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WorldHotels signs Khao Yai property

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BANGKOK, 30 May 2023: WorldHotels has expanded its portfolio in Thailand with the signing of Tawa Ravadee Resort, close to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khao Yai National Park and approximately a 2.5-hour drive east of Bangkok

Overlooking a lake and surrounded by lush forests and rice fields in Prachinburi province, the 199-room resort features spacious 38-sqm superior rooms and 72-sqm Lakeview Suites.

Tawa Ravadee Resort also offers event space with 10 meeting rooms and a convention hall that can accommodate up to 1,000 guests. The property is a popular venue for corporate retreats, team-building events and weddings.

“We are delighted to welcome Tawa Ravadee Resort to WorldHotels. This exceptional property has gained a strong reputation for its captivating blend of Thai culture, natural scenery and world-class facilities. Easily accessible from Bangkok and the city’s two gateway airports, this scenic resort is perfectly suited to domestic and international guests, including business and leisure travellers seeking a fresh and inspiring setting for their next Thai adventure,” said BWH Hotels’ vice president Asia Pacific, Olivier Berrivin.

Tawa Rawadee Resort Prachinburi is now included in WorrlHotels’ loyalty programme, WorldHotels Rewards.

Asiana increases flights to the Philippines

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MANILA, 30 May 2023: South Korea’s Asiana Airlines will resume daily flights between Incheon and Clark beginning 6 June, according to the Philippines News Agency quoting the airport’s management.  

Flight OZ707 will leave Incheon International Airport (ICN) at 2155 and arrive at Clark International Airport (CRK) at 0050. The airline uses an A320 for the four-hour five-minute flight.  

Asiana’s publicity for the return to Clark, Philippines on 6 June.

From CRK, flight OZ708 will depart at 0200 and arrive at ICN at 0705.

“We welcome the resumption of Asiana Airlines at CRK. We are happy Asiana Airlines is once again our partner in giving our travellers convenient access to South Korea and beyond,” Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corporation, the private consortium that manages CRK told the Philippine News Agency.

The airline confirms it will increase flights on the Incheon Seoul to Cebu route from five weekly to daily starting 17 June. The additional flights are on Monday and Tuesday.

Flight OZ709 departs Incheon at 2130 and arrives in Cebu at 0100 the following morning. The return flight OZ710 departs Cebu at 0200 and arrives in Incheon at 0745.

Asiana also flies twice daily from its home base at Incheon International Airport Seoul to Manila.

(Source: PNA)

Tourism Malaysia releases scuba packages

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KUALA LUMPUR, 29 May 2023: Tourism Malaysia launched a new four-minute promotional video at the weekend entitled “Dive Into The Unimaginable” featuring the wonders of the underwater kaleidoscope and stunning array of aquatic flora and fauna available in Malaysia.

The video Leverages the potential of the water sports segment, especially scuba diving, in attracting high-spend tourists to the country,

The rich biodiversity of marine life with warm, clear waters, beautiful islands and breathtaking beaches – keep divers coming back to Malaysia. Several enchanting islands, including Tioman and Aur Islands in Johor, Kapas Island and Perhentian Island in Terengganu, and the crystal-clear waters of Sipadan in Sabah, are amongst the best diving spots featured in the video.

To complement the promotional video, Tourism Malaysia has also launched a new compilation of 41 special scuba diving packages – “Dive Into The Unimaginable Packages” that will be promoted domestically and internationally through all channels available, including its social media platforms and overseas offices.

Customising diving experience to all levels of diving expertise, these new tailored packages will suit everyone – whether for first-timers, amateurs or professional divers. On the other hand, a team of expert instructors and guides will ensure safety, and the packages include accommodation, meals, and transportation, serving the convenience of tourists throughout their stay in Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (promotions)  Datuk Musa Yusof said: “To hype more scuba diving enthusiasts’ interest, we also organise an online contest in which participants can share their videos and pictures of their best experience indulging in scuba diving in Malaysia and stand a chance to win special diving packages and more.”

During the Malaysia International Dive Exhibition (MIDE), from 26 to 28 May, at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur,  the Tourism Malaysia team promoted the video, contest and scuba diving packages.

Eight specialised scuba holiday agents participated with Tourism Malaysia at the annual expo, which attracted around 12,000 visitors.

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

Peek preview of Spain’s shopping paradise

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 29 May  2023: Last week’s “A Showcase of Spanish Style”, hosted by the Ambassador of Spain to Thailand, His Excellency Felipe de la Morena Casado, gave Spain’s travel fans a peek preview of the best of Spanish shopping and lifestyle focusing on Las Rozas Village & La Roca Village, two members of the Bicester Collection.

The exclusive event featured upbeat music, delicious Spanish cuisine, a runway show highlighting the latest design trends, and a fun fashion workshop hosted by London’s Bicester Village’s Head Personal Shopper, Guga Filho. It was a sneak peek into the exceptional shopping experience offered by The Bicester Collection’s team of fashion experts.

For those looking to take their shopping experience to the next level, La Roca Village is hosting the newest edition of its Creative Spot X Barcelona Fashion Forward until the end of May. This event features the Spring-Summer 2023 collections of up-and-coming designers such as Owl, KM by Lange, Zhannaona, G·LEM, and Muro Collective. La Roca Village is just a 40-minute drive from the centre of Barcelona on the road to the Costa Brava, along pedestrian streets featuring more than 140 boutiques of renowned Catalan, Spanish and international fashion and lifestyle brands. Travellers can save up to 60% off recommended retail price.

When it comes to shopping, Spain is the top spot. There are endless markets, boutiques, and department stores to explore. Spain has everything if you want high-end luxury brands or unique artisan goods.

But shopping in Spain is not just about buying goods; it’s also a cultural experience. Many shops and markets in Spain have a rich history and cultural significance, providing travellers with a diverse shopping experience they won’t find anywhere else.

Non-EU visitors can take advantage of tax-free shopping in Spain, saving up to 21%. This means significant savings, and there is no required minimum amount spent to be able to claim the tax refund. There’s just one thing you need beforehand: a little extra room in your suitcase.

(Source: Spain Tourism Board)

For more information on Spain visit: https://www.spain.info/en/

Vietnam Airlines adds Melbourne flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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HANOI, 29 May 2023: Vietnam Airlines will open a direct flight route from Hanoi to Melbourne, Australia, with two weekly flights starting 15 June. According to the airline’s Facebook post, flights are scheduled for Thursday and Sunday.

Flight VN779 will depart Hanoi at 0005 and arrive in Melbourne at 1230. The return flight VN778 will depart Melbourne at 1500 and arrive in Hanoi at 2145. Flight time is nine hours and 15 minutes on an Airbus A350-9. Return ticket prices start at VND 15,237,000 (including tax and fees) for bookings made by 30 June.

Earlier this month, the airline launched its Hanoi-Mumbai service, the airline’s second destination in India following the introduction of flights to Delhi, the Indian capital. The first flight to Mumbai (VN972) departed on 20 May, carrying nearly 200 passengers using an Airbus A321.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines celebrated the 30th anniversary of what is officially known as Vietnamese National Airlines (1993 – 2023) on 26 May. The airline celebrated flying 300 million passengers and nearly 4.5 million tons of cargo on 1.6 million flights.

ASEAN-Japan Centre under fire for Myanmar grant

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 29 May 2023: The Tokyo-based ASEAN-Japan Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism provided a grant to the Myanmar junta’s investment and foreign economic relations ministry for a capacity-building programme on reforms required to implement international investment agreements according to Justice for Myanmar, quoting leaked documents and public sources. (Story updated 29 May with a statement from ASEAN-Japan Centre – see below.)

The grant was awarded for the 2022-23 fiscal year and financed at least one event held in March 2023, opened by EU-sanctioned junta minister Kan Zaw.

The ASEAN-Japan Centre has refused to disclose to Justice For Myanmar details of funds provided to the junta, stating that the information is only available to board members. The ASEAN-Japan Centre is an intergovernmental organisation made up of the Japanese government and the governments of each ASEAN member state, including Myanmar.

Justice for Myanmar asserts the capacity-building grant is one of several ASEAN-Japan Centre initiatives with junta ministries, legitimising the junta, encouraging business engagement and building the capacity of junta staff. The centre has an active partnership with the junta’s hotels and tourism ministry, supporting the junta’s attempts to promote tourism, which provides it with legitimacy and a source of foreign revenue.

The ASEAN-Japan Centre is now promoting tourism to Myanmar as part of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan “friendship and cooperation” and has launched a website in Japanese. In consultation with the junta, the site includes five ideas for Japanese tourists to visit Myanmar, misleading the Japanese public that it is a safe and ethical destination for a holiday.

That comes despite the clear call from the legitimate National Unity Government (NUG) against tourism to Myanmar. In November 2021, Minister of Planning, Finance and Investment Tin Tun Naing told the Straits Times, “The people of Myanmar are being killed, raped, detained and their houses and possessions seized or destroyed. This is not a time for sightseeing”.

Since late 2021, as the junta’s attacks against citizens intensified, the junta tourism ministry organised regular training and seminars supported by the ASEAN-Japan Centre. These involved the participation of junta minister Htay Aung and Japanese ASEAN-Japan Centre senior members, aimed at promoting Japanese travel to Myanmar.

In January 2022, the ASEAN-Japan Centre supported the junta in running a Japanese culinary skills training, opened by Htay Aung and ASEAN-Japan Centre Secretary General Kunihiko Hirabayashi.

In late 2022 and early 2023, Htay Aung opened seminars for service providers of Japanese tourists in Bagan and Kalaw with ASEAN-Japan Centre officials, which were featured in junta propaganda. Myanmar army and police participated in the November 2022 seminar on enhancing the understanding of service providers for Japanese tourists.
See: https://www.mdn.gov.mm/en/moht-union-minister-attends-2nd-hybrid-seminar-enhancing-understanding-service-providers-japanese.

The ASEAN-Japan Centre has also supported the junta in providing Japanese language training for tour guides.

A third junta ministry the ASEAN-Japan Centre works with is commerce, supporting it to promote market access in Japan. Under that programme, a workshop was held in January in Nay Pyi Daw and again touted in junta propaganda. The workshop was opened by the permanent secretary of the junta’s commerce ministry, Min Min, and Yuka Kubota, an ASEAN-Japan Centre senior executive.

The ASEAN-Japan Centre’s actions to include the junta on its council representing Myanmar, to fund junta ministries, to provide capacity building and to promote business links embolden the junta to continue its campaign of terror against the people of Myanmar with total impunity.

Justice For Myanmar “urges the ASEAN-Japan Centre and all other organisations to immediately remove the junta from its council and end all support. 

Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “ASEAN and Japan are now celebrating 50 years of friendship and cooperation. Yet this anniversary has shown that ASEAN and Japan’s friendship in Myanmar is with the illegitimate military junta, not the people being slaughtered in the junta’s relentless attacks. 

“The ASEAN-Japan Centre’s activities with the military junta support its illegal and failed attempt to gain control of Myanmar and embolden its ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity.

“Without an immediate end to ASEAN and Japan’s support for the junta, the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations will be forever tarnished with the blood of Myanmar people.”

Yadanar Maung concluded: “It is abhorrent and inexcusable that the ASEAN-Japan Centre is engaging with the Myanmar army and police as tourism ‘service providers’ instead of international criminals carrying out an ongoing campaign of murder and torture.

“The ASEAN-Japan Centre’s unethical conduct in Myanmar, celebrated in junta propaganda, shows clearly how tourism benefits the junta and must not be promoted at this time.”

(Source: Justice For Myanmar)

TTRW emailed the ASEAN-Japan Centre asking for a comment from the centre’s media spokesperson.
Story update 29 May 2023: ASEAN-Japan Centre responds

TOKYO, 29 May 2023: The ASEAN-Japan Centre would like to inform the public that the press release issued by Justice for Myanmar on 26 May 2023, regarding the activities of the ASEAN-Japan Centre contains some factual inaccuracies, including the statement that the Centre provides grants to member states and misinterpretation of our activities. The correct information is as follows:

  1. The Centre does not provide grants to member states. It is an international organisation dedicated to promoting trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN member states and Japan. Each ASEAN Member State can use 80% of its obligatory contributions for its own promotional activities at its discretion. The projects identified by Justice for Myanmar, except for the “50 Mindful Travel in ASEAN” project, fall under this scheme.
  2. “50 Mindful Travel in ASEAN” is a tourism project approved by the Council of Directors of the Centre to promote the ASEAN region as a whole on the occasion of the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. This project aims to promote tourism in the ASEAN region as a whole and does not specifically aim to promote tourism to Myanmar.

The Centre works for the benefit of the people in ASEAN and Japan. Promoting tourism is one of the pillars of our activities due to the wide-ranging economic benefits that tourism can bring and its contribution to improving the lives of people in the region. In any case, the Secretariat of the Centre maintains a politically neutral stance in all our activities.

Visit the ASEAN-Japan Centre 50th anniversary website
https://aseanjapan50.jp/en/

Trip.com signs MOU with Cambodia Angkor Air

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 29 May 2023: Global travel service provider Trip.com Group and Cambodia Angkor Air have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to improve the airline’s market reach worldwide, support a tourism talent training programme and improve digital services at Angkor International Airport currently under construction.

Trip.com Group vice president and CEO of the flight business group Yudong Tan and Cambodia Angkor Air chairman and CEO David Zhan jointly signed the MOU.

Trip.com Group will improve Angkor International Airport’s digital and intelligent services and help the airport become an essential smart airport in the region.

Cambodia Angkor Air said constructing the new Angkor International Airport was essential to Cambodia’s global tourism strategy.

“We hope to grasp the opportunity of global tourism revival and closely work with Trip.com Group to enhance services for more travellers”.

Trip.com Group COO Xing Xiong added: “The construction of the new Angkor International Airport and the global travel revival will present tremendous opportunities for tourism in Cambodia. We’re excited to collaborate with Cambodia Angkor Air to support Cambodia in achieving its full global market potential and linking it with the international tourism industry.”

The new Angkor International Airport in Cambodia will begin operations this October 2023, and forecasts passenger traffic will quickly reach 7 million and 10 million annually by 2030.

China is an important tourism source in Cambodia. In 2019, Cambodia welcomed 6.61 million foreign tourists, of which 2.362 million were Chinese tourists, accounting for about 36% of the annual total.

In 2023, the Cambodian government launched its “China Ready” strategy to attract more Chinese tourists. As of mid-May 2023, the number of users from the Chinese mainland searching for Cambodian tourism products on Ctrip, a Trip.com Group sub-brand, has increased by more than 233% compared with the same period last year.

Direct flights KUL-VTE on the way

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KUALA LUMPUR, 29 May 2023: AirAsia accepts bookings for flights between Kuala Lumpur and Vientiane in Laos starting 4 August with the lowest fares starting at around MYR494 roundtrip.

So far, the airline has not officially released flight details to the media or its fans. However, Tourism Malaysia confirmed the airline’s decision to resume direct flights during August to Vientiane four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Laotian Times was the first to report the news quoting Tourism Malaysia’s deputy director of the international promotion division for Southeast Asia, Zalina Ahmad, during the Malaysia Tourism Roadshow held in Vientiane last Wednesday.

A check of AirAsia’s Super App shows flights on the Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane route are bookable daily from mid-August. The same daily frequencies and fares show up on popular booking sites. But frequencies could initially be limited to four a week and extended to daily flights later in August.

Flight AK552 will depart Kuala Lumpur at 0720 and arrive in Vientiane at 0905. The flight time is two hours and 45 minutes using an A320. The return flight AK553 will depart Vientiane at 0930 and arrive in Kuala Lumpur at 1315. A one-way fare varies from MYY239 to MYR255, depending on the day.

TTR Weekly asked the airline’s media communications team for clarification after the chatbot’s muddled response on flight days. Whatever the frequency, direct flights from Kuala Lumpur will be welcomed by the tourism industry in Vientiane as the alternative is a one-stop flight via Bangkok involving a change of plane with a downtime of nearly three hours.

Thapanee named TAT governor

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 29 May 2023: Thapanee Kiatphaibool confirmed on Facebook last week her latest success in a long and rewarding career at the Tourism Authority of Thailand; her appointment as the next TAT governor.

She will take over from Yuthasak Supasorn, who completes his second four-year term at the end of August.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool

Congratulations poured in on Thapanee’s Facebook fan page, a testament to her popularity and successful endeavours during a 24-year career at TAT that started in 1999 when she was hired as a junior international relations officer assigned to the governor’s office.

Before she steps into the governor’s office on 1 September, all that remains is a round of negotiations to conclude employment terms and salary. She competed with three other candidates, two from the ranks of the deputy governors and one outsider. She becomes the third woman to take the top post, the other two being Juthamas Siriwan (2002 to 2006) and Phornsiri Manoharn (2007 to 2009).

In its report, the National News Bureau of Thailand noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Thapanee initiated the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification programme. It enabled hotels and services to meet specific health and safety standards, and it became a mandatory requirement for hotels seeking to register as quarantine facilities during periods of strict Covid-19 control measures.

One of her first duties in September will be to announce her successor for the deputy governor domestic market post, which will become vacant on 1 September when Thapanee takes over as governor. Another priority will be to ensure Thailand hits its 2023 revenue target; 80% of tourism receipts achieved pre-Covid pandemic era.

Sarawak leads in ecotourism

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 29 May 2023: Sarawak Tourism Board and Sarawak Forestry Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Saturday to formalise a joint five-year tree planting programme under the ecoGreenPlanet programme.

The ecoGreenPlanet programme reflects Sarawak’s aspiration to plant 35 million trees across Sarawak to support Malaysia’s goal to plant 100 million trees under the country’s Reforestation Programme. This ‘greening’ endeavour was first introduced by STB in June 2022, in conjunction with two of Sarawak’s iconic events – the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and the Borneo Jazz (BJ) festival, and both festivals had been recognised for their efforts to promote environmental awareness and sustainability, a testament to Sarawak’s dedication in preserving its unique biodiversity and rich natural heritage.

Over MYR 47,000 was raised as part of the ecoGreenPlanet programme through contributions by corporate sponsors:

· Canard Media Sdn Bhd

· Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd

· Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd

· KTS Mutual Sdn Bhd

· Land Custody & Development Authority,

· My Car

· Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS)

· Sarawak Energy Berhad

· Sarawak Timber Association

· SKS Airways Sdn Bhd

· Society Atelier Sarawak

· Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd

and festival goers from the RWMF and Borneo Jazz Fest in 2022, with 20% of the virtual ticket proceeds donated to tree-planting activities.

The sponsorship and participation by festival goers exemplify how collective efforts can significantly propel environmental sustainability. These funds will be instrumental in enabling the tree-planting programme to help rejuvenate the planet’s ecosystem.

STB chairman YB Dennis Ngau shared that to ensure the sustainability of our natural heritage, Sarawak has actively championed responsible tourism initiatives aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategies (PCDS) 2030.

“I am happy to announce that STB is now an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which will allow us to learn more about sustainability and Responsible Tourism from an international platform and go beyond our current efforts in advancing responsible tourism practices in the region,” he added.

“On behalf of STB, I am proud to emphasise that we will continue to embrace sustainability causes, in line with our aspiration to position the Region as a leading player in Responsible Tourism and a leading destination for ecotourism in Southeast Asia,” Dennis added.

STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said the ecoGreenplanet programme, a joint effort between the STB and the SFC, aims to plant over 1,700 trees for now in the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 4.25 hectares as part of a broader commitment to promote Planetary Health by advocating activities that foster environmental sustainability, support biodiversity, and combat climate change.

“The Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for its rich biodiversity, serves as an ideal location for this initiative, providing a nurturing environment for the newly planted trees to thrive,” she added.

The upcoming RWMF 2023 continues to set a standard for the Sarawak Tourism Board’s efforts by demonstrating Sarawak’s dedication to Sustainable Development Goals and Responsible Tourism as the festival presents another opportunity to enhance general consciousness about sustainability through implementing eco-friendly.

The ecoGreenplanet programme is more than just a tree planting programme as it represents the ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability and a testament to the belief in the power of collective action and the role that everyone plays in safeguarding the planet’s future.

Some of the activities undertaken by STB at RWMF to advocate sustainability include banning single-use plastics, encouraging upcycling of used materials, exploring innovative solutions to waste management, and providing free shuttle buses to ferry festival-goers from the city and nearby locations to festival grounds to alleviate carbon emission and prevent congestion – all towards placing STB as a key player in advocating Planetary Health through its Responsible Tourism practices.

For further information on Sarawak’s greening initiatives, please refer to https://sarawakresponsibletourism.com.

(Source: STB)

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