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Book with Amy for an extra discount

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK 24 January 2022: Thai Vietjet encourages passengers to use the Amy Live Chat feature by offering a discount of THB 50 when pre-booking baggage through the chat service.

Amy is the airline’s artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot that the airline has recently introduced, which can simulate instant conversation with passengers online, offering optimal interaction experiences and more convenient communication.

To receive the special discount when pre-booking baggage, passengers can contact Amy through direct message on Line Official Account ‘ThaiVietjet’, Facebook at www.facebook.com/VietJetThailand, via Twitter @ThaiVietjet, and webchat at www.vietjetair.com. Then, choose the language you prefer. Click on the “Main Menu” tab, tap on “Baggage”, and choose “Contact Agent”. Then, inform an agent of your booking number and the weight of baggage allowance you prefer. The special promotion runs until 31 January 2022.

Passengers can book flight tickets to travel on Thai Vietjet’s entire domestic flights’ network in Thailand from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani, cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, together with a flight from Chiang Rai to Hat Yai via Amy Live Chat.

Emirates partners with the Bahamas

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 24 January 2022: Emirates has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Service of The Bahamas to explore joint initiatives to promote tourism to the island nation.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive and The Hon Frederick A Mitchell MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, The Bahamas at the Emirates Group Headquarters.

Also present at the meeting were Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer; Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior VP Commercial Operations for the Americas; and HE Tony Joudi, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the UAE.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive, said: “Across the world, Emirates plays a key role in boosting tourism to various destinations by providing travellers with reliable, convenient and comfortable flight options for travel. We are delighted to work with The Bahamas to strengthen transport links and to support the country to welcome tourists from around the world. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

Spread across 16 major islands and boasting more than 100,000 sq. miles of the world’s clearest ocean, The Bahamas is one of the most sought-after tourism destinations in the Caribbean, offering a rich mix of leisure and cultural activities for visitors.

Through the MoU, Emirates will develop initiatives to promote The Bahamas as a tourism destination to customers across its global network, including developing enhanced connectivity to Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) from American gateways through its codeshare and interline partners.

Additionally, through its tour operating arm Emirates Holidays, the airline is also making available to customers and its retail travel partners across its markets a range of travel packages, including hotels and flights to The Bahamas.

Currently, Emirates customers can connect to Nassau airport on codeshare flights with JetBlue from four major US airports, including Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK) and Orlando (MCO). Customers can also opt to fly through Toronto on interline flights with Air Canada to Nassau and George Town. Emirates operates a modern fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft to a network of more than 120 destinations across six continents.

(Your Stories: Emirates)

IHG unveils new loyalty features

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 24 January 2022: IHG Hotels & Resorts is refreshing its loyalty programme, by adding a new tier bonus point earning structure as it rolls out improvements over the coming months

The new tier and bonus point earning structure – which will go live in March – is designed to help members earn more points faster.

A key component is the introduction of a new Gold Elite tier starting at 20 nights, with an industry-leading 40% bonus point structure.

IHG will also rename its ‘Spire Elite’ tier to ‘Diamond Elite’ to simplify member recognition and understanding of the highest tier, which will retain a “best-in-class 100% bonus point structure. It will also improve the bonus point earn levels across all other Elite tiers.

IHG Hotels & Resorts chief executive officer Keith Barr said: “Travel is its own biggest reward, and that’s really at the heart of what we’re doing with our loyalty programme. Each time our members choose to stay at our hotels, we are increasing their opportunity to travel more, experience more, and reap benefits they won’t get anywhere else.”

Since 1 January 2022, IHG Rewards members’ stays count toward the new-and-improved status when the programme launches.

(Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Scoot reopens flights to the Gold Coast

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 24 January 2022: Quarantine-free international travel between Singapore and Queensland, Australia, for vaccinated passengers will resume in February following an announcement late last week,

Scoot will resume three weekly flights between Singapore and Gold Coast starting 14 February and to mark the return of flights, Scoot is promoting lead-in fares starting from AUD248/SGD 239.

Other Vaccinated Travel Lanes from Singapore will reopen in February with announcements due any time now.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Scoot continued to operate flights in and out of Australia, allowing key trade channels to remain open and connected, thus supporting essential travel.

The reinstatement of flights between Singapore and the Gold Coast allows Scoot to better support business and leisure travels needs. Besides Gold Coast, Scoot also operates services to three other Australian cities – Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney, within our larger network of 70 destinations.

Scoot chief executive officer Campbell Wilson said: “Scoot is delighted to be the first airline to resume international flights to and from the Gold Coast, which will allow us to better support pent up demand for a myriad of business and leisure travel needs. Having flown more than 65 million customers with over close to a decade of flights, Australia remains a much-loved travel destination. Scoot served close to 130,000 travellers between Singapore and Gold Coast alone in 2019, just before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. With our current network of 70 destinations, Scoot is looking forward to providing customers with opportunities to once again reignite their wanderlust, reunite with loved ones, and reconnect with concordant business counterparts.”

Queensland Airports Limited CEO, Chris Mills, welcomed news of Scoot returning to the Gold Coast next month. “We can’t wait to see Scoot again and welcome visitors from Singapore back to the Gold Coast,” he said. “It is fantastic to have a date for Scoot recommencing services, so soon after the Queensland border was reopened to international travellers. Many locals will be keen to book their trip, whether it’s to catch up with family and friends or experience everything Singapore has to offer. And the Gold Coast will be a very attractive destination for international visitors.”

Travellers who are eligible for air travel to and from specific destinations in Australia may book the following Scoot flights:

  • Singapore to Gold Coast: TR6 (Effective 14 February 2022)
  • Singapore to Melbourne: TR18
  • Singapore to Perth: TR8*, TR16*
  • Singapore to Sydney: TR12
  • Gold Coast to Singapore – TR7** (Effective 15 February 2022)
  • Melbourne to Singapore – TR19#
  • Perth to Singapore – TR9#, TR17# (VTL effective 5 February 2022)
  • Sydney to Singapore – TR13#

#Vaccinated Travel Lane flight

Additional information
All fares stated are inclusive of taxes

*Customers must meet all required criteria before booking a flight either to or from Australia. Entry requirements and eligibility may vary between States and Territories. Please refer here for more information on entry requirements to Queensland.

**Additional eligibility criteria and quarantine measures may apply. Customers are advised to check entry requirements here prior to planning their travels.

Thailand brings back Test & Go

By
TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 21 January 2022: Thailand’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved the return of the Test & Go entry scheme and the reopening of Pattaya and Ko Chang Sandbox schemes starting 0900, 1 February 2022, Thailand time, the Tourism Authority of Thailand confirmed Thursday.

CCSA suspended Test & Go a month ago after only seven weeks in response to the global spread of the Omicron variant.

Visitors must test on arrival and again five days later and have their whereabouts tracked, according to CCSA spokesperson Taweesin Wisanuyothin.

Fully vaccinated travellers from all countries can apply for a Test & Go Thailand Pass up to 60 days in advance.

All existing rules under the scheme remain unchanged, but the CCSA approved additional requirements to ensure stringent Covid-19 precautions.

Reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s newsroom the additional requirements require applicants to submit proof of prepayment for two separate nights accommodation at government-approved hotels, such as SHA Extra Plus (SHA++), AQ, OQ, or AHQ on Day 1 and Day 5. They must undergo RT-PCR tests on Day 1 and Day 5. The prepayment for Day 1 must include accommodation, a test and a prearranged transfer from the airport to the hotel.

Travellers can book two different hotels for the accommodation on Day 1 and Day 5. However, on both Day 1 and Day 5, they must stay within the room awaiting the RT-PCR test result.

Also, from 1 February 2022, the CCSA approved the reopening of Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip (only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray) and Ko Chang in Trat as Sandbox destinations.

The Sandbox Extension programme will also be introduced between Phuket, Phang-Nga, Krabi, and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), where Sandbox travellers can travel within these destinations during the first seven days in Thailand and can change accommodation three times.    

It means fully vaccinated travellers from overseas who are planning to travel to Thailand under the Sandbox programme can choose to spend their first seven days in either Krabi, Phang-Na, Phuket, Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao), Chon Buri (Bang Lamung, Pattaya, Si Racha, Si Chang, and Sattahip – only Na Jomtien and Bang Saray), and Trat (Ko Chang).

In addition, Thailand has extended opening hours for restaurants that are allowed to serve alcohol to 2300 (previous closing time 2100). However, bars and nightclubs will remain closed.

For more information on entry into Thailand schemes, please visit: https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/

(Source: TAT)

Leopard promotes Year of the Tiger

By
TTR WEEKLY
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SARAWAK, 21 JANUARY 2022: Sarawak Tourism Board is ready to usher in the Year of the Tiger by featuring the tiger’s smaller relative, the Bornean clouded leopard, which is endemic to Borneo in its 2022 ‘Ang Pao’ packets design this year.

Locally known as ‘Entulu’ and boasting the longest canine teeth in the cat family (which includes lions, tigers and leopards), it is the largest land predator in Borneo, measuring over 2 metres in length and can weigh up to 25kg. It has been spotted in Santubong National Park and also some parts of northern Sarawak.

Sarawak Tourism Board deputy chief officer (MarComm, Research and Product & Corporate Relations) Suriya Charles Buas said: “Roaring into 2022, we want to take this opportunity to highlight the rare and elusive Bornean clouded leopard which is endemic to Borneo.

“Sarawak is a destination that has always emphasised on its nature and adventure offerings, even more so now through our Responsible Tourism initiatives. Therefore, it is important that we are aware of the rare species around us and of our impact, especially when it comes to responsible consumption. Let us work closely together to protect it and its entire ecosystem from extinction”, he added.

The ‘Ang Pao’ packets are available at STB’s visitor information centres in Kuching, Sibu and Miri.

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

Sandbox special from Outrigger Surin

By
TTR WEEKLY
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PHUKET, 21 January 2022: The recently opened Outrigger Surin Beach Resort in Phuket is offering  ‘sandbox’ specials following changes effective on 11 January.

Phuket is one of four – Phuket, Samui, Krabi and Phangnga – locations in Thailand where vaccinated guests can arrive and spend seven days at leisure exploring a beach destination under the Thai Government’s ‘sandbox’ promotion.

After seven days and two negative tests, guests can travel to other places in the country.

To support the sandbox initiative, the newly opened 60-key Outrigger Surin Beach Resort offers super saver rates from THB3400 (USD103) per night for a Surin Studio Room valid until 17 April 2022.

The rate includes breakfast for two, return airport transfers, THB1500 (USD45) food and beverage credit per stay, 20% off laundry, and flexible check-in/out. A minimum seven-night stay is required.

Outrigger Surin Beach Resort is 30 minutes from Phuket airport.

Outrigger will also open the Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort in Thailand in early February 2022 and Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort in March.

Check full sandbox conditions here.

Best Western rolls out Welcome 2022 sale

By
TTR WEEKLY
-

BANGKOK, 21 January  2022: Best Western Hotels & Resorts offers discounts of up to 40% at its hotels and resorts in destinations across Asia.

Under the “Welcome 2022 Sale”, guests who book directly with Best Western from now until 15 February 2022, for stays taken any time through 30 June 2022, will get a 30% discount on the hotel’s Best Rate. An additional 10% discount for members of Best Western Rewards, the group’s loyalty programme.

Hotels on offer

Thailand:
Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel, Bangkok.
Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao, Bangkok.
Best Western Royal Buriram Hotel, northeast Thailand.
Best Western Premier Bayphere, Pattaya.

Indonesia:
Best Western Kuta Villa Bali.
Best Western Plus Makassar Beach, Sulawesi.
Best Western Premier Agung Resort, Ubud, Bali.

Across Asia:
Best Western Plus The Ivywall Resort, Panglao, the Philippines.
Best Western Premier Sapphire Halong, Halong Bay, Vietnam.
Hotel Kyoto Palace, BW Signature Collection, Kyoto, Japan.

The Welcome 2022 Sale is available to book from now until 15 February 2022, for stays until 30 June 2022. Offer requires full prepayment at the time of booking.

ASEAN tourism officially reopens

By
Don Ross
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SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, 21 January 2022: ASEAN’s tourism ministers officially announced the reopening of ASEAN tourism at the close of their meetings held in this coastal resort town earlier this week.

Representing the tourism industries of the 10-country community, the ministers launched their vision for economic restoration after more than two years battling the Covid-19 pandemic.

While acknowledging the fight to rein in Covid-19 is far from over, they outlined a shared strategy to drive recovery in the region’s tourism industry.

Reopening tourism celebration at the ATF 2022.

Reopening standouts

The ministers highlighted the need to urgently launch domestic tourism in each of the 10* countries and ease border restrictions to encourage intra-regional tourism within ASEAN.

They endorsed proposals to establish dedicated ASEAN travel gates at border checkpoints and create digital vaccination cards in a single format recognised by all the 10 countries.

But they cautioned that extending the Covid-19 vaccine campaigns remained the crucial component to achieve progress and ensure a safe reopening of tourism within ASEAN.

ASEAN travellers can expect core public health rules such as face mask-wearing, social distancing and the work at home initiatives to remain to limit the impacts of new variants. The ministers stressed that we are moving to a new normal that should enable us to live with Covid-19 as it pivots from pandemic to endemic possible by this year’s second quarter.

In their statement, the ASEAN tourism ministers encouraged the tourism industry to ensure services are compliant with all ASEAN hygiene and safety guidelines.

 Cambodia’s  Minister of Tourism, Thong Khon, also announced the adoption of the New ASEAN Tourism Logo and ASEAN Safe Travel Stamp “Safe and Warm” as part of the plans to support tourism recovery.

During ATF 2022, 19 cities won the  2nd ASEAN Clean Tourist City Awards, including three cities in Cambodia, during an award ceremony at the Sokha Beach Hotel, Sihanoukville.

Award winners.

* Brunei: Tutong city.
* Cambodia: Battambang, Sihanoukville and Siem Reap.
* Laos: Luang Prabang, Pakse and Viengxay.
* Malaysia: George Town, Langkawi and Muar.
* Myanmar: Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw  and Myeik.
*Thailand: Khon Kaen, Pattaya and Ko Mak.
* Vietnam: Halong, Dalat  and Vung Tau.

Commenting on the awards,  Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said they would “strengthen the attraction and competitiveness of ASEAN tourism cities as well as the quality of products and tourism services across the region.”

*ASEAN members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Sok Lu, Governor of Battambang, Kouch Chamroeun, Governor of Preah Sihanouk and Tia Seyha, Governor of Siem Reap, received the clean city awards from Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism of Cambodia.

Destination Mekong starts a new life

By
Don Ross
-

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia, 21 January  2022: Destination Mekong, the private sector’s marketing organisation promoting the Mekong Region, is preparing a membership drive once it appoints its first board in February, according to chief marketing officer Gerrit Kruger.

Established to spearhead marketing campaigns identified in the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office’s framework and strategy, Destination Mekong aims to have more financial clout to see the projects through based on private sector contributions and sponsorship.

Kruger said a major membership drive would get underway soon to raise finances and sponsorship to fund numerous projects that have been launched under the “Mekong Collection and Mekong Experiences” branding plus events such as the Mekong Destination Summit. It established a cluster of projects that fit the MTCO’s long-term objectives.

Destination Mekong has now established a base in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in offices provided by the country’s Ministry of Tourism. Its newly appointed chief executive officer, Catherine Germier Hamel, attended the ASEAN Tourism Forum this week, her first official assignment since she joined the marketing organisation in November 2021.

“Destination Mekong is now fully incorporated, and during the month after ATF, we will launch the membership and partnership drive, which will allow us to provide full support and benefits to the industry in its recovery efforts., ” she explained. “As a regional tourism board, owned and operated by the private sector and aligned with the policy frameworks of the six governments*, Destination Mekong is now an attractive, informative, and engaging solution to many of our (dialogue partners) in the region. “

Claiming the ATF 2022 demonstrated positive energy and a strong willingness to move forward, she said, “participants seemed to be full of hope and determination, and Cambodia is leading the way towards the recovery to restart of tourism in the region.”

She believes Destination Mekong can now have a life on its own (a reference to its close connection to the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office), championing the Greater Mekong Subregion as a “leading sustainable tourism destination and creating value for all”.

Meanwhile, MTCO faced a crisis this week when its website shut down. Reliable sources claimed a financial glitch caused it to go offline. MTCO is hosted by Thailand’s  Department of Tourism, providing offices and administering MTCO financials, including payments and audit support. The six-member countries contribute an annual grant to keep MTCO functioning.

*The six GMS countries: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

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