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CT Partners meet in HCMC

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TTR WEEKLY
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SYDNEY, 20 November 2023: Over 100 delegates visited Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to attend the recent CT Partners’ Annual Business Meeting. 

Traditionally held each year at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok, CT Partners relocated the event to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and introduced a revised meeting format that attracted a record number of CT Partners’ members and 33 preferred supplier partners. The event was also attended by Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long.

The theme of Transform was tackled during panel discussions, member breakout sessions and partner and keynote presentations, touching on a wide range of topics, including distribution changes, AI adoption, generational booking patterns and talent outsourcing.

A new speed dating format was introduced on the second day to allow one-on-one member and supplier meetings, allowing for an improved level of dialogue and engagement between businesses and resulting in a palpable buzz in the Park Hyatt Saigon.

Other highlights included the presentation of the Ian Edwards Award for the most supportive business supplier partner awarded to Singapore Airlines national agency sales manager Rosanna Piaggio.

Regarding post-event feedback, a senior airline executive commented: “The CT Partners annual business meeting is always a worthwhile investment of our time and resources. The number of members who attend and actively engage on a business and personal level makes it an industry standout… in fact, the industry standout! We feel like part of the CT Partners team, and that makes our partnership even more special and rewarding as it is true teamwork and results in the best business outcomes for all.”

CT Partners CEO Matt Masson noted: “We were excited to be able to host this meeting in Ho Chi Minh City and a special mention to Singapore Airlines, our major sponsor. We continue to cement our reputation as a trusted and respected partner of choice for our members and those valued industry partners we choose to work with.”

About CT Partners
CT Partners was founded in 2004 by a small group of Australian-owned travel companies who aspired to create a partnership designed to serve their travellers’ needs and ensure the best possible commercial outcomes for their businesses.

Today, CT Partners’ membership has reached 30, with a combined turnover of more than AUD2 billion and expanding. The collective size enables CT Partners to negotiate mutually beneficial commercial agreements with air, hotel, cruise, land and technology supplier partners.

Trip.com Group drives Nihao! China promo

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 20 November 2023: Trip.com Group has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding with the China International Culture Association to promote inbound tourism.

Trip.com Group co-founder and chairman James Liang and chief marketing officer Bo Sun attended the signing ceremony.

Trip.com Group and other companies jointly released inbound tourism collaborative initiatives.

The Nihao! China campaign, launched by China International Culture Association, aims to foster and promote cultural exchanges and establish friendships between China and visitors from around the world.

China International Culture Association (CICA) and Trip.com Group have signed a strategic framework agreement to implement the “Nihao! China” programme, which includes filming and producing global promotional videos and the “Nihao! China” digital communication campaign. Additionally, the framework will look to build a service platform for inbound travel and organise activities agreed upon by both sides at the China International Tourism Fair, the Sino-French Tourism Year, the China-US Tourism High-Level Dialogue, and the World Conference on Tourism Development, among other events.

Several measures to boost tourism were recently announced by the Chinese State Council on 27 September, including optimising visa and customs clearance policies, increasing international flight capacity and routes to key destinations, and improving inbound tourism products and information services for foreign visitors. 

Trip.com Group will promote China International Culture Association’s Nihao! China campaigns on its platforms across various markets. The Group will curate content to showcase specific offerings and services and position China as a welcoming destination rich in history and cultural heritage.

In addition, Trip.com Group will also collaborate with Chinese cultural centres, tourism boards and other organisations to promote and showcase China’s attractions and experiences.

Over the next three years, Trip.com Group plans to invest in platform technology, marketing and promotion, and product integration to accelerate the development of inbound tourism in China.

Liang said: “To boost inbound tourism, Trip.com Group will leverage its technological expertise to enhance the ease of access for incoming visitors. Additionally, we will consolidate resources to foster tourism promotion while highlighting the distinctive tourism attractions of China to draw in global visitors.”

According to Trip.com Group’s data, the top 10 sources of inbound travellers to mainland China are South Korea, the United States of America, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand, the United Kingdom and Germany. The first 10 months of 2023 saw four-digit growth in visitor numbers compared to the same period in 2022. This equates to more than 60% of pre-pandemic levels.

Following the opening of China’s borders earlier this year, there has been a consistent increase in the number of China-related bookings made via Trip.com Group’s platforms across various markets. For instance, the number of Malaysia-China flight bookings during the first 10 months of the year surged by more than 125 times compared to last year, representing an increase of 47.6% over 2019. Meanwhile, Malaysian residents making China tourism bookings jumped by 82.8% compared to 2019. Based on the group’s data, the top five cities for Malaysian travellers during the first 10 months of this year were Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and Xiamen. These were also the five most popular cities for Malaysia-based travellers before the pandemic in 2019.

The top 10 most popular cities for inbound travellers to mainland China saw Shenzhen and Shanghai toppling the list alongside other destinations such as Guangzhou, Beijing, Zhuhai, Hangzhou, Foshan, Xiamen, Zhongshan, and Chengdu. Interestingly, seven out of 10 hotel bookings made by inbound tourists are for Shenzhen, while two Shanghai hotels rank second and third in the most booked hotel list.

According to Trip.com, the demand for travel to China trips should rise shortly. This is credited to the efforts made by the government and the industry to facilitate travel. The government simplified the visa application for tourists from several countries, and since 1 November, it removed the requirement for inbound arrivals to fill in the Entry Health Declaration Card. The data collected by Trip.com shows that global search results for inbound travel to China have significantly improved in Q3 by nearly 40% compared to Q2.

About Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar.

RCI names APAC director of sales

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 20 November 2023: Royal Caribbean International appoints Diane Chiang as the new APAC sales director, marking the cruise line’s commitment to expanding its presence across Asia-Pacific by opening up distribution and welcoming more travel partners.

She joined Royal Caribbean in 2007 as a business analyst in the finance team and was then appointed revenue manager, where she focused on commercial business strategy.

Diane Chiang.

During the Covid pandemic, Diane played a pivotal role in collaborating with local government authorities and Royal Caribbean’s global operations team to plan and execute the safe resumption of cruise operations in Singapore.

In her new position, she will lead the sales team to drive the growth of Royal Caribbean’s business in Singapore and Asia Pacific.

“There is tremendous potential in the Asia Pacific region for the cruise industry, and Diane is well-placed to help Royal Caribbean expand our growth,” said Royal Caribbean International vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific Angie Stephen. “Already we are seeing the trend of our local fans exploring sailings in other regions from the history and culture of Europe, the wonders of Alaska and the charm of the Caribbean, and also eagerly awaiting adventures on Icon of the Seas and Utopia of the Seas which will set sail next year.”

IHG in line to manage Golden Triangle duo

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TTR WEEKLY
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CHIANG RAI, Thailand, 20 November 2023: IHG Hotels & Resorts and Thailand’s Asset World Corp Plc are extending their partnership with an agreement to manage two new hotels in Chiang Rai, a far north town bordering Myanmar and Laos.

Opening in 2025, InterContinental Chiang Rai Golden Triangle Resort will offer 68 one and two-bedroom pool and plunge pool villas. 

Caption (from left to right: Rungruang Wirojcheewan, Head of Hotel Operations, AWC, Matthew John Knights, Chief Hospitality Group Officer, AWC, Saowarin Chanprakaisi, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia and Korea, IHG, Patrick Both, Area General Manager Luxury & Lifestyle Thailand, IHG)

Kimpton Chiang Rai Golden Triangle, which operates as the Imperial Golden Triangle Resort, will undergo an extensive renovation, upgrading it to Kimpton brand standards featuring 68 suites.

These luxury destination resorts will mark IHG’s entry into Thailand’s Golden Triangle. This area was once infamous for opium smuggling between the three countries (Laos, Myanmar and Thailand) where borders converge.  

“On the back of the recent opening of InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, this signing is another milestone in IHG’s and AWC’s more than 10-year relationship,” said IHG Hotels & Resorts managing director, Southeast Asia and Korea Rajit Sukumaran. “We remain on track to grow our luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Thailand by 50%.

“The Kimpton brand debuted in Thailand three years ago and now has six open or pipeline properties in the market.”

Globally, the IHG group continues to grow across six brands in the luxury and lifestyle space, and this segment represents 14% of the group’s system and 22% of its pipeline, he explained.

The two properties will command views of the Mekong River and, on the opposite riverbank in Laos, a colossal casino complex being developed by a Chinese property developer, including the soon-to-be-open airport around 3 km inland from the high-rise condominiums and entertainment complexes.

The Golden Triangle refers to the confluence of the Ruak and the Mekong Rivers in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet. It is a one-hour drive (60 km) north of Mae Fah Luang – Chiang Rai International Airport, located on the outskirts of Chiang Rai town.

Chiang Rai struggles to attract international tourists other than retirees and hardy backpackers. It has always played second fiddle to the more popular Chiang Mai, 190 km to the south, served by international flights from major cities across Asia.

However, by 2025, when the two IHG hotels open, Chiang Rai’s fortunes might take a turn for the better if Chinese airlines resume flights that were cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic. Until more direct flights are established from cities in Asia to bring international tourists to the far north city, it will continue to rely on domestic travellers, estimated at around 85% of all visitor arrivals.

Macao enhances festive events

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 20 November 2023: Macao is back promoting events to international travellers, leading off with the successful hosting of the 70th Macao Grand Prix that concluded at the weekend.

The popular destination is refreshing its tourism landscapes with upgraded tour packages and captivating events, such as the highly anticipated Macao Food Festival and the awe-inspiring Light Up Macao 2023 scheduled to kick off the festive season.

The Macao Government Tourism Office also highlights the new intermodal bonded bus service between Macao and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Street races

The highlight of this year’s events was the return of the Macao Grand Prix, which kicked off on 11 November and culminated with the final round of races from 16 to 19 November. It is credited with being the only street circuit racing event featuring both cars and motorcycles. During the Covid pandemic, the event was limited to a local audience, but this year, it returned to its full action-packed version featuring both F3 and GT internationals. Now in its 70th edition, the Grand Prix was established in 1929

Foodie and light festivals

The 23rd Macao Food Festival opened on 17 November and runs to 3 December, featuring 100 local and 25 international food stalls from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Taiwan.

Macau lights up for the festive season with impressive displays on streets and buildings during December and February, a spectacular attraction curated by skilled light artists to reflect stories of local history and culture through light displays.

Visitors can check out the light exhibits from 1900 onwards at landmarks and districts around Macao, including Taipa, NAPE, Central District, North District, Praia do Manduco District, Coloane, and the Nam Van District.

International Marathon

The 2023 Galaxy Entertainment Macao International Marathon, organised by the Sports Bureau, Galaxy Entertainment Group and the General Association of Athletics of Macao, will take place on 3 December (Sunday), starting and finishing at the Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. The marathon and half-marathon will start at 0600, and the mini marathon at 0615.

Airport bus service

A new intermodal bonded bus service has been launched linking HKIA and Macao to make transferring from Hong Kong’s airport to Macao easier. Departing from the restricted area in HKIA, the service eliminates the nuisance of multiple transfers and provides hassle-free transfers to Macao and back. 

Passengers can board a direct bus to Macao, where luggage check-in and security procedures are handled in one go. 

Airline links

Macao is expanding its air links with a new direct flight route to and from Jakarta, starting late November 2023. Air Macau filed a flight schedule for the Macao – Jakarta route for four weekly flights using an Airbus A320 aircraft. Aeroroutes posted the submitted flight schedule as follows:

NX910 will depart MFM at 1640 and arrive 2040 at CGK on Monday, Wednesday and Friday;
NX911 will depart CGK at 0940 and arrive 1540 at MFM on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Bahrain to host Asia SKÅL Congress

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TTR WEEKLY
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BAHRAIN, 17 November 2023:  SKÅL International Bahrain Club has confirmed the 53rd Asian Area Congress will be hosted from 23 to 26 May, 2024 at the Gulf Hotel Convention and Exhibitions Centre in Bahrain.

The five-star Gulf Hotel quotes USD330 per person in double or twin accommodation for congress delegates.

Early bird registration, including a special package rate, opens on 1 December and closes on 15 January 2024. There is a limited allocation for the competitive package rate of USD660. The package price includes meals and drinks during the congress. Once the special package rate allocation is full, delegates will pay USD700 to attend.

Package rates

Rates above include breakfast and transfers.

Gulf Air offer
Gulf Air extends its support by offering a 22% discount in business class and a 20% discount in economy class for SAAC 2024 delegates.

The event calendar features a pre-congress-hosted dinner for the SKÅL ASIA Board of Officers, all-day registration on Friday, and a spectacular opening ceremony on Saturday. Delegates will have the chance to participate in business lunches, networking events, and complimentary tours showcasing the beauty of Bahrain.

The congress concludes with a gala dinner on Sunday, featuring awards and the official handover of the congress banner.

SKÅL International Bahrain Club president, Mohamed Buziz notes that the Bahrain Tourism Authority is “fully behind the congress and will offer free visas on arrival” to Skålleagues and guests. “I am counting on the support of Skål clubs worldwide,” says Buzizi. Not to be missed, it will be a gathering like no other – extending hands of friendship and camaraderie to all.”

Bahrain Tourism Authority

Explore more at www.btea.bh.

Gulf Air

Visit www.gulfair.com for more details.

(Source: Andrew Wood)

Emirates Group reports a record half-year

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 November 2023: Emirates Group announced earlier this week its best-ever six-month financial results reporting a 2023-24 half-year net profit of AED10.1 billion (USD2.7 billion), surpassing its record half-year profit of AED4.2 billion (USD1.2 billion) last year by 138%.

The Group also reported an EBITDA of AED 20.6 billion (USD5.6 billion), a significant improvement from AED15.3 billion (USD4.2 billion) during the same period last year, illustrating its strong operating profitability.

Group earnings 

Group revenue was AED67.3 billion (USD18.3 billion) for the first six months of 2023-24, up 20% from AED56.3 billion (USD15.3 billion) last year. This was driven by strong demand for air transport worldwide, which has been on an upward trajectory since pandemic travel restrictions were lifted. 

The Group closed the first half year of 2023-24 with a solid cash position of AED42.7 billion (USD11.6 billion) on 30 September 2023, compared to AED42.5 billion (USD11.6 billion) on 31 March 2023. The Group has tapped into its strong cash reserves to support business needs, including debt payments. So far, Emirates has repaid AED 9.2 billion of its Covid-19-related loans. The Group also paid AED 4.5 billion in dividends to its owner, as declared at the end of its 2022-23 financial year.

Emirates airline performance

Emirates continued to increase its global flight operations, adding capacity and connections through its Dubai hub to meet customer demand across markets. During the first half of 2023-24, the airline restored A380 operations to Bali, Beijing, Birmingham, Casablanca, Nice, Shanghai, and Taiwan.

In July, it launched daily non-stop services to Montreal, a new destination and the airline’s second gateway in Canada.

Expanding connectivity options for customers, Emirates entered and enhanced codeshare or interline agreements with eight airlines in the first six months of 2023-24: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Etihad Airways, Kenya Airways, Philippine Airlines, Maldivian, Sri Lankan Airlines, and United Airlines. The codeshare partnership between Emirates and Qantas, which has seen over 15 million travellers benefit from joint flight itineraries since its establishment in 2013, received approvals for a further 5-year extension until 2027.

By 30 September, the airline operated passenger and cargo services to 144 airports, utilising its entire Boeing 777 fleet and 104 A380s. During the first six months of 2023-24, 10 A380 aircraft rolled out of Emirates’ retrofit programme with completely refreshed cabin interiors and the latest onboard products, including Premium Economy seats. This enabled the airline to deploy its highly sought-after Premium Economy services on more new routes, including New York JFK, Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Singapore.

In the first half of 2023-24, Emirates launched a new global brand advertising campaign featuring Hollywood actor Penelope Cruz and introduced initiatives to enhance customer travel experience, including a new city check-in facility at Dubai International Financial Centre, free onboard wi-fi for Emirates Skywards members, and a new meal pre-ordering capability for customers to select their meal options in advance of travel.

Overall capacity during the first six months of the year increased by 25% to 28.5 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM) due to an expanded flight programme. Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM) increased by 30%. In comparison, passenger traffic measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM) was up by 35% with an average Passenger Seat Factor of 81.5%, compared with 78.5% during the same period last year.

Emirates profit for the first half of 2023-24 hit a new record of AED 9.4 billion (US$ 2.6 billion), compared to the same period last year’s profit of AED 4.0 billion (US$ 1.1 billion).

Emirates revenue, including other operating income, of AED 59.5 billion (US$ 16.2 billion) was up 19% compared with the AED 50.1 billion (US$ 13.7 billion) recorded in the same period last year. The airline’s record performance is attributable to the strong passenger demand for international travel across markets and Emirates’ ability to activate capacity to match demand and offer customers great value and services.

Emirates’ direct operating costs (including fuel) grew by 9% in line with increased operations. Fuel remains the largest component of the airline’s operating cost (34%), compared to 38% in the same period last year.

Driven by strong demand and increased operations during the six months, Emirates’ EBITDA grew by 33% to AED19.5 billion (USD5.3 billion) compared to AED14.7 billion (USD4.0 billion) for the same period last year.
For airline information and bookings, visit www.emirates.com.

Centara Ras Fushi wins three awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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MALDIVES, 17 November 2023: The idyllic Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, known for its unparalleled romantic escapes and immersive experiences, emerged as a triumphant star at the recent 2023 World Luxury Spa Awards. 

The resort’s SPA Cenvaree proudly claimed three prestigious awards, marking a significant milestone in this incredible destination’s journey toward excellence in the hospitality industry.

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives’s SPA Cenvaree was honoured at the 17th Gala Ceremony of the World Luxury Awards, taking home three awards, namely Best Unique Experience Spa in Indian Ocean, Best Luxury Adult Only Spa in Indian Ocean, and Best Luxury Romantic Destination Spa in Indian Ocean. 

Set amidst the breathtaking backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean, Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa is an adult-only haven for those seeking romantic escapades. With the unique blend of tranquillity and captivating experiences, the resort has become the ultimate canvas for love stories to unfold.

The award-winning SPA Cenvaree, a realm of complete calm and tranquillity in this paradisiac resort, has played a pivotal role in creating this stunning environment. Offering experiences inspired by Ayurvedic and Thai healing traditions, SPA Cenvaree provides guests with various treatments and multi-day programs that immerse them in pure serenity and rejuvenation.

The World Luxury Awards celebrated the commitment and dedication of leading establishments in the luxury hospitality industry, gathering nearly 300 establishments worldwide to acknowledge their excellence. It understands the needs of modern travellers, who increasingly value experiences over possessions and are willing to invest in unique, authentic, and immersive travel experiences. 

Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives stands as a beacon of excellence in the hospitality industry, redefining romance and relaxation in the heart of the Maldives. These awards reflect the resort’s dedication to providing guests with unforgettable experiences and further reinforce its reputation as a premier destination for romantic getaways. For more information about Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives and SPA Cenvaree, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara/crf

Ascott hires team leaders in Southeast Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 November 2023: The Ascott Limited (Ascott), a lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), announced Tuesday the appointment of industry veterans David Cumming and Kanit Sangmookda to lead fast-growing markets within the group’s Southeast Asia portfolio. 

Cumming
Kanit

David Cumming joins as regional general manager for Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, and Kanit Sangmookda joins as country general manager for Thailand and Laos. These senior appointments support Ascott’s strategic goals to capitalise on the emerging opportunities in the region.

Ascott, managing director, Southeast Asia and head of strategy and global operations Wong Kar Ling commented: “Southeast Asia holds one of Ascott’s largest footprint spanning more than 65,000 units across almost 90 cities and growing. Our regional and country general managers are integral in leading our network of operationally-ready teams… David and Kanit bring extensive experience with global hotel chains, which will further strengthen our capability to grow Ascott’s portfolio of flex-hybrid properties to further us on our continued journey as a global hospitality company.”

As regional general manager of Ascott Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar, Cumming will oversee a portfolio of over 40 properties, where more than half are slated to open over the next three years.

As country general manager of Ascott Thailand and Laos, Kanit will manage a portfolio of over 30 properties where over a third is slated to open over the next three years.

Changi launches carbon offsets

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 November 2023: Changi Airport Group (CAG) has launched Changi Carbon Offsets, allowing passengers to offset the carbon emissions from their air travel, regardless of the airline booked. 

With the aid of the carbon calculator on the Changi Airport website (https://carbonoffsets.changiairport.com) and the Changi App, passengers can calculate the carbon emissions from their forthcoming flights based on the origin, destination and class of travel. After that, they will be offered the option to offset the emissions from their journey using their credit card for payment.

Photo credit: Changi Airport Group

CAG has selected a set of high-quality carbon offset projects that would significantly impact the environment and communities. This was done in partnership with Carbon Clicks, a New Zealand-based carbon offset company. These selected projects will help conserve and protect existing forests in Indonesia, plant forests in China, and provide wind power generation in India. 

The launch of Changi Carbon Offsets is the latest initiative that CAG is taking along its sustainability journey to help mitigate carbon emissions. CAG also works closely with the airport community to improve the energy efficiency of the airport’s buildings and operations, enhance waste management and recycling, conserve water resources and ensure that airport facilities and functions adapt to the impact of climate change.

Changi Group senior vice president of regulatory affairs and sustainability Audrey Lee said: “Changi Carbon Offsets offers our passengers the opportunity to offset carbon emissions from their flights by supporting internationally-verified projects which will benefit the environment. As a demonstration of CAG’s commitment towards lower-emissions air travel, CAG will purchase carbon offsets for all business travel by CAG staff going forward.”

Check out Carbon Clicks, a New Zealand-based carbon offset company: https://www.carbonclick.com/

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