MANILA, 29 August 2023: AirAsia Philippines shares some essential tips for local and foreign travellers as the peak season for holidays in Asia is fast approaching.
AirAsia Philippines head of communications and public affairs Steve Dailisan said: As part of our efforts to enhance our customers’ peace of mind, we provide tips to help each customer better prepare.”
Photo credit: AirAsia. How to be travel savvy when packing bags.
Hacks for hassle-free travel
Best for your carry-on: Valuables like money and jewellery should always be kept close. These items are susceptible to damage and sometimes attract unwanted attention – so keep the bling on board and add these to your carry-on!
Important papers like your passport, travel documents, boarding passes, and IDs are also best kept in your handcarry. Losing these items can disrupt your journey, or worse, identity theft. Keep them within arm’s reach always.
Electronics and gadgets like laptops, tablets, and cameras should also be placed in your hand carry. Don’t forget they have delicate and often fragile components.
Medications such as prescription medicines, medical devices, and any other health-related items should also be kept in your hand luggage. Having immediate access to these in emergencies and ensuring your well-being is essential.
Check-in baggage: Once the red-and-white counters accept checked-in baggage, it is turned over to the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) for added security inspections. While these are essential, guests should remember that baggage may be opened and inspected by the OTS before being cleared to fly.
Prohibited items are commonly returned to the check-in counters, which may sometimes cause delays. To ensure a safe and hassle-free trip, the following items should not be in your check-in baggage: Corrosive substances such as flammable and hazardous materials, mechanical tools, explosives, and the like. Additionally, batteries and power banks are strictly prohibited from being stored inside check-in baggage and should be kept in your carry-on.
BANGKOK, 29 August 2023: Winners of the 2023 PATA Gold Awards have been announced by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
This year’s awards recognised the achievements of 23 separate organisations and individuals, including the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), Galaxy Entertainment Group, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Incheon Tourism Organization, Jeju Tourism Organization, Kerala Tourism, Korea Tourism Organization, MGM China, Nepal Tourism Board, Sabah Tourism Board, Sands China Limited, Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, SriLankan Airlines, SOTC Travel Ltd, Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Fiji, and TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd.
The 2023 PATA Gold Award Presentation hosted by MGTO will take place in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, 5 October, during PATA Travel Mart 2023.
Under the guidance of PATA headquarters, 22 independent judges worldwide selected the winners of the 21 Gold Awards and two Grand Title Winners.
The PATA Grand Title Winners were presented to outstanding entries in two principal categories: Marketing and Sustainability and Social Responsibility.
MGM China received the PATA Gold Award 2023 Grand Title in Marketing for its “Turning A Traditional Cultural Symbol Into A Marketing Catalyst” campaign. Ten years ago, MGM launched the Lion IP brand strategy with the first Lion Dance Championship, leveraging the lion dance – an internationally recognised Lingnan culture icon — and turning this local cultural symbol into a long-term brand engagement strategy.
The PATA Gold Award 2023 Grand Title in Sustainability and Social Responsibility was awarded to Waterbom Bali, Indonesia, for its innovative ‘Karmic Returns’ program. The renowned waterpark, located in Bali, Indonesia, is at the forefront of sustainability practices. Since becoming the first waterpark to achieve carbon neutrality in 2017, Waterbom has set ambitious goals to become the world’s leading sustainable waterpark, focusing on waste, water, and energy reduction.
Open to both PATA and non-PATA members, this year’s awards attracted a total of 108 entries from travel and tourism organisations and individuals from around the globe.
PATA Grand Title Winners 2023 Marketing Turning A Traditional Cultural Symbol Into A Marketing Catalyst MGM China, China Sustainability and Social Responsibility Karmic Returns Waterbom Bali, Indonesia PATA Gold Award Winners 2023 – Marketing Marketing Campaign (National – Asia) Through the lens of GenZ Hong Kong Tourism Board, Hong Kong SAR Marketing Campaign (National – Pacific) Where Happiness Comes Naturally Tourism Fiji, Fiji Marketing Campaign (State and city – Global) Pack Up for Kerala Kerala Tourism, India Marketing – Carrier Around the Island SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Marketing – Hospitality Melco Style x B. Duck @ Studio City Melco, Macao, China Marketing – Industry Kick-starting travel again & connecting diverse Indian travellers SOTC Travel Ltd, India Digital Marketing Campaign Incheon smart tourism project Incheon Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK) Printed Marketing Campaign Korea Unique Venue Promotion Project Korea Tourism Organization, Korea (ROK) Travel Video Catching Sabah Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia Travel Photograph A Valley in Bloom Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Destination Article Hiking in Australia’s Healing Lands Rachel Lees, Australia Business Article Fancy Feasts TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd, Singapore PATA Gold Award Winners 2023 – Sustainability & Social Responsibility Climate Change Initiative Galaxy Entertainment Group Environmental and Sustainability Practices Galaxy Entertainment Group, Macao, China Corporate and Social Responsibility Beacon of Sustainability Sivatel Bangkok Hotel, Thailand Community-Based Tourism Kareum Stay Community-Based Tourism Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration – DASTA, Thailand Heritage Rejuvenating and Appreciating MGM China, China Human Capital Development Initiative Sands Retail Academy – “Ticket To A Lifestyle Journey” Sands China Limited, Macao, China Tourism Destination Resilience (Asia Pacific) Alabao Bay Secret Land Reappearance Plan Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Chinese Taipei Tourism for All Leofoo Senior Travel Service Leofoo Tourism Group, Chinese Taipei Women Empowerment Initiative Sustainability and Social Responsibility Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal.
MANILA, 29 August 2023: The Philippines’ annual month-long September Online Sale will recruit around 80 hotels and resorts offering holiday deals at 19 destinations across the Philippines discounted by as much as 70%
The sale is hosted by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), from 1 to 30 September. First started in 2020, the event supported the hospitality industry during the Covid-19 pandemic and is now a firm favourite on the annual sales calendar.
Photo credit: HSMA (Hotel Sales and Marketing Association. International) https://hsma.org.ph/
Reporting on online sales, the Philippines News Agency reported sales reached PHP14.1 million after selling 1,752 vouchers of hotel rooms and food packages during 2020, but that doubled the following year to PHP29.6 million.
The HSMA said it targets to surpass last year’s sales, which generated PHP36.8 million worth of vouchers.
The offers are categorised under destinations and regions such as Metro Manila, Clark, Baguio, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan.
THIMPHU, Bhutan, 29 August 2023: In a statement forwarded to TTRW Monday, the Royal Government of Bhutan confirmed that “incentives and policy measures to boost its tourism sector” are being introduced, including a 50% reduction on its tourism levy, known as the daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
Bhutan’s government statement underscored the commitment to high-value, low-volume tourism while reducing the SDF to USD100 per person per night (down from USD 200 per person per night). The new, lower levy will be valid until September 2027.
“The change was made given the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment; earning foreign exchange; realising the potential for spillover benefits for ancillary industries; boosting overall economic growth; and funding important environmental, social and infrastructure projects,” the government statement explained.
New incentives and measures
1. A 50% reduction will be granted on the prevailing SDF of USD200 for US Dollar-paying guests visiting Bhutan. The effective SDF with the discount will be USD100 per person per night for US dollar-paying tourists.
2. A 50% reduction on the SDF will be granted on the rates applied to children aged between 6 and 12 years for US dollar-paying children visiting as tourists. The effective SDF with the discount for children will be USD50 per person per night for US dollar-paying tourists. Children who have not turned six can visit Bhutan without paying any SDF.
3. The 24-hour SDF waiver for tourists staying in the border towns remains valid.
The above incentives are effective from Friday, 1 September 2023 and shall remain effective for four years until 31 August 2027.
Any guests who have already paid the SDF for their upcoming visit to Bhutan are eligible for refunds on any excess SDF amounts paid.
Commenting on the incentives, Bhutan’s Department of Tourism director-general Dorji Dhradhul said: “While the global community continues to heal from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the conflict persisting in Europe, and the challenges related to the cost of living that are impacting important markets for us, we have listened to the voices of our valued guests, as well as our colleagues in the industry and our global travel partners.
“As a result, we have decided to temporarily lower our Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) to revitalise our tourism sector. We acknowledge the necessity of embracing change and occasionally refining our policies and strategies to match prevailing market conditions better. The lower SDF represents an excellent opportunity for more people to visit our beautiful kingdom in the future, which will benefit our people and the many projects that the SDF funds.”
Bhutan started welcoming foreign tourists in 1974, and guests to Bhutan have always been required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee as part of Bhutan’s ‘High Value, Low Volume’ tourism policy. Funds from the SDF go to the government exchequer and are invested in a range of projects designed to support Bhutan’s preservation and progress and ensure that Bhutan avoids becoming a mass tourism destination. The projects funded by the SDF include the provision of free healthcare and education for all Bhutanese, a range of sustainability and conservation projects, cultural preservation programmes, infrastructure upgrades and youth development programmes.
Since January 2023, Bhutan has welcomed 60,000 guests (including USD and INR paying tourists), which matches what was forecasted for 2023 arrivals. Bhutan’s main source markets are India, the US, the UK, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, France, Singapore, Vietnam and China. Bhutan’s tourism is expected to rebound to pre-pandemic levels in 2025.
Last June, Bhutan announced other incentives designed to help stimulate the tourism sector. These have now been revoked with the introduction of the new 50% incentive.
SINGAPORE, 28 August 2023: A Reuters report on Saturday confirmed Bhutan will slash its daily USD200 sustainable development fee in half to USD100 starting 1 September.
The government announced the change in response to requests from hotels and travel companies that said hiking the fee from USD65 to USD200 a year ago had almost crippled business.
Photo credit: Department of Tourism Bhutan
Under the new rule, children 5 to 11 years old will be charged USD50 daily.
Bhutan’s “Sustainable Development Fee” was supposed to offset the carbon generated by visitors, but it also helped cap visitor arrivals. However, travel industry sources raising the fee last September to USD200 was a step too far for a fragile travel industry fight to recover from the three-year Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Reuters, the USD100 per night comes into effect in September and should remain in place for four years, according to a government statement last Friday.
Bhutan opened to tourists in 1974 when it received 300 visitors. The number soared to 315,600 in 2019, up 15.1% from a year earlier, official data showed.
Bhutan’s director general of the Department of Tourism, Dorji Dhradhul told Reuters that halving the fee would boost arrivals in the September-December peak tourist period.
Dhradhul noted: “More than 56,000 tourists have visited Bhutan since January, but about 42,000 were Indian nationals, who only have to pay a fee of 1,200 Indian rupees (YSD14.5) daily.”
BANGKOK, 28 August 2023: Airports in the Asia Pacific are grappling with a surge in passengers in the post-Covid era while striving to enhance operational efficiency and passenger processing technology to meet the demand for a seamless travel experience in the next decade.
SITA president Asia Pacific Sumesh Patel highlighted the challenges during an interview with TTRW last week, noting the aviation industry’s recovery was outpacing earlier predictions that claimed full pre-pandemic levels would not return until 2024 or 2025. As of last month, global passenger numbers have already reached an impressive 92% of pre-Covid levels, thanks to the rapid resurgence of air travel.
Passenger traffic rebounds
“Asia Pacific, particularly in China and India, the rebound has been most striking, with domestic passenger numbers surpassing those of 2019. Although the recovery has been slower compared to Europe and the Americas because the governments were not fully open, he believes that Asia Pacific is going to lead the way forward for years ahead, not only in terms of passenger growth but also in terms of the number of aircraft and the number of new airports being built,” said Sumesh.
According to the SITA survey, on average, passengers expect to take 4.7 flights this year compared to 4.2 flights in 2019, while those planning more than 10 flights in 2023 have increased from 6% of passengers in 2019 to 10% this year.
Airports harness the latest technology
With rising air travel in Asia Pacific, Sumesh sees the business performance at major hubs remaining robust. Although smaller hubs may emerge, the gateway hubs will continue to be vital in delivering connectivity and services. Meanwhile, with current major hubs facing challenges from capacity constraints, there is a growing effort to harness technology to enhance passenger processing and operational efficiency. Technologies that enhance the passenger experience include biometrics and automation, self-service, and digital travel enhancements. This encompasses cloud computing, business intelligence, artificial intelligence, and data analytics for operations.
“We observed that 96% of the airlines and 93% of airports expect their IT spending to stay the same or increase in 2023 compared to the previous year.
“Globally, we see the same trend; investments are rising. However, the challenge in the Asia Pacific will be much larger as it will involve substantial expansion. Asia is set to lead global growth in passenger numbers, aircraft acquisitions, and new airport builds.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate that Asia will be more open and eager to embrace new technology. This is because they face a positive challenge: rapid growth. The growth is expected to be so fast that they will have no choice but to deploy more technology to manage it effectively.”
Over the next decade, Sumesh highlighted critical trends poised to reshape the travel industry, compelling airports and airlines to adapt to evolving demands.
Digital travel experience
“Looking ahead, there’s a notable shift, especially among Gen Z and millennial travellers. They prefer a highly digital travel experience, doing tasks like biometric registration before arriving at the airport, skipping documents, and giving them more control.
“In contrast, senior travellers now travel 10% more than before Covid and have different needs. With their growing numbers and increased spending, we need solutions tailored for them, including better wheelchair services, improved airport signage, and easier access to amenities like restaurants and shops.”
Urban Air Mobility
Sumesh also sees the need for seamless multimodal travel, where unified processing and verification points create a fluid end-to-end journey across land, sea, and air. The challenge is to offer comprehensive intermodal door-to-door services, making connected travel a reality by combining air and rail, air and cruise or even air and hotels. He also anticipates Urban Air Mobility (UAM) becoming more widely available, with major airports easing road transport congestion to and from the airport and enabling a faster alternative for passengers.
In the long term, achieving a net zero target is another area where technology will play a role. SITA is focusing on working with airlines and airports to meet their goal by 2025. Technologies like AI can empower them with the details and data needed to make more sustainable choices and reduce their carbon footprint.
SITA recently held the Asia Pacific Air Transport IT Summit on 22-23 August in Bangkok, joined by 160 senior leaders within the aviation industry.
“We have a longstanding 75-year partnership with airlines and airports. This event isn’t just about showcasing SITA’s technology and community collaboration. We focus on learning from each other, understanding future challenges, and sharing our technology investments and plans with our stakeholders,” Sumesh concluded.
DUBAI, UAE, 28 August 2023: Emirates is launching a special collection of 100 films to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros. Studios, marking a history signposted by some of the world’s most beloved films. The capsule collection of classic films and documentaries will be available on the award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice, on Emirates flights from 1 September 2023.
Emirates is the first airline to bring Warner Bros centennial celebration to the skies with this unique collection of entertainment on ice. Alongside 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment, 45 Academy Award® winning films, over 2,000 movies, 650 TV shows, and 4,000 hours of music, podcasts, and audiobooks across 40 languages, the newly launched Warner Bros. 100 films collection will feature milestone movies from the earliest classics like Casablanca and The Wizard of Oz, right through to recent blockbusters such as Dune and Elvis.
The collection will also include four Max Original documentary specials chronicling the history of the movie studio. Exploring the impact of Warner Bros. on art, commerce and culture, 100 YEARS OF WARNER BROS tells the unprecedented story of the fabled entertainment studio on its 100th anniversary. Featuring insights and first-person stories from directors, actors, executives, journalists and historians, the four specials trace Warner Bros.’ underdog origins – from its founding in the early 1920s by four brothers from an immigrant family through decades of creative risks and impactful storytelling, to the historic mergers of the 2000s that transformed the company into a global entertainment powerhouse. With narration by Morgan Freeman and clips from iconic films and hit TV series, 100 YEARS OF WARNER BROS. offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look into the indelible stories that have spoken to audiences around the world for generations. The documentaries feature interviews with over 60 legendary filmmakers, actors and executives, including Martin Scorsese, Oprah Winfrey, Clint Eastwood, Tim Burton, George Clooney, Ellen DeGeneres, Daniel Radcliffe, Keanu Reeves, Oliver Stone and Robert De Niro.
Warner Bros 100 Year Collection onboard Emirates – full list
Earliest endeavours: In the 1930’s, some of the earliest classics have been remastered and are available to enjoy – 42nd Street (1933), The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Gone with the Wind (1939).
Forties and Fifties Favourites: The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942), National Velvet (1944), Gaslight (1944), Key Largo (1948), The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), Strangers on a Train (1951), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), The Band Wagon (1953), Rebel Without a Cause (1955), Giant (1956), The Searchers (1956), A Face in the Crowd (1957), Ben-Hur (1959), Rio Bravo (1959).
Sixties and Seventies Smash Hits: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), Doctor Zhivago (1965), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966), The Dirty Dozen (1967), Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Cool Hand Luke (1967), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), Bullitt (1968), Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), Mean Streets (1973), Blazing Saddles (1974), Dog Day Afternoon (1975), All the President’s Men (1976), Superman (1978), Being There (1979).
Eighties and Nineties Nostalgia: Gremlins (1984), The Color Purple (1985), The Goonies (1986), Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Full Metal Jacket (1987), Empire of the Sun (1987), Lethal Weapon (1987), Beetlejuice (1988), Bird (1988), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Batman (1989), Goodfellas (1990), The Bodyguard (1992), Unforgiven (1992), Free Willy (1993), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Mask (1994), Before Sunrise (1995), Before Sunset (2004), Dumb and Dumber (1994), Space Jam (1996), The Green Mile (1999), The Iron Giant (1999), The Matrix (1999).
Noughties Movie Magic: Best in Show (2000), The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), The Matrix Resurrections (2021), Ocean’s Eleven (2001), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002), The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003), Mystic River (2003), The Notebook (2004), Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005), Batman Begins (2005), The Dark Knight (2008), The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Hairspray (2007), Invictus (2009), Inception (2010), Gravity (2013), The Conjuring (2013), Man of Steel (2013), The Lego Movie (2014), Interstellar (2014), Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), It (2017), It Chapter Two (2019), Dunkirk (2017), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), Crazy Rich Asians (2018), A Star Is Born (2018), They Shall Not Grow Old (2018), Aquaman (2018), Shazam! (2019), Joker (2019), Dune (2021), Judas and the Black Messiah (2022), The Batman (2022), Elvis (2022), The Flash (2023). For flight information and to book a fare, visit www.emirates.com
BANGKOK, 28 August 2023: The new Staybridge Suites properties in Bangkok’s Thonglor and Sukhumvit 24 areas have launched ‘book early and save’ campaigns for stays up to 31 October 2023
Staybridge Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit released an ‘Early Bird Escape’ offer starting at THB2,912++ per night. The rate includes breakfast for two, free drinks and snacks at The Social Hour, access to sauna, fitness centre, pool and Japanese onsen. There is a free shuttle to and from the BTS Phrom Phong Skytrain station. Bookings earn IHG One Rewards nights and points. The Early Bird Escape is bookable until 23 October for travel until 31 October 2023. Booking and information.
Located in Sukhumvit 24, the property is ideally located for quick access to Phrom Phong BTS Station, the Emquartier and Emporium malls, Samitivej Hospital and many overseas embassies, plus varied dining and nightlife options.
Staybridge Suites Bangkok Thonglor also introduced the ‘Book Early, Save More’ promotion. At only THB2,645++ per night, the rate includes breakfast for two, complimentary drinks and snacks at The Social Hour, free access to Japanese onsen, sauna, fitness centre and pool, shuttle service to the BTS Thonglor Skytrain station and eligibility for IHG One Rewards nights and points. The promotion can be booked until 23 October for travel until 31 October 2023. Booking and information.
SINGAPORE, 28 August 2023: Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo will resume daily flights on the Delhi – Hong Kong route starting 5 October, offering a daily service using an A321 neo aircraft.
The daily flight 6E1707 will depart Delhi at 0520 and arrive in Hong Kong at 1300 The return flight 6E1708 will depart Hong Kong at 1555 and arrive in Delhi at 1950.
Photo credit: Indigo
Indigo Airlines head of global sales Vinay Malhotra announced the new Hong Kong service at the same time as confirming daily direct flights between Varanasi – Khajuraho in addition to introducing one-stop connectivity between Delhi-Khajuraho via Varanasi.
Commencing operations from 10 October 2023, the routes will significantly bolster connectivity and accessibility and further strengthen IndiGo’s vision of connecting people with places by providing them with seamless travel experiences, he explained.
BANGKOK, 28 August 2023: Sky Angkor Airlines, Cambodia‘s low-cost airline, resumed twice-daily flights from Phnom Penh to Bangkok DMK on 25 August after a four-month pause.
Flying an A320, the airline is serving the Phnom Penh to Bangkok Don Mueang route with twice daily flights in addition to its three daily services from the Cambodian capital to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK).
The early morning flight ZA670 departs Phnom Penh at 0705 and arrives in Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport at 0820. The other daily flight departs Phnom Penh in the evening at 1845 and arrives in DMK at 2000.
Sky Angkor Airlines hired Thai Airports Ground Services Ltd for ground handling services at Don Mueang International Airport.
