Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Home Blog Page 528

TPB appoints acting COO

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

MANILA, 29 August 2022: The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), recently named Charles Aames Bautista as the new officer-in-charge of the agency.

His appointment ratified last week follows the resignation of the former chief operating officer, Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones. She now serves as an undersecretary for the newly-formed Department of Migrant Workers.

Charles Aames Bautista addresses a recent gathering of travel agents in Manila.

Bautista, who held the post of deputy chief operating officer for marketing and promotions, was the next highest-ranking executive of the TPB in line to take the top job. He was nominated and unanimously voted in as the acting COO  by the TPB’s Board of Directors, chaired by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, during a special board meeting last 15 August 2022 to temporarily head the agency.

Before joining TPB, Bautista was the former department manager for the Communications and Creative Services of the Centre for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the export promotion arm of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). He spent the past 15 years as a marketing, public relations, and corporate planning executive in various industries, including e-commerce, media, pharmaceuticals, hospitality and advertising. He spent a third of his career as the digital manager and concurrent online editor of Tatler Philippines.

“I am excited to take on this role and steer the ship, albeit temporarily,” said Bautista. “We will continue to serve our stakeholders with the enthusiasm and excellence that the agency is known for, and I also look forward to bringing in new ideas that align with the Secretary’s vision of having a multidimensional approach to tourism,” he added.

Bautista will serve the OIC position until the TPB Board members appoint the next COO.

(Your Stories: TPB Philippines)

Anantara Desaru expands senior team

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

DESARU COAST, Malaysia 29 August 2022: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas has appointed Peter Wagner as resort manager.

He joins Anantara Desaru Coast from Six Senses Samui, a resort with a strong villa product, where he worked as director of rooms. Before that, he was rooms division manager at Anantara Mui Ne in Vietnam.

In his latest posting at the Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, he reports directly to the general manager Christian Gerart.

Owned by Minor International, a hotel operator with 530 properties, Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas is located on a 17-kilometre beach facing the South China Sea in a new high-end resort development that offers a range of accommodations nestled in tropical gardens. Desaru Coast is located in Johor Darul Ta’zim and spans over 16 square kilometres. It is near Iskandar Malaysia, and is easily accessible via a 45-minute drive from Malaysia’s Senai International Airport (JHB) and a two-hour drive from Singapore. Additionally, visitors from Singapore can travel to Desaru Coast by ferry, followed by a short drive.

The Maldives taps Traveloka’s network

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

JAKARTA, 29 August 2022: Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation ( Visit Maldives) has initiated a digital marketing campaign with Indonesia’s leading online travel agency, Traveloka, which has its head office in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The campaign will promote the Maldives as a leading destination of choice in the Southeast Asian market and covers three months ending in November.

Traveloka is Indonesia’s leading online travel agency with a strong presence across Southeast Asian markets. The Traveloka app has been downloaded over 60 million times, and the platform boasts over 40 million monthly active users. It connects with over 150 airlines, covering 200,000 domestic and international flight routes.

As of 17 August, Maldives welcomed 1,028,467 travellers to its shores, with 22,181 arriving from Southeast Asian nations.

TMMPRC has been holding several activities targeting this market, including joint marketing campaigns with major stakeholders, outdoor advertising campaigns, participation in fairs, and hosting webinars, including e-Learning programmes.

SQ goes mask free on most flights

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 29 August 2022: Singapore Airlines will not require passengers to wear masks during flights starting from today, 29 August, unless they travel to and from a country that requires a face mask.

Face masks are optional at Singapore Changi Airport.

Singapore Airlines has strictly enforced the mask mandate onboard all its flights, regardless of destination, to stick with government guidelines. However, effective 24 August, the government Ministry of Health eased rules on wearing masks that also included public transport.

That ruling has now been extended to passengers flying on Singapore Airlines unless they are flying to and from destinations that still mandate mask wearing.

In its latest update, Singapore Airlines reassured passengers that if they wish to wear a mask onboard or within Changi airport, they can continue to do so.

Passengers must wear masks during flights to Germany and Spain ( Milan and Barcelona) due to regulations in the two countries. 

For more information on destinations requiring masks, see:

https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/pdf/media-centre/Maskrequirementsbydestinations.pdf

QF to resume Auckland – New York flights

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SYDNEY, 29 August 2022: Qantas will recommence flights to New York, with a new service from Australia to the Big Apple via Auckland from 14 June next year*.

The launch of QF3 and QF4 will initially see the flying kangaroo return to New York three days a week after a three-year Covid-induced hiatus. Flights will use Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with three new aircraft scheduled for delivery next year.

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said flying via Auckland would provide better connectivity from more destinations in Australia before an uninterrupted 16-hour flight to New York.

“We’re back flying to most of our pre-Covid destinations, a fantastic achievement by our teams and so important for Australians reconnecting with the rest of the world.

“We can’t wait to return to New York, and it’s made possible by the delivery of new aircraft, which have been caught up in delays that have impacted many airlines.

Sydney-Auckland-New York flights went on sale last week. Qantas currently operates six daily services to Auckland from Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, increasing to 11 daily services when the new flight to New York launches.

*Flights subject to regulatory approval

Thai Vietjet launches September shock sales

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 29 August 2022: Thai Vietjet launches a promotion, ‘September Shock Sale’, offering fares starting from just THB499 (inclusive of taxes and fees) for travel on the airline’s entire domestic flight network.

For international flights, fares start from THB1,699 (inclusive of taxes and fees)  for travel on the airline’s network to Vietnam, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Fukuoka, Taipei and Ahmedabad. The fares are bookable until midnight on 31 August 2022, with the travel period extending from 15 September to 31 December 31(excludes travel on public holidays).

The promotional fares apply to Thai Vietjet’s entire domestic network in Thailand from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani. They also apply on cross-country routes connecting Phuket directly to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai and the route from Hat Yai to Chiang Rai.

On international routes, the fares apply from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi airport) to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Phu Quoc, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Fukuoka, Taipei and Ahmedabad. 

Thai Vietjet started an international service connecting Bangkok and Taipei on 16 August.

Beauty pageant contestants visit Sabah

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

TUARAN, Malaysia, 29 August 2022: Twenty-four 24 finalists of three national beauty pageants, who visited Kiulu last week, enjoyed a warm welcome from the locals and the thrill of white water rafting.

Kiulu is a sub-district of Tuaran in the West Coast Division of Sabah, Malaysia, about 60 km from Kota Kinabalu.

For 26-year-old Theevya Nathan from Kuala Lumpur, she felt fortunate to have visited Kiulu. “I’m overjoyed to see the villagers’ genuine joy, something I wouldn’t normally witness in a city setting. Their hospitality is impeccable, and even the food is superb,” she said.

She is competing in Miss World Malaysia and expressed her desire to return to Sabah and learn more about the diverse ethnic communities.

Another contestant, Janilda Navya Tiong Rui Fen, from Johor, said she was captivated by the traditional performance and water sports activities that Kiulu provides.

“I love adventure, and Kiulu is the place to be for adventure seekers. The rafting trip was fun because we saw more of the beautiful scenery in Kiulu as we boated along at our own pace,” she remarked.

Competing in Miss World Malaysia and Miss Supranational Malaysia, Janilda praised the community for keeping up its efforts to protect the environment and community-based tourism.

Miss World Malaysia competitor Anya Kimberley Kow found her trip to Kiulu enlightening because it gave her a chance to learn more about the rural destination and its culture.

“Some of us have decided to do water rafting, which was our first time. I was initially anxious, but after a thorough safety briefing from our guides, I had complete faith in the Kiulu people.

The Sabah resident said she hoped both locals and tourists would make the trip to Kiulu to experience the eco-tourism attraction near Kota Kinabalu city.

The three beauty contestants were among 24 Malaysian beauties competing in Miss World Malaysia, Miss Grand Malaysia and Miss Supranational Malaysia. The grand finals took place on 27 August at the Sabah International Convention Centre.

Their visit to Kiulu was hosted by the Hilton Hotel as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Meanwhile, Sabah Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, who is also Sabah Tourism Board chairman, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, expressed hope that the contestants would learn something meaningful during their visit and spread the word about Kiulu.

“I hope by coming here, the pageant contestants will gain a better appreciation for the Kiulu people and their cooperative efforts to improve the economy and village through tourism,” he said, encouraging them to use their influence to promote Sabah.

Joniston, a Kiulu assemblyman, was on hand to observe the activities of the pageant finalists. Also present were Sabah Tourism Board deputy chief executive officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit and Hilton Hotel general manager Andrew Nisbet.

(Your Stories: Sabah Tourism Board)

Dream start for Resorts World Cruises

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2022: Genting Dream’s popular three-night cruises to Penang and Singapore represent over 50% of the guest bookings departing from Malaysia’s Port Klang.

Since Resorts World Cruises launched its dual homeporting in Singapore and Port Klang for its flagship Genting Dream last July, the cruise company secured over 40,000 confirmed guest bookings until year-end for its Port Klang departures in less than one month.

“We are delighted with the positive response from the Malaysian market. With the addition of Port Klang as part of the dual homeport, many Malaysians are already taking advantage of the convenience and easy access to explore cruising vacations on Genting Dream”, said Resorts World Cruises president Michael Goh.

Besides the three-night cruises to Penang and Singapore departing every Monday, travellers embarking from Port Klang can also opt for the two-night round-trip cruises to Singapore, which depart every Thursday and Saturday, starting from MYR 599 per person. In addition, Resorts World Cruises will also offer one-way cruises, an alternative to air and land travel for travellers between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Crew and cruising guests must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. With each voyage, guests must undergo a mandatory self-paid pre-cruise Antigen Rapid Test (ART) for Covid-19 at any certified medical practitioner one day before departure.

Penang welcomes Indian travel agents

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

GEORGE TOWN, Penang, 26 August 2022: Penang Convention and Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) hosted a networking dinner for members of the Travel Agent Association of India (TAAI) at Angsana Teluk earlier this week, attended by 300 TAAI members.

The Indian travel agents were attending the three-day 66th TAAI Convention on board the Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Spectrum of the Seas, which is currently sailing Southeast Asia’s waters from its seasonal home port in Singapore. 

PCEB’s networking reception for Indian travel agents (TAAI members) at Angsana Teluk. 

PCEB hosted a networking dinner on dry land for the Indian travel agents to meet event industry players from Penang.

“Penang has been actively engaging with the travel industry in India since 2017 as it’s one of the fastest growing markets for Penang,” said PCEB CEO Ashwin Gunasekeran during his welcoming comments at the event. “During our last trip in 2019, we had many in-depth discussions with Indian agents focusing on how to expand the events market from India to Penang and facilitate direct flights to major cities in India.”

TAAI president Jyoti Mayal responded by stressing the opportunities to promote two-way tourism between Malaysia and India as well as the need to strengthen bilateral relations and develop trade, investments and tourism.

TAAI members joined what was called the 66th TAAI Cruising Convention that set sail from Singapore aboard the Spectrum of The Seas on the evening of 22 August. It docked near George Town, Penang in the evening of 23 August. TAAI members joined the networking party on land and then returned to the cruise ship for the sail south to Singapore, arriving at dawn on 25 August. TAAI conference presentations and the association’s annual business reporting sessions convened onboard the cruise ship.

Ashwin confirmed that the bureau was organising its annual roadshow in India for 2023. Dates are still pending.

Centara backs aspiring Olympic sailor

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 26 August 2022: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is co-sponsoring Thai sailor Sophia Montgomery who is representing Thailand at the 2022 ILCA Under 21 World Championships in Portugal this weekend.

The sponsorship is part of Centara’s commitment to supporting women in sport and young Thai athletes as they aspire to achieve sporting success on the world stage.

Sophia, who will compete in the individual Laser Radial (ILCA 6) category, will join approximately 240 athletes from 41 countries participating in the world championships, hosted in the southern Portuguese resort town of Vilamoura from 21 to 28 August.

“At Centara, we aim to inspire people to follow their dreams. Sophia is the epitome of that aspiration with her incredible talent and optimistic outlook on life,” said Centara CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat. “Sophia is an inspiration to all of us – she is already on the path towards qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. In addition to her sporting achievements, she recently began studying and sailing at Harvard University.”

Sophia comes from a strong sporting background and also holds a black belt in taekwondo. But it was sailing that became her top sporting passion.

“I love sailing because it’s so complex, with demanding physical, mental and environmental factors,” Sophia Montgomery said. “With so many variables, every race is unpredictable and requires one to think on their feet at all times: anticipating, analysing and adjusting. I’m so grateful to Centara for their sponsorship, which allows me to continue pursuing my passion and my goal of representing Thailand at the 2024 Olympics.”

Born and raised in Thailand, Sophia graduated from NIST International School in May 2021.

Centara’s support for Sophia follows the company’s sponsorship of Thailand’s Chonburi Football Club for the 2020-2021 season.

(Your Stories: Centara Hotels & Resorts)

1...527528529...596Page 528 of 596

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


Contact Us
TTR Weekly (TTRW) is published in Bangkok, Thailand, registered since 1978.
/ month
placeholder text
/ month
placeholder text
Press releases, announcements, events for calendar should be sent to: [email protected]
/ month
placeholder text

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.