SINGAPORE, 22 December 2023: Jetstar Asia reveals a list of notable statistics and achievements that have shaped the airline’s year as low-fares air travel continues to drive demand across the region.
2023 sees travellers returning to the skies as travel demand surges and Jetstar Asia continues to ramp up its operations, increasing its fleet, welcoming new team members on board, and expanding its network to meet the evolving demands of its customers.
Leisure travel was a key driver in demand as travellers prioritise experiences. Jetstar Asia responded by adding more holiday destinations. Strong demand saw the return of popular destinations in Japan and China and prompted an increase in weekly flights to popular hubs like Bangkok, Bali, and Phuket.
With the introduction of Okinawa and Wuxi, Jetstar Asia became the only airline to operate these direct routes while also relaunching services to Haikou and Osaka via Manila.
This year’s most popular routes were from Singapore to key metropolitan cities Manila and Bangkok, as business travel ramped up and family and friends took the opportunity to reconnect.
With Jetstar Asia’s website attracting over 6.7 million visits during the year, a frequency of one visit every 2.65 seconds, the airline expresses confidence that travel is back.
SINGAPORE, 22 December 2023: Accor has signed a landmark deal with Singapore-based Worldwide Hotels Group to bring the world’s largest Mercure hotel – with 989 keys – to Singapore.
Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre will open in Q1 2024.
Photo credit: Accor. Mercure Icon Hotel.
The latest deal strengthens the partnership between Accor and Worldwide Hotels Group, having recently signed an agreement for Novotel Singapore on Kitchener.
Located on 8 Club Street, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre is positioned between the historic Chinatown and the central business district, close to restaurants and hawker centres and directly connected to two stations, Chinatown and Telok Ayer, on two main transit lines.
BANGKOK, 22 December 2023: The upcoming Thailand Tourism Forum 2024 will be hosted in Bangkok at the InterContinental Bangkok, 1500 on Monday, 15 January 2024.
Adopting the overall theme ‘Time for Growth’, the packed speakers’ lineup begins with Aditip Panupong from Google, presenting insights on how AI is changing the country’s tourism sector.
Bill Barnett, founder of Thailand Tourism Forum
Leading stakeholders and speakers from across the industry, including Patrick Both, area general manager, Luxury & Lifestyle Thailand, IHG Hotels & Resorts, the event will be
Speaking about TTF 2024, C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett said: “TTF has a bold format that speaks to Thailand’s hotel owners, operators, tourism players and across the industry. It’s a vital resource to create an impactful dialogue for the industry and should be of interest to a broad spectrum of attendees. Tourism remains the face of brand Thailand, but things are changing, and this event will put these into greater focus for understanding and hopefully creating change.”
TTF 2024’s two-hour programme features 11 segments, which include how Thailand has become Asia’s leader in lifestyle hotels and how hotel owners can evaluate the potential to reposition and brand properties in the post-pandemic tourism marketplace.
Other key segments include why hotel operators need to reinvent their organisations, data and metrics-led insights into Thailand’s hotel performance and transaction market, emerging glamping and outdoor accommodation, and a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities of the China, Russian and Indian inbound markets.
Now in its 13th year, this annual event organised by hospitality consulting group C9 Hotelworks has continued to grow with fast-paced candid talks, a focus on industry data and a dynamic evolving format covering the latest trends.
MANILA, 22 December 2023: The Philippines targets 7.7 million foreign visitors next year after exceeding its 2023 arrivals goal, the Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed last week.
Philippines News Agency quoted the tourism chief Christina Frasco saying: “I understand that this is not yet our pre-pandemic numbers of 2019 at over 8.2 million international arrivals, but what I can assure you is that we will push as hard as we can and fully activate government agencies to reach this target.” Tourism chief Christina Frasco said during a reception in Makati City.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
During the Makati reception, Frasco noted the country has welcomed 5,069,752 international visitors since January 2023.
“Philippine tourism showed a “remarkable resilience” this year despite being one of the last in Southeast Asia to open up to tourism after the pandemic.”
A car transfer from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok to the hotel will take just two hours.
Upon completion, the hotel will feature 200 rooms with panoramic sea views of the Gulf of Thailand and its offshore islands.
Once open, guests will have convenient access to shopping malls, water parks, the entertainment district in Pattaya and 18-hole golf courses. There are flights from U-Tapao-Rayong-Pattaya International Airport, about 40 km south of Jomtien Bay, to connect with flights to other resort destinations in Thailand.
Best Western Jomtien Beach Pattaya joins BWH’s expanding portfolio of properties in Thailand, comprising 20 operating hotels and resorts. It will also complement the group’s two existing properties in the Pattaya area: Best Western Plus Nexen, Pattaya, and Sanctuary Resort Pattaya, BW Signature Collection.
BWH is a leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels.
KHAO LAK, Thailand, 21 December 2023: Embracing the true spirit of Christmas and environmental responsibility, OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort presents an elegant and sustainable Christmas tree in its lobby.
Designed by the resort’s dedicated hosts, this innovative Christmas tree is crafted entirely from recycled plastic bottles, adorned with twinkling lights and embellished with recycled ornaments, creating a striking symbol of sustainability and holiday cheer.
CAPTION: Sustainable Santa and OUTRIGGER Khao Lak’s environmentally friendly Christmas tree.
“The tree symbolises our unwavering commitment to sustainability and is inspired by OUTRIGGER Zone, our global conservation initiative. It is a powerful reminder of the positive impact we can make by embracing eco-friendly practices in the travel and hospitality industry,” said Resort Manager Sujittra Rongmuang.
This recycled Christmas tree has become a captivating focal point, sparking meaningful conversations among guests about the urgency of reducing waste and the significance of adopting sustainable habits in daily life.
“Our Christmas tree is a testament to the power of creativity, community, the true spirit of Christmas and, most importantly, our collective responsibility to care for the environment,” said Ms Rongmuang.
Located on the serene Bang Sak beach, OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort, a 158-key garden resort, offers a delightful beachfront setting just a 90-minute drive north of Phuket International Airport.
The resort’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the festive season, with various eco-friendly initiatives to minimise its environmental footprint.
For example, the resort’s hosts clean the beach in front of the property; no plastic straws are used in the hotel; the kitchen reuses waste food for organic compost in its herb garden; and automatic electricity cut-out activates when guests leave their room.
Travellers seeking a harmonious blend of luxury service and eco-conscious hospitality can learn more about OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort and make reservations at OUTRIGGER.com.
This sustainable Christmas tree initiative showcases OUTRIGGER Khao Lak’s dedication to promoting eco-tourism and sustainable practices, providing guests with a meaningful and environmentally conscious holiday experience.
ABOUT OUTRIGGER KHAO LAK BEACH RESORT OUTRIGGER Khao Lak Beach Resort nestles on the pristine shores of Bang Sak Beach, a 90-minute drive north of Phuket airport. The 158-key resort offers an exquisite escape where the sand meets uninterrupted views of the breathtaking Andaman Sea. Learn more about your captivating getaway at www.OUTRIGGER.com.
ABOUT OUTRIGGER RESORTS & HOTELS For 76 years, OUTRIGGER has charted a journey of discovery – expanding from Hawai‘i to premier resort destinations, including Fiji, Mauritius, Thailand and the Maldives. Find out more at www.OUTRIGGER.com or visit @OUTRIGGERResorts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
BANGKOK, 21 December 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand, has rebranded Centra by Centara as Centara Life, revealing a fresh and exciting new brand identity and a commitment to delivering flexible and seamless stays that are accessible to everyone.
Centara Life will retain its core “Elevating the Essentials” concept to help guests travel and stay seamlessly. In addition to “exceptional essentials”, this includes offering “daily delights” to put a smile on the face of every traveller, promising “value for all” with first-class amenities at a preferential price point, and “fresh environments” with lively, social spaces that allow everybody to unwind and interact.
The rebranding process will involve the complete and vibrant refresh of the brand’s visual identity, which will permeate the brand’s physical and digital presence. The new look will ooze vigour and life and features a bold teal and turquoise primary colour palette, accented with splashes of orange and amber to signify energy and joy, orchid and lavender for a sense of balance and relaxation, and mint and leaf green to represent peace and nature. A series of new signature guest experiences will be rolled out over the coming months to accompany the visual makeover, focusing on four core pillars – Life Essentials, Life Surprises, Life Flexibility, and Life Connectivity – which will include extra sleeping comforts, complimentary local delicacies, flexible breakfast hours, community immersion and much more. Stay tuned for further updates!
“The rebrand of Centra by Centara to Centara Life is a strategic move that serves not only to breathe new energy and life to our upper midscale brand offering and better cater to its diverse audiences’ evolving needs but also to better align this dynamic and core Centara brand with our wider family of Centara-named brands, with which many synergies and values are shared. This has been an extensive process, which even included inputs from our valued guests, as we sought to refresh the brand in a way that would ensure long-term appeal and relevance to both existing and future customers.” said Centara Hotels & Resorts vice president of brand, marketing & digital Tom Thrussel.
First launched in 2010, Centra by Centara has become a popular option for guests seeking comfortable and convenient stays. Following this rebranding, which will take place iteratively over the next quarter, Centara will ramp up the expansion of Centara Life worldwide, in line with its five-year goal of doubling its global portfolio and becoming a top 100 global hotel operator by 2027.
SINGAPORE, 21 December, 2023: Diamond Princess kicked off her Singapore sailing season last week after arriving from Japan.
Diamond Princess’ Singapore season features 10 to 14-day cruises in the region throughout December 2023 and up to early March 2024.
For December 2023, Diamond Princess sails two 10-day cruises that visit Koh Samui & Laem Chabang (Bangkok) in Thailand and Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City) and Danang in Vietnam.
Fourteen-day Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam cruises will be highlighted in January and February 2024. These cruises will take guests along the Straits of Melaka, visiting Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia and Phuket in Thailand. After which, the ship will sail the South China Sea, visiting Koh Samui, Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang in Vietnam.
Diamond Princess will then end her Singapore season with a 13-day repositioning cruise from Singapore to Yokohama on 5 March 2024. The ship will arrive on 18 March 2024, in time for Japan’s cherry blossom season and the start of her Japan sailing season.
Princess ships visiting Singapore
Coral Princess will sail a 33-day Southeast Asia, Hawaii and Pacific Crossing cruise from Singapore to Los Angeles in October 2024, visiting destinations in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Hawaii before arriving in Los Angeles. This segment also offers a 12-night sailing from Singapore to Fremantle (Perth, Australia).
Island Princess‘ World Cruise will visit Singapore from Australia on 29 February 2024, after which the ship will sail on to Dubai. Guests can choose to sail on the 11-day cruise from Singapore to Dubai. Island Princess will return to Singapore again for its 2025 World Cruise.
One of the newest Princess ships, Discovery Princess, will make her maiden call to Singapore in October 2025 while on her way to Australia for her deployment in the Pacific.
SINGAPORE, 21 December 2023: Artificial intelligence (AI) is unlikely to be the next big trend in the retail and e-commerce sector after new analysis found it ranks bottom in the proportion of job vacancies requiring AI skills.
Only 0.09% out of 91,313 vacancies in the retail and e-commerce industry require an AI-related skill, which contrasts with its cousin, the fashion industry, where 4.44% of vacancies require AI. Tailing retail is the transport and logistics industry, where only 0.11% of vacancies need AI.
Tank, a digital PR agency, analysed 18 key industries to uncover the bottom five industries that don’t seem to be embracing the technology within their workforce, ranking them based on the number of vacancies that require an element of AI.
It comes after world leaders met in the UK to discuss how AI can be developed and used safely. During the summit, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said that new tools should be used as a ‘co-pilot’ to help people in their jobs instead of replacing them.
The bottom five industries requiring an AI-related skill:
The data shows that most job applicants aren’t expected to be skilful in AI when applying for roles in retail and e-commerce. However, in a competitive and trend-led industry, data-driven insights could help retailers improve forecasting, protect margins and transform the customer experience.
On the flip side, 4.44% of the 9,949 vacancies in the fashion industry require job applicants to have an AI-related skill – the highest of all verticals featured in the research. The electronic industry is hot on the heels of fashion, with 2.79% of vacancies needing AI.
The top five industries requiring an AI-related skill:
In the fashion industry, a fast-paced and competitive environment, AI can help to improve efficiency, identify trends and align supply with demand to reduce waste. Electronics ranked second place – an industry where AI could help design and develop new products and automate manufacturing processes.
Tank digital PR agency head of digital Martin Harris said: “There’s no doubt that AI is transforming the employment landscape – and I’d argue this is a good thing. It removes labour-intensive drudge work and gives people more rewarding opportunities to drive business success. Like numeracy and literacy, we will likely see data and AI literacy becoming a requirement in many technical and non-technical roles.
“Emotional intelligence is, and always will be, a human trait. It cannot be replicated authentically by a machine, but it can improve the strengths of that trait by backing it up with evidence. This year, in particular, it feels like AI has come of age and because the technology is so powerful, human judgement and oversight are more important than ever.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 December 2023: Malaysia Tourism Foundation, recognised as a pivotal player in uniting and strengthening the country’s tourism industry, has introduced its first president and board members.
Veteran tourism leader Datuk Tan Kok Liang is leading the federation as its first president, nominated by the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA).
Datuk Tan Kok Liang, MTF’s first president.
Joining him are representatives from various associations, including the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Malaysian Inbound Chinese Association (MICA), Persatuan Syarikat Pengendalian Pelancongan Bumiputera (BUMITRA), Malaysian Association Of Theme Park And Family Attractions (MATFA), Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), Malaysia Cruise Industry Association (MCIA), Malaysia Scuba Diving Association (MSDA), Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA) & Malaysian Indian Tour & Travel Association (MITTA).
The federation has adopted an inclusive policy and will invite other tourism organisations to join in the coming months.
The Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) fulfils a crucial role in the tourism industry by providing a platform for all member associations to unite and speak with a single voice. This unified representation ensures greater impact and effectiveness when addressing government bodies, policymakers, and other stakeholders. By pooling resources and expertise, the federation can tackle common challenges and issues facing the tourism industry, ultimately developing comprehensive solutions.
Established on 10 July 2023, the Malaysian Tourism Federation aims to unite individual independent national tourism associations under one umbrella, providing a unified voice and representation for the entire industry. The initiative dates back to February 2020, when the proposal to establish a federation to represent tourism stakeholders gained the blessing of the former Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture of Malaysia, YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Binti Shukri.
Roles and responsibilities of the MTF
Realignment and Unified Representation: The federation consolidates the tourism industry’s voice and representation, ensuring that individual associations’ diverse interests and priorities are balanced for the greater benefit of the entire tourism industry.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: By leveraging the combined resources and expertise of its member associations, the federation can address common challenges and find innovative solutions to maximise the growth and development of the tourism industry.
Policy Advocacy: The federation to advocate for policies that contribute to the overall development of the tourism industry. This includes lobbying for favourable regulations, incentives, and infrastructure development that enhance the tourism environment and attract more visitors.
Sharing Best Practices: The federation serves as a platform for member associations to exchange knowledge and best practices. This collaborative approach leads to improved operations and the industry’s overall growth.
Marketing and Promotion: The federation will coordinate collective marketing and promotional campaigns to attract domestic and international tourists and enhance the destination’s image. By pooling resources, marketing efforts become more impactful and effective.
Crisis Management: During times of crisis, such as natural disasters or health emergencies, the federation will coordinate efforts to manage the impact on tourism and work towards a collective recovery strategy.
Research and Data Sharing: The federation collects and disseminates industry data, fosters research collaborations, and provides valuable insights to inform decision-making processes.
Stakeholder Engagement: The federation collaborates with local communities, environmental organisations, and other industries to ensure sustainable tourism development that benefits all parties involved.
