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Cooking class on a farm tops Asia ranking

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 June 2023: Tripadvisor announced Wednesday its 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best “Things to Do” Awards that identified ‘Smile Organic Farm Cooking School’ in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as the top-ranked activity in Asia and second in the world.

Tripadvisor claims its Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Things to Do is a “definitive list of extraordinary experiences for travellers looking for the best activities and excursions.”

Asia’s travel experience comprised five entries in the Top 10 Best Experiences in the World list. The top in Asia and second in the world list is Thai Cooking Course – Chiang Mai, Thailand. The top experience in Singapore is the Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore.

The awards are based on review data from 1 May  2022 to 30 April 30 2023.

According to Tripadvisor’s most recent Seasonal Travel Index, almost a third (28%) of travellers are motivated by the opportunity to experience something new, and just under half (44%) want to make memories with family and friends on vacation.

Unmissable Experiences

According to Tripadvisor reviewers, the world’s best experiences for 2023 is an eclectic mix. From sampling Iceland’s culinary delights on a Reykjavik food walk to a guided tour of Korea’s Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), which separates South Korea from North, many new experiences await travellers this summer. 

According to Tripadvisor reviewers, Vietnam is the place that left the biggest impression on travellers, with three different tours in three different cities making it to the Top 10 list in Asia.

Rediscover Japan from a historic Gassho home

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 June 2023: This summer, Airbnb offers guests an opportunity to experience Japan’s Gokayama World Heritage Site with a stay at a historic Gassho home in the village of Suganumaon on the shores of the Sho River.

With support from Nanto City, the Nakashima family – fifth-generation locals – are listing their centuries-old, thatched-roof house on the Airbnb platform to enable guests to explore Suganuma village in an incredibly authentic way.

Airbnb Gassho – House Exterior – Credit Satoshi Nagare.

Following three years of travel restrictions, lockdowns and isolation, locals and travellers seek connection with the world around them. In a recent survey, over 60% of respondents said they felt travelling on Airbnb provided a closer connection to the local culture than staying in a hotel or resort.

Often regarded as a “hidden village” without tourist accommodation (typically, only residents are permitted to enter after dusk), Suganuma is a cultural time capsule. This unique Airbnb stay offers guests the opportunity to experience the village in a way that upholds its traditions and preserves its heritage for generations to come. 

The village’s nine Gassho-zukuri style farmhouses, like the Nakashimas’ family home, are particular to the region, with their pitched, thatched roof structures enabling these homes to withstand heavy winter snowfall and the test of time. The thatching technique is a local tradition that requires a lot of time and effort, so locals work together based on the system of yui, the spirit of mutual support, in which Suganuma and its preservation are rooted.

A beautiful example of living in harmony with nature, Suganuma is a feast for the eyes and the soul. The Nakashima family are proud to invite one group of two guests* to see their peaceful valley for themselves for a two-night stay from 17 to 19 July 2023 for How to book

Those interested in exploring one of Japan’s hidden gems, like a local, can request to book this stay beginning Friday, 30 June at 0900 JST (0700 ICT) at airbnb.com/gassho.

Skytrax’s top award goes to SQ

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 June 2023: Singapore Airlines has been named World’s Best Airline in the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards for the fifth time.

SIA took the top spot in four categories at this year’s Skytrax awards, including Best First Class Airline, Best First Class Comfort Amenities, and Best Airline in Asia.

SIA’s low-cost subsidiary Scoot was also named Best Long Haul Low-cost Airline and ranked second in the World’s Best Low-cost Airlines category.

The Skytrax awards are based on surveys of over 20 million travellers across over 100 nationalities, who rated over 325 airlines between September 2022 and May 2023.

Singapore Airlines, chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong received the World’s Best Airline award in Paris on Tuesday, 20 June.

“We are very grateful to our customers for their enduring loyalty to and affection for Singapore Airlines. During the pandemic, their support and encouragement gave us the strength and determination to overcome the unprecedented challenges,” said Goh. “Today, as we recover from the pandemic, we are firmly committed to innovating and investing in industry-leading products and services and ensuring that SIA continues to offer our customers a world-class travel experience.”

(Source: SIA Group)

Khiri wins two awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 JUNE 2023: Khiri Travel has won “Best Sustainable Tourism Company – Thailand” and “Best Destination Management Company – Thailand” at the 2023 International Travel Awards held in Dubai 17 June.

Award organisers, UAE-based Golden Tree, said: “Khiri Travel has shown itself as a brilliant representative of excellent services in the global tourism industry.”

Willem Niemeijer, CEO and founder of award-winning Khiri Travel. 

Over a hundred thousand international travellers and tourism industry professionals vote to select the winners across all categories each year.

Acknowledging the two awards,  Khiri Travel CEO and founder Willem Niemeijer said: “Two international travel awards in one evening is a testament to over three decades of innovation and commitment to responsible tourism.”

He added: “While Thailand is Khiri’s biggest destination, we apply the same commitment to discovery and high-quality, sustainable travel in all the eight Asian destinations where we operate.”

In May, Khiri Travel celebrated its 30th anniversary, growing from a start-up in a Bangkok shophouse in 1993 to one of Asia’s leading destination management companies three decades later.

Khiri Travel has tour operations in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Earlier this month, Khiri Travel was lauded by readers of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia as one of the top five tour operators in the region.

Khiri Travel’s charitable arm, Khiri Reach, has been shortlisted in the Travel Marketing Awards held in London on 3 July.

Penang rolls out food festival finale

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TTR WEEKLY
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PENANG, Malaysia, 21 June 2023: Penang will be buzzing with activities this weekend, 24 to 25 June, when travellers can feast on popular Penang cuisine and travel content providers can learn about the state’s thriving Halal industry

The popular holiday island will host two festive events; the Penang International Food Festival (PIFF) 2023 finale Penang Food Festival and the Penang International Halal Expo & Conference (PIHEC) 2023. Both events will be hosted this weekend in one location; Setia SPICE.

On Monday, the Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE) YB Yeoh Soon Hin presented the festival dates and programmes in a joint press conference at Setia SPICE Convention Centre.

In line with the Penang State Government’s Penang 2030 vision, the two festivals have been designed to strengthen Penang’s position as Malaysia’s top tourist destination, a gastronomic hub, and a leading halal hub in the region.

PIFF 2023 culminates a month-long gastronomic celebration on the island with the finale Penang Food Festival on 24 & 25 June, hosted at Setia SPICE Outdoor Car Park and Setia SPICE Rooftop Garden.

At the SPICE Outdoor Car Park, visitors can feast on various mouth-watering local and international dishes served at food stalls and food trucks specially chosen for the Festival. Meanwhile, foodies, culture cravers, music lovers, and shopaholics alike will find much to discover at the SPICE Rooftop Garden, where they can indulge in appetising eats offered by food stalls operated by notable cafes, restaurants and hotels and experience a cultural extravaganza with an exciting lineup of diverse performances. The winners of Foodie Exploration will also be announced at the finale.

Halal Trade and Travel event

PIHEC 2023 will take place at SETIA Spice Convention Centre & Arena from 23 to 25 June, consisting of four-panel sessions, several parallel programmes, and a trade expo focusing on three critical sectors – halal trade & travel, modest fashion and halal tech. On top of that, there will also be exciting cultural performances, meet and greet sessions, cooking demonstrations and plenty more to add excitement to the conference.

About PIFF

The Penang International Food Festival 2023 is organised by Dreamz Productions Events Management, endorsed by the Penang State Government, and is fully supported by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), and Penang Global Tourism (PGT).

About PIHEC

The Penang International Halal Expo & Conference (PIHEC) 2023 is organised by Penang Halal International, and endorsed by the Penang State Government. It is fully supported by the Penang State Exco for Trade, Industry and Entrepreneur Development, Penang State EXCO for Tourism and Creative Economy (PETACE), Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), Penang Global Tourism (PGT), Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) Malaysia, Invest Penang, Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Pulau Pinang (PERDA), Zakat Pulau Pinang, Digital Penang, Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa (KITAB) Pulau Pinang, and  PICEB.

Sarawak hosts PATA Destination Forum and Mart

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 21 June 2023: Pacific Asia Travel Association’s faithful members and VIPs attend the PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, this week, 21 to 23 June.

Many of the association’s members have just returned from attending PATA’s Annual Summit and Adventure Mart hosted in Pokhara, Nepal 30 May to 2 June. In Kuching, the mart component will focus on sustainable tourism content led by Sarawak, a long-time pioneer in ecotourism and conservation.

Following the welcome dinner hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry & Performing Arts Sarawak on Tuesday, the event gets up to full speed with a full-day forum and mart on 22 June and a travel mart with themed conference sessions on the sidelines during the closing day Friday.

Sarawak Tourism Board will host all delegates at the opening night of the Rainforest World Music Festival on Friday evening,  23 June, noting it is “not only about music but also the platform sends a strong message about responsible tourism”.

Photo credit: Sarawak Tourism Board

STB uses RWMF ticket revenue and sponsorships to drive its green initiatives involving projects that aim to plant 35 million tree saplings by 2025.

PATA Destination Experience Forum and Mart 2023 (PDFM 2023) deliver a  line-up of industry leaders who will speak on various topics about responsible tourism to give the audience an analytical and practical understanding of sustainable tourism.

Subjects covered at the forum and conference sessions focus on Ecotourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Adventure Travel, Destination Management and Digital Marketing.

The event comprises four components – Destination Experiences, a Conference, a B2B Adventure Travel Trade Show and various networking opportunities.

Top-of-mind themes at the forum and conference sessions focus on Ecotourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Adventure Travel, Destination Management and Digital Marketing.

Commenting on the role of gastronomy tourism Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor noted the theme suits Sarawak perfectly, as its capital city Kuching was recognised as the “City of Gastronomy” by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2021.

“Sarawak’s diversity in ethnicities and culture has created a wealth of authentic dishes and food that are staples of the indigenous households, passed down through generations, making Sarawak not only a destination rich with nature and culture but also a place to enjoy and relish in a variety of local foods,” commented Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor.

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia, located along the southwest tip of the island of Borneo, the third largest island in the world. A vibrant city well known for its culture, adventure, nature, food, and festival elements. Visitors can enjoy pristine rainforests, meet orangutans, spot the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia, check out the second largest museum in Southeast Asia, the Borneo Cultures Museum, and find the rare proboscis monkey endemic to Borneo at the oldest national park in Sarawak, Bako National Park.

For more information visit www.sarawaktourism.com

OUTRIGGER repeats win at 2023 TravelAge awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 21 June 2023: OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels has won two TravelAge West 2023 WAVE Awards in the categories of Best Hotel Brand, Hawaii and Best Hotel Brand for Families, Hawaii, at the recent TravelAge West WAVE (Western Advisors’ Votes of Excellence) Awards in Marina del Rey, California.

OUTRIGGER was selected by more than 6,500 travel professionals throughout the US. They voted on the best of the best from a list of Editor’s Pick award recipients. Review methods included product analysis, on-site visits, a survey of a select group of travel advisors and online research. This is the 5th time OUTRIGGER has been awarded the honour as Hawaii’s Best Hotel Brand and the 4th time for Hawaii’s Best Hotel Brand for Families.

OUTRIGGER’s Rob Taylor (Global Account Manager), Geri Harvey-Gundlach (Global Account Manager), Angela Murphy (Vice President Sales – The Americas and Bob Froio (Senior Director of Global Account Manager Team).

“OUTRIGGER is celebrating 75 years as a Hawaii-born hospitality company this year, and a continued vote of confidence from our valued travel agent partners is a true validation of the exceptional care we take in servicing them,” said OUTRIGGER Hospitality executive vice president and group chief commercial officer Sean Dee. “I am incredibly proud of our team and look forward to further strengthening these partnerships as we solidify our standing as the premier beach resort company in the world.”

For more information or to book a stay at an award-winning OUTRIGGER property, please visit www.outrigger.com.

The TravelAge West WAVE Awards ceremony took place on 8 June.

2023 Halal in Travel Award winners

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 21 June 2023: This year’s Halal In Travel Awards, announced during the recent Third Halal In Travel Global Summit, recognised 16 awardees across three categories.                          

Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index Awards recognise destinations for their unwavering commitment to creating a Muslim-friendly environment.

●  Top Muslim-friendly Destination of The Year: Joint Winners Indonesia & Malaysia

●  Top Muslim-friendly Destination of The Year (Non-OIC1): Singapore

●  Muslim Women-friendly Destination of the Year: Malaysia

●  Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of The Year (Non-OIC1): The Philippines

●  Most Accessible Destination of The Year by Air: Türkiye

●  Sustainable Destination of The Year: Japan

●  Stakeholder Awareness Campaign of The Year: Indonesia

1 Non-OIC: Countries outside of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.                                                                                

Muslim-friendly Service Provider Awards celebrates establishments that have exceeded expectations in curating services catering to the needs and wants of Muslim travellers.

●  Muslim-friendly Hotel Chain of The Year: Shaza Hotels, United Arab Emirates.

●  Muslim-friendly Hotel of The Year: Wome Deluxe, Antalya, Türkiye.

●  Muslim-friendly Cruise Line of The Year: Resorts World Cruises – Genting Dream Cruise Ship, Singapore.

●  Muslim-friendly Tour Operator of The Year: Holiday Bosnia.

●  Muslim-friendly Game Reserve and National Park of The Year: Aquila Private Game  Reserve and Spa, Cape Town, South Africa.

●  Halal Travel Tour Guide of The Year: Abdul Maalik Tailor, London, United Kingdom

HalalTrip Travellers Choice Awards inspire and captivate those seeking halal-friendly travel experiences. 

●  Most Promising Muslim-friendly City Destination of The Year (Non-OIC): Taipei City, Taiwan

●  Islamic Heritage City Destination of The Year: Khiva, Uzbekistan

●  Halal Travel Marketing Campaign of The Year: Málaga, Spain

“We would like to congratulate all the winners for their exceptional commitment and invite the global travel industry to continue working towards creating more inclusive and welcoming experiences for Muslim travellers,” said CrescentRating and Halaltrip, CEO Fazal Bahardeen.

The awards were presented during the Halal In Travel Global Summit 2023, a pioneering event dedicated to driving growth, innovation, and inclusivity in the global travel and tourism industry.

About CrescentRating

CrescentRating is the leading authority on Halal travel and tourism. The company uses insights, industry intelligence, lifestyle, behaviour and research on the needs of the Muslim traveller to deliver authoritative guidance on all aspects of Halal travel to organisations worldwide.

Etihad launches flight to Lisbon

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 21 June 2023: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, touched down for the first time in Lisbon on Sunday, 18 June, marking the launch of scheduled services between Abu Dhabi and the Portuguese capital.

The inaugural flight, EY63, was celebrated at Abu Dhabi Airport before take-off with His Excellency Fernando d’Orey de Brito e Cunha Figueirinhas, Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal to the UAE and Chris Hedlin, Etihad’s Vice President Network Planning.

Etihad says Olá to Portugal as the inaugural flight lands in Lisbon.

On arrival in Lisbon, Etihad’s captains waved UAE and Portuguese flags from the cockpit to celebrate the new air link.

The new service flies every Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with 28 seats in business and 262 seats in economy.

Etihad Airways chief executive officer Antonoaldo Neves said: “As we expand our global network, we’re thrilled to be flying for the first time to Lisbon. We look forward to welcoming guests to visit the historic city of Lisbon while also connecting the people of Portugal with the UAE and destinations across the Middle East, Asia and Australia.”

Initially confirmed as a seasonal route, Etihad Airways has extended the service to the winter season to make it a year-round operation in response to strong travel demand.

Lisbon was recently voted “Leading City Break Destination” and “Leading Seaside Metropolitan Destination” at the 2022 European edition of the World Travel Awards, proving its appeal to holidaymakers.

Thai Vietjet tempts with Zero THB fares

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 21 June 2023: Thai Vietjet introduces its latest promotion of the year with the ‘Mid Year Mega Sale’, which presents an opportunity to tap zero THB fares (excluding taxes and fees) for travel on the airline’s international network.

The promotional fares are available for booking from 20 to 30 June 2023, with the travel period running from 1 July to 31 December 2023 (excludes public holidays, with terms and conditions) at www.vietjetair.com.

The special promotional Zero THB fares apply to Thai Vietjet’s entire international flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Japan and Taipei.

The promotional fares are available on all distribution channels, including www.vietjetair.com, mobile app “Vietjet Air”, via Facebook at www.facebook.com/VietJetThailand by clicking the “Booking” tab, as well as travel agencies and booking offices.

Recently, Vietjet group launched new direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Australia’s Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Thai passengers can travel from Thailand to Australia on Thai Vietjet’s connecting flights from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Australian destinations via the Ho Chi Minh City hub.

Currently, Thai Vietjet operates flights to the top 10 Thailand domestic routes, from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani, cross-country flights such as Phuket – Chiang Mai.

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