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WA: The top spot for Singaporeans

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 February 2025: Western Australia records an impressive 19% growth in Singaporean visits for the year ending  June 2024, making Singapore the largest APAC travel market for the Australian state. 

WAā€™s financial year ends 30, with the latest data for 2023/2024 recording 99,000 Singaporean visitors. 

Photo credit: Tourism Western Australia.

In the year ending June 2024, Western Australia attracted 29% of all Singaporean travellers to Australia, with family groups accounting for 35% of total visits ā€” marking a 106% increase year-on-year. 

Western Australia also captured 48% of the market share for Singaporean family travellers, up from 31% in the year ending June 2023, highlighting its growing appeal for multi-generational travel.

Market Insights 2024 

Family travel boom: 35,000 Singaporean family visitors in the year ending June 2024, a 106% increase over the year ending June 2023.

Solo travel growth: 35% of Western Australia visitors from Singapore travelled solo in year-ending June 2024, an increase of 4% points year-on-year.

Increased market share: Western Australiaā€™s share of Singaporean visitors to Australia rose from 27% (YE June 2023) to 29% (YE June 2024).

Significant spending: Singaporeans spent AUD233 million in Western Australia in the year ending June 2024, accounting for 21% of their total expenditure in Australia.

ā€œWestern Australia offers a unique combination of world-class natural beauty, immersive cultural experiences, and opportunities for rejuvenation, which resonate deeply with travellers from Singapore,ā€ said Tourism Western Australia (Singapore & Malaysia) Head  Ava Ang

 ā€œFrom family adventures to solo escapes, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors next year as we unveil new experiences tailored to their preferences.ā€

What to expect from WA in 2025

Three key travel trends are shaping the Singaporean outbound market to WA.

Wellness and mental health remain significant motivators, with travellers seeking rejuvenating experiences such as retreats in Western Australiaā€™s tranquil natural landscapes.

Multi-generational travel is also on the rise, as families increasingly choose Western Australia for its diverse offerings. From up-close encounters with wild marine animals to fruit-picking experiences, activities in Western Australia cater to family members of all ages, providing opportunities for quality time and creating new memories as they journey through Western Australia.

Off-the-beaten-path adventures are gaining traction among travellers seeking serene, crowd-free destinations that blend relaxation with exploring Western Australia’s untouched wilderness.

Western Australia’s top attractions continue to captivate visitors, offering unforgettable experiences for travellers. Of these, Broome is rapidly emerging as a favourite destination for Singaporeans seeking a unique escape from the familiar, offering adventures and experiences unlike any other. 

Following the success of its inaugural launch in June 2024, Jetstar Asia will begin the second season of direct flights (4.5 hours flight time) from 1 April to 25 October 2025 to meet the high demand for travel between Singapore and Broome, Western Australia, during this period. 

Singaporeans can join activities such as Broome Whale Watching to witness the Southern Hemisphereā€™s largest whale migration, multi-award-winning Willie Creek pearl farm tours to discover the lustrous beauty of Broome pearls or explore aboriginal culture with Mabu Buru Tour to learn traditional foraging techniques from an Aboriginal guide.

Thomas Cook India partners with Georgia

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 17 February 2025: In a strategic initiative to boost travel to Georgia from India, Thomas Cook (India) has signed an MOU with the Georgia National Tourism Administration (GNTA). 

The collaboration focuses on building awareness and inspiring demand to drive increased visitations to Georgia.

Photo credit: Thomas Cook (India).

Thomas Cook Indiaā€™s internal data reveals strong travel demand from Indian consumers for fresh, new destinations and easy visa regimes. 

This partnership aims to showcase Georgia along three key axes: attractiveness, accessibility and affordability. To inspire Indian travellers and catalyse demand, Thomas Cook Indiaā€™s partnership with GNTA will focus on key objectives, such as:

  • Creating strong awareness for Georgia in the Indian market.
  • Building inspirational content for the destination.
  • Promoting MICE to Georgia.
  • Joint marketing collaboration to promote Georgia in the Indian market.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited, President & Country Head Holidays, MICE, Visa ā€” Rajeev Kale said:  ā€œFrom the charming streets of Tbilisi, rich in history and culture, the majestic landscapes of the Caucasus mountains, the ancient cave cities of Uplistsikhe, and globally renowned wine culture with its neolithic grape wine cultivation dating back to almost 8000 years, Georgia offers a wealth of unforgettable experiences, and at great value for the discerning Indian traveller. We are delighted to collaborate with the Georgia National Tourism Administration to jointly promote Georgia as a go-to destination across our customer segments. To inspire demand, our strategic intent will focus on education and training, familiarisation trips and joint marketing collaborations to target Indiaā€™s high-potential segments, including millennials/young working professionals, families, couples, solo travellers, B-Leisure and corporate MICE groups. We will focus on key markets across India’s metros, mini-metros, and tier two and three cities.ā€

Georgian National Tourism Administration Head, Maia Omiadze said: ā€œWe are thrilled to partner with Thomas Cook India and to sign an MOU. Thomas Cook India is one of Indiaā€™s most influential travel companies. This collaboration is designed to boost Georgia’s visibility in India, drive targeted marketing campaigns, and attract more Indian tourists to our country.

India’s growing importance in the global tourism landscape is evident, with 124,335 visits to Georgia in 2024 ā€” an impressive 46.8% increase from the previous year. We were in Mumbai at OTM 2025, where we were joined by a strong delegation of 45 companies, reflecting unprecedented private sector engagement and creating valuable opportunities for partnerships with Indian counterparts.”

HK Express flies to Ishigaki Okinawa

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 17 February 2025: HK Express Airways resumes direct flights to Ishigaki, Japan, offering more diverse options to explore Okinawa. 

Starting from 3 April 2025, there will be daily flights from Hong Kong to Ishigaki Airport (ISG) in Japan. With the addition of the Ishigaki route to the existing Naha service, customers can now choose between Okinawaā€™s two major airports as entry and exit points, making it easier than ever to connect to other destinations in Japan. 

HK Express is launching a limited-time promotional offer to celebrate its return to the Ishigaki route. Flying to Ishigaki or Naha, the airline tags its one-way ā€˜Liteā€™ fares at HKD148* (includes one small personal item and one cabin baggage). 

ā— Naha: 24 February to 25 October 2025
ā— Ishigaki: 3 April to 25 October 2025

Located southwest of Okinawaā€™s main island, Ishigaki is part of Japanā€™s Okinawa Prefecture, renowned for its natural beauty. From scenic viewpoints to iconic lighthouses, Ishigaki offers marine adventure with snorkelling, scuba diving, or glass-bottom boat tours to explore the largest blue coral reef in the northern hemisphere that teems with tropical marine life.Ā Ishigaki is steeped in rich cultural heritage and offers an enchanting mix of traditions.

* Limited seats available. Terms and conditions apply. Fares do not include taxes and surcharges. Please refer to the system display for the final settlement amount, which may be subjected to exchange rate fluctuations

** All flight schedules are subject to regulatory approval. The final flight details will be available on the official ticketing page of HK Express.

AirAsia ā€˜freeā€™ seats up for grabs

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 17 February 2025: The AirAsia FREE* Seats returns, offering up to 15 million promotional seats across 130 destinations within its extensive network. 

The promotion is available for travel during the summer season and year-end holidays until 2026.

For travellers from and to the Greater Bay Area airports, FREE* Seats will be available on the Hong Kong ā€” Kota Kinabalu / Bangkok (Don Mueung) and Shenzhen ā€” Bangkok (Don Mueung) routes.

Travellers can choose flights to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), and Manila at fares starting from just HKD410 /MOP490 all in one way*.

Fly further for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to Maldives, Perth, Tawau, Kuching, Boracay and more on its Big Sales. Gather your belongings and embark on an adventure, flying from our hubs in Kuala Lumpur/Manila/Bali (Denpasar)  with fares as low as HKD817/MOP1,130 all in one way*.

AirAsia Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer Amanda Woo said: “We are thrilled to kick off the year on a strong note by offering 15 million guaranteed promotional seats, preparing our guests to plan their travels and vacations for the second half of the year up until 2026.”

The AirAsia FREE* Seats sale started at noon on 15 February 2025 and is open for bookings until 23 February 2025 via airasia.com or the AirAsia MOVE app for travel between 1 July 2025 and 15 June 2026. 

AirAsia offers a 20% discount on the Value Pack (20kg of checked baggage, in-flight meals and standard seat selection) during the initial flight booking process. 

*The Free Seat fare applies only to the base fare, excluding airport taxes and surcharges, and is subject to availability. All-in fares include taxes and other applicable fees. T&C apply.

Air India expands summer flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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GURUGRAM, India, 17 February 2025: Air India will increase frequencies on key routes as part of its northern summer schedule effective 30 March 2025.

Photo credit: Air India.

Europe – UK

Delhi-London Heathrow:  The airline adds three weekly flights, increasing frequencies from 21 to 24 flights weekly operated by a mix of A350-900 and upgraded B787-9 aircraft. 
Amritsar-Birmingham: Flights increase from three to four weekly. 
Amritsar-London Gatwick: Flights increase from three to four weekly flights.
Ahmedabad-London Gatwick: Flights increase from three to five weekly flights. 

Europe

Delhi-Zurich: Flights increase from four to five weekly. 
Delhi-Vienna: Flights increase from three to four weekly.

Asia  

Delhi-Seoul (Incheon): Flights increase from four to five weekly.
Delhi-Hong Kong: Aircraft change from A321 to B787 Dreamliner for seven weekly flights.  

Africa

Delhi-Nairobi: Flights have increased from three to four weekly flights.

The modernisation of the airlineā€™s narrowbody aircraft will be completed in mid-2025. At the same time, the first of the legacy widebodies, a Boeing 787, will commence retrofit of new seats and entertainment systems in April and re-enter service in October 2025. Thereafter, two to three B787s will be inducted monthly until all 27 legacy aircraft have been upgraded.   

Retrofit of the legacy Boeing 777 fleet with new seats and entertainment systems, originally due to commence in 2025, will begin in early 2026 due to production constraints at the selected seat supplier. However, Air India will refresh as many other elements of the B777 interiors as feasible during 2025, ahead of the completion date for the entire retrofit programme in 2026.

Due to the retrofit programme, which temporarily reduces the operational fleet, the airline will suspend its nonstop Mumbai-Melbourne service between 30 March and 13 September 2025 and the nonstop Kochi-London Gatwick route from 30 March 2025 until further notice. Air India will continue to operate 12 weekly flights to London Gatwick from Amritsar, Ahmedabad and Goa.

MATTA Fair introduces B2B Connect

By
TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 17 February 2025: Malaysia’s most prominent international travel show, The National MATTA Fair, will convene from 18 to 20 April 2025 for its 56th edition at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) organises the travel fair biannually in April and September.

MATTA President Nigel Wong

The MATTA Fair will feature a massive line-up of exhibitors from National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), State Tourism Organisations (STOs), travel agents, hotels, attractions and many more tourism products. Visitors can look forward to exploring a wider variety of travel packages from domestic and international travel gateways, airlines, hotels and travel agencies that can satisfy their travel desires.

In addition to the many great travel bargains, visitors can also look forward to the MATTA Tourism Talent Expo at Hall 4, Level 1, during the three-day fair. This career-centric fair will provide those in the tour and travel industries with an excellent opportunity to network with industry professionals and hear from speakers, including Aunty HR, a local influencer whose content is focused on Human Resources and Corporate Businesses, Dr Nisha Abu Bakar, a tourism expert and Kingston Khoo, a sustainability expert from UiTM.

To top it all off, MATTA announces its Outbound Business to Business (B2B) event, MATTA Connect. This event allows sellers from various countries to connect with local buyers to explore new international destinations and establish new business partnerships. MATTA Connect will convene on 17 April 2025 at MITEC, the day before the MATTA Fair opens.

“The upcoming MATTA Fair in April 2025 is expected to draw over 210,000 visitors and generate more than MY270 million in sales. With new initiatives, this edition of the MATTA Fair promises to be the best travel fair,” said MATTA. President Nigel Wong.

Admission to the MATTA Fair is free. The show opens from 1000 to 2100 on Friday to Sunday. MATTA encourages visitors to use the complimentary shuttle services from KL Sentral and Sunway Putra Mall to MITEC. Parking facilities are available at the South Entrance Basement in MITEC, MITI Basement, and MATRADE Open parking.Website: http://www.matta.org.my | https://www.mattafair.org.my

Be in Sabah 2025 27 to 28 February

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 14 February 2025: Sabah is set to shine across the region as the highly anticipated BE in SABAH 2025 takes place from 27 to 28 February 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC). 

This transformative forum promises to redefine the Business Events (BE) landscape while positioning Sabah as a premier destination for global business gatherings. Notably, BE refers to Business Events, a term internationally synonymous with Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

šŽšÆšžš« 200 industry partners, along with key media representatives, gathered on 9 February  at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) for the official press conference of šš„ š¢š§ š’š€šš€š‡ 2025

Bringing together visionaries, industry leaders, and innovators from across the globe, BE in SABAH 2025 is designed to foster collaborative growth and drive sustainable development. With the theme 

ā€œEmpowering Asia Pacific Through Business Events,ā€ the forum will tackle pressing challenges, unveil emerging opportunities, and cultivate strategic partnerships to propel the industry forward. BE in SABAH 2025 is set to be a game-changer, empowering the Asia Pacific region through innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. It offers delegates a unique opportunity to participate in a transformative journey that blends business excellence with the natural beauty and cultural richness of Sabah.

Sabah is emerging as a pivotal destination for global business events, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant cultural heritage that complements Europe’s well-established business event landscapes. This forum will highlight how the Asia Pacific region can reshape the future of business gatherings, creating a dynamic space for collaboration and innovation. Sabah stands at the intersection of nature, culture, and commerce, serving as a powerful platform to foster partnerships, unlock new opportunities, and redefine the business events industry by integrating Asia Pacificā€™s distinctive strengths with global perspectives.

With over 800 delegates expected, including 40% international participants from the Asia Pacific and beyond, BE in SABAH 2025 stands as a milestone in Sabahā€™s growing prominence in the global BE industry. Targeting key international markets such as Brunei, Indonesia, the Philippines, and other global business hubs, the event provides an exceptional platform for professionals to expand their reach, forge partnerships, and discover new business opportunities.

For more information, visit https://beinsabah.com.my/

Emirates and Air Peace sign interline pact

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 14 February 2025: Emirates has signed an interline agreement with West Africaā€™s largest airline, Air Peace, enhancing connectivity for passengers travelling to and from Nigeria. 

The partnership expands Emiratesā€™ footprint to 13 new cities in Nigeria with frictionless single-ticket travel and simplified baggage throughput.

Travellers booked on flights from Dubai to Lagos can access more of Nigeria, with onward connections to Asaba, Akure, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna and Owerri. The interline agreement will also benefit corporate travellers, connecting to additional cities in Africaā€™s major economic hubs, including its capital city Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Port Harcourt and Warri, further supporting the strong bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and the UAE.

Emiratesā€™ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: ā€œEmirates is a steadfast partner of Nigeriaā€™s tourism, trade and aviation sectors. This partnership with Air Peace is the next step on this journey, bolstering our connectivity and introducing more travel options for travellers ā€” corporate, leisure and those visiting friends and family to and from Nigeria.ā€

Air Peace Chief Operating Officer Oluwatoyin Olajide said: “We are excited about this strategic interline partnership between Air Peace and Emirates, which is a significant step towards enhancing global connectivity for Nigerian travellers. It aligns with our mission to provide seamless, world-class travel experiences while expanding our route network and international reach. This collaboration expands Air Peace’s international reach and offers Nigerians arriving from Dubai seamless access to key domestic destinations, including Asaba, Akure, Benin City, Calabar, Enugu, Ilorin, Kaduna, and Owerri. By improving ease of travel, we are boosting business, tourism, and trade opportunities, further strengthening economic ties between Nigeria and the UAE.”

Emiratesā€™ Dubai-Lagos route is operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, offering the best experience in the sky. Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus and a wide selection of premium beverages while enjoying over 6,500 channels of global entertainment, including 23 Nigerian movies, series and other content on ice, Emiratesā€™ award-winning inflight entertainment system. As one of only two airlines operating First Class into Lagos, the partnership enables more travellers from Nigeria to experience Emiratesā€™ unrivalled experience with luxurious touches defined by comfort and privacy.

Air Peace, Nigeriaā€™s leading airline, provides seamless connections domestically and internationally using an aircraft fleet comprised of Airbus 320s, Boeing 737s, Boeing 777s, Dornier 328-300 Jets, Embraer 145s, and Embraer 195-E2s.

Emirates offers near-unrivalled global connectivity, further amplified by its extensive partnership network. In Africa, the airlineā€™s footprint expands to over 223 regional points through 5 codeshare and 19 interline partners, providing better connection opportunities to both holiday destinations and emerging economic centres on the continent.

Customers can book travel on emirates.com, Emirates Retail Stores, the Emirates app, and preferred travel agencies.

Chef tags along for expedition cruise

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TTR WEEKLY
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NEW DELHI, 14 February 2025: In a pioneering initiative tailored to the preferences of Indian travellers, Albatros Expeditions offers Indian groups travel with their own Chef or Maharaj onboard option.

Having their own chef on board ensures a customised culinary experience while exploring the polar regions. 

Albatros Expeditions: ā€˜Chef on Boardā€™ for Indian groups.

Announced through STIC Travel Group, the official marketing and sales representative of Albatros Expeditions in India, the initiative targets Indian travellers seeking comfort and personalised service on their expedition journeys.

ā€œIndian travellers have always placed immense value on culinary experiences, and we are thrilled to facilitate this unparalleled offering through our exclusive partnership with Albatros Expeditions,ā€ said STIC Travel Group CEO Isha Goyal. “The enthusiastic response weā€™ve been receiving reaffirms that bespoke experiences like these are the future of luxury expeditions.”  

With four decades of expedition cruising under its belt, Albatros Expeditions continues to redefine industry standards by combining adventure with personalised experiences. The exclusive Chef-on-Board option allows travellers to savour home-style meals or gourmet Indian cuisine while exploring some of the worldā€™s most stunning and remote destinations.

STIC Travel Group has been the exclusive representative of Albatros Expeditions for over two years, successfully bringing polar expeditions to Indian travellers. Building on this success, the partnership is now expanding to include sales of Greenland land-based products and flight ticketing services for the new route between Copenhagen and Kangerlussuaq, operated by Albatros Arctic Circle, in collaboration with Air Greenland.  

“After two years of close collaboration, we are deepening our successful partnership with STIC Travel Group. Their expertise and reach in India have already resulted in a few hundred Indian travellers embarking on our polar expeditions in a short span,” said Albatros Expeditions Sales Director Anders Ellemann Kristensen. “We are confident that this new expansion into Greenland will further open up Arctic adventures to Indian travellers seeking extraordinary experiences.” 

STIC and Albatros will jointly exhibit at the South Asia Travel and Trade Exhibition (SATTE) in New Delhi from 19 to 21 February 2025 to further engage with industry partners and customers.

Tura Turizm joins WTTC

By
TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE 14 February 2025: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) welcomes Tura Turizm Holding as its newest regional member, bringing to the table Turkish market expertise for the global organisation’s membership.

Established in 1966 and headquartered in Istanbul, Tura Turizm has evolved from a specialist tour operator focusing on national travel into a diversified enterprise offering leisure, MICE travel, and convention services worldwide.

It is also the exclusive tour operator for 24 cruise lines in TĆ¼rkiye, further establishing its reputation and influence as an important regional leader.

WTTC serves as the voice of the global Travel & Tourism industry, connecting business leaders to drive sustainable growth, deliver impactful insights, and collaborate with policymakers to foster industry-wide advancement.

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: ā€œWe are thrilled to welcome Tura Turizm as a regional member. Tura Turizm has been at the forefront of tourism innovation for many years, making it a valuable addition to our global community.

ā€œWe look forward to working closely with them to drive meaningful progress and sustainable growth in the Travel & Tourism industry.ā€

Tura Turizm Holding CEO Leyla Oner said: ā€œAs a pioneering influence in Turkish and international tourism for over five decades, Tura Turizm is proud to join the prestigious World Travel & Tourism Council as a regional member, reflecting our common commitment to shaping sustainable tourism practices and delivering innovative, authentic travel experiences that meet the evolving expectations of today’s global travellers.ā€

About Tura Turizm
Founded in 1966 in Istanbul, Tura Turizm has steadily evolved over the decades to become one of Turkey’s foremost inbound tour operators. With over 58 years of expertise in the travel industry, the company has served more than 3 million customers. Tura Turizm collaborates with clients from 30 countries, including prominent tour operators, travel agents, and prestigious cruise lines. Tura Turizm stands out in cruise operations, partnering with 23 renowned cruise lines to provide unparalleled services.

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