SINGAPORE, 27 March 2024: Early bird rates that lop off 15% from the 2024 booth rental fees for the upcoming ITB India are due to end on 14 May.
ITB India 2024 will be held from 11 to 13 September 2024 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, India.
ITB India is a three-in-one B2B travel show co-located with MICE Show India and Travel Tech India, which delivers networking opportunities and business appointments with key players in the Indian travel market.
Exhibitors will gain comprehensive pre-schedule meetings with buyers from India and neighbouring South Asian regions, offering opportunities to build bridges with South Asian travel buyers.
Buyers are pre-qualified serious travel procurement professionals from one, two and three-tier cities in Indian and South Asian outbound and domestic markets.
Invited travel buyers cover key segments of the travel industry, mainly MICE, corporate, and leisure travel markets. ITB India estimates buyers have a collective purchasing power of more than USD1 million. About 70% of attending buyers are C-level profiles with decision-making responsibility.
Travel Meet Asia 3 – 4 July 2024 Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Jakarta, Indonesia The premium tradeshow is for market-focused networking, engagements, and thought leadership. Travel Meet Asia provides you with opportunities to unlock key potentials in specific source markets or regions.
ITB Asia 23 – 25 October 2024 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore The annual three-day B2B trade show and convention will feature exhibiting companies globally and cover MICE, Leisure, and Corporate Travel.
MICE Show Asia 23 – 25 October 2024 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore An unmissable event for the meeting industry in APAC, MICE Show Asia is where the incentive travel, meetings and events industries come together to connect and build the future of MICE.
Travel Tech Asia 23 – 25 October 2024 Marina Bay Sands, Singapore Travel Tech Asia is where the latest technologies, emerging trends, leading travel brands, and innovative startups are all in one place to create new possibilities in travel.
BANGKOK, 27 March 2024: Minor Hotels, a global hotel owner and operator, has appointed Marlon Abeyakoon as the general manager of NH Collection Maldives Havodda.
The luxury all-villa resort marks the debut of the NH Collection brand in a non-urban destination, introducing its renowned European flair to the Maldives.
Marlon Abeyakoon GM at NH Collection Maldives Havodda.
A luxury hospitality and rebranding expert, Abeyakoon has a formidable track record, having worked for prestigious global brands such as Kerzner, Hilton and Marriott in diverse locations, including the UK, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji and the UAE.
In early 2020, Abeyakoon joined Minor Hotels as general manager designate for Avani+ Fares Resort before moving to Minor’s Oaks Ibn Battuta Gate Hotel in Dubai in the same role.
A UK national, Abeyakoon commented: “It is an honour to lead the team at the inaugural NH Collection property in the Maldives. The recently refurbished resort more than does justice to the beauty of the Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll. I look forward to collaborating with the team to deliver extraordinary experiences for our guests.”
HANOI, 27 March 2024: Vietjet Air will schedule direct flights from Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, to Sydney and Melbourne in Australia in June.
Earlier this month, the airline confirmed that direct flights from Hanoi to Melbourne would be scheduled twice weekly on Monday and Friday, starting 3 June.
Photo credit: Vietjet Air. Sydney is the latest addition to the Vietjet’s network — start-up flights this June.
In its latest news update, the airline will add direct flights from Hanoi to Sydney twice weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) starting on 8 June. Both services will use the 377-seat A330-300 (12 business and 365 economy) for the 10-hour 35-minute flight.
Vietjet Air’s flights from Hanoi to Sydney will depart at 1710 (local time) and arrive in Sydney at 0600 the following day (local time). The flights from Sydney to Hanoi depart on Thursdays and Sundays at 0830 (local time) and arrive in Hanoi at 1600 on the same day (local time).
On the Hanoi-Melbourne route, the flight will depart Hanoi on Monday and Friday at 1710 and arrive in Melbourne at 0600 on the following morning. The return flight will depart Melbourne on Tuesday and Saturday at 0730 and arrive in Hanoi at 1400.
Vietjet will face stiff competition from the national carrier Vietnam Airlines on both routes. On the Hanoi to Melbourne route, Vietnam Airlines operates three direct flights weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Fares on the route average USD1,030 roundtrip in economy. Vietnam Airlines also flies three weekly services on the Hanoi-Sydney route (Tuesday, Friday and Sunday). The average fare on the route is USD1,130.
Vietjet Air has expanded its services to Australia since last year, flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.
GEORGE TOWN, Penang, 27 March 2024: The 4th Edition of Electronics Manufacturing Expo Asia (EMAX) and the third edition of Penang Manufacturing Expo (PMAX) 2024 will be hosted 24 to 26 July at the island’s Setia Spice Convention Centre, NRG Exhibitions reported on Tuesday.
Building on the success of previous editions, EMAX & PMAX 2024 will once again be held at the prestigious Setia SPICE Convention Centre in Penang, Malaysia.
EMAX & PMAX 2024 will feature a comprehensive range of exhibitors, seminars, and networking opportunities, providing attendees with valuable insights into the latest technologies, trends, and best practices shaping the industry. From chip manufacturers and semiconductor suppliers to equipment providers and industry experts, participants can expect to connect with key players and explore innovative solutions driving the future of electronics and manufacturing.
With a focus on fostering collaboration and driving growth, EMAX & PMAX 2024 will attract participants from over 40 countries, showcasing 200+ leading brands and welcoming more than 8000 visitors.
EMAX & PMAX is supported by: Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB); Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
SINGAPORE, 27 March 2024: Global travel leader Skyscanner released its latest Horizons report last week, highlighting insights into booking windows, destination choices, and trending destinations across the APAC regions.
The analysis is based on Skyscanner’s proprietary forward-looking Travel Insight data, comparing traveller behaviour and search trends year-on-year.
Booking windows
Across the board, travellers are planning further ahead than the previous year, marking a return to traditional seasonality in 2024. Compared to other regions, APAC travellers have a greater distribution of booking windows but an overall increase in bookings over 30 days (including a 2% jump in the 90+ day segment). Booking windows of two months or more now represent over a third of demand in this region.
Destination choices
APAC travellers are focusing on intra-regional destinations, with a notable decrease in trips to Europe compared to last year. Seat capacity is returning to the region, and many travellers want to swap long-haul trips with short or medium trips or even domestic trips with an eye on their budget to help keep costs down.
Shorter trips
Across all regions, average trip lengths are slightly down or flat year-on-year for many popular destinations. Well-known European and US destinations are the most popular, with Athens experiencing the biggest increase in trip length. “Everywhere” also ranks highly, and Tokyo is the only destination with a single-digit trip length.
Trending destinations
Destinations with the biggest year-on-year increases in search volumes reflect a mix of wanting to explore new places and those with new route connections. New Delhi, India and Shanghai, China, are experiencing the biggest growth amongst APAC travellers, while Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Victoria, Canada, are also trending. Pangkalan Bun in Borneo, Indonesia, is the only trending destination with an increase in average trip length.
Skyscanner head of destination partnerships Zeynep Mutlu Bigalı commented: “Our latest Horizon insights reveal a travel landscape that is both familiar and evolving. While traditional seasonality is returning and popular destinations remain in demand, travellers seek value and explore options closer to home. Across Skyscanner’s platforms, we have seen incredible demand at the start of the year, and we expect this to continue as we head into the summer, especially in regions such as North Asia.”
At the start of 2024, Skyscanner saw record travel demand, outperforming the global flights market and being the fastest-growing metasearch in 2023*.
Skyscanner continues to be a strategic partner for some of the world’s biggest brands, airlines, and DMOs. It works with companies across the travel ecosystem, including DMOs like Visit California, to promote destinations. It powers the next generation of AI travel tools, such as Bing Chat and Layla, and helps airlines promote their unique offers via NDC and launch new routes based on data intelligence.
HONG KONG, 27 March 2024: Resorts World One will home port in both Keelung and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, from 12 July to 27 August 2024, Resorts World Cruises announced on Tuesday.
This year’s deployment will introduce a series of two, four and five-night Cruises for the summer vacation to the island of Kyushu and
Photo credit: Resorts World Cruises.
Okinawa in Japan, including to Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Sasebo and Nagasaki, as well as to Naha, Miyakojima and Ishigaki in Okinawa.
Riding high since last year’s successful deployment, Resorts World Cruises has led to the rejuvenation of the local cruise sector and generated a high volume of inbound cruise tourists from Hong Kong, Macao, and Southeast Asia.
Last year’s deployment broke new records for the port of Kaohsiung with the highest number of cruises and passengers carried, totalling 138 cruises and over 199,000 passengers, respectively. Additionally, it also supplied over 60,000 inbound tourists to the Penghu destination.
Overall, Resorts World One’s deployment in 2023 generated a tourism output value of approximately NTD1.6 billion, contributing to the overall growth of the tourism economy.
BANGKOK, 27 March 2024: AirAsia continues to expand its international network by introducing direct flights from Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK) to Beijing, China, effective 1 July 2024.
The daily flight is now open for bookings at promotional fares starting at THB3,990, valid when booking from 26 March to 7 April 2024 for travel from 1 July 2024 onward. The deal is on sale at AirAsia MOVE (formerly airasia Superapp) or via airasia.com.
Direct daily flights DMK-PKX
Flight FD600 will depart Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) at 2255 and arrive in Beijing, China (Beijing Daxking Airport PKX) at 0440 on the following day. Flight FD601 will depart Beijing Daxing (PKX) at 0550 and arrive in Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK) at 0945. Flight time is five hours on a single-class A320neo.
Thai AirAsia head of commercial Tansita Akrarittipirom points to AirAsia’s success in the domestic market in Thailand, where it maintains the highest market share and supports bookings on flights to destinations in ASEAN, India, South Asia, Japan, and China.
However, in 2023, Thai AirAsia flew in over 600,000 Chinese travellers to Thailand, or 18% of all Chinese tourists to the nation, according to statistics from the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Following the visa-free policy between Thailand and China that kicked off on 1 March 2024, travel between the two countries has increased, allowing the airline to introduce the Don Mueang-Beijing route for the first time.
The route serves Chinese tourists and Thai travellers looking to visit the grand city of Beijing. It is the only Thai-operated flight connecting Don Mueang Airport and the Chinese capital.
“Beijing is a popular destination for Thai travellers, and we have seen a consistent demand from travellers for the Chiang Mai-Beijing route that we launched earlier. Being our 12th direct service between Thailand and China, I am confident Don Mueang-Beijing will be equally, if not more, popular,” Tansita said.
Since the start of 2024, Thai AirAsia has seen rapid growth on its China routes, with a load factor average of 93% during the first two months (January-February). The introduction of visa-free travel on 1 March further supported this growth, especially for Thai travellers to China. In March alone, Thai visits to China should have grown by 200% from January (before the visa-free policy). The airline will serve up to 1.3 million passengers in 2024, up 27% from 2023, she explained.
“We are working closely with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to attract more Chinese tourists to the nation and most recently launched the Boarding Pass Privilege campaign for foreign visitors, presenting those holding an AirAsia boarding pass to enjoy various privileges and discounts from 18 campaign partners that will make their stay in Thailand an even more fun and worthwhile,” said Tansita.
Thai AirAsia flies 12 routes between Thailand and China from Bangkok Don Mueang: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Changsha, Chongqing, Kunming, Hangzhou, Shantou, Wuhan, Xi’an, Shanghai and now Beijing starting 1 July 2024.
SINGAPORE, 26 March 2024: Emirates is the global winner of the ‘Best Inflight Entertainment Award’ in Airline Ratings 2024 Airline Excellence Awards, announced online last week.
Emirates scooped the top award for inflight entertainment from an extensive finalist list of global airlines due to its whopping 6,500 channels of high-quality and acclaimed content — the world’s largest entertainment library in the sky — making it a clear winner for the Best Inflight Entertainment award.
Emirates updates its inflight content every month, adding hundreds of movies, TV shows, podcasts, and music channels each month to its extensive entertainment library and securing exclusive partnerships with the best content providers.
Customers can also curate their own ice experience before their flight by browsing and pre-selecting movies or TV shows on the Emirates app. These can then be synchronised to ice the moment they board, maximising the seamless travel experience.
Emirates inflight entertainment journey began almost 30 years ago when it was one of the first airlines to introduce seat-back videos for economy-class passengers. Emirates is also committed to setting industry standards and accessibility for people of determination and was the first airline in the world to introduce Audio Descriptive soundtracks and Closed Captions on movies on an inflight entertainment system.
Airlineratings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas commented on the award: “Our editors were unanimous in their praise for Emirates ice system as a step above. That early investment in inflight entertainment has paid off for Emirates, and when you think it can’t do better, it lifts the bar once again.”
The AirineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards are evaluated by an editorial team with many years of experience based on robust criteria, including product and safety ratings, passengers’ reviews on AirlineRatings.com and Trip Advisor, and overall profitability.
KUCHING, 26 March 2024: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) unveils the highly anticipated Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2024, set to be a transformative celebration under the theme ‘Evolution’.
In its 27th edition, the RWMF promises an immersive experience that transcends music, incorporating responsible tourism, cultural celebration, and environmental stewardship.
The festival lineup is nothing short of extraordinary, featuring a diversity that showcases 20 acts in total, comprising 68 international musicians from 14 countries across six continents together with 63 Malaysian artists. This exciting amalgamation of sounds and cultures promises to create a musical fusion like never before, showcasing the richness of global musical traditions right here in the heart of Sarawak. All the acts combined command a massive global fanbase of 12 million, comprising followers from Spotify and various social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook.
Among the festival’s headlining acts is the Grammy and Golden Globe award winner Kitaro, a Japanese recording artist renowned for his groundbreaking electronic-instrumental music. Kitaro Live World Tour will be coming to the Rainforest World Music Festival for the first time to enchant and captivate audiences with his ethereal compositions and transport them on a musical journey like no other. Kitaro won his Grammy in 2001 at the 43rd Grammy Awards for Best Album in the New Age category.
Alongside Kitaro, headlining at the RWMF this year from West Malaysia, is Dato Zainalabidin, known for his hit song ‘Hijau’, which has been around for over three decades. It was one of the first few songs in the country to be categorised under the genre of ‘World Music’ when the concept was still relatively new in Malaysia. Zainalabidin is an award-winning artist, having won multiple prestigious awards throughout his career, such as the Millennium Gold Award: Highest Award for Contribution to the Music Industry in 2002, Best Entertainer at the Seri Angkasa Award in 2004 and the Best Male Vocal in an Album (‘Puteri’ album) at the Music Industry Award (AIM).
Representing East Malaysia is Sarawak’s own Belle Sisoski, well-known for using her creative platform to raise awareness about indigenous rights and environmental and musical conservation in Sarawak. This remarkable 18-year-old was also 2nd place with her song “Stop Your Games’, in the 2022/2023 Commonwealth Song Contest. She connects with the younger generation and introduces them to the rich variety of Sarawak’s traditional instruments through her music.
Other international acts include Alright Mela Meets Santoo (Pakistan/France), Bourbon Lassi (Australia/Malaysia), Imarhan (Algeria/France), Krakatau Ethno (Indonesia), Nini (Taiwan/USA), Rizal Hadi and Folk (Indonesia), Rhythm Rebels Featuring Selonding Bali Aga (Indonesia), and Tribal Tide (Singapore).
Attendees to RWMF 2024 will also be entertained by other Malaysian acts such as The Borneo Collective (East Malaysia), Adrian G (West Malaysia), Alena Murang (East Malaysia), Nisa Addina (East Malaysia), Salammusik (West Malaysia), The Colour of Sound’s Malaysia (West Malaysia), Tuni Sundatang (East Malaysia) and Zarul @OurBodySound (West Malaysia).
The Borneo Collective is the first-ever musical project, called the ‘Soul of Sarawak,’ to be performed at RWMF2024, featuring Sarawak’s masters of traditional instruments backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians from all over Malaysia. The ensemble consists of Malaysia’s Living National Heritage Matthew Ngau, Jerry Kamit of Tuku Kame, Joe Gendang and Ezra Tekola of At Adau.
YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak, shared: “The Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 transcends its role as a mere music festival; it embodies the theme of ‘EVOLUTION’, where sustainability, responsible tourism, and cultural exchange blend in perfect harmony to converge. We anticipate to surpass RWMF2023 attendees for the entire festival weekend, creating a platform for key opinion leaders, environmental advocates, and youth changemakers.”
The Minister added: “Ticket options for RWMF 2024 cater to every enthusiast, from the coveted 3-day pass priced at MYR635 for adults, granting access to the entire weekend of festivities, to the 1-day pass for adults offering early bird pricing at RM235, pre-sale at MYR283, and door sale at MYR333. Children aged 3-12 can join in the excitement with a one-day pass priced at MYR80, while admission is free for children below three. Ticket sales will open in mid-April 2024, and exciting giveaways await ticket purchasers in support of Sarawak tourism’s ongoing responsible tourism and sustainability initiatives.”
In line with the theme of ‘Evolution’, the Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 continues to take bold strides towards sustainability and responsible tourism. From eco-friendly initiatives to advocacy for greener practices, the festival aims to inspire positive change for a better, more environmentally conscious future.
“The Rainforest World Music Festival has always been a beacon of cultural celebration, a vibrant tapestry of diverse musical traditions and a champion for the indigenous voice of the world. In this 27th edition, we are taking an important step forward. With the Evolution of RWMF, we are transforming the festival into a dynamic platform that advocates sustainable practices in tourism and conservation, paving the way for the next 25 years of this festival”, emphasised Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board.
“The Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 will embrace the evolution of music expressions, the unity found in diversity, honour the wisdom of indigenous traditions and cultivate harmony that transcends boundaries. Our shared experiences will ignite a passion for preserving our planet and cherishing the richness of our collective heritage. Together, we can create a brighter future through music and beyond for future generations.”
The Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 invites music enthusiasts, environmental advocates, and cultural explorers to join in this unparalleled celebration of diversity, evolution, and harmony.
For more information and ticket bookings, please visit the official Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 website at www.rwmf.net.
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 March 2024: The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) will host the Asia and Pacific Turboprop Safety Conference on 26 and 27 June 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
AAPA has been working with the region’s turboprop operators since 2014 and has embarked on this initiative to support the region’s large number of regional turboprop operators, who operate crucial airline services to many cities and remote destinations.
AAPA has long identified turboprop operators’ unique challenges, particularly in Asia and the Pacific. The upcoming conference aims to bring together industry stakeholders, including AAPA member airlines, other operators, and industry bodies, to exchange insights, best practices, and innovative solutions.
“The industry believes that safety is paramount for the industry and no airline should be left behind,” said AAPA director general Subhas Menon. “The Asia and Pacific Turboprop Safety Conference underscores our commitment to promoting safety excellence across all segments of commercial aviation.”
The conference will feature a comprehensive agenda covering various aspects of turboprop operations, including emergency response, safety culture, flight data monitoring, and unique airport and operational considerations. Attendees can expect engaging discussions, informative presentations, and networking opportunities.
