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Singapore’s Star Travelers grounded

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 5 January 2024: Singapore-based Star Travelers SG Pte Ltd (agency licence 03297) has been suspended from conducting travel agency activities effective 27 December 2023, according to the latest update from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The company was incorporated on 26 November 2018 with a paid-up capital of SGD100,000 and engaged in the business of a travel agency offering mainly outbound travel and an online marketplace for travel services.  

Photo credit: Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST) website https://trust.stb.gov.sg.

The STB statement said the suspension resulted from the company’s failure to submit its annual business profile returns (ABPR) and audited statement of accounts (AA) within six months after the close of its financial year. 

The suspension remains in place until further notice under Singapore’s Travel Agents Act 1975, until ‘Star Travelers’ submits its annual returns and audited statement of accounts, or for up to six months, whichever is earlier.

During the suspension, Star Travelers must fulfil its existing obligations to customers but will not be allowed to accept new travel bookings.

The submission of ABPR and AA are requirements under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017. A failure to submit the ABPR and AA within the stipulated deadline raises concern over a company’s ability to meet the minimum financial requirements as mandated under the Travel Agents Regulations.

STB reiterated that it “takes a serious view of errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.”

Singapore is the only country in ASEAN to update the international travel community on its decisions regarding the oversight of travel agencies.
For the most up-to-date list of licensed travel agents in Singapore, visit the Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST) website https://trust.stb.gov.sg.

Hilton’s LXR flag flies at Bali resort

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TTR WEEKLY
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BALI, Indonesia, 4 January 2024: Hilton has opened Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, marking the brand’s first resort in Southeast Asia. 

“LXR Hotels & Resorts presents a tremendous opportunity for Hilton’s Asia Pacific luxury growth. Following the brand’s successful regional launch in Kyoto, welcoming another stunning LXR resort in Bali underscores our commitment to expanding our world-class luxury brands in the most sought-after destinations.

Umana Bali, Hilton LXR Resorts.

With its coveted location and exclusive positioning, Umana Bali is set to shape a new generation of luxury travel in Bali,” said Hilton President Asia Pacific Alan Watts.

Umana Bali is owned by PT Surya Semesta Internusa Tbk and managed by Hilton. 
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Hilton to introduce Southeast Asia’s first LXR property in Bali, a destination that is vital to tourism in Indonesia and the region,” said  PT Surya Semesta Internusa Tbk president director Johannes Suriadjaja.

Perched on the island’s southernmost tip at Ungasan, Umana Bali boasts some of the destination’s most stunning ocean views. With 72 villas, the resort is laid out in cascading terraces atop limestone cliffs, reminiscent of uma, or ancient rice paddy fields, after which it is named.

Starting at 403 square metres, each villa features its private infinity-edge pool and outdoor hot tub, while the three-bedroom Umana Pool Villa sprawls across an impressive 1,200 square metres.

Umana Bali is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 22 distinct hotel brands. To celebrate the resort’s opening, Hilton Honors members will receive 10,000 bonus points with a minimum stay of three nights booked by 31 May 2024.

Hainan Film Fest spotlights Sanya

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TTR WEEKLY
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SANYA, China, 4 January 2024: The 5th Hainan International Film Festival hosted in Sanya in Hainan, China, last December attracted a record turnout of domestic and international tourists.

“Our hotel room occupancy reached 90% in November, and in December, as several large-scale events such as the Hainan International Film Festival opened, the room occupancy averaged 96.8% during December, and weekends were full,” said InterContinental Sanya Haitang Bay Resort marketing and sales director Cai Liwei.

In recent years, Sanya has organised various cultural and tourism competition events and activities, effectively activating the vitality of the cultural tourism consumer market. In 2023, Sanya’s tourism and accommodation facilities received more than 25 million overnight tourists, with overnight tourism revenue of 89.34 billion yuan, an increase of 7.48% and 47.83%, respectively, compared with 2019.

Damao Yuanyang Eco Village is a must-visit destination that offers a wide range of activities such as jungle adventure, RV camping, greenway cycling, and orchard picking. As the village creates its rural tourism brand and innovates on “agriculture+” tourism, education, sports, and multi-industry integration, it has boosted the income of local farmers.

According to the Publicity Department of Sanya Municipal Party Committee, for the next step, Sanya City will continue to focus on fashion consumption, cruises and yachts, cultural relics and arts.

(Your Stories: Publicity Department of Sanya Municipal Party)

Club Med opens mountain resort in Japan

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 January 2024: Club Med has opened the Club Med Kiroro Grand in the heart of Hokkaido’s Kiroro region, renowned for its record-breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter holiday experience.

The project, completely overhauled and reborn in less than one year, is a part of Club Med’s commitment to Hokkaido ski destination, where the brand has been present since 1986, with its first Mountain Resort, Club Med Kiroro.

It was fully booked for festive weeks, thanks to vacationers from Asia Pacific, particularly Japanese, who have been loyal to the brand since it debuted in Japan in 1979.

Club Med president Henri Giscard d’Estaing emphasised the significance of Club Med Kiroro Grand in snow vacations, particularly in the beautiful region of Hokkaido, Japan, a perennial favourite among Asia Pacific travellers.

“The addition of Club Med Kiroro Grand marks a strategic milestone for our expanding portfolio in the world’s most desired travel destinations. We are excited to include another property within the region while keeping it distinctive from others. Following a record-breaking performance in 2023 driven by remarkable demand for our mountain Resorts, we are confident that Club Med Kiroro Grand will further reinforce our leadership in snow and summer mountain experiences,” he said at the opening ceremony of Club Med Kiroro Grand.

The 266-room Club Med Kiroro Grand has access to an immaculate ski domain, boasting 23 diverse courses catering to skiers of all levels, with pristine off-piste slopes spanning the Asari and Nagamine mountains. 

Ski and lift passes will be ready on arrival, ensuring guests can spend every possible moment enjoying the ski slopes. Guests can participate in group ski and snowboard lessons tailored for all ages and skill levels, overseen by dedicated professional ski instructors.

Pre-registration for the Winter 2025 holidays commenced on 3 January 2024, and booking channels will officially open on 30 January 2024. During this period, early birds can enjoy up to 30% discounts* on bookings for Club Med’s four resorts in Japan.

Thai Smile wraps up ops with final flight

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 January 2024: Thai Smile, the daughter company of Thai Airways International, ended all flights on 31 December following months of phasing out international flights and later handing over all its domestic routes to the parent airline.

Thai Smile’s last flights included a round-trip Bangkok-Krabi, Bangkok-Khon Kaen, Bangkok-Chiang Rai and Bangkok-Hat Yai. All Thai Smile flights ended on 31 December 2023, with the last flight departing Hat Yai in southern Thailand to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Photo credit: Thai Smile. Final flight farewell 31 December 2023.

Closing down the subsidiary airline was part of THAI’s Rehabilitation Plan that should see the national airline achieving a complete restoration under the country’s bankruptcy court ruling.

As part of the business restructuring, Thai Smile was required to transfer all flight operations and services to Thai Airways, effective 1 January 2024. 

Thai Smile Airways launched in 2012 as a subsidiary of Thai Airways International, focusing on regional and domestic Thai routes.

It aimed to offer a low-cost fare alternative to Thai Airways International with a younger and more casual brand image.

However, success eluded its management, and due to heavy losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided to phase out Thai Smile as part of the airline group’s rehabilitation plan supervised by the bankruptcy court.

As a subsidiary, Thai Smile’s financial performance was consolidated into Thai Airways’ books, affecting its bottom line.

Local news reports quoted by Khaosod English suggested that the cumulative loss from its inception in 2012 until the merger was just short of THB16 billion(approximately USD460 million). In 2021 alone, Thai Smile reported a loss of THB4.24 billion (approximately USD122 million).

Existing bookings on Thai Smile have now been transferred to Thai Airways International flights. On domestic routes, THAI has maintained flight schedules using the Thai Smile’s A320 fleet, but it has deployed larger aircraft on some key routes, such as Phuket and Chiang Mai. However, it did drop one flight on the Bangkok – Chiang Rai route, offering just morning and late afternoon flights between the capital and the far north town. The local travel and hospitality sectors called the loss of the third daily flight to Chiang Rai a setback. 

Vietjet adds HK to Hanoi flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 4 January 2024: Vietjet has inaugurated the direct route connecting Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, to Hong Kong, marking the airline’s fourth route between Hong Kong and Vietnam. 

The thrice-weekly service will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

After connecting Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Phu Quoc, Vietjet welcomes passengers to its fourth service from Hong Kong to Hanoi. Travellers from Hong Kong now have easier access to the northern, central, and southern regions of Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Hanoi is renowned for its ancient architecture, culinary delights, temples, and art. Visitors can explore numerous well-preserved historical buildings, such as the Hanoi Old City Gate and several ancient temples in the Hoàn Kiếm District. The Temple of Literature and Quán Sứ Temple are notable examples, with the former being Vietnam’s oldest university and an important symbol of Confucianism. Additionally, Hanoi is home to several prominent tourist attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, West Lake, and the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre. These places offer insights into Vietnam’s history and culture while showcasing traditional art performances.

Hong Kong residents can connect with flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to destinations in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad).

THAI reconnects to Euro cities

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 January 2024: Thai Airways International will resume flights to Oslo in Norway and Milan in Italy during its summer timetable that kicks off on 31 March 2024.

According to its advance timetable from late March to the end of October 2024, the airline will increase flights to Sydney (SYD) and Taipei (TPE).

Timetable information

• Bangkok – Milan starting 1 July 2024

TG940 BKK 0040 – MXP 0735 789 Daily
TG941 MXP 1405 – BKK 0555+1 789 Daily

• Bangkok – Oslo starting 1 July 2024

TG954 BKK 0055 – OSL 0725 77W Daily
TG955 OSL 1415 – BKK 0615+1 77W Daily

• Bangkok – Sydney. Two flights per day starting 31 March 2024

TG475 BKK 0830 – SYD 2030 77W Daily
TG471 BKK 2220 – SYD 1020+1 359 Daily 🆕
TG476 SYD 1000 – BKK 1620 77W Daily
TG472 SYD 1450 – BKK 2110 359 Daily 🆕

• Bangkok – Taipei. Three flights per day starting 31 March 2024

TG632 BKK 0825 – TPE 1305 77W Daily
TG634 BKK 1420 – TPE 1900 32A Daily
TG636 BKK 1740 – TPE 2220 32A Daily
TG637 TPE 0750 – BKK 1035 32A Daily
TG633 TPE 1405 – BKK 1650 77W Daily
TG635 TPE 2005 – BKK 2250 32A Daily

Beond firms up Bangkok flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 4 January 2024: Beond, a premium-only leisure airline home-based in the Maldives, will launch flights from Malé to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport starting 7 July 2024.

Initially, it will fly twice weekly, departing Malé (flight B4580) at 1645 and arriving at Bangkok’s Don Muang International Airport (DMK) at 2300 on Thursday and Sunday.

Photo credit: Beond. A319 fitted out for 44 passengers.

The return flight (B4581) will depart DMK at 0655 and arrive in Malé at 0915 on Friday and Monday. 

Beond’s chief commercial officer, Sascha Feuerherd commented on the new route: “Our travel agent partners in Thailand are strong supporters of the Beond premium offer, and so we believe the Beond experience will resonate with customers. We anticipate this will be our first origin city in Asia.”

Established in November 2022, the airline began commercial operations a year later in November 2023, flying to the Maldives from  Munich, Zurich, and Riyadh using an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with 44 lay-flat seats. 

Beond says it will acquire 32 aircraft and serve 60 destinations over the next five years, mainly in Asia, Australia and Europe. It previously announced routes from  Munich, Zurich, Riyadh, Milan and Dubai.

Unlike other airlines, it flies with a business-class cabin fitted out to deliver a “luxurious and hassle-free flying experience.”

It’s a joint venture between Emirati investment firm Arabesque and Maldivian hospitality company SIMDI Group and claims to be the “world’s first premium leisure airline.”

Jetstar flies to Wuxi in China

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 January 2024: Jetstar Asia launched flights from Singapore to Wuxi during December’s festive season as demand for China holidays recovers in Singapore’s outbound travel market.   

The new flight from Changi Airport marks the start of the Singapore low-cost carrier’s second direct route to mainland China.

The flight to Wuxi’s Sunan Shuofang International Airport makes Jetstar Asia the only airline serving the Chinese city from Singapore. Wuxi is historically, culturally, and commercially an important gateway city in China’s southern Jiangsu province.

Using an Airbus A320, the airline started with two weekly flights and will increase to four weekly services from 15 January 2024 to meet growing demand. The airline will offer more than 70,000 low-fare seats annually between the two destinations, Wuxi and Singapore.

Jetstar Asia CEO Barathan Pasupathi commented: “China is a critical market for Jetstar, so it’s great to start flying to Wuxi, our second Chinese port following the successful launch of flights to Haikou early in 2023.”

Wuxi is located in the southern Jiangsu province, just over 100 km from Shanghai and sits on the banks of Lake Taihu.

Wuxi attractions

Lingshan Grand Buddha: This colossal bronze statue, the tallest in China, offers panoramic views and serene Buddhist rituals.

Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle): Explore this scenic island park adorned with gardens, pavilions, and a charming Ferris wheel.

Huishan Old Town: Stroll through this ancient district, boasting historic bridges, temples, and traditional architecture.Lake Taihu: Cruise the vast freshwater lake, a photographer’s paradise, and enjoy water sports like boating or cycling its shoreline paths.

TAT suffers a memory lapse

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 January 2024: TAT suffered a memory lapse when it posted what was supposed to be Mastercard’s latest Global Destination Cities Index, placing Bangkok at the top of the pile with 22.78 million visitors in 2023.

It turned out to be a rerun of the Mastercard’s index for 2019, covering data collected in 2018. The Tourism Authority of Thailand correctly posted the Mastercard index findings on its news website on 10 September 2019. So how did the same index findings get resurrected in December 2023 and floated on the TAT Facebook page masquerading as the gospel truth? Has something gone wrong with TAT’s newsroom’s fact-checking?

Photo credit: Khaosod English

‘Home for human stories’ Medium.com was apparently the first culprit to resurrect the 2019 index data to an imaginary 2023 Mastercard index release. TAT then appears to have picked it up without fact-checking or even looking back through its own newsroom archives, where it would have discovered it had successfully covered the story four years earlier.

The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index dropped out of sight since the 2019 edition for obvious reasons — the pandemic and its devastating aftermath. But in the good times, Mastercard typically releases the new index sometime in the first half of the calendar year, usually between April and June. 

We can expect Mastercard to return with its destination cities index in mid-2024. For the record, the 2019 index is shown below. 

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