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Centara wins top T+L awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK,12 June 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is celebrating a series of prestigious honours in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023, as three of its world-class resorts in Asia were recognised for their luxurious experiences.

Centara Reserve Samui, the sophisticated resort that focuses on the art of story-telling, achieved ninth place in the “Beach Island Resorts” category for Thailand. Achieving such a high position in a hotly-contested category reflects the strong impression this tropical beachfront retreat has made since it opened its doors. As the world’s first Centara Reserve resort, it promises highly personalised and curated stays in a spectacular seafront setting.

Centara Reserve Samui was recognised as one of the Top 10 “Beach Island Resorts” in Thailand.

Roukh Kiri Khao Yai, a member of Centara’s stunning Centara Boutique Collection comprising unique and locally-inspired upper upscale and luxury hotels, was awarded eighth place in the “Upcountry Hotels” category for Thailand – another keenly contested group that featured many of Asia’s finest, internationally-branded rural retreats. With just 12 contemporary barn-style villas nestled within organic gardens and surrounded by the verdant hills of Khao Yai, this charming resort is a haven of tranquillity and sustainability that celebrates the beauty of nature and Thai culture.

Roukh Kiri Khao Yai, which features just 12 villas, was named one of the Top 10 “Upcountry Hotels” in Thailand.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives won second place in the “House Reefs” category for the Maldives. This diving and lifestyle resort in the South Ari Atoll was recognised for the health and vibrancy of its coral reef, which teems with tropical fish and provides a spectacular attraction for visitors of all ages, who can swim and snorkel throughout their stay. Overwater villas also offer direct access to this pristine aquatic ecosystem.

“We are thrilled to receive these three accolades. The fact that Centara’s resorts have been selected by the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards shows how our luxury and upper-upscale brands, including Centara Reserve and Centara Grand, are now gaining a strong reputation as leaders in the luxury sector. At the heart of every Centara resort lies a spirit of Thai-inspired hospitality, which means that our resorts will always be warm and welcoming. We want to thank our guests and the readers of Travel + Leisure for their enduring confidence in Centara,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives won second place in the “House Reefs” category for the Maldives, reflecting the health and vibrancy of its marine ecosystem.

For more information about Centara, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.  The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific celebrate the region’s finest hotels, resorts and travel experiences in various categories. Each nominee was selected by Travel + Leisure’s team of editors and expert contributors, and the winners were then decided by a vote of the publication’s readers. For the complete list of winners, visit luxuryawards2023.travelandleisureasia.com. 

Where solo travellers are heading

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 12 June 2023: Based on Google search data over the last two years, Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital, tops worldwide destinations appealing to solo travellers when they researching holidays.

Bangkok follows in second place, with Taipei third, according to the research conducted by adventure tour operator Explore Worldwide that identified the cities that are seeing the biggest uplift in online searches.

The study uncovers the locations surging in popularity among those itching to see the world on their own, revealing the world’s top 10 most popular destinations for solo travel and the emerging hot spots for solo travel worldwide.

Independent travellers are particularly showing a genuine desire to explore Asia. The world’s top five trending solo cities are all in Asia, showing an increase in online solo travel searches of over 500%.

Explore’s new study puts Hanoi as the most upcoming solo travel destination in the world, with a rise in interest of just under 950%, followed by Bangkok in second with over 800% more interest, and the Taiwanese city of Taipei in third with just under 700% more online interest.

Explore Travel regional director Australia and New Zealand Ben Ittensohn comments: “It’s fascinating to see cities like Hanoi, Bangkok and Taipei emerging as hotspots for solo adventurers, reflecting a broader exploration trend beyond traditional Western destinations. This interest surge is a testament to the allure of these cities’ rich histories and vibrant cultures and the shifting spirit of today’s travellers, who seek unique and immersive experiences over the obvious tourist trails.

“Our study also highlights the ever-growing popularity of solo travel as a meaningful way to experience the world: it’s a powerful reminder that travel is not just about the destination, but the journey itself and the personal growth that comes with stepping outside our comfort zones. A wide world is waiting to be explored, and we hope our study inspires more people to embark on solo adventures.”

The full findings and information on the trending solo travel destinations can be found here: www.exploreworldwide.com.au/blog/this-year-s-trending-destinations-for-solo-travellers

Can Singapore F1 reduce its carbon footprint?

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 12 June 2023: With 100 days until Formula 1 The Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2023 will generate cleaner energy and reduce the event’s carbon footprint.

That’s the plan. The installation of solar panels on the F1 Pit Building has already been completed, while installations for a more energy-efficient lighting system at the night race have begun.

Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board.

In 2022, Singapore GP Pte Ltd and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) laid the foundation for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix to become one of the most environmentally sustainable street circuits on the race calendar. This included initiatives like moving towards cleaner energy, going digital for greater resource efficiency, improving waste management and reducing single-use plastics.

This year, to transition the F1 Pit Building to cleaner energy sources, STB appointed ENGIE Southeast Asia to install solar panels on the facility’s rooftop.

Works have just been completed, with the 1,396 solar panels now fully operational. By converting sunlight into electricity, the panels are expected to generate 803,155 kWh of energy in a year. This solar energy can power the F1 Pit Building for an entire race month. This includes providing the power for the Formula 1 Paddock Club suites, Race Control Room, Media Centre, garages, and administrative offices. Any excess solar energy will be sold to the grid to offset the facility’s utility costs.

“We are thrilled that the F1 Pit Building can now be powered by renewable energy. This is an important milestone because it will reduce the carbon footprint of the race, as well as all other events that use the F1 Pit Building beyond the race period. Sustainability is a key priority for the Singapore race, and we will continue to work with Singapore GP and our partners to make our race more sustainable,” said STB executive director, sports and wellness Ong Ling Lee.

Work is underway to install a more energy-efficient track lighting system for the remainder of the term until 2028. The metal-halide projectors in place since 2008 will be fully replaced by LED track lights to illuminate the 4.928 km-long race track. Supplied by DZE Asia in collaboration with Signify Singapore, the upgraded LEDs will require significantly less power per fitting, consuming at least 30% less electricity than the previous bulbs. In addition, the new lights also do not require any warm-up time to reach their full luminance when switched on, saving time and energy.

The new ArenaVision LED floodlights are designed to provide optimal lighting conditions for drivers while also offering unforgettable experiences for F1 fans, media and broadcasters. Featuring a higher colour temperature of 5,700K, the lighting system will provide outstanding visual clarity, effective heat management, and a long lifespan – all while meeting the latest broadcasting standards.

The metal-halide lights will be given new life through recycled art. DZ Engineering and Dino Zoli Foundation will be organising an art exhibition featuring creations that artists will make out of old projectors to promote a more sustainable future. The exhibition is slated for September.

(Source: STB)

Top Muslim travel award honours the Philippines

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 12 June 2023: The Philippines has been named the Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year at the prestigious Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023 held last week in Singapore, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced in a press statement.

The Halal in Travel Global Summit 2023 recognises destinations, organisations, companies, and individuals who have significantly impacted the Muslim lifestyle travel segment.

Photo credit: Department of Tourism Philippines.

The Emerging Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year (non-OIC) award is given to recipient destinations catering to Muslim travellers’ unique needs and preferences.

The Muslim travel market will drive the tourism industry’s recovery with projections that Muslim traveller arrivals will reach 140 million in 2023 and, in succeeding years, could reach 230 million with estimated expenditures of USD225 billion by 2028.

“This award affirms our collaborative efforts that position the Philippines as a preferred destination for Muslim travellers and strategically develop our Halal Tourism portfolio across our regions. This global recognition also opens up enormous opportunities for our country to introduce our rich and diverse culture and heritage evident in our Muslim communities and our immensely beautiful destinations, including Mindanao,” Secretary Frasco said.

The Department of Tourism has also implemented various services and amenities designed to cater to Muslim travellers. These include the conduct of a comprehensive inventory of Halal-certified dining options and the pursuit of increased Halal accreditations for tourism enterprises across the country, as well as the conduct of Halal Awareness Orientations with Tourism Stakeholders and information dissemination with tourism enterprises on the values, beliefs, and practices of Muslim-travelers.

Recognising global trends and preferences of Muslim travellers, Secretary Frasco said that the Department of Tourism has also continued to pursue its sustainable tourism development initiatives and recently inked a significant agreement with global health and wellness tourism leader Agora to position the Philippines towards providing quality medical and wellness tourism offerings, especially to the Middle Eastern market.

Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar accepted the award on behalf of the Department of Tourism and CrescentRating and HalalTrip, for recognising the Philippine government’s and tourism stakeholders’ efforts.

“We hope to continue the great stride on tourism promotion and economic boost in our country for our Muslim brothers and sisters who are arriving in the Philippines and who are surely welcome to visit and explore our more than 7,000 islands with majestic white sand beaches and warm people,” Undersecretary Abubakar said.

Vietnam Airlines and Turkish extend codeshare

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TTR WEEKLY
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HANOI, 12 June 2023: Vietnam National Airlines signed off on a codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines last week to give passengers more flight options beyond the airlines’ national hubs.

The codeshare enables passengers to book flights between Vietnam and Turkey and destinations in neighbouring countries in Asia and Europe. It also includes flights in domestic networks.

Photo credit: Vietnam Airlines. Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi and Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha (right).

Vietnam Airlines is a member of SkyTeam, and Turkish Airlines is a member of competitor Star Alliance. 

Airline executives from both airlines said the new agreement would contribute significantly to expanding flight networks and diversifying the service products of Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

Vietnam Airlines president and CEO Le Hong Ha noted: “The cooperation of the two airlines will bring more options and attractive benefits to passengers, and at the same time make an important contribution to the expansion of the route network of Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines.”

Turkish Airlines CEO Bilal Ekşi added: “The codeshare agreement will strengthen the cooperation between the two national airlines… Many passengers can visit the two beautiful and unique countries of Vietnam and Türkiye. In addition, with the increasing seat capacity and the diversification of products in the future, the agreement will make an important contribution to the growth of the two airlines.”

In the initial stages of the codeshare rollout, passengers can buy tickets on Vietnam Airlines and Turkish Airlines to fly between Istanbul and the two hubs in Vietnam, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. It also allows Turkish Airlines passengers to seamlessly connect with flights from the two hubs to the central Vietnamese gateway city of Danang, famous for its beaches, five-star resorts and golf courses.

Thai Vietjet explores holiday charters

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 12 June 2023: Thai Vietjet is flying weekly scheduled charters between Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) and Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia, teaming up with local tour operators who are selling seven-day holiday packages to Mongolia.

The direct flight, scheduled every Sunday during the summer season, launched on 4 June, supported by Camp Safari and Dunamis Thailand tour groups. 

Photo credit: Facebook Embassy of Mongolia. Inaugural scheduled charter flight opens Mongolia for Thai holidaymakers.

Thai Vietjet flight VZ8310 Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) – Ulaanbaatar departs at 0240 and arrives in Ulaanbaatar at 0930 (local time). The return flight VZ8311 departs Ulaanbaatar at 1030 and arrives in Bangkok at 1505 (local time).

The scheduled charter flight using a 200-seat A321 operates between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Chinggis Khaan Ulaanbaatar International Airport (UBN).

The embassy of Mongolia in Bangkok gave the new charter flights a plug on its Facebook page last week. It provided additional information on the travel firms based in Thailand selling tour packages linked to the weekly charter flight. 

They include:

Sevendays Holiday (http://www.sevendaysholiday.com/home/);

Wonderful Package (https://www.wonderfulpackage.com); 

Around the World (https://aroundtheworldthailand.com).

For travellers buying airfares without the tour package, the embassy flags VTG (http://www.vtg.co.th) or visit www.tapatrip.com.

Travel to Mongolia during the summer months is trending in Asia, with charters serving Mongolia from Southeast Asia and Japan launched last week.

Japan Airlines started charter flights to Mongolia on 1 June 1. On 2 June, Miat Mongolian Airlines started charter flights to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and Singapore. The weekly charter stopped in Kuala Lumpur and then continued to Singapore. The airline is home-based at the new Chinggis Khaan International Airport(UBN).

Tour packages are curated by Routes & Journeys and Chan Brothers. OM7702 takes off from Changi for the nonstop flight to UBN, arriving at 1555. On the return route, it makes a stop in Kuala Lumpur. For details of the holiday packages bundled with the charter flights, visit the Facebook pages of Routes & Journeys and Chan Brothers.

Holland America bumps up Asia cruises

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 9 June 2023: Holland America Line’s 2024-2025 cruise season is set to explore Asia with departures from Hong Kong, China; Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; and Singapore to cities across 10 countries, with a strong focus on Japan.

HAL’s cruise ship Noordam will sail nine different 14-day itineraries that travel around Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Photo credit: Holland American Line. Noordam.

The cruises showcase the diversity of the countries while celebrating their distinct histories. Late departures and overnight ports allow extra time for sampling the region’s nightlife, cuisine and culture.

“The demand for Asia remains strong as cruisers seek experiences to exotic and off-the-beaten-path locales that give them unique travel moments,” said Holland America Line’s chief commercial officer Beth Bodensteiner. “By offering three departure cities, we can diversify our itineraries and showcase an incredibly robust season. With 24 ports in Japan alone and two dozen more spread among several countries, our guests are in for an immersive Asia adventure.”

The cruise ship Westerdam also heads to Asia on a new 53-day “Majestic Japan” Legendary Voyage roundtrip from Seattle. Travellers can visit Asia with a convenient North American flight, easy embarkation and jetlag-free journey spanning several time zones.

Two Legendary voyages

53 or 52-Day “Majestic Japan” aboard Westerdam will depart on 1 or 2 September 2024, either roundtrip to Seattle, Washington, or between Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle. Featuring 21 total ports, 13 calls throughout Japan and overnights at Yokohama (Tokyo) and Kobe, Japan, and Honolulu, Hawaii.

28-Day “Coral Triangle, Volcanoes and The Great Barrier Reef” departing  5 January 2025, roundtrip from Singapore aboard Noordam explores 10 ports in five countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines, with scenic cruising in the famed Great Barrier Reef, Torres Strait, and past the Kumba and Krakatau volcanoes.

Highlights of the 2024-2025 Asia Season

The cruises visit 49 ports in the region, including 24 in Japan. Noordam will explore Asia from September 2024 through April 2025. Overnight calls include Yokohama (Tokyo) and Kobe (Osaka); Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand; and Danang, Vietnam.

Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines — 14 days between Yokohama and Singapore. Calls at Osaka (overnight), Naha and Ishigaki, Japan; Keelung (Taipei) and Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Manila, Boracay and Puerto Princesa, Philippines.

Far East Discovery — 14 days between Hong Kong and Singapore. Calls at Halong Bay, Da Nang (Hue), Nha Trang and Phu My, Vietnam; Sihanoukville, Cambodia; and Laem Chabang (Bangkok, overnight) and Nathon (Koh Samui), Thailand.

Far East Discovery Holiday — 14 days roundtrip from Singapore. Thailand: Nathon (Samui) and Laem Chabang (Bangkok, overnight). Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Phu My, Halong Bay and Danang (overnight).

Indonesian Discovery — 14 days roundtrip from Singapore. All calls are in Indonesia, including Probolinggo and Semarang, Java; Celukan Bawang and Benoa (Denpasar), Bali; Komodo Island; Lembar, Lombok; and Tanjung Priok, Jakarta and scenic cruising by the active Krakatau Volcano.

Japan and Taiwan — 14 days roundtrip from Yokohama. Japan: Amami (Naze), Naha, Ishigaki Island, Nagasaki, Abruatsu, Kochi and Kobe. Taiwan: Hualien and Keelung (Taipei).

Japan and South Korea Discovery — 14 days roundtrip from Yokohama. Japan: Kobe (overnight), Kochi, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. South Korea: Sokocho, Busan, Jeju City (Cheju) and Incheon (Seoul).

Beginning fares for 2024-25 Asia cruises range from USD1,699 to USD10,999 per person, double occupancy, depending on length. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

Ticket sales open for RWMF 2023

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 9 June 2023: Ticket sales have opened for music lovers planning to visit the Sarawak Tourism Board’s Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF).

The official launch of the 2023 ticket sales blitz takes place at Vivacity Megamall Kuching, Plaza Merdeka Kuching and Bintang Megamall Miri 1000 to 2200 from 9 to 11 June 2023.

Come and grab Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2023 tickets at
Sarawak Tourism Board’s sales blitz at Vivacity Megamall Kuching, Plaza Merdeka Kuching & Bintang Megamall Miri this weekend.

Those who buy their tickets at these locations can join a lucky draw to win an extra ticket to the festival. (Terms and conditions apply).

Pre-sale tickets are available in a range of categories: Adult 1-Day Pass Fri/Sun (MYR230), Adult 1-Day Pass Sat (MYR260), Adult 2-Day Pass Fri + Sat / Sat + Sun (MYR440), Adult 3-Day Pass (MYR590), and Child 1-Day Pass Fri/Sat/Sun (MYR80) are up for grabs as a limited-period offer. 

RWMF 2023, the festival’s 26th edition, will feature a diverse range of performers of music genres, including Grammy Awards winner Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo 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 and the USA, best known for their hit song ‘Baby I Love Your Way’, Safi Theatre from Tanzania, Rastak from Iran, Fasylive from 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 Binie, 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.

Themed ‘Reflections’, RWMF 2023, the festival runs from 23 to 25 June at the Sarawak Cultural Village complex in Kuching. Now in its 26th edition, it offers festival-goers an opportunity to engage with world music and reflect on the connection with nature.

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

Emirates’ A380 makes history in Bali

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI 9 June 2023 – Emirates’ flagship A380 achieved a milestone last week when it touched down at Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to become the first-ever scheduled A380 service to Indonesia.

The world’s largest passenger aircraft was showered with a water cannon salute as it taxied smoothly to the terminal amidst passengers’ and spectators’ cheers and excitement.

Photo credit: Emirates. A380 showered with a water cannon salute.

Emirates Country Manager for Indonesia, Mohammad Al Attar said: “The deployment of our iconic A380 aircraft on flights to Denpasar will significantly contribute to serving the increased customer demand. We’re pleased to achieve this milestone that will greatly strengthen our operations in Indonesia and future commercial plans for the market.”

Emirates’ A380 serving Bali is configured with a two-class cabin offering 58 lie-flat seats in business class and 557 in economy class.

Emirates launched a direct daily service from Dubai to Bali in 2015, adding to its scheduled flights to Jakarta which began in 1992. The airline currently serves Indonesia with 28 weekly flights to Bali and Jakarta. It offers increased connectivity to 29 more domestic cities via the two gateways through its partnership agreements with Garuda Indonesia and Batik Air.

In addition to introducing its flagship A380, Emirates continues to show its long-standing commitment to Indonesia’s travel and tourism sector through other initiatives.

In early May, Emirates signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai to continue promoting Indonesia as a preferred travel destination through joint marketing campaigns and programmes.

Passengers from Indonesia can look forward to enjoying the A380’s spacious and comfortable cabins, signature products that offer travellers the best experiences in the sky, like the Onboard Lounge and an award-winning inflight entertainment system that includes more than 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment.

The Emirates A380 is currently deployed to 46 destinations, including Dubai, and is likely to expand to nearly 50 destinations by the end of the summer.

Visit this page to learn more about the Emirates A380 Experience.

Tickets can be purchased at www.emirates.com.

GOL hires AVIAREPS to boost sales

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 9 June 2023: Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas has named AVIAREPS its general sales agent in 18 countries worldwide, including Malaysia and the UAE.

AVIAREPS is a global leader in aviation and hospitality representation with 67 offices in 61 countries worldwide. It will support the airline with sales and ticketing services in Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Benelux, the Nordics, the UK, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Panama.

Photo credit: AVIAREPS

GOL is a Brazilian carrier based in Sao Paulo with hubs in Sao Paulo. Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Fortaleza.

Established in 2001, GOL has become one of the largest carriers in Latin America, with a fleet of 144 aircraft operating around 700 flights daily to destinations in Latin America, North America and the Caribbean.

The collaboration with AVIAREPS will enhance GOL’s presence, expand its sales in crucial global markets, and drive additional travel and tourism through sales teams based in local offices in 61 countries worldwide,

AVIAREPS COO Aviation Marcelo Kaiser commented: “We are thrilled about the appointment as GSA for GOL Airline. This partnership marks a significant milestone for both companies as we join forces to enhance GOL’s global presence and strengthen its position as a leading carrier to destinations within Brazil and beyond.”

Founded in Germany in 1994, the global airline representation firm is headquartered in Munich.

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