HONG KONG, 11 August 2023: Mandarin Oriental is developing a new luxury resort in Sardinia, northeast of the island in the heart of Costa Smeralda.
Mandarin Oriental, Porto Cervo, will be developed in partnership with Gruppo Statuto, one of Italy’s leading real estate groups involved in the Mandarin Oriental, Milan.
Set to open its doors in mid-2026, the Mandarin Oriental Porto Cervo will comprise 83 rooms and suites, five restaurants and bars, a spa and a beach club.
Close to Porto Cervo with its luxury boutiques, galleries and restaurants and a 30-minute journey from Olbia airport, Mandarin Oriental, Porto Cervo is located in one of the most sought-after parts of Costa Smeralda near the Porto Cervo Marina, with its distinguished Yacht Club, renowned for hosting international regattas.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group chief development officer Francesco Cefalú commented: “We are excited to introduce Mandarin Oriental, Porto Cervo to our guests and to expand our portfolio of leisure destinations in this region. Costa Smeralda’s unique allure, combined with the expertise of Gruppo Statuto, promises to create an extraordinary retreat.”
Gruppo Statuto owns several renowned luxury five-star hotels in Italy, including the Mandarin Oriental Milan, Four Seasons Hotel Milan, Hotel Danieli in Venice, San Domenico Palace Taormina a Four Seasons Hotel, Edition Rome, Rosewood Milan, W Hotel Milan, Hotel Six Senses Milan.
A member of the Jardine Matheson Group, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group operates 36 hotels and nine residences in 24 countries and territories.
DUBAI, UAE, 11 August 2023: They say the journey is just as important as the destination, and Emirates couldn’t agree more. At the heart of its customer journey are exceptional cabin crew who deliver the airline’s signature inflight experience at 38,000 feet.
Emirates’ cabin crew team recently crossed a milestone and is now 20,000 strong as the airline continues to recruit cabin crew globally to meet its planned growth trajectory.
Since 2022, the airline has hosted recruitment events in 340 cities across six continents – truly reflecting the diversity of its cabin crew team and the destinations it serves.
The instantly recognisable Emirates cabin crew uniform has undergone four transformations in three decades, including a design by the legendary Spanish designer Paco Rabanne in 1997. The airline has consistently kept the iconic beige, and the subtle modern tweaks have stayed true to the elegant and classic style the uniform has echoed over the years.
Loving the flying – Emirates’ long-serving crew
Two cabin crew who’ve worn most of these uniform variations include the airline’s longest-serving cabin crew – a male Emirati purser who joined in 1987 and the longest-serving female cabin crew, who joined the airline in 1994.
Moosa Mubarak, Emirati Purser and Emirates’ longest serving cabin crew said: ‘I’ve flown as Emirates’ cabin crew for 36 years on over 3,500 flights. Even now, after all these years, I’m always keen and excited to start my duty onboard. I am most proud of mentoring my crew colleagues and serving as an ambassador for Emirates and my country. I have had a long and successful career, incredible experiences and have made mind-blowing memories doing what I love.’
Diverse cabin crew team, now 20,000 strong
In a diverse team representing over 140 nationalities with 130 languages spoken, and an office with views from 38,000 feet and different cities each week, the allure and ever-changing nature of the job continues to nurture and challenge Emirates’ cabin crew to reach their full potential.
Many crew have long been a part of Emirates’ growth story, with over 4,000 crew serving between five to nine years; close to 3,000 serving between 10–14 years; over 1,500 crew serving 15–19 years; and some 400 crew members having crossed the milestone of 20 years of service. Three crew members have been with the airline for more than 30 years.
Career progression opportunities for cabin crew include upgrading to a higher cabin and becoming a cabin supervisor, trainer or purser. Today the airline has over 1,100 pursers who have moved through the ranks from junior cabin crew after completing rigorous training and assessments.
Cabin crew also have access to the latest training programmes, LinkedIn courses and the opportunity to apply for internal vacancies throughout the Emirates Group.
Seeking global talent
Revving up for its next growth phase, the airline will host global recruitment events covering hundreds of cities all year round.
Emirates’ cabin crew truly embody a cosmopolitan lifestyle as they’re based in Dubai, a vibrant city home to 200 nationalities, and renowned for its hotels, restaurants, food scene, leisure activities and for being one of the safest cities in the world.
Emirates offers cabin crew a competitive, tax-free salary and flying pay, eligibility for profit share, hotel stay, layover expenses, concessional travel and cargo, annual leave, annual leave ticket, furnished accommodation, transportation to and from work, excellent medical, life and dental insurance coverage, laundry services and other benefits. Emirates cabin crew can also benefit from the airline’s deeply discounted tickets for friends and family. With Dubai’s unique geographical position and the airline’s network of over 130 destinations, creating memories with loved ones is simply a plane ride away.
All new cabin crew undergo an intense eight weeks of training in the highest hospitality, safety and service delivery standards in Emirates’ state-of-the-art facility in Dubai.
For aspiring cabin crew, the opportunity to join Emirates is one recruitment event away. To learn more about the requirements, benefits, training programme, and global recruitment events calendar and to apply, visit the Emirates cabin crew careers page here.
KUCHING, 11 August 2023: The Association of Sarawak Inbound Agencies (ASIA) is promoting a Sarawak Road Trip: Self Drive Travel Guide, which takes travellers on a trip to explore three regions of Sarawak; Kuching, Sibu and Miri.
You go at your own pace and choose your transport, but the travel guide steps in to maximise your time and the value of your experience in Sarawak with recommendations to popular must-visit sites.
Here, the association’s Self Drive Travel Guice introduces an adventure-filled three-day/two-night trip circling Kuching and Bau with stops presenting the must-see and experience attractions of southern Sarawak.
Day 1
For the convenience of navigation, ASIA has prepared a QR code for each travel route, which road-trippers can refer to and download a Google map version of the itinerary. This journey will start off at one of the best-preserved colonial buildings in Sarawak, The Kuching Old Courthouse.
You can explore the historic building, which has been standing since Brooke’s era in 1871, made up of ironwood roofs, surrounding gardens and cultural art exhibitions before making a short drive to Batu Kawa town district.
For every stop, a background summary and their respective key activities and opening hours have been included to ensure that you don’t miss out. Alongside that, the distance between each stop is listed as a part of the guide so travellers can decide the mode of transport.
Upon arriving at Batu Kawa, it is advisable to park your car near the Guang Loong Temple. It is commonly known as the centre of faith where locals pay their respect and express their gratitude, as it is their religious belief that the temple brings peace and prosperity. With a short walk to the Batu Kawa Sky Window, visitors can see a refreshing view of Batu Kawa and the Sarawak River from the observation deck, which stands 30 meters above the ground. You can dine at the Rainbow Bridge, which offers a menu ranging from local favourites to Western cuisines. You will have the chance to unwind and appreciate their picturesque display of rare Sarawakian antiques and Belian Wood structures while waiting to be served.
Continuing the journey towards Bau, get your camera roll ready for a plethora of agriculture, land and aquatic animals from the Borneo Happy Farm. You can visit the link in the travel guide for details on their other services, such as the fruit farm, hiking trail, handicraft gallery, animal show times and the first-ever dual zipline in Borneo. As one of the recommendations by ASIA, Borneo Happy Farm is a great choice for families.
Sumiran Eco Park and Resort is another recreational area with countless agendas perfectly designed for team and family bonding. Their facilities are well integrated with its surrounding greenery, making it ideal for those who crave to experience the jungle, mountain biking, boot camps and adventure trails. Join in on the water games if you don’t mind getting wet and have a dip in the lake or canoe through their property river. Rest assured that their waters are croc-free, but keep your phones on land or use a waterproof phone cover as they may not survive the splash. Visitors can also enjoy the flying fox, which is available at Sumiran Eco Park and Resort.
Day 2
As you approach the town of Bau, snap a few pictures of the beautiful mountainous scenery. The town has a past reputation for being a gold mining industry and the primal settlement for Sarawakian Chinese. Famous for its vibrant turquoise water is the Blue Lake, the English translation for “Tasik Biru”.
Guests who want to admire the artificial lake up close but prefer to have their feet securely on the ground can stroll along the floating boardwalk after they purchase a ticket at MYR10 per person. On the other hand, the heart of Bau has calm water optimal for visitors to drive motorboats, paddle kayaks or swan boats.
Continue your journey and head to another famous attraction of Bau, the Fairy Cave, one of the more popular rock climbing bases in Sarawak. The cave is home to about 14 species of bats, 12 types of snails, swiftlets, and even squirrels other than the stalagmites and stalactites. If you’re in no rush, visit the neighbouring cave, The Wind Cave.
Once the adventure activity has been completed, travellers can swing by Siniawan, a century-old Hakka Chinese town. This place has been among the top must-visit places in Kuching, Sarawak, due to the pictographic backdrop featuring parallel rustic shophouses, decorative red lanterns and luminous food stalls.
A vintage-style gallery awaits you in Siniawan town. The Ayak Gallery is a rare find in Sarawak as the Siniawan people set it up to showcase and promote any form of art produced by local artists, whether in the form of paintings, carvings, sculptures or crafts. The Ayak Gallery also houses a kopitiam where you can satisfy your hunger with local cuisines after the viewing.
End your day at the Serembu Eco Park, placed at the foothills of Mount Serembu. Stay the night at their unique villa accommodation and dine in at their floating restaurant while embracing your time away from city life. Camping enthusiasts can also rent out their sites and facilities, including barbecue pits, swimming pools, jungle pools and hiking trails. Guests also participate in team-building events, mountain biking and canopy walks.
Day 3 (Final Day)
Wake up early to end your trip with one last mini adventure up Mount Serembu. Hikers can climb to the 500m summit, enjoying dramatic views of the surrounding jungle and beyond the towns of Bau and Kuching. Carefully descend and freshen up before ending your road trip with a drive back to Kuching Old Courthouse.
The Sarawak Road Trip: Self Drive Travel Guide provides the basic routes and suggestions for accommodation, restaurants and attractions for the selected trips helping visitors plan and research their trips.
For more details and information on the association, visit the ASIA website, https://asia.org.my/.
BANGKOK, 11 August 2023: Thai Airways International and Turkish Airlines signed an MOU earlier this week, leading to a “joint venture operations agreement” in the future between the two airlines.
It takes cooperation between the flag carriers of Thailand and Türkiye to the next level to exploit the advantages of the Instanbul and Bangkok aviation gateways, positioning them as hubs for flights in Europe and Asia connected by the two airlines’ long-haul flights.
Left to right: Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish Airlines and Chai Eamsiri, THAI CEO.
Istanbul strategically acts as a hub between Asia, Europe and Africa, and THAI will introduce daily service to Istanbul from its Bangkok hub this December.
The first step will be to create codeshare agreements to allow THAI passengers to connect in Istanbul with Turkish Airlines flights in Europe and North Africa. The two airlines will also cooperate on the intercontinental route between Istanbul and Bangkok, while Turkish will conclude more codeshare agreements with THAI for flights in Asia.
In the joint press statement, THAI and Turkish Airlines said they would work towards joint venture operations to maximise the synergies between the two airlines.
Both companies’ CEOs and executive teams confirmed their commitment to an enhanced partnership during meetings held in Istanbul on 2 August.
DUBAI UAE, 11 August 2023: Dubai recorded more than 8.5 million international visitors during the first half of 2023, according to Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism consolidated a half-year economic update released this week.
Key report findings
The Region’s Wealthiest City – Dubai leads as the wealthiest city in the Middle East and North Africa, regarding the number of billionaires currently residing in Dubai.
Best Performing Financial Market Regionally – The Dubai Financial Market (DFM) crossed the 3,986 level on 13 July, the highest since August 2015, and is up nearly 20% this year, ahead of the MSCI World Index.
Busiest International Airport – Dubai International (DXB) retained its title as the busiest airport for international flights in July 2023.
Figures from the report demonstrate the significant strides Dubai has already made towards achieving the objectives of the D33 Economic Agenda. Launched early this year, the ‘D33’ economic transformation plan aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the next decade and consolidate its position among the top three global cities. The strategy reinforces Dubai’s position as a global destination for digital economy investments and entrepreneurial ventures, the Department of Tourism reported.
MANILA, 11 August 2023: AirAsia Philippines will strengthen its Cebu hub with more connectivity to other destinations in the country and ASEAN.
Currently, AirAsia Philippines flies seven daily flights from Manila to Cebu. Flights to Caticlan and Davao via Cebu meanwhile remain at three times weekly. Similarly, flights to international destinations such as Narita (Tokyo and Seoul (Incheon) remain daily, while flights to Taipei are pegged four times weekly.
AirAsia Philippines is making Cebu a major hub for leisure and business travellers, with Japan, South Korea, and China flights opening.
During his recent visit to the Queen City of the South, Capital A President and CEO Tony Fernandes commented on the expansion: “Our main growth will be in Cebu. Our team is now working on plans to grow flights to and from Cebu. As we speak, we now have Japan, South Korea, and China. We will do more flights to Bangkok and Bali connecting to Cebu,” he stressed.
Recently nominated in the World Travel Awards 2023, Cebu’s beautiful white sand beaches, spectacular diving spots, and cultural heritage sites have placed the province on top of the must-visit destinations in the country. Its also known for its bustling business districts, and combining leisure and business makes Cebu a major hub for local and foreign travellers. Its proximity to the provinces of Negros, Bohol, and Leyte, among other destinations in Central Visayas, also makes it a convenient hub for travellers who intend to explore other destinations in the Philippines.
Fernandes stressed the importance of improving hubs such as Mactan-Cebu International Airport and Manila International Airport to attract more tourists and help rebuild the tourism industry.
“I encourage the private enterprise to not just look at full-service but also at low-cost airports, which are cheaper to build and affordable for the public. It’s about building facilities that fit the public. People think about Bali and Phuket, but there are equally beautiful places here, and the service quality is great,” he added.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 11 August 2023: Vietjet will become the first airline to operate direct flights from Ho Chi Minh to Perth (Australia) on 21 November 2023.
Vietjet confirmed the new service earlier this week, saying it would raise flights between Vietnam and Australia to 38 flights per week.
Photo credit: Vietjet
Initially, the airline will fly from Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport to Perth twice weekly, every Tuesday and Saturday.
Flights will depart SGN at 1355 and arrive in Perth at 2120. The return flights will depart Perth International Airport at 2320 and land at Tan Son Nhat Airport, Ho Chi Minh City at 0505 on the following morning.
Vietjet launches the flights with its standard promotion of zero-cost fare (excluding taxes and fees) for the new Perth service and has similar deals for some flights to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, bookable at www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet mobile app.
BANGKOK, 11 August 2023: Thai Airways International will resume twice daily flights on the Bangkok-Vientiane route on 15 August, taking over the route from its low-cost subsidiary Thai Smile.
THAI quotes a roundtrip fare on the route during late August at THB8,585 (including THB4,265 in taxes and fees.) Thai Smile, which continues to offer direct flights Bangkok-Vientaine until the evening of 14 August, quotes a roundtrip fare of THB7,680.
THAI will use a recently delivered A320 aircraft with 174 seats on the route for the double daily services. THAI is gradually taking back routes to major cities in Southeast Asia and India that were handed over to Thai Smile. The national airline said it would merge Thai Smile operations into its network, claiming it would reduce operating losses attributed to the parent airline’s balance sheet.
Bangkok – Vientiane
TG570 departs Bangkok at 1125 and arrives in Vientiane at 1240. TG574 departs Bangkok at 1825 and arrives in Vientiane at 1945.
Vientiane – Bangkok
TG571 departs Vientiane at 13.30 and arrives in Bangkok at 1450. TG575 departs Vientiane at 2030 and arrives in Bangkok at 2155.
Meanwhile, according to HiFlight Net, THAI will also take over the Bangkok-Ahmedabad route from Thai Smile on 2 September using the new 174-seat A320 for the daily flight. The aircraft is configured with 12 business class and 162 economy class seats.
The Bangkok-Ahmedabad flight TG343 will depart Bangkok at 2030 and arrive in Ahmedabad at 2355. The return flight TG344 departs at Ahmedabad at 0.55 and arrives in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport at 0655.
HONG KONG, 10 August 2023: Langham Hospitality Group has appointed Lo Young as senior vice president of operations China, based in the group’s Shanghai corporate office, reporting directly to the chief executive officer.
He will also serve on the group’s executive committee, underlining the region’s importance to the company’s growth.
In his new role, Young will oversee the China portfolio of hotels and resorts, leading all operational aspects, including sales, revenue, marketing, food and beverage, human resources, finance, design, and technical service.
With over 40 years of hospitality experience in international hotel groups across Southeast Asia, Young is a familiar face at Langham Hospitality Group, having previously served as regional vice president of China, Macau, and Taiwan from 2011 to 2016, opening 11 hotels in the region.
BANGKOK, 10 August 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts understands that the world’s beauty lies in its people’s diversity. Everybody is different, and travellers have an almost endless choice of attractions to spark their senses and ignite their imaginations.
This is why Centara has created a diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts that cater to the needs of a wide range of guests and interests, from culture-hungry couples and fun-loving families to experience-seeking solo travellers.
Underpinned by heartfelt Thai service and world-class facilities, Centara’s extensive collection of hotels and resorts can help every guest create memories that last a lifetime.
Culture seeking in Osaka
Osaka is a historical city with a rich backstory and a unique personality, which makes it a haven for culture seekers. Having emerged as a small fishing village in the 5th Century, it flourished during the Edo period and has become a cosmopolitan global metropolis. Travellers can discover Osaka’s heritage at the dramatic Osaka Castle and elegant temples and shrines, such as Sumiyoshi Taisha and Shitennoji. The city’s contemporary vibe comes alive in Namba, the high-energy entertainment district home to Dotonbori, the waterside dining street. For a truly immersive cultural experience, the National Bunraku Theatre showcases the ancient art of Japanese puppetry.
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka is a brand-new five-star hotel that puts travellers in the heart of the city’s Namba district.
Set in a gleaming 33-storey tower, the property features rooms and suites suitable for every guest, such as solo visitors, couples and families, plus an eclectic collection of restaurants, a fitness centre and SPA Cenvaree. At the end of a day of discovery, the alfresco rooftop lounge is the perfect place to sip sunset cocktails and listen to live DJs. Rates start from USD 62++/ night.
Underwater Adventures in the Maldives
The Maldives is a dream destination for nature lovers, with vibrant underwater ecosystems that teem with exotic marine life. In the South Ari Atoll, guests can swim, snorkel in crystal-clear seas, and come face-to-face with an amazing array of tropical fish. For more intrepid excursions, visitors can head out into the cerulean sea to enjoy close-up encounters with oceanic giants such as whale sharks, green sea turtles and manta rays. It is no wonder that Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives won second place in the “House Reefs” category in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023! PADI-certified dive courses are available for explorers as young as eight years old.
A selection of beautiful beachfront and elegant overwater villas offer direct access to the lagoon, and all ages can swim, snorkel and enjoy world-class water sports throughout their stay. Six restaurants, bars and lounges provide the perfect settings to unwind and reflect on a day of adventure. Maldives rates start from USD 222++/ night.
Family fun in Dubai
Dubai is a dazzling destination that excites and delights in equal measure. With so many unparalleled attractions and a choice of thrilling theme parks, Dubai is a paradise for fun-seeking friends and families. Guests can fly through the sky on the world’s longest zipline, the 170-metre-long XLine, which offers a bird’s eye view of the city, and kids can bounce on JumpX, the planet’s biggest bouncy castle! Branded theme parks include Legoland Resort Dubai, with over 40 child-friendly rides, Motiongate Dubai, a Hollywood-themed park; and Bollywood Park Dubai, which showcases the art of Indian movie-making. Alternatively, the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf set the stage for exhilarating water sports.
Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, which received Tripadvisor’s “Travellers’ Choice: Best of the Best” award, is a haven of family fun. Kids can plunge into a sparkling water park with lagoon pools, waterslides, a lazy river and more.
Three kids’ clubs, an outdoor playground and Candy Spa – the colourful, sweet-themed wellness zone – offer endless entertainment for youngsters. Rates start from USD 166++/ night.
With an extensive collection of 93 hotels and resorts in diverse destinations across Asia, Centara can create the perfect vacation for every type of traveller.
