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Oceania Cruises marketing team leader

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 6 April 2022: Oceania Cruises recently named Frank Del Rio Jr as its chief sales & marketing officer for the brand.

He will be responsible for all sales and marketing activities worldwide and lead the teams based in the brand’s offices in Miami, Southampton, Sydney, and Sao Paulo.

This appointment marks Del Rio’s return to the company and a continuation of his 14-year tenure, from 2003 through 2017.

During his time at Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and ultimately at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd, Del Rio rose to the rank of senior vice president and led all aspects of Port and Destination Services along with Onboard Revenue.

Maldivian rethinks flight to Ratmalana Colombo

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TTR WEEKLY
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COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 6 April 2022: Just hours after inaugurating a new service from Male to Ratmalana airport in Colombo Sri Lanka the Maldives national airline Maldivian suspended the service.

First reported by Ceylon Today, the online news channel said Maldivian’s “maiden international flight to Colombo International Airport – Ratmalana (CIAR) took place Sunday 27 March. Just 96 hours later the airline suspended the route to allow for a serious rethink.

According to Ceylon Today, it incurred a loss of around SLR6 million spent on the ceremony for the maiden flight. At the same time, it failed to ferry enough paying passengers to justify any follow-up flights.

However, VIPs appreciated the celebratory water cannon salute from the airport authority, while passengers enjoyed the gift packs from the Sri Lanka Tea Board and the Kandyan dance performance.

It is understood that the national carrier Maldivian which operates international flights to various Asian cities from its hub at Velana Airport, is rethinking the Ratmalana endeavour saying the route might not be as marketable as it had hoped.

Maldivian flew the route to Sri Lanka using a Dash-8 aircraft with 50 seats, and according to the Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, it planned three weekly flights increasing to five flights from May 2022 onwards. That might now be up for review.

Ratmalana International Airport is primarily a domestic airport serving the city of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. It was the country’s first international airport and was the only international airport in Sri Lanka until the inauguration of Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake in 1967.

(Source: Ceylon Today)

Pickyourtrail points to the Maldives

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TTR WEEKLY
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MALE, the Maldives, 6 April 2022: Maldives Marketing and Public Relation Corporation (Visit Maldives) joins hands with India’s travel brand Pickyourtrail to boost bookings from the Indian market.

The joint promotions will focus on a three-month campaign through to July to drive more bookings and rebuild travel confidence among Indian travellers.

Pickyourtrail delivers an online DIY platform allowing new age travellers to create and customize their holiday. Its on-trip app lets customers access their tickets, documents and all information on local restaurants and tourist spots.

Today, Pickyourtrail offers more than 50,000 vacations in 14 countries and is one of the top travel companies in India.

The purpose of the joint campaign between MMPRC and Pickyourtrail is to showcase the Maldives as the most preferred and safe holiday destination for Indian travellers with the geographic advantage of scattered islands which allows natural social distancing and

market the individual products, including resorts, hotels, guesthouses, homestay and liveaboards in the Indian market.

India was one of the top source markets for the Maldives in 2021. Up until early March this year, the Maldives welcomed 289,964 tourists, of which 26,094 arrivals, or a 9% market share came from India.

The Maldives has launched campaigns with Travel Trade Journal (TTJ), WeddingSutra, T3 Publication, and MakeMytrip. Additionally, campaigns were conducted with Thomas Cook and Amazon India App.

Dusit Laguna keeps it simply amazing

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHUKET, 7 April 2022: Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, a beachfront resort owned and operated by Dusit International, presents its ‘Simply Amazing’ room offer on bookings made by 23 April.

The stay dates run from 7 April to 30 April 2022. The ‘Simply Amazing’ room offer applies to Club rooms, Suites, and Villas and starts at THB9,000 net per night, including daily breakfast for two.

To elevate the stay experience, Dusit has also teamed up with esteemed local partners to create a wide range of special experiences, memorable activities, and unique services throughout April.

Thanks to collaborations with authorised BMW dealer Millennium Auto and car rental company SIXT, guests staying in a Club room or above will have 24-hour access to BMW Series 5 or Peugeot 5008 cars, available to pick up at the resort.

Highlighting local musical talent, each weekend, the resort will host nightly theme parties featuring live music, top local DJs, and creative drinks at a pop-up beach bar. The programme will start on Friday 8 April with “Sunset Chill Out & Retro Beats” – a celebration of the ’60s, followed by the ’80s and ’90s on Saturday 9 April, and a multi-generation celebration on Sunday 10 April. Each party will start with a complimentary sunset cocktail.

The resort has also teamed up with ZAK Extreme, Jet Board Thailand and Phuket Water Sports Club to offer very special rates on jet surf, surfboard, surf lessons, and other exciting watersports activities every Friday to Sunday throughout the month.

Alongside occasional pop-up dining experiences with guest chefs – including, on Songkran (Wednesday 13 April), a special eight-course feast of Basque cuisine by globe-trotting Chef Inaki Bolumburu, for THB 2,500++ – the resort will also offer its own exclusive Amore Dinner on the Beach for the special price of THB4,000 per couple, inclusive of two glasses of wine. Set on the sands and illuminated by candles, this romantic dining experience is normally priced at THB6,000 and is ideal for celebrating any special occasion.

Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket is located next to Bang Tao beach overlooking the Andaman Sea in the heart of Laguna Phuket, an integrated destination resort on the west coast of Phuket island. 

For more information about the ‘Simply Amazing’ offer, or to make a booking, please visit www.dusit.com or call (076) 362 999 (local fixed number).

(Your Stories: Dusit Laguna Phuket)

Hong Kong airport takes over AsiaWorld

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG 5 April 2022: Airport Authority Hong Kong has become the sole shareholder of AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) following the government’s recent transfer of all its interests in the convention centre located adjacent to the airport.

Before the transfer of interests, the government and AAHK jointly owned AWE. However, in 2018, AAHK acquired ownership of the company that manages and operates AWE and now takes over the remaining equity in the government hands.

In its latest announcement, AAHK says it will go ahead with AWE’s Phase 2 development. On completion, it will house Hong Kong’s largest indoor multipurpose performance arena with over 20,000 seats and state-of-the-art facilities. The Phase 2 expansion will also increase AWE’s exhibition space to 100,000 square metres.

AWE is a prime venue in Hong Kong for conventions, exhibitions, sports, entertainment events, business showcases, and premium consumer-oriented events.

It is part of SKYCITY, a core element of the Airport City development strategy that includes 11 SKIES, Hong Kong’s largest retail, dining and entertainment complex, and offices and hotels. The expanded AWE will enjoy synergy with 11 SKIES and other SKYCITY developments, attracting visitors from overseas, the Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong, propelling the development of Airport City into a destination of its own and contributing to the economic development of Hong Kong and the region.

Developing rural tourism in Sabah

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 5 April 2022: The Sabah Tourism Board product team is helping to transform Bingkor township in Sabah’s interior into a sustainable rural tourism destination.

The team had recently carried out an engagement with 47 Village Development and Security Committees (JPKK) in the Mukim Bingkor to explore tourism potential in their respective area.

Organised in collaboration with the Keningau Tourism and Culture Association, the engagement session was officiated by State Assistant Public Works minister and Bingkor assemblyman Datuk Robert Tawik.

Sabah Tourism Board chief financial officer Julinus Jeffrey Jimit said rural areas such as Bingkor have a great deal of potential to become a draw factor for tourists looking to travel into the interior of the state.

“While we encourage tourists to visit Sabah and experience the state’s major attractions, we equally encourage them to explore the countryside and interact with the local community to get the most out of their visit.

“It is part of the product team’s role to support rural communities in consistently unlocking their potential and creating opportunities for them to thrive through tourism,” he explained.

During the engagement session, Julinus gave a presentation on the tourism industry and how rural communities can benefit from it, especially now that travel is fully resumed with the reopening of the country’s border.

Among other things, the programme aimed to raise awareness among JPKK representatives about tourism products that can be developed, particularly community-based tourism products in Bingkor.

Additionally, they were also briefed on the importance of equipping themselves with digital marketing skills to efficiently market their tourism products.

Julinus added that similar engagement would be expanded to Keningau and other districts soon to empower and reach out to as many rural communities as possible.

Bingkor is about 10 kilometres from Keningau and has a predominantly Dusun population. Nature, culture, and handicrafts are abundant in the area, but they have yet to be developed.

At the moment, Bingkor does not have a community-based tourism offering, but the development of Bandukan Eco Park is in the works.

The community will manage the new tourism product with assistance and training from the Sabah Tourism Board.

In addition, the Keningau Tourism and Culture Association will work with Sabah Tourism to use QR codes to capture visitors to Bingkor.

For more information visit: http://www.sabahtourism.com/

(Your Stories: Sabah Tourism Board)

Agoda teams up with Thai bank

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 5 April 2022: Digital travel platform, Agoda, has partnered with Krungthai Card Public Company Limited a Thai credit card provider and Mastercard, to launch the “KTC – Agoda Mastercard credit card”.

 It marks Agoda’s first foray into co-branded credit cards and also the first time in Thailand that a leading digital travel platform, bank, and payment provider have partnered in a co-branding venture.

(Left to right: John Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Agoda;  Rathian Srimongkol, President & Chief Executive Officer, “KTC” or Krungthai Card Public Company Limited, Aileen Chew, Country Manager, Thailand and Myanmar, Mastercard.

The co-branded cards will make it easier for travellers to save and earn, while further building customer loyalty to the brands through a range of attractive benefits and savings for the cardholders.

Agoda chief executive officer John Brown said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Agoda to help its partners to extend visibility and reach customers loyal to KTC and Mastercard. Partnering with these leading brands will ensure Agoda is front of mind when their users make travel plans, through super deals and incentives to book on Agoda.”

Travel is a top spend category for KTC’s cards, and the brands hope that the incentives offered can go some way to speeding up the recovery of the tourism industry in Thailand. KTC aims to reach 150,000 card members within the next five years.

Speakers line up for WTTC Global Summit

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TTR WEEKLY
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MANILA, 5 April 2022: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) unveils its speakers for its upcoming Global Summit in Manila, which includes Indonesian/Dutch activist Melati Wijsen.

At just 12 years old, activist Melati Wijsen founded Bye Bye Plastics – a global movement powered by youths around the world to end the use of plastic bags, and in 2018 alongside her sister, was named one of the “World’s most influential teens” by Time magazine.

Taking place in Manila, the Philippines, from 20-22 April, the global tourism body’s highly anticipated 21st Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event on the calendar.

Industry leaders will gather with more than 20 government representatives in Manila to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

South Korean politician Ban Ki-Moon who served as the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations between 2007 and 2016, will also address delegates virtually at this prestigious event.

Also on stage at the Global Summit will be the Tourism Ministers from around the world, including Spain, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Japan, Maldives, and Barbados.

WTTC CEO and president Julia Simpson said: “We are delighted to have such influential speakers already confirmed for our Global Summit in Manila.

“Melati is an inspiration to us all. A real changemaker who from such a young age has been instrumental in raising awareness of the damage caused by plastic and has inspired young people around the world to lead change.

“After more than two years, the region is perfectly positioned to post the losses caused by the pandemic. WTTC’s Global Summit will act as a catalyst to drive forward the recovery of a sector that is critical for both the economy and jobs.”

Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said: “Preparations are underway to ensure the success of WTTC’s Global Summit in Manila, which serves as the light at the end of the tunnel following a long period of darkness for global tourism.

“It is heartening that these inspiring individuals have joined our efforts to bring the industry onward to full recovery”, Puyat added.

Other notable speakers taking to the stage during the Global Summit will be international business leaders such as Arnold Donald, President & CEO of Carnival Corporation and Chairman at WTTC; Greg O’Hara, Founder and Senior Managing Director Certares and Vice Charman at WTTC; Craig Smith, Group President International Division Marriott International; Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, COO Tourism Promotion Board Philippines; Federico Gonzalez, CEO Radisson; and Nelson Boyce, Head of Travel for the Americas at Google Inc.

A hybrid event, WTTC’s Global Summit will also feature Kelly Craighead, President & CEO CLIA; Jane Sun, CEO Trip.com, Ariane Gorin, President Expedia for Business; and Darrell Wade, Chairman Intrepid Group.

The WTTC Global Summit is taking place in the Philippines at a time when the country and the region are beginning to recover from the pandemic and will showcase the importance of Travel & Tourism in the region.

WTTC’s recent research shows the forecast for the Asia Pacific region could be its Travel & Tourism sector approaching pre-pandemic levels this year.

According to the research, the sector’s contribution to the region’s GDP could reach USD2.9 trillion, near pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, employment could reach over 190 million jobs, surpassing 2019 figures and providing 5 million jobs to the sector.

To reach close to pre-pandemic levels this year, WTTC says governments across the region and worldwide must continue focusing on the vaccine and booster rollout – allowing fully vaccinated travellers to move freely without the need for testing. The 21st Global Summit will take place in Manila, the Philippines, from 20 to 22 April 2022.

THAI launches “Hottest Sale” Promotion

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 5 April 2022: Thai Airways International discounts fares for the summer holiday season in April from Bangkok or Phuket to popular destinations in Asia, Europe and Australia.

Economy class fares start at THB5,485. Reservations can be made now until 30 April 2022 for travel until 31 December 2022.

Destinations

Europe: London, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Munich, Brussels, Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Asia: Hong Kong, Taipei, Manila, Tokyo (Narita), Osaka, Nagoya, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Dhaka, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Australia: Sydney and Melbourne.

Air tickets promotions under the tag “Hottest Sale” are available for travel on THAI economy class with taxes and fees included. Terms and conditions apply (taxes and fees vary based on currency exchange rate on the date of ticket issuance). Travel dates can be changed free of charge by June 2022 (except for the fare difference of taxes and fees).

Fares are on offer at the airline’s website, THAI sales offices and THAI ticket agents.

Sarawak rolls out the welcome mat

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 5 April 2022: Sarawak embraced its first batch of international travellers to Kuching from Singapore on Sunday, marking a vital step forward in transitioning to endemicity after almost two years of stringent borders controls to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Sebastian Ting was on hand to greet the 157 passengers who arrived aboard Scoot Airlines with the ministry’s permanent secretary Hii Chang Kee and Sarawak Tourism Board’s deputy chief executive officer Suriya Charles Buas.

Deputy Minister of Tourism Datuk Sebastian Ting putting on a garland made of Sarawak Beads on a passenger as he welcomed the arrival of the first batch of international travellers to Kuching from Singapore after borders reopened.

“This is the day we have all been waiting for. The resumption of international travellers to Sarawak is an important step to give Sarawak’s tourism industry the boost it needs. It is great progress and an opportune time to ramp up our marketing efforts in promoting Sarawak as a safe, and prime eco-tourism destination and also build traveller’s confidence to come to Sarawak,” Datuk Sebastian Ting said.

“We will continue to work closely with the airline industry to increase the accessibility and connectivity for visitors to enter Sarawak without much hassle. We hope to see more direct domestic, regional and international flights to Sarawak soon as this is the right track to promote more investors to the state, which is in line with our Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030,” he added.

Of the 157 passengers, 65 were transiting through Singapore. A total of 96 passengers will be departing from Kuching to Singapore on the return flight. 

Effective 1 April 2022, travellers will no longer be required to apply to enter Sarawak or fill in the e-Health Declaration Form (eHDF).

Malaysian and non-Malaysians who are arriving from Singapore by air will no longer have to take RTK-Antigen tests upon arrival in Sarawak. However, they will be required to have proof of their vaccination certificate, a negative RT-PCR test result (taken two days before departure); download the MySejahtera app and fill in the pre-departure form under the ‘Traveller Icon’; and Covid-19 travel insurance (non-Malaysians).

For more information about Sarawak, log on to Sarawak Tourism Board’s website: https://sarawaktourism.com.

(Your Stories: Sarawak Tourism Board)

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