SAii Phi Phi Island Village recently released 25 bamboo sharks into the sea following a successful breeding programme.
BANGKOK, 14 March 2023: Four properties under the branding of S Hotels and Resorts PCL, a hospitality company owned by Singha Estate PCL, have been awarded Green Globe Certification recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Certificates name SAii Laguna Phuket and SAii Phi Phi Island Village, Santiburi Koh Samui and Crossroads Maldives for operating sustainably, protecting the environment and empowering communities.
S Hotels & Resorts CEO Dirk De Cuyper said: “At S Hotels & Resorts and Singha Estate, we have a vision of sustainable development that is aligned with the UN’s SDGs, nine of which hold special importance, especially SDG6 ‘Clean Water & Sanitation,’ SDG13 ‘Climate Action’ and SDG14 ‘Life Below Water.’ We are delighted, therefore, to have achieved Green GlobeTM Certification in Thailand and the Maldives. These important certificates show that we are on the right track.”
YANGON, 14 March 2023: Myanmar National Airlines appointed Logi Plus Thailand last week as its general sales agent covering the Thai outbound travel market.
Myanmar National Airlines CEO Captain Khup Khan Mung hosted the opening ceremony and party for Bangkok-based travel agents at Logi Plus’ new office suite at Novotel Bangkok.
Third from the left: MNA CEO Captain Khup Khan Mung.
The evening cocktail reception was joined by mainly outbound travel agents and representatives of Myanmar National Airlines.
MNA’s CEO said opening the GSA office in Bangkok would improve customer services and support business travel ticket sales as well as Thai tour group packages.
Myanmar National Airlines is a government airline and national flag carrier of Myanmar under the control of the military junta by default. Under various branding, the airline has been in business for over 65 years, first as Union of Burma Airways and later as MNA.
The airline flies to 27 domestic points and recently reintroduced a three-weekly service to Chiang Mai from its home base in Yangon.
It flies twice daily to Bangkok and daily to Singapore. Before the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 and the subsequent military coup in February 2021, it also served Hong Kong.
HONG KONG, 14 March 2023: Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary HK Express will operate about 70% of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity by December 2023, returning to pre-pandemic levels by the close of 2024, the airline group reported in its performance figures for 2022.
The group’s airlines added about 3,000 passenger flights during the fourth quarter of 2022. At the close of the year, the group operated one-third of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity, representing approximately eight times the average capacity the airlines together operated in the first half of the year. Cathay Pacific ended the year operating passenger flights to 58 destinations, double the 29 destinations the airline flew to in January 2022.
Financial Results
The Cathay Pacific Group, including airlines, subsidiaries and associates, reported an attributable loss of HKD6,548 million in 2022 (2021: loss of HKD5,527 million). The loss per ordinary share in 2022 was HK111.3 cents (2021: loss per ordinary share of HK95.1 cents).
The second-half 2022 results for the group’s airlines and subsidiaries saw a marked improvement over the first-half 2022 results, reporting an attributable profit of HKD2,261 million in the second half of 2022 but an attributable loss of HKD255 million for the entire year of 2022.
However, the results from associates (the majority of which are recognised three months in arrears) reflected a significant loss of HKD6,293 million (2021: loss of HKD1,710 million). As a result, the group’s attributable loss in the second half of 2022 was HKD1,549 million (2022 first half: loss of HKD4,999 million; 2021 second half: profit of HKD2,038 million).
In the Chair’s Statement, Patrick Healy noted available unrestricted liquidity stood at HKD27.2 billion as of 31 December 2022. The government has also extended the drawdown period for an HKD7.8 billion bridge loan facility for 12 months to 8 June 2023.
In 2022, Cathay Pacific’s passenger revenue increased by 214.9% to HK$13,686 million compared with 2021. Passenger flight capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased by 51.6%, while traffic, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs), increased by 258.3%. The airline carried 2.8 million passengers in 2022, an average of 7,682 per day, 291.1% more than in 2021. The load factor was 73.6% compared with 31.1% in 2021.
Key Developments
While 2022 was a challenging year, the airline group achieved important milestones. It took delivery of five new aircraft and reactivated 24 aircraft parked overseas to build back flight capacity.
Expanding on the introduction in 2021 of its new premium travel lifestyle brand, Cathay, 2022 saw the introduction of an elevated membership experience that merged the best of the Marco Polo Club and Asia Miles under one Cathay membership programme that has more than 13 million members.
“We are reconnecting Cathay Pacific with Hong Kong and Hong Kong with the world. To achieve this, we are doing more than simply returning to where we were before the pandemic. We are rebuilding a better Cathay Pacific than before,” said the group’s chief executive officer Ronald Lam.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel
The group has set a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050 and pledges that SAF will account for around 10% of its total fuel consumption by 2030.
“In 2022, we launched the Cathay Pacific Corporate Sustainable Aviation Fuel Programme, the first of its kind in Asia, and SAF was uplifted and used at Hong Kong International Airport for the first time as part of the programme, and we will continue to make major strides towards our sustainable development goals.”
In line with key performance indicators (KPI) related to climate change, Cathay Pacific secured its first sustainability-linked aircraft financing in 2022 for a new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
“As global travel resumes and Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong international aviation hub rebuild, we are eager
to welcome visitors to our home city… The past few years have been challenging, but we are taking forward lessons to be the Cathay Pacific for the future,” Lam concluded.
SINGAPORE, 14 March 2023: One of Yangon’s iconic hotels, Sedona Yangon, owned by Keppel Land Ltd, has been sold for USD57.4 million to a little-known group called Spring Blossom Ventures Pte Ltd.
First reported in Nikkei Asia, the sale was confirmed by Keppel Corporation. The Singapore parent group said Keppel Land Ltd and its wholly-owned subsidiary Double Peak Holdings Ltd are divesting 100% of the share capital of Greenfield Development Pte Ltd to Spring Blossom Ventures Pte Ltd.
Photo Credit: Sedona Yangon.
GDPL holds 100% of the issued share capital of Straits Greenfield Limited (SGL), which has the right to build and operate a hotel in Myanmar.
The divestment is expected to be completed by the first half of 2023, when GDPL and SGL will cease to be company subsidiaries. Spring Blossom will pay for the shares in three tranches.
According to the Nikkei Asia report, divestment will allow Sedona “to unlock capital which can be channelled toward new growth opportunities.”
Sedona Yangon opened in Yangon in 1996 with 318 rooms making it the largest five-star property in Myanmar’s commercial capital. By 2015 the property had extended with the addition of the 431-room Inya Wing. The property closed during Covid-19 and has not reopened for bookings so far. When it was still open, just before the Covid-19 lockdown, the hotel’s website quoted a lead-in rate of USD95.
PATTAYA, Thailand, 13 March 2023: The annual Fitz Club Tennis Tournament returned to the resort town’s sporting calendar on 10 to 12 March at the Royal Cliff Hotel Group tennis complex.
Now in its 15th year, the tournament spotlighted the category 35+ Men Singles for tennis players of all skill levels. Twenty players joined the leaderboard as the Fitz Club Tennis Tournament unfolded at the Royal Cliff. Its success is credited to the round-robin format that ensures competitors are guaranteed to play several matches in one of the best Tennis clubs in Pattaya, Thailand.
Event sponsors comprised AssetWise, Tecnifibre, Home Mart, VC Fabric, Supply Gallery, Carabao Group, Yonex, Daikin and Jae Ying Seafood.
Now in its 15th year, the Fitz Club Tennis Tournament promotes fitness, sports, and recreation, especially for senior players.
Royal Cliff aims to build a tennis and sports community in Pattaya, allowing more senior players to stay active, improve their game, and get socially connected. It continually makes a positive difference in the lives of athletes who develop a lifetime appreciation for the sport. Moreover, Royal Cliff supports Pattaya’s goal to become the best Asia destination for family and sports.
With three days of blockbuster tennis during the weekend, the Fitz Club Tennis Tournament was once more heralded as one of Pattaya’s most highly anticipated sports events on the calendar. Visit https://www.royalcliff.com/tennis-tournament.php.
Top ATP players, including Mikhail Youzhny, Denis Istomin and Nikolay Davydenko have used the Fitz Club – Racquets, Health & Fitness for tennis camps. The courts are of the same standard as the Australian Open, so top players can choose Fitz Club to acclimatise and prepare for the big grand slam tournament.
Renowned as the leading luxury sports centre in Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard region, it is fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including cardio machines, seven floodlit tennis courts, two air-conditioned squash courts, a swimming pool kids’ waterslides, table tennis and sauna & steam rooms.
About the sponsors
ASSETWISE
AssetWise aims to develop both vertical and horizontal projects on high-potential locations under the “We Build Happiness” concept. Currently, the company has completed the development of 44 condominium and housing estate projects under its brands that are created to bring happiness appropriate to all lifestyles, including KAVE, ATMOZ, MODIZ, ESTA, and THE HONOR brands.
CARABAO GROUP
CARABAO GROUP PUBLIC COMPANY LIMITED is a holding company engaging in manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing energy drinks and other beverages in a vertically integrated manner, starting from upstream productions of key packaging materials down the chain to bottling and canning of finished products as well as distribution channel management both domestically and internationally.
DAIKIN
SIAM DAIKIN SALES CO LTD is a joint venture between Siam Motors Group and Global Daikin which have been operating in Japan for almost 100 years and distributes Daikin air conditioning and air purifier product solution for residential and commercial throughout Thailand.
TECNIFIBRE
Tecnifibre is a French company, founded in 1979 and run by tennis players, providing equipment (rackets/strings/ balls/ accessories/ bags) for tennis players.
YONEX THAILAND
FAR EAST SPECIALITY CO LTD. Yonex is a world-class sports brand that has specialised in badminton and tennis for over 60 years.
For more information on the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and Fitz Club, please visit www.royalcliff.com and www.facebook.com/fitzclub.
BANGKOK, 13 March 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has embarked on a milestone year that will see it celebrate its 40th anniversary, add multiple hotels to its global portfolio and pursue a sustainable growth strategy as it bids to become one of the world’s leading hospitality companies within five years.
2023 marks 40 years since Centara first introduced its family-centric Thai hospitality. A series of mega marketing campaigns will launch to thank guests for their enduring support as Centara steps confidently into a bright new era driven by the revitalisation of global travel and tourism.
The 515-key Centara Grand Osaka, a spectacular, 33-storey upper upscale hotel will mark the group’s debut in Japan in July 2023.
2022 was a successful year for Centara. The company’s revenue jumped 57% to THB 18,216 million, EBITDA surged 120% to THB 4,411 million, and net profit recovered to THB 398 million (compared to a net loss of THB 1,734 million in 2021). In terms of operating performance, Centara’s occupancy averaged 52%, the average room rate (ARR) improved to THB 4,791, and revenue per available room (RevPAR) jumped 193% to THB 2,486.
The company will advance its long-term vision to position Centara as one of the world’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027. Having increased its global footprint in recent years, reaching 92 properties (50 operating and 42 in the pipeline) with 19,348 keys in 13 countries as of 31 December 2022, Centara’s expansion will accelerate in 2023 with the opening of six new properties in two countries. Occupancy in 2023 is expected to reach 65-72%, and RevPar is forecast to improve by 30-37% year-on-year to THB 3,250-3,400. High ARRs in the group’s international hotels, most notably in the Maldives, Dubai and Japan, should significantly contribute to this growth.
The group will reinforce its leadership position in Thailand with the addition of five new properties, including the 160-key in Ubon, 200-key in Rayong (Q4), 224-key in Ayutthaya (Q4), 110-key in Surat Thani (Q4) and 61-key in Samui (Q3 and upgrades and renovations at existing properties.
Centara’s international strategy will reach an important milestone on 1 July 2023 with the opening of the 515-key Centara Grand Osaka. This spectacular, 33-storey upper upscale hotel will mark the group’s debut in Japan. Moreover, the opening of new regional offices in Ho Chi Minh City, Shanghai and Dubai in 2023 and in Osaka in 2024 will amplify the company’s worldwide presence and strengthen its platform for business development and growth. This year, Centara expects to conclude the signing of 10 new hotels, including properties in Thailand, Vietnam and Qatar.
Centara will continue to pursue diverse development focusing on opportunities in ASEAN countries, including Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as joint ventures in China. The Middle East footprint will also focus on growth whilst the company will also keep an active eye out for suitable investment opportunities in key global gateway cities, should they match the company’s objectives and aspirations.
Centara Reserve, the personalised, design-led luxury brand that made its global debut in Koh Samui in December 2021, will illuminate more parts of the world in future with projects at the early stages of planning and development of an area close to Hua Hin, Krabi and the Maldives.
The group is working towards several important environmental targets, including the elimination of single-use plastic by 2025, achieving Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification for all properties by 2025, a 20% reduction in energy, waste, water and greenhouse gas emissions by 2029, and overall net zero emissions by 2050.
Centara will continue to work with like-minded partners in 2023 and beyond, including airlines, payment providers, retail operators, booking companies and more, to enhance the entire tourism ecosystem and deliver a broader range of benefits to its guests. One key driver of Centara’s success is CentaraThe1, the guest membership programme which will reach eight million members this year. In tandem with the 40th anniversary of Centara, 2023 also marks the 10th anniversary of CentaraThe1, and members can expect a series of promotional campaigns and programme enhancements. It has already announced an enrichment of its benefits, with members now able to redeem their points for airline miles across Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines.
“2023 will be a watershed year for Centara as we move into an exciting new era of prosperity and celebrate 40 years of delivering heartfelt Thai hospitality. Despite global challenges during the last few years, Centara’s sustainable, strategic development goals have remained on track. It was evidenced by our continued expansion and investment, including the launch of Centara Reserve Samui, the acclaimed Centara Mirage resort in Dubai, and our soon-to-open, showstopping Centara Grand in the heart of Osaka. Moving forward, we want to be a catalyst for growth, inspire our customers to travel, stimulate new demand and make a positive difference in every destination we operate.
We look forward to working with all our partners to create a bright future for travel tourism and hospitality in Thailand and worldwide,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.
SINGAPORE, 13 March 2023: Ethiopian Airlines, considered the largest network operating carrier in Africa, will launch direct flights to Karachi, Pakistan starting 1 May 2023.
Ethiopian served Karachi from July 1966 to December 1971 and again from June 1993 until July 2004.
The upcoming flight will operate four times a week.
Flight number
Frequency
Departure Airport
Departure Time
Arrival Airport
Arrival Time
ET 0694
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
ADD
21:45
KHI
05:05
ET 0695
Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat
KHI
05:55
ADD
08:55
Commenting on reestablishing flights to Karachi, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said: As the only flight connecting Pakistan with Africa, the planned service to Karachi will strengthen economic ties between the two regions. It will also offer improved air connectivity for Pakistani investors and tourists visiting Africa.”
Karachi will be the 37th destination of Ethiopian Airlines in Asia. Ethiopian currently serves more than 145 domestic and international passenger and cargo destinations.
SINGAPORE, 13 March 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the recovery in air travel demand is continuing in 2023, based on January traffic results.
Total traffic in January 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 67.0% compared to January 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 84.2% of January 2019 levels.
Domestic traffic for January 2023 rose 32.7% compared to the year-ago period, helped by the lifting of the zero-Covid policy in China. Total January 2023 domestic traffic was at 97.4% of the January 2019 level.
International traffic climbed 104.0% versus January 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led by carriers in the Asia-Pacific region. International RPKs reached 77.0% of January 2019 levels.
“Air travel demand is off to a very healthy start in 2023. The rapid removal of COVID-19 restrictions for Chinese domestic and international travel bodes well for the continued strong industry recovery from the pandemic throughout the year. And, importantly, we have not seen the day’s many economic and geopolitical uncertainties dampening demand for travel,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.
International Passenger Markets
Asia-Pacific airlines posted a376.3% increase in January traffic compared to January 2022, the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions, but off of a very low base when much of the region was still closed to travel. Capacity rose 167.1%, and the load factor increased 36.6 percentage points to 83.3%, the highest-performing region.
European carriers saw a 60.6% traffic rise versus January 2022. Capacity increased by 30.1%, and the load factor rose by 14.2 percentage points to 75.0%.
Middle Eastern airlines’ January traffic rose 97.7% compared to January a year ago. Capacity increased by 45.9%, and the load factor climbed 20.8 percentage points to 79.2%.
North American carriers reportedan 82.4% traffic increase in January versus 2022. Capacity rose 37.3%, and load factor climbed 19.7 percentage points to 79.6%.
Latin American airlines had a 46.8% traffic increase compared to the same month in 2022. January capacity climbed 34.3%, and the load factor rose 7.1 percentage points to 82.7%, the second highest among the regions.
African airlines’ traffic rose124.8% in January 2023 versus a year ago. January capacity was up 82.5%, and the load factor climbed 13.9 percentage points to 73.7%, the lowest among regions.
The Bottom Line
“With strong travel demand continuing through the traditionally slower winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, the stage is set for an even busier spring and summer. When many are just beginning to enjoy their newly restored travel freedoms, it is especially disappointing to see the Dutch government making plans to limit their movements by unilaterally and unjustly reducing operations at Schiphol Airport,” said Walsh.
SEPANG, 13 March 2023: AirAsia has announced additional flights with fixed fares to help connect families this upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri festive period.
Fixed at MYR199 and MYR249 one way from Peninsular Malaysia to Sarawak and Sabah, respectively, the fares will be available for booking until 30 April 2023 for travel between 19 to 21 April 2023 and 28 to 30 April 2023.
From Right: Yang Berhormat Anthony Loke, Minister of Transport Malaysia, Datuk Haji Hasbi Bin Haji Habibollah, Deputy Minister of Transport Malaysia, Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Aviation Group Limited and AirAsia’s cabin crew.
The fares apply on flights to Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri in Sarawak and to Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah.
Travellers can also book special fares to fly direct from Johor Bahru to Miri, Sibu, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. As part of BigPay and AirAsia’s strengthened partnership, BigPay users can enjoy 5% off all AirAsia flights with flight code ‘AK’ for a year by using the promo code “BIGPAY5”.
Malaysia’s Minister of Transport YB Anthony Loke commented: “This is the second time this year I’m officiating AirAsia’s special ‘fixed fares’ for the festive season, and I’m deeply pleased that AirAsia is staying true to its commitment to support the government’s initiative to lower fares during these peak travel periods. I implore other industry players to follow suit and bring down the cost of travel.”
Special extra flights from Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 March 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents has recruited Royal Caribbean International as its cruise partner for the upcoming MATTA Fair, 17 to 19 March 2023, at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.
Royal Caribbean International has booked 12 booths at the fair located in MITEC’s International Hall – Level 3, where the sales team will sell itineraries discounted 50% on Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas for sailings from now until 28 March 2024.
Travellers can buy short three and four-night getaways to Penang and Thailand’s Phuket island. A longer nine-night cruise will explore Bangkok, Thailand; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Manila, Philippines.
In its press statement, MATTA said it believes the demand for international cruise tourism is extraordinary as more people realise its advantages over air or land travel.
“We trust that the partnership with Royal Caribbean International will be a pull factor to grow Malaysia’s cruise segment and to promote demand for cruise holidays in the region,” MATTA concluded.
The fair is admission free and open from 1000 to 2100, Friday to Sunday, 17 to 19 March.
