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Thai AirAsia X back at DMK hub

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BANGKOK, 30 September 2024: Thai AirAsia X (XJ) will switch all of its flights to Don Mueang Airport (DMK) effective 1 October, ending split operations between DMK and Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). 

The airline says the move will make it more more convenient for passengers with “faster immigration clearance through Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X’s main hub in Bangkok-Don Mueang (DMK). It will smooth connecting flight transfers between domestic flights and the medium-haull flights on Thai AirAsia X that serves Asia-Pacific destinations.

Thai AirAsia X guests travelling on Monday (30 September) and Tuesday (1 October 2024) to Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Seoul, Shanghai and Sydney are recommended to review their flight schedules to avoid issues during the transition.

Flight Schedule 30 September – 1 October 2024

Thai AirAsia X (XJ)

LH names new Asia Pacific VP

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SINGAPORE, 30 September 2024: Lufthansa Group confirms Felipe Bonifatti’s appointment as Vice President of Asia Pacific and joint Ventures East. 

Based in Singapore’s Lufthansa Group regional headquarters, Bonifatti will lead all commercial activities, including joint venture sales, in the Asia Pacific region, effective 1 November  2024.

Photo credit: Lufthhansa Group. Felipe Bonifatti.

He is currently the Senior Director of South America & Caribbean, based in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

His aviation career began in 1992, and he has held various senior positions with Lufthansa Group across Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. 

Appointed General Manager of Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe, Bonifatti was subsequently promoted to General Manager of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

Subsequently, he was appointed General Manager of Central America & the Caribbean, where he successfully opened Lufthansa Group’s first operation in Central America. Further promotions led to Bonifatti assuming the positions of Senior Director and Head of Sales Mexico, Central America & Caribbean.  

Emirates boosts flights to South Africa

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DUBAI, 27 September 2024: Emirates is adding a fourth daily flight on the in-demand route to bring even more choice, connectivity, and premium travel options to Johannesburg. 

This follows the announcement of the second daily A380 between Dubai and Johannesburg, launched on 1 September. This reaffirms South Africa’s importance to the airline’s extensive global network. 

The fourth daily service will begin on 1 March 2025 and will be operated on a three-class Boeing 777-300ER. It will offer an additional 708 seats in and out of South Africa’s largest and busiest international airport every day, broadening options for leisure and business travellers alike. 

Flight EK767 will depart Dubai at 0010, arriving in Johannesburg at 0620. 
Flight EK768 will depart Johannesburg at 1015, arriving in Dubai at 2015.

It expands the airline’s schedule to introduce a morning departure from Johannesburg. 

Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim, said: “South Africa has long been a highly popular destination for leisure and business travellers connecting to and through Dubai, and the fourth daily flight enables us to serve better the growing demand for travel to and from the market. We want to thank the South African authorities for their partnership and support in securing this new service, which reinstates the capacity we offered South Africa pre-pandemic, with 49 weekly flights across three gateways. As we reflect on nearly three decades of operations in the market, we remain committed to driving inbound travel to South Africa, supporting the government as they aim to make tourism the leading economic contributor and vehicle for transformation, and encouraging more inwards investment to the country.” 

The fourth daily flight further supports connectivity across Emirates’ global network of over 140 destinations, optimising schedules to key destinations including Dubai, Thailand, and India, as well as European hotspots such as the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Germany. 

Customers taking advantage of the expanded Emirates schedule to Johannesburg can reach a further 60 regional points in Africa via codeshare and interline agreements with four key partners. 

Emirates and South African Airways first established a codeshare arrangement in 1997, and it remains one of the oldest partnerships in the airline’s history, enabling frictionless, single-ticket travel to and from all three South African gateways, including 12 destinations via Johannesburg. Unlocking greater connectivity, 

Emirates’ codeshare with Airlink opens up 44 regional cities, while its interline agreement with Cemair provides access to exclusive leisure points such as Margate and Plettenberg Bay. Similarly, the agreement with FlySafair enables travel to domestic points such as Port Elizabeth, East London and George. 

These partnerships provide greater connectivity for passengers across Africa to access Emirates’ world-class products and services while also enabling international travellers to explore more of Africa seamlessly. 

In addition to enhancing passenger travel, the new flight increases cargo capacity in and out of South Africa, offering 300 tonnes via the belly of the Boeing 777 weekly. Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s freight division, uplifts key commodities, including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled meat, dairy, seafood and fresh cut flowers, further stimulating the economy and connecting South African businesses with their global customers quickly, reliably and efficiently. The new flight provides additional opportunities to move goods to key destinations, such as London, Madrid, Kuwait, Hong Kong and, of course, Dubai, via the airline’s multi-vertical specialised product portfolio.  

In the last 29 years, Emirates has established itself as a long-term partner of South African aviation, tourism and trade since the inaugural flight to Johannesburg in June 1995. Since then, the airline has scaled operations, increased frequencies and gateways to Cape Town and Durban and served over 20 million passengers to and from the market. In October 2011, Emirates first deployed its flagship A380 to Johannesburg, bringing the airline’s world-class products and services to South Africa, and now offers two daily flights from Johannesburg on the iconic double-decker aircraft. 

For airline information and to book a flight, visit www.emirates.com. 

WTD: Call for Tourism and Peace

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TTR WEEKLY
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MADRID, 27 September 2024: The World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE), an impartial body reporting directly to the World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) General Assembly, welcomes the decision to designate “Tourism and Peace” as the theme for World Tourism Day 2024, which will be celebrated today 27 September.

Following deliberations, the World Committee on Tourism Ethics (WCTE) released a statement earlier this week saying the World Tourism Day theme is “particularly timely in light of the current global climate of conflict and division.”

World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

Recognising tourism’s significant influence in fostering cross-cultural understanding as a foundation for peace and sustainable development, the Committee reaffirms the “vital role of tourism as a catalyst for peace, mutual understanding, and friendship among people worldwide.”

The statement supports the World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, who said on the eve of World Tourism Day, “Building peace is a conscious, bold, and even radical act.” 

Guided by Article 1 of the UN Tourism Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the Secretary-General calls “for all efforts to support peace negotiations in conflict-affected destinations, adhering to the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.”

The World Committee on Tourism Ethics interprets, implements, and evaluates the provisions of the UN Tourism Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, promotes its ethical principles, and monitors the private sector’s practical application.

“Tourism should always serve as a reminder of the importance of dialogue, peace, tolerance and mutually beneficial interactions between people and countries.”

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day as an international observance on 27 September. This date was chosen as, on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. 

See the UN Tourism Secretary General’s video to mark WTD 2024:

Here are some of the most prominent security hotspots worldwide that threaten global peace and the secure environment mandatory for international tourism to prosper and grow economies. 

The Middle East: This region has been plagued by conflict for decades, with ongoing wars in Syria, Yemen, and Libya, as well as tensions between Israel and Palestine leading to the disastrous military escalation in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring Lebanon.

Africa: Many African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia, are grappling with conflict.   

South Asia: The region faces several challenges, including the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan and tensions in Afghanistan.

Eastern Europe: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and tensions between Russia and Western countries have made Eastern Europe a major security hotspot.

AirAsia expands Malaysia flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SEPANG Malaysia, 27 September 2024: AirAsia will boost Malaysia’s domestic travel network by adding 2,000 weekly flights and 150,000 seats across 40 key routes by the end of the year. 

Timed to meet the growing demand for year-end travel, the expansion will provide more flight options and flexibility for local and regional guests, connecting them to diverse and vibrant destinations across Malaysia. This move emphasises AirAsia’s commitment to improving connectivity and ensuring travel remains accessible and affordable for Malaysians.

Photo Caption: (From Left): Amanda Woo, Group Head of Commercial at AirAsia, and Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra, Managing Director of AirAsia Malaysia, during the press conference for the AirAsia Domestic Domination launch at the Atrium, RedQ.

As a result of this expansion, AirAsia’s market share is expected to increase to 64 per cent, reinforcing its leading position in the Malaysian aviation sector. By balancing its market leadership with a dedication to maintaining high customer experience standards, the airline aims to continue delivering exceptional service while navigating broader industry dynamics.

AirAsia Malaysia Managing Director, Dato Captain Fareh Mazputra said: “As the people’s airline, our commitment has always been to serve Malaysians by offering great value, choice, and convenient travel options, and this domestic boost reflects that mission. As we expand our domestic operations with a total of 1.7 million seats available for booking by December 2024, we are not just meeting the travel needs of Malaysians – we are also opening doors for regional travellers to explore and experience Malaysia’s unique destinations, cultural heartlands, and world-famous cuisines.”

AirAsia is also introducing AirAsia Plus, which offers added value to guests flying to and from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). The AirAsia Plus fare includes 7kg cabin baggage, 20kg checked baggage, seat selection, inflight meal/snack, and Baggage and On-Time Guarantee (OTG) insurance, providing a comprehensive and convenient travel solution available for booking starting 8 October 2024 for the travel period from 9 October 2024.

“This is part of our broader effort to offer more to our guests without compromising on affordability. AirAsia Plus is designed with our guests’ needs in mind, ensuring they get the most out of their journey with us. It is not just about extra services, it is about delivering a better travel experience that our guests can rely on,” added Dato’ Captain Fareh Mazputra.

AirAsia offers promotional fares from MYR49 all-in* one way for all domestic flights available for booking until 29 September 2024 exclusively on the app or website for the travel period between 28 October 2024 and 15 February 2025.

**All-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including airport taxes, MAVCOM fees, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Other terms and conditions apply.

Chinese tourists explore beyond capitals

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TTR WEEKLY
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SHANGHAI, 27 September 2024: As millions of Chinese travellers prepare for the upcoming Golden Week holiday, 1 to 7 October, Trip.com Group’s latest data reveals notable travel flows for the last major travel period of 2024. 

Already, Trip.com is witnessing hotel bookings peak in arrivals on 1 October — the day the holiday commences — with the average length of stays over seven days, as workers enjoy a 10-day break by taking just two days off. Total booking growth for stays has also grown year-on-year.

High-quality, mid-tier stays thrive

Regarding travel costs, the top outbound destinations (Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, the UK, and the US) have all seen a significant drop in average air ticket prices (including taxes). Travellers increasingly seek high-quality, mid-tier accommodation types. However, in Europe, year-on-year growth of five-star hotel bookings was almost three times higher than in Asia-Pacific.

Long-haul travel on the rise

A significant shift towards long-haul destinations can be seen this year, with Australia, the United States, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain topping the list of most sought-after long-haul destinations by Chinese travellers. Long-haul flights have seen an increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

European destinations like the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy are seeing significantly more extended stays, surpassing 10 to 14 days.

Trip.com says more than 30% of Chinese travellers heading for Europe choose multi-destination itineraries, while nearly 80% of Chinese travellers in Asia Pacific opt for single-destination trips.

Additionally, travellers plan further in advance, with visa applications submitted an average of 68 days before the holiday — 29 days earlier than last year. The top countries for National Day visa applications include Japan, South Korea, Australia, the US, Vietnam, New Zealand, the UK, France, and Spain.

Lesser known destinations spark travel flows

With overtourism being one of the challenges for key destinations worldwide, Chinese travellers have increasingly been drawn to quieter, off-the-beaten-path locations this Golden Week, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Europe regions. 

Japanese cities off the main circuit of Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto, like Yokohama, Takayama and Ito, showed three-digit booking growth, underscoring this trend. Additionally, nature and wellness tourism saw a rise, with Phu Quoc Islands in Vietnam and the hot spring town of Higashiizu in Japan becoming popular for their scenic landscapes and wellness experiences.

European destinations such as Granada and Seville also captured significant attention, with bookings rising 260% and 144%, respectively, reflecting a desire for greater cultural and historical immersion beyond key capitals.

Live entertainment fuels bookings

Live entertainment is pivotal in travel trends this season, with key concerts and events in the Asia-Pacific region happening during the October holiday. Moreover, over 75% of tourists visiting the APAC region are millennials, who have shown strong interest in events and concerts.

Around the holiday period, popular K-pop artists such as Taemin and Taeyang will captivate audiences in Hong Kong, alongside international acts such as John Legend and Ne-Yo. In Bangkok, the girl group Aespa is a draw, while in South Korea, Busan’s Festival Shiwol blends entertainment, culture, and business in a massive event that is expected to draw 450,000 visitors.

In Singapore, hotels within 3km of concert venues have experienced a 214% increase in unique views compared to those farther away, as tourists seek proximity to venues such as Singapore Indoor Stadium, Gateway Theatre, and Capitol Theatre, where major concerts are scheduled.

Cross-border surge in inbound tourism

The growth rate of inbound tourism has also been encouraging, with an increase in bookings. Nine out of 10 of the top outbound destinations were also the top inbound source markets, highlighting the two-way nature between outbound and inbound tourism for China.

This year, Thailand and Singapore, both offering mutual visa exemptions with China, ranked third and fifth respectively in inbound tourism.

About Trip.com Group
Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world. Its mission is “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world.” 

Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com

Booking.com: Family travel picks up momentum

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 September 2024: Findings from Booking.com’s recently unveiled Gen.Voyage Research Report indicate that intergenerational travel is picking up across Asia Pacific (APAC). 

“Each generation brings its flair to leisure trips — Gen Zs typically crave adventure, Millennials seek spa indulgence, and Gen X and Baby Boomers lean toward sightseeing,” Booking.com explains. “Yet, one thing unites them all: the belief in intergenerational travel as a chance to reconnect with the entire family and create lasting memories rings true for 47% of travellers across APAC and 52% of Singaporeans.”

To download the full report: https://news.booking.com/download/e64f2a04-075b-421f-ba0e-332222171a16/booking.comgen.voyage-researchreport.pdf

Singapore and three destinations in Bali, Indonesia — Seminyak Bali, Kuta Bali and Nusa Dua — rank fourth, seventh and 10th on the Top 10 Destinations list. For the Trending Destinations, Japan’s Urayasu, India’s Ayodhya and Bali’s Uluwatu rank first, second and third.

Booking.com says, “It spotlights top and trending destinations offering family-friendly accommodations and activities everyone can participate in for the ultimate family getaway.”

*Based on search volume between Jan 1 and Mar 31, 2024 for stays between Apr 1 and Dec 31, 2024 on Booking.com.

**Based on year-on-year search volume changes between Jan 1 and Mar 31, 2024 for stays between Apr 1 and Dec 31, 2024 on Booking.com, for cities with more than 500 searches in 2023.

Himalayan Bank partners Alipay+ in Nepal

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 September 2024: Alipay+, a cross-border mobile payment solution operated by Ant International, has enabled more than 10 additional payment partners in Nepal by collaborating with local acquiring partner Himalayan Bank. 

Alipay+ will be accepted at more than 25,000 local merchants, allowing travellers from 10 countries and regions to enjoy a cashless experience as they travel across Nepal simply by scanning the MOCO Unified QR Code. Alipay – an Alipay+ partner – for Chinese travellers, has been available since 2019.

Representatives from Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal Tourism Board, Himalayan Bank, FOCUSONE Payment Solutions and Alipay+ celebrate the launch of Alipay+ in Nepal.

Effective September 2024, 12 Alipay+ partner payment apps are accepted in Nepal: Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR), Tinaba (Italy), MPay (Macao SAR), MyPB by Public Bank Berhad (Malaysia), Hipay (Mongolia), GCash (the Philippines), Changi Pay and OCBC Digital (Singapore), Naver Pay and Toss Pay (South Korea), and TrueMoney (Thailand). More payment apps will be progressively added.

According to the Nepal Tourism Board, tourist arrivals saw an 8.3% increase in August 2024, with over 720,000 visitors in the first eight months of the year. Data from Alipay, an Alipay+ partner, indicates a threefold increase in transactions by Chinese tourists between January and August 2024 compared to the same period last year. Additionally, Chinese travellers from Thailand, South Korea, and Italy are among the top inbound visitors to Nepal.

Ant International Country Manager for Thailand, South Asia & Indochina, Sittipong Kittiprapapong: “Through our partnership with Himalayan Bank and MOCO Unified QR Code, we are enabling local businesses to benefit from tourism growth and we’re committed to continually enhancing the travel experience and increasing merchant visibility.”

Himalayan Bank merchants accepting the MOCO Unified QR Code include a wide range of travel scenarios including retail, F&B and attractions, ensuring ease of travel for users of Alipay+ payment partners, no matter what they choose to do in Nepal. 

FOCUSONE Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a FinTech company in Nepal, facilitates QR payment services for Himalayan Bank and other acquiring banks in Nepal. FOCUSONE’s product, MOCO Unified QR Code is Nepal’s first cross-border, cross currency unified QR payment option that has been accepting payments from Alipay since 2019.

Himalayan Bank CEO Ashok SJB Rana said: “Partnering with Alipay+, we can integrate multiple e-wallets and banking apps, enhancing the scope of cross-border payments and simplifying payments for inbound travellers and more than 25,000 merchants who accept the MOCO Unified QR.”

In addition to Himalayan Bank’s merchants, Alipay+ will gradually expand to more merchants through its local partners. In May 2024, Alipay+ and Nepal Clearing House Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enable Alipay+ payment partners to be accepted through NEPALPAY QR.

Introduced by Ant International in 2020, Alipay+ now connects over 90 million merchants in 66 countries and regions to 1.6 billion consumer accounts across over 30 e-wallets and bank apps.

Centara signs Varivana Resort Koh Phangan

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 27 September 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, and Varivana Resort Koh Phangan Company Limited have signed a Hotel Management Agreement for Varivana Resort Koh Phangan. 

This agreement marks Centara’s debut property on the island and highlights the company’s ongoing dedication to expansion in the world’s most sought-after destinations.

Varivana Resort Koh Phangan, a 39-key boutique property, commenced operations under Centara’s management on 16 September. The resort opened its doors in January 2020 and has already garnered acclaim for its distinctive loft-style design and commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome Varivana Resort Koh Phangan into our portfolio,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.

“This property’s unique design and dedication to quality align perfectly with our vision to offer diverse and memorable experiences to our guests. Koh Phangan’s rising popularity as a leisure and workation destination makes this an exciting addition to our collection.”

Varivana Resort Koh Phangan Company Limited’s owner, Hongnapa Lawanangkul, stated: “Partnering with Centara Hotels & Resorts marks an exciting new chapter for Varivana Resort. We believe this collaboration will further elevate our unique offering and introduce more travellers to the exceptional experience our tropical hideaway provides on this beautiful island.”

Drawing inspiration from its name, with “Vari” meaning sea and “Vana” meaning mountain, Varivana Resort Koh Phangan embodies a harmonious blend of nature and modern comfort. As “the place where the mountains meet the sea,” this serene retreat offers guests panoramic views of the lush landscape and the glistening waters of the Gulf of Thailand, a 28-metre rooftop saltwater infinity pool, a rejuvenating spa, and stunning restaurant and bar. With easy access to Thong Sala Pier and an array of island adventures such as cycling, snorkelling, island-hopping excursions, and the world-famous Full Moon party, Varivana Resort masterfully blends privacy and relaxation with the thrill of local exploration.

For more information, visit Centara’s website at https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/

Hong Kong braces for Golden Week travel surge

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 27 September 2024: Hong Kong’s Immigration Department estimates 10.03 million passengers will pass through the territory’s land, sea, and air checkpoints during the Golden Week Holiday, festive season from 28 September to 7 October.

In consultation with the Shenzhen General Station of Exit & Entry Frontier Inspection, the department added that it estimates around 8.54 million passengers will transit through land boundary control points.

Photo credit: News.gov.HK

The Golden Week Holiday officially gets underway on 1 October, when outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points will peak at around 523,000 to 632,000.

Passenger traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point is expected to reach a daily average of about 208,000 passengers, while the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and the Shenzhen Bay Control Point are forecast to handle around 185,000 and 118,000 passengers, respectively.

To cope with the anticipated heavy traffic during the festive period, the department has minimised leave for frontline officers to deploy and operate extra clearance counters and kiosks. 

Apart from setting up a joint command centre at the Lo Wu Control Point with Police, Customs and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation to closely monitor passenger conditions, the department will establish close communication with Mainland authorities.

Travellers are advised to plan in advance and avoid making their journeys during busy times. They can check the expected busy times at boundary control points on the department’s website and find the estimated waiting times at all land boundary control points via its app.

HK third in finance hub ranking

Meanwhile, News.Gov.HK reported this week that Hong Kong has been ranked third in the Global Financial Centres Index GFCI 36 Report, published on Tuesday by the UK’s Z/Yen and the Shenzhen-based China Development Institute. The report is published biannually in March and September.

The territory improved its ranking from fourth place in the March version of the index. The city also ranked first in the Asia-Pacific region. Its rating rose by eight points, the largest improvement among the top five financial centres.

GFCI 36 Results — Leading Centres

“New York leads the index, with London second. Hong Kong has overtaken Singapore (4th) to regain the third position. San Francisco remains at number five, with Chicago and Los Angeles overtaking Shanghai to place sixth and seventh, with Shanghai now in eighth position. Shenzhen and Frankfurt complete the top 10.”

Asia/Pacific

“Seven Asia/Pacific centres feature in the world’s top 20, and the average rating for this region is down 0.56%. The region’s ranking was relatively stable, although Sydney, Nanjing, and Tianjin fell 10 places or more. Kuala Lumpur was the only centre in the Asia/Pacific region that improved more than 10 places in GFCI 36.” (Source:https://www.longfinance.net/publications/long-finance-reports/the-global-financial-centres-index-36/) 

News.Gov.HK said the “report affirms Hong Kong’s status and strengths as a leading global financial centre, highlighting that its scores were among the highest for the business environment, human capital, infrastructure, and reputational and general competitiveness.”

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