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Lufthansa flies to Hyderabad India

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 January 2024: Lufthansa launched a new service connecting Hyderabad to Europe on 17 January using its newest long-haul Boeing 787-900 Dreamliner aircraft

Lufthansa German Airlines has introduced five weekly direct flights from Frankfurt, Germany, to Hyderabad, the capital of the Indian state of Telangana, marking a growing commitment to India and enhancing its presence on the subcontinent. 

Lufthansa CCO Heiko Reitz ribbon cutting inaugural FRA-HYD flight.

The airline flies from Frankfurt on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
LH752 departs Frankfurt at 1055 and arrives in Hyderabad at2355.
The return flight LH753 departs Hyderabad at 0155 and arrives in Frankfurt at 0705

Once known as the City of Pearls due to its historical significance in the pearl and diamond trade, Hyderabad has long been a hub for merchants and traders worldwide.   

Today, Hyderabad is India’s 4th largest city, an emerging technological, aerospace and Indian pharma hub, with a strong presence of major multinational companies, including Google, Microsoft, Boeing and Airbus.  An investment hub as well as a centre for innovation, Hyderabad combines the old-world charm of its rich history with the dynamism of 21st-century India.

Lufthansa now operates direct connections from Germany to five destinations in the country, Hyderabad-Frankfurt being the latest addition to its global network.   

As the fastest-growing major market for Lufthansa globally, capacity growth in India exceeds pre-pandemic levels.  Lufthansa Group senior director of South Asia George Ettiyil noted: “Including our new Hyderabad-Frankfurt service, we now offer Indian passengers 64 weekly flights to our hubs in Europe and onward connections to the biggest network on the European continent.   As we launch Hyderabad, our capacity to India has increased by 14% (relative to 2019), making it the fastest-growing major market for Lufthansa.   

“With Bangalore-Munich and now Hyderabad-Frankfurt services, we have launched two new routes in the past three months, recognising South India’s growing relevance and demonstrating the strong overall importance of India to the Lufthansa Group.”

TG files to fly to Kochi India

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 18 January 2024: Thai Airways has filed an application with India’s civil aviation authorities to fly a new route from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Kochi in southwest Kerala state starting this April.

The airline is scheduling three weekly flights on the route departing Bangkok late at night on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and arriving in Kochi shortly after midnight. It will assign an A320-200 with a single economy class configuration to the route. The first flight is scheduled for 2 April at the start of the airline’s summer timetable (31 March to 31 October 2024). 

TG347 will depart Bangkok at 2140 and arrive in Kochi at 0025 on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
TG348 will depart Kochi (COK) at 0135 and arrive in Bangkok (BKK) at 0735 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

The flights are filed in provisional timetable information distributed by OAG, but flights are not open for bookings on either the airline’s website or independent booking websites such as Trip.com.

Thai AirAsia is the only airline offering a direct route operating between Bangkok (based in Don Mueang Airport (DMK) and Kochi in India. Daily flights depart Bangkok at 2020 and arrive in Kochi at 2250. 

Kochi will be the eighth destination that Thai Airways serves in India. It’s an important port city in southwest India located on the Lakshadweep Sea coast and the most populous city in Kerala state. Also known as Cochin, the city is vibrant, with a rich history and diverse attractions. 

Kochi’s top attractions

Fort Kochi: Explore the charming old town with its colourful heritage buildings, colonial bungalows, and diverse houses of worship like the Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and Paradesi Synagogue.

Mattancherry Palace: Immerse yourself in the history of the Kochi Rajas at this 16th-century palace showcasing murals, royal artefacts, and exhibits on Kerala’s cultural heritage.

Kerala Folklore Museum: Delve into the rich traditions and art forms of Kerala through exhibits on tribal life, temple rituals, performing arts, and everyday objects.

Cherai Beach: Relax on the pristine golden sands of Cherai Beach, enjoy water sports like kayaking and surfing, or take a stroll along the palm-fringed coast.

Kerala Kathakali Centre: Witness the mesmerising performance of Kathakali, a traditional Kerala dance form known for its elaborate costumes, vibrant makeup, and expressive storytelling.

David Hall Gallery & Cafe: Immerse yourself in the contemporary art scene of Kochi at this vibrant gallery and cafe showcasing works by local and international artists.

Trip.Com signs MOU with Vietjet

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 January 2024: Global travel service provider Trip.com Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vietjet Air to make travel easier for travellers to search and book other travel services when visiting the airline’s website.

To achieve that ambitious goal, Trip.com Group will launch a suite of travel products on Vietjet’s website, powering hotel bookings, airport transfers, attractions, and activities. It will also provide Vietjet with the latest technologies, such as the virtual Interline solution, to broaden Vietjet’s global network footprint. 

Yudong Tan (right), chief executive officer, Flights, Trip.com Group, and Dinh Viet Phuong chief executive officer, Vietjet Air, signed the MOU.

The data integration initiative will enable customers to benefit from both parties’ loyalty programmes. Members of Vietjet SkyJoy and Trip.com Rewards can accumulate reward points to exchange for gifts, flight tickets, and other incentives from a plethora of third-party products and services.

Trip.com Group chief executive officer flights Yudong Tan said: “We are delighted to partner with Vietjet Air, a leading low-cost airline, to offer travellers seamless experiences when planning and booking their trips with a comprehensive range of travel products and deals. We have worked with Vietjet before on successful campaigns to promote Vietnam as a destination of choice for travellers, and we believe our mutual commitment to prioritising customer satisfaction is a testament to both companies’ customer centricity. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Vietjet Air.”

Airfare promotion

To celebrate the milestone, Vietjet and Trip.com Group offer travellers a special promotion of up to 50% off airfares until 22 January 2024, which applies to Vietjet’s entire flight network. 

Customers can book Vietjet flights on Trip.com, www.vietjetair.com, or the Vietjet Air mobile app to unlock a 50% discount on fares by entering the code TR24150. A 20% discount applies with the code TR24120, and 10% off with the code TR24110*. The promotion is valid for flights from 30 March to 31 October 2024.

Vietnam’s booking trends

Bookings on Trip.com Group’s platforms last year for Vietnam-related products almost tripled (299.7%) year-on-year (YoY). Arrivals in Vietnam last year also increased similarly, with full-year numbers showing robust 344.2% growth. There has also been a similar appetite for outbound travel from Vietnam, with outbound bookings in 2023 growing 213.2% YoY.

(*) Exclusive of taxes and fees. Other terms and conditions applied.
(#) Exclusive of public holidays and peak seasons.

AirAsia expands flights to India

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 18 January 2024: AirAsia confirms this week it will launch a new route on 1 May 2024, connecting Kuala Lumpur with India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City — Ahmedabad — with four weekly flights.

This new route will add to the airline’s rapidly growing connectivity to India, marking AirAsia’s 11th route to the country and third in 2024 alone. This will also serve as AirAsia’s first air link to the state of Gujarat from Malaysia, further cementing its foothold in South Asia. 

Also known as Amdavad, the city of Ahmedabad is credited with being one of India’s largest cotton textile hubs. But it is equally famous for its serene lakes, quaint temples, and centuries-old mosques. History buffs visit the city to study its ancient architecture, which dates back to the 15th century under the rule of Sultan Ahmad Shah. 

Ahmedabad is not shy of tourist hotspots and boasts some of the best street food in the world, in addition to being at the forefront of some of the country’s most sought-after jewellery. 

To celebrate this milestone, AirAsia sells a one-off promotional fare for those wishing to explore Ahmedabad. Fly from only MYR209* from Kuala Lumpur and from just INR7,999* from Ahmedabad to Kuala Lumpur if you book from now until 28 January 2024. Travel will be valid from 1 May 2024 until 19 March 2025 for bookings made on the AirAsia Superapp or on the website.

AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce yet another venture of AirAsia into Incredible India to the beautiful Ahmedabad  ‒ with many more to follow suit ‒ as we continue to celebrate the commendable initiative by the Malaysian government for the visa-free entry into Malaysia for Indian nationals.” 

AirAsia operates a robust network of routes directly from Kuala Lumpur to India to northern and southern cities — Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata via its short-haul airline AirAsia Malaysia (flight code AK).

The medium-haul affiliate airline AirAsia X (flight code D7) flies to Delhi and Amritsar.

In February 2024, AirAsia will be commencing flights to Thiruvananthapuram in the southern state of Kerala, making it the second direct route to the state after Kochi, followed by Jaipur in April and Ahmedabad in May.

*Promotional all-in fares quoted are for one-way travel, including taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharge, and other relevant fees.

Cross Hotels & Resorts arrive in Bali

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TTR WEEKLY
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BALI, Indonesia, 17 January 2024: Cross Hotels & Resorts signed a double agreement this week with PT Sunset Studio One, a subsidiary of PT Bhuwanatala Indah Permai Tbk (BIP Group), to launch the chic Cross Vibe brand in Indonesia.

Cross Hotels & Resorts secures its footing in Indonesia by launching the trendy Cross Vibe brand. It starts with the debut of Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta. The 175-key Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta is located on Jalan Raya Kuta, a 10-minute drive from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

Accommodation options at Cross Vibe Paasha Atelier Bali Kuta include superior pool view, duplex, junior suite, deluxe pool, and deluxe pool suites. The low-rise property also features an all-day international restaurant, a swimming pool, a day spa, and a gym.

With three hotels already operational in Thailand’s gateway cities of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya, Cross Vibe is expanding its portfolio with its latest addition to Kuta in Bali.

Cross Hotels & Resorts current portfolio includes 28 hotels under six distinct brands – Cross, Cross Vibe, Away, Lumen, Cross Collection and Kaura — across four countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam.

Ang Pao design promotes boat regatta

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 17 January 2024: To usher in the Year of the Dragon, the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is showcasing the iconic Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta (SIDBR) for its 2024 Chinese New Year Ang Pao* packet design.

Chinese New Year celebrations start on 10 February, covering at least seven days of festivities and holidays. Sarawak’s Ang Pao packets handed out during the New Year will underscore promotions for the annual Dragon Boat Race Festival hosted on the Kuching River in late October. 

The dragon, being a symbol of strength, power, and good fortune in Chinese mythology, resonates with the SIDBR, suggesting the dragon’s spirited energy weaves into the hearts of the rowers with every beat of the drum, pushing them to row vigorously in unison and embodying the camaraderie that the dragon represents.

“Our SIDBR-inspired Ang Pao design marks the seventh edition of STB’s Ang Pao series, which features elements unique to Sarawak. We look forward to creating new and truly Sarawakian Ang Pao designs every year to make it a collectable while promoting Sarawak’s priceless biodiversity and heritage to the world,” STB Chief Executive Officer Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor explained.

The limited 2024 Ang Pao packets are available for collection at STB’s visitor information centres in Kuching, Sibu and Miri from 16 January while stocks last.

The annual SIDBR is an internationally recognised event that sees local and foreign rowing teams competing in various categories to win coveted cash prizes and prestigious trophies on the serene waters of the Sarawak River. 

The SIDBR is usually held at the end of October for male, female, and mixed categories for crews of different sizes. During SIDBR 2023, for the first time, the event welcomed two teams of paddlers that included members with physical disabilities.

A total of 60 teams from 20 countries took part in the recent SIDBR in October 2023. The participating countries were Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Spain, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia.  

*A red envelope or red packet is a monetary gift given during holidays or for special occasions such as weddings, graduations, and births.

For more information about Sarawak tourism activities, log on to Sarawak Tourism Board’s website: https://sarawaktourism.com.

Emirates and Azul expand partnership benefits

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI UAE, 17 January 2024: Emirates and Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A (Azul) have taken their partnership to new heights by launching a reciprocal loyalty programme offering. Emirates Skywards and TudoAzul frequent flyer members can now earn and redeem Miles across a joint network of more than 290 destinations worldwide. The two carriers launched a codeshare partnership in 2021 to provide customers enhanced connectivity to/from eight cities in Brazil to Emirates’ global network via Sao Paulo.

Emirates Skywards divisional senior vice president Nejib Ben Khedher said: “We’re very pleased to announce a new partnership with Azul, the largest airline in Brazil. Skywards members can now rack up even more Miles while discovering hundreds of cities across Brazil and South America.

Azul members can also look forward to earning and redeeming Miles on more than 130 destinations across Emirates’ global network. We look forward to starting a great partnership and unlocking fantastic benefits for our frequent flyer members.”

Azul, director of loyalty programme & ancillary revenue Cristina Yoshida added: “Our partnership with Emirates, a company globally recognised for its excellence in service, means a significant progress in our mission to provide memorable experiences to the customers. We are expanding Azul’s destinations and portfolio, reinforcing our commitment to a loyalty programme that offers the best options to the members.”

More opportunities to earn and burn Miles

Under the agreement, Emirates Skywards members can earn Miles while travelling across Azul’s network of more than 150 destinations. Skywards members earn up to one Skywards Mile per mile flown in economy class and up to 1.5 Skywards Miles per mile flown in business class.

Members can also redeem flight rewards on Azul economy class on emirates.com(starting from 8,000 Miles for a one-way reward ticket) and Azul business class (starting from 17,500 Miles for a one-way reward ticket).

The partnership will also enable TudoAzul members to earn Miles across Emirates’ global network of more than 130 destinations across six continents. Azul members can also enjoy flight rewards on Emirates economy and business class cabins.*

Connecting Brazil to the world

Emirates currently operates a daily A380 service to Sao Paulo, featuring its highly lauded premium economy cabin. The airline also operates a Boeing 777-300ER service between Dubai and Rio de Janeiro, connecting travellers to Buenos Aires.

The codeshare agreement with Emirates and Azul allows customers to connect to/from Rio de Janeiro,  Santos Dumont (SDU), Belem (BEL) Belo Horizonte (CNF), Cuiaba (CGB), Curitiba (CWB), Juazeiro Do Norte (JDO), Porto Alegre (POA) and Recife (REC) airports on flights operated by Azul to Emirates flights from Sao Paulo (GRU) to Dubai and beyond with a single ticket.

Top-ranking loyalty programme

Emirates Skywards has more than 30 million members worldwide. The loyalty programme offers four tiers of membership – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum – with each tier earning exclusive privileges, including airport lounge access, instant flight upgrades, priority check-in and boarding, complimentary seat selection, excess baggage allowance, preferential Cash+Miles rates, and complimentary Wi-Fi internet on-board.

Emirates Skywards has hundreds of brand partners, including airline, hotel, financial, retail, and lifestyle partners. The loyalty programme recently launched a one-stop shop for members to learn how to earn and spend Miles daily, everywhere, with more than 4,000 retail, lifestyle, and car rental partners and access to around 2 million hotels via travel partners worldwide. Click here to explore a world of lifestyle rewards with Skywards Living. 

Recognised for its industry-leading initiatives and innovative product offerings – Emirates Skywards has scooped more than 50 awards since its inception. More recently, the programme won: “Best Earning and Redemption Ability” at the 2023 Frequent Traveler Awards; and World’s Leading Rewards Programme at the prestigious 2023 World Travel Awards – an accolade it has won for the last 10 out of 12 years.

For more information, visit emirates.com/skywards

Regent Seven Seas names CSO

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2024: Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced this week the appointment of Steve Odell as the cruise line’s chief sales officer. 

Steve Odell chief sales officer.

Odell will be responsible for maximising opportunities across all booking distribution channels and deepening valued travel partner relationships. In his new role, Odell will report directly to Regent Seven Seas Cruises president Andrea DeMarco.

Odell rejoins Regent, having previously worked for Regent as senior vice president and managing director of the Asia Pacific region for seven years.

A cruise industry veteran with over 35 years of experience, Odell joined Regent in October 2015 to spearhead the launch of the company’s Asia Pacific business across all three Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands. In 2019, Odell transitioned to focus on the company’s expansion in the Asia Pacific market, focusing solely on Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.

France keeps its tourism crown

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TTR WEEKLY
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PARIS, 17 January 2024: The latest flight booking data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and its knowledge partner ForwardKeys shows France is set to keep its pole position as the world’s most popular destination for international arrivals this year.

The research reveals a positive outlook for France’s inbound travel, with arrivals set almost to reach pre-pandemic highs this year.

During her participation at the Destination France event in Chantilly and hosted by President Macron, Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, praised France for its steely focus in recognising the economic and cultural value Travel & Tourism brings in jobs and contribution to GDP. This is achieved through a strong private sector working well with the government and the regions.

According to the latest analysis from WTTC and ForwardKeys, the leading travel data and analytics company, international arrivals in France for the first half of 2024 are at 93% of the same period in 2019, with France cementing its position as the world’s most popular destination.

International arrivals to France are surging significantly in the first half of this year, providing a welcome boost to the sector, which, at its peak, contributed EUR220 billion to the national economy, and Travel & Tourism businesses up and down the country, supporting 2.7 million livelihoods.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “France’s commitment to Travel & Tourism is not just reflected in the impressive data but in the unwavering efforts of the government.

“President Macron recognises the real value Travel & Tourism brings to France regarding the economy, jobs and its standing on the world stage. His support has ensured France remains the world’s most popular destination.”

Research also shows that airlines are ramping up their capacity to match the growing demand worldwide, with the number of seats set to surpass 2019 levels this year.

ForwardKeys vice president insights Olivier Ponti added: “With flight bookings on the rise and air carriers set to introduce a record number of seats, France enters 2024 in a strong position.

“Capitalising on the successful hosting of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and on the growing exposure provided by the upcoming Olympic Games, the country is set to be one of most thought-after destinations this year for regional and long-haul markets.”

This rise in passenger capacity is led by Orly Airport, with an increase of 28%, reaching nearly eight million. Charles de Gaulle remains the busiest airport in France, to reach 18.5 million in the first six months of 2024, just 3% below 2019 levels.

Paris is the world’s most powerful city destination, but in 2024, other French cities will also be popular attractions for foreign visitors. Nice is among the top-performing European cities, with international arrivals expected to reach 94% of pre-pandemic levels.

Paris is the world’s most powerful city destination, but Nice has emerged as one of the top-performing European cities, with international arrivals expected to reach 94% of pre-pandemic levels.

France as a destination is becoming increasingly popular amongst Spanish and Canadian travellers, with international arrivals exceeding 2019 by more than 64% and 54%, respectively.

Irish and South Korean travellers are returning to France in their droves, with visitor numbers up from 2019 levels by 19% and 16%, respectively.

Travellers to France are also spending more money, with bookings of premium cabins witnessing a surge of 21% compared to pre-pandemic levels in the first half of the year.

Last year, WTTC’s Economic Impact Research (EIR) revealed that the French Travel & Tourism sector is expected to grow at an average of 3% annually over the next decade, twice the 1.5% annual growth rate of the country’s overall economy, to reach more than €297 billion (9.7% of the total economy).

The forecast also revealed the Travel & Tourism sector in France is expected to create more than 555,000 jobs in the next 10 years, averaging nearly 56,000 new jobs every year, reaching almost 3.3 million employed within the sector by 2033.

ITB lines up its Asia shows for 2024

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2024: ITB’s Singapore team is reminding travel and hospitality sales teams across Asia to jot down details of three must-attend shows in 2024.

As the tourist arrivals and airline passenger traffic climb closer to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019, travel and hospitality companies are revisiting the lists of shows they must attend to reach out to travel buyers worldwide.

Here are the details of three important trade shows in Asia.

Travel Meet Asia 2024
3 – 4 July 2024
Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Jakarta, Indonesia
For more information, https://www.travelmeetasia.com/ 

ITB India 2024
11 – 13 September 2024
Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, India
For more information, https://www.itb-india.com/ 

ITB Asia 2024
23 – 25 October 2024
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
For more information, https://www.itb-asia.com/

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