BANGKOK, 14 August 2024: Minor Hotels has named Richard Beh Vice President of Commercial – Asia, reporting directly to Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, and Ian Di Tullio, Chief Commercial Officer.
He is based at Minor Hotels’ headquarters in Bangkok. Before joining Minor Hotels, Beh was the Trip.com Global Vice President of Hotel Chains.
A Malaysian national, Beh will spearhead the overall regional strategy, adopting a holistic approach to sales, marketing, e-commerce, revenue and distribution across the group’s brands in Asia, including Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Tivoli, NH and NH Collection.
SINGAPORE, 14 August 2024: As the Olympic Games Paris closed on 11 August, Visa’s latest data confirmed the Games’ positive impact on tourism and spending in France.
Paris attracted 42% more Visa cardholders in the first week of the Olympic Games than in the same period in 2023. Still, other cities hosting Olympic sports also saw significant increases in visitors and spending, especially among fans who attended the competitions.
Paris leads as a global destination
42% increase in the number of Visa cardholders who travelled to Paris during the first week of the Olympic Games Paris 2024
Other Paris 2024 host cities benefited from the Olympic Games, with Lille seeing a 188% increase in visitors, Saint-Etienne 150%, and Marseille 48%
Visa cardholders from the US are the largest share of visitors from any country, with a 72% year-on-year growth, followed by Latin America (+62%) and Asia Pacific (+57%)
In Europe, fans from the UK (+53%) and Germany (+53%) showed a strong interest in attending the Games
Parisians didn’t flee the city as previously expected. The number of Parisians travelling overseas remained consistent with the previous year, with a minor uptick (from 4% to 5%) in Parisians travelling outside of Paris during the Olympic Games.
Top spending patterns
Visa cardholders spent more in Paris than in the previous year, with the UK leading the year-on-year growth with a 42% increase in their spending, followed by Latin America (+34%) and the US (+32%) 2
Visa cardholders who attended Games competitions spent 24% more than those who did not, with 39% of European fans (excluding France) spending more.
The most significant year-on-year increase in spending levels in Paris was seen in theatres and museums +205%, restaurants +67%, food and grocery +54%, retail goods +53%, and fast food restaurants 53% .
Visa Europe Chief Executive Officer Charlotte Hogg said: “Our data shows a significant boost for the Parisian economy from hosting the Games. Paris has consistently been the most visited city in the world, but I’m sure that the amazing experience of being in the city for the Games or watching the events at the iconic venues from far away will draw many more visitors in the years to come.”
Visa’s responsibility to provide payment systems for the Olympic and Paralympic Games requires a robust and venue-specific plan combined with large-scale operations. Working hand-in-hand with the Organising Committee for the last three years, Visa has built a custom payment network across Paris and beyond, which ensures Visa contactless payments are accepted at 3,500 points of sale across 32 Olympic venues and 16 Paralympic venues.
BANGKOK, 14 August 2024: Thai Airways reported its operational performance results for the second quarter of 2024, declaring declines in net profits for the Q2 and its half-year results compared to the same periods in 2023.
In Q2/2024, THAI served 3.81 million passengers. The average cabin factor was 73.2%.
THAI Reports Operational Performance Results for the Second Quarter of 2024.
Revenue Q2 2024
In the second quarter of 2024, THAI Airways International reported revenue of THB43,981 million, 17.7% higher than Q2 2023, when the airline group reported revenue of THB37,381 million. However, second-quarter revenue fell 4.3% compared with Q1 2024 due to a dip in travel demand. Expenses rose to THB38,056 million, an increase of 32.1%, mainly due to increased variable costs. This was attributed to yield pressures and the return of more capacity to the market, which impacted expenses.
THAI reported an operating profit of THB5,925 million, before financial costs and excluding one-time transactions, down from the THB8,576 million operating profit recorded in Q2 2023.
Due to a loss in foreign exchange and asset impairment, the airline group reported a net profit of THB314 million, down from a net profit of THB2,273 million recorded for the same period last year.
Half-year results 2024
The airline’s half-year results for 2024 recorded a total revenue of THB89,936 million, 14.0% higher than the same period last year.
Total expenses stood at THB72,935 million, 27.3% higher than the half-year 2023 results. THAI reported an operating profit, before financial costs and excluding one-time transactions, of THB17,001 million, down 21.3% compared with the same period last year.
The airline group’s financial costs reached THB9,403 million. THAI and its subsidiaries had one-time items mainly due to loss from foreign exchange and asset impairment, resulting in a total expense of THB4,847 million. Consequently, THAI and its subsidiaries reported a net profit of THB2,738 million compared with a net profit of THB14,795 million for the same period last year.
From January to June 2024, THAI’s fleet comprised 77 aircraft, and the average aircraft utilisation was 13 hours per day. Traffic production (ASK) increased by 15.6%, while passenger traffic (RPK) increased by 10.9%. The average cabin factor was 78.1%, lower than the previous year’s 81.4%. The total number of passengers carried was 7.68 million, an increase of 0.81 million from the same period last year and up 11.8% from the same period in 2023.
DELHI, 14 August 2024: Air India Express has launched six daily direct flights daily, further strengthening its domestic network. The new flights operate on the Chennai-Bhubaneswar, Chennai-Bagdogra, Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata-Varanasi, Kolkata-Guwahati, and Guwahati-Jaipur routes.
Five of these routes are new to the airline’s growing network. The newly introduced Guwahati-Jaipur flight is an exclusive route served by Air India Express. To meet the increasing demand on the Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram route, previously served with two weekly flights, the airline has now introduced an additional daily service, bringing the total to nine flights a week.
Air India Express Operations:
From/To Chennai: Air India Express now connects Chennai directly to 10 destinations, including Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Thiruvananthapuram domestically, and Dammam, Kuwait, and Singapore internationally. Additionally, the airline offers convenient one-stop connectivity to 24 destinations, both domestic and international.
From/To Bhubaneswar: With this expansion, Air India Express now provides direct connectivity from Bhubaneswar to seven domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. The airline also offers 26 one-stop itineraries to a variety of other destinations.
From/To Bagdogra: Air India Express connects Bagdogra directly to five domestic destinations, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, and offers access to 26 one-stop destinations, both domestic and international.
From/To Kolkata: Kolkata is Air India Express’s third-largest station, operating 124 weekly flights to 34 destinations, including 12 direct domestic destinations and various one-stop destinations.
From/To Thiruvananthapuram: Air India Express offers 12 direct flights connecting Thiruvananthapuram to domestic and international destinations and connects the city to 23 one-stop destinations.
From/To Guwahati: Air India Express connects Guwahati with eight domestic and 23 one-stop destinations, including domestic and international.
From/To Varanasi: With 42 weekly departures, Air India Express connects Varanasi directly to three domestic and one international destination. The airline also provides convenient one-stop itineraries to several other domestic and international destinations.
From/To Jaipur: Air India Express offers nine direct flights connecting Jaipur to domestic destinations and one international destination. The airline also connects Jaipur to 24 domestic and international one-stop destinations.
SEPANG, Malaysia, 14 August 2024: AirAsia continues expanding its network to and from India from its home base in Malaysia with a new route to Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India.
Scheduled for 16 November, AirAsia will fly to the gateway to the Andaman Islands thrice weekly making Port Blair the airline’s 17th destination in India. All, told AirAsia will muster 91 flights per week to destinations in India. In 2024 alone, AirAsia launched eight new routes to the country, including Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, and Kozhikode.
Situated in a cluster of islands in Andaman and Nicobar, Port Blair has long remained on the bucket list of avid travellers who want to explore its pristine waters and marine life.
The city serves as a popular beach getaway for Indian citizens nationwide. Now, travellers from Malaysia and beyond can experience its charm via AirAsia’s direct flights. From touring the island’s historical landmarks to kayaking on its crystal-clear waters, an adventure awaits everyone. The stretch of islands in the Andamans is also home to ancient tribal communities who have resided there for centuries and are protected by the Indian government.
To celebrate the launch, AirAsia offers promotional fares from Kuala Lumpur to Port Blair from MYR199 all-in-one way*. These special fares are available for booking on the AirAsia MOVE app (formerly airasia Superapp) or airasia.com until 19 August 2024 for travel between 16 November 2024 and 25 October 2025. Malaysians are eligible for visa-free entry to India for tourist visits of up to 30 days until 30 June 2025.
Flight Schedule between Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Port Blair (IXZ)
*Includes airport taxes, MAVCOM fee, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees.T&Cs apply.
SINGAPORE, 14 August 2024: Singapore Airlines will discontinue its flight to Houston, US, at the start of the northern summer 2025 timetable.
The flight stops in Manchester, UK, on its way to Houston and enjoys full fifth-freedom traffic rights. Manchester will remain in the airline’s schedule, with five flights weekly that will turn around in the northern UK city and fly back to Singapore. The Singapore – Manchester – Houston service was first introduced in 2016.
According to advance flight schedules, the airline has “closed reservations for travel to Houston effective 1 April 2025 on the Manchester – Houston sector.
Until 1 April 2025, the airline will continue to operate the service from Singapore, stopping in Manchester, UK. It uses an Airbus A350-900 on the route for the five weekly flights to Houston (Flights on Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, and Sun).
Flight SQ052 departs Singapore and arrives in Manchester at 0910. Flight SQ052 departs Manchester at 1040 and arrives in Houston at 1430.
Flight SQ051 departs Houston at 1845 and arrives in Manchester at 0940+1. Flight SQ051 departs Manchester at 1115+1 and arrives in Singapore at 0740+2
BANGKOK, 13 August 2024: Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed an agreement with King Square Development Co Ltd to manage Dusit Suites Kingsquare, Bangkok and KingsQuare Residence — an upscale hotel and luxury residential project slated to open in 2026.
King Square Development Co Ltd is a Bangkok-based real estate company established by Saha Group Tokyu Corporation and King Square Suites Co.
The signing ceremony was attended by executives from Dusit International, Saha Group, and Tokyu Corporation.
Located on the Thai capital’s Rama 3 Road next to King’s College International School Bangkok, the two properties are part of a brand-new lifestyle complex which includes a community mall.
Dusit Suites Kingsquare
Serving as both a serviced apartment and hotel, Dusit Suites Kingsquare Bangkok will comprise 60 rooms and 49 spacious serviced suites, ranging from comfortable twin rooms to expansive two-bedroom suites.
Promising to deliver comfort and convenience for short and long-stay guests alike, each fully furnished serviced suite will feature a range of home comforts, such as plush sofas, widescreen TVs, and kitchenettes. Facilities will include a large swimming pool, a dedicated kids’ club, and a bright, airy co-working space. An all-day dining restaurant will ensure healthy and delicious meals are always within reach, while a meeting room and a private lounge will offer flexible spaces for work, rest, and play.
KingsQuare Residence
Alongside the hotel, Dusit will also manage the luxury KingsQuare Residence. This will be managed by Dusit Hospitality Services, a wholly owned subsidiary designed to leverage the extensive experience of Dusit’s hotel teams to provide, amongst other services, facility services and management for the luxury housing market in Bangkok and beyond.
Reflecting King Square Development Company Limited’s commitment to building a ‘Community of Kindness,’ KingsQuare Residence has been designed to offer an idyllic urban retreat for families and busy professionals. The 52-storey tower boasts 222 units featuring spacious one-bedroom units (60-73 sq m) to three-bedroom homes (169-296 sqm) and penthouse and duplex penthouse options, starting at 324 sqm.
Communal facilities include a swimming pool and barbecue terrace, a co-kitchen and private dining space, a kids’ playroom with an adjoining lawn, a basketball court, and a private meeting space. On-demand Dusit services, including housekeeping, laundry and 24-hour concierge, will further elevate the residential experience.
Alongside Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, guests and residents at Dusit Suites Kingsquare, Bangkok, and KingsQuare Residence will also benefit from easy access to the entertainment, dining, shopping, and business centres of the neighbouring Sathorn district. Nearby expressways ensure the rest of the city is also within easy reach.
“We are truly honoured to partner with King Square Development Co Ltd and King Square Suites Co Ltd in bringing their inspiring ‘Community of Kindness’ vision to life,” said Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO, Dusit International. “Dusit Suites Kingsquare, Bangkok, and KingsQuare Residence will offer more than just luxury living spaces and comfortable guest rooms; they will be havens of comfort, elegance, and connection. By infusing our signature Thai-inspired hospitality into these spaces, we aim to create a vibrant community where residents and guests feel a deep sense of belonging and well-being.”
King Square Development Co Ltd Managing Director Jakkrit Santirattanakul said: “Dusit’s unwavering commitment to exceptional service perfectly complements our vision of creating a community of kindness where family members can have more quality time. With Dusit’s expertise at the helm, Dusit Suites Kingsquare, Bangkok, and KingsQuare Residence are poised to set new standards for luxury, comfort, and convenient living. We look forward to delivering outstanding value to clients and residents alike.”
Dusit Suites Kingsquare, Bangkok, will be the ninth hotel in Bangkok to be managed by Dusit and the company’s second in the city to combine a hotel and serviced suites (following Dusit Suites Hotel Ratchadamri, Bangkok).
Under Dusit Hospitality Services, Dusit also manages four luxury condominium projects in Bangkok, including Sukhothai Residences; COCO Parc Managed by Dusit Hospitality Services; MARQUE Sukhumvit; and Muniq Laungsuan.
Globally, Dusit’s portfolio now includes 301 properties operating across 18 countries, including 57 properties operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 244 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the leading provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia, which Dusit acquired in 2018. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline.
BANGKOK, 13 August 2024: BWH Hotels, a global hospitality enterprise comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, continues its international expansion with the launch of the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura, the brand’s inaugural hotel in the Papua province in Indonesia.
Located in the centre of Jayapura, the province’s largest city on the north coast of the island of Papua, the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura is a modern midscale hotel comprising 72 rooms and suites. Its interiors blend contemporary design with indigenous cultural elements.
Throughout their stay, guests can unwind in the social lobby lounge and savour local, pan-Asian, and international cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant, which has an open kitchen concept. Business travellers can also host meetings in one of the six outfitted meeting rooms.
The Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura is surrounded by the city’s main landmarks and attractions, including Hamadi Beach, lush mangrove forests, and the viewing platform of Jayapura City Tower. Sentani International Airport, which offers direct flights to Jakarta and other Indonesian cities, is just 30 km from the border crossing between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and can be reached in just 2.5 hours by car.
“We are excited to announce the opening of the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura, which represents a significant milestone in our Indonesian expansion strategy. We are committed to providing our brand’s quality standards and services to guests across this diverse country. As our first property in Papua, this reflects the ability of BWH Hotels’ diverse brands to cater to the needs of owners and travellers in every market,” said BWH Hotels Vice President APAC Olivier Berrivin.
With the opening of the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura, BWH Hotels offers 17 hotels and resorts all across Indonesia, ranging from key cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung to the resort islands of Bali, and regional hubs such as Palangkaraya, Manado, Makassar, Palu, and Singaparna.
BANGKOK, 13 August 2024: Minor Hotels has confirmed the opening of Avani Ratchada Bangkok Hotel on 1 September a property developed and owned by the public-listed company CP Land.
Following an extensive renovation, the 402-key property formerly known as Grand Fortune Hotel Bangkok will be rebranded under the Minor umbrella. This will make it the 12th and third Avani hotel in Thailand, joining sister properties Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel and Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel.
Contract Signing Ceremony: Seated (left to right) – Keerati Satasuk, CEO of CP Land Public Company Limited, and Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels.
The latest addition to the Minor portfolio is located near the Phra Ram 9 MRT Station, the Airport Rail Link, and the BTS Skytrain. The area close by the property is home to bustling night markets serving street food, shopping malls, the nightlife scene of RCA nightlife and the Fortune IT Lifestyle Mall.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 13 August 2024: Vietjet will add 10 new-generation aircraft to its fleet in the last months of 2024 as part of an expansion to meet growing demand on both domestic and international routes.
Aircraft delivery will begin in August, starting with the latest A321neo ACF model from Airbus. In 2019, Vietjet became the first airline to operate the A321neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex).
Photo credit: Vietjet.
The A321neo ACF provide at least 16% fuel savings, reduce noise by up to 75%, and cut emissions by 50%.
Recently, Vietjet signed a contract to purchase 20 new-generation wide-body A330neo (A330-900) aircraft from Airbus, valued at USD7.4 billion. Vietjet’s fleet of over 100 aircraft includes a mix of A320, A321ceo, A321neo, A321neo ACF, and A330 models.
Vietjet has transported 200 million passengers, including millions of first-time passengers. It transported 13.1 million passengers on 70,154 in the first half of 2024. Half-year consolidated revenue reached VND34.016 trillion (USD1.35 billion) and consolidated pre-tax profit of VND1.311 trillion (USD52.22 million), increasing by 15% and 433%, respectively, year-on-year.
With 10 aircraft expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, Vietjet will continue to expand its network in Vietnam and internationally, reaching new destinations in Australia, India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and beyond.
