focus
Davos, Switzerland
Gübelin offers visits to its
headquarters, particularly the Gem
Lab, the jewellery design centre and the
atelier where it produces its jewellery.
Groups for the 1.5-hour private tour are
kept to a maximum of 10-12 persons. It
can also organise a private cocktail in
its Lucerne boutique for a maximum of
100 pax. Currently, it is working on a
private presentation about gemstones
in its Lucerne boutique, followed by a
visit of the boutique. The three activities
are available on request, with at least a
month’s notice.
Kuoni Global Travel Service (GTS),
a leading provider of group travel and
global MICE services for the Asian
market, said it has seen a 50 per cent
increase from Asia this year over 2017,
a growth rate also seen in 2016 and one
that is expected to continue year on
year, according to Reto Kaufmann, vice
president sales & sales operations South-
east & South Asia.
“In South-east Asia, Thailand is clearly
leading the pack, thanks to Kuoni’s
pioneer product, Royal Footsteps, which
follows the beloved King (Bhumibol)’s
legacy in Switzerland,” Kaufmann said.
“The programme, done with the
support of Switzerland Tourism,
incorporates exclusive features to provide
the traveller with a very authentic journey
following their beloved King’s life in
Switzerland.”
Kuoni GTS is also introducing a new
product for mini groups in Asia, offering
them smaller vehicles to explore off-
the-beaten tracks, and the flexibility to
50 TTG Asia luxury | May 2018
change routes on a daily basis, he said.
The only issues that may derail the
growth target, said Kaufmann, are hotel
availability in key cities such as Lucerne
and Interlaken, or the availability
of products as Scenic Trains on a
short notice, given the market’s short
booking lead time. That said, Kuoni
GTS is seeing success in encouraging
organisers to move their groups
into newer (to Asians) areas such as
Graubunden, with world-famous Davos
or St. Moritz as “a possible hub for
incentive groups”.
ILTM Asia-Pacific also sees players
from other Swiss areas that are
relatively new to Asians. One such
example is Villa Castagnola, located
in the heart of Lugano, the Italian-
speaking part of the country.
“The Asia-Pacific market is for us an
emerging one. We have been investing
in the Chinese market for the past three
years and ILTM Asia-Pacific is our first
step towards Asia-Pacific markets,”
said Antonella Archidiacono, sales &
marketing manager.
“We are a property with 133 years of
history, privately-owned and managed,
young at heart. Villa Castagnola has
everything you need: art, gastronomy,
romance, well-being and most of all
personal service,” said Archidiacono.
While Switzerland has innate
advantages – its small size makes it
a compact destination with varied
appeals while its superb infrastructure
ensures that attractions are easily
accessible – it does face competition for
Asians, especially from destinations
they now consider ‘exotic’. Breiter
admitted as much. Lifetime trips such
as the Antarctica, or African safaris, are
making inroads into the Asian market,
as well cruise lines, which have stepped
up marketing efforts due to increased
capacity, he noted.
That’s why Switzerland Tourism is
making a big show at ILTM Asia-Pacific,
said Breiter.
“Switzerland is synonymous with
Swiss quality, breathtaking landscapes
and world-class hospitality. As a leader
in high-end travel, we need always to
stay top of mind and showcase the wide-
ranging luxury offers in our country.”
“In South-east Asia,
Thailand is clearly leading
the pack, thanks to Kuoni’s
pioneer product, Royal
Footsteps, which follows
the beloved King’s legacy
in Switzerland.”
Reto Kaufmann
Vice president sales & sales operations
South-east and South Asia,
Kuoni Global Travel Service