SINGAPORE, 18 July 2025: Cardamom Tented Camp Ecolodge in Cambodia has launched its own conservation beer with the tagline, “Your Beer Keeps the Forest Standing”.
Profits from the Cardamom Mountains Steam beer, now available at the ecolodge, help fund the conservation work of 16 forest rangers who protect 18,000 hectares (180km2) of surrounding lowland evergreen forest in the Botum Sakor National Park, Cambodia’s largest.
Since opening in 2017, the nine-unit award-winning camp has operated with the slogan “Your Stay Keeps the Forest Standing”.
“Now it’s the turn of beer drinkers to take one for the team and do their bit for conservation,” says camp manager Allan Michaud. Michaud chose the hybrid Steam beer after tasting sessions with Yuki Aotani, founder of Flowers microbrewery in Phnom Penh. The slightly hoppy beer — already a hit with camp guests — is 5.2% strong and sells in 330ml bottles for USD4.50 at the lodge’s small riverside restaurant.
Local tipple
Keeping it local is important for Michaud. “With local Khmer dishes also on our menu, we make it easy for our guests to enjoy food and drink that reflect the best of Cambodia. Almost everything we do at the camp helps forest conservation and supports local suppliers,” he says.
Cardamom Tented Camp also sells locally made Ibis beer — profits from which are used to protect the rare Ibis bird in Cambodia — and craft beers made by the Stonehead brewery, also in Phnom Penh.
Recycled bottles
The Steam beers sold at the camp are in previously used 330ml bottles given to the brewery by the camp. Each month a percentage of income from beer sales and guest stays help forest rangers reduce illegal poaching, land grabs and riverbank sand dredging. This summer the camp added two new Wildlife Alliance forest rangers bringing the total to 16 now on patrol.
With illegal hunting down by about 90% over the last seven years or so, sightings of rare wildlife such as Asian elephants, silver langurs, smooth-coated otters, and leopard cats have increased in the lowland forest around Cardamom Tented Camp.
SINGAPORE, 18 July 2024: Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) Andaman Islands reports in its latest news update that India’s Port Blair Sea Port is now a designated entry port for e-visa holders.
“This news is going to be a game-changer for yachts, superyachts and cruise tourism in the Andaman Islands; the new designation will have a significant impact on those looking to cruise the clear waters of the Andaman Seas enchanting islands,” reports APS Andaman Islands director, R Rathnam.
“In the past, the Indian embassies in Southeast Asia would issue visas for the residents and nationals of that particular country. All others would have to apply for a visa in their home country, which was impossible for many yachts, and they were skipping visiting the Andamans”, Rathnam noted.
Obtaining a regular visa requires the applicant to complete the form online and wait for an appointment to visit the visa application centre to submit the passport for at least five days to process.
“This involved a lot of expenses, time and other hassles. Moreover, with the passport at the embassy, the applicant couldn’t travel anywhere else, creating a frustrating experience. Now, you can visit the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in and go through the online four-step application process, after which the e-visa status is communicated by email within 72 hours. You can then enter Port Blair with a copy of the approval.”
Port Blair is the gateway for a visit to experience the natural beauty of the Andaman Islands Archipelago, situated more than 1000km off the east coast in the middle of the Bay of Bengal. The archipelago is thickly covered by the deep green tropical forest supporting a profusion of wildlife that includes some extremely rare species of birds. The archipelago’s principal attractions are the beaches, exploring, and diving & snorkelling in the pristine reefs that ring most islands. www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com.
JAKARTA, 18 July 2024: TransNusa, headquartered in Jakarta, is planning to operate international flights starting 1 August from Jakarta to Sultan Abdul Aziz Airport, popularly known as Subang Airport in Malaysia.
The airline has a fleet of three Airbus A320s and one Comac ARJ21-700 and has been flying from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) since April 2023.
TransNusa Group CEO Datuk Bernard.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be the first foreign airline to start scheduled jet aircraft operations for an international route from Subang airport,” said TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Bernard.
As of 15 July, we are the only airline offering scheduled international flights from Terminal 3, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Subang Airport,”
Initially, TransNusa will operate a daily flight from Terminal 3, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Subang Airport.
Flight 8B699 departs Jakarta at 1610 and arrives at the Subang Airport at 1900. Flight 8B698 departs Subang Airport at 1930 and arrives in Jakarta at 2030.
TransNusa will use an A320 configured with 174 seats for the two-hour flight.
“We started ticket sales on 15 July,” said Datuk Bernard, adding that fares start at IDR999,000. “As an Indonesian airline that has only been operating for just 20 months, we are proud to launch daily scheduled flights to the Subang Airport.”
TransNusa’s CEO confirmed that scheduled flights from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) would continue to operate. Three daily flights are scheduled to KLIA, and four weekly flights are scheduled to Johor Bharu from Jakarta.
TransNusa closed its business operations in September 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it resumed operations in October 2022 after the introduction of new shareholders and a management team.
Within six months, the airline introduced its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur and celebrated the route’s first-year anniversary on 14 April this year.
The Malaysian Aviation Commission has since authorised the airline to operate international flights to and from Subang Airport, starting with a daily scheduled flight. This makes it the only airline flying an international service to Subang in Kuala Lumpur.
In addition to its flights to Kuala Lumpur, the airline serves Johor Bharu Malaysia, Singapore and Guangzhou, China from Jakarta.
SINGAPORE, 18 July 2024: Royal Caribbean has launched its limited-time promotion, valid through 20 August 2024 and is offering guests up to SGD950 off for their next cruise booking for 2024-2025 travel itineraries departing from Singapore. (1)
Additionally, guests booking cruises to global destinations (not departing from Singapore) can tap USD500 in onboard credits. These credits can be used aboard Royal Caribbean cruises, including spa services, dining, attractions and shopping. (2)
From three-night to 10-night cruises, guests can choose from a wide range of itineraries across Asia and the rest of the world to explore their bucket list destinations globally.
Onboard Anthem of the Seas, which is set to arrive in Singapore in November 2024, travellers can choose Southeast Asian cruises with three to 10-night itineraries exploring Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
In October 2025, Ovation of the Seas is also arriving in Singapore with new travel itineraries featuring three to eight-night holidays to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
1 Applicable on sailings departing from Singapore. This includes Anthem of the Seas between 21 November 2024 – 13 April 2025, Ovation of the Seas departing on 16 April 2025 only, and Ovation of the Seas departing between 8 October 2025 – 12 March 2026
SINGAPORE, 17 July 2024: HBX Group, a global leader in the TravelTech sector, presented its Sustainability Report earlier this week. The report includes the initiatives developed to date and the key elements of its ESG strategy for the next three years, focusing on the tourism industry’s positive impact potential.
HBX Group, with over 3,700 employees and activities in more than 170 countries, has established a plan with over 75 actions linked to fulfilling various ESG commitments. To achieve this, HBX Group conducted a double materiality analysis, during which consultation with its stakeholders was crucial in aligning the plan with their expectations.
Photo credit: HBX Group.
The company has also established a new work and result reporting framework that considers multiple current regulations and certifications. In this context, HBX Group has recently joined the United Nations Global Compact, which sets out the 10 principles guiding companies to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies.
HBX Group has also initiated a three-year plan to align its reporting with the new European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which analyses the company’s and its entire value chain’s impact. This plan has been based on the identification of over 4,000 key performance indicators, enabling the implementation of concrete and tangible changes in environmental protection.
Collaboration in the tourism Industry
As an example of our objective to work collaboratively with partners and clients to achieve a greater positive impact, HBX Group has implemented a Sustainable Hotels Programme. This programme aims to highlight the most environmentally, socially, and community-respectful actors. It already includes over 40,000 properties with official sustainability certifications. Thanks to awareness-raising actions in collaboration with multiple partners, the number of hotels with a no-single-use plastics policy has increased from 500 to 5,000 in just one year.
HBX Group Chief Human Resources & ESG Officer Elena Pérez explains: “We want to leverage our position as leaders in tourism technology to promote sustainable growth and contribute to real, positive change. Our action plan includes training and promotion initiatives, the adoption of increasingly ambitious certifications and reports, and strategic partnerships with our associates. Only through an efficient and collaborative plan will we be able to ensure that the travel industry has an increasingly positive impact on society.”
The human factor as a driving force for initiatives
The employees of HBX Group worldwide are a precious asset. The Think Big corporate volunteering programme, created by the group, enables the development of sustainable micro-destinations in rural areas, empowering these communities and encouraging their economic growth while protecting natural and cultural resources. The pilot project was launched in Quintana Roo, Mexico, at the beginning of 2024, and collaborates with the “Caminos Sagrados” area. Over two weeks, 10 group employees worked with Mayan cooperatives to enhance their tourism products, achieve greater digitalisation, and ensure the application of sustainability criteria.
The HBX Group Sustainability Report also shows the growing commitment of employees, who have undertaken 40% more volunteer hours compared to the previous year. Among other actions, their work has been fundamental in reforestation efforts, which have resulted in the planting of over 12,000 trees in areas such as Mallorca, Brazil, and Thailand up to 2023. These actions have contributed to the company being certified as Carbon Neutral for six years in Scopes 1 and 2 by Carbon Footprint LTD. The HBX Group Sustainability Report can be accessed here
BANGKOK, 17 July 2024: BWH Hotels’ “Mid-Season Savvy Sale” is back with discounts at stylish city hotels and beach resorts in dream destinations across Asia.
With the group’s 7-day sale, travellers can enjoy up to 30% off when booking a stay with BWH Hotels from Wednesday, 17 July to Tuesday, 23 July 2024. This tempting offer is available to Best Western Rewards members who complete their stay before 30 October 2024.
Book an escape with BWH Hotels’ Mid-Season Savvy Sale on stays at popular destinations from Bangkok to Cebu, Philippines, Phu Quoc in Vietnam to Phuket in southern Thailand, and Nagoya in Japan. BHW helps travellers create an ultimate Asian adventure.
Terms & conditions
• Receive up to 15% off the hotel’s Best Rate, and BWR members enjoy an additional 15% discount for a total discount of up to 30%.
• Bookings must be made between 17 July and 23 July 2024 (GMT +0700).
• Stays must be taken between 17 July and 30 October 2024.
• Limited room allocations and blackout dates may apply.
• This promotion cannot be combined with any other offers, packages, or discounts.
• Other terms & conditions may apply per the property or BWR programme.
DUBAI, UAE, 17 July 2024: Emirates is helping holidaymakers planning to visit or stopover in Dubai make the most of their summer with complimentary stays at one of the city’s most iconic hotels.
For bookings made by 21 July 2024, travellers who purchase an Emirates return ticket in First Class or Business Class gain a two-night stay at five-star luxury hotel JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai. Customers booked in Premium Economy Class or Economy Class get a complimentary one-night stay.*
This special offer is valid for all return tickets to or stopping over in Dubai for more than 24 hours for customers travelling until 15 September 2024.
Whatever their preferences, visitors to Dubai can enjoy the city’s beautiful beaches, futuristic architecture, cutting-edge shopping concepts, a rich gastronomy scene, and much more. Dubai is the perfect summer destination, with many indoor activities across every part of the city.
Emirates’ special offer this summer is available on bookings made on emirates.com, the Emirates App, via Emirates ticketing offices and call centres or participating travel agents, made at least 96 hours in advance of passengers’ arrival.
The JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai is the world’s tallest 5-star hotel, with two iconic towers standing at 355 metres. It provides visitors with some of the most breathtaking views of the city’s skyline. Centrally located beside the Dubai Water Canal, some of Dubai’s most impressive attractions, such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, The Dubai Fountain, and Dubai Opera, are less than a 10-minute drive away.
Once tickets have been issued, passengers simply need to email [email protected] with passenger details to confirm their stay at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel Dubai.
SINGAPORE, 17 July 2024: ONYX Hospitality Group took over the management of its newest property in Sri Lanka, Amari Colombo, at a recent handover ceremony held in the Sri Lankan capital.
This milestone marked the property’s official transition to ONYX Hospitality Group. The hotel is due to open in Q4 2024.
Winil Walgampala from Winil Holdings (Pvt) Ltd and family, Harold Enrique Olaya Leon, SVP. Head of Operations, ONYX Hospitality Group and the operations team.
Amari Colombo is situated in Colombo’s vibrant cityscape, blending contemporary comfort and traditional Sri Lankan charm in 167 rooms.
The handover ceremony was attended by Harold Enrique Olaya Leon, SVP, Head of Operations at ONYX Hospitality Group, and Winil Walgampala from Winil Holdings (Pvt) Ltd, along with key executives from both companies and industry partners. The addition of Amari Colombo further strengthens ONYX Hospitality Group’s regional presence.
SINGAPORE, 17 July 2024: Travel insurance comparison experts at Quotezone have suggested jet-setters check the Ts and Cs for eight important points before entering any payment information.
Checking the terms and conditions (Ts and Cs) before booking any trip is crucial to avoid potential pitfalls and ensure a smooth travel experience. This is particularly important for last-minute bookings, where flexibility may be limited.
Image credit: Shutterstock.
The Ts and Cs outline the rules and policies that govern your booking, providing clarity on crucial aspects such as cancellation and refund policies, payment terms, and what is included in the package.
Understanding these details can help families make informed decisions, such as whether they can cancel or modify their booking without incurring hefty fees or whether they’re entitled to a complete or partial refund in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The small print should also include important information about insurance coverage, which can protect against travel disruptions, medical emergencies, and other unexpected events.
By reviewing these details, holidaymakers can avoid surprises such as hidden fees, non-refundable deposits, and strict change policies.
Quotezone.co.uk, travel insurance expert Tiffany Mealiff said: “There’s nothing more exciting than booking a last-minute holiday, knowing you’ve not got long to wait before you jet off, but before you click that ‘book now’ button, take a few minutes to comb through the terms and conditions.
“It might seem tedious, but 21% of travellers in a recent Quotezone survey said they’d been caught out by hidden or additional costs when booking a holiday online, so this additional effort could end up saving you from unexpected issues such as non-refundable deposits, steep cancellation fees, or finding out too late that your booking doesn’t include travel insurance.”
Here are eight things to check the Ts and Cs for before booking last-minute trips:
Cancellation and refund policies
Before signing on the dotted line, check how close to the departure date you can cancel and what fees apply. Try to understand what circumstances qualify for a refund and whether it’s a full or partial refund, and be aware of any non-refundable deposits or payments.
Payment terms
If you’re paying in instalments, note when payments are due or if full payment is required upfront. It’s also worth checking if you can pay using your preferred payment method, and if payments have to be made in a foreign currency, see what conversion fees apply.
Insurance coverage
Check if any travel insurance is included with your holiday package or provider, such as trip cancellation, medical, or baggage insurance. If these are included, review the specifics, including coverage limits and exclusions. Some insurance providers do cover the cost of flights missed due to strikes, floods or hurricanes; the exact details of what’s included will be available in the product details before purchasing; if not, it’s sensible for travellers to take out their own travel insurance and ensure these are added for additional protection.
It’s also important for holidaymakers to check government travel advisories and updates before travelling to areas prone to natural disasters; if there are warnings in place with a recommendation not to travel, then a travel insurance policy will most likely be void if holidaymakers decide to go anyway.
Changes and modifications
It’s important to understand any fees associated with making changes to your booking, such as changing dates, destinations, or passenger names. Check for any flexibility provisions in changing plans without having to face steep penalties.
Accommodation and transportation specifics
Review your hotel or accommodation’s policies regarding check-in and check-out times, additional fees like a resort fee or tourist tax, and amenities like air conditioning. For flights, double-check the airline’s baggage allowance policy and seat selection fees.
Customer support
If the worst happens and your holiday plans are affected, you need to know that you’ll have someone to help you through the process. Ensure there is available customer support contact information in case of issues, and note their support hours and availability, especially if you’re booking from a different time zone.
Liability and disclaimers
Check the extent to which the booking platform and service providers limit their liability in case of travel disruptions, delays, or dissatisfaction with services. It’s also worth understanding the conditions under which the booking might be voided or altered due to events beyond the service provider’s control, such as natural disasters or strike action.
Dispute resolutions
Understand the procedures for raising and resolving disputes, including any steps that are required before formal legal action can be taken. You should also check if the terms include clauses limiting your ability to pursue legal action in court should something go wrong.
Quotezone.co.uk can also help travellers with niche products they might need this summer such as end supplier failure insurance, covering holidaymakers when travel companies go out of business.
ROME, 17 July 2024: ITA Airways, home-based in Italy and Croatia Airlines, Croatia’s national flag carrier, are expanding their codeshare agreement.
This strengthened collaboration will further enhance travel options and connectivity for airline customers between the two countries.
Currently, the routes between Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) and Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik, operated by Croatia Airlines, are already codeshare flights with ITA Airways.
This expansion, effective Monday, includes Croatia Airlines’ “OU” flight code on ITA Airways’ domestic routes between Rome Fiumicino and Palermo, Bologna, Florence, and Naples, thus enhancing passengers’ travel options.
This strengthened codeshare agreement between ITA Airways and Croatia Airlines will provide both business and leisure travellers with more choices and convenience when flying within the networks of both airlines. Italy will be more accessible to Croatia Airlines’ customers, thanks to seamless connections from Rome to the listed domestic destinations.
Similarly, ITA Airways will benefit from increased traffic flows between Italy and Croatia, catering to both leisure and business travellers.
The codeshare flights are now available for booking through the airlines’ respective websites (ita-airways.com and croatiaairlines.com), reservation systems, and travel agencies.
