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All Emirates passengers can Wi-Fi free

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 23 May 2023:A recent enhancement to Emirates’ inflight connectivity means that all Emirates passengers in every class of travel can enjoy some form of free connectivity once they sign up to Emirates Skywards. The development has resulted in an additional 30,000 Economy Class passengers connecting to complimentary onboard Wi-Fi every week.

Emirates has constantly been at the forefront of inflight Wi-Fi developments and has invested more than USD300 million dollars into onboard connectivity to date.

All Emirates Skywards members in every class of travel can now enjoy some form of free connectivity. Skywards members, whether Blue, Silver, Gold, or Platinum tier, travelling in any class, whether economy, premium economy, business or first class, will enjoy free app messaging. Additionally, first-class passengers will have unlimited free internet if they are Skywards members, enabling them to shop or work online during the flight.

The increase in free connectivity has been very well received by Emirates’ passengers following changes in January 2023 and the airline today sees an average of 450,000 users per month. This represents a 30% increase in passenger use in 2023 versus last year. Almost 10% of all passengers are utilising the complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. On routes through the Americas, nearly 20% of passengers connect to Wi-Fi onboard; on European and African routes, the usage is over 11% of all passengers.

 The airline’s SVP retail IFE and connectivity, Patrick Brannelly, commented: “Emirates has persistently worked with our service providers to optimise and improve the connectivity experience. In March, we delivered about 55% more data per customer session compared to early 2022 despite the number of sessions increasing by 68% in the same period. We will continue to work to invest in upgrades and enhancements, and our A350 aircraft will arrive with the next generation of satellite connectivity already equipped.”

Emirates also announced that it will offer new high-speed, inflight broadband powered by Inmarsat’s GX Aviation onboard 50 new Airbus A350 aircraft – scheduled to enter service in 2024. The new agreement will significantly improve the passenger experience with enhanced connectivity and greater global coverage, even on flights over the Arctic. The Airbus A350s will be the first Emirates aircraft to take advantage of Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) satellite network, which powers the world’s first and only globally available broadband network, ensuring passengers can enjoy uninterrupted global connectivity, no matter their destination, including the North Pole. The advanced high-speed capabilities of the broadband will enable Emirates passengers to stay connected with family and friends, browse the internet, and enjoy social media, all from the comfort of their seats. Emirates also confirmed an investment of over US$ 350 million to equip a 50-strong fleet of A350s coming in 2024 with enhanced passenger connectivity via Thales’ AVANT Up system and Optiq – the first smart display in the industry to offer two Bluetooth connections, built-in Wi-Fi for passengers to pair multiple devices including phones, tablets, headphones or even game controllers while supporting up to 60 watts USB-C to fast-charge personal devices.

Passengers need to join Emirates Skywards – an easy and complimentary process- to access free Wi-Fi. Those interested can sign up via emirates.com, flydubai.com, the official Emirates app, or the flydubai app and directly from the Wi-Fi portal onboard.

(Source: Emirates)

On ya bike in Spain

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 May 2023: Cycling and holidays are more than just compatible in Spain. They are a perfect match whether you want to cycle between visits or go on cycling excursions for a few hours. You will find perfectly adapted routes and cycle touring and bike hire companies all over Spain to make the logistics easy and the experience the most memorable.

WHY SPAIN

The excellent Spanish climate makes it easier to go cycling practically all year round. There are numerous routes and trails through the countryside for all levels in Spain. The impressive scenery you will encounter on the routes is worth seeing. Spain is the country with the most Biosphere Reserves (53), not to mention its 16 National Parks, as well as some of the most beautiful and best-signposted routes in Europe (such as the Way of Saint James, where you can even find hostels that are free of charge). Numerous routes run through destinations of immense cultural and gastronomic interest. Spain abounds in charming, easygoing villages to visit by bike (both along the coast and inland).

Accommodation-wise, you have a wide selection: hotels, country house lodges, campsites, hostels, etc. There are even “Bike-friendly Hotels”, particularly in Mallorca, the Canary Islands and around the Pyrenees, which offer various services like video surveillance for bikes, washing areas, special menus for athletes, and bike hire.

BEST TIMES TO BIKE

Even though you can go cycling practically all year round, bear in mind that in summer, the temperatures can get very high in certain areas (even topping the 38ºC mark).

Some cycling tourists prefer to travel in the low season (avoiding the peak holiday months of July and August). Fewer people are on the trails, and the temperatures are lower when exploring Spain during Spring or Autumn. Daylight hours are still longer when compared to winter months.

ROUTES

– Vías Verdes (Greenways): these are over 3,200 km of old railway lines that have been converted into bicycle tourism itineraries. More than 120 itineraries are available, with distances greatly varying in length (from 1 to 100 km). You can visit the official website.

– Nature Trails: there are over 10,300 km of these trails throughout Spain. Among them you will find old railway lines, canals, cattle routes, tracks, etc. On the official website, you can download GPS files for several of the suggested routes.

– EuroVelo Routes: A lot of stretches along the Mediterranean coast of Spain are perfectly equipped for bicycle tourism, such as the EuroVelo 8, the Mediterranean Route from Cadiz to Athens, which is about 5,400 kilometres long.

-Besides these routes, you will find other tracks and rural pathways.

– Saddlebag bicycle touring is all the rage if you are into cycling routes that take several days to complete. Use a hybrid bike fitted out for transporting packs to carry your luggage.

FAMOUS AREAS

There are particularly famous cycle touring routes you might like to do. Here are a few examples:

– St James Way: the famous Camino comprises several different routes ending at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral (Galicia), including the French Way, the Primitive Way, the English Way, etc. You might be interested in our report on “St James Way by bike”.

– The Way of El Cid: this route follows in the footsteps of El Cid Campeador through Castilla-León, Castilla-La Mancha, Aragon and the Region of Valencia.

– Canal de Castilla: once a major transport artery, this canal is now one of the most attractive routes in Castile and Leon.

For the full report and extra tips on cycle rules within the country, visit

https://www.spain.info/en/discover-spain/cycle-touring-spain/

(Source: Spain Tourism Board – Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand)

https://www.spain.info/en/

KAL extends a helping hand to Nepal

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 May 2023: Korean Air fulfilled its commitment to giving back to the communities with its employees repairing facilities and serving as educational volunteers at a children’s daycare centre in Chitwan, Nepal, from 15 to 20 May.

Nestled at the foot of the Himalayas, Chitwan is located approximately 150 km southwest of the capital city of Kathmandu and is known for its well-preserved natural landscapes.

The Korean Air volunteer team installed water heaters and classroom audio equipment for underprivileged children at a local daycare centre, taught English and Korean, and provided essential vitamin supplements and medical supplies to the area residents.

Before the pandemic, the airline built a playground and invited children from the Nepali daycare centre to Busan, Korea, for a sightseeing trip.

In addition to this project in Nepal, the airline is committed to multiple community engagement and philanthropic work, both domestic and overseas. Last year, the volunteer team conducted facility maintenance and educational programs in the Battambang region of Cambodia. In 2020, the airline helped construct a dorm at an orphanage in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

About Korean Air

Korean Air is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, carrying more than 27 million passengers in 2019, pre-Covid. With its global hub at Incheon International Airport (ICN), the airline serves 120 cities in 43 countries on five continents with a fleet of 157 aircraft and over 20,000 professional employees.

Korean Air is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance and has grown into one of the largest transpacific airlines through its joint venture with Delta Air Lines.

Resort World Sentosa wins award

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 May 2023: Resorts World Sentosa has clinched the Outstanding Employer title in the Singapore Tourism Awards 2023 for its exemplary dedication to strengthening human capital capabilities.

It follows a revitalised focus to ramp up efforts to upskill and re-skill its employees – in line with the integrated resort’s move to gear up its expansion plan and as Singapore tracks its path of economic recovery beyond the pandemic.

Resorts World Sentosa team members undertook close to 300,000 hours of training in 2022, marking a jump of more than 50% from 2021.

Singapore Tourism Awards, organised by Singapore Tourism Board, are the country’s most prestigious awards for the tourism sector and recognise the industry’s best in delivering exceptional experiences and achieving enterprise excellence.

RWS’ chief people officer Lee Shi Ruh shared: “This award is a mark of recognition for our strategic approach towards inspiring and nurturing our team members as we chart the path towards our next growth phase. We have ramped up efforts to address skills scarcity needs and advance skillset transformation for our employees as travel restrictions ease and the tourism industry recovers.”

In 2022, RWS employees undertook nearly 300,000 hours of training, marking a jump of more than 50% from 2021. In line with Singapore’s call to boost mid-career support, the integrated resort also works closely with industry partners such as Workforce Singapore and Singapore Hotel Association to offer a suite of job-redesign initiatives and career conversion programmes. To date, more than 100 team members have undergone cross-training opportunities – intending to enrich their job roles.

The prestigious Outstanding Employer award by the Singapore Tourism Board is the latest recognition conferred on the integrated resort. In 2022, RWS was honoured with two awards: NTUC May Day – Partner of Labour Movement and SkillsFuture Employer Award (Gold) by SkillsFuture Singapore.  

(Source: RWS)

Etihad Airways confirms new route to Japan

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 May 2023: Etihad Airways will fly from Abu Dhabi to Osaka five times per week beginning 1 October 2023, a route supporting trade and tourism ties between the countries.

Etihad already flies to Tokyo using its Boeing Dreamliner 787-9s, configured with 28 seats in business class and 271 in economy.

Photo credit: Etihad.

The new flights from Abu Dhabi (EY830) will depart for Osaka on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The return flights (EY831) will depart Osaka on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“We’re delighted to introduce flights to Osaka,” said Etihad Airways chief executive officer Antonoaldo Neves. “As one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, visitors will enjoy exploring its heritage and sampling some of Osaka’s renowned hospitality. Equally, the new route opens up Abu Dhabi to visitors from Osaka, and we look forward to welcoming guests to our vibrant home and giving them access to our growing, global network.”

Known as the ‘Kitchen of Japan’, Osaka boasts a world-class culinary scene, with Michelin-starred restaurants and eclectic eateries offering delicacies such as takoyaki (octopus balls), okonomiyaki (savoury pancakes) and sushi.

Beyond its gastronomic delights, visitors to Osaka can step back in time at Osaka Castle to experience the samurai era, visit the vibrant Dontonbori district, with its neon-lit streets and countless entertainment options, or indulge in retail therapy in one of the many shopping districts dotted across the city.

A roundtrip fare, Abu Dhabi – Osaka, will cost around AED5995. Flight time is nine hours and 15 minutes on the outbound sector and 10 hours and 30 minutes on the return sector to Abu Dhabi.

The direct EY830 flight will depart Abu Dhabi at 2140 and arrive in Osaka at 1155 plus one day. The return flight EY831 will depart Osaka at 1725 and arrive in Abu Dhabi at 2255.

Hong Kong’s passenger traffic revives

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 May 2023: Hong Kong International Airport handled 3.1 million passengers during April, marking a year-on-year surge of around 24 times, the Airports of Authority of Hong Kong reported on Monday quoting the latest traffic figures posted on its website 

Compared to the same month last year, flight movements more than doubled to 21,545, while cargo throughput declined by 7.7% to 347,000 tonnes.

All passenger segments experienced significant growth in April, especially Hong Kong residents. Traffic to and from Southeast Asia, Mainland China, and Japan recorded the most significant increases.

Cargo volume remained impacted by global economic uncertainties. Overall cargo volume declined in April, with import cargo decreasing by 24% compared to last year. Traffic to and from key trading regions in Southeast Asia and Taiwan saw the most significant decrease during the month.

Over the first four months of the year, the airport handled 10.1 million passengers, an increase of around 26 times compared to the same period in 2022. Flight movements increased by 83.1% year-on-year to 74,200, while cargo volume dropped by 6.7% to 1.3 million tonnes.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume increased year-on-year by more than nine times to 15.4 million, while flight movements rose 19.3% to 172,395. Cargo throughput saw a decrease of 16.4% to 4.1 million tonnes.

AAHK executive director of airport operations Steven Yiu said: “Following the resumption of normal travel, passenger volume and flight at HKIA have been picking up gradually. In April, the airport handled over 100,000 passengers and 700 flights per day, respectively, representing 50% and 60% of pre-pandemic levels. We are excited that air traffic continues to increase, and we look forward to welcoming more travellers to Hong Kong or using our wide network for transferring to different destinations.”

To meet rising demand, airlines operating at HKIA have been expanding their networks by adding more destinations, such as those in Japan, South Korea and Thailand, and increasing flights. New routes have also been launched, including a direct service between Urumqi and Hong Kong.

(Source: AAHK)

AirAsia Thailand restarts Colombo flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 23 May 2023: AirAsia will resume flights from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Colombo on 9 July 2023 with a promotional fare starting as low as THB2,990*.

The low-cost airline will offer four weekly flights between Bangkok and Colombo, operating four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

From now until 4 June, the airline offers loyalty programme members a one-way fare of THB2,990 for travel from 9 July to 28 October 2023 via Airasia Super App or www.airasia.com.

Flights to Colombo stopped during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Flight FD140 will depart Don Mueang Airport (DMK) 1945 and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) in Colombo, Sri Lanka 2200. The returning flight FD141 will depart from Colombo at 2300 to arrive at Don Mueang at 0405 the following day. The airline uses A320s on its regional routes.

*Starting fare (single) available to registered AirAsia members only and includes airport tax but excludes auxiliary services, credit, debit and charge card fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Tourism Malaysia embark on sales mission

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 22 May 2023: Tourism Malaysia is leading a sales mission to the Dhaka Travel Mart (DTM) 2023 and several major cities, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet in Bangladesh, this week.

The Malaysian delegation led by Tourism Malaysia deputy director international promotions division (Asia & Africa) Hafiz Hazin comprises tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, airlines as well as tour and activity providers, including representatives from Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS).

Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia. Sales mission visits Dhaka Travel Mart.

With the growing demand for alternative travel experiences, Malaysia has been diversifying its tourism products to cater to different types of travellers. Malaysia is also promoting medical, educational, and ecotourism to attract more tourists from Bangladesh and other countries in South Asia.

Tourism Malaysia director-general Dato Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar said: “We believe Bangladesh is one of the important markets for us, and therefore committed to strengthening our presence and working alongside tourism fraternities in this region.”

Tourism Malaysia’s participation at DTM 2023 and the city sales missions conclude by 25 May. The objective is to raise Malaysia’s profile and showcase its tourism products while forging closer relationships with Bangladesh’s travel trade through pre-arranged business-to-business appointments at the travel mart.

In 2022, Malaysia recorded 10,070,964 international tourist arrivals and welcomed 59,033 Bangladeshi tourists. The number is projected to grow to 16.1 million international tourist arrivals, with RM49.2 billion in tourism receipts, as targeted in 2023.

Currently, visa applications to Malaysia can be made online through eVISA. Regarding connectivity, 37 direct flights with 7,269 seats are scheduled weekly between Dhaka and Malaysia via Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and USBangla Airlines.

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

Dusit hires GM for Oman resort

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 May 2023: Dusit International, a leading hotel and property development company headquartered in Thailand, has appointed Jagdeep Thakral as general manager of dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar and its adjoining adventure park in Oman. 

Thakral is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of success in the hospitality industry. During his career, he has held several key leadership positions for IHG Hotels and Resorts, including Area General Manager for Indonesia, where he oversaw the operations of several flagship hotels in Jakarta, and area general manager for Holiday Inn Express in Bangkok, where, alongside serving as the General Manager of Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit, he successfully managed five hotels in different suburbs.

His extensive experience in the hospitality industry also includes, amongst others, serving as the general manager of IHG Hotels Pyeongchang, South Korea and Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre and resident manager of Holiday Inn Resort Penang, Malaysia.

Before joining Dusit, he was general manager of The Grand New Delhi, where he successfully repositioned the hotel in the luxury space by upgrading the product and standardising systems and processes. 

“I am honoured to join Dusit Hotels and Resorts and work with the talented team at dusitD2 Naseem Resort and Adventure Park,” said Thakral. “Together with the team, I am committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences, building strong relationships with our partners and stakeholders, and driving sustainable growth for the property. I look forward to leading the team towards achieving new milestones and positioning dusitD2 Naseem Resort Jabal Akhdar as a premier destination in the region.”

Opened in 2021, dusitD2 Naseem Resort is located within an 8,000 sq m Adventure Park on the Saiq Plateau in Oman’s renowned Jabal Akhdar area, just a five-minute drive from the ‘Grand Canyon of the Middle East,’ and two hours by car from Muscat International Airport. Comprising 252 beautifully decorated rooms and suites, the contemporary resort fully embraces its unique mountain location with a spacious layout that blends seamlessly with its stunning natural surroundings.

About Dusit International

Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Dusit Devarana, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 17 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

For more information, visit dusit-international.com.

(Source: Dusit International)

Centara Doha gains green key certificate

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA, 22 May 2023: Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha has been certifiedby Green Key Qatar2023, a prestigious certificate that recognises the hotel’s commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices, making Centara West Bay one of the leading green hotels in Qatar. 

The Green Key certificate is a leading standard of excellence in environmental responsibility and sustainable operation within the tourism industry. It encourages hotels to adopt environmentally responsible practices. The certification process evaluates the hotel’s environmental management, energy conservation, waste management, water conservation, and other sustainable practices.

The auditor comment from Martin Baeuerle, Country Manager, Green Key Qatar, noted:‘‘For a first-year applicant, we have been very impressed of how thoroughly the application documents have been prepared, which made it easy to review beforehand and during the audit. We furthermore like to highlight that we truly felt that sustainability is lived throughout the property and that the Green Key ecolabel is not just a tick-box exercise. Especially the idea with the herb garden, in the middle of the West Bay area, has been a highlight.’’ 

The audit focused on the property’s environmental responsibilities and its success in reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices throughout operations.

“We are delighted to receive the Green Key Qatar certification for the first time. It is a significant achievement and a testament to our commitment to sustainable tourism. I congratulate and thank the entire Green Key Committee for their dedication and support to achieve Green Key Ecolabel for the first year. We take pride in our environmental efforts and will continue to reduce our environmental impact and provide our guests with an eco-friendly and sustainable stay experience.” said Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha general manager Sean Spinks.

For more information about Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha and its green initiatives, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara/cwq/ or contact our team at 4009 5555 or [email protected]

(Source: Centara Hotels & Resorts)

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