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Shoshin Binh Thanh joins WorldHotels

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 17 October 2024: WorldHotels, renowned for celebrating exceptional hospitality and craftsmanship worldwide, has announced the signing of a new resort that will introduce experience-seeking guests to the natural and cultural wonders of Hoa Binh province in northern Vietnam.

Shoshin Binh Thanh, a member of WorldHotels Distinctive, is a charming boutique retreat located amid native trees and lush gardens on the banks of Hoa Binh Lake. Within this stunning setting, visitors can explore this exciting ecotourism destination with an array of activities, such as boat trips from the resort’s pier, water sports, and forest treks — all just a two-hour drive from Hanoi and Noi Bai International Airport.

This new resort will blend seamlessly into the verdant landscape, with an attractive façade that features wooden elements, vertical gardens, timber decks, and lakeside walkways. Guests will be able to stay in a selection of 56 rooms and suites with lake and forest views, dine at the signature restaurant, and unwind with a wealth of amenities, including a water entertainment zone, kids’ adventure play area and an outdoor events theatre. Each WorldHotels branded property is independently owned and operated. 

As a member of WorldHotels Distinctive, every traveller can expect highly authentic local elements underpinned by heartfelt hospitality and world-class service standards. Currently under development, Shoshin Binh Thanh will celebrate its grand opening in 2025.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of our first project under the WorldHotels Distinctive collection in Vietnam. Shoshin Binh Thanh will form part of a much bigger project that will gradually introduce a wider range of exciting attractions and activities to position this idyllic destination for a bright future of domestic and international tourism. This is our third project with this developer, and I would like to thank them for their enduring confidence in BWH Hotels and WorldHotels,” said BWH Hotels Vice President – APAC Olivier Berrivin.

Shoshin Binh Thanh will join BWH Hotels’ rapidly growing portfolio of hotels and resorts in Vietnam. Currently, the owning company operates five upscale and luxury hotels nationwide: Caravelle Saigon, a member of WorldHotels Elite, Best Western Premier Sapphire Ha Long, Best Western Premier Sonasea Phu Quoc, Best Western Premier Sonasea Villas Phu Quoc, and Best Western Premier Marvella Nha Trang. More properties are in the pipeline.

For more information about WorldHotels, visit www.worldhotels.com. 

Trip Affiliates recruits Phnom Penh 51 Hotel

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 October 2024: Trip Affiliates Network has announced a strategic partnership with Phnom Penh 51 Hotel to streamline its booking processes and significantly expand its global distribution capabilities. 

By integrating TA Network’s advanced technology, Phnom Penh 51 Hotel will optimise its operations and boost visibility among travel agents, wholesalers, and corporate partners.

Through TA Network’s booking system, the hotel will reduce the time taken to process bookings, minimise manual errors, and improve the management of room allotments, contracts, and inventory. This efficiency will enhance the guest experience and enable the hotel to focus on core services while ensuring a seamless and accurate booking process.

In addition, Phnom Penh 51 Hotel will benefit from access to TA Network’s travel agents, wholesalers, and corporate clients worldwide. This increased reach is expected to drive more direct bookings and expose the hotel to new international markets. TA Network’s platform also facilitates real-time updates on rates, availability, and promotions, allowing the hotel to collaborate more easily with both online and offline partners.

The integration includes TA Network’s digital payment solutions, which simplify global transactions by offering virtual cards and virtual bank account services. These solutions will help Phnom Penh 51 Hotel reduce foreign exchange fees and manage cross-border payments more easily.

“We are excited to partner with TA Network and look forward to leveraging their solutions to increase direct bookings from both TA Network and corporate clients,” said Phnom Penh 51 Hotel Group General Manager Sokunthor Tan. “With TA Network’s digital tools and solutions, we can now handle wholesale contracts and dynamic rates more efficiently while seamlessly connecting with various travel channels in their ecosystem. This collaboration will greatly reduce the time and effort previously spent on manual communication.”

TA Network Regional HQ Director – Partnerships and Growth Thomas Wong added: “Our partnership with Phnom Penh 51 Hotel highlights our commitment to helping hotels adopt innovative technologies to enhance their distribution strategies. By reducing booking times and broadening their global reach, Phnom Penh 51 Hotel will be well-positioned for success in a competitive hospitality market. We’re excited to work together to ensure a smooth and efficient booking experience for their partners and guests.”

About Trip Affiliates Network
Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, Trip Affiliates Network provides FIT/group inbound and outbound turnkey solutions and add-on direct supplier connectivity services for travel agents, wholesalers and hotels. High-end platforms include integrated booking systems for flights, hotels, activities and transfers, dynamic packages, and digital payment solutions. www.tripaffiliates.com

GBA reports robust Q3 performance

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 17 October 2024: UAE-headquartered Global Hotel Alliance reports a powerful Q3, with double-digit growth achieved across all performance metrics.

Total hotel revenues rose 15% to reach USD689 million in Q3, with year-to-date revenues now at USD2 billion. Q3 growth was fuelled by a 16% increase in room nights and a slight uptick in average rate.

One of the key drivers behind GHA’s ongoing success is its GHA Discovery loyalty programme, which now boasts a membership of 28.3 million. In Q3, 66.2% of member revenue was generated by international stays: the US, UK, Germany, Australia, and China led as top feeder markets, together contributing 26% of total international room revenue.

Redemptions of GHA Discovery’s rewards currency, Discovery Dollars (D$), rocketed by an impressive 95% year-on-year in Q3. Since members can earn and redeem D$ at any property operated by a GHA brand, this activity benefited all 800-plus hotels, evidenced by total cross-brand revenues jumping 31% to USD100.7 million in Q3, bringing total cross-brand revenue for the year to USD276 million. This reflects members’ growing engagement with the loyalty programme’s rich choice of over 40 independent hotel brands, which continue to gain in popularity.

Q3 highlights 

Spain hotels at the top: GHA’s hotel brand properties in Spain achieved the highest total room revenues across domestic and international stays in Q3, followed by those in Thailand, Italy, Singapore, and the UAE, respectively. Thailand hotels led the international room revenue rankings, with 93% of the country’s room revenue in Q3 generated by international stays, totalling USD34.7 million. Italy followed with USD29 million, and Singapore with USD25.4 million.

Portugal a Q3 favourite: Looking at the most popular destinations for GHA DISCOVERY’s members over the summer months, Portugal came out on top, with members from the UK and Spain being the biggest spenders there. US members favoured Italy, while Australians chose Fiji, Germans preferred the Netherlands, and members from China opted for Singapore.

More hotels, more choice: GHA’s robust Q3 performance was supported by portfolio growth in key global markets. Four new regional brands in Norway, Greece, the UAE and Malaysia, with 32 hotels recently joined the alliance, while existing hotel brands continue to open new properties in key destinations worldwide.

Global Hotel Alliance CEO Chris Hartley commented: “The double-digit revenue growth and the sharp rise in direct bookings and Discovery Dollar redemptions show that our expanding global presence, our diverse choice of hotel brands and an innovative loyalty programme continue to appeal to international travellers. As we build on this momentum, we are well-positioned to finish 2024 on a high note, with even more brands and new hotels to be announced before the end of the year.”

Sabre renews tiket partnership

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 October 2024: Sabre Corporation, a software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, announced this week the extension of its long-standing partnership with tiket.com, an online travel agent in Indonesia. 

With the agreement, Sabre will continue to be tiket.com’s preferred GDS technology partner, using a variety of advanced technology solutions to enhance operations and customer offers.

Photo credit: Sabre.
From Left : Agustri Ramadani (International Flight, tiket.com), Ardika (VP Commercial, Sabre Indonesia), Charles Lee (Senior Director, Agency Sales, head of North and Southeast Asia, Sabre), George Hendrata (CEO, tiket.com), Brett Thorstad (VP, Sabre Travel Solutions, Agency Sales and Airline Distribution, Asia Pacific, Sabre), Andi Hendrawan (Director of Transport, tiket.com), Eko Dharmawan (AVP International Flight, tiket.com), Danar Rahadianto (Business Development Manager, Sabre Indonesia)

Sabre’s rich global content, including NDC offers and industry-best shopping APIs, will support Tiket.com’s commitment to delivering consumers optimum flight choices and travel inventory. 

Meanwhile, the agency will adopt Sabre Direct Pay to support its virtual payment needs, delivering a more secure, automated, and integrated payment process. Tiket.com will also continue to deploy Sabre’s advanced automation tools to enhance time and cost efficiencies while improving customer service, including through Automated Exchanges and Refunds.

“Sabre has been our trusted technology partner since the very beginning, and we’re delighted to extend this strategic partnership by incorporating additional Sabre solutions into our technology stack,” said Andi Hendrawan, Director of Transportation, tiket.com. “This renewal strengthens our technology and empowers us to enhance our offerings, deliver superior service to our customers, and expand our global presence confidently.”

Celebrating its 13th anniversary, Tiket.com is one of Indonesia’s largest and most comprehensive online travel companies. It offers services including flight, train, ferry, bus & shuttle, accommodation bookings, attractions, event ticketing, car rentals, and other travel essentials.

“We’re thrilled to continue our valued, long-standing partnership with tiket.com,” said Sabre Travel Solutions Vice President, Agency Sales & Airline Distribution, Asia Pacific Brett Thorstad. 

“Having supported tiket.com’s tremendous growth over more than a decade, we’re committed to providing them best-in-class technology and support to maintain and grow their competitive edge in one of the world’s fastest-growing travel markets for many years to come.”

(SOURCE: Sabre)

AirAsia X flies to Chongqing

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 17 October 2024: AirAsia X resumes services to China’s famed Mountain City of Chongqing, launching four weekly flights on Wednesday. 

Chongqing is famous for its appetising local cuisine, including the iconic fiery mala hotpot. It is also the world’s largest municipality, home to nearly 32 million residents.

The inaugural flight’s (D7808) send-off ceremony was attended by Dato Fam Lee Ee, Chairman of AirAsia X, and Benyamin Ismail, CEO of AirAsia X. The flight departed from Kuala Lumpur at 1935 on Tuesday evening (15 October) with a load factor close to 90% and arrived at Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport at 0045 early Wednesday.

The destination is becoming a top choice for solo adventurers and couples seeking short getaways offering a perfect blend of modern urban life and rich historical heritage.

The airline welcomed its first return flight from Chongqing to Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday morning, celebrating this significant milestone in partnership with Tourism Malaysia. Guests aboard flight D7809 enjoyed a warm welcome from Nor Hayati Zainuddin, Deputy Director of Tourism Malaysia and the AirAsia team.

Currently, AirAsia Group operates flights to 19 destinations in China, with more than 60 roundtrip routes.

MH launches Kolkata flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 17 October 2024: Malaysia Airlines will reinstate direct flights between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Kolkata (CCU) on 2 December 2024 to further expand its footprint in India.

The airline offers special introductory economy class fares starting from MYR1,499 (USD349) all-in return until 8 November 2024 for travel starting 2 December 2024 through its “Time for Kolkata” campaign. 

Photo credit: Malaysia Airlines.

The airline will compete head-on with AirAsia, which is already well-established as the sole operator on the KUL-CCU route. It offers a daily departure using an A320. The average fare on the direct route is currently USD240 roundtrip economy. However, online travel agency data suggest the fare will increase to around USD325 and as high as USD418 in December. 

MH flies to 10 Indian cities

This latest addition to the MH network will increase the airline’s direct connectivity to 10 Indian destinations: New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Amritsar, Trivandrum, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata.

MH is scheduling five weekly flights using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on the latest route. It follows the successful introduction of direct flights to Amritsar last month. With the recommencement of this flight and the increased flight frequencies from Amritsar, the airline now offers an impressive 76 weekly flights between India and Malaysia.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) Chief Executive Officer of Airlines Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi said: “India is a key market for us, and by continually enhancing our network and increasing frequencies, we invite passengers to connect seamlessly to popular global hubs through our base in Kuala Lumpur, strengthening our position as the gateway to Asia and beyond.”

Flight schedule

ITA Airways extends BKK flights to the summer

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 October 2024: Updating details of its upcoming Rome-Bangkok flights, ITA Airways says it will extend direct flights between Rome Fiumicino and Bangkok beyond the winter timetable that closes on 27 March 2025 to offer a year-round service.

The airline commits to five weekly flights on the route starting 16 November 2024 through the end of the winter timetable. It will then reduce flights to three weekly for the duration of the summer timetable, which runs to the end of October 2025. 

Photo credit: ITA Airlines.

The new ITA Airways will launch five weekly flights on the new route Rome-Bangkok starting 16 November 2024. The winter timetable runs from mid-November 2024 to 27 March 2025. 

Flights from Rome Fiumicino will depart every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and from Bangkok every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. The airline will deploy an A330-900neo on the route configured with 281 seats in three classes: business, premium economy and economy. Fares start around USD1,100 return in economy.

Summer season switch

During the  2025 summer season, flights from Rome Fiumicino will be reduced to three weekly flights on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, while departures from Bangkok will be scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Fares for the new Rome-Bangkok flights are available for purchase through all ITA Airways channels. Seat sales for the summer season will kick in on 30 March 2025.

Winter flight schedule

• Rome Fiumicino — Bangkok operates from 16 November, with departures on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 1515  (local time) and arrivals in Bangkok at 0740  (local time). 

• Bangkok — Rome Fiumicino, operating from 17 November, departs on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday at 1215 (local time) and arrives in Rome at 1900  (local time).

Sarawak Gateway campaign on Penang’s doorstep

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TTR WEEKLY
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PENANG, 16 October 2024: Sarawak Tourism Board’s “Gateway to Borneo” campaign won the hearts of travel fans at the Sarawak Gateway to Borneo Fair, hosted at Queensbay Mall, Penang, from 10 to 13 October.

The event kicked off with a lively opening ceremony, officiated by YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Sarawak, who was represented by YB Dato Dennis Ngau, Chairman of Sarawak Tourism Board.

Themed “Gateway to Borneo,” the fair offered diverse exhibitors showcasing authentic local crafts, foods, and beverages such as Batik Sarawak, Kek Lapis Sarawak, and Tuak Borneo. Visitors witnessed live demonstrations of traditional Sarawakian crafts, including batik making, basket weaving, and temporary tattoos. Sarawak travel packages promoted by Penang-based tour operators were on sale to travel consumers.

Daily live cultural performances featured the Sape and Nose Flute, which created enchanting music and dance performances from Sarawak’s indigenous communities, such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, and Melanau. 

During the official opening, the crowd was treated to a special performance by Sada Borneo, the acclaimed Sarawakian band that gained international recognition on Asia’s Got Talent.

Reflecting on the event’s cultural significance, YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah added: “Sarawak is a place of discovery—where the ancient meets the modern, and where every experience is a celebration of our rich cultural heritage. Today, we are not here just to promote tourism but to build bridges between Sarawak and Penang, between our local businesses and new audiences, and between our communities and travellers seeking authentic, meaningful experiences.”

Sarawak Gateway to Borneo Fair is pivotal in boosting domestic tourism. It aligns with Sarawak’s ambitious target of achieving 2 million domestic visitors in 2024 as part of the overall 4 million projected visitors. 

Sarawak is well on its way to achieving this goal, having recorded 3.3 million visitors by August. The fair is also a strategic platform for

fostering collaboration between local Sarawak businesses and Penang-based tour operators, promoting Sarawak as a premier travel destination and building valuable networks between travel agents and consumers.

For more information on Sarawak visit: https://sarawaktourism.com

Royal Cliff wins Hall of Fame Award 

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TTR WEEKLY
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PATTAYA, Thailand, 16 October 2024: The Royal Cliff Hotels Group celebrates its ongoing success in maintaining exceptional standards and leading the hospitality industry at the 33rd Annual TTG Travel Hall of Fame Awards 2024 Ceremony & Gala Dinner. 

Since its induction into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame in 2006, Royal Cliff has remained among an elite group of top organisations in the region. The Royal Cliff team has earned over 290 awards from renowned global organisations.

Photo Caption: Ruchika Longani, Director of Sales at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group (centre), receives the TTG Travel Hall of Fame Award 2024 from Chen Hong, Major Shareholder and Chairman of TTG Asia Media Ltd (left), and Darren Tan, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media Ltd (right), during the recent 33rd Annual TTG Travel Awards 2024.

For over a decade, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group has consistently delivered its signature brand of Thai hospitality, gaining recognition from distinguished peers in the travel industry and guests worldwide. Standing out among a sea of luxury hotels is no small feat. Still, with its unrivalled services and continually enhanced facilities, Royal Cliff has set a benchmark for extraordinary guest experiences and elevated hospitality standards.

“Our commitment to enhancing our unique hospitality brand remains unwavering,” said Royal Cliff Hotels Group CEO Vitanart Vathanakul. “We will continue to strive for excellence, ensuring that every guest who visits us leaves enchanted, delighted, and fulfilled. Our dedication to delivering extraordinary experiences will only grow stronger as we seek new ways to elevate our services and exceed the expectations of our valued guests.”

Perched atop a 64-acre private estate with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group boasts four award-winning hotels charming travellers worldwide. 

Royal Cliff’s curated promotions and packages deliver an exceptional holiday experience. Book directly with Royal Cliff to guarantee the best prices, but we also offer exclusive value-added extras to elevate your hotel stay. 

To secure the premium experience you deserve, visit www.royalcliff.com, call our Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext. 2732, or email [email protected]. 

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group, visit www.royalcliff.com, www.facebook.com/royalcliff and www.instagram.com/royalcliff 

Thomas Cook India launches Autumn Holidays

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 16 October 2024: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, India’s leading omnichannel travel company and its group company, SOTC Travel, have launched Autumn Holidays to leverage strong and growing Indian consumer demand for nature and outdoor experiences. 

The companies’ data reveals a notable trend towards low/off-season travel. In addition to vibrant fall colours, Thomas Cook & SOTC’s Autumn Holidays also serve to drive momentum with the added benefits of attractive off-season pricing and fewer crowds at destinations.

Kashmir

The pandemic has created a clear shift in demand for nature and outdoor experiences, and Autumn/Fall is now emerging as a viable holiday season for Indian consumers. Thomas Cook & SOTC Travel’s new portfolio of Autumn holidays intends to maximise this opportunity by offering enchanting journeys as leaves turn into fiery shades of gold, orange, and red.

Top Autumn Destinations 

International: Switzerland, France, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Canada.
Domestic: Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Uttarakhand, North-East, Kerala, Karnataka. 

Against this picturesque backdrop, the companies’ Autumn Holidays offer fun-engaging experiences to appeal to multi-generational families, couples/groups of friends, Gen S, as well as Young India’s millennials and Gen Z. In addition to group escorted tours, Thomas Cook & SOTC offers personalised programs with hiking and e-biking along Alpine autumn trails – from  Switzerland, Turkey, and Georgia to Japan and South Korea; also stargazing while glamping in unique geodesic eco-pods or a log cabin in Lapland. Adrenaline-fueled experiences include white-water rafting, wakeboarding or exploration on horseback/ segway. Unique gastronomy elements include gourmet walks, wild truffle strolls, and vineyard tours with accommodation as varied as a chateau, palace or villa in France, Spain, Portugal, Georgia and Italy. Wellness options range from Finland’s famed saunas, South Korea’s Jjimjilbang/thermal bathhouses, Japan’s onsens, and a mud bath in Azerbaijan.

Closer to home, India’s own autumn gems include nature walks/treks amidst the vibrant chinars in Kashmir or a kaleidoscope of colours in Himachal and Uttarakhand, picturesque terrace tea/coffee gardens and stays in plantation bungalows in Darjeeling or Wayanad, to white water rafting in Coorg/Rishikesh and jungle safaris in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa Rajeev Kale said: “With changing consumer behaviour patterns, our data reflects growing appetite for travel during non-traditional peaks. Autumn has emerged as an attractive option, offering spectacular vistas with leaves changing to orange, rust and burgundy. This formed the genesis of the launch of our Autumn Holidays. With cooler climes, less crowded locales and off-season pricing, we aim to fuel Indian demand and extend the traditional peak summer season.

“Autumn is one of the best seasons to explore India, be it the Himalayan regions or hillscapes of the South, indulging in spa wellness or setting off on an exciting safari.

“Europe, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, and Canada are top outbound favourites, with short-haul destinations such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan emerging due to easy access and visas.”

SOTC Travel Limited President and Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours SD Nandakumar said: “With a legacy of 75 years of being an Indian-entrepreneurial brand, SOTC believes that ‘no one understands the Indian traveller better than SOTC’. We intend to build on the emerging demand for outdoor experiences, and we have crafted engaging and memorable Autumnal getaways to catalyse this growing trend. In addition to group tours, our holiday experts co-curate exceptional Autumn itineraries based on each customer’s unique preferences.

“What is particularly interesting is the growing interest we’re seeing from India’s Tier 2 and 3 markets, highlighting a broader shift towards outdoor and seasonal travel across the country.”

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