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Dusit International returns to ITB Berlin

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 March 2024: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is poised to make a return to ITB Berlin 5 to 7 March, showcasing an impressive array of new destinations, innovative brands, and the much-anticipated reopening of its iconic flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel – coming this September. 

Led by Dusit International chief operating officer Gilles Cretallaz, the Dusit team will present a comprehensive overview of Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide, highlighting Dusit’s group-wide commitment to personalised and gracious service, unique connections with local communities, holistic well-being experiences extending beyond traditional spa offerings, and dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. In addition to these key pillars, attendees can expect insights into the latest additions to the Dusit family.

Last year’s notable international openings being showcased include the boutique Dusit Suites Athens, Greece, Dusit’s first hotel in Europe;  Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi, a unique hybrid property; the lifestyle-oriented ASAI Kyoto Shijo and luxurious Dusit Thani Kyoto, both marking Dusit’s arrival in Japan; and the breathtaking Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel and contemporary Dusit Princess Kathmandu, Dusit’s first entries into Nepal.

Dusit will showcase new additions in Thailand, including ASAI Bangkok Sathorn, the second property in the capital under Dusit’s affordable lifestyle brand catering to millennial-minded travellers; the upscale dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok, the first dusitD2-branded hotel in the city; and Dusit Princess Phatthalung, a beautiful resort in southern Thailand, bringing Dusit’s domestic property count to 18.

The Dusit team will also unveil 2024 openings, comprising approximately 10 new hotels in existing Dusit destinations such as China, the Maldives, Vietnam, and Japan, as well as new markets such as Malaysia and India. 

Visitors to ITB Berlin will also have the opportunity to learn more about Dusit’s two new brands in the luxury segment: Dusit Collection and Devarana – Dusit Retreats.

Building on the strength of Dusit’s existing portfolio, which encompasses Dusit Thani (luxury), Dusit Suites (upper upscale), dusitD2 (upscale), Dusit Princess (upper midscale), ASAI Hotels (midscale lifestyle), and Elite Havens (luxury villa rentals), the new brands extend Dusit’s reach across the lodging spectrum to deliver fresh and immersive experiences for guests. 

Serving as a soft brand that can be applied to distinctive, standalone properties with unique stories, Dusit Collection directly taps into rising global demand for unique and authentic travel experiences and represents a sophisticated and personalised approach to property development, service, and guest engagement.

Devarana – Dusit Retreats, meanwhile, is a reimagining of Dusit’s former luxury brand, Devarana, which has been enhanced to deliver enriching and transformational stay experiences in the ultra-luxury segment. 

Another exciting ‘reimagining’ being introduced at ITB Berlin is the grand return of Dusit’s flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel, which will officially make its grand return this September (with bookings available from May). 

Situated in the same prime location as the original property, which graced the Bangkok skyline from 1970 – 2019, this highly anticipated, reimagined version of Dusit’s luxury flagship hotel promises to deliver a fresh take on its predecessor’s esteemed heritage and once again stand as a beacon of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality for discerning travellers from all around the world. Alongside 257 spacious deluxe rooms and elegant suites, all facing the green expanse of Lumpini Park, the new property will feature one of the city’s largest ballrooms, several exciting food and beverage outlets, and a unique urban sanctuary wellness concept. 

Dusit’s team at ITB Berlin will also highlight special campaigns and promotions that tie in with Dusit International’s 75th anniversary, which is coming this May. They will also highlight opportunities in Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit’s renowned hospitality education arm that includes Dusit Thani College, Le Cordon Bleu Dusit Culinary School, and The Food School, as well as Dusit’s fast-growing food division, Dusit Foods.

“ITB Berlin offers a valuable platform for us to share our vision for the future of our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality,” said Cretallaz. “With our expanding portfolio and innovative brand offerings, we continue to redefine luxury experiences worldwide. The return of the iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok, after gracing Bangkok’s skyline for nearly five decades, marks a significant event in the hospitality landscape and an exciting new chapter for Dusit overall. We’re excited to unveil the exceptional reimagined offerings of this legendary hotel and the many meaningful and memorable experiences available at Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide.”

Dusit’s portfolio now includes 299 properties operating across 18 countries, including 56 properties operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 243 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the leading provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia, which Dusit acquired in September 2018. 

For further information, please visit Dusit Hotels and Resorts at ITB Berlin, Hall 26b, Stand 221, or www.dusit.com.

(Source: Dusit International).

MATTA showcases ecotourism at ITB

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 4 March 2024: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) will join the travel trade exhibition ITB Berlin from 5 to 7 March, featuring diverse experiential tourism products spanning three states in Malaysia.

“Our members and partners from the states of Perak, Sabah, and Selangor are eager to meet prospective customers looking for exceptional tourism products that provide travellers with a unique cultural, social, and educational experience. We will also be highlighting the many ecotourism offerings that make Malaysia so famous,” said

 MATTA’s vice president of inbound & domestic Ganneesh Ramaa commented:

“Our team this year is large, with MATTA president Nigel Wong in attendance. Delegations from Perak, Sabah, and Selangor state tourism offices, along with 14 trade industry players from Malaysia, will also be present.” 

 MATTA event at ITB

The MATTA “Sustainability Exchange” with the European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA), the Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ANVR) and the German Travel Association (DRV) will take place on Day 2 of the show (6 March 2024).

“MATTA and its local and regional partners are taking the lead in pushing the sustainable tourism agenda in Malaysia (and in ASEAN) in line with UN Tourism Sustainable Development Goals. This Exchange will highlight some of the initiatives MATTA is rolling out to kickstart a private sector-driven effort. 

“The insights from our European counterparts gained through the Exchange will be of immense help in enriching our programmes as well as developing tourism products to cater to the growing trend of travellers seeking more responsible tourism experiences when they visit Malaysia”, the MATTA president Nigel Wong explained. 

Day 2 will also feature the launch of four paintings of endangered wildlife (one of them a 3×3 metre portrait of the Malayan Tiger) by digital artist Rachel Gray, which is part of the MATTA Sustainable Tourism Project. Meet MATTA at its ITB Berlin booth (Hall 26A, stand 103, 104 & 105).

Big score kicks off visa-free travel

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 March 2024: Thailand enjoyed a 30% year-on-year increase in Chinese visitors on 1 March, according to Trip.com data, the first day of the visa-free bilateral agreement between Thailand and China.   

Under the mutual visa-free travel concession signed between Thailand and China, tourists from both countries are eligible for a visa-free stay of up to 30 days.

Photo credit: TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool Facebook

Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool released preliminary data on arrivals to the country just for 1 March that showed 18,242 Chinese entered the country, a daily tally that the governor said hints of a “bright future”. Since the beginning of the year, TAT data estimates China is once more the top source market (1 January to 1 March), with 1,201,363 Chinese entering the country. Malaysia drops to second place with 850,690 visits to Thailand over the same two-month period.

But on 1 March, the top daily score went to the Malaysians. They clocked 27,866 arrivals, mostly overland tourists, visiting on trains and buses and heading for the popular tourist towns of Hat Yai and the beaches of Songkhla province. 

The total arrivals to Thailand for 1 March (immigration count) stood at 122,368, while for the two months ( 1 January to 1 March), the country welcomed  6,509,966 visitors.

Meanwhile, Trip.com reports travel bookings from Thai tourists heading for China tripled year-on-year, an increase of over 160% compared to 2019. The Chinese cities most popular with Thai tourists include Shanghai, Guangzhou, Kunming, Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Lijiang, and Shenzhen.

Trip.com Thailand has launched a special page showcasing the many attractions and activities visitors to China can explore with supporting deals for accommodations and flights. 

“Interest has been strong, with data showing that on the Trip.com Thailand site, the search popularity of China-related keywords increased more than three times year-on-year and by more than 10% month-on-month.”

Photo credit: Pattaya’s kite festival.

(Source: Trip.com and TAT)

Costa rejigs North American sales team

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TTR WEEKLY
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GENOVA, Italy 4 March 2024: Costa Cruises has confirmed changes to its sales organisation in North America following the departure of Ruben Perez after 40 years leading Costa’s North American sales team as its Americas GM.

“We are sincerely grateful to Ruben for his recognised contribution to the Costa brand over the years… His managerial skills have been pivotal to leading the North American team over the past years,” stated Costa Cruises president Mario Zanetti.

Effective 1 March, the North American market will be served through a new sales organisation led by Erik Jaramillo, who has been promoted to head sales at Costa North America. Jaramillo has been part of Costa in various positions for many years and has developed vast experience, having joined the cruise line in 1996. 

In parallel, the Costa North America sales department will be reinforced by introducing Yeniss Palacio, Priscilla Reyes and Becky Tate. They join Costa Cruises as business development managers, reporting to Jaramillo.

(Source: Costa Cruises)

Saudi Arabia’s targets go sky-high

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 March 2024: Saudi Arabia received applause from UN Tourism and the World Travel & Tourism Council for welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023, but it drops to 27 million if you exclude domestic visits. 

The two global association heavyweights noted that the accomplishment significantly surpassed the previous target set for 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as an emerging global tourism powerhouse.

Based on the latest data, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism announced it had achieved the milestone seven years ahead of the initial goal. The government has now raised the target to 150 million tourists by 2030.

When counting both domestic and international travellers, the country’s tourism sector has made significant qualitative leaps, reaching 106.2 million in 2023. This represents a remarkable increase of 56% compared to 2019 and a substantial 12% surge compared to 2022. 

When the domestic travel data is excluded, the country’s international visitor count reached 27.4 million, showing a substantial 56% increase from 2019 and an impressive 65% rise compared to 2022.

Tourism has proven to be a significant contributor to the nation’s economy, with domestic and international tourists spending over 250 billion riyals in 2023. This expenditure represents over 4% of GDP and 7% of the non-oil GDP, reflecting tourism’s crucial role in diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy.

Serving as the country’s first Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb, commented: “This announcement demonstrates the scale of our transformation since the National Tourism Strategy was launched five years ago. We are committed to aligning with top-tier international experiences and practices. This approach contributes to shaping a prosperous future for our tourism industry, improving the quality of life, and bolstering the Kingdom’s position on the global tourism map”.

Lao Airlines to fly to Phnom Penh

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHNOM PENH, 4 March 2024: Lao Airlines officially announced a new direct flight from Vientiane, Laos, to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at a media briefing last week. The service will start on 19 March.

The airline is already fielding fares on popular booking websites, with a roundtrip fare starting at USD236. But it will face competition from Vietnam Airlines, which flies daily between Vientiane and Phnom Penh, quoting fares of USD295 using the larger A321.

Photo credit: Lao Airlines. Khamlar Phommavanh, director-general of Lao Airlines.

The Lao national carrier will initially fly the route three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using A320 aircraft, according to Lao Airlines director-general Khamla Phommavanh, who briefed the media at the presentation, saying if traffic demand improved, then the airline would increase flights.

“To support and facilitate tourists and business travellers who need to travel to and from Phnom Penh to the Vientiane capital, our team has studied the feasibility of connecting the capital, Vientiane and Phnom Penh carefully and recognised there is enough demand from tourists and business people for direct flights post Covid pandemic.” 

Flying Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the service will depart Vientiane at 0835 and arrive in Phnom Penh at 0955. The return flight from Phnom Penh will depart at 1050 and arrive in Vientiane at 1210. Flight time is one hour and 20 minutes using an Airbus A320 aircraft. 

TMA’s early bird rate takes off

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 1 March 2024: Travel Meet Asia introduces an early bird rate for its trade visitor pass, lopping off 20% until midnight on 28 June 2024.

Travel Meet Asia will happen from 3 to 4 July 2024 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), Jakarta, Indonesia. TMA was launched by Messe Berlin (Singapore) in 2019 at regional locations in Asia. Originally organised as a conference and networking event, TMA has become a full-fledged B2B trade show with exhibitions, conferences and networking opportunities for the travel trade.

The upcoming B2B event will welcome local and international leisure, MICE and corporate travel buyers, supported by the  Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA) and Indonesian Travel Agents Association (ASTINDO). An estimated 500 attendees will network and hold business discussions with 200 Indonesian buyers

Following its success last year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the stage is now set for a TMA gathering in Jakarta in July as TMA paves the way towards ITB Asia 2024, Asia’s premier travel trade show scheduled for October in Singapore.

Travel Meet Asia provides exhibiting opportunities for NTOs, Convention Bureaus, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hotel Groups, Airlines, Transportation Services and Travel Technology. Through a personalised business matching system, they will establish valuable connections with Indonesian buyers, ensuring 100% pre-scheduled guaranteed meetings with buyers.

For more information, visit www.travelmeetasia.com/sponsorship. Booth prices start from USD2,250, offering exhibitors a range of options, from shell scheme booths to customisable raw spaces. To learn more and secure your participation, visit www.travelmeetasia.com/exhibitor.

Centara Osaka presents Thai culinary heritage

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 1 March 2024: Osaka is considered the culinary capital of Japan — a haven of gastronomy where residents and international visitors can savour world-class cuisine. This captivating city is raising the bar for dining even higher with a collection of eight world-class restaurants and bars at Centara Grand Hotel Osaka.

Rising 33 storeys in Namba, Osaka’s most vibrant entertainment and retail district, this five-star urban landmark transports diners on a multi-sensory journey of discovery as talented chefs fuse premium ingredients and a spirit of innovation to craft exquisite cuisine in atmospheric venues. Centara is a leading hotel group headquartered in Thailand and rooted in Thai culinary heritage. 

Here is a selection of the hotel’s most unmissable dining experiences.

Suan Bua: Sizzling Thai Street Food

Chef Sompong at Suan Bua

At Suan Bua, diners’ taste buds are escorted to the bustling streets of Southeast Asia with stylish interiors and a genuine tuk-tuk in the heart of the restaurant! All ages can savour authentic Thai street food, including fresh salads, spicy soups, sizzling stir-fries, colourful curries and more, crafted by Chef Sompong, who hails from Thailand, and his talented team.

Don’t miss: Tom Yum Goong Naang. Thailand’s national dish is a wonderfully fragrant, spicy, sour soup featuring river prawns, lemongrass, chilli, and mushrooms.

Kunsei Kitchen: Osaka’s Most Spectacular Smokehouse

Kunsei Kitchen is perched on the 33rd floor, overlooking Osaka’s skyline.

Discerning diners can elevate their epicurean adventure at Kunsei Kitchen, the 33rd-floor smokehouse restaurant that frames sparkling skyline views. Within this stunning setting, Chef Asano, who has worked at some of the world’s leading restaurants, uses exquisite ingredients to craft contemporary dishes accompanied by fine wines and smoked cocktails. The omakase menu is a highly exclusive experience that blends tradition with invention.

Don’t miss: Seasonal Fish with Smoked Broth. Kunsei Kitchen’s menu changes with the seasons to showcase the finest ingredients in their prime – including the freshest fish.

WhiskeyNova Steakhouse: Elevating the Epicurean Arts

Japanese Beef Sirloin at Steakhouse WhiskeyNova

Osaka’s most exciting and immersive new steakhouse, this dazzling 32nd-floor restaurant, transports guests to a world where American comic book culture meets Japanese retro art. Amidst this vibrant ambience, diners can indulge in expertly prepared cuts of meat, from succulent dry-aged beef to perfectly grilled wagyu. Every meal can be paired with a curated selection of fine wines and whiskeys, all set against breathtaking city views.

Don’t miss: Japanese Beef Sirloin Steak. Wonderfully tender and cooked to perfection, this is a meat lover’s dream. Enjoy it with WhiskeyNova’s signature steak sauce.

Smoke & Spin: Feel the Spirit of the City

Savour afternoon tea with spectacular views at Smoke & Spin.

Step into Centara Grand Hotel Osaka’s rooftop oasis at Smoke & Spin, where panoramic city views unfold. Designed with the theme of a baseball park, this inspiring venue is the ultimate setting for afternoon tea during the day. Then, as night falls, this spirited lounge transforms into a vibrant hub of activity where guests can feel the energy of Osaka and sip expertly crafted cocktails until 0200.

Don’t miss: Strawberry Afternoon Tea. This sublime selection is presented on an elegant tree stand and features 17 sweet & savoury bites, focusing on fresh strawberries.

Guests can also discover Crudo Deck, the breathtaking rooftop restaurant where diners can soak up panoramic views, sip in a world of science fiction at Automata, the cutting-edge cocktail bar with self-service technology, or grab light refreshments on the move at Platform 2, the bright lobby lounge.

For more information, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Indonesia revives its India promotions

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TTR WEEKLY
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JAKARTA, 1 March 2024: Indonesia’s  Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Tourism and Creative Economy is resuming promotions in India following its return to the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) hosted in New Delhi in mid-February. 

Presenting the latest Wonderful Indonesia to India’s travel market on the sidelines of SATTE  Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno touched on the importance of India’s outbound travel market, noting that Indian travellers to Indonesia reached 606.439 in 2023, with a growth of 125.8% from the previous year. India ranks the 6th top outbound travel market for tourists visiting Indonesia, while in Bali, Indian visitors ranked the second highest in  2023.

Bali is now top of mind for Indian outbound tourists. Still, promotions this year in the Indian market will focus on five “super priority destinations beyond Bali such as Lake Toba, Borobudur Temple, Mandalika, Labuan Bajo, and Likupang.

The marketing focus will also shift to present Indian travel agents opportunities to sell niche market travel such as weddings, honeymoons, family, and MICE travel. 

Positive start for airlines says AAPA

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 1 March 2024: Asia Pacific Airlines enjoyed a solid start to 2024 with positive passenger traffic trends during January, according to preliminary traffic figures released Thursday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) 

Overall, the region’s airlines carried 27.0 million international passengers in January, a 49.4% increase from the previous period in 2023. 

Traffic recovered to reach 82% of 2019 pre-Covid levels. As measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), demand rose by 48.3% year-on-year, reflecting robust regional travel demand. Available seat capacity expanded by 51.3% year-on-year, while the international passenger load factor fell by 1.6 percentage points to an average of 79.9% for the month.

Meanwhile, January saw a continuation of growth in air cargo markets, propelled by demand related to the festive Lunar New Year season. International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), recorded a strong 22.5% year-on-year increase for the month, extending the rebound seen in the last quarter of 2023. Nevertheless, growth in offered freight capacity continued to outpace demand, driven by the ongoing recovery in belly-hold capacities of international passenger operations. For the month, offered freight capacity rose 25.8% year-on-year, leading to a 1.6 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 57.5%.

Commenting on the results, AAPA director general Subhas Menon said: “The year started positively for Asia Pacific airlines, as both international air passenger and cargo markets saw robust growth, supported by the Lunar New Year festive period timing. A rise in leisure travellers boosted travel demand, while cargo markets benefitted from heightened demand for air shipments ahead of the festive period.”

Looking ahead, he noted: “The upcoming year looks broadly positive for Asian carriers, given the renewed optimism on the global economic outlook. However, as capacity restoration progresses, airlines face intensifying competition. In addition, the cost environment remains challenging, as inflationary pressures remain amid ongoing supply chain issues. Nevertheless, airlines remain proactive in seeking new growth opportunities while maintaining the highest safety and customer service standards.”

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