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Centara celebrates Osaka opening

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TTR WEEKLY
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Bangkok, Thailand, 10 July 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is thrilled to announce the official grand opening of its first-ever hotel in Japan, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, and is eager to invite travellers from around the world to be the first to experience this stunning new property.

To help celebrate the occasion, esteemed guests were in attendance, including Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura; His Excellency Ambassador of Thailand to Japan, Singtong Lapisatepun; Suthikiati Chirathivat, Chairman of the Board of Centara Hotels & Resorts; Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts; Suparat Chirathivat, Executive Vice President Corporate Development of Central Group; as well as Centara Hotels & Resorts partners – Takashi Yamazaki, Executive Officer, Chief Director of Urban Development of Taisei Corporation, and Kenichi Fujino, President of Kanden Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

Conveniently located a 45-minute drive from Kansai International Airport and steps from Namba train station in the heart of Osaka’s vibrant shopping and entertainment district, the newly unveiled 33-storey Centara Grand Hotel Osaka is a modern architectural masterpiece ready to welcome guests to experience Centara’s signature warm hospitality, world-class service, and warm Thai family values.

Elegant and simply breathtaking, 515 spacious and exquisitely appointed rooms and suites, including Superior, Deluxe, Family, and Club, range in size from 27 to 56 square metres and are meticulously designed with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary amenities for unparalleled serenity. Various room configurations are available to suit the needs of every traveller, including Family rooms with bunk beds for children.

An array of world-class facilities – including state-of-the-art meeting and events spaces with a stunning ballroom, modern co-working spaces, and an extraordinary rooftop dining destination – set the stage for remarkable experiences. From sunset cocktail hours to extravagant weddings, every detail is handled with impeccably personalised service to create memories enriched by every moment. Guests also have access to a fully-equipped fitness centre and Japan’s first SPA Cenvaree, where a unique mix of treatments, including traditional Thai massage, holistic therapies and healing rituals, rejuvenate and invigorate the mind, body and spirit.

The newest dining destination in Osaka, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, offers a sky-high culinary journey with an eclectic selection of world-class bars and restaurants on its 32nd and 33rd floors. Guests are invited to revel in panoramic rooftop views while indulging in the finest whiskeys and premium dry-aged steak at WhiskeyNova Steakhouse or sampling mouthwatering smokehouse fare at Kunsei Kitchen. Lounge-style afternoon tea is served amidst baseball memorabilia at Smoke & Spin. At the same time, alfresco cocktails and a delectable Western menu are available at Crudo Deck before the melodic sounds of resident DJs serenade hotel goers as both venues transition from day to night. Automata delivers self-pour beer and signature cocktails in a hidden retro-futuristic fantasyland boasting breathtaking cityscape vistas.

A true haven for foodies, Centara Grand Osaka, is also home to all-day coffee and pastries at Platform 2 and the sumptuous flavours of home-style Thai cuisine at Suan Bua and succulent seafood at the Embassy of Crab.

“We are overjoyed to officially open the doors to Centara Grand Hotel Osaka and begin welcoming guests from around the world to experience Centara’s unique style of hospitality and service. It is an honour to bring our brand to the incredible city of Osaka, and we look forward to working together with our esteemed partners further to expand our offerings in Japan in the future,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

To celebrate its opening, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka has announced a selection of special offers, each with spectacular perks tailored to various travellers, including exclusive introductory room rates, spa packages,  rooftop dining experiences and more. Travellers not yet members of the CentaraThe1 loyalty programme can sign up for free in less than a minute at www.CentaraThe1.com, and immediately start enjoying special member rates, earning points and taking advantage of more exclusive privileges.

For more information on Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/cgo

Sarawak honours its artists

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 11 July 2023: The Sarawak Artist Award Ceremony 2023 returned last Saturday to honour the state’s top artists after a three-year pandemic pause.

Supported by the State Government of Sarawak and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, the Association of Malaysian Arts and Culture led as the event’s curator.

Photo credit: MACPA Facebook

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, Performing Arts, Youth, Sports & Entrepreneur Development YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah noted the “huge contribution as a result of their artistic activities should not be underestimated; instead, it should be nourished, especially to support youth in their creative ideas and inspiration.”

In addition, he also suggested that non-government organisations cooperate with MTCP and other government agencies to support veteran artists who have served society by hosting charity concerts to lighten the financial burden incurred by artists.

Emphasising the various niche markets in tourism that can grow, the minister said the most noteworthy were music or concert tourism and medical tourism, which benefit from promotions.

“Our singers or performers are world-renowned artists. The recently concluded Rainforest World Music Festival, which captivated a strong crowd of 19,180 festival-goers from around the globe, is strong proof that Sarawak is open-minded concert friendly and can organise mega-events.”

For more information: https://sarawaktourism.com/

(Source: Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry, Performing Arts)

Icon of the Sea completes trials

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 11 July 2023: Destined to be the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas has completed sea trials before it joins the fleet this October ahead of its debut in 2024.

Icon of the Seas, 20 decks high and 365 metres long, will leave port on her maiden cruise to the Caribbean in January 2024 after a second round of sea trials in December.

Photo credit: RCI newsroom. Icon of the Seas leaves Meyer Turku shipyard.
 

RCI already wears the crown for operating the world’s largest cruise ship. Its ‘Wonder of the Seas’, 18 decks high and 362 metres long, made its inaugural voyage last year.

Built at a shipyard in Turku, Finland, Icon of the Seas’ takes the world title with an impressive lineup of facilities:

40 food and beverage outlets;
Passenger capacity 5,610 (double occupancy);
28 accommodation categories spread out in eight onboard neighbourhoods;
Crew strength 2,350;
The world’s largest waterpark at sea with six water slides and seven pools.

IHG signs BelAir condo for a conversion

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 11 July 2023: IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management contract for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Asok with property developer APK Real Estate Co Ltd Thailand.

From left to right: Paisit Kaenchan, Natthapatr Jiramaneekul, Kongpat Jiramaneekul, Managing Director APK Real Estate, Suthin Jiramaneekul, President APK Real Estate, Chanprakaisi, Saowarin, Senior Director, Development, Southeast Asia and Korea, IHG, Kate Gerits, Regional General Manager, Thailand, Dilip Ramaiah, Area General Manager (Thailand South), Saudi Khaneng, Senior HR Manager- Thailand.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Asok will be located on Soi Sukhumvit 23,  500 metres from the  Sukhumvit MRT and Asok BTS stations.

A vacant residential condominium, BelAir Mansion, will reopen in early 2025 following its conversion to meet IHG branding. The property will feature 180 rooms, with 15% of the inventory suites with kitchenettes. Other facilities include a lounge and bar, swimming pool, meeting room, gym and a do–t-yourself laundry.

With the latest addition, IHG will have six Holiday Inn Express properties in Thailand, with another 10 in the pipeline.

Singapore Food Festival celebrates 30 years

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 11 JULY 2023: The annual Singapore Food Festival (SFF), a landmark event for avid foodies, is back to celebrate its 30th anniversary from 19 to 30 July 2023.

SFF 2023 highlights include an expansive Festival Village with three new zones – Food Cartel, Sweets Alley and Café Boulevard; island-wide activations like culinary tours, workshops and chef masterclasses; and exclusive finds specially created for the event.

Photo credit: STB

This year’s zones include:

SG Food Walk – A nod to Singapore’s diversity of flavours, this zone will feature festival exclusives such as curry chicken fried popiah (thin crepe-like roll) from popiah and calamari nachos with a remoulade made from belimbing (a fruit native to Malaysia and Indonesia) – a collaboration between sustainability-focused restaurant Kausmo and local fish farm Ah Hua Kelong.

Food Cartel – From pop-ups to bar concepts and masterclasses, foodies can catch their favourite chefs and personalities in action at Food Cartel.

Café Boulevard – A tribute to Singapore’s thriving café culture and the passion of local coffee artisans, Café Boulevard, features fine coffee and bakes from homegrown names such as oat milk brand Oatside, Le Matin Patisserie, and Hapi Café in collaboration with Pourabucha kombucha.

Sweets Alley – Offerings in this zone are sure to satisfy sugar cravings with a mix of traditional and modern sweets such as Chinese desserts from traditional dessert shop Yat Ka Yan, Nonya-style handmade ang ku kueh (glutinous rice flour skin encasing a sweet or savoury filling) from Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh; and artisanal local ice cream company Creamier with exclusive flavours such as sesame tang yuan (glutinous rice balls) and waffled putu piring (palm sugar-filled rice flour cake).

SG Mama Shop collaborates with the local e-commerce platform Food Culture Singapore and Easygo AI Vending Machine.

Marrying old and new, modern brands – including the world’s first sustainable soy wine Sachi and Made with Passion brands Hook Coffee and Mekhala cooking pastes and sauces – line the shelves in the iconic setting of a recreated mama shop, an important element of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.

Attending SFF 2023

Entry passes to the Festival Village start from SGD8. Festival-goers can check out www.singaporefoodfestival.sg for the full list of experiences and ticketing information.

IndiGo flies Delhi-Baku route

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 11 July 2023: IndiGo is expanding its international network to include flights from Delhi to Baku in Azerbaijan starting 11 August.

Baku becomes the 30th international destination and 108th destination in the airline’s combined domestic and international networks.

The new four-weekly flights will open business and leisure travel opportunities between India and Azerbaijan. For passionate Formula 1 fans in India, the new flight will be a welcome addition as Baku is on the Formula 1 calendar. The airline will serve Baku on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of new flights connecting Delhi and Baku, reinvigorating the historical Silk Route connection between these two vibrant cities,” IndiGo head of global sales Vinay Malhotra commented. “This strategic introduction addresses the growing travel demand from India to Azerbaijan, promoting cultural exchanges and fostering stronger bilateral ties.

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and the largest city on the Caspian Sea. Its economic significance is evident due to its thriving oil and gas industry. Baku is becoming a popular tourist destination as more airlines serve the capital city. It delivers a mesmerising blend of rich history and modernity, offering a fascinating experience that embraces tradition with its bustling markets, flourishing arts scene, and local cuisine.

Baku’s cultural heritage.

The distinctive Flame Towers, a towering skyscraper trio, dominate the city’s skyline. Also, the historic Maiden Tower stands as a historic stone stronghold in the heart of Baku’s Old Town. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of medieval Azerbaijan.

AIDA cruises speed up onboard Wi-Fi

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: The rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink on the first ships of the AIDA fleet takes place faster than expected and is now offering AIDA travellers more bandwidth and faster internet connections.

By October 2023, all ships in the AIDA fleet will be equipped with SpaceX’s innovative Starlink broadband service. It means AIDA Cruises will offer one of the fastest Wi-Fi experiences at sea before the end of the year.

The service is already available on three ships; AIDAblu, AIDAbella and AIDAstella. Guests can benefit from a Starlink special offer with increased data volumes in the Internet packages from mid-July.

As the summer season progresses, the ships AIDAprima, AIDAperla, AIDAnova, and AIDAcosma will also be equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink.

About AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises is the leading cruise company in Germany, with voyages to over 250 ports worldwide. The AIDA fleet comprises 12 ships. It is part of the family of Carnival Corporation & plc cruise brands.

Emirates walks guests through Premium Economy

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: Emirates celebrated the launch of its Premium Economy offering in Singapore last week with a tour of one of its enhanced four-class A380 aircraft.

The event kicked off at the Emirates Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 1, after which guests were given a guided tour of the brand-new product and the enhanced interior across all cabin classes on board the Emirates A380. Guests took in the highlights of the exclusive premium economy experience that awaits travellers.

(L-R) Rashed Alfajeer, Emirates’ Country Manager in Iran & Central Asia, Daniel Ng, Senior Director (Aviation Development Group / Chief Sustainability Officer – CAAS), Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Far East, Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President (Airport Management – CAG), and Rashid Al Ardha, Emirates’ Country Manager in Singapore & Brunei at the launch of Emirates Premium Economy.

On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is at the front of the main deck with 56 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. In the cabin, every inch of space anticipates customer needs with a generous seat pitch and width for working and relaxing and customised features that offer function and convenience, like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The experience is rounded off with expertly curated in-flight amenities, an inventive menu, and extensive beverage options. Emirates Premium Economy is deployed on flights EK 354 and EK 355 between Singapore and Dubai.

Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, the Emirates App, at Emirates sales offices, and via both online and offline travel agents. Travellers should check the Emirates website for the latest travel requirements.

Airlines boost load factors in May

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released May 2023 traffic data showing strong growth in air travel demand.

Total traffic in May 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 39.1% compared to May 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 96.1% of May 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.

Domestic traffic for May rose 36.4% compared to the year-ago period. Total May 2023 domestic traffic was 5.3% above the May 2019 level. This is the second consecutive month that domestic traffic has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

International traffic climbed 40.9% versus May 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led again by Asia-Pacific carriers. International RPKs reached 90.8% in May 2019, with Middle East and North American airlines exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

The total industry load factor rose to 81.8%, led by North American carriers at 86.3%.

“We saw more good news in May. Planes were full, with the average load factors reaching 81.8%. Domestic markets reported growth on pre-pandemic levels. And, heading into the busy Northern summer travel season, international demand reached 90.8% of pre-pandemic levels,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

International Passenger Markets

Asia-Pacific airlines had a156.7% increase inMay 2023 traffic compared to May 2022, maintaining a very positive momentum since the lifting of the remaining travel restrictions in the region earlier this year. Capacity rose 136.1%, and the load factor increased 6.4 percentage points to 80.0%.

European carriers posted a 19.8% traffic rise versus May 2022. Capacity climbed 14.2%, and the load factor rose 3.9 percentage points to 84.4%.

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 30.8% traffic increase compared to May a year ago. Capacity climbed 25.0%, and the load factor pushed 3.6 percentage points to 80.2%. The region is leading the recovery, with May traffic at 17.2% above 2019 levels.

North American carriers’ traffic climbed 31.0% in May 2023 versus 2022. Capacity increased 23.2%, and the load factor rose 5.1 percentage points to 85.1%, the region’s highest.

Latin American airlines had a 26.3% traffic increase compared to the same month in 2022. May capacity climbed faster– up 27.3% — and the load factor slipped 0.7 percentage points to 83.8%. The region was the only one to see capacity growth exceed traffic growth for the month.

African airlines’ traffic rose45.2% in May 2023 versus a year ago. May capacity was up 44.2%, and the load factor increased 0.5 percentage points to 68.8%, the region’s lowest.

Club Pirates teams up with Princess

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: For fitness enthusiasts, Princess Cruises and Xponential Fitness’ signature Pilates brand, Club Pilates, have teamed up to offer the first-ever ‘Club Pilates at Sea’: An Alaska Retreat’, an action-packed adventure sailing roundtrip from Seattle aboard Royal Princess 2 to 9 September 2023.

This one-of-a-kind cruise marks the first time guests can enjoy a seagoing retreat dedicated to Club Pilates, the largest Pilates brand in the world, offering a low-impact, full-body workout with classes that challenge the mind and body.

Guests will participate in Club Pilates classes with glaciers and the rugged Alaska landscape as a remarkable backdrop. The September cruise offers the chance to view Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Known for its rugged beauty, Alaska, the inaugural ‘Club Pilates at Sea’: An Alaska Retreat’ offers participants fitness experiences such as hiking, canoeing and ziplining while not forgetting the leisurely pursuits of whale watching, salmon bakes and tours of historical Gold Rush towns.

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