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Emirates unveils new Real Madrid livery on B777

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI UAE: 16 January 2025: Emirates, the Official Main Partner of Real Madrid, has unveiled a special livery on one of its Boeing 777 aircraft. 

The aircraft touched down in Madrid last week, flying the club’s first team players on a specially chartered flight to Jeddah ahead of the Spanish Super Cup tournament from 8 to 12 January.

Emirates has been a partner of Real Madrid since 2011 and became the club’s jersey sponsor in 2013. The airline will remain the Official Main Sponsor of the Spanish club until 2026, making it the longest jersey sponsorship in La Liga history. 

The striking decal features some of the club’s top players, including Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Lucas Vazquez and Federico Valverde.

Over the past decade, Emirates has offered fans a chance to connect with legendary players, enjoy exclusive experiences and ‘fly better’ moments. Taking the partnership to new heights – Real Madrid fans can now catch their favourite team soaring through the skies as the special Boeing 777 is scheduled to serve Athens, Vienna, Miami, Seattle, and Kuwait, amongst other cities.

Emirates launched operations to Madrid in 2010, and the airline currently serves the city with a double daily service using a fleet mix of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

As part of its multi-billion dollar retrofit programme, Emirates has rolled out 36 fully refurbished aircraft (26 A380s and 10 Boeing 777s) with new interiors, including the highly lauded premium economy cabin. The airline also recently welcomed its first A350 to its growing fleet, and today, it serves Edinburgh, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with other cities set to receive its latest generation aircraft in the coming days.

For more information or to book tickets, visit emirates.com. Tickets can also be booked on Emirates App, Emirates Retail stores, Emirates contact centre, or via travel agents.

Booking.com expands payment options

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 16 January 2025: Booking.com and Antom, a merchant payment and digitisation service under Ant International, introduce a strategic partnership to improve payment options across key Asian markets.

It enables Booking.com to unlock business opportunities across Asia — Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines. Each market presents distinct challenges, including varying payment methods, currencies and regulatory frameworks. Antom navigates the complexity through its extensive payment channel partnerships in over 40 countries.

Booking.com, through its partnership with Antom will make over forty payment options available over time, including online banking, bank transfers, digital wallets and local card payments. 

Key mobile wallets such as AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), Boost (Malaysia), GCash (the Philippines), GrabPay (Singapore), Kakao Pay (South Korea), Naver Pay (South Korea), Touch’n Go eWallet (Malaysia) and TrueMoney (Thailand) will be the first to be introduced as new payment methods.

Explore Kuching on electric motorbikes

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 16 January 2025: Tourism Malaysia is promoting the Borneo Green Bike Tour, a new eco-friendly initiative by Smart Leisure & Travels that encourages responsible tourism in Kuching, Sarawak. 

The Borneo Green Bike Tour offers an engaging opportunity to visit iconic landmarks in Kuching on electric motorbikes. By promoting eco-friendly travel, the tour aligns with Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and supports the country’s broader ecotourism goals.

As part of the National Ecotourism Plan (2016-2025), Malaysia prioritises nature-based and sustainable tourism initiatives contributing to local conservation efforts and economic growth. The Borneo Green Bike Tour is a step forward in this direction, encouraging responsible travel practices and helping to preserve the environment while providing travellers with a deeper connection to the culture and landscapes of Sarawak.

The tour represents a perfect blend of sustainability and exploration, offering an exciting and educational way to experience Kuching while reducing the carbon footprint of tourism.

About the Borneo Green Bile Tour

The Borneo Green Bike Tour is a relaxed 3.5 to 4-hour journey to accommodate all fitness levels. As guests explore Kuching’s most iconic landmarks, English and Mandarin-speaking guides are available to lead the way.

The tour covers many sights, including the historic Brooke Monument, Kai Joo Lane, the Chinese History Museum, and the Kuching South City Council (MBKS). Other highlights include the White Cat Statue, Tua Pek Kong Temple, Carpenter Street, the Borneo Cultures Museum, Sarawak Museum, Medan Niaga Satok, Kuching North City Hall (DBKU), Malay Kampung (Kampung Gersik), Fort Margherita, the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Astana Sarawak, Kuching City Mosque, Brooke Dockyard & Old Fire Brigade Station Lookout Tower, and Square Tower.

The tour offers two options: the “Self-Riding” option, priced from MYR 150  per person, allows travellers to ride the motorbikes independently, while the “With Rider” option, starting at MYR290 per person, provides a driver. Both options include a knowledgeable guide to lead the tour.

Both options feature eco-friendly electric motorbikes that provide a comfortable and sustainable way to enjoy sightseeing while reducing carbon emissions. This immersive tour is the perfect way to experience Kuching’s rich heritage and vibrant culture in an environmentally responsible way.

Smart Leisure & Travels is a Malaysian-based travel agency endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to promote Malaysia, especially Sarawak’s diverse cultures, traditions and arts.

Smart Leisure Travels website: www.smartleisuretravels.com. Email: [email protected]. 
For more information on Sarawak visit: https://www.sarawaktourism.com/web/home/index/.

PATA forecasts a win for Hong Kong Uni

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 16 January 15, 2025: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has extended its partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) for an additional three years (2024–2027) to continue publishing the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports.

“As the global travel and tourism industry develops, the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports will continue to serve as a critical resource for stakeholders to address challenges and identify emerging opportunities in the face of economic and geopolitical uncertainties,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “The decision to renew our agreement with PolyU, a leading educational institution renowned for its world-class interdisciplinary research, will ensure that PATA members receive the most updated insights on the region’s tourism demands.”

Third from the left, Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; and Panadda Suk-in, Executive – Research, PATA (far right), with professors from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University Centre for Digital Transformation of Tourism, School of Hotel and Tourism Management.

The agreement to collaborate on the project “Further Development of the Tourism Demand Forecasting for Asia Pacific Region (Phase 4),” reinforces the ongoing cooperation between PATA and PolyU to leverage advanced statistical forecasting techniques, scenario analyses, artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and stakeholder insights to produce the Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports, which covers inbound visitors, tourism receipts, and departures. 

The reports provide tourism professionals, businesses, and destinations with essential insights for policymaking, strategic planning, and operational management, enabling them to navigate evolving demand patterns and make informed decisions amidst both current and future global challenges.

Team Penang embarks on India roadshow

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TTR WEEKLY
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GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia, 16 January 2025: Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) leads the 8th Edition of the Penang Roadshow to India 2025 on tour until 20 January 2025. 

The annual initiative launched in 2017 (virtual during the Covid pandemic) underscores PCEB’s commitment to strengthening ties with the Indian market, a key player in Penang’s tourism and business events sectors. 

Photo credit: PCEB. Opening encounter with Mumbai press.

This year’s roadshow, themed “Discover Penang”, visits four major Indian cities from 13 to 20 January: Mumbai (13 January), New Delhi (15 January), Kolkata (17 January), and Chennai (20 January), with each venue drawing approximately 200 buyers and 30 media representatives.

A shoutout for the 2025 roadshow is the new direct airline services between Penang and Chennai on IndiGo Airlines, which is clearly a game-changer for both Penang and the Indian market. This direct flight simplifies travel and unlocks new opportunities for business and leisure. 

Chennai’s strategic location serves as a vital connecting hub, offering connecting flight access to Penang for passengers from 32 domestic cities in India, including major cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Additionally, these flights have an inclusive 30kg baggage allowance, making them an attractive option for leisure and business travellers.

In addition, Malaysia has officially extended its visa exemption for Indian nationals until 31 December  2026. This exemption allows Indian visitors to enter Malaysia for up to 30 days without a visa. The new policy further enhances Malaysia’s appeal as a destination and provides seamless entry for Indian visitors to explore Penang’s diverse offerings.

“This new connection strengthens the bond between our regions, making Penang more accessible and enabling greater collaboration. It will undoubtedly elevate the experience for buyers attending the roadshow and foster long-term growth in tourism and business events,” said PCEB Chief Executive Officer Ashwin Gunasekeran.

The roadshow features an impressive lineup of exhibitors from Malaysia: Ace Conferences & Exhibitions, Apollo Holidays Malaysia, Asian Overland Services Tours and Travel, By The Blanket, dQuest Ventures, G Hotel, Jeya Berjaya Travel & Tours, Lone Pine, Penang – A Tribute Portfolio Resort, Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Mitways Transport & Tours, Oscar Holidays, Tourism Malaysia, and IndiGo Airlines. 

India continues to be a vital source market for Malaysia. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 1,009,114 Indian visitors from January to November, surpassing its target of 1 million. This achievement represents a 71.7% increase compared to 2023, reaffirming Malaysia’s status as a preferred destination for Indian travellers. The roadshow aims to further bolster these numbers by showcasing Penang’s unique attractions and strategic initiatives.

“Penang’s charm lies in its ability to offer something for everyone — be it cultural experiences, culinary delights, or world-class venues. With the continuation of the free-visa initiative, we anticipate a significant increase in tourist arrivals, allowing Indian visitors to immerse themselves fully in Penang’s unique offerings,” said Penang State Executive Councillor for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai.

In 2024, Penang hosted 1,900 events, attracting 296,630 delegates and generating an estimated economic impact of MYR1.27 billion. These impressive figures underscore Penang’s reputation as a leading destination for regional business events. The roadshow builds on this momentum, positioning Penang as the ideal choice for Indian buyers and stakeholders.

Lucky Air flies direct Dali to Kuala Lumpur

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia, 16 January 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed Lucky Air’s inaugural flight connecting Dali, a historic city in China’s Yunnan Province, to Kuala Lumpur (KUL).

Tourism Malaysia Director of the International Promotion Division (Asia/Africa) Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi welcomed passengers on the inaugural flight. (She was representing Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy). Representatives from Malaysia Airports and Post Aviation, the ground handling partner for Lucky Air, also joined the Kuala Lumpur International Airport welcome reception.

The direct twice-weekly flights operate on Monday and Friday using a Boeing 737 with 189 seats. Flight time between Dali Yunnan province, China, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is three hours and 30 minutes. Skyscanner quotes a starting roundtrip fare at USD368.

Flight schedule

Flight 8L843 departs Dali (DLU) at 1345 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1730.
Flight 8L844 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1830 and arrives in Dali (DLU) at 2200.

This is Lucky Air’s second route. In September 2024, the airline flew charter flights from Lijiang, Yunnan Province, to Kuala Lumpur for two months, ending in November

The decision to resume flights to Malaysia followed the official visit of Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dato Sri Tiong King Sing, to Lucky Air’s headquarters during a sales mission to China in December 2024. This initiative aims to increase flight frequencies from various cities in China’s Yunnan Province to Malaysia.

From January to November 2024, Malaysia welcomed 3,038,314 tourists from China, reflecting an impressive year-on-year growth of 132.7%. The extension of the visa-free policy for Chinese nationals until 31 December 2026, alongside the expanding connectivity between Malaysia and China, is expected to further elevate tourist visits in 2025.

Visit Valencia joins Thailand’s travel fair

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 16 January 2025: The Visit Valencia Foundation has launched in Thailand “Seeing you in Valencia Fills our Hearts”, a campaign targeting travellers from countries in Europe, America and Asia.

Visit Valencia is participating for the first time in the Business Networking session of the 30th Thai International Travel Fair, 16 to 19 January, organised by the Thai Travel Agents Association. The networking session brings together over 400 Thai travel agents (buyers), allowing Visit Valencia to present its latest promotions and travel assets flagged in the “Seeing You in Valencia Fills our Hearts” campaign.

Photo credit: Visit Valencia. Valencia Cathedral.

Some 2.3 million visitors worldwide visit Valencia annually, a city that enjoys 300 days of sunshine and an average annual temperature of 19°C. Readers of Condé Nast Traveller voted Valencia the Best city in Europe for “the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards” with a score of 92.78. 

Spain has limited direct flight options from Asia. Cathay Pacific serves the Hong Kong-Madrid route four times weekly, and Evelop serves the Bangkok-Madrid route twice weekly on Sundays and Thursdays.

Iberia flies from Tokyo Narita to Madrid four times weekly, and Korean Air flies from Seoul to Madrid four times weekly. A high-speed train takes 90 minutes to transfer from Madrid to Valencia. The airport in Valencia is a 15-minute transfer from the city centre. 

The best option from Asia is to fly Star Alliance airlines to Munich, Zurich, or Frankfurt, connect with flights to Madrid, and then take a train to Valencia.  

Valencia attractions

Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, is some 2000 years old and has been home to Romans, Visigoths and Muslims since it was founded in 130 B.C. Its rich history, culture, and architecture have so much to offer that select international movie scenes and TV Series seasons and episodes have been filmed in Valencia, such as “Game of Thrones,” “Doctor Who,” “Tomorrowland: The World of Tomorrow,” “Westwood” and many others.

Valencia Cathedral has a chapel where its treasure, the Holy Grail, is kept. Visitors can take a guided tour of “Valencia, the destination of the Holy Grail.” On the last Thursday of October 2025, the third Jubilee Year of the Holy Chalice will begin. Valencia will then welcome all pilgrims who wish to obtain the plenary indulgence in its Cathedral.

In 2024, the European Commission recognised Valencia as a “European Green Capital” city following its sustainable commitment to environmental improvement and the quality of life of its people and visitors.

It has two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves: Alto Turia Biosphere Reserve and Cabriel Valley Biosphere Reserve.

The festival, “Las Fallas” celebrated from 15 to 19 March annually, has been declared by UNESCO as “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. Other listed UNESCO World Heritage are La Lonja (The Silk Exchange), an emblematic building of Valencia and one of the most famous civil gothic monuments in Europe and Tribunal de Las Aguas (The Water Court).

Valencia is the birthplace of paella, a popular dish throughout Spain and among foreign visitors. The city also offers the finest signature cuisine and authentic tapas. “The City of Arts and Science” is a popular filming location for many international movies and TV series. 

About Visit Valencia
Visit Valencia Foundation, or ‘Visit Valencia,’ is a non-profit foundation established in 1991 by the City Council of Valencia and local tourism sector organisations.

Air India boosts Delhi-Prayagraj flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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DELHI, 16 January 2025: Air India will temporarily operate daily flights between Delhi and Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025*, the world’s largest spiritual gathering.

Air India will operate the route from 25 January to 28 February 2025 to meet high travel demand. With these flights, Air India provides the only full-service flying option between the two cities, offering passengers the choice of premium cabins and economy class. 

Photo credit: Air India.

Daytime departures to and from Delhi allow passengers to connect with flights serving destinations in North America, Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia.

Bookings for the flights are being progressively opened on all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, and through travel agents.

Hindu festival*

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 is a major Hindu festival that will take place in Prayagraj, India, from 13 January to 26 February 2025. Celebrated every 12 years, it is considered the world’s largest religious gathering, attracting millions of devotees seeking spiritual purification and blessings.

Prayagraj: City of sacred rivers

Prayagraj, formerly known as Allahabad, is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It’s situated at the confluence of three sacred rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, which is believed to flow underground at the Triveni Sangam.  

Prayagraj is primarily noted for being the site of the Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world. During the auspicious festival, millions of Hindu pilgrims gather here every 12 years to bathe in the Triveni Sangam’s holy waters (three rivers’ confluence).   

Besides the Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj is known for its rich history and cultural heritage. It has been an important pilgrimage site for centuries and has been mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures. The city has several historical and religious sites, including the Triveni Sangam, the Allahabad Fort, and the Khusro Bagh.   

Prayagraj also played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle. It was the birthplace of Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, and his ancestral home, Anand Bhawan, is now a museum.   

Today, it is a major educational and cultural centre with several renowned universities. It is also a bustling commercial hub known for its traditional handicrafts and local variations of North Indian cuisine.   

(Source: Air India plus Wikipedia)

Queen Anne embarks on world voyage

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 15 January 2025: Cunard’s newest luxury ship, Queen Anne, embarked on her historic 107-night maiden world voyage from Southampton this week, marking a new chapter in the cruise line’s distinguished history.  

The 3,000-guest ship will make its first American landfall in New York on 17 January. This city has an enduring connection to Cunard and has welcomed Cunarders and their guests longer than any other destination.  

Photo credit: Carnival Cruises. Cunard’s Queen Anne celebrates maiden voyage.

Queen Anne becomes the 14th ship in Cunard’s history to undertake a full world voyage. Notably, Queen Anne will also be the largest Cunarder to achieve a complete circumnavigation of the globe.   

For more than 107 nights, Queen Anne will call at 30 different ports across 18 countries. Highlights of the voyage include iconic calls to Miami, San Francisco, the Panama Canal, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney and Hong Kong. 

The full world voyage also includes overnight stops in New York, Honolulu, Sydney, and Singapore, with Queen Anne returning to the UK’s south coast on 27 April. 

Record turnout at 14th TTF

By
Andrew Wood
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BANGKOK, 15 January 2025: For Thailand to seize the potential of luxury tourism and hospitality in 2025, the country needs to “go deeper” with high-equity branded residences, regenerative wellness and culinary tourism set to determine the destiny of the country becoming Asia’s luxury tourism hub.

That was the core message presented to 1,100 delegates attending the Thailand Tourism Forum (TTF) 2025 held in Bangkok on 13 January.

Patrick Finn, vice president of development at IHG Hotels & Resorts, revealed the top trends to a packed audience at the Thailand Travel Forum 2025.

Presentations pointed to the importance of upscale brands that are turning Bangkok into a global “playground city,” while the shift in luxury travellers’ values is at the heart of what drives luxury forward.  

Held at the InterContinental Bangkok, the 14th TTF revealed the concept of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), replacing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as peer-driven bucket list travel is overtaken by travellers wanting to disconnect to pursue their own unique self-care experiences.

Spearheading the new luxury movement is a surging wellness sector worth THB1.2 billion per year (USD5.7 billion). This is measured next to a soaring branded residences sector worth THB191 billion (USD34.6 billion), which is just the beginning, said C9 Hotelworks Managing Director Bill Barnett.

“Wellness is no longer about spas. It’s about getting outside and enjoying a healthier lifestyle,” said Barnett, who founded the annual TTF. “Guests are staying longer, and spending habits are changing, with longevity being a potent force in the new luxury market.”

The audience heard from hospitality data guru Jesper Palmqvist, STR’s regional vice president for Asia Pacific, that the destination is emerging as the key in Bangko,k with luxury hotels performing best on the Chao Phraya River according to 2024 figures, playing into the “new luxury” narrative of nature and culinary-led neighbourhoods being critical draw cards for high-end travellers.

Brand evolution was central to the ”Managing Lifestyle vs. Traditional Brands” topic, led by Siradej Donavanik, vice president of development at Dusit Hotels & Resorts. Donavanik said the newly opened Dusit Thani embodied many of the group’s new directions. 

IHG Hotels & Resorts Vice President Development Patrick Finn revealed “The Hot List – Top Luxury Travel Trends in Thailand,” stressing that authentic and creative food and beverage experiences would take centre stage in 2025.

(Source: Andrew Wood)

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