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IMDA and STB launch on-screen funding

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SINGAPORE, 5 April 2023: To inspire travel to Singapore through TV series and films, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) today announced the launch of SGD10 million Singapore On-screen Fund.

The joint fund will support international media and entertainment (M&E) partners in producing TV and film projects that reach global audiences and spotlight Singapore. These projects will also provide local media enterprises and talent opportunities to work alongside global M&E partners in creating content for international audiences.

Photo Credit: STB

International media conglomerates, major streamers and studios that have consistently delivered popular content for the global market will be invited to apply for the fund. Project proposals will be evaluated based on their distribution and market reach, content concept and creative merit, opportunities to feature Singapore’s offerings and experiences, and local talents in credited roles.

IMDA assistant chief executive, media, innovation, communications & marketing Justin Ang said: “The Singapore On-screen Fund provides more opportunities for our home-grown media enterprises and talent to collaborate with their international counterparts to hone their skills and gain valuable experience on projects that target the global audience. This exchange of capabilities through direct involvement in such projects will boost the credentials of our local media industry. We hope such collaborations will showcase Singapore’s capabilities to take on large-scale productions on the global stage.”

STB assistant chief executive marketing group Chang Chee Pey added: “The Singapore On-screen Fund allows us to tap the deep storytelling expertise of global media and entertainment players more purposefully, showcasing Singapore through a fresh lens as travel demand recovers.

The Singapore On-screen Fund will support selected projects by key M&E companies, which must be set in Singapore and launched before the first quarter of 2027. Successful projects will receive funding support of up to 30% of qualifying costs related to featuring Singapore, including production and marketing costs. Interested companies can find out more at bit.ly/singapore-on-screen-fund.

Past collaborations with global M&E companies to profile Singapore include the popular rom-com Crazy Rich Asians in 2018, produced by Singapore-based Infinite Frameworks in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery.

 Other notable projects shot here which showcased Singapore and employed local media talent include the popular K-drama “Little Women” (2022) and the sci-fi hit series “Westworld Season 3” (2020).

Spain’s destinations worth a visit in 2023

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SINGAPORE, 6 April 2023: This year, Spain expects you to visit for several good reasons. In 2023, choose between several special events and celebrations to make your trip a unique experience. Write down the following destinations, a definite hit for your holidays.

Picasso Celebration 1973-2023

On 8 April 2023, we will be celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso. The date is marked by an extensive programme of exhibitions, conferences and cultural activities, which will take place throughout the year in different Spanish cities with a special to the life and work of the great artist. During this “Picasso Year”, the museums and cultural centres of Malaga, Barcelona, Madrid and A Coruña offer the unique opportunity to learn more about the legacy of one of the essential names in art history. For the full programme, visit www.celebracionpicasso.es.

Sorolla Year

Joaquín Sorolla, the famous “painter of light”, is another protagonist of the 2023 cultural agenda, especially in Madrid and Valencia, to celebrate the centenary of his death. The Sorolla Museum and its temporary exhibition “Sorolla. Origins” are a must-see in Madrid. The Prado Museum is also paying homage to the painter with the exhibition “Portraits by Joaquín Sorolla”, while the Royal Palace shows his art in a surprising way with the immersive exhibition “Sorolla through light”.

At the end of March, “Sorolla. Origins” arrives in Valencia, at the Museum of Fine Arts, which in summer, will also exhibit “Masaveu Collection. Sorolla”. The schedule of celebrations in the artist’s hometown includes guided tours of the locations in the old town that marked his life and a special gastronomic menu inspired by his work devised by the renowned chef Jorge de Andrés. In addition, you will find more destinations, such as Barcelona and Alicante, which add to this “Sorolla Year” with the exhibitions “Sorolla. Hunting impressions” and “Sorolla and the Valencian Painting of his Time. Dialogue and Contrasts”, respectively.

Velázquez in Seville

On 6 October 1623, a young Diego Velázquez was appointed painter to King Felipe IV. Seville, the city where he was born and studied, is preparing a programme full of activities to celebrate the 4th centenary of this crucial moment in the life of the author of “Las Meninas”. Exhibitions, conference cycles, films, concerts and a great parade by the Tercio de Olivares will celebrate the great maestro of the Spanish Golden Age. And in October, coinciding with the commemoration, the Casa Natal de Velázquez will open its doors to the public after its renovation.

Cuenca: 2023 Spanish Gastronomy Capital

The city of the famous Casas Colgadas is going to be a must-see destination this year for lovers of good food. Known for the variety of its products and the innovation in its kitchen, Cuenca will celebrate its appointment as gastronomic capital with a multitude of activities: special menus, conferences, workshops, and tastings… This is a delicious opportunity to visit this World Heritage City and enjoy some of its best-known recipes such as “morteruelo”, “ajo arriero”, roasts, migas with egg or “alajú” (a delicious dessert of Arab origin made with almonds and honey).

Lebaniego Jubilee Year 2023/2024

Cantabria celebrates the Lebaniego Jubilee Year in style with a jam-packed programme of cultural and other activities related to the Lebaniego Way and the pilgrimage to the monastery of Santo Toribio de Liébana, famous for being home to the Lignum Crucis: the largest fragment of the True Cross of Christ.

On the occasion of the Holy Year, the Door of Forgiveness opens on 16 April and more than 400 activities are organised, including exhibitions, sporting events, stage art shows, food and drink events and concerts by well-known artists such as Andrea Bocelli, Muse and Ara Malikian.

It is a great time for taking part in this pilgrimage route and seeing some fascinating scenery of the Picos de Europa or staying in fairy-tale towns like Potes.

For more information on Spain as a tourism destination, please visit www.spain.info

(Your Stories: TURESPAÑA)

Songkran Festival fare bargain

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BANGKOK, 6 April 2023: Splashing happiness on passengers during Thailand’s upcoming Songkran Festival is the promise from Thai Vietjet as it promotes ‘Songkran’s Splash Deals’ that peg domestic fares at THB 99 (excluding taxes and fees).

The deal is valid on the airline’s entire domestic network for bookings from 11 to 15 April 2023. A higher THB 1,890 (including taxes and fees) applies on international services, open for booking from 5 to 15 April 2023. Both deals have the same travel period from 16 May to 16 October 31, 2023 (excludes public holidays) at www.vietjetair.com.

The special promotional tickets apply on Thai Vietjet’s entire domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai, as well as Thai Vietjet’s international network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, Japan and Taipei.

Thai Vietjet flies nine direct domestic routes from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Udon Thani, Hat Yai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani. Plus, there are cross-country flights from Phuket to Chiang Mai. The airline is also actively expanding its international flight network to many destinations across Asia-pacific, connecting Thailand with Vietnam, Singapore, Phnom Penh, Japan, Taiwan and other top destinations in ASEAN. Vietjet announced earlier this week that it would introduce a new route from Hanoi to Phuket starting 19 May.

Bangkok Airways upgrades AVIAREP pact

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SINGAPORE, 6 April 2023: AVIAREPS, a global general sales agency for airlines and destinations, is heading Bangkok Airways’s passenger sales in Europe and Australia, according to the travel firm’s announcement last week.

The GSA is now handling the airline’s sales in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Australia.

AVIAREPS is a leading international representation, marketing and communications company for aviation, tourism, hospitality, and food & beverage brands, initially representing Bangkok Airways in two European markets; France and Spain. Under the latest agreement, the GSA’s Bangkok Airways account rises to 13 countries covering the airline’s sales, reservations, and ticketing services.

The airline offers connections from Bangkok to popular tourist destinations in Thailand and internationally has flights to Cambodia, Singapore and the Maldives. Currently, it has a fleet of 35 aircraft; 13 Airbus A319, 4 A320 and 13 ATR72-600.

Commenting on the recent appointment AVIAREPS Chief operator officer aviation Marcelo Kaiser said: “We are very proud about the expansion of our partnership with Bangkok Airways, and our local teams specialised in airlines sales will help Bangkok Airways to expand their presence and increase sales in Europe and Australia.”

Air travel continues to rise in February

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SINGAPORE, 6 April 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) monitors continued strong growth in air travel demand based on its February 2023 traffic results.

Total traffic in February 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 55.5% compared to February 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 84.9% of February 2019 levels.

Domestic traffic for February rose 25.2% compared to the year-ago period. Total February 2023 domestic traffic was at 97.2% of the February 2019 level.

International traffic climbed 89.7% versus February 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led again by carriers in the Asia-Pacific region. International RPKs reached 77.5% of February 2019 levels.

“Despite the uncertain economic signals, demand for air travel continues to be strong globally, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The industry is now just about 15% below 2019 levels of demand, and that gap is narrowing each month,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

International passenger markets

Asia-Pacific airlines had a 378.7% increase in February 2023 traffic compared to February 2022, maintaining the very positive momentum of the past few months since the lifting of travel restrictions in the region. Capacity rose 176.4%, and the load factor increased 34.9 percentage points to 82.5%, the second highest among the regions.

European carriers posted a 47.9% traffic rise versus February 2022. Capacity climbed 29.7%, and the load factor rose 9.1 percentage points to 73.7%, the lowest of all regions.

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 75.0% traffic increase compared to February a year ago. Capacity climbed 40.5%, and the load factor pushed up 15.8 percentage points to 80.0%.

North American carriers’ traffic climbed 67.4% in February 2023 versus 2022. Capacity increased by 39.5%, and the load factor rose 12.8 percentage points to 76.6%.

Latin American airlines had a 44.1% traffic increase compared to the same month in 2022. February capacity climbed 34.0%, and the load factor rose 5.8 percentage points to 82.7%, the region’s highest.

African airlines’ traffic rose 90.7% in February 2023 versus a year ago. February capacity was up 61.7%, and the load factor climbed 11.4 percentage points to 75.0%.

The Bottom Line

“People are flying in ever greater numbers. With the Easter and Passover holidays, we expect large numbers of travellers to take to the skies in many parts of the world. They should do so with confidence that airlines have been rebuilding resiliency that suffered owing to the pandemic. Other participants in the air travel value chain, including airports, air navigation service providers, and airport security staff, need to have the same commitment to ensuring our customers can enjoy smooth holiday travel,” said Walsh.

AirAsia X expands China network

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KUALA LUMPUR, 6 April 2023: AirAsia X (AAX) continues to expand its China network with two weekly flights to Beijing restarting last week after almost a three-year pause.

The flight from Kuala Lumpur lands at Beijing Daxing International Airport at 0105, while the return flight from Beijing arrives in Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2) at 0830.

AirAsia X Malaysia CEO Benyamin Ismail said: “Our service resumption to Beijing reflects our commitment to boosting our network in China, which has historically been one of our biggest and most popular markets and providing our guests with more options to travel affordably to and from Beijing from Kuala Lumpur.”

Flights will ramp up from twice weekly on Thursday and Saturday to four weekly flights starting 1 June 2023 to meet growing forecast demand, further boosting travel and tourism in the region.

“More expansion in China is on the horizon for AAX as we plan to relaunch more routes and introduce more unique, less travelled destinations in China in the near future,” he concluded.

Flight Schedule between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Beijing-Daxing (PKX):

Free Singapore Tour is back

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SINGAPORE, 5 April 2023: Changi Airport Group, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) re-launched the Free Singapore Tour on Monday after a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19.

Three existing tours available since pre-Covid-19 – the City Sights Tour, Heritage Tour and Jewel Tour – have been refreshed to include new points of interest.

Plus, a brand-new Changi Precinct Tour introduces travellers to the sights and sounds of the eastern region surrounding Singapore Changi Airport. Each tour lasts 2.5 hours and will be available daily, with plans to progressively increase to nine daily tours.

With transit and transfer passengers accounting for about 30% of passenger traffic at Changi airport pre-pandemic, the tour was first introduced in 1987 to enhance the airport’s attractiveness as a transfer hub and to entice transit and transfer passengers to visit Singapore as a holiday destination.

In 2019, over 80,000 passengers booked the free Singapore Tour. The top markets were India, Australia and Indonesia, with Indian and Australian travellers making up more than one-third of the participants.

New tour in Eastern Singapore

The Changi Precinct Tour is a new itinerary that will bring participants to the eastern part of Singapore to visit local community spaces, such as the Tampines heartland, and to admire the rustic charms of Changi Village and Changi Beach. It offers a glimpse into how local residents live. It tells the tale of Singapore’s history on this part of the island, away from the usual hustle and bustle of Singapore’s city centre.

Three refreshed itineraries

At the Jewel Tour and visiting popular attractions like the Shiseido Forest Valley and the HSBC Rain Vortex, participants can discover more about Singapore’s food heritage through local brands such as Bee Cheng Hiang and Tong Garden and sample local snacks at the same time. Another new component of the tour is a free guided walkthrough of a digital attraction – Changi Experience Studio – for participants to experience some of its airport-themed games and interactive exhibits.

New pit stops in the City Sights Tour include the Civic District, where travellers will be introduced to Singapore’s urban development through visits to various national monuments, including the National Gallery Singapore, Anderson Bridge and The Padang. The bus route will also pass through the new Marina Bay Financial District en route to Gardens by the Bay.

The Heritage Tour, available from June, will feature places of interest, such as the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, Arab Street and Haji Lane, for participants to gain a more in-depth understanding of Singapore’s unique and diverse multi-cultural heritage.

The refreshed itineraries also highlight sustainability features at some of the locations featured in the tours to give participants an overview of Singapore’s sustainability efforts. These include the Eco Community Garden at the rooftop of Our Tampines Hub (as part of the Changi Precinct Tour), environmental sustainability initiatives implemented at Gardens by the Bay (as part of the City Sights Tour) and Jewel (as part of the Jewel Tour). CAG, SIA, and STB have appointed Monster Day Tours to run the Free Singapore Tour.

Transit and transfer passengers who wish to join the Free Singapore Tour must have a layover period of at least 5.5 hours but less than 24 hours. Participants must have a valid entry visa for Singapore to participate in the tours.

Outrigger Reef completes luxury upgrade

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SINGAPORE, 5 April 2023: Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, the flagship of Outrigger’s global beachfront portfolio, recently completed the latest phase of its USD80 million transformation with an unveiling of the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite in the all-new Diamond Head Tower.

Emulating a quintessential beach house, the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite is a two-bedroom pied-à-terre within the resort, which is rooted in Hawaiian culture and encapsulates the elegance of oceanfront living. Designed with calming coastal hues and premium finishes, the penthouse suite epitomises barefoot luxury through a sleek and functional indoor/outdoor design – providing nearly 4,000 square feet (372 sqm) of living space, including the largest oceanfront patio in Waikiki.

Accessed via private elevator, the suite sleeps up to eight adults, with three artfully appointed primary bedrooms and three oversized bathrooms, plus a sleeper sofa. The third bedroom and bathroom are located on the suite’s first floor, ideal for multi-generational travellers and families seeking additional space. 

The light-filled kitchen and living room are chic and comfortable, with a full-sized refrigerator to hold beverages and bites alongside a white-washed wooden dining table for memorable meals. The outdoor lanai — patio — is furnished with plush chaise lounges, day beds and a dining table – offering impeccable views of Diamond Head and the world-famous Waikiki surf and its surfers.

“The Coral Reef Penthouse name is a tribute to Outrigger’s long-standing commitment to preserving, protecting and planting coral reefs through our global conservation programme – The Outrigger Zone (OZONE); for each direct booking at this premium penthouse, a portion of the proceeds will go toward coral reef conservation,” said Sean Dee, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer.

The privacy and splendour of the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite make the venue ideal for travellers seeking spacious accommodation on the water in Waikiki that’s both set apart from other rooms while still being connected to the resort amenities and offerings. Some of the first to enjoy a preview stay at the penthouse include celebrity chefs such as Marcel Vigneron to professional athletes like surf star Billy Kemper and Japanese tennis sensation Kei Nishikori.

“With the transformation of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, our intention is to continually elevate and enhance the Waikīkī experience for each guest – whether they hail from Austin or Zurich,” said Markus Krebs, the resort General Manager. “The Coral Reef Penthouse Suite is the crown jewel of this resort and part of the all-new Wellness Wing, which has 23 additional deluxe rooms and a fitness centre and Coral Kids Club.”

A stay at the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite includes entry to the resort’s exclusive Voyager 47 Club Lounge; the name honours the navigators who voyaged the unknown oceans via sailing canoe, and 47 is a reference to Outrigger Hospitality Group’s founding in 1947 – 75 years ago. Club access offers complimentary breakfast and evening appetisers, chilled craft beers and cocktails, with special local twists and endless ocean views.

Every guest to the transformed Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort can enjoy a chic poolside experience with complimentary reef-safe sunscreen and original artwork from Herb Kāne, Kamea Hadar, Marques Marzan, Ethan Estess and Kari Noe – as well as treasures from Bishop Museum and the new A‘o Cultural Center.

Live Hawaiian music is heard nightly at the fully reimagined Kani Ka Pila Grille, now celebrating its 15th anniversary. Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, led by culinary pioneer Peter Merriman will be the resort’s signature beachfront dining experience starting this summer. The chef-driven concept has a commitment to high-quality local fare highlighting Hawaii’s bounty with socially conscious ingredients and distinctive pairings of upmarket items with upcountry favourites.

Double D$ for the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite

To celebrate the introduction of the most premium penthouse suite in Waikiki, GHA DISCOVERY/Outrigger DISCOVERY members can earn double DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) for stays from 1 April through 30 June 2023. Membership is free, and D$ can be used at over 800 hotels spread over 100 countries with the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA). Additionally, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is now certified by Green Seal and part of the newly launched GHA Green Collection, featuring only properties that are mindful of the environment and their respective ecosystems and take action through initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Visit www.outrigger.com or contact your preferred travel advisor to reserve a stay in the all-new Coral Reef Penthouse Suite. Take advantage of the limited-time Outrigger DISCOVERY offer and/or other rooms and suites at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.

ABOUT OUTRIGGER HOSPITALITY GROUP

For 75 years, Outrigger has charted a journey of discovery – expanding from Hawai‘i to premier resort destinations, including Fiji, Mauritius, Thailand and the Maldives. The privately held hospitality company invites guests to ‘Come Be Here’ with authentic Signature Experiences and the Outrigger DISCOVERY loyalty programme. Outrigger’s multi-branded portfolio includes Outrigger Resorts, OHANA Hotels by Outrigger, Hawaii Vacation Condos by Outrigger, Kapalua Villas Maui and Honua Kai Resort & Spa Maui, while also managing select properties from top international hotel brands, including Embassy Suites by Hilton, Best Western and Hilton Grand Vacations. Find out more at Outrigger.com or visit @OutriggerResorts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

(Your Stories: Outrigger Hospitality Group)

Rainforest World Music Festival is back

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KUCHING 5 APRIL 2023: The iconic Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 will make a ‘physical’ comeback from 23 to 25 June at Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching.

The annual festival organised by Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) will see musicians and fans of world music congregating, sharing and experiencing different sounds.

The 26th RWMF will be Sarawak’s unforgettable ‘ambassador’, delivering sounds of Sarawak to the ears and hearts of music lovers worldwide.

The festival’s line-up will feature 199 musicians from 12 countries across more than three continents to perform a diverse range of music genres, including Grammy Awards winner Gipsy Kings from France of such hits as ‘Djobi Djoba’ and ‘Bamboleo’ set to enthral visitors with their pop-oriented music, distantly derived from traditional flamenco and rumba genres.

Other international performers include ‘Big Mountain’ from Jamaica, ‘Safi Theatre’ from Tanzania, ‘Rastak’ from Iran, ‘Fasylive’ from Maldives, ‘Afriquoi’ from the UK, ‘Chatusram’ from India, ‘Rizal Hadi & Folk’ from Indonesia and ‘Thai Fusions Sound Band’ from Thailand. The line-up will also include performers from Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Speaking at the launch of the 26th RWMF, Sarawak’s Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah explained: “While the international performers are undoubtedly the highlight of the event, we must also acknowledge the exceptional local performers and bands who have thrived as a result of RWMF over the years. They are a testament to the transformative power of music and culture in positively impacting our communities.”

The Minister also called for support of local musical talents who will perform at RWMF2023, including Zee Avi, Suk Binie, APU, Nadir, Steve Thornton Band, Sada Borneo, Tuku Kame, Nading Rhapsody, Geng Wak Long, Buloh Berkocak, At Adau, Meruked and Orang Orang Drum.

Sharing the theme of this year’s festival, ‘REFLECTIONS’, the Minister invited the audience to reflect on the humble beginnings of RWMF, with merely 300 spectators for its first-ever concert back in 1998. The event has now grown to be Sarawak’s ‘Star Festival’ and internationally renowned platform, recognised as one of the 25 best International Festivals, placing Sarawak in a position to be the

Targeting more than 20,000 visitors for RWMF 2023, Sharzede added that the RWMF’s international recognition had expanded from an acclaimed world music platform to being acknowledged as Sarawak’s keystone festival that strongly advocates Responsible Tourism in its quest to become one of the world’s most sustainable, eco-friendly festivals.

STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor shared: “Reflecting on the course of events 26 years ago, I am glad that STB had undertaken the task and am proud to witness and be part of the growth of RWMF – from its humble beginnings to being recognised as a music festival of international stature. We look forward to reflecting on the next 25 years as we move towards making the RWMF a platform for Sarawak to push on sustainability and ecotourism for the next generation of music lovers.”

In previous editions, Sarawak had taken proactive measures towards creating and implementing a sustainable, eco-friendly festival. That continues as the state’s tourism players and local communities embarked on activities which included banning single-use plastics, encouraging upcycling of used materials, exploring innovative solutions to waste management and even providing shuttle buses to ferry festival-goers to alleviate carbon emission, energy conservation and environmental education, encouraging participation in greening initiatives – all towards making Responsible Tourism the ‘norm’.

STB invites visitors from Malaysia and worldwide to RWMF for a holistic experience and emotion of the festival, which promises harmony, diversity, and culture connected by music and dance. Visitors will experience various emotions in their purest and most authentic form – unforgettable, wild, tribal, cultural, and authentic expressions unique to Sarawak.

Ticket sales will open on 15 April 2023.                               

For further information, visit the festival’s official website www.rwmf.net.   

About Rainforest World Music Festival Starting with only a few hundred people in the audience in 1998, the event has grown into an internationally recognised music festival, receiving awards among them as one of the Top 25 Best International Festivals awarded by Songlines Magazine for six consecutive years (2010 to 2015). The festival features various performances, from traditional music to world fusion and contemporary world music.

https://sarawaktourism.com/

(Your Stories: Sarawak Tourism Board)

South Korea eases K-ETA rule

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SINGAPORE, 5 April 2022: South Korea has paused its K-ETA requirement for 22 nationalities starting 1 April to boost travel during the country’s Visit Year promotion until 31 December 2024.

K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) is an online electronic travel authorisation that visa-free foreign visitors must obtain before entering the Republic of Korea for tourism, visiting relatives, participating in events or meetings, and business trips.

To mark the “Visit Korea Year” (2023 to 2024), nationals from the following 22 countries or regions do not need to apply for a K-ETA for the duration of the Visit Year promotion.

The  22 countries are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Macau, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the UK and the US (including Guam).

All told, nationals from 66 countries enjoy a visa waiver to visit South Korea, and another 46 nationals are eligible for a visa on arrival. If they are not among the 22 listed nationalities above, they will still need to obtain a K-ETA to board flights to Korea. Once they have a K-ETA, it is valid for multiple trips to South Korea for two years.

The K-ETA fee is 10,000KRW (approximately USD9 to 10, additional fee excluded) and is non-refundable, paid by credit card online.

K-ETA Preparation

1) Valid passport
2) Valid E-mail address
3) Portrait photo
4) Application fee is accepted via credit or debit card (10,000 won or USD9-10 per person)

(Source: Korea Tourism)

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