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Art shines at Dubai World Cup

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI UAE, 4 April 2024: At the 2024 Dubai World Cup held at the Meydan horse racecourse last week, Emirates and AC Milan unveiled a bespoke art installation by regionally renowned artist Kareemgraphy, to celebrate the intersection of sports, culture and art.

Created for the event by calligraffiti artist and designer Abdul Kareem, known as Kareemgraphy, the innovative art installation is a representation of a horse, made up of 187 artfully arranged AC Milan’s Home, Away, Third, and goalkeeper jerseys. The eye-catching 8 x 8-metre display sits on the lawn adjacent to the parade ring and comes to life when viewed by Dubai World Cup fans in the Grandstand, in a breathtaking vision uniting sports, culture, and art.

The Dubai World Cup is the pinnacle of the UAE horse racing season. AC Milan’s participation marked a historic moment as the club’s first activity at Emirates horse racing events, solidifying its partnership with Emirates, an iconic collaboration since 2007.

Among the notable attendees at the event were AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani, RedBird Capital’s Operating Partner and AC Milan Senior Advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AC Milan’s Chief Commercial Officer Maikel Oettle.

AC Milan’s Chief Commercial Officer Maikel Oettle expressed his admiration for the art installation: “It’s inspiring to see AC Milan and Emirates come together for this extraordinary event. This art installation beautifully celebrates the intersection of sports and diverse cultures, bringing together football and horse racing. It speaks volumes about the club’s innovative nature and its expanding presence beyond pure football.”

Emirates Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand Boutros Boutros remarked: “We are delighted to see the convergence of our 17-year partnership with AC Milan and 28-year partnership with Dubai World Cup represented in such a unique and artistic way. It’s another impressive and innovative moment for our customers to enjoy at a world-class event, with exceptional brand partnerships and an appreciation for sport, culture, and art.”

The event marked a milestone in AC Milan’s collaboration with Emirates, further strengthening the partnership between the two brands and reinforcing the club’s presence in the Middle East and commitment to engaging with diverse audiences through innovative initiatives.

AC Milan, a top 10 club in the MEA region with over 35 million fans and 2.5 million in the UAE, opened Casa Milan Dubai, its regional hub, at the end of last year – a strategic move in the club’s global expansion under RedBird Capital, which further AC Milan’s commitment to the Middle East’s growing market.

For information on flights and to make a booking, visit www.emirates.com.

Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 April 2024: The Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2024, scheduled for 11 to 15 April in Bangkok, promises to highlight traditional Thai New Year celebrations.

The five-day spectacle has been planned by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in celebration of UNESCO’s inscription of ‘Songkran in Thailand, Traditional Thai New Year Festival’ on the prestigious Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List officially declared 6 December 2023.

A flamboyant parade of distinctive Songkran processions from five regions, including a stunning procession of the Nang Songkran goddess of 2024, exhibited are part of the epic parade of 20 processions planned for 11 April.

The 11 April parade will proceed along Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, starting from the Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and concluding at Sanam Luang, where it will stationed until 15 April.

The procession of the Buddha image, followed by the Mahodhara Devi – the Nang Songkran goddess of 2024 will lead the 20 processions displaying Songkran traditions from 16 provinces along with cultural performances from over 1,000 performers and the parade of unique Songkran traditions from five other provinces.

Songkran in Thailand is celebrated nationwide as a three-day Thai New Year holiday from 13 to 15 April. Songkran is on 13 April, which is also National Elders Day. 14 April and 15 April have been declared National Family Day and Thai New Year Day, respectively.

Traditional Songkran festivities will also be hosted for tourists in five other locations such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Samut Prakan, Chon Buri, and Phuket, to celebrate the UNESCO ‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ status of Songkran in Thailand.

Expedia Group names team changes

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 April 2024: Expedia Group reports Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, will leave Expedia Group effective 1 June 1 after three years leading Expedia’s consumer business and marketing division. 

Going forward, Brad Bentley will oversee the consumer business as chief operations officer, and Jochen Koedijk will lead marketing as  chief marketing officer, reporting directly to incoming CEO Ariane Gorin. 

Jon Gieselman joined Expedia Group as a board member in December 2019 and became Expedia Brands president in May 2021. 

Jochen Koedijk has been with Expedia Group for three years, leading the organisation’s full-funnel marketing investments and successfully implementing a data-driven approach to marketing across consumer brands through technology and machine learning science. Additionally, he has spearheaded the development of new marketing channels and has played a pivotal role in overseeing the media buying strategy through Expedia Group’s in-house media organisation. 

Brad Bentley, who has been with Expedia Group for a year and a half, spearheaded efforts to streamline the operations of Expedia Group’s B2C business. He will continue as chief operating officer of the consumer business, overseeing B2C strategy and business performance. 

About Expedia Group  

Expedia Group Inc. consists of three pillars: Expedia Brands, which houses all our consumer brands; Expedia Product & Technology, which is focused on the group’s product and technical strategy and offerings; and Expedia for Business, which consists of business-to-business solutions and relationships throughout the travel ecosystem.  

Expedia Group’s three flagship consumer brands are Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo. One Key is the group’s loyalty programme, currently available in the US but will soon launch globally.

Incentive trips make a comeback in Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 April 2024: Incentive trips are making a comeback, according to Flight Centre Travel Group’s flagship corporate travel arm. 

FCM Meetings & Events has seen a 30% increase in requests for incentive trips in Southeast Asia and Greater China as companies revive incentive holiday schemes to boost sales performance.

Incentive trips, also known as employee reward programmes, are used to boost employee engagement and productivity. They work by encouraging employees to improve their performance and reach goals, and they are especially motivating for younger and mid-career employees. 

“Incentive trips are a popular way to reward employees, and now that travel is back in full swing, both companies and employees prefer incentive trips versus vouchers or cash-in-kind, said FCM Meetings & Events Leader, Southeast Asia, and Greater China JingWen Wong. 

“We have managed incentive trips for startups and large-scale enterprises to upcoming destinations like Vietnam, apart from the popular Thailand and Indonesia. If companies can book their group movements six months in advance, they can save more than 20% on airfares with FCM. 

“Our advice is always to confirm group movement nine months in advance as fares for full-cost carriers are comparable to low-cost carriers. The most affordable destinations in Southeast Asia are Ho Chi Minh, Bangkok, Jakarta, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur,” added Wong. 

FCM Meetings & Events 
FCM Meetings & Events is a specialist service by FCM, one of the world’s largest travel management companies and the flagship corporate travel arm of the ASX-listed Flight Centre Travel Group.

PAL set to fly to Seattle

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 4 April 2024: Philippine Airlines will launch a direct Manila-Seattle flight this October, making it the first carrier to link the Philippines and the US Pacific Northwest with nonstop flights.

The airline confirmed the new service earlier this week, noting Seattle will be its sixth destination in the US and eighth in North America.  

Photo credit: Airbus. The A350-1000 will operate on PAL’s nonstop services from Manila to North America, including the US and Canada’s East Coast.

PAL now operates the largest network of nonstop flights between the Philippines and the US, serving Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Seattle, Honolulu and Guam.

According to the airline’s timetable, nonstop flights between Manila and Seattle will launch on 2 October 2024.  

Establishing the route to Seattle, the gateway to the Pacific Northwest region, will help stimulate business and leisure travel. Over 900,000 Americans visited the Philippines in 2023, making the US the country’s second-largest source of tourists.

The Philippine flag carrier will also serve Filipinos visiting family and friends. Washington and Oregon are home to more than 240,000 Filipino Americans. 

The PAL Manila-Seattle-Manila services will operate three times weekly, every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flights will depart Manila at 2240 local time and arrive at 2340 (local time) at Seattle Tacoma International Airport. 

Seattle, a high-tech business hub and thriving port city, is the gateway to various population centres in Washington and Oregon states, such as Portland, Salem, Spokane, Tacoma and Eugene. Travellers will enjoy connectivity via PAL’s airline partners to various US mainland cities, including Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas and Washington DC.

The flights also provide connectivity via Manila to PAL’s extensive domestic and regional international network, which includes cities such as Cebu, Davao, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur.

Seattle is PAL’s eighth destination in North America. The Philippine carrier already operates 46 weekly flights to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, Toronto, Honolulu and Guam.  

The Philippine carrier will deploy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the Mania-Seattle route, with full-flat seats in business class. The airline recently acquired an additional 777-300ER aircraft as a first step towards renewing its long-haul fleet. Nine brand-new Airbus A350-1000s are slated for delivery starting in  Q4/2025. 

To promote the new Manila-Seattle service, PAL offers a special introductory roundtrip fare of USD 771 for economy class and USD 3,071 for business class. The introductory fare is on sale until 30 April 2024 and for travel from 2 October to 30 November 2024 and from 1 February to 22 March 2025.

PAL: Operating Schedule – Manila-Seattle-Manila from 2 October, 2024

Thai AirAsia flies direct to Okinawa

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 April 2024: Thai AirAsia (FD) is flying directly from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Okinawa, Japan’s southern paradise island, kicking off with a load factor of over 85% t on its inaugural flight.

AirAsia flies Bangkok Don Mueang-Okinawa four times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. This is Thai AirAsia’s second connection between Thailand and Japan after Fukuoka.

The new route is part of the airline’s ongoing expansion to Japan.

Thai AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Santisuk Klongchaiya, who joined the inaugural flight FD240 from Don Mueang to Okinawa, said: “Japan remains a top destination for Thai travellers, as can be seen from our direct flights to Fukuoka, which have increased from 4 weekly to daily flights in just a short period.

“Okinawa is a beach city that is affordable and convenient for travellers. A popular place to visit among Japanese people and international tourists, the city offers various activities and year-round good weather. Visitors can attend the Lily Festival in late April, surf, scuba dive, and enjoy the city’s famed food, from Agu Pork and Okinawa Soba to Sweet Potato Tarts. It has everything for all travellers, whether they are solo, couples, or families,” Santisuk said.

Emirates gains Autism Centre certification

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI UAE, 3 April 2024: Furthering Dubai’s commitment to accessible travel and in time for World Autism Awareness Day, 2 April, Emirates has achieved a Certified Autism Centre Designation for all of its Dubai Check In facilities.  

The certification extends to Emirates City Check-in & Travel Store in DIFC, Emirates Cruise Check-in (Port Rashid, Emirates Cruise Check-in), Dubai Harbour, and Emirates City Check-In Ajman, in addition to the Emirates’ dedicated hub in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB).

The certification, awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), ensures that all Emirates facilities in Dubai have taken a significant step towards making travel more inclusive and accessible to neurodiverse customers, meeting criteria required for a comfortable and supported travel experience.

As part of the designation, Emirates employees at the various facilities underwent specialised training on autism and sensory awareness to equip them with the understanding and skills to address the needs of autistic travellers, those with sensory sensitivities, and their families. Comprehensive facilities audits were conducted across the locations, measuring all sensory inputs in public areas such as sound levels, lighting, and potential sights and smells to develop sensory guides, empowering travellers to make informed decisions and choose the environment that best suits their needs and preferences.

This achievement builds on Dubai International Airport’s recent recognition as the first international airport to earn the designation from IBCCES and aligns with the Department of Economy and Tourism’s (DET) vision of becoming the first Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) in the Middle East.

Emirates’ City Check-Ins across Dubai offer a seamless and stress-free pre-airport experience in convenient and easily accessible locations, where Emirates customers can check in for flights up to 24 hours in advance, drop off luggage between four and 24 hours before departure, and choose between agent-assisted check-ins, robot-assisted check-ins, or self-service kiosks, allowing a more relaxed travel experience. 

Mohammed H. Mattar – Emirates DSVP Airport Services commented: “As a global airline, Emirates is committed to providing a seamless travel experience for everyone. We recognise the challenges customers with autism and sensory sensitivities face in airport environments. That’s why we’ve proactively partnered with Dubai’s DET and IBCCES to certify all our city check-in locations across the UAE. This initiative is a crucial step forward in our ongoing mission to make travel inclusive and accessible for all.” 

Myron Pincomb, Chairman of the Board for IBCCES remarked: “Emirates is known worldwide for its exceptional guest service. Checking in for a flight is one of the most stressful segments of the travel experience. With the completion of the facilities, audit and the addition of the new sensory guides, the check-in procedure at the check-in facilities will be more accommodating for people of determination, and especially those with sensory challenges.”

Emirates, Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai Airports work together with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs, Dubai Police and Dubai Customs to make travel more inclusive, reflecting Dubai’s commitment to becoming a leading destination for travellers with diverse needs.

IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other. Each destination listed on the site has met the CAC requirements.

About IBCCES
Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognised around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders. 

Read more about Accessible Travel with Emirates

Twelve Centara hotels score green

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 April 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announced this week its approval for certification by Bureau Veritas, a GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) accredited certification body, for meeting global standards for sustainable travel and tourism known as GSTC criteria.

Twelve of Centara Hotels & Resorts are approved for GSTC certification, and the organisation is continuing to work toward its long-term goal of achieving full certification by 2025. The 12 hotels which are recognised for meeting the GSTC Criteria in 2024 are:

  1. Centara Reserve Samui
  2. Centara Kata Resort Phuket
  3. Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi
  4. Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok
  5. Centara Q Resort Rayong
  6. Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha
  7. Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai
  8. Centara Life Maris Resort Jomtien
  9. Centara Life Cha-Am Beach Resort Hua Hin
  10. COSI Samui Chaweng Beach
  11. COSI Pattaya Wong Amat Beach
  12. COSI Krabi Ao Nang Beach

By adopting sustainable and green practices, Centara is actively choosing to be more aware of its environmental impact and aligning its values and vision for a more mindful and ecologically conscious future.

For more information about Centara’s commitment to environmental sustainability, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/sustainability

Top up your e-wallet for your Japan travels

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 April 2024: As merchants in Japan gear up to receive cherry blossom tourists from around the world, Ant International says its cross-border mobile payment solution Alipay+ has connected 2 million merchants across the country, enabling them to better serve global visitors through a seamless payment experience with their home country e-wallets.

There are 16 e-wallets and bank apps accepted in Japan via Alipay+, a suite of cross-border digital payment and digitalisation technology solutions, namely Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR China), MPay (Macao SAR China), South Korea’s Kakao Pay, Naver Pay and Toss, Singapore’s OCBC Digital, Changi Pay and EZ-Link, Malaysia’s Touch ‘n Go eWallet and MyPB by Public Bank Berhad, the Philippines’ GCash and HelloMoney, TrueMoney (Thailand), Hipay (Mongolia), and Tinaba (Italy).

Second from left are Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International and Monsinee Nakapanant, Co-President of Ascend Money (centre).

Powered by Alipay+, transaction volume made by e-wallets and bank apps in Japan jumped over 200% in the first three weeks of March compared with the same period in 2023. Alipay, AlipayHK, Kakao Pay, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, GCash and TrueMoney are among the most popular e-wallets used by travellers to Japan, while MPay, Naver Pay and Toss are seeing rapid growth. Transaction value is estimated to account for about 10% of users’ total spending during their stay in the country.

Ant International President Douglas Feagin reported during a press conference in Tokyo: “By working with these partners, Alipay+ provides global tourists with a seamless digital payment experience that is the same as in their markets. Without extra effort, tourists can make purchases by scanning the QR code at merchants of all sizes, without worrying about foreign currency exchange or language barriers.”

For example, in Asakusa, a Tokyo district famous for having the oldest underground shopping street, small souvenir shops and snack stalls are leveraging the simplicity of QR codes to do business. The monthly cross-border mobile transaction volume is more than five times higher on average, reflecting the growing trend of cashless payments when visiting Japan.

Singapore: Best for meetings that matter

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 April 2024: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched a new global marketing campaign this week to position the destination as the “World’s Best MICE City”.

The campaign invites Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) event organisers and planners to gain a fresh perspective on Singapore’s value proposition as a leading MICE destination that can influence purposeful outcomes amid a competitive landscape. 

Photo credit: STB.

This marks the first of six global campaigns[1] that STB is rolling out in the coming years to sharpen the way it tells the Singapore story after it announced its refreshed marketing strategy in 2023.

The Singapore proposition

As a major trade hub with cutting-edge innovation, technology, and research capabilities, Singapore has a robust business ecosystem where thought leaders, investors and businesses meet. 

Beyond exceptional capabilities, infrastructure and events, Singapore has set clear targets, standards, certification programmes and incentives to build a greener future for the MICE industry. 

Singapore Tourism Board Deputy Chief Executive Yap Chin Siang said: “Positioning Singapore as the World’s Best MICE City is integral to our ambition to maintain a competitive edge and to reinforce Singapore’s strengths. This is especially critical as MICE event organisers and delegates seek destinations that deliver value and drive positive impact. We remain committed to investing in new MICE products and experiences, and we invite event organisers and planners to co-create business events with us that yield meaningful outcomes.”

To empower businesses to co-create their legacy journey with Singapore, STB is developing a comprehensive Legacy toolkit containing a framework for planning, executing and measuring legacy outcomes or the impact of an event. For example, business partnerships forged during meetings could drive industry development, and increased community awareness of health issues could help improve the health quality among a population. It will also include case studies and information on STB’s support. This is on track to be completed and launched by June 2024.

The campaign assets can be downloaded here

[1] The six global campaigns are World’s Best MICE City, City that Connects, Family Playground, Twice the Fun, Culinary Capital, and Travel Well.

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