BANGKOK, 14 June 2024: Thailand’s annual Visa Grand Sale 2024 got underway last week, with some of the key players figuring in a photo shoot to kick off the campaign that runs until the end of August.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool promoted the launch on her Facebook page earlier this week, recognising the cooperation with Visa International Thailand and other partners that promote the country’s mega shopping campaign. It offers up to 50% discounts at shopping malls and includes travel and hospitality bargains at top tourist destinations across the country.
Photo credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Campaign partners include Visa, Siam Paragon, The Mall Group, Siam Piwat, Icon Siam, King Power, Central and the Association of Entrepreneurs in Rajaprasong District.
The TAT governor said the campaign “enhances the image of cooperation between public and private agencies in organising marketing activities to encourage travel and spending.”
The Visa Thailand Grand Sale 2024 campaign, a value-packed initiative, encourages international travellers to visit the country during the so-called Green Season (rainy season). Supported by Visa, it offers attractive discounts at popular luxury shopping malls located in Thailand’s popular destinations through 31 August 2024.
SINGAPORE 14 June 2024: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest airline, has signed a partnership agreement to implement CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Solution.
The partnership will see Riyadh Air provide passengers with a seamless cross-border payment experience as the airline approaches its launch date in 2025
Partnership agreement to implement CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration Solution.
Cellpoint Digital, a leading provider of payment solutions to the airline industry and a global pioneer of Payment Orchestration, confirmed Wednesday the new partnership with Riyadh Air that will equip the carrier with an innovative payment technology to fuel its digital-first business strategy.
The partnership supplies Riyadh Air with CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration platform, enabling the carrier to efficiently process local and cross-border transactions.
Riyadh Air’s vision is to disrupt a Saudi Arabian commercial aviation market dominated by legacy players.
Based in Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh Air is set to launch commercial operations by mid-2025 and is an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s mission to establish itself as a global aviation hub. The USD30 billion start-up airline aims to connect the country to 100 regional and international destinations by 2030, leveraging the kingdom’s location between Asia, Africa and Europe and creating over 200,000 jobs.
CellPoint Digital’s Payment Orchestration platform uses intelligent routing, considering the pricing, processing and acceptance currency, and processor’s geographical location, which increases transaction success rates. In this way, Payment Orchestration minimises the number of declined transactions, preventing the customer from abandoning the booking and driving revenue for Riyadh Air.
Pact signed with Singapore Airlines
Meanwhile, Riyadh Air and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a new partnership between the two airlines.
The agreement was inked by Riyadh Air Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Douglas and Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong in Dubai at the 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) AGM and World Air Transport Summit earlier this month.
Under the MoU, the carriers will explore opportunities for interline connectivity on each other’s services, subject to regulatory approval. They will also work on other potential areas of commercial cooperation, including codeshare arrangements, reciprocal benefits for their frequent flyer programme members, cargo services, customer experience, and digital innovation as a precursor to a deeper, long-term, strategic partnership.
These will offer Riyadh Air’s guests access to SIA’s network in Southeast Asia and the South West Pacific region, and SIA’s customers greater access to the Middle East region through Riyadh Air’s network.
HONG KONG, 14 June 2024: Hong Kong Airlines will commence direct flights to Danang in central Vietnam on 19 July. This busy route is already served by two very competitive low-cost airlines: Hong Kong Express and Vietjet.
Hong Kong Airlines, home-based in Hong Kong, will schedule daily flights using an A320 with 169 seats. Flight time is one hour and 50 minutes.
Hong Kong Express, a low-cost airline based in Hong Kong, flies the Hong Kong-Danang route twice daily (morning and evening) using the bigger A321 with 209 seats. Its website quotes its lowest roundtrip fare at USD138.
Hong Kong Airlines quotes a starting fare of USD189 for its daily flight, which is due to commence on 19 July.
More competition is on the horizon as Vietjet Air increases its direct Danang-Hong Kong service from four times weekly to daily, effective 1 July. At present, the airline flies the route on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday using an A321 with 209 seats. Its lowest fare on the website is USD155.
The average roundtrip fare on the Hong Kong-Danang route is USD230.
In its publicity for the new service, Hong Kong Airlines describes Danang as “The Oriental Hawaii,” one of the largest and most important cities in central Vietnam.
“From the cool retreats of Ba Na Hills and the historic and culturally diverse ancient towns to the prime selfie spots on stunning beaches, the Pink Church, and Asia Park, coupled with a variety of traditional Vietnamese cuisine, Danang remains a popular destination for international tourists and is regarded as one of the hotspots for tourism in Asia.”
Hong Kong Airlines flight schedule: Hong Kong-Danang
About Hong Kong Airlines Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline firmly rooted in Hong Kong. The airline flies close to 30 destinations across the Asia Pacific and currently maintains interline and codeshares with multiple airline partners and ferry service providers. Hong Kong Airlines operates an all-Airbus fleet.
SINGAPORE, 14 June 2024: Indonesia AirAsia is planning to resume direct flights between Bali, Indonesia and Phuket, Thailand, a service that will connect Asia’s most popular tourist islands.
According to flight scheduling experts, the low-cost airline will deploy an A320 with 180 seats to fly between the two islands three times weekly and possibly increase frequencies to daily during the peak travel months from January to March 2025.
Photo credit: AirAsia.
OAG provisional timetable filings indicate the airline will inaugurate direct Denpasar, Bali to Phuket flights on 10 August 2024
Flight OZ246 will depart Denpasar at 1605 and arrive in Phuket at 1855 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flight OZ247 will depart Phuket at 1930 and arrive in Denpasar at 0030 (plus a day).
Flights from KK to Manado
Meanwhile, AirAsia, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, plans to launch a new service between Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, and Minado in Indonesia on 1 September 2024. The airline intends to operate three weekly flights with Airbus A320 aircraft, effective 1 September 2024.
Flight AK1797 will depart Kota Kinabalu at 0850 and arrive at Manado, Indonesia, at 1100. Flight AK1798 will depart Manado at 1130 and arrive at Kota Kinabalu at 1335. Flights are scheduled for Monday, Friday and Sunday.
What makes Manado’s tourism tick
Manado is the capital city of the Indonesian province of North Sulawesi. The city’s tourism industry is a major driver of the economy, creating new jobs and opportunities for local businesses.
Natural Beauty: Manado is blessed with stunning natural beauty, from its volcanic mountains and lush rainforests to its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. One of the most popular tourist destinations is Bunaken National Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to some of the most diverse marine life in the world. Tourists can go scuba diving, snorkelling, or relax on the beach and soak up the sun.
Cultural Diversity: Manado is a melting pot of cultures, with influences from Minahasa, Indonesia, China, Europe, and the US. This diversity is reflected in the city’s food, music, and architecture. Tourists can visit traditional Minahasa villages, learn about the local history and culture, and sample the delicious Manadonese cuisine.
Adventure Activities: Manado is a great destination for adventure travellers. Tourists can hike up volcanoes, trek through rainforests, or white-water raft down rivers. There are also opportunities for spelunking, canyoneering, and paragliding.
Relaxation: Manado is also a great place to relax and unwind. Tourists can enjoy the city’s laid-back atmosphere, spend time at the beach, or get pampered at one of the many spas.
LANGKAWI, 14 June 2024: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) teamed up with Tough Gorilla Ventures to host the 5th edition of the Langkawi Swimming Festival last week at Tanjung Rhu Beach Langkawi.
More than 400 participants, including international swimmers from 15 countries, joined the event, which featured five swim distance categories: 8km, 4km, 2km, and a special children’s category of 1km and 400m.
Photo credit: LADA. Finish line at Tanjung Rhu Beach Langkawi.
International participants from various countries, such as the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Lebanon, Spain, the US, South Africa, and Chinese Taipei, joined the event.
LADA’s promotional efforts to lift the island’s image as a sports destination include supporting the annual swimming festival at the island’s premier beach venue.
The competition is organised by Tough Gorilla Ventures in cooperation with LADA with additional support from government agencies, community services, Tourism Malaysia and the residents of Langkawi, in particular the Community of Cape Rhu.
LADA’s unwavering commitment to promoting Langkawi as a premier sports destination is evident in its continued support for events like the Langkawi Swimming Festival. The choice of Tanjung Rhu Square as the event venue is a testament to this commitment.
What’s special about Tanjung Rhu Beach
Located on the northeastern tip of Langkawi, Tanjung Rhu Beach is known for its pristine beauty. Here’s what makes it special.
Tranquil Escape: Unlike Langkawi’s other beaches that tend to be crowded, Tanjung Rhu Beach offers a more secluded and peaceful experience.
Cleanliness: The beach is known for its clean, white sand and clear turquoise waters. It’s ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and simply enjoying the tranquillity of the surroundings.
Scenic Beauty: The beach is recognised for its lush greenery and towering limestone cliffs, which create a dramatic and picturesque backdrop. The crescent-shaped stretch of white sand is fringed by casuarina trees.
Sunset Views: Tanjung Rhu Beach is particularly famous for its stunning sunsets. The sky comes alive with vibrant orange, pink, and purple colours.
Shallow Waters: The shallow waters at Tanjung Rhu Beach make it a great spot for swimming, especially for families with young children. You can also go kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding to explore the coastline.
BANGKOK, 13 June 2024: Minor Hotels announces Layan Life by Anantara, a medical wellness centre located on the grounds of Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, is set to lift Phuket’s reputation as an international destination for medical wellness.
The new purpose-built facility, which covers 1,767 square metres, is scheduled to open in Q3 this year and will offer a blend of modern medical technologies and ‘Rajasamnak’ (royal-style) Thai healing traditions.
Photo credit: Minor Hotels. Layan Life by Anantara uses biophilic architectural principles that blend with nature.
It offers programmes created by specialist medical doctors and Thai medicinal experts. The three to 10-day programmes infuse ancient wisdom with advanced medical assessments and diagnostics, tailored wellness nutrition, and guided fitness. The result is a highly bespoke, full-circle approach to holistic well-being that spans a variety of goals, such as weight management, de-stressing, fitness, and anti-ageing.
Split across two storeys, the lower level includes a 220 sqm gym, 60 sqm yoga studio, 35 sqm Pilates studio, meditation rooms, and a hydrotherapy area with vitality pools, saunas, and steam room. The upper floor houses medical and holistic facilities, rooms for consultations, physiotherapy, TTM, aesthetic treatments, IV procedures and medical treatments such as an Icepod, hyperbaric chamber, and hydrocolonic therapies. There is also a Thai herbal dispensary where personalised remedies are prescribed.
Outside, the Active Zone spans tennis courts, a Muay Thai ring, a climbing wall and an outdoor fitness area with water sports.
BANGKOK, 13 June 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts invites travellers to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry, vibrant culinary scene, and stunning landscapes in the Land of Smiles with the new ‘Culture Connect’ offer.
Complimentary stays for a third person make exploring Thailand’s wonders with family or friends effortless and enjoyable. Exclusive discounts at nearby shopping hubs offer an enticing opportunity to delve into authentic Thai craftsmanship and goods. This offer also includes a 10% discount on all food and drink purchases, welcoming guests to savour the essence of local Thai cuisine during their stay.
With strategically located properties, Centara provides easy access to iconic landmarks, national parks, and shopping areas, fostering an immersive cultural experience and a deeper understanding of the local way of life. From the historic temples of Korat and the serene lakes of Udon Thani to the breathtaking beauty of Ubon Ratchathani and the timeless allure of Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site just an hour from Bangkok, the warm hospitality and world-class service of Centara Hotels & Resorts ensures an unforgettable adventure throughout Thailand’s hidden gems.
A range of contemporary room types, unique restaurants and bars, and more are available to accommodate the needs of every traveller at Centara Korat, Centara Ubon, Centara Udon and Centara Ayutthaya.
ABOUT CENTARA Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 95 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology.
BANGKOK, 13 June 2024: To commemorate World Environment Day and as part of an environmental strategy that includes a commitment to consuming responsibly, Emirates is repurposing more than 50,000 kilogrammes of materials from 191 aircraft undergoing a cabin interior refresh.
Emirates will give new life to the materials and is personally producing thousands of handmade children’s backpacks and schoolbags, which will be donated to community schools and organisations supporting early education across Africa and Asia this year.
To minimise waste, Emirates’ Engineering team found a way to repurpose the fabrics from the economy class seats of 22 Airbus A380 aircraft that have completed the retrofit process.
The project recovered 5,205 kilogrammes of scrap materials, including seat fabric of 95% wool and 5% nylon composition with a flat weave structure sourced from Germany and Ireland. The materials were identified as ideal for upcycling due to their durability and non-flammable nature, and a decision was made to make high-quality backpacks for children in need.
In the workshop at Emirates Engineering, a dedicated team of tailors creatively designed a whole range of backpacks for children of different ages and worked with the Emirates Corporate Communications, Marketing & Brand team to identify charitable entities, schools, orphanages, and foundations across Africa and Asia, where the bags are set to be distributed in the coming months.
The world’s largest-ever known retrofit project is a multibillion-dollar investment from Emirates, which kicked off in August 2022 with the intention of fully re-fitting 191 aircraft and elevating customer experience. This includes 110 Airbus A380s and 81 Boeing 777 aircraft, which together have the potential to provide up to 50,000 kilograms of waste fabrics. As and when the aircraft is furnished with new fabrics, there is also scope to recover the excess ‘cut off’ materials for repurposing and upcycling.
From the 22 Airbus A380 aircraft that have been completely retrofitted, materials from First and Business Class cabins such as leather, aluminium, and wool have already been repurposed. The Aircrafted by Emirates range is a limited-edition capsule collection of luggage launched in November 2023 and designed in-house by Emirates Engineering, which sold out in weeks. Proceeds from the first sale of the not-for-profit collection Aircrafted by Emirates amounted to more than 70,000 AED, and after minimal operational cost deductions, were donated to Emirates Airline Foundation supporting humanitarian projects around the world.
Managed entirely by Emirates’ Engineering team, the retrofit is a considerable project that will take years to complete and provide multiple opportunities for upcycling. This will see 21,814 economy seats installed, 8,104 brand new premium economy seats installed, 1,894 first-class suites refurbished, over 11,182 new generation business class seats installed, as well as the opportunity for more creative upcycling initiatives to be launched.
For more information on flights or to book, visit www.emirates.com.
SINGAPORE, 13 June 2024: Tokyo’s hotel industry reported record-high average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR) in May, according to preliminary data from CoStar.
CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.
May 2024 (year-over-year % change)
Occupancy: 78.4% (+4.2%)
Average daily rate (ADR): 37,671.27 (+44.0%)
Revenue per available room (RevPAR): JPY29,529.07 (+50.0%)
According to daily data, Tokyo’s occupancy levels experienced a surge on Saturday, 25 May (89.1%), propelled by the energy of several music events held in Tokyo Dome. The market recorded its highest RevPAR levels on the same night, at JPY38,913.89. Overall, Tokyo’s occupancy remained above the 70% mark throughout the month, apart from five days.
The market’s room rates spiked on Constitution Memorial Day (Friday, 3 May), at JPY44,743.14; closely followed by Saturday, 4 May (Greenery Day), at JPY44,038.37.
Apart from events in May, several contributing factors, such as a later opening post-pandemic, above-average inflation, and an influx of international demand, also significantly impacted Tokyo’s ADR and RevPAR increases. A full Japan room rate analysis can be found here.
For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit www.costargroup.com.
HONG KONG, 13 June 2024: Cathay Pacific will launch direct flights to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, starting 28 October 2024.
Cathay Pacific will operate three weekly flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh using its Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which features business, premium economy, and economy cabins.
Photo credit: Cathay Pacific.
In addition to Cathay Pacific’s new passenger service, Cathay Cargo currently operates weekly freighter flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh.
In a press statement, the airline said the new flights would further “enhance connectivity, trade and cultural exchange between its home hub, Hong Kong, and countries that are participating in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.”
Cathay Pacific marked the announcement with a signing ceremony in Hong Kong, attended and witnessed by Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung, Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong SAR, Hamad Aljebreen, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam and Saudi Air Connectivity Programme Chief Executive Officer Majid Khan.
The agreement was signed by Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau, and Saudi Air Connectivity Programme Aviation Development Vice President Rashed Alshammari in the presence of distinguished guests from Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia.
Secretary for Transport and Logistics Lam Sai-hung commented: “The signing of the cooperation agreement marks a significant milestone for the already prospering aviation partnership between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, developed for almost two decades.
“The Hong Kong SAR Government is committed to strengthening aviation services on current major routes and routes along the Belt and Road with potential. Following Cathay Pacific’s initiative to commence services to Riyadh, we will be able to expand Hong Kong’s aviation network and enhance air connectivity between us and the Middle East, which further consolidates Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub.”
Consul General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong SAR Hamad Aljebreen said: “The inauguration of this route is a pivotal step in the path of improving relations, building bridges of communication and cooperation, and strengthening economic, tourism and cultural ties between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong SAR. This comes at a time when relations between the two sides are witnessing many positive developments and concrete achievements, with a noticeable increase in the frequency of mutual visits on all levels between the two sides. There is no doubt that the launch of this route will contribute significantly to opening broader horizons of cooperation, increasing partnerships, and bringing more investments, capital, and visitors to the two sides, in line with achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer Ronald Lam added: “We are excited to announce the launch of flights connecting Hong Kong and Riyadh this October, which will further strengthen our network in the Middle East and enhance Hong Kong’s connectivity with this important region. This new service will offer more travel options and greater convenience for our customers travelling to and from Saudi Arabia, as well as promote opportunities for business, trade and tourism.
“With deep roots in Hong Kong, our role is to be an enabler connecting Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland with the world. Cathay firmly supports the Central Government’s Belt and Road Initiative, and we already serve 21 destinations in 14 participating countries. We will continue to develop flight services along our existing major routes as well as routes connecting Hong Kong with Belt and Road countries and regions as we look ahead to the full operation of the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport.”
Saudi Air Connectivity Programme Chief Executive Officer Majid Khan said: “With direct flights between Hong Kong and Riyadh with Cathay Pacific, air connectivity to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will further strengthen from our key source markets to grow inbound tourism. Travellers from Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific’s network, including China, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and other APAC countries, will explore Saudi Arabia’s vast tourism potential. We welcome Cathay Pacific, one of the premium carriers, to Saudi Arabia and look forward to mutually developing the potential in years to come.”
The flight schedule for the service is as follows (all times local, subject to regulatory approval):
