The latest addition to Centara’s family-focused Mirage properties, this stunning new underwater world-themed paradise invites guests to experience its unique blend of fun and adventure with the exclusive “Me & Centara” introductory offer, where children stay, play, and dine for free. Guests enjoy up to 25% off the best available room rates and various exciting introductory perks.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives boasts an array of family-centric activities and facilities designed to entertain guests of all ages. Families will delight in the expansive outdoor water complex, which includes a refreshing outdoor swimming pool, kids’ pool, meandering lazy river, and water playground. Little ones have their own Kids’ Club and Game Room, while parents have access to the fully equipped fitness centre and rejuvenating SPA Cenvaree.
The resort also serves diverse dining options, including international all-day dining at The Sailhouse, fresh seafood and Italian at Acqua, modern Thai cuisine at Suan Bua, and Mediterranean mezzes designed for sharing at the overwater Mirage Beach Bar. Refreshing drinks are available poolside at Dolphin Bar, while Scoops ice cream parlour has the perfect sweet treats to end the day.
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives offers 145 spacious beach and overwater villas, each with modern amenities, a dining table, plush beds, and a private outdoor bathtub, jacuzzi, or pool for the ultimate relaxation. Families will appreciate the convenience of bunk beds in all Family room types, while private terraces, connecting rooms and wheelchair-accessible options are also available.
To celebrate its grand opening, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives is offering guests up to 25% off the best available room rates, plus complimentary stays and meals for up to two children aged 15 and under. CentaraThe1 members will also enjoy an additional 15% discount. This exclusive ‘Me & Centara’ offer runs until 15 December 2024 for stays between 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025.
SIBU, Sarawak, 26 July 2024: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) reached a significant milestone by planting 2,000 seedlings of five tree species at Bukit Lima Nature Reserve.
It was part of the broader ecoGreen Planet initiative, launched in June 2022 during the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and Borneo Jazz Festival. The initiative highlighted Sarawak’s dedication to environmental awareness and sustainability, which aligns with Malaysia’s national reforestation goals through a holistic approach to responsible tourism.
The planting initiative fulfils a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) to plant 10,000 trees by 2027. This commitment supports STB’s mission of advocating sustainability and responsible tourism and contributes to festival carbon-offsetting efforts. ecoGreen Planet’s dedication to integrating sustainability into cultural events like RWMF enhances the region’s environmental footprint.
Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Hj Salleh Askor commented: “Our goal is not just to offset carbon emissions but to create a lasting impact on our environment, ensuring a greener future for generations to come.”
She added: “This tree-planting activity is part of the 5-year greening programme through ecoGreen Planet, which supports Sarawak’s aspiration to plant 35 million trees, an effort that began on 27 May last year.”
During the 2024 RWMF, STB introduced the Green Ruai, a space powered entirely by solar energy, showcasing green technologies and sustainable farming practices. This initiative highlighted STB’s leadership in eco-friendly event management and its comprehensive approach to responsible tourism.
The ecoGreen Planet reflected STB’s commitment to establishing RWMF as a sustainable festival through innovative, Responsible Tourism initiatives. During this year’s RMWF, the Green Ruai was powered entirely by solar energy. The Green Ruai showcased cutting-edge green technologies and sustainable farming practices, emphasising STB leadership in eco-friendly event management.
“By integrating sustainable practices into our festivals, we are setting a benchmark for responsible tourism in the region,” added Sharzede.
Supported by sponsorships and ticket sales proceeds, ecoGreen Planet played a pivotal role in Sarawak’s reforestation efforts, promoting biodiversity conservation and ecological balance. This initiative educated attendees on sustainable practices and highlighted Sarawak’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage.
The success of these initiatives illustrated the power of collective action in driving environmental resilience and sustainability thanks to festival-goers whose contributions and support made these reforestation efforts possible. Their participation and dedication were vital to achieving sustainability goals and preserving Sarawak’s natural heritage.
For further information on Sarawak’s greening initiatives, STB invites the public to visit the newly revamped website and pledge to support them at https://sarawakresponsibletourism.com.
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 July 2024: Malaysian domestic travel fans can take advantage of the latest Tourism Malaysia package, “Fly Borneo Specials Vol. 2 — More Adventure Awaits You!” which promotes interstate travel to Sabah, Sarawak, and Sabah’s Labuan islands via airline partners Firefly and MASwings.
Tourism Malaysia created the bargain travel packages in collaboration with Malaysia Aviation Group and Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Berhad (Bank Rakyat) to spur domestic travel to Borneo island destinations.
The “Fly Borneo Specials Vol. 2” brochure features 113 thematic packages curated by 61 tour operators from Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan. Package content varies to cater to travellers interested in natural landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, adventure activities, rich cultural experiences, and gastronomy.
All packages include airfares and ground tours at competitive prices. To make Borneo travel even more accessible, Malaysia Aviation Group offers a 40% discount on fares through Firefly and MASwings. Additionally, Bank Rakyat provides a 0% interest payment scheme for package purchases using its credit card and terminal, allowing travellers to enjoy their seamless dream Borneo vacations.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 26 July 2024: Vietjet and Airbus signed a contract earlier this week to purchase 20 new-generation widebody A330neo (A330-900) aircraft, valued at USD7.4 billion, during the Farnborough International Airshow 2024.
Vietjet Chair Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Airbus CEO of the Commercial Aircraft Business Christian Scherer witnessed the contract signing ceremony.
Vietjet Chair Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao (right centre) and Airbus CEO of the Commercial Aircraft Business Christian Scherer (left centre).
This represents one of the largest deals at this year’s airshow. The newly ordered aircraft will be deployed for Vietjet’s growing long-haul services and on routes with high regional demand. They are slated to replace Vietjet’s current fleet of A330-300 and support the airline’s strategic plan to expand its intercontinental flight network.
Vietjet’s Chair Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao remarked at the signing ceremony: “The new A330neo aircraft strategically enhances Vietjet’s fleet development, boosting the airline’s operational capacity to support its global expansion. Introducing advanced, fuel-efficient A330neo aircraft into Vietjet’s fleet is part of our sustainable development strategy and ESG goals, aiming for Net-Zero emissions by 2050. Passengers will soon enjoy safer, more comfortable, and modern long-haul flights. Airbus planes have enabled Vietjet to bring cost-effective flying opportunities to over 200 million passengers, including many first-time flyers, connecting peoples, nations, and continents, promoting economic development and cultural exchange.”
“We are pleased to finalise this milestone order with one of Asia’s fastest-growing carriers,” said Airbus Commercial Aircraft Executive Vice President Sales Benoît de Saint-Exupéry.
“This is another vote of confidence in the latest generation Airbus widebody product line. It demonstrates the tremendous A330neo versatility for all business models and networks, from domestic and regional to long-haul routes. The award-winning Airspace cabin also enables airlines to provide the best flight experience for passengers, fully adaptable to each business model. This will be the perfect platform for Vietjet Air to fly more people, farther and at lower cost, while also reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions.”
The A330neo features an award-winning Airspace cabin, setting new standards in comfort, space, and design and providing passengers with a unique flying experience. This includes a new lighting system, bigger overhead bins, and access to the latest in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems. Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 can fly 7,200 nm /13,300 km nonstop.
SINGAPORE, 26 July 2024: Hotel pipeline activity at the end of the second quarter showed a year-over-year increase in two regions, the Americas and Asia Pacific, according to June 2024 data from CoStar.
CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics for property markets.
June 2024 (% change in comparison with June 2023)
Europe
In construction: 165,858 rooms (-2.4%) Final Planning: 93,241 rooms (-20.9%) Planning: 160,651 rooms (+8.0%) Total Under Contract: 419,750 rooms (-3.8%)
Among countries in the region, Germany (27,302) led in construction activity, closely followed by the UK (25,312).
Asia Pacific
In construction: 503,770 rooms (+4.4%) Final Planning: 91,282 rooms (-22.9%) Planning: 323,931 rooms (+16.5%) Total Under Contract: 918,983 rooms (+4.5%)
China leads the Asia Pacific region in total rooms under construction (319,012), followed by Vietnam (36,521).
Middle East & Africa
In construction: 109,005 rooms (-5.6%) Final Planning: 33,040 rooms (-23.8%) Planning: 83,020 rooms (+9.2%) Total Under Contract: 225,065 rooms (-4.2%)
Most of the region’s pipeline activity is focused on the Middle East. Saudi Arabia (42,786) and the United Arab Emirates (18,933) have the most rooms in construction.
Americas
In construction: 208,718 rooms (+8.3%) Final Planning: 299,153 rooms (+6.9%) Planning: 385,945 rooms (+34.6%) Total Under Contract: 893,816 rooms (+17.8%)
SINGAPORE, 26 July 2024: Qatar Airways announced that the signing of a consequential order for Boeing 777X aircraft has been expanded to include 20 Boeing 777-9.
This is in addition to its existing order of 40 Boeing 777-9 commercial aircraft, bringing the total to 94 commercial and cargo of Boeing 777X aircraft. The announcement also includes a commitment for 40 additional GE9X engines and spare engines, as well as a long-term services agreement.
During the Farnborough Airshow 2024, Qatar Airways showcased its Qsuite Next Gen Business Class cabins, which will be featured on the 20 additional Boeing 777-9 aircraft. The Qsuite Next Gen includes updated features such as movable monitors with Bluetooth connectivity, companion suits with window views, larger lie-flat and double beds, lockable drawers, a touchscreen Passenger Control Unit and more.
Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said: “Qatar Airways is proud to announce an expansion to the existing Boeing 777X aircraft order with an additional 20, totalling 94 Boeing 777X aircraft.”
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stephanie Pope, added: “We are honored the airline added 20 more 777-9 jets to its large Boeing order book. We appreciate their confidence that Boeing’s market-leading widebody family will provide outstanding fuel efficiency and a superior passenger experience for its global operations.”
SINGAPORE, 26 July 2024: Globus family of brands (GFOB) — consisting of leading coach touring companies Globus and Cosmos and luxury river cruising operator Avalon Waterways — confirms the appointment of Hallie Chua in the newly created role of Regional Marketing Manager for Southeast Asia, signifying GFOB’s commitment to the region.
Based out of Singapore, Hallie will be responsible for all of GFOB’s marketing activities across Southeast Asia. With over a decade of experience in the travel sector, Chua is an expert marketer, having previously worked across brands, including global cruise company Genting Hong Kong and travel agency Nam Ho Travel. In her new role at GFOB, Hallie will implement trade and consumer marketing strategies to strengthen Globus, Cosmos and Avalon’s position in the region.
Globus family of brands Head of Marketing Asia Pacific Chris Fundell said he is delighted to have Hallie join the company as it expands its presence.
“We have every confidence Hallie will be key to driving growth across our portfolio in Southeast Asia. She’s hit the ground running in her first few weeks, leading strategy across her markets and connecting with our distribution offices through the region and trade partners. Growth in Southeast Asia is a key pillar of our long-term strategy, and Hallie, with her wealth of experience, incredible relationships, and market expertise, is the ideal person to lead the charge,” said Fundell.
Speaking of her appointment, Chua shared her excitement about working with GFOB’s portfolio of innovative brands. “Globus family of brands is a leader in the touring and cruising industry, and I’m thrilled to be joining such a reputable company in an exciting growth period. I’m looking forward to representing GFOB at future industry events – it will be great to connect further with local consumers and trade to drive elevated brand awareness in the region,” said Chua.
SINGAPORE, 26 July 2024: Singapore breaks away from the peloton of six countries that have shared the top spot on the Henley Passport Index in recent years, reclaiming its title as the world’s most powerful passport in the latest ranking published earlier this week.
The city-state also sets a new record score, with its citizens now enjoying access to 195 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain drop to joint-second place, each with visa-free access to 192 destinations, and an unprecedented seven-nation cohort, each with access to 191 destinations without a prior visa — Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden — now sit in third place on the ranking, which is based on exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
IMAGE: SIM DING EN.
The UK ranks fourth with Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland despite its visa-free destination score falling to 190. On the other hand, the US continues its decade-long slide down the index, dropping to the 8th spot, with access to just 186 destinations visa-free.
Former passport powerhouses the UK and the US jointly held first place on the index 10 years ago in 2014. Afghanistan remains firmly entrenched as the world’s weakest passport, losing access to yet another destination over the past six months. Its citizens now have access to only 26 countries visa-free—the lowest score ever recorded in the history of the 19-year-old index.
Commenting in the July 2024 edition of the Henley Global Mobility Report, Henley & Partners chairman and the inventor of the passport index concept Christian H Kaelin said: “The general trend over the past two decades has been towards greater travel freedom, with the global average number of destinations travellers can access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than ever, with top-ranked Singapore able to access a record-breaking 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan”.
Biggest climbers and fallers
The UAE makes it into the Top 10 for the first time, having added an impressive 152 destinations since the index’s inception in 2006 to achieve its current visa-free score of 185 and rising a remarkable 53 places from 62nd to 9th position in the process.
Henley & Partners CEO, Juerg Steffen, says the country’s meteoric ascent “results from deliberate and concerted efforts by the Emirati government to position the UAE as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment. Our research has consistently shown a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity. Nations with higher visa-free scores enjoy greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and more robust international trade relationships”.
Interestingly, China and Ukraine are among the top 10 countries that have climbed the highest in the ranking over the past decade. Since 2014, China has jumped up 24 places from 83rd to 59th (with access to 85 destinations visa-free), while Ukraine has advanced by 23 spots, from 53rd to 30th, with its nationals able to visit 148 destinations without a prior visa.
Conversely, Russia has fallen seven places over the past ten years, from 38th to 45th position (with visa-free access to just 116 destinations).
The biggest faller over the last decade is Venezuela, which has plunged 17 places from 25th to 42nd on the Henley Passport Index. The country is due to hold decisive presidential elections on 28 July that could change the fate of more than seven million Venezuelans who have fled their country over the past decade amid an economic and political crisis brought about by a crash in the oil price combined with chronic government corruption and mismanagement.
Yemen has tumbled 15 places to 100th on the ranking, while Nigeria and Syria have fallen 13 places to 92nd and 102nd, respectively. Bangladesh is the fifth-biggest faller, dropping 11 places from 86th to 97th position over the past 10 years.
KUCHING, 25 July 2024: BE Sarawak supports the hosting of the International Puppet Therapy and Pedagogy Conference in conjunction with the International Conference on Education & Culture 2024.
The event will be held from 10 to 11 August at the Methodist Pilley Institute in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. Early bird tickets for the conference are on sale starting at MYR80 until 5 August.
To show how supportive Sibu’s community is towards this event, radio station REDfm Sibu aired a special interview on the impact of puppetry beyond its entertainment and educational value, BE Sarawak reported on social media.
“Puppets have been used for centuries to address various challenges from childhood anxiety to social skills development,” said conference organiser Associate Professor Dr Loy from the Malaysian Puppetry Association. “It’s a safe space for self-expression where users can indirectly explore difficult emotions and situations.”
The International Puppet Therapy and Pedagogy Conference will be held in Sibu, Malaysia, from 10 to 11 August. It will culminate in a larger gathering touching on the role of ‘Education and Culture in pupperty. The two-day conference is being organised by the Malaysian Puppetry Association.
The goal is to teach people how to use puppet therapy in their work with children, adults, and groups. The event will feature lectures, demonstrations, and puppet performances with four keynote speakers from Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and India.
About Business Events Sarawak BESarawak is a non-profit organisation fully backed and funded by the Sarawak State Government. Its goal is to connect meeting planners with the right connections and resources to plan and organise meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions. As a specialist bidding services organisation, it provides comprehensive support and services.
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, 25 July 2024: Emirates has opened its first-ever lounge in the region at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The airline’s newest dedicated lounge will accommodate customers flying on its triple daily A380 services.
The AED20 million (USD5.4 million) investment, 900-sqm lounge located in the airport’s newest Terminal 1, will cater to the airline’s first and business class passengers, as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members. It can accommodate over 190 guests at any one time in a variety of seating options.
The investment reflects the airline’s commitment to progressively growing its presence in Saudi Arabia, supporting the aviation goals of Saudi Vision 2030, and its ongoing dedication to ensuring a thoughtful and welcoming Emirates experience for customers flying from one of Emirates’ most important markets globally. Emirates is also celebrating a milestone in its operations in Saudi Arabia this year, marking 35 years of service to Jeddah.
The official opening of the lounge was attended by His Excellency Nasser Huwaiden Al Ketbi, Consul General of UAE in Jeddah, His Excellency Engr. Raed bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaiheem, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jeddah Airports Company (JEDCO), Mohammed Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President Airport Services at Emirates, Eng Mazen Johar, CEO of JEDCO, Sami Aqil Abdulla, Senior Vice President Airport Services for Outstations and Business Support, Jabr Al-Azeeby, Vice President Commercial Operations for Emirates in Saudi Arabia, and Amer Al Arai, Airport Services Manager for Emirates at King Abdulaziz International Airport.
Mohammed Mattar commented: “Jeddah was our first gateway into the Kingdom 35 years ago, so it’s fitting that the King Abdulaziz International Airport, a world-class facility, is the first airport in the region outside of Dubai to feature an Emirates dedicated lounge. The lounge, comfortably situated at the centre of Terminal 1, is beautifully designed to deliver an industry-leading experience and Emirates’ signature hospitality for our customers from the moment they step inside. We thank the airport authorities for their support in helping us open our doors to officially welcome customers and provide them with a memorable travel experience on the ground.”
Eng Mazen Johar said: “The launch of Emirates lounge at King Abdulaziz International Airport reflects the 35-year-long strategic relationship of providing multiple travel options to passengers through the airline’s three daily flights. The lounge is a significant addition to the airport’s services. It supports the comprehensive development efforts at the airport, aimed at providing an enjoyable and seamless travel experience for passengers from all over the world.”
The new lounge features a refreshed and sophisticated design anchored in contemporary elements with regional design influences. The welcoming space offers a variety of seating configurations, including dining, lounging, and quiet spaces for relaxation. Inside the lounge, customers can look forward to a wide range of dining options, luxurious shower facilities, a prayer room, and other amenities.
The buffet offers a wide variety of Middle Eastern, local, and international delicacies, including Lamb Kabsa, Spinach and Ricotta Tortellini, Moroccan Lemon Chicken, Prawn Machbous, Saint Sebastian Cheesecake, and Tiramisu cake.
The lounge is located on the third floor of King Abdulaziz International Airport’s Terminal 1 Departure area and is just a 10-minute walk from the terminal’s entrance and a three to five-minute walk to the boarding gates, A28B and A38B, where Emirates’ three daily flights are situated during the day.
In addition to the new lounge at King Abdulaziz International Airport, the airline currently operates seven lounges across the three concourses at DXB and 32 others around the Emirates network.
Emirates has been facilitating tourism and trade in the Kingdom since 1989 and currently serves four gateways – Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam – with more than 70 weekly flights, including triple daily flights to Jeddah with its flagship Airbus A380s. Since it began operations, Emirates has transported close to 30.7 million passengers to and from the Kingdom on more than 112,000 flights, connecting travellers to destinations across the airline’s extensive global network, including popular cities and regions like Dubai, London, Istanbul, Paris, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, the United States, and Indian Ocean islands like the Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles.
