In the news: Visa survey on APAC affluent holiday makers, Alitrip partners Travelport, Live like a local with STB and TripAdvisor
Sandy shores and swanky stays for APAC affluent on family vacations
Relaxing on the beach is the most popular activity for travellers surveyed. (Image credit: artisteer/iStock)
Beach getaways and upscale hotels are the top vacation destinations for well-heeled Asia Pacific (APAC) families, according to the Visa Affluent Study 2015.
The study, which researched travel patterns of 500 affluent consumers in eight APAC markets, found that four in five (82%) respondents have travelled with their families in the past 12 months, spending their holidays within the region.
In the same period, respondents rank Japan (26%), Hong Kong (25%) and Australia (21%) as the most popular destinations.
The region’s most frequent affluent travellers are from Singapore and China with 3.1 trips each, followed by Hong Kong with 2.8 trips and India with 2 trips.
When asked for the main activities when traveling abroad, 44% of respondents said their top pick was relaxing on a beach, followed by 36% chooisng to shop in popular or large shopping centres, and 35% exploring landmarks independently.
For activities, relaxing on a beach was most popular with respondents from China (55%), Indonesia (51%) and India (47%).
The wealthy from Hong Kong (46%) and Japan (43%) preferred to travel and explore landmarks independently. Those from Japan (32%), China (31%) and Singapore (29%) followed the food trail to local restaurants.
For accommodation the rich travellers tend to pick upscale hotels (48%) and luxury hotels (39%) over mid-scale hotels (35%).
Travellers from China are the top bookers of upscale hotels (67%) and luxury hotels (55%). They are followed in the upscale range by Hong Kong (53%), and Singapore and Japan (49% each).
The survey also found that boutique hotels are the most popular with respondents from Australia (49%), followed by Hong Kong and China at 24% each, and Singapore at 23%.
James Lim, head of consumer products, Asia Pacific, Visa, said: “Family vacations have become important occasions that affluent families in the region look forward to every year. However, where the family chooses to go – whether it is for cultural activities, kicking back at a resort, or a shopping and dining extravaganza – is highly driven by the types of authentic and discerning experiences that the destinations can offer.”
Alitrip partners Travelport to expand distribution beyond China
Alitrip expands reach beyond China in agreement with Travelport.
Alitrip, formerly known as Taobao Travel, has inked a new content and data partnership agreement with Travelport for global distribution.
The agreement enables Alitrip, the online travel platform of the Alibaba Group, to expand their merchant and customer base outside of mainland China by working with Travelport and Travelport enabled agencies.
Alitrip will have access to Travelport’s pricing and availability data to support its own fare and shopping platform.
The online platform can also use Travelport’s suite of flagship shopping products: ePricing and Search Control Console, which will improve its content richness and operational efficiency.
The agreement also benefits Travelport’s connected agents and partners by giving them access to the Alitrip platform. to tap the growing demand from mainland China.
Zheng Zhou, general manager of Alitrip’s transportation business unit said: “With this partnership we can now have a more efficient way to engage the wider agency community and bring them onto the Alitrip platform. This will provide our users with the best fare options.”
STB and TripAdvisor team up to encourage travellers to “Live like a Local”
Travellers encouraged to live like a local when visiting Singapore.
Visiting Singapore? Want to live like a local. Then go to the Live Like a Local hub, a customised microsite hosted on TripAdvisor, which takes travellers off the beaten path with things to see and do, eat and drink in Singapore.
The hub was launched in partnership with Singapore Tourism Board (STB), and is supported by media agency, MEC.
TripAdvisor is working with a national tourism organisation for the first time In curating the Live Like a Local hub, and incorporating user reviews together with recommendations from its local experts.
The sections on popular Singapore neighbourhoods ,such as Tiong Bahru and Joo Chiat, have specially curated content for travellers to find out more about these bustling areas and experience them like a local.
Other establishments and activities featured on the hub include quirky Singapore souvenirs, local independent brands and the swimming pool in Changi Airport.
TripAdvisor said it would also hold targeted master classes for the establishments featured on Live Like a Local to help these businesses harness the benefits of online reviews.
“The Live Like a Local hub showcases our city through the eyes of locals and travellers. Their unique insights and ideas will empower fellow travellers to personalise their itineraries and inspire new visitors to experience a more authentic side of Singapore,” said Lim Shoo Ling, Singapore Tourism Board’s deputy director, strategic marketing and brand.
Travellers in Malaysia, India and Australia can view the Live like a Local hub here, here, and here respectively.
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