http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/209057/1/.html
New survey shows bird flu beginning to scare off tourists to Asia
SINGAPORE: Bird flu could be an immediate threat to the Asian travel industry.
Industry watchers have said confused notions, rather than confirmed cases of the disease, are deterring travellers from vacationing in Asia.
There may be no definitive evidence of human-to-human transmission of bird flu, but travel industry professionals warn that with Asia being home to most of those who have died of the disease, it would be the perception that counts.
"It's in the mind, it's this unknown, it's this bogey man. It's all in the mind of the consumer but that's the thing we have to battle -- the actual perception," said John Koldowski, Director of Strategic Intelligence Centre, Pacific Asia Travel Association.
A new global survey by PATA and others show that aside from direct government or media warnings about travel to Asia, terrorism and bird flu are the biggest deterrents for travellers to Asia.
Fear of terrorist attacks made 58% of surveyed respondents less likely to travel to Asia while Bird flu detered about 57%.
There was also confusion among potential travellers about which areas have been hit by bird flu.
One third of the respondents did not know the areas affected by the disease and more than 1 in 5 believed areas with no cases of bird flu had been affected.
Delegates are also talking about new industry trends.
"What a number of the hotel companies are now doing is they are developing residential real estate, they are branding it with their brand and consumers will buy that because they trust the brand," said David Jacobs, Chairman, Asia Pacific, Baker & McKenzie.
"You would expand your offering to create either destination club, or to do a private residence club or expand into fractional sales of your product. It's another market niche, but it's a very, very profitable one," said Ivor Clucas, President & CEO, Asia Pacific, RCI Global Vacation Network.
Hoteliers have said this is not only a wonderful way to diversify their business, but that the demand for this leisure travel market also tends to be more resilient to crises such as natural disasters or terrorism acts."
Industry players have said the occupancy rates for such vacation options stood at about 50%, 6 months after the Bali bombing.
This compared to 20% for regular hotels. - CNA /dt
New survey shows bird flu beginning to scare off tourists to Asia
SINGAPORE: Bird flu could be an immediate threat to the Asian travel industry.
Industry watchers have said confused notions, rather than confirmed cases of the disease, are deterring travellers from vacationing in Asia.
There may be no definitive evidence of human-to-human transmission of bird flu, but travel industry professionals warn that with Asia being home to most of those who have died of the disease, it would be the perception that counts.
"It's in the mind, it's this unknown, it's this bogey man. It's all in the mind of the consumer but that's the thing we have to battle -- the actual perception," said John Koldowski, Director of Strategic Intelligence Centre, Pacific Asia Travel Association.
A new global survey by PATA and others show that aside from direct government or media warnings about travel to Asia, terrorism and bird flu are the biggest deterrents for travellers to Asia.
Fear of terrorist attacks made 58% of surveyed respondents less likely to travel to Asia while Bird flu detered about 57%.
There was also confusion among potential travellers about which areas have been hit by bird flu.
One third of the respondents did not know the areas affected by the disease and more than 1 in 5 believed areas with no cases of bird flu had been affected.
Delegates are also talking about new industry trends.
"What a number of the hotel companies are now doing is they are developing residential real estate, they are branding it with their brand and consumers will buy that because they trust the brand," said David Jacobs, Chairman, Asia Pacific, Baker & McKenzie.
"You would expand your offering to create either destination club, or to do a private residence club or expand into fractional sales of your product. It's another market niche, but it's a very, very profitable one," said Ivor Clucas, President & CEO, Asia Pacific, RCI Global Vacation Network.
Hoteliers have said this is not only a wonderful way to diversify their business, but that the demand for this leisure travel market also tends to be more resilient to crises such as natural disasters or terrorism acts."
Industry players have said the occupancy rates for such vacation options stood at about 50%, 6 months after the Bali bombing.
This compared to 20% for regular hotels. - CNA /dt