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Royal Caribbean Group ships monitor ocean health

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 June 2023: Strengthening a decades-long commitment to ocean conservation and environmental research efforts, Royal Caribbean Group, has announced a four-year extension of its investment in OceanScope.

The open-source data programme provides scientists with critical information to study climate and ocean conservation.

Collaborating with key program partners, including the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the programme’s renewal on World Oceans Day builds on over 20 years of groundbreaking ocean and marine life research from Royal Caribbean Group ships.  

OceanScope leverages a comprehensive suite of oceanographic and meteorological instruments located onboard Royal Caribbean Group ships that generates a continuous, simultaneous collection of the ocean’s vital signs, such as the structure of currents, sea surface temperature, carbon dioxide concentrations, and salinity taken along the repetitive ship routes – which allows scientists to monitor changes on scales of seasons, years, and even decades. 

“At Royal Caribbean Group, every day is World Oceans Day – and we are thrilled to renew a program as impactful to oceanic research as OceanScope,” said  Royal Caribbean Group CEO and president Jason Liberty.

“We’re dedicated to sustaining our planet and delivering the best vacations, responsibly – and our decades-long support of this unique initiative is a testament to that. We can’t wait to see how OceanScope, and our scientific collaborators progress our understanding  of ocean health and conservation.”  

OceanScope’s open-source database is available to the international scientific research community worldwide. The resulting data products and peer-reviewed research are key to informing ocean and conservation policy.  

Launched in 2002, the programme helped verify for the first time that ocean acidification – a reduction in pH over an extended period caused primarily by the uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere was occurring in the Caribbean Sea but at varying rates. Ocean acidification is detrimental to calcifying organisms such as oysters, clams, sea urchins, shallow water corals, deep sea corals, and calcareous plankton, and an ongoing concern for the entire food web. 

Extending OceanScope on Royal Caribbean Group ships helps ensure ongoing monitoring and changes of key ocean and atmospheric processes in critical ecosystems. 

As of 2023, data has been collected from over 100,000 nautical miles sailed from four ships, travelling across the Caribbean Sea, Galapagos, North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora and Celebrity Equinox provide data to scientists at NOAA, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, and the worldwide science community.

Royal Caribbean Group intends to share the programme’s learning to its more than 8 million guests annually to increase ocean literacy. 

As of 2023, data has been collected from over 100,000 nautical miles sailed from four ships, travelling across the Caribbean Sea, Galapagos, North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas and Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Flora and Celebrity Equinox provide data to scientists at NOAA, the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, and the community. Royal Caribbean Group intends to share the program’s learning to its more than eight million guests annually to increase ocean literacy. 

Royal Caribbean Group’s conservation work extends beyond OceanScope, with the company championing a broader commitment to sustaining the planet as part of its SEA the Future platform. Royal Caribbean Group is actively working to decarbonise its business through innovation, collaborative partnerships and a transition to cleaner fuels, smarter technologies, and improved energy efficiencies. Ultimately, the company’s efforts are driving toward –Destination Net Zero – a commitment to reach net zero by 2050 and to deliver a net-zero emissions cruise ship by 2035.   To learn more about Royal Caribbean Group’s efforts to sustain our planet, energise communities and accelerate innovation, visit http://www.royalcaribbeangroup.com/SEAtheFuture.

SQ teams up with Collinson Lounge Pass

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 June 2023: Collinson, a leader in airport experiences and the operator of the global Lounge Pass, partners with Singapore Airlines (SIA) to offer Lounge Pass to SIA’s customers.

The partnership allows SIA passengers to pre-book airport lounge access for both their journeys’ outbound and inbound legs. All travellers flying with Singapore Airlines and their codeshare airline partners can purchase a Lounge Pass regardless of cabin class, programme status, or route.

Today, Lounge Pass offers pre-bookable airport lounge access at over 600 airport lounges worldwide, across 100 markets and countries, at over 350 airports.

As travel recovers after the pandemic, travellers seek premium experiences that add value to their journeys. Collinson’s recent Global Traveller Sentiment Survey revealed nearly 62% of travellers are willing to cut back on non-essential retail purchases to fund their travels and pay for premium travel experiences that enhance their journey. Specifically, 47% of respondents said they would pay for access to lounges, 43% for an upgraded seat and 39% for a direct flight.

The cost of access to Lounge Pass’ network of lounges starts from USD18 per visit. Lounge Pass conditions of use include that all Lounge Pass bookings must be at least 24 hours before the flight departure date/time. Group bookings (vary between lounges, but typically more than five persons) Travellers will need the Lounge Pass booking confirmation as proof to enter.

About Collinson

Collinson is a global, privately-owned company delivering market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million end consumers.

Collinson operates Priority Pass, a leading airport experiences programme. Travellers can access a network of 1,300 lounges and travel experiences, including dining, retail, sleep and spa, in over 650 airports in 148 countries.  

Funding to fuel TA Network expansion

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 June 2023: TA Network, the cloud-based technology solutions provider for travel and hospitality, has secured SGD4.5 million Series A Funding to scale its business across Asia.

TA Network’s distribution and turnkey solutions are facilitated by robust connectivity and digital payment services, bringing together Asia Pacific hotels, travel wholesalers, operators and destination management companies in a single open travel ecosystem.

Specialising in mission-critical enterprise software systems, TA Network has raised over SGD12 million since its inception. With this latest successful Series A round, TA Network plans to use the funds to expand in other regions, including the Greater China region and Asia Pacific, where there is strong demand for its services.

TA Network’s  Co-Founder/COO Josef Foo noted: “Since inception, TA Network has established itself as a technological innovator, having developed proprietary know-how through full vertical integration, owning system development and testing operations entirely in-house. By providing maximum reliability, cost-efficiency, and agile solutions, we believe our high degree of automation allows for future scalability to serve increasing market demand.”

The funding round will accelerate the growth and adoption of TA Network platform services in Asia, which is also timely with the rising need for digitalisation as both inbound and outbound travel plans continue to gain speed across the Asian market.”

TA Network will use the investment to broaden its footprint through hiring resources and on-ground marketing activities and deepen its product offering to support its growth and geographic expansion.

About Trip Affiliates Network

Headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network) provides FIT/group inbound and outbound turnkey solutions and add-on direct supplier connectivity services for travel agents, wholesalers and hotels. High-performance platforms include integrated booking systems for flights, hotels, activities and transfers, dynamic packages, and digital payment solutions.

Klook: Millennials and Gen Zs are culture vultures

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 14 June 2023: Summer typically brings to mind the sun, sand, and sea, but this year, Millennial and Gen Z travellers across Asia-Pacific are embracing their inner culture vultures to seek inspiration from their travels. Klook unveils insights into the vibrant travel motivations of these demographics for this season.

“More than half (53%) of Millennials and Gen Zs are ready to travel abroad this summer, and they are looking to make their summer holidays more colourful and memorable through inspiring experiences,” shares Klook vice president of global marketing Marcus Yong.

“This summer marks a milestone as Asia fully reopens after three years, and we witness these travellers ramping up on their plans for an unforgettable holiday season.”

The search for inspiration is a powerful motivator for many Millennial and Gen Z travellers in APAC, with 1 in 4 travellers actively seeking it out on their journeys.

2023’s summer palette seeks to inspire

When planning a holiday, many travellers focus on practical details such as accommodation, transportation, and a well-planned itinerary. However, one aspect often overlooked is the power of using colours and the feelings they can evoke.

This summer, purple takes centre stage as the symbol of inspiration, with Millennials and Gen Zs eagerly embracing cultural experiences to find inspiration during their travels.

“Traveling is a gateway to self-discovery and personal growth, with a growing trend among Millennials and Gen Zs seeking inspiration through immersive experiences. They crave connections with diverse cultures, artistic expressions, and the inspiration that the world offers,” says Marcus Yong.

Some of the ways travellers find inspiration is by being out in nature and exploring a city. Interestingly, Millennials (49%) prefer being out in nature compared to Gen Zs (39%). They lean towards city-based activities. One-third of these travellers are interested in immersive experiences such as museum visits and art jamming workshops, with Klook seeing over a 30% increase in bookings for these cultural activities in 2023 compared to the end of 2022.

Regarding regional differences, travellers from Hong Kong (44%) are most likely to find inspiration by hitting the concrete to get to know a city better. In comparison, travellers from the Philippines (55%) are more drawn to the outdoors and nature. Some top outdoor experiences across APAC include island hopping and boat tours, strolls through botanical gardens and canopy walks.

Getting that perfect summer holiday with colour psychology

When it comes to making this summer holiday one to remember, colour can play a big role in shaping travellers’ experiences.

According to Principal Psychologist Dr Geraldine Tan from The Therapy Room, colour can influence travellers in subtle but significant ways, affecting their mood, behaviour, and overall enjoyment of their trip.

“The colours and environments we come across during travel can strongly affect our emotional state and influence our actions, making us more inclined towards certain activities. On a beach vacation, the cool colours of the ocean and sky might help travellers feel free and calm and be more inclined towards relaxing activities. Or when they visit a bustling city, the bright colours might make them feel energised and excited and more inclined to participate in hands-on experiences.” says Dr Geraldine Tan.  

Here are some ways travellers can use colour psychology to hack that holiday feeling they are after.

Seek blue for freedom

Blue evokes a sense of freedom and limitlessness. 52% of travellers across Asia Pacific associate blue with the feeling of freedom during their summer journeys, with top holiday activities being beach days and road trips. In 2023, road trips are one of the most sought-after activities, with car rental bookings growing more than a third since the start of the year. 

Embrace purple for inspiration

Purple symbolises inspiration and creativity. It sparks the imagination and encourages the exploration of new experiences. The top destinations with travellers searching for inspiration through cultural activities this summer are Vietnam (33%), Singapore (28%) and Thailand (28%). 

Find peace in green for relaxation

The colour green is often linked to nature, which brings about healing and renewal, and can evoke a sense of peacefulness. Travellers from Singapore (60%) and the Philippines (57%) seek relaxation through wellness-based activities such as a spa session, while travellers from Taiwan (32%) and Thailand (30%) find it through nature-based physical activities like hiking instead.  

Discover joy in orange

Bright colours like orange evoke feelings of joy, happiness, and optimism. While joy is a significant holiday feeling for 47% of travellers across APAC, the experiences that bring them joy vary. Gen Zs prefer seeking joy through the adrenaline of theme parks (46%) compared to Millennials (32%), who find more delight in being outdoors in nature.

By understanding and utilising colour psychology principles, travellers can chase that perfect summer vibe and create unforgettable memories.

What does your summer palette look like? Find your shade of summer on Klook now.

JLL sells three hotels in Southeast Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 13 June 2023: JLL confirmed it advised on the successful sale of three prominent hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The landmark transaction, which settled for USD106.1 million, marks the first hotel portfolio sale in the region for 2023, further solidifying JLL’s expertise in the attractive Southeast Asian hotel investment market.

JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group acted as the exclusive advisor to the seller, Strategic Hospitality Holdings Limited, throughout the transaction process. The portfolio consists of the Pullman Jakarta Central Park, the ibis Saigon South and Capri by Fraser, both in Ho Chi Minh City. The Pullman Jakarta Central Park and Ibis Saigon South are sold with the benefit of Accor management under the Pullman and Ibis brands, respectively; the Capri by Fraser was sold with vacant possession.

“Investors are extremely confident in Southeast Asia’s hotel space fundamentals. The sale of this unique hotel portfolio not only underscores the resurgence of deal activity in Southeast Asia but also reinforces the ongoing recovery of cash flows of hotels in the region,” said JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group senior vice president of investment sales, Asia Pacific Julien Naouri.”We are delighted to have partnered with our client on this successful transaction and demonstrated the value of bright ideas, regional expertise and experience in navigating the increasingly complex market dynamics investors face.”

The 317-room Pullman Jakarta Central Park is the only internationally branded upscale lifestyle hotel in West Jakarta. It is directly connected to Central Park Mall, one of the city’s busiest shopping malls, with an annual footfall of 50 million visitors.

Additionally, the Capri by Fraser, Ho Chi Minh City and Ibis Saigon South are the only internationally branded hotels within walking distance from offices tenanted by multinational companies and the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre, the city’s largest exhibition facility.

EFTA’s Diamonds sparkle over Dubai skies

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 8 June 2023: They’re here and flying high – Emirates Flight Training Academy’s three new Diamond aircraft have taken to the skies and flown straight into the cadet training programme.

Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), which recently delivered one of the most advanced pilot training programmes in the world, welcomed the third Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft into its fleet. The Diamonds have ushered in the academy’s multi-engine piston (MEP) training, serving as a bridge between training on a single engine and a light jet and rounding off EFTA’s training fleet to 30 aircraft.

With a flying range of 1,225 nautical miles and resplendent in Emirates’ new signature livery, the aircraft made their journey from Vienna, Austria, to Dubai, and it was nothing short of a travel log as EFTA’s instructor pilots made pit stops in Heraklion, Crete and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Combined with the 27 Cirrus and Phenom jets in its fleet, EFTA’s students will train on three types of aircraft before they graduate from the academy – a rarity in cadet flight training.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President of Emirates Flight Training Academy, said:  “Our vision for our cadet programme is to constantly invest in and shape our training ecosystem with the most sophisticated tools, technology and infrastructure, which ensure our cadets are real-world ready and graduate with the highest levels of skills, capability and competence. We will continue to deliver on our promise to maintain a steady and robust pipeline of pilots for Emirates and the airline industry.

“The Diamonds fit perfectly in between our single-engine aircraft and the very light jets in our training fleet. Reliable, cutting-edge and eco-friendly, they are fully aligned with our goals as our trainees now also gain experience on multi-engine piston aircraft. Our cadets are delighted with the addition to the fleet – it means more aircraft types and a more varied learning experience.”

The academy had placed the order for the three Diamond DA42-VI aircraft and its corresponding flight simulator in March this year in a deal worth EUR 4 million in list prices. The simulator is expected to be delivered soon. Cadets will commence training on the Diamond aircraft in the coming months.

The 4-seat DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s technology leading light piston twin-engine aircraft. It’s the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframe, avionics, and power plants.

About Emirates Flight Training Academy

In 2017, Emirates launched the Emirates Flight Training Academy in Dubai South to train UAE nationals and international cadets to become pilots. The academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 30 training aircraft to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying. All graduates have the unique opportunity to go through Emirates’ stringent recruitment process – which has had a success rate of 100% to date.

Currently, EFTA’s fleet has 22 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston, 5 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet, and 3 x Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft.

EFTA’s state-of-the-art facility, equal to 200 football fields, has 36 modern classrooms, 6 full-motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800m long runway.

Ground school (53 weeks): All 36 classrooms have two 86″ touchscreens, running bespoke training software created specifically for EFTA. Cadets undergo at least 1,100 hours of ground-based training and access the material via their own devices, which are digitally interconnected, creating an interactive training environment.

Flying school (315 hours): Cadets train on simulators, single-engine Cirrus and Phenom jets, and soon on the Diamond twin-engine aircraft.

For more information on EFTA, click here.

Dive into Maldives paradise

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 13 June 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, offers travellers spectacular all-inclusive luxury packages at both of its award-winning Maldives resorts during its week-long “Ultimate All-Inclusive Maldives Sale”. From today – 30 June 2023, guests can take advantage of discounts of over 50% and an array of exclusive perks for three-night minimum stays at both Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives or Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives until 31 October 2023.

For a limited time only, Centara is offering access to All-Inclusive luxury with all meals and drinks included, free transfers, a spectacular complimentary boat excursion for two in the Indian Ocean, and USD50 spa credit per person per stay, starting at only USD1,777 for a three-night stay – a huge saving from its usual price of USD2,599.

Surrounded by the blue ocean of the South Ari Atoll and adorned with distinctive timbered walkways and colonial-style buildings, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is a barefoot paradise with a palm-fringed beach and shimmering lagoon. Stays at this 5-star resort include free return seaplane transfers, all-inclusive meal and drinks plans (alcohol included), a stunning Sunset Cruise excursion for two and USD 50 spa credit per person to be used during the stay. “The Ultimate All-Inclusive Maldives Flash Sale” also includes free stays and meals for children under 12 years old, with a 50% discount on adult usual rate on kids’ seaplane transfers for rooms with more than two guests.

Adults-only Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives invites couples and honeymooners to unwind amidst the intimate ambience of its private island oasis, offering complimentary return speedboat transfers, All-Inclusive meal plans complete with alcohol, an unforgettable Nurse Shark excursion for two, and USD50 spa credit for rejuvenating treatments at the award-winning SPA Cenvaree.

With “The Ultimate All-Inclusive Maldives Sale” only available from today to 30 June 2023, guests looking to plan their dream island escape and take advantage of these huge savings and the myriad of incredible privileges are encouraged to book as soon as possible.

For more details on this exciting week-long offer, please visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/maldives-flash

Hong Kong Airlines adds Osaka flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 13 June 2023: Hong Kong Airlines will boost flights to Osaka to 20 per week, starting from 14 July, adding six new flights (HK616) departing Hong Kong in the early morning at 0255.

The airline already flies two daily flights to Osaka departing Hong Kong at 1130 and 1825.

Osaka is the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and Japan’s third largest city. With a metropolitan population of close to 19 million people, this thriving metropolis is one of the main commercial centres in Japan.

On 2 June, Hong Kong Airlines added an extra flight to Tokyo, departing early Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, NHE Travel, a leading travel agency in Hong Kong, reports that almost two months after resuming flights to Hong Kong, Fiji Airways has confirmed that it will launch a fourth weekly service to the city starting 1 October 2023. The national carrier resumed service with two direct flights every Monday and Thursday between Nadi and Hong Kong on 1 April. It adds a Saturday flight in August to offer three flights weekly and will operate the fourth weekly service on Sundays starting this October.

Qatar Airways adds Tokyo Haneda flight

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA Qatar, 13 June 2023: Qatar Airways resumed a direct service between Tokyo International Airport  (“Haneda”) and Hamad International Airport, starting last week.

Qatar Airways operates an Airbus A350-900 aircraft with 36 award-winning Qsuite Business Class seats and 247 Economy Class seats on the route.

In addition to the existing Narita-Doha service, the resumption of daily flights from Haneda Airport will increase the flights from the greater Tokyo area from seven to 14 flights a week.

Qatar Airways Regional Manager for Japan and Korea, Shinji Miyamoto, said, “We are very pleased to resume flights to Haneda Airport. Qatar is scheduled to host world-class events this year following the successful FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including the coveted Formula 1 race for motorsports fans.”

Flight schedule to Haneda:

Daily (local time)

Doha (DOH) to Tokyo, Haneda (HND) – Flight No. QR812: Departure 06:30; Arrival 23:30

Tokyo, Haneda (HND) to Doha (DOH) – Flight No. QR813: Departure 01:00; Arrival 06:30

Big turnout at Laguna Phuket Marathon

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TTR WEEKLY
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PHUKET, 13 June 2023: Friends and families came together in Phuket for the 17th edition of the Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon last weekend, which saw competitive racing, personal bests and lots of smiles.

From young to old, over 6,000 runners from more than 43 countries took part in a weekend of tropical fun. The change to morning starts on both days this year saw many opting to compete on both days and a festival-like atmosphere at the finish line with food stalls and entertainment enjoyed by participants and spectators alike.

Day 1 (Saturday, 10 June) hosted the 2km kids run, 5km and 10.5km. Almost 250 kids enjoyed the 2km kids run in the green surrounds of Laguna Phuket, and the first to cross the line in the male division was Julian Kloihofer from Thailand. Kawinthip Wongthawat, also from Thailand, crossed first in the women’s division.

Just two seconds separated the top two men in the 5km, with Seung Ho Park (KOR) taking the win ahead of Sergei Zyrianov (RUS) in second place. At the same time, in the women’s division, Hayley Newman (AUS) secured the win by almost a minute over Siena Milgate (AUS) in second.

Another Korean runner took the win in the Male 10.5km. Youngho Kim carved out a lead and held it to cross the finish line at 35:23, ahead of Thai rival Aekkalak Jhankaeo. Mei Yan Wong from Hong Kong dominated the Women’s 10.5km with a convincing win by more than two minutes over second-place finisher Kanika Chuaypet from Thailand.

Day 2 (Sunday, 11 June) saw thousands of runners converge at the start line at Laguna Grove, where friendships were made and renewed, and camaraderie was high. With runners from all over the world lining up together, it was a clear sign that Phuket is back and open for all!

Out with the lead pack, Artem Sekachev (RUS) pushed the marathon pace early to create some separation between the leaders and the chasers. He then continued to turn up the pressure and by the 30km mark had a three-minute lead which he further extended over the remaining distance to finish in a time of 02:51:10, more than five minutes ahead of second-place finisher Waiwit Thongtae from Thailand.

 The racing proved much closer in the women’s division and became a podium battle amongst Thai and Aussie runners. With just two minutes separating the top three at the finish line, Nuntaporn Tengamnuay claimed the crown in a time of 03:38:33 ahead of Wannarat Jittiwuttinon in second.

Organised by GAA Events and an internationally-certified measured run course by World Athletics (WA), the Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon is one of Southeast Asia’s favourite destination marathons and a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. The dates have been set for 2014: The 18th Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon will occur from 8 to 9 June 2024.

Full results of the 2023 Supersports Laguna Phuket Marathon are available at www.sportstats.asia

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