SINGAPORE, 5 July 2023: Oceania Cruises offers more shore excursion options and a beverage package paid for by credits earned on stateroom bookings for sailings departing 1 October 2023 or later.
The Simply More deal went live on 1 July and offers a shore excursion credit of up to USD1,600 per stateroom for tours of their choice. A comprehensive beverage package for lunch and dinner featuring vintage Champagnes, premium wines and international beers.
“Thanks to the launch of simply MORE, our guests will enjoy even more value, more choice and more convenience than ever before,” said Oceania Cruises president Frank A Del Rio. “For me, the cornerstone of this exciting new value promise is the generous credit offered to every guest to be spent on shore excursions of their choice.”
Oceania Cruises offers more than 8,000 educational and tour choices in its 600-plus ports of call. Shore excursion credit amounts vary by voyage length, from USD600 per stateroom for an itinerary of seven to nine days to USD1,600 per stateroom on sailings of 31 to 35 days.
BANGKOK 4 July 2023: At the recent Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) awards ceremony in Dubai, Emirates Group Transport Services were honoured with five top awards; the gold award for health and safety performance, the gold award for leisure safety, a safety influencer of the year award for one of the Emirates team members, a highly commended award in the health and safety initiative, and the trophy award for best fleet safety in the Middle East.
Emirates is the only airline globally to claim a gold award for health and safety performance in transport and has won the award annually for the last four years. In the UAE, Emirates operates a fleet of over a thousand vehicles to transport passengers, cabin crew, flight deck, and other employees to and from the workplace, averaging 2.5 million road trips annually.
Emirates Group Transport Services operates in over 167 countries, allowing Emirates customers to avail of convenient coaches with Emirates Shuttle Services and luxurious Emirates Chauffeur Drive services for First and Business Class passengers. Emirates shuttle services are comfortable coaches available in selected destinations in the UAE, Japan, US and Canada, transporting Economy and Premium Economy passengers from the airport to nearby cities. Emirates Chauffeur Drive ensures First and Business Class customers enjoy a smooth transfer to and from the airport in a high-end vehicle like a BMW or Mercedes.
RoSPA – the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents- is a UK organisation that promotes and facilitates occupational health and safety and road, home, leisure and education safety worldwide.
SINGAPORE, 4 July 2023: From the most famous to the most surprising. There are many routes and itineraries to discover how much Spain offers.
TURESPAÑA (Spain Tourism Board) recommends a self-drive road trip to explore Catalonia. The route combines culture, nature and great food and can be completed in four to five days, covering a distance of 475 km.
Pyrenees to the Mediterranean
Explore the Catalan Pyrenees over five days, taking you through part of the provinces of Lleida and Girona. If you like hiking and outdoor activities, plenty will interest you here.
Day 1 Val d’Aran – Vall de Boí: The route begins in Val d’Aran – the Aran valley. Places of interest in this stunning mountain landscape include Vielha village and the woodland tour at Baricauba (especially in spring and summer). The N-230 takes you to Vall de Boí, a valley known for its Romanesque churches. The churches comprise a UNESCO World Heritage site, surrounded by spectacular scenery. Learn about them and how to visit them at the Vall de Boí Romanesque Centre.
Day 2. Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park: You could spend the whole day enjoying nature. For example, Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is very close to Vall de Boí. If you continue along the N-260 road, you’ll come to Pallars Sobirá. This area is very popular among fans of white water rafting and other adventure sports.
Day 3. Seu d’Urgell – Ripoll: We suggest two cultural visits. On the one hand, the route continues along the N-260 to Seu d’Urgell. This is the only wholly Romanesque cathedral in Catalonia. Further on, you can visit the Monastery of Santa María de Ripoll in Ripoll, with an outstanding Romanesque entrance and cloister. Halfway between these spots is La Molina ski resort, where you can enjoy a wide range of sports all year round.
Day 4. La Garrotxa – Besalú: The route heads into La Garrotxa, an area of striking volcanic landscapes with over 40 craters now completely overgrown. The most spectacular way to see it is by floating over the area in a hot-air balloon. We also recommend visiting some of the villages in the area, tranquil spots with medieval architecture where time seems to stand still, such as Besalú, Beget or Santa Pau.
Day 5. Costa Brava – the Dalí Triangle: The end of this route brings us to the Mediterranean and the famous Costa Brava, where you can experience the life work of the Surrealist genius Salvador Dalí. The “Dalí Triangle” consists of the Dalí Theatre-Museum (in Figueres, where the artist was born), the Salvador Dalí House-Museum (Portlligat, in Cadaqués) and the Gala Dalí Castle (Púbol).
SINGAPORE, 5 July 2023: Air China reinstated services between Chengdu Tianfu International Airport and Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, scheduling three flights weekly, effective 3 July 2023.
The first flight arrived at BIA 2020, on 3 July, with 142 passengers welcomed by traditional Kandyan dancers and presented with Ceylon tea gift packs.
Photo credit: Bandaranaike International Airport. Kandyan dancers welcome Chinese tourists.
The airline has deployed an A320 on the route with 157 seats for the six-hour and 5-minute flight. Flights operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Fight CA425 departs Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) at 1735 and arrives at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at 2055. The return flight CA426 departs CMB at 2215 and arrives in TFU at 0615 the following morning.
Photo credit: Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport.
SINGAPORE, 5 July 2023: A new study released Monday reveals the 10 most stressful airports in Europe, with Charles de Gaulle in Paris leading the stress ranking.
Holiday car rental experts at StressFreeCarRental.com analysed the 10 busiest airports across Europe and ranked them based on what gets holidaymakers stressed before take off.
The popular observation suggests most travellers can tolerate a packed out departure lounge if the travel time to the airport is quick, parking is cheap, and there are restaurants to unwind in with wifi access. The research reveals this isn’t always the case, with many of Europe’s busiest airports far away from city centres with poor facilities and expensive parking. Summer peak season travel in Europe, plus the influx of Asian and North American travellers during July and August, will add to airport stress.
Charles de Gaulle Airport in the French capital has been named the most stressful airport for holidaymakers to fly from, with over 57 million passengers passing through annually. The Paris airport is around 40 km from the city centre, making it tricky for tourists to travel easily and boasting relatively few restaurants for its size.
London Heathrow is the second most stressful airport with the worst record for delays in Europe’s busiest airports.
Ranking third most stressful is Gatwick Airport – at 45.7 km, it is the furthest away from urban districts in London, meaning passengers often arrive tired even before they check in.
Frankfurt Airport in Germany ranks 7th and is the most expensive to park for a week (EUR234) – a vast difference from the cheapest spot at Leonardo Da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy, costing just EUR20 for a week.
Frankfurt is also the airport closest to the city centre, at just 13.3 km from the city, followed by Barcelona at 13.7 km and then Istanbul at 17.2 km.
Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport in Spain is ranked the least stressful airport across Europe, with some of the lowest passenger traffic numbers, cheap parking, and few departure delays, and being close to the city centre (Barcelona).
Ranking fifth most stressful, Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam greets over 52 million passengers annually. It scores 2.1 for departure delays and expensive parking charges at over EUR110 per week.
Despite the slow wifi, Munich has the second-lowest score for plane departure delays (1.7). It serves 31 million passengers and has 65 restaurants on site. Comparatively, Heathrow Airport in London serves 51 million annual passengers in 47 restaurants.
StressFreeCarRental.com CEO John Charnock said: “The whole airport experience can be very stressful, and wait times, expensive fees and slow wifi for entertainment can quickly dampen the holiday mood.
“We’ve found that Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris is the most stressful spot in Europe, with pricey parking, few restaurants and over 40 km away from the city centre.
“However, Barcelona Airport has been named the least stressful, with low departure delays, fast wifi and significantly cheaper parking.
“This year, holidaymakers should consider a staycation or using other means of getting to their destination – such as hiring cars for the ultimate summer road trip, where you can take your time and not be bothered by the anxieties of an airport.”
To find out more about the most stressful airports in Europe, head over to https://www.stressfreecarrental.com/
KOTA KINABALU, 5 July 2023: Shanghai Airlines (FM) landed at Kota Kinabalu International Airport on 4 July, launching the first direct service to Sabah from its home base Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG).
The airline deployed a Boeing 737-500 aircraft for the four-hour and 25-minute flight. Flights are scheduled daily between Shanghai and Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah, Malaysia.
Photo credit Shanghai Airlines. KK welcomes the inaugural flight from Shanghai.
Departing Pudong Airport at 2015, Flight FM867 arrived at Kota Kinabalu Airport (BKI) at 0030. The return flight FM867 departed BKI at 0130 and arrived at Pudong Airport (PVG) at 0555.
Meanwhile, AirAsia introduced daily flights from Kota Kinabalu to Beijing’s Daxing International Airport on 3 July using an Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Flight AK1560 departs Kota Kinabalu at 1800 and arrives in Beijing (PKX) at 2315. Flight time is five hours and 15 minutes. The return flight AK1561 departs Beijing at 0015 and arrives in Kota Kinabalu at 0545.
SINGAPORE, 5 July 2023: Despite economic uncertainties, travel confidence runs high as wanderlust triumphs over the wallet, according to Booking.com’s 2023 APAC Travel Confidence Index, released Monday.
The report provides an in-depth analysis of travel mindsets across Asia-Pacific (APAC) that reveals a striking paradox: despite financial concerns ranking highest among their worries (42%), an astounding 73% of APAC travellers maintain unwavering optimism for their future travel plans over the next 12 months.
Over half (53%) of travellers surveyed have no intention of postponing their travel plans, despite the complex and interconnected crises pressuring the global economy, including inflation, climate change and supply chain disruptions. Even more impressive, 59% of travellers surveyed remain steadfast in their original travel plans and intend to increase their travel budgets for the year to finance more trips.
The TCI 2023 research, commissioned by Booking.com and conducted independently by Milieu Insight, involved a survey of over 8,000 travellers from 11 countries and territories across APAC, including Singapore, conducted between April and May 2023.
It presents an in-depth analysis of travel confidence and sustainability interest across various destinations in APAC. The report includes rankings that assess the confidence level of travellers in each market, with Singapore ranking fourth (4th).
Additionally, the report unveils four distinctive traveller personas for the first time, providing valuable insights into their prime motivations, priorities and travel behaviours:
Conscious Explorers (Hong Kong, India, China, Taiwan) actively pursue eco-friendly and sustainable travel. They are passionate about exploring while minimising environmental impact. They engage in ecotourism, stay at sustainable accommodations, and support local communities to align with their values.
Comfort Seekers (Singapore, Australia) prioritise comfort and convenience. They seek indulgent experiences and accommodations with maximum relaxation. They value personalised services and high-quality amenities and prioritise comfort over sustainability in their travel decisions.
Mindful Voyagers (Vietnam) have a deliberate and thoughtful travel approach, driven by their sense of responsibility to the environment and desire to help local communities. However, they often experience anxieties in unfamiliar environments and actively seek resources to overcome travel concerns and gain confidence.
Homebound Pragmatists (New Zealand, Korea, Japan, Thailand) prefer practical travel and staying close to home. They prioritise convenience and efficiency and optimise time and resources. They seek seamless, well-organised, efficient travel experiences, making the most of their limited time and resources.
Key Singapore findings
In the city-state of Singapore, travel serves as a much-needed escape for 60% of its residents, providing a respite from the stresses of daily life. Meanwhile, 43% of Singaporean travellers seek to immerse themselves in local culture, yearning for authentic experiences that bring them closer to the heart and soul of a destination.
When it comes to spending, Singaporean travellers have their priorities straight. A striking 32% prefer to allocate their hard-earned money towards travel experiences rather than other fleeting pleasures in life. Additionally, 27% of Singaporean travellers demonstrate an adventurous spirit, gravitating towards lesser-known and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Beyond escapism and cultural immersion, Singaporean travellers are driven by their passions. A whopping 79% of them prioritise food and dining experiences, savouring the flavours of different cuisines worldwide. They also appreciate captivating scenery, with 70% seeking breathtaking landscapes that inspire awe. Exploring famous attractions and landmarks ranks high on their travel wish list, with 64% eager to uncover the iconic wonders of the world. And let’s not forget about shopping — 60% of Singaporean travellers enjoy indulging in retail therapy during their adventures.
However, their commitment to sustainable travel decisions appears to be less prominent. Surprisingly, only 32% consider sustainability important, revealing a reduced emphasis on environmental considerations. In a world where eco-consciousness is rising, Singaporean travellers are the least likely (18%) to invest in sustainable accommodation choices, suggesting a strong inclination towards prioritising personal comfort and indulgence during their journeys.
However, they are not oblivious to the importance of managing their travel expenses effectively and exhibit resourcefulness in planning their trips. Regarding cost-cutting strategies, 57% opt for budget-friendly accommodation options, 52% plan their travels during off-peak periods to take advantage of lower prices, and 48% choose less expensive transportation.
“Despite some macroeconomic headwinds, one thing remains clear for all APAC travellers: their spirit of adventure and the desire to create lasting memories via travel remains steadfast and strong,” said Booking.com managing director Asia-Pacific Laura Houldsworth.
“Despite the profound impact of the pandemic, insights from this year’s Travel Confidence Index reassuringly prove that Asia-Pacific is well on its way to reclaiming its position as the world’s fastest-growing travel region1. As travellers worldwide continue to navigate uncertainties and the rising cost of living, Booking.com remains committed to making it easier for travellers across Asia-Pacific to search, book and enjoy their perfect vacation and better experience the world.”
For more information about Booking.com’s TCI 2023 research and to access the full report for Singapore, please visit this link.
SINGAPORE, 5 July 2023: Cathay Pacific’s low-cost airline Hong Kong Express cut its Hong Kong – Singapore service on 1 July.
The last flight (UO780) landed at Changi Airport, Singapore, 1940, on 30 June. Until then, the airline using an Airbus A320 served Singapore with six flights weekly during June, up from three weekly flights (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) scheduled through to the end of May.
Photo credit: Hong Kong Express.
The airline resumed services to Singapore on 1 February 2022 with a single weekly flight as Covid-19 travel restrictions were lifted.
The airline did not explain why it was cutting its flights to Singapore, but competition is tough on the route, one of the busiest in Asia. Singapore Airlines schedules four daily services between the two destinations. Cathay Pacific also operates four daily flights, with an additional fifth service operating twice weekly on Friday and Sunday, targeting weekend leisure travellers who take short breaks in Hong Kong or Singapore.Scoot, the low-cost airline belonging to Singapore Airlines, operates a daily service on the route to Hong Kong.
Roundtrip fares on the busy route in June averaged USD230, up from a low USD163 in March 2023.
HONG KONG, 4 July 2023: The Ritz-Carlton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 31 brands, announces the opening of The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu in Southern Japan.
High above Fukuoka, the luxury hotel resides on the upper floors of the 111-metre main tower of Fukuoka Daimyo Garden City, the tallest urban lifestyle complex in the city’s core commercial district.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the expansion of The Ritz-Carlton with the opening of the brand’s seventh hotel in Japan,” said Marriott International president of luxury brands Tina Edmundson. “Since we first debuted The Ritz-Carlton in Japan in 1997, the brand has been consistently recognised for its legendary luxury and service, beloved by locals and visitors to Japan alike.”
Fukuoka was once a key waypoint of Silk Road trade routes, and today the city remains a major gateway between Japan and the rest of Asia. The destination is famous for its annual festivals, such as the 800-year-old Hakata Gion Yamakasa summer festival, designated by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. Other attractions include its beautiful beaches, natural parks, and historical places like the 12th-century Shofukuji temple and the Fukuoka Castle ruins.
The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, is adjacent to Tenjin, the trendy heart of the city, a rising tech hub filled with shops, bars, cafés, and nightlife. The area is 15 minutes by car or public transportation to Hakata Station, Hakata Port or Fukuoka Airport, which links the city to Tokyo.
The property occupies the nine topmost floors in a 25-story glass tower designed by Kume Sekkei of Tokyo. On the 19th to 23rd floors, the hotel features 167 rooms, including 20 suites. Fukuoka Skyline rooms offer city views, while Park View rooms overlook the greenery of Ohori Park.
The Ritz-Carlton Club is located on the tower’s top floor (24th). Guests in club and suite categories can enjoy five daily culinary presentations, including breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, hors d’oeuvres, and cordials. The hotel also has four restaurants and two bars that reflect the vibrant food culture of Fukuoka.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa is on the 24th floor and features an indoor swimming pool overlooking the bay and a gymnasium.
SHANGHAI, 4 July 2023: Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, presented its expanding portfolio of Dusit Hotels and Resorts in China and beyond as part of a two-city ‘China Roadshow’ in Beijing and Shanghai.
The event was held from 27 to 30 June and reached out to leading trade and media partners.
Led by Mr Nichlas Maratos, VP – Commercial, Dusit International (front centre), Dusit’s delegation included sales executives from Dusit Hotels and Resorts in China, the Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, and Vietnam, as well as Global Sales Office leaders representing Dusit’s broader portfolio.
Led by Dusit International’s vice president of commercial, Nichlas Maratos, the delegation included sales executives from Dusit Hotels and Resorts in China, the Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the UAE, and Vietnam, as well as global sales office leaders representing Dusit’s broader portfolio. They made a presentation that explained Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and its commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for Chinese travellers at each of its properties.
This included delivering insights into the four pillars of Dusit; Graciousness – Service (personalised and gracious), Locality (uniquely linking guests with the local community), Well-being (delivering wellness experiences beyond the spa), and Sustainability (social, economic, and environmental) – and how each property embraces these to deliver unique Thai-inspired offerings that appeal to the discerning tastes of Chinese travellers.
Among these offerings: Devarana Wellness, a group-wide wellness concept designed to address guests’ most shared concerns – including destressing, detoxifying, and enjoying a deep restorative sleep – and outstanding dining experiences featuring authentic local specialties made using the finest local ingredients.
The team also introduced its exciting roster of new and upcoming properties in key destinations worldwide. This included properties that opened during the past two years, such as ASAI Bangkok Chinatown (the first hotel under Dusit’s vibrant lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels, which puts guests in the heart of Bangkok’s renowned Chinatown district), Dusit Hotel and Suites Doha (Dusit’s third hotel in Qatar) and Dusit Thani Tianmu Mountain Hangzhou (a luxury wellness-focused resort featuring a deluxe spa experience).
The spotlight shone on property openings within the first half of 2023, including Dusit Suites Athens (Dusit’s first hotel in Europe), Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi (a unique hybrid property in the Kenyan capital’s cosmopolitan Westlands neighbourhood), ASAI Kyoto Shijo (Dusit’s first hotel in Japan), ASAI Bangkok Sathorn (Dusit’s second ASAI-branded hotel, near Bangkok’s central business district), and dusitD2 Samyan Bangkok (the first dusitD2-branded hotel in the city).
The upcoming wellness-focused Dusit Thani Mogan Mountain, Huzhou – slated to soft open in July – was also unveiled, as were Dusit’s first properties in Nepal, Dusit Thani Himalayan Resort Dhulikhel and Dusit Princess Kathmandu (both soft opening in July); Dusit’s second hotel in Japan, Dusit Thani Kyoto (opening this September); Dusit’s return to India with the opening of Dusit Princess Serviced Suites Kolkata and dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla (both in Q4); and its expansion in the South of Thailand with Dusit Princess Phatthalung (Q4).
Dusit’s team also revealed that two more wellness-oriented properties will soon open in China, including Dusit Devarana Hangzhou and Dusit Princess Suites Hotel Ganzhou (both in Q4).
All these openings will see Dusit’s global portfolio grow to 62 hotels (approximately 13,700 keys) operating across 17 countries worldwide. More than 60 properties are in the pipeline and expected to open within the next three-to-four years.
La-ead Kovavisaruch (centre), Chief Executive Officer, Vimarn Suriya Company Limited, developer of the Dusit Central Park project, was also on hand with her team to share more details about this significant development.
Regarding the future of Dusit Hotels and Resorts, roadshow attendees also learned more about Dusit’s most significant project to date – the brand-new flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel, which is scheduled to open in mid-2024 as part of Dusit Central Park, a landmark USD1.37 billion mixed-use development in the heart of Bangkok that will also comprise a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end shopping mall, a large roof park, and ultra-luxury residences (Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside). Representatives from the residences were on hand to share insights into why this prime address is the ultimate home-away-from-home for discerning Chinese investors.
Reflecting China’s importance as a key source market for Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide, especially in the Middle East, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, Dusit’s team also highlighted the company’s commitment to continuing to add services, experiences, and activities that enhance the stays of Chinese travellers – and its vision to open more new properties throughout China.
“With 10 Dusit Hotels and Resorts already in operation in China, and with Chinese travellers among the top source markets for our properties worldwide, China holds great importance for our business, and we remain committed to sustainably expanding our presence in the country and enhancing our services for Chinese guests around the world,” said Mr Maratos. “This roadshow is a testament to our dedication to nurturing lasting relationships with our partners and guests, and we are delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to forge new alliances, celebrate achievements, and chart a course for further growth and success within China’s vibrant and dynamic hospitality market.”
Represented in China by Dusit Fudu Hotels and Resorts, Dusit has Global Sales Offices in Shanghai and Beijing. Dusit Hotels and Resorts currently in operation in China include Dusit Thani Dongtai; Dusit Devarana Hot Springs & Spa Conghua Guangzhou; Dusit Thani Wujin, Changzhou; Dusit Thani Qingfeng Garden, Changzhou; dusitD2 Binhu, Changzhou; Dusit Thani Sandalwoods Resort Shuangyue Bay, Huizhou; Dusit Thani Tianmu Mountain, Hangzhou; Dusit Thani Wellness Resort Suzhou; Heritage Villas Zhouzhuang, Managed by Dusit; and Dusit Thani Wetland Park Resort Nanjing.
Dusit International, or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT), is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.
The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under eight brands (Dusit Devarana, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 17 countries worldwide.
