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Singapore Food Festival celebrates 30 years

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 11 JULY 2023: The annual Singapore Food Festival (SFF), a landmark event for avid foodies, is back to celebrate its 30th anniversary from 19 to 30 July 2023.

SFF 2023 highlights include an expansive Festival Village with three new zones – Food Cartel, Sweets Alley and Café Boulevard; island-wide activations like culinary tours, workshops and chef masterclasses; and exclusive finds specially created for the event.

Photo credit: STB

This year’s zones include:

SG Food Walk – A nod to Singapore’s diversity of flavours, this zone will feature festival exclusives such as curry chicken fried popiah (thin crepe-like roll) from popiah and calamari nachos with a remoulade made from belimbing (a fruit native to Malaysia and Indonesia) – a collaboration between sustainability-focused restaurant Kausmo and local fish farm Ah Hua Kelong.

Food Cartel – From pop-ups to bar concepts and masterclasses, foodies can catch their favourite chefs and personalities in action at Food Cartel.

Café Boulevard – A tribute to Singapore’s thriving café culture and the passion of local coffee artisans, Café Boulevard, features fine coffee and bakes from homegrown names such as oat milk brand Oatside, Le Matin Patisserie, and Hapi Café in collaboration with Pourabucha kombucha.

Sweets Alley – Offerings in this zone are sure to satisfy sugar cravings with a mix of traditional and modern sweets such as Chinese desserts from traditional dessert shop Yat Ka Yan, Nonya-style handmade ang ku kueh (glutinous rice flour skin encasing a sweet or savoury filling) from Ji Xiang Ang Ku Kueh; and artisanal local ice cream company Creamier with exclusive flavours such as sesame tang yuan (glutinous rice balls) and waffled putu piring (palm sugar-filled rice flour cake).

SG Mama Shop collaborates with the local e-commerce platform Food Culture Singapore and Easygo AI Vending Machine.

Marrying old and new, modern brands – including the world’s first sustainable soy wine Sachi and Made with Passion brands Hook Coffee and Mekhala cooking pastes and sauces – line the shelves in the iconic setting of a recreated mama shop, an important element of Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.

Attending SFF 2023

Entry passes to the Festival Village start from SGD8. Festival-goers can check out www.singaporefoodfestival.sg for the full list of experiences and ticketing information.

IndiGo flies Delhi-Baku route

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 11 July 2023: IndiGo is expanding its international network to include flights from Delhi to Baku in Azerbaijan starting 11 August.

Baku becomes the 30th international destination and 108th destination in the airline’s combined domestic and international networks.

The new four-weekly flights will open business and leisure travel opportunities between India and Azerbaijan. For passionate Formula 1 fans in India, the new flight will be a welcome addition as Baku is on the Formula 1 calendar. The airline will serve Baku on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of new flights connecting Delhi and Baku, reinvigorating the historical Silk Route connection between these two vibrant cities,” IndiGo head of global sales Vinay Malhotra commented. “This strategic introduction addresses the growing travel demand from India to Azerbaijan, promoting cultural exchanges and fostering stronger bilateral ties.

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and the largest city on the Caspian Sea. Its economic significance is evident due to its thriving oil and gas industry. Baku is becoming a popular tourist destination as more airlines serve the capital city. It delivers a mesmerising blend of rich history and modernity, offering a fascinating experience that embraces tradition with its bustling markets, flourishing arts scene, and local cuisine.

Baku’s cultural heritage.

The distinctive Flame Towers, a towering skyscraper trio, dominate the city’s skyline. Also, the historic Maiden Tower stands as a historic stone stronghold in the heart of Baku’s Old Town. The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcases the meticulous craftsmanship of medieval Azerbaijan.

AIDA cruises speed up onboard Wi-Fi

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: The rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink on the first ships of the AIDA fleet takes place faster than expected and is now offering AIDA travellers more bandwidth and faster internet connections.

By October 2023, all ships in the AIDA fleet will be equipped with SpaceX’s innovative Starlink broadband service. It means AIDA Cruises will offer one of the fastest Wi-Fi experiences at sea before the end of the year.

The service is already available on three ships; AIDAblu, AIDAbella and AIDAstella. Guests can benefit from a Starlink special offer with increased data volumes in the Internet packages from mid-July.

As the summer season progresses, the ships AIDAprima, AIDAperla, AIDAnova, and AIDAcosma will also be equipped with SpaceX’s Starlink.

About AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises is the leading cruise company in Germany, with voyages to over 250 ports worldwide. The AIDA fleet comprises 12 ships. It is part of the family of Carnival Corporation & plc cruise brands.

Emirates walks guests through Premium Economy

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: Emirates celebrated the launch of its Premium Economy offering in Singapore last week with a tour of one of its enhanced four-class A380 aircraft.

The event kicked off at the Emirates Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 1, after which guests were given a guided tour of the brand-new product and the enhanced interior across all cabin classes on board the Emirates A380. Guests took in the highlights of the exclusive premium economy experience that awaits travellers.

(L-R) Rashed Alfajeer, Emirates’ Country Manager in Iran & Central Asia, Daniel Ng, Senior Director (Aviation Development Group / Chief Sustainability Officer – CAAS), Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Far East, Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President (Airport Management – CAG), and Rashid Al Ardha, Emirates’ Country Manager in Singapore & Brunei at the launch of Emirates Premium Economy.

On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is at the front of the main deck with 56 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration. In the cabin, every inch of space anticipates customer needs with a generous seat pitch and width for working and relaxing and customised features that offer function and convenience, like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The experience is rounded off with expertly curated in-flight amenities, an inventive menu, and extensive beverage options. Emirates Premium Economy is deployed on flights EK 354 and EK 355 between Singapore and Dubai.

Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, the Emirates App, at Emirates sales offices, and via both online and offline travel agents. Travellers should check the Emirates website for the latest travel requirements.

Airlines boost load factors in May

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released May 2023 traffic data showing strong growth in air travel demand.

Total traffic in May 2023 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) rose 39.1% compared to May 2022. Globally, traffic is now at 96.1% of May 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.

Domestic traffic for May rose 36.4% compared to the year-ago period. Total May 2023 domestic traffic was 5.3% above the May 2019 level. This is the second consecutive month that domestic traffic has exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

International traffic climbed 40.9% versus May 2022, with all markets recording strong growth, led again by Asia-Pacific carriers. International RPKs reached 90.8% in May 2019, with Middle East and North American airlines exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

The total industry load factor rose to 81.8%, led by North American carriers at 86.3%.

“We saw more good news in May. Planes were full, with the average load factors reaching 81.8%. Domestic markets reported growth on pre-pandemic levels. And, heading into the busy Northern summer travel season, international demand reached 90.8% of pre-pandemic levels,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

International Passenger Markets

Asia-Pacific airlines had a156.7% increase inMay 2023 traffic compared to May 2022, maintaining a very positive momentum since the lifting of the remaining travel restrictions in the region earlier this year. Capacity rose 136.1%, and the load factor increased 6.4 percentage points to 80.0%.

European carriers posted a 19.8% traffic rise versus May 2022. Capacity climbed 14.2%, and the load factor rose 3.9 percentage points to 84.4%.

Middle Eastern airlines saw a 30.8% traffic increase compared to May a year ago. Capacity climbed 25.0%, and the load factor pushed 3.6 percentage points to 80.2%. The region is leading the recovery, with May traffic at 17.2% above 2019 levels.

North American carriers’ traffic climbed 31.0% in May 2023 versus 2022. Capacity increased 23.2%, and the load factor rose 5.1 percentage points to 85.1%, the region’s highest.

Latin American airlines had a 26.3% traffic increase compared to the same month in 2022. May capacity climbed faster– up 27.3% — and the load factor slipped 0.7 percentage points to 83.8%. The region was the only one to see capacity growth exceed traffic growth for the month.

African airlines’ traffic rose45.2% in May 2023 versus a year ago. May capacity was up 44.2%, and the load factor increased 0.5 percentage points to 68.8%, the region’s lowest.

Club Pirates teams up with Princess

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: For fitness enthusiasts, Princess Cruises and Xponential Fitness’ signature Pilates brand, Club Pilates, have teamed up to offer the first-ever ‘Club Pilates at Sea’: An Alaska Retreat’, an action-packed adventure sailing roundtrip from Seattle aboard Royal Princess 2 to 9 September 2023.

This one-of-a-kind cruise marks the first time guests can enjoy a seagoing retreat dedicated to Club Pilates, the largest Pilates brand in the world, offering a low-impact, full-body workout with classes that challenge the mind and body.

Guests will participate in Club Pilates classes with glaciers and the rugged Alaska landscape as a remarkable backdrop. The September cruise offers the chance to view Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).

Known for its rugged beauty, Alaska, the inaugural ‘Club Pilates at Sea’: An Alaska Retreat’ offers participants fitness experiences such as hiking, canoeing and ziplining while not forgetting the leisurely pursuits of whale watching, salmon bakes and tours of historical Gold Rush towns.

Regent Seven Seas unveils shore excursions

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 10 July 2023: Regent Seven Seas Cruises introduces 128 culinary-focused shore excursions in the Mediterranean in collaboration with local chefs and culinary experts.

The cruises visit France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey to sample regional delicacies. Regent boasts A collection of approximately 5,000 shoreside experiences worldwide.
Here are the highlights of Regent’s new European culinary-focused shore excursions.

Minoan Gastronomy Through History
Heraklion (Crete), Greece – FREE

Cooking Class with Local Chef
Pergamum (Dikili), Turkey – FREE

Farm-to-Table Amalfi-Style
Amalfi/Positano, Italy – USD119 per guest.

Porto’s Port Wine Cellars
Porto, Portugal – USD119 per guest.

Ultimate Provence Specialities
Toulon, France – USD139 per guest>

Menorcan-Style Lobster
Mahon (Menorca), Spain – USD139 per guest.

IHG lines up meeting incentives

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2023: IHG Hotels & Resorts has launched its newest campaign, ‘Meet How You Meet’ to boost meeting bookings with benefits such as complimentary rooms and upgrades at IHG Hotels & Resorts across Southeast Asia.

Event planners can choose from tailored offers based to a minimum spend.

The ‘Meet How You Meet’ campaign delivers 121 custom-built offers from IHG MICE hotels and resorts across Southeast Asia.
Booking period: Up to 31 December 2023.
Applicable for meetings held until 30 June 2024.
Complimentary rooms are linked to the number of paid rooms booked for an event, a minimum threshold that differs with each hotel property.

‘Meet How You Meet’ offers across the following popular destinations:

InterContinental Bangkok
Minimum spend: USD6,000

Voco Orchard Singapore
Minimum spend: USD10,000

Voco Ma Belle Danang
Minimum spend: USD7,500

Crowne Plaza Vinh Yen City Centre
Minimum spend: USD5,000

Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay
Minimum spend: USD5,000

Destination Mekong fills up board seats

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHNON PENH, 10 July 2023: Destination Mekong has confirmed the appointment of four directors who join 12 other directors to bring the board up to full strength 16 members to supervise the affairs of the destination management organisation until 2025.

Directors joining the board this month are:

Nikolas Hatz, managing director HatzConsult and Lead Consultant & Tourism Development Export | Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ);

Hannah Pearson, founder Pear Anderson and Regional Director Asia  Adventure Travel Trade Association;

Phan Thanh Ha, Partnership Officer ASSET – H&C network;

Guido Neil, Director of Special Operations 12Go. (renewal of directorship).

Additionally, new board members representing the most significant financial contributors to Destination Mekong are:

  • For the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation (OCIC): Thierry Tea, Vice President;
  • For the World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Jedsada Taweekan, Regional Illegal Wildlife Trade Program Manager for WWF-Greater Mekong;
  • For Confluences: Dara N. Van, Business Development & MarCom Manager;
  • For Control Union: Dilum Wijenayaka, General Manager, Control Union Cambodia;
  • For the AZ Group: Lim Bunsour, Chairman.

Jetstar adds Melbourne-Fiji route

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TTR WEEKLY
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SYDNEY, 10 July 2023: Jetstar will start direct flights between Melbourne and Fiji (Nadi) on 16 December, before the busy Christmas holiday.

Using an Airbus A321neo LR the airline will operate three weekly flights with capacity to uplift 72,000 customers to the South Pacific nation annually.

Photo credit: Jetstar

It’s the first time a low-cost carrier has offered nonstop flights from Melbourne to Fiji, and kick-off sales Jetstar offered one-way fares from AUD179 for just one day last week.

Jetstar’s Chief Customer Officer, Alan McIntyre, said now Melburnians can access great low fares and nonstop service to Fiji.

“Since relaunching our Sydney to Fiji services, we’ve seen strong demand from Melbourne travellers, and from December, they will be able to fly direct,” said McIntyre. “Fiji is a hugely popular destination for Australians, and with interest continuing to grow, we’re offering more than 70,000 great low fares seats each year between Melbourne and Fiji.”

The announcement comes just days after Jetstar began flying between Sydney and another new South Pacific destination, Rarotonga, the largest of the Cook Islands, using its NEO. The Airbus A321neo LR will also be deployed on the carrier’s existing Sydney to Fiji service starting from 29 October 2023, adding 46 seats per flight compared to the Airbus A320.

To support flying Melbourne to Fiji, the service between Sydney and Fiji will change to three return flights a week from 16 December 2023. The airline will offer six weekly flights from Australia to Fiji between the two services.

Melbourne-Fiji timetable starting 16 December 2023

Last week, Jetstar announced the launch of its fourth weekly return service between Sydney and Seoul, effective 5 February next year. Jetstar started flying between Sydney and the South Korean capital in November 2022 and currently operates three flights a week, carrying more than 60,000 customers a year between the two destinations. The fourth weekly service between Sydney and Seoul adds another 30,000 low fares to the popular route yearly.

Last week the low-cost carrier also announced three new flights every week between Brisbane and Seoul starting on 1 February 2024. It will boost Jetstar’s presence on routes from Australia to Seoul, Korea, to daily flights —Sydney (4) or Brisbane (3) — from next February, raising seat capacity to around 240,000 across the two routes.

Australia-Seoul timetable starting 5 February 2024

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