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SITA supports airports to cut carbon footprint

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 August 2023: Air transport industry IT provider SITA and Envision Digital, a Singapore-headquartered global net zero partner and Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) technology leader, have signed a new partnership to help airports reduce operational costs and support their net zero ambitions.

The companies have developed solutions allowing real-time data IoT flows, enabling airports to monitor and report their energy usage, emissions from aircraft and other vehicles, and carbon footprint. Airports can use insights from these data feeds to take action to reduce consumption costs and resulting emissions.

Photo credit: SITA.

These solutions allow airports to harness and orchestrate renewable energy sources in the future.

SITA at Airports head Drew Griffiths said: “Today, SITA works with nearly 1,000 airports globally to manage every aspect of their operations, from baggage and passenger processing to airside and aircraft operations. Supporting airports to reduce costs and cut their greenhouse gas emissions is a natural extension of this offering and one our customers have asked for. We look forward to working with Envision in delivering this new capability as part of our wider airport offering.” 

As part of the partnership, SITA will create a new Centre of Excellence to accelerate product development and customer project delivery. The partnership harnesses Envision Digital’s strengths in energy management and smart building solutions with SITA’s strengths in air transport technology and operations to support airports and make their operation more efficient and sustainable.

Envision Digital global executive director Michael Ding said: “Airports have been progressive in their ambition to reach net zero. This partnership combines our AIoT leadership with SITA’s expertise in the air transport industry to create low-carbon aviation solutions that help the industry to reach its goal.”

About SITA

SITA is the air transport industry’s IT provider, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments. With around 2,500 customers, SITA’s solutions drive operational efficiencies at more than 1,000 airports while delivering the promise of connected aircraft to customers of 17,000 aircraft globally.

Princess opens sales for 2025 Alaska cruises

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 2 August 2023: Princess Cruises has unveiled its 2025 Alaska cruise and cruise tours season, featuring three roundtrip itineraries and a new National Parks Cruisetour. Sales and bookings open on 3 August 2023.

New for 2025 is a 22-day roundtrip voyage sailing from San Francisco on Ruby Princess that coincides with the Summer Solstice and a 17-day roundtrip cruise from Seattle on Grand Princess featuring three days of scenic glacier viewing.

For guests seeking to sail from Southern California, a new 16-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyage from Los Angeles on Grand Princess is an option.

Following its debut in 2024, the National Parks Cruisetour returns in 2025 with a 15-night adventure to five of Alaska’s parks.

In 2025, seven Princess ships will sail to Alaska, including Caribbean Princess for the first time. In addition, the number of Princess homeports offering Alaska voyages expands to five with the addition of Los Angeles, with the season featuring 21 cruise destinations and four glacier-viewing experiences, highlighted by 88 visits to Glacier Bay National Park, taking more guests to this spectacular national park than any other cruise line.

Princess offers 155 departures on 18 itineraries ranging from four to 22 days.

2024 Laguna Phuket Marathon opens sponsorships

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 2 August 2023: The popular Laguna Phuket Marathon returns to Phuket for its 18th edition from 8 to 9 June 2024.

According to Paul Poole (Southeast Asia) Co Ltd, in its latest newsletter, the race is popular with professional roadrunners and amateurs alike. The event involves various race distances, including a 2-kilometre Kids Run, a 5-kilometre run, a 10-kilometre run, a Marathon Relay, a Half Marathon and a Marathon.

“Held over two days at the beginning of June, the Laguna Phuket Marathon is a very social race with a host of events lined up for participants and spectators, the newsletter explains. The night before the race, participants are invited to join the Pasta Party, allowing them to fuel their bodies with carbohydrates and socialise with fellow participants. There is also an expo showcasing the latest in running gadgets, apparel, supplements and more.”

At the core of the Laguna Phuket Marathon is the Laguna Phuket Foundation, a charitable foundation supporting projects in Phuket, including the Developing Sustainable Schools Programme, which consists of the School Partnership Project, Survival Swim with Laguna Phuket, and Laguna Phuket’s “Fully Booked!” Mobile Learning Centre.

Sponsorship experts Paul Poole (Southeast Asia) Co Ltd will manage sponsorship and partnership marketing for Laguna Phuket Marathon 2024.

“We have commercial sponsorship and partnership opportunities for brands and businesses wanting to integrate with this high-profile sporting event”, the company explained in its latest newsletter.

Paul Poole (Southeast Asia) Co Ltd. is an independent marketing consultancy based in Bangkok, Thailand, specialising in commercial sponsorship and partnership marketing, working with rights holders and brands.

This article was first published in Paul Poole (Southeast Asia) Co Ltd’s August 2023 newsletter on Linkedin.

For more information, contact [email protected].

OUTRIGGER wraps up resort purchase

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 2 August 2023: OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels has finalised its acquisition of the iconic Kā’anapali Beach Hotel, situated on the world-famous Kā’anapali Beach – recently ranked as the No 1 beach in the US and No 10 Beach in the World by TripAdvisor.

The 11-acre (4.5ha), the 432-room property will now sail under the banner of OUTRIGGER Kā’anapali Beach Resort, allowing travellers to experience the soulful essence of authentic Hawaiian culture fused with OUTRIGGER Signature Experiences.

The completed purchase on 26 July further anchors OUTRIGGER in its mission to be “The Premier Beach Resort Company in the World” and heralds a new chapter in its global voyage of delivering barefoot luxury with unparalleled hospitality across Hawaii, Fiji, Mauritius, Thailand and the Maldives.

“As a Hawaii-based company for 75 years, we have cultivated a profound appreciation for this enchanting place and its people,” said Jeff Wagoner, president and CEO of OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group. “We understand the responsibility of being exceptional stewards of this treasured land and embrace the opportunity to continue the tradition of excellence at this extraordinary property. The Kā‘anapali Resort area is undeniably a sought-after destination, captivating travellers from across the globe with its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. We are committed to elevating this experience to new heights while being a collaborative community partner.”

One of the cornerstones of every OUTRIGGER resort is a must-visit beach bar. Maui Brewing Co., a beloved local brand with a deep island heritage, will be the primary restaurant at OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort. Set to open later this summer, the beachfront space will further enhance the allure of the resort, offering a family-friendly dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as live music.

In addition to premium culinary offerings, OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort will also remain true to The OUTRIGGER Way by continuing to provide enriching cultural activities for all guests, as well as sustainability measures to protect and preserve the shores of Kā‘anapali Beach through the company’s global OUTRIGGER Zone initiative. This includes offering complimentary reef-safe sunscreen from its partner Raw Elements and metal water bottles and reusable bags at check-in for guests to practice sustainability. For more details and bookings for  OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort, vist: www.outrigger.com.

Dnata expands travel options in Spain

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 2 August 2023: Dnata Travel has partnered with TURESPAÑA, the official tourism authority of Spain, to deliver travel products and services in Spain for residents of GCC countries.

TURESPAÑA revealed that the number of tourists from the GCC market increased by 15% yearly, a trend that continued in the first quarter of 2023. 

Dnata Travel head of retail and leisure UAE Meerah Ketait commented: “We have seen a significant increase in bookings to Spain by GCC travellers across and beyond the UAE. The Balearic Islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are trending, offering travellers world-class resorts alongside beautiful beaches. The Canary Islands have also become increasingly popular, providing ideal destinations for nature lovers with hiking trails that wind through ancient forests and volcanic landscapes. The north of Spain, also known as ‘Green Spain’ where incredible nature meets unforgettable gastronomy, is also gaining traction and curiosity from this region.”

TURESPAÑA director Daniel Rosado added: “The UAE has always been one of the top tourism markets for Spain, and we expect 2023 to be the best year ever for tourism from across the GCC. Air connectivity has significantly increased recently while our countries have fostered cultural exchanges and collaborations. These initiatives include art exhibitions, music festivals, and educational programs, which help promote tourism and mutual understanding.”

TURESPAÑA and dnata Travel’s recommended itinerary for one week in Spain this summer for GCC travellers, ‘Exploring Andalucía’, is detailed as follows:

Days 1-2: Marbella

A luxurious lifestyle city popular with GCC travellers, Marbella is a great starting point. Visit the Puerto Banus marina, lined by luxury yachts, haute cuisine restaurants, and exclusive designer boutiques.

Day 3: Ronda

Visit the traditional Andalusian town of Ronda, surrounded by mountains and featuring an iconic bridge for a picturesque and dramatic backdrop.

Day 4: Beach tour

Head out to the famous beach resorts of Benalmadena, Torremolinos, and Estepona, which make up the most visited coastline in Spain.

Days 5-6: Granada

Drive to Granada, located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, the beautiful Alhambra Palace, this is a rich, cultural city with lively tapas bars and Arabian-inspired tea rooms.

Day 7: Cordoba

Travel to Cordoba, home to the stunning Great Mosque of Cordoba. 

Discover more of Spain with dnata Travel, where its latest, recommended holiday offers for GCC travellers include starting points in the popular cities of Barcelona, Madrid and Marbella, at www.dnataTravel.com.

Sentosa teams up with Thomas Cook India

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 2 August 2023: Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company, SOTC Travel, have signed a strategic agreement with Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), Singapore, to promote Sentosa Island in India’s outbound travel market.

The two leading travel firms’ latest consumer data indicates growing demand of around 82% for multiple mini-stays at destinations closer to India. Singapore is one of the priority destinations, and the strategic partnership with Sentosa will create top-of-mind visibility and drive more visits to Sentosa.

Singapore’s e-visa for Indian tourists and its extensive air connectivity offers convenient access from multiple Indian getaways. Sentosa is already a favourite destination for Indian families visiting Singapore due to the family-focused entertainment. Recent developments include The Palawan @ Sentosa, Shangri-La Group’s first standalone lifestyle and entertainment precinct, which features eight distinct experiences such as HyperDrive (an electric go-kart circuit with gamification features), UltraGolf (an 18-hole mini golf course) and two beach clubs.

Additionally, Tipsy Unicorn Beach Club (the only beach club in Sentosa with live bands) launches in September. These new experiences add to perennial favourites such as Madame Tussauds Singapore, SEA Aquarium, Singapore Cable Car, SkyHelix Sentosa, Skyline Luge Sentosa, Trickeye Museum, Universal Studios Singapore, and Wings of Time.

“Indians are travelling like never before with short-haul and exciting experiential travel steering demand. Sentosa is perfectly poised to capture the market,” said Thomas Cook (India) Limited president & group head – Marketing Abraham Alapatt. He emphasised that the partnership would target India’s multigenerational families, Millennials and Gen Z, couples, ad-hoc groups, and the corporate MICE segment.

AirAsia ramps up flights to China

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 2 August 2023: Following a rebound in travel demand between Malaysia and China, AirAsia will boost flights between the two countries starting in September.

The average number of guests carried per flight (load factor) for both AirAsia Malaysia (AK) and AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) flights to/from China was about 80% in July. The most robust performing routes are Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai, Kota Kinabalu-Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur-Nanning, and Kota Kinabalu-Wuhan, forecast to record up to a 95% load factor in the coming months.

Both airlines have sold more than 320,000 seats between China and Malaysia from March to early July this year, which is about 30% compared to the same period pre-Covid in 2019. About 75% of the seats sold are from Chinese nationals, a clear signal that Malaysia continues to be one of the preferred destinations for tourists from China.

Based on forecasted demand, AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will resume another route from Kota Kinabalu to Hangzhou, starting with three weekly flights beginning 2 September 2023.

AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) will be increasing services from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing (Daxing) from four to five flights weekly beginning 1 September, from Kuala Lumpur to Shanghai from four to seven flights weekly commencing 15 September, and from Kuala Lumpur to Hangzhou from three to four flights weekly starting 30 September this year.

As AirAsia continues to expand its routes and flights between Malaysia and China, the airline is also launching discounted fares to all destinations in North Asia, including to Guilin, Guangzhou, Nanning, Shantou, Beijing, Shanghai and more starting from MYR319 all-in one-way. Guests can also fly to other North Asian countries such as Hong Kong, Macao, Taipei, Busan, Sapporo and more from MYR339 all-in one-way. These fares are now available for booking on the AirAsia Superapp and the website until 6 August 2023 for the travel period between 1 September 2023 to 31 March 2024.

AirAsia Malaysia (AK) currently flies 14 routes to/from China with over 104 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Guilin, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Nanning, Shantou and Macao; Kota Kinabalu to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Beijing and Macao; and Johor Bahru to Guangzhou.

AirAsia X Malaysia (D7) currently flies four routes to/from China, with over 22 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu (Tianfu), Beijing (Daxing), Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

THAI restarts direct flights to Sapporo

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 2 August 2023: Thai Airways International resumes Bangkok-Sapporo flights today, 2 August, using a Boeing 787-9, for five weekly flights according to the latest timetable, valid until 28 October.

The airline says it is responding to an increase in travel demand, mainly from Japanese travellers waiting for the return of direct flights to Bangkok.

Flight schedule

Bangkok – Sapporo
TG670 flies  Bangkok-Sapporo on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, departing from Bangkok at 2345 and arriving in Sapporo at 0830 on the next day (local time)

Sapporo – Bangkok
TG671 flies Sapporo-Bangkok on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, departing from Sapporo at 1000 (local time) and arriving in Bangkok at 1500.

Fares are available on all the popular booking sites for travel dates in August. Kayak quotes a one-way fare of USD269 on the Bangkok – Sapporo route.

According to FlightsFrom data on the Bangkok – Sapporo route, the average return fare between the two cities in August is around USD699. It drops to USD304 in October and climbs to an average USD641 by December.

THAI fast-forwarded the relaunch date for Sapporo flights from a scheduled restart on 1 December 2023 to 2 August 2023, based on travel demand. TG is the only airline offering a direct flight on the Bangkok – Sapporo route at least until October, when Thai AirAsia X will restart direct flights to Sapporo on 29 October 2023 from its home base at Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport using an Airbus A330.

The low-cost medium to long-haul airline offered four weekly services to Sapporo until 25 March 2023 and intends to provide daily flights when it returns in October.

Thai AirAsia XJ620 will depart Bangkok (DMK) at 0205 and arrive in Sapporo (CTS) at 1040. The return flight will depart CTS at 1155 and arrive in DMK at 1750. Thai AirAsia X quotes a one-way fare of USD246.

THAI currently operates roundtrip flights on the following routes linking Thailand and Japan: Bangkok-Tokyo (Narita), Bangkok-Tokyo (Haneda), Bangkok-Nagoya, Bangkok-Osaka and Bangkok-Fukuoka.

Air Astana adds codeshare partner

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 2 August 2023: Air Astana has signed a codeshare partnership agreement with Azerbaijan Airlines, with the two airlines operating joint flights on the Baku-Almaty-Baku route five times a week.

This latest codeshare agreement provides Air Astana passengers with more flexibility, convenience and choice of flights between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. By combining flights on one ticket, passengers gain access to a wider network of routes and services by partner airlines.

The first interline agreement was signed by Air Astana in 2005, and since then, the company has steadily grown ties with other international carriers in Asia and Europe.

In addition to AZAL, Air Astana currently has codeshare agreements with Asiana Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Cathay Pacific, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines.

Etihad deploys Airbus A380 on London route

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TTR WEEKLY
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ABU DHABI, 31 July 2023: Etihad Airways has resumed Airbus A380 flights from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow. The first of Etihad’s four Airbus A380s returned to the airline’s most popular international route Abu Dhabi-London Heathrow last week.

Etihad Airways chief executive officer Antonoaldo Neves said: “We’re excited to welcome guests once again onboard Etihad’s A380s and step into a truly remarkable experience. The aircraft adds much-needed capacity connecting Abu Dhabi with London Heathrow, allowing us to build our network and increase frequencies across the network. With a surge in demand for travel over the summer, the return of our much-loved A380 comes at the perfect time.”

The economy cabin features 68 Economy Space seats offering an additional 4 inches in legroom and 337 Economy Smart seats with Etihad’s signature fixed-wing headrest and oversized pillows for added comfort.

There are 70 Business Studios available on Etihad’s A380 upper deck, granting privacy to customers. On the upper deck, guests can enjoy access to The Lobby, a serviced lounge and a bar area between the first and business cabins. 

Four Etihad’s A380 aircraft operate on the Abu Dhabi – London route; flights EY11 and EY12 since 25 July and EY19 and EY20 from 1 August.

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