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Dusit Hotels and Resorts debuts in Malaysia

MELAKA, Malaysia, 5 December 2024: Dusit Hotels and Resorts under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, will soft open its first hotel in Malaysia, Dusit Princess Melaka, on 7 December 2024. 

Strategically located in the heart of Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage City renowned for its vibrant culture and history, Dusit Princess Melaka marks a significant milestone for Dusit as it enters the Malaysian market. 

Melaka’s reputation as a popular tourist destination continues to grow, thanks to its blend of heritage and health tourism. By September 2024, the state welcomed approximately 10 million visitors, surpassing its annual target of 8.7 million. With a significant number of travellers arriving from key markets such as China and Singapore, Dusit Princess Melaka is ideally positioned to meet the needs of this expanding international audience.

Blending Dusit’s signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with a contemporary design tailored for both business and leisure travellers, Dusit Princess Melaka occupies the former Ramada Plaza Melaka building, which has undergone a refurbishment and complete rebranding to reflect the distinctive essence of the upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand.

From spacious and elegantly appointed Deluxe rooms with city views to the expansive Presidential Suite, every room in the 296-key property is thoughtfully designed with modern comforts and attentive details, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable stay for families, solo travellers, and visiting executives alike.

The hotel features a fully equipped gym and a large swimming pool for relaxation and rejuvenation. Guests can also enjoy a variety of dining experiences, including Zest, an all-day dining destination offering sumptuous buffet spreads, and Long Feng, a beloved local favourite renowned for its authentic Chinese cuisine and signature dim sum.

State-of-the-art meeting facilities and a grand ballroom capable of hosting up to 1,000 guests deliver a seamless and sophisticated setting for events of any scale.

The hotel’s central location is a standout feature for those seeking an immersive journey, offering unparalleled convenience for exploring Melaka’s rich cultural heritage and historical attractions. The bustling business district and popular landmarks such as Dutch Square, St. Paul’s Hill and Church, A’Famosa Fort, and Jonker Street Market are all within easy reach. Malacca International Airport is just a 17-minute drive away, while the commute to Kuala Lumpur International Airport can take approximately one hour and 45 minutes by car.

“We are delighted and honoured to unveil Dusit Princess Melaka, bringing our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to Malaysia for the first time,” said Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “This opening represents a significant milestone in the ongoing expansion of Dusit Hotels and Resorts. With its distinctive blend of comfort, convenience, and heartfelt service, we are confident the hotel will become a preferred destination for travellers and provide an enriching gateway for guests to connect deeply with Melaka’s vibrant history and culture.”

Dusit Princess Melaka offers introductory packages for stays and dining experiences to celebrate its soft opening. For more information and reservations, visit dusit.com/dusitprincess-melaka or follow the hotel on Facebook and Instagram at @dusitprincessmelaka. 

Emirates boosts Madagascar and Seychelles flights

DUBAI, UAE, 5 December 2024: Emirates will introduce a fifth weekly flight on its Dubai-Antananarivo route, starting 13 December 2024, for four weeks to meet demand from holidaymakers during the busy travel period. 

The additional weekly flight scheduled on Fridays will provide more capacity from the world’s fourth-largest island nation to more than 1,800 seats in each direction per week and will support seasonal demand for travel.

Following the success of the launch of services to Madagascar in September, Emirates’ increase of capacity on its Dubai/Seychelles/Antananarivo route will help the airline to meet market demand and allow customers to enjoy greater flexibility, choice, and connectivity when planning their travel.

The additional weekly frequency on the two linked services will operate as EK707 and EK708 in a three-class configuration. Tickets can be booked immediately on www.emirates.com, at Emirates World retail stores, on the Emirates App, and through travel agencies.

Effective 13 December 2024 until 10 January 2025, flights EK707 and EK708 are scheduled to operate with timings as follows (all times are local):

The temporary boost to capacity during four weeks will complement Emirates’ services on EK707 and EK708, using Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and offering 360 seats on each flight across first class and business class in addition to economy class. 

Boosting connectivity to the Seychelles and Madagascar provides more convenience for customers travelling between these countries and other popular destinations in the Emirates network, including the UAE, Sri Lanka, France and other select points in Europe, the UK, mainland China and the US.

Travellers flying with Emirates can enjoy an unmatched culinary experience thanks to regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs and complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. 

With ice, Emirates ‘ award-winning inflight entertainment system, customers can relax with more than 6,500 channels of carefully curated global entertainment content featuring movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, games and audiobooks.

www.emirates.com

Family time drives 2025 travel plans

SINGAPORE, 5 December 2024: Family comes first as we shape our 2025 travel plans, followed by a desire to discover new destinations, according to Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trend Survey. 

Agoda’s latest observations suggest that travellers prioritise quality time with loved ones and seek respite from daily routines. The survey also underscores the growing interest in exploring uncharted territories. 

Photo credit: Agoda. Family time equals quality time.

Seven critical insights 

Family time: For many travellers, family time equals quality time. Over a third of travellers (34%) plan to travel with family in 2025. Indonesians are the most genuine family travellers, with 58% expecting to go on a multi-generational trip with loved ones. Family travellers are followed by couples (23%) and solo travellers (19%) in most popular travel groupings.

Easy does it: According to the survey. 75% of respondents cited relaxation as their most important travel motivation. Singaporeans desire relaxation the most (87%). Regionally, visiting family and friends follows in second (39%), with cultural exploration in third (34%).

AI-assisted travel planning: Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping travel plans. Most travellers (80%) plan to use travel apps, while about one in eight (12%) are interested in virtual reality tours. Indian travellers appear to be most tech-savvy, with nine out of 10 respondents claiming to use travel apps when booking a trip.

Travel For Less: A significant portion of travellers (65%) plan to spend less than SGD250 per night on accommodation. But price is not a barrier to international travel. 87% of travellers expect to take the same number of trips or more compared to 2024, with most of those journeys crossing borders (52%). Perhaps unsurprisingly, travellers from Hong Kong expect to travel internationally the most (82%) — more than a quarter of respondents (27%) plan to travel domestically and internationally.

In and Out of Office: In addition to traditional business trips, which 28% of respondents expect to embark on, the survey focused on borderless workers who work remotely. One in 25 expects to work remotely in 2025, focusing on combining work and leisure as more companies adopt flexible work arrangements. Most prospective digital nomads in the region are from the Philippines, where one in fourteen travellers expect to work while travelling.

#Inspiration:  84% of travellers expect to visit new destinations in 2025. Travel inspiration can come from many sources, including personal interests and hobbies (71%), great value deals (56%), and recommendations from friends and family (33%). One in five (20%) gets their travel inspiration from social media, with Malaysians and Indonesians most inspired by Instagram and the likes (both 29%).

Life is a rollercoaster: Theme Parks are a reason to travel in Asia. Disney in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, Lotte World in Seoul, Universal in Osaka and Singapore, and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi are a major draw for year-round tourism. Over one in eight travellers (13%) expect to travel specifically to visit a theme park in 2025. Indonesians seem most excited by the prospects of rollercoasters and amusement, with one in five expecting to visit theme parks.

For more information, visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda app.

Hong Kong Airlines resumes long haul routes

HONG KONG, 5 December 2024: Hong Kong Airlines will resume its Gold Coast direct service on 17 January 2025, offering four weekly flights and providing passengers with convenient connections between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and Australia’s Gold Coast. 

The airline will launch twice-weekly flights from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada, on the following day, 18 January 2025, marking its official return to Canada after a four-year pause. 

Hong Kong Airlines celebrates its 18th anniversary. From left: Christopher Lai, Executive Director of Lucullus Group, Leo Ko, Director of Beverage of Cordis Hong Kong, Li Yuet Faat, Chinese Cuisine Executive Chef of Ming Court, Purple Yao, Deputy Director of Branding, Communications & Live Streaming, HKA, YAN Bo, Chairman of HKA, Charles Zhao, Deputy Director, Service Delivery of HKA, Edmond Lam, Executive Chef of Man Yuen and Homer Yu, CEO of Cheong Hing Store ltd.

The airline made its latest route announcements during its recent celebrations to mark its 18th anniversary.

HKG-YVR Flight Schedule

Flight HX080 will depart Hong Kong (HKG), Tuesday, at 2210 and arrive in Vancouver (YVR) at 1810.
Flight HXO80 will depart Hong Kong, Saturday, at 2350 and arrive in Vancouver at 1950.
Flight HX081 will depart Vancouver 0105, Wednesday and Sunday, and arrive in Hong Kong at 0700 (plus a day).

Strong festive season bookings 

This year, flight sectors in Asia have fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with an average passenger load factor of 85%. The airline expects to reach its annual traffic target of more than 5 million passengers by the end of this year. 

Additionally, bookings for the Christmas and Lunar New Year period have already reached 85% of pre-pandemic levels, with bookings on flights to ski resort routes in Northeast Asia during the festive season reaching 90%. In response, the airline increased flight frequency on relevant routes during December.

Airline expands Airbus fleet 
Hong Kong Airlines has significantly expanded its fleet this year, introducing multiple Airbus A330-300 wide-body aircraft to support medium- to long-haul routes. The airline has also introduced its first A321 aircraft, configured with 220 all-economy class seats, to increase passenger capacity. By the end of this year, Hong Kong Airlines’ fleet will expand to around 30 aircraft. The airline recently celebrated its 18th anniversary.

About Hong Kong Airlines
Established in 2006, Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline flying to 30 destinations across the Asia Pacific.

Thomas Cook wins four awards

MUMBAI, December 03, 2024: Thomas Cook (India) Limited, along with its Group Companies, SOTC Travel and Sita, celebrated a stellar achievement at the ET Travel & Tourism Annual Awards 2024, taking home four awards. 

Photo credit: Thomas Cook India.

The Group emerged as winners across multiple categories:

• Thomas Cook (India) Limited: Outbound Travel Operator of the Year and MICE Travel Operator of the Year
• SOTC Travel: Domestic Tour Operator of the Year
• Sita: Inbound Tour Operator of the Year (Jury Recognition)

The ET Travel & Tourism Awards recognise excellence in the travel industry, celebrating companies’ innovation and exceptional service. Winners are selected through a rigorous, multi-tiered jury process monitored by a credible external audit agency, ensuring transparency and credibility.

By winning accolades for its outbound, inbound, domestic travel operations and MICE, the Thomas Cook group demonstrated its ability to cater to the evolving needs of travellers in India and worldwide. 

Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive Chairman Madhavan Menon said: “Winning across categories at the ET Travel & Tourism Annual Awards 2024 is a proud moment for the Thomas Cook India Group. These recognitions across our businesses reflect our continued leadership and commitment to excellence in meeting the diverse needs of our customers. This recognition is a shared celebration with our team and loyal customers who inspire us daily to excel. As we celebrate these achievements, we remain dedicated to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in the travel and tourism industry.”

About Thomas Cook (India)
Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL) operates leading B2C and B2B brands, including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied TPro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, Private Safaris East & South Africa.

Vietjet promotes ‘Time to Vietjet’ fare

BANGKOK, 5 December 2024: Vietjet Thailand is promoting its THB zero deal, ‘It’s Time to Vietjet!’ for all domestic and international routes.

The booking window closes at midnight on 7 December, with the travel period from 1 March to 25 October 2025 (excludes public holidays) at the airline’s website, www.vietjetair.com. The THB zero fare offer excludes taxes and surcharges)

The special promotional tickets apply to Vietjet Thailand’s entire domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

It also applies to Vietjet’s international rout4s from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, China, Fukuoka, Phnom Penh, Singapore, and Taipei, as well as from Chiang Mai to Osaka, and the newly launched routes from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Okinawa & Hokkaido (via Taipei) and Mumbai. 

The promotional fares are available on all distribution channels, including travel agencies and booking offices.

Philippines eases visa for Indian tourists

MANILA, 5 December 2024: The Philippines is ready to capture India’s rising outbound market, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported earlier this week as the country fully implements its new e-Visa system in India.

The development of the e-visa system in the Philippines began in 2019, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) partnering with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to design and implement the system. 

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (centre) meets the Israeli tourism minister (left centre).

The system was initially launched in a pilot phase in 2021, with a limited number of visa types and eligible nationalities. The pilot phase was successful, and the DFA announced in 2023 that the e-visa system would be launched to the public in the third quarter of the year. However, implementing the e-visa system in India took longer to activate and achieve a fully automated status.

After a successful soft launch and beta testing in August 2023, the DFA officially launched the e-visa operations at the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and all three Philippine Honorary Consulates in India (Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai) on 28 October 2024.

In an interview on the sidelines of the two-day Philippine Dive Experience in Anilao, Batangas, the Philippines News Agency reported that the Philippines Department of Tourism’s Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco welcomed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issuance of e-Visas to Indian nationals, saying local destinations are ready to welcome more Indian travellers.

“We welcome the announcement of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the full automation of the electronic visa system for India,” she told PNA. “This is something that the administration has been working on for some time, and we greatly appreciate all the efforts to launch this, especially since we’re looking at India as a very robust outbound market for the Philippines.”

According to India-based consultancy firm Nangia NXT, India’s outbound travel will grow, earning USD55.39 billion in tourist receipts by 2034. The number of Indians travelling overseas should increase to 50 million in 2030.

“The Philippines has been ready for quite some time, and we are very eager to open up the doors to the Indian market,” said the tourism secretary. The Philippines has been in talks with the Indian government since 2023 to develop this market and cater to its travelling public through this e-visa initiative and the possibility of attracting more flights to the Philippines,” PNA reported.

Israeli Tourism Minister meets DOT chief

Meanwhile, the Philippines Department of Tourism welcomed Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, for a bilateral meeting at the DOT Office in Makati City.

The meeting coincided with Minister Katz’s official visit to the Philippines. It was highlighted by signing a Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.

“Today, we have signed with Israel a joint declaration of intent to cooperate in the field of tourism, recognizing that tourism is a force for good in this world that allows us to continue relationships that have been there for generations and can only serve to be strengthened through an exchange of culture, peaceful dialogue, as well as opportunities for expansion in terms of providing livelihood to those that depend on the tourism industry,” said Secretary Frasco in her remarks at the signing ceremony.

(SOURCE: PNA and DOT)

CX ready to fly to Munich summer 2025

MUNICH, 5 December 2024: Cathay Pacific has confirmed earlier this week that flights between Hong Kong and the Bavarian state capital will be introduced from mid-June 2025. 

The airline plans to fly four times weekly from Hong Kong SAR in southeastern China direct to Munich.

Photo credit: Cathay. A350 aircraft.

 Flights are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using an Airbus A350-900.

Cathay Pacific is the fourth Asian airline to launch flights to Munich Airport in the last three years. Eight Asian airlines serve the aviation hub, confirming its significance as an economic and tourist hub linking Europe and Asia. The international airport in Hong Kong is a major hub for flights connecting cities in the Asia Pacific region with the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

Schedule: Cathay Pacific

“The fact that Cathay Pacific has chosen Munich Airport shows both the appreciation of our airport and the attractiveness and pulling power of the state of Bavaria. The reconnection with the economic metropolis of Hong Kong via the home carrier Cathay Pacific is a great success,” said Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers.

Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau commented: “We are very excited to add Munich to our network for the first time next year, marking our second port in Germany and 10th in Europe. Hong Kong is a world-class international financial, commercial and aviation hub, and these flights will provide our customers with a direct connection between our home city and one of Europe’s most important economic, tourism and transportation centres.”

(Source: Munich Airport)

Pandaw presents four-country cruises

SINGAPORE, 4 December 2024: For the intrepid explorer seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, Pandaw’s ultimate four-country, 21-night expedition aboard the RV Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia is the perfect fit. 

This expedition seamlessly combines with Pandaw’s spectacular Laos river cruise, allowing you to discover the undiscovered as you travel on the Upper Mekong River through northern Laos and Thailand. The exclusive combo cruise offers a unique blend of adventure and refinement, perfect for the discerning traveller.

For the first time, join Pandaw presents an in-depth exploration of the Mekong River from South to North. The itinerary combines two 10-night Mekong expeditions through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Sailing all of this mighty river’s navigable stretches, you will learn how one river can support a vast and diverse group of peoples and cultures, all from the comfort of locally crafted Pandaw vessels.

New for 2024, this cruise expedition will sail from central Saigon, embarking or disembarking in Vietnam’s bustling metropolis.

This combo cruise includes a flight and one-night accommodation between cruises in the package price. Flights and hotels are subject to routing and availability at the time of booking.

The Full Mekong, Four Country 21-Night Combo Cruise
SAIGON – VIENTIANE
11 nights
FROM USD9,596 per person

For full details, visit:
River Cruise Itinerary for The Full Mekong, Four Country 21 Night Combo Cruise | Pandaw.com 

To book, visit pandaw.com, contact the Pandaw team at [email protected] or contact your local travel agent.

Festive fun at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort 

BANGKOK, 4 December 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is bringing new life to its iconic Lost World-themed property as Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya introduces captivating new features in December 2024. 

This celebrated family destination will welcome guests to an even more immersive experience, enhanced with newly added facilities designed for guests of all ages.

Just a two-hour commute from Bangkok, the resort will deliver exceptional family entertainment across four dynamic new water park zones. Volcano Island boasts dramatic eruptions and light displays, while the Giant Slider, interactive Jungle Water Park, and serene Misty Forest each provide unique aquatic adventures. At the heart of the resort, the Lost World Adventure Land theme park delivers aerial obstacle courses, a three-level playground with thrilling slides, a trampoline zone, and a dinosaur bone excavation site—making it an oasis for exploration and unforgettable family moments.

The resort’s 555 newly renovated ocean-facing rooms and suites blend the adventurous Lost World theme with modern comfort, offering breathtaking Gulf of Thailand vistas. Guests will also enjoy an array of delectable dining options, including the Coast Beach Club & Bistro, set to establish a new standard for beach clubs in Pattaya, as well as a newly designed lounge bar and a stunning new rooftop haven to suit every palate and preference. Additionally, various activities and amenities await, with the innovative, kid-focused Candy Spa and award-winning SPA Cenvaree providing relaxation and indulgence for the entire family. 

As Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya completes this exciting revitalisation, it stands poised to deliver an elevated guest experience, blending the resort’s legendary Lost World charm with 5-star service and family entertainment.

From now until 27 December 2024, guests booking stays until 31 March 2025 will enjoy complimentary entrance to the Lost World Adventure Land for two children under 12 years, along with THB 1,000 dining credit at the COAST Beach Club & Bistro, set to establish a new standard for beach clubs in Pattaya, and THB500 Candy Spa Experience credit for the ultimate kid-focused pampering. Guests will also receive daily breakfast for two adults and access to special rates for optional private speedboat excursions to nearby Koh Larn Island for up to eight passengers.

For reservations or more information about the ‘New Lost World Found’ offer at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/cmbr/lost-world-found

For more information about Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/cmbr