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Most welcoming places on earth

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 8 February 2023: A record 1.36 million global travel providers are being recognised for their hospitality with a Traveller Review Award 2023, including 125 in Singapore

Hotels are the most-awarded accommodation type in Singapore (103 properties), more than twice as many as the runners-up aparthotel (41 awards) or hostels and capsule hotels (9 awards each) in third place.

On average, winning local properties in Singapore received over 400,000 reviews in total and received a score of 8.8 – a significant improvement from last year’s score of 8.6

As travel continues to return in most parts of the world, the eleventh annual Booking.com Traveller Review Awards recognise travel providers from across 220 countries and territories, including Singapore, for their commitment to consistently providing excellent service and hospitality over the year.

Based on over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, 1,364,415 accommodation partners, 230 car rental providers, and 58 airport taxi suppliers are receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023.

Italy leads the way again in 2023 with a total of 170,638 accommodation awards, followed by Spain (108,217), France (103,365), Germany (76,479), Croatia (64,206), Poland (60,721), the UK (60,697), Greece (54,473), Brazil (53,658) and the US (46,839).

Awarded properties in Singapore

Some of the Singapore properties receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023 include:

  1. Raffles Singapore (Score: 9.4)
  2. Four Seasons Hotel Singapore (Score: 9.3)
  3. The Barracks Hotel Sentosa by Far East Hospitality (Score: 9.3)
  4. Marina Bay Sands (Score 9.1)
  5. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (Score: 9.1)
  6. The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore  (Score: 9)
  7. The Clan Hotel Singapore by Far East Hospitality (Score: 9)
  8. Capella Singapore (Score: 9)
  9. Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong, an IHG Hotel (Score: 9)
  10. The Fullerton  Bay Hotel Singapore (Score: 9)

Alternative accommodation shines

Alternative accommodations have been a hot niche category growing on Booking.com. As the most-awarded property type globally, apartments take the top spot for the sixth year in a row, with a grand total of 629,421 partners being recognised for their efforts in the 2023 edition of the Traveller Review Awards. For the very first time in the history of the awards, holiday homes (177,795) have claimed the second spot from hotels (172,036), with guest houses (91,635) and bed and breakfasts (78,247) rounding out the top five.

Singapore differed from its global counterparts on its most-awarded accommodation types, with hotels (103) taking the top spot followed by aparthotels (41), hostels (9), capsule hotels (9), apartments (3), and resorts (3).

A more sustainable traveller experience

Nearly one in 10 accommodation award recipients globally (122,095) have also been recognised with a Travel Sustainable badge for their efforts to operate more sustainably. In Singapore, 167 accommodations have received a Travel Sustainable badge on Booking.com since the badge was first introduced in November 2021.

Travel Sustainable accommodations were three times more likely to receive a Traveller Review Award 2023 than those not recognised with a Travel Sustainable badge. Of all accommodation types, hotels had the highest share of Travel Sustainable accommodations (15%), receiving a Traveller Review Award in 2023.

2023’s Most Welcoming Places on earth

This year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth span five continents and feature hidden coastal gems, rural destinations surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty and even a bustling Latin American metropolis. They have all been identified based on the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023* and providing even the most seasoned traveller with bucket list inspiration for their future trips.

Most Welcoming Cities On Earth

  1. Polignano a Mare, Italy
  2. Hualien City, Taiwan
  3. San Sebastián, Spain
  4. Dresden, Germany
  5. Klaipeda, Lithuania
  6. York, UK
  7. Ushuaia, Argentina
  8. Porto De Galinhas, Brazil
  9. Mexico City, Mexico
  10. Gold Coast, Australia

Most Welcoming Regions On Earth

  1. La Rioja, Spain
  2. Epirus, Greece
  3. Oberosterreich, Austria
  4. County Down, UK
  5. Mures, Romania
  6. Marlborough, New Zealand
  7. Ninh Binh, Vietnam
  8. Limon, Costa Rica
  9. Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
  10. North Dakota, US

Price right on flights for love

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 8 February 2023: Thai Vietjet launches ‘Valentine’s – Let’s Fly for Love’ promotion, offering fares starting from THB1,899 (including taxes and fees) for international flights.

Bookings are open until 15 February 2023 for the travel period 13 February to 30 June 2023 (excludes public holidays).

In addition, special fares starting from THB800 for travel on the airline’s domestic network are open for bookings from 13 to 18 February 2023, with the travel period from 16 February to 30 June 2023.

The special promotional tickets apply for Thai Vietjet’s domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. They also apply to the international network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Fukuoka, and Taipei, with direct service from Chiang Mai to Osaka.

Recently, the airline announced its new international flight service Chiang Mai – Osaka, with three weekly flights every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Osaka is the second largest city after Tokyo, located in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan.

Klook partners with Vietnam attractions

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 8 February 2023: Klook, a leading travel and experiences platform in Asia, announced Tuesday two milestone partnerships with Vietnam’s biggest attraction players, Sun World and VinWonders.

Both partnerships will include digital marketing initiatives, promotional content and campaigns to increase awareness of the destination’s unique offerings and hidden gems and position Vietnam as a top destination for international travellers.

Based on Klook’s internal data, Vietnam recorded exponential growth in demand in 2022, surpassing pre-covid levels for markets such as Singapore (+50%) and India (+260%). With Vietnam expecting to welcome 8M international travellers in 2023, these strategic partnerships will play a key role in driving international travellers to Vietnam and enable Sun World and VinWonders to capitalise on this rising demand. 

Sun World

The 2023 partnership  aims to accelerate the recovery of inbound travel to Vietnam by encouraging free and independent (FIT) travellers in key inbound markets, namely South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan, and India, to discover the beauty of Vietnam and booking the best local experiences

The partnership includes digital marketing campaigns and developing promotional content on Vietnam and Sun World attractions

Klook is the first OTA to partner with Sun World on a regional integrated marketing campaign of this scale

VinWonders

The partnership runs from March 2023 to May 2023 and aims

aims to accelerate the recovery of travel to Vietnam by driving awareness for both Vietnam and VinWonders attractions among free and independent travellers (FIT) in South Korea and India

Klook is the first OTA to partner with VinWonders on such inbound marketing initiatives.

Klook general manager  Philippines, Thailand & Vietnam Michelle Ho said: “Despite the current macroeconomic conditions, travel is still top of mind for consumers, and Vietnam continues to be a fan favourite. We are confident that we will see strong growth in the market for 2023 as travel comes back stronger than ever before.”

MAI lifts flights in Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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YANGON, 8 February 2023: Myanmar Airways International increases frequencies on key routes in Asia during February and extends the validity of Chinese New Year fares to March.

The airline schedules 11 flights weekly on the Yangon to Kuala Lumpur route starting 20 February, with two new flights on Monday and Saturday using an A320 aircraft. The fare starts at USD130.25 one-way.

The airline also announced on its Facebook page that it would add a Sunday flight from Yangon to Guangzhou in China starting 19 February in addition to flights every Tuesday and Thursday. The one-way fare costs USD545.

MAI will increase flights on the Yangon to Hanoi route by adding a Wednesday departure from Yangon starting 15 February. Before, the airline served Hanoi with flights on Monday and Friday. The one-way fare is around USD95.

During February, the airline is scheduling three weekly services from Yangon to Seoul in South Korea and Dubai in the UAE. Flights depart Yangon every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. The airline quotes the Seoul fare at USD365.25 and Dubai at USD465.

Meanwhile, the airline extends the sales window for its Chinese New Year fares until 28 February, and the travel period extends to 25 March.

On the domestic route network, MAI’s Embraer E190 is flying the route from Yangon to Thandwe, the nearest airport to the beach resorts at Ngapali. The service started on 7 February, with departures from Yangon airport on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Centara and THAI promote Osaka

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 February 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, announces a partnership with Thai Airways to offer passengers exclusive benefits ahead of the grand opening of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, Centara’s first-ever property in Japan in July 2023.

This partnership marks the latest addition to Centara’s expanding airline partnership network, which includes Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Thai Vietjet, Go First, Myanmar Airways International, and Vistara Airways.

“As we prepare for the highly anticipated launch of our debut property in Japan, we are thrilled to partner with Thai Airways to offer their network an array of exclusive benefits and to welcome travellers for the first time to this exciting new hotel, Centara Grand Hotel Osaka. Elegant, modern and conveniently located in the heart of downtown, our latest hotel is ideal for business travellers, families, couples, and solo explorers looking to discover breathtaking Osaka and enjoy Centara’s signature service and warm hospitality”, said  Centara Hotels & Resorts vice president brand, marketing and digital Tom Thrussell.

The new marketing partnership offers Thai Airways passengers an exclusive introductory rate of 25% off the lowest publicly available online rates at the brand-new Centara Grand Hotel Osaka with bookings made from now – 30 June 2023 for stays between 1 July – 20 December 2023

Located in the vibrant shopping and entertainment district of Namba, Centara Osaka is a remarkable landmark soaring 33 floors above downtown. Guests will discover an eclectic selection of world-class bars and restaurants, including a rooftop dining destination with spectacular views, an assortment of accommodation choices designed for sophisticated comfort, Japan’s first-ever SPA Cenvaree, and modern event and meeting spaces, including MICE facilities, a rooftop Sky Event space and Grand Ballroom, for any occasion.

“With the reopening of Japan to international tourism, Thai Airways is excited to partner with Centara to welcome our passengers back to Osaka and to experience the brand-new Centara Grand Hotel Osaka with exclusive privileges and introductory rates. Japan is a phenomenal destination, and we look forward to sharing its beauty with our customers once again with this new Centara partnership”, said Thai Airways International director of salesWit Kitchathorn.

All passengers travelling with THAI to Osaka can enjoy this exclusive offer by simply filling out THAI’s ticket numbers in the booking link that the airline displays on all online sales channels.

Currently, THAI operates 54 weekly flights to six destinations in Japan which are Tokyo (Narita/Haneda), Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, and Sapporo.

For more information, reservation and ticketing, please visit thaiairways.com or call 0-2356-1111 for the THAI Contact Center (24 hours a day)

Under the Centara x Thai Airways promotion, guests will not only receive a special introductory offer of 25% off the best available room rate when logged in as a CentaraThe1 member. This is lower than any publicly available rate and exclusive to Thai Airways passengers. Other privileges also include complimentary room upgrades, early check-in, and late check-out, all subject to availability, as well as a 25% discount on food at Embassy of Crab or Suan Bua restaurants. In addition, guests who order two or more set menus at either of these restaurants will receive one complimentary bottle of wine.

Travellers not yet members of Centara’s loyalty programme can sign up for free in less than a minute and immediately start enjoying benefits and earning points. To take advantage of all CentaraThe1 membership privileges, sign-up or sign in now at www.CentaraThe1.com

To book or learn more about Centara and the THAI offer,

visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/cgoj-tg

(Your Stories: Centara Hotels & Resorts)

 

Sabah wins three ASEAN awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 7 February 2023: Three rural tourism operators have been awarded the prestigious 2023-2025 ASEAN Tourism Standard Award in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, further elevating the reputation of Sabah’s rural tourism products on the international stage.

The recipients are Padas Farmstay (ASEAN Community Based Tourism); Mari-Mari Cultural Village (ASEAN Community Based Tourism); and Homestay TaunGusi (ASEAN Homestay Standard).

Tham Kim Leng (Adventure tour manager of TYK Adventure Tours), Julinus Jeffery Jimit (Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Sabah Tourism Board), Jeremiah Jamson (Base Manager of Mari Mari Cultural Village), Ismail Muile (Coordinator of Taun Gusi Homestay), YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing (Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia), Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and Chairman of Sabah Tourism Board), Tham Yau Kong (Director of TYK Adventure Tours), Tham Yau Siong, Director of Tenom Padas Farmstay), Duis Walter Kandayon (STB Board of Director and Chairman of Federation of Rural Tourism Association Sabah).

Padas Farmstay managing director ThamYau Kong, Mari-Mari Cultural Village base manager Jeremiah Jamson, and Homestay TaunGusicoordinator Ismail Muile @ Muele received the awards on 5 February, during the ASEAN Tourism Forum.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Assistant Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk JonistonBangkuai joined the award ceremony.

He was in Yogyakarta leading the Sabah Tourism Board delegation at the ASEAN Tourism Forum event held from 3 to 5 February.

“I’m delighted to be here to see Sabah’s incredible success story in rural tourism unfold. I congratulate our award recipients on their perseverance in maintaining the highest levels of product and service quality despite the challenges of the pandemic.

“The accreditation of three Sabah rural tourism products with the ASEAN Tourism Standard Award is a major boost to the international profile of Sabah’s rural tourism offerings.

“This success bodes well for Sabah Tourism’s mission to help rural areas and their communities thrive off of tourism. Hopefully, this inspires others to raise the bar and work together to make our rural area a world-class place to visit by 2030,” he remarked.

Additionally, the Sabah International Convention Centre won the ASEAN MICE Venue Award (Category Exhibition Venue), with the awarding ceremony set for next year.

Padas Farmstay in Tenom was officially established in 2017, but it has been open to the public since 2013 when an international student group expressed interest in educational and community programmes.

They have received between 10 and 20 school groups per year since then and have completed 60 community projects that have benefited 20 nearby villages.

Mari-Mari Cultural Village started operation in 2008, offering a glimpse into the lives of Sabah’s rich culture with its distinctive houses, costumes and traditional skills of Sabah’s five major ethnic groups.

Homestay TaunGusi in Kota Belud is a community-based homestay registered with the Ministry of Tourism, Art, and Culture in 2011. It has 18 certified homestay members, offering unique experiences to guests, including cultural performances, horse riding, traditional cooking lessons, river cruises, Bajau parang-making demonstrations, and village tours.

In 2014, the Sabah Tourism Board started the rural tourism initiative with two districts as pilot projects to test the viability of a tourism industry serving the state’s rural areas.

The initiative has since been expanded to 25 districts, with at least 30 registered and active associations benefiting from the rural tourism development programme.

“I hope the synergy between the government sector, private sector and the community in developing rural tourism will continue to grow as we face new challenges in the post-pandemic era. We hope to see more of our rural tourism products receiving international recognition,” added Joniston.

The ASEAN Tourism Standard Award is a prestigious recognition that helps support the goals of the ASEAN Tourism Standard and is in accordance with the ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 in providing high-quality and excellent service delivery to tourists.

This is designed with the objective of making ASEAN an excellent destination on a global scale.

In previous years, WalaiPenyu Conservation Park and Kadamaian Tourism Association obtained the ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Standard Award in 2022 and ASEAN Community Based Tourism Award in 2019, respectively.

Meanwhile, Sabah Tourism Board makes its presence at the 2023 ASEAN Tourism Forum, the major annual tourism event in the region, to expand prospects for ASEAN tourism marketing and potential connections between stakeholders with travel businesses in the region.

The event is attended by top industry policymakers, practitioners and suppliers of ASEAN-based tourism products and services.

For more information visit www.sabahtourism.com

(Your Stories: Sabah Tourism Board)

Vietravel promotes airline at ATF

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TTR WEEKLY
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JAKARTA, 7 February 2023: Vietravel participated in the ASEAN Tourism Forum last week, introducing its regional airline to international buyers planning tours to Southeast Asia.

Arguably Vietnam’s largest aviation and tourism corporation, the group received its third Airbus A321 last month as it plans to serve 15 destinations in Asia, up from seven routes in February.

In the initial phase, the airline serves the following routes; Ho Chi Minh City – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang, Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc, Ho Chi Minh City –  Nha Trang, Hanoi – Danang, Hanoi – Phu Quoc and Hanoi – Hue.

Over the next two years, it will acquire six A321s and six B737s to establish flights to South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore. Its inaugural commercial service linked Hanoi to Bangkok on 16 December 2022.

The airline was registered in December 2021 in Hue, the former imperial city in central Vietnam, under the Vietravel group of companies established in 1992. Considered the largest travel group in the country it handled around 800,000 travel clients annually and had a workforce of 1,300 staff in 60 offices before the Covid-19 pandemic lock downs.

Oceania names its second Allura Class ship

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 February 2023: Oceania Cruises introduced Allura at a recent naming ceremony for the second 1,200-guest Allura Class ship to set sail in 2025. It will be the brand’s eighth vessel and the sister ship to Vista, which starts its first season in May.

“As we prepare to welcome Allura to the family, we have already started planning exciting new elements to be added across the fleet,” said Oceania Cruises president Frank A Del Rio. “We are thrilled with the incredible demand we have witnessed for Allura’s sister ship, Vista, with her 2023 maiden season already sold out, and we know Allura will be equally as popular with our guests.

Measuring approximately 67,000 tons, Allura will accommodate 1,200 guests and be staffed by 800 officers and crew. Under construction at the  Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the all-veranda vessel will sail her maiden voyage in spring 2025.

Details of Allura’s inaugural season, featuring a mix of marquee and boutique destinations across Europe and the Americas, will be revealed this spring before going on sale in the summer.

ONYX rebuilds its management team

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 6 February 2023: Thailand-based ONYX Hospitality Group announces promotions and a new appointment following a restructuring that the CEO says makes the group more “agile to grow”.

Yuthachai Charanachitta, owner and CEO  of ONYX, noted that the pandemic forced the group to evaluate its structure.

“The result is a new structure which puts us in a more agile position to grow, with reinforced resources in the areas essential for our development plans, like marketing, sales, operations and finance.”

For other specialist areas, such as regional sales and public relations, the group is now working with “in-market representatives.”

Team changes

The group promotes Chutima Fuangkham Kennedy to VP of Marketing after working for the group for 13 years. She joined ONYX as the e-marketing manager in 2010.

Hazel Chua has been named senior director of operations support. She has been with ONYX for six years.

Hathairat Naenkwaen has been named senior director of sales distribution, having worked for the group since 2017.

Siriyupa Prakobthong joins ONYX as director of sales – leisure. She worked for Asiankeys Co. for eight years before joining ONYX.   Post-pandemic, travellers are returning to book via these channels as they seek out travel experts to endorse and provide peace of mind for their travel planning.

Nattaporn Ratanasingha returns to the group as director of business development & strategy. She took a year’s sabbatical. She first joined the ONYX team as the development manager in 2015.

Cathay reopens airport lounges

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 7 February 2023: Cathay Pacific reopened The Deck lounge at Hong Kong International Airport on Monday, and as travel resumes, the airline says it will progressively reopen lounges elsewhere.

Later this month, Cathay Pacific lounges will reopen at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport.

During March and April, the airline’s lounges at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport will reopen to guests.

By the second and third quarters of 2023, lounges at San Francisco International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Taipei Taoyuan International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport will reopen.

Outside of Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s First and Business class lounges at London Heathrow Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, and Tokyo (Haneda) International Airport are already open to eligible customers.

Cathay Pacific Lounge, Tokyo (Narita), is reopening and finding a new home. The lounge has relocated to a new space by Gate 71 that is more than two times larger than the previous lounge and offers almost double the number of seats, making for a more spacious environment.

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