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Tennis enthusiasts regroup in Pattaya

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TTR WEEKLY
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PATTAYA, Thailand, 13 March 2023: The annual Fitz Club Tennis Tournament returned to the resort town’s sporting calendar on 10 to 12 March at the Royal Cliff Hotel Group tennis complex.

Now in its 15th year, the tournament spotlighted the category 35+ Men Singles for tennis players of all skill levels. Twenty players joined the leaderboard as the Fitz Club Tennis Tournament unfolded at the Royal Cliff. Its success is credited to the round-robin format that ensures competitors are guaranteed to play several matches in one of the best Tennis clubs in Pattaya, Thailand.

Event sponsors comprised AssetWise, Tecnifibre, Home Mart, VC Fabric, Supply Gallery, Carabao Group, Yonex, Daikin and Jae Ying Seafood.

Now in its 15th year, the Fitz Club Tennis Tournament promotes fitness, sports, and recreation, especially for senior players.

Royal Cliff aims to build a tennis and sports community in Pattaya, allowing more senior players to stay active, improve their game, and get socially connected. It continually makes a positive difference in the lives of athletes who develop a lifetime appreciation for the sport. Moreover, Royal Cliff supports Pattaya’s goal to become the best Asia destination for family and sports.

With three days of blockbuster tennis during the weekend, the Fitz Club Tennis Tournament was once more heralded as one of Pattaya’s most highly anticipated sports events on the calendar. Visit https://www.royalcliff.com/tennis-tournament.php.

Top ATP players, including Mikhail Youzhny, Denis Istomin and Nikolay Davydenko have used the Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness for tennis camps. The courts are of the same standard as the Australian Open, so top players can choose Fitz Club to acclimatise and prepare for the big grand slam tournament.

Renowned as the leading luxury sports centre in Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard region, it is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including cardio machines, seven floodlit tennis courts, two air-conditioned squash courts, a swimming pool kids’ waterslides, table tennis and sauna & steam rooms.

About the sponsors

ASSETWISE

AssetWise aims to develop both vertical and horizontal projects on high-potential locations under the “We Build Happiness” concept. Currently, the company has completed the development of 44 condominium and housing estate projects under its brands that are created to bring happiness appropriate to all lifestyles, including KAVE, ATMOZ, MODIZ, ESTA, and THE HONOR brands.

CARABAO GROUP

CARABAO GROUP PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED is a holding company engaging in manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing energy drinks and other beverages in a vertically integrated manner, starting from upstream productions of key packaging materials down the chain to bottling and canning of finished products as well as distribution channel management both domestically and internationally.

DAIKIN

SIAM DAIKIN SALES CO LTD is a joint venture between Siam Motors Group and Global Daikin which have been operating in Japan for almost 100 years and distributes Daikin air conditioning and air purifier product solution for residential and commercial throughout Thailand.

TECNIFIBRE

Tecnifibre is a French company, founded in 1979 and run by tennis players, providing equipment (rackets/strings/ balls/ accessories/ bags) for tennis players.

YONEX THAILAND

FAR EAST SPECIALITY CO LTD. Yonex is a world-class sports brand that has specialised in badminton and tennis for over 60 years.

For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub. 

Centara signals anniversary expansion

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 March 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has embarked on a milestone year that will see it celebrate its 40th anniversary, add multiple hotels to its global portfolio and pursue a sustainable growth strategy as it bids to become one of the world’s leading hospitality companies within five years.

2023 marks 40 years since Centara first introduced its family-centric Thai hospitality. A series of mega marketing campaigns will launch to thank guests for their enduring support as Centara steps confidently into a bright new era driven by the revitalisation of global travel and tourism.

The 515-key Centara Grand Osaka, a spectacular, 33-storey upper upscale hotel will mark 
the group’s debut in Japan in July 2023.

2022 was a successful year for Centara. The company’s revenue jumped 57% to THB 18,216 million, EBITDA surged 120% to THB 4,411 million, and net profit recovered to THB 398 million (compared to a net loss of THB 1,734 million in 2021). In terms of operating performance, Centara’s occupancy averaged 52%, the average room rate (ARR) improved to THB 4,791, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) jumped 193% to THB 2,486.

The company will advance its long-term vision to position Centara as one of the world’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027. Having increased its global footprint in recent years, reaching 92 properties (50 operating and 42 in the pipeline) with 19,348 keys in 13 countries as of 31 December 2022, Centara’s expansion will accelerate in 2023 with the opening of six new properties in two countries. Occupancy in 2023 is expected to reach 65-72%, and RevPar is forecast to improve by 30-37% year-on-year to THB 3,250-3,400. High ARRs in the group’s international hotels, most notably in the Maldives, Dubai and Japan, should significantly contribute to this growth. 

The group will reinforce its leadership position in Thailand with the addition of five new properties, including the 160-key in Ubon, 200-key in Rayong (Q4), 224-key in Ayutthaya (Q4), 110-key in Surat Thani (Q4) and 61-key in Samui (Q3 and upgrades and renovations at existing properties.

Centara’s international strategy will reach an important milestone on 1 July 2023 with the opening of the 515-key Centara Grand Osaka. This spectacular, 33-storey upper upscale hotel will mark the group’s debut in Japan. Moreover, the opening of new regional offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai and Dubai in 2023 and in Osaka in 2024 will amplify the company’s worldwide presence and strengthen its platform for business development and growth. This year, Centara expects to conclude the signing of 10 new hotels, including properties in Thailand, Vietnam and Qatar.

Centara will continue to pursue diverse development focusing on opportunities in ASEAN countries, including Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as joint ventures in China. The Middle East footprint will also focus on growth whilst the company will also keep an active eye out for suitable investment opportunities in key global gateway cities, should they match the company’s objectives and aspirations.

Centara Reserve, the personalised, design-led luxury brand that made its global debut in Koh Samui in December 2021, will illuminate more parts of the world in future with projects at the early stages of planning and development of an area close to Hua Hin, Krabi and the Maldives.

The group is working towards several important environmental targets, including the elimination of single-use plastic by 2025, achieving Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for all properties by 2025, a 20% reduction in energy, waste, water and greenhouse gas emissions by 2029, and overall net zero emissions by 2050.

Centara will continue to work with like-minded partners in 2023 and beyond, including airlines, payment providers, retail operators, booking companies and more, to enhance the entire tourism ecosystem and deliver a broader range of benefits to its guests. One key driver of Centara’s success is CentaraThe1, the guest membership programme which will reach eight million members this year. In tandem with the 40th anniversary of Centara, 2023 also marks the 10th anniversary of CentaraThe1, and members can expect a series of promotional campaigns and programme enhancements. It has already announced an enrichment of its benefits, with members now able to redeem their points for airline miles across Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

“2023 will be a watershed year for Centara as we move into an exciting new era of prosperity and celebrate 40 years of delivering heartfelt Thai hospitality. Despite global challenges during the last few years, Centara’s sustainable, strategic development goals have remained on track. It was evidenced by our continued expansion and investment, including the launch of Centara Reserve Samui, the acclaimed Centara Mirage resort in Dubai, and our soon-to-open, showstopping Centara Grand in the heart of Osaka. Moving forward, we want to be a catalyst for growth, inspire our customers to travel, stimulate new demand and make a positive difference in every destination we operate.

We look forward to working with all our partners to create a bright future for travel tourism and hospitality in Thailand and worldwide,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.

To learn more about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

(Your Stories: Centara Hotels & Resorts)

Ethiopian plans Pakistan flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 March 2023: Ethiopian Airlines, considered the largest network operating carrier in Africa, will launch direct flights to Karachi, Pakistan starting 1 May 2023.

Ethiopian served Karachi from July 1966 to December 1971 and again from June 1993 until July 2004.

The upcoming flight will operate four times a week.

Flight numberFrequencyDeparture AirportDeparture TimeArrival AirportArrival Time
ET  0694Mon, Wed, Fri, SunADD21:45KHI05:05
ET  0695Mon, Tue, Thu, SatKHI05:55ADD08:55

Commenting on reestablishing flights to Karachi, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said:  As the only flight connecting Pakistan with Africa, the planned service to Karachi will strengthen economic ties between the two regions. It will also offer improved air connectivity for Pakistani investors and tourists visiting Africa.”

Karachi will be the 37th destination of Ethiopian Airlines in Asia. Ethiopian currently serves more than 145 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations.

Airline recovery continues in January

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 March 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery in air travel demand is continuing in 2023, based on January traffic results.

Total traffic in January 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 67.0% compared to January 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 84.2% of January 2019 levels.

Domestic traffic for January 2023 rose 32.7% compared to the year-ago period, helped by the lifting of the zero-Covid policy in China. Total January 2023 domestic traffic was at 97.4% of the January 2019 level.

International traffic climbed 104.0% versus January 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led by carriers in the Asia-Pacific region. International RPKs reached 77.0% of January 2019 levels.

“Air travel demand is off to a very healthy start in 2023. The rapid removal of COVID-19 restrictions for Chinese domestic and international travel bodes well for the continued strong industry recovery from the pandemic throughout the year. And, importantly, we have not seen the day’s many economic and geopolitical uncertainties dampening demand for travel,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

International Passenger Markets

Asia-Pacific airlines posted a376.3% increase in January traffic compared to January 2022, the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions, but off of a very low base when much of the region was still closed to travel. Capacity rose 167.1%, and the load factor increased 36.6 percentage points to 83.3%, the highest-performing region.

European carriers saw a 60.6% traffic rise versus January 2022. Capacity increased by 30.1%, and the load factor rose by 14.2 percentage points to 75.0%.

Middle Eastern airlines’ January traffic rose 97.7% compared to January a year ago. Capacity increased by 45.9%, and the load factor climbed 20.8 percentage points to 79.2%.

North American carriers reportedan 82.4% traffic increase in January versus 2022. Capacity rose 37.3%, and load factor climbed 19.7 percentage points to 79.6%.

Latin American airlines had a 46.8% traffic increase compared to the same month in 2022. January capacity climbed 34.3%, and the load factor rose 7.1 percentage points to 82.7%, the second highest among the regions.

African airlines’ traffic rose124.8% in January 2023 versus a year ago. January capacity was up 82.5%, and the load factor climbed 13.9 percentage points to 73.7%, the lowest among regions.

 The Bottom Line

 “With strong travel demand continuing through the traditionally slower winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, the stage is set for an even busier spring and summer. When many are just beginning to enjoy their newly restored travel freedoms, it is especially disappointing to see the Dutch government making plans to limit their movements by unilaterally and unjustly reducing operations at Schiphol Airport,” said Walsh.

View the January Air Passenger Market Analysis

AirAsia adds Hari Raya flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SEPANG, 13 March 2023: AirAsia has announced additional flights with fixed fares to help connect families this upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.

Fixed at MYR199 and MYR249 one way from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak and Sabah, respectively, the fares will be available for booking until 30 April 2023 for travel between 19 to 21 April 2023 and 28 to 30 April 2023.

From Right: Yang Berhormat Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport Malaysia, Datuk Haji Hasbi Bin Haji Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia, Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group Limited and AirAsia’s cabin crew.

The fares apply on flights to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri in Sarawak and to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah.

Travellers can also book special fares to fly direct from Johor Bahru to Miri, Sibu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. As part of BigPay and AirAsia’s strengthened partnership, BigPay users can enjoy  5% off all AirAsia flights with flight code ‘AK’ for a year by using the promo code “BIGPAY5”.

Malaysia’s Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke commented: “This is the second time this year I’m officiating AirAsia’s special ‘fixed fares’ for the festive season, and I’m deeply pleased that AirAsia is staying true to its commitment to support the government’s initiative to lower fares during these peak travel periods. I implore other industry players to follow suit and bring down the cost of travel.”

Special extra flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak

Special extra flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sabah

Big cruise discounts at MATTA Fair

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 13 March 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents has recruited Royal Caribbean International as its cruise partner for the upcoming MATTA Fair, 17 to 19 March 2023, at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.

Royal Caribbean International has booked 12 booths at the fair located in MITEC’s International Hall – Level 3, where the sales team will sell itineraries discounted 50% on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas for sailings from now until 28 March 2024.

Travellers can buy short three and four-night getaways to Penang and Thailand’s Phuket island. A longer nine-night cruise will explore Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Manila, Philippines.

In its press statement, MATTA said it believes the demand for international cruise tourism is extraordinary as more people realise its advantages over air or land travel.

“We trust that the partnership with Royal Caribbean International will be a pull factor to grow Malaysia’s cruise segment and to promote demand for cruise holidays in the region,” MATTA  concluded.

The fair is admission free and open from 1000 to 2100, Friday to Sunday, 17 to 19 March.

Cruise line says Hello Hong Kong

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 13 March 2023:  Resorts World One commenced her maiden voyage, sailing from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal Friday, 10 March, for a weekend high-seas cruise.

The 13-deck Resorts World One is the first cruise ship to restart cruises in Hong Kong with a year-round homeport deployment.

With three sailings a week, cruise enthusiasts staying in Hong Kong can book two and three-night high-seas cruises until 31 March.

Resorts World One’s destination cruises from Hong Kong get underway on 2 April 2023.

Friday’s welcome celebration event and maiden sailing of the Resorts World One was held on the cruise ship with over 400 attendees, comprising local travel and business partners, the media, and key influencers.

Resorts World Cruises representatives, comprising president Michael Goh – president and COO Raymond Lim, officiated at the inaugural sailing of the Resorts World One from the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

“Resorts World One’s maiden voyage signifies an important step forward in reigniting Hong Kong’s cruise tourism. We want to express our sincere gratitude to the Tourism Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong Tourism Board and the relevant authorities for their support as we pioneer the restart of the Hong Kong year-round cruise deployment,” said Goh.

“Resorts World One will open up new opportunities for the inbound and outbound travel in Hong Kong for cruising and Fly-Cruise guests, which will have a positive spillover effect beyond the cruise tourism sector in Hong Kong.”

LADA unveils Geopark Packages

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TTR WEEKLY
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LANGKAWI, 10 March 2023: Langkawi Development Authority is back positioning the beautiful island of Langkawi on the world map at ITB Berlin 2023.

Held from 7 to 9 March 2023 at the Berlin ExpoCenter City (Messe Berlin), the B2B travel fair covers 190,000 m² of exhibition space comprising 27 halls.

LADA’s top priority, along with Cable Car Langkawi, was to launch the Geopark Green Packages available for tourists visiting Langkawi.

Commenting on their participation, LADA’s deputy chief executive officer Wan Kamarul Faisal Wan Kamardin said: “It is truly an honour to be given a platform to share the beauty of Langkawi with the world.

“We are excited to reveal a variety of new packages for the UNESCO Global Geopark in Langkawi. We take pride in being the home to the first Global Geopark in Southeast Asia to be awarded UNESCO status. Tourists planning to step foot in Langkawi will not be disappointed. The combination of geological features, breathtaking views and exciting activities are not to be missed”.

The Langkawi Geopark Green Package provides a unique and fascinating glimpse into the island’s geological formation.

One way to do it is to ride a jet ski and witness the unique limestones and marble structures. The thrill of jet skiing is an added incentive as you enjoy the stunning views of the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park and Malaysia’s second-largest island freshwater lake. An alternative method of admiring Langkawi would be to do so aerially. The Sky Cab Panoramic View provides just that. As the cable car elevates to the peak of Mount Machinchang, visitors will be treated to a breathtaking view overlooking the Andaman Sea.

Nature lovers, too, can look forward to the newly unveiled package with the Mangrove Safari Tour of the Kilim Geoforest Park or Kubang Badak Bio Geo Trail. The Kilim Karst Geoforest is a karstic formation mangrove forest with an environment suitable for hosting several rare species of flora and fauna. Besides revelling in the unique environment, this package also comprises tourists planting one mangrove or native tree, allowing them to leave their mark in Langkawi. Meanwhile, the unique tidal river estuary of Kubang Badak BioGeo Trail is home to 13 interesting sites. Hop on a boat and get the chance to explore the mangrove or embark on a bird-watching trip to be on the lookout for shorebirds and mangrove birds.

Completing the package, learn to appreciate the tradition of rice ecosystems with the Laman Padi package. The massive 8.6-acre area presents a rustic and serene view of the paddy fields. Upon exploring the paddy field and gallery, tourists can relax at the pavilion, resting sheds or balconies at the complex, soaking in an overview of the open field. The package includes a Paddy Gallery Tour, Rice Field Tour, Herbs Garden Tour, Traditional Paddy Planting, Rice Grinder, Rice Trashing, Rice Winnowing, Coconut Grating, Food Demonstration, Catching Fish and Scarecrow Making.

“Statistics show that Germans are big fans of our beloved island. As of September 2022, Germany was listed as one of the top markets for Langkawi. We strongly believe we can reinforce and perhaps even strengthen that statistic in the coming years. We will continue developing our package deals to keep up with current demands and ensure all visitors feel satisfied when they step out of Langkawi,” added Haji Ahmad Fuad.

For more information on LADA, please visit https://www.lada.gov.my/en/, https://naturallylangkawi.my or https://langkawigeopark.com.my/

(Your Stories: LADA)

Sarawak rekindles networks at ITB 2023

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TTR WEEKLY
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BERLIN, 10 March 2023: Sarawak returned with a strong delegation to ITB Berlin 2023 from 7 to 9 March 2023, focusing on its inaugural stand-alone pavilion to strengthen Sarawak’s presence in the European market.

Sarawak’s marketing campaign to trade and consumers visiting the world’s largest travel show positioned the Malaysian state as the leading and preferred eco-tourism destination in the ASEAN region.

Visitors to ITB Berlin learned more about Sarawak’s tourism offerings at the Sarawak Pavilion in Hall A, Stand 220A and experienced insights into a destination blessed with a plethora of culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals.

Sarawak’s Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP), Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, said the Sarawak Pavilion reflects the state’s passion for driving tourism as one of the key contributors to the region of Sarawak.

“We are proud that our strategic partners stand with us in making Sarawak stand out in the world at this year’s ITB Berlin. We are very fortunate to have the support of Authentic Borneo Tours, Borneo Adventure, Business Events Sarawak (Sarawak Convention Bureau), CPH Travel Agencies (Sarawak), Greatown Travel, Happy Trails Borneo Tours, Hemisphere Hospitality, Paradesa Borneo, Smart Leisure & Travels and Tropical Adventure to work together to enhance Sarawak’s visibility on the global pedestal”, he added.

Sarawak’s Day 1 participation at the fair highlighted the unveiling of its new destination video, “Sarawak…Now More Than Ever”, and video presentations on Sarawak’s adventure products such as cycling, trekking and caving activities and promotion of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023.

Another significant event on Day 1 was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and Tischler Reisen AG as a collaborative effort to boost Sarawak’s visibility towards becoming a preferred destination in Germany and surrounding European markets, both offline and online involving some 600 travel agencies in Germany.

As the biggest state in Malaysia with a low-density population of 2.9 million people (as of 2020), Sarawak is very proud of its natural inheritance of pristine rainforests, endemic flora and fauna, and its diverse peoples. Located in Borneo, the third largest island in the world, the rich land of Sarawak is host to a kaleidoscope of cultures made up of 31 ethnic groups, with a rich and diverse ecosystem for adventurers to explore.

Today, many tourist destinations have adopted the principles of responsible tourism in their management and tourism practices, and Sarawak is no exception. Taking environmental issues seriously, Sarawak tourism players incorporate elements of sustainable waste management, energy conservation and environmental education into their tours to ensure travellers are sight-seeing and contribute to the conservation of Sarawak’s attractions for generations to come. Visitors to Sarawak can have the choice of experiencing the local authentic Sarawak lifestyle by staying in community-based homestays or enjoying the modern and scenic landscapes of its cities.

Sarawak tourism players adopt eco-friendly practices in their tourism products, such as encouraging bicycle rides in rural areas or enjoying bird-watching in Sarawak’s lush rainforests. Tourism players promote homestays, encourage local food consumption, and highlight local handicrafts and arts in their effort to sustain the local way of life for generations to come. Such community-based tourism can be found in areas such as Nanga Sumpa in Batang Ai where travellers can gain an insight into the lifestyle of the various tribes of Sarawak. These efforts can generate earnings for residents, especially those from lower-income groups.

Sarawak’s renowned orangutan rehabilitation centre, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, only 20 km from Kuching City, is the biggest orangutan rehabilitation centre in Sarawak. It was established as a sanctuary for orangutans injured, orphaned, or held captive as illegal pets. Currently, the centre serves as a habitat for the orangutans and also a place for visitors to learn about this rare endangered species. This wildlife centre has a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult semi-wild orangutans.

For more information about Sarawak, visit https://www.sarawaktourism.com/

(Your Stories: Sarawak Tourism Board)

Dusit expands villa rentals

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 10 March 2023: Elite Havens, a vacation rental provider in Asia owned by Dusit International, expands its portfolio of more than 300 luxury villa rentals by adding four new properties in Thailand and Indonesia.

Two rentals Indonesia

Permata Ayung Private Estate Ubud, Bali, offers 12 bedrooms in individual pavilions across five hectares. 
Tirtha Bayu Estate Bali is an oceanfront estate overlooking Cemagi Beach featuring two villas – a  six-bedroom Villa I and a five-bedroom Villa II.

Two rentals Thailand

Infinity View is a four-bedroom villa near Phuket’s Kata Noi Beach.
Located on Samui Island, Inasia is situated next to Lipa Noi beach with eight guestrooms.

“We expect the confidence of travellers to continue the upward trend seen in 2022, and we look forward to welcoming guests to make lasting memories at our exquisite new additions in Bali, Phuket, and Koh Samui,” said Elite Havens CEO Maya Rigg.

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