PHNOM PENH, 13 July 2022: Diethelm Travel Group confirmed the appointment of Om Vothy Rith as Diethelm Travel Cambodia’s new managing director on Monday.
Vothy will further implement Cambodia’s digital workflows and online services, giving agents increased access to the best dynamic rates and individual assistance from the experienced Diethelm Travel team.
With more than 20 years of working in Cambodia’s tourism and hospitality industry, Vothy has a proven track record and brings a wealth of experience to the role.
Before that, Vothy was one of the founding members of Vidotour Travel in Cambodia and, since then, led the team and company’s operations across the country.
“I’m delighted to announce we are entering into a strategic partnership with Vothy, and I welcome him to the Diethelm family,” said Diethelm Travel Group chief executive officer Stephan Roemer in a media statement.
“He brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and expertise to this essential role that will play a vital part in strengthening Diethelm Travel’s leading position in Asia’s inbound tourism industry and further expanding our network across the region.”
CEBU CITY, Philippines, 12 July 2022: Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco is encouraging the DOT regional offices in the Visayas and Mindanao to reach out to local government units and stakeholders to ensure the alignment of tourism development initiatives.
In the first leg of her ‘listening tours’ as tourism chief, Secretary Frasco met with the top officials of DOT Region 6 (Western Visayas), Region 7 (Central Visayas), Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Region 10 (Northern Mindanao), Region 11 (Davao Region), Region 12 (SOCKSARGEN), and Region 13 (CARAGA) at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu, last week.
DOT. Tourism chief Frasco (third from left) tells regional tourism offices to listen to local communities and government units.
“Moving forward, I would want for us, in the same way, that I am reaching out to you, to continuously reach out to our local government officials and local stakeholders because I think that the model for that – which has been Cebu – has proven very successful that even throughout the pandemic, domestic tourism still flourished because DOT Region, the Provincial Government, local government officials, and private stakeholders were all aligned. And it is this alignment that we need across all regions that will spell the success of our endeavours in the Department,” said Secretary Frasco.
“The reality is that the success or failure of our industry rests in the success or failure of our regions because this is where our tourist destinations are,” she stressed.
To recall, Frasco announced that she would embark on “listening tours” to hear for herself the challenges and problems that besiege the various regions and tourism stakeholders. Additionally, through the conduct of the tour, the Secretary hopes to start the process of assessing the contemporary challenges in the tourism sector. Fund availability and utilisation, tourism infrastructure and transportation were among the issues raised during the discussions with the regional offices.
Frasco has enjoined the consolidation and review of work and financial plans of the Department’s regional offices for the efficient utilisation of the Department’s budget.
Pursuing her direction towards promoting better access to tourism destinations, Frasco also assessed the possibility of developing more air and seaports and additional routes to create more convenient connections for domestic and international visitors.
“I’m hopeful as well that you would be open to the innovations we wish to introduce to the Department if only to fulfil our President’s vision to equalise opportunities for tourism promotion and development across the Philippines. On the one hand, to maximise the potential of our already well-known tourist sites and, on the other hand, to further develop areas that have not necessarily been given equal attention”, the tourism chief enthused.
All officials who attended the meeting expressed their appreciation for the consultation process initiated by Frasco. “We are optimistic under this administration, seeing that our Secretary is paying close attention to the concerns on the ground. We can feel that she is serious and sincere about improving tourism governance and continuing collaboration with the LGUs,” DOT-Region 10 Director Marie Elaine Unchuan added.
“We are ecstatic about this transition because we have a Secretary who listens. It is important for us to have a Secretary who supports and understands the issues faced by the regions,” said Director Tanya Virginia Rabat-Tan of DOT-Region 11.
TOKYO, 12 July 2022: Wyndham Destinations Japan has signed off on an agreement to manage Wyndham Garden Sapporo Odori, making it the second Wyndham Garden hotel to open in Japan after the hotel group opened the 95-room Wyndham Garden Nagaizumi in 2020.
Wyndham Destinations Japan is managing the 132-room property in a partnership with the building owner, JR West Real Estate & Development Company and lessee, FP Sapporo GK, Sapporo Hotel Management GK, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wyndham Destinations Japan Ltd.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, which owns the Wyndham Garden brand, has named Wyndham Destinations Japan as its preferred hotel operator in Japan. Under this partnership, Wyndham Destinations Japan will provide management services to Wyndham Garden Sapporo. Wyndham Destinations and its subsidiaries currently oversee the management of approximately 70 hotels and resorts across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Europe and Southeast Asia.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, JR West and FP Sapporo GK to open this Wyndham Garden hotel in Sapporo,” said Wyndham Destinations, president and managing director, international operations, Barry Robinson.
HANOI, 12 July 2022: The train travel between the Vietnamese capital Hanoi and Hai Phong moved up a few notches in service and facility standards with the introduction last week of a “high-quality carriage” on the popular route.
Operated by the Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company (Haraco), the brand new carriage comes with a free WI-FI service, drinks service and cold towels for passengers.
Operating since 6 July, the improved carriages can be booked at stations and through train ticket agents as well as online ticket services, via the hotline 1900109 or through the websites dsvn.vn and vetauonline.vn as well as mobile wallet apps like Viettel Pay, VnPay, Momo and Vimo.
According to a report by Vietnam News Agency, the Vietnam Railways Corporation confirmed passenger traffic on Hanoi-Hai Phong route had increased remarkably following the lifting of Covid-19 travel restrictions last May.
SANDAKAN, Sabah, 12 July 2022: Tourism Malaysia Sabah partnered with the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club to introduce the latest birdwatching guide for Sabah in conjunction with the upcoming Borneo Bird Festival 2022, which will take place at the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) in Sepilok, Sandakan, this October.
This fun birdwatching guide highlights all the popular birding locations around Sabah, including the world heritage site Kinabalu Park, Kinabatangan Floodplains, Danum Valley, Tabin and Sepilok forests. It also provides information about each of the sites, the birds that can be seen there, trails, accommodations and how to get there.
Tourism Malaysia. Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Ednie Rahma Ab Rahim (left) during the launch at the Rainforest Discovery Centre in Sepilok, Sandakan.
Sabah is one of the top birding destinations in Malaysia. Over the years, the tourism board and local community have developed an excellent infrastructure that caters to nature lovers, birders and photographers.
The highlight for many birdwatching enthusiasts is none other than the 66 endemic species found only on the Borneo island, such as Bornean Bristlehead, Blue-Headed Pitta, Bornean Ground-Cuckoo, Whitehead’s Trogon, Whitehead’s Spiderhunter, and Crimson-Headed Wood-Partridge.
Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Ednie Rahma Ab Rahim commented at the Sunday launch ceremony: “The development of this fun map is timely as this will be useful for bird enthusiasts taking part in the festival to refer to. The birding segment is very niche, but it yields high tourism revenues, which will further boost the economy of Sabah.”
With this new birdwatching guide, birders and nature lovers can easily plan which areas they would like to visit. The guide was supported by members of the Sandakan Borneo Bird Club (SBBC), Tourism Malaysia Sabah and written by a local birdwatcher – Alexander John.
BANGKOK, 12 July 2022: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in partnership with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) will host the first-ever PATA & GBTA APAC Travel Summit from 8 to 12 December at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.
The joint event will address sustainability and best practices in tourism, MICE, and corporate travel. Themed “Defining a Responsible, Sustainable Future for Business, Tourism and MICE”, will target regional and global travel suppliers, including top airlines, hotel and ground/car rental brands, and MICE and corporate travel decision-makers.
“We are delighted to be working with GBTA in bringing together both of our industry networks to share insights and discuss opportunities and best practices for the responsible and sustainable growth of the travel and tourism industry,” said PATA CEO Liz Ortiguera.
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is a business travel trade organisation with a network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. Headquartered in the Washington DC area with operations on six continents, GBTA’s members manage more than USD345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually.
“The path to recovery for the global travel industry continues for tourism and business travel. However, there’s also the opportunity and need to create a better, more sustainable way forward to serve the industry and the planet. We are pleased to join forces with PATA to bring to event attendees the important insights, learnings and discussions on what a sustainable future might look like and the actions that we can take in the region and across the globe to get there,” said GBTA CEO Suzanne Neufang.
HO CHI MINH CITY 12 July 2022: Vietjet is expanding international flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Danang to Busan in South Korea later this month.
The airline confirmed it would launch direct flights to Busan, a popular beach city destination in South Korea, starting on 20 July from Ho Chi Minh City and on 25 July from Danang.
Photo Credit: Vietjet. Vietnam’s low-cost airline adds flights to Busan in South Korea.
In a media statement released at the weekend, the airline said it would operate one daily direct flight on each route. Flight time to Busan is just less than five hours.
On 1 July, Vietjet introduced daily flights on the Hanoi – Busan route and will resume flights from Nha Trang to Busan on 21 July.
Travellers can book tickets on flights from Vietnam’s main cities to Busan with fares starting at VND7,700/one-way (*) at www.vietjetair.com, or Vietjet Air App for the travel period 15 August 15, 2022, to 26 March 2023. (**).
Vietjet Vice President Nguyen Thanh Son said: “New routes from Danang, Nha Trang, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Busan will increase Vietjet’s routes between the two countries increase to 10, offering cost-saving fares for Korean travellers visiting Vietnam’s main tourist cities and Danang a popular golf and beach destination.
In addition to the four direct routes to Busan, Vietjet currently operates six routes from Vietnam to Seoul. The Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Danang to Seoul routes have increased to twice daily on each of the routes. Daily services are also scheduled from Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Hai Phong to Seoul.
While South Korea has resumed the issue of short-term travel visas for Southeast Asian nationals, Korean travellers can enjoy visa exemption for a stay of up to 15 days in Vietnam.
(*) Excluding taxes and fees (**) Excluding public holidays and Tet
SINGAPORE, 12 July 2022: Resorts World Cruises will be the first cruise line to add a Kuala Lumpur homeport (via Port Klang) for the Genting Dream starting on 18 July, in addition to the Singapore homeport, which commenced on 15 June.
With the dual homeport options, travellers can now choose to embark from Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. The two-night cruises from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore will depart on Thursdays and Saturdays, and the three-night cruises from Kuala Lumpur to Penang and Singapore will depart on Mondays, with prices starting at MYR 688 and MYR988, respectively.
Departure days from Singapore will remain the same on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and from 22 July onwards, Friday cruises will re-introduce the two-night High Seas Weekend Getaway cruises.
The dual homeport caters to the demand for round-trip cruises, targeting the 10 million population residing in central Peninsular Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Malacca) who live within a short drive of Port Klang, the embarkation port. With the international gateway of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport also located nearby, international travellers will now have greater flexibility in choosing airlines and fares.
Resorts World Cruises will also offer one-way cruises that will become an alternative to air and land travel for the millions of travellers between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, including Penang. Travel agents will now have a wider portfolio to offer for their popular Malaysia and Singapore holiday packages with one-way and round-trip cruises from either port of embarkation.
With each sailing, all crew and cruising guests are required to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 to safeguard and provide peace of mind for all onboard. In addition, cruising guests will also have to undergo a self-paid pre-cruise Antigen Rapid Test (ART) for Covid-19 one day before departure.
KOTA KINABALU, 11 July 2022: Philippines AirAsia will introduce more direct flights to Sabah and is considering establishing a hub in Sandakan as part of its expansion ambitions.
The airline is currently studying the potential for direct routes to Kota Kinabalu from Puerto Princesa and Davao in the Philippines. A possible connection between Zamboanga and Sandakan is also on the list of possible direct routes, according to an assessment in a media statement released by the Sabah Tourism Board.
Datuk Jafry Ariffin receiveS a souvenir from Philippines AirAsia chief executive officer Ricky Isla.
State Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said Sabah welcomed the plan, which would help both countries in terms of economic spillover.
“One of the Sabah Maju Jaya plans is to ensure Sandakan Airport is upgraded to the international airport. We should explore additional direct routes into the state.
“Tawau, being a gateway to Semporna, might potentially serve as an operational hub too. So, whether it’s Sandakan or Tawau, we’ll let them study the viability,” he said.
Jafry was speaking at a recent press conference on the joint collaboration between the Philippines AirAsia and Sabah Tourism Board (STB)
Also present were Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister cum STB chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of State Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Sr Yusrie Abdullah; STB deputy chairman Datuk Dr Jelani Hamdan; STB chief executive officer Noredah Othman; Philippines AirAsia chief executive officer Ricky Isla; and Philippines AirAsia SuperApp managing director Ray Berja.
The press conference was in conjunction with the familiarisation trip to Sabah for the Philippines media.
Speaking on the strategic partnership between STB and Air Asia, Jafry said the board is now finalising a collaborative technical campaign to encourage Filipinos to visit Kota Kinabalu.
Ricky stated that Philippines Air Asia now flies twice weekly from Manila to Sabah, with plans to expand frequency.
“We want to sustain the travel momentum, and for Sabah, we are not just looking at beaches but eco-tourism and agro-tourism, which are educational.
“We are looking into the prospect of opening a new destination in Sandakan, which has one of the highest Filipino populations in Sabah, as part of our expansion plan,” he said
Meanwhile, STB chief executive officer Noredah Othman said Manila has the potential to serve as another hub to attract international visitors and also to attract expatriates living in the Philippines.
Although having certain similarities, she said Sabah and the Philippines each have unique contrasts that both sides should explore.
Pre-pandemic, Noredah said the state of Sabah received 4.2 million visitors in 2019, with a promising rise in arrivals since the reopening of borders after two-year hiatus. Chinese visitors contributed the most arrivals in 2019, followed by South Koreans and Europeans.
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 July 2022: The Malaysia International Travel Mart convened for its 19th edition in Kuala Lumpur at the Mid Valley Exhibition Centre (MVEC) at the weekend after an absence of two years.
The touring travel mart that focuses on two major urban areas in Malaysia (Penang and Kuala Lumpur) to rustle up domestic tour bookings launched the revived series of fairs in Penang earlier this month,
Photo credit: MITM
For the MITM round in Kuala Lumpur, a team of seven tour agencies that are also members of the MTCA Sabah Chapter and the Sabah Tourism Board presented the state’s tourism message and travel experience tapping the vast potential for holiday bookings from West Malaysia and beyond. Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association organises the travel fair series claiming each venue generates around MYR70 million in booking turnover. At the latest count, Malaysia’s domestic tourism market stands at around 16.9 million potential travellers.
Sabah’s Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said: “We are really happy to see travellers returning to Sabah either as first-timers or returning visitors. In addition, there is the positive support received by the public in our attendance at consumer shows such as MITM.
“We hope with the participation in current and future travel fairs by tourism associations, agencies and support from the state’s tourism board we will boost Sabah to be the first choice destination for both domestic and international travellers.”
This year’s MITM Fair in Kuala Lumpur attracted 58 exhibitors with 250 exhibition booths. Earlier this month, Sabah Tourism Board, led by its Marketing Manager Puan Zarinah Amiludin along with four travel agents, participated in the recently concluded Penang MITM Fair from 2 to 3 July 2022.
