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Juneyao Airlines flies to Penang

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SINGAPORE, 19 March 2024: Shanghai-based Juneyao Airlines announced plans last week to fly to Penang starting 31 May 2024, making it the first direct service between the two destinations.

The introduction of the new route coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. Last December, the two countries established a mutual visa-free agreement that allows citizens of both countries visa-free entry — 15 days for Malaysians visiting China and 30 days for Chinese visiting Malaysia. The visa-free agreement runs until the end of November 2024.

Photo credit: Juneyao Airlines.

According to the Huang Pu Shanghai government website, Juneyao Airlines schedules four weekly flights departing  Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Flight time is five hours and 30 minutes using a 180-seat A320.

Flight HO1365 will depart Shang Hai Pu Dong International Airport (PVG) at 1730 and arrive in Penang (PEN) at 2300.
Flight HO1365 will depart Penang (PEN) at 0005 and arrive in Shanghai (PVG) at 0525 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

Owned by Shanghai Juneyao Group, the airline is a connecting partner of the global Star Alliance.

Last week, the airline confirmed an increase in flights from Shanghai to Bangkok in Thailand and Singapore, effective 31 March. On the Shanghai Pu Dong to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi route, the airline will double its flights from one to two daily. Flights to Singapore are scheduled twice daily.

Penang’s must-see attractions 

Penang will roll out the red carpet for Chinese tourists flying the four weekly Juneyao services from Shanghai, with promotions focusing on the island’s blend of cultural heritage, historical sites, and natural beauty. 

George Town: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, George Town is a charming city filled with colonial architecture, street art, and delicious hawker food. Explore the narrow streets lined with Chinese shophouses, Armenian mansions, and Indian temples. Take a trishaw ride or wander on foot to soak in the sights and sounds. 

Kek Lok Si Temple: This impressive Buddhist temple complex is one of the largest in Southeast Asia. Climb the long staircase to the top for stunning island views, or take a cable car for a more leisurely ascent. Admire the intricate architecture and carvings, and explore the pagodas and shrines within the complex. 

Penang Hill: Take a funicular railway up Penang Hill for panoramic views of George Town and the surrounding island. Enjoy the cooler temperatures at the top, and explore the hiking trails or the Habitat, an eco-tourism park with zip lines and a treetop walk. 

Khoo Kongsi: This ornate Chinese clan house is a masterpiece of traditional architecture. Admire the intricate carvings, colourful murals, and courtyards. Learn about the history and culture of the Khoo clan, one of the earliest Chinese settlers in Penang. 

Clan Jetties: These wooden jetties were built by Chinese immigrants in the 19th century to serve as landing points for their communities. Each jetty is named after a particular clan, and they are a unique part of Penang’s heritage. Take a walk along the jetties to see the traditional stilted houses and learn about the lives of the early settlers. 

AirAsia Cambodia starts ticket sales

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHNOM PENH, 19 March 2024: AirAsia Cambodia (flight code KT) is ready for takeoff, starting daily domestic flights to three destinations: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville in May.

Ticket sales opened on Monday as the airline confirmed it will commence operation on 2 May 2024, using two A320 aircraft based at Phnom Penh International Airport.

Daily flights to all three destinations are now available for booking, with 6,000 free seats* available for the travel period 2 May 2024 to 29 March 2025 on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app, previously known as ‘airasia Superapp’.

All flight bookings can also be paid through its main payment processing service provider — Oriental Bank’s payment gateway service, which covers a wide range of payment options, from all card schemes to KHQR tailored to Cambodian guests.

AirAsia’s international network will link Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville with over 130 destinations across Asia and beyond, such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia, via its hubs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand.

AirAsia Cambodia CEO Vissoth Nam commented: “This is an exciting moment in our journey, and we are thrilled to start painting the Cambodian sky red. As a local airline, we proudly introduce affordable fares to the Kingdom. This will improve connectivity and encourage travellers to stay in the country longer. Our vision is to transform how people travel in Cambodia and make air travel an integral part of the country’s transportation network by offering great value fares, exceptional service, and strong connectivity, starting with these three destinations.

“Today, we are pleased to announce unbeatable fares as low as USD49 all-in** one-way to these amazing domestic destinations, including 6,000 FREE Seats* so more local and international visitors can affordably experience the wonders of Cambodia by air.

Flight Schedule between Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville:

*The promotional BASE FARE quoted is for one-way travel only, excluding taxes, applicable fees, fuel surcharge, and other relevant fees. Subject to seat availability. The promotion is not applicable for booking with travel agents. All-in one-way fare from USD27. Other terms and conditions apply.

**The all-in fares quoted are for one-way travel only, inclusive of taxes, fuel surcharge, and other relevant fees. Other terms and conditions apply.

(SOURCE: AirAsia).

Cathay claws back profits in 2023

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 19 March 2024: Cathay Pacific will make its first dividend payment to ordinary shareholders since 2019 following its strong financial performance for the fiscal year 2023, the airline’s chairman Peter Haley announced last week.

Haley said the airline was leaving Covid-19 behind and welcoming a new phase to move people forward in life.

“Our primary focus has been on rebuilding Cathay for the benefit of our customers, our people, our shareholders and the Hong Kong international aviation hub.”

The airline achieved its 2023 group target of operating 70% of its pre-pandemic passenger flights connecting Hong Kong with around 80 destinations worldwide.

A positive fiscal year 2023 means the airline group will pay an interim dividend of HKD0.43 per ordinary share to ordinary shareholders on 2 May 2024.

Financial results 2023

Following three years of pandemic-related restrictions, the Cathay Group, including airlines, subsidiaries and associates, reported an attributable profit of HKD9,789 million in 2023 (2022 restated: loss of HKD6,623 million). 

The group’s airlines and subsidiaries performed strongly across both halves, reporting an attributable profit of HK$9,225 million for the full year of 2023 (2022 restated: loss of HKD330 million). The results from associates, the majority of which are recognised three months in arrears, were a full-year loss of HKD1,562 million (2022:loss of HKD6,293 million).

In 2023, the airline paid the Hong Kong SAR Government approximately HKD1.97 billion in preference share dividends. It initiated the buyback of the preference shares by repurchasing 50% (HKD9.75 billion) in December. It announced plans to buy back the remaining 50% by the end of July 2024, subject to market conditions and business operations. 

The airline did not need to use the HKD7.8 billion bridge loan facility provided by the Hong Kong SAR Government as part of the recapitalisation financing in 2020, and the bridge loan facility expired on 8 June 2023.

Looking ahead

The airline chairman forecasts the group will achieve  80% of its pre-pandemic passenger flights within the second quarter of 2024. 
“As we continue to rebuild our flights, we expect the supply and demand imbalance experienced in 2023 to diminish, and the normalisation of yields has been seen recently and will continue throughout 2024.”

The priority in 2024 is to ensure high-quality and sustainable growth as the airline prepares for the full operation of the “Three-Runway System” at Hong Kong International Airport by the end of this year. 

“This milestone marks an exciting new chapter in the growth of our home hub and opens up a wide range of opportunities…“With Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area as our home market, we are eager to play our role by continuing to invest in the growth and development of Cathay and the Hong Kong international aviation hub,” Healey concluded.

Centara focuses on top 100 Vision

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 18 March 2024: 2024 is turning into a banner year for Centara Hotels & Resorts as the hotel operator embarks on an ambitious development strategy that will see the launch of iconic new properties and reimagined brands. 

In line with its goal of becoming “The Place to Be” for the world’s travellers group has set a target to become one of the world’s 100 hotel operators by 2027.

Centara laid solid foundations for its growth in 2023 with its 40th anniversary year, delivering a series of successes, including the debut of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, its inaugural location in Japan, and a string of prestigious accolades such as Kincentric’s “Best Employers Thailand Award” and the “Strongest Brand in Thailand” title for Centara Grand. Last year, Centara achieved total revenues of THB 9,932 million, 52% higher than in 2023, while EBITDA surged 83% to THB 3,284 million. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) increased 19% year-on-year to THB4,141 due to rising occupancy and room rates. Looking ahead to 2024, RevPAR is forecast to reach up to THB4,300, as occupancy rates climb to between 70 and 73%. 

Michael Henssler.

Now, Centara will build upon this strong platform with more major projects in 2024. Six new properties are on track to open this year: three in Thailand (the 61-key Centara Life Lamai Resort Samui, 40-key Centara Villas Phi Phi Island, and 110-key Centara Life Surat Thani), two in Laos (100-key COSI Vientiane Nam Phu, and 162-key Centara Plumeria Resort Pakse), and one in the Maldives (145-key Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives).

Set to open in November 2024, Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives will mark the first phase of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, a brand-new multi-island destination in the idyllic North Malé Atoll, just 30 minutes by speedboat from Malé’s Velana International Airport. The world’s fourth family-focused and themed Mirage resort from Centara (following popular resorts in Pattaya, Mui Ne and Dubai), this activity-packed, underwater-themed resort will feature a full range of facilities centred around a water park. Then, in Q1 2025, it will be complemented by the 142-key Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives, a sophisticated upper-upscale resort, enabling travellers to experience two distinct vacation styles.

Two of Centara’s flagship hotels – the 335-key Centara Karon Resort Phuket and 553-key Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya – are set to emerge from comprehensive renovations in 2024. Following the unveiling of Centara Life (formerly known as Centra by Centara) late last year, the group is now revitalising its Centara Boutique Collection. The company also seeks opportunities to expand its six diverse brands, including the new Centara Reserve and Centara Mirage projects in Thailand, the Maldives, Japan, and Indonesia. China is another key focus market, with five potential signings in the pipeline.

Every aspect of Centara’s strategy will be underpinned by its core values of Thai-inspired, family-centric hospitality. CentaraThe1, the popular membership programme, will be leveraged to drive greater benefits, rewards, and redemption opportunities. Important digital investments will include an application with loyalty at heart to increase booking options, including a chatbot and other innovations to improve the guest’s experience.

All corners of Centara’s development are established in a responsible and sustainable way. The group is working towards several important environmental targets, including a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2029 and overall net zero emissions by 2050. Further progress was made in 2023 and 2024, as 24 hotels and resorts were certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council – GSTC, the world-leading organisation dedicated to sustainability and social responsibility and 1 hotel was certified by Green Key.

Centara’s Chief Operating Officer Michael Henssler said: “2023 was a pivotal year for Centara as we celebrated our 40th anniversary, moved into new markets and achieved an upsurge in performance. We will build upon these foundations in 2024, introducing our diverse brands to key cities and resorts across the Asia Pacific and the Indian Ocean while also strengthening our position as Thailand’s leading hotel group with new properties in secondary and tertiary destinations.”

Centara’s Chief Executive Officer, Thirayuth Chirathivat commented: “We are delighted with the progress we are making towards our long-term goals. Having set ourselves the target of becoming a top 100 global hotel group by 2027, we jumped from 150th to 111th in the rankings last year, which shows that we are well ahead of schedule. We look forward to revealing even more exciting projects to our esteemed partners and cherished guests in the coming months as we continue to strengthen our position in the global hospitality sector.” 

To learn more about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Emirates SkyCargo live on cargo.one

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 March 2024: Cementing its presence on three of the biggest digital marketplaces for air freight logistics, Emirates SkyCargo is now live on cargo.one. 

The partnership underscores Emirates SkyCargo’s longstanding commitment to implementing digital solutions that streamline operations, drive efficiencies, and unlock value for its global customer base. Bolstering its advanced and customer-centric digital distribution strategy, partnering with cargo.one ensures that Emirates SkyCargo offers are present where its customers wish to book.

Through cargo.one, customers will be able to access Emirates SkyCargo schedules and contract rates, along with real-time access to available capacity, empowering freight forwarders to make immediate bookings at any time. During the initial launch phase, the partnership will roll out in select European countries before expanding across the Americas, Africa, the Far East and Australasia. cargo.one now contributes to Emirates SkyCargo’s digital status in the market with its seamless booking experience and reach to 15,000 freight forwarders in every corner of the world.

Emirates SkyCargo Senior Vice President Cargo Commercial Worldwide Jeffrey van Haeften said: “Digitalisation is a key way that we help the world work better, providing flexible and convenient options for freight forwarders to seamlessly access Emirates SkyCargo’s world-class products and services. In turn, by streamlining our quotations and bookings, we enable our teams to focus on providing outstanding customer service, which is the cornerstone of our brand. We will continue to invest in digital solutions and partnerships such as cargo.one to enhance the experience for our customers and expedite the movement of goods worldwide.”

Emirates SkyCargo’s four core products are listed on cargo.one, including Emirates Fresh and Emirates Fresh Breathe, an integrated and responsive cool chain purpose-built for perishables; Emirates Airfreight Priority for urgent shipments that require speed and reliability; and Emirates Airfreight for the quick and careful transport of general cargo.
For more information on flights and to make bookings, visit www.emirates.com.

Klook extends Songkran campaign

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 18 March 2024: Klook, one of Asia’s leading platforms for experiences and travel services, launched a two-month-long Songkran campaign to showcase activities in Thailand. 

The campaign peaked with activities during the mid-April Songkran festival but features deals throughout March and April, targeting tourists searching for holiday offers around the Songkran festival season dates.

To ring in the festivities, Klook will kick off the extended celebrations with its “Klook Fun Like No Other” Music Marketing Campaign featuring the talented local singer Zom Mari in an exclusive single called “Tid Klook” that showcases vibrant beats and lively dance moves to spread the joy of the Songkran festival.

Following the recovery and growth of travel in 2023, Thailand remains one of the top travel destinations for global tourist booking activities through Klook. 

The booking platform’s research notes that the next generation of travellers seek bigger and bolder experiences and are ready to travel for festivals and global events.

Klook General Manager Thailand and the Philippines, Michelle Ho revealed that internal Klook data reflects a positive trend in Thai tourism. The booking of activities in Thailand during January and February 2024 has grown by more than 40% compared to the same period in 2023. With the increasing demand for Thailand as a destination, coupled with the growing interest in festivals and global events, the Songkran festival this year is set to be one of the most anticipated events for inbound tourists keen to experience the rich culture and joyous celebrations.

Klook tracked a consistent increase in Thai tourists’ booking of overseas travel activities, with a more than 270% increase in 2023 compared to 2022. Thais typically plan international trips to popular destinations during the Songkran festival holiday, including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Europe, and South Korea.

Key Highlights:

● The online campaign “Klook Fun Like No Other” runs until 30 April, featuring discounts on global travel activities, up to 80% off plus an additional THB1,300 discount, bundle deals, flash sales in popular countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, and Singapore and also family discounts. 

For more details, visit https://www.klook.com/th/tetris/promo/travelth/ 

Wyndham expands in Asia Pacific

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 March 2024: Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, a global hotel franchising company with 24 brands and approximately 9,200 hotels, continues to make gains across Asia Pacific, unveiling this week its full-year results for the region for 2023. 

In 2023, the company introduced nine new brands, signed 222 hotels, opened 158 new hotels, and registered 7.4% year-on-year net room growth, equivalent to 14,200+ rooms. The brands included Wyndham Grand, Wyndham, Hawthorn by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, Ramada Encore by Wyndham, and Howard Johnson by Wyndham. 

New brands, new markets

Hawthorn by Wyndham Dali Erhai Park (China)
Located in Yunnan province, this 163-room hotel marks the arrival of the Hawthorn brand in both China and Asia Pacific.  

Wyndham Grand Busan ljin (South Korea)
This 271-room hotel marks the arrival of the Wyndham Grand brand in Busan, the country’s second-largest city.

TRYP by Wyndham Wellington, Tory Street (New Zealand)
Set in the heart of Wellington’s business district, it has  77 rooms.

Wyndham Grand Phu Quoc (Vietnam)
Located on the beautiful shores of Bai Dai Beach, this 5-star, 1,399-room resort is the largest Wyndham Grand hotel in the world. 

Wyndham Garden Grandworld Phu Quoc (Vietnam)
Just a stone’s throw away from Wyndham Grand Phu Quoc is Wyndham Garden Grandworld Phu Quoc, which has 921 rooms and is located in the Grand World Phu Quoc entertainment centre.

Peninsula Excelsior Singapore, a Wyndham Hotel (Singapore)
The 591-room hotel is the newest flagship of the Wyndham brand in Asia Pacific.  

IHG celebrates passing 1000 mark

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SINGAPORE, 18 March 2024: IHG Hotels & Resorts has reached 1,012 open hotels in Asia Pacific (APAC) – a major milestone for the global hospitality company as it accelerates its growth.

Commenting on exceeding the 1,000-hotel milestone, IHG SVP & Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific Rajit Sukumaran noted that more than 700 hotels were in Greater China, including Hong Kong and Macao.

 “We’re also investing in our six luxury and lifestyle brands, which account for 22% of our global pipeline, around twice the amount five years ago,” said Sukumaran. “We have built up a strong presence in this segment in the region, with 45% of the global luxury and lifestyle pipeline in APAC. It is home to about 60% of our InterContinental brand’s global pipeline and iconic award-winning hotels across Six Senses and Regent. 

The APAC region is poised to see the most rapid growth in passenger traffic globally over the long term, and newly relaxed travel arrangements – including visa-waiver agreements between countries and the creation of new flight routes and airlines– are boosting demand for hotel stays in APAC. IHG has an expanding pipeline of 705 hotels in 22 countries across 13 brands, with 37 upcoming hotels in Thailand alone.

Business travel bookings, including for groups and meetings, are also on the up. APAC accounts for the largest share of global business travel spend and is poised to reach USD800 billion by 2027. This includes the return of large conferences and events, such as the upcoming World Business Forum in Singapore

Sukumaran added: “It’s an exciting time for IHG in APAC. The strong performance of our hotels over the past year has strengthened owners’ appetite for continued investment in the hospitality industry.

“Industry statistics show a strong construction pipeline of over 5,700 projects across the region, with over 1,200 to open this year alone in the hospitality sector. This includes 150 projects in Thailand.”

AJET opens ticket sales

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 18 March 2024: AJET, a rebranding of one of Turkish Airlines’ subsidiaries, started selling tickets under its new name last week and officially takes off flying its new colours on 31 March.

AnadoluJet was originally established as a sub-brand of Turkish Airlines in 2008 but has been branded AJET since 12 March, when its official website, ajet.com, went live selling tickets.

Established as a successful brand of Turkish Airlines, AnadoluJet flew over 150 million passengers over 16 years. Under its new name and branding, AJET aims to launch its latest chapter with flights departing Istanbul on 31 March.

AJET will operate flights to 93 destinations, including 41 domestic and 52 international, using a fleet of 95 aircraft during the summer season of 2024. As a global growth target, it plans to fly to 44 countries with a fleet of 200 aircraft within the next 10 years.

(Source: Turkish Airlines)

MATTA Fair spotlights Perlis

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 18 March 2024: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has declared Perlis as Malaysia’s Favourite Destination for the MATTA Fair from 22-24 March 2024, to be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur. 

The recognition is part of MATTA’s continuous effort to highlight and promote Malaysia’s diverse and rich tourism offerings.

From left to right standing: Subramaniam Punusamy – MATTA Kedah/Perlis Chapter Chairman; Dr Puteh Soraya Binti A. Rahman – Division Secretary (BPEN) Perlis; Nigel Wong – MATTA President; Rusdi Bin Yahya – Deputy State Secretary of Perlis; Sheikh Awadh bin Sheikh Abdullah – MATTA Deputy President.

The MATTA Fair, renowned for being Malaysia’s largest consumer travel fair, provides the perfect platform for Perlis to present its tourism attractions. Visitors to the fair can expect exclusive travel deals, insightful cultural exhibitions, and engaging activities highlighting Perlis’s best.

MATTA president Nigel Wong expressed his delight at the partnership: “In a strategic collaboration with the state of Perlis, MATTA is dedicated to showcasing the unique allure of Perlis as a prime travel destination during the Visit Perlis Year 2024 campaign and beyond. This partnership aims to put Perlis on the map for both local and international tourists, highlighting its vast array of tourism products and destinations.”

The MATTA Fair March 2024 will serve as a valuable platform for travellers and holiday-seekers to discover the hidden gems of Perlis and take advantage of special travel deals and packages. MATTA and Perlis are committed to providing visitors with an unforgettable experience and great memories, showcasing the best that Perlis offers. MATTA continues to build a platform that promotes business so that its members can meet consumers’ changing desires and requirements.

The MATTA Fair offers free admission and is open from 1000 to 200 for three days, from Friday, 22 March to Sunday, 24 March. MATTA provides complimentary roundtrip shuttle service to MITEC from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall. We encourage visitors to the fair to take advantage of this free shuttle service.

At this upcoming fair, MATTA and MITEC prioritise the convenience of Muslim visitors and exhibitors by offering dedicated F&B facilities and services for “berbuka puasa” at various locations throughout the venue and dedicated prayer halls in Hall 5. Muslim visitors to the fair can rest assured that their needs are met during Ramadhan.

For the latest information updates, the MATTA Fair’s website and social media platforms on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or subscribe to the new Telegram channels @MATTA_Fair.For further information and updates, please visit the MATTA Fair’s website and follow us on our official social media platforms. Website: www.mattafair.org.my.

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