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.
SINGAPORE, 18 August 2022: Covid-19 is still around, but it hasn’t stopped event organisers from bringing back their “in-person” events with a vengeance starting as early as this October.
Travel shows and talk festivals are back, claiming our attention, as can be seen from this week’s announcement that the Mekong Tourism Forum will return to Vietnam’s Quang Nam province from 12 to 13 October after being moth-balled for two years. Then within a week, travel executives are expected to pack a suitcase and head for Singapore to attend ITB Asia, which will make a complete comeback with a 100% in-person format from 19 to 21 October.
MTF. Hoi An”s UNESCO heritage river view.
Nothing changes; the travel industry is back doing what it does best; meeting and greeting, selling and networking. But let’s not forget the massive amount of working hours burned on academic discussions that have little value business-wise. They dominate events such as the Mekong Tourism Forum, and companies will scrutinise their worth in these tough post-pandemic times.
Airfares have almost doubled, and airline services to many destinations in Southeast Asia are still well below the pre-Covid-19.
ITB Asia is lucky to be hosting the event in Singapore, a destination that has seen the fastest return of airline networks and already, flights are climbing back to match around 80% of the levels in 2019.
Fares are higher, but at least ITB Asia delegates can get to the destination on direct flights. Messe Berlin (Singapore) is throwing open the show doors from 19 to 21 October 2022 at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands. ITB Asia 2022’s conference will also deliver a variety of conference themes, focusing on MICE, corporate, leisure and travel technology.
We are not so sure about the availability of airline routes to get travel executives to the doors of the Mekong Tourism Forum that will reconvene for face-to-face gatherings in Quang Nam province 9 to 14 October 2022.
Admittedly the theme has all the right “Rs” when Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, says the forum will discuss the need to “Rebuild Tourism and Rebound with Resilience.” at the beachside venue in Quang Nam province.
But getting to the venue, Hoiana Resort & Golf (Hoiana), close to Hoi An town and south of central Vietnam’s Danang, will be challenging financially and time-wise. Rebuilding and the catching up that needs to be accomplished after the forum’s absence for two years will be a logistic challenge. However, the lack of direct flights and connecting flights to Danang’s international airport is of more concern.
MTF is best known for its discussions and academic presentations. It will recruit experts who will be there again to focus on tourism recovery, digital transformation, supply chain localisation, social enterprise business models, and best practices for a resilient travel sector rebound, especially using the latest technologies.
Speakers will include leaders from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), representatives from other GMS national tourism organisations, the Asian Development Bank, Destination Mekong, Agoda, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, OAG, YAANA Ventures, EXO Travel, Travelife and the ASEAN Tourism Association.
The venue could not be better if you are on holiday. Hoiana Resort & Golf (Hoiana) stands on a beach just south of Hoi An the UNESCO-listed heritage town. Danang international airport is 40 minutes from the conference venue.
The good news is the airport to hotel transfers for forum delegates on 11 and 13 October are free. Flying to Danang is not, and most delegates will need to buy connecting fares with downtime in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. If you are a tourism expert resident in India, the trip to Danang will take 15 hours, and the airfare could cost USD466 roundtrip. There are few direct flights to Danang, but nothing on the scale we all enjoyed back in 2019. There are direct flights from Hong Kong and Singapore to Danang with fares around USD390. One consolation for delegates; The Mekong Tourism Forum is free to attend for “genuine Greater Mekong Sub-region travel and tourism stakeholders.”
KOTA BELUD, Sabah, 18 August 2022: Teachers at SK Bangkahak are making efforts to elevate the status and preserve the cultural significance of Dusun Tindal’s traditional Rinangkitan garment.
They have taken the initiative to research the garb and presented the original garments worn by women in Bangkahak in the past during the Karnival Bahasa Kadazandusun and Tinimungan Tradisi Bangkahak that was held in Kampung Bangkahak Lama last week.
Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai joined the event.
The unveiling of 100-year-old Rinangkitan outfits highlights the necessity of documenting and preserving the authenticity of the older forms of Dusun Tindal traditional attire. According to the teachers’ research, the garment has existed since 1920 and was worn mainly by Bangkahak women. A small but dedicated group of Bangkahak women have also been working to recreate the traditional garments by returning to using threads made from tree barks. Making a book about Rinangkitan and its history is also in the works.
Joniston believed the passion demonstrated by teachers and villagers would inspire and enable young children to understand their heritage and the need to preserve cultural identity.
“I’m glad to see such strong dedication and cooperation between school and the village community in protecting culture, which is crucial to our identity, the local economy, and the tourism industry.
“I believe that Bangkahak’s cultural traditions are its greatest asset, and if expanded further, it may be an appealing attraction,” he said, adding the Sabah Tourism Board is committed to providing the rural communities with assistance in developing tourism products.
While Sabah is best known for eco-tourism, Joniston said cultural tourism is also popular among tourists looking to immerse themselves in a new culture.
He then urged the Bangkahak community to be creative and innovative in identifying opportunities to promote their areas, so they do not fall behind in the tourism industry.
Opening in October, the 180-key Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon will provide a comfortable base for guests to explore the area’s notable landmarks, including the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, National Museum, Pak Khlong Talat flower market, as well as discover the historic district’s street food and family-run eateries.
Metta transfers to Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon from Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha, where she has held the general manager post since July 2020.
The seasoned hospitality professional started in southern Thailand as a Personal Assistant to the group general manager for Centara resorts in Surat Thani. She rose through the ranks in Centara Koh Chang Tropicana Resort before moving to Chonburi to look after two hotels – Centara Pattaya Hotel and Centara Nova Hotel & Spa – later becoming hotel manager for both properties.
Her first general manager position was at Centara Sonrisa Residences & Suites Sriracha. During her time there, she improved the hotel’s performance and profitability and successfully navigated the hotel through the challenging period of 2020 and 2021.
“We have closely witnessed Khun Metta’s career growth and shared in her success throughout the years. She is a very effective leader and manager, and we are delighted to have her head up our new hotel in the storied quarter of Phra Nakhon in Bangkok,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts executive vice president – hotel operations David Good.
Located near Khaosan Road, a short distance from Sam Yot MRT subway station, Centra by Centara Hotel Phra Nakhon is Centara’s fifth address in the Thai capital. Centra’s positioning of delivering excellent value and experiences makes this the ideal brand for guests looking to explore this historic district in Bangkok.
HONG KONG, 18 August 2022: Cathay Pacific released its traffic figures for July 2022 on Tuesday, showing it carried 219,746 passengers during the month, representing an increase of 306.2% compared with the same month in 2021.
The airline claimed July’s traffic figures continued to “reflect the positive impact of further adjustments to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s travel restrictions and quarantine requirements.”
Despite the optimism, passenger traffic in July was still down 93.3% when compared to the pre-pandemic level in July 2019.
The month’s revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs) increased 348.4% year-on-year but were down 89.4% versus July 2019. Passenger load factor increased by 44.7 percentage points to 73.3%, while capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASKs), increased by 74.6% year-on-year but decreased by 87.6% compared with July 2019 levels. In the first seven months of 2022, the number of passengers carried increased by 162.8% against a 6.3% decrease in capacity and a 189.8% increase in RPKs, compared to the same period for 2021.
The airline carried 100,714 tonnes of cargo last month, a decrease of 17.2% compared to July 2021 and a 40.7% decrease compared with the same period in 2019.
The month’s cargo revenue tonne kilometres (RFTKs) decreased 27.5% year-on-year and were down 42.6% compared to July 2019. The cargo load factor decreased by 10.8 percentage points to 71%, while capacity, measured in available cargo tonne kilometres (AFTKs), was down by 16.4% year-on-year and 48.9% versus July 2019. In the first seven months of 2022, the tonnage decreased by 6.6% against a 28.3% drop in capacity and a 34.2% decrease in RFTKs, as compared to the same period for 2021.
Travel
Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Ronald Lam commented: “We continued adding more passenger flight capacity in July in light of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s progressive travel and quarantine restrictions adjustments. Capacity increased by 24% compared to June, although it remained low at 12.4% of the pre-pandemic level. Passenger volume increased to an average of over 7,000 per day. Meanwhile, the passenger load factor reached 73.3% – the highest it’s been since the start of the pandemic.
“The additional capacity we were able to operate provided enhanced connectivity options for our customers transiting through the Hong Kong hub, with demand from the Chinese Mainland to Australia and the US particularly robust. We also saw strong demand on our UK routes, especially from students returning to Hong Kong. As many of these flights were full, some student traffic shifted to our other European gateways, such as Amsterdam and Frankfurt. Meanwhile, we were able to resume carrying passengers to Fuzhou, Nanjing and Wuhan in the Chinese Mainland again, following adjustments to local capacity restrictions.”
Outlook
As CX looks forward, the latest adjustments to quarantine arrangements for passengers arriving in Hong Kong should positively impact inbound traffic and leisure travel among Hong Kong residents, according to Lam.
“Student traffic to the US and UK is also expected to provide our travel business with a strong boost in August and September. However, our ability to add more passenger flight capacity will remain limited unless the restrictions on our aircrew are lifted,” he explained.
SINGAPORE, 18 August 2022: Jetstar’s virtual interline partnership with Indian low-cost carrier, IndiGo went live Wednesday, offering passengers in Singapore and Southeast Asia more options to book low-cost direct flights and connections to India.
Passengers flying Jetstar looking for low-cost travel options can now access IndiGo’s low fares from Jetstar’s hub in Singapore to Indian destinations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Tiruchirappalli via jetstar.com.
Jetstar Connect is an integrated booking system that allows passengers to select flights, buy bundled and unbundled ancillary products such as baggage and seats and enjoy seamless connectivity between international flights.
“Today’s announcement is a significant milestone for Jetstar as we continue to expand our network via Singapore’s Changi Airport through our partnership with IndiGo,” said Jetstar Asia commercial lead, Poh Tiong Seng.
Indigo chief strategy and revenue officer Sanjay Kumar added: “The partnership will enable customers to enjoy seamless connectivity between Jetstar and IndiGo and access to a wide variety of destinations across the Asia Pacific.”
SINGAPORE, 17 August 2022: Princess Cruises has announced updated Covid-19 protocols and guidelines, removing the vaccine requirement for most voyages of less than 16 days so that anyone can cruise and adjusting pre-travel testing requirements to make it less complicated.
Starting 6 September, vaccinated guests sailing on voyages of less than 16 days will no longer have to test before boarding and only need to upload proof of vaccination while getting OceanReady. Unvaccinated guests or those who do not provide proof of vaccination on those itineraries will self-test within three days of sailing and upload proof of a negative test before boarding.
These new guidelines apply to itineraries from all departure ports except where government regulations and protocols may vary, like in Canada, Greece and Australia.
Updated CruiseHealth guidelines for embarkation
No pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests on voyages of up to 15 nights (guests five and older) except full Panama Canal transits, trans-ocean and other special itineraries; unvaccinated guests must provide a negative self-test result taken within three days of embarkation (unvaccinated children under five years do not require pre-cruise testing)
Guests sailing on voyages 16 nights or longer or sailing on full Panama Canal transit, trans-ocean, and other specific itineraries need to take a supervised test within three days of embarkation (guests five and older). Guests on these types of voyages will be contacted directly by an Ocean Navigator to assist.
“These updated guidelines help ensure a Princess vacation is available to everyone,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “The Princess experience is truly one-of-a-kind, and we encourage everyone to take a Princess vacation that offers amazing service at unmatched value.”
The updated guidelines are subject to the local regulations of applicable homeports and destinations.
SINGAPORE, 17 August 2022: Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has won Global Sustainable Tourism Council – For Destinations (GSTC-D) certification, the first island destination in Asia recognised for championing sustainability.
In line with the goals of the Sustainable Sentosa strategic roadmap unveiled in 2021, the 500- hectare island resort has been certified as a sustainable tourism destination by an independent audit.
The gold standard for sustainable tourism, the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D) of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, consists of a stringent and comprehensive set of criteria spanning Sustainable Management, Socio-economic, Cultural, and Environmental Sustainability.
The achievement affirms the organisation’s push to achieve a more sustainable Sentosa, supported by policies and programmes that preserve and enhance Sentosa’s natural and heritage assets.
The island joins only 23 other certified sustainable destinations worldwide, such as Vail, Colorado and Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Iceland. They are internationally recognised for their compliance with high social and environmental standards.
The Global Sustainability Study 20211, which surveyed more than 10,000 people across 17 countries, revealed that one-third of global consumers are willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, and sustainability was rated as an important purchase criterion for 60% of consumers.
Overall it involved compliance or high scores in 38 criteria and 174 indicators across four categories: Sustainable Management, Socio-economic Sustainability, Cultural Sustainability and Environmental Sustainability.
The Global Sustainability Study 2021 survey was conducted in July 2021 by Simon-Kucher & Partners, fielding through a panel of data provided by Dynata, an independent market research agency.
As a certified sustainable destination, Sentosa will continue to support the Singapore Green Plan 2030 to build a sustainable Singapore for future generations of Singaporeans and global visitors.
