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Sabah promotes Geopark at WTM

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LONDON, 8 November 2023: Sabah unveiled the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark during the World Travel Market 2023 held at London’s Excel earlier this week.

Representing the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment, Hon Datuk Joniston Bangkuai describes the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark as a treasure trove of stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and geological wonders, accentuating both its natural beauty and profound geological significance.

This achievement is incredibly significant for Sabah, as it became the third location in the world, after China and Korea, to attain the prestigious triple crown status.

Sabah’s two other UNESCO “crowns” include the Kinabalu Park, designated a World Heritage Site in December 2000, and the UNESCO Crocker Range Biosphere Reserve, declared in June 2014.

With this announcement, the global network of UNESCO Global Geoparks has grown to 195 sites across 48 countries, further solidifying Kinabalu Park’s place among the world’s most extraordinary natural and cultural wonders.

“It is important to note that Sabah Parks plays a crucial role in the protection, management and promotion of the geological heritage within the Kinabalu Geopark.

“This involves making these unique geological assets accessible to the public and ensuring long-term conservation while actively contributing to the pursuit of UNESCO Global Geopark status.

This recognition underscores Sabah’s unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices.

“Sabah is not just a destination but a pledge to preserve the planet’s natural wonders for future generations,” Bangkuai emphasises.

The Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, sprawling over 4,750 square kilometres and spanning three districts – Ranau, Kota Marudu, and Kota Belud, is home to numerous rural villages. These communities are paramount in preserving the region’s unique culture and heritage.

With this recognition, Bangkuai expresses the hope of the Sabah state government to empower these rural communities by involving them in both conservation and the tourism industry.

“The World Travel Market 2023 is a significant moment for Sabah. It’s our chance to showcase our latest UNESCO crown jewel to the world, emphasising its incredible geology, rich ecosystems, local communities, and the conservation work that earned it UNESCO recognition.

“This recognition as the 195th UNESCO Global Geopark solidifies Sabah’s place on the world stage, and we invite the global travel and tourism community to experience the splendour of this remarkable geopark, contributing to its sustainable development and global awareness,” he adds.

Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark highlights

1. Geological Marvels: Kinabalu Park boasts unique geological formations, some dating back millions of years. Visitors will be captivated by stunning rock formations, caves, and intriguing landscapes.

2. Biodiversity: The geopark is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, some of which are endemic to the region. It’s a haven for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

3. Cultural Richness: Indigenous communities, with their vibrant cultures and traditions, coexist harmoniously within the geopark. Visitors can engage with these communities and learn about their way of life.

4. Sustainable Tourism: The Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark exemplifies sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from this unique site.

In addition to introducing the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, Bangkuai is also launching a bird guidebook by Sabah’s Wong Tsu Shi, titled “A Naturalist’s Guide to Borneo’s Birds (4th edition).”

This concise yet thorough guide provides insights into 280 bird species, the region’s geography, climate, and top bird-watching spots. It also includes an updated checklist for avid birdwatchers.

The 4th edition features new species accounts and captivating photos, making it a must-have for bird enthusiasts, both experienced and beginners, eager to explore Borneo’s remarkable birdlife.

Sabah Tourism Board participated this week in London’s top trade show, World Travel Market, with sales teams and representatives from the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors at the Sabah stand S9-420.

For more information about the Kinabalu UNESCO Global Geopark, its UNESCO designations, or the Sabah Tourism Board’s participation in World Travel Market 2023, visit www.sabahtourism.com. 

(SOURCE: Sabah Tourism Board)

MATTA supports sustainable drive at WTM

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KUALA LUMPUR, 8 November 2023: In collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents worked with Rachel Gray, a recognised British artist of wildlife portraiture, to launch the ‘Sustainable Malaysia Initiative’ at the Tourism Malaysia Pavilion during the World Travel Market 2023 earlier this week.

Rachel Gray produced one large format of the Malaysian tiger, a recognised endangered species. The portrait, through the use of technology, will be converted to Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT’s), which have an intrinsic value and will be auctioned for sale at a date to be finalised later in the year.

Photo Credit: Rachel Gray. See website: https://www.rgportraits.com/

The proceeds from the auction and sale of the Non-Fungible Tokens will go towards supporting sustainable tourism at the Royal Belum State Park in Perak and sustaining the indigenous communities that reside in the park.

The Malaysian tourism delegation was attending the World Travel Market in London from 6 to 8 November 2023.

“Known and loved for our rich biodiversity, especially from the European market, this initiative is hoped to bring further awareness of Malaysia’s ecotourism products and sustainable tourism, apart from supporting the local communities and their conservation efforts. This is also in line with our focus to promote Malaysia as the Top-of-the-Mind Ecotourism Destination of the World,” said Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia secretary-general YBhg Dato’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman.

Also, MATTA president Nigel Wong took the opportunity to thank Malaysia Aviation Group for their support in providing a return ticket to London for Rachel Gray for this important campaign at the WTM London.

“The collaboration with Rachel Gray is particularly important as we feel that Rachel’s work tells the perfect story of the beauty of Malaysia’s rich wildlife heritage that we are trying to save and sustain for the benefit of the generations to come but also for us all here and now,” said Wong.

“This is also the first collaboration between MATTA and the British artist. We are proud of our close ties and the journey we are taking together towards a more sustainable future.”

Philippines reviews e-Visa rules

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MANILA, 8 November 2023: President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr said the government is already fine-tuning some measures to extend the scope of the electronic visas (e-Visa) issued to foreigners, according to the Philippines News Agency.

PNA quoted a news release issued by the Presidential Communications Office on Sunday that suggested new provisions for e-Visa extensions were in the pipeline and would be implemented for specific nationalities such as India.

In March, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco discussed with the heads of the Bureau of Immigration and Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice and Information and Communications Technology called for visa reforms to address tourism bottlenecks.

Frasco particularly cited China and India’s potential to bring in more travellers and said government agencies must explore the provision of e-Visas for residents of nations that are strong source markets for tourism to the Philippines.

DOT data showed India ranked eighth among top foreign visitors in 2022, with 51,542, while China recorded more than 1.7 million Chinese visitors before the pandemic. 

(Source: Philippines News Agency)

AirAsia X returns to the Gold Coast

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KUALA LUMPUR, 8 November 2023: AirAsia X confirms it will resume its Gold Coast – Auckland route from 3 February 2024 in response to rising travel demand. 

At the same time, the airline will suspend services on the Auckland – Sydney route from 31 January 2024 to facilitate the new services to and from the Gold Coast. 

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail commented: “Following a thorough network review, we have decided to suspend our services between Sydney and Auckland from late January next year. However, we remain committed to Auckland as a destination and will transfer our services from Auckland to Gold Coast starting 3 February 2024. 

“Our first route that commenced just over 16 years ago, the Gold Coast continues to be a key leisure favourite destination for our Auckland and Asian travellers with its world-renowned white sand beaches and famous theme parks. It’s also a hugely popular destination for visiting friends and family both ways and also for students studying. 

The AirAsia X CEO hinted the airline was monitoring the situation, and if demand picks up, the Sydney – Auckland service could return at a later date. 

“However, for now, and as a leisure-focused airline, we are seeing more demand across the Tasman to and from the Gold Coast.”

Queensland Airports Limited Chief Commercial Officer Adam Rowe said the return of AirAsia X’s Gold Coast to Auckland connection would provide more options for travellers.

“This is a welcomed addition to our network and exciting news for travellers – flights between the Gold Coast and Auckland are our busiest international connection, with more than 220,000 passengers travelling on that route since January,” he said.

“Around 60% of passengers travelling between the Gold Coast and New Zealand fly to or from Auckland, and the return of this service will add more than 350,000 extra seats annually,” Rowe said.

Three weekly flights from Auckland to Gold Coast are scheduled from 3 February, connecting seamlessly to Kuala Lumpur and adding 6,786 visitor seats weekly through Gold Coast airport. 

Fares are now available starting at AUD199/NZ179 for travel between Auckland and the Gold Coast commencing 3 February 2024. 

AirAsia X continues to witness strong demand for services on many existing routes and has recently increased flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth to Kuala Lumpur. Sister airline Thai AirAsia X will reinstate the popular Flatbeds on flights from 27 November between Sydney and Bangkok. Indonesia AirAsia has recently increased frequencies on the Perth – Bali route to fly up to four times daily. 

More flights on existing popular routes and new destinations are under review. They will be announced as the airline continues its growth strategy across the Asia Pacific. AirAsia X connects to the broader AirAsia Group network from Australia and New Zealand via its main hub in Kuala Lumpur to over 130 destinations across Asia, including India, Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. 

Flight Schedule:

Kuala Lumpur (KUL) – Gold Coast (OOL) – Auckland (AKL) schedule effective 02/03 Feb24

Malaysia on the path to full recovery

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TTR WEEKLY
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LONDON, 8 November 2023: Marking its 42nd year of involvement since 1981, Tourism Malaysia participated in the World Travel Market 2023, from 6 to 8 November 2023 at ExCeL London.

Led by Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia secretary-general YBhg Dato’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, the Malaysian delegation comprised 92 participants from 50 organisations such as state tourism boards, tour operators, hotels & resorts, associations, and airlines.

World Travel Market 2023’s Malaysia Pavilion – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Led By Dato’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia.

In a market update on tourism performance post-Covid, the Malaysian delegation confirmed the country was closing in on the 2023 target and should surpass 16.1 million international tourist arrivals with projected tourism receipts of around MYR49.2 billion.

Within the European market, the UK remains the largest source of holidaymakers heading for Malaysia. From January to September 2023, Malaysia welcomed 14.4 million international tourist arrivals. The UK market contributed 197,794 arrivals, a significant growth of 150.3% compared to the same period in 2022.

In addition, they alluded to the next Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) scheduled for 2026, which will act as a marketing catalyst spurring further growth. The Malaysian government has targeted 26.1 million foreign tourist arrivals with domestic spending of RM97.6 billion during the Vist Malaysia Year.

Highlighting Malaysia’s ecotourism and sustainable tourism efforts, Tourism Malaysia and seven state tourism boards (Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, and Terengganu) showcased their existing and new tourism products focusing on the country’s rich biodiversity and local communities.

“We proudly promote our flagship tourism products that international and UK travellers love, such as our islands and beaches, shopping, family holidays, and eco-adventure tours. We are excited to announce that there is more to explore than ever, with many new hotels and attractions that will enhance Malaysia’s destination appeal,” said Dato’ Roslan.

Tripseed names new team players

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 8 November 2023: Thailand tour specialist Tripseed names new team members and sets ambitious growth targets as it continues to evolve as one of Thailand’s most promising destination management companies.

Earlier this week, Tripseed confirmed Kulkanya Weerathumrongkul (Song), Aunyakul Satitsilathum (Mi), Wasina Rukvichai (Mind), and Ploynaphas Wittaya (Earn) join the company as ‘Tailor-made Trip Specialists’ and ‘Journey Fulfilment Specialists’. 

From left to right, new team members: Mi, Song, Earn and Mind.

Commenting on the appointments, company founder Ewan Cluckie  said the new team members would deliver a “wealth of experience, passion, and expertise to our team, ensuring that we continue to provide exceptional service to our clients.”

Growth Targets

Tripseed has undergone significant growth since launching during the pandemic and global travel shutdown in May 2021, transitioning from a bootstrapped startup to achieving over USD1 million in annual revenue. 

“Our success is attributed to our unwavering commitment to deliver exceptional travel experiences. These experiences align with our dedication to creating a more ethical and sustainable DMC sector in Thailand. A key driver is also our dedication to prioritising long-term strategic growth over short-term wins and focusing on our vision, mission, values and purpose instead of looking solely at the bottom-line figures,” said Cluckie

Cluckie acknowledges the cost-of-living crises affecting source markets in the UK and Europe are impacting some parts of the travel industry. In response, the company sets a measured growth target for the next 12 to 18 months. 

“We anticipate a slight decrease in our growth rate compared to our previous trajectory, which saw us expand more than fourfold annually. We project our next year of growth to range between two and four times as we remain dedicated to sustainable and resilient growth while adapting to the evolving travel landscape.”

Tripseed is a ground operator and tailor-made holiday specialist based in Thailand. It was founded in 2021 by three veterans of destination management in Asia, with over two decades of combined experience designing and operating travel for some of the world’s leading travel agents and tour operators. 

On expanding beyond its core Thailand speciality, Cluckie affirms the company remains primarily an inbound operator for the travel trade, delivering specialised travel content that explores Thailand’s vast range of travel experiences, many of which are classified as hidden gems.  

 “Our primary source markets markets at this time are the UK, German-speaking markets in Europe, and the US. We operate a business-to-business model servicing outbound travel trade partners worldwide who are sending clients to Thailand.’

Tripseed’s founders comprise Ewan Cluckie (30% equity), Narissara Wongmahawan (Nat) (30% equity) and Suphawadi Cluckie nee. Muangtaeng (June) (40% equity).

Cluckie is also the Director of Growth, overseeing all partnerships, marketing and technology. Nat is the Director of Purpose overseeing team oversees operations, HR, and accounting, while June and her team oversee all enquiries, bookings and reservations.

For more information, visit https://www.tripseed.com 

LUXLIFE win for Skål Bangkok

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 November 2023: Skål International Bangkok has been recognised as the “Best Hotel & Tourism Networking Group 2023” at the 8th annual Hospitality Awards presented by LUXlife Magazine.

“We are thrilled to recognise Skål International Bangkok for their exceptional contributions to fostering connections within the hotel and tourism sector,” stated LUXlife Magazine award coordinator Kaven Cooper.

Skål Bangkok: Thumbs up for winning ways

Skål International Bangkok president James Thurlby commented: “Receiving this accolade is a testament to our unwavering commitment to creating a vibrant community where professionals can collaborate and thrive. We are honoured to be acknowledged for our efforts.”

Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders worldwide promoting global tourism and friendship and has approximately 15,000 members in 400 Clubs in 80 countries. 

The photo shows Skål International Bangkok’s executive committee members (from left).

Pichai Visutriratana, Director of Events.
John Neutze, Treasurer.
Kanokros Wongvekin,  Director of Public Relations.
Marvin Bemand, Vice President.
James Thurlby, President.
Michael Bamberg, Secretary.
Scott Smith, Young Skål Director.
Andrew Wood, 2nd Vice President.
Max Ma, Memberships Director.

ITF Masters returns to Pattaya

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PATTAYA, 7 November 2023: Fitz Club in Pattaya is gearing up to host the highly-awaited AssetWise Tennis Masters Championship from 18 to 24 November 2023.

Together, FITZ Club – Racquets, Health and Fitness, AssetWise Public Company Limited, and Carabao Group Pcl are teaming up to present one of the globe’s elite senior tennis tournaments. This event is set to welcome over 200 top-tier players from more than 15 countries. 

Participants hail from Europe, Australia, and America to neighbouring countries such as Japan, India, and Singapore. They will all compete in the seven-day event for the esteemed ITF Championship title, which features 35+ Singles, Doubles and Mixed-Doubles events. The tournament not only showcases top-level talent but also reinforces Pattaya and Thailand’s reputation as premier sports destinations, with a particular focus on tennis.

Set on the same grounds as the tournament venue, Fitz Club, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group is the official accommodation partner for the championship. Players and their families are offered special room rates with exclusive perks during their stay. Access to Fitz Club is conveniently just a short walk from the hotel group’s accommodation.

Selected again for its remarkable brand stature and superior facilities, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and its luxury sports hub, Fitz Club – Racquets, Health and Fitness, come with the assurance of being awarded 280 international awards. This ensures every guest receives top-notch service, exceptional amenities, delightful culinary offerings, and unparalleled sports facilities. Both main sponsors will also set up booths during the event, spotlighting their products and services.

For details or to register for the ITF championship, head over to https://www.royalcliff.com/aswitf2023/ 

About Fitz Club- Racquets, Health & Fitness

Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness, an elite sports centre under the Royal Cliff banner, has been a preferred choice for renowned ATP players such as Nikolay Davydenko, Mikhail Youzhny, Dmitry Tursunov, Denis Istomin, among others. These players have previously conducted tennis camps at this facility. With tennis courts on par with those at the Australian Open, Fitz Club is a go-to for top-tier players aiming to acclimate themselves to grand slam tournament conditions. Besides tennis, the club boasts a rich history of hosting various sports events, including Junior and Senior Tennis contests, Squash championships, and Table Tennis duels.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub   

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)

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