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Thai Vietjet boosts China flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 12 December 2023: Expanding its wings to China, Thai Vietjet launched two new routes from Bangkok to Shanghai and Hangzhou last week.

In a press statement, the airline said it was responding to the temporary tourist visa exemption scheme for passport holders of the People’s Republic of China. 

The services were launched to both Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. The two new routes are served by A320 aircraft.

“With the launch of two new services to Shanghai and Hangzhou, Thai Vietjet enhances connectivity between Thailand and China. We are proud to mark another great milestone,” said Thia Vietjet CEO Woranate Laprabang. 

The Bangkok-Shanghai route operates with daily flights, while the Bangkok–Hangzhou route starts with four weekly services every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Langkawi Medan roadshow reaches agents

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LANGKAWI, 10 December 2023: LADA’s Business to Business (B2B) Indonesia Langkawi Roadshow in Medan last week was declared a success, having recruited 24 of the island’s tourism industry entrepreneurs who met with 80 travel agencies based in Medan.

Held last week to drum up travel bookings from Medan ahead of the upcoming direct flights scheduled to fly to Langkawi Q1, 2024, the sales mission consisted of 13 travel agencies, five travel products, five hotels and one international association. The B2B sales sessions were held at the Hotel Santika Premier Dyandra & Convention, Medan.

Reaching 80 travel agencies from Medan Team Langkawi raised the profile of the island’s attractions and paved the way to boost bookings in 2024. The B2B mission was a collaboration of LADA with Tourism Malaysia Medan, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition (Myceb) and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of North Sumatra, Indonesia.

http://www.naturallylangkawi.my/

Music festival opens in Vijayawada

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 10 December 2023: India’s Ministry of Tourism is hosting a three-day musical festival, ‘Krishnaveni Sangeetha Neerajanam’ in Vijayawada City on the banks of River Krishna from 10 to 12 December.

Vijayawada, formerly known as Bezawada, is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, located on the banks of the Krishna River. The city is home to the important Hindu shrine of Kanaka Durga Temple (Wikipedia).

The musical festival is co-organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, in association with the Ministry of Culture, Sangeet Natak Akademi and State Government of Andhra Pradesh, according to the Press Information Bureau of India report.

The Ministry of Tourism strives to innovate and diversify niche tourism content through festivals, which has resulted in significant efforts to promote tangible and intangible heritage and lesser-known tourist attractions. The Krishnaveni Sangeeta Neeranjam musical festival aims to celebrate the rich heritage of classical music and help revive the focus on Harikatha and Namasankeerthana traditions.

Besides showcasing classical musical traditions, the festival promotes regional cuisine, handicrafts, community spiritual heritage, and eco-tourism.

During the two-day festival, handicraft artisans showcase Kalamkari painting, Kondapalli wooden toys, Banjara embroidery, and handloom weavers display how they create the intricate designs and fabrics of the famed Mangalagiri, Uppada and Pochampally sarees.

Over 21 renowned artists perform recitals alongside music college students from Andhra Pradesh and surrounding states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka across four venues. The concerts are at three venues (Vijayawada at Durga Gha, Banks of River Krishna, Tummalapalli Kalakshetram and Kanak Durga Temple). Plus, the Handicraft and Handloom exhibition and the food festival are hosted at Punnami Ghat, Berhm Park, Vijayawada. 

Airlines flying to Vijayawada

Currently, four airlines are flying to Vijayawada. Most flights to Vijayawada are operated by IndiGo followed by Alliance Air (Flight Connections).

A comprehensive website details the region’s musical traditions, crafts, cuisine and tourism attractions and the eminent artists and composers participating in the event. For more information visit https://krishnavenimusicfest.com.  

Additionally,  the region’s temples, forts, and monuments will also be highlighted during the festival, focusing on the lesser-known destinations of Veerabhadra Swamy Temple at Lepakshi, Gandikota Fort, the ruins of Amravati Stupa and the four-storey Rock cut Hindu temple at Undavalli.

Recently, ‘Garba of Gujarat’ has been inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity by UNESCO under the provisions of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Earlier, Shantiniketan in West Bengal and Hoysala Temples in Karnataka were inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

(Source: Ministry Tourism India – PIB)

DOT Philippines spotlights creative tourism

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 8 December 2023: The Department of Tourism Philippines hosted the three-day inaugural edition of the Philippine Creative Tourism Congress (PCTC) at the Orange Project Hall in the Bacolod City Art District from 6 to 8 December. 

In addition to plenary sessions that provided a clearer understanding of creative tourism and its various outcomes, the congress attracted more than 100 participants from Members of the Philippine House of Representatives, the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC), local government units, public and private sectors with interest in Creative Tourism, and various DOT regional offices.

Photo credit: DOT. Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco opens Creative Tourism Congress.

In her keynote address, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco noted the first Philippine Creative Congress aligns with the administration’s vision for the tourism sector to play an invaluable role in the promotion of the Filipino brand. 

Quoting President Ferdinand Bongbong Marco Jr, she added: “It is time to welcome the rest of the world with an enhanced Filipino brand that is unique, attractive and creative.”

Secretary Frasco stressed the law’s relevance that solidified the country’s creative industries.
“The recently enacted Republic Act 11904, known as the Philippine Creative Industries Act of 2022 (PCIDA), stands as a beacon for fostering the creative industries. Mandating the safeguards and fortifying the rights and capacities of creative firms, creators, and stakeholders in the country, the law also advocates establishing the Philippine Creative Industries Development Council (PCIDC).” 

The first Philippines Creative Tourism Congress 2023 was hosted by the Department of Tourism Office of Product and Market Development (DOT-OPMD) with support from the DOT Region VI office. DOT positioned the congress as a transformative event “aimed at shaping a new perspective of tourism in the Philippines.”

The DOT chief hailed ‘Creative Tourism’ as the catalyst for a new era in travel, is an innovative approach involving tourists and local communities in crafting unique and immersive travel experiences – a concept centred on co-creation.

The PCTC 2023 represents a cornerstone in the DOT’s commitment to amplifying the cultural richness and creative prowess of the Philippines on the global stage. It marks the initiation of a journey toward sustainable and inclusive tourism, encapsulating the essence of collaboration and innovation.

Other institutions that supported the facilitation of the Congress include the City of Bacolod, the Negros Occidental Provincial Government, and the Slow Food Community of Negros. 

The PCTC is a collaborative effort between the DOT and the Creative Tourism Network (CTN), a non-profit organisation dedicated to showcasing destinations that leverage creative tourism.

Dusit’s golden spire returns

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 8 December 2023: Dusit Thani Public Company Limited, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has officially topped off the newly built structure that stands on the same prime plot as the original property, which graced the Bangkok skyline from 1970 to 2019

In good company: The reimagined flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok is part of Dusit Central Park, a landmark USD1.37 billion mixed-use development that will also feature ultra-luxury residences (Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside), a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end retail centre, and an 11,200 sq m Roof Park.

It signals another big stride towards the return of its renowned flagship hotel – Dusit Thani Bangkok. The reimagined flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok is scheduled to open in the second half of 2024 as part of Dusit Central Park, a landmark USD1.37 billion mixed-use development opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of the Thai capital. 

This highly anticipated project will also comprise ultra-luxury residences (Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside), a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end retail centre, and an 11,200 sq m Roof Park. These components are expected to open gradually in 2025 and 2026.

Comprising 257 guestrooms, one of the largest ballrooms in Bangkok, and a wide range of innovative dining, wellness, and meeting facilities, the new 39-storey Dusit Thani Bangkok represents a contemporary transformation of the original hotel and is designed to elevate Dusit’s standing on the world stage while redefining its heritage through a modern lens.

The signature golden spire is back

As part of its design, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok integrates signature elements from the original property that were removed and preserved for use as part of the new building. This includes the signature golden spire, which was returned as part of the new property’s topping-off ceremony – and now stands once again as a beacon of luxury for discerning travellers worldwide. 

The original spire will be housed within a new, larger golden spire. A mini exhibition space located directly under this structure will serve as a permanent museum dedicated to preserving the memory of the original hotel. Guests and visitors can expect to find interactive exhibits detailing the storied legacy of the property, sweeping views of the adjacent Lumpini Park, and numerous photo opportunities against the backdrop of the original spire. 

Executives mark the occasion: The official topping-off ceremony was attended by key senior figures from DUSIT. (From left): Gilles Cretallaz, COO, DUSIT; Siradej Donavanik, VP – Global Development, DUSIT; Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, DUSIT; Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, DUSIT; La-Ead Kovavisaruch, Chief Investment Officer, DUSIT, and CEO, Vimarn Suriya Company Limited; Natapa Sriyuksiri, VP – Creative Strategy and Design, DUSIT; and Adrian Rudin, Managing Director, Dusit Thani Bangkok

The original property’s signature golden spire was returned as part of the new hotel’s topping-off ceremony.
For more information, please visit Dusit-international.com

Samui’s top spot for a wedding

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TTR WEEKLY
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SAMUI Thailand, 8 December 2023: Centara Reserve Samui has been honoured with the prestigious “Dream Wedding Destination” award by Lifestyle + Travel magazine. This recognition comes as Lifestyle + Travel marks its 20th anniversary.

Paul Linder, General Manager and Corporate Director of Operations – Centara Reserve (Middle), and Treethipnipha Hongsombud – Marketing Communication Manager of Centara Reserve Samui (left) received the award from Amarin Kocharat, Director of Lifestyle + Travel (right).

Linder commented: “We invite you to celebrate life’s milestones with us — from weddings and vow renewals to surprise proposals and honeymoons. Our venues including beaches, gardens, poolside, and villas.

“As we commemorate this achievement, we renew our promise to deliver remarkable services, ensuring an exemplary luxury resort experience for our guests”.
Learn more about Centara Reserve Samui at centarareserve.com/samui 

Klook wraps up funding round

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 8 December 2023: Klook, a leading Asia-focused platform for travel services and experiences, has completed a USD210 million financing, supporting business growth and fortifying financial stability. 

The equity round is led by Bessemer Venture Partners, with participation from BPEA EQT, Asia investment funds Atinum Investment and Golden Vision Capital, and corporate investment arms from Southeast Asia, including Krungsri Finnovate (under Bank of Ayudhya), Kasikornbank Financial Conglomerate and SMIC SG Holdings. The round also includes bank facilities from Citi, JP Morgan, and HSBC.

For many Asian markets, 2023 marks the first year of travel recovery, with a notable rebound in tourism figures and a gradual recovery in flight capacities. Despite this early stage in market recovery, Klook has demonstrated remarkable business success, surpassing previous milestones with a threefold increase compared to 2019 and boasting an annualised gross booking value of USD3 billion. 

Notably, the company achieved overall profitability for the first time earlier this year.
“During the pandemic, we doubled down on our resources in merchant digitisation and the expansion of our supply network, including car rentals and outdoor experiences. This positions us strongly to capture new travel trends from the pandemic,” said Klook CEO and co-founder Ethan Lin.

The company’s success is further underscored by its increasing brand strength, strategically building on and leveraging its app-first approach to acquire and retain customers, with over 80% of bookings made through mobile today. Impressively, the influx of new customers acquired in 2023 more than doubled that of 2019, while repeat customers contributed to over half of the total bookings, demonstrating the sustained customer loyalty fostered by the platform.

“With Asia in the early stages of post-Covid recovery, upcoming global events like the Paris Olympics 2024 and Osaka World Expo 2025, along with rising expenditures and digital adoption, the industry outlook in Asia is exceptionally positive,” added Lin.

New funds for three critical areas 

  • Product innovation, expanding its city pass offerings to enhance traveller convenience and savings. 
  • Scaling social and digital marketing through the Klook Kreator program, driving conversions with authentic, social, user-generated content. 
  • Advancing innovation through continuous AI integration. The recent collaboration with Google Cloud will integrate Generative AI across the platform, covering automated translations, content generation, and customer service chatbot.

Cruise lines name director or sales Asia

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HONG KONG, 8 December 2023: Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have appointed directors of sales for the individual cruise lines in Asia as part of a major growth strategy for the region.

Hospitality veteran Constance Seck is based in Singapore and will become Oceania Cruises’ director of sales for Asia, excluding Japan.

With a strong tourism background and over seven years working for the company, Holly Kong, based in Hong Kong, will represent Regent Seven Seas Cruises as director of sales for Asia, excluding Japan.

(Left) Constance Seck, Director of Sales Asia, Oceania Cruises and Holly Kong, Director of Sales Asia, Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Each brand will also have its dedicated sales coordinator to assist trade partners in the region, with appointments to be released shortly. The new appointments will take effect from 1 January 2024.

Among the latest developments for the two lines is Oceania Cruises’ new ship, Vista, which was christened in May 2023 and has sailed its inaugural Mediterranean and Caribbean seasons. Meanwhile, the 1,250-guest Marina is set to be refurbished with the addition of three new dining options in May 2024, in readiness to host its first annual ‘Culinary Masters Cruise’ late next year.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently took delivery of its new vessel, Seven Seas Grandeur – the sixth ship to join the fleet and home to a multi-million-dollar collection of 1,600 artworks.

New MD leads FCM Travel India

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TTR WEEKLY
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Sunny Sodhi.

SINGAPORE 8 December 2023: FCM, the corporate division of the Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), has appointed Sunny Sodhi as the Managing Director of FCM Travel India.

Sodhi has spent more than 26 years in the travel and hospitality industry. He is a seasoned professional with experience establishing businesses and delivering accelerated growth.

Previously at OYO, he was the COO for Luxury and Upscale Business and the head of sales for India and Southeast Asia. Before OYO, he was the COO for Yatra for Business (corporate travel), a vertical he established from the ground up. He was also the Head of Industry Relations for Yatra.com. 

“India is a vital market for FCM in Asia, and we have been making strategic investments over the last two years in both our people and technology, which have led to strong performances in both corporate travel as well as FCM Meetings and Events,” said FCM Travel Asia managing director Bertrand Saillet.

“We believe that Sunny, with his extensive experience in corporate travel and technology and his added focus on people, will take FCM Travel India to greater heights.”  

Air India’s data goes to Cloud

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SINGAPORE, 8 December 2023: Air India has successfully migrated to cloud-only IT infrastructure, having closed its historic data centres in Mumbai and New Delhi. 

It makes Air India one of the first global airlines to have moved all computational workloads exclusively to the Cloud, enabling it to accelerate and roll out new digital innovations and applications.

Photo credit: Air India. The airline’s brand new Airbus A320neo lands in Delhi.

Closing the data centres delivers a  net saving of nearly USD1 million in annual expenses.

Phuket flights go daily on 9 January 2024

Meanwhile, the airline will start a four-weekly service from Delhi to Phuket on 15 December and upgrade the frequency to daily flights on 9 January 2024.

That move will intensify competition with Indigo, which introduced daily flights to Phuket in 2022. Indigo sells a roundtrip ticket on the route for around USD390. Once Air India starts its four weekly flights on 15 December, the average roundtrip fare on the Delhi-Phuket route could drop to USD300, according to booking sites that monitor fare averages.

Air India’s flights to Phuket do not show on Skyscanner, but Trip.com quotes a roundtrip fare starting at USD579.

The airline will deploy an A320 Neo aircraft to fly the route on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flight time is four hours and 10 minutes. 

Flight AI 378 will depart from Delhi at 0110 and arrive in Phuket at 0710.
Flight AI 379 will take off from Phuket at 0810 and land in Delhi at 1050.

Departure times will remain unchanged when the airline increases flights to daily on the Delhi-Phuket route on 9 January 2024.
Air India also operates 20 weekly flights to Bangkok, with daily nonstop flights from Delhi and Mumbai and six weekly from Kolkata. 

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