This exciting new collaboration brings together two major brands to deliver exclusive benefits and unique experiences for their shared customer base, extending beyond exceptional products to genuinely unforgettable moments.
Kanawat Isaranuwatchai, Head of E-Commerce, L’Oréal Groupe in Thailand; ada Sarttarasathit, Chief Digital & Marketing Officer, L’Oréal Groupe in Thailand; Tom Thrussell, Vice President – Brand, Marketing & Digital at Centara Hotels & Resorts; Rattanawadee Nimnual, Corporate Director of Social Media.
The partnership started with the “Beauty Duo” digital marketing campaign in August. This limited-edition initiative offered customers the exceptional opportunity to either savour an exquisite afternoon tea set at Centara Hotels or win a luxury stay at Centara Grand Hotel Osaka.
This campaign served as a launchpad for future collaborations, embodying L’Oréal’s commitment to creating moments of joy that complement our dedication to quality beauty products. Both companies are dedicated to exploring new avenues to enhance customer experiences across Centara’s six distinct hotel brands and over 10 world-renowned beauty players under L’Oréal Groupe in Thailand.
“We are excited to announce our partnership with L’Oréal Groupe in Thailand, a collaboration that will pave the way for innovative guest experiences, rewards programmes, and exclusive product offerings. We look forward to working closely with the L’Oréal team to explore new opportunities that will bring even more value and benefits to our customers in the future,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Vice President – Brand, Marketing & Digital Tom Thrussell.
This is the latest in a series of successful collaborations for Centara Hotels & Resorts, following strategic alignments with major brands like Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Build-A-Bear, TrueDtac, and Mastercard. It further solidifies the hotel group’s reputation for innovative partnerships that enhance customer experiences and deliver added value. Centara Hotels & Resorts and L’Oréal Groupe in Thailand will work closely to provide personalised services and innovative campaigns for their customers. Both companies are excited by the immense potential of this partnership and invite customers to stay tuned for more unique offerings on the horizon.
SINGAPORE, 26 September 2024: Following the launch of Pandaw’s latest expedition along the backwaters of Kerala, the Asian river cruise specialist is creating two new combination cruises that add Kerala expeditions to its existing Ganges & Brahmaputra adventures.
Exploring the far extremes of India, from the North-East Assam region to South-West Kerala, this combo cruise takes you 3,000 km on two distinct small ship river expeditions in the lesser-visited parts of the country.
Combining Pandaw’s popular expedition along the wild Brahmaputra River with our newest itinerary sailing the backwaters of Kerala, embark on a remarkable adventure with Pandaw.
The two 15-night and 22-night combos will allow travellers to explore even more of this fascinating and diverse country in comfort and style aboard Pandaw’s small river vessels.
With inclusive domestic flight and a one-night hotel in Kochi between cruises, Pandaw’s popular river cruises take the hassle out of planning your lifetime trip to India.
Kerala backwaters refer to the network of rivers, lakes, and canals that run along the coast of Kerala, India, known for its houseboats and its maze of waterways. Panadaw explored and created a signature river cruise to explore the backwaters and see the local wildlife.
Here are some of the signature attractions when exploring Kerala backwaters.
Kochi
The fascinating boat trip begins in Kochi following a flight from Guwahati. Guests transfer to Maradu Port and board RV Kochi Pandaw. An orientation land tour of Kochi, the state capital on the Malabar Coast, follows with visits to Fort Kochi, St Louis’s church, the Jewish settlement with its old Paradesi synagogue, museums, the Shiva temple and the city’s markets.
Then, in the afternoon, the Pandaw river boat sails from Maradu Port to a village of coir weavers and shell harvesters, where guests glimpse the many indigenous techniques of local fishing using small-scale Chinese nets and fish traps.
Thannermekkom Bund
The Syrian Village in Kerala showcases traditional Syrian Christian culture and heritage with its distinctive architecture, historic churches, and local customs.
In the afternoon, the ship visits Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, followed by the Craft Museum, which showcases Kerala’s rich artisanal heritage.
Nattakam
Here, the Munroe lighthouse, built in 1885, guides ships with its striking beacon, offering a glimpse of the rich maritime history and breathtaking vistas of the Arabian Sea and surrounding landscapes.
Kavalam
At this fishing village, guests can explore canals and traditional Kerala life, picturesque waterways, bustling fishing activities, and authentic village charm.
Kettuvalom
Here, guests visit a boatyard, where traditional wooden boat-building skills are still employed to craft wooden planks into decking using coir, cotton, and natural resin.
Allapphuza (Alleppey)
The Alleppay Harbour is a bustling hub of Kerala’s backwater network with traditional houseboats and fishing activities. This lively port offers a glimpse into the local maritime culture and the scenic beauty of the region’s interconnected waterways.
The Mighty Brahmaputra & Kerala Backwaters GUWAHATI – KOCHI 15 nights FROM USD8,989
SINGAPORE, 26 Singapore 2024: Accor continues its strong growth trajectory in Singapore with the signing of two new-build properties with three hotel brands set to open by 2027 with its longstanding partners, Fragrance Group Limited and Global Premium Hotels Limited, both owned by Koh Wee Meng.
The landmark agreement will introduce Mövenpick Singapore, the largest Mövenpick hotel in the Asia Pacific, the first Mövenpick Living in Singapore, and a Handwritten Collection branded hotel situated alongside the city-state’s famed and culturally rich Waterloo Street.
From left to right: Chris Cho, Vice President Development, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, Korea and Maldives, Accor; Andrew Langdon, Chief Development Officer, Asia, Accor; Garth Simmons, Chief Operating Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, Asia, Accor; Koh Wee Meng, Chairman of Fragrance Group Limited, Ko Lee Meng, CEO of Global Premium Hotels Limited, and Christy Liu Xiaojing, CFO of Global Premium Hotels Limited.
These new signings reaffirm Accor’s position as the preferred partner for hotel owners across Asia’s premium, midscale, and economy (PM&E) segments. As the region’s leading operator in these categories, Accor is committed to driving value and business performance through its extensive expertise and platforms.
Located near the central business district at Hoe Chiang Road, Mövenpick Singapore will be the largest Mövenpick hotel in Asia Pacific, featuring approximately 808 keys. The same building will house Mövenpick Living Singapore, a 37-key property.
In late 2025, Waterloo Street, renowned for local arts and culture in the heart of Singapore’s civic centre, will welcome a new hotel under the Handwritten Collection brand. The 502-key follows the successful launch of Hotel Faber Park Singapore – Handwritten Collection in late 2023.
Accor has a longstanding strategic partnership with Fragrance Group Limited and Global Premium Hotels Limited. It operates 17 hotels in Singapore, five in Australia, and 3 in the United Kingdom under brands such as MGallery, Mövenpick, Novotel, Mercure, Handwritten Collection, ibis Styles, and ibis budget brands.
Accor currently operates 35 hotels across 13 brands in Singapore, including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Mondrian, Swissôtel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, Handwritten Collection, ibis, ibis Styles, and ibis budget.
SINGAPORE, 26 September 2024: HBX Group, a leading global B2B travel technology company, announces Wednesday the launch of its Marketing Suite, a combination of marketing services designed to drive growth in the travel space.
With this launch, HBX Group aspires to become a primary retail media network within the travel industry, serving as a point of reference for hotels, DMOs, airlines, mobility providers and any business seeking to engage with travellers and travel distributors.
HBX Group Marketing Suite is composed of two key solutions: Travel Media Solutions and a Digital Marketing Agency.
HBX Group’s Travel Media Solutions offers a suite of complete advertising products in an extensive network of hard-to-reach digital spaces, with the potential to reach over 50.000 travel agencies and 3.500 tour operators across 65 countries, as well as travellers from over 100 booking websites and strategic partners.
These advertising solutions include digital banners on B2B and B2C websites, social media marketing, bespoke newsletters, email sponsorships, and landing pages.
The Digital Marketing Agency is focused on tailor-made strategies developed by expert travel marketers to accelerate business growth within the B2C audience. Services include B2C digital campaign management, marketing advisory, insights, creative services and brand management.
SYDNEY, 26 September 2024: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) declared on Tuesday that The Don’t Forget Travel Group Director Andrew Sullivan was the #ATAS24 social-media showcase competition winner.
ATIA’s citation said: “Andrew’s LinkedIn post made a lasting impression, standing out with a creative video highlighting the value of being ATAS-accredited and the importance of consumers dealing with an ATAS-accredited agent.”
Andrew Sullivan, Director at The Don’t Forget Travel Group is the winner of the #ATAS24 social-media-showcase competition. Credit: https://karryon.com.au
As the winner, he will travel to Singapore, flying Singapore Airlines (SIA), ATIA’s strategic partner and NTIA’s primary sponsor. ATIA also recognised other outstanding entries with ‘special mentions’.
· Simone Lewis (On The Road Travel Group): Simone’s quirky LinkedIn post showcasing her ATAS accreditation on printed T-shirts captured the value of ATAS. It assured travellers that their travel agents are committed to going above and beyond to bring them high-quality services.
· Kate Collins and Jackie Male (Angas Travel): Their Instagram post reinforced that ATAS-accredited agents meet the highest industry standards, giving clients exceptional service and the reassurance they are being looked after.
· Hastwell Travel and Cruise: Their superhero-themed Instagram entry was fun and colourful, highlighting ATAS accreditation’s superpowers to the travel industry. These powers include reassuring travellers with professionalism and expertise that can save them time and money.
· Travel with a Cause: This post uniquely reinforced the importance of ATAS accreditation, with a cute cameo from their travel dog, Toby, who explains that ATAS accreditation is like “our agency’s badge of honour, showing we meet top-notch standards in the travel biz.”
ATIA’s acting CEO, Ingrid Fraser, commented on the social media competition: “We’re thrilled by the creativity and authenticity displayed in this year’s showcase. As summed up so well by Andrew, ATAS is about having the backs of Aussie travellers, no matter where they are in the world.”
“ATAS accreditation is a mark of distinction, signalling that customers are in safe, reliable hands. We congratulate Andrew and all our special mentions for showcasing the best of our industry.
SINGAPORE, 26 September 2024: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, has launched a new report revealing the stark impact of the pandemic on women’s and youth employment within the global Travel and tourism sector.
Almost 70 million people working in Travel & Tourism lost their jobs during the pandemic, but women and young people were disproportionately impacted because their roles were more likely to be in the worst-affected areas, such as hospitality and food services.
While the sector has broadly seen a strong recovery, the ‘Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment’ report found it employed 42 million women and just over 16 million young people in 2022, notably lower than the 48.4 million women (-13%) and nearly 19 million young workers (15%) supported by the sector in 2019.
While the sector remains a vital source of jobs for underrepresented groups, the report clarifies that more must be done to ensure an inclusive and equitable recovery.
The report, which examines employment trends across 185 economies from 2019 to 2022, underscores the sector’s potential as a key driver of inclusive economic growth and social progress.
According to the latest EIR data, in 2023, the Travel & Tourism sector’s GDP contribution rose 29.1% above pre-pandemic levels, outpacing the global average, which remained 4.1% below.
Yet despite this economic rebound, the social recovery continued to lag, particularly for women and young people who remain more likely to be stuck in informal, part-time, or low-wage roles without security or growth potential.
WTTC President & CEO, Julia Simpson said: “This report highlights the extraordinary potential of Travel & Tourism to drive inclusive growth, but it also underscores the urgent need for action.
“Women and young people are the backbone of our sector, yet they continue to face significant barriers.
“By investing in skills, promoting inclusive policies, and fostering entrepreneurship, we can unlock the full potential of these groups and ensure that our sector leads the way in creating meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities.”
The report also highlights that women remain underrepresented in high-wage and leadership roles, with the gender split in Travel & Tourism employment nearly mirroring that of the wider economy.
Young workers, who make up a greater share of the Travel & Tourism workforce compared to the wider economy, face particular challenges in accessing stable employment.
Saudi Arabia Minister of Tourism, His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, welcomed the joint report findings and emphasised the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting youth and female employment in the Travel & Tourism sector.
“Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring Travel & Tourism is a key driver of social change,” he said.
“Our substantial investments in 2024 include 375 million riyals for skills development training local tour guides who acquire deep knowledge of our nation’s rich history and landscapes. Others are becoming entrepreneurs, focusing on creativity, leadership, and digital skills.
“In 2022, Saudi women’s employment in tourism was the fifth fastest growing among G20 countries. The focus on localising services in areas like AlUla and Diriyah has created new opportunities for women in heritage tourism jobs. Through stronger partnerships, tourism can transform into a vehicle for inclusive development, creating a more equitable and prosperous future for everyone.”
This joint report calls for urgent action to address these disparities and maximise the sector’s potential as a driver of inclusive growth.
Key areas of focus for governments and the Travel & Tourism sector include:
Develop policies for skills training and gender equality
Enhance job opportunities for women and youth
Invest in education and leadership programmes
Implement inclusive hiring practices and equal pay
Support flexible work arrangements and childcare
Promote entrepreneurship through support for start-ups and small businesses
‘Social Trends in Travel & Tourism Employment’ serves as a clarion call to governments and businesses worldwide: To prioritise the inclusion of women and youth in the workforce, to invest in their skills and future, and to ensure that the benefits of Travel & Tourism are shared by all.
SINGAPORE, 26 September 2024: Air Astana, in partnership with Airbus, is enhancing the efficiency of its long-haul flights by installing additional fuel tanks on its Airbus A321LR.
This will enable nonstop flights over long-haul distances without technical stops.
The airline plans to resume nonstop flights on the Almaty to London route starting on 4 October 2024. The route has been operating with a technical stop in Aktau since March 2022.
With the new modifications, the route will become fully nonstop and more comfortable, reducing the overall flight time by one hour and 30 minutes to nine hours and 35 minutes. This will make it one of the longest narrow-body routes in the world.
This modernisation is a key component of Air Astana’s long-term strategy to enhance operational efficiency. It incorporates all necessary technical and safety aspects, providing passengers with more comfortable conditions for long-haul flights and improving the airline’s operational performance.
About Air Astana Group Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions in terms of revenue and fleet size. The Group operates a fleet of 56 aircraft split between Air Astana, its full-service airline that operated its inaugural flight in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. The Group provides scheduled, point-to-point and transit, short-haul and long-haul air travel and cargo on domestic, regional and international routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Middle East, India and Europe.
BANGKOK, 26 September 2024: Vietjet Thailand launches ‘School Holiday’s Special’, offering fares starting at THB699* across its domestic network and THB1,699* on international routes.
The airline gives very little wriggle room to book as the offer closes at midnight on 27 September, but the travel period runs from 16 October 2024 to 31 May 2025.
The fares apply on Vietjet Thailand’s entire domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, as well as Vietjet Thailand’s international network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, China, Fukuoka, Phnom Penh, Singapore, Taipei, and from Chiang Mai to Osaka.
SINGAPORE, 24 September 2024: Emirates has announced its continued commitment to support rugby and expand its reach to new, untapped markets by serving as the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby.
The new multi-year partnership allows the airline to enable Asia Rugby to invest in stage 7s and 15s series tournaments and Asia Rugby Championships, with participation from 36 countries in Asia.
From left to right: Asia Rugby President, His Excellency Qais Al-Dhalai and Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark.
Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark said: “Emirates has a long history of supporting rugby, dating back to our early days as an airline. Since then, we’ve deepened our presence within the sport across every level, from supporting global organisations and tournaments like World Rugby, five consecutive Rugby World Cups, and the global 7s series to headlining the Emirates Dubai 7s and growing the footprint of the UAE Rugby Federation.
“We’re particularly proud to extend our support to Asia Rugby to take the sport into new markets and boost its appeal, as well as open untapped possibilities for younger athletes to develop their skills and realise their full potential. And this is just the start. We will continue harnessing the power of grassroots sporting activities that forge strong bonds with the communities we serve to contribute meaningfully to their growth and resilience.”
Asia Rugby President, His Excellency Qais Al-Dhalai said: “I am delighted to welcome Emirates as the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our mission to expand the reach and impact of rugby across our 36 members and across Asia. With Emirates’ support, we are poised to bring the excitement and values of rugby to a new generation of athletes and fans. Our growing reputation for reliability, credibility and professionalism has given Emirates the confidence to associate their brand with ours. With the UAE serving as the headquarters of Asia Rugby, this partnership with Emirates feels like a perfect synergy. The UAE has become a centre for rugby activities, providing a strategic base to coordinate and grow the sport across the continent. Emirates is synonymous with premier rugby events globally, and this collaboration is set to elevate the sport’s profile across Asia.”
He continued: “In the last five years, we have established Asia Rugby as a brand with more tournaments and increased our social media reach with all our events live-streamed to bring rugby to Asia. Our shared goal is to empower athletes, build a robust talent pipeline, and cultivate a passionate fanbase to sustain the sport for years.”
As part of the agreement, the airline will be the title sponsor across Asia Rugby competitions and tournaments, including the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Championships, the Asia Rugby Sevens Series and age-grade competitions cutting across several age groups. These tournaments offer a pathway to premier regional and global competitions such as the Rugby World Cup, the Rugby World Cup Sevens, the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the HSBC SVNS Series, and the World Rugby Sevens Challenger.
The airline’s iconic ‘Fly Better’ branding will appear on match official jerseys, match balls, support staff bibs, post pads, and stadium branding, among other benefits, for 21 different tournaments over the span of three years.
The first of more than 20 tournaments where Emirates will have a strong presence is the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series Men’s and Women’s Round 2, set to begin on 21 September 2024 in Hangzhou, China. The tournament will feature the top eight men’s and women’s teams fighting for ranking spots for the final round, which will be played in Bangkok, Thailand, in November.
Asia Rugby, the regional association of World Rugby, is based in Dubai and represents 36 member unions across the continent, including China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan, to name a few. The association organises a mix of Sevens and Fifteens competitions for both men and women across different age groups, including U18s and U20s.
With Asia home to 60% of the world’s population and 80% of its youth, the potential to cultivate a new generation of players and enrich the pipeline of talent and love for the game through a strong fanbase in local communities is in line with Emirates’ shared objective with Asia Rugby to empower athletes from the ground up.
Emirates can be found at the centre of the action at almost every international rugby match. Globally, Emirates has been sponsoring the Rugby World Cup (RWC) since 2007 and in 2011 became RWC’s worldwide partner, further cementing the airline as one of the world’s biggest supporters of rugby. The airline also sponsors the jerseys of World Rugby’s Match Officials, who take them to the field in their Emirates ‘Fly Better’ kits. Emirates’ strong rugby partnerships extend to the South African Emirates Lions and their home venue, Emirates Airline Park.
In the airline’s home base of Dubai, The Emirates Dubai 7s tournament has been running for more than 50 years. Emirates was an active partner in growing its international status when it first began its support in 1987 cooperation with World Rugby. Through clear focus and a strong commitment from the airline, the Emirates Dubai 7s has become the largest sports event in the region, with over 100,000 fans joining the three-day tournament every year. In addition, Emirates’ longstanding sponsorship of the Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Club is part of its commitment to growing the sport and connecting young people to the game in local communities in the UAE.
Last October, Emirates renewed its support for the UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) as title and jersey sponsor of the UAE national 15s and 7s teams (men’s and women’s), including the all-Emirati Shaheen and Al Maha teams. It will also remain the federation’s official airline until the end of 2026.
KUCHING, 24 September 2024: The Sarawak Tourism Board hosted a welcoming reception at Pending Port, Kuching, for 126 passengers from the Heritage Adventurer, part of Noble Caledonia’s “Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo” cruise.
Arriving from Singapore, the passengers — mainly from Australia, America, and Britain — were greeted with a traditional garlanding ceremony and a cultural performance, offering a vibrant introduction to Sarawak’s rich music and dance heritage.
Passengers are enjoying cultural performances by the port, which represents the 6 major ethnic in Sarawak.
The welcoming event featured a cultural performance representing Sarawak’s six major ethnic groups: the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Malay, Melanau, and Chinese. This performance aims to provide an authentic and immersive experience, showcasing the region’s diversity and renowned hospitality as passengers descend from the cruise.
During their stay, cruise guests explored iconic destinations such as Kuching City, Fort Margherita, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, and Bako National Park, with convenient city shuttle services available throughout their visit.
These curated excursions created a memorable experience and fostered positive word-of-mouth publicity about Sarawak’s tourism appeal.
The “Wonders & Wildlife of Borneo” cruise continued its journey from Kuching to Bandar Seri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Derawan Island, Sulawesi, and Bali.
Operated by Noble Caledonia, a UK-based company, the Heritage Adventurer is a 124-metre vessel that can accommodate up to 140 passengers and 84 crew members. It provides an intimate and comfortable travel experience to remote destinations.
For the rest of the year, Sarawak will welcome another two cruise ships, cementing its status as a premier destination for travellers seeking unique cultural experiences and natural beauty.
Sarawak is a kaleidoscope of culture, adventure, nature, food, and festivals. It comprises 34 ethnic tribes with unique traditions, lifestyles, music, and food while sharing warm hospitality. Malaysia’s largest state, Sarawak, is endowed with some of the oldest rainforests on Earth.
Its vast landscape spans over 120,000 sq km, with towering mountains and cool highlands, jagged limestone formations and mysterious cave systems, winding rivers and quiet beaches, where adventures are waiting to happen.
Festivals are hosted throughout the year to celebrate the eclectic blend of modern and traditional culture, food, music and religious practices that can be found nowhere else. In Sarawak, there is always ‘More to Discover’.
