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Mastercard expands Travel Suite

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 29 June 2022: If flight booking trends continue at the current pace, an estimated 1.5 billion more passengers globally will fly in 2022 than last year, and tourists will spend 34% more on experiences than before the pandemic Mastercard Economics Institute estimates in its latest forecast.

Mastercard says it is responding by expanding its Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services platform with new partnerships that focus on seamless travel experiences for cardholders, including WhatsApp servicing, Covid alerts and perks like lounge access when flights are delayed.

Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services is a travel planning and booking gateway, granting World and World Elite cardholders access to exclusive guarantees, amenities and upgrades, 24/7 concierge and premium offers and entertainment from top travel brands.

New partnerships offer benefits that alleviate travel stress

• Convenience: For delayed flights or relaxing in peace, cardholders have access to a global network of over 1,100 airport lounges. Recent expansions include Mastercard Flight Delay Pass, now available worldwide for complimentary lounge access on qualifying delayed flights.

• Connection: Launched first in the Asia Pacific and to other regions within the year, select cardholders now have access to complimentary global roaming data packs for use in more than 200 destinations, with a 15% Mastercard discount on top-ups through Flexiroam.

  • Care: Cardholders can opt-in to receive real-time notifications and the latest in COVID restrictions and requirements, including testing locations and pricing through Sitata.

• Cash Rewards: Shop and receive cash rewards with Mastercard Travel Rewards at hundreds of marquee merchants in 19 destinations and thousands of online offers for unique savings5.

“The pandemic may have altered the way we travel, but it hasn’t changed our desire for priceless experiences when we do,” said Mastercard executive vice president, services Asia Pacific Matthew Driver. “Also, travellers want to feel connected and protected at every step of their journey. By enhancing Mastercard’s comprehensive suite of loyalty solutions, Mastercard aims to support customers and consumers with a smooth return to travel, ensuring care and convenience at every touchpoint.”

Tourism Secretary has an ear to the ground

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 29 June 2022: The Philippines Incoming tourism secretary Christina Frasco promises to be a good listener who values local government units’ input when establishing tourism-related national policies.

In a speech reported by the Philippines News Agency Tuesday, Frasco underscored the importance of strong coordination between national and local governments, the latter having close grassroots contact with the tourism and hospitality players.

Photo credit: PNA. Incoming Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (photo by Avito Dalan).

“There is the mandate by the local government code requiring prior coordination between the national and the local government, and then there is the reality,” she commented.

“What I intend to bring to the Department of Tourism is the perspective of valuing the input of local government units in the crafting of national policy, considering that the policies that are crafted nationally will be implemented by the local government units on the ground,” she added.

Frasco visited the DOT Monday morning to meet with officials and regional directors. She will join the Cabinet of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. when the latter assumes office on 30 June.

At the press briefing, Frasco said she “plans to work hard” to realise Marcos’ vision of expanding countryside development, developing the Philippines’s tourist sites, and giving equal opportunities to lesser-known destinations.

Watch the press briefing.

“This means giving focus to all regions in the Philippines, including Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, to replicate best practices in tourism that have already been proven successful in the various regions and to introduce innovations and digitalisation where necessary,” she said.

Frasco said she would also push with her plans to develop Mindanao as a tourist spot while supporting efforts to achieve peace and order in the region.

“[I will] work with the people of Mindanao to prove to the world that they are fully deserving of the attention that they have so needed and deserve,” she said.

(Source: PNA)

Win a cruise to Tasmania Australia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 29 June 2022: Princess Cruises has announced an online contest through its social media channels offering the chance to win an eight-day cruise vacation in Australia onboard Majestic Princess for two guests.

Departing on 12 November 2022, the cruise winners will stay in a balcony stateroom, sail a return trip from Sydney and visit captivating destinations in Tasmania such as Hobart, Great Oyster Bay & Freycinet Peninsula (Scenic Cruising), and Eden.

The giveaway is timely as Princess recently celebrated the restart of cruising in Australia and the greater relaxation of the border and travel restrictions for the region.

“Australia offers close-to-home voyages for guests in Southeast Asia, making it an ideal option for a delightful vacation. We are also offering a range of fly-cruise options, creating the perfect opportunity for guests to extend their stay in Australia which is a much sought-after and popular dream destination,” said Princess Cruises country director for Southeast Asia Farriek Tawfik.

“We are thrilled that public confidence is back, too, with a surge in interest for cruises in Australia, Alaska, the Mediterranean, Europe, and other global sailings. We are also hoping to attract first-time cruise guests with this contest by creating brand awareness and what Princess offers,” he added.

The contest takes place from 1 July to 31 August 2022 and is open to all legal residents of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Brunei who are 18 years of age or older. Entering the giveaway is accessible by simply completing an online form. There is no requirement to purchase a cruise.

Registrants can enter this contest through various online communication platforms, with each unique email address counting as one entry. The online platforms include:

  • Banner on Princess Website

o   Sponsored post on Facebook

o   Sponsored post on Instagram

o   Sponsored ad on Youtube

  • Registering at princess.com/winacruise

Official rules can be found on princess.com/winacruise. The winner will be selected randomly in a draw on 14 September 2022. The prize includes round-trip economy class airfare from the winners’ local departure city to Sydney but does not include onboard expenses, taxes, cruise or air service fees, visa arrangements and other relevant expenses.

Guests have a huge variety of over 50 Australian itineraries and 70 sailings to choose from

Princess Cruises offers over 50 itineraries and 70 sailings on three ships sailing in Australia in 2022-23: Coral Princess commenced sailing from Brisbane on 16 June, after which the ship will then be based in Sydney from August till October. Grand Princess will sail from October 2022 to April 2023 out of Melbourne and Adelaide, and the Royal-class Majestic Princess sailing from October from Sydney and Auckland, New Zealand.

Majestic Princess offers unique features such as the SeaWalk, which is a dramatic over-the-ocean glass walkway, the first of its kind at sea. At 18m long, nearly 40m above the waves and extending 8.5m beyond the edge of the ship, it affords thrilling views of the seascape. The 3,560-guest ship also features many exceptional dining options, such as authentic French bistro-style dining at Bistro Sur La Mer, created with Chef Emmanuel Renaut, whose Flocons de Sel restaurant has received three Michelin stars, as well as a Chinese speciality restaurant.

Princess delivers the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising featuring world-class dining and entertainment, all elevated by the Princess MedallionClass Experience. The Medallion enables everything from expedited, contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need to be delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favourite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best WiFi at sea, stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favourite movies and shows. Princess has offered MedallionPay contactless payment for all onboard purchases on MedallionClass since the Princess MedallionClass Experience debuted in late 2017.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling +65 6922 6788, or by visiting the company’s website at http://www.princess.com/.

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/mj-majestic-princess/

(Your Stories: Princess Cruises)

Emirates’ ice streams Shahid content

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, 29 June 2022: Emirates partners with Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform, to offer premium content exclusively onboard its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice.

Shahid is part of MBC GROUP, the largest and leading media company in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

This partnership makes Emirates ice the only channel to offer access to top-rated titles by Shahid Originals, aside from the streaming service’s own premium-subscription online platform.

From July 2022, all Emirates customers can enjoy an extensive selection of over 135 hours of Shahid content from 15 shows with something to appeal to all members of the family. Programme subtitles also make the content accessible to an even bigger international audience onboard Emirates.

The newly added content from Shahid adds to the extensive collection of Arabic content already available on Emirates with over 420 channels of audio and 170 channels of films and TV shows.

In total, Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system, with over 5,000 channels, offers an unmatched breadth of content in 40 languages to cater to its global customer base, with more than 4,000 hours of movies and TV and close to 3,500 hours of music and podcasts.

Emirates’ senior vice president of retail, IFE & connectivity Patrick Brannelly said: “We are excited to welcome the world’s leading Arabic streaming service content onboard – so passengers can catch up on all their favourite entertainment inflight, just as they do at home. We look forward to growing the partnership and making even more of their popular shows and movies available to our customers in the future.”

MBC GROUP chief commercial and marketing officer (VOD) Natasha Matos-Hemingway added: “We are extremely proud to partner with Emirates, an award-winning airline who, like us, is always striving to give the best to their customers. Emirates is our first airline partner, and their global footprint enables us to reach viewers from many new markets and broaden the reach of our shows and brand – there is no better match for our ambitions.

“We are excited to offer Shahid’s content for Emirates’ customers to enjoy, just in time for the busiest travel season of the year.”

Shahid’s biggest original production Rashash, which has been hugely popular in the Arab region, will be streamed for the first time by an airline onboard Emirates. In addition, Emirates customers can enjoy a broad range of exclusive Shahid original titles and other hit MBC GROUP titles, including Anbar 6, Hell’s Gate, Dor Al Omor, Nemra Etnein, Al Shak, Al Jedar Al Rabea, Rahn El Tahqiq, 2020, Bi Saraha Ma’a, Dofa’at Beirut, Aghani Min Hayati, Kaf w Dafoof, and Salon Zahra. Content originates from territories including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Egypt, and Lebanon.

In addition to entertainment, Emirates ice offers a range of other practical features, such as checking the status of the flight while en route; a real-time view of the sky during take-off and landing from cameras that are fixed on the aircraft’s nose, tail and underbelly; a helpful travel guide about Emirates’ hub Dubai; EmiratesRED; the world’s first inflight TV shopping channel; and a range of personal development content including LinkedIn Learning.

Before their flight, Emirates customers can browse through over 5,000 channels of on-demand movies, music, TV shows, box sets, and documentaries, create their own playlist on The Emirates Mobile App, and sync it on board for a more personalised travel experience.

For more information, visit Emirates/inflight-entertainment

For more information on Shahid, visit shahid.net

About Shahid and Shahid VIP

Shahid is the first and leading VOD and SVOD streaming platform in the Arab world by MBC GROUP, offering premium content to Arab families, including binge-worthy exclusive Shahid Original Series; Shahid Premieres; Arabic movies fresh off the box-office; live TV channels in true HD quality; as well as international offerings courtesy of Disney, Marvel, FOX and ABC Studios.

(Your Stories: Emirates)

Nepal names new minister of tourism

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 29 June 2022: Nepal’s government has appointed Jeevan Ram Shrestha as Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation following a reshuffle within the ruling political parties.

According to a report in the Annapurna Express Monday, it confirmed Shrestha had taken over the post that oversees the country’s vital tourism and civil aviation sectors, both primary sources of foreign exchange earnings for the landlocked country.

He was quoted saying his priority was to revive tourism marred by prolonged Covid-19.

Photo Credit: Annapurna Express

The appointment follows the resignation late last week of the Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale, who presented his resignation letter to CPN (Unified Socialist) chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal on Sunday.

According to local media reports, around 10 parliamentarians resigned, expressing dissatisfaction over a recent cabinet reshuffle.

Bangkok Airways launches flights to Hat Yai

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK 29 June 2022: Bangkok Airways will launch two new routes, Bangkok-Hat Yai and Samui-Hat Yai, starting 16 July 2022.

The announcement follows the airline’s update earlier this month on resuming services post-Covid-19. It will recommence services on the  Samui-Chiang Mai route effective 1 July, Bangkok-Maldives 22 July, Bangkok-Siem Reap 1 August, Bangkok-Danang 1 September and Samui-Hong Kong 1 September.

The Bangkok-Hat Yai services will operate two flights daily, using an Airbus A319 aircraft. The first outbound flight, PG431, will depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 0825 and arrive at Hat Yai Airport at 0955. The return flight PG432 will depart from Hat Yai Airport at 1045. and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1215.

The second outbound flight, PG433, will depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1300  and arrive at Hat Yai Airport at 1430. The return flight PG434 will depart from Hat Yai Airport at 1520 and arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 1650.

Three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays) will operate on the Samui-Hat Yai route using an A320. PG411 will depart from Samui Airport at 1030 and arrive at Hat Yai Airport at 1140. The inbound flight PG412 will depart from Hat Yai Airport at 1210  and arrive at Samui Airport at 1320.

Chatrium hires Bangkok manager

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 29 June 2022: Chatrium Hospitality has appointed John Neutze as general manager of Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok.

With over 30 years in the hospitality industry, Neutze has extensive experience in sales and marketing, operations and guest technology engagement solutions across hospitality brands, including Raffles Le Royal and Raffles Grand d’Angkor (Cambodia), Hilton Maldives (now rebranded to Conrad Maldives), Hilton Worldwide and Stamford Hotels & Resorts.

“I am delighted to have John Nuetze join the Chatrium family. We are confident his fresh ideas and extensive experience will add a new dimension to the guest experience at the property and group level,” said the group’s general manager Rene Balmer.

Thomas Cook India launches FX-Now

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TTR WEEKLY
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MUMBAI, 28 June 2022: As business travel revives, Thomas Cook (India) Limited has launched FX-Now – a digital tool that delivers to corporate clients end-to-end foreign exchange services.

The digital tool simplifies the process yet maintains necessary checks and balances for its business travellers.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited senior vice president foreign exchangeDeepesh Varma said: “The pandemic has fast-tracked India’s digital evolution, and this is even more so for our corporate travellers – a critical segment for our Forex business.

With the current Forex processes being rather cumbersome, requiring significant documentation and approvals, we were keen to eliminate the pain points for our business travellers. This formed the genesis of FX-Now, our cutting-edge corporate self-booking tool that empowers our corporates with simple, swift, convenient and contactless services for end-to-end forex transactions. FX-Now is inbuilt with customisable corporate travel policies, approval matrix and customisable MIS capabilities to further benefit our corporate segment.”

As one of the largest travel service provider networks in Asia-Pacific, the Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across five continents.

Thailand ditches the last remaining Covid rules

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 28 June 2022: In its latest announcement released Monday, the Civil Aviation of Thailand recommends airline passengers continue to wear masks during flights as the country does away with most Covid-19 regulations.

Mask-wearing outdoors or in uncrowded places is now voluntary, but residents and travellers are advised to wear them in closed areas such as public transport, airline cabins and shopping malls. Local media reports suggest Thais and residents are in no hurry to ditch their masks. Most continue to wear them outside or in well-ventilated areas, so travellers should follow their lead if they want to blend in.

CAAT’s Pilot Notification (NOTAM) posted on the agency’s Facebook page Monday informed airlines worldwide about the latest improved measures on air travel to Thailand.

As of 1 July, the Thailand Pass has been abolished along with the mandatory health insurance requirement.  

Fully vaccinated passengers can enter Thailand without undergoing tests for Covid-19. They need to show a certificate of vaccination. If they have a respiratory illness, they should take a Rapid Antigen Test (PRO-ATK) to be on the safe side.

Passengers who are not vaccinated or have not completed the entire vaccinated course will need to show a PRO-ATK or RT-PCR negative test result no later than 72 hours before travel to be able to enter the country.

Airlines will have to verify documents of international passengers for vaccination documents or PRO-ATK or RT-PCR results. If passengers do not have any of the above documents, they will have to comply with the order of the checkpoint authorities.

For international airlines, crew certification documents can be submitted to facilitate the crew. However, the disease control authorities may review the documents.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s night entertainment spots will be allowed to open until 0200. A ban on serving or selling alcoholic beverages between 1400 and 1700 remains in place, with a few exceptions. Tourist hotels can serve alcoholic beverages from 1400 to 1700. Also, provincial governors have the power to allow restaurants and bars serving tourists to remain open in the afternoon to sell alcoholic beverages. Some governors have already provided written authorisation that allows restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages from 1400 to 1700. The afternoon ban on drinking was on the books long before Covid-19.

Cebu Pacific resumes Brunei flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 28 June 2022: Cebu Pacific continues to expand its international network with the resumption of its Manila – Brunei flight on 23 July, bringing the total international routes restored to 18.

In a media statement at the weekend, CEB confirmed it would restart services between Manila and Brunei, beginning with two flights weekly, every Thursday and Saturday.

Flight 5J 409 will depart Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 at 1910 and arrive at Brunei International Airport by 2140. The return flight, 5J 410, will leave Brunei at 2230 and arrive in Manila at 0050 on the following morning.

“We are especially happy to bring this route back after a two-year hiatus as we know many of our passengers are looking forward to visiting their family and friends – whether in Brunei or back home in the Philippines,” said CEB chief commercial officer Xander Lao.

Fully vaccinated Filipinos flying to Brunei are only required to present their proof of vaccination, along with an e-health arrival declaration form which they must fill out not more than 24 hours before departure. Travel Medical Insurance with Covid-19 cover (minimum coverage of BND 20,000) must also be presented at the check-in counter.

Filipinos returning home no longer need to take a Covid-19 test pre-departure.

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