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MATTA demands corruption probe

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TTR WEEKLY
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Photo: TheStar

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 July 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is calling for a thorough independent and transparent investigation into the recent incident involving the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Dato Sri Tiong King Sing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“There is nothing new about reports of corruption and victimisation of tourists by Malaysian immigration officers. These incidents involve tourists from many nationalities, not just the Chinese, said MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang. “MATTA has, on several occasions, raised concerns about this as it impedes tourism stakeholders’ marketing efforts.”

He added: “The crux of the issue is whether there was any corruption, abuse of power or mistreatment of tourists, not whether Tiong broke protocol – that is secondary”.

According to Transparency International, Malaysia’s 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) score deteriorated to 47 points from 53 points in 2019 (0 is highly corrupted, and 100 is perceived to be very clean).

“It is imperative that the government does all it can to uplift the image of Malaysia as a safe and attractive tourism destination by eliminating corruption at all levels, more so at KLIA, which is the main gateway”.

MATA’s official statement noted: “It is time for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to reassess the situation in light of current development at key entry points in Malaysia. A review of the existing procedures on handling travellers with NTL ( not to land) status is also crucial to prevent abuses as Malaysia gears up to receive more international tourists.

“It is reassuring to know that the Minister is taking his job seriously, and we applaud him and the ministry for the initiative. We hope that the various ministries will work closely with MOTAC to strengthen Malaysia’s position as a key tourism destination in Southeast Asia. We anticipate more positive changes to the industry in the coming months,” the MATTA president concluded.

PG resumes Samui-Hong Kong flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 July 2023: Bangkok Airways resumed direct flights between Hong Kong and Samui on Saturday, offering initially three weekly flights scheduled on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Celebrating the relaunch of the Samui – Hong Kong route, the airline and the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Hong Kong office are offering a discount of HKD250 on both one-way and roundtrip fares, but you have to log the promo code ‘ATHK250’ when making the booking.

The promotion is open until 31 July 2023 for booking or until the 1,000 seats allocated to the promotion run out. The travel period ends on 31 December.

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

A search of the airline’s website on 2 July showed the return fare could be as high as THB18,065, so the HKD250 is a welcome gesture. Also, travellers might be able to double the discount by booking two one-way fares rather than one roundtrip fare.

India delays TCS levy until October

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 3 July 2023: India has announced a three-month extension on introducing a TCS levy that adds a 20% tax on overseas tour packages and funds remitted under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS).

The new rate will kick in on 1 October instead of 1 July, a move welcomed by leading tour operators that dominate India’s highly competitive outbound travel market.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited executive director and chief executive officer Mahesh Iyer commented: We welcome the announcement to defer the proposed increase in the TCS rate for remittances under LRS. We appreciate the government’s initiative to help create a level playing field – taking on board inputs from relevant stakeholders, including travel and authorised foreign exchange players.

The clarification regarding the threshold of INR7 lakhs ( USD8,500) per individual per financial year across all modes of payment, regardless of purpose, will go a long way in aiding the buoyancy being witnessed in the travel industry, which is still recovering from two consecutive years of the impact of the global pandemic.”

The original decision on increasing the tax was included in the Union Budget 2023-24  and will now be activated on 1 October  2023.

According to local media reports, India’s Finance Ministry is giving more time to implement the revised TCS rates. “Also transactions through International Credit Cards while overseas would not be counted as LRS and hence would not be subject to TCS,” according to a statement by the Finance Ministry quoted by the business news service Mint.

Mint’s report continued: “Firstly, it has been decided that there will be no change in the rate of TCS for all purposes under LRS and for overseas travel tour packages, regardless of the mode of payment, for amounts up to INR7 lakh per individual per annum.

“It has also been decided to give more time for the implementation of the revised TCS rates and inclusion of credit card payments in LRS,” the finance ministry statement said.

(Source: Mint online news plus additional reporting)

AirAsia revives Sihanoukville routes

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 July 2023: AirAsia Group airlines are scheduling flights to Sihanoukville on the southern coast of Cambodia from their Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur hubs starting in early August.

The group’s Thai AirAsia (FD) will launch twice weekly flights on Tuesday and Saturday from its home base at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Sihanoukville (KOS) starting 1 August.

FD660 will depart DMK at 1145 and arrive in KOS at 1305. The return flight FD661 will depart KOS at 1335 and arrive in DMK at 1505. Flight time is around 1 hour and 10 minutes. The roundtrip fare starts at around USD149, according to popular booking sites.

One day later, on 2 August, AirAsia (AK), home-based in Kuala Lumpur, will launch three weekly services to Sihanoukville from its home base in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

AK264 will depart from Kuala Lumpur at 1535 and arrive in Sihanoukville (KOS) at 1625. The return flight AK265 will depart KOS at 1710 and arrive in KUL at 2000. The starting fare is USD83. Flight time is one hour and 50 minutes.

There’s a massive USD66 between the roundtrip fare quoted by Thai AirAsia out of Bangkok (USD149) and AirAsia’s USD83 quote out of Kuala Lumpur. But that’s what popular booking sites and AirAsia are quoting this weekend. Fares will fluctuate as bookings power up.

(Flights schedules: OAG)

Mae Hong Son lowers PG fees

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 July 2023: Mae Hong Son’s tourism community sweetens the deal for Bangkok Airways to start flights on the Bangkok – Lampang – Mae Hong Son route this August.

Discussions between Mae Hong Son’s tourism community, the town’s chamber of commerce and the airport operator, the Department of Aviation, have cleared the way for the airline to gain “special airport fees for two years to support the new route”.

Launching a flight that transits in Lampang is a gamble. Over the last few decades, the far northwest resort town nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains relied either on daily direct flights from Bangkok (Nok Air quit the route last April) or the short daily hop from Chiang Mai on a Bangkok Airways’ ATR72 stationed in Chiang Mai. It ended flights during the initial Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020. The flight took 35 minutes, and the return fare was pegged at USD133.

Bangkok Airways returns to Mae Hong Son on 2 August using the same 70-seat ATR72 aircraft but with a stop in Lampang, a town 108 km south of Chiang Mai.

In a digital message to travel agents late last month, the airline confirmed a decision to fly to Mae Hong Son on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Departing Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, the flight time will be around one hour and 35 minutes to Lampang with a 30-minute ground stop and then a 50-minute flight to Mae Hong Son. Flight PG 205/206 will use a 70-seat ATR-72 to serve both towns. The airline also operates twice-daily turnaround flights on the Bangkok -Lampang route (depart Bangkok at 0820 and 1625).

Mae Hong Son’s Chamber of Commerce reported last week that the one-way fare between Mae Hong Son and Lampang would start at around THB1,500 and THB2,800 one-way Mae Hong Son to Bangkok.

Chiang Mai residents planning to visit Mae Hong Son will miss the convenient daily flight (CNX-HGN) that Bangkok Airways scheduled pre Covid-19. Still, there are plans to establish a bus service from Chiang Mai to Lampang’s airport operated by the Green Bus Service. Details have yet to be finalised.

Checking the latest fares posted on the Bangkok Airways website, the airline quotes a roundtrip fare of THB4,860 on the Bangkok – Lampang sector.

The roundtrip fare on the Bangkok – Mae Hong Son route is THB 5,810. The roundtrip fare between Lampang and Mae Hong Son starts at THB3,030. 

Bangkok Airways’ website and Facebook account post very little information on the Bangkok-Lampang-Mae Hong Son route besides communications to Bangkok and Chiang Mai’s local travel agents’ communities. See below the email announcement:

BWH Hotels plots global expansion

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TTR WEEKLY
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KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle.

SYDNEY, 30 June 2023: BWH Hotels celebrates the expansion of its 19 distinctive brands across every chain scale segment – from luxury to premium economy – adding several new properties to its global portfolio of hotels and resorts.

The company has recently expanded in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. There’s an increased presence of BWH Hotels properties in Austria, Canada, Dubai, Ethiopia, France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand and the US.

“This summer season, we are excited to offer travellers even more convenient accommodations in key destinations worldwide,” said BWH Hotels president and chief executive officer Larry Cuculic.

“We are growing our global presence thoughtfully to serve our valued guests wherever their travels take them. From upscale, luxury and lifestyle hotels to midscale, premium economy and extended stay brands, BWH Hotels offers properties that cater to all travel needs.”

“It is with great enthusiasm that we invite new properties to join our distinguished global portfolio,” said BWH president of international operations and WorldHotels Ron Pohl. “I am particularly proud of the continued growth of WorldHotels. By becoming a member of WorldHotels, these fine independent hotels benefit from the reputation and strong global presence of BWH Hotels while maintaining their individuality. We are excited to share these new properties with travellers for their upcoming globetrotting adventures.”

BWH Hotels has maintained its momentum through the year’s first half with plans to continue its growth and development in the third and fourth quarters. The brand looks forward to further growing its diverse portfolio, which includes approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide, while providing travellers with unique offerings and experiences.

Asia Pacific: Hotels joining the portfolio

Tawa Ravadee Resort, WorldHotels Distinctive collection (Prachinburi, Thailand)

KAYA Kyoto Nijo Castle, BW Signature Collection (Kyoto, Japan)

Aiden by Best Western @ Hennur Bengaluru (Bengaluru, India)

Best Western Plus Mohali (Mohali, India)

Middle East additions

Best Western Ajyad Mecca (Mecca, Saudi Arabia)

Best Western Pearl Swiss Hotel (Dubai)

Best Western Sur (Oman)

Best Western Plus Danat Almansak Hotel (Ahba City, Saudi Arabia)

LADA sales team joins MATTA Fair Kedah

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI Malaysia, 30 June 2023: Langkawi Development Board (LADA) led a sales team from the island’s travel and hospitality sectors to attend the MATTA Fair Kedah from 23 to 25 June.

Panorama Langkawi Sdn Bhd, Jupeter Holidays Sdn Bhd and Anytimes Holidays Sdn Bhd joined the LADA’s Team Langkawi promotion at the

Photo credit: LADA. MATTA Fair Kedah opening day.

MATTA Fair Kedah held at Central Square Sungai Petani.

It was the first time that the Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents organised a fair in Kedah. Kedah Tourism Exco YB Tuan Mohd Firdaus bin Ahmad officiated at the opening ceremony.

LADA noted that the primary purpose for joining the fair was to attract domestic tourists to visit Langkawi through special holiday packages and present Langkawi as the top leisure travel destination in northern Malaysia.

Throughout the three-day fair, the Langkawi booth recorded sales estimated at MYR32,059.50. The fair involved 35 exhibitors from government, hospitality, and travel agencies.

Photo credit: LADA. Langkawi reaches out to families in its latest domestic travel promotions.

Visit the LADA website for more information: lada.gov.my

Tips on staying safe when on holiday

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 30 June 2023: UK home security experts ADT offer advice on how to keep yourself and your valuables safe when travelling.

ADT UK&I general manager Michele Bennett says: “Holidays are a time when people should be able to relax and unwind, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Stolen money, passports and luggage can cause huge stress when travelling. Here is our advice on keeping your valuables safe when you are away so as not to ruin your holiday.”

Photo credit: ADT. Tips from the experts on staying safe while on the go.

How to stay safe in a hotel

Never say your room number out loud

When checking into your hotel, ask the receptionist to write down your room number instead of telling you out loud. This stops nearby guests from knowing which room they are staying in. It is also a good idea to check your surroundings when entering and leaving your room to ensure that no one knows which room you are staying in.

Lock your doors

Most hotels have a key locking system and a bolt lock on the door. We recommend locking the door using the key and bolt system for complete security. This stops any ‘master copy’ keys from being able to open your hotel room door.

Do not leave service signs on the door

While leaving a service sign on your hotel room door may be helpful, leaving a ‘please clean’ note can notify potential thieves that your room is empty. It is recommended that you notify hotel reception staff that you would like your room cleaned and, if you feel it necessary, for additional security, stay in your hotel room whilst it is being cleaned.

Keep cash, passports and IDs on you at all time

It is recommended to wear a small, secure bag to carry valuable items such as passports and IDs so that you are aware of their whereabouts at all times. We do not recommend carrying large sums of cash around, so taking your bank card and withdrawing small amounts can be much safer. Use your mobile to pay bills. If you are in a country which uses another currency, investing in a travel card can save you money as you may not be charged overseas rates, and the exchange rates are often better.

Invest in a portable safe

Take a small, portable safe on holiday if you cannot carry your valuables. Most hotels offer a safe in the room. Safes often have an overriding code or a ‘back entrance’, which means hotel staff can access the contents easily. Having your own safe removes that risk.

Lock your suitcases

Investing in a strong suitcase lock can save you stress from the moment you enter the airport. It discourages baggage handlers and means you can use your suitcase as secure storage during your holiday. You can lock larger items in the suitcase and take the key to ensure hotel staff cannot enter your luggage.

Invest in smart tags

A smart tag is a small GPS-enabled device, perfect for putting in your suitcase. In the event your suitcase goes missing, you will be able to track its whereabouts from your smartphone. This can be especially helpful if your luggage hasn’t reached your destination, avoiding long waiting periods at the airport.

Thai AirAsia will resume flights from Bangkok to Colombo

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 30 June 2023: Thai AirAsia will resume flights from Bangkok to Colombo starting 9 July 2023.

Initially, the airline will operate four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, possibly going daily during the peak holiday season in December.

The service resumes to the capital of Sri Lanka after more than a three-year pause caused by Covid travel lockdowns.

Flight FD140 will depart Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport at 1945 and arrive in Colombo at 2200. The return flight FD141 will depart Colombo at 2300 and arrive in Bangkok (DMK) at 0405 the following morning.

Bookings are open on the AirAsia website for flights in early July, with the lead-in roundtrip fare pegged at USD224.

THAI welcomes A320 to its fleet

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 30 June 2023: Thai Airways InternanRtional has delivered four Airbus A320 aircraft that will be initially deployed on routes to India.

The four aircraft are configured with a single economy class cabin and will be deployed on routes from Bangkok to Delhi TG323/324) starting 1 July 2023 and Bangkok – Mumbai (TG351/352) beginning 2 July 2023.

Commenting on the fleet additions, the airline said the A320s would enhance fleet efficiency, improve aircraft utilisation, and strengthen the THAI route network to support the rising travel demands.

Earlier in the week, Thailand’s National News Bureau reported the airline had entered an agreement to acquire 30 new aircraft by the end of the year and could double its fleet of narrow-body jets over the next decade.

NNT quoted the airline’s chief executive officer Chai Eamsiri who Reuters interviewed at the airline’s headquarters in Bangkok. He confirmed THAI had filed a ‘proposal request’ to Airbus and Boeing for 30 wide-body aircraft and an undisclosed number of narrow-body aircraft.

The carrier aims to capitalise on a post-pandemic travel boom by bolstering regional routes. Still, there is concern over whether Airbus and Boeing can ramp up output to meet delivery targets.

News that the airline can once more buy aircraft will concern passengers still waiting for refunds caused by cancelling flights during the Covid-19 pandemic and companies still waiting to be paid for services rendered when the airline filed for bankruptcy protection.

Chai said THAI, which began a bankruptcy-protected restructuring of debt worth THB400 billion (USD11.17 billion) in 2021, currently has a fleet of 20 A320s and has secured a dozen new A321neo on lease for delivery in 2025 and 2026.

These aircraft would be deployed to serve destinations in Southeast Asia, India, southern China and southern Japan – key medium-haul routes that THAI wants to reinforce.

Chai noted that the carrier’s wide-body fleet would also increase from 45 currently to 56 aircraft by the first quarter of next year, with the additional jets coming on dry lease contracts, which typically do not include flight crew. Chai added that the aircraft would be used on long-distance intercontinental routes to Australia and Europe that have seen a strong recovery since the pandemic.

Chai, a former Thai Airways chief financial officer who took over as CEO last November, said the airline’s pandemic-driven restructuring plan was on track and it would relist on the stock market by the first quarter of 2025.

(Source: TG, NNT, Reuters)

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