BANGKOK, 4 December 2024: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is launching one of northern Thailand’s most spectacular river vessels, designed by acclaimed Thai National Artist Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat, known worldwide for his famous ‘White Temple’ in Chiang Rai, which draws over a million visitors from around the globe each year.
Named ‘Dibba Yana Chitta’ or ‘Heavenly Boat’, the boat will cruise the Chiang Mai’s Mae Ping River starting 24 December.
The boat’s design depicts the journey from this world to the next, and the vessel’s figurehead has been hand-carved into a mythical creature, symbolising the transport of humans along the river to heaven.
“I have always been fascinated by the boats of Ayutthaya from ancient times, especially those with unique and special designs. Since much of my work already explores the theme of paradise, the inspiration for Dibba Yana Chitta is the depiction of the ‘Divine Vessel’ — a boat inspired by Ayutthayan designs but reimagined in my own (Chalermchai’s) style. It is a vessel meant to carry people to a divine realm,” Ajarn Chalernchai Kositpipat explains.
The riverboat will accommodate up to 18 guests who enjoy the finest Thai dining experience. Each season, a new tasting menu will be curated by Thailand’s top Michelin-starred chefs, with the inaugural menu by Chef Piyachart Phudtawong (nicknamed Boy) of Saneh Jaan restaurant in Bangkok. Guests aboard the Dibba Yana Chitta can enjoy his seven-course menu of classic Thai cuisine until the end of March 2025.
“At Anantara Chiang Mai, river life is an integral part of the resort experience, “said Pitak Norathepkitti, General Manager of Anantara Chiang Mai Resort. “The Mae Ping River has been the lifeline of the city since ancient times, and to observe life unfolding along its banks today is to feel the very soul of the destination, and we are truly honoured to have collaborated with a world-renowned artist such as Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat to bring this unique and special experience to all our guests.”
The Dibba Yana Chitta will depart daily at 1730 from Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s private pier, just in time for sunset and cocktails. During dinner, guests will be serenaded by classical Thai music, and they may also borrow traditional Thai costumes for a souvenir photo.
The dinner costs THB6,999++ per person, with an additional THB 1,999++ for wine pairing. Dibba Yanna Chitta will welcome its first dinner guest from 24 December onwards.
SINGAPORE, 4 December 2024: The Lufthansa Group is expanding its tariff for more sustainable flying to include long-haul flights covering the group’s global route network.
The Green Fares will be bookable in all travel classes for more than 850,000 flights per year from 4 December. The more sustainable ticket already includes offsetting individual flight-related CO2 emissions. The Green Fares are part of the Lufthansa Group’s growing portfolio of more sustainable travel offers.
Photo credit: Lufthansa Group. Browsing green fares.
For two years, the Lufthansa Group has offered Green Fares on its short and medium-haul routes. After a successful test run on selected intercontinental routes, Green Fares can now be booked on long-haul routes as a permanent option to the Lufthansa Group’s existing fare structure.
Since the launch of Green Fares in February 2023, more than 2 million passengers have already opted for the tariff and offset almost 190,000 tonnes of CO2 by offsetting their flight-related CO2 emissions. This amount corresponds to the CO2 emissions of more than 1,300 flights from Munich to New York with an Airbus A350.
Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx explains: “We have set ambitious goals for ourselves to make flying more sustainable. To achieve this, we are investing billions of euros every year in new aircraft and pioneering technologies, among other things. With our innovative Green Fares, we are also involving our customers and offering them – as the first airline group worldwide – the opportunity to actively contribute to more sustainable aviation on more than 850,000 flights. Extending Green Fares to the Lufthansa Group’s global long-haul network is an enormously important and consistent step for the aviation industry.”
What’s behind the Green Fare tariff
With just one click, Green Fares offer a more sustainable way to fly, because the fare already includes the full offsetting of the individual, flight-related CO2 emissions.
This is accomplished by using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and contributing to the Lufthansa Group’s high-quality climate project portfolio. The composition of the two components differs depending on the distance of the route.
For flights within Europe and to North Africa, a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions is achieved through SAF, while the remaining 80% is offset through climate protection projects.
On intercontinental routes, 10% of CO2 emissions are reduced through SAF, and contributions to climate projects offset the remaining 90%. The Green Fare tariff also offers additional miles and points and the option to rebook free of charge.
The Green Fares are available for flights operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines and Air Dolomiti. The only exceptions are flights operated by other airlines and individual routings in selected traffic areas of joint venture partners. Eurowings also offers a tariff for more sustainable flying under the name PlanetBlu.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 4 December 2024: Vietravel Airlines has appointed VIT AIR (Thailand) as its general sales agency following the signing of a cooperative agreement last week.
Vietravel Airlines general manager Dao Duc Vu signed on behalf of the airline. Under the terms of the new general sales agency agreement, VIT Air will embark on sales activities to boost the number of Thai passengers flying the Vietnamese low-cost airline while supporting the airline in promoting its image, sales promotion, and business opportunities in the Thai market.
VIT AIR is a travel company registered under the Miramar Group Thailand. Founded in 1994, It has almost 30 years of experience in aviation and tourism. Currently, VIT AIR is the general agent for Asian airlines such as Srilanka Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, SkyAngkor Airlines, Tiger Air Taiwan and Lucky Air.
Over the last two years, Vietravel Airlines has established daily flights on the Bangkok – Hanoi and Bangkok – Ho Chi Minh City routes.
The airline also seeks opportunities to expand operations between Vietnam and Thailand, operating both charter and scheduled flights, by focusing on secondary destinations in Thailand, such as Khon Kaen, Buriram, and Udon Thani in Northeast Thailand.
MANILA, 4 December 2024: Air France will inaugurate a new service linking Manila (Philippines) with its global hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, effective 7 December.
The airline will operate three direct flights weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday using an Airbus A350-900, offering 34 seats in business, 24 seats in premium, and 266 in economy (total seats 326)
Flight schedule
AF208 will depart Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) at 2320 on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, arriving in Manila (MNL) at 1930 (plus a day).
AF209 will depart Manila at 2150 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 0550 (plus a day).
Manila is also a KLM destination with four weekly flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
The introduction of Manila marks Air France’s fifth new route for the winter timetable 2024-2025. During this timetable period, the airline will inaugurate new routes to Salvador de Bahia (Brazil, three flights a week from 28 October 2024), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, three flights a week from 18 November as an extension from Zanzibar), Malé (Maldives, up to two flights a week from 20 December), and Kiruna (Sweden, one flight a week from 21 December).
BANGKOK, 4 December 2024: Thai AirAsia X has resumed its direct flight services to and from Sydney, Australia, operating from its main hub at Don Mueang International Airport.
The inaugural flight from Bangkok took off on 1 December 2024, and returned from Sydney today. The Bangkok-Sydney service offers six weekly flights using Airbus A330s with 300 seats.
The new route launch makes Thai AirAsia X the only low-cost airline providing direct services from Bangkok-Don Mueang to Sydney, Australia, offering seamless connections for passengers travelling from Sydney to a wide range of destinations across the AirAsia Group network. These include favourite destinations among Australian travellers such as Krabi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai and popular international destinations such as Japan, South Korea, India and China.
Thai AirAsia X CEO Tassapon Bijleveld said: “The return of Thai AirAsia X to Sydney comes along with an enhanced flight network within the AirAsia Group that will give travellers the much sought-after convenience and seamlessness, especially with our FlyThru connections to over 50 popular destinations.”
“Operating from Don Mueang greatly enhances connectivity with AirAsia Group’s extensive network, particularly to destinations in India, where there is a strong and growing demand for travel to Australia. Our FlyThru service also provides a hassle-free experience, allowing guests to travel seamlessly as they only need to clear immigration and collect their luggage at the final destination,” Tassapon.
Thai AirAsia X currently operates a fleet of 10 Airbus A330 aircraft. The airline now serves eight destinations from Bangkok, with direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Shanghai (China), Sydney (Australia), and Delhi (India).
KUCHING 3 December 2024: Borneo’s biggest international energy expo and summit is coming to Kuching Sarawak in July 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability (MEESty) Sarawak and supported by the State Government of Sarawak.
A biennial event, the 6th edition of the International Energy Week (IEW), will be held from 15 to 17 July 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, adopting the theme: “Transitioning Towards A Net Zero Carbon Future.”
Expo space is now open to exhibitors starting at MYR1350 per sqm.
First held in 2009, the International Energy Week (IEW) is recognised as the most prominent international event in East Malaysia, celebrating the future of energy.
A pivotal platform gathering top-level decision-makers, policymakers, innovators and thought leaders to converge to shape the trajectory of sustainable energy.
Against the backdrop of Borneo Island’s natural beauty and rich biodiversity, this event explores cutting-edge technologies and renewable energy solutions, dialogue on environmental stewardship, global energy transitions and investment opportunities in Borneo and the region.
KOTA KINABALU, 3 December 2024: Sabah welcomed 667 passengers and 547 crew aboard the MS Seven Seas Explorer last week on a cruise itinerary that explored Borneo Island destinations: Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia.
Sabah Tourism welcomed passengers on its Facebook post, saying, “We’re delighted to have you dock in the vibrant heart of Borneo. Though your stay may be short, we hope you’ll enjoy the charm of Kota Kinabalu — its landscapes, cuisine, and warm, friendly people.”
Traditional welcome for Seven Seas Explorer passengers
Meanwhile, Bernama reported that Sabah welcomed 2.41 million visitors (domestic and international) during the first nine months of 2024, and tourism-generated revenue reached MYR5.62 million.
According to State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, Chinese visitors made up 39% of the total count.
It represented a 28.3% cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Bernama quoted the minister as saying, “This impressive growth is attributed to increased flight connectivity, with 98% of arrivals via air travel. Sabah currently benefits from 377 weekly domestic flights offering 66,546 seats, linking the state to various regions across Malaysia.
“On the international front, Sabah is linked to 17 destinations through 126 weekly flights, with a total capacity of 23,394 seats,” she reported.
SINGAPORE, 3 December 2024: G Adventures has dusted off its crystal ball, crunched its booking data, and tracked the latest travel trends to serve up its annual ‘Where to Travel’ list, highlighting destinations that should be top of travellers’ wishlists for 2025.
There are some surprises in the destination list, starting with Pakistan, which rarely gains a shoutout from trending destination lists released by online booking sites.
Booking trends rocketed through October and November, with over 200 new trips on the tour operator’s books, suggesting 2025 will be a big year for travel.
In line with the global small-group adventure operator’s commitment to community tourism, many of the ‘Where to Travel’ destinations include brand-new itineraries that take travellers to remote communities that have yet to access the benefits of the tourism chain.
The ‘Where to Travel’ list:
Pakistan
Bosnia
Tibet
Thailand
Morocco
Philippines
South Africa
Greece
Portugal
Japan
1. PAKISTAN
A brand new destination for G Adventures in 2025, Pakistan appeared on the traveller’s radar in recent months with its offer of hiking trips.
Working hand in hand with local communities, G Adventures has launched three new trips in Pakistan, focused on bringing tourism to the ancient Thallay La Trail. Having been the only link between the ancient kingdoms of Khaplu and Shigar for centuries, the trail was vital for the trading and survival of these communities throughout history. With the introduction of modern-day roads, the trail was deemed redundant, used only by a handful of hikers each year. The new trips will offer travellers the opportunity to spend the night in the original castles and forts of Khaplu and Shigar while hiking through mountain passes, past glaciers and communities that, until now, have been unable to access the tourism chain.
2. BOSNIA
Rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, delicious food, and a refreshing lack of crowds are just the start of a compelling list of reasons to visit Bosnia. Add in the fact that travellers can make a real impact in helping to boost this nation’s recovery just by visiting; it’s clear that Bosnia should be high on any travel wishlist. Thanks to a new visa-free travel policy, passport holders from 50+ nations no longer need a visa to enter Bosnia, making it easier than ever to plan a holiday there. This year, G Adventures collaborated with the Resilience Council and USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam) to introduce new trips designed to create jobs, raise awareness about the region’s rich history, and encourage cultural exchange – a prime example of tourism supporting locals and assisting the recovery and sustainable development of a nation.
3. TIBET
There’s no place like Tibet — known as “the roof of the world” with its breathtaking high-altitude landscapes, ancient monasteries, and the warm hospitality of its people. While travellers must join a group tour or book a guide to visit, China’s recent easing of visa restrictions makes it easier to explore this extraordinary region. Now is the perfect time to get immersed in traditional Tibetan life and support local communities, take in stunning views of Mount Everest, and marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage site Potala Palace as we return to Tibet for the first time since 2020.
4. THAILAND
Thailand is no “undiscovered” secret, but its ongoing allure lies in the fact that the second, third and even tenth-time visitor will always be able to discover something new and surprising. Hit TV series White Lotus, returns to screens in 2025 with a third series, and Jurassic World Rebirth will hit the big screens with dramatic scenes filmed in Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai.
5. MOROCCO
New direct flights, the launch of remote active adventures and booming booking stats place Morocco on a long list of why travellers are opting to travel to this North African gem.
G Adventures has launched 13 new trips in Morocco for 2025, from four-day Marrakech city breaks to hikes in the high Atlas Mountains that take a step away from the usual hiking trails and instead visit rural communities, desert gorges and the Berber oasis of Amtoudi. The new Geluxe collection, which launched in 2024 and offers upgraded active experiences for more mature travellers, has seen Morocco take top spot on the most popular destination list.
6. PHILIPPINES
While tourism to the Philippines has been slower to recover compared to some of its Asia neighbours, the expansion of international flights is expected to bring pre-pandemic traveller numbers back to the islands in 2025. G Adventures will be relaunching in the Philippines next year, offering young, solo and culture-seeking travellers the opportunity to explore these unique islands with nine new trips, each heavily focused on interaction and supporting local communities. Often celebrated as a backpacker haven, the new trips will showcase the incredible nature, jungles, people and culture that make the Philippines an incredible destination for all travellers.
7. SOUTH AFRICA
Southern Africa is emerging as a must-visit destination for travellers seeking incredible value, especially those passionate about wildlife. Recent data shows a growing trend among older travellers seeking affordable safari experiences. G Adventures has expanded its offering, making its fully refurbished fleet of ‘Lando’ overland vehicles available to all age groups in 2025.
8. GREECE
Although Greece remains a perennial favourite among travellers, exploring its quieter islands is becoming a rising trend. Smaller islands like Paros, Antiparos, and Naxos are stepping into the spotlight, offering a tranquil alternative to their busier neighbours. G Adventures travellers have realised that one of the best ways to avoid crowds, support local communities and bypass the increasing tourist tax is by exploring by small boat. With numbers up 31% since 2022, G Adventures has introduced five state-of-the-art custom-built yachts for the 2025 sailing season, which visit lesser-known islands with flexible itineraries tailored to the group’s pace.
9. PORTUGAL
Defending its place on the Where to Travel list for a second year running, traveller interest in Portugal shows no signs of slowing down, with G Adventures seeing over 50% growth in the past two years. While beaches, charming streets, and a buzzing culinary scene may be the first things that come to mind for Portugal, for those willing to look a little deeper, the lesser-visited mountain villages close to the Spanish border remain Portugal’s best-kept secrets. G Adventures’ new ‘Geluxe Collection’ gets travellers off the tourist trail and into the historic Schist villages for hikes that take you back in time.
10. JAPAN
With the World Expo 2025 taking place in Osaka next year, bookings for Japan have skyrocketed 150% over the past two years, G Adventures has super-charged its Japan offering with the introduction of 12 new trips for 2025, which are closely aligned with the World Expo theme, focusing heavily on physical activity, active experiences and lesser-visited, remote regions. From trekking the rugged peaks of Hokkaido’s Shiretoko National Park, where travellers can get their hands dirty digging their onsen, stay in a traditional ryokan (traditional Japanese inn), hike through primaeval forest areas, to visiting often-overlooked islands in the south, where sea kayaking, days aboard a ‘sabani’ (traditional Okinawan sailboat) and hiking waterfalls are all on the agenda.
KUALA LUMPUR, 3 December 2024: Tourism Malaysia welcomed VietJet Air’s inaugural flight between Hanoi (HAN) and Kuala Lumpur (KUL) last week, which marked a significant milestone in enhancing regional air connectivity.
The airline deploys an Airbus A320 to provide daily direct flights with a weekly capacity of 1,260 seats on the roundtrip route. The service complements the well-established daily direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur.
“We are delighted to collaborate with VietJet Air to introduce this new route, which will significantly boost tourism and economic ties between Vietnam and Malaysia,” said Tourism Malaysia Director General YBhg Datuk Manoharan Periasamy. “This new route is a step forward in strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional hub,
perfectly aligned with Visit Malaysia 2026’s goal to attract international visitors while promoting sustainable and accessible travel options.”
VietJet Air has a fleet of 100 Airbus jets serving destinations across the Asia-Pacific from its hubs in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
SINGAPORE, 3 December 2024: Flight data from Expedia’s Winter Travel Outlook shows a 15% increase for year-end travel as Singapore travellers eye a range of Chinese cities and look for off-season deals.
Many of the season’s top and fastest-growing destinations are cold and wintery locations like Tromso (+53%) and Atlanta (+42%), with Asian cities heavily in the mix.
Photo credit: Expedia.
Tips on where to go and how to save
Singapore’s top winter season destinations for travellers include Sapporo (+17%), Tokyo (+13%), and Bangkok (+2%). The fastest growing are Shanghai (+36%), Guangzhou (+22%), and Shenzen (+17%)*.
Based on historical airfare prices compared to mid-year travel, destinations that offer strong seasonal savings include Kuala Lumpur, Phu Quoc, and Bangkok.
*Based on Expedia Singapore flight and hotel search data from 1 Jul to 31 Oct 2024, for the travel period of 1 Nov 2024 to 31 Jan 2025, compared to the same period in the previous year.
Expedia’s Biggest Sale of the Year
There is just one day left for Singapore travellers to grab a good hotel deal with Expedia’s biggest Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales that ends at midnight on 4 Dec.
Expedia Rewards members can score savings on hotels and packages for travel until 15 Dec 2025*.
Here’s what to expect:
Expedia Rewards Members can save on select hotels and packages on the Expedia app. When booking as a member on the app, you can save 30% or more on select hotels. Hotel savings can also apply when you bundle your hotel with a flight. On the Expedia app, Expedia Rewards Members can save 30% off or more and score special perks like upgrades at select top-rated VIP Access hotels.
With the CNY public holidays falling on a Wednesday and Thursday (29 to 30 Jan) in Singapore, expect residents to take advantage of the long holiday for family reunions or to travel overseas.
Based on flight search increases during the CNY period for 2025, international favourites are Phu Quoc (+170%), Chiang Rai (+53%), Guam (+37%), Chiang Mai (+35%), and Beijing (+31%).
