Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Home Blog Page 233

AI: Travel & Tourism plays catch-up

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Microsoft highlights the transformative power of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Travel & Tourism, marking a commitment to a digital future with unparalleled customer experiences. 

The report warns Travel & Tourism lag behind other consumer-facing industries in AI adoption. AI’s surge across various sectors last year is now a relevant force, and the Travel & Tourism sector must act now to leverage its impact. 

Challenges that must be overcome by Travel & Tourism businesses include a shortage of AI-skilled workers, limited AI infrastructure, and the absence of a formal ‘AI strategy’ in many business plans. 

The first in a series of AI reports, announced during the global tourism body’s event at FITUR and in collaboration with WTTC’s Industry Partner, Microsoft calls on Travel & Tourism to embrace AI and other cutting-edge technologies. 

AI can empower personalised recommendations and marketing strategies by analysing traveller data, optimising pricing strategies through real-time adjustments, and offering instant responses and fine-tuned interactions via sophisticated AI-powered chatbots. 

The report also highlights AI’s capabilities extend to predicting future demand patterns, efficiently allocating resources, and providing valuable insights for governments and Travel & Tourism stakeholders. 

 WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Travel & Tourism, AI emerges as a catalyst for positive change. 

“The transformative capabilities highlighted in this report demonstrate that AI is not just a technological advancement; it is a strategic tool that can personalise the customer experience, drive sustainable improvements, and create real-time pricing models.”

Microsoft managing director of travel, transport & logistics, Julie Shainock added: “Using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Models across the travel sector allows greater productivity for companies and drives a more personalised consumer experience.   

“For travellers, the ability to drive more inspiration and personalised offers at booking to providing tools to consumers to proactively assist them while in destination to anticipate their needs with relevant information to improve their journey. For travel companies, GenAI is there to increase productivity, automate the predictable, and allow our human-centric approach to the high-value moments in travel to shine more.” 

Travel & Tourism businesses are urged to embrace AI as a strategic priority, investing heavily in talent to foster collaboration between humans and AI. 

Amidst concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, the report addresses the potential for job creation, recognising that although AI will be disruptive, it will, in turn, generate new opportunities. 

Responsible data management emerges as a crucial strategy in the quest for sustainable AI practices within the Travel & Tourism sector. 

Implementing measures such as data minimisation, efficient storage, and responsible data disposal becomes pivotal for organisations seeking to minimise their carbon emissions when using new digital technologies and significantly reduce their AI environmental footprint. 

To read the report in full, visit WTTC’s Research Hub
The report is free for WTTC members; non-members can buy the report online after registering.

Radisson flies flag at Anyer beach

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Radisson Hotel Group will open a new beachfront Radisson Resort in 2027 situated in the coastal town of Anyer, Indonesia. 

The 150-key Radisson Resort Anyer will mark a significant milestone as the Radisson brand launches its first resort with glamping concept integration – showcasing the group’s dedication to offering unique and memorable experiences for guests. 

Artist Impression of Radisson Resort Anyer, Aerial View.

Located in Banten province, Anyer is lauded as one of Indonesia’s most famous beaches on Java’s West Coast, within a two-hour car transfer drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and central Jakarta.

Anyer Beach is renowned for its long stretch of golden sands and serves as an eye-opening gateway to the famed Krakatoa volcano.

Indonesia remains a strategic market for Radisson Hotel Group, recording 10.4 million foreign tourists in the first 11 months of 2023,  more than a 110% increase in tourists compared to the same period in 2022.

With over 60 hotels in operation and development in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group continues to grow as a leading hospitality provider in the region.

More Asia-bound flights from Munich

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Traffic from Munich Airport to Asia surpasses pre-pandemic level with high passenger traffic on 107 weekly connections from the southern German hub to cities across Asia.

The high demand for air travel is reflected in the increased aircraft movements at Munich Airport. For example, the airport will see record flights to Asia in the 2024 summer schedule from 31 March to 31 October.

Munich Airports reports nine airlines are planning 107 weekly flights to 14 destinations in 10 Asian countries. Before the pandemic, in the 2019 summer schedule, there were 101 flights to 10 destinations in seven countries operated by five airlines.

Destinations covered by flights from Munich to Asia are Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Seoul, Tashkent, Dushanbe, Male, Taipei, Bangkok and Singapore. 

Today, the destinations are served by Lufthansa, Air China, All Nippon Airways, BeOnd, EVA Airways, Singapore Airlines, Somon Air, Thai Airways and Uzbekistan Airways.

Lufthansa will periodically deploy the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, on the route to Delhi starting 1 April to meet the growing demand for air travel. The service to Beijing will be increased from three weekly flights to a daily flight beginning in April, while Osaka in Japan will be served five times a week beginning in April and then daily starting in May. Japan’s All Nippon Airways will increase flights to Munich from four to seven weekly, effective 2 July.

Busiest airports in Germany

  • Frankfurt.
  • Munich.
  • Düsseldorf.
  • Berlin Tegel.
  • Hamburg.
  • Cologne / Bonn.
  • Berlin Schönefeld.
  • Stuttgart.

Visa exemption triggers travel searches

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Trip.com Group’s latest data shows Thailand-related searches increased seven-fold following the 28 January announcement confirming China and Thailand have signed off on a mutual visa waiver agreement for citizens of the two countries.

The visa exemption for both Thais and Chinese travelling between the two countries goes live on 1 March. 

The global online travel agency headquartered in Shanghai noted that the “search popularity of Thailand-related keywords” on its Chinese platform increased more than seven times month-on-month.

Searches for air tickets and hotels increased by more than six times month-on-month, with residents from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Shandong making more Thailand-related searches.

Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Pattaya are the most searched destinations for Chinese planning trips to Thailand.

On Trip.com’s Thailand platform, the search popularity of China-related keywords increased by more than four times compared with the previous day. Shanghai, Chengdu, Harbin, Shenzhen, Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie are among the cities generating the most searches by Thais considering a trip to China.  

The new visa exemption policy between China and Thailand, starting on 1 March 2024, should significantly impact both countries, beginning with a boost in tourist arrivals in both directions.

It certainly gives Thailand a fighting chance to lift tourist visits from China from 3.5 million recorded in 2023 to within striking distance of the 8.2 million forecast by the Thailand Authority of Thailand. But there are optimists, mainly in the  Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who hope 2024 could deliver 10 million Chinese tourists, which would be close to arrivals recorded in 2018 but still well short of the 12 million arrivals in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

Economic growth
The influx of tourists will directly contribute to economic growth in both countries. Hotels, restaurants, airlines, and other tourism-related businesses will see increased demand and revenue.

Shifting travel patterns 
With easier travel, tourists from both countries might engage in shorter, more frequent trips instead of longer vacations. This could spread economic benefits more evenly throughout the year.

There are also potential challenges

Infrastructure strain 
Increased tourist arrivals will pressure Thailand’s infrastructure, such as transportation and accommodation. Careful planning and investment will be needed to ensure a smooth experience for visitors.

Environmental impact
More tourism also means greater environmental impact. Both countries must ensure sustainable tourism practices are followed to protect their natural resources.

Social and cultural tensions
Increased interaction between citizens of different cultures can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Communication and intercultural awareness programmes are essential to bridge these gaps.

Overall, the China-Thailand visa exemption is viewed as a positive development in the travel industry, potentially benefiting both countries. However, managing the anticipated growth and addressing potential challenges is essential to ensure a sustainable and positive outcome.

Viking bookings open for 2026

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 30 January 2024: Viking’s 2026 ocean voyages are now open for booking for 2026 departures, while the cruise line reports its newest ship, the Viking Vesta, will join the fleet in July 2025. 

The 998-guest sister ship will spend her inaugural season sailing popular itineraries in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.

A Viking ocean ship sails Norway’s fiords.

Qualified as a small ship, Viking Vesta has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, 499 staterooms, and a 998-passenger capacity. 

With more than 80 ocean itineraries on offer, examples of the most popular voyages include:

  • Viking Homelands (15 days; Stockholm – Bergen).
  • Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days; Barcelona – Rome).
  • Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice – Athens). 
  • British Isles Explorer (15 days; Bergen – London).
  • West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan roundtrip).

Additionally, Viking has announced six new pre and post extensions beginning in 2024 and 2025. Over 45% of all Viking guests choose to add such extensions to their voyage. The new, fully guided, three-night extensions are offered in the iconic cities of Barcelona, Istanbul, London, Rome, Stockholm and Venice. They feature Privileged Access to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, market visits and cooking classes,  to personalise the journey with optional excursions. 

THE RIG takes shape in Saudi Arabia

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 30 January 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced at the weekend details of a masterplan for a project branded THE RIG that PIF claims will redefine adventure tourism.

When finished (opening date still pending), THE RIG will become a world-first adventure tourism destination built on an offshore platform in the Arabian Gulf.

The project is part of a wider strategy in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives to grow tourism to “contribute to employment opportunities and diversify the economy.”

THE RIG, inspired by the design of offshore oil platforms, will deliver a one-of-a-kind hospitality and adventure experience spanning a gross floor area of over 300,000 sqm located 40 km from the coastline, near Al Juraid Island and Berri Oil Field in the Arabian Gulf.

According to the masterplan, it targets over 900,000 annual visitors by 2032, appealing to a wide range of domestic, regional and international audiences, including adrenaline seekers, explorers, balanced holidaymakers, and relaxation seekers.

It will include three hotels totalling 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, an extreme sports and adventure park, a world-class marina, and an arena with a capacity of 6,000 people. Damman is the gateway city where helicopters will transfer guests to the TH RIG in 20 minutes.

The project will be developed by the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC) under the direction of its CEO, Raed N Bakhrji, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and a passion for the future of adventure tourism.

For additional information on the project visit: www.THERIG.sa. 

Check out the video https://mma.prnasia.com/media2/2320497/THE_RIG_Masterplan.mp4

(Source: THE RIG)

JTB Corp partners with MLB

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

TOKYO, 30 January 2024: JTB, a leading tour operator in Japan, has signed a new multi-year international partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB). 

As part of the new multi-national business arrangement, JTB officially sponsors MLB’s WORLD TOUR and will offer exclusive international hospitality packages for the season-opening Seoul Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. 

Eijiro Yamakita, JTB President & CEO (left) at MLB headquarters in New York City with Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, Major League Baseball (right). (Photo: Business Wire).

The two-game series at Seoul’s Gocheok SkyDome, 20 to 21 March, marks the regular season Dodgers debuts of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

As an official partner of the Major League Baseball WORLD TOUR, JTB will also offer to fans worldwide, excluding the US,  VIP ticket and hospitality packages to WORLD TOUR events, including the Seoul Series and London Series. Furthermore, JTB can provide tickets to MLB regular season games to fans based in Asia as part of hospitality packages that include travel to and accommodations in the US. 

“Last year, we experienced a dramatic rise in demand for travel and events around the world as we finally moved beyond most challenges caused by the pandemic, and now we see that the market needs for real and exciting experiences are very strong,” said JTB president and CEO Eijiro Yamakita. 

JTB, a Tokyo-based international operation, opened its New York office 60 years ago. It has focused on overseas travel in Japan while extending its role to become a leading travel agency in Asia.

In recent years, JTB has helped thousands of Japanese baseball fans visit the US and Canada to see Japanese players who star in the MLB.

About JTB

JTB has 159 offices in 35 countries/regions, handling international travel from Japan and various countries worldwide in recent years.

(Source: Businesswire)

Spicing up Marina Bay precinct

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 30 January 2024: Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Marina Bay Sands, and UOB have spearheaded a first-of-its-kind partnership to enliven the Marina Bay precinct for locals and tourists. 

The partnership focuses on introducing lifestyle and entertainment programming for the Bay, including launching over 50 exclusive experiences across hotels, attractions, retail shops and dining establishments, in partnership with more than 19 precinct stakeholders.

The partnership starts with a Lunar New Year drone light show at the Marina Bay waterfront in February.

This builds on the marketing efforts of all three parties – including STB’s Made in Singapore global brand campaign, Marina Bay Sands’ Bay Precinct Strategy, and UOB’s strategy to provide exclusive access to the best Travel, Shop, Dine and Entertainment events across ASEAN – to form a compelling tourism narrative for visitors.

Alongside engaging programming, this partnership will include a marketing campaign, Masterpieces. Made in Singapore, leveraging STB’s global campaign highlighting how the ordinary is made extraordinary through a rich tapestry of unique and unexpected experiences made possible only in Singapore. Campaign communications will go out to key source markets such as Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as post-arrival visitors already in Singapore. 

The partnership takes flight in February with a spectacular waterfront drone light show at the Bay in celebration of the Lunar New Year. Titled “The Legend of the Dragon Gate” will present the story of the mythical Dragon King, brought to life through 1,500 drones set against the iconic Singapore skyline. Themes of family reunion, perseverance, and symbols of luck and prosperity will feature prominently in the show. Visitors can usher in the Year of the Dragon with a 10-minute drone performance, which runs 2000 on 6, 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 February. After the complimentary show, they can also stay on for “Spectra – A Light & Water Show”, which runs at 2030 and 2130 on these dates.

Beyond the festive season, the three partners will continue to embark on joint marketing initiatives to promote the Marina Bay precinct as a world-class lifestyle destination and entertainment hub. Such initiatives will be timed with upcoming opportunities in Q1 2024, such as the highly anticipated Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour in Singapore, of which Marina Bay Sands is the Official Presenting Partner and UOB is the Official Bank and Presale Partner, as well as the Rod Stewart “Live in Concert, One Last Time” tour held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre.

(Source: STB)

Fare deal for China travel

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 30 January 2024: Thais can travel visa-free to China starting 1 March, and AirAsia is offering discounts on 11 direct routes from Thailand to China at THB2,490 per trip.

Travellers who join direct flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi) to China can book the all-inclusive, one-way fares until 11 February for travel from 15 February-30 September 2024.

China has awarded Thai citizens (ordinary passport holders) visa-exemption travel starting on 1 March as part of a raft of bilateral agreements ratified earlier this month during top-level government-to-government talks.

AirAsia flies to Shanghai*, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Changsha, Kunming, Chongqing, Xi’an, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Shantou. 

AirAsia Thailand chief executive office Santisuk Klongchaiya remarked: “Without a visa requirement for Thai citizens travelling to China, trips will be both more convenient and affordable. The agreement is sure to boost tourism between both countries.”

AirAsia has been adding routes and frequency between Thailand and China, including the upcoming new route of Bangkok (Don Mueang) – Beijing, in line with growing demand. 

Thailand and China will allow visa-free travel from 1 March onward, allowing citizens of both nations to visit one another for up to 30 consecutive days or multiple trips that do not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period without requiring a visa. The agreement is expected to be a boon to tourism and the economy of both countries.

*Bangkok (Don Mueang) – Shanghai flights are operated by Thai AirAsia (flight code FD), and Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) – Shanghai flights are operated by Thai AirAsia X (flight code XJ)

MH adds seats for holiday season

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 January 2024: Malaysia Airlines is increasing flights to meet growing travel demand during the upcoming Chinese New Year and school holidays from February to March 2024. 

In a press statement last week, the airline said it would mount an additional 124 flights to cater to its domestic and selective international network from its main hub in Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 (KUL).

In addition, the airline will also seat capacity deploying Airbus A330-200 and A330-300 aircraft instead of 12 smaller aircraft during the Chinese New Year period to accommodate passengers departing to and from Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Kuching (KCH) and Penang (PEN).

Sister airline Firefly recently operated the first international charter flight to Sabah’s Tawau coastal district from Nanjing, China, carrying 157 passengers last week. Firefly will operate the charter flights three times weekly, scheduled to arrive in Tawau every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, offering 540 seats per week until the end of March 2024.

Meanwhile, the airline continues its ongoing fleet modernisation plan by confirming it will add 12 new aircraft in 2024, including its first Airbus 330-900, which is scheduled to arrive in Q3 2024. 

The A330-900 will provide improved operational efficiency for MAG while also allowing it to address environmental targets by offering up to 25% reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.

1...232233234...599Page 233 of 599

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


Contact Us
TTR Weekly (TTRW) is published in Bangkok, Thailand, registered since 1978.
/ month
placeholder text
/ month
placeholder text
Press releases, announcements, events for calendar should be sent to: [email protected]
/ month
placeholder text

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.