MoU with ASEAN will boost joint tourism, feels India

Sahai signed the MoU on strengthening tourism cooperation at the third meeting of ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers at Manado, Indonesia, Thursday. The meeting was jointly chaired by Sahai and Mari Elka Pangestu, Indonesian tourism and creative economy minister.

According to an official statement, Sahai expressed happiness over the progress made by ASEAN-India cooperation in Buddhist pilgrimage tourism including the production of material and documentary films. He said India was looking forward to more joint-tourism promotion activities.

Sahai said since the number of tourist arrivals between ASEAN and India had shown a steady growth, establishment of an ASEAN promotional chapter in Mumbai would act as a tourism marketing and promotion agency of the ASEAN National Tourism Organisation.

Sahai also welcomed the forthcoming ASEAN-India car rally to be held this year.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced during the ASEAN Summit at Bali last year that an MoU on strengthening tourism cooperation between India and ASEAN would be signed preferably at the ASEAN-India tourism ministers' meet in early 2012.

Besides cooperation in facilitating travel and tourist visits, the MoU speaks of enhancing human resource development in the tourism sector and exploring new possibilities for development and promotion of tourism. (IANS)

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Tourism can boost Kashmir's economic development: Omar

Addressing a meeting of the tourism officials here, Abdullah noted that the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage crossed 10 million mark in a calendar year Wednesday, and asked the tourism and other departments to divert the pilgrims to other places of tourist interest across the state.

According to officials, the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage alone annually generates Rs.2,000 crore for the state while the tourists visiting the valley contribute Rs.1,000 crore. This year, nearly two million tourists, including Amarnath pilgrims, visited Kashmir region.

"It's important that we focus our attention on tourism in a big way and offer a very hospitable environment to the visitors," Abdullah said.

"There is also need to divert pilgrim tourists visiting Mata Vaishno Devi in large numbers to other parts to help generating economic activities holistically," he said, adding that the steps initiated in this direction require a further boost.

Abdullah said the government has focused attention on creating befitting infrastructure at tourist places in consonance with ecology and environment requirements to maintain the balance between the two. (IANS)

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IDeaS Pricing Solutions to Help Boost Revenue @ Royal Plaza on Scotts

The Royal Plaza on Scotts in Singapore has adopted pricing solutions from IDeaS in an attempt to enhance occupancy and maximise revenue.

Royal Plaza on Scotts is located in the heart of Singapore, just steps away from Orchard Road.

In working with IDeaS, Royal Plaza on Scotts has turned to the IDeaS Revenue Management System (RMS) in order to continually assess the hotel?s performance, accurately forecast occupancy and business demand, and determine the correct pricing for hotel rooms.

Patrick Fiat, General Manager of Royal Plaza on Scotts, said, ?Royal Plaza on Scotts is an extremely popular hotel in Singapore always looking to implement the most advanced operational technologies and strategies for the benefit of our guests. Singapore is a highly competitive operating environment for any hotel, but through our partnership with IDeaS we are able to better identify and target the right guest ? whether they be a business traveller, group or tourist ? at the right time.?

Importantly, the IDeaS RMS? Best Available Rate (BAR) functionality will allow Royal Plaza on Scotts to accurately quote the optimal rate for their hotel rooms to potential guests. These rates are calculated to provide the highest probability of selling based on the arrival date and length of stay ? ensuring occupancy and revenue is maximised.

?The hotel sector across Asia continues to grow on the back of rising domestic and international tourism and increased business travel. With this growth comes increased competition, therefore it is vital that savvy hotel operators like the Royal Plaza on Scotts have the most advanced operating strategies and technologies on hand to ensure their ongoing profitability,? said Grahame Tate, Managing Director of IDeaS APAC. ?Through working with IDeaS, Royal Plaza on Scotts is better able to make strategic decisions with a clear view of their competitor?s positions and determine correct pricing for their property?s rooms and group bookings.?

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