Monday, May 5, 2025
Home Blog Page 108

Sarawak welcomes Borneo cruise visit

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUCHING, 24 September 2024: The Sarawak Tourism Board hosted a welcoming reception at Pending Port, Kuching, for 126 passengers from the Heritage Adventurer, part of Noble Caledonia’s “Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo” cruise. 

Arriving from Singapore, the passengers — mainly from Australia, America, and Britain — were greeted with a traditional garlanding ceremony and a cultural performance, offering a vibrant introduction to Sarawak’s rich music and dance heritage.

Passengers are enjoying cultural performances by the port, which represents the 6 major ethnic in Sarawak. 

The welcoming event featured a cultural performance representing Sarawak’s six major ethnic groups: the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese. This performance aims to provide an authentic and immersive experience, showcasing the region’s diversity and renowned hospitality as passengers descend from the cruise.

During their stay, cruise guests explored iconic destinations such as Kuching City, Fort Margherita, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, and Bako National Park, with convenient city shuttle services available throughout their visit. 

These curated excursions created a memorable experience and fostered positive word-of-mouth publicity about Sarawak’s tourism appeal.

The “Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo” cruise continued its journey from Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Derawan Island, Sulawesi, and Bali. 

Operated by Noble Caledonia, a UK-based company, the Heritage Adventurer is a 124-metre vessel that can accommodate up to 140 passengers and 84 crew members. It provides an intimate and comfortable travel experience to remote destinations.

For the rest of the year, Sarawak will welcome another two cruise ships, cementing its status as a premier destination for travellers seeking unique cultural experiences and natural beauty.

For more information on Sarawak visit: https://sarawaktourism.com

About Sarawak

Sarawak is a kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals. It comprises 34 ethnic tribes with unique traditions, lifestyles, music, and food while sharing warm hospitality. Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak, is endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth. 

Its vast landscape spans over 120,000 sq km, with towering mountains and cool highlands, jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches, where adventures are waiting to happen. 

Festivals are hosted throughout the year to celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music and religious practices that can be found nowhere else. In Sarawak, there is always ‘More to Discover’.

Centara Life: A 24-hour uplift

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 24 September 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has officially launched Centara Life, its fresh and exciting new brand identity that will “Elevate the Essentials” with innovative, guest-friendly concepts at hotels and resorts across Thailand and beyond. 

An evolution of Centra by Centara, Centara Life is set to revitalise the guest experience with a series of unique offerings that empower couples, families, friends and solo explorers to travel and stay seamlessly.

Every Centara Life hotel will offer check-in anytime and enjoy a full 24-hour stay, providing full flexibility for travellers arriving on late-night or early-morning flights. Guests can use their room until the same time on their day of departure. Continuing the stress-free concept, Centara Life will provide Flexible Breakfasts available until 1600 to suit everyone’s unique schedule. Daily Delights will feature a choice of snacks free of charge throughout the day at the hotel’s restaurant, including local specialities, and Night-time Noodles offer instant noodles to cater to late-night cravings.

With its commitment to comfort, convenience and value for money, Centara Life will surely put a smile on every traveller’s face. Every hotel will feature bright interiors and social spaces that allow guests to unwind and interact.

To celebrate the launch, the “Centara Life: Uplift Your Everyday” promotion is available for bookings until 31 October 2024 and stays taken through 20 December 2024. Members of CentaraThe1 who stay for three nights will only pay for two nights. In addition to the brand’s unique offerings, guests will enjoy “buy 1 get 1 free” deals on selected food and drinks, plus double CentaraThe1 points on every stay. For more information and reservations, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara-life-elevating-essentials.

“At Centara Hotels & Resorts, we are committed to delivering exceptional hospitality in every market sector, underpinned by our 40-year heritage of warm and heartfelt Thai service. With the launch of Centara Life, guests can now experience bright, inviting and stress-free stays that work to their schedule. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners to introduce this versatile brand to attractive destinations across Thailand and worldwide,” commented Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.

“We are delighted to officially launch Centara Life, which will breathe new energy and life into the upper-midscale hotel sector. Following an extensive evaluation process, including input from our valued guests, we have crafted an innovative and inviting brand identity that removes unnecessary barriers and gives travellers exactly what they want: complete convenience, comfort and flexibility at an attractive price point,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Brand, Marketing & Digital Vice President Tom Thrussell.

Centara Life hotels can now be booked in Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Samui, Cha-am, Pattaya and Mae Sot in Thailand, and Muscat in Oman, with more destinations set to follow in future. This brand launch forms part of Centara’s five-year goal of doubling its global portfolio and becoming a top 100 global hotel operator by 2027.

To learn more about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Ritz Carlton names launch team

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 24 September 2024: The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok, which opens in Thailand’s capital this November, has hired six seasoned hospitality experts for its management team. 

The 260-room Ritz Carlton, managed by Marriott International Luxury Group, overlooks the city’s Lumpini Park.

From left to right: Lewis Quinn, Leon Chan, Tina Liu, Evelyne Hahang, Clément Larre, Glen Cooper.

The newly appointed General Manager, Tina Liu, has 24 years of experience with Marriott. Fluent in Thai, Liu was recognised as Asia Pacific’s first female General Manager for Marriott’s W Hotels.

The Ritz Carlton Bangkok named Lewis Quinn its hotel manager. His 15-plus-year hospitality career has taken him to Switzerland, the US, Singapore, the Maldives, and Thailand. 

Evelyne Hahang joins as the hotel’s Director of Rooms and brings with her 15 years in hospitality in the UK, France, Australia, and Thailand.

Leon Chan joins the management team as the Director of Sales & Marketing. Singaporean-born Chan has 15 years of experience in hospitality sales and business development at hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong. He joins Ritz Carlton Bangkok from a previous position in China.

Clément Larre joins as the Director of F&B, and the appointment of executive chef goes to Chef Glen Cooper.

CLS Holiday sells AirAsia mystery tour

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 24 September 2024: Asia’s first blind-box-style tour, organised by AirAsia and Hong Kong-based CLS Holiday, took off from Hong Kong last Friday. Twenty guests were on the surprise ‘No Clue Escape’ journey to the Indian Ocean island paradise of the Maldives, with a short stopover in Kuala Lumpur. 

AirAsia and CLS Holiday announced the ‘No Clue Escape’ last month, inviting guests to sign up for the surprise trip without revealing the actual destination. 

The group only discovered their mystery destination after they boarded AirAsia flight AK139 from Hong Kong to Kuala Lumpur. 

AirAsia created special blind boxes and unique souvenirs as teasers for each guest on the special flight. he ‘No Clue Escape’ group departed from Hong Kong International Airport at 1155 on an AirAsia flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia before connecting to their final destination the Maldives. 

Throughout their five-day stay in the Maldives, guests stayed at Bandos Maldives. 

Through the “No Clue Escape” campaign, AirAsia aims to enhance awareness amongst travellers in Hong Kong for the airline brand and its extensive network across Asia and the Pacific. Travellers can access up to 130 destinations in the AirAsia network. Hong Kong is connected to all of AirAsia’s key hubs, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Manila, and soon Jakarta, from which guests can connect to destinations across Asia, Australia, and Africa. 

The ‘No Clue Escape’ tour marks CLS Holiday’s inaugural partnership venture with AirAsia. The mystery package costs HKD4,888 (including tax) and covers return airfares, 20kg of luggage, meals, accommodation, and local transportation. 

CLS Holiday is a new venture by Flyagain Travel Limited and part of the renowned travel website Flyagain.la. 

The AirAsia Hong Kong to Maldives flight is a FlyThru service with a seamless connection in Kuala Lumpur. The Fly-Thru is an AirAsia service that conveniently connects passengers’ flights from one AirAsia flight to another without the hassle of collecting bags at the transit hub. It is also available at selected transit stations. 

AirAsia currently operates direct flights in Hong Kong/Macau to Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Bangkok (Don Mueang), Chiang Mai and Manila, and will soon launch its first flights to Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia this October, marking the first low-cost carrier providing direct services between Hong Kong and Indonesia.

Hotels can earn more from APAC travellers

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 24 September 2024: Agilysys Inc, a leading global provider of hospitality software solutions and services, released the findings of its 2024 APAC Hospitality Impact Study last week.

The survey questioned 1,000 travellers from Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Singapore unveiling critical insights into guest preferences and spending habits, highlighting substantial opportunities for revenue growth in the hospitality sector. 

The study reveals that 68% of APAC travellers would increase their hotel spending for personalised experiences, with 73% willing to pay up to 30% more for room upgrades when offered post-booking. Additionally, 66% of respondents would likely spend more if wait times were reduced across all hotel experiences, and 68% would increase spending when a robust loyalty programme is in place. 

The research uncovered a significant “rebooking paradox” in the APAC market: despite high satisfaction levels (86%) and perceived value for money (61%), only 37% of travellers choose to return to hotels they’ve previously enjoyed. 

“Our research uncovers a clear message: APAC travellers are willing to spend more for tailored, efficient, and memorable experiences,” said  Agilysys VP and Managing Director APAC Tony Marshall. “Hotels that fail to offer personalised guest experiences are leaving substantial revenue on the table.” 

The study identified several key factors driving increased spending among APAC travellers. Staff interactions play a crucial role, with 46% of respondents valuing staff who go the extra mile, 41% appreciating personalised activity recommendations, and 30% being influenced by staff recalling previous conversations. Personalised touches also have a significant impact, as 40% of guests value being given their favourite room, 28% are likely to spend more when restaurant staff remember their preferences and 57% respond positively to small surprises like pillow chocolates. 

The 2024 APAC Hospitality Impact Study emphasises the need to shift from traditional Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) metrics to a more holistic Revenue Per Available Guest (RevPAG) approach. This transition allows hotels to capture the full spectrum of guest spending and tailor their offerings accordingly. 

“To maximise profitability, hoteliers must leverage advanced Property Management Systems that provide real-time, data-driven insights into guest preferences,” Marshall added. “By adopting a RevPAG focus, hotels can unlock hidden revenue streams, enhance guest satisfaction, and foster long-term loyalty in the competitive APAC market.” 

The study offers a roadmap for hoteliers to enhance their guest experiences, increase revenue, and stay competitive in the rapidly evolving APAC hospitality landscape.  

To access the full report, visit: https://info.agilysys.com/l/76642/2024-09-16/cp495v

About Agilysys  

Agilysys exclusively delivers state-of-the-art software solutions and services that help organisations achieve high return hospitality by maximising Return on Experience (ROE) through interactions that make ‘personal’ profitable.

Cebu adds an A320 to its fleet

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

MANILA, 24 September 2024: Cebu Pacific took delivery of another A320neo last week, its 11th aircraft for the year, as part of its commitment to expanding its network.

The 180-seat, fuel-efficient A320neo will be deployed on new routes starting in October, including flights from Davao to Hong Kong and Puerto Princea.

“We’re thrilled to welcome another aircraft to our growing fleet. This delivery supports our commitment to making air travel more accessible,” said CEB President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao.

Airbus NEOs are the latest-generation aircraft that burn 15% less fuel per flight and produce less noise than the previous generation. The reduction in fuel consumption leads to a corresponding decrease in aircraft carbon emissions.

CEB operates nine Airbus 330s, 40 Airbus 320s, 22 Airbus 321s, and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft.

Meanwhile, the low-cost airline gained recognition for its corporate governance leadership by receiving Three Golden Arrows from the Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD).

This marks the third time CEB was recognised alongside other top publicly listed Philippine companies for exemplary compliance with government regulations. 

The prestigious Golden Arrow award is based on the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) and the Corporate Governance Scorecard (CGS), which assess companies across key governance pillars, including board responsibility, transparency, and shareholder protection.

“We are deeply honored by this recognition,” said CEB General Counsel  Anne Romadine Tieng. “For millions of Filipinos who trust us with their travel, this award reflects our commitment to not only offering accessible and affordable flights but also maintaining the highest standards of corporate integrity and transparency.”

CEB’s achievement of Three Golden Arrows is a notable improvement from last year’s Two Golden Arrows. According to the ICD, the airline performed exceptionally well compared to other transport sector organisations across several key governance areas, such as shareholder rights protection, stakeholder engagement, transparency, board responsibilities, and governance standards.

Etihad reports August 2024 traffic statistics

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE UAE, 24 September 2024: Etihad Airways flew 1.7 million passengers and achieved an average load factor of 89% across the month, reflecting a robust performance during the summer holiday season, the airline reported in its August 2024 traffic statistics released last week.

Etihad Airways CEO Antonoaldo Neves commented on the results:

“Our passenger numbers in August increased significantly compared to last year, demonstrating our continued growth momentum.

“Year-to-date, we have welcomed 12 million passengers, an increase of 36% compared to the previous year. As of August 2024, our rolling 12-month passenger count reached more than 17 million, almost 70% higher than the full year 2022.

The airline reported a healthy passenger load factor of 89% for August 2024, even though it had expanded capacity compared to 2023. 

“This robust performance, particularly during the holiday period, underscores the growing preference for Etihad among travellers,” the CEO reported.

“The fleet has grown to 95 aircraft, up from 79 in the same period last year. The addition of 16 new aircraft in the past year is a result of the ambition and commitment of the entire company, working together to achieve this in exceptional time while consistently delivering a load factor exceeding 86%.”

In August, the airline introduced its last two of the six A321neos due for delivery in 2024 to the fleet and is now flying to 10 more destinations compared to August last year. 

“This expansion enhances our network and supports Abu Dhabi’s position as a global aviation hub and a major destination for tourists worldwide,” he concluded.

August traffic statistics

Vietjet to fly to Ahmedabad

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HO CHI MINH CITY, 24 September 2024: Vietjet has opened ticket sales for a new direct route linking  Danang in central Vietnam and Ahmedabad (India).

Flights on the new route connecting Danang and Ahmedabad will start on 22 October 2024, increasing Vietjet’s routes between Vietnam and India to eight with 60 flights per week.

Flights from Danang to Ahmedabad depart every Wednesday and Saturday at 1910 (local time) and arrive at 2325.

Flights from Danang to Ahmedabad depart every Wednesday and Saturday at 1910 (local time) and arrive at 2325. Return flights from Ahmedabad to Danang operate every Thursday and Sunday, departing at 0025 and arriving at Danang International Airport at 0655 AM (local time).

Vietjet’s website and mobile app offer promotional fares starting from zero VND and various special offers for passengers and tourists until the launch date, 22 October.

Vietjet also offers up to 30% off Business and SkyBoss tickets with benefits such as priority check-in and airport lounge access. 

Ahmedabad, the largest city in Gujarat, India’s westernmost state, is a charming mix of ancient and modern architecture. It features landmarks such as Bhadra Fort, Swaminarayan Temple, and Hathee Singh Jain Temple, attracting countless visitors. Meanwhile, Indian travellers will have the opportunity to visit Da Nang, Vietnam’s most livable city, and explore the cultural heritage of Central Vietnam, from Danang to Hoi An and Hue, enjoying stunning beaches, luxurious resorts, and unique cultural and culinary experiences in this hospitable country.

AirAsia and Airbus advance SAF research

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 23 September 2024: AirAsia embarks on a new chapter in its partnership with European aircraft manufacturer Airbus to advance research into aviation sustainability initiatives that lower carbon emissions in the ASEAN region. 

In a Memorandum of Understanding between their sustainability divisions, AirAsia and Airbus will collaborate to explore decentralised production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using alternative feedstock and technologies in Southeast Asia. 

The research-based partnership aims to identify opportunities to support the onward commercial development of promising projects to expand SAF supply in the region. 

The MoU also set forth conditions for jointly investigating advanced measures to improve air traffic management (ATM) and reduce CO2 emissions, leveraging AirAsia’s industry-leading fuel efficiency programme and Airbus’ pioneering role as a global leader in aeronautics, space, and related services. 

The organisations will identify applicable solutions developed as part of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) Project* and assess their suitability for adaptation to ASEAN skies. 

Capital A Chief Sustainability Officer, Yap Mun Ching said: “AirAsia will be a key partner of Airbus in ASEAN to test the feasibility of SAF output developed using alternative feedstock and technologies, as well as ground-breaking ATM initiatives supported by Airbus’ innovation teams. As a regional carrier based in five ASEAN countries, we bring unparalleled operational experience to complement Airbus’ technological expertise. The partnership establishes a foundation upon which to build joint projects at multiple levels that address the broad needs of improving the sector’s environmental performance.”

Yap said the partnership directly addresses the aviation sector’s prerogative to invest in and scale up in-sector solutions critical to decarbonising the industry. Besides improving efficiency and adopting SAF, she said upgrading AirAsia’s fleet to the most fuel-efficient models is a key pathway to achieving net zero by 2050. 

AirAsia deployed its brand-new A321neo aircraft in June, and the airline will receive five more aircraft in the fourth quarter of the year for entry into service in Malaysia and Thailand. 

AirAsia currently holds an order for 361 units of the A321 model to meet its fleet growth and replacement needs. By 2035, aircraft upgrades are expected to reduce AirAsia’s CO2 emissions by up to 10% compared to its 2019 baseline. Operational efficiencies and SAF are expected to deliver another 15% reduction as the airline group charts its pathway towards net zero by 2050.  

In 2023, AirAsia avoided emitting 130,000 tonnes of CO2 from its narrowbody regional network by implementing over 20 operational efficiency measures, equivalent to the impact of more than 2 million trees planted**. These measures contributed to a reduction in fuel costs of USD40 million and over USD388,000 in shadow carbon costs. 

*SESAR is the technological pillar of the EU’s Single European Skies initiative, which aims to modernise Europe’s air and ground ATM infrastructure and procedures to enhance safety, cost-efficiency, and environmental performance. Sincehan EUR2 billion has been committed to the development phase of SESAR’s ambitious goals. 

**United States Environmental Protection Agency, ‘Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator – Calculations and References: Number of urban tree seedlings grown for 10 years’.

CX flies 2 million passengers in August

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 23 September 2024: Cathay Pacific flew 2,068,979 passengers in August, an increase of 15.9% compared with August 2023. This is the second consecutive month the airline exceeded the 2 million passenger mark.  

The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 15.9% year-on-year. Passenger load factor decreased by 2.9 percentage points to 85.2%, while available seat kilometres (ASKs) increased by 19.8% year-on-year. In the first eight months of 2024, the number of passengers carried increased by 29.9% to a total of 14,736,805, against a 36.1% increase in ASKs and a 29.2% increase in RPKs, as compared with the same period for 2023.

The airline carried 124,236 tonnes of cargo in August 2024, an increase of 6.3% compared with August 2023. The month’s cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) decreased 0.9% year-on-year. The cargo load factor decreased by 1.7 percentage points to 57.1%, while available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 2.1% year-on-year. In the first eight months of 2024, the tonnage increased by 9.8% to 970,498 tonnes, against an 8.8% increase in AFTKs and a 3.2% increase in RFTKs, compared with the same period for 2023.

Travel

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau commented: “August marks the second half of the traditional summer travel peak. The strong demand we saw in July continued in August, with more than 2 million passengers carried for the second month in a row. We also set a new single-day post-pandemic record on 10 August, carrying almost 75,000 passengers.

“Leisure travel demand from Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area was strong throughout August, with short-haul destinations being particularly popular. The beginning of the month also saw the resumption of our flights serving Ningbo, which were well received by our customers in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and India.”

Cargo

Lau noted cargo demand remained stable in August, continuing the trend of the past months, with tonnage 6% above August last year. 

“We observed an uptick in demand towards the end of the month, in line with expectations as we look ahead to the traditional year-end peak.”​

Outlook

“As National Day approaches, travel demand from the Chinese Mainland for the upcoming ‘golden week’ holiday period is looking promising. Destinations in Southeast Asia are among the most popular, with Japan and South Korea also seeing strong customer interest,” Lau explained.

“In terms of new destinations, the airline is looking forward to launching our new passenger flights to and from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia at the end of October, which will enhance the network in the Middle East and strengthen Hong Kong’s connectivity with this important region. 

Additionally, HK Express recently announced it will launch services to Hiroshima in November and Phu Quoc in December.

1...107108109...600Page 108 of 600

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


Contact Us
TTR Weekly (TTRW) is published in Bangkok, Thailand, registered since 1978.
/ month
placeholder text
/ month
placeholder text
Press releases, announcements, events for calendar should be sent to: [email protected]
/ month
placeholder text

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.