DOHA Qatar, 13 June 2023: Qatar Airways resumed a direct service between Tokyo International Airport (“Haneda”) and Hamad International Airport, starting last week.
Qatar Airways operates an Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 36 award-winning Qsuite Business Class seats and 247 Economy Class seats on the route.
In addition to the existing Narita-Doha service, the resumption of daily flights from Haneda Airport will increase the flights from the greater Tokyo area from seven to 14 flights a week.
Qatar Airways Regional Manager for Japan and Korea, Shinji Miyamoto, said, “We are very pleased to resume flights to Haneda Airport. Qatar is scheduled to host world-class events this year following the successful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including the coveted Formula 1 race for motorsports fans.”
Flight schedule to Haneda:
Daily (local time)
Doha (DOH) to Tokyo, Haneda (HND) – Flight No. QR812: Departure 06:30; Arrival 23:30
Tokyo, Haneda (HND) to Doha (DOH) – Flight No. QR813: Departure 01:00; Arrival 06:30
PHUKET, 13 June 2023: Friends and families came together in Phuket for the 17th edition of the Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon last weekend, which saw competitive racing, personal bests and lots of smiles.
From young to old, over 6,000 runners from more than 43 countries took part in a weekend of tropical fun. The change to morning starts on both days this year saw many opting to compete on both days and a festival-like atmosphere at the finish line with food stalls and entertainment enjoyed by participants and spectators alike.
Day 1 (Saturday, 10 June) hosted the 2km kids run, 5km and 10.5km. Almost 250 kids enjoyed the 2km kids run in the green surrounds of Laguna Phuket, and the first to cross the line in the male division was Julian Kloihofer from Thailand. Kawinthip Wongthawat, also from Thailand, crossed first in the women’s division.
Just two seconds separated the top two men in the 5km, with Seung Ho Park (KOR) taking the win ahead of Sergei Zyrianov (RUS) in second place. At the same time, in the women’s division, Hayley Newman (AUS) secured the win by almost a minute over Siena Milgate (AUS) in second.
Another Korean runner took the win in the Male 10.5km. Youngho Kim carved out a lead and held it to cross the finish line at 35:23, ahead of Thai rival Aekkalak Jhankaeo. Mei Yan Wong from Hong Kong dominated the Women’s 10.5km with a convincing win by more than two minutes over second-place finisher Kanika Chuaypet from Thailand.
Day 2 (Sunday, 11 June) saw thousands of runners converge at the start line at Laguna Grove, where friendships were made and renewed, and camaraderie was high. With runners from all over the world lining up together, it was a clear sign that Phuket is back and open for all!
Out with the lead pack, Artem Sekachev (RUS) pushed the marathon pace early to create some separation between the leaders and the chasers. He then continued to turn up the pressure and by the 30km mark had a three-minute lead which he further extended over the remaining distance to finish in a time of 02:51:10, more than five minutes ahead of second-place finisher Waiwit Thongtae from Thailand.
The racing proved much closer in the women’s division and became a podium battle amongst Thai and Aussie runners. With just two minutes separating the top three at the finish line, Nuntaporn Tengamnuay claimed the crown in a time of 03:38:33 ahead of Wannarat Jittiwuttinon in second.
Organised by GAA Events and an internationally-certified measured run course by World Athletics (WA), the Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon is one of Southeast Asia’s favourite destination marathons and a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. The dates have been set for 2014: The 18th Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon will occur from 8 to 9 June 2024.
Full results of the 2023 Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon are available at www.sportstats.asia
BANGKOK, 13 June 2023: AirAsia offers ‘zero fares’ in its latest promotion, ‘BIG SALE #SIZEMATTERS’, valid on domestic and international networks.
Bookings are open until midnight on 18 June 2023 for travel from 1 September 2023 to 8 October 2024 on the Airasia Superapp.
Thai AirAsia (FD) Routes Fly direct from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Buriram, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Krabi, Surat Thani, Phuket, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh, Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Yangon, Changsha and direct from Chiang Mai to Macao and Changsha from only 0 THB per trip*
Thai AirAsia X (XJ) Routes Fly direct from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Sydney, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo and Shanghai from only 1,645 THB per trip** and Premium Flatbed seat starting from only 9,249 THB per trip**
Bonus benefits
Book an AirAsia Ride immediately or in advance and receive a THB50 discount using code AIRPORT50 (for travel to and from Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports with a minimum fare of THB180)
Receive a 200 THB discount (no minimum) off your first hotel booking via Airasia Superapp using code [WELCOMEAPP] on the payment page. Gain up to 15% discount for any hotel booking in Bangkok with code [LOVEWIN] at the payment page (or a maximum discount of THB375 on a minimum spend total of THB2,500)
*Promotion exclusive to FD flights and limited availability (80,000 seats available throughout the promotional period). Promotional seats may not be available on some flights and are not applicable during long weekends and holidays. Ticket prices exclude airport tax, fuel surcharge, auxiliary services and other fees and duties. Promotional fares starting from 0 THB are single-journey. Book via airasia.com and airasia Superapp only. Terms and Conditions apply.
**Promotion exclusive to XJ flights and limited availability. Promotional seats may not be available on some flights and are not applicable during long weekends and holidays. Ticket prices exclude airport tax, fuel surcharge, auxiliary services and other fees and duties. Book via airasia.com and airasia Superapp only. Terms and Conditions apply.
BANGKOK, 13 June 2023: Radisson Hotel Group signs a management contract for a 133-key hotel due to open during the second quarter of 2024 in the city’s busy Ploenchit district packed with competing five-star hotels.
Radisson Hotel Group will expand its presence in one of Bangkok’s thriving downtown districts by signing the former Chateau de Bangkok. The property is undergoing an extensive remake to fit the Radisson brand specifications before it is reflagged Radisson Hotel Ploenchit and declared open in the second quarter of 2024.
The 133-key property is located on Soi Ruamrudee adjacent to Ploenchit, surrounded by lifestyle malls and restaurants and a short walk from the Ploenchit BTS Skytrain station.
The signing of Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok marks the continuation of Radisson Hotel Group’s expansion in Thailand. The group intends to double its footprint in Thailand from five hotels in 2022 to 10 by mid-2024 as it establishes its presence in key destinations, such as Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, and Pattaya.
“Bangkok is a hugely important market for Radisson Hotel Group in a country where we already have seven hotels in operation,” said Radisson Hotel Group managing director, Indochina and strategic partnerships, Southeast Asia & Pacific David Nguyen.
A major investment is underway to renovate the property before it is branded Radisson Hotel Ploenchit Bangkok. Rooms and suites will range from 30 to 93 square metres, featuring the key elements of Radisson’s Brilliant Basics programme that provide signature bedding and state-of-the-art room amenities. In addition, the hotel will serve the long-stay segment by offering serviced apartments that will provide a spacious living area and a fully equipped kitchenette.
SINGAPORE, 12 June 2023: British Airways launched a direct service to Cincinnati’s Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) last week from its London Heathrow Airport hub.
Service between Cincinnati and London operates five times weekly during the current summer months and four times during the winter timetable. The airline will fly Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 on the route with a three-class configuration; Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).
The Ohio city becomes the 27th American destination served by British Airways and strengthens the carrier’s claim to be the largest overseas airline serving the US.
The central Cincinnati metropolitan area – straddling the Ohio River – is spread across southwestern Ohio and northern Kentucky. It extends to portions of southeastern Indiana and allows British Airways to tap a potential market of 11 million people living within a 120-mile radius of Cincinnati’s airport.
British Airways also offers connections from its home at London Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to nearly 200 destinations in 65 countries worldwide, including routes with partner airlines.
Service between Cincinnati and London operates five times weekly during the current summer months and four times weekly during the winter timetable. The airline will fly Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 on the route with a three-class configuration; Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).
KUCHING, 12 June 2023: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), the organiser of Sarawak’s iconic event, Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), expressed their appreciation to the festival’s sponsors and supporters in a special event held at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre on Friday.
The appreciation ceremony was presided over by the Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, along with the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Datu Sherrina Hussaini and Sarawak Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor.
During his speech, Yang Berhormat Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah thanked partners and supporters for their contributions to the festival, adding that they will help fulfil STB’s vision of bringing the world together in Sarawak through music.
“Standing here today, I see a united front and a heart-warming demonstration of public-private partnership collaboration that shows confidence and trust in our mission to make a positive and lasting difference in the music community in Sarawak,” he said.
“I am very happy to see that the public-private partnership collaboration between STB and our partners for RWMF will help in making the region of Sarawak become a ‘leader’ in Responsible Tourism and sustainability in the country and also as a viable hub for music tourism,” Abdul Karim added.
Centara Reserve Samui, the sophisticated resort that focuses on the art of story-telling, achieved ninth place in the “Beach Island Resorts” category for Thailand. Achieving such a high position in a hotly-contested category reflects the strong impression this tropical beachfront retreat has made since it opened its doors. As the world’s first Centara Reserve resort, it promises highly personalised and curated stays in a spectacular seafront setting.
Centara Reserve Samui was recognised as one of the Top 10 “Beach Island Resorts” in Thailand.
Roukh Kiri Khao Yai, a member of Centara’s stunning Centara Boutique Collection comprising unique and locally-inspired upper upscale and luxury hotels, was awarded eighth place in the “Upcountry Hotels” category for Thailand – another keenly contested group that featured many of Asia’s finest, internationally-branded rural retreats. With just 12 contemporary barn-style villas nestled within organic gardens and surrounded by the verdant hills of Khao Yai, this charming resort is a haven of tranquillity and sustainability that celebrates the beauty of nature and Thai culture.
Roukh Kiri Khao Yai, which features just 12 villas, was named one of the Top 10 “Upcountry Hotels” in Thailand.
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives won second place in the “House Reefs” category for the Maldives. This diving and lifestyle resort in the South Ari Atoll was recognised for the health and vibrancy of its coral reef, which teems with tropical fish and provides a spectacular attraction for visitors of all ages, who can swim and snorkel throughout their stay. Overwater villas also offer direct access to this pristine aquatic ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to receive these three accolades. The fact that Centara’s resorts have been selected by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards shows how our luxury and upper-upscale brands, including Centara Reserve and Centara Grand, are now gaining a strong reputation as leaders in the luxury sector. At the heart of every Centara resort lies a spirit of Thai-inspired hospitality, which means that our resorts will always be warm and welcoming. We want to thank our guests and the readers of Travel + Leisure for their enduring confidence in Centara,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.
Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives won second place in the “House Reefs” category for the Maldives, reflecting the health and vibrancy of its marine ecosystem.
For more information about Centara, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com. The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific celebrate the region’s finest hotels, resorts and travel experiences in various categories. Each nominee was selected by Travel + Leisure’s team of editors and expert contributors, and the winners were then decided by a vote of the publication’s readers. For the complete list of winners, visit luxuryawards2023.travelandleisureasia.com.
SINGAPORE, 12 June 2023: Based on Google search data over the last two years, Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, tops worldwide destinations appealing to solo travellers when they researching holidays.
Bangkok follows in second place, with Taipei third, according to the research conducted by adventure tour operator Explore Worldwide that identified the cities that are seeing the biggest uplift in online searches.
The study uncovers the locations surging in popularity among those itching to see the world on their own, revealing the world’s top 10 most popular destinations for solo travel and the emerging hot spots for solo travel worldwide.
Independent travellers are particularly showing a genuine desire to explore Asia. The world’s top five trending solo cities are all in Asia, showing an increase in online solo travel searches of over 500%.
Explore’s new study puts Hanoi as the most upcoming solo travel destination in the world, with a rise in interest of just under 950%, followed by Bangkok in second with over 800% more interest, and the Taiwanese city of Taipei in third with just under 700% more online interest.
Explore Travel regional director Australia and New Zealand Ben Ittensohn comments: “It’s fascinating to see cities like Hanoi, Bangkok and Taipei emerging as hotspots for solo adventurers, reflecting a broader exploration trend beyond traditional Western destinations. This interest surge is a testament to the allure of these cities’ rich histories and vibrant cultures and the shifting spirit of today’s travellers, who seek unique and immersive experiences over the obvious tourist trails.
“Our study also highlights the ever-growing popularity of solo travel as a meaningful way to experience the world: it’s a powerful reminder that travel is not just about the destination, but the journey itself and the personal growth that comes with stepping outside our comfort zones. A wide world is waiting to be explored, and we hope our study inspires more people to embark on solo adventures.”
SINGAPORE, 12 June 2023: With 100 days until Formula 1 The Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 will generate cleaner energy and reduce the event’s carbon footprint.
That’s the plan. The installation of solar panels on the F1 Pit Building has already been completed, while installations for a more energy-efficient lighting system at the night race have begun.
Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board.
In 2022, Singapore GP Pte Ltd and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) laid the foundation for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix to become one of the most environmentally sustainable street circuits on the race calendar. This included initiatives like moving towards cleaner energy, going digital for greater resource efficiency, improving waste management and reducing single-use plastics.
This year, to transition the F1 Pit Building to cleaner energy sources, STB appointed ENGIE Southeast Asia to install solar panels on the facility’s rooftop.
Works have just been completed, with the 1,396 solar panels now fully operational. By converting sunlight into electricity, the panels are expected to generate 803,155 kWh of energy in a year. This solar energy can power the F1 Pit Building for an entire race month. This includes providing the power for the Formula 1 Paddock Club suites, Race Control Room, Media Centre, garages, and administrative offices. Any excess solar energy will be sold to the grid to offset the facility’s utility costs.
“We are thrilled that the F1 Pit Building can now be powered by renewable energy. This is an important milestone because it will reduce the carbon footprint of the race, as well as all other events that use the F1 Pit Building beyond the race period. Sustainability is a key priority for the Singapore race, and we will continue to work with Singapore GP and our partners to make our race more sustainable,” said STB executive director, sports and wellness Ong Ling Lee.
Work is underway to install a more energy-efficient track lighting system for the remainder of the term until 2028. The metal-halide projectors in place since 2008 will be fully replaced by LED track lights to illuminate the 4.928 km-long race track. Supplied by DZE Asia in collaboration with Signify Singapore, the upgraded LEDs will require significantly less power per fitting, consuming at least 30% less electricity than the previous bulbs. In addition, the new lights also do not require any warm-up time to reach their full luminance when switched on, saving time and energy.
The new ArenaVision LED floodlights are designed to provide optimal lighting conditions for drivers while also offering unforgettable experiences for F1 fans, media and broadcasters. Featuring a higher colour temperature of 5,700K, the lighting system will provide outstanding visual clarity, effective heat management, and a long lifespan – all while meeting the latest broadcasting standards.
The metal-halide lights will be given new life through recycled art. DZ Engineering and Dino Zoli Foundation will be organising an art exhibition featuring creations that artists will make out of old projectors to promote a more sustainable future. The exhibition is slated for September.
MANILA, 12 June 2023: The Philippines has been named the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year at the prestigious Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023 held last week in Singapore, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced in a press statement.
The Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023 recognises destinations, organisations, companies, and individuals who have significantly impacted the Muslim lifestyle travel segment.
Photo credit: Department of Tourism Philippines.
The Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year (non-OIC) award is given to recipient destinations catering to Muslim travellers’ unique needs and preferences.
The Muslim travel market will drive the tourism industry’s recovery with projections that Muslim traveller arrivals will reach 140 million in 2023 and, in succeeding years, could reach 230 million with estimated expenditures of USD225 billion by 2028.
“This award affirms our collaborative efforts that position the Philippines as a preferred destination for Muslim travellers and strategically develop our Halal Tourism portfolio across our regions. This global recognition also opens up enormous opportunities for our country to introduce our rich and diverse culture and heritage evident in our Muslim communities and our immensely beautiful destinations, including Mindanao,” Secretary Frasco said.
The Department of Tourism has also implemented various services and amenities designed to cater to Muslim travellers. These include the conduct of a comprehensive inventory of Halal-certified dining options and the pursuit of increased Halal accreditations for tourism enterprises across the country, as well as the conduct of Halal Awareness Orientations with Tourism Stakeholders and information dissemination with tourism enterprises on the values, beliefs, and practices of Muslim-travelers.
Recognising global trends and preferences of Muslim travellers, Secretary Frasco said that the Department of Tourism has also continued to pursue its sustainable tourism development initiatives and recently inked a significant agreement with global health and wellness tourism leader Agora to position the Philippines towards providing quality medical and wellness tourism offerings, especially to the Middle Eastern market.
Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar accepted the award on behalf of the Department of Tourism and CrescentRating and HalalTrip, for recognising the Philippine government’s and tourism stakeholders’ efforts.
“We hope to continue the great stride on tourism promotion and economic boost in our country for our Muslim brothers and sisters who are arriving in the Philippines and who are surely welcome to visit and explore our more than 7,000 islands with majestic white sand beaches and warm people,” Undersecretary Abubakar said.
