Saturday, September 13, 2025
Home Blog Page 26

MATTA happy with Ministry clarification

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 24 JULY 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) thanks the Ministry of Transport for the recent clarification regarding the Public Service Vehicle (PSV) licence suspension policy.

Based on the Association’s recent request for clarification regarding the PSV licences, the ministry issued a statement released last week confirming that the suspension of PSV licences would be enforced strictly on drivers involved in serious or repeated offences. It will not include drivers involved in minor or compoundable infractions. This clear distinction not only alleviates public concerns but also ensures that enforcement is proportionate and fair, according to MATTA.

The ministry also confirmed that a thorough investigation would be conducted. 

“If found guilty, the drivers would be required to undergo a mandatory rehabilitation course (Kursus Pemulihan Wajib) introduced by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) through the Road Transport Department (JPJ). This course applies to holders of PSV and GDL Vocational Licences whose licences have been suspended due to road offences.”

MATTA is currently in the final stages of developing safety and defensive driving courses designed explicitly for tourism vehicle drivers. These initiatives aim to ensure that drivers receive the necessary training to operate vehicles safely and professionally, while also helping operators understand best practices in vehicle maintenance, road safety compliance, and overall operational standards.

To complement these efforts, MATTA is exploring the development of other relevant programmes. Emergency response and crisis management modules would help drivers respond appropriately in the event of unforeseen events, such as accidents, vehicle breakdowns, or natural disasters. Familiarisation training on tourism routes would enable drivers to navigate key destinations efficiently, thereby enhancing the overall tour experience.

Additionally, MATTA is currently developing training-focused modules on vehicle maintenance awareness, empowering drivers with basic knowledge of routine inspections and preventive maintenance.

MATTA sees this as a progressive step towards greater transparency, accountability, and improving road safety. It also helps operational continuity for commercial vehicle operators in the tourism sector. 

The tourism and transportation industries are intrinsically linked, with reliable and efficient transport services forming the backbone of a vibrant tourism industry. Safe and uninterrupted mobility is crucial for supporting travel agencies, tour operators, and destination managers in delivering high-quality travel experiences. Strengthening coordination between these industries supports Malaysia’s positioning as a preferred travel destination.

Such efforts are key to strengthening Malaysia’s reputation as a safe and reliable destination, while supporting tourism recovery and future growth.

Singapore retains lead in passport power

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 24 July 2025: Singapore retains its position as the world’s most powerful passport, with visa-free access to 193 destinations out of 227 globally, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. 

The index is powered by exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association  (IATA). It ranks all the world’s passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. Asian nations continue to lead the global mobility race, with Japan and South Korea sharing second place, each granting their citizens visa-free access to 190 destinations.

Photo credit: Henley Passport Index.

A strong European contingent occupies the remaining spots in the top five rankings. Seven EU passports share 3rd place — Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain, all with access to 189 destinations. 

Another seven-nation European cohort, with visa-free entry to 188 destinations, is joint 4th — Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — while New Zealand, the only nation to challenge the regional dominance, ties in 5th place with Greece and Switzerland.

At the other end of the global mobility spectrum, Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the ranking, with its citizens able to access just 25 destinations without a prior visa — a staggering 168 destination gap between the top and bottom-ranked passports.

Biggest risers and fallers

The UK and US have each dropped a place in the global passport rankings since January, continuing a long-term downward trend. Once the most powerful passports in the world — the UK in 2015 and the US in 2014 — they now rank 6th and 10th, respectively. The UK currently has visa-free access to 186 destinations, while the US trails with 182. Notably, the US is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 altogether for the first time in the index’s 20-year history.

The UAE continues to be a standout among the top risers, shooting up 34 places over the last 10 years from 42nd to 8th place. Another notable winner is China, which has also risen 34 places from 94th to 60th since 2015 — an awe-inspiring achievement, considering that, unlike other top risers, China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe’s Schengen Area.

The Asia-Pacific region is also a leading driver of global travel. IATA’s Director General, Willie Walsh, says overall demand for air travel showed strong 5.8% growth over the first five months of 2025, with some regional variations. “Asia-Pacific airlines led the way with 9.5% growth. In North America, international traffic grew by 1.8%, but this was offset by a 1% contraction in the domestic market, leaving demand effectively flat over the period.”

HKIA boosts passenger traffic 16.5%

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 24 July 2025: Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) released on Tuesday air traffic statistics of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for June 2025 and the first half of the year.

Over the first six months of the year, passenger volume at HKIA saw 16.5% year-on-year growth to 29.4 million, while flight movements increased by 10.1% to 192,365. In June, the airport handled 4.76 million passengers and 31,235 flight movements, representing year-on-year growth of 11.2% and 5.6% respectively, from the relatively low base during the same month last year. An increase in transfer/ transit passengers primarily drove passenger growth in June. Still, the overall passenger traffic during the month was impacted by reduced demand for travel to Japan.

HKIA was named “Airport of the Year – Major Cargo Hub” at the World Air Cargo Awards 2025 organised by Air Cargo Week.

Amid ongoing global trade uncertainty, cargo traffic grew 1.9% to 2.40 million tonnes in the first half of the year, despite a 1.6% decrease to 409,000 tonnes in June, both on a year-on-year basis. In June, traffic to/ from North America experienced declines, which were partially offset by growth in traffic to/ from Europe and the Middle East.

Looking ahead, AAHK remains cautiously optimistic on the outlook for both passenger and cargo traffic and will continue to closely monitor the impact of economic uncertainties on the aviation industry.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume rose by 18.6% year-on-year to 57.2 million, while flight movements increased by 14.7% to 380,915. Cargo throughput grew 6.3% year-on-year to 4.98 million tonnes.

Airport of the Year – Cargo

Meanwhile, HKIA was named “Airport of the Year – Major Cargo Hub” at the World Air Cargo Awards 2025 organised by Air Cargo Week, a leading publication for logistics professionals. The awards recognise outstanding innovation, service excellence, sustainability, and leadership in the airfreight industry.

AAHK Executive Director of Commercial, Cissy Chan, said: “We are honoured to receive this award, which recognises our continuous dedication to maintaining excellence as a premier global air cargo hub. Over the years, HKIA has demonstrated strong resilience, and we will pursue our commitment to relentlessly innovating and enhancing our operations and facilities to address the evolving needs of the industry.” 

Juneyao rolls out Wuxi-SIN flights

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 23 July 2025: China’s Juneyao Airlines schedules four weekly direct flights between Wuxi and Singapore starting 29 August.

The announcement follows Jetstar Asia’s decision to close its entire Asian network, including a four-weekly service between Wuxi and Singapore, effective 31 July. The average round-trip fare on the route is USD360. 

Photo credit: Juneyao Airlines. Shanghai hub.

Juneyao Airlines reports it will schedule flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using a 164-seat A320neo aircraft on the route. According to timetable data, the airline last served the Wuxi-Singapore route in 2021.

The airline is expanding flights to Southeast Asia. It flies twice daily (0910 and 1645) from its Shanghai hub (PVG) to Singapore and added flights to destinations in Malaysia — Penang since mid-June and Kuala Lumpur on 14 July.

Juneyao Airlines is headquartered in Shanghai, operating both domestic and international flights from hubs at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Flight schedule: Wuxi-Singapore

HO1561 departs Wuxi (WUX) at 2040 and arrives in Singapore (SIN) at 0215 plus a day.
HO1562 departs Singapore (SIN) at 0315 and arrives in Wuxi (WUX) at 0850.

Emirates schedules third daily flight to Mauritius

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

DUBAI UAE, 23 July 2025: In its commitment to supporting inbound tourism to the island nation of Mauritius, Emirates has announced it will introduce a third daily flight, starting on 1 December. 

The additional service, operated by a Boeing 777 aircraft as EK709/710, will complement existing schedules and support the travel plans of Emirates customers planning trips to the popular destination from across its network of more than 140 destinations.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, currently serves Mauritius with two daily services aboard its flagship A380 aircraft, operating as EK701/702 and EK703/704.

The addition of the third daily service, under a codeshare arrangement with Air Mauritius, will provide convenient flight timings to support travel itineraries and enable seamless connectivity for customers from the Middle East, Europe and the Americas travelling to the Indian Ocean holiday spot. The additional daily service will also provide seamless connections from and to Far East markets, where Emirates will actively promote the destination to audiences in Japan, China, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. 

Passengers can now book seats to the exotic island destination in First Class, Business Class and Economy Class on flight EK709, which will operate daily departing Dubai at 0655 and arriving in Mauritius at 1340. 

Flights from Mauritius, operating as EK710, will depart Mauritius at 1830 and arrive in Dubai at 0110 the next day. All times are local.

Tickets for the third daily service can be booked immediately by visiting emirates.com for travel starting from 1 December. Tickets can also be booked on the Emirates App, at Emirates Retail stores, through the Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “We would like to thank the Mauritian authorities for making an additional daily service possible. We have been proudly serving Mauritius since 2002, and our double daily A380 services have been a major success, significantly contributing to the country’s tourism industry growth. The additional daily service on our wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft will enable a more than 30% increase in capacity on the route, while also providing additional flight options for leisure and business travellers to connect to flights seamlessly.”

“We recently reaffirmed our codeshare partnership with Air Mauritius and our shared commitment to putting the destination on the global stage by facilitating steady growth in tourist demand for visits to Mauritius. We are also pleased to support and complement the operations of the national carrier, whose services have contributed to our success on this route. The additional daily service will allow both airlines to meet demand from global travellers.”

Since Emirates launched its scheduled services to Mauritius in 2002, the airline has carried over 8.8 million passengers and more than 126,000 tonnes of cargo on flights to and from Mauritius. Its passenger and cargo operations have generated significant economic and social contributions, including USD119 million in direct financial benefits from Emirates’ flights, USD264 million in tourism receipts, as well as USD530 million to the Mauritian economy through tourism-related spending.

Emirates’ operations have also had a significant impact on uplifting the economy, supporting the creation of 3,600 jobs in the nation. Additionally, hundreds of Mauritians work for Emirates, ranging from pilots and cabin crew to engineering, customer service, and corporate roles.

Emirates has successfully driven demand across its global network through its long-standing partnership with Air Mauritius, dating back to 2003, and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), which has enabled both the airline and tourism body to collaborate on joint initiatives showcasing the appeal of Mauritius to key market stakeholders since 2012.

The airline currently operates 14 flights per week between Dubai and Mauritius on its flagship A380 aircraft, with a weekly capacity of over 15,000 seats. 

Centara names team leaders in Japan and Nepal

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 22 July 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand, announced the appointment of two seasoned hospitality professionals to lead key properties in Japan and Nepal. 

Andy Noh, General Manager of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka.

Andy Noh has been named General Manager of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, and Paul Sun will assume the role of General Manager at Annapurna Mountain Resort, The Centara Collection, Centara’s debut property in Nepal. These strategic appointments support Centara’s expanding international portfolio and its commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences worldwide.

Noh steps into his role as General Manager of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka — Centara’s flagship property in Japan — bringing with him more than 25 years of distinguished hospitality experience. He most recently served as General Manager of The St. Regis Osaka and has also held leadership positions at The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto and Swissôtel Nankai Osaka. With a deep understanding of Japanese culture and guest expectations, paired with a global perspective, Noh is well-positioned to lead this iconic property into its next chapter of success.

“I am honoured to join Centara Hotels & Resorts and lead the incredible team at Centara Grand Hotel Osaka — one of the city’s most esteemed properties. I look forward to leveraging my experience in the local luxury market to enhance further this hotel’s reputation for exceptional service and operational excellence,” said Noh.

Paul Sun, General Manager of Annapurna Mountain Resort, The Centara Collection.

As Centara prepares to enter the Nepalese market, the company welcomes Paul Sun as General Manager of Annapurna Mountain Resort, The Centara Collection, slated to open in August 2025. With over 20 years of international hotel management experience, Sun has a proven track record for enhancing guest satisfaction and financial performance, and is well-versed in pre-opening strategy, operational oversight, and driving innovation—key strengths for launching Centara’s new venture. His recent roles include serving as the pre-opening General Manager for InterContinental Colombo and overseeing the successful post-pandemic relaunch of Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort in Sri Lanka.

“I am thrilled to be part of Centara’s historic entry into Nepal and to lead the opening of Annapurna Mountain Resort, The Centara Collection. This represents an incredible opportunity to establish Centara’s presence in this magnificent destination, while sharing the world-class hospitality and one-of-a-kind customer experiences synonymous with the Centara brand,” said Sun.

These appointments underscore Centara’s strategic emphasis on cultivating high-impact leadership to drive growth in both emerging and established destinations. With deep regional expertise and a shared dedication to guest satisfaction, both Noh and Sun will play pivotal roles in shaping operations, building team culture, and creating meaningful guest experiences in their respective markets.

Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Operating Officer Michael Henssler commented: “We are delighted to welcome Andy and Paul to our team. Their diverse backgrounds and proven leadership within the luxury hospitality sector will be invaluable as we continue to expand our footprint across Asia. These appointments underscore our commitment to attracting top talent to drive success and deliver exceptional experiences across the globe.”

For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts, visit: https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/

(Source: Centara Hotels & Resorts)

Art tour hosted by Hari Hong Kong

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 23 July 2025: The Hari Hong Kong has launched a cultural experience that guides guests through the remarkable roster of art adorning its walls and Wan Chai neighbourhood’s art scene.

“The Hari Art Trail” is a personalised art tour led by the hotel’s in-house Art Ambassador, practising artist Bibek Rai, who shares anecdotes behind the hotel’s art collection and contemporary design.

The Hari Hong Kong has launched a cultural experience that guides guests through a remarkable roster of art adorning its walls and the exciting art scene of Wan Chai. “The Monumental Melt” (pictured) by Rado Kirov, featuring mirrored stainless steel, is among the standouts in The Hari Hong Kong’s permanent collection.

Spanning a variety of mediums including installations, mixed media, surreal photographs, graphic paintings, three-dimensional images and digital film pieces, the art is curated by London-based art advisory A Space For Art, which also selects works for sister hotel The Hari London.

Following Bibek’s art tour, guests are encouraged to continue the art trail by visiting two of Wan Chai’s hidden gems — the 1960s tenement block turned creative hub, the Foo Tak Building, and the appointment-only gallery PHD Group.

Described by locals as a “vertical art village,” the Foo Tak Building offers partially subsidised rental units at below-market rates. Its variety of arts and cultural organisations, focused on the likes of visual arts, literature and publishing, sound and performing arts, and community development, pursue their artistic endeavours without burdensome rents.

Housed in a renovated space that used to be a private rooftop clubhouse in the 1970s, contemporary gallery PHD Group’s concrete walls and floors showcase creations from the region’s emerging and mid-career artists.

Wai Chai and the neighbouring Central District are home to a host of art galleries, including Woaw Gallery, Kiang Malingue, 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, Villepin, White Cube Hong Kong, Pearl Lam Galleries, Over The Influence, Tang Contemporary Art, and Kwai Fung Hin Art Gallery.

“With art running through The Hari Hong Kong’s DNA, our art trail affords a whole new perspective of our hotel and Wan Chai, one of Hong Kong’s oldest yet most creative districts,” said Hari Hong Kong’s General Manager Edward Snoeks. “Bringing more depth and substance to a stay with us, Bibek connects guests with the narratives behind our artworks and our hotel’s design before guests step out into Wan Chai to interact with its edgy art scene.”

The elegant 30-story hotel features 210 guest rooms, including three signature rooftop suites, offering views overlooking Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, The Peak, and Victoria Harbour. 

The exclusive art tour is available by appointment only.

AHS expansion reaches Egypt

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 23 July 2025: Absolute Hotel Services Middle East and Africa (AHS MEA) has inked a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with top-tier developer AKAM Al Rajhi Developments. 

Together, they will launch a brand-new U Hotels & Resorts property in the coastal enclave of El Dabaa, located in the Marsa Matrouh Governorate.

Photo credit: AHS.

The collaboration marks the debut of the U Hotels & Resorts brand on Egypt’s North Coast — one of the region’s fastest-growing lifestyle and leisure hotspots. 

The ambitious greenfield project will feature 160 to 230 keys, offering a mix of hotel rooms and fully serviced residential units, including studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom options — all part of a professionally managed rental pool programme.

Slated to open in 2029 as a full-fledged international five-star resort, the property promises to raise the bar for hospitality experiences in the area.

AHS MEA, Managing Director Kevork Deldelian commented: “We’re thrilled to team up with AKAM Al Rajhi Developments to introduce the unique spirit and elevated service of U Hotels & Resorts to Egypt’s North Coast. This partnership reflects our vision for growth and our commitment to redefining the guest experience across key destinations in the Middle East and Africa.”

Under the MOU, AHS MEA will provide full pre-opening support, technical services, and long-term operational management.

AKAM Al Rajhi Developments CEO Edrees Mohamed emphasised the shared vision: “We aim to craft a world-class hospitality destination that reflects the modern luxury and evolving tastes of Egypt’s tourism market. Partnering with AHS MEA and the U Hotels & Resorts brand brings the international pedigree we need to realise that goal.”

About Absolute Hotel Services (AHS)
AHS manages a portfolio of hotels, resorts, and serviced residences, with its headquarters located in Bangkok, Thailand. The company also has regional offices in Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, the UAE, and Europe.

Singaporeans tap Vietnam travel bargains

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 23 July 2025: Vietjet is making international travel more affordable with its latest promotion: Eco tickets are on sale for SGD86 (one-way, inclusive of taxes and fees) for all Singapore-Vietnam routes. 

The deal includes 20kg of free checked baggage on all international flights to and from Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang.

The promotion runs from 0100 on 23 July to 26 July 2025 (GMT+8) on the airline’s website and mobile app. The discounted fares also apply to all Vietjet domestic and international routes for travel between 4 September 2025 and 20 May 2026. 

Adding to the value, Vietjet is offering an extra 20kg of free checked baggage for Eco ticket holders on all international flights.

Hong Kong Airlines boosts summer services

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

HONG KONG, 23 July 2025: Hong Kong Airlines has launched five weekly direct flights connecting Hong Kong and Xi’an, offering travellers convenient access and fostering tourism, cultural, and trade links.

Airbus A320s fly the latest route linking Hong Kong and Xi’an Located in northwestern China, Xi’an is one of the nation’s four great ancient capitals and the historic starting point of the Silk Road.

The city is home to world-renowned heritage sites, including the magnificent Terracotta Army, the well-preserved Ming Dynasty City Wall, the ancient Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, and the vibrant Muslim Quarter. 

This expansion highlights Hong Kong Airlines’ ongoing strategy to enhance its Asia-Pacific network. It has successfully launched services to Vientiane (Lao PDR) and Da Nang (Vietnam).

Coinciding with the peak summer travel season, Hong Kong Airlines has also increased frequencies on several routes to mainland China. Since 27 June, services to Hangzhou and Nanjing increased to twice daily, while the Shanghai Pudong route will operate with four flights daily. These additions complement the existing network, which includes Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Chengdu, Haikou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Sanya, Xining, Hulunbuir, and Dunhuang in Mainland China.

Hong Kong Airlines flight schedule between Hong Kong and Xi’an is as follows (All times local):

About Hong Kong Airlines
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline with a strong presence in Hong Kong, serving 30 destinations across the Asia Pacific and North America.

1...252627...623Page 26 of 623

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.