Business as usual for CWT as curiosity mounts over Amex GBT’s acquisition
Industry chatter is picking up about American Express Global Business Travel’s (Amex GBT) Monday announcement to acquire industry competitor CWT, with many concerned about disrupted services in the lead up to the conclusion of the acquisition in 2H2024.
In response to TTGmice’s query about the follow-up impacts on its staff, brand presence, and customers, a CWT spokesperson said on Tuesday that the process was “still at an early stage”, and no information could yet be revealed about “changes… with regards to the CWT brand, products, and teams (until) after the transaction has been completed”.
The spokesperson also echoed CWT CEO Patrick Andersen’s expectations that were expressed in the earlier Amex GBT statement. “We believe that joining forces with Amex GBT will bring exciting new opportunities and positive outcomes for our colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders,” said the spokesperson.
Kishore Rames, travel programme manager with National Oilwell Varco, based in Singapore, said the acquisition was a “big one” and was eager to see how it would play out.
“Will CWT be around, or will it be all Amex GBT only in the future? As far as we know, as we are working with CWT, it is still business as usual,” said Rames, adding that corporate buyers like himself should be concerned about monopolisation by a single big player.
“As a big agency, it can dictate the price and transaction fees, and it can choose the types of services that it will offer. We are watching this with a lot of interest,” he told TTGmice.
While Rames predicted stiffer competition for smaller TMCs, he said there would still be corporates that prefer dealing with smaller agencies.
“If (the smaller agencies) play their cards right, if they are well organised, they can still do very well because some companies may not want a large TMC servicing them. They may not have that much of travel spend to commit Amex GBT,” he reasoned.
Ani Tom, senior manager – administration with VA Tech Wabag in Chennai, India, said the acquisition could give Amex GBT a stronger presence in Southern India, where CWT has a good reputation for its “latest technology” and good sourcing network.
He, too, expects more intense competition in the managed travel marketplace, but said other TMCs could face off the giant by ensuring reliable technology, good prices and good service for their corporate clients.
Morgann Lesné, an expert in travel technology M&A from Cambon Partners, said the deal was “further proof that 2024 will turn out to be the biggest ever year for M&A in the travel technology space”.
“A wave of inevitable consolidation following Covid needs to take place while, at the same time, high interest rates have stalled start-up fundraising, leading to people having to merge or face closing. Meanwhile, record tourism figures for 2023 and a very positive outlook for 2024 are leaving many players feeling confident that now is the right time to acquire competitors,” he said.
Amex GBT had earlier acquired DER Business Travel in 2006, 30SecondsToFly in 2015, HRG in 2018 and Egencia from Expedia Group and Ovation Travel Group in 2021. – Additional reporting by Rosa Ocampo
Affordable, accessible China draws Malaysian corporates
Amid the ringgit’s depreciation against major currencies and Malaysia’s economic growth slowdown, destinations in China have become increasingly popular among Malaysian companies with tight budgets for incentive programmes.
Faeez Fadhlillah, co-founder and CEO of Tripfez Travel & Tours, highlighted a growing demand for secondary destinations in China, such as Xi’an and Zhangjiajie, over first-tier cities.
He shared that these secondary cities offer better value for money, with potential savings of approximately 10 to 15 per cent on ground costs compared to their first-tier counterparts. Additionally, these secondary cities could provide experiences encompassing cultural, natural, and scenic attractions.
Faeez also highlighted Xi’an as another secondary destination that will appeal to incentive groups, especially with AirAsia X’s new thrice-weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Xi’an starting on April 4. This appeal is due to the city’s wealth of historical attractions, including the Terracotta Warriors and The Great Wild Goose Pagoda.
He said: “Currently, AirAsia X is the sole provider of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Xi’An. I believe that with improved connectivity, it will become even easier to promote the destination to larger groups.”
Mint Leong, managing director of Sunflower Holidays, added that cost-conscious corporates are also opting for four-star local hotels that are away from central business districts.
Savings are also obtained by offering more independent leisure time for delegates and covering only some meals.
For the same reason, secondary destinations like Suzhou, Zhuhai, and Chongqing are increasingly being considered due to their affordability.
Adam Kamal, director of Suka Travel & Tours, which specialises in Muslim outbound travel, opined that Kunming makes for a great incentive travel
destination for Muslim clients due to the availability of Muslim-friendly food. Kunming also has an “abundance of natural beauty which you do not find in first-tier cities”.
Adam shared that China Eastern Airlines’ new services to Kunming from Kuala Lumpur has improved access. This route is also serviced by AirAsia and Batik Air Malaysia.
That said, agents do not see first-tier cities losing their shine among Malaysian corporates. Adam has also observed a surge in enquiries for travel to Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in the second half of 2024.
The availability of halal food in large restaurants has contributed to this interest, as well as the impact of China’s visa-free policy. Malaysians can now visit China for up to 15 days, from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024.
“This policy change has significantly bolstered China’s attractiveness as an incentive destination, particularly when compared to East Asian rivals like South Korea,” Adam stated.
He further emphasised China’s allure as an affordable destination, where transactions are conducted in renminbi, offering a contrast to Europe where the prevalent currency is the US dollar.
Easy visas drive up Indian meetings in China
The demand for business travel from India to China is on the rise due to China’s accommodating visa policies.
Previously, Indians planning to visit China had to schedule appointments at visa application service centres in India. However, as of last year, China eliminated this requirement, allowing Indians passport-holders to apply for visas on a walk-in basis.
Vishal Jairath, head of South Asia at VFS Global, which manages visa applications for China in India, noted: “We have observed a positive growth in business travel from India to China. Based on the visa application volumes we handled in 2023, China emerged as one of the top destinations for Indian travellers.”
To further streamline the visa application process, the Chinese government also waived the requirement for biometric enrolment for Indian travellers last year. According to the Chinese embassy in India, over 180,000 Chinese visas were issued to Indian citizens in 2023.
“Last year, we saw significant interest from Indian outbound business travellers to China, and I expect this demand to remain strong this year as well,” remarked Arun Anand, managing director, Midtown Travels.
Ravinder Kumar, managing director of Indian Legends Holidays, suggested that the Indian government should reciprocate by making it easier for Chinese travellers to visit India. Currently, Chinese citizens are required to schedule appointments for visa services.
Kumar added: “Many Chinese businessmen are keen on visiting India for exhibitions, but the Indian embassy and consulates are not issuing enough visas. This is detrimental to the Indian inbound tourism market, especially for Chinese-speaking guides in the country.”
Move towards green flights triggers reviews of travel policies
As more mandates on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) usage surface, corporate travel managers are reviewing their travel policy to better meet responsible travel objectives and identify savings.
Singapore is the latest in the world to set a SAF mandate for all flights departing from its airports from 2026. This will come with a fuel levy on flights departing Singapore, which would result in pricier airfares. An economy class ticket from Singapore to Bangkok, Tokyo and London could go up by around S$3 (US$2), S$6, and S$16 respectively.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan has an SAF mandate for 10 per cent by 2030; India one per cent by 2027 and five per cent by 2030 for international flights; and Malaysia 47 per cent by 2050.
European governments have been the most active in setting SAF mandates. Norway, Sweden and France established SAF requirements in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. The rest of the European union will implement a two per cent SAF mandate in 2025, increasing this to six per cent and 70 per cent by 2030 and 2050, while the UK is planning an SAF mandate of 10 per cent by 2030.
According to reports, SAF could cost two to 10 times more than traditional jet fuel, depending on its composition.
Ben Wedlock, senior vice president, global sales, Asia Pacific with BCD Travel, told TTGmice that current fuel surcharges form up to six per cent of the airfare while a SAF levy could add a further half a per cent to the total cost.
Varun Mehra, regional lead – Asia Pacific, CWT Solutions Group, said such developments have sparked interest among his clients with frequent fliers, and many are “recalibrating” their travel programme, bearing in mind the possible rise in airfares due to the higher costs of green fuel.
Forward thinking clients, according to Mehra, are scrutinising the share of travel involving carriers or destinations affected by these mandates; revising travel policies to be more in tune with Environmental, Social, and Governance goals; exploring alternative travel solutions; and actively initiating discussions with airline partners to incorporate SAF-related commitments into commercial negotiations.
As more clients review their travel policies, Wedlock believes that sustainability education is key. A main challenge for travel managers is the definition of sustainability – how it impacts the traveller, how it impacts their core goals, and what SAF really is, etc.
“Part of my advocacy for the industry is to recognise sustainability and our choices moving forward,” said Wedlock.
He noted that SAF is “not the silver bullet that will instantly reduce emissions”, as it is “really expensive and incredibly challenging to get our hands on”. At the same time, “the carbon dioxide burn-off from SAF and conventional fossil fuels is quite the same; the difference lies in the production process”.
“Corporates must, therefore, understand the impact of their current travel programme and be focused on purposeful travel (not just on the use of SAF for their flights),” said Wedlock.
He also advised travel managers to review the entire travel procurement process, so that sustainable choices can also be made with accommodation, car hire and other essential services.
When asked how soon SAF mandates would make flying too pricey, Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said fare changes would not be immediate because SAF availability is still low – current supplies will only meet 0.5 per cent of global aviation needs by the end of this year.
He stated that the affordability of sustainable flights would depend on government policies that incentivise SAF production as well as inventory levels.
As for greener alternatives to flying, Wedlock said travellers are rather restricted in Asia-Pacific. “The domestic commute network is excellent in countries like Japan, China and India, but outside of that, there is no other sustainable alternative. To get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), for example, you could drive 10 hours or jump on that 45 minute flight.”
Hence, it is crucial that governments reinvest green taxes into infrastructure that supports green travel, urged Wedlock.
Thai CVB banks on local festivals to grow MICE industry
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is partnering four associations to deepen its support for local festivals as a means to boost the country’s business events industry and attract high-spending visitors.
The new partnerships with the Thailand International Events and Festivals Trade Association, Thai Mass Participation Sports Trade Association, Thailand Entertainment Creators Network Association, and Contemporary Art & Culture Industry Promotion Trade Association are an extension of TCEB’s Festival Economy initiative. The goal is to uplift local festivals into business festivals, where a B2B opportunity is created for people in festivals industry to network and do business together.
Each of the four partner associations has its own festivals that could include B2B elements.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, TCEB president, stated that the initiative is aligned with the Thai government’s policy to make Thailand a host of international festivals and a destination that attracts business travellers. Furthermore, it is in response to global trends that see the nature of festivals diversifying
He believes that festivals can drive other related businesses locally and internationally, and be transformed into an engine that powers the economy in terms of visitors’ spend and value of traded products and services. Festivals can also draw high-spending travellers.
Chiruit said: “The digital content of Thai creators featured in digital festival in Thailand can be traded by overseas clients, while artwork of Thai artists displayed at the festival can be hired for overseas exhibition.”
This second phase of TCEB’s Festival Economy initiative will also look into opportunities to bid for world festivals and the development of a festival academy for nationwide festival organisers to interact.
For 2024, the initiative will support more than 30 festivals, which are expected to attract 2.3 million travellers from across Thailand and overseas. These festivals are expected to generate economic benefits of at least 3.6 billion baht (US$98.9 million) in value and contribute over 5.8 billion baht to Thailand’s Gross Domestic Product.
Frasers deepens China footprint
Multi-brand long-stay accommodation provider Frasers Hospitality is expanding its China portfolio with the imminent opening of the 255-unit Fraser Place Chengdu, targeted to soft open on March 29, and the 325-key Modena by Fraser Shenzhen in the second quarter.
Fraser Place Chengdu is strategically situated in the heart of Chengdu Gaoxin District, a major high-tech hub of technology and innovation in western China, and is connected to a modern mixed-use development – Chengdu Poly Time Edition.
The property is also within a short distance of Global Centre Chengdu, SKP Chengdu, Chengdu Yintai Center In99 offering a range of retail, dining, and entertainment options.
Modena by Fraser Shenzhen is located in the bustling commercial core of Luohu District, located within Shennan 1001, a landmark development integrating a premium office building, boutiques and upscale cultural experiences.
The group is also scheduled to open Fraser Residence Forte Nanjing, Modena by Fraser Dalian, and Modena by Fraser Nansha Guangzhou this year and Fraser Place Nanjing in early 2025.
Mark Chan, chief operating officer, Frasers Hospitality, commented: “The market is still gathering pace, with supply exceeding demand especially in Tier 1 and 2 cities. With China recently relaxing visa requirements, we are looking at a slight uptick in inbound leisure travel from visa-free countries. However, the recovery from the business side of the demand is still uneven.
“We are hopeful that the conclusion of the Two Sessions (the Chinese government’s annual plenary sessions of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in March), and the introduction of more targeted economic policies will drive up demand in the near future.”
Frasers Hospitality’s properties in China have a 6:4 ratio of international versus domestic travellers, with top overseas source markets being regional neighbours Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.
Metropolitan marvel
Striving to become a global economic and business hub, Jakarta declares an ambitious vision encapsulated in its tourism tagline Jakarta Heart of MICE, signifying its commitment to excelling as a prime destination for business events.
This comes as Jakarta’s current 10.5 million population is projected to reach 100 million by 2045, part of the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. The Golden Indonesia 2045 vision is a commitment to create a prosperous and vibrant nation, encompassing various facets of development, including economic growth, education, and social well-being.
Jakarta’s journey towards achieving its goals has entered a transformative phase marked by significant developments in infrastructure and facilities.
For instance, toll roads in and around the city have undergone extensive expansion. The KRL (electric train) network has seen improvements, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is undergoing expansion, and a Light Rail Transit system was recently launched to enhance daily connectivity for the population.
Intercity access has also improved, with new classes of trains establishing connections between Jakarta and various cities across Java. The latest addition, Whoosh, Indonesia’s first bullet train, operates at a speed of 350kmh between Jakarta and Bandung. There are plans to extend its route to Surabaya.
Simultaneously, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport stands as one of the busiest airports globally, serving as the primary entry point to Indonesia.
In the last couple of years, hotels such as The Langham Jakarta, Park Hyatt Jakarta, and St Regis Jakarta have come online. According to Colliers Indonesia, seven more hotels will open this and next year, such as the Movenpick Jakarta Pecenongan, Fairfield by Marriott Slipi, and ParkRoyal Jakarta.
As for large event spaces, the Jakarta International Stadium opened in 2022 with a capacity for 82,000 spectators; while the Jakarta Convention Centre was renovated in 2023 and now boasts new shopping, dining, and entertainment facilities.
Development has also taken place at Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK), a scenic coastal location along Jakarta Bay. The upscale residential and shopping area is a 10-minute drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, and there are plans to build a convention centre and concert hall in the vicinity.
With so much happening and the 2045 goal in mind, Jakarta’s business events stakeholders are confident that the sector has a bright future ahead.
Wisnu Budi Sulaeman, head of permanent committee on MICE at the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce, said: “Jakarta is a business city. Events – be it business or special events – offer the biggest growth potential for Jakarta moving forward.”
Carlos Monterde, chairman of The Jakarta Hotel Association, and general manager of Fairmont Hotel Jakarta, added: “The ongoing infrastructure and facility developments in Jakarta have significantly elevated its appeal as a business events destination. With a population of over 10 million people and counting, Jakarta holds a significant potential market for MICE business, as there is a considerable pool of potential attendees and customers.”
Samit Ganguly, general manager of The Westin Jakarta, opined: “The city is evolving into an even more enticing destination for hosting major MICE events. The enhanced nightlife further adds to Jakarta’s allure.”
Industry players also stressed the importance of marketing and promoting the city as a business events destination early, especially with the movement of the capital city to Ibukota Nusantara in Kalimantan; the move is slated for August 2024.
To do so, Monterde called for the city to set up a destination marketing body, as well as a unified campaign across all sectors.
Ganguly opined: “The relocation of the National Capital Region presents an auspicious juncture, akin to the transformative dynamics observed in Istanbul and Ankara or Delhi and Gurugram. I firmly believe that Jakarta is poised to ascend as a formidable commercial nucleus among ASEAN nations, leveraging the void anticipated from the governmental shift as an enticing prospect for multinational corporations.
“This impending vacuum in administrative quarters becomes an unprecedented opportunity for global corporations to step in, filling the void and contributing to Jakarta’s economic vitality. As a consequence, the city is likely to attract a surge in MICE events, both on a national and international scale,” he added.
Wisnu said: “I think Jakarta will remain a business hub, and as the (biggest) entry point to Indonesia, large-scale national and international business events will remain here. I also think big government events like summits and conventions cannot be held (in the new capital), not in under a decade.
“Developing a new MICE city is not easy, and the required facility like an international airport has not been constructed yet.”
Editor’s note: Wisnu Budi Sulaeman, head of permanent committee on MICE at the Indonesia Chamber of Commerce, passed away on March 7, 2024.
Qantas appoints new EVP Asia
Nick McGlynn is Qantas’ new executive vice president Asia, and will be based in Singapore.
In his new role, McGlynn will steer the commercial, financial and operational performance for Qantas across its Asia markets.
He brings nearly 40 years of global aviation experience to the role, and was Jetstar Japan’s executive chairman prior to joining Qantas.
Sean Seah returns to Langham Hospitality Group
Sean Seah has been appointed as senior vice president – strategy, technology and innovation at Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) and will be based at the company’s global headquarters in Hong Kong.
Having previously worked for LHG 2009 in the position of vice president – E-business, loyalty, and partner marketing, Seah will identify emerging market trends and craft innovative approaches to capitalise on those trends in his new role.
He will also steer the development and implementation of new technologies to enhance guest experiences and streamline business activities across the group’s portfolio of hotels and resorts.
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