airline Adria Airways was
also considered.”
“Why not something with Estonia?”
“Names in Estonian were given a lot of thought, too, but ultimately
those who felt that the name of an airline should be
as international as possible and easy for people to pronounce
in other countries outnumbered those who would rather have
gone for something in the local language. Plenty of options were
put on the table that included the word ‘Estonia’ in some form
or other as well, but it was our strategic goal to distance ourselves
from Estonian Air as much as we can.”
“Why has Nordica chosen to buy and fly with Bombardier?”
“Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft suit the best for the
needs and possibilities of our market and planned flights.”
“ How many planes will Nordica have?”
”Nordica has currently five planes and we hope to grow with a
tempo one new aircraft per year. “
“How many destinations and how many passengers?”
“Nordica serves passengers on 16 different routes during summer
season 2016 – Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Edinburgh,
Kiev, Munich, Nice, Odessa, Oslo, Paris, Rijeka, Split, Stockholm,
Trondheim, Vienna and Vilnius.
In March, there were 22 042 passengers flying with us. “
One of Nordica’s new aircraft, Bombardier CRJ900.
“Estonian Air went bankrupt. Will the government of Estonia
pay anything to the new airline or must Nordica make
it alone?”
“We had a starting capital of 40 MEUR and now we have to
prove ourselves, make out on our own, show earnings and be
successful,” says Erik Sakkov.
„ How many years will it take before Nordica is profitable?”
“We hope to reach profit with our operations by 2019.
Nordic crew has in March had 22,000 passengers.
8
>> Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

“How many seats in the aircraft?”
“Our CRJ700s have 70 and CRJ900s 88 seats. Our partner BMI’s Embraer
ERJ 145 aircraft, which we also use, have 49 seats.”
“Nordica will have flights from Tallinn to Brussels, Kiev, Oslo, Amsterdam,
Vilnius, Stockholm, Trondheim and Munich. This year, Nordica plans seasonal
flights to Nice, Split and Paris from spring—and Rijeka, Odessa and Edinburgh
from summer. What about Copenhagen and Helsinki?”
“Finnair is flying to Helsinki and SAS is flying to Copenhagen. We therefore currently
see it to be unreasonable to fly these routes ourselves.”
“Why is Munich important for Nordica?”
“Because Tallinn-Munich route, which is operated by Adria Airways in cooperation with
Nordica, started to have a Lufthansa code-share from 27 March 2016. As Munich is the sec-
ond biggest hub of Lufthansa Group with flights to Asia, South
America, North America, Africa and Middle East, then this
code-share agreement enables seamless connections and benefits
for our passengers for travelling via Munich to the rest of
the world.”
“Who will be the General Manager for Nordica?”
„There are three members in the management board of Nordica.
The chairman of the board is Jaan Tamm, Nordica’s CCO is
Erik Sakkov and our CFO is Ahto Pärl.”
“Now we have to prove ourselves, make out on our own, show earnings
and be successful,” says Erik Sakkov, board member, Nordica.
“Why do you use a dragonfly as your logo?”
“The sign of a dragonfly matches the airline’s essence and identity
very well. Dragonfly is a mystical and beautiful creature
that cannot be found everywhere and that looks like a hightech
miracle. The dragonfly’s slim body resembles a plane and
its flight is fast and controlled. In many cultures, the dragonfly
is also the symbol of good fortune,” says Erik Sakkov.
Codeshare from
TLL to MUC
with
Tallinn-Munich route, which is operated by Adria Airways
in cooperation with Nordica ,has started to have
a Lufthansa code-share. This is a remarkable new step
in the route development of Nordica, which significantly
enhances travelling possibilities to and from Tallinn.
“Lufthansa is the biggest airline in Europe in terms of
passengers and aircraft count. It is therefore a great recognition
to have cooperation with them. Even more so,
as Lufthansa is the founding member of Star Alliance,
the world’s largest global airline alliance, which proves
the high quality of Nordica,” said Sven Kukemelk, Executive
Director Business Development of Nordica.
As Munich is the second biggest hub of Lufthansa Group
flights to Asia, South America, North America, Africa
and Middle East, then this code-share agreement
enables seamless connections and benefits for travelling
via Munich to the rest of the world. As Lufthansa
and Adria Airways share a joint frequent flyer program,
Miles&More, then passengers will enjoy the highest level
of quality and benefits on both airlines.
Flights between Tallinn and Munich are operated twice
a day in morning and evening times at Munich Airport’s
Terminal 2, providing excellent connectivity to onward
flights, especially Italy and Balkan region.
Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

14.000 business
appointments
IT&CM China 2016 will be held from April 6 to 8 at Shanghai Exhibition & Convention
Center of International Sourcing. This is the 10th instalment of the international MICE
event that seeks to “Promote China to the World and the World to China”. The 2016
event expects an attendance of 3,000 MICE professionals from sectors including DMCs,
PCOs, corporate travel and associations, some 400 hosted delegates, over 10,000 business
appointments as well as over 60 business, education and networking sessions.
The event is organised by TTG Events, a business group
of TTG Asia Media, CITS International M.I.C.E – a wholly-owned
subsidiary of CITS (China International Travel
Service) and MP International. It has the support of Shanghai
Municipal Tourism Administration (SMTA), Shanghai
Convention & Exhibition Industries Association (SCEIA),
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), euromic,
International Association of Professional Congress
Organisers (IAPCO), International Congress & Convention
Association (ICCA), MICE Committee of CATS, Pacific Asia
Travel Association (PATA), Philippine Council for the Advancement
of Associaiton Executives (PCAAE), Society of
Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and World PCO Alliance.
IT&CM China is also co-located with CTW China – The
Leading Corporate Travel Management Conference For
China.
Next year will be 18-20April 2017
10
>> Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

Darren Ng delivering the opening speech on
stage for the 9th Annual TTG China Travel
Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner 2016 held in
Shanghai on 7 Apr 2016.
MICE now a Chinese word
ITB goes to China next year after success
in Singapore. WTM goes from London
to South America already this year. TTG
Asia is after great success in both India
and China and Bangkok open for other
possibilities.
Darren Ng, managing editor of TTG
Asia:
“We do not go after figures of visitors of
50-60.000 the combination of MICE and
corporate travel is unique and an event
by TTG will always place sourcing and
networking as key deliverables in our
programmes, allowing delegates from
any sector of the industry to explore new
grounds and opportunities for collaboration
and partnership.”
The event in Shanghai this year consists of
320 attending Chinese buyers hosted like
80 international buyers, specially selected,
like the 120 corporate travel buyers.
According to a study conducted by Global
Business Travel Association, MICE activities
worth 110 billion USD made up 45 per
cent of China´s domestic travel spending.
10 years ago, when the first IT%CM China
took place, MICE were unknown to the
local Chinese market.
In 2016 the show saw a new record of over
13,000 business appointments made over
the two trade days.
The latest data from GBTA also shows that
China is now positioned to surpass the US
in business travel spending this year instead
of 2017 and becoming the largest
business travel market in the world.
Fact sheet:
Exhibitors: 641
Buyers 506 of which 66 % are new buyers
A candid shot of Darren Ng having
a discussion with H.E. Kobkarn
Wattanavrangkul, Minister of
Thailand Ministry of Tourism and
Sports at the 26th TTG Travel
Award 2015 Ceremony and Gala
in Bangkok.
Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

Food important
for convention centre
By Travel Editor Carsten A. Andersen in Singapore
Regardless of whether planning for a meeting,
convention or exhibition, experience
the pristine moments, a special place is Naturally
Langkawi or rather LICC Langkawi
International Convention Center.
With its stylish look, enriched facilities including
meeting rooms, ballrooms, VIP
suite, VIP lounge and up to 4512sqm space,
LICC is an unrivalled venue for truly exceptional
events.
LICC is expertly managed by The Westin
Langkawi Resort & Spa and located perfectly
balances the joys of nature and the
spoils of opulence. With shopping malls in
the vicinity and the jetty just a stone’s throw
away.
Tengku Ramizan Kaman Shah, director of
LICC:
“We have our own kitchen and chef, attached
to the centre. When guest taste our
food, it may be the first opportunity, they
have to taste the products of Langkawi and
Malaysia.
At IT&CM China, director Tengku Kaman Shah met with the two reps from Berjaya hotel chain
Juliana Liew, director Business development and Choo Chun Fair, ass. Director, both from the hq
in Kuala Lumpur.
The building, the LICC lies in green surroundings.
Recycling is an important case on Langkawi, which
they also show to the convention guest.
At the centre we are a window of what the
state of Kedah has to offer and therefore it is
important, that we do it correct. We get the
feeling from the organizer and the guests,
that they look beyond the menu, wanting
to learn something about the food, culture
and traditions of Langkawi and Malaysia.”
It is as a trend among the organizers to ask
the convention centre to “feature and prepare
local cuisine and present it in a novel
and creative way.
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>> Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

Via Hansa goes for
the Chinese market
Jean Wang from Shanghai has just started to
work for Via Hansa and it was the first, but
not last visit to IT&CM China, mice and
corporate travel convention, in Shanghai.
Ausra Pekiene, Kauno Piligrimas I Kaunas I Lithuania (3 from
left) wanted to hear about the new Japanese destination, where
Finnair starts in May. The three informants from Fukuoka are
from left Zhang Yan, business meetings, Naofumi Gyotoku, vice
director marketing and Tsuyoshi Kikune, sales manager.
Via Hansa, the Danish-Latvian company is
strengthening its presence on the Chinese
market to get a bigger share of the growing
Chinese market.
This also meant, that opening an office in
Shanghai a couple of months ago, would mean
introducing the company at the international
MICE convention IT&CM China.
Hans Henrik Kjoelby, CEO of the company:
“We have already been active on the Chinese
market for eight years with special interest
for the leisure with FIT and smaller groups.
About 50 % goes to Russia, 30 % to the Baltic
countries and 20 % to the Nordic market.”
The Chinese mainland revenue is only 5-6 %
of the company´s total and then plus 4-5 %
from Taiwan and Hong Kong, but it is where
the biggest growth is.
“It is essential to have Chinese staff, not only
because of the language barriers, but also because
of the cultural differences. We have Chinese
staff in the market in our offices in China,
Russia and the Baltics, but also on the destinations.”
In the first 10 years Via Hansa has only worked in
Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, but now also
started in Chengdu, Chongqing, and Xian etc.
They only sell upmarket products with 4-5
star accommodation and full service programs.
“We have also learned that the competition
is hard, but our Chinese clients are loyal to
a certain degree, if you treat them the same
way and your product is OK. The Chinese
market will be among the top five in our
company in the coming years.”
During the “Taste of Estonia: Nordic with
a Twist” events and under the same motto,
Estonia will be presented as a new and innovative
travel destination to the Chinese
travel industry and media. Inspirational
destination presentations and B2B workshops
will be taking place in Beijing and
in Shanghai.. Via Hansa will be represented
at both workshops. Mrs. Kylli Karing,
Vice-President of Via Hansa, and Mrs. Jean
Wang, sales manager China.
To assist in refining the products and to
facilitate the increasing number of guests
from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau,
Via Hansa has hired Chinese nationals
at its offices. This season, Mrs. Zhang
Shuhong started to work in St Petersburg
and Mr. Jun Zhao is working at the office in
Tallinn. They will be assisting the offices in
Russia and the Baltic countries in welcoming
a large number of visitors from China.
Fukuoka – a potential new destination
Fukuoka might be unknown to Scandinavians as a
MICE or as a tourist destination, but it will be on the
map in May, when Finnair starts a new direct route
three times a week.
In the latest year it has become a new Japanese destination
after Tokyo and Kyoto.
The city has flourished as a gateway for cultural and
economic exchange with Asia since ancient times.
Moreover it takes less than a full day to fly from Europe
and the US via direct flights with a stopover in
Helsinki.
There are many tourist spots near Fukuora to visit,
including temples, shrines, hot springs, advanced
technology plants and seasonal fruit picking.
Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

From Ving-training
to Centara
When Jonas Sjostedt started at the Ving training on
Cyprus in 1995, he had no idea, that he 20 years later
would be general manager to two Centara-hotels in
Pattaya in Thailand and married to Tang from Thailand
with 1300 guests (three from Sweden, the rest
from Thailand) and now living a hectic life in a house
near the two hotels.
“To day I can´t imagine moving back to Sweden or
Scandinavia, but I can see myself living a long life in
Thailand. The Thai-people are the most service minded
and the most gentle and kind, I have ever met. “
One of Jonas Sjostedt greatest competences is negotiations
and the contact to the owners as Centara only
manages the hotels for different owners. In his job he
is the contact to the owner of six hotels, Centara managed
and the others belong to other chains. This is a
competition, which the owner can use.
Jonas Sjostedt has been working for Centara as gm
to different hotels since 2006, but the last years have
been tougher than before. The Scandinavian market
has dropped; the Russian market has gone completely.
Now he is serving guest from Australia, Germany,
China and local people, coming for a weekend from
Bangkok.
One of the hotels is also with a Spa.
Jonas Sjostedt is overlooking all the
activities in the two hotels.
And a pool.
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>> Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

Jonas Sjostedt met Tang from Thailand, working in Phuket and she was the executive secretary to another
hotelmanager. They marries with 1300 guests two years ago. Also in the picture the chihuahuan Sugar.
“It is hard. I have direct contact
with up to 70 agents and tour operators.
Every day we calculate offers to
groups, mainly from India to different
tour operators. Before my work
was mainly operations, today it is
more sales and marketing. The OTAs
sells 30 %.
We have to find new ways every
day. My staff has gone from 55 to
33 in numbers plus I had to let all
the managers go and instead I promoted
number 2. The two hotels are
very close, so the next step might be
to close one kitchen and serve the
guests from only one kitchen.
I have also moved housekeeping and
breakfast serving together in one
group as service staff. So all in all,
we try to survive in a very competitive
environment.”
The two Centara-hotels that Jonas
Sjostedt managed are two out of six
Centara in Pattaya. The two has 226
rooms and 79 rooms with free Wi-Fi
and rates 1240-1450 TBH.
Expect 10 million
in 2016
Local tourism officials say overseas efforts
to drive more visitors to Pattaya
have paid off and they expect the city to
top 10 million tourists this year.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya
office Director Suladda Sarutilavan said
a recent travel show in India, other tabletop
road shows and domestic tourism
events all have been successful in opening
new markets overseas and at home.
Tourism Authority of Thailand Pattaya
office Director Suladda Sarutilavan.
As for international tourists, both Suladda
and Thanet Supornsahatrangsi,
chairman of the Tourism Council of
Thailand, complained that Chinese tourists
may have offset the loss of Russian
visitors in term of raw numbers, but they
spent far less due to them traveling in
low- or no-cost tours that don’t contribute
to the Pattaya economy.
Suladda said she expects Pattaya to add
5 percent to 9.8 million tourists in 2016,
pushing the city well above 10 million.
Taxis
About 300 area taxi drivers were told that refusing customers, not using
meters and exhibiting generally abusive behavior no will longer be
tolerated as the government launches a crackdown on metered cabs in
Pattaya. Complaints include overcharging customers, not using meters,
being unfriendly, refusing short trips, and abandoning passengers
before reaching their destination. Pattaya Deputy Mayor Ronakit
Ekasingh said the city receives complaints about the city’s 500 taxis
on a daily basis.
Travel Trade Outbound - Scandinavia

Kennedy Airport may be in the toilet for
fliers, but now it’s No. 1 with their pets.
The airport last week opened a pet potty
— complete with fake grass and a red
fire hydrant — in Terminal 4. And the
single-stall bathroom, which is decorated
with paw prints and lined with Epoxy
and waterproof turf, is already making
jet-setting pet owners purr.
“We had some privacy, and he did his
job. He wasn’t afraid here,” said Aliyah
Sharifullin of her 2-year-old mixedbreed
cat, Thirteen, after she took him
into the room to do his business.
Dogs are also enjoying having their own
personal pooh palace.
“This is hilarious,” said Tracy Schneider,
who was traveling with her Shih Tzupoodle
mix, Joey.
“It’s great for them to have a place to go.
You don’t have to worry as much when
you travel with them.”
The room is designed to be hosed down
regularly, and pet owners are given doodoo
bags to help clean up after themselves.
Pet potty at JFK