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Norwegian Joy dry docks for enhancements

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SINGAPORE, 24 July 2023: Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed Norwegian Joy will undergo product enhancements in January 2024 to elevate the onboard guest experience.

The improvements will include a new Thermal Suite in the Mandara Spa and Salon, an expanded Vibe Beach Club, 24 new staterooms, and a redesigned three-bedroom Haven Premier Owner’s Suites during a dry-dock visit from 22 January to 12 February 2024.

Once completed, guests will access an elevated onboard spa experience with a brand-new Thermal Suite, soon to be the largest of the Breakaway-Plus class ships. A separate lounge area will feature three times as many of the popular hot tile loungers, and guests can enjoy easy access to relaxing and reinvigorating experiences, including a sauna, ice room and aromatic steam room.

The redesign will include repurposing the Observation Lounge to create 24 new balcony staterooms and recategorise 40 new spa balcony staterooms, including direct access to the Mandara Spa and the premiering Thermal Suite.

Norwegian Joy’s Haven by Norwegian Premier Owner’s Suites with a Large Balcony will be expanded to three bedrooms. The two suites will include three bedrooms; three and a half bathrooms; fully renovated living rooms, master bedrooms and outdoor balcony furniture, and a new separate dining room overlooking the forward-facing The Haven Horizon Lounge.

Norwegian Joy will resume sailings post dry dock on 13 February 2024, when she embarks on an 11-Day Transatlantic voyage from Southampton, UK, to Miami, Florida, in the US. In March 2024, the ship will cruise seven-day round-trip Caribbean voyages from Miami before sailing to Bermuda from New York for summer 2024.

Sabre to boost Hyatt’s booking system

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SINGAPORE, 21 July 2023: Hyatt Hotels Corporation has concluded a technology agreement with Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider for the travel industry.

Under this agreement, Sabre’s SynXis Central Reservation System will become the primary Central Reservation System (CRS) for Hyatt hotels beginning in 2024.

It will enhance Hyatt’s reservation capabilities, streamline its operations, and deliver a seamless guest experience with a faster search and booking process.

The agreement comes on the heels of Hyatt’s announcement of Hyatt PrO to optimise its revenue management system.

By leveraging the SynXis Central Reservation System, Hyatt’s new system will be designed to make the guest search and booking process smoother and increase visibility through flexible calendar search, enhanced rooms and rates view and a simplified booking process that unlocks the best rates for guests.

About Sabre

Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry managing more than USD260 billion worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries worldwide.

Centara celebrates its 40th anniversary

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BANGKOK, 21 July 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts is celebrating its 40th anniversary to mark four decades of expansion and success.

Centara has grown from a single hotel in 1983 – its flagship Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok – to a global hospitality brand with 93 properties across Asia and the Middle East.

Numerous remarkable achievements mark Centara’s 40-year history. In 1986, the company acquired and renovated the historic Railway Hotel Hua Hin, now the heritage Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year. In 1990, Centara made a significant stride by becoming a publicly listed company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, solidifying its position in the industry. In 2007, ‘Central Hotels & Resorts rebranded itself as the globally recognised “Centara Hotels & Resorts,” defining its unique identity.

In 2009, Centara launched its first ‘Mirage-themed resort, Thailand’s premier family-focused property, with Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya. This year also saw the opening of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, marking the brand’s first foray into the overseas market, which has since grown to include properties in Sri Lanka, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and most recently, Japan.

Centara achieved another major milestone in 2014, becoming the first and only hotel group to receive the prestigious Royal Insignia of the Sacred Garuda from His Majesty King Adulyadej Bhumibol, an esteemed recognition for the brand’s commitment to excellence.

In 2017, Centara introduced the innovative COSI hotel concept, tailored for tech-savvy travellers seeking a seamless and connected experience. Four years later, the group launched its first venture into the luxury market with Centara Reserve. Leading the industry in story-driven hospitality, the flagship Centara Reserve Samui was named one of Thailand’s top 10 best beach island resorts at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023.

Centara took its acclaimed ‘Mirage’ concept internationally in 2021, introducing its themed family resort concept in Vietnam and the UAE with Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne and Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai. Ever-growing and enhancing its global presence, Centara proudly unveiled the breathtaking Centara Grand Hotel Osaka this month, its debut property in Japan, showcasing a commitment to captivating guests with exceptional experiences worldwide.

In addition to its property expansion, Centara Hotels & Resorts remains dedicated to delivering world-class service through its signature warm hospitality and authentic Thai family values. Over the past 40 years, the brand has solidified itself as The Place to Be for travellers and renowned guests, hosting many illustrious celebrities and world leaders, including the Thai royal family, former US President Jimmy Carter, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones, and Jackie Chan.

Centara continues to be committed to growth and success to become one of the world’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027. To achieve this goal, Centara Hotels & Resorts is focused on expanding its global footprint with various projects in the pipeline across Thailand, Asia, the Middle East and beyond. These include expanding the family-themed ‘Mirage’ brand in the Maldives, adding three more luxury ‘Centara Reserve’ properties in Thailand and the Maldives, and much more.

The hotel group also remains at the forefront of hospitality and sustainability, with the goals of ending single-use plastic and achieving Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification at every property by 2025, reducing energy, waste, water, and greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2029, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

“We are proud to celebrate 40 years of excellence, innovation, and commitment to growing and evolving as a leading hospitality company,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “On behalf of Centara Hotels & Resorts, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all our guests, partners, and associates for their support over the past four decades and for continuing to be part of our incredible journey.”

To kick off its 40th-anniversary celebrations, Centara Hotels & Resorts rolls out a series of exciting campaigns, privileges and charitable initiatives throughout the rest of 2023 to thank guests for their enduring support. First up in the Wave of Celebrations was the Centara’s 40-hour, 40% flash sale, where the CentaraThe1 member discount on hotel stays increased from 15% to a remarkable 40% for a minimal time. The offer ended on  20 July 2023, but more discounts and surprises are in the pipeline, including complimentary hotel stays and CentaraThe1 points giveaways. To take advantage of other anniversary perks, guests are encouraged to sign up for the free CentaraThe1 loyalty programme at centara1card.com

For more information on Centara’s 40th Anniversary celebration or to book your next holiday, please visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/

Royal Kuching Cruise plies Sarawak River

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 21 July 2023: Kuching introduced a new river attraction with the inaugural sailing of the Royal Kuching Cruise earlier this month.

The grand opening was presided over by the state’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

Royal Kuching Cruise https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092229548374

The launch event was also attended by Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, permanent secretary Datuk Sherrina Hussaini, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) CEO Sharzede Salleh Askor, STB Deputy CEO Suriya Charles Buas and Yusfida Khalid, and Kuching North City Hall mayor Datuk Junaidi Reduan.

Sailing along the Sarawak River, through the city’s heart, passengers enjoy the cityscape beauty of Kuching at night as they enjoy a light buffet.

The Royal Kuching Cruise catamaran boat accommodates up to 168 passengers and is operated by  Island Fun Holiday Company daily from 1745 to 1900. Berthing at the Kuching Waterfront in the city’s centre, the riverboat features a viewing deck, private lounge, a games zone for children and the dining lower deck where buffet snacks are served. The cruise sails between the official residence of the Head of State and the Brooke Dockyard landmarks on Kuching’s Sarawak River.

The minister Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the new attraction would encourage river-based tourism across the state.

“It will unlock the full potential of the state’s captivating natural wonders and cultural treasures,” he said.

Facial biometrics speed up passenger checks

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 21 July 2023: Carnival Cruise Line continues to expand the use of facial biometric technology to expedite the debarkation process for more than 3 million guests.

In partnership with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), nine of Carnival’s 14 US homeports use secure, streamlined technology.

Photo credit: Carnival Corporation.

The system is active in Miami, Port Canaveral, Tampa, Jacksonville, New York, Baltimore, Mobile, Galveston and Long Beach.

Across the homeports where facial biometrics is being used, the debarkation process has been accelerated by an average of 30%.

“Thanks to our partnership with CBP, these technology solutions make the process more efficient while giving guests a sense of safety and security, knowing their information is protected,” Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy.

She claims the process is simple. Guests debarking ships at the end of a closed loop cruise pause at a kiosk with a camera and take a photo. Within seconds, the image is biometrically compared to their passport or visa photo to verify the guest’s identity with over 98% accuracy. US travellers and select foreign nationals who prefer to opt out of the facial biometric process can request a manual document check from a CBP Officer, consistent with existing US admission regulations.

Expedition ship Seabourn Pursuit sets sail

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 21 July 12023: Seabourn, a luxury voyages and expedition specialist, will offer once-in-a-lifetime expedition experiences on its newest purpose-built ultra-luxury expedition vessel, Seabourn Pursuit, set to debut during mid-August 2023.

Seabourn Pursuit is scheduled to enter service on 12 August 2023 and will sail five voyages in the Mediterranean before embarking on two voyages across the Atlantic and the Caribbean.

Photo credit Carnival Corporation. A Seabourn submersible.

On 10 October 2023, the ship will arrive in Barbados to begin its expedition journeys, heading south to explore coastal South America, the Amazon, and Antarctica into late March 2024.

With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit to the fleet, Seabourn will provide guests with inclusive expedition offerings such as Zodiac cruising, nature walks and hikes, scuba diving, and snorkelling available on most itineraries.

In addition, the ship will offer optional expeditions with dives on two custom-built luxury submersibles and kayaking at select destinations. Led by a world-class expedition team of 24 experts, including scientists, scholars, naturalists, and more, guests will receive the highest level of knowledge and guidance throughout their Seabourn expedition voyage.

Expedition experiences

Zodiacs: Each ship has a fleet of 24 Zodiacs, which adds an extra dimension to the Seabourn expedition experience. Zodiac cruising is available on all Seabourn Pursuit sailings, including the line’s first-ever voyages to the iconic Kimberley region in Australia between June and August 2024.

Kayaking: Kayaking will be available on Seabourn Pursuit’s Antarctica voyages between November 2023 and February 2024 and her South Pacific sailings between March and October 2024, excluding the Kimberley voyages between June and August 2024.

Submersibles:  Available on select itineraries, including Seabourn Pursuit’s Antarctica voyages between November 2023 and February 2024, as well as its South Pacific sailings between March and October 2024, excluding the Kimberley voyages between June and August 2024. Safety design features include a safety buoy and maximum diving depths of 300 metres (less than 1,000 feet), and a surface boat remains near the submersibles throughout each dive.

Scuba Diving: Complimentary dive experiences will be available on Seabourn Pursuit’s voyages across the South Pacific, from Polynesia to Melanesia, between March and October 2024, excluding the Kimberley voyages.

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.

The iconic Kimberley, with its red sandstone gorges, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and Aboriginal life and history, is the ideal setting for a truly, world-class expedition experience. 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.

Seabourn Pursuit is designed and built to PC6 Polar Class standards for diverse environments like its sister ship Seabourn Venture. It has nearly 30,000 square feet of deck space, indoor and outdoor guest areas with almost 270-degree views, and a 4K GSS Cineflex Camera mounted on the mast of the Constellation Lounge capable of broadcasting imagery from miles ahead on monitors throughout the ship. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and PLC.

Malaysia’s scuba dive sector taps China market

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SHANGHAI, 20 July 2023: Malaysia made waves at the Diving and Resort Travel Expo Shanghai (DRT) 2023, captivating Chinese travellers with unparalleled underwater adventures during the week-long expo that closed on 16 July.

Tourism Malaysia attended the Diving and Resort Travel Expo in Shanghai for the first time to present dive packages tailored specifically for Chinese travellers.

Photo credit Tourism Malaysia: Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Dato Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar said: “We recognise the growing interest of Chinese travellers in scuba diving, and Malaysia is the perfect destination to fulfil their desires for adventures, natural beauty, and cultural immersion. Thus, we aim to provide an incredible experience showcasing Malaysia’s best scuba diving industry while fostering sustainable practices.”

During the event, Malaysia highlighted its commitment to sustainable tourism, promoting responsible diving and marine conservation.

The Malaysian delegation, headed by  Tourism Malaysia senior deputy director of the Package Development Division Sulaiman Suip, comprised travel agents, representatives from the Sabah Tourism Board, and  Tourism Malaysia Shanghai office director Wizani Rosmin.

Malaysia’s scuba diving industry appeals to Chinese travellers due to several factors. The abundance of extraordinary dive sites that cater to divers of all skill levels – from the renowned Sipadan Island, hailed as one of the world’s top dive destinations, to the breathtaking dive spots on Redang Island and Tioman Island.

Another compelling factor for Chinese travellers is the ease of access to Malaysia. There are currently 175 weekly flights from China to Malaysia. The extensive network of international flights connecting major Chinese cities to Malaysia offers convenient access. It should be a deciding factor for Malaysia to reach the target of 5 million Chinese tourist arrivals this year.

Changi closes in on 2019 traffic levels

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SINGAPORE, 21 July 2023: Singapore Changi Airport handled 5.12 million passenger movements in June 2023, crossing the five million threshold for the first time since January 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.

The performance represented 88% of the passenger movements registered in June 2019. Regarding aircraft movements, 27,500 landings and take-offs were recorded, about 88% of the June 2019 level. Airfreight throughput stood at 135,000 tonnes for the month, representing a year-on-year decline of 17%.

Photo credit: Changi Airport Group.

Changi Airport saw 14.6 million passenger movements from April to June 2023, 87% of what was registered for the second quarter of 2019. Aircraft movements reached 81,400 or 86% compared to the same period 2019.

In alphabetical order, Changi Airport’s top five traffic markets for the quarter were Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Passenger traffic to and from Northeast Asia steadily improved, rising from around 50% of pre-Covid levels in January 2023 to 75% by June 2023.

From April to June 2023, airfreight throughput totalled 418,000 tonnes, a decline of 10.8% year-on-year. Air cargo demand remained weak due to softening demand amid inflationary pressures. Changi’s top five air cargo markets comprised Australia, China, Hong Kong, India and the US for the period. India has emerged among the top five air cargo markets for two consecutive quarters since the start of 2023.

Changi Airport Group’s executive vice president for air hub and cargo Development Lim Ching Kiat said: “Changi Airport continues to witness steady growth in passenger traffic, with passenger movements inching closer to 90% of 2019 levels as we close the second quarter. We are pleased to have crossed the five-million mark again in June with the mid-year holiday season. Changi has regained more than 80% of its pre-Covid city links, and we look forward to strengthening connectivity to more points in Southeast Asia and China in the second half of the year.”

In the second quarter of 2023, Indigo launched twice-weekly passenger services between Bhubaneswar, India, and Singapore. It represented Changi Airport’s first city link to India’s eastern state of Odisha and its 17th link to India.

Air Canada announced the resumption of its Vancouver-Singapore service in April 2024, after over three decades since the airline last operated at Changi.

As of 1 July 2023, 99 airlines scheduled over 6,300 weekly flights to Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to 148 cities in 49 countries and territories worldwide.

Hotel industry pioneers headline PHIST 6

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PHUKET, 21 July 2023: Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST 6), Southeast Asia’s sustainability event for travel and hospitality, is back this September with a full-day forum headlined by one of the region’s most inspiring leaders: KP Ho, the founder of Banyan Tree Group and pioneer of Laguna Phuket.

He will be joined by community advocate, artist and “maximalist” hotel designer Bill Bensley, who PHIST organiser Bill Barnett will interview. David Johnson of Delivering Asia Communications will interview KP Ho.

Passionate advocates of sustainable travel and tourism, KP Ho (left); Bill Bensley (right).

Organised by Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks, and Greenview, PHIST edition 6 will be staged on 4 September 2023 at SAii Laguna Phuket. The event should return to full capacity with approximately 1,000 travel and hospitality professionals gathering for a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity from across Asia Pacific.

KP Ho, a former journalist turned hotelier, understood the critical importance of sustainability before it became a buzzword. Having founded Banyan Tree, he was instrumental in transforming Laguna Phuket from a barren moonscape of scarred land – abandoned by the tin mining industry and declared uninhabitable by the UN – into Southeast Asia’s leading integrated resort development.

It set the stage for the first luxurious and eco-sensitive Banyan Tree resort in 1994, featuring the world’s first pool villas. The company has expanded to over 100 hotels and resorts, operating or in the pipeline. The Banyan Tree Global Foundation has also been set up to support conservation and community development.

Bill Bensley has for 30 years designed many of the most outstanding hotels in Asia, winning a small armoury of world-leading awards and accolades for the deep respect paid to their environments and purpose-driven nature. Like KP, he will share his personal story and philosophy with just 100 guests at each session. Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

In addition, guests can look forward to plenty of learning opportunities. A series of 16 workshops will see industry experts share best practices on key and emerging green topics, including waste, renewables, certification, women leaders in sustainability and glamping.

Phuket Hotels Association executive director Jayne MacDougall.

A “Green Think Tank” roundtable discussion will be led by Jesper Palmqvist, STR Global’s Area Director for Asia Pacific, with representatives from islands including Bohol, Bali, Koh Samui, Phuket, Phu Quoc, Singapore and the Maldives. At the same time, an “Eco Travel Show” will showcase eco-friendly products from exhibitors specialising in outdoor activities such as glamping. A “Farm-to-Table” workshop will let guests learn about the origins of food with two Michelin-starred restaurants in Phuket, and the “Women in Leadership”  session will highlight the issue of gender equality.

Phuket Hotels Association executive director Jayne MacDougall said: “We are delighted to announce the return of PHIST, Southeast Asia’s biggest sustainability event, for its sixth annual edition. This year, we’re back with a bang as we prepare to welcome 1,000 guests for a full-day itinerary that will shake up the industry, challenge traditional ideas and put learning centre stage. We are also excited to welcome KP Ho back to Phuket. As the man who did so much to stimulate the island’s tourism sector and advance the cause of sustainability, he is the perfect person to inspire our delegates. We look forward to seeing everyone at PHIST this September.”

Sponsors for PHIST 6 include New Capital Energy Asia, Central CPN, Blue Tree, XCO2, Banyan Tree Phuket and SAii Laguna Phuket, with beverages provided by Greenery Water, JCD Coffee and FullMoon Brewery.

 For more information about PHIST 6, visit phist.phukethotelsassociation.com. To register visit: www.eventbrite.com/e/phist-6-phuket-hotels-island-sustaining-tourism-tickets-644279787187

Do you need to build a winning team in a hurry?

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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.

To reserve your spot, visit www.skalbangkok.com  or email [email protected] for more details or a membership, email [email protected]

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