Sunday, May 4, 2025
Home Blog Page 61

Festive season celebrations at the Royal Cliff 

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

PATTAYA, 20 December 2024: During the upcoming festive season, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group invites families to celebrate with their loved ones at the Royal Cliff. 

Guests will not only indulge in the exquisite cuisine prepared by expert chefs but also delight in the ambience, breathtaking views, and five-star service that will transform their special celebration into unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime.

Christmas Eve Set Dinner
Date: 24 December 2024
Time: 6:30 – 11:00 pm
Venue: Royal Grill Room & Wine Cellar Restaurant, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
Price: THB 2,300++ per person (50% discount for children aged 4-12 years)

Experience the magic of Christmas at Royal Cliff! Indulge in an exquisite four-course Christmas Eve Set Dinner featuring your choice of Traditional Roast Turkey, Braised Franconian Christmas Beef, or Honey-Glazed Christmas Ham. Enjoy the festive ambience in the opulent dining room with carol singers, live music, and a special visit from Santa to complete this enchanting evening. The Royal Cliff also has an underground wine cellar with over 1,000 new and old-world wine labels, carefully hand-selected by the sommelier.

Full Menu: https://www.royalcliff.com/christmas-eve-set-dinner/

Christmas Day Lunch Buffet
Date: 25 December 2024
Time: 12:00 – 3:00 pm
Venue: Panorama Restaurant, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
Price: THB 2,300++ per person (50% discount for children aged 4-12 years)

Celebrate Christmas Day in a festive atmosphere and enjoy a lavish Christmas Buffet Lunch at Panorama Restaurant. Enjoy indoor or outdoor seating with your choice of pool or sea views. Savour holiday favourites like roasted turkey, Christmas ham, pan-fried seabass fillet, fresh salads, and an array of delightful desserts, including classic Christmas pudding and a live pancake station. Enjoy live music from a talented duo band and a special visit from Santa, making this a magical celebration to remember.

Full Menu: https://www.royalcliff.com/christmas-day-lunch-buffet/

The Royal Sea Adventure New Year’s Eve Gala Buffet Dinner
Date: 31 December 2024
Time: 7:30 PM Onwards
Venue: Poolside of the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel
Price: THB 6,500++ per person (50% discount for children aged 4-12 years)

Join an unforgettable “Royal Sea Adventure” New Year’s Eve celebration at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel by the poolside. Enjoy panoramic sea views, dance to live entertainment, and be mesmerised by extraordinary performances. Indulge in our premium international buffet, featuring the finest seafood, succulent beef, and a variety of delectable desserts. Celebrate with family and friends, and let the waves of joy carry you into a prosperous New Year!

Full Menu: https://www.royalcliff.com/new-year-buffet-dinner/ 

Fireworks New Year Countdown Package
Date: 31 December 2024
Time: 11:30 PM Onwards
Venue: Poolside of the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel

Ring in the New Year with a stunning fireworks display at the hotel’s spectacular new infinity-edge pool, accompanied by your favourite drink. Celebrate the night with music that keeps the festive spirit alive.

https://www.royalcliff.com/fireworks-new-year-countdown/

For more information or to reserve a table, contact the Royal Cliff team 
Tel: 038250421
Email: [email protected]
Line ID: @Royalcliff
Facebook: www.facebook.com/royalcliff 
Website: https://www.royalcliff.com/main/news/ 
Royal Cliff Hotels Group 353 Phra Tamnuk Road, Pattaya, Chonburi, Thailand 20150

Emirates honours its Arabic heritage

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

DUBAI, 20 December 2024: Emirates welcomed the opportunity to present the Arabic language to more than 52 million diverse customers ahead of UNESCO’s World Arabic Language Day on 18 December.

Emirates highlighted the array of Arabic language services available to customers, thousands of Arabic-speaking cabin crew, and the wealth and breadth of rich Arabic language content available on its inflight entertainment system – ice.

World Arabic Language Day is celebrated annually on 18 December since it was established in 2012. The date commemorates the day that the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Arabic as the sixth official language of the organisation in 1973. 

Used daily by more than 500 million people, Arabic is a part of the Emirates brand, playing a vital role in the operations and customer service of the multi-award-winning airline.

The Iconic Emirates Logo in Arabic

The Emirates logo features Arabic calligraphy and is a key element of the airline’s identity. It symbolises its roots in the UAE and its commitment to showcasing Arabic hospitality and culture globally. Created in 1985, the logo underwent a significant redesign in 1999 to modernise its appearance and align with the airline’s rapid growth and global ambitions. 

Emirates’ Arabic Language Customer Services

Emirates’ official website and mobile app are available in both Arabic and English, offering Arabic-speaking customers a localised browsing experience. The website provides services such as booking flights, checking flight status, and managing reservations in Arabic. Emirates also provides Arabic-language customer support via phone, email, and social media channels, ensuring that Arabic-speaking customers can easily resolve any issues or queries.

Emirates Safety Video and Signage in Arabic

Emirates has recently launched a revamped safety video that focuses on delivering safety instructions clearly and straightforwardly. The video is available in Arabic and English and features communication on critical safety measures such as seatbelt usage, oxygen mask operation, and emergency exit procedures. Emirates uses Arabic alongside English in its aircraft cabins for various signs and instructions. This includes seatbelt signs, emergency exits, and cabin safety instructions, ensuring that Arabic-speaking customers can easily understand them. The safety cards on Emirates flights are printed in Arabic and English, ensuring that all customers have access to important safety information.

Arabic Language Inflight Services

Emirates offers in-flight announcements in Arabic and English, as well as the local language of the flight’s arrival and departure country, ensuring that customers from Arabic-speaking countries feel at home. Emirates cabin crew regularly announce safety procedures, service offerings, and arrival details in multiple languages. Emirates menus are also in Arabic, highlighting the region’s dedicated, regionally inspired cuisine.

Emirates Arabic Speaking Cabin Crew

Emirates has over 4,000 cabin crew members, enabling seamless communication with Arabic-speaking customers. Across Emirates’ airport employees, retail staff, VIP teams, and call centre agents, there are hundreds of native Arabic speakers and those who speak Arabic as a second language.

Emirates’ wealth of Arabic Content on ice

Emirates’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system ice offers a wide variety of Arabic-language content, including movies, TV shows, music, and news. 

Emirates customers can also enjoy 15 Arabic podcasts and audiobooks, The Holy Qur’an, and more than 500 channels of Arabic music, including pop, classics, Khaleeji, Maghrebi and Arabic fusion. A host of cultural content includes My Story, a docudrama series inspired by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s book, Al Sanaa’- a show which explores local culture and traditions, and a podcast called Fazza – Qassed Fazza, a series of poems written by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
For flight information and to make bookings, visit www.emirates.com

Dusit expands Thai and Indian hotel portfolio 

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 20 December 2024: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, welcomes the peak travel season with the opening of two properties: Dusit Princess Chiang Mai in Thailand and dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla, the first Dusit-branded hotel in India.

Located in the heart of Chiang Mai on Chang Klan Road, steps from iconic landmarks such as Wat Chedi Luang and the renowned Night Bazaar, the upper-midscale Dusit Princess Chiang Mai provides an ideal base for exploring this northern city.

Following a comprehensive three-year transformation, the well-known property reopened earlier this month with a fresh new look and elevated guest experiences highlighting northern Thailand’s timeless charm.

Key enhancements include redesigned guestrooms inspired by local traditions and crafted for comfort and functionality, along with upgraded facilities tailored to meet the needs of modern travellers. These include state-of-the-art meeting spaces, a serene pool area, a well-equipped gym, and a revitalised lobby that reflects the elegance of Lanna culture.

The hotel’s dining offerings have also been elevated. Jasmine Restaurant delivers a culinary journey through Chinese and Cantonese cuisine, and the newly introduced Casa Verde serves a vibrant mix of international and Asian favourites alongside Mexican-inspired delights.

Dusit Princess Chiang Mai is participating in the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s “Nuea… Phrom Tiew” (Get Ready for Northern Tourism) campaign to support the local community. The initiative offers special discounts for domestic travellers who register via the official campaign website. 

Outside Thailand, Dusit Hotels and Resorts has officially re-entered India with the opening of dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla, which welcomed its first guests on 15 December 2024.

Set amidst the majestic Himalayas, just 20 km from Shimla — the capital and largest city of Himachal Pradesh — dusitD2 Fagu offers a serene escape for luxury travellers, health enthusiasts, and adventure seekers alike.

The upscale retreat features 80 elegantly designed guestrooms, ranging from 38 to 86 sqm, with breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. Guests can enjoy various facilities, including the region’s largest temperature-controlled swimming pool and the signature Namm Spa, which offers authentic Thai massage therapies and wellness treatments.

The hotel is also set to become a premier venue for events, with versatile function spaces, including the region’s largest banquet hall, an expansive terrace lawn, and the only outdoor amphitheatre.

Dining options include Dusit Gourmet, which serves various international dishes for all-day dining, and SOI, specialising in authentic Thai and Pan-Asian cuisine.

Shimla Airport is just an 80-minute drive away, while Chandigarh Airport, with daily flights from major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, is reachable in four-and-a-half hours. The hotel is also only 18 km from Kalka Railway Station, 7 km from Kufri, and 133 km from Chandigarh.

Guests at dusitD2 Fagu can easily explore nearby attractions such as Mahasu Peak, which offers breathtaking views of the Badrinath and Kedarnath ranges, and the UNESCO-listed Shimla-Kalka Toy Train. This narrow-gauge railway traverses a stunning mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla.

“We are thrilled to expand Dusit’s footprint into India with the opening of dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla, our very first hotel in this vibrant and diverse country,” said Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “India represents an important market for Dusit, and we have high expectations for its development potential, with four additional properties already in the pipeline and more expected to follow soon. At the same time, we remain committed to enhancing our presence in beloved destinations such as Chiang Mai, where we are proud to unveil the new-look Dusit Princess Chiang Mai. These openings reflect our dedication to delivering unique, localised experiences that celebrate the culture and charm of each destination while consistently providing the Thai-inspired gracious hospitality that defines Dusit. As we grow, we look forward to creating enduring value for our guests, communities, and partners.”

Dusit’s portfolio currently includes 301 properties operating across 19 countries, including 57 properties under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 244 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the leading provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia. 

For more information about the new hotels and opening offers, visit: dusit.com/dusitd2-fagu and dusit.com/dusitprincess-chiangmai.

Taipei City gains in OTA searches

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

TAIPEI, 20 December 2024: Statistics from global travel platforms Skyscanner and Expedia confirm that Asian cities have emerged as popular destinations for French travellers in the post-pandemic era. 

Taiwan ranks fifth in search volume. To grasp the recovery trend of the European tourism market, the Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism is positioning the city as a top choice by highlighting its diverse cultural, natural, and quality international event offerings.

Taipei City Government invited major European travel agencies to explore Taipei’s diverse cityscapes firsthand.

During the last quarter of 2024, the department hosted a series of familiarisation tours for European travel agencies to explore Taipei’s diverse cityscapes firsthand.

The six-day familiarisation tours focused on Taipei, with participants exploring the city’s cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and urban charm. 

Following their visit, the agencies launched exclusive Taipei tour packages on their websites and promoted the city’s attractions across social media platforms, generating significant interest among European travellers.

To amplify the marketing effects, the department has launched a marketing campaign during the travel peak season anchored around a video showcasing Taipei’s blend of rural and urban scenery. The campaign incorporated keyword-targeted advertising and a YouTube video reinforcing Taipei’s image as a premier Asian destination choice.

WUXI designated a visa-free airport

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

WUXI, China, 20 December 2024: China has expanded its visa-free transit policy, extending the maximum amount of time foreigners are allowed to stay in the country under the policy to 240 hours from the previous 72 or 144 hours, the National Immigration Administration of China announced on Tuesday. 

Additionally, 21 ports have been added as entry ports for transit visa-free personnel, including Wuxi Shuofang Airport.

Sunan Shuofang International Airport. (Photo credit: Wuxi Daily).

Currently, the aviation port in Wuxi has opened eight international passenger routes to and from cities such as Osaka, Japan; Incheon, South Korea; Nha Trang, Vietnam; Singapore; and Bangkok, Thailand, with an average of 22 international flights daily.

The latest data shows that this year, Wuxi Immigration Station has inspected over 7,400 inbound and outbound flights, a year-on-year increase of 125%. The number of foreigners entering and exiting through Wuxi has reached over 91,000, a year-on-year increase of 245%. Among them, more than 10,000 foreigners entered without a visa and temporarily transited, 16.4 times more than last year, with tourism and visiting relatives and friends being the main purposes of entry.

At the beginning of this year, Wuxi introduced the “10 Measures to Facilitate the Entry and Stay of Foreign Nationals in Wuxi,” building six scenarios of convenience for foreign nationals, including entry and exit, payment, business work, living travel, consumption, and education and medical care.

After formally implementing the 240-hour transit visa-free policy, Wuxi will further improve the customs clearance guarantee services. Specific measures include scientifically adjusting the layout of the entry site and delineating the transit visa-free procedure processing area. Wuxi will manage and serve the stay of foreigners in China and coordinate the transition between the transit visa-free policy and port visa requirements. 

The city will publicise the 240-hour transit visa-free policy in multiple channels and languages and promote the transit visa-free policy to foreign chambers of commerce and travel agencies based in Wuxi and overseas. 

(Source: Wuxi Immigration)

Air India gives students a fare discount

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

GURUGRAM, 20 December 2024: Air India has launched special, discounted fares and additional student benefits across its domestic and international route network.

New student fare benefits: The special fares provide students with up to 10% discount on base fares on all flights, 10kg extra baggage allowance, and the option of a one-time free date change upon booking on Air India’s direct channels, including airindia.com and the Air India mobile app. 

The special student fares are available for bookings in the economy, premium economy and business cabins.

“With these new student fare benefits, we are making it easier and more affordable for young travellers to explore the world, connect with different cultures, and broaden their horizons. At Air India, we are committed to supporting students on their educational journeys and to making full-service flying more accessible and a rewarding experience for students”, said Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal.

Additional savings: Air India currently does not charge any convenience fee on mobile app bookings, which enables student travellers to save an additional INR 399 on domestic flights and up to INR 999 on international flights. Travellers can unlock further savings when paying via UPI, net banking, or credit/debit cards issued by Air India’s bank partners on airindia.com or the Air India mobile app. With these offers, students can potentially tap a 25% discount.

Student fare requirements  

  • At least 12 years of age on the day of domestic travel.
  • Aged between 12 and 30 years on the day of travel for international travel.
  • Enrolled in a full-time course for at least one academic year.
  • Attending an educational establishment recognised, aided by, or affiliated with a central or state government, educational board, university, or accredited school or college.
  • Carrying a valid ID card or acceptance letter from their school, college, or university, or have a valid student visa.

Student fare bookings are available only on Air India’s direct channels: Air India’s website, mobile app, customer contact centre, and airport or city ticketing offices.

LH flies nonstop from Munich to Brazil

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 20 December 2024: Lufthansa introduced a new direct flight last week between Munich (MUC), Germany and São Paulo (GRU) in Brazil.

The airline serves the route three times a week using a 295-seat Airbus A350-900, arguably one of the world’s most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft.

Photo credit Lufthansa. A350-900 at Munich International Airport.

The flights between the two cities depart from Munich on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

LH504: The outbound flight departs Munich (MUC) at 1145 and lands in São Paulo (GRU) at 2010. Flight time is 11 hours and 35 minutes.
LH 505: The return flight from São Paulo to Munich departs on the same day at 2205 (local time) and arrives in Munich on the following day at 1340. 

The new connection will strengthen economic and cultural ties between Germany and Brazil. For Munich in particular, Brazil is now the fifth most important overseas tourist market. In 2024, the Bavarian state capital recorded an increase of around 17%  in overnight stays compared to the previous year.

Asia Pacific dominates busiest route rankings

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

SINGAPORE, 20 December 2024: OAG, a data platform for the global travel industry, released the 2024 Busiest Routes in the World Report on Wednesday that shows Asia Pacific dominates the top 10 busiest domestic and international routes.  

OAG’s Global Airline Schedules Data powered the analysis and provides an overview of route performance and trends, both internationally and domestically.

Asia Pacific again dominates the annual rankings, with seven of the top 10 international busiest routes and 9/10 busiest domestic routes. 

The busiest international route of 2024, and the top 10 route seeing the most significant growth, is Hong Kong (HKG)-Taipei (TPE), with 6.8 million seats and a 48% increase in capacity between 2023-2024, pushing it up from third place last year.

Cairo (CAI)-Jeddah (JED) takes the #2 spot with 5.5 million seats, one of two routes operating in the Middle East that have entered the top 10 since 2019. CAI-JED has experienced 68% growth in five years, while Dubai (DBX)-Riyadh (RUH) is in sixth place with 4.3 million seats and 37% capacity growth since 2019.

Other international routes seeing impressive year-on-year growth are Seoul Incheon (ICN)-Tokyo Narita (NRT), moving from fifth to third with 30% capacity growth, and Bangkok (BKK)-Hong Kong (HKG), re-entering the top 10 at #7 after placing 11th in 2023.

New York (JFK)- London Heathrow (LHR) takes the top spot for the busiest international route in Europe and North America. Cairo (CAI)-Jeddah (JED) is the top international route in both Africa and the Middle East, and Orlando (MCO)-San Juan (SJU) is the #1 international route in Latin America.

OAG’s Chief Analyst, John Grant, commented: “With the ASPAC region very close to a full recovery, the busiest routes are concentrated in the familiar major hubs of Hong Kong, Seoul Incheon and Singapore, although the composition of the supply on those routes is changing as the low-cost sector continues its growth at a faster rate than legacy.

One of the most interesting developments is the growth in regional Middle East markets with a particular emphasis on Saudi Arabia, where the Vision 2030 project continues to drive both business and leisure demand”.

Find the global and regional rankings of the world’s busiest airline routes of 2024 and methodology on OAG’s website.

MH boosts flights for the festive season

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 20 December 2024: Malaysia Airlines will boost services to meet heightened travel demand during the upcoming December festive season and Chinese New Year celebrations. 

The airline will operate 112 additional red-eye flights between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and East Malaysia from 19 December to 1 January 2025 to accommodate the peak travel demand.

Photo credit: Malaysia Airlines. Fixed fares for family reunions.

This includes up to 66 additional flights to and from Sabah, including Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Sandakan (SDK) and Tawau (TWU) and 46 extra flights to and from Sarawak, including Kuching (KCH) and Miri (MYY). 

With the additional flights, Malaysia Airlines will offer up to 596 flights between Kuala Lumpur and East Malaysia during the travel peak, providing greater flexibility and convenience for travellers.

Meanwhile, the airline also offers fixed fares for the upcoming Chinese New Year, with all-in one-way fares starting at MYR349 to and from Sabah and Sarawak, available exclusively on Malaysia Airlines’ official website and mobile app. 

These fixed fares aim to make travel more accessible during the festive season. In addition to the fare offer, Malaysia Airlines will operate 102 supplementary red-eye flights between 24 January and 4 February 2025, bringing the total to 219 weekly flights to and from Sabah and Sarawak during this period.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) Chief Executive Officer Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi commented: “By introducing affordable fixed fares for Chinese New Year, increasing flight frequencies during the peak year-end season, and expanding regional connectivity, Malaysia Airlines is not only enhancing accessibility but also strengthening its position as the airline of choice.”

In addition to strengthening domestic connectivity, Malaysia Airlines enhances regional travel options. From 28 January 2025, the airline will introduce a seventh daily flight frequency to Jakarta (CGK), offering greater convenience for business and leisure travellers between Malaysia and Indonesia.

STB and WWF-Malaysia forge a partnership 

By
TTR WEEKLY
-
filter: 0; fileterIntensity: 0.0; filterMask: 0; captureOrientation: 0; algolist: 0; multi-frame: 0; brp_mask:0; brp_del_th:null; brp_del_sen:null; delta:null; module: photo;hw-remosaic: false;touch: (0.4349076, 0.40244803);sceneMode: 3145728;cct_value: 0;AI_Scene: (-1, -1);aec_lux: 0.0;aec_lux_index: 0;albedo: ;confidence: ;motionLevel: -1;weatherinfo: weather?Partly sunny w/ showers, icon:5, weatherInfo:104;temperature: 39;

KUCHING, 19 December 2024: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and World Wide Fund for Nature – Malaysia signed a memorandum of understanding this week that aims to promote nature-based and ecotourism packages and support the conservation of Sarawak’s vital mangroves and marine mammals.

The partnership establishes a collaborative framework for developing and promoting responsible ecotourism. It focuses on WWF-Malaysia’s project areas, particularly the Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta in Tanjung Manis, a region renowned for its rich biodiversity, including mangrove forests and marine mammal species, particularly the Irrawaddy dolphins. 

Dr Chan and Puan Sharzede at the MoU signing ceremony with WWF-Malaysia Sarawak
Conservation Programme Head Cynthia Chin (left) and Puan Mary Wan Mering, Director – Stakeholder
Relations of STB as witnesses. The event took place at WWF-Malaysia’s Sarawak Office today. © Ezen
Chan / WWF-Malaysia

“This partnership with the Sarawak Tourism Board is a wonderful opportunity to connect conservation with sustainable ecotourism,” said WWF-Malaysia Conservation Director Dr Henry Chan. “The Rajang-Belawai-Paloh delta is a unique biodiversity hotspot. Through this collaboration, we hope to foster greater awareness and support sustainable livelihood opportunities that benefit both the environment and the communities who depend on it.”

Dr Henry presented a souvenir to Puan Sharzede. © Ezen Chan / WWF-Malaysia.

Key partnership goals

● Developing nature-based tourism: Developing and testing ecotourism packages prioritising biodiversity while fostering community involvement and sustainable livelihoods.

● Empowering local communities: Enhancing skills and capacity for ecotourism management, focusing on building community-based enterprises.

● Promoting collaborative management: Encouraging cooperation among local communities and stakeholders in managing and marketing ecotourism initiatives.

● Raising awareness: Producing communication materials to showcase conservation efforts and promote responsible tourism to locals and visitors alike.

The partnership includes joint activities such as professional training, workshops, and seminars. These initiatives aim to equip local communities and stakeholders with the skills needed to manage ecotourism sustainably and responsibly.

“Responsible tourism is central to our vision for Sarawak,” said Sarawak Tourism Board CEO Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor. “Our partnership with WWF-Malaysia strengthens our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The STB CEO identified “SDG 4: Quality Education by empowering local communities with training and knowledge, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities through the development of sustainable ecotourism, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering meaningful collaborations that benefit both nature and local communities. Together, we aim to safeguard Sarawak’sunique biodiversity while fostering sustainable economic opportunities for its people.”

For more information on Sarawak tourism visit: https://www.sarawaktourism.com

1...606162...600Page 61 of 600

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


Contact Us
TTR Weekly (TTRW) is published in Bangkok, Thailand, registered since 1978.
/ month
placeholder text
/ month
placeholder text
Press releases, announcements, events for calendar should be sent to: [email protected]
/ month
placeholder text

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.