BANGKOK, 19 September 2022: Nok Airlines confirms it is restructuring debt and adopting measures to resolve its financial crisis as the Stock Exchange of Thailand warns it could face delisting.
In its latest statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the airline’s board outlined measures it is undertaking as part of its rehabilitation supervised by the Central Bankruptcy Court. The company confirmed it is increasing its capital as part of a rehabilitation plan that will enable it to resume business efficiently while cutting debt.
It presented the plan’s key points that call for the rationalisation of its fleet to allow it to resume some international routes while gaining more revenue and reducing operating costs.
It intends to renegotiate aircraft lease agreements to reduce aircraft rental maintenance contractors.
The restructuring of debt with creditors and repayment schedules in compliance with the court-approved rehabilitation plan are identified as priorities. But it confidently outlined plans to launch new promotions and services to improve revenue reaching out to passengers with special deals while increasing cargo revenue as international services reopen.
It hopes to increase revenue from cargo operations, which have improved due to international routes opening.
In the statement signed by the airline’s CEO, Wutthiphum Jurangkool said the present positive trend that continues to deliver travel recovery globally gives the airline confidence that it “can return to normal business operations with improved performance.”
SINGAPORE, 19 September 2022: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will establish a direct air link between Amsterdam and Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark.
It will become the fourth Danish city to be served by KLM directly from Amsterdam, the other three being Copenhagen, Aalborg and Billund.
“We can see a strong increase in demand for travel out of Denmark. Danes both search for and book trips far more than before the pandemic…Denmark is an important market for Northern Europe, and therefore, we are happy to be able to add Aarhus to our route network,” said Air France KLM Denmark sale director Anita Wagner Feddersen.
Aarhus, the second-largest city in Denmark, is located on the eastern shore of Jutland in the Kattegat sea. KLM will fly to Aarhus Airport, located 40 km northeast of the city
For the inhabitants of the Aarhus area, it will open up travel to popular destinations in Southern Europe and further afield.
“It is very promising for a future collaboration that KLM chooses to prioritise Aarhus, and it emphasises that KLM has seen the travel potential that is present around Aarhus”, said Aarhus Airport CEO Brian Worm.
KLM has recognised the interest in the Scandinavian and Finnish markets from elsewhere, opening several winter season routes to destinations such as Kittilä, Rovaniemi and Tromsö.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2022: Travel Agent licences will be issued electronically via the Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST) starting today, the Singapore Tourism Board announced Thursday.
It’s part of the STB’s digital transition to speed up the issue of travel agency licences. It will cut estimated waiting times for licence applications and renewals in half, STB claimed. Travel agents can also access their licences online via the TRUST portal. Once the electronic issuance has been completed, they can download and print the licence for display purposes.
The licence has also been redesigned to include features such as a QR code for the public to verify the authenticity of a licence immediately and display the licence validity period more prominently.
Travel agency licences issued before 15 September 2022 remain valid until the end of the licence period, 31 December 2023 or earlier. STB cautioned that the transition to the electronic licence only involves changes to licence design and its mode of delivery. Travel agents are still required to adhere to regulations on licence display.
For more information, please visit the TRUST portal.
KOTA KINABALU, 16 September 2022: Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will jointly organise the 6th World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2022 from 28 to 30 November 2022 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.
Themed “Tourism Futures Reimagined”, the conference will deliver an interdisciplinary platform that champions thought leadership on tourism futures and strategies driving tourism’s recovery and resilience in a post-pandemic world.
WTC 2022 will feature a line-up of world-renowned speakers for the following four sessions:
Session 1: Decoding Tourism Futures – Foresight and Scenarios;
Session 2: Discovering Niche Opportunities for Growth;
Session 4: Rebuilding Tourism Resilience and Readiness.
WTC 2022 is an inspiring addition to Malaysia’s 2022 Calendar of Events with a full return to in-person participation, in line with Malaysia’s reopening of international borders on 1 April 2022.
The conference will be hosted at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in the state capital of Kota Kinabalu.
Conference Agenda
Day 1 – 28 November, 09:00–10:00
Opening Ceremony
Session 1: Decoding tourism futures – Foresight and Scenarios.
Session 2: Discovering niche opportunities for growth.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2022: In a bid to revive travel bookings fast, Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s travel and lifestyle platform, launches a collection of travel bargains
Tagged visit GOverseas the travel deals bundle international flight and hotel deals to Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, USA, and the Maldives.
In addition to the fare and hotel bargains, bookers can tap an additional SGD150 in hotel and flight coupons available on the GOverseas page. Traveloka users can also grab deals for flights, hotels and tour experiences during the weekly GOverseas Travel Flash Sale from Monday to Wednesday. For example, a four-day, three-night Bali tropical getaway holiday has a starting price of SGD$287. A seven-day, six-night package to Sydney sells for SGD$1497.
“International travel has increased due to pent-up demand during the pandemic and in response to remote working and digital nomadism. As a travel and lifestyle platform, we understand travellers’ concerns and focus on providing the best value and reliability with our products and services. Traveloka will continue to work with our partners and other industry players to ensure we meet the evolving needs of consumers in a post-pandemic world for reliable flight and hotel booking services,” said Traveloka VP international accommodation Pascal Gekko.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2022: NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organisation and convention and visitors bureau for the five boroughs of New York City, names BRANDSTORY as its representative in Southeast Asia.
Led by General Manager Reene Ho-Phang, the tourism marketing agency will be responsible for travel trade, marketing and public relations efforts in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand.
This news comes as New York City is expected to recover 85% of its record 2019 visit levels this year.
“As New York City’s tourism recovery continues and we look to triple international visits by year’s end, we are pleased to resume our activities in Southeast Asia hand-in-hand with BRANDSTORY,” said NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon. “We look forward to working with Reene and her team, tapping into their expertise working with destinations across the United States and beyond, to reestablish NYC’s position as a leading travel destination in the SEA market.”
BRANDSTORY founder and managing director Reene Ho-Phang added: “It is a city where dreams are made, so you can imagine how thrilled and honoured we are… And being the first US destination to return to Southeast Asia, it’s time for New York City” in reference to the city’s largest tourism marketing campaign in history as it leads the way in recovery.
The top US city for international travel, New York City is expected to welcome 56.7 million visitors in 2022–recovering 85% of record 2019 levels–including 8.3 million international visitors.
NYC & Company will be supported by BRANDSTORY team members across the SEA region, drawing on the agency’s 20 years of experience, representing destination clients including Brand USA, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Brisbane, Iceland, Jerusalem, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and more.
Singapore Airlines operates daily nonstop service between Singapore and NYC –the longest flights in the world – and Philippine Airlines operates four weekly nonstop flights from Manila to NYC. In 2019, the city welcomed 229,000 visitors from Southeast Asia.
NYC destination highlights include 12,000 new hotel rooms coming online over the next three years with new properties including the recently-opened Aman New York and NYC’s second Ritz-Carlton; more than 20 new Broadway shows; recently-opened attractions including the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and City Climb observatory experiences and the free public park, Little Island; and developments and openings across infrastructure and transportation, with upgrades at the region’s three major airports, the new Moynihan Train Hall and the recently-expanded Javits Center.
Other highlights include arts and culture openings such as the brand-new Museum of Broadway, The Louis Armstrong Center and the American Museum of Natural History’s Gilder Center debuting soon, with The American LGBTQ+ Museum and the Universal Hip Hop Museum also upcoming; performing arts venues including Lincoln Centre’s reimagined David Geffen Hall debuting this autumn and the iconic Apollo Theatre expansion next year.
Travellers can expect culinary highlights from new fine dining establishments to distinctive food halls across the five boroughs.
In the retail space, look out for the renovated Tiffany & Co. Flagship on Fifth Avenue and the return of Century 21; big iconic events like the US Open Tennis Championships, TCS New York City Marathon and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Last year, NYC & Company unveiled It’s Time For New York City, the city’s largest-ever global tourism marketing campaign.
NYC & Company’s new Get Local NYC effort invites visitors to explore the five boroughs like a New Yorker, with comprehensive guides to The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
BANGKOK, 16 September 2022: Celebrity Cruises sees strong bookings from the Thai market as restrictions ease and consumers adapt and review their travel purchases in the post-pandemic era.
Celebrity Cruises executives heading sales in the Asia Pacific are monitoring a solid uptick in cruise bookings in the Thai market, especially non-group bookings.
Celebrity Cruises director of sales & marketing – Asia, Adrian Au, led a recent sales mission to meet with Thai travel agencies in Bangkok to exchange ideas and listen to feedback. The sales team introduced booking tools to enable travel agents to sell cruises on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond.
In addition, Au announced the brand will be welcoming another new ship Celebrity Ascent, which will join the fleet in late 2023. The team also announced their plans for repositioning itineraries aboard Celebrity Edge and introducing new Asian itineraries that make Celebrity more appealing to the Thai and Southeast Asia markets.
Adrian Au.
“There is an opportunity next year. Celebrity Edge will relocate from Rome to Sydney. The ship will travel from Rome to Dubai, Singapore, and finally Sydney. It is the first time Celebrity Edge will come to Asia, so it’s a good opportunity to experience the flagship without flying long-haul. Guests can experience the difference in Edge Class, such as the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform, and Infinite Veranda cabins. In Asia, they can book on Dubai and get off in Singapore or book on Singapore and get off in Sydney. The bookings are near full capacity,” he explained.
Asia itineraries coming in 2024 will see Celebrity introducing a Singapore to Bali cruise on Celebrity Millennium. The cruise departs Singapore and goes up to Malaysia, Phuket in Thailand, and down to Bali. Another exotic Asia itinerary on Celebrity Millennium is the Spice Route, highlighting cultural destinations in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Singapore.
“We believe that Asia will return very strongly, which is why we are investing and putting our ships in this region. These itineraries make Celebrity a lot more accessible to the market.”
Au noted the cruise line is experiencing strong bookings from the Thai market.
“Europe and Alaska cruises have been popular among Thai travellers, but we also see that Thai travellers are not just going to the usual destinations. They are trying something more exotic such as South America, where our Celebrity Flora, designed with environmentally friendly technology, brings guests to experience unique destinations such as Galapagos and Machu Picchu in the all-inclusive package.”
However, Au pointed to the Gen X population in Thailand, who are looking for new experiences.
“We have seen that bookings from the FIT are very strong, while incentive groups are coming back, so we are also seeing strong inquiries from the sector.”
But the main factor that helps to support the cruise traveller market from Thailand is the ease of travel restrictions.
“Right now, there are a lot of external factors that are coming to play. For example, a long-wait and difficult visa process, limited flight capacity and expensive air tickets can sometimes be more expensive than the cruise trip itself. We see that people want to travel, but they encounter bottlenecks.”
To avoid these problems, he says travellers should book early. “We have to educate the market that if you want to go on a cruise, you better book early. If you book ahead, you can get your visa sorted out. You can book your flights in advance for much more reasonable prices.”
As for the role of travel agencies: “We are here to listen to their feedback, what the trade wants and needs, and we will do what we can to accommodate and help the trade.”
He added, “We find that trade recovery is significant. We understand that the travel industry has been through a very challenging time, and we are here to help the trade get back on its feet.”
UAL and Emirates announcement at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, VA
September 14, 2022. Credit: Chris Kleponis
DUBAI, 16 September 2022: Emirates and United have announced a historic commercial agreement that will enhance each airline’s network and give their customers easier access to hundreds of new destinations* worldwide.
From November, Emirates customers flying into Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston – three of the biggest business hubs in the US – will be able to easily connect to United flights to and from nearly 200 cities across the Americas on a single ticket.
At the eight other US airports served by Emirates – Boston, Dallas, LA, Miami, JFK, Orlando, Seattle and Washington DC – both airlines will have an interline arrangement in place.
United will launch a new direct flight between Newark and Dubai starting in March 2023 – from there, customers will be able to travel on Emirates or its sister airline flydubai to more than 100 cities. Tickets for United’s new Dubai flight are now on sale.
Emirates and United announced their agreement at a ceremonial event at Dulles International Airport, hosted by United CEO Scott Kirby and Emirates President Sir Tim Clark, featuring United and Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and flight crews from each carrier.
Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark said: “Two of the biggest and best-known airlines in the world are joining hands to fly people better to more places, when travel demand is rebounding with a vengeance. It’s a significant partnership that will unlock tremendous consumer benefits and bring the United Arab Emirates and the United States closer.
“We welcome United’s return to Dubai next year, where our hub Dubai essentially becomes a gateway for United to reach Asia, Africa and the Middle East via the combined network of Emirates and flydubai. We look forward to developing our partnership with United for the long term.”
Customers of both airlines can soon book these connecting flights on a single ticket – making check-in and luggage transfer faster and easier. For example, travellers can visit United.com or use the United app to book a flight from New York/Newark to Karachi, Pakistan or go to Emirates.com to book a flight from Dubai to Atlanta or Honolulu.
This agreement will also give the loyalty programme members of both airlines more opportunities for more rewards: Emirates Skywards members can soon earn miles when they travel on United-operated flights, and United Mileage Plus members flying on United’s New York/Newark to Dubai flight will be able to earn and redeem miles when connecting beyond on Emirates and flydubai.
Eligible customers travelling on codeshare flights will soon enjoy access to Emirates and United lounges. More details on frequent flyer awards and lounge-sharing benefits will be communicated in the coming weeks.
Both airlines have recently announced significant investments in the customer experience. Emirates will retrofit more than 120 aircraft as part of a USD2 billion effort that includes elevated meal choices, a brand-new vegan menu, a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience, cabin interior upgrades, and sustainable choices. At United, the airline will add 500 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft to its fleet, focusing on a new signature interior that includes seat-back screens in every seat, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity throughout, and the industry’s fastest available in-flight WiFi.
* Codeshare activities and United’s new flight to Dubai are subject to government approvals.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced its latest EMBARK with NCL episode, “The Great Cruise Cookoff,” a heated culinary competition starring three NCL chefs competing to have their winning dish featured aboard the recently launched Norwegian Prima.
On the heels of a history-making debut in Reykjavik, Iceland, this next “EMBARK” episode showcases the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional cruise cuisine by presenting the ultimate face-off among talented NCL chefs. Hosted by Norwegian Prima Cruise Director Simon Akinwolere and NCL’s Senior Director of Culinary Development and Operations Christian Pratsch, viewers will get a front-row seat to this high-stakes cooking showdown as each competing chef steps up to the challenge, flexing their culinary skills and sharpening their knives to whip up three creative dishes for judging. Only one winner will be proclaimed, earning them bragging rights and the honour of having their dish savoured by thousands of NCL guests around the world.
“We have a history of delivering some of the best cuisines at sea,” said Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer. “In fact, we are investing heavily in our food and beverage experience, so what better way to get the creative juices flowing than a friendly competition amongst our talented chefs, Sommer continued, ‘The Great Cruise Cookoff’ invites viewers into the kitchen and gives them a seat at the table to witness the behind-the-scenes action. I can’t wait for our guests to see, smell and savour the winning dish!”
Corporate Executive Chef Michael Koertgen, Director of Culinary Operations Eric Bilodeau and Corporate Executive Chef Didier Lailheugue Participate in the ‘The Great Cruise Cookoff.’
In “The Great Cruise Cookoff,” Corporate Executive Chef Michael Koertgen, Director of Culinary Operations Eric Bilodeau, and Corporate Executive Chef Didier Lailheugue, are given 60 minutes to prepare three incredible dishes using three distinct ingredients. Once the time is up, the chefs will present their plates to be judged and proclaimed the winning chef of the first Great Cruise Cookoff.
Norwegian Cruise Line has a long-standing history of delivering the highest level of cuisine at sea by offering innovative dining concepts with each new ship, most recently aboard Norwegian Prima, boasting 18 dining options on board, including the debut of Palomar, a high-end Mediterranean-style restaurant, Nama, a contemporary sushi house, and the brand’s first Indulge Food Hall, featuring 11 eateries. NCL is making a significant food and beverage investment to elevate the guest experience through globally sourced quality products, increased staffing levels to provide even more exceptional service and brand-new main dining room menus, which first debuted aboard Norwegian Prima. This next episode of EMBARK with NCL further showcases NCL’s commitment to offering the best cuisine at sea by tapping its chef’s creativity with a friendly competition.
To watch the next episode of EMBARK with NCL, “The Great Cruise Cookoff,” tune in on 16 September 2022, at 8 am SGT at www.ncl.com/embark or Facebook. For more information on EMBARK with NCL or to watch the complete collection of available content, visit www.ncl.com/embark.
SINGAPORE, 15 September 2022: Lufthansa Group and Amadeus are expanding their partnership to modernise travel distribution and retailing further.
Lufthansa Group airlines’ NDC-sourced content will be available via the Amadeus NDC interfaces – Amadeus Selling Platform Connect, Amadeus Travel API and Cytric Travel & Expense.
This includes NDC offers from Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti and Eurowings Discover, including continuous pricing and a wide range of ancillary services. Beyond NDC offers, travel sellers will continue accessing Lufthansa Group airlines content through existing EDIFACT technology.
“The Lufthansa Group remains fully committed to shaping the aviation industry and modernising air travel experiences for our passengers,” said SWISS chief commercial officer and board member Tamur Goudarzi Pour.
“I am excited that with the signing of this groundbreaking distribution agreement, which also enables the introduction of two NDC models, we continue on our path to modernise airline retailing together with our long-term partner Amadeus. Together, as industry leaders, we will substantially accelerate the penetration of modern industry standards such as NDC on a global scale.”
Lufthansa Group and Amadeus are working to integrate the airlines’ NDC offer into the Amadeus Travel Platform, targeting a gradual global roll-out in Q4 2022 onwards, commencing in selected European markets, and thus enable shopping, booking, payment and servicing in a solution that is fully integrated into the Amadeus ecosystem. In the following months, the range of content and functionalities will be continuously expanded.
