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Anantara expands in Bali

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TTR WEEKLY
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DENPASAR Bali, 28 May 2024: Minor Hotels announced this week the signing of a management agreement for a new-build resort and branded residences on the Indonesian island of Bali. 

Opening in 2027, the Anantara Dragon Seseh Bali Resort will be the first beachfront resort on Seseh Beach and the third Anantara Hotels & Resorts property in Bali.

Anantara Dragon Seseh Bali Resort Signing Ceremony – Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, and Artur Mkhitaryan, Founder and CEO of Taryan Group.

Featuring 216 rooms and suites, Anantara Dragon Seseh Bali Resort is located on the black volcanic shores of Seseh Beach, a short drive from southern coast hotspots Canggu and Seminyak and an hour from Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). 

The Anantara Dragon Seseh Bali Resort is owned by the Taryan Group, a leading real estate and development company focused on progressive, innovative and ambitious development projects founded by Artur Mkhitaryan. The Anantara Dragon Seseh Bali Residences will be available for purchase through Taryan Group, with Anantara providing overall resort management.

Minor Hotels currently operates two properties on Indonesia’s most-visited island: the Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort, a 73-key resort on the southern tip of Bali, and Avani Seminyak Bali Resort, an upscale lifestyle resort of 37 suites and pool villas. The hotel group is expanding its footprint in Bali this year with the addition of the Anantara Ubud Bali Resort, opening in September. Nestled amid tropical jungle and verdant rice fields, Anantara Ubud Bali Resort brings Anantara’s authentic luxury to the island’s interior with 66 suites and pool villas and 15 Anantara-branded residences.

Time is running out to tap Club Med discount

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 28 May 2024: Club Med invites travellers to take advantage of its mid-year offer and enjoy a 40% discount at five resorts across Asia.

The resorts are located in Lijiang Yunnan China; Bali Indonesia, Phuket, Thailand; and two properties in the Maldives.

Photo credit: Club Med. Five Asian resorts, with two in the Maldives, offer 40% off.

Participating resorts

  • Club Med Lijang; 
  • Club Med Bali; 
  • Club Med Phuket;
  • Club Med Kani, Maldives;
  • Club Med Finolhu, Maldives.

Club Med’s Mid-Year offer will apply when customers book a trip from now until 10 June  2024. The savings are 40%  on all room types at the five resorts, but the promotion is subject to availability, and blackout dates could apply.

In addition, families can take advantage of year-round family discounts. Children aged 12-17 are eligible for a 20% discount off the adult rate, while those aged 4-11 enjoy 40%.

(SOURCE: Club Med)

Smoothing out flights for two festivals

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 28 May 2024: AirAsia reminds Malaysian passengers travelling during the upcoming festive celebration periods to adhere to a recently released travel advisory to ensure a smoother travel experience in light of the extra demand during a peak travel period. 

Passengers are being asked to self-check via the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly airasia Superapp). Self-check-in is complimentary and available as early as 14 days up to one hour before the scheduled departure time. Guests are encouraged to perform mobile check-in via the AirAsia MOVE app and obtain their electronic Boarding Passes to minimise physical contact and crowding at the airport.

Counter check-in service will only be available for guests with reduced mobility, those travelling with an infant (under 24 months of age), pregnant guests, senior citizens and young guests travelling alone.

Guests with reduced mobility may pre-book Special Assistance (Wheelchair Service) at the time of booking or via “My Bookings” tab on the AirAsia MOVE app at least four hours before the scheduled flight departure time.

Arrive early at the airport, at least two hours before your domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. The check-in counter will close 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) and 45 minutes before departure at other airports in Malaysia for domestic flights.

Kaamatan and Gawai
Celebrated in Sabah and Sarawak, Kaamatan and Gawai are both rice harvest festivals, but each has a rich history and culture of deeply rooted traditions. 
The indigenous people of Sabah celebrate Kaamatan on 30 and 31 May. The word ‘Kaamatan’ originated from the Kadazan-Dusun term for “harvest.” 

During the paddy harvesting period, villagers, citizens and native folk alike partake in a series of auspicious rituals as homage to Huminodun, the maiden daughter of God Kinoingan. Legend believes that Huminodun sacrificed herself by ‘sowing’ her body and spirit into the ground, which transformed them into lush food and crops that saved humankind during a long famine.

Kaamatan in modern times has evolved to include a number of fun activities for Sabahans — most prominently, the Unduk Ngadau beauty pageant that is held annually in the state. 

Hari Gawai, or Gawai Dayak, is celebrated officially in Sarawak on June 1 and 2 each year to mark the end of the harvest season by paying tributes to the gods who’ve sent good fortunes and blessings, but preparations and festivities will usually start weeks beforehand. 

The Dayak community comprises Ibans, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut and many more ethnicities and Gawai is revered as an auspicious thanksgiving and harvest festival that honours the state’s indigenous heritage whilst marking an abundance of bountiful yields. The brewing of tuak, traditional rice wine and merrymaking during this special time of the year, is an integral part of the community spirit in Hari Gawai. Today, many local folk in longhouses and small villages still practise these traditions right to the tiny details.

Radisson flies the flag in Ho Tram Vietnam

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 28 May 2024: Radisson Hotel Group confirms the signing of Radisson Blu Resort, Ho Tram, a new upscale resort located directly on a beach in Ho Tram, in southern Vietnam’s Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

The property, due to open in 2028, is being developed on a site easily accessible from the soon-to-open Long Thanh International Airport, Vietnam’s new global aviation gateway, near Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ho Tram coastal enclave has experienced a development boom in recent years as investors and explorers seek short or extended getaways amid spectacular scenery and first-class facilities.

The 225-key Radisson Blu Resort will feature beachfront villas, restaurants, a beachside bar, an infinity pool, a spa, and a fitness centre. It will also have meeting facilities and a ballroom for weddings and banquet events.

The brand-new mixed-use development will also feature private residences and a yacht club and have direct access to the coastal road and a diverse natural landscape of beaches, rivers, mountains, hot springs and forests.

The Bluffs, a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course, Casino Ho Tram, open 24 hours with 5,000m² of gaming space, and Hamptons Pier, the longest pier in Asia, are all within easy reach of the property.

TAT ties the knot with Traveloka

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, Thailand, 28 May 2024: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Traveloka, a leading travel platform in Southeast Asia have, t signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to enhance the travel platform’s commitment to Thailand’s tourism industry. 

Both parties will collaborate to promote inbound and domestic tourism, including secondary destinations.

Traveloka co-founder Albert Albert (left) and TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool (right) sign the MoU.

The MOA provides the legal framework for Traveloka to collaborate with the TAT on dual marketing campaigns, sustainability initiatives and travel insights. This agreement also allows Traveloka to collaborate directly with the TAT head office in Bangkok and all domestic and overseas offices. This will further strengthen Traveloka’s support of the Thai travel industry through its extensive reach and expertise.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said: “This MOA marks a strategic collaboration with Traveloka, our long-term partner who has been supporting us in promoting secondary cities and inbound travel. The agreement will enable us to expand the scope of our partnership. In addition, this enhanced partnership with Traveloka will help solidify Thailand’s position as an industry leader in moving towards experience-based and sustainable tourism.”

“Traveloka is very pleased to support the policy to drive tourism for sustainable economic growth. From January to March, the campaign ‘Unveiling Thailand’s Treasure,’ in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), was highly successful in showcasing the potential of lesser-known tourist destinations to a wider audience. According to last year’s statistics, Traveloka saw an increase in domestic market sales, both in flights and accommodations, especially during Chinese New Year and Songkran festivals in Bangkok and its vicinity, as well as in major tourist provinces like Chiang Mai, Songkhla (Hat Yai), and Udon Thani. This reflects the continued demand for domestic travel, signalling positive growth for the local economy,” said Traveloka Co-Founder Albert Albert.

The recent joint campaign, ‘Unveiling Thailand’s Treasure,’ in which Traveloka played a crucial role, was successfully implemented in Q1 of this year. This collaboration extends TAT’s ongoing efforts to promote secondary cities and emerging destinations across Thailand.

TAT’s campaign has broadened the spectrum of tourism activities, spanning economic advantages to emerging destinations. It also promotes the exploration of secondary cities, uncovering ‘Hidden Gems’ that bring a fresh and interesting dimension to travel itineraries.

Traveloka witnessed a significant demand in the domestic market, especially as the lunar new year and Songkran holidays approached. Bangkok Metropolitan emerged as the leading domestic source city, followed by Chiang Mai, Hat Yai, and Udon Thani. Utilising these data-driven insights will enable both parties to identify customer’s travel needs and aspirations while collaborating to promote sustainable tourism practices that contribute to the well-being of local Thai communities.

Iberojet ready to fly to Bangkok

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 28 May 2024: Spanish low-cost airline Iberojet promotes its new service on Facebook, starting on 30 May between Madrid and Bangkok.

According to the airline’s Facebook promotions, sales officially opened on 24 May, but reservations remained closed just days before the launch date end of May. However, a Skyscanner search on the evening of 27 May showed the direct flight Madrid-Bangkok is now open for bookings every Thursday throughout June. You can select a roundtrip fare of USD570 for June travel dates. Skyscanner transfers you to the airline’s website, where the reservation process continues, allowing you to close the deal with a credit card debit.

Advance timetable data shows the airline has scheduled the first departure from Madrid to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, leaving the Spanish capital late Thursday on 30 May and returning from Bangkok on Friday.

The airline flies A350-900 aircraft mainly to destinations in the Caribbean and Central America, from Spain to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and identifies Bangkok as its first destination in Asia. It will mark the first time a Spanish airline has served the Thai capital with a scheduled service rather than charters. Initially, it plans to fly just once a week, but advance timetable analysts say it will increase to twice-weekly flights in early October this year. 

As it stands now the Iberojet schedule is as follows:

Flight E9845 will depart Madrid at 2145 on Thursday and arrive in Bangkok at 1515 plus day.
Flight E9846 will depart Bangkok at 1915 on Friday and arrive in Madrid at 0315 plus a day.

Based on the airline’s website, the oneway fare starts at  EUR250, and the return fare starts at EUR495.

Thai Vietjet recruits cadet pilots

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 27 May 2024: Thai Vietjet Air Joint Stock Company Ltd (TVJ) is gearing up for a substantial fleet and network expansion to meet the increasing demand for air travel.

As part of its expansion plan, Thai Vietjet will take delivery of up to 50 new aircraft in five years, starting in early 2025.

Woranate Laprabang CEO Thai Vietjet.

To respond to the future job demand for professional pilots for such an aggressive fleet expansion, Thai Vietjet, in close collaboration with Bangkok Aviation Centre Public Company Ltd (BAC), will soon launch a new recruitment campaign for cadet pilots, a comprehensive training programme to develop qualified professional commercial airline pilots.

Under Thai Vietjet’s cadet pilots programme, BAC will be responsible for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training, while Thai Vietjet will handle aircraft type rating training. Upon successfully completing the whole training programme, students will be guaranteed employment as first officers in Thai Vietjet’s ranks.

Under the recently signed Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) between Thai Vietjet and BAC, both will jointly design and create a rigorous selection process and stringent quality monitoring system to ensure the production of the highest-quality professional commercial airline pilots.

Thai Vietjet Chief Executive Officer Woranate Laprabang said: “We are proud to work with BAC to create an opportunity to produce more professional pilots to meet the high demand in the future and enable aviation enthusiasts to realise their flying career ambitions through this exciting programme.”

Thai Vietjet’s upcoming Sky Career Festival in Bangkok this coming June is the launch venue for the first round of trainee recruitment.

Langkawi hosts sports fishing event

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 27 May 2024: The Langkawi Satun Fishing Thru Andaman 2024 event held from 17 to 19 May attracted 210 top anglers from Malaysia and Thailand, further cementing its position as an important calendar event for Southeast Asia’s angling community.

The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) hosted the prestigious tournament in partnership with the Tourism & Sports Department of Satun Province.

Photo credit: LADA. Satun’s team wins the top prize.

Royal Appearances 

The tournament was graced by Tunku Mahkota Kedah, Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin, and Che Puan Nur Julie Ariff, adding a touch of royalty to the competitive event.

Spectacular Catches

Anglers vied for the best catches, including Giant Trevally, Grouper, Red Snapper, Barracuda, and other prized species.

Stunning Venues

The competition commenced in the beautiful locale of Satun, Thailand, and concluded with an electrifying weigh-in event in Langkawi, Malaysia.

Winners and Prizes

Top Team: The Pran Tah-Le team from Thailand emerged victorious, winning the MYR20,000 prize money for the Heaviest Fish Team category with a remarkable 48.2 kg catch. Their captain also secured MYR1,500 for the best captain category.

Runner-Ups

LADA’s Welfare and Sports Club from Malaysia claimed second place with a 35.7 kg catch, earning MYR5,000. The Public Works Department team followed closely, taking third place with a 33.5 kg catch and receiving MYR3,000.

Why This Event Mattered

Cultural Exchange: The tournament showcased incredible fishing talent and fostered unity and camaraderie between the Malaysian and Thai communities.

Economic Boost: Event tourism benefits the region and local businesses and enhances the profile of Langkawi and Satun as prime sports fishing destinations. It also illustrates the potential for tourism cooperation between Langkawi and Thailand’s southwest provinces bordering the Andaman Sea and close to Malaysia. 

Role of Sports in Tourism
Langkawi has been actively developing sports events to boost sports tourism. Here are some key strategies adopted by LADA:

Established Events: Langkawi already hosts successful annual events like the Royal Langkawi International Regatta (sailing) and the Ironman Triathlon, attracting international competitors and spectators.

Strategic Partnerships: Collaboration between government bodies and tourism authorities plays a role in securing sponsorships and promoting these events effectively.

Variety of Sports: The focus is on a broad range of sports to cater to different interests, including water sports (sailing, regattas), cycling (Ironman), and potentially fishing tournaments like the recent Langkawi Satun Fishing Thru Andaman.
For more information on LADA, visit https://www.lada.gov.my/en/ and www.naturallylangkawi.my

CentaraThai1 members gain dining perks

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 27 May 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced its new strategic partnership with Central Restaurants Group (CRG), a leader in Thailand’s food chain industry. 

The partnership will further enhance the benefits offered to CentaraThe1 members. They can now exchange their loyalty points for cash vouchers and other perks redeemable at Central Restaurants Group outlets across Thailand.

Photo credit: Centara. Second from left Chatchai Unahabhokha and third from left Tom Thrussel.

This innovative partnership aims to provide Centara guests with unparalleled flexibility and added value to their membership experience.

For example, CentaraThe1 members who redeem 900 points via https://centara1card.com/reward will receive a CRG cash coupon worth THB100. These vouchers can then be used at a wide range of popular restaurants, including Mister Donut, Auntie Anne’s, Pepper Lunch, Chabuton, Cold Stone Creamery, Yoshinoya, Tenya, Katsuya, Arigato, and Terraces de Bangkok.

“This partnership with Central Restaurants Group underscores our commitment to enriching the Centara member experience, adding value to our customer offerings and strengthening the CentaraThe1 loyalty platform,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Vice President – Brand, Marketing & Digital Tom Thrussell. “By offering the option to redeem points for cash vouchers and special menu items at CRG outlets, our guests have a greater choice than ever before when it comes to spending points – from hotel experiences to retail, from airlines to restaurants and beyond.”

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Centara Hotels & Resorts to offer an exciting new dimension to the CentaraThe1 loyalty programme,” said Central Restaurants Group Head of Strategy, JV, and Channel Management Chatchai Unahabhokha. 

“Through this partnership, we look forward to welcoming CentaraThe1 members to our diverse portfolio of restaurants, where they can create unforgettable memories while indulging in an array of unique dining options.”

CentaraThe1 members can also access additional benefits, including movie tickets, spa and massage treatments, buffet vouchers, and more. Anyone interested in a CentaraThe1 membership can sign up for free in less than a minute at www.centarathe1.com.

For more information about this offer, visit https://centara1card.com/reward

Steady recovery for airline connectivity

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 May 2027: Connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region, which has faced significant challenges, is rebounding swiftly during the first quarter of 2024, ForwardKeys’ Director of Intelligence & Marketing, Olivier Ponti, reports in the research company’s latest Asia Pacific Travel Trends analysis.

Chinese outbound travel during the recent Labour Day holiday indicates a 16% decrease compared to the levels recorded in 2019, but that is likely to be replaced by a positive trend by year-end, fuelled by the relaxation of visa policies, which has notably enhanced Chinese travel to numerous destinations. 

Photo credit: ForwardKeys. China outbound is still off the 2019 pace by minus 16%.

“Data revealed a 212% surge in travel from China to Kazakhstan, with notable increases to Singapore, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, and the Maldives. However, Thailand’s slower recovery is attributed to ongoing safety concerns,” Ponti noted in the Q1 review.

As of the first quarter of 2024, the region’s seat capacity recovery is just 13% shy of 2019 levels. Notably, the Asia-Pacific outpaced global seat capacity growth, registering a seven-percentage point increase compared to the global average of three percentage points between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. 

As seat capacity gradually rebounds, fares have shown a consistent downward trend since 2023 despite remaining higher than 2019 levels due to limited capacity and strong demand. This trend was particularly evident during significant events such as Chinese New Year and major concerts in Singapore. 

For example, Taylor Swift’s concert in Singapore in early March led to a 17% increase in travel from Southeast Asia, contrasting with a 27% decline in the rest of the month.

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