SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Pandaw Cruises is promoting a 10-night expedition along the upper Mekong in Laos and Thailand, exploring the untouched valleys and hill tribe villages along the iconic river banks.
Sailing between Chiang Khong in Thailand and the Laotian capital, Vientiane, the cruise stops for three nights at the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, giving guests ample time to explore the town and tourist sights in the Luang Prabang Valley.
Pandaw’s specially crafted expedition vessels sail from October to March each year and are the perfect way to explore this hidden gem in Asia.
DUBAI, UAE, 31 January 2024: 202 students from 24 UAE schools made a splash at Emirates Aviation University’s seventh Water Rocket Competition, held in collaboration with Boeing.
Students in grades 11 and 12 from schools across the UAE built rockets using materials at hand. Each year, the challenge for participants is to launch water rockets at a 45-degree angle, powered solely by water and air pressure. Students design creative nose cones and fins for enhanced impact protection. They also learn how to reduce, reuse, and recycle during the competition. This year, teams had two hours to complete the task and were given two attempts to launch their rockets.
Emirates Aviation University vice-chancellor Professor Ahmad Al Ali said: “Emirates Aviation University is committed to innovating and fostering creativity in young minds. Our annual Water Rocket Competition is not just exciting for the student community; it’s also an opportunity to bring together the country’s best and brightest young minds, challenge them, and encourage them to think about STEM careers. Watching students brainstorm, collaborate, and construct these rockets is an eye-opening experience every year. We hope they are inspired to become leaders in science and engineering.”
Boeing president in the Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, and Central Asia, Kuljit Ghata-Aura added: “From launching the Arab world’s first uncrewed mission to Mars to signing the Artemis Accords, the UAE is rapidly emerging as a leader in space exploration. At Boeing, we have been part of every major US endeavour to escape Earth’s gravity. We are excited to continue to partner with Emirates Aviation University to inspire a new generation of aerospace scientists and provide students with the opportunity to learn new technical skills from Boeing engineers during the competition.”
Following the water rocket launches, the judging panel from Emirates Aviation University and Boeing announced Eagle 1 from Islamiya English School, Abu Dhabi, as the winning school after the team launched their rocket to a distance of 99 meters. Eagle 2 from Islamiya English School, Abu Dhabi, secured the first runner-up position with 93 meters, and OOW – Volts from Our Own High School, Dubai, followed as the second runner-up with 92 meters.
The annual competition aims to inspire young aeronautical enthusiasts by combining creativity with the principles of rocketry and flight.
About Emirates Aviation University
Since its founding in 1991, EAU, the education arm of the Emirates Group, has established itself as the region’s leading educational institution for aviation studies. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs in aeronautical engineering, aviation management, logistics & supply management, aviation safety, and aviation security studies. Over the past three decades, EAU has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its facilities, faculties, learning resources and earning global accreditations, including recognition from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, UK.
EAU also provides a six-month internship program with the Emirates Group for students with exceptional academic performance. For more information, visit https://www.eau.ac.ae/en.
HONG KONG, 31 January 2024: Passengers booking Resorts World One cruises until 18 February 2024 can take the complimentary ferry service from Pazhou to Hong Kong courtesy of the cruise line.
The complimentary ferry service from Pazhou is available for cruising guests embarking on the three-night Sanya cruise and the five-night Vietnam cruise.
Upon arriving at the China Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong, guests will be transferred by free shuttle buses to the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal for ship embarkation. The initiative offers convenience and cost-savings, with the first departure ferrying over 200 cruising guests from Pazhou on 28 January.
“The Hong Kong homeport for Resorts World One is one of the most convenient homeports for many travellers from mainland China, especially from Guangzhou and the Greater Bay Area,” said Resorts World Cruises president Michael Goh.
Resorts World One offers two, three and five-night cruises to popular destinations such as Sanya on Hainan Island in China and Danang, Nha Trang in Vietnam. There are also cruises scheduled to Naha and Miyakojima in Okinawa.
SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: A new report from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Microsoft highlights the transformative power of AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Travel & Tourism, marking a commitment to a digital future with unparalleled customer experiences.
The report warns Travel & Tourism lag behind other consumer-facing industries in AI adoption. AI’s surge across various sectors last year is now a relevant force, and the Travel & Tourism sector must act now to leverage its impact.
Challenges that must be overcome by Travel & Tourism businesses include a shortage of AI-skilled workers, limited AI infrastructure, and the absence of a formal ‘AI strategy’ in many business plans.
The first in a series of AI reports, announced during the global tourism body’s event at FITUR and in collaboration with WTTC’s Industry Partner, Microsoft calls on Travel & Tourism to embrace AI and other cutting-edge technologies.
AI can empower personalised recommendations and marketing strategies by analysing traveller data, optimising pricing strategies through real-time adjustments, and offering instant responses and fine-tuned interactions via sophisticated AI-powered chatbots.
The report also highlights AI’s capabilities extend to predicting future demand patterns, efficiently allocating resources, and providing valuable insights for governments and Travel & Tourism stakeholders.
WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Travel & Tourism, AI emerges as a catalyst for positive change.
“The transformative capabilities highlighted in this report demonstrate that AI is not just a technological advancement; it is a strategic tool that can personalise the customer experience, drive sustainable improvements, and create real-time pricing models.”
Microsoft managing director of travel, transport & logistics, Julie Shainock added: “Using Microsoft’s Azure OpenAI Models across the travel sector allows greater productivity for companies and drives a more personalised consumer experience.
“For travellers, the ability to drive more inspiration and personalised offers at booking to providing tools to consumers to proactively assist them while in destination to anticipate their needs with relevant information to improve their journey. For travel companies, GenAI is there to increase productivity, automate the predictable, and allow our human-centric approach to the high-value moments in travel to shine more.”
Travel & Tourism businesses are urged to embrace AI as a strategic priority, investing heavily in talent to foster collaboration between humans and AI.
Amidst concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, the report addresses the potential for job creation, recognising that although AI will be disruptive, it will, in turn, generate new opportunities.
Responsible data management emerges as a crucial strategy in the quest for sustainable AI practices within the Travel & Tourism sector.
Implementing measures such as data minimisation, efficient storage, and responsible data disposal becomes pivotal for organisations seeking to minimise their carbon emissions when using new digital technologies and significantly reduce their AI environmental footprint.
To read the report in full, visit WTTC’s Research Hub The report is free for WTTC members; non-members can buy the report online after registering.
SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Radisson Hotel Group will open a new beachfront Radisson Resort in 2027 situated in the coastal town of Anyer, Indonesia.
The 150-key Radisson Resort Anyer will mark a significant milestone as the Radisson brand launches its first resort with glamping concept integration – showcasing the group’s dedication to offering unique and memorable experiences for guests.
Artist Impression of Radisson Resort Anyer, Aerial View.
Located in Banten province, Anyer is lauded as one of Indonesia’s most famous beaches on Java’s West Coast, within a two-hour car transfer drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and central Jakarta.
Anyer Beach is renowned for its long stretch of golden sands and serves as an eye-opening gateway to the famed Krakatoa volcano.
Indonesia remains a strategic market for Radisson Hotel Group, recording 10.4 million foreign tourists in the first 11 months of 2023, more than a 110% increase in tourists compared to the same period in 2022.
With over 60 hotels in operation and development in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group continues to grow as a leading hospitality provider in the region.
SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Traffic from Munich Airport to Asia surpasses pre-pandemic level with high passenger traffic on 107 weekly connections from the southern German hub to cities across Asia.
The high demand for air travel is reflected in the increased aircraft movements at Munich Airport. For example, the airport will see record flights to Asia in the 2024 summer schedule from 31 March to 31 October.
Munich Airports reports nine airlines are planning 107 weekly flights to 14 destinations in 10 Asian countries. Before the pandemic, in the 2019 summer schedule, there were 101 flights to 10 destinations in seven countries operated by five airlines.
Destinations covered by flights from Munich to Asia are Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Seoul, Tashkent, Dushanbe, Male, Taipei, Bangkok and Singapore.
Today, the destinations are served by Lufthansa, Air China, All Nippon Airways, BeOnd, EVA Airways, Singapore Airlines, Somon Air, Thai Airways and Uzbekistan Airways.
Lufthansa will periodically deploy the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, on the route to Delhi starting 1 April to meet the growing demand for air travel. The service to Beijing will be increased from three weekly flights to a daily flight beginning in April, while Osaka in Japan will be served five times a week beginning in April and then daily starting in May. Japan’s All Nippon Airways will increase flights to Munich from four to seven weekly, effective 2 July.
SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Trip.com Group’s latest data shows Thailand-related searches increased seven-fold following the 28 January announcement confirming China and Thailand have signed off on a mutual visa waiver agreement for citizens of the two countries.
The visa exemption for both Thais and Chinese travelling between the two countries goes live on 1 March.
The global online travel agency headquartered in Shanghai noted that the “search popularity of Thailand-related keywords” on its Chinese platform increased more than seven times month-on-month.
Searches for air tickets and hotels increased by more than six times month-on-month, with residents from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and Shandong making more Thailand-related searches.
Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Pattaya are the most searched destinations for Chinese planning trips to Thailand.
On Trip.com’s Thailand platform, the search popularity of China-related keywords increased by more than four times compared with the previous day. Shanghai, Chengdu, Harbin, Shenzhen, Beijing, Tianjin, Chongqing, and Zhangjiajie are among the cities generating the most searches by Thais considering a trip to China.
The new visa exemption policy between China and Thailand, starting on 1 March 2024, should significantly impact both countries, beginning with a boost in tourist arrivals in both directions.
It certainly gives Thailand a fighting chance to lift tourist visits from China from 3.5 million recorded in 2023 to within striking distance of the 8.2 million forecast by the Thailand Authority of Thailand. But there are optimists, mainly in the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, who hope 2024 could deliver 10 million Chinese tourists, which would be close to arrivals recorded in 2018 but still well short of the 12 million arrivals in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Economic growth The influx of tourists will directly contribute to economic growth in both countries. Hotels, restaurants, airlines, and other tourism-related businesses will see increased demand and revenue.
Shifting travel patterns With easier travel, tourists from both countries might engage in shorter, more frequent trips instead of longer vacations. This could spread economic benefits more evenly throughout the year.
There are also potential challenges
Infrastructure strain Increased tourist arrivals will pressure Thailand’s infrastructure, such as transportation and accommodation. Careful planning and investment will be needed to ensure a smooth experience for visitors.
Environmental impact More tourism also means greater environmental impact. Both countries must ensure sustainable tourism practices are followed to protect their natural resources.
Social and cultural tensions Increased interaction between citizens of different cultures can sometimes lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Communication and intercultural awareness programmes are essential to bridge these gaps.
Overall, the China-Thailand visa exemption is viewed as a positive development in the travel industry, potentially benefiting both countries. However, managing the anticipated growth and addressing potential challenges is essential to ensure a sustainable and positive outcome.
SINGAPORE, 30 January 2024: Viking’s 2026 ocean voyages are now open for booking for 2026 departures, while the cruise line reports its newest ship, the Viking Vesta, will join the fleet in July 2025.
The 998-guest sister ship will spend her inaugural season sailing popular itineraries in the Mediterranean and Scandinavia.
A Viking ocean ship sails Norway’s fiords.
Qualified as a small ship, Viking Vesta has a gross tonnage of 54,300 tons, 499 staterooms, and a 998-passenger capacity.
With more than 80 ocean itineraries on offer, examples of the most popular voyages include:
Viking Homelands (15 days; Stockholm – Bergen).
Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 days; Barcelona – Rome).
Empires of the Mediterranean (10 days; Venice – Athens).
British Isles Explorer (15 days; Bergen – London).
West Indies Explorer (11 days; San Juan roundtrip).
Additionally, Viking has announced six new pre and post extensions beginning in 2024 and 2025. Over 45% of all Viking guests choose to add such extensions to their voyage. The new, fully guided, three-night extensions are offered in the iconic cities of Barcelona, Istanbul, London, Rome, Stockholm and Venice. They feature Privileged Access to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, market visits and cooking classes, to personalise the journey with optional excursions.
SINGAPORE, 30 January 2024: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced at the weekend details of a masterplan for a project branded THE RIG that PIF claims will redefine adventure tourism.
When finished (opening date still pending), THE RIG will become a world-first adventure tourism destination built on an offshore platform in the Arabian Gulf.
The project is part of a wider strategy in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives to grow tourism to “contribute to employment opportunities and diversify the economy.”
THE RIG, inspired by the design of offshore oil platforms, will deliver a one-of-a-kind hospitality and adventure experience spanning a gross floor area of over 300,000 sqm located 40 km from the coastline, near Al Juraid Island and Berri Oil Field in the Arabian Gulf.
According to the masterplan, it targets over 900,000 annual visitors by 2032, appealing to a wide range of domestic, regional and international audiences, including adrenaline seekers, explorers, balanced holidaymakers, and relaxation seekers.
It will include three hotels totalling 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, an extreme sports and adventure park, a world-class marina, and an arena with a capacity of 6,000 people. Damman is the gateway city where helicopters will transfer guests to the TH RIG in 20 minutes.
The project will be developed by the Oil Park Development Company (OPDC) under the direction of its CEO, Raed N Bakhrji, who brings more than 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry and a passion for the future of adventure tourism.
For additional information on the project visit: www.THERIG.sa.
TOKYO, 30 January 2024: JTB, a leading tour operator in Japan, has signed a new multi-year international partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB).
As part of the new multi-national business arrangement, JTB officially sponsors MLB’s WORLD TOUR and will offer exclusive international hospitality packages for the season-opening Seoul Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.
Eijiro Yamakita, JTB President & CEO (left) at MLB headquarters in New York City with Noah Garden, Deputy Commissioner, Business & Media, Major League Baseball (right). (Photo: Business Wire).
The two-game series at Seoul’s Gocheok SkyDome, 20 to 21 March, marks the regular season Dodgers debuts of Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
As an official partner of the Major League Baseball WORLD TOUR, JTB will also offer to fans worldwide, excluding the US, VIP ticket and hospitality packages to WORLD TOUR events, including the Seoul Series and London Series. Furthermore, JTB can provide tickets to MLB regular season games to fans based in Asia as part of hospitality packages that include travel to and accommodations in the US.
“Last year, we experienced a dramatic rise in demand for travel and events around the world as we finally moved beyond most challenges caused by the pandemic, and now we see that the market needs for real and exciting experiences are very strong,” said JTB president and CEO Eijiro Yamakita.
JTB, a Tokyo-based international operation, opened its New York office 60 years ago. It has focused on overseas travel in Japan while extending its role to become a leading travel agency in Asia.
In recent years, JTB has helped thousands of Japanese baseball fans visit the US and Canada to see Japanese players who star in the MLB.
About JTB
JTB has 159 offices in 35 countries/regions, handling international travel from Japan and various countries worldwide in recent years.
