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One-click to wrap up insurance cover

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG 31 July 2024: Trip.com announced this week the launch of ‘Trip.com Travel Smart’ for travellers through a partnership with AXA, a global insurance provider. 

Travel Smart is an exclusive, tailor-made travel insurance product available to Trip.com customers. It offers three different plan options: One-way Trip, round-trip lite, and Round-trip Deluxe. 

These plans provide comprehensive protection tailored to include coverage for medical expenses and personal accidents up to HKD1.5 million, personal liability up to HKD2 million, baggage, trip delays, and trip cancellations due to adverse weather conditions.

As part of the global strategic partnership powered by AXA Partners, AXA and Trip.com ensure seamless access to AXA’s travel insurance offerings. 

Through enhanced collaboration and integration of AXA’s digital capabilities, customers can effortlessly purchase Travel Smart while booking their flights on Trip.com’s website or mobile app. With just one single click, travellers can instantly secure protection and enjoy a hassle-free travel experience during the online purchase process. Alternatively, they can separately purchase Travel Smart for standalone journeys. Trip.com customers will also enjoy the convenience of managing their insurance policies and submitting claims for any covered incidents through AXA’s Emma by AXA app.

AirAsia expands flights in Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 31 July 2024: AirAsia Thailand (FD) is scheduling direct flights from Bangkok’s Don Mueang to Hyderabad, India, with four flights weekly starting 27 October 2024.

Two days later, on 29 October, it will inaugurate three weekly flights from the southern tourist island of Phuket to Siem Reap, Cambodia, home of the UNESCO World Heritage site Angkor Historical Park. 

Phuket to Siem Reap

Flight FD612 departs Phuket at 1430 and arrives in Siem Reap (SAI) at 1605.
Flight FD613 departs Siem Reap at 1650 and arrives in Phuket at 1835.
Return fare online search (Skyscanner) SGD186. The flight time is one hour and 45 minutes.

Bangkok DMK to Hyderabad

Flight FD118 departs Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) at 2050 and arrives in Hyderabad at 2255.
Flight FD119 departs Hyderabad at 2325 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 0430. Flight time is three hours and 55 minutes. Return fare online search (Skyscanner) SGD266,

Up until 4 August, the airline offers promotional fares for flights on the Bangkok Don Mueang-Hyderabad route, starting at THB2,990 one way. The fare on the Phuket-Siem Reap route, pegged at THB1,550 one way, is bookable on the AirAsia MOVE app and the airasia.com website until 4 August for travel from 29 October 2024 to 29 March 2025.  

AirAsia Thailand flies to 12 cities in India: Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Bangalore, Gaya, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Tiruchirappalli, and Hyderabad. With the newest addition, it will offer 56 flights per week.

For direct flights to Cambodia, AirAsia Thailand offers three routes to two cities, namely, Bangkok (Don Mueang)-Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and Phuket-Siem Reap.

Korean Air flies Dreamliner on Bangkok route

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 31 July 2024: Korean Air will deploy its first Boeing 787-10 on the Seoul Incheon – Bangkok route starting 1 August, making Thailand the first Southeast Asian country the airline serves with its newest widebody.

The SkyTeam Alliance carrier, which has four daily (28 weekly) flights on the Seoul Incheon – Bangkok route, will deploy the 787-10 on six of those weekly flights, using the airline’s first 787-10 delivered in late July. By 8 August, Korean Air 787-10 flights on the route will increase to 12 times weekly.

Korean Air’s 787-10 cabin features 289 economy-class and 36 business-class seats. The 787-10 is the first aircraft to feature Korean Air’s new business-class product:  Prestige Suites 2.0, offering lie-flat seats with 46 inches (117 cm) of pitch and 21 inches (53 cm) of width. 

Large 23.8-inch (60 cm) personal 4K monitors keep passengers entertained throughout their journey. The 1-2-1 configuration ensures easy aisle access for all Prestige Class passengers. The seats also include a wireless charging pad and powerful 60W USB-C charging ports.

Economy-class offers improved comfort with 13.3-inch (33cm) personal monitors, a seat pitch of 32 inches (81cm), and a width of 17.2 inches (44cm).

The new Boeing widebody, which has more seat capacity than the A330, is being deployed to Bangkok in response to growing passenger demand on the route, especially among business travellers.

“Thailand is a vital market for Korean Air. Many Korean companies are investing and doing business in Thailand, fuelling demand for business travel,” said Korean Air’s  Thailand Country Manager Jong Min Kim. “We are committed to supporting Thailand’s tourism and economic missions. With 13 gateways in North America and 12 in Japan via Seoul Incheon Terminal 2, Korean Air is dedicated to serving Thailand through our extensive global network.”

According to data from Thailand’s tourism ministry, South Koreans were Thailand’s third largest source of international arrivals last year, with 1.65 million visits.

Meanwhile, according to the Korea Tourism Organization, Thailand is South Korea’s eighth most significant source of arrivals. It says 119,455 visitors from Thailand visited the country from January to April this year, accounting for 2.5% of South Korea’s total arrivals.

June delivers robust growth for airlines

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 July 2024: International air passenger markets generated robust growth, fuelled by healthy demand for air travel approaching the peak summer holiday season, according to preliminary June 2024 traffic figures released Monday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA). 

International air cargo demand also expanded strongly, with a pick-up in manufacturing activity across the Asian economies, including China and India.

Overall, airlines in the Asia Pacific recorded a 21% year-on-year increase in the number of international passengers carried to a combined total of 28.9 million in June, with traffic volumes averaging 90.2% of the corresponding month in 2019. Correspondingly, demand in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) grew by 23.8% year-on-year, almost matching the 24% expansion in available seat capacity. As a result, the international passenger load factor edged 0.2 percentage points lower to an average of 82.2% in June.

Meanwhile, international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) increased by an encouraging 16.4% year-on-year in June. Rising e-commerce appetite and security concerns in the Red Sea spurred demand for air freight shipments. After accounting for a 12.6% growth in offered freight capacity, the average international freight load factor climbed 2.0 percentage points higher to an average 62.8% for the month.

Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said: “Asian airlines are seeing robust traffic growth, in tandem with expansion in global economic activity and improvements to connectivity within the region and globally. In summary, during the first half of the year, the region’s airlines carried 173 million international passengers, a 40% increase compared to the same period last year.

“International air cargo demand grew by 16% during the same period, as a pick-up in export activity, coupled with disruptions to maritime shipping, drove an increase in air freight volumes carried across major trade lanes.”

Looking ahead, Menon said: “International air passenger and cargo markets are poised for further growth in the latter half of the year, driven by sustained positive momentum in the global economy, despite some uncertainties in the geopolitical landscape. Increased services to new and existing destinations will further boost travel demand, with traffic volumes expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the region’s carriers remain focused on safe and sustainable operations whilst maintaining cost efficiency.”

Madrid: Captial city with a thousand options

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 30 July 2024: Besides its famous museums, busy streets dotted with all kinds of shops, restaurants with world cuisine and unbeatable nightlife, Madrid will surprise you with its tranquil historic spots that charm everyone walking by. Here, you’ll find traditional family-run, century-old bars where friends meet for a drink, every style of neighbourhood and cultural centre that offers an alternative type of tourism. Madrid’s authenticity is hard to beat. It is welcoming and diverse. Madrid is, without a doubt, one of Europe’s most interesting cities.

Culture and leisure at any time

Anyone searching for culture will find some of the most important museums in the world, such as the Prado, Reina Sofía, or Thyssen. But we must not forget smaller options, full of charm, such as the Sorolla Museum or cultural centres like the Matadero or Conde Duque, which continuously offer innovative exhibitions, concerts, guided tours, etc.

Walking around Madrid means coming across iconic spots such as the stunning Royal Palace, the Plaza Mayor with 400 years of history, the buzzing Puerta del Sol, the famous Gran Vía full of shops, or the four tallest towers in Spain. Each neighbourhood offers a different experience: La Latina is ideal for tapas, Las Letras has the perfect combination of literature and fine dining… But Madrid also means relaxing in enormous green spaces such as the Retiro Park (which, together with the Paseo del Prado boulevard, has been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List) and other lesser-known but equally charming parks like El Capricho.

Capital of food, fashion and nightlife

When it’s time to eat, Madrid has many different options, each more appealing than the last. On the one hand, traditional bars are where you can discover exactly what castizo means and why tapas are so much fun. On the other hand, cutting-edge restaurants like DiverXO and traditional markets have been turned into new gourmet spaces, such as San Miguel, which has become a true gastronomic shrine. In Madrid, the time is always ripe for enjoying an animated, urban atmosphere. For example, there are increasingly famous weekend brunches in enclosed glass terraces, courtyards, and rooftops.

Fashionistas will find all options: luxury shops on the Golden Mile, vintage establishments in areas such as Fuencarral, new designer markets like the Mercado de Motores, and craft workshops and bookshops over 100 years old. At dusk, some of the city’s viewpoints will surprise you with unique sunsets at the Temple of Debod or the Círculo de Bellas Artes rooftop bar, for example. And at the end of the day, the nightlife in Madrid is legendary, with live music, all kinds of ambience, and music until the sun comes up.

Madrid has its beauty. Madrid stimulates and inspires. Madrid. You have to experience it.

For more information on Madrid, visit: https://www.spain.info/en/destination/madrid/
For more on Spain’s travel experiences, head for the website https://www.spain.info/en/

(Source: Spain Tourism Board – Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand).

Emirates expands pre-order meal options

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 30 July 2024: Expanding the restaurant-above-the-clouds experience: Emirates‘ Business Class passengers can now select their hot main meal between 14 days and 24 hours before departure across the airline’s four German gateways. This further enables the airline to ensure guests always receive their favourite meals.

Last year, Emirates introduced the service for Business Class passengers on its busiest routes, including Hamburg, and has since expanded the offer to more points in its global network. Emirates‘ Business Class customers can now pre-order in-flight meals on flights from Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Duesseldorf. The service is now available on more than 100 routes worldwide. To date, more than 135,000 pre-orders have already been delivered on over 30,000 flights. Every day, more than 400 meals are pre-ordered by Emirates customers.

In addition to checking in via website and app, the option of a digital boarding pass, and itinerary management, Emirates‘ customers can access digital menus in advance.

From 14 days up to 24 hours before departure, guests can view the menu for their flight online at emirates.de or via the Emirates app and choose from a range of regionally inspired dishes with local ingredients. Special Meals catering to dietary, religious or nutritional preferences can also be pre-ordered.

Emirates’ culinary offerings for the Business Class passengers flying between Germany and Dubai include grilled veal chop with green pepper sauce, grilled courgettes, caramelised fennel and Anna potatoes with herbs, roast chicken with thyme and garlic, served with chicken jus with truffle oil, celeriac puree, red herb potatoes, pearl onions and blanched broccolini or fish ‘tahta’ with pan-fried grouper in Emirati spices, served with buttered rice and fried onions as a main course. Passengers can also choose from over 300 vegan dishes on the changing menu, such as roasted cauliflower with ancient grains, lovage pesto with caramelised pear or ragout of Asian tofu and shitake mushrooms with glass noodles.

The pre-orders are added to existing AI-supported data for tracking customer preferences and information from the cabin crew, which enables menu planning and the optimal loading of the aircraft with food. On board, cabin crew use a specially developed app to view the meal selection and serve the guest’s desired dish. The new offering is a further service initiative for digital passenger convenience.

In addition to checking in via website and app, the option of a digital boarding pass, and itinerary management, Emirates‘ customers can access digital menus in advance, register for the Skywards frequent flyer programme, or create a personal playlist of films, series, and music tracks for in-flight entertainment ahead of their flights, which is synchronised with the personal screen using the app.

For more information: https://www.emirates.com

For flight information and to make bookings visit www.emirates.com.

 

Regent Seven Seas offers 5% discount

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 30 July 2024: Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced its 2026 to 2027 Voyage Collection, which showcases 173 new itineraries worldwide.

Cruises sail Africa & Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, the Caribbean & Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, and the South Pacific.

Reservations are now open for bookings. Guests can enjoy 5% savings if they reserve two or more voyages by 7 August 2024. Travellers can choose any sailing open for sale in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027 and then get 5% off all subsequent voyages booked, which are part of Regent’s 2026-2027 Voyage Collection.

As well as the 140-night 2027 World Cruise, the collection features four new Grand Voyages, which vary from 60 to 82 nights in length, covering vast areas of sea and land. Regent has also created eight new Immersive Overnight sailings, which are unique to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where close to every port of call features an overnight stay.

Additional highlights include new opportunities to sail Alaska from Seattle and the Caribbean from Galveston, Texas and Tampa, Florida. 

Further afield, there are seven port-intensive voyages in Japan, tours of Fjords of Milford, Doubtful & Dusky Sound in New Zealand, South American adventures taking in Drake Passage and the Arctic Peninsula, and four Icelandic sailings.

Itineraries feature 144 overnight stays in iconic destinations such as Hong Kong, China; Bora Bora, French Polynesia; and Mumbai, India; as well as 16 maiden ports of calls in locales including Mombasa, Kenya; Zanzibar, Tanzania; and Melaka, Malaysia.

Princess deploys eight ships to Alaska 2026

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 30 July 2024: Princess Cruises has unveiled its biggest-ever Alaska season for 2026, highlighted by the debut of the newest ship in its fleet, Star Princess. 

The expanded Alaska programme for 2026 features eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations, providing travellers with an unparalleled selection of Alaska adventures by sea or by both land and sea.

Eight ships sailing Alaska in 2026

For the first time, guests will have the opportunity to explore Alaska aboard a Sphere Class ship as Star Princess sails her first summer season in the Great Land. 

As the second ship in the Sphere Class following Sun Princess, Star Princess will launch in fall 2025 and feature innovative architectural spectacles like The Dome, the industry’s first geodesic structure, and The Sphere, a suspended glass Piazza.

Voyage options

For 2026, guests can choose from 180 departures from five convenient ports aboard eight incredible ships, including the new Star Princess. 

Voyage of the Glaciers: Discovery Princess, Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess will offer seven-day journeys to experience the breathtaking views of two Alaska glaciers—and Princess has more visits to Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line.

Inside Passage: Guests can enjoy seven- to 20-day cruises and up to four glacier-viewing experiences when they sail the Inside Passage, including weekend departures from Seattle (Royal Princess and Star Princess), San Francisco (Ruby Princess), Vancouver, B.C. (Emerald Princess), and Los Angeles (Emerald Princess).

Longer Sailings: Guests can opt for a 20-day Ultimate Alaska Solstice on Ruby Princess sailing roundtrip from San Francisco and a 16-day Inside Passage on Emerald Princess roundtrip from Los Angeles.

Adventures Ashore

Princess allows guests to expand their cruise experience with exciting and authentic shore excursions at their ports of call. From “Cook My Catch”, fishing for dinner, flying on a helicopter through mountainous views, and watching breaching whales.

The award-winning “North to Alaska with Princess” programme enriches each Alaska cruise with cultural and educational activities, including naturalist talks, a planetarium Northern Lights experience, and a fresh local Alaska seafood menu, in addition to the popular Junior Ranger programme for young cruisers.

Cruise, Rail and Lodge

Combining a cruise with a land tour is a great way to maximise an Alaska vacation. The 2026 season includes more than 20 cruise tour options. One highlight is the 15-night National Parks Tour. Guests will explore five of Alaska’s parks, including Glacier Bay, Denali, and Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords National Park, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway. This experience combines a seven-day cruise and scenic rail travel with eight nights ashore, including stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges.

Air India Express flies to Agartala

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 30 July 2024: Air India Express will expand its network to Tripura, introducing daily direct flights connecting Agartala to Guwahati/Delhi and Kolkata.  

Operations on these routes will commence on 1 September 2024, and the flights are now available for booking on the airline’s award-winning mobile app and website, airindiaexpress.com, and other major booking channels.

Commenting on the launch, Air India Express Managing Director Aloke Singh said: “We are delighted to announce Agartala, Tripura, as our 46th destination. This will further expand our footprint in the Northeast after Guwahati, Bagdogra, and Imphal, enhancing our national network. 

“This strategic addition underscores our commitment to connecting India’s tier 2 and 3 cities and promoting economic growth, trade, and tourism across the country. Aligned with our core value proposition of ‘Fly As You Are,’ we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering an unparalleled guest experience distinguished by our signature Indian hospitality.”

With this expansion, Air India Express now connects Agartala to two direct destinations and eight one-stop destinations, including Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur and Chennai, via 14 weekly departures.

Air India Express operates 77 weekly flights from Guwahati, connecting it to eight direct destinations: Agartala, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, and Kolkata. Additionally, the airline offers one-stop itineraries from Guwahati to 20 domestic destinations, including Ayodhya, Goa, Gwalior, Kozhikode, and Pune, among others, and to four international destinations: Bahrain, Dammam, Singapore, and Sharjah.

From Kolkata, Air India Express has 124 weekly departures, connecting 12 direct destinations, including Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Kochi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Imphal, Bagdogra, Jaipur, Chennai, Surat, and Varanasi. The airline also connects the City of Joy to 22 one-stop destinations, including Abu Dhabi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Doha, Dubai, Lucknow, Kuwait, Thiruvananthapuram, and Gwalior.

Loyalty members booking on the airline’s website and mobile app get additional rewards and benefits, including exclusive discounts and special deals, up to 8% NeuCoins, and complimentary Xpress Ahead priority check-in, boarding and baggage services.

Agartala: The gateway to Tripura’s tourism

Agartala, the capital of Tripura, plays a pivotal role in the state’s tourism industry. As the largest city and commercial hub, it is the primary entry point for most visitors. Agartala is located in the northeastern state of Tripura, India, about 2,460 km from Delhi and 147 km from the border with Bangladesh.

Base for exploration: It is the starting point for exploring the state’s natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural heritage.

Infrastructure and connectivity: Agartala boasts better infrastructure than other parts of Tripura, offering a comfortable tourist base. It has improved connectivity through air, rail, and road, making it accessible.

Cultural hub: The city showcases the rich cultural tapestry of Tripura through festivals, art, and cuisine.

Historical significance: Agartala houses landmarks like Ujjayanta Palace, attracting history enthusiasts.   
Gateway to wildlife: It serves as a base for visiting nearby wildlife sanctuaries like Sepahijala and Trishna.

 

Capital A reports a 90% load factor

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 July 2024: Capital A has announced operating statistics for its Capital A Aviation Services (CAPAS) for the second quarter of the financial year 2024, indicating the group’s airlines achieved a 90% load factor and flew more than 15.6 million passengers.

Emerging from a seasonal peak in the first quarter, the aviation group – AirAsia Malaysia, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Indonesia, AirAsia Philippines, and AirAsia Cambodia — maintained its record-breaking quarterly load factor of 90% in 2Q2024, up by two percentage points year-on-year due to increased capacity. 

As of the end of June, the group had reinstated 195 aircraft out of its total fleet of 218 – an additional eight aircraft were reactivated during the quarter. During the 1H2024, the airline reported more than 30 million passengers carried.

Passenger volume continued its upward trajectory, rising by 11% YoY to reach 15.6 million during the 2Q2024. This outpaced capacity growth of 7%, demonstrating resilience in regional travel demand. Routes to China and India were among the strongest, boasting a robust Year-to-Date (“YTD”) load factor of 91%, following visa-free travel implementation at the end of 2023 for China and India travellers. Additionally, both domestic and international segments are experiencing similar growth rates, indicating a holistic recovery across AirAsia’s network. Excluding Cambodia, passenger numbers are nearing pre-pandemic levels, with YTD recovery reaching 84% of pre-Covid figures, surpassing capacity recovery of 81%. 

AirAsia MOVE

AirAsia MOVE has transitioned this year from being a super app that offers grocery shopping and food delivery to becoming a travel platform. The focus is to grow flights, hotels, and airport rides as well as build duty-free and activity products. The priority is to grow the app user, as it provides a higher lifetime value. While overall Monthly Active Users (MAUs) are down by 13% YoY, the app’s MAUs have increased by 10% YoY.  

Travel: Flight overall transactions are down due to value challenges within the OTA landscape. In response, AirAsia MOVE is enhancing its fare-tracking system and driving targeted promotions to regain competitiveness. Recovery is expected in 3Q2024 and will be back to the 2023 level by 1Q2025. Conversely, Hotels are on a strong trajectory, posting a 33% YoY growth mainly attributed to improved personalisation and inventory.

Ride Hailing: Airport ride bookings are down 10% year over year, but the completion rate has improved by 2% year over year. Moving forward, AirAsia MOVE is focusing more on demand generation and improving the driver app.    

AirAsia Rewards and other businesses: Rewards net revenue grew by 45% YoY due to higher point issuance and improved point redemption rates. To grow, AirAsia MOVE focuses on onboarding more external partners to join the rewards programme.

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