News

Thailand’s September arrivals positive

BANGKOK, 20 October 2017: Thailand registered 26,100,782 tourist arrivals, January to September, ensuring it remains on course to hit the 35 million mark by year-end. The first nine months saw an increase in arrivals of 5.40% year to date. Ministry of Tourism and Sports data, released Tuesday, confirmed a relatively strong September performance with... [Read full story]

IHG outlines expansion in Southeast Asia

SINGAPORE, 20 October 2017: InterContinental Hotels Group announced, the 2017 Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) the signing of four new properties, which includes the first Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants property in Southeast Asia. The Kimpton brand will be introduced to Asia on Bali Island. The other three properties will open in Vietnam; ... [Read full story]

Blaze ends Kandawgyi Palace era

YANGON, 20 October 2017: A fire broke out at Yangon’s iconic Kandawgyi Palace Hotel, 0300 Wednesday, turning the predominantly wooden structure into a smouldering ruin. One of the first five-star hotels to open in Yangon on the banks of a picturesque lake, the fire gutted the entire hotel by the time it was extinguished at around 0700. One person... [Read full story]

Thailand’s smart plans for expansion

BANGKOK, 29 October 2017: Thailand’s business travel sector should gain a  push from the government’s “Thailand 4.0” development strategy and elaborate plans to develop the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) including a major airport expansion. The Eastern Economic Corridor plan, announced earlier this year, covers three provinces;... [Read full story]

Avani hires director of sales

BANGKOK, 20 October  2017: AVANI Hotels & Resorts has named Daniel Kipping as director of sales for all the group’s regional brands. Kipping will direct sales for 18 properties in 12 countries. He will also manage pre-opening sales strategies for a pipeline of new hotels due to open in the next three years in Southeast Asia, New Zealand, UAE,... [Read full story]

Danang promotes its gateway

DANANG, 20 October 2017: Danang authorities are backing efforts to develop tourism to welcome 9 million visitors by 2020, including both domestic and international visitors. Of the 9 million arrivals, around 30% should be international visitors, but to achieve that goal more airlines must first introduce services to the central coastal city. The promotional... [Read full story]

Indonesia Qatar talks on aviation

JAKARTA, 20 October 2017: The emir of Qatar held talks with Muslim-majority Indonesia on Wednesday, more than four months into a Saudi-led blockade against the Gulf emirate. During the visit Qatar and Indonesia signed memorandums on aviation, health and education. Talks also focussed on investment and trade opportunities in energy, infrastructure and... [Read full story]

Saudi airline returns to Iraq

RIYADH, 20 October 2017: Saudi budget carrier flynas on Wednesday made the first commercial flight from Riyadh to Baghdad since 1990, as ties with neighbouring Iraq show signs of improvement “Our first flight took off today from Riyadh to Baghdad,” the company wrote on Twitter, posting pictures of the cabin crew and passengers. Tickets for... [Read full story]

Wizz makes ready for Brexit

LONDON, 20 October 2017: Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air announced, Wednesday, that it has applied for a British air operator’s licence in order to make its operations “Brexit ready”. Wizz Air said in a statement to the London Stock Exchange that it will establish a British division Wizz Air UK, which will be based at Luton Airport,... [Read full story]

Jetstar Asia a stickler for time

SINGAPORE, 19 October 2017: If punctuality means more than inflight catering and loyalty points, then Jetstar Asia could be your top choice airline in Asia-Pacific Jetstar Asia scored the highest on-time performance of all Asia Pacific airlines, achieving a five-star status on the biannual OAG ranking released yesterday. OAG releases its standings for... [Read full story]

Akaryn names hotel manager

BANGKOK, 19 October 2017: Akaryn Hotel Group has appointed Thomas Singenberger as hotel manager at akyra Sukhumvit Bangkok, which is due to open in the first quarter of 2018. He brings a decade of executive level experience to his new role at the 50-room property. Prior to this move, he held senior positions in the Thai capital at The Okura Prestige... [Read full story]

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