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Indian golf tours to tee off in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU, 19 May 2023: Indian golf tour experts visited Sabah earlier this week to check out courses and explore the state’s tourist destinations and natural beauty.

Tourism Malaysia hosted the golf tour experts for a four-day familiarisation tour, which included a dinner hosted by Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai on the first day of the itinerary.

During the dinner event, the group shared their perspective on how Sabah could capitalise on its diverse offering for vacationers while allowing golfers to play on world-class golf courses.

India’s leading golf educator Romit Bose remarked that Sabah’s opportunity is readily apparent, emphasising the availability of golf courses within a resort, hotel facilities, and the fantastic weather to play golf all year round.

“I run an academy in New Delhi, where I train golfers and nurture junior golfers who aspire to become pros so they can compete in tournaments. I can see Sabah as a tournament destination.

“Taking advantage of everything that Sabah offers, you should be able to attract between 300 and 500 junior golfers with their family members. To me, Sabah should be a destination for kids and their families,” said the managing director of The Golfing Hub.

The managing director of Diplomatic Travels, Mahender Pal Khanna, acknowledged that the stunning natural beauty of Sabah’s state capital alone is a draw, and good wellness spas are an added plus for Indian tourists.

“From what I have experienced, Sabah is a fantastic destination with much more than just golf. The wedding industry is also significant to us, which you can tap into. I believe having direct flights from India will help bring multiple guests to Sabah,” he added.

Group members also spoke about the potential of mounting direct chartered flights from India to Sabah shortly.

The group’s trip occurred after a successful meeting between golf operators and the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia, YB Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan, at the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 in India last February.

“We are thrilled to showcase Sabah’s beautiful golf courses and attractions as a significant step in positioning Sabah as a premier golf destination for Indian travellers.

Through collaborations with industry players and enhanced connectivity, we are confident that Sabah will captivate Indian golfers and contribute to Malaysia’s tourism growth,” said Khairul, who met the golfers at a luncheon earlier.

Meanwhile, Joniston, also the state Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, said Sabah hopes to offer a genuinely exotic golfing experience different from other golfing destinations.

“We have some 20 golf courses surrounded by lush rainforests, mountains, and pristine beaches, providing a unique backdrop for golfers to enjoy while playing.

“We have been welcoming golfers to Sabah, but India is a new market for us. We do hope to see more Indian golfers and their families in Sabah enjoy not only golfing but our rich cultural heritage.

“This cultural immersion adds another dimension to the golfing trip, making it a well-rounded experience that combines sport, nature, and cultural exploration,” he said.

During their familiarisation trip, the group played golf at the Sutera Habour and Country Club and the Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club. They also inspected the Nexus Golf Karambunai Resort.

Present at the dinner were the Permanent Secretary of Sabah’s Tourism, Culture, and Environment Ministry, Datuk Sr Mohd. Yusrie Abdullah; Tourism Malaysia Senior Director International Promotion Division (ASAF), Manoharan Periasamy; Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director (North and East India) Muhammad Akmal Hafiz Abdul Aziz; and Sabah Tourism Board Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Tay Shu Lan. 

For more information, visit www.sabahtourism.com.

(Source: Sabah Tourism Board)

Minor Hotels seals Saudi partnership

BANGKOK, 19 May 2023: Minor Hotels, a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 530 hotels worldwide, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund to develop and operate hospitality and lifestyle projects jointly.

The projects will focus on mountain resorts, wellness resorts and urban hotels in Saudi Arabia. The first project under this partnership is expected to be announced during the second half of this year, with multiple projects over the next couple of years.

Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara – Aerial View Resort Twilight.

Minor Hotels will act as an operator and partner in each project linked to its flagship brands; Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and Oaks. 

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Development Fund supports tourism investment, linking private-sector investors with public funding opportunities. It was set up in 2020 to harness opportunities and fund development in the tourism ecosystem and destinations across Saudi Arabia.

The luxury brand Anantara will constitute at least one of the agreed projects, a brand already well-known in the GCC region. Minor Hotels has more than 10 properties in the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar.

The Avani Hotels & Resorts brand will debut in the Kingdom with multiple properties. The contemporary hotel brand can be found in the United Arab Emirates and Oman, with a property currently under development in Bahrain to launch in 2024.

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding with Saudi’s Tourism Development Fund represents a significant step for Minor Hotels, enabling the group to offer a wide variety of products ranging from experiential luxury to serviced apartments,” commented Minor International Group CEO and Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier.

Cathay monitors April recovery

HONG KONG, 19 May 2023: Cathay Pacific carried 1,381,073 passengers in April, an increase of 3,283% compared with April 2022, according to the latest traffic figures released this week.

Cathay Pacific Group, comprising passenger airlines Cathay Pacific and HK Express, carried almost six million passengers during the year’s first four months.

The airline group said traffic figures for April 2023  reflected strong demand for travel during the holiday period and confirmed travel sentiment has remained positive since the beginning of the year.

The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 3,139% year-on-year. Passenger load factor increased by 31.3 percentage points to 86.9%, while capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased by 1,973% year-on-year. In the first four months of 2023, the number of passengers carried increased by 3,707% against a 2,116% increase in capacity and a 3,989% increase in RPKs, as compared with the same period for 2022.

Travel

The airline’s chief customer and commercial officer, Lavinia Lau said: “April was a busy month for our travel business as many of our customers looked to enjoy a getaway during the holiday period. Passenger demand was robust over the Easter holiday in the early part of the month. On 9 April, we recorded our highest number of passengers on a single day since the start of the pandemic, carrying 53,233 in total. Meanwhile, we continued to increase our passenger flight capacity and add more frequencies to destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia and Japan. Demand for premium class seats has also been buoyant, driven by corporate and leisure travel.

“We experienced a surge in demand from Indonesia in mid-April, coinciding with the end of Ramadan, and we added more flights from Jakarta and Surabaya for our customers accordingly. Towards the end of April, we also saw increased traffic ahead of Labour Day and the Golden Week holiday from the Chinese Mainland. ​

Outlook

Looking ahead to the rest of May and beyond, Lau said the priority was to continue efforts to reconnect with customers.

“We are progressively increasing flight capacity as we approach the peak summer travel season. Regarding destinations, we look forward to resuming our Johannesburg service from 1 August with three weekly flights, again connecting our home city with Africa. On top of that, from 3 October, we will resume our Chicago service with three weekly flights, giving us seven destinations in North America and further expanding our connectivity with the region.”

(Source: Cathay Pacific)

Phuket hotels support local talent

PHUKET, 19 May 2023: Phuket Hotels Association, the nonprofit organisation of hoteliers focused on promoting a positive image of Phuket, is inviting members of the public to take part in its “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale” – an online auction with great prizes that will fund scholarships for talented young people in Phuket.

This forms part of the Phuket Hotels Association Benefit (PHAB) 2023 campaign, an important fundraising initiative including “PHAB 5”, a charity gala dinner at Angsana Laguna Phuket on 20  May 2023.

Bidding in the online auction is open until midday (Thailand time, UTC+7 hrs) on 15 June, with prizes in dream destinations worldwide! Participants can bid for spectacular five-star stays and exciting experiences generously donated by sponsors in destinations such as Dubai, Sydney and the Maldives, as well as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui – all potentially available with big discounts for the highest bidder. In addition to hotel stays, the auction includes various exhilarating activities such as yacht charters, golf, tennis, surfing classes and gym memberships.

Proceeds from the auction will sponsor at least 20 hospitality scholarships and internships exclusively for the benefit of young Phuket residents who would otherwise be unable to fund their education. The association has successfully sponsored over 30 students studying hospitality and tourism in Phuket.

The PHAB 5 online auction is being continually updated with new prizes. Bidders can check back on their progress, make new offers and see what other exciting prizes are coming up! To learn more about the PHAB 5 online auction and to place your bid in the “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale”, please visit phab.phukethotelsassociation.com/silent-auction.

“By taking part in our online auction, not only will you be bidding on great prizes and five-star hotel stays worldwide, but you will also be benefiting the local community by helping young people to discover a new career that could raise their standard of living and even support an entire family,” explained  Phuket Hotels Association president Bjorn Courage.

Hosted at Angsana Convention & Exhibition Space (ACES), the world-class event space at Angsana Laguna Phuket,”PHAB 5″ is an upbeat fundraising event. The evening will commence with welcome cocktails and live music, followed by an indulgent international buffet dinner featuring live cooking stations by some of the top chefs from Phuket’s best hotels and drinks prepared by the island’s most creative mixologists. A lively MC will keep the fun flowing throughout the night!

Musical highlights include a live band, Feelsion, plus in-demand Phuket DJ CAMMUK, and dazzling dancers who will get the party started with their performances. Tickets are priced at THB4,900 (premium) or THB5,900 (VIP), with the proceeds also funding the hospitality scholarships. CLICK HERE to book tickets.

To learn more about the Phuket Hotels Association and PHAB 2023, please call 087 468 8588, email [email protected], or visit www.phukethotelsassociation.com.

More flights link China and Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA, 19 May 2023: Xiamen Airlines officially commenced flights from Chongqing, China, to Kuala Lumpur earlier this week, marking an important milestone in boosting travel between China and Malaysia.

The maiden flight touched down at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Airport Terminal 1, on 16 May. Passengers were welcomed by Tourism Malaysia and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) management teams at the boarding gate.

The new direct flight is scheduled four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.

Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing said: “We are thrilled with the launching of this new route by Xiamen Airlines to accommodate the increase in travel demand and enhance connectivity to Malaysia.

“We currently have 175 weekly flights from China to Malaysia and aspire to have more direct flights and even charter flights to Malaysia via strategic collaborations with airlines as we are targetting 3.5 million Chinese tourist arrivals this year.”

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to China last March, which coincided with the 10th anniversary of establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), has deepened Malaysia-China relations.

With the launch of the nonstop flight to Chongqing, Xiamen Airlines operates 25 flights to China every week, including Kuala Lumpur to Xiamen (two daily flights) and Kuala Lumpur to Fuzhou (daily flights).

Six key trends shaping travel

BANGKOK, 19 May 2023: Arival, the leading authority for the tours and activities sector, has released six key trends shaping the future of travel experiences in APAC. 

The findings from its recent The Outlook for Experiences 2019-2025 research are released ahead of the annual Arival Activate event, which will take place in Bangkok on 12 to 14 June.

Arival CEO and co-founder Douglas Quinby said: “With many countries beginning to open travel after the pandemic, the Asia Pacific (APAC) region is seeing a surge of renewed interest in travel and tourism. APAC travellers are spending more, travelling further and for longer.”

Intra-regional travel is first, but long-haul travel to Europe is not far behind.

Quinby notes the following six essential experiences trends that are likely to shape the travel experience sector’s recovery – and that every creator and seller of tours, activities and attractions should be watching:

  • A very uneven recovery

There are still considerable variations in the pace of recovery throughout APAC. In some markets, travellers are making a strong comeback – especially from Southeast Asia, Korea and Australia – while some source markets, such as China and Japan, are slower to return. 

  • Intra-regional travel is first, but long-haul and Europe are not far behind

Asia’s travellers have started to travel regionally, but long-haul destinations will likely not be far behind. Operators and resellers are reporting increased demand for Europe in particular.

  • The return of the outbound Chinese traveller remains a wild card

China has been a crucial engine of travel growth before the pandemic. While domestic travel has primarily recovered, international outbound travel has slowly returned. Operators in the region should focus first on other source markets in the region – and be prepared for China’s return in the second half of 2023.

Asia-based DidaTravel’s chief strategy officer Eric Zhuang recently commented on this shift in preference at the Arival 360 event in Berlin. “The supply chain needs to be reformed, and also, many clients have changed consumer behaviours and booking patterns. Most people will still go to the top destinations of pre-Covid times, but the things they want to do will be quite different.”

  • Younger travellers – and their booking habits – will define the rebound

Gen-Z and younger Millennials are driving the recovery across Asia, and their behaviour is already reshaping the industry. This large, experience-hungry cohort of the traveller population prioritises experiences over stuff. They are putting experiences first and are willing to pay for them. Operators must be ready for this. This means more small-group, immersive experiences that get travellers off the beaten path with unique, memorable interactions. And it has to be all mobile bookable, with plenty of Instagram- and TikTok-worthy moments.

  • Mobile booking and online marketplaces will more than triple in market share by 2025

With younger travellers leading the rebound, operators must be ready for the mobile wave. “We have seen a growth of 120% above the pre-pandemic level,” said Klook ChiefCief Commercial Officer Wilfred Fan when speaking at Arival 360 Berlin in March 2023. “That’s a company record, and that trend continues.”

  • Small group and independent travel will not only lead travel’s return but re-define its future in Asia

Younger travellers are seeking more independent and adventurous travel and experiences. This means more small group tours, independent tours, outdoor adventure activities and other unique experiences that travellers can cherish with family and friends.

For more information about the Outlook for Experiences 2019-2025 research, click here.
To find out more about Arival Activate, or to register as an attendee, click here.

Gold and silver artisans resume trade fair

GEORGETOWN Penang, 17 May 2023: The Province Wellesley Gold & Silver Ornament Merchants Association has confirmed the PWGS Trade Fair 2023 will take place from 9 to 11 June 2023 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre.

The event will showcase Penang’s gold and jewellery industry, as well as its distinctive culture, traditions, and craftsmanship. Around 100 exhibitors have booked booth space, with the organisers estimating 10,000 visitors.

In addition to boosting the local economy, the PWGS Trade Fair 2023 will help to promote the state as a hub for creative industries. It will also provide a platform for international promotions and publicity supporting local designers.

“Penang’s unique cultural identity and beauty can be seen in every piece of jewellery created by our talented designers. The designs reflect our diverse heritage, influenced by Malay, Chinese, Indian, and European cultures,” said Penang State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy, Yeoh Soon Hin. “At PWGS 2023, we are not only promoting the jewellery industry but also showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Penang to the world.”

Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau chief executive officer, Ashwin Gunasekeran, noted that by bringing in renowned exhibitions and trade fairs, “we showcase Penang’s capabilities and bolster our local economy. These events attract a diverse range of exhibitors, buyers, and visitors.”

Afro rhythms star at RWMF 2023

KUCHING, 18 May 2023: Festival-goers to the iconic Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 can look forward to grooving along to funky and upbeat African rhythms from two of its international acts – Safi Theatre Group from Tanzania and Afriquoi from the UK.

Safi Theatre is a dance-based performance group that showcases improvised traditional ngoma music (drumming and dance), blending their captivating and lively shows with acrobatics to create an exciting mix of traditional Tanzanian music and artistic creativity. Musically, the group plays various danceable and energetic tunes by using traditional percussive instruments as well as other contemporary ones, including the Snare drum, Conga flutes and Toms.

Led by Ramadhani Maneno, the members also comprise young musicians and dancers between the ages of 10 to 20, whose performances are inspired by the richness of Tanzanian traditions and cultural diversity, which they believe are not being shared enough. According to Maneno, having young performers is an element of sustainability, as it is the best way to keep their heritage and traditions alive for future generations.

The troupe is proud to share their Tanzanian culture and tradition with the world over the years, having performed at various international events such as the annual Festival Rudolstadt in Germany and Saruj Kund Mela in India. Safi Theatre believes that this cultural exchange, including musical instruments and songs, could facilitate future collaborations.

Afriquoi is a UK-based sensation that fuses African rhythms with live electronic beats, creating an incomparable, energetic, and mesmerising sound. Their live performances combine Gambian kora, Congolese guitar, and Mandinka percussion styles with electronic music drawing on house, garage, disco, soul, and jungle to create something unique.

The band – comprising of Jally Kebba Susso playing the Kora; Fiston Lusambo on guitar, Andre Espeut as the lead vocalist, Nico Bentley raving on the electronics, keyboard, bass and André Marmot on percussions – showcases music that carries a message of togetherness, health, healing and happiness and is known for their ability to get the crowd on their feet and dance. Formed in 2011 out of London’s cultural melting pot, they have established a global cult fanbase, loved by fans both of African and electronic music. Their Afro house classic ‘Kudaushe’ has become an established favourite in clubs all over the world, and they have toured all over Europe, with huge crowds singing along to their songs on major stages at Glastonbury, WOMAD, Dimensions, Fusion, Boomtown, Shambala, Bestival, Secret Garden Party and the London 2012 Olympics.

Being their first time in Malaysia, Afriquoi is thrilled to be invited to perform at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2023. They are excited to be in a new environment and indulge themselves in the extraordinary musical experience that awaits in Sarawak. Their message to RWMF2023 attendees? “We cannot wait to meet you, get ready and make sure to dance along!”

Rainforest World Music Festival 2023

Musicians and fans of world music all over the globe are invited to experience different sounds from across the world at the iconic Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023, which is making its full physical comeback from 23rd to 25th June 2023 at the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).

With the theme ‘Reflections’, RWMF 2023 allows festival-goers to reflect on their connection with nature and embrace diverse musical styles with underlying values for a deeper appreciation of the world. This year marks RWMF’s 26th edition, and the festival continues to advocate sustainable practices and greening initiatives, making Sarawak a leading ecotourism destination for future generations of music lovers.

The festival features 199 musicians from 12 countries from four continents. Festival-goers can look forward to performances by Grammy Award winner Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo from France of such hits as ‘Djobi Djoba’ and ‘Bamboleo’, Big Mountain from Jamaica and the USA best known for their hit song ‘Baby I Love Your Way’, Safi Theatre from Tanzania, Rastak from Iran, Fasylive from the Maldives, Afriquoi from the United Kingdom, Chatusram from India, Rizal Hadi & Folk from Indonesia and Ethno Thai Fusion Sound Band from Thailand. The line-up will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

RWMF2023 will also highlight Malaysian local talents from East and West Malaysia, which include Zee Avi, Suk Bini, Aseana Percussion Unit, Nadir, Steve Thornton & Afroasia, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Bekocak, At Adau, Meruked, and Orang Orang Drum Theatre.

The ‘Pre-sale’ tickets are available on Klook ticketing platform across a range of categories: Adult 1-Day Pass Fri/Sun (MYR230), Adult 1-Day Pass Sat (RM260), Adult 2-Day Pass Fri + Sat / Sat + Sun (MYR440), Adult 3-Day Pass (MYR590), and Child 1-Day Pass Fri/Sat/Sun (MYR80) – under a limited-period offer.

More info on the musical line-up and ticketing can be found on the Rainforest World Music Festival’s official website at www.rwmf.net.

(Source: Sarawak Tourist Board)

Centara names GM at Pattaya Mirage

BANGKOK,18 May 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts confirmed earlier this week the transfer and appointment of Chaiphun Thongsuthum as general manager located at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.

Chaiphun Thongsuthum started his career with Centara Hotels & Resorts in 1984 at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok. In 1992, he was appointed as general manager at Central Wong Amat Pattaya, which was the former resort on the land of today’s Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.

After that, he transferred to Centara Hotel Hat Yai as general manager and has been appointed as general manager at various of the group’s properties until the present time. They included appointments with Central Hotel Myanmar, Centara Villas Samui, Centara Hotel Hat Yai, Corporate Office, Centara Hotel & Convention Centre Udon Thani and Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien. He also served as area general manager overseeing four resorts in the Eastern Seaboard region of Thailand, including Centra by Centara Maris Resort Jomtien, Centara Q Resort Rayong, Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat and Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resortbefore taking the position of General Manager at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya.

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya, located directly on the beach at Wong Amat in North Pattaya, is Thailand’s first truly themed hotel that adopted a Lost World concept in its design and its entertainment facilities geared for families.

Centara Hotels & Resorts

Oceania’s Vista sets sail in the Med

SINGAPORE, 18 May 2023: Oceania Cruises christened its newest ship Vista at a ceremony in Valletta, Malta, ahead of a summer season in the Mediterranean.

The first of the line’s Allura Class vessels, the all-veranda ship is 791 feet (241 metres) long and can accommodate 1,200 guests (double occupancy).

Vista features 11 onboard culinary venues, including three new to Vista. These include Aquamar Kitchen, offering an array of wellness-inspired dishes with a hint of indulgence; The Bakery at Baristas, serving tempting freshly baked pastries; and the new signature restaurant, Ember.

Following the seven-night roundtrip VIP christening cruise, Vista set sail on her maiden voyage on 13 May from Rome to Venice before embarking on a sold-out summer in the Mediterranean.

In September, she will sail to Canada and New England before heading south for a series of winter itineraries exploring Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean from her homeport of Miami.

Vista’s 2024 summer season will see her sail a series of Grand Voyages in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and Adriatic Seas, visiting an intriguing array of iconic cities and smaller boutique ports throughout Italy, Turkey, Greece and the Holy Lands.