Leisure travel fuels Hyatt expansion

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September 12, 2022

SINGAPORE, 12 September 2022; Hyatt Hotels Corporation will expand its brand portfolio in the Asia Pacific with a robust pipeline of hotels and resorts due to open in the last quarter of 2022 and 2023.

Hyatt will bring several brands to new markets, such as the arrival of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in Japan, the Andaz brand in Thailand, and the Hyatt Centric brand in Southeast Asia with a new hotel in Malaysia.

These upcoming openings follow the debut of the following hotels earlier this year:

• Alila Kothaifaru Maldives in the pristine Raa Atoll, April 2022

• Park Hyatt Jakarta, marking the arrival of the Park Hyatt brand in Indonesia, July 2022

“Following the relaxation of travel restrictions across much of Asia Pacific, we remain confident in the region’s path to recovery,” said Hyatt senior vice president commercial, Asia Pacific, Carina Chorengel.

“With nearly 70% of our global portfolio classified as Luxury and Upper Upscale, we are well positioned to meet the growing demand from high-end travellers in each segment we serve.”

Hyatt will introduce to the Asia Pacific several brands for the first time.

They include:

Fuji Speedway Hotel, the first hotel under The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand in Japan, will welcome travellers for a one-of-a-kind motorsports experience upon its expected opening in October 2022. Located in Shizuoka and 80 minutes by car from Tokyo, the 120-room hotel has views of Mount Fuji. It is close to the Fuji Speedway racing circuit, offering an unforgettable getaway for motorcar lovers and professional racers, business executives, couples and families alike.

Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu will be the Hyatt Centric brand’s first hotel in Southeast Asia, offering intrepid explorers the ideal launchpad into Sabah and its abundant natural beauty and indigenous cultures with its prime location in the city’s downtown area. Slated to open in October 2022, the hotel will be crowned with a rooftop swimming pool, restaurant and bar with views of the South China Sea. All 222 rooms and suites have a private balcony with views of the South China Sea, green hills or the city centre.

Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach will mark the anticipated debut of the Andaz brand in Thailand during the fourth quarter of 2022. Just a two-hour drive from Bangkok, the 204-room oceanfront property’s signature features are the four-and six-bedroom heritage houses with dedicated butler service and private pools and a traditional Tea House, “Ruen Thai,” which is available for ceremonies, monk blessings and meditation, as well as an afternoon tea in a peaceful setting.

Some of the additional luxury and lifestyle hotel openings planned for 2022 and 2023 include:

• Grand Hyatt Shenzhou Peninsula

• Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur (debut of the Park Hyatt brand in Malaysia)

• Andaz Macau

• Grand Hyatt Kunming

• Andaz Nanjing Hexi

• Alila Donghu Wuhan

Taiwan clarifies visa-exempt list

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

SINGAPORE, 9 September 2022: Taiwan confirmed on Wednesday that citizens of Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Japan and Korea are not eligible for visa-free entry that will be reinstated on 12 September.

Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs clarified after media reports suggested ASEAN nations were on the visa exemption list. They are currently on the suspended list until further notice. Other nations on the suspended list are Chile, Dominican Republic, Israel, Nicaragua and Russia.

Taiwan kept entry and quarantine rules when most Asian nations eased rules. However, it cut the mandatory quarantine for arrivals from seven to three days in June. Upon arrival, all travellers entering the country must take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.

Taiwan said the decision to resume the visa-free entry of citizens from several countries was based on the fact that most countries had reopened their borders. It cited the need to balance Covid-19 control measures with the need to stimulate economic recovery.

The Bureau of Consular Affairs list below identifies the nationalities eligible for visa-free travel. Under the ruling, the stays vary depending on the country, but 90 days is the maximum. Nationals of ASEAN countries will get a 30-day stay under the visa-exemption scheme when the suspension ends.

The Taipei Representative Office in Singapore said on Tuesday that a “press release on the adjustment of border control measures issued on Monday had been misunderstood. Some media and the public misunderstood that from 12 September, Singaporeans can enter Taiwan without a visa.”

Type	Visa-Exempt Entry
Applicable foreign nationals starting from 12 September, 2022	Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 90 days: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Island, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia(effective till 31 March, 2025), Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States of America,and Vatican City State. Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days: Belize, Nauru, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Temporarily Suspended	Chile, Dominican Republic, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Russia*

Meanwhile, Malaysia has scrapped its mask mandate for indoor settings, with premise owners allowed to decide whether to impose their face mask requirements.

“Face masks indoors will be optional effective immediately,” said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, adding that masks remain mandatory on public transport and healthcare facilities, CNA reported in its morning online edition yesterday.

Healthcare facilities include hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, while public transport covers e-hailing services, flights, taxis and trains.

Masks are still “highly encouraged” for crowded indoor settings. High-risk individuals, those who are ill or symptomatic, and those who interact with the vulnerable are encouraged to wear masks.

Malaysia did away with outdoor masking from May this year but continued to require them indoors and on public transport.

(Source CNA and additional reporting)

Paul Poole buys out ASN

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

BANGKOK, 9 September 2022: Sponsorship experts Paul Poole (Southeast Asia) has acquired Asia Sponsorship News (ASN), a leading market intelligence service for the sponsorship industry in Asia.

ASN has been instrumental in the continued success of the sponsorship industry in Asia through its data set of over 250,000 commercial sponsorship and partnership marketing deals in Asia.

Founded in Singapore in 2007 by Ben Heyhoe Flint, ASN operates on a subscription-based model where subscribers gain access to the latest news, analytics, and insights from the biggest players in the sponsorship industry. Over the years, ASN has worked with the leading names in sports, media, and entertainment across the buy-side, agency, and sell-side.

A new Thai-based company, Asia Sponsorship News Co Ltd (ASNCL) is being set up to operate ASN under the aegis of Paul Poole, Founder, Managing Director and Chairman of PP(SEA)CL. ASNCL is a subsidiary of PP(SEA)CL and will be run completely independently. Heyhoe Flint will stay as an advisor, and James Hamshire, ASN’s Business Development Director will be promoted to managing director.

“This acquisition comes when the sponsorship industry is resurging in Asia post-pandemic. We are confident of the continued success of ASN as an utterly independent provider of intelligence for those in the sports, media, and entertainment space in Asia,” said ASN managing director James Hamshire.

“ASN has been a monumental force in the sponsorship industry in Asia in the past 15 years. We are committed to continuing that important work and remaining an important player in an ever-changing industry,” said Paul Poole, Founder and managing director of PP(SEA)CL.

Paul Poole (Southeast Asia) Co Ltd is an independent marketing consultancy based in Bangkok, specialising in commercial sponsorship and partnership marketing.

IATA: July passenger demand strong

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

GENEVA 9 September 2022: Air travel recovery continues to be strong, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) passenger data for July 2022.

Total traffic in July 2022 (measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs) was up 58.8% compared to July 2021. Globally, traffic is now at 74.6% of pre-crisis levels.
Domestic traffic for July 2022 was up 4.1% compared to the year-ago period and is now driving the recovery. Total July 2022 domestic traffic was at 86.9% of the July 2019 level. China saw a strong month-to-month improvement compared to June.
International traffic rose 150.6% versus July 2021. July 2022 international RPKs reached 67.9% of July 2019 levels. All markets reported strong growth, led by Asia-Pacific.

“July’s performance continued to be strong, with some markets approaching pre-COVID levels. And that is even with capacity constraints in parts of the world that were unprepared for the speed at which people returned to travel. There is still more ground to recover, but this is an excellent sign as we head into the traditionally slower autumn and winter quarters in the Northern Hemisphere,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh.

International Passenger Markets

Asia-Pacific airlines posted a 528.8% rise inJuly traffic compared to July 2021, the strongest year-over-year rate among the regions. Capacity rose 159.9%, and the load factor was up 47.1 percentage points to 80.2%.

European carriers saw Julytraffic rise 115.6% versus July 2021. Capacity rose 64.3%, and load factor climbed 20.6 percentage points to 86.7%, the second highest among the regions.

Middle Eastern airlines’ traffic climbed193.1% in July compared to July 2021. July capacity rose 84.1% versus the year-ago period, and the load factor climbed 30.5 percentage points to 82.0%.

North American carriers hada 129.2% traffic rise in July versus 2021. Capacity rose 79.9%, and load factor climbed 19.4 percentage points to 90.3%, the region’s highest for the second month.

Latin American airlines’ July traffic rose 119.4% compared to the same month in 2021. July capacity rose 92.3%, and the load factor increased 10.5 percentage points to 85.2%.

African airlines saw an84.8% rise in July RPKs versus a year ago. July 2022 capacity was up 46.7%, and the load factor climbed 15.5 percentage points to 75.0%, the lowest among regions.

(Source: IATA)

South Korea’s autumn holiday is back to normal

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

SEOUL, 9 September 2022: Just a week after South Korea ended mandatory pre-entry Covid-19 testing, the country celebrates the Cusouk Festival, where social distancing and limitations on gatherings no longer apply for the first time since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chuseok, also known as Hangawi, is a significant mid-autumn harvest festival and a three-day holiday in South Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar on the full moon. This year it falls on 10 September, but the holiday starts today and continues through 12 Monday 12 September.

The mandatory pre-departure flight Covid-19 test for international travellers was discontinued on 3 September. However, South Korea still maintains the requirement for a PCR test within one day of arrival in the country. Covid-19 test centres in the airport that provide testing and issue certificates of negative results for inbound/outbound travellers will continue to operate.

Due to the spread of the strongly infectious BA.5 variant and the reduced effect of vaccination as time passes, continuous attention is needed, and caution is encouraged regards Covid-19 infection during the national holiday, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters advised domestic tourists.

“While there are no restrictions regarding social distancing and the number of people allowed to gather under the general healthcare system, CDSCH encourage residents and visitors to comply with health measures during the holiday.”

Meanwhile, the mandatory PCR test one day after arrival remains unchanged to ensure early detection of Covid19 confirmed cases and conduct strict surveillance of new variants being imported.

Heritage Line ready to weigh anchor

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

HO CHI MINH CITY, 9 September 2022: Vietnam’s Heritage Line announced Thursday a return to cruising starting in late September following a two and half year pandemic-induced hiatus.

In a newsletter to its trade partners and former customers, the luxury boutique cruise operator confirmed that its distinctive cruise boats would explore Southeast Asia’s waterways once more.

Heritage line staff all smiles as the fleet readies to sail again.

“Not only guests are thrilled to return to the Lower Mekong but also our crew. Most of the pre-pandemic staff are returning to the Heritage Line family aboard their original ships,” according to the statement.

Cruises will return to the Lower Mekong River in Cambodia, and the Mekong delta region in Vietnam, followed by the line’s iconic cruises on Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay in North Vietnam.

Emirates’ A350s get ‘Next Gen’ entertainment

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

DUBAI, UAE, 9 September 2022: As part of its drive to ensure customers ‘fly better’, Emirates has selected the new Thales’ AVANT Up system for its incoming fleet of Airbus A350 aircraft, scheduled for delivery in 2024.

The airline’s investment of over USD350 million will see its 50-strong fleet of A350s equipped with next-generation inflight entertainment solutions that offer a memorable cinematic and personalised passenger experience.

Emirates chief operating officer Adel al Redha said: “Emirates has always regarded inflight entertainment as an essential aspect of our onboard experience, and we were the first airline to put personal screens onto every single seat onboard when that was far from the norm over 30 years ago. Today, Emirates ice remains unmatched in inflight entertainment content and experience, having won best-in-the-sky awards consecutively for the past 14 years. Our investment in next-generation Thales systems for our new A350 fleet will further our lead, enabling us to deliver even better experiences to our customers. Watch this space.”

The game-changing technology in Thales’ AVANT Up system features Optiq 4k QLED HDR displays – the only aircraft displays using Samsung’s QLED technology to immerse viewers in more than a billion colours. This inflight entertainment product delivers over 5,000 channels of multi-language content, including live TV, the latest box office movies, TV shows and music hits, and the world’s first inflight shopping channel, EmiratesRED.

The new system from Thales will also provide an enhanced ‘live’ television solution that offers a broader choice of live television and news in the highest available definition at 40,000 feet.

Emirates’ customers can also look forward to enhanced passenger connectivity with Optiq – the first smart display in the industry to offer two Bluetooth connections and built-in Wi-Fi. Passengers can pair multiple devices, including phones, tablets, headphones or game controllers, while supporting up to 60 watts USB-C to fast-charge personal devices.

To further enrich passenger engagement, Emirates has chosen various AVANT Up digital services, including highly integrated personalisation features, expanded personal electronic device (PED) capabilities, and user interface enhancements that enable visually impaired passengers to have an immersive experience.

Emirates is also the first airline globally to select Thales’ Pulse, a patented power management technology that will ensure that charging performance will be unaffected no matter how many users are charging their devices simultaneously.

Reflecting a shared vision to innovate and shape future inflight experiences, Emirates and Thales continue collaborating on programmes through Dubai’s Aviation X-Lab, an aviation-specific incubator.

For more information or to book flights, visit: www.emirates.com.

(Your Stories: Emirates)

Langkawi refreshes guide series

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 9, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 September 2022: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) has released a new edition of the Langkawi Guide Series following its introduction of a new slogan ‘Langkawi Best Wey’ * and video during the recent MATTA Travel Fair.

“LADA strives to promote Langkawi through this new campaign by positioning the island as a quintessential holiday relaxation spot by highlighting the island’s attributes, such as Langkawi Geopark, the first UNESCO-listed geopark in Southeast Asia. The island is also one of the finest venues for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE),” explained LADA chief executive officer Encik Nasaruddin Abdul Muttalib.

The newly compiled Langkawi Guide comprises 10 brochures containing complete and updated information about Langkawi. The information shared in the brochures encompasses where to find authentic and exotic food in Langkawi, the Langkawi nature guide, Langkawi holiday packages, a list of Langkawi hotels, and maps of Langkawi. The well-designed brochures use eye-catching graphics to share some of the majestic spots in Langkawi.

These brochures can be found on the Official Langkawi Tourism Site: Naturally Langkawi, which you can view here https://naturallylangkawi.my/langkawi-brochure/, and they will also be made available as e-brochures on LADA’s official site.

“Tourists can now access further information about Langkawi via mobile devices by scanning the QR codes in the brochures. This has proven useful as it attracts consumers who value convenience and innovation. We aim to ensure that Langkawi is perceived as a world-class tourism destination. To achieve that, we must keep pace with digital improvements and bring ourselves beyond tech literacy to being tech-savvy,” said the LADA CEO.

“In brief, when it comes to seeking the ultimate tropical escape, Langkawi wins hands down! With no shortage of picturesque islands, shimmering blue seas and breathtaking beaches, this magnificent island is one for everyone’s bucket list.”

* Editor’s note: We think Wey means buddy (internet slang)

(Source: LADA)

Phuket airlift will soar during Q4

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 8, 2022

PHUKET, 8 September 2022: Since the easing of travel restrictions in Thailand, pent-up demand has continued to push travellers to Phuket, according to the latest C9 Hotelworks analysis.

The first half of 2022 created positive market sentiment, as the island welcomed 1.78 million visitors, a 342% increase over the same period last year.

C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett commented on the dominant travel trends: “European source markets delivered higher volumes in the first quarter, while Asian source markets gained traction in international visitation in the second quarter. As regional countries in Asia reopened borders to overseas travel, Phuket has seen an influx of family-oriented travellers.”

With an increase in international travellers, Phuket’s hotel sector performance is starting to see a recovery trend in occupancy. As a result of more airlift, the island registered an occupancy rate of 31.5% in H1 2022, up from 5.1% in 2021.

The upswing in demand was highest on the island’s west coast as the preferred choice of travellers. A seasonal transition will see international and charter flight winter schedules come into effect at the end of October and continue through March 2023.

C9 forecasts an optimistic outlook that Phuket tourism will continue recovering, albeit at a moderate pace moving into 2023. Factors driving this view are the continued zero-Covid policy in Mainland China and limited airline seats for Russian snowbird travellers this winter season.

To download C9 Hotelworks Phuket Hotel Market Outlook 2022 CLICK

Langkawi negotiates for more flights

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TTR WEEKLY

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September 8, 2022

LANGKAWI, 8 September 2022: Yet to fly commercially, MYAirline held talks with LADA officials last week on its intentions to fly to Langkawi from its home base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) 2.

Details of the meeting were not disclosed, but LADA needs to attract more airlines to serve the popular holiday island. Malaysia’s domestic market is a priority to boost visits for the remainder of the year and in 2023.

Aviation sources say it is very likely the airline will concentrate on popular holiday destinations such as Kuching in Sarawak, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Penang and Langkawi, competing head-on with AirAsia Malaysia.

Photo Credit: LADA. Face to face talka with MYAirline.

Earlier this week, MYAirline recruited AirAsia’s former China president, Kathleen Tan as its chief executive advisor. The airline’s website is still under construction, with career opportunities the only tag functioning. MYAirline’s LinkedIn page suggests it has already recruited 90 employees.

MYAirline gained approval from the Malaysian Aviation Commission last January to operate low-cost airline services in Malaysia. It named Rayner Teo as its CEO.

So far, it has not hinted at a launch date for commercial flights or the destinations it will serve but must secure an Air Operator’s Certificate no later than the end of the year. The airline has taken delivery of three Airbus A320s.

Photo Credit: LADA) Exploring new flight options with MH.

Talks with Malaysia Airlines

Earlier this week, LADA and Malaysia Airlines discussed “strategic cooperation” to boost flights to Langkawi and draw more tourists to the island, both domestic and international.

Officials from LADA and the airline discussed adding new routes to Langkawi, starting with an expansion of direct services to Singapore.

Other priorities discussed included digital marketing and the airline’s ‘Side Trip Bonus’ campaign, where tourists can get free tickets when transiting in Malaysia, especially international tourists.

Leisure travel fuels Hyatt expansion

Taiwan clarifies visa-exempt list

Paul Poole buys out ASN

IATA: July passenger demand strong

South Korea’s autumn holiday is back to normal

Heritage Line ready to weigh anchor

Emirates’ A350s get ‘Next Gen’ entertainment

Langkawi refreshes guide series

Phuket airlift will soar during Q4

Langkawi negotiates for more flights

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