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TAT Visa partnership for Thailand tourism

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 1 November 2024: The Tourism Authority of Thailand and Visa signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) last week titled ‘Reshaping Thailand’s Tourism with Innovation and Advanced Data Analytics’.

It’s part of a broader initiative to grow Thailand’s appeal as a premier destination for international tourists during the Thailand Grand Tourism Year 2025.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool commented: “TAT is committed to advancing our tourism marketing efforts through a 360-degree partnership approach, integrating all sectors both domestically and internationally. This MOU with Visa represents a collaborative effort to enhance tourism through financial innovation, enabling visitors to travel and manage their financial transactions seamlessly.”

Using Visa’s data analytics, TAT aims to develop targeted tourism campaigns and significantly expand digital payment acceptance points, ensuring greater convenience in tourists’ spending. 

TAT is confident that this collaboration with Visa will be crucial in boosting tourism capacity and increasing spending among international visitors, particularly from 23 key markets, which account for over 80% of total foreign arrivals and revenue.

Visa Thailand Country Manager Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa added: “We are excited to deepen our valued partnership with TAT, leveraging our global expertise in payments innovation and data analytics. As global travel surges, international visitors increasingly demand a seamless, cashless payment experience akin to those in their home countries. This collaboration bolsters local businesses, unlocks new opportunities for tourism stakeholders, and drives sustainable economic growth for Thailand. 

Standouts in the TAT-Visa partnership

The MOU establishes a collaborative framework focused on four main initiatives:

Strategic Marketing Programmes: TAT and Visa will collaborate on implementing the “Five Musts” programme, which includes Must Taste, Must Try, Must Buy, Must Seek, and Must See. This programme will showcase Thailand’s top restaurants, attractions, and unique experiences to enhance tourist engagement and satisfaction.

Visa Expansion and STAR Project: The partnership aims to expand Visa’s acceptance in key provinces to improve the tourism infrastructure. This initiative will offer tourists a convenient and secure payment experience, fostering local business support and community development.

Collaborative Communication and Campaigns: Through co-promoted campaigns, TAT and Visa will join forces to boost awareness and attract global tourists.

Data Analytics and Consulting: Visa’s data analytics capabilities will be crucial in shaping tourism campaigns such as the Winter Sale, Summer Sale, and Thailand Grand Sale. By analysing spending patterns, both organisations aim to refine marketing strategies and drive tourist engagement throughout the year.

This TAT-Visa partnership underscores shared commitment between both partners to redefining Thailand’s tourism landscape through innovation, enhancing the kingdom’s position as a world-class travel destination.

For more information on destination Thailand, head to the website: https://www.tourismthailand.org/home

Lufthansa 40 years of flying to Korea

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TTR WEEKLY
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SEOUL, 1 November 2024: Lufthansa German Airlines celebrates its 40th anniversary of flights from South Korea to Germany and offers four weeks of special fares to major European cities, including Frankfurt, where it has operated for the last 40 years. 

The offers are also bookable for those who depart from eight cities in Korea with Lufthansa Rail & Air.

Lufthansa has been flying between Seoul and Frankfurt without suspension for four decades. In addition to a Frankfurt service, it connects Korea with Europe and beyond daily with a sister Lufthansa Seoul-Munich flight. 

This year, Swiss International Air Lines, part of Lufthansa Group, added a new service on the Seoul-Zurich route.  

Lufthansa Group Airlines General Manager Korea Leandro Tonidandel observed that over the past 40 years, this European airline was the first to introduce and operate the latest and largest aircraft, including the A380, B747-8 and A350, on its Korean routes. 

Lufthansa recently launched Lufthansa Rail & Air, offering travellers the option to connect Seoul with Europe by combining KTX trains and Lufthansa international flights in eight cities in Korea, including Busan. 

The airline opened a Lufthansa check-in counter at Seoul Station City Airport Terminal earlier this year to provide convenience for train passengers and those travelling from Seoul to Incheon International Airport.

Air India cleared to modify aircraft interiors

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TTR WEEKLY
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GURUGRAM, India, 1 November 2024: Air India has received the Design Organisation Approval (DOA) from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is designated as CAR 21 approval. 

The designation enables Air India to independently make design changes in-house and more efficiently implement modifications to its aircraft interiors.

Approval was handed over to Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air India by DC Sharma, Director General, DGCA on 25 October 2024 in the presence of other senior officials of Air India and DGCA, the civil aviation regulator.

Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorisation, accelerating its ability to execute restoration tasks for continuous improvement of its fleet.

DGCA Director General DC Sharma handed over the approval to Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson on 25 October 2024 in the presence of other senior officials of Air India and DGCA, the civil aviation regulator.

Air India had earlier collaborated with Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, to enhance aircraft interiors in its fleet aligned with the CAR 21 approval for aircraft modifications. The DOA is a transformative step towards enhancing Air India’s in-house capabilities, which have been bolstered by decisions to set up its own engineering, maintenance, and training facilities. This will enhance operational efficiency and make the airline more self-reliant.

Wilson commented: “India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in it. The approval reaffirms our capabilities to maintain our fleet and commitment to enhance customer experience of our aircraft interiors. Collaborating with Tata Technologies will help us meet customer expectations, aligning with our broader operational excellence and self-reliance goals.”

Tata Technologies Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Warren Harris, speaking on the collaboration with Air India, said: “Our partnership with Air India represents a significant step forward in redefining air travel experiences through innovation and strategic engineering. By leveraging our global aerospace expertise, we are committed to delivering next-generation aircraft interiors that meet the highest standards of functionality and safety and enhance customer satisfaction. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to engineering a better world and supporting the advancement of the Indian aviation sector.”

The partnership will streamline Air India’s operations by integrating innovative digital thread solutions and smart Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services. This will improve operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and ensure that Air India’s fleet remains fit to fly, further enhancing passenger safety, comfort and operational reliability.

HK Express launches Intermodal Pass

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 1 November 2024: HK Express Airways has upgraded its “Air + Ferry Pass” to “HK Express Intermodal Pass” in collaboration with Chu Kong Passenger Transport Company Limited (CKS) and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Shuttle Bus (Hong Kong). 

Travellers can now purchase both ferry and flight tickets to expedite a swift transfer from Zhuhai Port to Hong Kong International Airport, where they can connect with HK Express flights to major Asian cities.

Photo credit: HK Express.

The upgrade makes travel easier and more convenient, as passengers can complete flight check-in via the upstream check-in service. This allows them to obtain boarding passes at the Zhuhai Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and check through baggage to the final destination before taking a quick 45-minute ride to the Hong Kong International Airport. 

With no further immigration, customs clearance, or boarding procedures, passengers can enjoy a seamless arrival at the airport terminal to board HK Express flights to their destinations.

As luggage has been checked through to the final destination ahead of time, travellers with the HK Express Intermodal Pass will automatically be exempted from the Hong Kong Air Passenger Departure Tax charge. They will also not incur additional checked baggage fees for ferry or shuttle transfers. If a connecting flight, ferry, or cross-border bus is missed, automatic rebooking will be guaranteed over the next available service**.

Seamless connectivity between five GBA Cities

The upgraded HK Express Intermodal Pass covers the existing six operational ports and extends to Zhuhai Port, fully connecting the five major cities in the GBA: Zhuhai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Dongguan. 

In a press statement on the upgrade and rebranding of the pass, HK Express says, “It is offering travellers seamless cross-border travel experiences from the Hong Kong International Airport to its  extensive network across Asia.” 

It establishes the airport as the go-to transit hub between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area cities. 

The HK Express Intermodal Pass can be purchased*** through the official HK Express website, mobile app, or WeChat mini app.

Upgraded HK Express Intermodal Pass Network

*Estimated travel time, excluding immigration checks and peak hour congestion. Passengers are advised to arrive at the Zhuhai Port terminal 90 minutes before departure for check-in and to allow ample time during holidays.

**Applicable to unforeseen circumstances only (e.g. operational delay or flight cancellation from HK Express or CKS only)***Journeys involving Zhuhai (Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge) can only be purchased via the HK Express WeChat mini app.

Middle East tensions impact flight schedules

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 1 November 2024: Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended services to and from Iran and Lebanon until further notice, while flights to Jordan and Iraq will operate only during daylight hours.

In a statement released earlier this week, the airline said: “We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as necessary. For updated travel schedules, visit qatarairways.com or contact the airline’s call centre at +974 41445555. Passenger safety and security remains our highest priority.”

Travel alerts temporarily suspend flights to some Middle East destinations.

Numerous airlines operating from home bases in the Middle East have announced the temporary suspension or reduction of flights to daylight operation to and from Jordan, Iraq, Iran and Lebanon, citing the “current situation” in the Middle East.

Emirates has cancelled flights to Beirut until 30 November and to Baghdad until 14 November. 

Lufthansa Group has extended the suspension of flights to Tel Aviv until 25 November, while its low-cost carrier Eurowings has suspended them until 30 November. Flights to Tehran are cancelled until 31 January 2025 and to Beirut until 28 February 2025.

British Airways resumes Bangkok flights

By
TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 1 November 2024: British Airways touched down in Bangkok this week after pausing its Thailand flights in 2020.

The aircraft departed London Gatwick at 2115 local time on Monday, October 28, and landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport the following day at 1610 local time. 

BA arrives at  Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport.

Flights will operate three times a week (Monday, Thursday and Saturday) from London Gatwick, increasing to five times per week in January and February 2025 and then reducing to four flights weekly in March 2025. 

The airline has assigned a Boeing 777 to the route with 269 seats (four first class, 42 business class, 42 in premium economy and 181 economy).

Flight schedule

Flight BA2231 departs London Gatwick (LGW) at 2115 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1610 plus a day.
Flight BA2230 departs Bangkok at 2255  and arrives in London Gatwick at 0530, plus a day.

Customers have a choice of three cabins: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and Club World (business class). Return fares start from UKP718.

The airline also resumed its codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways, which connects customers to five-holiday destinations in Thailand and neighbouring Cambodia from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. Customers can travel to Samui and Phuket islands in South Thailand, Chiang Mai in North Thailand, and Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, Cambodia.

British Airways Chief Planning and Strategy Officer Neil Chernoff said: “We know that Bangkok has been a highly anticipated route restart for our customers, so we are thrilled to see it firmly back on our global route map.

“Not only does Bangkok itself have so much to offer our leisure customers, but it is also a gateway to some of the most beautiful parts of Southeast Asia, and we are proud to make these more accessible to the UK market.”

British Airways has confirmed it will resume daily flights to Kuala Lumpur from London Heathrow on 1 April  2025. A shortage of engine parts for its Boeing 787 aircraft stalled the start-up of the Kuala Lumpur services, which were originally scheduled to commence this week.

Next month, the airline will launch flights to Tromsø, Norway, from London Heathrow and Ivalo, Lapland, from London Gatwick. 

VIEWPOINT: MH rediscover your roots

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 October 2024: After nearly thirty years of loyalty to Malaysia Airlines (MAS), it pains me to say that our national carrier, once a symbol of pride and prestige, is rapidly losing its appeal, says frequent flyer Prof Hj Said Bani CM Din.

As a frequent traveller since my 30s and 40s — flying MAS monthly for work worldwide — my commitment to our national airline has remained steadfast. Even in the face of criticism, I stood by MAS, altering flights and routes just to support it.

Saving grace: The airline’s cabin crew wins praise and awards. Photo credit: Malaysia Airlines.

Today, in my late 50s, I still travel monthly to Sarawak and take an annual overseas trip to Mecca. However, I now find myself questioning whether my loyalty is justified.

MH fares are off the charts

Sarawak is a gem waiting to be discovered, with immense tourism potential. However, with current airfares, especially on MAS, many potential travellers are priced out, severely hampering the state’s tourism growth. The recent fares to Kuching are, to put it plainly, shocking. Last-minute bookings are sometimes unavoidable, but I was appalled to be charged nearly MYR4,700 for a return business ticket to Kuching. 

Even my staff, flying economy, paid close to MYR3,000 for the same route. Planning ahead doesn’t seem to help much either; even when booked a month in advance, return tickets are close to MYR3,000 for business and over MYR1,300 for economy. This level of pricing is absurd, especially for a domestic route. I believe, as many do, that with premium fares should come a premium experience.

Business lounge setbacks

Unfortunately, MAS no longer delivers on this. The business lounge, once a place to relax before flights, has deteriorated. As I write this on 30 October, the restrooms in the lounge are still under renovation — a situation I encountered throughout September as well. 

The dining experience in the lounge has lost its lustre. Recently, while attempting to enjoy a simple nasi lemak, I was served boiled eggs still in their shells. When I requested help to remove the shells, the staff responded, ” We don’t do that,” which was both disappointing and telling of how far standards have dropped.

Inflight falls short

Onboard, the situation doesn’t improve. In business class, we now deal with seats that don’t recline properly. The food, an essential part of any long-haul experience, has worsened. On two recent occasions, the in-flight meals were barely edible. 

The lack of comfort in facilities and amenities makes each flight less enjoyable than the last. Even my annual long-haul flights to Mecca on MAS, which I look forward to each year, have not been immune to these setbacks. Travelling such distances should bring an experience that feels seamless and comfortable, but MAS has started to fall short, even here.

Digital frustration

Adding to this is the cumbersome process of booking tickets online. With ticket sales exclusively digital, resolving booking issues becomes frustratingly difficult. Customer service, once a proud element of MAS’s offering, is increasingly subpar, with representatives often unable to assist adequately. 

Cabin crew the saving grace

As many loyal customers like myself would agree, the only saving grace is the cabin crew. Their friendliness and dedication are a testament to the heart and spirit MAS was once known for—they are MAS’s real assets.

If MAS continues along this trajectory, it will lose the loyalty of not only long-standing customers like myself but also the new generation of travellers. Competing airlines like Emirates and Saudi Airlines are waiting in the wings, ready to welcome disillusioned MAS customers with open arms. 

Losing competitive edge

As I reluctantly contemplate flying with them, I realise how close MAS is to losing its competitive edge. I hope that MAS’s management and its owners take heed of these issues and recognise the urgent need for improvement. This isn’t just about ticket prices or outdated lounges; it’s about restoring pride in our national airline and ensuring it represents Malaysia as it once did—with quality, excellence, and care.

MAS has a legacy worth fighting for, but only if the commitment to improvement is genuine. For the sake of all who continue to fly MAS out of loyalty and pride, I urge the airline’s leadership to act swiftly and decisively to bring MAS back to its roots as a serious and reliable airline worthy of our national identity.

Prof Hj Said Bani CM Din
A Loyal (but Concerned) MAS Traveller

Singaporeans take a shine to WA

By
TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 31 October 2024: Western Australia ranked as the #1 destination in Australia for Singapore travellers, April to June 2024, welcoming over 34,000 visitors within the quarter. 

Based on the recently published June 2024 International and National Visitor Survey by Tourism Research Australia, Singapore travellers also notably made up the #2 largest volume of global visitors to Western Australia in 2024 — with over 99,000 visitors to date — and the #1 from APAC.

With Western Australia becoming a popular travel destination for Singapore visitors, Tourism Western Australia (Tourism WA) announced seasonal direct flights to Broome from Singapore by Jetstar Asia earlier this year. This service makes Jetstar Asia the only airline offering international flights to regional Western Australia, marking the first instance of regular scheduled services between the two locations. The seasonal service will recommence in April 2025 and offer twice-weekly return services yearly between Singapore and the coastal town of Broome.

Consumer demand lifts airline passenger traffic

By
TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, 31 October 2024: Preliminary September 2024 traffic figures released Tuesday by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed healthy growth in both international air passenger and cargo markets, driven by robust consumer and business demand.

The region’s airlines registered an 18.8% year-on-year growth in the number of international passengers carried to a combined total of 29.2 million in September. Traffic volumes averaged 97.5% of the corresponding month in 2019. Demand as measured in revenue passenger kilometres recorded a 19.3% year-on-year increase, reflecting strength in long-haul travel markets. The average international passenger load factor edged 0.4 percentage points higher to 80.5% in September, following an 18.7% expansion in available seat capacity.

Air cargo demand remained resilient heading into the year-end festive season despite a slowdown in the wider global manufacturing sector. International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), grew by 8.9% year-on-year in September. After accounting for a 9.4% increase in offered freight capacity, the average international freight load factor declined marginally by 0.3 percentage points to 60.2% for the month.

Commenting on the results,  AAPA Director General Subhas Menon said: “Asian airlines have seen robust growth in travel markets this year. Leisure demand remained buoyant, driving increases in tourist arrivals across the region. Meanwhile, business travel was underpinned by the region’s growing economies.”

He added: “Air cargo markets continued to expand, driven by the increases in export volumes from key manufacturing economies in Asia, including China, India, Japan and South Korea.”

“Overall, during the first nine months of the year, the number of international passengers carried by Asia Pacific airlines rose by 34% to an aggregate total of 269 million, while international air cargo demand registered a 14% increase compared to the same period last year.”

Looking ahead, Menon explained: “The global economy is expected to grow by 3.2% this year and in 2025, supporting expansion in both travel and air cargo markets. However, this may be undermined by uncertainties stemming from increasing geopolitical risks and rising trade protectionism. Although the overall decline in jet fuel prices this year has helped to moderate rising costs, airlines continue to face challenges in fleet renewal and network growth due to ongoing supply chain disruptions and aircraft delivery delays.”

Pandaw names customer service head

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 31 October 2024: Pandaw Cruises has announced the appointment of Antoni Strachan as customer services manager based in the Pandaw headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. 

Photo credit: Pandaw.

This week, an agent and partner update noted that Strachan heads up the river cruise line’s reservations team after a smooth handover from former reservations team leader James Talbot, who no longer works with Pandaw. 

Pandaw’s 2024/2025 peak season for exploring the iconic rivers of Southeast Asia and India gets underway, and bookings for itineraries are filling up fast from November 2024 through to April 2025.

For more information on the cruises, head to the website https://www.pandaw.com/.

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