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Singapore close-ups focus on hidden gems

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SINGAPORE, 26 October 2023: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced its latest collaboration with Warner Music Singapore and homegrown talent Nathan Hartono to inspire travel to Singapore through music and photography.

As part of the collaboration, the singer-songwriter and his latest single, “In the Clouds”, will be featured in STB’s new social content series titled “Singapore Close-Ups”. This series is part of STB’s latest Made in Singapore global campaign, which spotlights how ordinary moments are transformed into extraordinary and unique experiences in Singapore.

Local singer-songwriter Nathan Hartono gets creative in his interpretation of “Clouds. Made in Singapore.” as part of STB’s new social content series that spotlights Singapore’s iconic locations and hidden gems.

The social content series will feature the works of talented local photographers such as Qi Hao, Yafiq Yusman and Lenne Chai as they capture Singapore’s iconic locations and hidden gems in creative and unique ways. The photographers will convey stories of Singapore through their lens, uncovering diverse facets from lush urban greenery and heritage buildings to art and food.

The first of the series, which launched last week, features Hartono’s visual interpretation of “clouds” to inspire discovery in Singapore.

Beyond Singapore, Hartono has captivated the hearts of audiences in STB’s key markets, such as China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the US, with his soulful and charismatic performances. He recently released his debut major label studio album titled “The Great Regression”, which represents a new phase in his artistic journey of self-discovery and innovation.

About Made in Singapore

Made in Singapore is STB’s latest international campaign to inspire travel to Singapore. True to the Passion Made Possible brand, the campaign highlights how Singapore makes unexpected, diverse and unique experiences possible, where the ordinary is made extraordinary.  

Himalayas to Pacific Ocean flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 October 2023: You might have to look at Google Maps first, but Alii Palau Airlines and Changi Airport Group announced last week a new route directly connecting Singapore to Koror, Palau, to be operated by Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) home-based in Bhutan on the Indian continent.

The flight commencing on 23 November will connect three destinations – Bhutan, Singapore and Palau – and yes, Palau is in the western Pacific Ocean 950 miles southeast of the Philippines, and Bhutan is a landlocked mountainous kingdom in South Asia situated in the Eastern Himalayas, between China in the north and India in the south.

The launch of the new once-weekly service follows the signing of an open skies agreement in October 2022 between Singapore and Palau. Flying from Bhutan via Singapore Changi Airport to Palau, Drukair will connect Singapore to two of the world’s most pristine destinations, but the contrast could not be more dramatic – snow-capped Bhutan Himalayas and Palau’s tropical Pacific Ocean beaches.

Palau, an archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean*, is renowned for its untouched natural beauty. With crystal-clear waters, thriving coral reefs, and lush forests, it offers a variety of outdoor adventures, including snorkelling, diving, hiking, and wildlife encounters. The Rock Islands Southern Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts some of the most picturesque landscapes on Earth.

Alii Palau Airlines managing partner Akanksha Johri said: “Alii Palau Airlines is delighted to introduce a new era of convenience with our direct flight, effectively opening the gateway to paradise. Palau is now just a five-hour flight away from Singapore, and we firmly believe that this new route will be a game-changer for those who were previously deterred by long flight durations. With our non-stop route from 

The inaugural commercial flight from Singapore to Palau is scheduled for 23 November 2023 using an Airbus A320neo with 140 seats – a two-class configuration comprising 120 seats in economy class and 20 in business class seats.

A once-weekly flight is scheduled at the start and increases to twice-weekly on Thursdays and Sundays as travel demand grows.

The flight will depart from Singapore at 0020 and arrive in Koror (ROR) at 0640.
From Koror (ROR), the flight departs at 0740 and arrives in Singapore at 1130.

Tickets sales opened on 30 October on www.flyaliipalau.pw  

*Where’s Palau

Palau is the westernmost island of the Micronesia region of the Pacific Ocean. It is less than 2,000 miles south of Japan, 3,815 miles southeast of India, 400 miles north of Papua New Guinea, 950 miles southeast of the Philippines, and 830 miles southwest of Guam.

Uzbek agents ready to promote Sabah

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 6 November 2023: Uzbekistan’s leading travel agents want to collaborate with the Sabah Tourism Board to enhance promotion and campaign efforts.

The Malaysia-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce vice-president Dilsod Elmuradov conveyed their intention during a meeting with Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai last week.

Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai with Uzbekistan travel agents.

Present at the meeting were Sabah Tourism Board’s deputy chief executive officer Julinus Jimit; Uzbek’s Exclusive Travel founder Gulnova Hodjaeva, along with its director, Barno Omonova; Avantgarde Group representative Shahzod Pulatov; and Sabah’s Fun Holiday managing-director Connie Chong.

This marks the Uzbek group’s inaugural visit to Sabah, where they plan to spend five days exploring various destinations on the state’s west coast. 

Elmuradov emphasised their keen interest in promoting Sabah and their goal to experience the region’s popular products firsthand, gearing up for the Tashkent International Tourism Fair scheduled from 15 to 17 November.

“We are committed to showcasing Kota Kinabalu. During our stay, we will also be conducting inspections of medium and high-end hotels in the Kota Kinabalu area,” he added.

The group’s itinerary includes visits to the Mari-mari cultural village, white water rafting and camping sites in Kiulu, firefly and proboscis monkey tours, and island hopping at Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, among other attractions.

With Batik Air launching a direct route from Tashkent to Kuala Lumpur on 8 December, the delegation harbours high expectations for Sabah as a sought-after destination for Uzbeks during the winter season.

They mentioned Sabah appears to tick all the boxes on their list of must-have experiences, including beaches, islands, wildlife, rivers, and family getaways.

Meanwhile, Joniston welcomed the collaborative efforts of the Uzbek travel agents and encouraged them to submit a formal proposal to the Sabah Tourism Board.

“The fact that they are showing interest in assisting in promoting Sabah highlights the positive development stemming from our recent visit to Uzbekistan for the UNWTO General Assembly last month.

“The Board welcomes any proposal that benefits the state, and we hope to see this partnership come to fruition.

“This collaboration not only opens doors to the diverse and vibrant culture of Sabah but also paves the way for an increase in tourism, benefiting both parties involved,” Joniston added. 
For more information, visit www.sabahtourism.com.

Langkawi prepares for flydubai flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 6 November 2023: Flydubai, Tourism Malaysia Dubai and LADA met for virtual meetings last week to fast-track promotions for the upcoming launch of daily flights from Dubai to Langkawi due to commence on 10 February 2024.

The meetings focused on the preparation for the welcome receptions to mark the inaugural flight on the route Dubai-Penang-Langkawi. In addition, a joint collaboration between the airline, Tourism Malaysia and Lada Development Authority will lead to a series of media and travel agency FAM trips and joint promotions.

Billboard promoting Langkawi at Sheikh Zayed Road, located on the main highway connecting Dubai to Abu Dhabi to the south and Sharjah to the north.

The new service will put Langkawi on the map for Dubai residents and encourage inflows of tourists from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe on routes directly served by flydubai or via a codeshare partnership with Emirates.

The Dubai-based carrier will be the first airline to operate flights to the popular islands of Langkawi and Penang from the UAE.

The daily service is scheduled to commence on 10 February 2024 from Dubai with a short stop at Penang International Airport (PEN), and then flying on to Langkawi International Airport (LGK) will start from 10 February 2024. 

Commenting on the launch of flights,flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “We are pleased to see our presence in Southeast Asia grow with the launch of operations to Langkawi and Penang. Flights from the UAE to these popular holiday destinations are vital for tourism and business connectivity. These destinations in Malaysia offer cultural diversity, leisure activities and investment opportunities. Our new flights will be popular for passengers not only from the UAE but from the GCC and the European markets as well.”

With the launch of flights to Langkawi and Penang, flydubai expands its footprint in Southeast Asia to four destinations, including its operations to Krabi and Pattaya in Thailand.

flydubai will deploy its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on the Malaysian routes, featuring lie-flat seats in business class and the added comfort and enjoyable travel experience in economy class.

Flydubai’s senior vice president of commercial operations (UAE, GCC, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent) Sudhir Sreedharan added: “Malaysia is a significant market for flydubai, and we are pleased to see these flights become a reality. The daily service will prove popular for our passengers from around the network and will provide passengers from Malaysia with convenient options to travel to Dubai and beyond whether they are travelling for business, leisure, or to visit family and friends.”

Langkawi is renowned for its pristine beaches, lush rainforests and stunning geological formations. Visitors can enjoy activities such as island hopping, cable car rides to the Sky Bridge and exploring the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. The duty-free status of the island also makes it a shopping haven.

Penang, often called the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a rich cultural tapestry, blending Chinese, Malay, Indian and British influences. Its UNESCO-listed George Town is renowned for its historic architecture, vibrant street art and street food.

Flydubai introduced two new destinations late last month. Its daily service to Cairo commenced on 28 October, Poznan and its third destination in Poland commenced on 29 October. Mombasa is scheduled to join its growing network on 17 January 2024, before the Langkawi launch in February.

https://naturallylangkawi.my/

Vietnam rolls out a new train experience

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TTR WEEKLY
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HANOI, 6 November 2023: Hanoi to Danang, one of the most popular train routes in Vietnam, just got better, with two of the daily trains having undergone a major refurbishment to make them more appealing to foreign tourists on the 780 km journey.

The two high-quality trains, SE19 and SE20, were launched recently on the  Hanoi – Danang roundtrip route by the Vietnam Railway Corporation.

SE 19 and 20 train crews in their smart uniforms prepare to board the upgraded trains on the Hanoi – Danang line. (Photo: Hoang Anh).

In a press statement introducing the upgraded  SE19 and SE20 trains, the corporation said it had completed an extensive refresh of the carriages to improve the passenger experience on the 16-hour trip. It’s hoping to gain more bookings from international travellers on a route that has arguably the most scenic section covering 103 km following the dramatic coastline between Hue and Danang, including the spectacular Hai Van Pass, which separates the North and South central coastal regions of the country.

The new high-quality trains have been repainted, carriage interiors and exteriors refreshed, and they have been equipped with new blankets, sheets, pillows, and curtains. The sleeper cabins have been redesigned, adopting an elegant and cosy style, while the air-conditioning systems have also been reinstalled with adjustable airflow.

Cabins with seats are now equipped with water heaters and bright white sanitary fixtures in the washrooms and lavatories, applying technical solutions to eliminate odours from waste containers and providing a clean and luxurious travel experience. The food service cabins have been redesigned with new interiors to make passengers feel comfortable dining and enjoying the scenery.

According to the HARACO management, the investment in the project is an upgrade and refurbishment of two trains that will improve the branding on the Hanoi – Danang route.

There are five daily train departures from Hanoi plying the route to Danang, with the journey taking around 16 hours. The refreshed SE19 departs from Hanoi in the evening at 1955, arriving at Danang station at 1215 on the next day. Train SE20 departs from Danang station at 1730  and arrives at the Hanoi station at 1150 on the next day.

Train travel is presented as being much safer than bus travel in Vietnam and providing a roomy, convenient environment for the journey. At the same time, foreign travellers can enjoy one of the most scenic train rides in the country on the journey between Hanoi and Danang.

Bookings open for Norwegian Aqua

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 November 2023: Norwegian Cruise Line unveils the evolution of the Prima Class with the all-new Norwegian Aqua, the first of the expanded Prima Plus Class scheduled to set sail in April 2025. 

Effective 3 November, travellers can book Norwegian Aqua’s first voyages to the Caribbean with seven-day itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Florida.  

Norwegian Aqua will set new standards and deliver brand-new guest experiences to be discovered with an overall 10% size and capacity increase from its sister ships. Spanning 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tons and accommodating 3,571 guests at double occupancy, Norwegian Aqua will offer more outdoor space and the highest staffing levels of any new contemporary cruise ship.  

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, is the first in the all-new Prima Plus Class, the next generation of ships following the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva.

For more information: www.ncl.com

WTTC: Hospitality goes beyond travellers

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TTR WEEKLY
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KIGALI Rwanda, 6 November 2023: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled its first-ever global Travel & Tourism report focussing on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) during its Global Summit hosted in Kigali last week.

The report “Creating Belonging: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging in Travel & Tourism” results from a collaboration between WTTC and HospitableMe, a global leader in inclusive hospitality.

Photo credit: WTTC.

Supported by AIG Travel, the report offers data around Travel & Tourism employment, aiming to equip the public and private sectors with the tools they need to spark change and make Travel & Tourism more diverse and inclusive.

Drawing on data from six economies, Rwanda, Australia, the US, UK, South Africa and the EU, it offers a deep dive into metrics such as gender, age, sexual orientation, disability status, and educational skills.

According to the global tourism body, the share of female workers in Travel & Tourism was highest in Australia, at 54%, followed by the US (48%), higher than the overall average.

In terms of youth employment, the sector has always been considered a key employer for those aged under 25 years.

This research shows the US saw 26% of youth employees in the sector, more than twice the share of the total economy average (12%), with Australia (26%) and Rwanda (24%) following closely.

Last year, according to this new study, the UK’s Travel & Tourism sectors employed a higher share of LGBTQ+ employees (5.2%) than the overall economy (4%), with a nearly 2.7 percentage points increase since 2011.

Workers with a disability status made up nearly 17% of the UK’s Travel & Tourism workforce. At the same time, the US sector represented nearly 5%, marginally higher than the overall economy (16.6% and 4.4%, respectively).

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Travel & Tourism has always been a people sector, whatever their background. Hospitality goes beyond travellers; it is about how we welcome and care for our colleagues and employees.

“Our sector has come a long way. Across the board, we are seeing efforts and changes led by major Travel & Tourism businesses, who are now paying more attention to creating a sense of belonging, supporting their employees, regardless of who they are or where they come from.”

Travel & Tourism supports people from all walks of life, employing the highest share of workers with lower levels of formal education across the EU, UK and the US compared to the overall economy.

The report also included a comprehensive survey of WTTC Members, offering a detailed view of the DEIB landscape across the sector, providing best practice examples for areas such as recruitment, education and training, and benefits, amongst others.

WTTC draws from the findings to offer opportunities for the challenges faced by the sector, such as education on DEIB and senior leadership support, recruitment process, and benchmarking and research.

A majority of the companies analysed (60%) had dedicated personnel to their DEIB efforts, making clear this is a pressing topic all Travel & Tourism stakeholders should pay close attention to to ensure the term “hospitality” equals “partnership”.

To access this report, please visit WTTC Research Hub

DidaTravel powers up European sales

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 November 2023: DidaTravel confirms robust sales growth across key European source markets since it embarked on its global expansion strategy in 2018.

On the eve of the World Travel Market opening in London, the global B2B travel distributor reports year-to-date 2023 sales that significantly outperformed results in 2019 and 2022. 

Photo credit: DidaTravel.

The growth in bookings highlights Europe’s increasing significance in the company’s business, representing over 20% of total revenue. The top four European source markets for the company are Spain, UK, Italy, and France.

Spain: In the Spanish market, DidaTravel has witnessed an extraordinary surge in growth. Comparing year-to-date (YTD) 2023 sales figures with YTD 2019, the growth rate stands at an astounding 358%. Even comparing the same period of the previous year (2022), the growth rate is still a remarkable 182%. The top five destinations for the Spanish market booked via DidaTravel’s platform are the USA, Japan, Thailand, Italy and UAE.

United Kingdom: The UK is another source market where DidaTravel is making a big impact. Its YTD 2023 sales growth rate versus 2019 stands at an impressive 341%, indicating a steady ascent in its influence in this important market. Even compared to the year prior (2022), Dida has achieved a remarkable growth rate of 224%. The top five destinations for the UK market include the USA, Italy, UK, Thailand and Turkey, highlighting the global appeal of DidaTravel’s portfolio.

Italy: Italy has also witnessed a steady upward trajectory for DidaTravel’s portfolio. YTD 2023, the growth rate versus 2019 hit 312%. In comparison 2022, DidaTravel posted a sales growth rate of 97%. The top five destinations for the Italian market include Italy itself, the US, France, Spain and the UK.

France: DidaTravel’s entry into the French market has delivered strong growth at an impressive 356% compared with 2022. The top five destinations for French travellers are France, the US, Italy, Spain and the UK.

DidaTravel’s flight business is also experiencing growth. The company’s product portfolio includes 500 airlines and 20,000 routes. In the first nine months of 2023, the airline ticketing business saw growth, especially in its Asia, Europe, North America, and the UK markets, with growth rates respectively of 388%, 195%, 188% and 174% quarter-on-quarter in Q3.

Visit DidaTravel at WTM London, stand N10-311, from 6 November to 9 November, hosted at the ExCeL centre in London.

More travellers get visa-free stays

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 6 November 2023: Travellers from Russia, India and Taiwan can now enjoy a temporary visa waiver, according to a Tourism Authority of Thailand statement on its website on 1 November.

Russian nationals can enjoy visa-free travel until 30 April 2024, while for Indians and Taiwanese, the same concession applies from 10 November 2023 until 10 May 2024

Photo credit: TAT. Who gets 30 and 90-day stays visa-free?

Up until 30 April 2024, holders of Russian passports or travel documents will be entitled to a tourist visa exemption for a 90-day stay in Thailand, up from the original 30 days.

For Indian and Taiwanese citizens, they will be granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay for tourism purposes.

The travel concession for tourists from Russia, India and Taiwan follows the temporary tourist visa exemption implemented for tourists from China and Kazakhstan for a 30-day stay, effective from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024.

Trip.com’s global clan meets in Singapore

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 3 November 2023: As the tourism industry gradually recovers and grows, Trip.com Group strides towards its “Local Focus, Global Vision” strategy by hosting its Global Partner Conference in Singapore for the first time. 

Over 2,000 partners from the accommodation, airlines and destination marketing partner companies attended the event held at the Resorts World Singapore – Convention Centre earlier this week.

James Liang, Co–founder and Chairman of Trip.com Group, delivers opening speech at the 2023 Global Partner Summit.

Trip.com Group co-founder and chairman James Liang explained: “At Trip.com Group, we have made it our mission to provide the best travel experience possible. We will explore AI innovation, travel content marketing, and sustainable practices to enhance every aspect of the user experience while preserving our planet and community.”

Trip.com Group CEO Jane Sun recapped the vigorous recovery of its businesses and reflected on the potential for further growth. “Guided by our strategy, multi-dimensional innovations in content marketing and AI-driven products, we have strengthened the group’s business, accelerating our recovery and bringing forward new growth drivers.

“Our approach continues to pay dividends, with the number of Trip.com bookings doubling this year compared to 2019 and the number of flight reservations for our EU partners increasing sevenfold.”

She noted that various businesses in the group have achieved “restorative growth”, with domestic hotel reservation volumes increasing by an average of 60% among Trip.com Group partner hotels. The growth extended to global scenic attraction tickets and reservations on Trip.com. The domestic group tours sector also experienced an increase in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) with a 53.6% surge compared to the same period in 2019, highlighting the overall resurgence of the industry.

Trip.com Group’s marketing strategies have led to a threefold increase in new customers and a 263% spike in product sales in the first three quarters of the year. They have catalysed remarkable growth, such as a 54 times increase in new customers for air tickets. Diverse product offerings, including multi-scenic attractions tickets, as well as concert tickets with hotel packages, generated an astounding 188-fold increase in hotel reservations in recent months.

Trip.com Group has taken significant steps to incorporate sustainable travel products into its business lines, including flights, car rental, and corporate travel. Over 16 million people have chosen these sustainable travel options, favouring the company’s low-carbon products.

As part of its ongoing commitment to promote a sustainable travel industry, Trip.com Group launched its Low-Carbon Hotel standard initiative, which aims to encourage eco-friendly practices and facilitate a shift towards a more sustainable travel ecosystem by collaborating with hotel partners. Trip.com Group has engaged with nearly 1,000 hotel partners in this transformative project.

(Source: Trip.com Group)

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