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Dusit boosts its development team

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK 4 June 2024: Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has strengthened its global development team with two key appointments to spearhead hotel development efforts for Dusit Hotels and Resorts across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. 

VP Development

In the Middle East, Rami Massoud has joined the company as Vice President of Development (EMEA) based in Dusit’s regional office in Dubai. 

Pornpim Hiranpradit and Rami Massoud.

Fluent in Arabic, English, and French, Massoud is an Egyptian national with over 25 years of experience in hotel development, real estate investment, and asset management. 

During his career, he worked for hotel brands such as Marriott, Starwood, and Four Seasons. He spearheaded projects for top developers, including Dubai Holding, Power Holding, and Shuaa Capital, across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Most recently, he served as the Managing Director of Hotel Assets Acquisition Consultants. 

He is responsible for growing Dusit’s unique portfolio of Dusit Hotels and Resorts across key existing and emerging destinations in the EMEA region. 

Director of Development

Meanwhile, in Dusit’s home base of Thailand, Pornpim Hiranpradit has joined the company as Director of Development (Global) based in Bangkok. She is responsible for spearheading Dusit’s development efforts across Asia-Pacific and supporting Dusit’s regional development offices worldwide.

She brings extensive experience in real estate and hospitality, having worked for real estate brokerage and management firms in New York as well as in hotel operations in Thailand. Notably, she was part of the development team for One Bangkok, one of the largest mixed-use developments in Thailand, where she executed three hotels with over 750 rooms while working for Frasers Property Holdings.

In their new roles, Mr Massoud and Ms Hiranpradit will work closely with Mr Siradej Donavanik, Vice President – Development (Global), Dusit International, to drive sustainable global expansion of Dusit Hotels and Resorts and its various brands.

Dusit’s portfolio now includes 301 properties operating across 18 countries, including 57 properties operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 244 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the leading provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia, which Dusit acquired in September 2018. 

Last year’s international expansion momentum was driven by openings such as the boutique Dusit Suites Athens, Greece, Dusit’s first hotel in Europe; the lifestyle-oriented ASAI Kyoto Shijo and luxurious Dusit Thani Kyoto, Dusit’s first properties in Japan; and the breathtaking Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel and contemporary Dusit Princess Kathmandu, Dusit’s first entries into Nepal. 

In 2023, Dusit also solidified its domestic presence with ASAI Bangkok Sathorn, the second property in the capital under Dusit’s affordable lifestyle brand; the upscale dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok, the first dusitD2-branded hotel in the city; and Dusit Princess Phatthalung, a beautiful resort in southern Thailand, bringing Dusit’s domestic property count to 18.

This year, Dusit plans to open up to 10 new Dusit Hotels and Resorts in existing destinations such as China, the Maldives, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, as well as new markets such as India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia. 

More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline. For more information, visit dusit-international.com

Centara World Masters Golf

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TTR WEEKLY
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Bangkok, Thailand 4 June 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces the final opportunity to secure a spot at the 9th Centara World Masters Golf Championship. Scheduled for 9 – 15 June 2024, in the beautiful coastal town of Hua Hin, Thailand, Asia’s leading amateur golf tournament promises an unforgettable experience for golf enthusiasts.

Stay at the luxurious Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, with packages starting from THB58,500, including six nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast, four rounds of championship golf at top courses such as Pineapple Valley Golf Club Hua Hin, Springfield Royal Country Club, and Palm Hills Golf Resort and Country Club. 

Participants will enjoy a welcome dinner, a gala dinner prize presentation, golf carts and caddies, return airport transfers, and daily transfers between the hotel and golf courses. Additional perks include a chance to win prizes worth $30,000, a goodie bag with tournament souvenirs and local offers, and much more.

For those who prefer to watch, the Non-Golfer Package offers all the tournament functions plus two privately guided sightseeing tours with an English-speaking guide to explore local landmarks, including historic downtown Hua Hin and the Bridge over the River Kwai.

Time is running out to be part of this unparalleled experience, where exceptional hospitality and world-class golf meet. 
For reservations, visit: https://www.thailandworldmasters.com/

Blocked airline funds down 28%

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 4 June 2024: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has reported a 28% decrease in airline funds blocked from repatriation by governments. 

At the end of April, the total blocked funds stood at approximately USD1.8 billion, a reduction of USD708 million (28%) since December 2023.

However, IATA reiterated the call for governments to remove all barriers to airlines repatriating their revenues from ticket sales and other activities under international agreements and treaty obligations.

“The reduction in blocked funds is a positive development. The remaining $1.8 billion is significant and must be urgently addressed. The efficient repatriation of airline revenues is guaranteed in bilateral agreements. Even more importantly, it is a pre-requisite for airlines—who operate on thin margins — to be able to provide economically critical connectivity. No business can operate long-term without access to rightfully earned revenues,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

The main driver of the reduction was a significant clearance of funds blocked in Nigeria. Egypt also approved the clearance of its significant accumulation of blocked funds. However, in both cases, airlines were adversely affected by the devaluation of the Egyptian Pound and the Nigerian Naira.

Progress in Nigeria

At its peak in June 2023, Nigeria’s blocked funds amounted to USD850 million, significantly affecting airline operations and finances. Carriers faced difficulties in repatriating revenues in US dollars, and the high volume of blocked funds led some airlines to reduce their operations and one carrier to temporarily cease operations to Nigeria, which severely impacted the country’s aviation industry. However, as of April 2024, 98% of these funds have been cleared. The remaining $19 million is due to the Central Bank’s ongoing verification of outstanding forward claims filed by the commercial banks.

“We commend the new Nigerian government and the Central Bank of Nigeria for their efforts to resolve this issue. Individual Nigerians and the economy will all benefit from reliable air connectivity, for which access to revenues is critical. We are on the right path and urge the government to clear the residual USD19 million and continue prioritising aviation,” said Walsh.

Eight countries are responsible for 87% of blocked funds.

Eight countries account for 87% of the total blocked funds, amounting to $1.6 billion.

Pakistan and Bangladesh

The situation has become severe in Pakistan and Bangladesh with airlines unable to repatriate USD731 million (USD411 million in Pakistan and USD320 million in Bangladesh) of revenues earned in these markets.

“Pakistan and Bangladesh must release the USD731 million in blocked funds immediately to ensure airlines can continue providing essential air connectivity. In Bangladesh, the solution is in the hands of the Central Bank, which must prioritise aviation’s access to foreign exchange in line with international treaty obligations. The solution in Pakistan is finding efficient alternatives to the system of audit and tax exemption certificates, which cause long processing delays,” said Walsh.

Passenger demand up 11% in April

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 June 2024: Passenger demand was up 11% in April, according to the International Air Transport Association’s latest data.

Total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 11% compared to April 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 9.6% year-on-year. The April load factor was 82.4% (+1ppt compared to April 2023).

International demand rose 15.8% compared to April 2023; capacity was up 14.8% year-on-year, and the load factor improved to 82.2% (+0.7ppt on April 2023).

Domestic demand rose 4.0% compared to April 2023; capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.6% (+1.5ppt compared to April 2023).

“Passenger demand has been growing for 36 consecutive months. As we enter the peak northern summer travel season, there is every reason to feel optimistic for a strong summer, with airlines offering a wide range of travel options. 

“97% of passengers asked in our recent survey said they were satisfied with their last flight. Every part of the travel value chain needs to be focused on maintaining that,” said  IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

The IATA Passenger Survey also revealed that 88% of the respondents agreed that ‘air travel makes my life better’. “That’s an important motivation as our members gather for the IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Dubai next week. This strong endorsement of the power of air connectivity to transform lives and boost economies brings with it a challenge that will also be on the minds of all attending. It is critically important that we achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 so that people can continue to rely on all the benefits of air travel,” said Walsh.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets

All regions showed strong growth for international passenger markets in April 2024 compared to April 2023. The load factor increased to a two-year high, and capacity increases were well-matched to demand.

Asia-Pacific airlines continue to lead the way, with a 32.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 29.3% year-on-year, and the load factor rose to 83.7% (+1.7ppt compared to April 2023). Traffic flows from the Middle East and Africa to Asia are notably strong.

European carriers saw a 10.1% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 10.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.3% (up just 0.1ppt compared to April 2023). International routes from Europe have surpassed pre-COVID levels to all regions except Africa. 

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 14.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 9.9% year-on-year, and the load factor increased +3.0ppt to 79.3% compared to April 2023.

North American carriers saw a 6.5% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 10.3% year-on-year, and the load factor fell to 81.0% (-2.9ppt compared to April 2023).

Latin American airlines saw a 14.5% year-on-year increase in demand, and capacity climbed 13.5% year-on-year. The load factor rose to 84.1% (+0.7ppt compared to April 2023), the region’s highest.

African airlines saw a 15.5% year-on-year increase in demand, a 10.4% increase in capacity, and a 73.0% load factor (+3.2ppt compared to April 2023).

MATTA wants more than slaps on the wrist

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2024: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) congratulates the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) Terengganu office and all involved stakeholders on the successful execution of an integrated enforcement operation held last week, focusing on key tourist locations throughout Terengganu state.

MATTA President Nigel Wong noted: “The association urges all travel agents and tour operators to adhere strictly to licensing regulations and to utilise only legally compliant vehicles and services. This ensures the safety and satisfaction of tourists and promotes a fair and competitive business environment. We strongly urge government enforcement agencies to conduct similar operations in other major tourist destinations in Malaysia, including Langkawi and Kota Kinabalu, where this issue is particularly problematic. Furthermore, we call for harsher punishments for offenders to serve as a strong deterrent against non-compliance, rather than mere slaps on the wrist”.

MATTA looks forward to continued collaboration with MOTAC and all relevant authorities to uphold the standards of Malaysia’s tourism industry and to support the vision of Visit Malaysia 2026.

The operation, led by the Director of MOTAC Terengganu, Puan Mazshida binti Ruslal, was a collaborative effort involving MOTAC’s Licensing and Tourism Enforcement Division (BPPP), the Road Transport Department (JPJ), and the National Registration Department (JPN), with additional support from MOTAC offices in Johor, Pahang, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, and Pulau Pinang. 

Its primary aim was to curb the misuse of vehicles not licensed under the “Excursion Vehicles” category for organising tours and excursions for profit without a valid Travel Agency License (TOBTAB).

Additionally, the operation emphasised the requirement for licensed tour guides to accompany all tour buses visiting tourist locations, under the Special Conditions of the Excursion Bus Permit and Regulation 6(1)(i)(iii) of the Tourism Industry Act 1992 [Act 482]. The operation also identified licensed TOBTAB companies utilising unlicensed types of buses, such as school buses and corporate colour school buses, for tour operations, which is a violation of Section 20 of the Tourism Industry Act 1992.

MATTA looks forward to continued collaboration with MOTAC and all relevant authorities to uphold the standards of Malaysia’s tourism industry and to support the vision of Visit Malaysia 2026.

Firefly upgrades inflight service

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 June 2024: Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), upgraded its passenger experience on 1 June by offering a refreshed menu of prebooked meals and snacks on all Firefly jet operation routes.

Additionally, on selected routes, Firefly’s economy class passengers can now opt for the ‘FY Neighbour-Free Seat’ option, allowing them to reserve up to two adjacent empty seats for extra comfort during their flight. 

Passengers can bid on available seats in their cabin through a dedicated portal up to seventy-two hours before the flight departure.

The refreshed menu showcases an extensive selection of culinary delights, from beloved classics like Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice to exciting new additions such as Ginger Beef Udon, Nasi Goreng Chicken Satay, Thai Basil Chicken, Sweet and Sour Fish, Mapo Tofu (Vegetarian), and Mac and Cheese (Junior Meal). This diverse selection caters to various dietary preferences, providing greater variety and satisfaction to passengers.

In addition to the new meal options, Firefly is also introducing nine new products to its food and beverage lineup, available across all sectors. Notable additions include Malaysian-owned business Tapping Tapir soda drinks, Mamee Chef snacks, Tong Garden Baked Nuts & Dried Fruits, and Sabah Tea 3 in 1 Milk Classic Tea.

Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi, Chief Executive Officer of Airlines from Malaysia Aviation Group, said, “Our passengers’ satisfaction is paramount to us. We deeply value their feedback as it steers our ongoing efforts to improve and innovate. This initiative underscores our commitment to ensuring that every passenger feels valued and appreciated, fostering a sense of belonging and comfort throughout their journey with us.”

Guests can enjoy greater savings when purchasing these in-flight meals in advance during booking or by using the “Manage My Booking” feature on Firefly’s website at https://booking.fireflyz.com.my/RetrieveBooking.aspx or mobile platform and also use the live chat feature to address any enquiries.

For more information and to book your flights, visit the official Firefly website at https://fireflyz.com.my

STB suspends travel agency

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 January 2024: Singapore Tourism Board suspended Al Faheem Tours & Travels Pte Ltd (travel agent licence number 03211) (“AF”) from conducting travel agent activities with effect from 28 May 2024, following its breach of the Travel Agents Act 1975.

Identified as an Umrah* travel service provider on its Facebook page, the travel company still needs to submit its audited statement of accounts (AA) within six months after the close of its financial year. Its failure to pay the financial penalty in lieu of suspension or revocation was imposed based on the contravention.

The suspension will remain in effect until the travel company has paid the financial penalty or for up to six months, whichever is earlier. During the suspension period, AF will be required to fulfil its existing obligations to its customers but will not be allowed to accept new travel bookings.

In its statement, STB said it “takes a serious view against errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.” 

* Essentially, Umrah means ‘a visit’ to the Holy Kaaba (the Sacred House of God) in Arabic and can be performed by anyone, anytime of the year; unlike Hajj, which is an obligatory pilgrimage to Makkah, performed every year within the first 10 days of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah.Travel agencies specialise in offering Umrah travel packages for pilgrims.

Thailand’s new visa rules coming soon

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 June 2024: Easier visa rules, new visa categories, and longer visa-free stays of up to 60 days are in the pipeline, but they are likely to take effect late June or early July, a PR government release cautioned.

News updated: The visa changes have now been approved and have been active since 15 July 2024.

The Thai Cabinet approved several visa and travel facilitation measures on 28 May 2024. It follows a proposal by the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, designed to stimulate Thailand’s economy and promote tourism. It marks the first major reform of visa measures and guidelines in 22 years.

Photo credit: Tourism Authority of Thailand. Bangkok nightscape.

The measures are divided into three stages — short, medium and long-term. According to the PR Government statement, five short-term measures are “expected to take effect in late June or early July 2024  

The explanation of the possible time frame (late June or early July) countered inaccurate information posted on a UK government website and by over-enthusiastic inbound travel companies headquartered in Bangkok. They should have known better than to flag the Thai Cabinet’s rulings without the proviso that changes to laws and ministerial regulations are only effective after officially announcing them in the Royal Gazette. It caused confusion at the country’s gateway airports as some travellers assumed the 60-day visa-free stay had already been approved and was active.

Short-term measures 

1) Extending visa exemption for tourists and short-term business visitors to  60 days (previously 30 days) for passport holders from 93 countries/ territories, up from 57 countries. 

2) Increasing the number of countries/regions whose passport holders qualify for Visa on Arrival (VOA) from 19 to 31.

3) Introducing a new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) for long-term travel, “digital nomads,” wishing to stay and engage in long-distance work or to participate in certain cultural activities for a stay of up to 180 days per visit on a multiple-entry basis with the visa valid for five years. Cultural activities include Muay Thai and martial arts, cooking, studying, practising sports, medical treatment, training, seminars art exhibitions and music.

Graphics from the Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand (28 May 2024)

4) Improving the non-immigration visa to facilitate the travel of international students and those nearing graduation in Thailand. It allows them to seek employment by extending their stay for one year after graduation. 

5) Establishing a “Visa Policy Committee” to develop Thailand’s entry processes and improve the efficiency of immigration procedures.

Three medium-term measures 

1) Grouping and streamlining non-immigrant visa types.

2) Lowering health insurance requirements and expanding the list of countries eligible for long-term non-immigrant visa applications.

3) Implementing the e-Visa system at all embassies and consulates worldwide by December 2024.

One long-term measure 

The introduction of the Electronic Travel Authorisationn (ETA) system, will be implemented in line with the e-Visa system at international airports in the country by June 2025.

Emirates and Viva Aerobus ink interline pact

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 31 May 2024: Emirates and Viva Aerobus have signed an interline agreement to enhance connectivity for passengers travelling to Mexico. 

The partnership will boost access to destinations in Mexico, allowing Emirates customers to travel from Mexico City to 21 domestic cities while enjoying the convenience of a single baggage policy utilising both airlines on a single ticket.

The interline agreement also unlocks more international routes for Emirates customers, providing 20 convenient flight options connecting six points in Mexico and some popular American cities.

Interline tickets are now on sale for travel, effective immediately. Travel itineraries can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates app, and preferred travel agencies. 

Travellers booked on flights from Dubai to Mexico City can choose to fly to 21 additional domestic destinations, such as Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara and Monterrey, to name a few. The interline network also includes direct flights from US points, including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Orlando and Miami, to select Mexican destinations, Additionally, travellers from Mexico City can conveniently fly direct to Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York JFK or San Antonio.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “We are pleased to activate an interline partnership with Viva Aerobus to deepen our reach into Mexico, beyond Mexico City. Emirates customers can also fly directly between select US points and cities in Mexico. This new offering is in line with our Fly Better promise and convenience that our customers can feel when flying with us, and we look forward to further developing the partnership in the future to elevate its benefits to our customers.”

Emirates’ customers can enjoy a premium travel experience. It offers elevated comfort, world-class dining, in-flight entertainment, and other thoughtful amenities onboard its wide-body aircraft, which include the Boeing 777 and the coveted flagship double-decker A380.

The Dubai-Mexico City route is served by the Boeing 777 aircraft in a two-class configuration. Customers with itineraries that include interline flights from select US points can look forward to superior comfort levels and unique features of its A380 service on flights from Dubai to Los Angeles and Houston before connecting to Viva Aerobus for flights to their final destinations in Mexico. Viva Aerobus’ fleet comprises 83 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft with an average age of 5.45 years, making it the most modern fleet in Mexico and the 5th youngest in all of Latin America.

Mexico is an important part of the Emirates network, which spans almost 140 destinations. Emirates launched its services to Mexico City in 2019, and the airline currently provides daily flights to the Mexican capital via Barcelona, utilising the Boeing 777-200LR.

Emirates currently has commercial cooperation agreements with 161 interline, codeshare and intermodal partners.
For more information on Emirates and to make bookings visit www.emirates.com.

Chance to win a Dusit Stay

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 31 May 2024: Discover a world of destinations, and you could also win a five-night Getaway plus USD1,500 spending cash at any Dusit Hotel worldwide. In addition, there are 16 more getaway prizes up for grabs.​​

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲:​

• Follow @dusit.hotels on Instagram and access the Dusit AR filter on your mobile here: https://bit.ly/44E6gU3​

• Discover our 13 destination random filters. Keep playing until you find your dream destination.​

• Create an Instagram Reel with the AR filter and share it on your public profile.​

• Share which Dusit Hotel you want to visit and why using #DusitEscape, and tag @Dusit.Hotels in your caption. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙 𝘧𝘪𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.​

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝘀 (𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄):​

• 1 Grand Prize: A 5-consecutive-night getaway for two persons, including breakfast, plus USD 1,500 at any Dusit Hotel of your choice.​

• 16 more winners: Enjoy a 3-consecutive-night stay for two persons, including breakfast, across Dusit destinations.​

   – Thailand hotels: Three prizes.​

   – Philippines hotels: Two prizes.​

   – Maldives, Japan, Nepal, Guam, Singapore, Greece, Dubai, Oman, Doha, Egypt and Kenya: One prize per destination.​

Entries must be presented by 15 July, and winners will be announced on 30 July 2024

*Read the full terms and conditions at dusit.com/giveaway
#DusitHotelsandResorts #DusitEscape

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