BANGKOK, 20 July 2023: Building a winning team in travel or hospitality is on the agenda at the next Skal International Bangkok event to be hosted during lunch from 1130 to 1400 on 8 August at the Hotel Nikko Bangkok Thonglor.
Skal International Bangkok has recruited Richard Cohen, a personal performance coach, trainer, and author, to spell out what it takes to build the right team. He heads The LAB, Bangkok’s personalised health and fitness studio. He is listed among Thailand Tatler’s top 300 resident expatriates in Thailand and a recipient of the Big Chilli Expat Entrepreneur Award.
Hotel Nikko Bangkok 27 Soi Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor). Skal lunch venue.
During his lunch pep talk, Cohen will share insights on team building, offering strategies to develop stronger, more resilient, and higher-performing teams. His expertise and experience will give attendees practical tips and actionable advice to foster organisational success.
Learning how to motivate and build a winning team comes at a price; THB950 for the lunch drinks and the pep talk on coaching and building sales teams. The lunch and talk will set you back THB1,650 if you are not a member.
BANGKOK, 20 July 2023: On an average week, over 50,000 travellers connect to their destination of choice on codeshare or interline flights operated by Emirates’ many partners. The airline’s numerous partnerships developed over the years have helped fuel its growth, enabled frictionless connectivity for customers, bolstered loyalty reciprocity and tapped into unique markets that have generated new traffic flows.
While Emirates’ business strategy has always been to grow organically, its strategic partnerships like interline agreements and codeshares help to expand its global footprint, enabling the airline’s customers to reach places far beyond its network. Emirates will continue to evolve its partnership strategy by broadening many interline partnerships to full-fledged codeshare agreements and strengthening its existing codeshares to build on its already industry-leading network position.
Since it signed its first interline agreement, Emirates’ global partner network has grown exponentially across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.
Today, the airline has 29 codeshare, 117 interline and 11 intermodal rail partners across the transport ecosystem in over 100 countries, delivering an array of travel choices through flexible schedules for travellers and providing seamless connectivity, relevance and a network reach that extends to over 5,250 additional sectors covering over 800 cities. For example, in the Americas, this means reaching cities beyond major airports, like Corpus Christi through United and Halifax with Air Canada. In Asia, travellers have strong connection opportunities to leisure points like Koh Samui in Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos with partner Bangkok Airways. In Africa, South African Airways and Kenya Airways connect Emirates customers to an array of underserved points like Vilanculos, Kilimanjaro, Juba, and Maputo. For customers of those airlines flying on Emirates, connecting to the carrier’s network of over 140 destinations through Dubai is easily within reach.
Customers can book connecting flights with the airline’s partners and enjoy the benefits of seamless single-ticket itineraries, baggage transfers, frequent flyer benefits, and lounge access, alongside other perks to ensure a smooth travel experience.
Across the airline’s network, strategic partnerships with over 140 airlines have boosted connectivity options for customers through expanding city pairs on a single ticket, in addition to integrating benefits in the loyalty space:
The Americas: Emirates customers travelling to the US can access more than 200 U.S. cities in the United network via Chicago, Houston or San Francisco. Travellers can also access dozens of destinations across Canada, Mexico, Caribbean islands and Central and South America. Customers journeying to Emirates’ extensive network beyond Dubai have many choices to unique destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Central and South Asia. Emirates’ partnership with Air Canada allows customers of both carriers to enjoy seamless connectivity to 232 points spanning three continents, including destinations across the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Europe: Customers can connect on Emirates’ five codeshare partners, including Air Malta, Air Baltic, Aegean Airlines, TAP Portugal and Siberia Airlines, and its 35 interline partners to reach more than 313 cities across the continent, including popular holiday destinations across the Mediterranean. The airline’s rail partners in Germany, Spain and France provide on-ground connectivity for travellers to explore Europe on the train and connect seamlessly with Emirates on a single ticket.
Asia: Emirates’ already extensive Asian network is further bolstered through the airline’s nine codeshare partners ranging from Japan Airlines, Korean Air and Garuda, among others, reaching over 150 popular cities across Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Japan and the Philippines, as well as other popular tourist and business hotspots.
Australia: Often called one of the most seismic partnerships in the industry, theEmirates and Qantas relationship is one that jointly provides access to over 60 Australian destinations that Emirates does not fly to, while Qantas customers can fly on Emirates to Dubai and access over 65 cities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa beyond Qantas’s existing international network. Frequent Flyers of Emirates Skywards and Qantas Frequent Flyers can earn and redeem points travelling with carriers and enjoy access to each airline’s lounges at airports worldwide. The airline’s Jetstar partnership (a subsidiary of Qantas) also enables travellers to reach cities in Asia – all on one ticket.
Africa: Emirates’ footprint across Africa has expanded over the years to drive better connectivity and value for customers with more flight options to smaller regional points across the continent. Through its codeshares with South African Airways, Airlink, Royal Air Maroc, Tunis Air, and interlines with a dozen other regional carriers, the airline has expanded its reach to close to 130 regional points in Africa.
Middle East: The airline’s keystone partnership with flydubai has not only bolstered traffic flows in and out of its Dubai hub but has also delivered enhanced connectivity to more than 215 destinations across 98 countries and over 250 codeshare flights to choose from on an average day. Emirates customers can access more than 80 unique flydubai destinations, and flydubai passengers can access more than 100 Emirates destinations. In the last two years alone, the partnership has enabled over 2 million customers to travel on the joint networks of both carriers. The innovative partnership provides seamless connectivity at Dubai International Airport (DXB) between Terminals 2 and 3, baggage transfers on a single itinerary, and reciprocal loyalty benefits under the joint loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards.
SYDNEY, 20 July 2023: Australia’s 2023 National Travel Industry Awards welcomes Singapore Airlines as the NITA major sponsor, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents reports this week.
The highly anticipated event will be held in Melbourne on 18 November, with Singapore Airlines named as the major sponsor for the second year running as part of a multi-year partnership.
Singapore Airlines cabin crew Yijia, AFTA CEO Dean Long, Singapore Airlines general manager agency sales Greg McJarrow.
Australian Federation of Travel Agents CEO Dean Long said the NTIAs will celebrate the recovery and success of the Australian travel sector.
“AFTA is thrilled to host NTIA again this year and welcome Singapore Airlines returning as our major sponsor.
“We thank Singapore Airlines for their incredible support and look forward to seeing everyone in Melbourne in November for a much-deserved celebration and revamped approach to NTIA.”
Singapore Airlines general manager of agency sales Greg McJarrow added: “Singapore Airlines is proud to continue its support of the National Travel Industry Awards as the major sponsor.
“We are pleased to play a part in continuing this very important event to recognise the industry and its people. We look forward to celebrating the past year’s successes with the industry and look to the future with continued optimism and positivity.”
Founded in 1957, AFTA represents the majority of travel agents and businesses in Australia and includes all major travel agency groups.
SINGAPORE, 18 July 18, 2023: As 2025 bookings open, Holland America Line claims its Alaska cruises feature more glacier, wildlife and wilderness viewing opportunities.
Holland America Line offers 126 cruises to experience Alaska in 2025 and close to 180 shore excursions focusing on wildlife and wilderness encounters. Bookings are now open for cruises to Alaska scheduled from April through October 2025.
Photo credit: Holland America Line. Nieuw Amsterdam
Every Alaska cruise includes a scenic visit to one or more of Alaska’s iconic glaciers, where the ships sail up to the face of the ice formations and rotate for a 360-degree view. Excursions feature whale watching in Juneau and shore excursions to view bears, eagles and seals.
Highlights 2025 Alaska Cruises
The 28-day “Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice” cruise aboard Westerdam departs on 8 June 2025 roundtrip from Seattle to the Bering Sea and into the Arctic Circle.
The 14-day “Great Alaskan Explorer” itinerary offers an in-depth adventure with eight Alaska ports. Departures are roundtrip from Vancouver.
Nieuw Amsterdam (4 May): Anchorage, Homer, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Skagway, Valdez and Wrangell, with Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier.
Seven-day “Alaska Inside Passage” cruises sail roundtrip from Vancouver on Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Zaandam. Ports include Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.
Have It All package
When guests book 2025 Alaska cruises with the ‘Have It All’ premium package, the standard package amenities of shore excursions, speciality dining, a Signature Beverage Package and Surf Wi-Fi are included — plus the added perk of free prepaid Crew Appreciation, along with free upgrades to the Elite Beverage Package and Premium Wi-Fi.
BANGKOK, 20 July 2023: Thai Airways International will introduce five weekly flights starting 2 August from Bangkok to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s most northern island.
The service operating as a daily flight paused on 30 April 2023 and will resume with five weekly flights from 2 August to 29 October 2023, using a Boeing 787-9 with a two-class cabin configuration; business and economy. Flight time between the two cities is seven hours and 50 minutes.
Flight TG670 will depart Bangkok at 2345 and arrive in Sapporo at 0830 the following morning. Flights depart on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Flight TG671 will depart Sapporo at 1000 and arrive in Bangkok at 1500 Flights depart on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
“Sapporo, the capital of the mountainous northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, is famous for its beer, skiing and annual Sapporo Snow Festival featuring enormous ice sculptures. The Sapporo Beer Museum traces the city’s brewing history and has tastings and a beer garden. Ski hills and jumps from the 1972 Winter Olympics are scattered within the city limits, and Niseko, a renowned ski resort, is located near the city.” (Wikipedia)
A popular op sightseeing spot for photographers is Hokkaido’s Otaru Canal which runs through the city centre. It is also famous for its museums, shopping malls, and seafood dishes.
THAI AirAsia X plans to start a flight between Bangkok and Sapporo on 29 October 2023.
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 July 2023: MyEco Discovery (a member of MyUS Group) soft launched ClubRock Perlis, the first-ever rock climbing base camp and eco-adventure hub in the Malaysian state this week.
Perlis chief minister YAB Tuan Mohd Shukri Bin Ramli, launched the event at KL Eco City, kick-starting ClubRock’s roadshows in Kuala Lumpur, Johor, Penang, and Perlis, leading up to its public opening in January 2024 to welcome Visit Perlis Year 2024-2025.
ClubRock Perlis is set to revolutionise tourism in Perlis, offering an unmatched experience for rock climbing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. (Centre) Menteri Besar of Perlis, YAB Tuan Mohd Shukri bin RamIi launching the event with Executive Chairman and Group CEO of MyUS Group of Companies, Dato’ Nellsen Young and YAM Sharifah Khatreena Nuraniah.
Situated in Gua Kelam, ClubRock Perlis spans over 23,000sq ft. It features 35 rooms and five premium camps, each accommodating up to four people. Accommodating up to 160 guests, ClubRock Perlis Malaysia’s first rock climbing base camp and eco-adventure hub will help to redefine the state’s tourism.
Perlis is the perfect setting for rock climbing, boasting limestone cliffs, large caves and fresh routes. The state’s mountainous national park in the west offers challenging climbing opportunities, while the flat regions showcase breathtaking limestone monoliths.
“We are thrilled to introduce ClubRock Perlis, Malaysia’s first rock climbing base camp and eco-adventure hub in Perlis,” said MyUS Group executive chairman CEO Dato Nellsen Young.
“Perlis’ natural beauty is exceptional and a treasure trove for outdoor enthusiasts, and ClubRock Perlis aims to put the state on the map of world rock climbing. Our mission is to create a space for education, development, community growth, and exploration. We invite visitors to immerse themselves in Perlis’ natural wonders while enjoying modern amenities and thrilling adventure activities.”
During the soft launch, ClubRock Perlis introduced its exclusive Adventure Package, a three-day, two-night stay for four persons, including breakfast.
Guests can participate in activities such as Gua Kelam Caving, rock climbing sessions, and nature walks. The package includes a special dinner at a popular grilled fish restaurant, return transfers from the train or bus station for four persons, and redeemable vouchers worth over MYR3,000 for discounts on activities and attractions in Perlis.
To celebrate its launch, ClubRock Perlis offers a promotional code, “ClubRock100”, that allows guests to purchase the package for MYR399, saving MYR100. The package can accommodate four people and is redeemable on the ClubRock Perlis website, www.clubrock.com.my, throughout the roadshow.
“ClubRock Perlis is set to revolutionise tourism in Perlis, offering an unmatched experience for rock climbing enthusiasts and nature lovers alike,” concluded Dato Nellsen.
For more information, visit www.clubrock.com.my and follow weareClubRock on Facebook and Instagram for updates on the nationwide roadshow and MATTA Fair participation.
SINGAPORE, 20 July 2023: Qantas has brought forward the planned increase in Singapore flights from March 2024 to November 2023 in response to strong demand, the airline reports this week.
In a press statement issued by the airline’s Singapore office, the airline confirmed flight increases on its Singapore-Melbourne and Singapore -Sydney roundtrip services.
“From November 2023, Singapore-Melbourne will increase from 10 to 14 return flights per week, offering customers double daily services to Melbourne and adding more than 2,700 seats weekly.
At the same time, Singapore-Sydney will increase from 14 to 15 return flights per week.”
The airline is also adding more flights from Asia to Australia later this year as it restores capacity in line with strong travel demand and the broader recovery of the aviation industry.
Other changes planned from late October 2023:
• A Shanghai-Sydney service will resume for the first time in more than three years with daily A330 flights.
• Hong Kong-Melbourne will increase from four per week to daily.
• Flights from Japan to Australia will double, increasing from 14 to 28 per week, offering the choice of four daily flights from Tokyo from late November.
• Delhi-Melbourne will increase from three to six per week over the peak Australian summer season.
SINGAPORE, 20 July 2023: Japan has been knocked off the top spot on the Henley Passport Index for the first time in five years and bumped to third place, according to the latest ranking, which is based on exclusive official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Singapore is now officially the most powerful passport in the world, with its citizens able to visit 192 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. Germany, Italy, and Spain all move up into second place with visa-free access to 190 destinations, and Japanese passport holders join those of six other nations — Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden — in third place with access to189 destinations without a prior visa.
Photo credit: Henley Passport Index.
ASEAN passports
Thailand languishes in 64th place, with its citizens eligible for visa-free travel to 79 countries or territories, but it did better than Indonesia (69 with 73 destinations). Malaysia was the highest ranked in ASEAN after Singapore (top worldwide ranking), gaining the 11th rank with 180 visa-free destinations. Brunei registered 20th with 166 visa-free destinations. The Philippines passport ranked 74 gets you visa-free travel to 66 destinations. As for the rest of ASEAN, Vietnam and Cambodia shared the 82nd space. Laos registered at 87, and Myanmar managed 89th place.
The UK appears to have finally turned the corner after a six-year decline, jumping up two places on the latest ranking to fourth place — a position it last held in 2017. On the other hand, the US continues its decade-long slide down the index, plummeting a further two places to the 8th spot with access to just 184 destinations visa-free. The UK and the US jointly held 1st place on the index nearly 10 years ago in 2014 but have been on a downward trajectory ever since. Afghanistan remains entrenched at the bottom of the Henley Passport Index, with a visa-free access score of just 27, followed by Iraq (score of 29) and Syria (score of 30) — the three weakest passports in the world.
The general trend over the history of the 18-year-old ranking has been towards greater travel freedom, with the average number of destinations travellers can access visa-free nearly doubling from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023. However, the global mobility gap between those at the top and bottom of the index is now wider than ever, with top-ranked Singapore able to access 165 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan. Check your country’s ranking here: Henley Passport Index,
America’s diminishing passport power
Of the countries in the Top 10, the US has seen the smallest increase in its score on the Henley Passport Index over the past decade, securing visa-free access to just 12 additional destinations between 2013 and 2023. Singapore, by comparison, has increased its score by 25, pushing it five places up the ranking over the past 10 years to the number one spot.
Links between visa-free access and openness
Henley & Partners has researched the relationship between a country’s openness to foreigners — how many nations it allows to cross its borders visa-free — and its citizens’ travel freedom, gauged using the Henley Passport Index. The new Henley Openness Index ranks all 199 countries worldwide according to the number of nationalities they permit entry to without a prior visa.
The Top 20 ‘most open’ countries are all small island nations or African states, except Cambodia. Twelve completely open countries offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to all 198 passports in the world (not counting their own), namely: Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.
At the bottom of the Henley Openness Index, four countries score zero, permitting no visa-free access for any passport: namely, Afghanistan, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, and Turkmenistan. They are followed by five countries that provide visa-free access to fewer than five other nationalities: namely, Libya, Bhutan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and India.
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 July 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) has elected Nigel Wong as its new president for a two-year term (2023-2025) at the 48th Annual General Meeting. He replaces Datuk Tan Kok Liang, who served three full terms (2017 to 2023).
Photo credit: MATTA
Wong has served as a member of the MATTA Executive Council for over 10 years as the vice president of research and technology (2013-2015), honorary secretary general (2015-2021) and most recently as honorary treasurer (2021-2023).
Wong commented on his appointment: “I am honoured to be elected president, and I am fully aware of the travel industry’s challenges. “Our key objectives have not changed; we will look into improving business prospects for our members, fostering innovation, and advocating for more favourable conditions that will benefit not just our members but the entire travel and tourism industry.
“I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the past presidents, their work and the strong foundations they have built. We will continue to build and expand on these foundations and develop new initiatives and programs focusing on growth and sustainability to help our members remain competitive in a volatile and ever-changing tourism landscape,” he added.
The newly elected Executive Council for the term 2023-2025 will intensify engagement with various key stakeholders and the authorities at national and state levels to elevate the standard and delivery of tourism services in Malaysia.
“I hope that the incoming president, Nigel Wong, and his team will be able to solve the many pending crucial tourism issues which have remained unresolved. Despite the efforts of the past presidents of MATTA and the many tourism ministers that have come and gone, many of the longstanding issues remain embedded in government bureaucracy”, former president Datuk Tan Kok Liang noted.
PHNOM PENH 19 July 2023: Song Saa Private Island and Foundation, established in Cambodia’s Koh Rong archipelago, celebrates its 10th anniversary, pioneering “sustainable luxury tourism”.
To celebrate the anniversary, the resort launched a four-night escape stay package, ‘Journeys of Change, designed by the Song Saa Private Island and Foundation CEO and founder Melita Koulmandas.
Photo credit: Song Saa Private Island and Foundation.
“I am thrilled to celebrate this 10-year milestone for Song Saa Private Island and Foundation. The package reflects our 10-year journey of change as a leader in developing wellness and sustainability practices grounded in local culture and community-led initiatives,” explains Melita.
Discovery guidebook
The island escape begins by browsing pre-arrival, an inspiring Discovery Guidebook designed to create a bespoke journey. A dedicated Song Saa Journey Curator crafts the tailored itinerary based on a minimum four-night stay in one-bedroom jungle villas.
Inclusive rate
The four-night package price starts at USD7,050, available to book from now until 31 October 2023 for a stay valid until 31 October 2024.
The all-inclusive rate includes house wine, beers, and cocktails served in the villa. The package features three 90-minute spa treatments per person and a one-hour private yoga session.
Song Saa Sanctuary comprises several private treatment rooms in the island’s rainforest and along the water’s edge to provide a gentle space for guests. A sunset cocktail with the foundation team allows guests to learn about how Song Saa created initiatives, such as establishing Cambodia’s first Marine park over 15 years ago.
Marine conservation activities
For a more hands-on experience, guests can accompany the marine biologists on their expeditions to explore coral reefs or help map and preserve seagrass to gain a newfound appreciation for the intricacies of marine conservation. Reef Cleans, a highlight of the foundation’s engaging work, is also offered to guests who want to get directly involved with the conservation efforts.
Culture and Community
Guests booking a “Journeys of Change” stay will have the opportunity to participate in cultural expeditions led by the Song Saa Foundation.
For example, the “Sala Song Saa” experience allows guests to join the conservation team to tour Prek Svay village on a neighbouring island to observe the foundation’s projects that support the local community.
Guests can also venture out on the Boat of Hope or participate in the Library of Hope, both initiatives that deliver essential services to local villages across the archipelago. This transformative experience offers guests valuable insights into local communities and how they interact with their environment.
About Song Saa
With its dedication to sustainability and eco-tourism, Song Saa Private Island has been honoured with many prestigious accolades such as Condé Nast Traveller’s Gold Standard, Condé Nast Traveller’s World’s Best Resort Hotel, National Geographic’s Leaders in Sustainable Tourism and Winner of the Eco Award.
