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On the film set with Emirates

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 3 November 2023: As the Emirates and Penélope Cruz ad campaign plays on TV screens across multiple countries in English and Spanish, Emirates has released an exclusive behind-the-scenes video showcasing the vast production required for a TV campaign shot on a giant aircraft, as well as Emirates Cabin Crew embracing the opportunity to interview Cruz.

Academy Award-winning actor and philanthropist Penélope Cruz flew to Dubai for a week to film the campaign, a polished series of ads showing Cruz sampling all the exclusive luxuries that Emirates First and Business Class customers experience, from a crafted beverage in the A380 Onboard Lounge to an indulgent shower above the clouds, cheering for a football game shown on live TV, to enjoying generous helpings of luxury caviar. The new behind-the-scenes footage features two Emirates Cabin Crew discovering how it all comes together, with some exclusive comments about the experience from Penélope herself.

An Emirates production takes a lot of work and a team of hundreds of experts to make it happen. Here are some impressive facts about the filming process:

1. More than 160 people were involved on the ground in the filming of these ads – 36 international crew and 125 local crew and cast.

2. Penélope Cruz was filmed inside of Emirates signature aircraft – the iconic ‘double-decker’ aircraft, the A380.

3. The shoot was planned and organised in record time and totalled 1,488 production person-hours – which equates to around 165 working days.

4. Because the filming took place on a real aircraft at the airport, all 160 people needed special permission from the UAE authorities to access the restricted and highly secure area.

5. 10 large trucks were needed to carry all the catering items and filming equipment.

6. Emirates built a designated Green Room in the hangar for the cast to wait in while off-set.

7. For security reasons, all filming equipment had to be unloaded, scanned, checked and loaded on airside trucks and stored in a hangar near the aircraft.

8. To create ‘cinematic lighting’ inside an A380, it was essential to create lighting platforms using eight scissor lifts and boom lifts.

9. The lucky cabin crew to meet and interview Cruz were Doyle Kim from Australia and Alessandra Piper from the UK.

10. Each of the new TV spots was directed and brought to life by Robert Stromberg, a double Oscar-winning Hollywood director. At the same time, production house Ridley Scott Associates also supported the series of TV spots and Framestore – the multi-award-winning creative studio for special effects.

For bookings and flight information, visit www.emirates.com.

Khiri Reach gains Global Skål Award

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 November 2023: Khiri Reach, the charitable arm of Southeast Asia-based Khiri Travel, has won the global 2023 Skal Sustainable Tourism Award in the tour operator category.

The foundation won for its submission, “Sixteen Years of Reaching Out in Asia.”

There are new opportunities for organisations to partner with award-winning Khiri Reach
for charitable work in Asia.

Skål International Thailand president Kevin Rautenbach received the award on stage on behalf of Khiri Reach during the opening ceremony of the 82nd Skal World Congress in Malaga, Spain, on 2 November.

Skal said the 2023 award to Khiri Reach was evaluated by three prominent judges related to tourism and sustainability. The judges’ scores were given to the Skal International general secretariat for assessment. The Skal International senior auditor verified the result.

“We are grateful to the judges for recognising 16 years of community help and environmental care by Khiri Reach,” said Khiri Travel Chairman of the foundation and CEO Willem Niemeijer.

“Guided by a belief in tourism as a force for good, Khiri Reach will continue to commit to grassroots projects and have a strong, direct and sustainable impact on the community or environment,” he said.

Since its creation in 2007, Khiri Reach projects have ranged from helping earthquake and flood victims in Laos and Lombok to assisting with gibbon and turtle rehabilitation in Phuket and Myanmar, supporting tourism workers during the Covid years, building water wells, and helping set up community-based tourism in Cambodia.

The award comes as Khiri Reach reveals a renewed focus on community, conservation and emergency response projects. It seeks to work with its tour operator partners and others to expand tourism’s role in giving back in Asia.

“Now that we’ve put the Covid years behind us, it is a good time for like-minded organisations and donors to work with Khiri Reach to deliver impactful long-term help across Asia,” said Niemeijer. He added that Khiri Reach was effective because Khiri Travel covered all overheads, guaranteeing 100% of donations went to the frontline.

The charitable arm of Khiri Travel has helped fund or implement over 20 projects since its inception. The latest campaign, to be announced in December, will be a community reafforestation project in Cambodia, working with a leading conservation NGO.

Across all its eight countries of operation, Khiri Reach also plans to engage three more Khiri Reach “Ambassadors” – Khiri Travel staff who champion a local project and drive it forward.

The work of Khiri Reach was also acknowledged by the judges of the 2023 Travel Marketing Awards in London in June. The judges awarded Khiri Reach third place globally for its approach to sustainable and responsible tourism.

People can find out more about Khiri Reach by visiting KhiriReach.org or visiting the Khiri Travel booth (Stand N11-400) at WTM London on 6 to 8 November. Queries can be sent to [email protected].

The winners in all eight categories of the 2023 Skal Sustainable Tourism Awards are here.

(SOURCE: Khiri Reach)

NTIA 2023 thanks awards sponsors

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TTR WEEKLY
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SYDNEY, 7 November 2023: As travel professionals across the country count down the days to the 2023 National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs), the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is thanking the sponsors and partners who’ve stepped up to support the industry’s most anticipated celebration.

The NTIAs provide the opportunity to recognise the achievements of the last 12 months, and its partners are crucial to the success of this.

Photo credit: Crown Melbourne welcomes NTIA’s awards event.

The awards’ sponsors and partners recognise the importance of the travel ecosystem to the Australian travelling public. NTIA’s primary sponsor and ATIA partner, Singapore Airlines, has reached a long-term agreement with ATIA to support the NTIA. This represents a significant commitment to recognising excellence and the value of the travel industry and helps to highlight the passion and professional excellence of all NTIA finalists.

This year’s NTIAs are returning to Melbourne for the first time in over two decades and will kick off on Friday, 17 November, with an industry gathering ahead of the sold-out gala dinner on 18 November at Crown Melbourne.

Commenting on the sponsorship responses,  ATIA CEO Dean Long said: “Australian Travel is again reaching its full potential, and we are seeing the industry thriving again. Through their generous contributions, the 27 sponsors and partners of this year’s Awards have fostered this growth by helping stage Australian Travel’s night of nights.

“We’re particularly grateful to our returning Major Sponsor, Singapore Airlines, for their support at NTIA 2023. The travel industry is built on nurturing and reinforcing relationships, and the value of their contribution, and those of every single one of our generous sponsors, isn’t going unrecognised by ATIA or any of our members.”

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the peak body representing Australia’s AUD69 billion travel industry. ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs. 92% of ATIA members are small businesses, with women making up 72% of the workforce.

SriLanka boosts Pakistan flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 November 2023: SriLankan Airlines has reaffirmed its commitment to serving Pakistan by launching a fourth weekly flight between Colombo and Lahore effective 1 November. 

The four weekly flights depart Colombo, Sri Lanka, every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. SriLankan Airlines also operates four times a week to Karachi and is the only foreign airline in the Indian Subcontinent to cover Pakistan’s two biggest cities in its network, offering direct services between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.  

The frequency boost represents a 20% rise in capacity on the route for an average total of about 900 seats between Colombo and Lahore using a combination of Airbus A320, A321 and A330 aircraft.

Hyatt Place opens in Johor Bahru

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 7 November 2023: Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall, the first Hyatt Place hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is officially open. 

Owned by WCT Hartanah Jaya Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of WCT Holdings Berhad, the new 202-room hotel features the Hyatt Place brand’s intuitive design, casual atmosphere and practical amenities, such as free Wi-Fi and 24/7 offerings.

Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall is attached to Paradigm Mall, the largest shopping mall in the city. It is a 15-minute drive from Senai International Airport, a 20-minute drive to Tuas Checkpoint Singapore, and a 25-minute drive to Woodlands checkpoint in Singapore, near Legoland Malaysia, Johor Premium Outlets and the newly built Stadium Sultan Ibrahim, home to the Johor Southern Tigers football team. 

The hotel group named Sean Yoon as general manager of the Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall.

Singapore close-ups focus on hidden gems

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 26 October 2023: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced its latest collaboration with Warner Music Singapore and homegrown talent Nathan Hartono to inspire travel to Singapore through music and photography.

As part of the collaboration, the singer-songwriter and his latest single, “In the Clouds”, will be featured in STB’s new social content series titled “Singapore Close-Ups”. This series is part of STB’s latest Made in Singapore global campaign, which spotlights how ordinary moments are transformed into extraordinary and unique experiences in Singapore.

Local singer-songwriter Nathan Hartono gets creative in his interpretation of “Clouds. Made in Singapore.” as part of STB’s new social content series that spotlights Singapore’s iconic locations and hidden gems.

The social content series will feature the works of talented local photographers such as Qi Hao, Yafiq Yusman and Lenne Chai as they capture Singapore’s iconic locations and hidden gems in creative and unique ways. The photographers will convey stories of Singapore through their lens, uncovering diverse facets from lush urban greenery and heritage buildings to art and food.

The first of the series, which launched last week, features Hartono’s visual interpretation of “clouds” to inspire discovery in Singapore.

Beyond Singapore, Hartono has captivated the hearts of audiences in STB’s key markets, such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the US, with his soulful and charismatic performances. He recently released his debut major label studio album titled “The Great Regression”, which represents a new phase in his artistic journey of self-discovery and innovation.

About Made in Singapore

Made in Singapore is STB’s latest international campaign to inspire travel to Singapore. True to the Passion Made Possible brand, the campaign highlights how Singapore makes unexpected, diverse and unique experiences possible, where the ordinary is made extraordinary.  

Himalayas to Pacific Ocean flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 October 2023: You might have to look at Google Maps first, but Alii Palau Airlines and Changi Airport Group announced last week a new route directly connecting Singapore to Koror, Palau, to be operated by Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) home-based in Bhutan on the Indian continent.

The flight commencing on 23 November will connect three destinations – Bhutan, Singapore and Palau – and yes, Palau is in the western Pacific Ocean 950 miles southeast of the Philippines, and Bhutan is a landlocked mountainous kingdom in South Asia situated in the Eastern Himalayas, between China in the north and India in the south.

The launch of the new once-weekly service follows the signing of an open skies agreement in October 2022 between Singapore and Palau. Flying from Bhutan via Singapore Changi Airport to Palau, Drukair will connect Singapore to two of the world’s most pristine destinations, but the contrast could not be more dramatic – snow-capped Bhutan Himalayas and Palau’s tropical Pacific Ocean beaches.

Palau, an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean*, is renowned for its untouched natural beauty. With crystal-clear waters, thriving coral reefs, and lush forests, it offers a variety of outdoor adventures, including snorkelling, diving, hiking, and wildlife encounters. The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes on Earth.

Alii Palau Airlines managing partner Akanksha Johri said: “Alii Palau Airlines is delighted to introduce a new era of convenience with our direct flight, effectively opening the gateway to paradise. Palau is now just a five-hour flight away from Singapore, and we firmly believe that this new route will be a game-changer for those who were previously deterred by long flight durations. With our non-stop route from 

The inaugural commercial flight from Singapore to Palau is scheduled for 23 November 2023 using an Airbus A320neo with 140 seats – a two-class configuration comprising 120 seats in economy class and 20 in business class seats.

A once-weekly flight is scheduled at the start and increases to twice-weekly on Thursdays and Sundays as travel demand grows.

The flight will depart from Singapore at 0020 and arrive in Koror (ROR) at 0640.
From Koror (ROR), the flight departs at 0740 and arrives in Singapore at 1130.

Tickets sales opened on 30 October on www.flyaliipalau.pw  

*Where’s Palau

Palau is the westernmost island of the Micronesia region of the Pacific Ocean. It is less than 2,000 miles south of Japan, 3,815 miles southeast of India, 400 miles north of Papua New Guinea, 950 miles southeast of the Philippines, and 830 miles southwest of Guam.

Uzbek agents ready to promote Sabah

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 6 November 2023: Uzbekistan’s leading travel agents want to collaborate with the Sabah Tourism Board to enhance promotion and campaign efforts.

The Malaysia-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce vice-president Dilsod Elmuradov conveyed their intention during a meeting with Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai last week.

Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai with Uzbekistan travel agents.

Present at the meeting were Sabah Tourism Board’s deputy chief executive officer Julinus Jimit; Uzbek’s Exclusive Travel founder Gulnova Hodjaeva, along with its director, Barno Omonova; Avantgarde Group representative Shahzod Pulatov; and Sabah’s Fun Holiday managing-director Connie Chong.

This marks the Uzbek group’s inaugural visit to Sabah, where they plan to spend five days exploring various destinations on the state’s west coast. 

Elmuradov emphasised their keen interest in promoting Sabah and their goal to experience the region’s popular products firsthand, gearing up for the Tashkent International Tourism Fair scheduled from 15 to 17 November.

“We are committed to showcasing Kota Kinabalu. During our stay, we will also be conducting inspections of medium and high-end hotels in the Kota Kinabalu area,” he added.

The group’s itinerary includes visits to the Mari-mari cultural village, white water rafting and camping sites in Kiulu, firefly and proboscis monkey tours, and island hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, among other attractions.

With Batik Air launching a direct route from Tashkent to Kuala Lumpur on 8 December, the delegation harbours high expectations for Sabah as a sought-after destination for Uzbeks during the winter season.

They mentioned Sabah appears to tick all the boxes on their list of must-have experiences, including beaches, islands, wildlife, rivers, and family getaways.

Meanwhile, Joniston welcomed the collaborative efforts of the Uzbek travel agents and encouraged them to submit a formal proposal to the Sabah Tourism Board.

“The fact that they are showing interest in assisting in promoting Sabah highlights the positive development stemming from our recent visit to Uzbekistan for the UNWTO General Assembly last month.

“The Board welcomes any proposal that benefits the state, and we hope to see this partnership come to fruition.

“This collaboration not only opens doors to the diverse and vibrant culture of Sabah but also paves the way for an increase in tourism, benefiting both parties involved,” Joniston added. 
For more information, visit www.sabahtourism.com.

Langkawi prepares for flydubai flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 6 November 2023: Flydubai, Tourism Malaysia Dubai and LADA met for virtual meetings last week to fast-track promotions for the upcoming launch of daily flights from Dubai to Langkawi due to commence on 10 February 2024.

The meetings focused on the preparation for the welcome receptions to mark the inaugural flight on the route Dubai-Penang-Langkawi. In addition, a joint collaboration between the airline, Tourism Malaysia and Lada Development Authority will lead to a series of media and travel agency FAM trips and joint promotions.

Billboard promoting Langkawi at Sheikh Zayed Road, located on the main highway connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi to the south and Sharjah to the north.

The new service will put Langkawi on the map for Dubai residents and encourage inflows of tourists from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe on routes directly served by flydubai or via a codeshare partnership with Emirates.

The Dubai-based carrier will be the first airline to operate flights to the popular islands of Langkawi and Penang from the UAE.

The daily service is scheduled to commence on 10 February 2024 from Dubai with a short stop at Penang International Airport (PEN), and then flying on to Langkawi International Airport (LGK) will start from 10 February 2024. 

Commenting on the launch of flights,flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “We are pleased to see our presence in Southeast Asia grow with the launch of operations to Langkawi and Penang. Flights from the UAE to these popular holiday destinations are vital for tourism and business connectivity. These destinations in Malaysia offer cultural diversity, leisure activities and investment opportunities. Our new flights will be popular for passengers not only from the UAE but from the GCC and the European markets as well.”

With the launch of flights to Langkawi and Penang, flydubai expands its footprint in Southeast Asia to four destinations, including its operations to Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand.

flydubai will deploy its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on the Malaysian routes, featuring lie-flat seats in business class and the added comfort and enjoyable travel experience in economy class.

Flydubai’s senior vice president of commercial operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) Sudhir Sreedharan added: “Malaysia is a significant market for flydubai, and we are pleased to see these flights become a reality. The daily service will prove popular for our passengers from around the network and will provide passengers from Malaysia with convenient options to travel to Dubai and beyond whether they are travelling for business, leisure, or to visit family and friends.”

Langkawi is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests and stunning geological formations. Visitors can enjoy activities such as island hopping, cable car rides to the Sky Bridge and exploring the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. The duty-free status of the island also makes it a shopping haven.

Penang, often called the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a rich cultural tapestry, blending Chinese, Malay, Indian and British influences. Its UNESCO-listed George Town is renowned for its historic architecture, vibrant street art and street food.

Flydubai introduced two new destinations late last month. Its daily service to Cairo commenced on 28 October, Poznan and its third destination in Poland commenced on 29 October. Mombasa is scheduled to join its growing network on 17 January 2024, before the Langkawi launch in February.

https://naturallylangkawi.my/

Vietnam rolls out a new train experience

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TTR WEEKLY
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HANOI, 6 November 2023: Hanoi to Danang, one of the most popular train routes in Vietnam, just got better, with two of the daily trains having undergone a major refurbishment to make them more appealing to foreign tourists on the 780 km journey.

The two high-quality trains, SE19 and SE20, were launched recently on the  Hanoi – Danang roundtrip route by the Vietnam Railway Corporation.

SE 19 and 20 train crews in their smart uniforms prepare to board the upgraded trains on the Hanoi – Danang line. (Photo: Hoang Anh).

In a press statement introducing the upgraded  SE19 and SE20 trains, the corporation said it had completed an extensive refresh of the carriages to improve the passenger experience on the 16-hour trip. It’s hoping to gain more bookings from international travellers on a route that has arguably the most scenic section covering 103 km following the dramatic coastline between Hue and Danang, including the spectacular Hai Van Pass, which separates the North and South central coastal regions of the country.

The new high-quality trains have been repainted, carriage interiors and exteriors refreshed, and they have been equipped with new blankets, sheets, pillows, and curtains. The sleeper cabins have been redesigned, adopting an elegant and cosy style, while the air-conditioning systems have also been reinstalled with adjustable airflow.

Cabins with seats are now equipped with water heaters and bright white sanitary fixtures in the washrooms and lavatories, applying technical solutions to eliminate odours from waste containers and providing a clean and luxurious travel experience. The food service cabins have been redesigned with new interiors to make passengers feel comfortable dining and enjoying the scenery.

According to the HARACO management, the investment in the project is an upgrade and refurbishment of two trains that will improve the branding on the Hanoi – Danang route.

There are five daily train departures from Hanoi plying the route to Danang, with the journey taking around 16 hours. The refreshed SE19 departs from Hanoi in the evening at 1955, arriving at Danang station at 1215 on the next day. Train SE20 departs from Danang station at 1730  and arrives at the Hanoi station at 1150 on the next day.

Train travel is presented as being much safer than bus travel in Vietnam and providing a roomy, convenient environment for the journey. At the same time, foreign travellers can enjoy one of the most scenic train rides in the country on the journey between Hanoi and Danang.

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