SINGAPORE, 19 December 2022: Seven Seas Explorer arrived in Singapore on 12 December before cruising the Asia-Pacific this month to mark her regional inaugural season.
The ship will embark on an inaugural sailing from Singapore to Sydney, arriving in Sydney Harbour on 29 December 2022.
The voyages offer sailings from Bangkok to Sydney, Ho Chi Minh to Wellington and beyond, with all-inclusive itineraries bookable in 2023.
Seven Seas Explorer is an Explorer-class cruise ship operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises, a subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
Commercial sailings launched in 2016, she became Regent’s first new-build ship in over a decade and the cruise line’s largest ship with a 738-passenger capacity.
Close to Home Itineraries
With the demand for cruising close to home higher than ever, Regent offers itineraries that take advantage of some of the most coveted locations and ports across Asia-Pacific.
Wildlife Exploration Down Under | Bali to Sydney Departs 5 December 2023 | 17-nights
New Zealand New Year | Sydney to Auckland Departs 22 December 2023 | 14-nights
Onsens & Overnights in Japan | Roundtrip Tokyo Departs 6 March 2024 | 12-nights
Seven Seas Explorer offers at least 20 itineraries between October 2023 and April 2024.
BANGKOK, 19 December 2022: Dining carriages return to the State Railway of Thailand’s trains starting in January 2023 after almost a three-year pause.
SRT has outsourced the service to Advance Marketing Service Co Ltd in an agreement signed earlier this month that brings back food catering and dining carriables on eight trains operating on main trunk lines from Bangkok.
Food on the go
Northern Line Special Express Train No. 9/10 Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok.
Southern Line Special Express Train No. 31/32 Bangkok-Hatyai Junction-Bangkok.
Northeastern Line Isan Special Express Train No. 23/24 Bangkok-Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok. Isan Special Express Train No. 25/26 Bangkok-Nong Khai-Bangkok.
According to SRT’s Public Relations Centre, the service will be further expanded on trains by April 2023. Outsourcing agreements for the service will extend for three years.
SRT intends to increase food services on other train routes starting in April with as many as 10 trains. They include:
Special Express No. 13/14 Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok; Express No. 51/52 Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Bangkok; Special Express No. 37/38 Bangkok-Sungai Kolok-Bangkok; Express No. 83/84 Bangkok-Trang-Bangkok; Express No. 85/86 Bangkok-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Bangkok.
SRT suspended food and drink sales on train journeys in April 2020 during the first wave of Covid-19 disease outbreaks.
SINGAPORE, 19 December 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd confirmed organisational changes in the Asia Pacific last week involving two of its cruise line brands, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.
Steve Odell will step down from the role of senior vice president and managing director of the Asia Pacific region for Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises after a seven-year tenure with the company. Both cruise lines are part of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
Jason Worth.Lisa Pile.
Caroline Smith has been appointed managing director, international for Regent Seven Seas Cruises overseeing sales and marketing for APAC, EMEA, LATAM and Brazil.
Lisa Pile, current vice president of sales, Australia and New Zealand for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, will expand her responsibilities to include the entire Asia Pacific region as vice president of sales and general manager APAC for Regent Seven Seas Cruises reporting to Smith.
Jason Worth, current vice president of sales, Australia and New Zealand for Oceania Cruises, will expand his responsibilities to the Asia Pacific region as vice president of sales and general manager APAC for Oceania Cruises, reporting to Nikki Upshaw, senior vice president of sales for Oceania Cruises.
Ben Angell, vice president and managing director APAC for Norwegian Cruise Line, will continue to represent the brand in the Asia Pacific region, reporting to Jason Krimmel, vice president of international sales and marketing for Norwegian Cruise Line.
SINGAPORE, 19 December 2022: Ethiopian Airlines will resume direct services to Singapore from Adis Ababa on 25 March 2023 using a Boeing 787 for the four weekly flights.
Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew confirmed last week the airline was resuming its Singapore service that was suspended in March 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic.
The flight will improve connectivity for passengers travelling from Southeast Asia to Africa through the Singapore hub.
Commenting on the news, Changi Airport Group managing director of Air Hub Development Lim Ching Kiat said: “We are thrilled to welcome Ethiopian Airlines to Changi Airport again. Ethiopian Airlines has been consistently voted as the Best Airline in Africa, and the network from its Addis Ababa hub is connected with more than 63 destinations on the African continent.
“This flight between Singapore and Ethiopia will offer more travel options for passengers from our region to visit Africa. For many Singaporeans, Ethiopia could also be an exciting new vacation destination as it boasts many attractions ranging from historical sites such as Axum to breathtaking natural geography such as the Simien Mountains and Blue Nile falls.”
Singapore’s Changi airport is one of the major global aviation hubs with the latest airport infrastructure and one of the best hub transfer services. Singapore is also one of the major financial hubs in the world.
ET638 will depart from Addis Ababa at 2320 and arrive in Singapore at 1450 plus one day. Flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
ET 639 will depart from Singapore at 0200 and arrive in Addis Ababa at 0550 (local time). Flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
DUBAI, 16 Dec 2022: Emirates promotes its line-up of bubbly saying it is currently the only commercial airline officially serving Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon onboard.
Global airline exclusive agreements are in place until 2024, meaning that Emirates is the only international airline offering a ‘taste of the stars’ to passengers, inviting them to experience the sparkling sensations of the world’s most outstanding champagnes – at 40,000 feet.
Despite the well-documented world shortage of champagne due to harsh weather and a reduced harvest in 2021, pandemic supply chain issues, and an explosion in demand for champagne globally, Emirates passengers remain well-served onboard with the finest selection of bubbles available, ready to toast the festive season, special occasions, and the hope and promise of a new year.
On Emirates, Dom Pérignon is served in First Class across all global routes, Veuve Clicquot is served in Business Class on routes to the Americas, UK, and Europe, and Moët & Chandon is served in Business Class on routes to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific including Australasia. Economy Class passengers can also purchase Moët & Chandon onboard.
Celebrating special moments in the sky, Emirates passengers have enjoyed Moët Hennessy Champagnes onboard for over 30 years. The ‘perfect serve’ is offered as each champagne is delicately presented by a highly trained cabin crew, at the perfect temperature, in a unique champagne glass, providing an unforgettable experience.
On Emirates, Dom Pérignon is served in First Class across all global routes, Veuve Clicquot is served in Business Class on routes to the Americas, UK, and Europe, and Moët & Chandon is served in Business Class on routes to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific including Australasia. Economy Class passengers can also purchase Moët & Chandon onboard.
There are many ways to enjoy champagne with Emirates, whether in your seat or at the onboard lounge of an A380. Economy passengers can also bring an extra sparkle to special occasions onboard by pre-booking a cake and champagne package. For USD43, the cabin crew will surprise a passenger onboard with a mini celebration – including a luscious vanilla cake or decadent chocolate cake paired with Moët & Chandon Brut 20cl.
Passengers can also enjoy champagne in Emirates Lounges in Dubai and across the globe before they board their flight. In Dubai, the Emirates Business Class Lounge in Concourse B even has a unique Moët & Chandon Champagne Lounge, where each iconic cuvée is matched with mouth-watering canapés created by Michelin-starred chefs. Passengers can learn more about the process of making champagne and the Emirates collection on the Emirates Wine Channel or speak to Emirates cabin crew, who are provided with food pairing and technical notes for each champagne.
Providing the highest level of luxury and quality is imperative to Emirates’ promise of ‘fly better.’ For the last 16 years, Emirates has invested more than USD1 billion into its wine programme. It buys exceptional wines and champagnes at the earliest opportunity to let some of the wines mature, allowing them to express their full potential before serving them on board.
Champagne Fun Facts from Emirates
1. Champagne comes from the north-eastern corner of France, the Champagne region, where winemaking dates back to the 17th century and vineyards span more than 84,000 acres across Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne and The Aube.
2. Emirates purchases more champagne than any other airline in the world.
3. Champagne gets its sparkle from being twice fermented in the bottle over prolonged periods of time via a labour-intensive practice often referred to as méthode traditionnelle or méthode Champenoise.
4. Emirates is the number 1 global partner in the world of Dom Pérignon and has a 30-year history of serving the iconic champagne onboard.
5. Contrary to popular belief, a champagne cork should not be ‘popped.’ If it pops, it could indicate that the champagne is too warm or too young. Instead, champagne corks should be gently released, eliciting a soft hiss.
6. Legend says that when Dom Pérignon first created his delicious bubbly champagne, he called out to his fellow monks, “Come quickly, I am tasting the stars!”
7. The colour of the champagne gives clues to its age – younger champagnes tend to be pale yellow, while older ones have a straw hue. Younger champagnes are also much clearer, while more mature champagnes have less clarity. Older champagnes also have fewer bubbles, which move at a slower pace.
8. Emirates will often serve exclusive vintages and plenitudes onboard, offering First Class passengers an opportunity to taste exceptionally rare champagne. Business Class passengers will also get the chance to occasionally try a special vintage of Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot, or perhaps a special rosé. Passengers can find out what is being served on their flight in advance by checking the Emirates website.
Download ‘Tasting Notes – Enjoy the world’s best Champagne onboard Emirates’ for more information.
BANGKOK, 16 December 2022: Centara Hotels & Resortshas confirmed the appointment of Rutjiret Ananphong as general manager of Centara Ubon.
The Thai national joined the Centara Ubon last August and led the pre-opening team. She will continue to direct all aspects of operations when the hotel officially opens next year as its general manager.
A respected member of the Centara Hotels & Resorts group, Rutjiret joined Centara Ubon from COSI Krabi Ao Nang Beach, where she was the GM. She successfully opened the property at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and managed to position the property as one of Tripadvisor’s Top 10 Best Reviews for Hotels in Krabi. She has previously held the roles of hotel manager at Centara Anda Dhevi Resort & Spa Krabi and resort manager at Centra by Centara Coconut Beach Resort Samui.
Rutjiret brings over 20 years of experience to her latest assignment, which included stinks with Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Twinpalms Phuket, Iniala Beach House, and Buri Rasa Village Samui.
“Centara Hotels & Resorts is proud to announce the appointment of Rutjiret Ananphong as general manager of Centara Ubon. With decades of hotel experience and a passion for hospitality, we are confident that she is the right candidate for this role and will continue to leverage her expertise to grow the hotel’s reputation and position as a leading destination in Southern Isaan”, said Centara Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer Thirayuth Chirathivat.
PHUKET, 16 December 2022: Celebrating 75 years of warm island hospitality, Outrigger Resorts & Hotels has announced a comprehensive brand revitalisation in alignment with its bold mission to be “The Premier Beach Resort Company in the World”.
The new strategic direction incorporates a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art technology stack – notably, the all-new Outrigger.com website, which brings to life Outrigger’s premier beach resort product in a digital format. Developed in partnership with Rightpoint, the data-driven and dynamic website use the Optimizely platform to deliver a personalised, best-in-class user experience with rich, compelling content updated daily.
The launch of Outrigger.com comes on the heels of a very successful Cyber Sale, connecting guests to exceptional rates and re-introducing the Outrigger DISCOVERY loyalty programme.
“Outrigger’s brand evolution was a project two years in the making,” said Outrigger Hospitality Group EVP and chief commercial officer Sean Dee. “Using qualitative and quantitative data, we leaned into our beach positioning and are now focused on delivering a cohesive brand experience across all platforms”.
In the last 18 months, five premier beach resorts have been added to the Outrigger portfolio: three in Thailand, one in the Maldives and one in Hawaii. The company has earmarked USD250 million to reinvest in its Hawaii assets, including the flagship Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Waikiki Malia by Outrigger and Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel – which has more exciting enhancements on the horizon.
As part of the brand revitalisation, the name of Hawaii’s first and only craft hotel – Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger – has been changed to Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel.
“Moving the Outrigger brand to the front of our hotel’s name epitomises the confidence of our ownership and the maturing of our product – fulfilling the Outrigger standards of unforgettable happenings and unparalleled hospitality on the world’s most iconic beaches,” said Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel general manager Edwin Torres.
With its central location and steps to Waikiki Beach, Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel draws inspiration from local artisans who are integral to the craft property’s interior design and modern Waikiki vibe. The alliance of extraordinary collaborators named “The Beachcomber Originals” contribute to the hotel’s look, sound and taste to create a one-of-a-kind journey of the senses for its visitors.
OutriggerGuests will also start to see the new Outrigger icon throughout its properties, collateral and logo wear. Because watching the sunrise and sunset over the sea is an integral part of a beach vacation – the Outrigger “O” is akin to the warm island sun resting on an ocean wave.
Drawing hues from the sea, sand and sky, the brand’s new colour palette is fresh, bright and natural.
Elevated, authentic, iconic, lively, caring and playful, Outrigger invites guests to ‘Come Be Here’ at Outrigger Resorts & Hotels.
HONG KONG, 16 December 2022: Cathay Pacific gave the thumbs up to the Hong Kong SAR Government following the further easing of Covid-19 rules that should encourage Hong Kong’s travel recovery.
The airline underscored the importance of removing the Amber Code restrictions under the Vaccine Pass for inbound persons entering Hong Kong. The new rules came into effect on 14 December.
In its media statement, the airline said the adjustments would help boost travel confidence, especially among inbound visitors, and facilitate the resumption of travel activities, strengthening network connectivity at the Hong Kong aviation hub.
The Cathay Pacific Group, which includes Cathay Pacific and HK Express, has already added about 3,000 passenger flight sectors in the fourth quarter of this year. Cathay Pacific resumed flights to popular destinations such as Tokyo (Haneda), Denpasar (Bali) and Zurich in November, as well as Sapporo, Fukuoka, Penang and Dhaka in December. More popular destinations are set to be resumed in 2023, including Phuket and Nagoya in January.
Meanwhile, HK Express resumed flights to Tokyo (Haneda), Chiang Mai and Danang in December, with services to Jeju and Busan in the pipeline for January.
The group’s media statement reiterated a commitment to rebuild the connectivity of the Hong Kong international aviation hub.
“We are on track to achieve our target of operating up to one-third of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity levels by the end of 2022. We anticipate that we will be operating around 70% of pre-pandemic passenger flight capacity by the end of 2023, to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2024,” the statement concluded.
Latest changes to Covid-19 rules
The latest changes to Covid-19 entry rules see Hong Kong scrap the contact tracing app and movement restrictions for incoming travellers.
Local media confirmed that effective Wednesday, using the LeaveHomeSafe app to enter restaurants, gyms, and other venues is no longer mandatory. Curbs on visitors moving freely around Hong Kong also ended on Wednesday.
Visitors will not be given an amber code that was previously required by the health app. It barred visits to bars and restaurants for the first three days of their stay. However, bars and restaurants will still be required to scan a customer’s vaccination QR code on entry.
Visitors will still take a PCR test on arrival and again on the third day, but mobility restrictions have now been removed.
SINGAPORE, 16 December 2022: The annual ASEAN Tourism Forum and TRAVEX will be held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from 2 to 5 February 2023.
Billed as the region’s biggest and oldest B2B travel show, the ASEAN Tourism Forum is hosted alphabetically among the 10 ASEAN member countries.
For the travel industry, the two-day TRAVEX trade fare is the crucial component of the week-long rollout of government meetings leading off with the ASEAN Tourism Ministers summit. Closed-door meetings for ASEAN National Tourist Offices follow the summit. Airlines hold discussions on the sidelines, and hosted media programme brings in close to 100 journalists, bloggers and travel influencers. Around 1,000 delegates, travel buyers and sellers attend the event.
As part of the hosting agreement for the ATF, Yogyakarta’s provincial government funded the renovation of the Jogja Expo Centre, where the TRAVEX travel fair will be hosted. According to local media reports, the renovation will be completed by late December 2022.
Expectations are high, as voiced by the Yogyakarta Regional Tourism Promotion Agency, which sees ATF as a catalyst to revive Yogyakarta as a leading cultural and heritage destination in Southeast Asia. It is also the first major travel event to be hosted in Indonesia after almost three years of Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
The annual event established in 1981 involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member states of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The 2022 ATF was hosted by Cambodia.
BANGKOK, 16 December 2022: Bangkok-based tour operator I Asia Thailand is exclusively partnering with Royal Orchid Holidays, the tour arm of Thai Airways International, to provide hospitality services and tour content through the airline’s overseas offices.
ROH and I Asia Thailand launched the new partnership on 14 December. The Bangkok-based tour company will supply hotel bookings, tour packages and activities, and ground transfers to ROH clients.
“Partnering with Royal Orchid Holidays and offering our products is a natural next step for I Asia Thailand,” said I Asia Thailand general manager Nick Critelli.
“We’ve already built a solid reputation and an array of offerings across Thailand. We now look forward to providing Royal Orchid Holidays with our products and services throughout Asia and then the world. I believe working with Royal Orchid Holidays, a strong brand under Thai Airways International, will strengthen our companies in the future.”
Part of Thai Airways International, Royal Orchid Holidays boasts a long history of industry-leading creativity, reliable service delivery and customised travel solutions, he said.
Commenting on the partnership, Royal Orchid Holidays team leader Panida Indrambarya added: “We’re pleased to now connect with I Asia Thailand and its existing products and services. On the launch day (14 December), we offered 1000 deals for hotels Pay Two get One night free for ROP members with added discounted attractions.”
