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Emirates supports Hajj travellers

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DUBAI, UAE, 12 June 2024: This Hajj season, Emirates has geared up to serve the large volume of pilgrims from the airline’s global network through Dubai to Jeddah and Medina to perform the once-in-a-lifetime Muslim pilgrimage. Emirates has been working hard throughout every travel touchpoint of the journey to ensure a comfortable experience, both in the air and on the ground, for pilgrims heading to Makkah for this significant trip.  

Additional flights to Jeddah and Medina

Emirates scheduled 10 additional flights between 7 and 10 June and will deploy again on 21 June and 26 June to carry pilgrims to Jeddah and Medina. These flights have been carefully timed to meet the flight schedules from key markets for Hajj, including Indonesia, Thailand, Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritius, South Africa, Senegal and Pakistan.

The additional flights are operated alongside Emirates’ scheduled services to the two Saudi gateways and provide increased choices and options for thousands of travellers from across the airline’s global network to carry out one of the key pillars of Islam. The airline has further deployed 19 flights to cities including Amman, Dammam, Kuwait, and Beirut to meet high demand during Eid Al-Adha in mid-June. 

Seamless airport journey throughout

From arriving at Dubai International to stopping in the city and connecting onwards to Jeddah and Medina, Emirates has extended its onboard hospitality to the ground through a carefully planned airport experience.

Emirates’ dedicated teams will guide pilgrims during their airport journey to ensure a seamless connecting process to their onward flights. Airport Service teams have been tasked with meeting, greeting and escorting all pilgrims from arrival to departure. Travellers are welcomed at the arrival gate by dedicated Emirates Airport Service personnel, holding signs with special greetings for pilgrims, where they are escorted to the connection desk for their onward journey or to the Emirates Hotel Desk to pick up their hotel vouchers so they can quickly be transferred on Emirates’ buses to their hotels for a short break before they proceed to their final destination. The airline had dedicated three Economy Class and 15 to 20 Premium Class check-in counters for Hajj travellers. Pilgrims’ luggage will also be tagged with special Emirates ‘Hajj’ baggage tags. Special gifts were distributed on the official UAE Hajj flight from Dubai on 11 June.

A Hajj-centric onboard experience

Onboard, the airline has made extra provisions to accommodate those performing ablutions and provides unperfumed towels and additional blankets. Special PAs advise passengers when they have entered Al Miqat zones (state of sanctity) and indicate the changing of Ihram robes. Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, features a special video that covers the Hajj formalities and also contains information about safety during Hajj as well as all essential information about performing the pilgrimage. Travellers may also choose to listen to the Holy Quran channel or read verses on ice so they can continue their introspection and worship. Upon return, passengers may check-in up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam), which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

Pilgrims travelling on Emirates’ special flights are encouraged to explore the full Hajj experience – from airport to onboard – on the Emirates website. Special flights are available for travellers holding a valid Hajj visa. Pilgrims must also be under the age of 65 and hold a valid vaccination certificate with a vaccine authorised by the Saudi Ministry of Health. In partnership with Dubai International and numerous stakeholders across the Dubai travel ecosystem, Emirates has put in tremendous effort to ensure a seamless experience for Hajj travellers.

PATA Announces New Executive Board

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BANGKOK, 12 June  2024: The Pacific Asia Travel Association has officially ratified the appointment of its new PATA Executive Board. 

Peter Semone has been formally endorsed and will serve as the Chair of the Association’s Executive Board for a consecutive second term.

Picture: Top Row: L/R: Peter Semone, President & Founder, Destination Human Capital Ltd, Timor-Leste/Indonesia; Suman Pandey, President, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, Nepal; Luzi Matzig, Chairman, Asian Trails Ltd, Thailand; and Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA.

Bottom Row: L/R: Ben Montgomery, Director of Business Relations Management, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand; Henry Oh, Chairman, Global Tour Ltd, Korea (ROK); Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Convention Bureau, Sabah Tourism Board, Malaysia; Mayur Patel, Head of Asia, OAG, Singapore; Gerald Perez, Vice President, Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam; and SanJeet, Director, DDP Publications Private Limited, India.

Following his appointment, Semone said: “It is an honour to be elected by the PATA Board of Directors to lead the Association for a second term. Thanks to the strong commitment of the Secretariat staff and outgoing Executive Board members, over the past two years, significant progress has been made in regard to PATA’s finances and management. Much work remains to be done, and I am confident that the new Executive Board will face this challenge.”

Semone is a leading tourism development expert specialising in the Asia Pacific region. He has served in leadership roles for international donor-funded projects in Timor-Leste, Lao PDR, and Vietnam. He is frequently called upon as a short-term expert for UN Tourism and the Asian Development Bank. He founded the internationally acclaimed Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH) vocational school. After graduating from Ivy League colleges (UPENN and Cornell), he resided in Indonesia in the 1990s, where he established several tourism enterprises and served as an expert tourism adviser to the Government of Indonesia. 

During the 73rd PATA Annual General Meeting on Friday, 7 June  2024, PATA also ratified Suman Pandey, President of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, as the new Vice Chair and Luzi Matzig, Chairman of Asian Trails Ltd, as the new Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.

Suman Pandey is a well-known figure in Nepalese Tourism and President of Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, a well-known name for diverse and innovative operations. He is also the CEO of Fishtail Air, a Nepalese helicopter company; Director of Summit Air, a fixed-wing operator catering to tourists going to the Mount Everest region; Director of the biggest business complex in Nepal, “Chhaya Centre”, a multi-faceted Mega Complex that includes a five star managed by Starwood under the “Aloft” brand; President of the Himalaya Academy of Travel and Tourism.

Luzi Matzig began his career with Swissair ground operations in Zurich, Switzerland, and had subsequent postings in London and Berne. In 1971, he moved to Thailand and worked for Diethelm Travel in Bangkok, rising to General Manager and later Group Managing Director, overseeing operations in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Yunnan/China. In September 1999, he founded Asian Trails Ltd. and is currently the Chairman. The Asian Trails Group now operates 33 offices with over 500 staff across Thailand, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Vietnam.

In addition to managing Asian Trails, Matzig is involved in the cruise and hotel industries, with ventures including Cruise Asia Ltd, Paradise Ko Yao Resort, Treehouse Villas, Legend Chiang Rai Boutique Resort and Spa, Paradise Beach Samui Resort, SUNSET HOUSE, and the Royal Sands Koh Kong Resort. He established VIP Jets Ltd for executive air transport in Asia.

Members of the Executive Board for this term comprise Ben Montgomery, Director of Business Relations Management, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand; Henry Oh, Chairman, Global Tour Ltd., Korea (ROK); Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Convention Bureau, Malaysia; Mayur Patel, Head of Asia, OAG, Singapore; Gerald Perez, Vice President, Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam; and SanJeet, Director, DDP Publications Private Limited, India.

Additionally, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid remains on the Executive Board as an Ex-Officio member.

Saudi Arabia reports record-breaking year

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 12 June 2024: The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has revealed a record-breaking year for Travel and tourism in Saudi Arabia, with new records in GDP contribution, sector jobs, and visitor spending.

Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Tourism sector is now soaring past all previous records, a testament to the country’s commitment to becoming a global tourism hot spot.

Last year, the sector grew by more than 32% to contribute a record-breaking SAR444.3 billion to Saudi’s GDP, representing 11.5% of the entire economy. This exceeded the previous record by almost 30% and underscored the sector’s pivotal new role in the nation’s economic framework.

Jobs supported by the sector grew by 436,000 to reach more than 2.5 million, representing almost one in five jobs in the country.

Although the jobs lost during the pandemic were fully recovered in 2022, today’s announcement shows sector employment in Travel & Tourism has increased almost 24% since the previous peak.

International visitor spending surged by almost 57% to reach SAR 227.4BN, breaking the previous record by SAR93.6 billion, while domestic visitor spending grew by 21.5% to reach SAR142.5 billion.

Seven years ahead of its target, Saudi Arabia welcomed 100 million tourists in 2023. Today, the country is surging toward even greater heights and has set a more ambitious aim of attracting 150 million tourists by 2030.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Saudi Arabia’s Travel & Tourism sector’s extraordinary achievements last year mark a pivotal moment in its journey towards becoming a global tourism leader.

“This success is a direct result of the Kingdom’s visionary commitment to the sector, showcasing an impressive fusion of cultural heritage and innovative tourism initiatives. As the sector continues to expand, it promises to play a crucial role in the nation’s diversified economic future, while contributing significantly to global Travel & Tourism development.”

Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Executive Council of UN Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: “The latest data from WTTC provides further evidence of the rapid success we have achieved in transforming Saudi Arabia’s tourism industry.

“Tourism is a key pillar of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plans and we have made great strides promoting investment in the sector – with more than $800 billion earmarked by 2030 – as well as creating new jobs and growing the contribution of tourism to GDP.”

What Does This Year Look Like?

Travel & Tourism is forecast to continue growing in 2024, with GDP contribution set to reach SAR498 billion, while jobs will increase by more than 158,000 to reach nearly 2.7 million.

International visitor spending is projected to reach SAR256 billion, almost double the previous high point and domestic visitor spending is forecast to reach SAR155.2 billion.

What Does the Next Decade Look Like?

The global tourism body forecasts that the sector will grow its annual GDP contribution to a staggering SAR836.1 billion by 2034, almost 16% of the Saudi Arabian economy, and will employ more than 3.6 million people across the country, with one in five people working in the sector.

What Does the Region Look Like?

The Middle Eastern Travel & Tourism sector grew by more than 25% in 2023 to reach almost USD460 billion. Jobs reached nearly 7.75 million and international spending grew by 50% to USD179.8 billion. Domestic visitor spending grew by 16.5% to reach more than USD205 billion.

WTTC is forecasting that the Middle Eastern Travel & Tourism sector will continue to grow throughout 2024, with the GDP contribution set to reach USD507 billion. Jobs are forecast to reach 8.3 million, international visitor spending is forecast to reach USD198 billion and domestic visitor spending is expected to reach more than USD224 billion.

Book travel with accredited agencies

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TTR WEEKLY
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SYDNEY, 12 June 024: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has issued a reminder to consumers about the importance of booking travel through ATAS-accredited businesses following the recent collapse of Calypso Destinations

The ATIA advisory was issued in the wake of the collapse of tour operator Calypso Destinations, which has reportedly left Sydney parents, coaches, and junior cricket players out of pocket, reportedly to the tune of AUD1 million. Tour operator Calypso Destinations was not ATAS accredited.

ATIA CEO Dean Long commented: “The unfortunate situation with Calypso Destinations serves as a reminder of why it’s crucial to look for the ATAS seal when booking travel. ATAS accreditation means the business has undergone rigorous financial reviews and meets strict industry criteria to safeguard your travel plans.”

Established in Sydney in 2013, Calypso Destinations collapsed on 30 May, according to Sydney Morning Herald’s breaking news. The company was best known for its sports-related tourism accounts, including cricket and sports clubs, but it was also a prominent player in the events business and booked worldwide cruise line sailings for its clients. Social media accounts and websites have all gone offline.

ABOUT ATAS
ATAS is the Australian travel sector’s prestigious accreditation programme. It sets the industry benchmarks and distinguishes exemplary travel businesses.

ATAS accreditation is contingent upon stringent criteria, including an in-depth analysis of business models, compliance with Australian Consumer Law, indemnity insurance verification, workforce qualification standards, annual financial reviews, daily director checks, and robust consumer complaints programmes.

Consumers are encouraged to always look for the ATAS seal when booking travel to ensure they are dealing with a reputable and reliable provider for their travel.

(SOURCE: ATIA)

Qatar returns to Lisbon

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DOHA, 12 June 2024: Qatar Airways welcomes the return of its nonstop flights between Hamad International Airport (DOH), and Lisbon’s Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) in Portugal. 

Qatar Airways will operate direct flights to Lisbon year-round, starting with the inaugural flight on 6 June. Initially, it will fly four weekly services to Lisbon nonstop with a flight time of around eight hours using Dreamliner 787-8 aircraft. It intends to increase to six weekly flights during the European summer season; July and August. Roundtrip fares start at around USD1,037.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, commented: “As we continue our network expansion in the European market, we are thrilled to welcome back Lisbon to our global network. This addition reaffirms the airline’s dedication to connecting people and places, making international travel more accessible and convenient across our global network.”

With scenic beaches, thriving cosmopolitan districts, and several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Lisbon offers the perfect starting point for travellers eager to explore Portugal’s rich tourism and cultural offerings.

As the latest addition to Qatar Airways’ global network of more than 170 destinations, Lisbon is the 47th European destination the airline serves. Lisbon also opens up a new entry point for international travel from Europe to the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. Some of the most popular destinations for travellers from Lisbon include Bali, Bangkok, Delhi, Denpasar, Kathmandu, and Male.

Top scorers in the Global Muslim Travel Index

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SINGAPORE, 12 June 2024: Southeast Asia has once again emerged as the world’s leading Muslim tourist destination in the latest edition of the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), with Indonesia and Malaysia tied for the top spot among 145 destinations in the 2024 study. 

Meanwhile, Singapore has consistently led among non-Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations for the ninth consecutive year, underscoring its unwavering dedication to catering to Muslim travellers through the widespread availability of Halal food, prayer facilities, suitable airport amenities, and Muslim-friendly accommodation.

According to the report, the Muslim travel market is set for a significant uptick this year, with global international arrivals potentially reaching up to 168 million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 5%. This volume growth highlights the segment’s rising prominence, driven by demographic and economic expansion, cultural and Halal tourism development, and technological advancements that enable more personalised travel experiences for Muslim travellers, such as apps that locate Halal food outlets, Qibla directions, and prayer timings. The impact of artificial intelligence is also helping further customise travel experiences to simplify travel logistics while adhering to faith traditions.

Retaining their joint top position as the leading OIC destinations for Muslim travellers for the 2nd consecutive year, Indonesia and Malaysia also scored favourably on ease of entry and quality of tourism infrastructure for both Muslim and non-Muslim travellers.

Thailand maintained its position in the top five non-OIC destinations owing to efforts to promote Halal tourism, such as increasing Halal food availability, integrating Muslim-friendly amenities at tourist spots, and enhancing accommodation and dining options for Muslim travellers. 

Meanwhile, the Philippines recorded an increase in its communication score compared to 2023. Among non-OIC destinations, the Philippines has steadily increased its appeal to Muslim tourists by strategically developing its Halal Tourism portfolio, enhancing halal accreditation of hotels and restaurants, and conducting Halal awareness orientations. This effort builds on their achievement of winning the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year award in last year’s Halal in Travel Global Summit, based on GMTI 2023 results. 

GMTI, now in its ninth year, analyses data across 145 destinations using the ACES framework, built around Access, Communication, Environment, and Services metrics. Over time, the criteria have evolved to keep pace with the changing needs of Muslim travellers. This year, new metrics on the availability of facilities and services for travellers with disabilities were added to the model.

“It is encouraging to see that the travel sectors in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore not only maintained their rankings in this year’s GMTI, but also improved their individual scores. This reflects a broader trend of increased consideration for Muslim travellers, with average scores across the Index rising by 10%,” said CrescentRating Founder & CEO Fazal Bahardeen.

He added: “It is also positive to see the Philippines continue to improve its score, which demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Department of Tourism to bolstering Muslim-friendly tourism and advancing the destination’s appeal. As Muslim travel continues to gain momentum, the GMTI 2024 report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders across the travel and tourism sector to leverage the growing Muslim travel market.”

Mastercard Division President, Southeast Asia Safdar Khan said: “According to the latest report from the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI), travellers from and to Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly focused on getting the best value from their trips to ensure the most unforgettable experiences, a shift echoed in the rapidly growing global Halal tourism industry. At the same time, technology is helping this demographic travel in ways that meet their unique needs, from AI-powered hyper-personalised experiences to Mastercard’s enablement of easy and secure cross-border payments. Together, this heralds a new level of convenience for Muslim travellers and unlocks a new era of growth and profitability for travel operators. Mastercard’s long-running collaboration with CrescentRating is both a testament to the strength of the partnership and the ongoing importance of understanding and serving Muslim travellers.”

Download the GMTI 2024 report here: https://www.crescentrating.com/halal-muslim-travel-market-reports.htm

Cathay brings the last plane back from the desert

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG 12 June 2024: The Cathay Group reactivated the 85th and final aircraft last week, ending the long-term parking of aircraft in Australia and Spain’s arid regions.

After nearly four years in the Australian desert, Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A330 registration B-HLV returned to Hong Kong, where it will now undergo an extensive hangar maintenance check. B-HLV was the first of the Cathay Group’s aircraft to go into long-term parking overseas on 28 July 2020, as global air travel came to a near-standstill during the pandemic.

Cathay Pacific and HK Express had to park most of their passenger fleet at Hong Kong International Airport and overseas in Alice Springs, Australia and Ciudad Real, Spain at the height of the pandemic. As the pandemic began to subside, the Cathay Group commenced progressively reactivating these aircraft. 

Chief Operations and Service Delivery Officer Alex McGowan said: “Parking and reactivating so many aircraft is a once-in-a-lifetime undertaking, the scale and complexity of which has never been seen before at Cathay. ​ An incredible amount of work goes into keeping an aircraft safe and protected when it isn’t flying and then reactivating it for entry back into regular service. To do this for more than 85 aircraft long-term parked overseas, as well as to manage the large number of aircraft that were parked in Hong Kong, is a phenomenal achievement.

“With our fleet now fully reunited, our focus is on investing for the future. The Cathay Group has more than 70 new aircraft on order, with the right to acquire an additional 52 aircraft. We are also exploring options for a new mid-size widebody aircraft. These investments reflect our ongoing confidence in the Hong Kong international aviation hub as we look ahead to the exciting opportunities presented by the Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport when fully commissioned by the end of this year.”

When it first arrived, each long-term parked aircraft in Alice Springs underwent a 14-day preservation check, followed by a repeating series of periodic inspections and checks. Over the course of the parking programme in Alice Springs, more than 16,000 of these periodic checks were performed, and 800,000 labour hours were spent performing preservation, periodic, and reactivation maintenance.

Furthermore, over 40,000 parts and specialised equipment were also shipped from Hong Kong to support the Alice Springs operation. Meanwhile, the Cathay Group’s on-site Quality Assurance team conducted more than 2,000 audits.

Tourism Recovery: a Mixed Picture

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BANGKOK, 12 June 2024: New consumer preferences and habits have emerged in the first half of 2024 in the Asia Pacific tourism sector, which is unevenly recovering from the pandemic years.

The post-Covid tourism surge from 2022 was initially powered by more affluent tourists seeking relaxation amid nature, user convenience, and sustainable and authentic local tourism experiences, all enabled by heightened travel digitalisation.

The latest Asia Pacific travel trends and insights from (l to r) Caroline Bremner, Euromonitor International, Noor Ahmad Hamid, PATA, and Dr Anyu Liu, Hong Kong PolyU.

Those trends have since evolved. Travel experts speaking at the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s “Navigating the Path to Tourism Recovery” webinar last week said megatrends such as value for money, seamless booking and payments, and travel that aligns more to consumer values are now the hallmarks of post-pandemic tourism in the region.

Euromonitor International Senior Head of Travel Research Caroline Bremner said destinations that deliver safety, relaxation, value, good quality food and drink and access to natural attractions would continue to do well. She noted that younger (Gen Z) travellers much preferred personalised, authentic local experiences, with price not so much of a consideration, relative to much older baby boomers who seek value.

Free cancellations, easy digital payments, reliable user reviews, free upgrades and personalised recommendations (especially from family or friends), turn lookers to bookers, said Ms Bremner.

Absent Chinese tourists

However, tourism experts addressing the webinar said that Chinese outbound tourism was still lagging, dampening tourism performance in destinations across the Asia Pacific. Indeed, China’s neighbouring destinations, such as Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam and Macau, may not fully recover until the end of 2026 due to Chinese travellers opting to stay home or travel domestically instead of abroad.

Destinations such as India and Thailand, which have all but recovered — or, in Singapore’s case, exceeded—their high point 2019 tourism arrival levels, did so by attracting tourists from markets such as Australia, Europe, and the USA to compensate for stay-away Chinese and Japanese.

China as a destination has its challenges, too. Hong Kong Polytechnic University Dr Anyu Liu revealed that international tourist arrivals into China are currently only around 80% of 2019 levels and may only return to around 96% by the end of 2026. Liu said inflation, labour supply challenges and regional conflicts dampened recovery.

Addressing the issues raised by the webinar regarding the Asia Pacific region as a whole, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said that tourism in the Asia Pacific could be enhanced by improving air capacity, better land-based regional connectivity, improved training to attract and retain skilled personnel, and an easing of visa restrictions.

Artificial intelligence in travel

Looking at a rapidly arriving travel tech future, the webinar speakers said that AI was a big concern as it could be manipulated to perpetuate bias and misinformation, especially in travel marketing. Bremner said AI needs to be used responsibly and carefully as a travel enabler. 

It is necessary to keep destination information honest and up to date as AI bots perpetually scrape the internet for publicly available data.

The speakers also noted that AI was already being used to suggest travel itineraries and to train hospitality staff in educational settings. 

Could AI bots replace tourism forecasters in universities? “We did some internal tests to see if ChatGPT could generate more accurate forecasts than us,” said Liu. “So far, we’re safe,” he quipped.

PATA will release its mid-year tourism forecast reports on 39 Asia Pacific destinations on 25 June. Its Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2024-2026 are available in the research section of www.PATA.org. 

Korean Air ready to fly to Lisbon

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SINGAPORE, 11 June 2024: Korean Air will launch scheduled charter flights to Lisbon, Portugal, from 11 September to 25 October.

The airline confirms it will schedule three weekly flights between Seoul Incheon and Lisbon on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, offering 20 roundtrip flights during the two months, served by a Boeing 787-9.

Roundtrip fares in economy class start at USD1,403.

The scheduled charter flights will be the only nonstop flights between Northeast Asia and Lisbon. Previously, travellers had to transfer to neighbouring countries such as France and Spain or switch to land transport upon arrival in Europe to reach Lisbon.

Lisbon is nestled along the banks of the Tejo (Tagus) River on the Iberian Peninsula and offers a combination of historical and contemporary attractions. From the beautiful beaches to multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, the city is an appealing destination for both leisure seekers and cultural explorers. Lisbon is frequently portrayed in various media and remains a popular destination for backpackers and honeymooners.

Tickets are on sale through the Korean Air website, the airline’s mobile app, or online travel agencies. There’s a plan on the table to extend the flights during the winter season from 26 October 2024 to 26 March 2025.

Meanwhile, KAL confirms it will launch direct daily flights between Incheon, Seoul, and Macau as of 19 July using an A321-neo (business and economy class configuration, total 179 seats). The flight time is three hours and 40 minutes.

Flight KE169 departs Incheon at 2115 and arrives in Macau at 2355.
Flight KE170 departs Macau at 0110 and arrives in Incheon at 0600.

Google Flights quotes a roundtrip fare of USD190 on the new direct service. (KE quotes USD210). The arrival of KE on the route will intensify competition and possibly reduce fares in the long run. Jeju Air and Jin Air both fly the route daily and Air Macau twice daily quoting fares this week of between USD201 to USD271.

The average fare on the route is currently USD260.

Emirates to fly to Madagascar

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DUBAI, 11 June 2024: Emirates will launch flights to Madagascar from 3 September 2024, offering more choice and connectivity for travellers and driving inbound leisure and business travel. 

The four-weekly flights between Dubai (DXB) and Antananarivo (TNR) will operate via a linked service with the Seychelles.

Boosting international travel to and from Madagascar, the flight times have been scheduled to optimise connections to and from key points in Europe, the Far East, West Asia and the Middle East/GCC. 

EK707 will depart from Dubai to Seychelles at 0855, arriving in Mahe at 1335, and will continue on to Antananarivo to land at 1650. The return flight EK708 departs Antananarivo at 1835, landing in Mahe at 2220. The flight takes off from Mahe at 2350 to Dubai, landing at 0420 the next day. Flights will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Travellers wanting to combine two holidays in one can conveniently fly between the Seychelles and Madagascar in style and comfort.

Tourism is a critical pillar in Madagascar’s economy, creating thousands of employment opportunities that support the country’s goal to serve one million tourists by 2028. Emirates’ new route will provide connectivity from over 140 points in its global network, supporting the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to diversify target markets and introduce international travellers to the island’s many natural attractions. Emirates is also discussing with Air Madagascar to offer further global connectivity to promote tourism and trade.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Adnan Kazim said: “Madagascar has historically been underserved, despite growing appetite from travellers for authentic ecotourism experiences. Emirates understands the importance of offering customers efficient connectivity and premium travel experiences, and we’re confident that this new service will have a positive impact on boosting Madagascar’s connectivity, offering more opportunities for travellers to discover the hidden gem that is Madagascar, in addition to opening new international business opportunities.”

World Heritage sites

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, boasting stunning scenery from white sandy beaches and emerald waters to lush rainforests and national parks and the fossilised shells on limestone plateaus. Colloquially referred to as Treasure Island, it is home to three World Heritage UNESCO sites.

Adventurers can partake in several exciting activities, such as hiking, trekking or quad biking, or take to the seas with kite surfing, scuba diving or whale watching. Animal lovers can visit Lemur’s Park and discover nine types of lemurs, along with other wildlife and fauna, while food lovers can sample the traditional cuisine and delicious local produce.

Madagascar is also home to a wealth of precious biodiversity, with 5% of the planet’s plant and animal species found only on the island. To protect the intricacies of the natural world, Madagascar encourages ecotourism, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in the abundance of nature and embrace the local culture while respecting the environment.

The UAE and Madagascar have grown their bilateral relationship across several sectors, including commercial, logistics and other industries, to reinforce the growth of mutual trade. With the launch of the passenger flight, the airline’s cargo arm, Emirates SkyCargo, will support this by exporting goods via its state-of-the-art hub in Dubai into key markets such as the UAE, China, Indonesia, the US and France, among others.

Fuelled by the country’s entrepreneurial spirit, more Malagasy businesses target global audiences. Offering 22 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity in and out of Antananarivo every week, Emirates SkyCargo will uplift critical commodities such as fresh fruits and vegetables, vanilla, textiles and mining products, transporting them quickly, efficiently and reliably via the airline’s multi-vertical specialised product portfolio.

The Dubai- Antananarivo route will be served by the Boeing 777-300ER, with eight First Class suites, 42 Business Class suites and 310 seats in economy. Offering the best experience in the sky, passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages. Customers can tune in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment in various languages on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system.

Tickets can be booked now on emirates.com or via travel agents.

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