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Etihad Airways confirms new route to Japan

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 May 2023: Etihad Airways will fly from Abu Dhabi to Osaka five times per week beginning 1 October 2023, a route supporting trade and tourism ties between the countries.

Etihad already flies to Tokyo using its Boeing Dreamliner 787-9s, configured with 28 seats in business class and 271 in economy.

Photo credit: Etihad.

The new flights from Abu Dhabi (EY830) will depart for Osaka on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The return flights (EY831) will depart Osaka on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re delighted to introduce flights to Osaka,” said Etihad Airways chief executive officer Antonoaldo Neves. “As one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, visitors will enjoy exploring its heritage and sampling some of Osaka’s renowned hospitality. Equally, the new route opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from Osaka, and we look forward to welcoming guests to our vibrant home and giving them access to our growing, global network.”

Known as the ‘Kitchen of Japan’, Osaka boasts a world-class culinary scene, with Michelin-starred restaurants and eclectic eateries offering delicacies such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) and sushi.

Beyond its gastronomic delights, visitors to Osaka can step back in time at Osaka Castle to experience the samurai era, visit the vibrant Dontonbori district, with its neon-lit streets and countless entertainment options, or indulge in retail therapy in one of the many shopping districts dotted across the city.

A roundtrip fare, Abu Dhabi – Osaka, will cost around AED5995. Flight time is nine hours and 15 minutes on the outbound sector and 10 hours and 30 minutes on the return sector to Abu Dhabi.

The direct EY830 flight will depart Abu Dhabi at 2140 and arrive in Osaka at 1155 plus one day. The return flight EY831 will depart Osaka at 1725 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 2255.

Hong Kong’s passenger traffic revives

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 May 2023: Hong Kong International Airport handled 3.1 million passengers during April, marking a year-on-year surge of around 24 times, the Airports of Authority of Hong Kong reported on Monday quoting the latest traffic figures posted on its website 

Compared to the same month last year, flight movements more than doubled to 21,545, while cargo throughput declined by 7.7% to 347,000 tonnes.

All passenger segments experienced significant growth in April, especially Hong Kong residents. Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Mainland China, and Japan recorded the most significant increases.

Cargo volume remained impacted by global economic uncertainties. Overall cargo volume declined in April, with import cargo decreasing by 24% compared to last year. Traffic to and from key trading regions in Southeast Asia and Taiwan saw the most significant decrease during the month.

Over the first four months of the year, the airport handled 10.1 million passengers, an increase of around 26 times compared to the same period in 2022. Flight movements increased by 83.1% year-on-year to 74,200, while cargo volume dropped by 6.7% to 1.3 million tonnes.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume increased year-on-year by more than nine times to 15.4 million, while flight movements rose 19.3% to 172,395. Cargo throughput saw a decrease of 16.4% to 4.1 million tonnes.

AAHK executive director of airport operations Steven Yiu said: “Following the resumption of normal travel, passenger volume and flight at HKIA have been picking up gradually. In April, the airport handled over 100,000 passengers and 700 flights per day, respectively, representing 50% and 60% of pre-pandemic levels. We are excited that air traffic continues to increase, and we look forward to welcoming more travellers to Hong Kong or using our wide network for transferring to different destinations.”

To meet rising demand, airlines operating at HKIA have been expanding their networks by adding more destinations, such as those in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, and increasing flights. New routes have also been launched, including a direct service between Urumqi and Hong Kong.

(Source: AAHK)

AirAsia Thailand restarts Colombo flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 23 May 2023: AirAsia will resume flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Colombo on 9 July 2023 with a promotional fare starting as low as THB2,990*.

The low-cost airline will offer four weekly flights between Bangkok and Colombo, operating four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

From now until 4 June, the airline offers loyalty programme members a one-way fare of THB2,990 for travel from 9 July to 28 October 2023 via Airasia Super App or www.airasia.com.

Flights to Colombo stopped during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Flight FD140 will depart Don Mueang Airport (DMK) 1945 and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka 2200. The returning flight FD141 will depart from Colombo at 2300 to arrive at Don Mueang at 0405 the following day. The airline uses A320s on its regional routes.

*Starting fare (single) available to registered AirAsia members only and includes airport tax but excludes auxiliary services, credit, debit and charge card fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Tourism Malaysia embark on sales mission

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 May 2023: Tourism Malaysia is leading a sales mission to the Dhaka Travel Mart (DTM) 2023 and several major cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet in Bangladesh, this week.

The Malaysian delegation led by Tourism Malaysia deputy director international promotions division (Asia & Africa) Hafiz Hazin comprises tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airlines as well as tour and activity providers, including representatives from Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).

Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia. Sales mission visits Dhaka Travel Mart.

With the growing demand for alternative travel experiences, Malaysia has been diversifying its tourism products to cater to different types of travellers. Malaysia is also promoting medical, educational, and ecotourism to attract more tourists from Bangladesh and other countries in South Asia.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Dato Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar said: “We believe Bangladesh is one of the important markets for us, and therefore committed to strengthening our presence and working alongside tourism fraternities in this region.”

Tourism Malaysia’s participation at DTM 2023 and the city sales missions conclude by 25 May. The objective is to raise Malaysia’s profile and showcase its tourism products while forging closer relationships with Bangladesh’s travel trade through pre-arranged business-to-business appointments at the travel mart.

In 2022, Malaysia recorded 10,070,964 international tourist arrivals and welcomed 59,033 Bangladeshi tourists. The number is projected to grow to 16.1 million international tourist arrivals, with RM49.2 billion in tourism receipts, as targeted in 2023.

Currently, visa applications to Malaysia can be made online through eVISA. Regarding connectivity, 37 direct flights with 7,269 seats are scheduled weekly between Dhaka and Malaysia via Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and USBangla Airlines.

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

Dusit hires GM for Oman resort

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 May 2023: Dusit International, a leading hotel and property development company headquartered in Thailand, has appointed Jagdeep Thakral as general manager of dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar and its adjoining adventure park in Oman. 

Thakral is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry. During his career, he has held several key leadership positions for IHG Hotels and Resorts, including Area General Manager for Indonesia, where he oversaw the operations of several flagship hotels in Jakarta, and area general manager for Holiday Inn Express in Bangkok, where, alongside serving as the General Manager of Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, he successfully managed five hotels in different suburbs.

His extensive experience in the hospitality industry also includes, amongst others, serving as the general manager of IHG Hotels Pyeongchang, South Korea and Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre and resident manager of Holiday Inn Resort Penang, Malaysia.

Before joining Dusit, he was general manager of The Grand New Delhi, where he successfully repositioned the hotel in the luxury space by upgrading the product and standardising systems and processes. 

“I am honoured to join Dusit Hotels and Resorts and work with the talented team at dusitD2 Naseem Resort and Adventure Park,” said Thakral. “Together with the team, I am committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences, building strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders, and driving sustainable growth for the property. I look forward to leading the team towards achieving new milestones and positioning dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar as a premier destination in the region.”

Opened in 2021, dusitD2 Naseem Resort is located within an 8,000 sq m Adventure Park on the Saiq Plateau in Oman’s renowned Jabal Akhdar area, just a five-minute drive from the ‘Grand Canyon of the Middle East,’ and two hours by car from Muscat International Airport. Comprising 252 beautifully decorated rooms and suites, the contemporary resort fully embraces its unique mountain location with a spacious layout that blends seamlessly with its stunning natural surroundings.

About Dusit International

Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Dusit Devarana, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 17 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

For more information, visit dusit-international.com.

(Source: Dusit International)

Centara Doha gains green key certificate

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA, 22 May 2023: Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha has been certifiedby Green Key Qatar2023, a prestigious certificate that recognises the hotel’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, making Centara West Bay one of the leading green hotels in Qatar. 

The Green Key certificate is a leading standard of excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. It encourages hotels to adopt environmentally responsible practices. The certification process evaluates the hotel’s environmental management, energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, and other sustainable practices.

The auditor comment from Martin Baeuerle, Country Manager, Green Key Qatar, noted:‘‘For a first-year applicant, we have been very impressed of how thoroughly the application documents have been prepared, which made it easy to review beforehand and during the audit. We furthermore like to highlight that we truly felt that sustainability is lived throughout the property and that the Green Key ecolabel is not just a tick-box exercise. Especially the idea with the herb garden, in the middle of the West Bay area, has been a highlight.’’ 

The audit focused on the property’s environmental responsibilities and its success in reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices throughout operations.

“We are delighted to receive the Green Key Qatar certification for the first time. It is a significant achievement and a testament to our commitment to sustainable tourism. I congratulate and thank the entire Green Key Committee for their dedication and support to achieve Green Key Ecolabel for the first year. We take pride in our environmental efforts and will continue to reduce our environmental impact and provide our guests with an eco-friendly and sustainable stay experience.” said Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha general manager Sean Spinks.

For more information about Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha and its green initiatives, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara/cwq/ or contact our team at 4009 5555 or [email protected]

(Source: Centara Hotels & Resorts)

World’s best city brand

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 May 2023: London has been named the best city brand in the world, followed by New York and Paris, by the inaugural Brand Finance City Index released at the Weekend.

Presented by brand evaluation consultancy Brand Finance, the ranking is based on a global survey conducted in April 2023 in 20 countries on all continents to measure perceptions of the world’s top 100 cities.

With a score of 84.6 out of 100, driven by its high familiarity among respondents worldwide, London has recorded stronger brand perceptions than any other city in the study.

Brand Finance chairman and CEO David Haigh commented: “London’s exceptional performance in the Index can be attributed to its global familiarity. Coming first on this particular measure, London has a huge advantage over its peers, leading to its success in ranking overall as the world’s best city. Knowing a city allows the public to form positive perceptions about it – to recognise its reputation and consider it the preferred place to live, work, study, retire, visit, or invest. High familiarity means a deeper understanding of its qualities and a broader reach of its appeal, allowing the city to draw significant economic benefits from inbound migration, investment, and tourism.”

New York City secured the second spot, behind London, with a Brand Finance City Index score of 83.0 out of 100.

Paris rounds off the podium, ranking third with a Brand Finance City Index score of 79.7 out of 100.

Dubai proves its reputation as the top city brand in the Middle East & Africa, and ninth; overall, Dubai comfortably makes the top 10 of the world’s best-perceived cities, with a Brand Finance City Index score of 75.8/100.

More cities from outside Europe and North America performed well in the Brand Finance City Ranking too. Sydney, Australia, ranked fifth overall, Singapore sixth and Tokyo seventh.

Singapore boasts the strongest perceptions globally as great for startups and innovations and clean and sustainable. It is also second for easy business and third for both a strong and stable economy and future growth potential.

View the full Brand Finance City Index 2023 here

China allows group tours from Taiwan

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TTR WEEKLY
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BEIJING, 22 May 2023: China is easing rules to allow travel agencies to resume the sale of group tours for Taiwan residents to visit the mainland, according to a Reuters report quoting China’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The easing of regulations governing tour group movements between China and Taiwan was effective last Friday.

Global Times, an official news channel of the PRC, confirmed that starting last Friday, travel agencies could resume the business of group tours for Taiwan residents coming to the mainland quoting Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, who in response to a media inquiry said: “We warmly welcome Taiwan compatriots to visit the mainland.”

Also on Friday, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism issued a notice, saying that travel agencies and online travel companies will resume inbound group tours and “air ticket + hotel” business for Taiwan residents.

The ministry asked all localities to steadily promote the resumption of travel agencies’ tourism business for Taiwan residents’ inbound group tours while upholding the conviction that people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are of the same family. The ministry said they should guide local travel agencies to better design routes and related products, and implement group travel management systems.

Global Times noted that Spring Airlines currently operates a Shanghai-Taipei flight every Friday.

(Source: Reuters/ Global Times)

SalamAir to fly to Kuala Lumpur

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 May 2023: SalamAir based in Muscat, Oman, will launch three new destinations Almaty, Kazakhstan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Turkish city of Rize, during June and July.

SalamAir CEO Captain Mohamed Ahmed commented on the expansion:

“We are thrilled to introduce these new destinations to our growing network. Almaty, one of Kazakhstan’s prominent cities, offers great tourism potential. We aim to establish year-round connections to cater to the demand and not limit it to seasonal periods.”

In addition to these developments, SalamAir is currently an economic study of 20 new tourist destinations in Europe and Eastern Europe. The objective is to attract tourists to the Sultanate of Oman and invigorate the tourism industry. This initiative aims to enhance the movement of tourists through Muscat and Salalah international airports.

Regarding seasonal destinations during the upcoming summer, the following routes will be reopened: Muscat-Sarajevo, Muscat-Baku, Muscat-Bursa, Suhar-Trabzon, and Muscat-Beirut.

SalamAir currently operates flights to 38 domestic and international destinations, including Suhar, Salalah, Duqm, Masirah, the GCC countries, and several Arab, Asian, and European destinations.

The airline also confirmed the addition of new aircraft to its fleet over the next six months when it will take delivery of three new Airbus A321neo, increasing the fleet to 17.

PG resumes Samui – Hong Kong flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 May 2023: Bangkok Airways will restart its direct flights from Samui Island in South Thailand to Hong Kong effective 1 July, after almost a three-year pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a promotion aimed at the airline’s frequent flyers, the airline will offer flights to Hong Kong every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday flying an A320.

PG805 will depart Samui at 1055 and arrive in Hong Kong at 1515. The return flight PG806 will depart Hong Kong at 1615 and arrive in Samui at 1835. The flight time is three hours and 20 minutes.

One-way fares on the route start at around THB10,945 for travel in July and drop to around THB8,900 one way in July through to December.

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