Travel agents specialising in the Middle
Eastern markets are upbeat about business at the recent ATF 2017, all thanks to
Gulf carriers’ continuous foray into Asia-Pacific.
They told TTG Asia that demand for
South-east Asian packages are expected to rise this year, as more destinations
in the region become easily accessible.
Ousama Al-Hosni, general manager of
Kuwait-based Sham Tours & Travel, pointed to Thailand, Malaysia and
Singapore as his star destinations, and added that interest in the Philippines
is on the rise due to improving air connectivity.
Carriers that offer direct connectivity
between Kuwait and Manila include Kuwait Airways and Cebu Pacific, with the
former launched last year.
Ousama says outbound to the Philippines from Kuwait
will rise further as more travellers come to know about the destination’s
draws.
Manju Manchanda, director of Venture Planet
in Sharjah, said her volume into Asia has “definitely grown” by at least 20 per
cent over the past year as a result of new air links and availability of
competitive fares.
Family groups and FIT travellers are
especially fond of Asia, according to Manchanda who named Singapore and
Malaysia as top favourites for their Muslim-friendly facilities.
“(Being able to) accommodate the dietary
requirements of Middle Eastern travellers... is a big thing,” she said.
Manchanda intends to step up promotions of
packages for Vietnam this year, leveraging Emirates’ new flights to Hanoi which
commenced in August 2016.
Singapore-based Discovery Holidays, managing
director, Rodney Yew, who specialises in the Middle Eastern market and whose
company is auguably the city-state’s largest Iranian handler, said he draws
many repeat travellers who favour Singapore’s easy access and constantly
rejuvenated attractions.
According
to Yew, the typical Middle Eastern traveller would pair Singapore with either
Malaysia or Indonesia.
-TTG Asia.
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