KUALA LUMPUR, 9 March 2023: Ice Holidays (also known as Golden Destinations [GD]), Apple Vacations, and Andalusia Travel confirm their strong support and participation in the MATTA Fair due to take place from 17 to 19 March 2023 at the 52nd Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.
Golden Destinations has booked 86 booths at the MATTA Fair located at International Hall (Level 3). Apple Vacations has 52 booths booked, and Andalusia Travel has 26. Both are located in the International and Umrah Hall (Level 2).
From left to right: Mita Lim, Managing Director of Golden Destination; Rocky Kho, MATTA Fair Organising Chairman; Mohammad Faeez Mohamad Fadhlillah, MATTA Fair Organising Committee; Hajah Ida Riswana binti Idris, Director of Andalusia Travel & Tour; Dato’ Sri Kohsan, Managing Director of Apple Vacations
Golden Destinations and Apple Vacations offer visitors a selection of overseas vacation packages featuring deals and holiday packages for travel consumers visiting the fair. Since the epidemic lockdown, the demand for Umrah has increased significantly. Andalusia Travel is a single platform offering travel bargains for Muslim pilgrims preparing to perform Umrah.
Golden Destinations work closely with tourism boards such as Dubai, Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan (Fukuoka). It also collaborates with Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Singapore Airlines, Scoot Airways and MY Airline ticketing booths.
Customers will receive GD Points when signing up for GD travel packages, which can be redeemed for various travel essentials, including GD Premium Luggage, GD Trolley Luggage, Hand Carry Bag, Travel Adapters, Umbrellas, Massage Pump, Water Bottle & Luggage Weighing Scale and many more.
Apple Vacations’ classic and emerging packages to Europe and western countries are expected to be popular. The company will present “Sensational South America”, “Alaska Cruise and the Canadian Rockies” holiday packages.
With the rapid development of the Muslim Tourism market and the Umrah pilgrimage, Andalusia Travel & Tours is upgrading its efforts to enhance the Muslim tourism industry further.
Admission to MATTA Fair is free. The fair is open from 1000 to 2100 for three days, Friday to Sunday, 17 to 19 March. Website www.matta.org.my
BERLIN, 9 March 2023: Khiri Travel, a major destination management company in Southeast Asia, says it is time to return to Myanmar after a pause following the military coup that swept aside the democratically elected government on 1 February 2021.
According to an announcement posted on its website and timed to coincide with the opening of ITB Berlin on 7 March, Khiri Travel says it “retained staff there throughout the Covid tourism shutdown and despite the military coup.”
The company’s founder, Willem Niemeijer, opened the office in Yangon in 2011 and established what is flagged as a “sustainable” Myanmar DMC that “believes travel is a force for good.”
For 2023, Khiri Travel says it is once again offering package tours to Myanmar, and it is not alone. A check of popular DMC websites such as Asian Trails, Exo Travel and Discova shows they, too, have Myanmar tours on offer. Few, if any, bookings have materialised since the military coup in 2021. Diethelm Travel flags Myanmar tour opportunities as “TBA” on its website. Destination Asia removed Myanmar from its drop-down list of countries featured on its website in mid-April 2021 with no further updates. It concentrates on selling tours to four Mekong region countries Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
Khiri Travel’s announcement presents the familiar justification for doing business in Myanmar post-military coup.
“We recognise the undesirable humanitarian and political situation in Myanmar. However, we believe Khiri Travel can and should be able to organise trips into Myanmar, as it will help bring at least a small degree of income and hope to local people. Arranging any trip to Myanmar does not imply tacit approval of the ruling regime.”
According to the announcement, Khiri Travel will limit the number of Myanmar destinations on its books to the classic old favourites – Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Inle Lake, Ngapali Beach and Wa Ale in the Mergui Archipelago.
It lays down the ground rules.
It will only offer trips to the ‘core’ tourist destinations mentioned above for safety reasons.
Khiri and its overseas partners will familiarise guests with their governments’ latest travel advisories.
Guests must buy adequate travel insurance.
Wrapping up its announcement Khiri pledges “only to run trips that, to the greatest extent possible, help local small and medium-sized businesses and independent guides in Myanmar.” Critics will point out that it is almost impossible to ensure tourist dollars will not feather the military junta’s nest. The military’s tentacles extend to every facet of tourism earnings, from airlines and hotels to travel companies, ports and airports services and the vast and lucrative gems and casino ventures.
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar’s political, economic, and humanitarian crisis has escalated, with reports indicating nearly 3,000 citizens were killed, about 17,000 detained, and more than 1.5 million displaced.
BANGKOK: To mark International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March 2023, Asia’s largest international hotel operator, Accor, grasped the opportunity to reiterate its commitment to ensuring gender equality, wage parity and protecting women’s rights.
But the challenges of gender inequality in the workplace impact all sectors of the tourism industry in the region, large and small, not just the high flyers; airlines and global hotel corporations.
Suvimol (Dee) Thanasarakij.
International Women’s Day has been celebrated for over a century, but more than ever, the quest for gender equality and eradicating sexism in the workplace remains the ultimate goal.
How does it impact Asia’s tourism industry? It certainly involves every industry sector and impacts the aspirations and dreams of millions of women who strive to succeed and become CEOs and industry leaders on merit alone.
We asked the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office executive director Suvimol (Dee) Thanasarakij, to share her views on the challenges the tourism industry faces to end gender discrimination in the workplace.
(Q) What would be the direction to take to ensure gender discrimination ends in tourism?
(A) “The main role of women by nature is being a wife, a mother and often a “household manager”. Some organisations are reluctant to hire pregnant women or women with young children. They feel these people tend to be distracted by the baby/children and cannot perform at their highest capacity. Pregnant women have a lower chance of getting a job offer. During pregnancy, companies believe they will have to deal with a maternity leave request. It could also lead to the position becoming vacant again.
There is a need to ensure women with young children and pregnant women are not disadvantaged when applying for jobs. This negative mindset has to be fixed. The value of women should be recognised. Changing this perspective requires much work and cooperation among the public and private sectors and the community to set the right policy to achieve gender equality.
(Q) Have you encountered gender inequality during your spell at MTCO, and how would you advise women aspiring to head tourism-related businesses, associations or NGOs?
At MTCO, the GMS member countries ensure equal and fair treatment for both men and women. However, I know that there is a gender inequality issue almost everywhere. Although women represent more than half of the workforce in the tourism sector, only 20% hold management positions. And only 8% hold high positions with high responsibilities. These figures clearly show that the role of women in the tourism sector is underrated, and women are not given equal opportunities and access to career growth compared to men.
Women in tourism are seen as providing a supporting role rather than a leading role. Part of the reason is that women must prioritise their families. That’s why we often see women doing seasonal or informal jobs to allocate more time for families. As a wife and a mother, I deeply understand and sympathise with them. I faced these challenges and struggled to overcome them for several years. I am one of many women having a career dream to pursue while having a strong determination to be a good mother and wife. It’s tough.
My advice (especially if you are a wife and a mom) is: Do the job you love that allows you to have a work-life balance, allowing you to work from home or work hybrid. This would allow you to work flexible hours while spending quality time with the family. If you have a work-life balance, you can remain working for long enough to grow in your career and expand your network. Above all, the family remains our top priority.
(Q) Are there examples of discrimination in tourism that cause you great concern?
(A) I am concerned about sexual harassment in the hospitality and travel industry. Workers in bars, restaurants, clubs and hotels experience sexual harassment so often that it becomes common.
Some people don’t treat staff in bars, clubs and hotels professionally and respectfully. I urge authorities to strengthen the law around sexual harassment and reinstate an employer’s duty to protect staff from abusive clients.
Sexual harassment also occurs on other occasions during working hours, such as at social functions where people mingle and gather. I would urge each individual to treat one another professionally. Particularly in Asian culture, being cautious about physical contact is essential.
Other inequalities are unequal benefits and salaries for men and women. Women are often given lower pay than men, although they are in the same position and responsibilities. In many countries in Asia, maternity leave is short.
(Q) Do you have specific comments on discrimination in Asia’s tourism workplace?
(A) Asian women are brought up to be polite, not to voice their thoughts and keep quiet. Although I am proud to be Asian, unfortunately, Asian women are often seen as unfit for leadership roles compared to men and women from western countries.
It is one of the challenges for Asian women who pursue leadership roles. However, I have seen positive progress over the years, as several Asian women have succeeded and are outgoing and outspoken. The gap between Western and Asian women has become narrower, but the inequality between men and women still exists.
Achieving gender equality needs a lot of work from all sectors, not just in the tourism sector. It requires genuine determination to make it happen and walk the talk.
KOTA KINABALU, 9 March 2023: Sabah’s homegrown Cars and Urban Lifestyle Trends (CULT) event is coming back; this time, it is expected to draw an even larger crowd.
CULT event director Azlin Awang Chee said this year’s car show would be held from 10 to 12 November and should attract 30,000 visitors and car enthusiasts.
Joniston Bangkuai with CULT event director Azlin Awang Chee (right), promotion director John Kong (2nd left), and STB MICE manager Normegawati Baiduri Sapian (left).
The Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), where the first show was held last year displaying 600 custom vehicles, will again serve as the exhibition’s venue.
Azlin, alongside CULT promotion director John Kong, paid a courtesy call to Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai on Thursday to brief him on the second edition of CULT Carshow.
“The SICC’s enthusiastic backing is also a huge boost for our event, which attracted over 20,000 crowds last year. This time, we plan to bring in a greater selection of rare and unique vehicles from abroad and across the country,” said Azlin, adding they have received confirmed participation from Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia.
He continued by saying that CULT was determined to provide a memorable experience for locals and visitors by organising various side activities and entertainment celebrating the thrill of automotive culture.
While praising the initiative’s success, he said Sabah ought to host more signature events just like CULT, which can draw international participants.
“Big car shows can attract many car enthusiasts and collectors from all over the world. This can create a buzz and generate interest in Sabah, drawing in visitors who may not have considered Sabah as a tourist destination before,” said the state Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment.
“I believe the event can help to create a sense of community and bring people together while also highlighting the unique attractions and offerings of Sabah as a tourism destination,” said Joniston, adding STB supports events that benefit the state and have economic spillover.
BERLIN, 8 March 2023: There could not be a better travel marketplace platform than the ITB Berlin 2023 (Internationale Tourismus-Borse Berlin) for Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to launch Sabah’s new destination rebranding – ‘Feel Sabah, North Borneo’.
‘Feel Sabah’ promotion was developed by STB, while the idea of incorporating ‘North Borneo’ was mooted by Minister Datuk Christina Liew, who led a 10-member delegation to this global event.
STB is under the purview of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment.
Launching this rebranding exercise at the world’s largest tourism trade fair at the Messe Berlin in Germany on Tuesday, Minister Datuk Christina Liew said it was most apt to adopt this promotional theme for sentimental and historical reasons.
She stressed that we want the international community to know that Sabah is located in the northern part of Borneo Island in the hope of fascinating and wooing more European tourists.
“The name ‘North Borneo’ (now Sabah) sounds exotic and evokes nostalgic feelings of yearning for this destination. It is also of historical significance as the state was then known as ‘North Borneo’ before gaining our Independence in 1963.
“People in many parts of the world haven’t heard about Sabah, despite decades of promoting this Land Below The Wind to the outside world, let alone know about our diverse natural attractions and iconic wildlife.
“However, we know that the mention of Borneo or North Borneo, it rings a bell. Europeans, in particular, associate Sabah with Borneo. Hence, we are determined to rebrand this tourist destination with ‘Feel Sabah, North Borneo’ to create a new identity in the travel marketplace,” Liew said after the launch.
She added that Sabah is home to spectacular natural wonders such as Mount Kinabalu, Maliau Basin and Tip of Borneo.
The delegation comprised Assistant Minister cum STB Chairman Datuk JonistonBangkuai, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk MohdYusrie Abdullah, STB Chief Executive Officer Noredah Othman, and ministry and STB officials.
With the recent resumption of direct international flights, cruise tourism and optimism about mounting regular or chartered flights from new destinations, Liew said Sabah targets 2.2 million arrivals for 2023 and will work towards attaining 2.5 million arrivals. “If we hit the 2.5 million mark, this would indicate an increase by 45.35pc compared with 1.72 million arrivals in 2022.”
According to her, Sabah’s top feeder markets in the past (based on 2019 data) had represented a good mix of Taiwan, China, Brunei, Singapore and South Korea. “For Europe specifically, our top inbound tourism markets are Germany, France, Netherlands and Italy.”
The Minister added that plans are afoot to explore prospects of luring tourists from new tourism markets in America, Australia, Japan and India via tourism roadshows by STB.
Borneo Eco Tours, Borneo Nature Tours, Borneo Trails, Rustic Borneo, Sepilok Tropical Wildlife Adventure and Tabin Wildlife Reserve from Sabah are participating in ITB Berlin 2023, rated as the world’s leading travel trade show.
BANGKOK, 8 March 2023: Emirates brings back its four-day Travel Fair 2023, 9 to 12 March, at Fashion Hall, Siam Paragon, Bangkok.
Travellers can access discounted fares and daily giveaways during the event open to the public from 1000 to 2100. The fair features deals in both economy and business class to numerous destinations across Emirates’ global network, including Hong Kong, London, Zurich, Sydney, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, Vienna, Los Angeles and New York.
In addition, visitors will get to immerse in the full Emirates experience, with a dedicated lounge zone staffed by a team of Emirates international cabin crew and a friendly mascot.
Emirates connects over 140 destinations in 77 countries and territories. It operates 28 weekly flights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport and 14 from Phuket to Dubai International Airport. From Bangkok, the airline also offers daily service to Hong Kong. With the choice of flight timings offered, passengers can easily choose timings that suit their travel needs and enjoy the ability to connect to other flights with the minimum waiting time.
SINGAPORE, 8 March 2023: Bespoke luxury travel designer Intriq Journey names Chang Theng Hwee as chairperson to leverage three decades of industry experience and drive product innovation.
The former CEO of Scott Dunn Asia and founder of the homegrown brand, Country Holidays, has left an indelible footprint on the tourism landscape as one of the forerunners of bespoke travel.
Commenting on his new role, Theng Hwee said: “I’m honoured to join the formidable team at Intriq Journey, co-founded by Jess Yap, Lim Kok Yong and Stella Fan. Aside from my close working relationship with them since our time in Country Holidays over 20 years ago, across our network in Singapore, Hong Kong and China, we can look forward to reimagining travel for a new breed of modern explorers who search for immersive luxury holidays.”
In 1994, he founded Country Holidays, which provided intrepid explorers with off-the-beaten-path hiking adventures in Nepal. It became one of Asia Pacific’s leading travel companies. Country Holidays expanded with offices in Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Dubai. Following the firm’s acquisition in 2018, Theng Hwee oversaw operations in Scott Dunn Asia’s offices before taking a sabbatical in 2019.
Having witnessed the rebound of tourism and how it has renewed interest and demand for luxury travel, Theng Hwee returns to Singapore’s outbound luxury tourism market.
NEW DELHI, 8 March 2023: Vistara, a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, has announced its annual Points Transfer Fest for members of its frequent flyer programme – Club Vistara (CV).
The fest is open until 31 March enabling Club Vistara members to earn 30% bonus CV Points, up to 150,000 CV points (per transaction per eligible Points Transfer Partner), on a minimum transfer of 2,000 CV Points. Members who transfer their bank/hotel reward points from the eligible Points Transfer Partners to CV Points will be eligible for the bonus points.
The Points Transfer Fest 2023 rewards Vistara’s loyal customers who have supported the airline’s growth over its eight-year-long journey.
To put the scope of the points transfer fest in perspective, with 150,000 CV Points, a member can get nine one-way Delhi-Dubai Economy Class tickets or five one-way Delhi-London Economy Class tickets.
Additionally, if the Club Vistara members transfer reward points from two or more eligible bank partners, the transfer of reward points to CV points under this offer will be reflected separately for each transaction in the member’s account. The top 10 members with the highest CV Points transferred until 31 March 2023 will get a Vistara Purple Ticket worth INR 10,000 each, valid for six months, and one weekly raffle draw winner will get a Vistara Purple Ticket worth INR 1,000.
Club Vistara’s 10 eligible Points Transfer Partners include American Express Membership Rewards®, Axis eDGE Rewards, Club ITC Green Points Program, HDFC Rewards Program, HSBC Rewards Program, IndusInd Bank Rewards Program, Standard Chartered UAE 360° Rewards Program, YES BANK Credit Card Rewards, FAB Miles Program and AU Bank Rewardz. T&Cs Apply.
Club Vistara offers four tiers of membership – CV Base, CV Silver, CV Gold, and CV Platinum. Club Vistara members can also earn and redeem CV Points when travelling on partner airlines such as Air Canada, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines and Lufthansa.
HANOI, 8 March 2023: Van Don’s Ao Tien Cruise Terminal, a passenger port serving tourist ferries visiting the islands and attractions in Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay, officially opened on 1 March 2023.
The cruise terminal covers an area of nearly 30 hectares, built at the cost of VND610 billion and financed by Mai Quyen Tourism Company Limited.
The passenger terminal has a usable area of 8,000m2, designed to serve a maximum of 2,600,000 passengers annually from now until 2025. The terminal will be expanded in 2025 to accommodate up to 3,200,000 passengers annually, looking forward to 2030.
The wharf comprises five berths, which are 20m wide and 150m long to accommodate vessels up to 300 seats and three smaller berths for yachts. There is anchorage for up to 150 tourist boats that offer Halong Bay overnight and day cruises.
PRAGUE, 8 March 2023: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents of the Czech Republic (ACCKA) in Prague to strengthen business cooperation between Malaysian and Czech Republic tourism industry players.
The MOU was signed by MATTA president Datuk Tan Kok Liang and ACCKA president Roman Skrabanek. It was witnessed by the Malaysian Charge d’ Affaires to the Czech Republic, Puan Farashima Aini Mohd Ali. The objective is to establish Malaysia as a prominent travel destination for Czech tourists.
“The core narrative of this MOU will result in more collaboration between tourism entrepreneurs between both countries whilst increasing awareness of Malaysia as an ideal travel destination globally,” said Farashima.
“The tremendous potential of the Czech Republic’s outbound market to Malaysia is the result of the country’s fast-expanding economy. The number of Czech tourists visiting Malaysia has increased over the past several years. MATTA is looking into every opportunity to expand into new, high-growth potential markets,” said Tan Kok Liang.
“More than 60% of Czech residents travel abroad annually, accounting for 5.1 million vacations (minimum stay of four nights) in 2019. There has been a huge increase in luxury and long-haul outbound travel. During the winter (October to March), most Czech travellers prefer the beach and sunny destinations. In addition to shopping, sightseeing, scuba diving, and soft adventure, they are captivated by culture, tradition and cuisine. This MOU is a logical, mutually advantageous next step for both of our associations,” said Roman Skrabanek.
Both associations have committed to working together to boost tourism to and from both countries in expanding connections between Malaysian and Czech tourism entrepreneurs through the development of synergistic business strategies, communication and the exchange of information, organising meetings between association members, as well as assisting and participating in exhibitions, international trade fairs.
“I applaud this milestone achievement between both organisations, and the Malaysian Embassy here in the Czech Republic will proudly support this initiative,” concluded Farashima.
