JAKARTA, 7 February 2023: Vietravel participated in the ASEAN Tourism Forum last week, introducing its regional airline to international buyers planning tours to Southeast Asia.
Arguably Vietnam’s largest aviation and tourism corporation, the group received its third Airbus A321 last month as it plans to serve 15 destinations in Asia, up from seven routes in February.
In the initial phase, the airline serves the following routes; Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang, Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City – Nha Trang, Hanoi – Danang, Hanoi – Phu Quoc and Hanoi – Hue.
Over the next two years, it will acquire six A321s and six B737s to establish flights to South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. Its inaugural commercial service linked Hanoi to Bangkok on 16 December 2022.
The airline was registered in December 2021 in Hue, the former imperial city in central Vietnam, under the Vietravel group of companies established in 1992. Considered the largest travel group in the country it handled around 800,000 travel clients annually and had a workforce of 1,300 staff in 60 offices before the Covid-19 pandemic lock downs.
SINGAPORE, 7 February 2023: Oceania Cruises introduced Allura at a recent naming ceremony for the second 1,200-guest Allura Class ship to set sail in 2025. It will be the brand’s eighth vessel and the sister ship to Vista, which starts its first season in May.
“As we prepare to welcome Allura to the family, we have already started planning exciting new elements to be added across the fleet,” said Oceania Cruises president Frank A Del Rio. “We are thrilled with the incredible demand we have witnessed for Allura’s sister ship, Vista, with her 2023 maiden season already sold out, and we know Allura will be equally as popular with our guests.
Measuring approximately 67,000 tons, Allura will accommodate 1,200 guests and be staffed by 800 officers and crew. Under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the all-veranda vessel will sail her maiden voyage in spring 2025.
Details of Allura’s inaugural season, featuring a mix of marquee and boutique destinations across Europe and the Americas, will be revealed this spring before going on sale in the summer.
BANGKOK, 6 February 2023: Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group announces promotions and a new appointment following a restructuring that the CEO says makes the group more “agile to grow”.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, owner and CEO of ONYX, noted that the pandemic forced the group to evaluate its structure.
“The result is a new structure which puts us in a more agile position to grow, with reinforced resources in the areas essential for our development plans, like marketing, sales, operations and finance.”
For other specialist areas, such as regional sales and public relations, the group is now working with “in-market representatives.”
Team changes
The group promotes Chutima Fuangkham Kennedy to VP of Marketing after working for the group for 13 years. She joined ONYX as the e-marketing manager in 2010.
Hazel Chua has been named senior director of operations support. She has been with ONYX for six years.
Hathairat Naenkwaen has been named senior director of sales distribution, having worked for the group since 2017.
Siriyupa Prakobthong joins ONYX as director of sales – leisure. She worked for Asiankeys Co. for eight years before joining ONYX. Post-pandemic, travellers are returning to book via these channels as they seek out travel experts to endorse and provide peace of mind for their travel planning.
Nattaporn Ratanasingha returns to the group as director of business development & strategy. She took a year’s sabbatical. She first joined the ONYX team as the development manager in 2015.
HONG KONG, 7 February 2023: Cathay Pacific reopened The Deck lounge at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday, and as travel resumes, the airline says it will progressively reopen lounges elsewhere.
Later this month, Cathay Pacific lounges will reopen at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.
During March and April, the airline’s lounges at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport will reopen to guests.
By the second and third quarters of 2023, lounges at San Francisco International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport will reopen.
Outside of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s First and Business class lounges at London Heathrow Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Tokyo (Haneda) International Airport are already open to eligible customers.
Cathay Pacific Lounge, Tokyo (Narita), is reopening and finding a new home. The lounge has relocated to a new space by Gate 71 that is more than two times larger than the previous lounge and offers almost double the number of seats, making for a more spacious environment.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 7 February 2023: Vietjet transported 20.5 million passengers on 116,000 flights in 2022, of which domestic transport grew by 20% over 2019, supporting the airline’s recovery momentum.
Domestic passengers transported in Q4/2022 increased sevenfold year-on-year, higher than the pre-pandemic growth rate of 24%.
To accommodate its expansion strategy, Vietjet deployed three A330 aircraft allowing it to open 20 new routes last year with a focus on the Indian market to connect economic-tourism hubs such as New Delhi and Mumbai in India to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
As of 31 December 2022, Vietjet operated 103 routes. New routes have been established to Astana, Almaty (Kazakhstan), Melbourne, and Sydney (Australia).
In Q4/2022, Vietjet’s parent company reported net revenue of approx. USD315.5 million, leaping by 175% YOY with a profit of USD38.7 million. (*Figures in USD are approximate.)
The total revenue for 2022 was USD1.39 billion, while the profit was USD9.23 million. Last year, the airline paid USD186.79 million in direct and indirect taxes and charges.
Vietjet reported consolidated revenue of USD1.68 billion in 2022, with a consolidated loss of VND2,171 billion (approx. US$93.1 million) mainly due to heavy capital investment in its core business. Vietjet has transferred more than approx. USD152.7 million of profit to the parent company for asset investment in acquiring one new A321 NEO aircraft from Airbus, two A321 aircraft from lessors and three aircraft engines.
By the end of 2022, Vietjet’s assets reached more than USD2.87 billion, increasing by 30% YOY owing to long-term assets growing by over USD200 million. The long-term debt-to-equity and liquidity ratios stayed at 0.7 and 1.3, respectively. As of 31 December 2022, the cash balance and cash equivalents remained at USD77.3 million.
In 2023, Vietjet continues to set a high revenue growth goal based on reopening the Chinese market while further promoting international markets of great potential, like India, South Korea, Japan and Australia. However, the airline called for the government to consider lifting the price cap on flights and allowing for fuel surcharge to strengthen the position of Vietnamese airlines as more international airlines start new routes to Vietnam.
YOGYAKARTA, 6 February 2023: Taking a cue from Yogyakarta’s award-winning Nglanggeran Tourism Village will help Sabah improve its sustainable community-based tourism initiatives.
Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Assistant Minister and Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said that this is paramount as the state is planning to have more of its tourism players achieve international recognition as part of the process of transforming Sabah into a world-class rural destination.
“We should not limit ourselves to our examples of success, but instead look to the achievements of others and draw ideas and motivation from them.
Joniston Bangkuai sharing successfull story of community-based tourism with Nglanggeran Tourism Village manager Sugeng Handoko (3rd left) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“In this way, we will be able to raise the bar for rural tourism and make significant improvements. We want to see the high-end offering in our rural destination so we can lure quality tourists,” he said after touring the Nglanggeran Tourism Village on Friday.
Joniston was in Yogyakarta, along with the Sabah Tourism team attending last week’s ASEAN Tourism Forum. He also visited several attractions for products update.
Also present were Sabah Tourism Board deputy chief executive officer Julinus Jimit and Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah (FeRTAS) President Walter Kandayon, also a board member of Sabah Tourism.
Joniston Bangkuai leads the Sabah Tourism Board team to visit Nglanggeran Tourism Village in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Also in the photo are STB deputy chief executive offer Julinus Jimit (3rd left), STB assistant product manager Dexter Randy (left), FeRTAS president Walter Kandayon (right), and Nglanggeran Tourism Village manager Sugeng Handoko (2nd left).
Joniston also said Sabah rural tourism players could learn from Nglanggeran village’s effective marketing of itself as a unique and authentic tourism destination that draws visitors from around the world.
“I have informed the FeRTAS to get in touch with the Nglanggeran Tourism Village committee with the hope that we can make future engagements in Sabah,” he added.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has named Nglanggeran Tourism Village the World’s Best Tourism Village in 2021. It also won the 2017 ASEAN Community Based Tourism (CBT) Award.
Located within the Gunung Sewu Geopark, Nglanggeran offers a variety of tourism activities and services, such as cultural tours, homestays, and outdoor recreation, appealing to a wide range of tourists.
Joniston added that Sabah could also learn from the local experts here regarding how to manage geo-parks and apply them to its own Kinabalu National Geopark, which covers the districts of Ranau, Kota Belud, and Kota Marudu.
During the visit, Nglanggeran Tourism Village manager Sugeng Handoko shared with the Sabah Tourism delegates that the village’s efforts to promote community-based tourism bring in approximately RM2 million each year.
Following their tourism success, the village had to limit the number of visitors from 14,000 to 8,000 a month to focus on attracting quality tourists and ensuring sustainability.
Sugeng added that they are more than willing to share their experience and learn more about the unique offerings in Sabah through engagement with Sabah’s community-based tourism players.
BANGKOK, 6 February 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has confirmed the signing of a new Hotel Management Agreement with Kanoknat Adhyanasakul, the owners of Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat, to continue managing this successful property for a period of 10 more years.
This not only marks the continuation of a long-term partnership between Centara and Kanoknat, but also Centara’s ongoing commitment to delivering world-class guest experiences and Thai family-valued hospitality.
Surrounded by untouched jungle and a pristine 400-metre stretch of white sand beach, Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat entices guests with its remote yet accessible tropical location, serene atmosphere and spacious suites and villas.
Designed for couples, families and holidaymakers, this pet-friendly resort welcomes dogs weighing less than 20 kg. During their stay, guests have access to a stunning beachfront infinity pool with a dedicated children’s swimming area, complimentary use of non-motorised water sports, including kayaking and snorkelling, and Chaan Talay Healthy Massage. The resort also features all-day beachside dining, a beachside bar and in-room dining options to suit the needs of every traveller.
Centara Chaan Talay Resort & Villas Trat is conveniently located 40 minutes from Trat town and a 60-minute drive from Trat Airport.
SINGAPORE, 6 February 2023: Princess Cruises has revealed a first glimpse of the contemporary and state-of-the-art designs onboard Sun Princess “The Love Boat” scheduled to debut in early 2024.
It is the largest Princess ship ever constructed, accommodating 4,000 guests.
“With the construction of any new ship, we have the incredible opportunity to design standout spaces with our guests’ preferences in mind,” said Princess Cruises president John Padgett.
Currently, under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Sun Princess will be the first Princess ship and one of 11 new vessels in the corporate fleet powered by Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest fossil fuel.
The ship’s 2024 inaugural cruise season in the Mediterranean is on sale now. For more information can be found at www.princess.com.
SINGAPORE, 6 February 2023: British Airways will resume flights between the UK and mainland China after a two-year absence.
Tickets are now on sale for flights to Shanghai starting on 23 April and Beijing on 3 June.
British Airways first flew to China in 1980 and continued until the pandemic.
From 23 April, flights will operate daily between London Heathrow and Shanghai Pudong International Airport – BA168/BA169.
From 3 June, flights will operate between London Heathrow and Beijing Daxing Airport four times per week – BA88/89.
British Airways head of sales, Asia Pacific Noella Ferns said: “We can’t wait to welcome our customers back on board our flights from Shanghai and Beijing. We know they’ve been looking forward to reuniting with family and friends, coming to study in the UK and resuming business between China and the UK.”
Shanghai and Beijing flights are now available to book on the airline’s website ba.com
Flight Number
Day of week
Departure Airport
Departure Time
Arrival Airport
Arrival Time
London-Shanghai service from 23 April 2023
BA169
Daily
London Heathrow
1225
Shanghai Pudong
0755^
BA168
Daily
Shanghai Pudong
1100
London Heathrow
1825
London-Beijing service from 3 June 2023
BA89
Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat
London Heathrow
1505
Beijing Daxing
0935^
BA88
Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun
Beijing Daxing
1120
London Heathrow
1730
^arrives one day later
*Schedule is effective from 23 April and 3 June 2023 and subject to operational change and regulatory approval.
PHUKET, 6 February 2023: The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation representing 80 of the island’s top hotels and resorts, has announced the reappointment of its senior leadership team, including President Bjorn Courage, who has been instrumental in the association’s success.
Following a recent election, Courage, also general manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, was re-elected president. The association’s members elected Brett Wilson, general manager of the Pullman Phuket Arcadia Naithon Beach, as treasurer and Daniel Meury, general manager of the Andara Resort & Hotels as secretary.
Pictured (from left): Bjorn Courage, president, Brett Wilson, treasurer, and Daniel Meury, secretary, have been reelected.
Following his reappointment as president, Courage said: “As tourism and hospitality in Phuket continue to recover, we will make every effort to maintain and build on the important work which helps put people first and provides first-class hospitality-based education opportunities. The aim is to create a strategic pipeline of skilled personnel for current and future employment in this industry.”
The association concentrates efforts on easing the talent crunch by promoting investment in the education and training of local people in Phuket. It recently secured scholarships for 48 young adults at vocational institutions and universities across Phuket and Bangkok, including alliances with Cornell University’s General Managers programme and Dusit Thani College, Bangkok, which specialises in hospitality management and the culinary arts. From the Asia Pacific campus of Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Singapore, the association has also provided world-class, university-level online training.
Phuket Hotels Association hired Sumi Soorian as its executive director in 2016. Since it was founded in January 2016, the Phuket Hotels Association has grown to represent 80 of the island’s top internationally-branded and independent luxury and midscale hotels and resorts, comprising just over 12,000 rooms and 25,000 employees.
