BANGKOK, 1 October 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, won three awards at the 33rd Annual TTG Travel Awards 2024, held in Bangkok last week.
Centara Hotels & Resorts was honoured as the Best Local Hotel Brand – Thailand. Centara Reserve Samui received the title of Best Lifestyle Hotel – Koh Samui. Centara Grand at CentralWorld was recognised as the Best Meetings & Conventions Hotel – Thailand.
(from left to right:) 1. Michael Henssler, Chief Operating Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts 2. Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibilities of Centara Hotels & Resorts 3. Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts 4. Thirakiati Chirathivat, Executive Vice President – Global Procurement of Centara Hotels & Resorts 5. Robert Maurer Loeffler, Vice President Operations & General Manager of Centara Grand at CentralWorld
Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive Officer Thirayuth Chirathivat commented: “Receiving three awards in a single year is a first for Centara and a testament to our team’s dedication across multiple brands and properties. These accolades reflect the trust our guests place in the Centara brand and inspire us to continue elevating the standard of Thai hospitality that makes Centara The Place to Be.”
For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts and its award-winning properties, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.
SINGAPORE, 1 October 2024: Pandaw, a leading river cruise specialist in Asia, is promoting a ‘No Single Supplement’ offer by adding more dates for solo travellers to book a sailing without the need to pay extra.
“Our now famous ‘Pandaw Spirit’ aboard all vessels means that single travellers often leave with lifelong friends and future Pandaw travel companions as well as a profound appreciation for our wonderful destinations,” the Pandaw sales team explains. “With new dates added due to high demand, now is the perfect time to book an Asian river adventure with Pandaw while the offer lasts.”
Solo travellers can enjoy Pandaw’s signature river cruise, the ‘All Ganges: Varanasi to Kolkata’, exploring India’s iconic river and holy cities. Sailing between Kolkata in West Bengal and the sacred city of Varanasi, this essential Indian experience is now available for a limited time with no single supplement for new dates added in February and March 2025.
In 2019, Pandaw inaugurated an ‘all Ganges’ voyage of one thousand miles from Kolkata to Varanasi. Due to navigation challenges and the obstruction of numerous pontoon bridges, it has been decided to sail as far as Patna and then overland to Varanasi.
The sailing does cover the best of the Ganges, from the colonial splendours of Kolkata through the enchanting rural arcadia of West Bengal along the Hoogly and the great expanse of the Ganga itself with its pristine bird and wildlife and cultural treasures dotted along the banks. Though in the days of the British Raj, paddle steamers plied this route regularly, with the advent of the railways in India, river navigation was abandoned, and the rivers were allowed to silt up. Thanks to a multi-million dollar investment from the Indian Government, channels have been dredged and buoyed, and hi-tech GPS-based aids installed, enabling seasonal navigation. No vessel could be more appropriate for a voyage on ‘All the Ganges’ than Pandaw’s shallow draft K-class ships.
Varanasi, said to be the oldest inhabited city on the planet, is the most sacred city of Hinduism and a place of overwhelming beauty. At the same time, it is poignantly moving with its cremation ghats. Varanasi is surely the goal of any ‘passage to India’ and at the other end of the holy river stands Kolkata, in all its Raj-like magnificence. Between lies several of the most important Buddhist sites in the country, fascinating cities great and small, and expanses of the river teeming with bird life, not to mention the Gangeatic dolphin.
From September 2024, Pandaw’s India expeditions are all-inclusive, with complimentary local beers, spirits, mixers, and soft drinks for all guests. House wines are also included during lunch and dinner, subject to availability.
However, the Upper Ganges segment of this itinerary passes through the state of Bihar, where it is illegal to serve alcoholic drinks.
SINGAPORE, 1 October 2024: On the eve of China’s National Day “golden week” holiday season, Fliggy, a leading online travel platform in the Alibaba Group, has released its 2024 National Day Holiday Travel Forecast, highlighting several key trends.
Long-distance travel dominates: Overseas travel bookings have surpassed last year’s numbers by a wide margin, with rental car and cruise reservations doubling as travellers seek unique experiences.
Photo: www.scmp.com/
Inbound travel trends: Train tickets for the holiday went on sale on 17 September, with some popular routes selling out quickly. Key routes include Shenzhen-Guangzhou, Chengdu-Chongqing, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Shanghai-Wuhan, and Shenzhen-Wuhan.
With ample time off and cooler weather anticipated, travellers are eager to explore farther destinations this holiday. Major cities remaining top choices for bookings include Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Nanjing, Chongqing, and Xi’an.
Emerging destinations are seeing a surge in interest, like Wulong in Chongqing, Nujiang in Yunnan, Meishan in Sichuan, Heihe in Heilongjiang, Shuozhou in Shanxi, Tumushuke in Xinjiang, Chengmai in Hainan, Chongzuo in Guangxi, and Tacheng in Xinjiang, thanks to their stunning scenery and affordable prices.
Outbound travel destinations: Popular outbound destinations include Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the United States. Countries experiencing the fastest growth in bookings include Chile, Croatia, Belgium, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, the Netherlands, the UAE, and Sri Lanka.
Emphasis on unique experiences: This year’s travellers prioritise quality and variety, with average spending up by nearly 6% compared to last year, despite having one fewer official holiday days this year.
Popular activities include cultural tours, such as exhibitions and traditional costume photography, and outdoor pursuits like forest hikes, fishing, and sailing.
Cruise vacations and self-driving tours abroad are booming; overseas rental car bookings have surged by over 150%, while cruise reservations have skyrocketed by nearly 600% compared to last year.
Affordable travel options: Both inbound and outbound hotel and flight rates are lower than last year, with average hotel rates down by about 4.5% and flight prices seeing even more significant reductions.
For example, a direct flight from Shanghai to Haikou on 4 October starts at RMB213 (including taxes), while a flight from Hangzhou to Jeju Island on 5 October sells at RMB410 (including taxes).
SINGAPORE, 1 October 2024: Korean Air is expanding flights to popular Southeast Asian destinations, including Bali, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, to meet the growing demand during the upcoming winter season.
Starting from 20 October, Korean Air will increase flights on the Seoul Incheon-Bali route to twice daily service, up from the current 11 weekly flights.
Photo credit: KAL.
The airline will deploy a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner for the winter schedule until 27 March 2025.
The airline will also double frequencies to twice daily on its Seoul Incheon-Nha Trang route from 27 October and Seoul Incheon-Phu Quoc route from 15 December.
In addition to Southeast Asia, Korean Air will increase frequencies on key North American and European routes. Starting 27 October, flights on the Seoul Incheon-Las Vegas route will increase to daily from five weekly flights. The Seoul Incheon-Vancouver route will increase to 11 weekly flights, followed by a twice-daily service starting 1 December. The airline will also increase its Seoul Incheon-Madrid service to four weekly flights, up from three, with departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
In Asia, the airline plans to enhance schedules on its Kagoshima and Taichung routes, increasing frequencies to a daily service throughout the winter season. Currently, the Seoul Incheon-Kagoshima route is served by three to five weekly flights, while the Seoul Incheon-Taichung route operates four times a week.
Korean Air’s international network capacity for the winter season is expected to reach 100% of pre-pandemic levels. The airline remains committed to adjusting schedules based on seasonal factors and market demand to provide passengers with optimized services.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 October 2024: Tourism Malaysia welcomed Malaysia Airlines’ inaugural flight MH749 from Danang, Vietnam, touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) last week.
Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia.
The national airline flies the route daily, and Tourism Malaysia described the service in a press statement as a significant milestone in expanding connectivity from second-tier Vietnamese cities to Malaysia.
“It presents a valuable opportunity to attract more tourists while expanding Malaysia Airlines’ presence in Vietnam, adding to existing routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City,” Tourism Malaysia stated.
Vietnam is one of Tourism Malaysia’s target markets, apart from China, India, Indonesia and Australia.
This new direct flight underscores the strong collaboration between Malaysia Airlines and Tourism Malaysia, which supports the shared vision of Visit Malaysia 2026: to welcome 35.6 million international tourist arrivals and generate MYR147.1 billion in tourism revenue.
Flights are daily, but there are two departure times from Kuala Lumpur: 1200 (Tue, Thu and Sat) and 1200 (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun). The airline deploys a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the route with a capacity of 180 passengers.
Flight MH748 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0835 and arrives in Danang (DAD) at 1025. (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). Flight MH749 departs Danang at 1125 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 1530 (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday).
Flight MH748 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1200 and arrives in Danang (DAD) at 1340 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). Flight MH749 departs Danang at 1440 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur at 1835 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday).
The route is competitive. AirAsia flies between Kuala Lumpur and Danang 14 times weekly, departing KUL at 0900 and 1335. Batik Air flies daily on the route, departing KUL at 1030. The average roundtrip fare on the route during 2024 is USD130, with peaks in February (USD152), June (USD208) and December USD161.
BANGKOK, 1 October 2024: Thai Airways International and Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, have extended their longstanding codeshare agreement to increase the number of destinations available to passengers.
THAI provides codeshare services in roundtrip flights from Bangkok to Cairo, Kuwait City, Amman, Casablanca, Athens, and Manchester operated by Gulf Air via connecting flights from Bahrain.
Gulf Air offers its passengers seamless connectivity onboard codeshare roundtrip flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Hat Yai, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Denpasar, and Sydney.
This latest development underscores THAI and Gulf Air’s commitment to strengthening their collaboration and enhancing customers’ travel options. THAI and Gulf Air already operate codeshare roundtrip flights on the Bangkok-Bahrain and Bahrain-Abu Dhabi routes.
Gulf Air customers can book travel to additional cities in Thailand, such as Chiang Mai and Phuket, as well as international destinations, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Melbourne, which THAI serves from its Bangkok hub.
THAI passengers are now connected to Cairo, Kuwait City, Amman, Casablanca, Athens, Manchester, and other destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa through Gulf Air’s Bahrain hub.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 October 2024: Preliminary August 2024 traffic figures released Monday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) revealed robust growth in international air passenger demand, even as traffic volumes approached pre-pandemic levels.
Due to the region’s resilient economic growth, Asia Pacific airlines collectively carried 32.3 million international passengers in August, reflecting a 21.7% year-on-year increase compared to the same month last year. Traffic in the region had nearly resumed to pre-pandemic levels, at 96.1% of 2019 volumes. Demand in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) increased by 20.7% while available seat capacity expanded by 19.7% year-on-year, leading to a 0.7 percentage point increase in the average international passenger load factor to 83.2% for the month.
Despite signs of moderation in the broader manufacturing sector, the surge in e-commerce demand out of the major manufacturing hubs in the region drove air cargo volumes higher. As measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), international air cargo demand recorded a 12.2% year-on-year increase, outpacing the 10.4% expansion in offered freight capacity. As a result, the average international freight load factor rose by 0.9 percentage points to 59.6% for the month, marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase after more than two years in decline.
Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said: “During the first eight months of the year, the region’s carriers saw a 36% growth in the number of international passengers carried, reaching a total of 240 million, boosted by increased air connectivity and less restrictive visa policies.”
“During the same period, international air cargo demand surged by 15% year-on-year, driven by several key factors, including a thriving e-commerce sector. Disruptions in ocean freight logistics also encouraged modal shifts from sea to air, as businesses sought faster and more reliable transport alternatives.”
Looking ahead, Menon noted: “Supported by ongoing expansions in connectivity, travel demand is expected to remain healthy on routes within and across the regions. Similarly, the outlook for air cargo markets is positive, with businesses replenishing inventories for the year-end festive season.”
Menon added: “Nevertheless, persistent supply chain disruptions continue challenging the region’s carriers. Delays in aircraft deliveries, shortages of spare parts, and lack of skilled labour have heightened operational pressures, contributing to flight disruptions and further increasing costs. Faced with such external pressures, airlines carefully manage flight frequencies and schedules without compromising the industry’s excellent safety standards.”
LUANG PRABANG, Laos, 1 October 2024: The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC), and the Lao PDR Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism jointly organised a four-day digital skills training workshop from 24 to 27 September in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR.
Twenty-eight participants from the public and private sectors attended the event entitled, “Enhancing Digital Skills for Women in Tourism Communities in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam – The Training of Trainers.”
The face-to-face workshop addressed key issues such as digital marketing analysis and planning, promoting community-based tourism enterprises online, and developing digital skills training for community-based micro and small tourism businesses such as homestays, guest houses, restaurants, handicraft outlets, and local tour services.
Participants also visited community-based tourism enterprises, assessing their digital needs as real-life case studies.
The ‘training the trainers’ workshop also included sessions on effective resource utilisation, planning, budgeting, and setting goals for digital marketing.
ASEAN-Japan Centre Assistant Director Naoko Fujikawamsaid said digital skills are crucial for the worldwide marketing of tourism products. However, few women in the tourism sector had opportunities to develop their digital marketing skills.
“By empowering these women with the knowledge to connect their local tourism products to the global market, we are supporting their personal growth and nurturing the sustainable development of their communities”.
Lao PDR’s Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Director General of Tourism Development Phonemaly Inthaphome aid: “Women have the potential to lead and innovate in tourism. By enhancing their digital skills, we are not just investing in individual capabilities but investing in their communities’ future.”
MTCO Executive Director Suvimol ‘Dee’ Thanasarakij noted that women comprised more than half of the tourism workforce in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. However, many were informal labourers with limited access to education and opportunities.
“Through this training, we aim to empower women in local tourism communities with the digital skills needed to strengthen their businesses and gain greater exposure to the global market,” she said.
Fujikawa added: “We believe these participants will become catalysts for change, passing on their knowledge and driving innovation in tourism across their regions.”
After the event, Thanasarakij concluded: “We hope this training will create a ripple effect, with participants passing on their knowledge and skills to others, fostering resilience and growth across the region.”
About Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office The governments of Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam established the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) in 2006 as a tourism collaboration framework. The MTCO aims to develop and promote the Mekong Region as a single tourism destination.
KOTA KINABALU, 30 September 2024: Following the resumption of the direct flight from Kunming to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is now connected to 10 major Chinese cities.
Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai welcomed the inaugural Kunming flight operated by AirAsia, last week.
The Kunming-Kota Kinabalu route has flights scheduled three times weekly, complementing other AirAsia direct routes to Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Shanghai, Beijing, and Ningbo. Additionally, Xiamen Air operates the Fuzhou-Kota Kinabalu route.
While China remains a significant market for Sabah, Joniston said the Sabah Tourism Board is pursuing new market opportunities.
“We are constantly discussing with our airline partners, particularly AirAsia, to establish Sabah as a key travel hub in Borneo,” said Joniston. “We want to explore new markets like Vietnam, India, and Central Asia and are planning to resume direct flights from Australia, among others. “With the Nusantara development underway, we must build a strong hub portfolio and capture every market that will lead to more exciting international routes”.
AirAsia is actively working to connect Sabah with more cities, including Shantou (China) and Kaohsiung (Taiwan), which is expected to launch in November. AirAsia has also begun promoting a new route from Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) to Kota Kinabalu, due to commence in December.
Other international routes operated by AirAsia include key Southeast Asian destinations such as Singapore, Manila, Jakarta, Bali, Manado, Taipei, and Seoul.
Other airlines serving international direct flights to Sabah are Air Busan (Busan-Kota Kinabalu), Scoot (Singapore-Kota Kinabalu), Shanghai Airlines (Shanghai-Kota Kinabalu), China Southern (Guangzhou-Kota Kinabalu), and Royal Brunei (Bandar Seri Begawan-Kota Kinabalu).
From January to July this year, Sabah welcomed 262,070 visitors from China, achieving 70 percent of pre-pandemic arrival levels. Bruneians and South Koreans followed closely, with 124,521 and 106,573 arrivals, respectively, making them Sabah’s top three international tourist markets.
BANGKOK, 30 September 2024: Thailand’s annual Vegetarian Festival, held in October, attracts locals and tourists by emphasising health and spirituality through diverse vegetarian dishes and rituals.
The festival is a vital calendar event for those of Chinese ancestry but also appeals to a broader audience interested in adopting a healthy vegetarian diet.
Photo: thesmartlocal.co.th
For those not engaged in spiritual rituals, the festival offers a chance to enjoy traditional and fusion vegetarian dishes. Additionally, it promotes sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of livestock farming, boosting demand for locally sourced ingredients, and fostering community engagement.
The festival is an annual tradition introduced by Chinese immigrants and is now one of Thailand’s most popular festivals. One legend goes back 400 years to China during the Manchu invasion, where followers dressed in white and abstained from meat to strengthen their resolve to resist the Manchus. Another legend connects the festival to the Taoist worship of the Nine Emperor Gods, observed from the first to the ninth day of the waxing moon in the ninth lunar month. During this time, participants avoid meat to purify both body and mind.
Today, the festival is celebrated in Thai Chinese communities across various provinces, with notable festivities in Bangkok’s Yaowarat (Chinatown) and Phuket Island. Other provinces, such as Nakhon Sawan, Ranong, Songkhla, Chumphon, Narathiwat, and Phang Nga, also hold ceremonies at different shrines. This year, the festival will convene daily from 2 or 3 October to 11 October, depending on the venue.
Bangkok Vegetarian Festival: A Celebration of Community and Vegetarian Cuisine in Yaowarat.
In Bangkok, this year’s Vegetarian Festival at Yaowarat in Samphanthawong district will be held for 10 days, from 2 to 11 October, in honour of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua on the occasion of His Majesty’s sixth-cycle, or 72nd, birthday anniversary. The festival is a community-driven event that promotes health, mental strength, and family bonding, aligning with the city’s policy of fostering community activities and preserving cultural traditions for future generations.
Highlights of the event include processions to summon deities, an official opening ceremony on 3 October featuring the distribution of 1,110 dishes of auspicious fried noodles prepared by the Yaowarat Master Chefs, and a parade showcasing vibrant lion and dragon dances. Attendees can also enjoy a diverse array of delectable vegetarian dishes from over 100 vendors.
Exploring Cultural Richness and Rituals at the Phuket Vegetarian Festival
The Phuket Vegetarian Festival will convene from 3 to 11 October at various districts throughout the island. Known as ‘Jia Chai,’ this festival was recognised by the Ministry of Culture as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018, classified under Social Practice, Ritual, Tradition, and Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The festival sees more than 40 shrines hosting traditional rituals, including the Kathu Shrine, Jui Tui Shrine, Bang Niew Shrine, Tha Ruea Shrine, and Sapam Shrine. Beyond observing a vegetarian diet to purify the body and mind, festival highlights include street processions to summon deities, ceremonial bridge-crossing, fire-walking rituals, and farewell ceremonies. With around 40,000 participants, the performance of these sacred rituals showcases Phuket’s cultural heritage and local identity, bringing the festival into the global spotlight.
Those travelling to Phuket during the festival can savour various vegetarian dishes, from famous street food vendors to Michelin-starred establishments. Vegetarian versions of Phuket’s local dishes, such as Loba Jeh, Hokkien Mee, Oh Tao Jeh, Mee Hoon Gaeng Pu Jeh, and Pad Sataw Jeh, are among the must-try dishes.
Connecting Tradition and Sustainability
Thailand’s Vegetarian Festival goes beyond a religious observance to purify the body and mind. Participating in the festival also connects with sustainability in several ways. During the nine-day event, participants adopt plant-based meals, reducing meat consumption and the environmental impact of livestock farming. The festival boosts demand for locally sourced produce, supporting farmers and lowering the carbon footprint from long-distance transport. It also preserves traditional practices passed down through generations while fostering a strong sense of community. Additionally, waste management is a focus, with the Phuket Vegetarian Festival recycling organic and plastic waste. Lanterns, flags, and decorations are reused, and participants reduce single-use plastics and embrace eco-friendly practices.
