In the news: Reviews for 2016 in the travel and hospitality industry are still coming in – AAPA with its aviation safety performance report, Booking.com presenting Guest Reviews Award, HRS and its Hotel Price Radar
AVIATION: AIR TRAVEL “REMAINS EXTRAORDINARILY SAFE”, SAYS AAPA IN REPORT
Air travel is getting safer (Image credit: rattodisabina/iStock)
For travellers still afraid to fly rest assure that air transport remains the safest form of travel, according to the 2016 aviation safety performance report from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
The report states an estimated 100,000 flights take off and land daily, carrying 10 million passengers to their destinations safely and securely,
“This remarkable achievement is a direct result of good teamwork and the commitment of aviation safety professionals around the world.”
Last year worldwide there were seven major accidents involving large western-built commercial airline jets, which resulted in 207 fatalities. This represented a loss rate of one major accident for every four million flights.
Over the past five years the industry has reduced the major accident loss rate by almost 60% due to continuous improvements in safety performance.
For western-built commercial airline turboprop-powered aircraft there were five major accidents last year with 80 fatalities. This represented a loss rate of one major accident per million flights.
As for Asia Pacific airlines the report pointed out they experienced no major accidents involving large jet aircraft last year. However, turboprop operations recorded three major accidents with 74 fatalities.
“Nevertheless, the safety performance for turboprop operations in Asia has demonstrated a marked improvement over recent years as a result of additional focus on specific risk factors and common operational challenges,” added the report.
Andrew Herdman, director general of the AAPA, said flight safety was always the first and most important priority for airlines.
“As again demonstrated by the positive outcome for 2016, flying remains extraordinarily safe and getting safer still. Asia Pacific airlines are operating in line with the highest international standards, and delivering continuous improvements in safety performance.”
He, however, noted that the projected expansion of the air transport sector in the APAC region would bring with it challenges including the need for effective regulatory oversight that keeps pace with growth, as well as the recruitment and training of the necessary skilled manpower.
The United Nations International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has already identified disparities in the quality of implementation of safety standards and regulatory oversight worldwide.
“Governments have a responsibility to make the necessary commitments and investment in resources to ensure effective oversight in full compliance with agreed ICAO standards, or face the very real threat of international sanctions, which some countries have already experienced,” said Herdman
HOSPITALITY: WHAT TRAVELLERS WANTS FROM ACCOMMODATION
Comfortable bed and room with a view are what travellers want (Image credit: bed-hadkhanong_Thailand/iStock)
A comfortable bed, a nice view and free WiFi are the top three requirements that travellers want from at accommodation during their holidays, reveals Booking.com in its findings for presenting the 2016 Guest Review Awards. (see chart below)
A majority of these travellers also listed as of “utmost importance” a more personalised and home-like stay experience with professional and helpful staff (91%). Nearly half (49%) said that it improved their experience, while another 42% declared it was absolutely essential and would not stay at an accommodation without it.
According to a Booking.com recent research 70% of people surveyed said they have the best time while travelling when they can make themselves at home, with 59% sharing that they like to feel a personal connection with their host or the staff at the accommodation.
So its is not surprising that vacation rental options such as apartments, holiday homes and villas top the list of properties earning a 10 review score this year, making up more than 70% of the 486 accommodations to receive the distinction.
For this year, based on over 110 million reviews, Booking.com recognised 355,535 properties in 205 countries and territories. Taking home the most awards are Italy (53,005), the United States (24,761), France (23,003), Germany (18,221), Spain (18,037), the UK (16,514), Austria (12,659), Greece (12,439), Croatia (12,219), and Poland (10,399).
In Australia 7,475 properties comprising all types of accommodation received the award, with an overall average score of 8.7 in guest reviews. Twelve properties achieved a 10 score comprising seven are bed and breakfasts, two holiday homes, and one apartment, guesthouse and homestay.
More information on the awards here.
HOTELS: TOKYO COMMANDS HIGHEST ROOM RATES WITH SYDNEY AND SINGAPORE CATCHING UP
Varying ADR in different APAC cities (Image credit: kadmy/iStock)
Last year Tokyo topped hotel room rates in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region with an average daily rate (ADR) of €191 (US$203), an increase of 11.7% from 2015. The rise in room rate is expected to continue until the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Sydney and Singapore followed close behind with €175 (US$186, +2.9%) and €171 (US$182, +2.4%) in ADR respectively, according to HRS in its Hotel Price Radar: 2016 Year in Review on major cities in Asia Pacific (APAC).
According to the report South Korea, which saw a sharp drop in tourist arrivals in 2015 due to MERS, has seen a surge in tourists from China, due to aggressive marketing. This led to capital city Seoul experiencing a spike in ADR by 32.5%, from €126 (US$134) in 2015 to €167 (US$178) ) last year, the highest increase throughout APAC.
Other key takeaways from the Review:
Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) saw a 31.1% increase in ADR from €74 (US$79) in 2015 to €94 (US$100) last year, due to an inventory crunch. Vietnam is also expected to launch e-visa facilities in February 2017, adding to the accessibility of the country and furthering the demand for more rooms.
India, the 10th biggest business travel market globally in 2016 according to a GBTA Foundation report, continues to see room rates rise in cities. Bengaluru, the country’s IT hub, saw ADR rising year-on-year by 16.2%, with the growth expected to continue into this year.
China’s two largest cities – Shanghai and Beijing – experienced dips in their average room rates. This is likely due to the stabilisation in demand and supply of rooms there.
Jakarta and Bangkok were the only cities that had neutral growth despite business travel increasing in those two destinations, possibly attributed to terror attacks and other events.
• Featured image credit: shansekal/iStock