BANGKOK, 2 June 2022: Thai AirAsia X has resumed direct flights from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport to Seoul in South Korea, starting Tuesday.
Both departing and arriving flights have achieved a load factor of 95% during the first week, reflecting a strong recovering travel sentiment in both countries the low-cost airline reports.
The Suvarnabhumi-Seoul service is on the timetable three times a week, departing Suvarnabhumi Airport every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The airline plans to increase its frequency to daily shortly.
Thai AirAsia X Chief Executive Patima Jeerapaet said: “Pre-bookings for June and July have already exceeded 90%, indicating recovering tourist sentiment to South Korea and Japan, two most popular destinations amongst Thais.
To support booking sales up to 12 June, the airline offers a promotional one-way fare of THB3,290 for travel until 25 March 2023.
KUCHING, 1 June 2022: Sales for virtual tickets to the Borneo Jazz festival 2022 is now open at the festival’s official website www.jazzborneo.com.
Themed “Jazz in The Jungle”, the 17th edition of the Borneo Jazz festival convenes from 24 to 26 June, adopting a hybrid format with the physical concert at Coco Cabana, a beach resort in Miri, Sarawak’s second-largest city.
Borneo Jazz will be joined by an international community of jazz artists, rappers and DJs from France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, USA, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, and China, not to mention the best names in Malaysian jazz.
For those who want to enjoy the festival virtually, tickets cost MYR25 per viewing block – an approximately an hour segment allowing you to view your favourite performers. For more information on the virtual slots, fans can check out BJ’s official website for updates on performances: www.jazzborneo.com.
Those attending the physical concerts can purchase tickets on the website at a starting price of MYR128 for the general category, One-Day Pass. The Two-Day Pass costs MYR228 and the Three-Day Pass MYR338.
Students and senior citizens prices: One-Day Pass MYR88, Two-Day Pass MYR128 and the Three-Day Pass MYR188.
KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, 1 June 2022: In conjunction with the Asia Parks Congress 2022, Sabah Parks and Sri Pelancongan Sabah Sdn Bhd have teamed up to organise the Asia Parks Virtual Fun Cycle 2022 from 28 May until 28 June 2022.
The virtual event aims to celebrate the wonders of Sabah Parks’ protected areas or any national park (in Malaysia or worldwide) and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.
“Many people are cycling as a hobby or for exercise… The ‘Virtual Fun Cycle’ is a fun activity that allows you to complete at your own pace, time, and convenience. You can finish the race anytime until 28 June 2022,” said Sabah Parks Sport & Social Club chair Roslizan Sallin.
The rules are simple. You need to cycle between 50 to 70 kilometres by 28 June. It can be done collectively or in just one go, but you must file proof from popular Apps such as Strava and Garmin Sports.
To fulfil its primary objective, cyclists must also submit a “selfie” (with a bicycle) at any hill, a Sabah Parks area or other national parks in Malaysia or worldwide and post the picture to the selected social media designated by the organiser.
Notable prizes include a North Edge N102 smartwatch and Wireless Earphone Loca 22 awarded to the “best cycling time duration + distance” and the “best selfie” winners. Interested cyclists can register on www.hellosabah.com. Fees are MYR130 for Malaysians and MYR200 for non-Malaysians.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 June 2022: Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) reports a healthy increase in international passenger demand as border restrictions ease across the region, stimulating business and leisure travel.
AAPA released its Preliminary April 2022 traffic figures earlier this week, showing that Asia Pacific airlines recorded a 272.9% jump overall in international passengers carried (4.8 million) compared to April last year.
Demand rose to an average of 15.2% of the volumes posted in the pre-pandemic month of April 2019. In revenue passenger (RPK) terms, international passenger demand increased by a robust 302.7% year-on-year, reflecting the strength of long haul traffic. Available seat capacity expanded by 77.5% year-on-year, resulting in a solid 36.3 percentage point increase in the average international passenger load factor to 64.9% for the month, the highest level achieved since the pandemic in March 2020.
However, the start of the second quarter saw a further reduction in global manufacturing activity, with the Russia-Ukraine war and tight Covid-19 restrictions in China constraining production lines and hampering trade across major routes.
Against this backdrop, international air cargo demand as measured in international freight tonne-kilometres (FTK) fell for the second consecutive month in April by 8.5% year-on-year. Offered freight capacity decreased by 3.1% compared to the same month last year, leading to a 4.2 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 70.3%.
Commenting on the results, AAPA director-general Subhas Menon said: “With vaccination rates high in the region, the general easing of border regulations has unleashed pent-up travel demand, as evidenced by the strong growth in international passenger numbers in April and healthy forward booking patterns.”
Menon noted: “By contrast, the air cargo business faces some challenges, from rising geopolitical tensions, persistent supply chain disruptions, to intensifying inflationary pressures. The first four months have seen international air cargo demand falling by 1.6% compared to the previous corresponding period, after a strong upturn in 2021.”
“Asia Pacific continues to lag in the recovery of international travel. To build on the current momentum towards a full recovery, it is vital that governments and industry stakeholders collaborate closely to simplify border measures and streamline digital applications to make air travel truly seamless,” AAPA’s director-general concluded.
SINGAPORE, 1 June 2022: Korea Airports Corporation, which manages five airports in the country, says South Korea will resume 22 international routes starting 8 June, totalling around 136 flights weekly.
Operating airports in Gimpo, Gimhae, Jeju, Daegu, and Yangyang KAC said the air route between Seoul’s Gimpo and Tokyo’s Haneda airports will open on 8 June.
Korean Air Lines, Asiana Airlines, Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways are committed to flying the route, according to the News18 report. The Gimpo-Haneda route has been suspended since March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gimhae Airport in Busan is ready to resume 76 international flights on 13 routes from June 2022. Flights to Bangkok and Hanoi are a top priority to reconnect with Southeast Asian cities popular with leisure travellers from South Korea, followed by Fukuoka in Japan.
Meanwhile, KAC plans to host the Airport Council International (ACI)’s annual meeting in the southern port city of Busan in 2025. The ACI is an international organisation representing the collective interests of airports worldwide. It serves nearly 1,950 airports in 185 countries.
HANOI, 1 June 2022: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism resumes its headcount of International arrivals after a two-year pause noting that the General Statistics Office’s data showed a 70.6 leap in visits (172,900) during May compared with the previous month.
For the period January-May, GSO counted 365,300 international arrivals, 4.5 times higher than the same period last year but 95 percent lower than the same period of 2019, before the first wave of Covid-19 infections that caused lockdowns worldwide.
Vietnam has been witnessing a steady increase in arrivals since the country reopened tourism in mid-March when international flights resumed.
GSO data showed arrivals from Australia and the US grew by 2,918% and 2,192%, respectively, to 17,806 and 49,675. Arrivals from Europe were up 975% to 65,253.
Google searches for Vietnam travel showed high interest in the US, Australia, Singapore, France, Japan, Germany, Canada, India, the UK and Thailand.
Vietnam targets around 5 million foreign tourists this year compared to 18 million in 2019 before the Covid-19 first wave of infections.
MANILA, 1 June 2022: The Philippines Department of Tourism welcomed the appointment of Christina G. Frasco as its new secretary, who was officially named the new tourism chief by the country’s president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr earlier this week.
On Monday, 30 May, the incoming press secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced Frasco’s appointment as one of her first duties.
Christina G. Frasco.
According to Rappler.com news channel, Frasco was reelected mayor of Liloan town in Cebu back in the May polls for her third term in office. She also served as the spokesperson of now vice president-elect Sara Duterte during the national elections campaign.
She replaces Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, appointed in 2018 by the former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The DOT media statement said: “There are high hopes that the momentum that we have generated the past few months toward the revival, recovery, and resiliency of the tourism industry will be carried over to the new administration.”
The DOT statement noted that the “transition team of the DOT is ready to welcome and brief the new secretary and her team for a smooth turnover.”
Earlier this year, the DOT announced the completion of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) from 2022 to 2028.
“We will also be turning over the reformulated Tourism Response and Recovery Plan (TRRP), which has served as the department’s road map to the tourism sector’s full recovery from the devastating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic,” the DOT statement concluded.
PHNOM PENH Cambodia, 1 June 2022: Cambodia Airways successfully launched a new direct flight from Phnom Penh to Samui Island in Thailand on Monday, following its resumption of daily flights to Bangkok.
The airline is now flying to Samui twice a week on Tuesday and Friday and selling a return fare for USD176 as part of a promotion that ends 31 July. Details of the offer are hard to capture as the homepage banner rotates faster than you can read the text. In addition, Samui does not feature under the airline’s homepage’s “promotions” tagline or its press releases. But you can book the flight, and for an airline that fails to update its website, that is a consolation.
Cambodia Airways. Samui welcomes a new flight.
Direct flights from Phnom Penh to Samui depart at 0830am and arrive in Samui at 0940. The return flight departs Samui at 1040 and lands in Phnom Penh at 1150.
An Airbus A319 with a seating capacity for150 passengers serves the route.
Samui: Visa on arrival tips
The airline posts tips for passengers who need to get a visa on arrival at Samui airport
1) Complete the visa on the arrival application form (download the form from the web portal www.cambodia-airways.com before arrival to avoid congestion at the terminal).
2) Present two photos size 4×6 cm with a white background without wearing a cap or glasses. Please be noted that there’s no photo-taking service at the Samui Airport.
3) Show copies of the return ticket, passport, Thai Pass and insurance for a minimum of USD10,000 (colour print). Only hard copies are acceptable. Local Immigration needs hard copies to attach to their documents that are not online.
4) Pay the feet THB2,000 (Exchange Thai baht at the arrival terminal).
These instructions do not apply to travellers eligible for visa-free entry. (Citizens of ASEAN countries) but all travellers must register their passport, vaccination certificate, and insurance details on the Thailand Pass app.
LANGKAWI, 31 May 2022: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is campaigning to attract more charters to the island by launching the Langkawi Charter Flight Incentive Programme (LCFIP).
LFCIP will run from 1 June to 31 December 2022, offering financial incentives to air charter operators worldwide.
In a media statement released last week, LADA pledged to provide financial support to new charter flights to Langkawi. The offer is open to all airlines, tour operators, dedicated air charter operators, destination management companies, or travel agencies.
According to LADA, financial assistance is channelled through the lead charterer, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
All applications and submissions should be submitted to LADA via [email protected] to receive the e-brochure and application form.
Return of the Ironman
Meanwhile, LADA announced the Ironman 70.3 Langkawi is back on the calendar after a two-year pause. It will be hosted on Langkawain 5 November 2022.
The race promises to follow a route that takes athletes through tropical, hilly and demanding terrain, passing traditional villages, mangrove clusters and rainforest vistas. Athletes will finish the race on the stunning Cenang beach. For more details, visit https://www.ironman.com/im703-langkawi
Considered Langkawi’s most popular beach Pantai Cenang is home to the recently opened Mercure Langkawi Pantai Cenang.
BANGKOK, 31 May 2022:Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator and Baansuay Group (Suratthani) PCL. announced the signing of a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) for Centra by Centara Hotel Surat Thani.
Senior executives from the two companies officially executed the agreement at a signing ceremony held recently at Centara’s flagship Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.
Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer, Centara Hotels & Resorts (3rd from right) and Piriya Tanerananonth, CEO of Baansuay Group (Suratthani) PCL. (4th from left) signed a Hotel Management Agreement for “Centra by Centara Hotel Surat Thani.”
The largest of Thailand’s southern provinces, Surat Thani, is the main transit point for travellers en route to some of the Kingdom’s most famous islands, including Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
The project comprises the complete renovation of an existing low-rise hotel, with work currently underway and an anticipated opening date of 1 July 2023, which includes the renovation of 110 rooms, an all-day dining Dim Sum restaurant, and a casual in-style Japanese restaurant and meeting room. The completion of a second phase is expected in early 2025, which will see the construction of a new building to house additional facilities, including a large function room, fitness centre and swimming pool.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Centara for their first hotel in Surat Thani. With their excellent reputation and track record, we are confident that Centra by Centara Hotel Surat Thani will become a new landmark for travellers exploring southern Thailand,” said Piriya Tanerananonth, CEO of Baansuay Group (Suratthani) PCL.
The guest journey at Centra by Centara Hotel Surat Thani invites travellers to experience the local community with a concept design that bridges that gap between ethnic communities in surrounding Bandon Bay with contemporary furnishings and local arts and crafts.
The 110-key hotel will offer spacious accommodation ranging from 24 to 36 square metres, featuring amenities and services that allow guests to relax at their home away from home, including connecting rooms for families. Essential facilities include a lobby envisioned as dynamic multi-use spaces, two restaurants which will be positioned as a destination in themselves, and a deck and garden area with blurred indoor-outdoor boundaries.
“We are excited to announce the partnership with Baansuay Group (Suratthani) PCL. for Centra by Centara Hotel Surat Thani, our twelfth Centra by Centara-flagged property and Centara’s first hotel in Surat Thani. Centra by Centara’s positioning of elevating the essentials by delivering great quality at excellent value makes this an ideal brand for leisure and MICE travellers seeking to explore the province’s natural and cultural charms,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.
Centra by Centara Hotel Surat Thani is located in the city centre, a 15-minute drive to Lomprayah Tapee Pier and Tha Thong Pier, and a 30-minute drive from Surat Thani International Airport.
