SINGAPORE, 9 November 2022: Albatros Expeditions took home the Gold Award in the environment category at the inaugural Meaningful Tourism Awards 2022.
The Meaningful Tourism Awards jury named 18 winners at a Singapore presentation last month.
Photo credit: Albatros Expeditions
Meaningful Tourism Centre, in the citation, said: “We are delighted to see how many stakeholders worldwide have started to create new approaches to tourism. They neither see the customer as king nor concentrate on short-term profit, and they are not treating environmental issues as the only concern which will create a positive future for the industry.”
This was the first edition of the Meaningful Tourism Award, which will, in the future, be organised annually.
Albatros Expeditions chief commercial officer Greg Carter noted that the award “highlighted Albatros’ team commitment to sustainability in every aspect of our (cruise) operations which is a testimony to their dedication over a tough couple of years.”
Established by Prof Dr Wolfgang Georg Arlt in 2021, the Meaningful Tourism Centre is based in Hamburg, Germany, with several regional representatives offering training and workshops for private and public organisations which see the need to move forward to a meaningful tourism business model.
Albatros Expeditions operates expedition cruises in some of the remotest regions worldwide from its home base in Copenhagen, Denmark. Operating for more than 35 years, the family-owned polar expedition company will welcome its newest vessel, the Ocean Albatros, in May 2023. A sister ship of Ocean Victory, it will sail both Arctic and Antarctic expeditions
BANGKOK, 9 November 2022: Emirates has appointed Mohammed Alwahedi as its new country manager for Thailand as demand picks up for inbound and outbound international travels.
Since 1 October 2022, international travellers to Thailand no longer need to show proof of vaccination or ATK test results. In addition, a longer stay is on offer, signalling the completion of the kingdom’s full reopening to international tourism.
Mohammed, whose appointment became effective in November, will oversee Emirates’ overall business in Thailand, including operations, and commercial strategies, while driving growth and strengthening Emirates’ footprint in Thailand.
He has worked with Emirates for seven years and was Manager for Vietnam before this his latest appointment.
Commenting on his appointment, Mohammed said: “I’m both honoured and very excited to be overseeing Emirates operations in Thailand. I look forward to working with our local team of dedicated and talented staff to ensure Emirates’ growth and continued success in the market.”
Emirates offers award-winning services to customers in all classes of travel. The airline has recently taken home three awards at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2022, including World’s Best Economy Class, World’s Best Economy Class Catering, and for the 17th consecutive time, World’s Best Inflight Entertainment. The awards are a testament to Emirates’ commitment to offering the very best customer experience in the sky.
Emirates has been flying to Thailand for over 32 years and currently offers 25 weekly flights from Bangkok to Dubai and 14 weekly flights from Phuket to Dubai as a hub to other international destinations worldwide.
Customers are encouraged to check their latest government travel guidelines and ensure they meet the travel requirements of their final destination. For more information on entry requirements for international visitors and residents returning to Dubai visit: https://www.emirates.com/english/help/covid-19/dubai-travel-requirements/
BANGKOK, 8 November 2022: Thai Airways International will increase flights to twice daily on the Bangkok-Melbourne route to support tourism and trade ties between Thailand and Australia.
Starting 1 December 2022, THAI will operate twice daily Bangkok-Melbourne roundtrip flights using A350-900 aircraft.
Schedule
TG461 departs Bangkok at 0820 and arrives in Melbourne at 2120.
TG462 departs Melbourne at 0030 and arrives in Bangkok at 0540.
TG465 departs Bangkok at 1820 and arrives in Melbourne at 0720 on the following day.
TG466 departs Melbourne at 0930 and arrives in Bangkok at 1440.
THAI also operates daily flights on the Bangkok-Sydney route.
Fukuoka flights
Meanwhile, Thai Airways International increased connectivity between Thailand and Japan on 1 November by resuming daily Bangkok-Fukuoka roundtrip flights.
Schedule
TG648 departs Bangkok at 0100 and arrives in Fukuoka at 0810.
TG649 departs Fukuoka at 1400 and arrives in Bangkok at 1800.
BANGKOK, 8 November 2022: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, expands its global collection of world-class hotels with the opening of Centra by Centara Bangkok Phra Nakhon, a contemporary urban sanctuary ideal for families, leisure and business travellers, located in the heart of Bangkok’s Old Town.
The new hotel brings Centra by Centara’s signature comfort and convenience to guests seeking a refreshing experience that focuses on providing everything they need through thoughtful details and exceptional essentials.
Situated near bustling Khaosan Road as well as Chao Phraya express boat piers Phra Arthit and Maharaj, guests have easy access to Bangkok’s historic district, including lively street-food and family-run eateries, entertainment, and some of Bangkok’s most revered landmarks – the majestic Grand Palace, the famed Wat Pho Buddhist temple, National Museum and Pak Khong Talat flower market.
Centra by Centara Bangkok Phra Nakhon offers 180 stylish rooms and suites spread across two low-rise buildings, ranging from Superior, Deluxe and Premium Deluxe rooms with 21 to 38 square metres of contemporarily designed space and all the modern comforts of home. In addition, the 44 square metres Premium Suites provide even more space for families and long-stay guests.
Built around an inner courtyard, guest rooms provide a peaceful retreat from the vibrant city surroundings, while the hotel itself is designed to make guests feel at ease with a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. Guests have access to various activities and modern facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool with a beautiful terrace, a well-equipped fitness centre, and modern meeting facilities for remote work or business gatherings.
All-day dining is available in the bright and modern surroundings of Déjà Brew Lifestyle Café, where guests can start their day with an energising breakfast buffet or indulge in the bold flavours of traditional Thai cuisine, as well as a selection of international favourites after an exciting day of exploring Old Town. In-room dining is also available for guests who prefer to enjoy freshly cooked dishes from the comfort of their room.
Centra by Centara represents Centara’s upper mid-scale hotel concept, with all the essential facilities and amenities guests need. Known for providing high quality at exceptional value, single travellers, couples, families and groups enjoy warm and friendly service in a convenient city location during their stay.
Centara Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer Thirayuth Chirathivat said: “We are proud to announce the opening of our newest Centra by Centara hotel in Phra Nakhon, which becomes Centara’s fifth operating property in Bangkok. With domestic and international travellers arriving again to explore our vibrant city, we aim to provide a comfortable stay for our guests and the perfect base for discovering the sights, culture, and food in the heart of Bangkok’s historic district”.
“With a focus on comfort, convenience and our international standard service, Centra by Centara Bangkok Phra Nakhon is set to be a must-stay destination in the city’s Old Town” commended Metta Boonyaritipong, General Manager of Centra by Centara Bangkok Phra Nakhon. “We are beyond excited to welcome guests to our peaceful city haven and ensure that every detail of their experience – from our stylish rooms and delicious all-day dining to our relaxing outdoor pool and modern meeting facilities – is truly unforgettable.”
Centra by Centara Grand Bangkok Phra Nakhon has announced an exclusive opening offer with introductory rates starting at just THB1,999++ net per night with daily breakfast for two people. Up to two children stay for free, depending upon room configuration. Guests also enjoy THB599 drinks & dining complimentary daily credit at the hotel’s Déjà Brew Lifestyle Café.
DUBAI, UAE, 8 November 2022: Emirates has resumed flights to two South American destinations, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, which were previously suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Flight EK247, operated with a Boeing 777 aircraft, received warm welcomes on its journey into Brazil and Argentina last Wednesday. Rio de Janeiro’s RIOgaleão organised a traditional water cannon salute to mark the airline’s return to the Brazilian city. Passengers and crew were greeted by samba dancers who put on a lively cultural performance in the presence of the airport’s management team.
Emirates executives Salem Obaidalla, senior vice president of commercial operations, Americas; and Stephane Perard, manager for Brazil, marked the resumption of the Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires route with a symbolic ribbon-cutting before boarding the flight for Buenos Aires.
In Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza’s Ministro Pistarini International Airport, flight EK247 was met by Argentinian officials, including Alexis Raúl Guerrera, Minister of Transport; Matías Lammens, Minister of Tourism; Paola Tamburelli, Director of Civil Aviation; Sebastian Villar Guarino, General Manager Ezeiza Airport, amongst other members of the airport’s management team; Oscar Suarez, Director of International Markets, IMPROTUR and HE Saeed Abdulla Saif Joula Alqemzi, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Argentina. The welcome event in Buenos Aires was marked by a dramatic tango dance performance courtesy of the Argentina Tourism Board (INPROTUR).
With the resumption of services to Argentina, which was first launched in 2012, Emirates has restored over 90% of its pre-pandemic network, comprising over 130 destinations, including Dubai. The four weekly flights from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro with onward service to Buenos Aires will operate as EK247/EK248.
EK247 departs from Dubai four times a week at 08:05 and lands in Rio de Janeiro at 1525. After a one-hour and 45-minute stopover, the flight continues to Argentina at 1710, landing in Buenos Aires at 2040. The return flight, EK248, takes off from Ezeiza International Airport in Buenos Aires at 2220 and arrives in Rio de Janeiro at 0110 the next day, after which it departs again at 0255, flying to its hub city of Dubai with a scheduled arrival time of 2335.
Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, or via both online and offline travel agents.
In South America, Emirates also operates daily flights between São Paulo and Dubai, operated with its popular flagship A380 aircraft and featuring its signature Onboard Lounge for premium class passengers and Shower Spa in First Class.
Emirates currently serves over 130 destinations in its network, providing services to customers across the globe. The airline facilitates travel between the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific through a convenient connection in Dubai.
Passengers travelling to and from other destinations in South America, including connections between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, can take advantage of Emirates’ codeshare and interline partnerships with regional partners such as GOL, LATAM, Azul, Copa and Avianca to continue their journey seamlessly.
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2022: Oceania Cruises opened sales on 3 November for its 2024-2025 Tropics and Exotics Collection itineraries.
The new collection of 157 voyages spans seven continents and ranges from seven to 200 days. The collection’s 300 destinations include 14 new off-the-beaten-path ports of call. With 30% to 50% more time in port than premium lines, the itineraries include 451 overnight stays across 123 voyages.
70 Grand Voyages present explorations across distinct regions and multiple continents. The key element of the 2024-2025 Tropics and Exotics Collection offers voyages focused on singular destinations such as the Amazon, the coastal villages of Brazil, the Arabian Peninsula, Japan, and a circumnavigation of Australia.
For those seeking a course less travelled, there are explorations of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, the yacht harbours and tiny atolls of the South Pacific, and a traverse of the North Pacific that combines Japan’s northern prefectures with Alaska’s outposts of Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, and Whittier.
2024-2025 Tropics and Exotics Collection Highlights
More than 150 itineraries feature 123 cruises with overnight stays and 70 Grand Voyages worldwide.
Caribbean, Mexico and Panama Canal voyages explore less-travelled islands such as Bonaire, Carriacou, Dominica and Guadeloupe.
South American cruises feature the landscapes of Patagonia, trips on the Amazon River and visits to the golden coasts of Brazil and Uruguay.
Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific journeys blend marquee cities and off-the-beaten-track places such as the coast of Western Australia; Bluff, Gisborne and Timaru in New Zealand; and islands in French Polynesia and Melanesia.
Grand Voyages can link multiple distinct regions and region-specific journeys that feature South America, the South Pacific, and Southeast Asia explorations.
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2022: Air Astana will resume flights from Almaty to Beijing on 22 November, with a weekly service scheduled every Tuesday using Airbus A321LR aircraft.
The service will depart from Almaty at 0135 and arrive in Beijing at 0830, with the return flight from Beijing at 1130 and arrival in Almaty at 1445. All times are local.
The airline currently serves the China market with twice-weekly services from Almaty to Chengdu every Thursday and Friday.
All passengers travelling to Beijing are required to undergo a 10-day quarantine upon arrival in the city. In addition, all passengers from Kazakhstan, including transit passengers, must obtain a health code issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kazakhstan or the Chinese Consulate General in Almaty. It is also necessary to provide negative PCR test results 24 and 48 hours before the flight. The full list of health code requirements is available at
Air Astana first launched flights to Beijing in 2002 but suspended the service in March 2020 due to the global health pandemic.
Air Astana switched to a winter flight schedule last week, effective until 25 March 2023, with operations on 27 international and 15 domestic routes.
The winter schedule features flight increases to popular year-round destinations, including Atyrau to Istanbul (three per week), Almaty to Phuket (daily), Almaty to Delhi (double daily) and Almaty to the Maldives (five per week). Flights from Almaty to Istanbul will remain unchanged at 10 flights per week, whilst frequencies from Astana to Istanbul will be increased daily.
After a long break due to the pandemic, Air Astana resumed services between Almaty and Bangkok using the Airbus A321LR on 30 October 2022. Air Astana plans to launch twice-weekly services between Almaty and Medina (Saudi Arabia) in January 2023.
About Air Astana Group
Air Astana commenced its operations in 2002 as a joint venture between Kazakhstan’s national wealth fund, Samruk Kazyna, and BAE Systems, with respective shares of 51% and 49%. The Air Astana Group operates a fleet of 40 aircraft, comprising 32 Airbus A320/A321 family aircraft, three Boeing 767 and five Embraer E2.
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2022: Sabre Corporation, a technology provider that powers travel agency airline bookings, has signed a distribution deal with THAI Smile, the regional airline owned by Thai Airways International.
Joining Sabre’s global marketplace will allow THAI Smile to share fare and flight schedules and activate bookings through international travel agencies.
“We’re elated to be able to distribute our fares and offers through Sabre’s extensive global marketplace,” said THAI Smile Airways acting chief executive officer Thamanoon Kuprasert. “The implementation of our distribution agreement with Sabre is perfectly timed to enable us to strengthen Thailand’s position as a top tourist and business destination.”
“It is essential that all airlines, whether full service, low cost, or hybrid, have the right distribution strategy, and the right technology partner, to get their content in front of the right customer,” said Sabre vice president, regional general manager, Asia Pacific, travel solutions, airline sales Rakesh Narayanan.
SINGAPORE, 8 November 2022: Resorts World Cruises will introduce five-night and three-night cruises to Phuket in mid-November from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang).
Genting Dream will commence cruises to Phuket with the option to embark from Singapore for the five-night Kuala Lumpur – Penang – Phuket cruises departing on 20 November 2022 and 12 March 2023. Alternatively, vacationers can depart from Port Klang on 21 November 2022 and 13 March 2023 for a five-night Penang – Phuket – Singapore cruise.
Bookings will open on 15 November 2022 for the three-night Phuket cruises from Singapore and the three-night Singapore – Phuket cruises from Port Klang, with sailing dates open between May 2023 and April 2024.
Genting Dream cruises to Phuket offer guided shore experiences to Phi Phi Ley Island, Phi Phi Don and Bamboo Island, in addition to tours to popular attractions on Phuket island, including shopping at a top shopping mall.
SINGAPORE, 7 November 2022: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Group, has announced changes to its Pikachu Jet schedule, launched in partnership with The Pokémon Company.
Initially scheduled to operate between Singapore and Tokyo/Seoul via Taipei, the routes operated by Pikachu Jet will be replaced with non-stop flights between Singapore and Tokyo (Narita) on 10 and 25 November 2022, as well as 7 and 16 December 2022.
This schedule change follows the airline’s adjustment of its aircraft deployment plans to meet demand and operational needs in the Northern Winter season. The Pikachu Jet will continue to operate three flights per month and will be rostered on other routes operated by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner as part of regular airline operations.
With Japan’s recent reopening of its borders to international travellers, Scoot is now offering more Pokémon fans a chance to experience the themed flights on their next holiday.
Scoot currently offers 56 destinations for booking at the close of October 2022. Its full network encompasses 71 destinations across 15 countries and territories in Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe.
Pokémon Flight Schedule
Date
Previous Flight Number
Previous Route
Revised Flight Number
Revised Route
10 November
TR896
Singapore – Taipei – Seoul
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
TR897
Seoul – Taipei – Singapore
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
16 November
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
No change
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
25 November
TR898
Singapore – Taipei – Tokyo
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
TR899
Tokyo – Taipei – Seoul
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
01 December
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
No change
02 December
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
No change
07 December
TR896
Singapore – Taipei – Seoul
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
08 December
TR897
Seoul – Taipei – Singapore
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
16 December
TR898
Singapore – Taipei – Tokyo
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
17 December
TR899
Tokyo – Taipei – Singapore
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
Pikachu Jet TR, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Scoot launched last September, is decorated with illustrations of the popular Pokemon character Pikachu carrying rainbow-coloured balloons, as well as Lapras and other characters from the Japanese media franchise, The Pokemon Company.
On special Pokemon-themed flights, Pikachu can be found everywhere, from overhead bins to packaging of in-flight meals. The cabin crew play games and perform an original Pokemon dance to entertain passengers.
