BANGKOK, 22 August 2022: Thai Vietjet launched a new international service from Bangkok to Taipei last week, marking the occasion with a USD99 one-way fare, including tax and fees.
The new service departs just once a week from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and lands at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport.
Thai Vietjet, chief executive officer Woranate Laprabangsaid: “Thai Vietjet is proactively expanding our network to various major destinations in the Asia-Pacific region, providing international travellers with excellent, hospitable, but affordable service, as well as with the highest level of safety throughout their journeys. This would definitely help bring back travellers to both sides also, positively contributing to the tourism recovery.”
He noted that due to the limited capacity quota in Taiwan, the new international flight from Bangkok to Taipei would operate just once a week on Thursday, with more flights to be added subject to the easing of travel restrictions. Flight time to Taipei is three hours and 45 minutes,
The special Deluxe Super Sale on the Bangkok -Taipei route starts at USD99 (THB 3,499) (inclusive of taxes, fees, and surcharges) including 20kg of checked baggage, free seat selection, priority check-in and flexibility with unlimited flight changes at no charge.
The fare is bookable from 25 to 31 August 2022, with a travel period from 15 September 2022 to 25 March 2023.
Currently, passengers entering Thailand no longer need to show a negative Covid-19 result before entering the country. Passengers are also not required to quarantine upon arrival due to the removal of the ‘Test & Go’ scheme from 1 May 2022. Health insurance is no longer mandatory but highly recommended.
SINGAPORE, 18 August 2022: The annual Singapore Food Festival (SFF) returns for its 29th edition from 24 August to 11 September 2022.
For the first time since the pandemic, SFF 2022 offers a sumptuous spread of 70 gastronomic experiences, including a Festival Village with over 25 food establishments and a special nine-course dinner, as well as an array of workshops, tours, and exclusive menus at partner restaurants.
Singapore Tourism Board director, retail & dining, Teyi Guo said: “As international travel resumes, we are excited to bring SFF back to its usual format, with engaging in-person programming so visitors can fully experience the international palate of our city.”
SFF Highlights
This year’s line-up, with the theme ‘Real Foodies Only’, comprises several components: the Festival Village, limited-time menus at partner restaurants, tours and workshops, virtual offerings, and overseas activations.
The Festival Village will bring together over 25 culinary and beverage brands at the Bayfront Event Space from 31 August to 11 September 2022.
Over 25 food establishments will serve familiar favourites with an innovative twist, such as Jelebu Dry Laksa’s signature dish topped with Boston lobster and tiger prawns.
Singapore’s hottest food truck The Goodburger is set to sizzle with Blue Lotus Eating House on an SFF-exclusive plant-based Golden Chilli Crab Burger, while the newly-minted Michelin Bib Gourmand stall One Prawn & Co will collaborate with heritage brand Hock Lian Huat to present a thick, silky prawn bisque with shrimps, mussels and clams (above), alongside a ngoh hiang (five-spiced meat rolls) platter. The Chef Arena situated within the grounds of the Festival Village will present a special nine-course dinner created by top culinary masters featured in SFF 2022’s virtual masterclasses, complete with a Martell Noblige cocktail created by Juan Yi Jun, the head bartender of No Sleep Club.
Complementing the food offerings is a curated line-up of workshops for those who prefer to get hands-on. Foodies can learn the art of mixing spices from 3rd generation owner Jeya Seelan from traditional spice stall Jeya Spices; as well as gather Thermomix tips to whip up delicious meals with cookbook author Annie Xavier and passionate home bakers. There will also be a Marketplace featuring a curated selection of merchandise and an Entertainment stage presented by Tiger Beer.
Beyond the Festival Village, various restaurants island-wide will offer festival-exclusive dishes. In an ode to the melting pot of cultures in Singapore, Two Men Bagel House will present a bagelwich (left) packed with the aromatic flavours of Chinese, Indian and Malay curries, while Italian meets Malay at Italian-inspired restaurant and bar Dopo Teatro with its sambal goreng pizza.
In a meeting of old and new, deli veteran Steeple’s Deli will collaborate with new-school Park Bench Deli for a 1-day pop-up at Steeple’s Deli, featuring sandwiches that incorporate the former’s mouth-watering corned beef and the latter’s pastrami. Foodies with a sweet tooth must try the Teh Halia flavoured ice cream or the guava sorbet with sour plum powder by Made With Passion[1] brands The Ice Cream & Cookie Co. and Creamier.
Festival-goers can check out www.singaporefoodfestival.sg for the full list of experiences and ticketing information.
DUBAI, UAE, 19 August 2022: Emirates has kick-started its plans to upgrade the entire interior cabins of 120 Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft – two of the largest commercial aircraft types in service today.
This ambitious project, representing a multi-billion dollar investment to ensure Emirates’ customers “fly better” for the coming years, officially commences in November and is managed entirely by Emirates’ Engineering team.
The target is to completely retrofit four Emirates aircraft from start to finish every month, continuously for over two years. Once the 67 earmarked A380s are refreshed and back in service, 53 777s will undergo their facelift. This will see nearly 4,000 brand new Premium Economy seats installed, 728 First Class suites refurbished and over 5,000 Business Class seats upgraded to a new style and design when the project is complete in April 2025.
In addition, carpets and stairs will be upgraded, and cabin interior panels refreshed with new tones and design motifs, including the iconic ghaf trees native to the UAE.
No other airline has handled a retrofit of this magnitude in-house, and there’s no blueprint for such an undertaking. Therefore Emirates Engineering teams have been planning and testing extensively to establish and streamline processes and identify and address any possible snags.
Trials began on an A380 in July, where experienced engineers took each cabin apart piece by piece and logged every step. Every action was tested, timed and mapped out by removing seats and panelling to bolts and screws. Potential impediments to completing the installation of Emirates’ new Premium Economy Class or the retrofit of the remaining three cabins in just 16 days were flagged and documented for expert teams to review and address.
As part of the programme, new purpose-built workshops will be set up at Emirates Engineering to repaint, re-trim and re-upholster Business and Economy Class seats with new covers and cushions. First Class suites will be carefully disassembled and sent to a specialised company to replace the leather, armrests and other materials.
From the trials, engineers discovered several unexpected solutions. For instance, existing food catering trucks could be easily repurposed to move parts destined for refurbishment from the aircraft to the workshop for their refresh, as these vehicles had doors of the right width and offered sufficient space.
Until the retrofit programme starts in earnest in November, a cross-disciplinary team has been assembled to regularly review the planning process, address any issues, and track updates on various aspects of the project, such as procurement, staffing, and training.
Emirates’ new Premium Economy cabin class, which offers luxurious seats, more legroom, and service to rival many airlines’ business offerings, is currently available to Emirates customers travelling on popular A380 routes to London, Paris, and Sydney. More customers will be able to experience the airline’s new Premium Economy cabins starting from year-end as the retrofit programme picks up momentum.
BANGKOK, 19 August 2022: Cross Hotels & Resorts is ramping up its environmental awareness credentials by signing two new hotel management agreements (HMA) in Bangkok and Pattaya.
In a media statement, the hotel group said the “twin deal with Evergreen Hospitality Co Ltd ushers in a sustainable drive to minimise carbon footprint.
In response, the group is implementing responsible procedures that include planting more trees and robustly executing the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle). The signing of the management agreements saw executives from both companies move from the boardroom to the garden, where they planted trees to endorse the agreement.
In the Thai capital, Away Bangkok Sukhumvit is a 78-key boutique hotel close to leading business, entertainment and shopping centres, and a short walk to Phrom Phong BTS station. Meanwhile, situated just minutes from Pattaya’s famed beach, the 70-room Cross Vibe South Pattaya provides guests with a wide range of facilities that include rooms with balconies and terraces, onsite parking and easy access to the city’s renowned dining, entertainment and retail zones.
“We continue to take proactive steps to reduce our impact on the planet by keeping our carbon footprint to a minimum. This visionary signing is another major step towards realising our goal. In the same vein, these two properties are an exact fit for our brands Away and Cross Vibe as they align with our strategy of investing in the world-class destinations of Bangkok and Pattaya,” said Cross Hotels & Resorts CEO Harry Thaliwal.
Cross Hotels & Resorts’ current portfolio includes more than 26 hotels under five distinct brands – Cross, Cross Vibe, Away, Lumen and Cross Collection – in Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Japan.
The group is owned by the ASX-listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG).
NEW DELHI, 19 August 2022: Air India has signed a deal with RateGain Travel Technologies to use its AirGain product that delivers dynamically adjusted prices based on real-time, accurate, and high-quality airfare data.
As a flagship carrier, Air India offers connections to nearly 90 destinations in over 30 countries across Asia, Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, operating one of the world’s largest domestic and international networks. It maintains a fleet of 113 aircraft operating over 500 daily flights.
As fuel prices and inflation continue to increase costs for airlines, travellers are becoming cost conscious and looking for the best airfares.
Air India said the increased pressure on costs as well as traveller preference is creating a need for pricing data. AirGain will help the airline accurately understand market shifts, monitor competitive strategy and understand the right price each time.
It tracks historical trends and fare changes on the most-profitable routes making it easy for revenue and commercial teams to stay on top of every market development.
Commenting on the partnership, Air India executive director of corporate affairs Aruna Gopalakrishnan said: “Air India is focused on becoming one of the most competitive airlines in the world, and technology will play a big role in it. RateGain is known for helping the world’s largest travel companies and is expected to be playing a role in making Air India the preferred choice of traveller.”
SINGAPORE, 19 August 2022: Cruise line Cunard updated its Covid-19 protocols and guidelines this week to ease pre-travel testing requirements.
Effective 6 September 2022, self-testing before travel will change from “mandatory” to “highly recommended” for vaccinated guests on most voyages.
Only guests sailing on longer, more complex itineraries will be required to have an observed or in-person antigen or PCR test with a fit to travel certificate before departure. These include several sailings of 16 nights or more and other specific voyages.
These new guidelines apply to all Cunard itineraries sailing from Southampton, England, and all other departure points, except for countries where government regulations and protocols may vary, such as Canada and Australia. The vaccination policy for Cunard guests remains the same.
“These updated protocols reflect the current environment across the world, and while certain key elements have relaxed, our commitment to protect the health and wellbeing of all guests, crew and the communities we visit remains an ongoing and vital consideration,” said Cunard vice president, commercial, North America and Australasia Matt Gleaves.
The exact requirements will be communicated to all guests with the latest updates on www.cunard.com from early September.
All the updated guidelines and protocols are subject to local regulations of applicable homeports and destinations.
The company is part of Carnival Corporation & Plc.
MANILA, 18 August 2022: Following knock-down versions over the past two years, a full-blown Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) returns to Manila’s SMX Convention Centre from 30 September to 2 October 2022.
The organisers say more than 200 exhibitors are already booked for the 33rd PTM edition, recognised as one of the longest-running travel shows in Southeast Asia. This year’s edition will focus on supporting recovery and building travel confidence among consumers. The traditional bumper discounts on accommodation and airfare and bargain domestic and international tour packages will return, supporting the “travel safe” theme throughout the three-day show.
Photo Credit: PHILTOA. Tour operators gather for a PTM update.
“We’ve been waiting for a long time, and now is the perfect time to travel again, support local businesses, and explore the Philippines and beyond,” Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) president Fe Abling-Yu told the Philippines News Agency.
Abling-Yu is confident the mart will match the annual shows organised before Covid-19 shut down travel in early 2020. He noted the mart did survive the lockdowns, but the two shows in 2020 and 2021 had a limited capacity of just 50 booths to meet national health and Covid-19 regulations.
Pre-pandemic, the mart attracted more than 200 exhibitors and getting closer to that with booth bookings for the return of the full-fledged mart, he reported.
The expo’s layout features designated zones for various tourism products such as sun and beach, marine sports, cruise; health, wellness, culinary; cultural, farm tourism; entertainment and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).
Also included in this year’s PTM offers include tour packages in Bali, Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, on the sidelines of the PTM launch, said the Philippines could compete with Southeast Asian neighbours and leading tourist destinations in the region.
“If you put our country side by side with our main competitors in the ASEAN region, our offerings are almost the same if not better. In that, we have beaches, natural resources, beautiful people, beautiful products, various destinations,” she said.
To further position the country as a top tourist destination, she told stakeholders that the DOT would introduce programmes to improve the overall tourist experience in the country.
Aligned with the PTM’s 2022 theme “Safe Travels,” Frasco has instructed local government offices to ensure that tourist sites in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are “safe and well-equipped to receive guests”.
Photo Credit DOT. Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco addresses the PHILTOA meeting.
She was warmly welcomed by the over 400 members of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) at their 4th Membership Meeting held last week at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong.
In her keynote address, Secretary Frasco acknowledged the challenges faced by tour operators across the country due to the pandemic and shared the direction for tourism in the country under the leadership of the new administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“I understand that the last two years have been difficult for everyone, so I thank you for continuing to forge forward, despite these challenges. Truly, it is because of your determination for our tourism industry to survive, thrive, and recover that the prospects for the recovery of the tourism industry are quite optimistic,” she said.
The Tourism chief also highlighted the important role every tourism stakeholder should play in protecting tourist destinations and emphasised the importance of inclusivity to broaden the reach and shape tourism development in the country.
“My directive has been for the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) to reach out as far as possible to all our local government units and stakeholders. They may not necessarily have received equal attention for promotion and marketing. Still, it is crucial to equalise promotions and marketing opportunities to expand economic opportunities for everyone,” she told PHILTOA members.
Founded in 1986, PHILTOA is an organisation of tour operators and allied members such as travel agencies, hotels, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments.
VISAKHAPATNAM, 19 August 2022: Tourism Malaysia and the Malaysia Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) lead the second roadshow to India to four cities from 17 to 24 August.
The roadshow kicked off Wednesday in the city of Visakhapatnam and continues with events in Kolkata, Kochi and Tiruchirappalli.
Led by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, YB Datuk Seri Dr Santhara JP, the team consists of a Malaysia-based airline, 18 travel agents, two hoteliers, and one state government agency.
Following the reopening of Malaysia’s international borders on 1 April 2022, Tourism Malaysia conducted its first roadshow to six major cities in India from 18 to 30 April, followed by its participation in this year’s South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) from 18 to 20 May.
India remains one of Malaysia’s top market sources, contributing 735,309 arrivals (+22%) in 2019. Apart from its objective to instil confidence among Indian travellers that Malaysia is once again a safe destination to visit health-wise, the roadshow provides a platform for the travel industry to speed up recovery.
“This is the right time to be back in India, and planning for this roadshow is very opportune. The resumption of scheduled international flights from India coincides with Malaysia’s international borders reopening. We are thrilled to welcome Indian travellers again,” said Datuk Seri Dr Santhara JP.
Fully-vaccinated travellers can now enjoy quarantine-free travel to Malaysia and are no longer required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival Covid-19 tests.
Currently, travellers can obtain a Malaysian tourist visa online while airlines provide more than 14,000 seats weekly between India and Malaysia. Flights are scheduled from major Indian cities to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, IndiGo, and Air India Express.
SINGAPORE, 18 August 2022: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), has launched a fare sale on flights between Singapore and Hokkaido for travel from November 2022 to cater to school holidays demand.
Scoot will start seasonal nonstop Singapore-Hokkaido flights in November through to February 2023, in addition to its year-round flights to Hokkaido that stop in Taipei (Taiwan).
The launch marks the resumption of all pre-pandemic destinations to Japan, with daily flights to Hokkaido completing the picture effective November. The airline will also fly four times weekly to Osaka from September (stepping up to daily from November), and daily flights to Tokyo.
Lead-in fares for Singapore – Hokkaido (Chitose) and Singapore – Taipei – Hokkaido (Chitose) start from SGD412 and SGD370, respectively (taxes inclusive, one way). The flights will use a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Looking forward to the year-end holiday season, the airline will increase frequencies across 11 destinations in its network. Starting November, Scoot will operate 28 weekly flights to Bangkok, 21 weekly flights to Jakarta, 16 weekly flights to Phuket, 17 weekly flights to Ipoh, 18 weekly flights to Penang, 21 weekly flights to Ho Chi Min City and three weekly flights to Miri ( Malaysia).
Hokkaido
Singapore – Sapporo (Chitose)
From 2 November 2022 to 27 February 2023
Flight Number
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR 890
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday*
0240
1110
B787-8B
*Sunday flights will be operated from 2 December to 30 January 2023
Sapporo (Chitose) – Singapore
From 2 November
Flight Number
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR 891
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
1240
2030
B787-8B
Singapore – Taipei – Sapporo (Chitose)
From 1 November
Flight Number
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR 892
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
0540
1605
B787-8
Hokkaido (Chitose) – Taipei – Singapore
From 1 November
Flight Number
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR 893
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
1735
0305 (+1)
B787-8
Current Flights to Japan
Osaka (Kansai)
From 1 September 2022 to 29 October
Flight Number
Route
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR 818
Singapore – Osaka
Monday*, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
0625
1315
B787-8
TR 819
Osaka – Singapore
Monday*, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
1415
2005
B787-8
*Monday flights will be operated from 3 October to 16 October 2022
From 30 October 2022
TR 818
Singapore – Osaka
Daily
0625
1315
B787-8
TR 819
Osaka – Singapore
Daily
1415
2005
B787-8
Tokyo (Narita)
Flight Number
Route
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR808
Singapore – Tokyo
Daily
0715
1500
B787-9
TR809
Tokyo – Singapore
Daily
1600
2230
B787-9
Taipei – Tokyo (Narita)
Flight Number
Route
Frequency
Departure
Arrival
Fleet
TR898
Singapore – Taipei – Tokyo
Daily
0110
1045
B787-9
TR899
Tokyo – Taipei – Singapore
Daily
1145
2055
B787-9
*All times local. Flight schedules may be subject to change due to regulatory reasons.
SINGAPORE, 18 August 2022: Are you considering travelling around Spain, and are you already wondering how to find the very best locations to capture the travel experience with unbelievably fascinating selfies?
You’ll find some suggestions here, although, in a country as photogenic as Spain, there are thousands of possibilities. Get ready to show off amazing photos on your social media and enjoy unforgettable experiences.
Where better place to start than one of the most photographed cities in the world: Barcelona. Its most famous monument, the Basilica of La Sagrada Familia, has been captured by visitors and their cameras from every angle imaginable: reflected in the small lake in the Plaza de Gaudí square, from the balconies of nearby hotels, and so many more.
However, another corner of the city that’s earned its place on the list of all those captured on camera is El Muro del Beso (the Kiss Wall), a ceramic mural of a huge kiss created by Joan Fontcuberta out of 4,000 photos sent anonymously by Barcelona residents. It’s a great spot for an unusual, romantic photo.
View of Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz, Andalusia
Cadiz. Kiss me on this corner
And now we’re moving on to another kiss because this sign which appeared on a corner of the beautiful coastal town of Rota one day has become famous on social media. You can now find it right by the beach. Are there other villages in Cadiz with “kiss me on this corner” or “kiss me under this arch” signs? Indeed there are: Setenil de las Bodegas, Arcos de la Frontera and Vejer de la Frontera. The beautiful whitewashed houses in these villages will make a great setting for your photos.
View of the Alhambra and the city of Granada, Andalusia, from the San Nicolás viewpoint
Granada. San Nicolás viewpoint
This viewpoint wins hands down. You’ll have the best views of all the Alhambra palaces from here, with the Sierra Nevada mountain range as the backdrop. It’s one of the best-known spots in the Albaicín neighbourhood. You’ll enjoy the photos, but it’s the atmosphere that really gets you.
Tourist looking at San Juan de Gaztelugatxe in Bizkaia, Basque Country
Bizkaia. San Juan de Gaztelugatxe
Although this impressive Basque Country landscape has become famous for being the set for Dragonstone in Game of Thrones, this spot has always had an undeniable charm. It’s well worth climbing the 141 steps that take you up to this chapel that’s almost surrounded by the sea.
Also in the Basque Country is the beautiful city of Donostia – San Sebastián, where you’ll find this sculpture by Eduardo Chillida, perfect for sharing on social media. Its poetic name, Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind), says it all.
View of Las Médulas in El Bierzo, León, Castile and Leon
León. Las Médulas
Selfies taken here are hard to beat. You’ll find yourself in front of hills of intense red, which are the remains of an ancient, open-air gold deposit dating back to Roman times.
Details of the beach of Las Catedrales de Ribadeo, Lugo, Galicia
Lugo. Las Catedrales beach
A cathedral in the middle of the sea? That’s what you’ll think you’ve found when you see the enormous stone arches formed on Ribadeo beach in Galicia. And if you’re travelling in Galicia, visit other sites that are perfect for selfies, like the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the Ventana al Atlántico viewpoint in A Coruña.
Woman taking a selfie in front of the Crystal Palace in Madrid, Region of Madrid
Madrid. The Crystal Palace and roof terraces
The Crystal Palace is one of the prettiest spots in the El Retiro Park and the whole city. Although originally intended to be a gigantic greenhouse, it now hosts original art exhibitions. Located next to a pond and surrounded by horse chestnut trees, the selfies you take here will be stunning. Other places in the city that always result in good self-portraits? The roof terraces of various hotels are becoming more and more famous in Madrid.
View of the Roman aqueduct in Segovia, Castile and Leon
Segovia. Roman aqueduct
If you want to take a special photo as a souvenir of this monument, try climbing up to the El Postigo del Consuelo viewpoint. You’ll find it at the top of a set of steps up to one of the highest points on this aqueduct, which dates back to the ancient Roman Empire.
View of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, Region of Valencia
Valencia. City of Arts and Sciences
Any photo that includes the buildings in this spot in Valencia will look futuristic. Their aesthetics, their surprising shapes and curves are impressive. In fact, it has been chosen as the set for TV shows such as Westworld.
View of Es Vedrà from the Cala d’Hort cove in Ibiza, Balearic Islands
Es Vedrà. Ibiza
This Balearic Island plays a prominent role in selfies taken in Spain. You’ll love capturing the emblematic islands of Es Vedrà on camera, from the Torre des Savinar defence tower, for example. And it’s a great spot for admiring the sunset, too, one of the best on the island.
Panoramic view of the bridge and city of Ronda in Malaga, Andalusia
Malaga. Ronda bridge.
This is another of the most sought spots to photograph in Spain. If you want to take the perfect selfie with this bridge, which crosses a gorge that plunges over 150 metres, you’ll find various footpaths offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
This is one of the most unusual photos you can take in Spain. The traditional windmills of Castile-La Mancha (that Don Quijote confused with giants) and Castillo de La Muela castle make for an impressive background.
Tourists walking towards El Teide in Tenerife, Canary Islands
Tenerife. El Teide
At 3,718 metres high, this volcano is the highest peak in Spain. There are lots of places you can photograph it from in Tenerife and even on the other Canary Islands. The best bit is that you can even take photos from the volcano itself, as there’s a cable car that takes you up near the summit.
