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Air India boosts Phuket flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: Air India confirmed last week in Facebook posts that it will increase flights between India’s capital, Delhi, and Thailand’s holiday island, Phuket, from daily to 13 flights weekly, effective 1 June. (*Report updated 7 May re visa-free entry Thailand. See below).

The route is served by a 140-seat Airbus A320, with daily flights departing Delhi at 0205 and arriving in Phuket at 0810.

The additional six flights, increasing frequencies to 13 weekly, will depart Delhi at 1100 and arrive in Phuket at 1715. Advance schedules confirm the additional six flights will depart on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

Indian passport holders can visit Thailand for up to 30 days without applying for a visa, but the temporary concession ends on 10 May after completing one year. The Thai government may consider extending the concession date until the 31 October 2024 or even until 30 April 2025. However, there has been no announcement from the Tourism Authority of Thailand or the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs so far. As long as that is the case Indian holiday makers will once more need a visa (possible by applying online or on arrival at the Phuket airport). Air India’s promotions clearly state that the visa-free concession ends on 10 May. However, adding another six flights weekly on the Delhi-Phuket route on 1 June could suggest Air India has an inside track on information and is optimisticvisa-free status for Indian tourists could be extended. But until there is an announcement stating otherwise the concession ends midnight on 10 May.

Meanwhile, the airline confirmed it will resume flights from Delhi to Zurich in Switzerland effective 16 June, after a 24-year gap. A Boeing 787-8 will serve the route, flying four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Flight AI151 will depart Delhi at 1405 and arrive in Zurich at 1915.
Flight AI152 will depart Zurich at 2050 and arrive in Delhi at 0805 plus a day.

Report updated on visa-free stay for Indian tourists visiting Thailand.

*Earlier today, Tuesday, 7 May 2024, the Thai Government PR Department reported Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin confirmed the government has extended the visa exemption period, that was due to expire on 10 May, for another six months until 11 November 2024 for both Indian and Taiwanese passports holders. The PM said the decision to extend the visa exemption for the two nationalities was “special and temporary to boost tourism and the Thai economy.”

Turkish ready to fly daily to Bali

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 May 2024: Turkish Airlines will increase direct flights from Istanbul to Denpasar Bali from five weekly to daily, effective 28 October.

The airline filed changes to its schedule for the winter timetable that starts 28 October and ends 31 March 2025 last week, indicating it will schedule daily flights using an Airbus A350-900 for the 13-hour and 15-minute nonstop flight.

Flight TK66 will depart Istanbul (IST) daily at 0150 and arrive in Denpasar (DPS) Bali at 1910.
Flight TK67 will depart Denpasar (DPS) Bali daily at 2105 and arrive in Istanbul (IST) at 0540 plus one day.

Currently, the airline flies the route five times weekly, departing Istanbul on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

It’s the only airline flying nonstop to Bali, and the average fare on the route this year is USD1,660 roundtrip. A check of the booking website FlightHub.com displays the cheapest roundtrip fare on Turkish Airlines for November 2024  travel dates at USD1,229, including taxes and fees. 

Jakarta: Down to daily 

Meanwhile, effective 28 October, the airline will reduce flights on the Istanbul-Jakarta route, served by A350-900 aircraft, from nine weekly to daily. 

The two flights (TK508/509) scheduled to discontinue in late October serve the Indonesian capital on Tuesday and Friday.

Flight TK56 will depart Istanbul (IST) daily at 0235 and arrive in Jakarta (CGK) at 1755.
Flight TK57 will depart Jakarta (CGK) daily at 2105 and arrive in Istanbul (IST) at 0530 plus a day.

AirAsia flies to Ahmedabad

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 6 May 2024: AirAsia introduced flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Ahmedabad, India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, last week.

The new route, with four weekly flights using A320s, allows travellers to explore Ahmedabad’s rich cultural heritage and Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant city life at affordable prices. 

The first flight departed Kuala Lumpur on 3 May.

Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director South Asia Unit En Solehuddin Ahmad said: “We wholeheartedly commend AirAsia for their continuous efforts in further expanding air connectivity between our two nations, now with 15 and counting direct routes from India. With this new route and AirAsia’s great value fares, more travellers can visit our beautiful country affordably, be it for leisure or business. This is also a much-welcomed initiative following the government’s recent announcement of visa-free entry for Indian nationals to Malaysia.”

AirAsia Group Chief Commercial Officer Paul Carroll added: “This marks a significant step in our ever-evolving journey to cement our foothold in India, one of our biggest and fastest-growing markets. We also hope that this connectivity will allow more travellers from India to explore the region beyond Malaysia thanks to our seamless Fly-Through options. We look forward to kickstarting more routes and creating more memorable travel experiences for our trusted guests.”

AirAsia now operates a network servicing 15 international routes directly between Malaysia and India with 78 flights weekly on short-haul airline AirAsia Malaysia  (AK), from the cities of Trivandrum, Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar (flights commence on 28 May 2024) as well as Kozhikode and Guwahati (flights commence on 1 Aug 2024). 

Medium-haul affiliate AirAsia X Malaysia ( D7) also provides two direct routes between Kuala Lumpur, New Delhi, and Amritsar, with eight weekly flights. The continued growth in AirAsia services to and from India ensures a comprehensive and seamless travel experience for guests across India and beyond, connecting them to over 130 destinations on the widest low-cost network in Asia. 

Silkway Travel Asia joins Adventure Inc

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 May 2024: Singapore-based full-service travel management company Silkway Travel Asia Pte Ltd (“Silkway Travel Asia”) has been acquired by Adventure Inc, a leading Japanese online travel agency.

With this acquisition, Silkway Travel Asia becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Adventure APAC and marks a significant expansion of Adventure’s presence in the region. The deal will allow Adventure, which reports an annual turnover of JPY20 billion (SGD178 million), to leverage Silkway Travel Asia’s established presence and expertise in both Singapore and the region. and cater to the diverse travel preferences of Asian customers as part of the company’s strategic expansion into Southeast Asia. The integration of Silkway 

Travel Asia’s unique offerings in Adventure’s extensive portfolio ensure travellers will enjoy unparalleled access to tailored travel experiences.

Silkway Travel Asia will also gain access to Adventure’s air ticket reservation platform ‘skyticket’, which streamlines the booking process for customers by allowing them to search, book, and pay for flights through Google’s search engine without needing to be redirected to other websites.

“Silkway Travel Asia will continue to expand its portfolio of multinational corporations and small and medium enterprise clientele, providing extensive and comprehensive corporate travel products and services management,” said Silkway Travel Asia Director and Co-founder James Tang.

“Travel management is more than a service; it’s a strategic partnership, guiding organisations towards smarter, more cost-effective travel solutions. By incorporating enhanced travel booking tools, in partnership with our travel technology partners, we can increase productivity and offer a faster turnaround service to our valued clients.” 

The acquisition will not impact Silkway Travel Asia’s core operations in Singapore. It will retain its branding, name, management team, and product offerings. Travel industry veterans James Tang and Albert Hong will continue to serve as company directors.

“We are proud of what we have achieved so far at Silkway Travel Asia over the past three years, and we’re thrilled to embark on the next stage of our growth with Adventure,” added Silkway Travel Asia Director and Co-founder Albert Hong. “This acquisition signifies Adventure’s confidence in our offerings and long-term strategy to expand our operations further in Singapore and Southeast Asia, as travel demand continues to grow post-COVID era. With Adventure’s cutting-edge products and regional network, we are confident that this deal will create new synergies for both companies, our customers, and our partners.”

Adventure Chief Executive Officer Shunichi Nakamura said: “Silkway Travel Asia’s expertise in the travel market in Southeast Asia makes it a valuable addition to the Adventure family. Both companies share a common goal of creating impactful and sustainable travel experiences that resonate with the evolving desires of today’s modern travellers. We are excited to continue pioneering innovative travel solutions for  customers with Silkway Travel Asia.”

About Silkway Travel Asia
Established in 2020, Silkway Travel Asia is a full-service travel management company offering tailored travel experiences for both corporate and leisure travellers.
Visit https://www.silkwaytravelasia.com/.

About Adventure Inc
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Adventure Inc. (Adventure) is an online travel agency with subsidiaries and affiliates across Asia, including South Korea, Philippines, India, Bangladesh and Singapore. Find out more at https://adventurekk.com/.

ATM embraces a net zero future

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 6 May 2024: The 31st edition of ATM opened Monday at the Dubai World Trade Centre, welcoming more than 2,300 exhibitors and representatives from more than 165 countries, with 41,000 travel and hospitality executives expected to attend by the time the event closes  Thursday evening.

From startups to established brands, ATM 2024 will highlight how innovators enhance customer experiences, drive efficiencies, and accelerate progress towards the industry’s net-zero future. 

Photo credit: ATM.

Arabian Travel Market Exhibition Director ME Danielle Curtis commented: “ATM 2024 is gearing up for an exciting lineup spread across two stages, with the Global Stage returning alongside the new Future Stage. The conference agenda will feature key industry speakers worldwide and address the emerging trends fueling the travel and tourism sector’s growth.” 

The number of participating hotel brands for ATM 2024 has increased by 21% year-on-year, with a 58% rise in new Travel Technology products showcased. Several new destinations will be introduced at ATM 2024, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia, while returning countries include Spain and France, among many others. Upticks across all key verticals with year-on-year growth across all regions participation, including ME 28%, Asia and Europe 34%, and Africa 26%.

A dedicated India Summit will take place on the opening day of ATM, highlighting a recent outbound travel boom in the market. Titled ‘Unlocking the True Potential of Inbound Indian Travellers,’ the Summit will explore the dynamics of India as a key source market for tourism growth and current and future opportunities. 

Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “We’re thrilled to see growth in visitor numbers to ATM. It reflects confidence in our industry and ATM’s importance on the global stage. We are proud of our role in the growth of ATM as an industry event and our home city, Dubai, which is at the forefront of global tourism. This year, Emirates will display our latest products and a dedicated area showcasing our sustainable aviation practices. We also look forward to connecting with our industry partners across the travel ecosystem.” 

Thailand’s tourism tax back on the table

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 6 May 2024: Thailand is revisiting a controversial THB300 tourism tax proposal that has been on and off the table for five years. 

The Federation of Thai Tourism Association recently confirmed it is preparing a white paper on the pros and cons at a time when the country is expecting record visitor arrivals that could breach the 40 million mark by the end of 2024.

12 million plus visits between 1 January and 30 April and THB583,902 million in revenue. (The ministry has not posted an English language snapshot since the Covid era.)

Resurrecting the tourism tax proposal for yet another review could gain traction this time as the country faces an unprecedented boom in tourism. It has sparked calls for a fund to restore and reverse negative impacts on natural and cultural assets. Ministry of Tourism and Sports’s latest release indicate the country welcomed 12,127447 visitors from 1 January to 30 April 2024, an increase of 39% compared with the same period in 2023. Revenue earned from the visits was estimated at 

THB583,902 million. This outstanding performance is reminiscent of past Visit Thailand Years, which pushed arrival increases into the double-digit zone.

The Federation of Thai Travel Tourism Association is ready to support the introduction of the tax, marking a significant change of heart. In the past, the proposal failed to attract attention from associations representing tourism’s private sector, particularly during the post-Covid recovery years due to the colossal losses incurred since 2020.

However, support for the government to implement a new tax to curb overtourism will be short-lived if the collection process is inconvenient, creating long queues at airports or land checkpoints. Then there is the question of transparency. The only practical option to ensure transparency is to add the tax to the cost of airline tickets and offer a handling fee to the airlines for managing the process. That would leave the thorny issue of how to collect the tax from travellers at land borders. Considering the collection costs and inevitable leakage, exempting overland travellers might be more feasible until there is a scam-proof digital solution to pay the fee directly to an online government wallet. It would also be an incentive to encourage visitors to explore lesser-known destinations using land transport. 

The ministry snapshot of the top five source markets ranked China top with 2,351,909 visits followed by Malaysia (1,569,856), Russia (767,210), South Korea (679,481) and India (643,587).

The figures are based on preliminary data from the Immigration Bureau at airports and overland checkpoints, excluding border pass travellers.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand reported Q1 data (January to March). Visits reached 9,381,098, up by 1.3 million compared with Q1 2023, a 44% increase.

Factors supporting the surge in visits included a robust turnover of visitors during the Chinese New Year Festival, driven by visa-free entry and the introduction of more flights on routes from China, promotional campaigns in key source markets, and the impact of concerts and special events. However, rising international airfares continued to impact travel to Thailand.

Tourism Malaysia sets out VMY 2026 goals

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 6 May 2024: Tourism Malaysia says the nationwide Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign should attract around 35.6 million tourists and generate MYR147.1 billion in receipts.

The VM 2026 roadmap is built around three core strategies – creating demand, increasing traffic, and prioritising target markets. Key initiatives include branding and marketing blitz, strategic partnerships for joint promotions/tactical campaigns and market segmentation.

YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, delivering his mandate at the Tourism Malaysia Strategic Direction Towards VM2026 Networking Session.

Malaysia’s notable tourism achievements in in Q1 2024 are encouraging, the national tourism agency reported last week. From January to March, Malaysia attracted 5.8 million visitors, representing a remarkable growth of 32.5% compared to 4.3 million during the same quarter last year.

The top 10 markets contributing to this success were Singapore, Indonesia, China, Thailand, Brunei, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Philippines.

Key target markets are prioritised into three tiers, led by first-level priorities such as China, India, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia. The second-level priorities include South Korea, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United Kingdom, followed by third-level priorities comprising Chinese Taipei and Germany. Apart from traditional markets such as Brunei, Thailand and Singapore, the focus is also on emerging markets like Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, tourism products and travel experiences will be tailored for niche segments like nature-based tourism, experiential tourism, medical and wellness tourism, responsible tourism, luxury, weddings, Muslim-friendly and gastronomy travel.

Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing said: “Our multipronged VM 2026 strategy provides a comprehensive framework to boost Malaysia’s visibility, enhance destination accessibility and elevate our tourism offerings. Through focused efforts and strategic collaborations, we are confident of achieving our yearly arrivals and target receipts in the run-up to VM 2026.”

(SOURCE: Tourism Malaysia)

Phuket to host GSTC 2026

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 6 May 2024: Thailand has won the bid to host the 2026 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC 2026) on Phuket Island, the country’s most popular beach destination.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the Phuket Province, Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (STDF), Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Public Organization) (DASTA) confirmed Phuket will host the event in April 2026.

TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya commented: “Hosting GSTC 2026 in Phuket province is a great victory and a significant milestone for its sustainable tourism and showing the potential of Phuket as well for six (destinations that make up the) Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor — Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nga, Ranong, Trang and Satun.” 

The GSTC 2026 will draw 700 participants from 60 countries, a testament to its global significance. This influx of international visitors should generate over THB50 million in revenue, bolstering Phuket’s economy.

Sarawak unveils the magic of world music

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING 6 May 2024: Brace yourselves for an exciting experience at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2024 as ticket purchasers to the festival stand a chance to win incredible prizes worth more than MYR100,000 by entering a skill contest and answering simple questions.  

At this year’s RWMF, all adult three-day pass ticket buyers stand to win a Mitsubishi Triton 4X4 VGT AT Premium or an electric bike, the Ebixon Bold EV Bike, while Adult 1-day pass ticket buyers are eligible to win an electric bike. For new ticket purchasers, the link to join the contest will be sent by Ticket2U.com via email, along with their tickets. Earlier ticket purchasers can access the contest either via RWMF.net or the Ticket2U ticketing platform.

The highly anticipated festival will take place from 28 to 30 June 2024 at the Sarawak Cultural Village from 1000 onwards. It will offer a vibrant celebration of international and local performers, including Kitaro, Havana Social Club, Dato’ Zainalabidin, and Sarawakian power-pack multi-talented artiste Belle Sisoski. 

Themed EVOLUTION, the RWMF 2024 showcases 21 acts, comprising 68 international musicians from 14 countries across six continents and 63 Malaysian artists. World music fans can indulge themselves in the rhythm of world music while advocating responsible tourism to foster sustainable practices and protect the environment. 

Grammy Award winner Kitaro, with his The Best of Kitaro Live, promises to be a memorable performance, and world-known multicultural band Havana Social Club is another headliner on a mission to illuminate Asia and beyond with the vibrant rhythms of Cuba. Another top act at the RWMF this year from West Malaysia is Dato’ Zainalabidin, known for his hit song ‘Hijau’, which has been around for over three decades. Representing East Malaysia is Sarawak’s own Belle Sisoski, well-known for using her creative platform to raise awareness about indigenous rights, environmental and musical conservation in Sarawak. Another highlight of the festival is the debut of The Borneo Collective, a musical project featuring Sarawak’s masters of traditional instruments backed by an ensemble of world-class musicians from all over Malaysia.

Other international acts include Alright Mela Meets Santoo (Pakistan/France), Bourbon Lassi (Australia/Malaysia), Imarhan (Algeria/France), Krakatau Ethno (Indonesia), Nini (Taiwan/USA), Rizal Hadi and Folk (Indonesia), Rhythm Rebels Featuring Selonding Bali Aga (Indonesia), and Tribal Tide (Singapore). Attendees to RWMF 2024 will also be entertained by other Malaysian acts such as The Borneo Collective (East Malaysia), Adrian G (West Malaysia), Alena Murang (East Malaysia), Nisa Addina (East Malaysia), Salammusik (West Malaysia), The Colour of Sound’s Malaysia (West Malaysia), Tuni Sundatang (East Malaysia) and Zarul @OurBodySound (West Malaysia).  

For music enthusiasts looking to delve into the full weekend of festivities, the coveted 3-Day Pass grants access to all that the RWMF 2024 has to offer. Priced at MYR635 for adults, the pass ensures an uninterrupted celebration of music, culture, and community. Act fast to grab the special early bird rate of RM235, available only until the close of 5 May. Don’t let this opportunity slip away to secure your tickets at a discounted rate and be in the running for fantastic prizes! For more information on how to win the grand prize, follow us on our social media channels.

For more information and ticket bookings, please visit the official Rainforest World Music Festival 2024 website at www.rwmf.net. Or via the Ticket2U ticketing platform.

For more information on Sarawak, visit www.sarawaktourism.com

Emirates on display at ATM

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE 6 May 2024: Emirates highlighted its largest presence ever at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), which got underway in Dubai on 6 May.

Here are three things visitors are looking forward to when visiting Emirates’ sprawling ATM stand spread over 975 square metres:

Signature product displays: The top-rated Emirates Premium Economy seat, which is now available on flights to 15 cities, will again be on display at ATM this year. The customer favourite boasts legroom of up to 40 inches, wide seats and a generous recline. The airline will also feature its frequently visited Boeing 777-300ER game-changer First Class fully enclosed private suite, Boeing 777 Business Class seat, newest generation A380 Onboard Lounge, along with other iconic products such the First Class Shower Spa and its generously pitched game-changer Economy Class seats. The friendly Emirates Cabin Crew will be on hand to demonstrate product features and answer visitor questions. 

Emirates Official Store:  Selling crowd-favourite aircraft models and other limited edition merchandise, the Emirates Official Store will also feature items inspired by the airline’s newly minted sports partnerships including dual-branded Wimbledon Championship 2024 Emirates towels, caps and clothing; Emirates sailing merchandise; and a selection of home-grown products in collaboration with local UAE companies featuring the Emirates ghaf motif including home fragrance and accessories, cactus leather goods and premium leather bags, among other items.

A sustainability focus:  Emirates has also dedicated a part of the stand to highlight some of the sustainability initiatives happening across the business, including onboard items that incorporate responsibly sourced materials like amenity kits, loungewear and children’s toys, and Emirates’ luggage, bags and accessories made from upcycled materials from retrofitted A380 aircraft. There will also be interactive screens highlighting key activities under the airline’s environmental pillars: reducing emissions, consuming responsibly and protecting biodiversity and habitats.

The Emirates stand also includes meeting spaces that can accommodate over 130 visitors and industry partners at any given time. This year, the airline is planning to seal deals and deepen cooperation with several tourism boards, airlines, and other critical entities within the travel and tourism ecosystem, signalling its confidence in the industry’s future. 

The Emirates stand is located at the Sheikh Saeed Hall at the ATM.

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

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