SMART REPORT N°27 /
SMART REPORT N°27 / September - November 2015 FOREWORD The World Comes to ITB Asia Messe Berlin and its Executive Director (Singapore), Katrina Leung, see page 8, really put the spotlight on tourism in Asia, while Mario Hardy, CEO of PATA (see page 29) explains the rapid development of the Asia-Pacific region. China is the main engine with an overall contribution of tourism to the GDP of more than 10% but also more than 100 million outbound travelers. This figure has not escaped Brand USA, who are communicating extensively with professionals on the multiple possibilities offered by the United States (see pages 9-17). Other countries are also extremely dynamic – such as Vietnam (see page 32 our interview with Nguyen Van Tuan, Chairman of VNAT). Private initiatives are being multiplied, such as the Angkor Ultra Trail in Cambodia – presented by the CEO of Phoenix Voyages Group, Edouard George, on page 33. www.cleverhotel.org On page 30, Laurent Künzle, CEO of Asian Trails, helps us better understand how to navigate the aisles of a travel and tourism trade show. But this edition doesn’t forget one of its main function which is to help decision makers in the fields of architecture and technologies. The relevant comments of Jacques Bolze, page 20, Director of Products Solutions and Standards of Accor Group and David Esseryk, page 23, Accor Group's VP Guest Technology will be valuable to many. Still on the subject of technology, Willem Both, page 24, VP of IT for Starwood Hotels in Asia Pacific reveals how the job of IT is evolving over time. Happy reading to all! Richard Barnes Editor-in-Chief richard.barnes@cleverdis.com Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 77 46 00 Follow us on: www.cleverhotel.org A CLEVERDIS Publication, 65 avenue Jules Cantini, Tour Méditerranée, 13006 Marseille - France Tel: + 33 442 77 46 00 - Fax: + 33 442 77 46 01 - E-mail : info@cleverdis.com - www.cleverdis.com SARL capitalised at Euro 155,750 - VAT FR 95413604471 - RCS Marseille B 413 604 471 Publisher: Gérard Lefebvre, Publishing Director: Jean-Guy Bienfait, Managing Director: Jean-François Pieri, Editor-in-Chief: Richard Barnes, Editorial Coordinator: Monia Tazamoucht, Art Director: Hélène Beunat. With the participation of: Bettina Badon, Julia Thielemann >>To contact them: first name.last name@cleverdis.com • Printing: Pure Impression, Mauguio, France • On cover: © Starwood Hotels and Resorts • Registration of Copyright September 2015 • ISSN 2110-8676 Information presented in this publication is purely indicative in order to illustrate subjects contained therein. 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If any of these risks or uncertainties materialises or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the expectations outlined in these statements. Cleverdis assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements during the period of publication. Photo Credits and Copyright: All Rights Reserved CONTENTS 07 EVENTS CALENDAR 08 SPECIAL FEATURE: ITB ASIA 08 ITB Asia, The Essential Platform for Travel & Tourism in Asia 09 ITB Asia Forges New Partnerships Katrina Leung, Executive Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore) 10 Obama Announces Major Boost to Sino-US Tourism Relations Christopher L. Thompson, Brand USA President and CEO 13 New York – Encouraging Inspired Chefs The city’s largest-ever dining program announced by Mayor Bill De Blasio 15 Comfort in the Keys Florida Keys unveil new and enhanced accommodation for travellers 16 Singing the Praises of Tourism in Los Angeles The city of the angels’ tourism and municipal officials say tourism increasingly powers the local economy 17 Miami Gets Personal The GMCVB launches new ideas to facilitate visits to the city and region 18 Vegas Powers The US desert Mecca reports highest July visitation on record 19 Floating Like Butterflies Over the Grand Canyon The Papillon Group celebrates 50 years of growth into the biggest company of its kind 21 ARCHITECTURE & EQUIPMENT 21 Renovation & Construction: The Rolling Wave of Technology 22 In The Field - with Jacques Bolze Never Out On a Wire! 23 INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGIES 23 Shift from Technician to Business Manager and Strategist 25 In The Field - with David Esseryk Increase Guest Loyalty, Deliver Customized Services and Optimise Operations 26 Starwood Delivers Industry Firsts on Digital Technology and Innovation Willem Both, Vice-President of IT, Starwood Hotels Asia Pacific 29 TRAVEL & TOURISM 29 Promised: Delivered 30 Destination Asia A close-up look at the tourism market 31 In The Field - with Mario Hardy The World’s Fastest Growing Travel Market 32 Navigating the Sales & Marketing Jungle Laurent Künzle, CEO of Asian Trails 34 Vietnam Opens Up to New Travellers Nguyen Van Tuan, Chairman, VNAT 35 A New Way to Discover Cambodia Edouard George, Phoenix Voyages Group 36 China at Heart of Silk Road Push Xi’an Initiative moves Silk Road Project one step further ahead 37 HOTEL OPENING CALENDAR
