Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Home Blog Page 258

Goa is a rising star for Elite Havens

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 6 December 2023: Elite Havens, Asia’s premier luxury villa rental company, has expanded its curated selection of more than 300 private luxury villas and chalets across Asia’s most awe-inspiring locations by introducing 32 new properties in Goa, India.

Signed in collaboration with India’s leading luxury vacation home rental company, Lohono Stays by Isprava, the new properties each feature a pool and expansive living spaces with restored heritage furniture, offering exclusivity, privacy, and India’s renowned hospitality.  

Lauded for its long coastline, lush countryside, vibrant culture, and laid-back lifestyle, Goa beckons discerning travellers seeking exceptional experiences. With a dedicated team committed to crafting immersive local experiences, Elite Havens seamlessly links guests with an array of must-do activities – from the exploration of historic cathedrals and ancient forts to delighting in the rich flavours of local delicacies and meandering through fragrant spice plantations. 

Maya Rigg.

“Goa’s charm as a holiday destination lies in its accessibility and its capacity to cater to diverse tastes and preferences, making it a destination of choice for those seeking a tantalising food scene, cultural fusion, and a climate that promises a diverse and enriching experience,” said Elite Havens chief executive officer Maya Rigg.

“We are delighted to continue our thriving collaboration with Lohono Stays to offer discerning travellers access to Goa’s most exceptional holiday homes, ensuring they can experience the many wonders of this beautiful destination in the utmost comfort and convenience.”

Each villa in the collection was curated by Rigg together with Elite Havens cluster manager for Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka, Alan Porteous. 

On the new additions, Porteous commented: “These exclusive villas represent the pinnacle of comfort and sophistication, each a masterpiece of architectural design and elegance. From the moment you step into Villa Athena, a two-storey contemporary masterpiece, Estate de Alta Palmiera, offering lakehouse living, or Glasshouse on the Bay, a one-of-a-kind home built right on the edge of the water, you are enveloped in opulence and refinement that mirrors the grandeur of Goa’s cultural heritage. Each property in the collection has something special to offer discerning visitors.” 

Mumbai serves as the major international entry point to India for Elite Havens’ core guest markets, including UK and Middle Eastern guests. Upon arriving in Mumbai, guests can take a brief domestic flight to reach the vibrant shores of Goa. 

Elite Havens’ commitment to exceptional service includes offering comprehensive information to guests to help plan their journey, including booking private transfers and ongoing transportation throughout the stay.  

“In a country known for its vibrant colours and warm hospitality, we invite everyone to explore the remarkable contrasts that make India truly unique, and we have everything in place to ensure visitors can see India in a different light,” said Rigg. 

For more information about the new properties, please visit www.elitehavens.com/india-private-villas/.  
Elite Havens’ article about the nine best things to see and do in Goa is available here. 

About Elite Havens Luxury Villa Rentals and Management  

For 20 years, Elite Havens has been a trusted name in luxury villa rentals and management, consistently offering travellers an escape from the ordinary. With a curated portfolio of nearly 300 private luxury villas and chalets across Asia’s most awe-inspiring destinations, Elite Havens specialises in crafting extraordinary experiences that transcend the commonplace.

Centara strengthens its Ops Team

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 6 December 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand, has strengthened its executive management team with the appointment of Michael Henssler as its new chief operating officer.

He will oversee the expansion of the company’s diverse global portfolio and support the creation of exceptional guest journeys by blending innovation with Centara’s timeless Thai hospitality.

A hotel industry expert with almost 30 years of experience, Henssler has held senior leadership positions in Europe, the Middle East, and China. A prestigious École Hôtelière de Lausanne graduate, he has enjoyed a stellar career, mainly with Kempinski, the leading European luxury hotel group. Most recently, he was Kempinski’s chief operating officer – Asia.

As chief operating officer of Centara, Henssler will oversee the company’s commercial, operations, and development divisions. Working alongside the senior executive team, he will add considerable value to the business, helping Centara to double its total portfolio and achieve its five-year goal of becoming a top 100 global hotel operator by 2027. He will strive to deliver new hotel management contracts in dynamic destinations and exciting new international markets through Centara’s collection of six brands and new sectors, including branded residences and wellness retreats.

“Centara is an outstanding company with a proud history and a bright future. It has a balanced portfolio of six distinct hotel brands, all of which have significant potential for growth. Coming from a large family, I deeply admire Centara’s commitment to family values and heartfelt Thai hospitality. I look forward to helping the group extend its warm welcome to even more guests around the world,” commented Henssler.

“I am delighted to welcome Michael to the Centara family. With such an impressive career – including extensive experience in key markets such as China and the Middle East – and a proven track record of achieving exceptional results, he is the perfect person to help our company reach our goal of becoming a top 100 global hotel group,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer Thirayuth Chirathivat.

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

Jazeera taps India’s travel market

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

MUMBAI, India, 6 December 2023: Kuwait-based low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways recently hosted an event in Mumbai for social media influencers and travel agents to officially announce the arrival of its new social media platforms focusing on India’s travel market. 

Andrew Ward commented: Social media and the partnership with influencers are at the heart of our marketing programmes at Jazeera. We have recently run two successful influencer trips to Turkey and Kuwait, as well as working with individual influencers on other destinations.” 

Photo credit: Jazeera Airways.

He noted that Jazeera India’s Facebook and Instagram platforms  would “engage with influencers, customers and trade partners featuring locally relevant content.”

Jazeera Airways regional manager- South Asia Romana Parvi emphasised the role of loyal travel agents who have played an integral role in Jazeera’s journey. 

“We are extremely grateful to all our loyal travel trade agents. We look forward to their continued support in the years ahead.” 

She went on to share the airline’s vision of expanding to newer destinations and initiating operations from additional Indian gateways in the future.

Currently, Jazeera Airways connects India to a global network, serving 64 popular destinations across the Middle East, Central and South Asia, Africa, and Europe. In a nod to planned expansion, the airline took delivery of two additional aircraft in the last quarter, operating a fleet of 22 across its network. Jazeera also embraced sustainability, becoming the first Middle East low-cost carrier to switch to eco-friendly in-flight food service ware, reducing 300 kilograms of plastic monthly and aligning with a net-zero emissions goal by 2050. The airline has also partnered with Expliseat to install 2,000 ultra-lightweight seating options across its Airbus fleet. These seats will deliver a substantial weight saving of 1.2 metric tons per aircraft.

Jazeera eyes growth in new destinations and initiatives in countries like Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Eastern Europe.

Reimagining Singapore’s Chinatown

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 6 December 2023: Singapore’s iconic Smith Street, located in the Chinatown conservation area, is tagged for a massive remake project to rejuvenate its terraced shophouses and an adjacent shopping mall.

The Singapore Land Authority (SLA), Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) jointly launched a collective tender last week to appoint a master tenant to work with local stakeholders such as the Chinatown precinct stakeholders and the Chinese Community Liaison Group. It calls for a master plan to restore the area and drive greater footfall through community programmes while preserving its cultural and architectural heritage.

Photo credit: Singapore Land Authority.

The Chinatown conservation area tells the story of Singapore’s Chinese heritage and is a signature destination where both international visitors and locals can experience local culture through traditional festivals and celebrations, performances, dining and heritage offerings. 

In its early days, Smith Street was known as hei yuen kai (Cantonese for Theatre Street) due to its reputation for Chinese Opera, attracting packed audiences and patrons. The rejuvenation project presents an opportunity to rekindle that vibrancy by launching regular community programming at the adjacent pedestrian mall. Community and grassroots organisations will also be able to continue celebrating festive occasions along the street.

Tenderers are required to conceptualise the long-term planning of the space with clear financial and visitorship projections in support of the proposed business plan. The successful tenderer will be offered an upfront tenure of five years, renewable for a second term of four years. The tender opened for 12 weeks on 30 November 2023. 

New route to link Sabah and Seoul

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 December 2023: AirAsia reaffirms Kota Kinabalu as its second-largest hub in Malaysia by launching its new route connecting Kota Kinabalu to Seoul (Incheon), South Korea. 

With the addition of Seoul, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will schedule 18 routes with 282 flights weekly to and from Kota Kinabalu, effective March 2024.

Photo credit: AirAsia.

The new route, Kota Kinabalu- Seoul, will commence on 4 March 2024 with daily flights, making it even easier for travellers to explore both destinations.

The airline’s 5 December announcement comes on the heels of an impressive surge in Korean tourists visiting Sabah. According to recent data, Sabah welcomed about 150,000 Korean tourists this year, signalling a significant increase in Korean visitors to the state. In addition, Koreans have now become one of Sabah’s top visitors, emphasising their growing interest in the state’s natural beauty and unique cultural experiences.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat commented: “We are thrilled to be the first Malaysian airline to connect Kota Kinabalu directly to Seoul. This route holds immense potential for both leisure and business travellers, offering them affordable access to two remarkable tourism destinations. The launch of this route also aligns with our vision of connecting communities across Asia, fostering economic growth, and enhancing regional integration. 

“With this expansion, AirAsia further cements Kota Kinabalu as our second-largest hub in Malaysia with nine domestic and nine international destinations, boosting the city’s status as a vibrant aviation hub. The route launch is also poised to contribute significantly to the growth of tourism and trade in Kota Kinabalu.”

AirAsia offers special promotional fares for travellers from Kota Kinabalu to Seoul with all-in* fares from MYR349 one-way as part of the route launch. The promotional fare is available for booking on Airasia Superapp and the website starting today until 24 December 2023 for the travel period between 4 March and 26 October 2024.

*The all-in fare is for one-way travel only and includes airport tax, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharge, and other applicable fees.

Flight schedule between Kota Kinabalu (BKI) and Seoul – Incheon (ICN):

SriLankan double daily to Mumbai

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 6 December 2023: SriLankan Airlines has introduced double daily flights between Colombo and Mumbai, multiplying the convenience for passengers travelling to and from India’s financial and entertainment capital. 

The new double daily service to Mumbai gives a 50% boost to SriLankan’s capacity on its Mumbai route and strengthens the airline’s network in India.

Flights UL142 and UL144 will depart daily from Mumbai to Colombo at 0310 and 2045, respectively. 

Flights UL141 and UL143 from Colombo to Mumbai will depart at 2345 and 1710, respectively. Passengers travelling out of Mumbai on SriLankan Airlines will now have the advantage of more flight options to Colombo and convenient connections via Colombo to popular destinations in Asia, Europe and Australia, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Melbourne and Sydney. 

SriLankan Airlines’ head of worldwide sales and distribution, Dimuthu Tennakoon, stated: “India is fast becoming one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets. We are only happy to expand our operations in one of India’s most celebrated cities and make travel between Mumbai and Colombo extra seamless. Our frequency increase comes from Sri Lanka announcing free visas for Indian visitors. We hope these positive developments will encourage more travellers from Mumbai to stop by Sri Lanka.”

India is the only country with nine cities featured in Sri Lankan Airlines’ network, operating close to 100 flights every week. This includes Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Trichy and Madurai in addition to Mumbai.

GBTA honours DOT Tourism Secretary

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

6 December 2023: The Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) conferred the World Tourism Icon of the Year Award on the Department of Tourism Philippines Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on 1 December.

The GBTA citation said the award recognised Secretary Frasco’s exceptional leadership as the World Tourism Icon of the Year and her relentless efforts to showcase the best of the Philippines nation to the world. 

Photo credit: DOT Philippines. Department of Tourism Philippines Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“Fostering cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, and economic growth, indeed, you have validated the Philippine Tourism sector on the global stage by attracting visitors worldwide and has set a new standard for excellence in the global tourism landscape.

“This plaque serves as a token of our deep appreciation for your extraordinary contributions to the tourism industry. May it stand as a testament to the positive impact (you have made) and inspire future generations,” GBTA said in its statement.

 Secretary Frasco underscored the pivotal role of the tourism industry in delivering economic recovery: ” The synergy between the private tourism industry and the government is a pivotal factor to our success at achieving unprecedented goals in tourism. I commend GBTA for rallying the private sector and championing tourism globally,” the Tourism Chief commented in her response.

Just days before the GBTA citation, the Philippines Department of Tourism confirmed the country will exceed its target of 4.8 million international arrivals by the end of 2023. 

“We have now welcomed over 4.82 million international visitors, contributing an impressive PHP404 billion in foreign visitor receipts so far this year, Secretary Frasco confirmed in an official statement.

The Philippines makes a splash at DEMA show

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

MANILA, 4 December 2023: The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism office in the US reaffirmed the country’s status as a premier dive destination by generating PHP306.1 million in sales at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association show held recently in New Orleans USA.

The sales estimate at this year’s show was up 60% compared to the DEMA show in 2022, which was held in Florida, USA.

Photo credit: TPB

Earlier this year, the Philippines was named Best Dive Destination by the Dive, Resort and Travel Show in Taiwan and Malaysia and Asia’s Best Dive Destination by the World Travel Awards.

“Recently, we were honoured as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards 2023, a title that the Philippines proudly maintained for five consecutive years since 2019. This is no small feat and a big source of national pride for us. Leveraging this achievement, we seize all opportunities to actively promote diving as a key tourism product of the Philippines, specifically focusing on the American market through the DEMA Show,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.

Sixteen private sector companies joined the DEMA  sales and networking. They comprised Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards, Kokays Maldito Dive Resort, Magic Resorts Philippines, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa, Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa / Salaya Beach Houses, El Galleon Dive Resort/Asia Divers, Crystal Blue Resort, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Discovery Fleet, Seadoors Liveaboard, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Kasai Village Dive Inc., Scandi Divers, and MY Resolute (Liveaboard), and the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines. The Philippines pavilion at the show showcased the country’s top dive sites in Batangas, Puerto Galera, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Palawan.

(Source: TPB)

Dusit breaks new ground in Malaysia

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 4 December 2023: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed a hotel management agreement with Gamuda Land to manage ASAI Gamuda Cove – Dusit’s first hotel in Malaysia and the first hotel development by Gamuda Land.

Slated to open in Q1 2026, the hotel is situated next to the sprawling Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands within the thoughtfully planned Gamuda Cove. Spanning 1,530 acres, Gamuda Cove will also include residential and commercial areas to complement a range of eco-friendly tourism attractions, such as the already operational SplashMania Waterpark and Discovery Park, all designed with sustainability and a low carbon footprint in mind. 

Photo caption: (from left) Eusoffe Chua, Gamuda Land Chief Commercial Officer, Chu Wai Lune, Gamuda Land Chief Executive Officer, Zuaida Abdullah, MIDA Executive Director, Services Development, HE Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, Mohd Shahrir Mohd Ali, Tourism Malaysia Senior Director, International Promotion (ASEAN) 
Siradej Donavanik, Dusit International Vice President Development Global, Gilles Cretallaz, Dusit International Chief Operating Officer.

Kuala Lumpur airport is only a 20-minute drive by car and just 40 minutes to the city centre. This strategic location caters to both domestic and international travellers, enhancing the overall accessibility and appeal of the destination.

Operating under Dusit’s distinctive locally focused lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels, which promises to uniquely link curious travellers with authentic local experiences in the world’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, the 280-key ASAI Gamuda Cove hotel enjoys the distinction of being the first hotel signed under Dusit’s expanded ‘ASAI Tropical’ model, specifically tailored for properties located in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Like Dusit’s operational inner-city ASAI Hotels in Bangkok, Thailand, and Kyoto, Japan, ASAI Tropical hotels will feature thoughtfully compact rooms delivering a distinctive blend of thoughtful essentials, such as plush beds and refreshing showers, complemented by an inviting communal space and locally inspired dining experience. What sets the model apart is providing a broader range of facilities. In this case, an infinity pool, more dining venues, expanded event spaces, and a wider variety of room categories, including spacious, family-friendly options.  

Strategically situated in the southern region of the Gamuda Cove development, ASAI Gamuda Cove will be designed to forge a sense of community by integrating local identity into its design language. Surrounded by lush greenscapes, the hotel will blend seamlessly with the adjacent wetlands and a sprawling 90-acre Wetlands Arboretum, accessible directly from the hotel. 

Further highlighting Gamuda Cove’s green credentials, an e-tram network – the first of its kind in Malaysia – will seamlessly link guests to hotspots within the development, such as Discovery Park, SplashMania Waterpark, and a pedestrian-only commercial hub, helping to limit the use of motorised vehicles and reduce carbon footprint. Regular community-based activities and events will give guests a unique taste of local culture and experiences while highlighting the importance of responsible tourism. 

ASAI Gamuda Cove is set to cater to both domestic and international tourists who will visit Gamuda Cove’s host of eco-tourism activities, such as SplashMania Waterpark, Discovery Park, and Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands – attracting a targeted 1 million visitors annually. 

“To be entrusted with the management of the first hotel within the dynamic Gamuda Cove development truly is an honour, and we are delighted to partner with Gamuda Land to help bring their vision for their first-ever hotel project to life,” said Dusit International chief operating officer Gilles Cretallaz.

“With its stunning location and sustainable credentials, Gamuda Cove perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the ASAI brand, and we look forward to delivering a unique and unforgettable hotel experience that immerses guests in the diverse cultural tapestry of Malaysia and the natural beauty of the wetlands, all while contributing enduring value to our esteemed partners and the community we serve.”

Dusit’s property portfolio spans 19 countries and comprises 56 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and approximately 240 luxury villas under Elite Havens. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline worldwide.

About Dusit International

Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT), is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 19 countries worldwide. 

For more information, please visit dusit-international.com.

Runners dash to Langkawi Half Marathon

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

LANGKAWI, 4 December 2023: Over 2,600 marathon runners from 31 countries signed up for the Langkawi International Half Marathon (LIHM) 2023 on Saturday, underscoring Langkawi’s role as a sports destination for running enthusiasts. 

LADA partnered with the Langkawi Runners Association for the second time to host this event successfully. The event targets running enthusiasts to revive tourism activities on Langkawi Island. In addition, this event also helps the tourism industry players enjoy economic benefits and restore the vibrancy of Langkawi’s tourism industry. 

The event attracted runners in three categories: the 21km half marathon, 10km and 5km Fun Run.

In addition, the unique feature of LIHM2023 this year was the picturesque route crossing the scenic paddy fields of Ulu Melaka, better known as Mahsuri Rings, formed from an ancient meteor impact, resulting in a lowland surrounded by rolling hills shaped like a ring when seen from the air. To make the event more special, the release and end of the running participants took place inside the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), marking the first indoor start venue for a running event in Malaysia.

Photo credit: LADA

Langkawi is well-known for hosting sports-based tourism events. Popular events include the IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi Legendary Ride and Langkawi Swimming Festival. The growing number of participants and countries involved indicates that LIHM has the potential to become an annual flagship event in Langkawi. 

As part of its support, LADA provided facilities throughout the event and coordinated between the organisers and other agencies in Langkawi during the event, which attracted 8,000 visitors. LADA supports event management companies that aim to turn Langkawi into a world-class event destination to help stimulate tourism. 

For more information, visit www.lada.gov.my Or visit www.naturallylangkawi.my

1...257258259...599Page 258 of 599

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


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

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.