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Global cruise travel booms

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 October 2024: The cruise industry is experiencing a renaissance, and 2024 is proving to be a record-breaking year, with global cruise bookings up 344% from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 says Trip.com. 

This rise reflects a global trend of travellers rediscovering the appeal of cruise vacations as they seek diverse destinations and experiences in a single journey. 

Disney Adventure, set to sail from Singapore in December 2025, has already generated significant family interest.

Fly-Cruise Bookings Surge by 520% in 2024, Driven by Younger Age Groups 

A standout trend is the substantial rise in fly-cruise bookings, with bookings from international tourists up by 520% year-on-year. The combination of air travel and cruising allows international travellers to start their voyages in exotic locations, contributing to the industry’s overall growth.  

Additionally, younger travellers are at the forefront of this growth. Bookings from millennial travellers skyrocketed by 857%, while Gen Z travellers increased by 450%. Older age groups, too, saw significant growth, with a 112% rise in bookings from those born in the 1950s and over 400% among those born in the 1980s. These figures underscore the expanding appeal of cruise vacations across a broader demographic than ever before. 

Cruise trips are also becoming longer, with the average cruise duration rising from 4.53 days in 2023 to 4.81 days in 2024, highlighting the increasing preference for extended travel experiences. In addition, booking behaviours have evolved, with the average booking window lengthening by 10 days to 37 days in 2024, indicating that travellers are planning their cruise holidays further in advance. This reflects a shift towards making cruises a key part of family vacations and long-term holiday planning.  

Cruise bookings are particularly popular across key global hubs, with Singapore ranking top in international cruise destinations, followed closely by Port Klang, Barcelona, Jakarta and Tokyo at fifth spot.

High Demand for Disney Adventure Cruise Reflected in Trip.com’s Growing Waitlist

The upcoming launch of the Disney Adventure – set to sail from Singapore in December 2025 – has also generated significant interest, reflecting the strong demand for family-friendly cruising options. This will be the first Disney ship to homeport in Asia, offering three- and four-night voyages with immersive Disney, Pixar, and Marvel experiences. So far, nearly 10,000 travellers have signed up on Trip.com’s exclusive waitlist for this cruise. Bookings are set to open on 10 December 2024.

(Source: Trip.com)

TA Network powers ICE Holidays’ GStay

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 October 2024: ICE Holidays, a leading B2B travel wholesaler in Malaysia, has launched the GStay Hotel & Tour portal to attract a more diverse customer segment and adapt to industry trends. 

GStay will ultimately drive growth and loyalty with greater revenue opportunities through up-selling and cross-selling. Powered by Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network), ICE Holidays can quickly adopt technology to jump-start its global connectivity with suppliers and customers, foster stronger online collaborations with its travel operators, and use an efficient inventory and booking management platform. 

 ICE Holidays  Managing Director Mita Lim Swee Kok commented: “We have watched TA Network grow in technical competence and sophistication over the years, providing impactful and cost-effective FIT and packaging solutions for us to leverage on our strong franchise and branding to expand our travel business. Our partnership with TA Network fits our goals to continually expand innovation, support, and travel partnerships throughout the Asia Pacific area.”   

The technology collaboration provides ICE Holidays access to TA Network’s multi-faceted digital solutions, such as Hotel Switch Integration. This powerful plug-in simplifies connectivity and contracting with leading hotels. 

“We are thrilled to support ICE Holidays in launching GStay, a robust white-label portal tailored to meet the needs of their travel partners,” said TA Network managing partner Josef Foo. “By integrating our advanced technology and extensive distribution network, we are confident that GStay will drive significant growth and operational efficiency for ICE Holidays and their partners”.

Air India and SQ extend codeshare scope

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TTR WEEKLY
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NEW DELHI, 25 October 2024: Air India and Singapore Airlines have expanded their codeshare agreement significantly, adding 11 Indian cities and another 40 international destinations to their network.  

This marks the first extensive build-up of codeshare arrangements between the airlines since 2010, offering customers enhanced travel options between Singapore and India and beyond.

Photo credit: Air India. Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal (left) and Singapore Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Lee Lik Hsin (right) signing the codeshare expansion agreement in Delhi, India.

From 27 October 2024, Air India and SIA will codeshare on each other’s flights between Singapore and the Indian cities of Bengaluru and Chennai, increasing their weekly scheduled codeshare services between the countries to 56 from 14.

SIA will codeshare on Air India’s domestic flights between Delhi and Amritsar, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Lucknow, and Varanasi, between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Goa, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Thiruvananthapuram, as well as between Kolkata and Guwahati. 

Air India customers can access 29 destinations across SIA’s network. These are Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney (Australia), Bandar Seri Begawan (Brunei), Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (Cambodia), Denpasar, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya (Indonesia), Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo-Haneda, and Tokyo-Narita (Japan), Busan and Seoul (South Korea), Kuala Lumpur and Penang (Malaysia), Auckland (New Zealand), Cebu and Manila (the Philippines), as well as Danang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam). This includes existing codeshare arrangements to Kuala Lumpur. 

SIA customers will also be able to connect to Air India’s international services from Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai to 12 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These are Copenhagen (Denmark), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Milan (Italy), Nairobi (Kenya), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Jeddah and Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), as well as Birmingham, London-Gatwick, and London-Heathrow (UK).

Both airlines plan to include other destinations in the codeshare arrangements. Subject to regulatory approvals, the codeshare flights will be progressively made available for sale through the airlines’ respective booking channels. 

Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal said: “This is a continuation of our effort to offer our guests more choice and an extended global network. Air India and Singapore Airlines have been longtime partners. With this expanded scope of our codeshare agreement, we are excited to offer our guests greater connectivity to destinations across Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Australasia. We also look forward to welcoming Singapore Airlines customers on board our flights within India and westward to multiple points across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East via our hubs in India.” 

Singapore Airlines, Chief Commercial Officer Lee Lik Hsin added: “This expansion of Singapore Airlines’ codeshare arrangements with Air India demonstrates our commitment to meeting the high demand for air travel between India and Singapore and beyond, and contributing to the growth of both aviation markets. Adding Air India’s domestic network to our codeshare arrangements will also offer our customers enhanced connectivity and convenience in India’s key market for the SIA Group.”

Batik Air expands Malaysia network

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 25 October 2024: Batik Air launched its inaugural flight between Sultan Ismail Petra Airport Kota Bharu (KBR) and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Subang (SZB) last Monday.

The new route expands leisure and business travel options between Malaysia’s northeastern and central regions.

It also provides a more efficient alternative to flying from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as passengers depart from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, which is closer to the city. Batik Air deploys a Boeing 737-800 for the daily flights on the Subang-Khota Bahru route.

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy emphasised the strategic importance of Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, Subang, as an essential hub for the airline. “We recognise the growing demand for improved connectivity between the country’s northeastern and central regions, and this new route is a direct response,” he stated.

The Kota Bharu–Subang route further strengthens Batik Air’s expanding network, and more destinations from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport are in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, the airline established three new routes from its home base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Sabah and Sarawak on Borneo Island Malaysia earlier in October.

The new connections from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Bintulu, Miri, and Sandakan will enhance convenience for both leisure and business travellers. The Kuala Lumpur–Bintulu route commences on 1 November 2024, the Kuala Lumpur–Sandakan route commences on 1 December 2024, and the Kuala Lumpur–Miri route commences on 14 January 2025.

Bintulu 

As a gateway to Sarawak’s natural wonders, Bintulu invites travellers to explore outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, and serene escapes. Home to the Similajau National Park, with its pristine beaches, rainforests, and wildlife, this destination is ideal for eco-travellers and families alike. Beyond its natural beauty, Bintulu plays a key role in Malaysia’s economy as a hub for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) production and the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Miri 

Miri is the birthplace of Malaysia’s oil and gas industry, and is the gateway city to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park. Miri is increasingly attracting corporate travellers, as well as those seeking a blend of natural beauty and industrial opportunities.

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy expressed the airline’s support for driving East Malaysia’s economy and tourism growth, noting that Bintulu, Miri, and Sandakan are destinations with immense potential, both as tourist hotspots and industrial powerhouses.

“By launching these direct routes, Batik Air is strengthening connections between West and East Malaysia, supporting tourism and economic development in Sabah and Sarawak. We are proud to be able to offer more options for travellers and businesses, continuing our mission to expand our route network in support of Malaysia’s overall growth,” he stated.

The Kuala Lumpur-Bintulu route will operate 10 times weekly, while the Kuala Lumpur-Miri and Kuala Lumpur-Sandakan routes will each schedule 14 weekly flights.

In addition, online advance schedules reported that the airline will start a daily service on 7 December between Kuala Lumpur and Alor Setar using a Boeing 737-800.

Emirates strengthens global commercial team

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 23 October 2024: Emirates is structuring and strengthening its global commercial team portfolios in readiness for the airline’s next era of strategic growth and expansion.

Emirates’ commercial operations executives and teams manage vital customer, partner, and stakeholder relationships, meet revenue targets, and serve as active ambassadors for the airline across its strong network, which spans 138 destinations in 80 countries.

Emirates’ Executive Vice President Passenger Sales and Country Management Nabil Sultan, will continue spearheading the team and the new structure, which will commence on 1 November. Three of the top six roles below are led by Emirates’ long-serving UAE Nationals.

  • Thierry Aucoc, currently Senior Vice President (SVP) of Commercial Operations in Europe and the Russian Federation, will become SVP of Commercial Operations (West), covering Europe and the Americas.
  • Adil Al Ghaith, currently SVP Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia, will become SVP Commercial Operations (Centre), covering Gulf, Middle East and Africa.
  • Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, currently Divisional VP (DVP) USA & Canada, will become SVP of Commercial Operations (West Asia & Indian Ocean).
  • Matthew Jones, currently Regional Sales Manager USA, will become VP USA, and report to Thierry Aucoc.
  • Orhan Abbas, SVP of Commercial Operations (Far East), and Barry Brown, DVP of Australasia, will continue to lead their current regions.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “Our Commercial Operations teams have a crucial role to play at our Dubai hub and across the expanse of our growing network. As our ambassadors, they have deep knowledge of local market dynamics and a sharp understanding of our customers to delight them and our other key stakeholders daily. By strengthening our global portfolios with these executive appointments, we aim to be a future fit, elevate customer satisfaction, refuel our business, and re-energise our markets. I wish our commercial leaders every success in their new or expanded roles.”

Earlier this month, Emirates announced several new appointments in its commercial team across key markets in the Middle East and Africa. This year, the Emirates Group has made two major announcements on promotions and senior appointments across the organisation. In July it included seven UAE nationals among others, and in February, the Group promoted 19 executives including eight UAE nationals and six women.

For information on flights and to make bookings, visit www.emirates.com. 

Centara names Martens to head Karon resort

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 23 October 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts has appointed David Martens as Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Centara Karon Resort Phuket. 

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Martens has been an integral part of the Centara family since 2012. As senior Director of Operations and General Manager of Centara Karon, he significantly contributed to the resort’s operational success and strategic growth. His exemplary leadership was recognised in 2017 when he received the General Manager of the Year award for his outstanding performance at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin.

David Martens, Vice President of Operations and General Manager of Centara Karon Resort Phuket.

“David’s extensive background in the hospitality sector, combined with his unwavering commitment to Centara’s mission, positions him as an invaluable asset during this pivotal moment for our brand and the reopening of our flagship Centara Karon Resort Phuket,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Operations Officer Michael Henssler. “His deep knowledge of our properties and passion for exceptional guest experiences will be instrumental in propelling this resort into its next chapter of excellence.”

“Joining Centara has been a remarkable journey for me, and I am truly honoured to take on these new roles. I believe that a hotel is more than just a place to stay; it’s a sanctuary for our guests,” said Martens. “As we prepare to open Centara Karon Resort Phuket, I look forward to creating an atmosphere where every guest feels a deep connection to the beauty of our surroundings, the warmth of our hospitality, and the experiences that resonate long after their visit.”

Set to open on 1 December 2024, the new Centara Karon Resort Phuket is an oasis for all ages combining modern comfort and island beauty. The resort’s refreshed design, diverse array of accommodation and private villas, and exceptional amenities make it an ideal destination for families, couples and leisure travellers alike.

For more information about Centara Karon Resort Phuket, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara/ckr.

ESG global leaders meet in Shanghai

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TTR WEEKLY
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SHANGHAI, 23 October 2024: China Eastern Airlines, as the sole representative of the civil aviation industry, delivered a keynote speech and showcased its ESG achievements at the 2024 ESG Global Leaders Conference held in Shanghai last week. 

Themed “Uniting for Global Prosperity,” the conference discussed frontier topics such as energy and “dual carbon” goals, green finance, sustainable consumption, and technology and public welfare. It attracted over 800 delegates from various industrial sectors worldwide.

Distinguished speakers included Ban Ki-moon, the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, and leaders from major international organizations, heads of global industry-leading companies, and Nobel Prize laureates.

China Eastern Airlines presented several innovative products at its conference booth, including the first anti-fatigue wristbands for pilots, security personnel wristbands, and anti-impact wristbands for luggage, each of which contributed to the ESG field.

As the “Official Airline Service Provider” for the conference, China Eastern Airlines also provided one-stop travel arrangements for over 50 key guests from Paris, New York, and Kuala Lumpur.

In recent years, China Eastern Airlines has adhered to the principles of sustainable development, consistently enhancing its ESG governance and performance levels.

As the first user of the C919 aircraft, the airline successfully completed the plane’s maiden commercial flight and has begun regular commercial operations.

(Source: China Eastern Airlines)

The newest Love Boat sails the Caribbean

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 October 2024: Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ newest, next-level ‘Love Boat,’ nicknamed after the 1970s TV series, debuted in North America last week, arriving in Ft Lauderdale after a successful inaugural Mediterranean season.

The new 177,882-ton, 4,300-passenger Sun Princess was first introduced in the Mediterranean in February 2024.

Sun Princess docks at Ft Lauderdale.

Sun Princess sails a series of seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, roundtrip from Ft Lauderdale, until early April 2025.

After Sun Princess’ maiden Mediterranean season, the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards recognised Sun Princess as #1 Mega Cruise in the US. 

New for the inaugural Caribbean season, Sun Princess introduces the Sanctuary Collection, hailed as the “ultimate in quiet luxury with exclusive access.” Sun Princess serves up 30 restaurant and bar venues. It also features the cruise line’s largest casino, a two-level Lotus Spa, and an expanded retail space with over 200 premium brands.

Sun Princess is the cruise line’s first LNG (liquefied natural gas) vessel. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions and features ingenious energy recovery systems for eco-conscious cruising.

(SOURCE Princess Cruises)

Here are the Smart Travel Asia awards

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 October 2024: Smart Travel Asia magazine released its annual winners of its 2024 Best in Travel Poll, saying the findings suggest that after “bucket list and revenge travel jaunts, people are once again casting an eye on new underrated gems.”

For the full list of winners and trends visit https://www.smarttravelasia.com/travelpoll2024.htm

Smart Travel Asia editor and founder Vijay Verghese noted that “while hotel votes tend to follow destination priorities — rising and falling in tandem — there are several breakout names this year. Singapore, Bali and Japan dominated, and Hong Kong (and Cathay) made a small comeback, though iconic The Peninsula Hong Kong, a poll mainstay, dropped out.”

Emotional takeaways were at the core of votes for favourite hotels, airlines, airports and destinations in the Smart Travel Asia 2024 Best in Travel Poll.

“Hotels and airlines that performed well in 2024 had a high feel-good factor, much of this based on personal interactions, not hi-tech hardware or polished marble.

“Ultimately, these ratings are about how each experience made the traveller “feel”. It is all about the emotional takeaways. Hotels and airlines that performed well in 2024 had a high feel-good factor, much based on personal interactions and less on hi-tech hardware and polished marble.”

Smart Travel Asia launched in February 2003 as the region’s first fully online publication, and its first reader poll (starting with airlines) ran in 2004. 

Travel Poll 2024: Standout winners 

Best holiday destinations (Asia): Bangkok #1 continued to surge, with Tokyo rising to #2 and Bali dropping one spot to #3. Hong Kong re-emerged at #7 after a few years off the charts while places like Macau, Bhutan, Kochi, Samarkand and Mongolia made gains.

Top cities for meetings (Asia): Singapore ranked #1 followed by Bangkok and Taipei, and Seoul in joint #3. Also featured in the top 10 were a diverse group, including a more buoyant Hong Kong, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City, Dubai, Macau and Pattaya.

Best Budget Airline (Asia): The top spot again went to AirAsia (#1). The 2024 Top 10 List also featured India’s IndiGo (#2), Singapore-based Scoot (#3), Cebu Pacific (#5), the Japanese ZIPAIR, and fast-expanding Vietjet Air (#9).

Best hotel service (Asia): Fairmont Makati (#1), followed by Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, joint #2 with Rosewood Hong Kong, The Oberoi New Delhi (#3), the Park Hyatt Kyoto, and classics like the Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, The Imperial New Delhi, and The Peninsula Manila.

Top luxury hotels (ASIA):  The top spot was taken by the reimagined Centara Reserve Samui (#1) with Amankila Bali #2. The Peninsula Hong Kong failed to make the cut, though Rosewood Hong Kong ranked #7 in Luxury. 

The best new hotels (Asia): The Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat (#1), The Tokyo EDITON, Toranomon (#2), and the InterContinental Khao Yai Resort (#3), followed by names like the returning harbour-view Regent Hong Kong, the recast Dusit Thani Bangkok, and COMO Metropolitan Singapore.

HK Express flies to Shizuoka

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TTR WEEKLY
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Mt. Fuji, Japan viewed from Chureito Pagoda in the autumn.

HONG KONG, 23 October 2024: HK Express Airways (HK Express) will add Shizuoka Japan as its third destination from its home base in Hong Kong.

Starting on 17 December 2024, HK Express will launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Shizuoka, offering travellers three weekly services to Mount Fuji Shizuoka Airport (FSZ). This will mark the first direct service between both cities in history.

Following the recent announcement of adding routes to Hiroshima and Sendai, Shizuoka will become the third Japanese destination introduced by HK Express this year. 

Customers can fly straight to Shizuoka from Hong Kong in just over three hours. With HK Express’s numerous routes available in Japan, passengers can enjoy the ultimate open-jaw experience, flying into one city and out of another.

To mark the launch of the new Shizuoka route and celebrate the airline’s 11th anniversary, HK Express introduced a limited-time offer as low as HKD110* one way (Lite fares include one small personal item and one cabin baggage) for trips scheduled between 17 December 2024 and 29 March 2025. 

Located in central Honshu, Shizuoka has astounding landscapes and cultural charm. Travellers can soak in the breathtaking vistas of Mount Fuji or even take up a hiking challenge. 

Shizuoka is the hometown of the famous cartoon character Chibi Maruko-chan. Visitors can head to Shimizu to visit the “Chibimarukochan Land”, a favourite spot for adults and children. Shizuoka is also renowned for its green tea. A visit to its famous tea plantations is an experience that will unlock the art of tea cultivation. Local attractions like the Shizuoka City Museum of Art and Sunpu Castle Park offer a glimpse into the area’s rich culture and history. For food lovers, Shizuoka is a culinary delight, featuring fresh seafood, Unadon (grilled eel rice bowl), and a variety of street foods such as Shizuoka oden and Fujinomiya yakisoba, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

Flight schedule

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