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Sailors head for Langkawi’s International Regatta

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LANGKAWI Malaysia, 17 January 2025: Tourism Malaysia spotlights one of Malaysia’s most anticipated yachting events, the 21st Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR), which will be held from 20 to 25 January 2025.

The prestigious annual event marks the start of Southeast Asia’s 2025 sailing regatta calendar hosted by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. RLIR will welcome 32 sailing yachts from Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Australia with more than 250 crew participants. 

Image Credit: Royal Langkawi International Regatta.

The event offers an unparalleled experience, blending thrilling competition with Langkawi’s renowned hospitality, tropical beauty, and cultural charm. Over five days, participants will navigate the pristine waters of the Andaman Sea, competing across various categories and classes, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive regatta.

Sailing in Langkawi is an exceptional experience for both seasoned mariners and novices looking to explore the seas. The destination’s favourable winds provide ideal conditions for beginners, while its stunning coastline and hidden coves offer plenty of intrigue for experienced sailors. Visitors can rent yachts, join sailing tours, or take lessons, making Langkawi a premier destination for maritime adventures at any skill level.

Beyond sailing, visitors can explore the island’s UNESCO Global Geopark, which showcases ancient rainforests, mangroves, and unique karst formations, perfect for nature enthusiasts exploring by boat or on foot. Thrill-seekers can enjoy the Langkawi Sky Bridge and Cable Car, offering panoramic views of the island’s lush landscapes and turquoise waters. Water activities like snorkelling, diving, and sunset cruises around the archipelago’s 99 islands add to the adventure.

For more information on the Royal Langkawi International Regatta, visit https://langkawiregatta.com.
For detailed information on Langkawi’s tourist attractions, head to the website Naturally Langkawi.

Pandaw confirms new Hooghly River cruise

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2025: Pandaw, Asia’s specialist river cruise operator, has announced an exciting new expedition on the Hooghly River that connects Kolkata with the Ganges, starting October 2025.

The 18-stateroom Kalaw Pandaw will sail from Kolkata to Baranagar and back on India’s most sacred rivers. The adventure captures the essence of the real India: enchanting countryside, magnificent palaces, mystical temples and artisanal villages, not to mention very friendly folk and riverside communities.

The itinerary also includes two nights in Kolkata, allowing passengers to spend two full days sightseeing in the former capital of the Indian Raj. The city has a huge museum, 18th-century churches, temples, mosques, and architectural splendours that reflect the Raj’s glory days. 

Late check-out on the 10th day enables passengers to stay on board, with full board catering, as most international flights from India depart at night. As Indian hotels compete with London or Paris in costliness, a 10-day itinerary such offers travellers real value as the cruise itinerary becomes a stand-alone Pandaw India trip, meaning that pre and post-cruise hotel bookings in Kolkata are not required.

Prices start from USD2,950 per person sharing, excluding international flights. There are no single supplements on all first-season departures. 

Best flight options

From most UK and European cities: Qatar, Emirates, Air India. 
From Australia: Thai Airways (TG), AirAsia, Jetstar, Air India.

More about flights to Kolkata

Twenty-two airlines fly to Kolkata Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Intl Airport (CCU) from 65 airports worldwide as of December 2024. 

New routes to CCU (last 3 months)

Ahmedabad (AMD) Starlight Airline
Bangkok (DMK) Thai Lion Air
Phuket (HKT) IndiGo
Indore (IDR) Air India Express
Port Blair (IXZ)  Air India Express

The domestic Delhi (DEL) – Kolkata (CCU) route has the most flights, an average of 161 every week. Bangkok (BKK) is the top Southeast Asian gateway to Kolkata with the most direct flights. 

To book visit pandaw.com or speak to our team at [email protected]

The Hooghly
Kolkata – Baranagar – Kolkata
Nine nights
From USD2,950.00 per person

For more details on the cruise and itinerary, check out Hooghly River Cruises.

Air Astana introduces Nha Trang flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2025: For the spring-summer schedule, Air Astana will replace flights from Almaty and Astana to Phu Quoc with new seasonal routes to Nha Trang, Vietnam. 

Direct flights to Phu Quoc will resume from the two cities during the autumn-winter schedule, from 29 October 2025 to 30 March 2026.

Photo credit: Air Astana. Nha Trang city by the sea.

Service from Almaty to Nha Trang will start on 30 March 2025, with flights on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Flights from Astana will start on 31 March 2025, operating on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The nearest airport to the resort town is located in Cam Ranh. The flights will use an Airbus A321LR aircraft. 

Flight schedule

Flight KC193 Almaty-Cam Ranh: Departure at 2335, arrival at 0920+1 
Flight KC194 Cam Ranh-Almaty: Departure at 1050, arrival at 1645 

Flight KC157 Astana-Cam Ranh: Departure at 2300, arrival at 0920+1 
Flight KC158 Cam Ranh-Astana: Departure at 1050, arrival at 1750 

The flight time is approximately eight hours from Almaty and eight hours and 40 minutes from Astana. 

Tickets are now available for purchase on the Air Astana website. Round-trip economy class fares, including all fees, start from USD750 from Almaty and USD850 from Astana. Business-class fares start from USD1,975 from Astana and Almaty. 

More about Nha Trang

Nha Trang, a coastal city in southern Vietnam, is located in Khánh Hòa Province. The nearest airport is Cam Ranh International Airport, which is 24 miles away and takes about 48 minutes to transfer by car from hotels along Nha Trang’s city beach.

Nha Trang, the beach capital of southern Vietnam, is famous for its diving spots and picturesque islands. The city is surrounded by majestic mountains and the scenic bay of the South China Sea, ranked 29th among the most beautiful bays in the world. 

Key attractions include the ancient Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda and modern highlights like the Vinpearl Land amusement park on Hon Tre Island, the National Oceanographic Museum, and the Vietnam Aquarium. The best time to visit is from February to September. 
Kazakhstan citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to Vietnam for up to 30 days. 

BESarawak rolls out ‘AI LEGACY’ system 

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 17 January 2025: Business Events Sarawak presented a preview last week promoting its signature LEGACY360 — Business Events for a Sustainable Future Forum, which will take place in September 2025 in Kuching.

As reported extensively by the Borneo Talk, Sheraton Kuching Hotel hosted the preview event on 13 January 2025, which also included the launch of the AI.LEGACY Intelligent Impact Management System, the Borneo Inspires Legacies Awards (BILA) and the Tribe Legacy Sarawak campaign for 2025.

Photo credit: Borneo Talk.

BESarawak identifies LEGACY360 as its core mission to integrate meaningful legacies into Malaysia’s business events. 
During last week’s panel session at Sheraton Kuching, Deputy State Secretary and BESarawak Deputy Chairman, Datu Hii Chang Kee, CEO of BESarawak, Amelia Roziman, President of the Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS) and Founder/Chairman of Bumiati Holdings, Datuk Dr M. Gandhi and Senior Manager (Asia) of GainingEdge, Jane Vong-Holmes shared perspectives on the importance of legacy in today’s business world.

One of the key elements in BESarawak’s 2025 strategy involves introducing at pace a new system for monitoring and reporting business event legacies known as ‘AI.LEGACY Intelligent Impact Management System’. Developed by BESarawak and the University of Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), the system guides event planners toward creating tangible and measurable outcomes. 

BESarawak also presented a new look for the Anak Sarawak Awards, which have been rebranded as ‘Borneo Inspires Legacies Awards’ (BILA) to “recognise outstanding contributions to legacy building.”

“This is an exciting final year of the Legacy Impact Master Action Plan 2023-2025,” said BESarawak CEO Amelia Roziman told Borneo Talk. “After many years in our legacy journey, what began as a vision to define and shape the impact of business events has now evolved into a groundbreaking reality. We are very excited to invite business event planners to host an event in Sarawak and roll out the AI.LEGACY Intelligent Impact Management System.”

For more information on LEGACY360, visit https://legacy360.businesseventssarawak.com/ For more information on the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards, visit https://legacy360.businesseventssarawak.com/bila-2025/…

#keepborneotalking #stirringupborneo #borneotalk #borneotalktravel Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Sarawak Travel, Malaysia, Borneo

( Source: Borneo Talk and BESarawak)

Centara reimagines Collection brand

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 17 January 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is excited to announce the launch of The Centara Collection, a curated portfolio of one-of-a-kind properties that celebrate individuality, authenticity and creativity to immerse guests in the spirit of their destinations.

Formerly known as the Centara Boutique Collection, the portfolio has been transformed and elevated to a new level of distinction. The Centara Collection is committed to “Inspiring Individuality,” and with a refreshed visual identity, a refined curation of member hotels, and an emphasis on the quality and uniqueness of every property, it is set to appeal greatly to travellers with a passion for exploration who seek bespoke experiences that are as unique as they are.

Each member of The Centara Collection will be defined and united by distinguishing features and offerings, including distinctive design (whether through eye-catching interiors, innovative architecture or artistic expression), immersive local experiences that reflect the culture and heritage of their locale, and curated creativity. These high-end hotels and resorts will strive to enhance their guests’ lifestyles and connect them with their destinations.

The essence of The Centara Collection is to provide travellers with a true sense of place, which reflects the spirit of its neighbourhood, whether it is an intriguing urban district, a culture-rich rural retreat, or an idyllic natural environment.

Centara can now reveal that the acclaimed Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives will be renamed Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives, as it becomes the first international member of The Centara Collection. This award-winning resort offers experiential stays with a deep connection to nature, including one of the Maldives’ finest house reefs, diving experiences, and aquatic adventures to uncover the underwater treasures of the Indian Ocean. The exclusivity and uniqueness of this natural wonder make it the perfect fit for this experiential new brand collection.

Two exceptional Thai hotels join This world-class resort in The Centara Collection. The celebrated Roukh Kiri Khao Yai is nestled amid the rolling hills of Northeast Thailand, overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed rainforest of Khao Yai National Park. It features just 13 rustic, barn-inspired villas with private outdoor bathtubs or plunge pools, sweeping mountain vistas, and organic gardens. Showcasing the tropical beauty of Southern Thailand, Varivana Resort Koh Phangan is the place where the mountains meet the sea. The resort offers an eye-catching island retreat with 39 stylish rooms, spacious private balconies and a spectacular 28-metre rooftop saltwater infinity pool.

Looking ahead, Centara is seeking opportunities to expand The Centara Collection with more original properties in extraordinary locations in Thailand and worldwide.

“We are delighted to reveal The Centara Collection, our curated compilation of hotels and resorts that are unified by their uniqueness. At Centara, we understand that today’s discerning travellers not only want to visit a destination – they want to experience it. By blending design, creativity and authenticity, all underpinned by our group’s warm, Thai hospitality, we aim to inspire every guest to uncover the spirit of their locale,” said Ron Cusiter, Executive Vice President – Commercial, Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Centara offers six leading brands across all market sectors, from affordable lifestyle to luxury. The launch of The Centara Collection marks the latest phase of the group’s brand enhancement strategy, which recognizes the need to continuously evolve product offerings and signature experiences to remain relevant and consolidate its position as the pre-eminent Thai hospitality group.

For more information about Centara, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com

Incheon International Airport partners with Cirium

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2025: Seoul’s Incheon International Airport partners with Cirium to accelerate digital transformation, optimise airport resources, and develop master planning modules for IIAC’s overseas airport ventures.

With a global coverage of over 35 million flights, Cirium’s data will drive two IIAC state-of-the-art aviation solutions: Simulator and MasterPlanner.

Photo credit: Cirium. Signing ceremony at Incheon Seoul, South Korea.

Simulator: This solution will optimise the allocation of facilities (such as check-in counters and security checkpoints) and workforce management by calculating passenger delays and queue times.

MasterPlanner: This solution will analyse annual facility requirements and cost-benefit ratios beneficial for new airport construction or expansion projects.

Through the partnership, Incheon International Airport Corporation (ILAC) can leverage Cirium’s aviation data to research airport data technology and commercialisation. 

High-level officials attended The signing ceremony, including Kim Beom-ho, IIAC Executive Vice President, and Youngsuk Chi, Director of Corporate Affairs and Asia Strategy for RELX, Cirium’s parent company.

Cirium supplies comprehensive aviation datasets and insights, ranging from flight statuses, schedules and routes to fleets and emissions. The company brings 115 years of experience serving various aviation stakeholders, including airlines, airports, financial institutions, government agencies, manufacturers, and technology firms.

Love the Philippines attracts travel buyers

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2025: The Philippines’ pavilion at Travex, the travel mart component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2025, was a hot spot for the 323 international buyers from 42 countries keen on updating their island travel products for their Southeast Asia tour content.

The Love the Philippines team was led by Tourism Development and Planning Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso, joined by Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Nograles and TPB Market Representative in Malaysia, Dato Melissa Ong.

The Philippine delegation included 17 private stakeholders representing travel and tour agencies, hotels and resorts, MICE venues, and an airline. 

The opening ceremony at the Love the Philippines pavilion came alive with captivating performances by the Sindaw Performing Arts Guild and Acapellago, with a vibrant rendition of “Island Philippines”.

During the Philippines’ country briefing, TPB COO Nograles highlighted key industry updates and achievements on behalf of the Department of Tourism, sharing insights and answering media questions alongside DOT officials.

ATF TRAVEX ends today, 17 January, with an official delegate count of 1,000 delegates, 221 seller organisations, 100 hosted media, and 323 international buyers. Sellers from 10 ASEAN bloc countries occupied 2OO booths at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre. The mart ran from 15 to 17 January at the conference centre in Johor Bahru.

Scoot adds Vienna and Iloilo to network

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 17 January 2025: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), announced Thursday the launch of direct flight services to Vienna, Austria, and Iloilo City, Philippines.

Three times weekly flights to Vienna will begin on 3 June 2025 using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, configured for 329 passengers in two cabin classes. 

Photo credit: Scoot. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flies to Vienna.

Flights to Iloilo City in the Philippines will commence on 14 April 2025 using the 112-seat Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. The initial frequency will be twice weekly, progressively increasing to four weekly starting in June 2025.

Vienna, dubbed the City of Music, is famous as the birthplace of classical composers Mozart and Strauss, making it a dream destination for cultural enthusiasts. The city enchants travellers with its majestic architectural charm, rich heritage and timeless artistic allure. Its central location makes it an excellent gateway to explore Eastern Europe and an ideal starting point for multi-city European adventures on scenic road trips. Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is just 50 kilometres away from Vienna Airport, while Budapest, Hungary and cities in Czechia, Croatia, and Slovenia are all within a three-hour drive.

Nestled in the heart of the Philippine archipelago, Iloilo City is known for its stunning Spanish-era churches and one of the largest religious festivals in the Philippines, the Dinagyang Festival. This bustling city offers a perfect mix of cultural charm and hidden gems waiting to be discovered, making it an attractive escapade for a quick recharge.

Scoot Chief Executive Officer Leslie Thng said: “We remain committed to expanding our network and connecting travellers to new destinations worldwide at a great value. As the only airline offering direct flights between Singapore and Vienna, we are thrilled to introduce this new service in June, just before the holidays. With the launch of direct flights to Iloilo City, we also hope to inspire our customers to explore more cities within South East Asia and embark on new travel experiences.”

Bookings for flights to Vienna and Iloilo City went live on 16 January on Scoot’s website, mobile app, and progressively through other channels. 

One-way economy class fares start at SGD309 to Vienna and SGD129 to Iloilo City, while one-way ScootPlus fares start at SGD659 to Vienna, including taxes.

In addition to these new destinations, Scoot will adjust its network to match better capacity to demand and optimise aircraft deployment. This includes suspending operations to Berlin and Jinan after their last flights on 28 March and 28 February, respectively.

Scoot will progressively contact affected customers with existing bookings made directly with Scoot to assist with rebooking or refunding, where applicable. For bookings made through travel agents or partner airlines, customers should contact their travel agent or purchasing airline for assistance.

Flight schedules

*Commencing June 2025.
Flight schedules are subject to government and regulatory approvals or changes. 

TransNusa to fly Bali-Perth route

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TTR WEEKLY
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JAKARTA, Indonesia, 17 January 2025: TransNusa Aviation Mandiri (TransNusa) kicks off 2025 by introducing a new international route between Indonesia’s top tourism destination, Bali and Perth, Australia, effective 20 March 2025.

TransNusa opened online ticket sales on 15 January via its website and through online travel agencies. Fare starts at IDR1,799,000 (AUD169, USD163 and MYR514). 

TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Bernard Francis said TransNusa has introduced this new international route to provide passengers with additional travel choices on one of the busiest routes between Indonesia and Australia.

“Bali-Perth is a golden route with the highest number of passengers annually. Hence, the demand for this route is significant,” said Datuk Bernard, adding that TransNusa will launch the maiden flight from Bali to Perth on 20 March.

Initially, TransNusa will operate three weekly flights on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. From 12 April, the airline will increase frequency to four weekly, adding a Tuesday departure and, from 1 June, introducing daily services.

TransNusa will deploy an Airbus A320 with 174 seats for the three-hour and 40-minute flight.

Flight schedule

Flight 8B080 will depart Bali at 0910 from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and arrive in Perth (PER) at 1250. 
Flight 8B081 will depart Perth (PER) at 1335 and arrive at Denpasar (DPS), Bali, 1720. 

TransNusa already operates flights from Bali to Indonesia’s diving haven, Manado scheduling five flights weekly. Tourists from Perth will have an opportunity to extend their holiday to Manado.

TransNusa introduced its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur’s Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Intl Airport (SZB) in October 2023, offering daily flights using a 174-seat A320. TransNusa is currently based in Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

AirAsia targets 5 million guests to Sabah in 2025

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 16 January 2025: AirAsia targets 5 million passengers to Sabah through its Kota Kinabalu hub as well as Sandakan, and Tawau airports during 2025, almost doubling from the 3.7 million arrivals recorded in 2024. 

The growth target includes both domestic and international travellers and reinforces AirAsia’s leadership in enhancing the region’s connectivity and contributing to its economic growth.

Datuk Captain Chester Voo, Deputy CEO (Airline Operations) of AirAsia Aviation Group and Julinus Jimit, Sabah Tourism Board CEO at the AirAsia roadshow in Kota Kinabalu on 13 January 2025.

Confirming its 2025 expansion plans, the low-cost airline group will strengthen its network of 27 routes, comprising 13 domestic and 14 international connections to and from Sabah. These enhancements are expected to contribute to a 35% increase in flights to over 51,500 annually and a 43% growth in seat capacity.

In 2024, AirAsia helped Sabah reach its goal of over 3 million visitors, reinforcing its position as the leading airline supporting connectivity and tourism growth on Borneo Island’s two Malaysian states, Sarawak and Sabah.

As part of efforts to rally the region’s tourism ecosystem, the airline is holding a series of roadshows across Sabah to strengthen partnerships and align efforts in improving essential tourism touchpoints such as accommodation, activities, transportation, and accessibility and explore strategic investments to elevate its tourism infrastructure.

AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam said: “Sabah is integral to AirAsia’s network, and we are proud to be the leading airline connecting the region to Malaysia and key international markets. Our ambitious 2025 goal of welcoming 5 million guests reaffirms this commitment, underscored by significant investments in operational capacity to increase flights and targeted marketing efforts. With higher arrivals, these initiatives can potentially create substantial economic multiplier effects for the region and local businesses, fueled by a robust supply chain and increased tourist spending. 

“Our growth in Sabah would not be possible without the impactful collaborations we have built with the Sabah Tourism Board and industry partners. To sustain this momentum, we strongly advocate for greater cooperation and shared incentives from key players in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including hotels and tourism players. By investing in joint promotions and supporting strategic routes, we can amplify tourism’s economic benefits for Sabah and maintain a steady growth trajectory.

“Complementing these efforts, AirAsia is making targeted investments in Fly-Thru offerings and expanding key routes in high-priority markets such as Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan. These initiatives are further strengthened by sustained campaigns to attract travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Singapore. We aim to position Sabah with our partners as a thriving global destination that benefits communities beyond the airport and cements its standing as a world-class tourism hub.”

Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jimit, said: “AirAsia’s extensive network and continued investments have strengthened Sabah’s position as a key gateway for both domestic and international travellers. We are excited to deepen further our collaboration to enhance the region’s offerings and ensure that all stakeholders are prepared to cater to the projected increase in tourist arrivals resulting from AirAsia’s initiatives.”

In 2024, AirAsia and STB entered into a strategic five-year partnership to boost the region’s tourism industry by improving air connectivity across the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and expanding links to the broader ASEAN region, North Asia, and Oceania from 2024 to 2028.

For more information on Sabah visit Sabah Tourism Board

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