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AirAsia to launch 9th route to India

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 23 November 2023: AirAsia announced Wednesday a new route to India’s southern city of Thiruvananthapuram, or Trivandrum, making it the airline’s second direct route to the state of Kerala following its 12 weekly flights to Kochi. 

This new route will start on 21 February 2024 with four weekly flights and should gain the thumbs up from travellers looking to explore Thiruvananthapuram, home to numerous architectural marvels, traditional Kerala cuisine and its quaint markets. 

AirAsia has long connected travellers to India since it commenced flights in 2008 with Tiruchirappalli as its first route. The launch of this new connectivity marks the airline’s 9th route to India from Malaysia. 

Currently, AirAsia operates six direct routes to south Indian cities via AirAsia Malaysia (AK) ‒ Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Hyderabad, Kochi, Bengaluru and Kolkata as well as 2 direct routes to Northern India ‒ Amritsar and New Delhi via AirAsia X (D7).

AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “We’re thrilled to strengthen our presence in India with this new route to the historically rich city of Thiruvananthapuram. Last year marked a momentous milestone for us when we gradually resumed our key destinations in India post-pandemic. With this new route launching in February next year,  we will soon fly nine stunning destinations across the country from north to south with 71 flights weekly ‒ with more to come. 

“Undoubtedly, India is one of AirAsia’s most popular destinations for Malaysian travellers. We hold a market share of 47% of the international air connectivity between the two nations. Over the last decade and a half, we’ve drastically transformed the travel landscape in India and connected many millions of travellers to Malaysia and beyond affordably. We look forward to working closely with the state government to support the tourism industry and further stimulate air travel to Thiruvananthapuram and other cities in India.”

This new launch is a landmark for AirAsia as the airline is celebrating having flown an incredible 800 million guests and counting since 2001. To commemorate this and the upcoming new route, AirAsia is offering fares from 22 to  26 November 2024 from MYR199 all-in* one-way from Kuala Lumpur to Thiruvananthapuram ‒ inclusive of free 20kg check-in baggage ‒  for travel between 21 February 2024 to 26 October 2024. 

Flight schedules from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Thiruvananthapuram (TRV):

*All-in one-way fare includes airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees. Subject to government approvals. Other terms and conditions apply.

Cathay Hackathon attracts tech-savvy students 

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 22 November 2023: Cathay’s commitment to fostering the next generation of tech talent was fully displayed last weekend as 280 tech-savvy and entrepreneurial students gathered at Cathay City for the flagship tech event, the Cathay Hackathon 2023.

Over a span of 24 hours, the students joined forces to develop and pitch innovative solutions designed to enhance customers’ travel experience, elevate Cathay’s premium lifestyle services, and promote its cargo services.  

The Cathay Hackathon received an overwhelming response, with a record-breaking 1,500 applications pouring in from local and overseas universities, making it the highest number of applications since the event first launched in 2016. Following a rigorous selection process, 64 teams were invited to participate in this highly energised 24-hour event, where they worked tirelessly to develop, prototype and pitch their creative ideas to a judging panel of industry experts.

Attending the Cathay Hackathon as Guest of Honour, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Professor Sun Dong said: “Only when our young people thrive will Hong Kong prosper. The Hong Kong SAR Government continues to strengthen our STEAM education, taking further steps to identify and nurture local STEAM elites, and we’re pleased that Cathay has provided the Hackathon Challenge, a platform for nurturing our talented youngsters, which demonstrates brilliance in bringing together young talents at the challenges facing the aviation industry with innovative solutions.” 

Cathay Director Digital and IT Lawrence Fong added: “I am delighted to join these passionate and energetic young people at the Cathay Hackathon 2023. It is truly inspiring to see them come together, share ideas, collaborate, and enjoy the process of learning and having fun. The Cathay Hackathon is a unique platform for aspiring young tech talents to showcase their passion, knowledge, and ideas in a competitive environment, with the support and guidance of leading industry experts who accompany them every step of their journey.”

Throughout the event, participants received valuable insights shared by 40 coaches and mentors from Cathay and its tech partners, who guided idea refinement, software development, and design and business strategy. The event was also supported by partners, including the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cyberport, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft, Huawei, Alibaba Cloud and iOS Club. These partners gave the participants the necessary tools and resources to ideate, develop, and design their concepts.

This year’s winning team, NAAR, comprised members from diverse backgrounds. Their winning idea involved leveraging artificial intelligence technology and computer vision-based dimensioning systems to optimise spacing in cargo loads, increasing accuracy and profitability and reducing the need for manual labour.  

NAAR member Anushka Purohit said: “The Cathay Hackathon 2023 was an incredibly rewarding experience for us. Not only did we have the opportunity to meet and learn from technology experts, but we also gained a newfound perspective on the impact of technology on the aviation industry. It was truly eye-opening, and we’re excited for the upcoming engagements with Cathay.” 

NAAR won round-trip Business class tickets to any destination in Cathay Pacific’s network and a combined 100,000 Asia Miles. Additionally, they were offered an opportunity to join Cathay as IT Summer Interns and gain fast-track access to the IT & Digital Graduate Trainee Programme.

Alongside Cathay’s youth development programmes, the top three winning teams will have a chance to spend a day with senior leaders at Cathay City through job shadowing experience. Moreover, they will also receive innovation grants from leading tech partners to support their entrepreneurial journey.

The Cathay Hackathon is part of Cathay’s ongoing commitment to nurturing and developing young talent for the aviation industry in Hong Kong. Through its many successful youth initiatives, including the Digital & IT Summer Internship, Graduate Trainee Programmes, Cadet Pilot Training Programme, the I Can Fly programme and the Cathay Community Flight, Cathay continues to support young talent and promote aviation, travel lifestyle, technology and innovation in Hong Kong.

Emirates signs seat deal

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 November 2023: Emirates has announced a series of contracts awarded to Safran, worth over USD1.2 billion. 

This includes a USD1 billion deal* for the latest generation Safran Seats for Emirates’ new fleet of Airbus A350, Boeing 777X-9 and existing Boeing 777-300 aircraft.

The agreement includes Business, Premium Economy and Economy class seats for the Emirates Airbus A350 and Business, Premium Economy and Economy Class seats for the Boeing 777X-9. The new seats will offer a host of enhancements that set a new standard for comfort, privacy and convenience, including generous space and a bolder roster of luxurious features, stylish interior finishes and next-level technology in every cabin class.

In addition to seats, other contracts from Safran are also employed. This includes support from Safran Cabin, Safran Landing Systems, and Safran Passenger Innovations, as well as support on the ongoing retrofit programme for Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 and the ongoing maintenance, repair and overhaul agreements with Safran Aerosystems.

The deal also represents a significant export order for a French company and is part of Emirates’ ongoing investment into France and Europe.
For more information and flight bookings, visit www.emirates.com.

Sabah’s golf captivates Koreans

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 22 November 2023: Sabah’s golf courses are a compelling draw for Koreans due to their convenient accessibility, says South Korean consulate-general in Kota Kinabalu Joo Jung-cheol.

Joo mentioned that with 5 million golfers in Korea, attracting even 10% of them to Sabah represents a significant opportunity.

Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and South Korean consulate-general in Kota Kinabalu Joo Jung-cheol discussing on tourism and investment opportunities.

“Our golfers in Korea highly value South East Asia, including destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines,” he stated.

He highlighted Malaysia’s rise as the third-favoured destination for Korean golfers, trailing behind Thailand and the Philippines, during a meeting with Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai on Monday (20 November) to discuss tourism and investment opportunities.  

“I have played golf in Kota Kinabalu, and in my opinion, it is the best due to its excellent accessibility to golf courses in the heart of the city centre and within a 30-minute drive. It is a good selling point,” said Joo.

He was referring to the Sutera Habour Golf and Country Club, the Sabah Golf and Country Club, the nearby Karambunai Golf and Country Club, and the Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club.

“We anticipate many Koreans will come to Sabah during the high season between December and February for winter vacation and golf,” added Joo.

In 2019, he noted that 480,000 Koreans visited Sabah, with over 20 per cent participating in golf-related activities.

He also emphasised Sabah’s growing popularity as an investment destination for Korean investors, with Korean companies investing in the state’s golf business.  

Meanwhile, Joniston emphasised Sabah’s commitment to promoting golf tourism as a niche market, highlighting the affordable packages that appeal to Koreans without compromising on quality services.

In addition, he noted that the involvement of major companies like SK Nexilis in Sabah’s investment landscape would not only yield spillover effects in tourism but also play a pivotal role in promoting the state and attracting more tourists.

“Koreans currently top Sabah’s tourist market, and China is slowly picking up. We are doing everything possible to continue attracting Korean tourists and others with our many attractions that cater to their specific needs,” he said.
For more information on Sabah’s tourism and attractions, visit www.sabahtourism.com.

Club Med snow holidays soar

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 November 2023: Club Med, a pioneer of all-inclusive holiday experiences and snow vacations, reports record activity and business volume for its mountain resorts.

In the first half of 2023, Club Med’s mountain business volume globally increased by 45% year-over-year, with a 30% growth in customers and a 10% increase in average daily rates (ADR) year-over-year. This growth is attributed to Club Med’s recent investments in upgrading its resorts, opening new resorts in Hokkaido, Japan and the French Alps and its focus on internationalising its customer base.

A zoom on total snow holiday bookings for the upcoming winter season reflects a robust 98% growth across East and South Asia and Pacific markets and an ADR growth of 27% compared with pre-pandemic, including new capacity from the opening of Club Med Kiroro Peak, Club Med Kiroro Grand, Club Med Changbaishan, Club Med Tignes and Club Med Val d’Isère. The business volume of APAC markets has increased by 107% compared to winter 2019 and by 22% compared to winter 2019, excluding the new capacity.

Club Med’s success in Japan is a testament to the company’s expertise in delivering exceptional snow mountain holidays. The fourth Club Med resort to open in Hokkaido this December, Club Med Kiroro Grand has achieved near full occupancy 12 weeks ahead of its opening, while the other three Hokkaido resorts continue to show similar levels as well, underscoring the trust guests have in Club Med to deliver outstanding snow holidays.

A recent 2023 Asia Snow Report by Club Med reveals that today’s travellers are seeking a complete, multi-faceted holiday experience, including comfortable accommodation, easy access to the slopes and winter sports expert instruction complemented with the availability of ski equipment rental, delicious cuisine, family-friendly activities, and festive après-ski entertainment. The study also provided valuable data and proof that premium all-inclusive experiences perfectly align with travellers’ needs and desires for a memorable winter vacation. Additionally, Japan tops the chart as the most popular snow holiday destination.

The business tourism sector is showing a strong rebound, and Club Med is benefiting from the recovery, with business volume this coming winter season growing by 13% against 2019 due to Rent-A-Resort bookings. Club Med’s Rent-A-Resort concept allows groups to book an entire resort exclusively for themselves, providing a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience. The brand’s Mountain Resorts are a popular choice for both corporate and social events, thanks to their exceptional locations, world-class facilities, and all-inclusive packages.

“We are thrilled with the strong business growth we have seen in 2023, driven by our mountain resorts and events sector,” said Club Med CEO East, South Asia and Pacific Markets Rachael Harding. “This growth reinforces the unique value proposition and Club Med’s commitment to providing our guests with exceptional experiences. We are confident that our strategy is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for leisure and MICE travel.” 

Club Med is poised to capitalise on the strong growth of mountain vacations for both leisure and business, thanks to its focus on providing complete holiday experiences that meet the expectations of today’s travellers and its portfolio of Mountain Resorts in some of the world’s most popular winter destinations.

Investment boost for BYHOURS

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 November 2023: Singapore-based hospitality and travel-focused venture capital firm Velocity Ventures has announced a strategic investment in BYHOURS, a leading booking platform for microstays with more than 4,000 hotels. 

Velocity Ventures will support BYHOURS’s expansion into the Asian market, underscoring the team’s commitment to investing in tech start-ups reshaping the hospitality and travel sector. 

Photo credit: Velocity Ventures

One of the main advantages of BYHOURS is its flexibility, allowing guests to “pay per use” with 24-hour check-in time. With BYHOURS, travellers only need to pay for the hours they need, which is suitable for a traveller seeking a quick rest or having a short layover without an overnight stay.  

BYHOURS boasts microstay partnerships across 25 countries with independent 3, 4 and 5-star hotels and major hoteliers in the industry, including Hyatt, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza, Best Western, Accor Hotels, and NH Hotels. Beyond the convenience of room bookings, BYHOURS microstay guests can enjoy full access to hotel facilities. Travellers can elevate their stays with lifestyle inclusions like the hotel’s gym or pool. 

BYHOURS CEO and co-founder Guillermo Gaspart shares expansion plans: “BYHOURS will prioritise collaboration with travel agencies, corporations, and online travel agencies (OTAs) and establish symbiotic relationships as a bed-bank for microstays. By extending our channel distribution with B2B partners that want to cross-sell micro stays with their offerings, we can optimise revenue for our hotel partners.”  

Guillermo Gaspart and Christian Rodriguez established BYHOURS to disrupt the traditional booking systems of the hotel industry. At the helm is CEO and co-founder Guillermo Gaspart, who brings a wealth of knowledge from his family’s fourth-generation hotel business, specialising in business plans, start-up phases, hotel pre-openings and fundraising. Co-founder Christian Rodriguez, a seasoned entrepreneur, has a talent for building and nurturing exceptional teams and experience in the operational and corporate management of companies and projects. 

BYHOURS already has more than 300,000 users and has sold more than one million hotel hours, generating more than 20 million euros in turnover for the hotel industry.  

Air Astana wins APEX awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 November 2023: Air Astana was honoured to receive a recurrent award from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) at a ceremony held during the FTE APEX Asia Expo 2023 in Singapore earlier this month. 

The airline was awarded in two Central/Southern Asia categories: Best Cabin Service and Best Entertainment.

APEX awards recognise airlines for their excellence in providing the best passenger experiences overall and in the following five categories: Cabin Service, Entertainment, Food and Beverage, Seat Comfort, and Wi-Fi. The honours are based on anonymous, third-party passenger feedback and input through APEX’s partnership with TripIt® from Concur®, the world’s highest-rated travel-organising app. More than one million verified flights were rated by passengers using a five-star scale, with data gathered from over 600 global airlines.

“We are delighted to be once again honoured by APEX in receiving awards that reflect the airline’s dedication to consistently delivering an outstanding passenger experience,” said Air Astana inflight vice-president Yelena Obukhova.

Air Astana previously received APEX Awards for Best Entertainment System and Inflight Food & Beverage in Central Asia, Diamond status at the Apex Health Safety audit, APEX Regional Passenger Choice Award, and APEX Five Star Major Airline award.

About Air Astana Group
Air Astana commenced operations in May 2002 as a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s national wealth fund, Samruk Kazyna, and BAE Systems, with respective shares of 51% and 49%.

Ethiopian confirms A350 order

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 November 2023: Ethiopian’s flagship carrier, Ethiopian Airlines Group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for 11 additional Airbus A350-900s to be added to its existing fleet. 

The latest agreement takes Ethiopian Airlines’ order book and commitment for the A350 to 33, including four A350-1000s.

Ethiopian Airlines currently operates a fleet of 20 A350-900s, and with this commitment, it will confirm its position as Africa’s biggest A350 customer.

The signing of the MoU took place at Dubai Airshow in the presence of Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew and Airbus chief commercial officer and head of international Christian Scherer.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said: “We are excited to place this commitment for 11 Airbus A350-900s. As a customer-focused airline, we are particularly excited about this fleet as it offers passengers extra comfort with features like the quietest cabin in its class and ambient lighting. We are keen to expand our fleet size, acquiring the latest aircraft technology to offer our esteemed passengers a convenient and memorable onboard experience.”

The A350 is a long-range leader in the 300-410 seater category, flying efficiently on any sector, from short-haul to ultra-long-haul routes up to 9,700nm. The A350 has won over 1,000 orders from leading carriers from around the globe.

AirAsia Malaysia doubles Perth flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 November 2023: AirAsia Malaysia (AK) announces a new milestone in its expansion strategy by introducing its first Australian route to Perth.

Starting 11 March 2024, AirAsia will offer more options with great value fares to and from the capital of Western Australia, doubling flights from the current seven weekly to 14. With this expansion to Perth, AirAsia reaffirms its commitment to democratise air travel to more destinations, further solidifying its position as Asia’s leading low-cost airline.

AirAsia Malaysia CEO Riad Asmat said: “We are thrilled to announce our very first route to Australia to be operated by AirAsia Malaysia (AK), complementing the daily medium-haul operations currently flown between Perth and Kuala Lumpur by our affiliate airline AirAsia X (AAX). With new specification aircraft models capable of flying beyond the usual four-hour radius, this enhanced range facilitates extended connections between destinations, opening up new possibilities. With the addition of new model A321neo aircraft joining the AirAsia Malaysia fleet, including longer-range capability, we can now make these services to Australia a reality. 

“Perth has consistently been one of AirAsia’s most popular destinations, attracting travellers for leisure, tourism, education, and visiting family and friends due to its close proximity to Southeast Asia. 

From 1 January to 30 October 2023, approximately 30,000 guests flew from Malaysia to Perth, with the top five nationalities being Australians, Malaysians, Indians, Chinese, and New Zealanders. Based on increasing demand, we believe now is the right time to expand our network into this new market in West Australia. We also anticipate introducing more routes in the  region in the near future.”

AirAsia offers promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Perth from MYR559* all-in-one way. The fare is available for bookings until 26 November 2023 for travel until 26 October 2024. 

AirAsia Malaysia (AK) Flight schedule from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Perth (PER):

*All-in one-way fare includes airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees. Other terms and conditions apply.

Travel agents survey Malaysia’s attractions

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 21 November 2023: Tourism Malaysia Ho Chi Minh, in collaboration with Batik Air, organised a familiarisation trip for nine travel agents and a media representative from Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City last week.

The agents and media participated in a five-day-four-night programme that started in Kuala Lumpur and featured visits to Bukit Tinggi and Melaka. Among the highlighted places of interest in Kuala Lumpur were Independence Square, River of Life, Central Market, Saloma Bridge, Kwai Chai Hong and RexKL. 

Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia. Vietnamese agents explore Melaka.

At Bukit Tinggi, participants also had the chance to experience all the attractions, such as the Japanese village, Horse riding, Rabbit Park, and stay at Colmar Tropicale Berjaya Resort.

In Melaka, participants explored the historical Melaka city and visited A’Famosa Resort Melaka and the Freeport A’Famosa shopping outlet. At Gamuda Cove, the participants visited GL Play by Gamuda Lands and theme parks, such as Safari Insta Tour, Boat Cruise and Goosebumps Ropes.

Longways Travel & Tours, ibis KLCC, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, Tourism Melaka, A’Famosa Resort, GL Play by Gamuda Lands and AnCasa Hotel sponsored the familiarisation trip.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Dato Dr Ammar Abd. Ghappar said: “We look forward to welcoming more than 300,000 Vietnamese travellers to Malaysia this year. In the first half of 2023, Malaysia recorded 161,795 Vietnamese arrivals, thus reflecting strong pent-up demand in the post-pandemic, as Vietnam is one of the important markets for Malaysia’s tourism industry.”

“This year is the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Vietnam. Malaysia and Vietnam have a strong bilateral link. This connectivity will help improve bilateral trade and tourist exchange between Malaysia and Vietnam, which has seen a significant increase in recent years,” he added.

Batik Air currently operates direct flights from Hanoi (HAN), Danang (DAD) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). Promotional fare for one-way economy class between Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur starts from USD69 (no business class). The fare includes free baggage allowance – 20kg for Economy Class travellers. The brand-new narrow-body Boeing 737-8 aircraft will be deployed on this route.

Malaysia is targeting 16.1 million international tourist arrivals with a contribution of MYR49.2 billion (USD11.1 billion) in tourism receipts in 2023. There are 150 direct flights from Vietnam to Malaysia, and Tourism Malaysia is expecting exponential growth from the Vietnam market, including the Southeast Asia region.

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

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