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New association replaces AFTA

SYDNEY, 17 August 2023: The Australian travel industry has a new peak industry body representing travel agents and advisors, tour operators, consolidators and wholesalers, replacing the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) that was established in 1957.

The biggest reform ever for Australia’s travel sector was unveiled as the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) was officially launched earlier this week.

ATIA has been created to accurately reflect the existing membership of travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.

ATIA has been developed after two years of extensive review of members of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) and a significant review and public consultation of the peak body’s constitution and operations.

Reforms announced so far include a new fairer and more balanced voting structure and new objectives for the association, which reaffirm commitment to all participants and principles of the Australian Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS).

An independent ATAS Advisory Committee will be established to represent the full ATIA membership base to provide independent governance.

Members are at the heart of ATIA, and as part of the two-year review process, three specific membership segments expressed their wish to have dedicated engagement platforms to network and provide advice on advocacy activities.

In response, ATIA will establish an initial three caucuses to create formal consultation processes in addition to existing channels. The caucus structure has been chosen as a platform because it does not have a formal hierarchy. It will allow the members of each caucus to collaborate, network, and define advocacy objectives within their specific areas.

The three caucuses are:
Independent Travel Agents,
Independent Contractors (Home-based) and
Tour Operators / Wholesalers.

An ATIA Individual Membership option will now be available for AUD10 a month, which will provide access to several ATIA advantages (while not having voting rights which sit with ATAS businesses). This will include access to a new online platform, Travel Exchange, with various resources.

ATIA chair Tom Manwaring commented: “ATIA represents a combined powerhouse of travel agents, tour operators, consolidators and wholesalers.

“In reviewing where we were, it became fundamentally apparent that our name no longer was fit for purpose. Of our 1200 members, including travel agents, corporate agents, and OTAs, we also have 200 tour operators, wholesalers, and ITOs. Of our 1000 travel agency members, only 14 were marketing or promoting their businesses as travel agents or agencies.

“The world of Travel has transformed since AFTA was created in 1957, and to reflect better who we are and what we do, we have created ATIA. One voice, one future.”

“We must ensure that travellers and government recognize the full reality of Australia’s vibrant Travel eco-system and that when you choose an ATAS travel business, you are choosing the highest quality of service and professionalism.”

“It’s not been an easy process to get here. It’s taken two long years and countless honest discussions. We’ve sought and listened to feedback from existing members, potential members, and others in and across the Travel Industry and the business sector more widely.”

Vietnam opens up its e-visa

HANOI, 17 August 2023: Vietnam has relaxed its e-visa requirements opening the service to citizens of all countries and territories effective 15 August 2023, with the stay extended from 30 to 90 days. 

According to a news bulletin from the Tourism Information Technology Centre, posted on the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism website, the Vietnam government approved a resolution dated 14 August 2023 that opens the electronic visa (e-visa) process to all nationalities and extends the stay to 90 days while also allowing multiple entries during the 90-day stay. In the past, it was valid for just 30 days and only for a single entry.

Photo credit: VNAT. Vietnam’s e-visa welcome extends to all nationalities for 90 days and multiple visits within stay dates.

Offering multiple entries ensures the 90-day e-visa fits the bill for tour operators who organise tours that visit neighbouring countries using Vietnam as a base. Travellers frequently re-enter Vietnam when exploring neighbouring countries from Vietnam’s gateway cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang. In the past, the e-visa allowed just a single entry.

Lua Viet Travel, based in Ho Chi Minh City, commented in a statement to TTR Weekly: “This will create a breakthrough for tourism development in increasing the opportunity for foreign visitors to enjoy their time in Vietnam on a more personal schedule than ever before.”

Recognising the importance of the liberal changes to the e-visa setup, the travel firm added: “The e-visa was only valid for 30 days and was only valid for entry and exit to Vietnam once. It caused inconvenience in some cases when foreigners needed to visit Vietnam for business or leisure and then needed to make frequent trips to other countries. 

“With this new regulation, it is more convenient for foreigners who regularly work and have long-term holiday plans in Vietnam. It greatly reduces the cost and time of procedures for international tourists and Vietnam’s immigration authorities.”

The new regulation took immediate effect on 15 August  2023.

(Source: Lua Viei Travel Co Ltd https://www.luavietours.com
Or visit https://luavietours-eng.com/ for the English version)

Below are the ports of entry that allow foreigners to enter and exit Viet Nam with e-visas:

Airports

1- Noi Bai Airport (Ha Noi capital);

2- Tan Son Nhat Airport (in Ho Chi Minh City);

3- Cam Ranh Airport (in the central province of Khanh Hoa);

4- Da Nang Airport (in the central city of Da Nang);

5- Cat Bi Airport (in the northern port city of Hai Phong);

6- Can Tho Airport (in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho);

7- Phu Quoc Airport (in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang);

8- Phu Bai Airport (in the central province of Thua Thien Hue)

9- Van Don Airport (in the northern province of Quang Ninh);

10- Tho Xuan Airport (in Thanh Hoa province);

11- Dong Hoi Airport (in the central province of Quang Binh).

12 – Phu Cat Airport (in the central province of Binh Dinh);

13 – Lien Khuong Airport (in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong).

Land border checkpoints

1- Tay Trang International Border Gate in Dien Bien province;

2- Mong Cai International Border Gate in Quang Ninh province;

3- Huu Nghi International Border Gate in Lang Son province;

4- Lao Cai International Border Gate in Lao Cai province;

5- Na Meo International Border Gate in Thanh Hoa province;

6- Nam Can International Border Gate in Nghe An province;

7- Cau Treo International Border Gate in Ha Tinh province;

8- Cha Lo International Border Gate in Quang Binh province;

9- La Lay International Border Gate in Quang Tri province;

10- Lao Bao International Border Gate in Quang Tri province;

11- Bo Y International Border Gate in Kon Tum province;

12- Moc Bai International Border Gate in Tay Ninh province;

13- Xa Mat International Border Gate in Tay Ninh province;

14- Tinh Bien International Border Gate in An Giang province;

15- Vinh Xuong International Land and Waterway Border Gate in An Giang province;

16- Ha Tien International Border Gate in Kien Giang province.

Seaports

1- Hon Gai Seaport in Quang Ninh province;

2- Cam Pha Seaport in Quang Ninh province;

3- Hai Phong Seaport in Hai Phong City;

4- Nghi Son Seaport in Thanh Hoa province;

5- Vung Ang Seaport in Ha Tinh province;

6- Chan May Seaport in Thua Thien Hue province;

7- Da Nang Seaport in Da Nang City;

8- Nha Trang Seaport in Khanh Hoa province;

9- Quy Nhon Seaport in  Binh Dinh province;

10- Dung Quat Seaport in Quang Ngai province;

11- Vung Tau Seaport in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province;

12- Ho Chi Minh City Seaport in Ho Chi Minh City;

13- Duong Dong Seaport in Kien Giang province.

(Source: VGP)

Seabourn Pursuit sets sail on maiden voyage

Seabourn Pursuit Exterior

SINGAPORE, 16 August 2023: Seabourn Pursuit, the second expedition ship bearing the Seabourn flag, embarked on its first voyage and welcomed its first guests on board on Saturday, 12 August 2023. 

The ship started its maiden year with an eight-day voyage from Valletta, Malta, to Rome. Seabourn Pursuit is the second of two new expedition vessels built for Seabourn during the past two years. 

Seabourn Pursuit Exterior.

“For 10 years, we have offered expedition experiences, and now we have two purpose-built, ultra-luxury, state-of-the-art expedition ships: Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit,” said Seabourn president. Natalya Leahy.

Seabourn Pursuit offers the same luxurious “yacht-like” small ship experience enhanced by world-class equipment. It allows the line to offer its most comprehensive range of expedition activities led by an expert 24-person expedition team of scientists, scholars and naturalists. 

The ship is designed and built for remote, diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards and includes modern hardware and technology that extends the ship’s global deployment and capabilities. 

Seabourn Pursuit will sail five voyages in the Mediterranean and two across the Atlantic and the Caribbean between August and October. 

On 10 October 2023, the ship will arrive in Barbados to begin its expedition journeys, taking guests to remote corners of the globe. Seabourn Pursuit will head south to explore coastal South America, the Amazon, and Antarctica into late March 2024.

Following its inaugural Antarctic season, the ship will head across the islands of the South Pacific and eventually to Australia, which will be the start of the line’s first exploration of the Kimberley region in the Northern Territory and Western Australia between June and August 2024. In addition to the Kimberley, Seabourn Pursuit will visit Papua New Guinea, West Papua, and Indonesia and sail across the South Pacific between Chile and Melanesia between March and October 2024.

Andalusia for Muslim Travellers

SINGAPORE 16 August 2023: Spain launches a new one-stop travel guide for Muslim Travellers planning to explore its southern region, Andalusia, making it easier to find references on what to see, what to visit, where to stay, as well recommendations of Muslim-friendly restaurants.

The initiative is a part of Spain’s goal to reinforce awareness of its efforts to expand services that attends to the needs of Muslim travellers in the country.

“We are very excited about the Guide,” said Spain’s Tourism Counsellor in Singapore, Monica Sanchez. “We believe it is a promotional tool we have been missing, especially given Andalusia’s rich Islamic history and heritage. Andalusia is a popular destination for Muslim travellers, but its halal offer is still largely unknown in South East Asia.

The guide provides a valuable resource to raise awareness of all the practical elements that make a destination like Andalusia more appealing to visitors who seek halal travel experiences.

Our strategy goes beyond simply offering Muslim travellers halal food and places of worship. We recognise and have considered their cultural practices, traditions and sensitivities.

The guide’s content has been produced by Let’s Go Halal, a Spanish Muslim company specialising in Halal Tourism and manager of the online platform www.letsgohalal.com.

The guide is accompanied by a promotional campaign that includes publications on Southeast Asian platforms in English and Bahasa Indonesia, social media postings and six videos that will be gradually released on Spain Tourism Board’s official YouTube channel.

Andalusia, for Muslim Travellers, features an extensive list of places with halal options in Andalucía, which besides its food, is also known for its mosques and rich Islamic heritage. This is a land of culture, history, fiestas, natural landscapes and outstanding monuments such as the beautifully preserved Moorish architecture, the Alhambra Palace.

Discover the splendour of Al-Andalus and take inspiration from Andalusia’s unparalleled Islamic heritage and beauty. Bookmark this new Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide now!

(Source: Spain Tourism Board – Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand)

Langkawi presents Eco-Geo credentials

LANGKAWI, Malaysia, 16 August 2023: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) continues strengthening ties with Singapore’s tourism agencies, the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), through the Tourism Malaysia Singapore office. 

Earlier this month, the latest round of meetings focused on building strategic cooperation involving LADA planning a ‘Tourism Business Meet at Langkawi 2024’ specially for Singapore’s tourism agencies under the NATAS umbrella.

Photo credit: LADA. Planning an Eco-Geo promotion in Singapore.

The initiative will strengthen tourism relations and boost tourism to Langakawi from ASEAN countries, promoting Langkawi as a popular Eco-Geo destination in Asia. The initial efforts will establish the island’s credentials as an Eco-Geo destination in the Singapore outbound travel market through promotions and partnerships with NATAS members supported by Tourism Malaysia’s Singapore office.
Visit https://www.lada.gov.my/en/

(Source: LADA)

Carnival names Jubilee’s team leaders

SINGAPORE, 16 August 2023: Carnival Cruise Line has named the senior officers who will take the helm of its newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, due to sail this December.. 

The ship is being built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany and will operate its first cruise from its homeport of Galveston, Texas. on 23 December 2023. 

Carnival has appointed Captain Andrea Catalani, Chief Engineer Vittorino Perasole and Hotel Director Pierre Camilleri as the ship’s senior officers. They will lead a crew of 1,700 who will sail on Carnival Jubilee.

Carnival Jubilee joins sister ships Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras as the third ship in the fleet powered by a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion system. 

The ship will also debut ocean-themed experiences in two entertainment zones named Currents and The Shores while featuring other features already popular on board her sister ships. They include BOLT, the Ultimate Sea Coaster, and a transformational three-deck atrium that offers expansive views during the day. It doubles as an entertainment venue at night with movable LED screens and theatrical lighting.

Sabre Travel AI boosts lodging options

SINGAPORE, 16 August 2023: Sabre Corporation, a software and technology provider for the global travel industry, confirms the availability of Lodging AI, marking the introduction of its Sabre Travel AI capabilities in the lodging sector.

Lodging AI can help travel agencies improve hotel attachment rates, creating additional revenue opportunities and providing travellers with more personalised lodging options. Using Sabre Travel AI machine learning models, the new lodging capability analyses property attributes, customer trip segmentation, and traveller and agency preferences to generate custom lodging options and serve up properties most likely to be booked. The first two micro-services of Lodging AI are now available.

Alternate properties: During the shopping phase, if a specifically requested property is not available, this micro-service of Lodging AI facilitates lodging bookings by presenting up to 20 relevant options with similar characteristics.​
Cross-sell: This micro-service identifies appropriate air bookings or itineraries without lodging attached and presents suitable lodging options to complete the trip.

Available via Content Services for Lodging APIs and Sabre Red 360, Lodging AI will help Sabre customers increase traveller value by offering relevant lodging options to accompany the air travel booking and help drive profitability. Part of a 10-year strategic partnership with Google. Sabre Travel AI leverages Google’s state-of-the-art AI technology and advanced machine-learning capabilities.

TG back flying the route to Phnom Penh

BANGKOK, 16 August 2023: Thai Airways International deployed its new Airbus A320 aircraft to resume twice-daily flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.

The twice-daily flights started on 15 August and take over from the low-cost THAI Smile Airways, which is relinquishing all of its regional routes to its parent airline. Ultimately Thai Smile will merge with the parent airline as a cost-saving measure, possibly in 2024, but it may still serve some domestic flights.

Thai Airways International will serve the Bangkok – Phnom Penh route, scheduling 14 weekly flights (twice daily).

Bangkok – Phnom Penh
TG586 departs from Bangkok at 0735 and arrives in Phnom Penh at 0850 (local time).
TG584 departs from Bangkok at 1835 and arrives in Phnom Penh at 19:55 (local time).

Phnom Penh – Bangkok
TG587 departs from Phnom Penh at 0940 (local time) and arrives in Bangkok at 1100.
TG585 departs from Phnom Penh at 2115 (local time) and arrives in Bangkok at 2230.

MATTA Travel Fair to tackle traffic jams

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 August 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is working with Kuala Lumpur Traffic Police to improve traffic management during the 1 to 2 September edition of the MATTA Travel Fair hosted at MITEC.

The move follows social media complaints that traffic jams were a major drawback during the MATTA Fair hosted in March at MITEC earlier this year. The national travel show is held every March and September and is recognised as the country’s largest consumer travel fair.

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for visitors and exhibitors, MATTA will implement various measures to improve traffic flow during the MATTA Fair from 1 to 3 September hosted at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur’s premier exhibition venue.

The organisers said the MATTA Fair experienced an overwhelming response during the March show, and its popularity caused massive traffic congestion around the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) venue.

“The upcoming MATTA Fair September 2023 holds immense promise, and our strategic partnership with the traffic police underscores our commitment to deliver an exceptional experience to all visitors. Combined with the free and frequent shuttle services from key pick-up points in the city, we are confident that visitors and exhibitors will find it easier to make their way to the fair,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong.

MITEC CEO Mala Dorasamy said: “MITEC takes great pleasure in welcoming back the 2nd edition of MATTA Fair in September 2023. Positioned within KL Metropolis, it strategically demonstrates a development blueprint of urban growth with commercial dynamism. Given the event’s track record of past achievements, it is vital to optimise business growth and environmental responsibility”.

She also mentioned promoting eco-friendly practices, such as encouraging visitors to opt for Rapid KL, carpooling, and using the event’s free shuttle services. These efforts reduce carbon footprint while enhancing affordability, accessibility, and sustainability in transportation options.

MATTA has joined forces with the authorities to introduce a series of traffic management strategies for the upcoming MATTA Fair.

New Traffic Flow Direction 
Traffic flow direction will be implemented around the MITEC area to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the visitor experience by streamlining vehicle entry and exit.

Comprehensive Traffic Monitoring 
Traffic Police officers will be strategically stationed at each traffic light within the MITEC vicinity and at key intersections to closely monitor traffic movement. This heightened vigilance will enable rapid response and intervention in any traffic build-up, contributing to uninterrupted traffic flow.

Priority for Free Shuttle Bus
MATTA acknowledges the significance of group transportation, particularly for buyers attending the fair. Traffic Police officers will prioritise free shuttle transportation, facilitating expedited access for groups and helping to ease traffic pressure.

Free Shuttle
Visitors are strongly advised to use the free shuttle service to transfer to MITEC available at Sunway Putra Mall and KL Sentral from 0800 to 2200 to minimise traffic congestion at the fair.

The fair is open from 1000 to 2100 on all three days, and admission is free.

Asia Aviation reports recovery trend

BANGKOK, 16 August 2023: Asia Aviation PLC (AAV), the sole shareholder of Thai AirAsia Co Ltd, reports Q2 2023 revenue reached THB10,398.5 million, up 275% year-on-year and 6% on the previous quarter. 

Gross profit for the quarter was THB998.2 million, up 143% YoY. However, a net loss of THB1,012.5 million was recorded due to unrealised foreign exchange loss stemming from the baht depreciation. 

The significantly improved performance is attributed to a robust recovery of the tourism industry, bolstered by the reopening of the China market in the first quarter. 

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) increased to THB1,817.2 million. Still, due to the depreciating baht at the end of Q2, the company saw an unrealised foreign exchange loss and reported a net loss of (THB1,012.5 million) for the quarter under review.

For the first half of 2023, AAV achieved revenue of THB19,641.1 million, up 324% from the same period last year. Ancillary services accounted for 19% of revenue from sales and services. 

While the company reported a net loss of THB653.1 million due to unrealised foreign exchange losses, the net loss improved from THB7,278.5 million during the same period last year. Seat Capacity has returned to 77% from the pre-pandemic levels, with the airline carrying 9.22 million passengers. The airline maintains its target of 20 million passengers carried for the year.

During the latter half of the year, the company intends to close the gap with the pre-pandemic capacity of 38 weekly flights to China. New services will be added to Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Kathmandu (Nepal), and Ahmedabad (India).