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Oceania Cruises throws in a hotel stay

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 April 2024: Oceania Cruises, known for its culinary and destination-focused cruises, offers a free pre-cruise hotel stay on a range of sailings in late 2024 and 2025. 

The offer is on accommodation at the departure port city before joining Oceania Cruises. It’s valid on stays linked to 33 destination sailings exploring Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific and South America. It includes pre-cruise stays at hotels in Brazil, the Canary Islands, Japan, Singapore, Bali, and New Zealand, to name some of the destinations. It applies to cruises ranging from 11-day to 35-day cruises. Reservations should be made between now and 31 May 2024.

Sample voyages with free pre-cruise hotel stay 

14 November 2024. Astounding Australasia, Singapore to Auckland: Stay in Singapore before setting sail to Jakarta aboard Regatta. The cruise explores Bali, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The cruise ends in Auckland, New Zealand.

14 February 2025. Tropics of the Far East, Tokyo to Singapore: Stay in Tokyo before embarking on the ship Riviera to explore Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia. The cruise ends in Singapore. This cruise is fine for Southeast Asian residents as there are plenty of cheap fares to Tokyo, which is the starting point.

22 May, 2025. Africa Navigator, Cape Town to Barcelona: Stay in Cape Town on Boulders Beach before joining Nautica’s African exploration, calling at Namibia, Angola, São Tomé and Principe, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, Morocco, and a selection of ports in Spain. The cruise ends in Barcelona. 

23 June, 2025. Outback & Island Pearls, Bali to Papeete: Stay in Bali at the beach or hill country before stepping aboard the Regatta to explore. Australia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa. The cruise ends in Tahiti.  

Amadeus completes Vision-Box takeover

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 April 2024: Amadeus announced Tuesday it has completed the acquisition of Vision-Box, a leading provider of biometric solutions for airports, airlines, and border control customers.  

The deal has now received all necessary regulatory approvals in all relevant markets. This means that Amadeus can expand its presence in biometrics now that it has completed the acquisition of a leading provider of biometric solutions for airports, airlines, and border control customers.

The combined offering of the two companies enables Amadeus to deliver services that cover a fully integrated traveller journey, from flight booking to arrival at the airport, including border control and boarding. 

Vision-Box’s founder and CEO, Miguel Leitmann, will join Amadeus, along with its 470 employees. He will report to Amadeus, president of travel Decius Valmorbida. Vision-Box solutions will become part of Amadeus’ portfolio offerings for airports and airlines.

Vision-Box, a fast-growing global business with expected revenues of EUR70 million and an estimated normalised EBITDA of close to EUR20 million in 2023, is partially owned by Keensight Capital, a private equity fund dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout investments. Amadeus has acquired privately-owned Vision-Box for an agreed price (EV: estimated value) of approximately EUR320 million.

Phuket ONE°15 Marina expands

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 April 2024: Singapore-based SUTL Enterprise, a developer and operator of integrated marinas, announced this week the development of ONE°15 Marina Panwa Phuket in collaboration with the Numchai Group. 

The move marks a significant milestone in the expansion of the ONE°15 network, which can now welcome members to distinct yachting destinations globally.

A Gateway to yacht routes

Located at the southernmost tip of Phuket Island, ONE°15 Marina Panwa Phuket is the nearest departure point to  Phi Phi Islands, making it a launchpad for island-hopping adventures across the Andaman Sea. It brings to the yachting scene in Phuket to meet a shortfall in berthing capacity.  

“Harnessing the established ONE°15 brand, we are excited to add another marina to our global network. ONE°15 Marina Panwa Phuket is committed to delivering the best-in-class marina standards and experience that our esteemed ONE°15 members and boaters worldwide can expect,” said SUTL Enterprise CEO and executive director Arthur Tay. “We look forward to welcoming ONE°15 members, new and existing, to this exciting new marina location.”

Acknowledged by charter operators and boat owners, ONE°15 Marina Panwa Phuket presents exceptional accessibility, establishing it as a favoured destination for leisure and luxury yachts. The marina will serve as a hub for charter operators, enabling them to provide island-hopping tours or day trips.

From Q4 2024, ONE°15 Marina Panwa Phuket will welcome yachts and superyachts of up to 120ft. The collaboration with the Numchai Group paves the way for the development of upscale dining options and recreational club facilities. 

About SUTL Enterprise Limited 
Listed on the SGX Mainboard (SGX: BHU), SUTL Enterprise develops and operates marinas and provides marina consultancy, development and yacht chartering services. It owns the prestigious ONE°15 Marina Sentosa Cove Singapore and operates ONE15 Luxury Yachting, which offers yacht chartering services at the Club. 

About Numchai Ocean Transport Company
Established in 1956, Numchai Ocean Transport Company is a prominent player in ocean transportation, specialising in passenger and cargo transfer from Phuket and Andaman Sea.

HSMAI: Hoteliers grapple with money matters

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 April 2024: HSMAI Revenue Optimization Conference APAC 2024 says it can help hoteliers “stop leaving money on the table.” That promise will catch the attention of hotel commercial managers, who are keen to stay current on revenue optimisation. 

Marina Bay Sands.

HSMAI will be held at Singapore’s  Marina Bay Sands from 8 to 9 May, attracting hospitality leaders across Asia-Pacific who share best practices. The event focuses on maximising hotel revenue through insightful talks, interactive workshops, masterclasses and real-world case studies.

● Become a master of data: Harness the power of numbers to forecast demand with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring you have the right staff on hand to deliver exceptional service – no more overbooking or understaffing headaches.

● Price like a pro: Learn the art of setting optimal prices that attract the ideal guests without sacrificing occupancy. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your hotel thrives, and guests feel they’ve received excellent value.

● Craft unforgettable experiences: Discover how to personalise guest experiences, catering to specific segments and fostering a loyal clientele who rave about their stay.

To register, visit https://hsmaiasia.org/revenue-optimization-conference/

Traveloka partners with Hong Kong

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 10 April 2024: Traveloka, a travel platform specialising in Southeast Asia, is partnering with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to showcase Hong Kong to Southeast Asian travellers.

Hong Kong’s tourism sector has steadily climbed since the reopening of international borders. Data released by HKTB showed that in 2023, international tourists arriving in Hong Kong surged to 34 million, marking a 60-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022. 

Over 3.7 million visitors came from Southeast Asian and East Asian countries.

Traveloka president Caesar Indra expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with HKTB, stating, “Hong Kong is among the popular destinations on our platform, with sales of flight tickets to the city almost quadrupling in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year.”

Hong Kong Tourism Board Regional Director, Southeast Asia Liew Chian Jia said: “Partnering with Traveloka is pivotal for us as it further unlocks the tourism potential to Hong Kong and helps us understand consumers better. We aspire for this collaboration to not only attract more travellers from  Southeast Asia to explore the charms of Hong Kong but also to contribute positively to the aviation and hospitality industries in the region.”

Hong Kong’s must-visit attractions

Hong Kong is home to renowned attractions such as Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park Hong Kong, Ngong Ping 360, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Hong Kong.

For outdoor sports enthusiasts, Hong Kong offers trekking experiences with stunning scenery, including Dragon’s Back and Lamma Islands. Foodies will find Hong Kong a gastronomic heaven, with the all-time favourite local cuisine such as dim sum, roasted goose, and BBQ meats never further than a block away. 

Culture lovers can join in year-round festivities such as the Dragon Boat Festival in June and Mid-Autumn Festival in September. Fortune seekers and devotees can also visit renowned temples in Hong Kong to seek blessings, including the famous Wong Tai Sin Temple, Che Kung Temple, and Man Mo Temple, as part of their itinerary.

From now until 12 May 2024, travellers can enjoy Hello Hong Kong Campaign deals on the Traveloka app. Bargain offers span flights, hotels, and travel activities in one app to deliver tailored itineraries and seamless trip planning.

Emirates boosts flights for Eid Al Fitr

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TTR WEEKLY
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Sea of cloud

DUBAI, UAE, 9 April 2024: Emirates is expanding its schedules across the region with 19 additional flights during the upcoming Eid Al Fitr holiday period.

This year, more than 150,000 customers are expected to fly with the airline during Eid Al Fitr across the region, with additional flights planned from Jeddah, Kuwait, Beirut and Amman.

Emirates has added seven extra flights to Jeddah since 7 April for the peak travel period through 13 April. The additional flights give Emirates customers more flexibility to venture out to popular destinations like Dubai, London and the Maldives or visit family and friends in Colombo and Karachi. 

In Kuwait, Emirates is layering on six extra flights until 20 April, catering to the significant travel demand during that time to popular leisure gateways like Dubai, Bangkok, and Osaka, as well as providing the opportunity for travellers to head home to Chennai, Hyderabad, Sialkot and Peshawar.  Emirates’ flight schedule to Bahrain will also expand to 22 weekly flights starting 2 May to meet increased demand for travel to/from the Kingdom.

With families coming together to celebrate after the Holy Month, the airline will also be adding four additional flights to Amman and two additional flights to Beirut scheduled to accommodate more travellers.

Upholding Eid traditions and keeping in with its proud Middle Eastern heritage, the airline will serve a specially crafted Eid menu for customers on flights departing from Dubai. Favourites like chicken biryani, lamb kibbeh labanieh, machbous, and vanilla and rose mousse cake will be served onboard, among other savoury and sweet dishes.For flight information and bookings visit www.emirates.com.

Royal Cliff hosts junior tennis championship

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TTR WEEKLY
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PATTAYA, 9 April 2024: The AssetWise Junior Tennis Thailand Championship, a leading tennis event for young athletes in Asia, will be held from 3 to 5 May 2024 at the Royal Cliff Hotels Group’s Fitz Club sports facility. 

The tournament, for children up to 14 years, allows participants to accrue points for their national ranking/standing in Thailand. AssetWise Public Company Limited, Yonex, and Technifibre sponsor this prestigious event.

Royal Cliff Hotels Group CEO and ITF Masters Champion Vitanart Vathanakul is spearheading the initiative to establish Pattaya as a premier tennis destination. 

“We are thrilled to contribute to Pattaya’s reputation as a leading city for competitive sports, particularly tennis. Our tournament offers young athletes a perfect platform to display their skills and compete against their peers in a nurturing and supportive atmosphere,” he explained. “The event is crafted to embed the principles of discipline, teamwork, and healthy competition among children from an early stage while refining their technical abilities. We aim to nurture and develop future talent for Thailand to compete on the ATP circuit.”

Additionally, on 3 May, the Royal Cliff will host a tennis clinic offering tips and valuable techniques presented by professional coaches and partake in warm-up exercises. Participants can take on the challenge of competing against Vitanart Vathanakul in a super tie-break format. Winners will receive a special prize. 

In addition to the competitive play, the tournament features a variety of activities and social gatherings to entertain players and their families over the weekend. Food stations will offer snacks, beverages, fruits, ice creams, and other refreshments. Medical staff and support services will be available for players throughout the event. The venue will also provide game zones for children to engage in creative activities, including arts and crafts, while waiting for their matches. A massage zone will also be available, offering a range of treatments from skilled therapists.

Registration for the tournament is now open, and interested parents and players can sign up at www.royalcliff.com/aswj. Special room rates are offered to all tournament entrants, and bookings can be made on the website (use promo code ASW24) or by contacting us at 038-250421 ext. 2820-24 or [email protected]. We encourage everyone to sign up early to secure their spot in the tournament and avoid disappointment.

Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness, an elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, has been a preferred choice for renowned ATP players such as Paradorn Srichaphan, Danai Udomchoke, Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Denis Istomin, among others. These players have previously conducted tennis camps at this facility. With tennis courts on par with those at the Australian Open, Fitz Club is a go-to for top-tier players aiming to acclimate themselves to grand slam tournament conditions. Besides tennis, the club boasts a rich history of hosting various sports events, including Junior and Senior Tennis contests, Squash championships, and Table Tennis duels.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub or send an email to [email protected]. 

Discover Shanghai in less than 24 hours

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 9 APRIL 2024: International passengers with layovers at Shanghai Pudong International Airport for over eight hours can join Trip.Com Group’s free layover city tours, which will launch on 15 April.

Introduced by Trip.com Group, the ‘Shanghai Express’ tours will be offered to international travellers eligible for China’s 72/144-hour visa-free transit policy and those holding a 24-hour temporary entry permit issued by the airport border inspection.

“As visa-free transit policies open up new avenues for international travellers to explore China, Trip.com Group is excited to unveil this innovative programme for those with just a short stopover,” said Trip.com Head of Marketing Han Feng. 

Explore Shanghai between flights

Upon passing customs at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport, travellers join the tours at the Trip.com Group currency exchange counter on Island A in the Departure Hall of Terminal 2 for in-person registration. 

A professional guide will be available at the counter one hour before the start of each tour to assist with the registration process. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Travellers will be able to choose from several tour timings. Each free tour accommodates a maximum of 10 travellers and lasts five to six hours, including transportation from and back to the airport.

Free tour options

Shanghai Highlights City Tour (0900-1400): A tour of classic Shanghai highlights, including exploring traditional Chinese architecture in the Yu Garden and viewing Shanghai’s iconic and futuristic skyline at the Bund.

Strolling Under the Trees Citywalk Tour (1600-2200): This tour is for romantics and urban history lovers. It includes a city walk through the old villas and charming cafes along the beautiful Wukang Road, an immersive visit to the Yu Garden, and a stroll along the historic Bund.

Huangpu River Cruise Sightseeing Night Tour (1800-2300): Experience the city that never sleeps, including a breathtaking night view of the Bund aboard the Huangpu River Cruise and a deep dive into the bustling Yu Garden at night.

Each tour, led by English-speaking guides, includes transportation, tickets, e-sim cards, and team insurance. If space permits, those seeking to travel light may store their luggage at the airport or on the shuttle bus.

The International Air Transport Association reveals that transit numbers have increased, with over 330,000 travellers experiencing layovers in mainland China last December alone. This represents a monthly growth of 47%. International airports in mainland China, particularly in Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou, have been hubs for international flights to and from the Asia Pacific.

Currently, nationals from 54 countries are eligible for the 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies in 23 cities across mainland China. They can apply for visa-free transit at border inspection in designated city ports as long as they hold valid international travel documents and interline tickets to countries or regions with confirmed dates and seats.

Additionally, foreign nationals with international connecting flights within 24 hours can transit through nine designated airports in mainland China without immigration procedures. Those interested in exploring the local city within this timeframe may obtain a 24-hour temporary entry permit by presenting their passports and connecting ticket flights, and filling out the Temporary Entry Card.

The Shanghai Express Tours are set against the backdrop of Trip.com Group’s various initiatives to support international travellers in discovering the beauty of China with ease as the country relaxes visa requirements.

With visa-free entry extended to Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg on 14 March, China is now visa-free for eligible travellers from 15 countries.

Trip.com Group witnessed a triple-digit year-on-year rise in international travel bookings to China in the first two months of 2024. Shanghai, Guangzhou, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Chengdu drew the most attention from global travellers, with theme parks like the Shanghai Disney Resort and historic sites like the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum capturing significant interest.

IATA reports strong travel demand

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 9 April 2024: Passenger demand rises 21.5% in February, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reports its latest data released at the weekend.

Total demand*, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), was up 21.5% compared to February 2023. Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 18.7% year-on-year. 

The February load factor was 80.6% (+1.9 percentage points compared to February 2023).

International demand rose 26.3% compared to February 2023. Capacity increased 25.5% year-on-year, and the load factor improved to 79.3% (+0.5ppt on February 2023).

Domestic demand rose 15.0% compared to February 2023; capacity was up 9.4% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.6% (+4.0ppt compared to February 2023).

(*Note: February 2024 was a leap year with one extra day compared to February 2023. This slightly exaggerates growth in both demand and capacity to the positive.)

“The strong start to 2024 continued in February, with all markets except North America reporting double-digit growth in passenger traffic,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh. “There is good reason to be optimistic about the industry’s prospects in 2024 as airlines accelerate investments in decarbonisation and passenger demand shows resilience in the face of geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Politicians must resist the temptation of cash grabs with new taxes that could destabilise this positive trajectory and make travel more expensive. In particular, Europe is a worry as it seems determined to lock in its sluggish economic recovery with uncompetitive tax proposals.” 

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets

All regions showed double-digit growth for international passenger markets in February 2024 compared to February 2023. For the first time, demand for international services exceeded pre-pandemic levels (+0.9% compared to February 2019). However, this is skewed by February 2024 being a leap year with an extra day compared to February 2023.

Asia-Pacific airlines saw a 53.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased by 52.1% year-on-year, and the load factor rose to 84.9% (+0.6ppt compared to February 2023), the highest among all regions. 

European carriers saw a 15.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 16.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 74.7% (flat compared to February 2023).

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 19.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 19.1% year-on-year, and the load factor rose to 80.8% (+0.4ppt compared to February 2023).

North American carriers saw a 16.0% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 17.6% year-on-year, and the load factor fell to 77.7% (-1.1ppt compared to February 2023).

Latin American airlines saw a 21.0% year-on-year increase in demand, an 18.6% increase in capacity, and a load factor of 84.2% (+1.7ppt compared to February 2023).

African airlines saw a 20.7% year-on-year increase in demand, and capacity was up 22.1% year-on-year. The load factor fell to 74.0% (-0.8ppt compared to February 2023).

THA flies five daily to Tokyo

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 9 April 2024: Thai Airways International added its third direct roundtrip flight on the Bangkok – Tokyo Narita route last week.

Flight TG640 departs Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport at 2210 and arrives at Tokyo Narita International Airport at 0620 plus a day.
Flight TG621 departs Tokyo Narita at 1050 and arrives in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi at 1520.

Celebrating the return of TG641 on the Tokyo Narita – Bangkok route.

The airline schedules three flights daily from Narita International Airport to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

TG641 departs Narita at 1050  (A330-300 aircraft).
TG643 departs Narita at 1200 (Boeing 777-300ER)
TG 677 departs Narita at 1725 (Boeing 778-300ER)

In addition to the three flights daily on the Tokyo Narita-Bangkok route, the airline also flies the Tokyo Haneda (HND) – Bangkok route twice daily. It gives the airline five daily frequencies between Bangkok and Tokyo.

TG600 departs HND at 1300 (A350-900)
TG682 departs HND at 2245 (A350-900)

With five roundtrip flights daily, the Bangkok-Tokyo route is now a major source of passenger and cargo uploads. The average fare on the Bangkok – Tokyo route is USD620 (roundtrip fare, economy).

Competition is tough, with JAL, ANA, THAI, Thai AirAsia X, and Viva Macau all flying nonstop from Tokyo to Bangkok.

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