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Carnival orders three more ships

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 July 2024: With consumer demand for cruise vacations at historic levels, Carnival Corporation has confirmed an order for three new ships for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand.

The three ships will introduce a new class of vessels at nearly 230,000 gross registered tonnes. 

The agreement assigns the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri the design, engineering, and construction of these liquefied natural gas (LNG)- powered ships, which will be delivered in the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033, respectively.

Including the latest order, Carnival Cruise Line has five new ships on the order books, all announced this year. Carnival Corporation placed its first new-build orders in five years for two more Excel-class ships that will join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2027 and 2028. The company will also increase guest capacity for Carnival Cruise Line, by transferring five vessels from sister brands to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet by March 2025.

With over 3,000 guest staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in the Carnival Corporation global fleet and will be able to deliver fun to more guests than any ship in the world when carrying almost 8,000 guests at full capacity. Once delivered in 2033, Carnival Corporation will have a total of 16 LNG-powered ships – including eight Carnival Cruise Line ships – making up almost 30% of Carnival Corporation’s global capacity and delivering immediate greenhouse gas emission reductions. The new ships will also feature advanced energy efficiency, waste management, and emission reduction technologies to reduce the company’s environmental footprint further.

 

Tibet Airlines plans Samui flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 July 2024: Airline timetable schedules show Tibet Airlines flying a new service from Xi’an, China, to Thailand’s Samui Island on 14 August, but there are no signs that bookings are open.

Independent airline schedule data shows the airline flying a three-week service using Airbus 319s on the Xi’an (XIY) – Samui (USM) route starting on 14 August.

Photo credit: Rosy Muhammed. Smooth landing for Tibet Airlines A319.

Flight TV6119 will depart Xi’an at 1250 and arrive in Samui at 1620 on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Flight TV6112 will depart Samui at 1720 and arrive in Xi’an at 2240 (Wed, Fri and Sun). 

Founded in 2010, Tibet Airlines is a regional airline based at Gonggar Airport (LXA) in Lhasa. In 2020, it terminated all its international services, including flights to Samui, and now serves only domestic destinations in China and Tibet. 

Hahnair handles some ticket sales for the airline as a general sales agency. However, a check of the booking platform Skyscanner failed to discover flights on the XIY-USM route in August or September. That might suggest the three-weekly services are scheduled charters sold to Chinese travellers by travel agencies based in Xi’an.

Reuters reported last February that Tibet Airlines had ordered 40 C919 and 10 ARJ21 jets from China’s COMAC on the sidelines of the biennial Singapore Airshow. The airline has a fleet of 27 Airbus A319s, 12 A320s and 5 A330s.

According to a screen message on its homepage, the airline’s website is offline, and the www.tibetairlines.com domain is for sale, but the airline is serving a busy schedule of 40 routes to cities in China. 

 

Travellers flock to Paris for Olympic razzmatazz

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 25 July 2024: On the eve of the Summer Olympics opening in Paris, Trip.com reports a surge in bookings to Europe during the peak months of July and August.

The Summer Olympics will officially open on 26 July in Paris and will be attended by 10,500 athletes. The closing ceremony will be hosted by the French capital on 11 August. 

“The summer travel season is in full swing,” says Trip.com Group, claiming record bookings in June partly due to the Euros hosted in Germany in June and now the Olympics in France. “There has been double-digit growth in travel bookings from global travellers heading to Paris this summer compared to last year, showcasing the potential of sports tourism to win a gold medal in encouraging travel consumption.”

Who books summer travel to Europe?

Among travellers visiting Paris in July and August, Trip.com reports strong bookings from the Chinese mainland (1), Japan (2), South Korea (3), Australia (4), and Singapore (5), leading the booking trends from the Asia-Pacific. Travellers from the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands are booking trips to France to support their national teams in Europe.  

Notably, there is also a 105% surge in bookings from Chinese travellers. Paris remains a top destination for Chinese travellers, reflecting their strong desire to experience the French capital’s culture and history.

Chinese tourists are showing a taste for luxury, with the highest booking volume for suites and king-sized hotel rooms among other travellers. This reflects a desire for more spacious and upscale accommodations during their stay. The average spending per Chinese traveller has risen by 65%, with an increase in five-star hotel bookings from the previous year.

Enjoying sports and travel

Asian fans also display distinct differences regarding major sporting events compared to their European counterparts. They prefer to combine their sports viewing with broader travel plans, with them, on average, booking longer hotel stays than European travellers.

Other sporting events, with their diverse range of sports and global representation, also attract international fans from Asia who often combine their attendance with extensive cultural and tourist activities. However, European fans, especially those following football this summer, primarily concentrate on cheering for their national football teams, with shorter stays dictated by the matches. This approach from Asian travellers amplifies the travel experience and encourages a deeper engagement with the host destination.

This summer, Asian travellers spent more time at attractions than European travellers when visiting France, favouring attractions like the Louvre Museum, Palace of Versailles, and the Seine River Cruise.

Travel beyond Paris

More Asian travellers are choosing to explore cities other than Paris, with triple-digit growth among cities outside the capital. The top 10 cities and regions attracting travellers outside of Paris include Nice, Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nantes, of which Nice and Marseille, in the French Riviera, will hold football matches.

For instance, visitors from Japan and Hong Kong are now making reservations to stay in Marseille, Lyon, and Nice, with bookings showing double-digit growth compared to last year. Travellers are seeking a cultural experience inside and outside of Paris, with increasing interest in the French wine region of Provence.

Traditional attractions throughout France continue to captivate travellers from Asia with their rich historical and cultural charm. Top attractions in Paris include the Louvre Museum, the Paris Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, and Disneyland Paris. There has also been a rise in orders for private tours in France, increasing by over 50% year-on-year.

(SOURCE: Trip.com booking trends) 

Air India flies A350s on US routes

By
TTR WEEKLY
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GURUGRAM, 25 July 2024: Air India has announced that its flagship A350-900 aircraft will operate Delhi-New York JFK flights from 1 November 2024 and Delhi-Newark flights from 2 January 2025.

Using A350-900 aircraft will transform the passenger experience by introducing Premium Economy class for the first time on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. It will offer guests the choice of 24 wide seats arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration in a dedicated, upscale cabin that offers extra legroom and other enhancements.

Signature experiences 

Air India’s A350 aircraft features 28 business-class private suites with full-flat beds in a 1-2-1 configuration and 264 spacious economy seats arranged in a 3-4-3 configuration. Each suite in business class provides direct aisle access, sliding privacy doors, and a personal wardrobe. All seats across cabins on the A350 come with the latest-generation Panasonic eX3 in-flight entertainment (IFE) system and HD screens that offer more than 2,200 hours of entertainment content from around the world. 

Air India Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director Campbell Wilson said: “We are encouraged by the positive guest feedback we have received from the domestic deployment of our A350s to offer our hero product on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. This is a significant leap forward for our US operations, underscoring our commitment to continuous improvement.

“The new seats, new inflight entertainment systems, and new soft products will provide our guests with great comfort and service that are representative of the new Air India. We believe this enhanced offering will solidify Air India’s position as a leading carrier and attract travellers seeking a world-class flying experience between India and the United States.”

Upgraded cabin interiors

With the deployment of the A350, 60% of all Air India flights to the US will feature new or upgraded cabin interiors. Over the last few months, Air India has been progressively replacing its legacy aircraft with newer ones on other US routes as part of its continued effort to offer guests a significantly improved flying experience. These aircraft feature upgraded seats and inflight entertainment systems. 

The airline now operates its three-class-configured Boeing 777-200LR on all nonstop flights between India (Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru) and San Francisco with upgraded cabin interiors, except a three-weekly Delhi-San Francisco service. Each aircraft features 28 private suites with full-flat beds in business, 48 wide seats in Premium Economy with extra legroom, 212 seats in economy class, and updated IFE systems. This allows Air India to consistently offer Premium Economy options to travellers taking nonstop flights to and from San Francisco.

Air India also operates a three-class-configured Boeing 777-300ER on all flights from Mumbai to New York JFK and Newark, featuring eight first-class suites, 40 full-flat beds in business, 280 seats in economy, and updated IFE systems.

Booking Air India A350 flights

The A350 seats on the Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes are now available for reservation on Air India’s website and mobile app or via travel agents. 

Vietnam arrivals recover in half-year results

By
TTR WEEKLY
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HANOI, 24 July 2024: Vietnam’s e-visa, valid for 90 days, for 80 nationalities, is helping to push up tourist arrivals for the first six months of 2024. Tourist visits passed the 8 million mark for the first time since the pandemic.  

The 90-day e-visa was extended from 30 to 90 days in August 2023, and the experience was upgraded by approving multiple entries during the visa’s validity. 

Vietnam’s Government Statistics Office reported last week that international visits for the first six months of 2024 reached 8.832.271 arrivals, up 58,4% over the same period in 2023. June arrival totalled 1,249,237, representing an increase of 28.1% over the same month of 2023.

GSO data confirms the top five source markets for the first half of 2024 are:

Republic of Korea, 2,81,679 arrivals, up 42.4%;
China, 1,891,096 arrivals, up 239.4%;
Taiwan, 630,428 arrivals, up 95.5%;
USA, 415,100 arrivals, up 11.1%;
Japan, 335,638 arrivals, up 39.2%.

Pandaw refreshes Cambodia cruise visits

By
TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 24 July 2024: Pandaw has been pioneering river expeditions in Asia for nearly 30 years. However, it constantly reviews and improves the cruise experience for intrepid travellers to present genuinely authentic experiences that are inaccessible other than by river. 

As demand for travel in Asia grows, particularly on the Mekong, the Pandaw team continues to look for new locations to moor its small expedition ships. This enriches the exploration of Southeast Asia’s mighty Mekong River, which stretches 4,909 km from the Lasagongma Spring on the Tibetan plateau to its delta in the South China Sea.

With this in mind, Pandaw has once again collaborated with local teams and communities to refresh its excursions in Cambodia with improved tour content and destinations. The changes piloted in Cambodia will become effective for all Mekong expeditions from September, not only promising unique and authentic experiences for guests but also underlining Pandaw’s commitment to sustainable tourism, ensuring benefits are passed to the communities visited in a responsible manner

Pak Russei, Cambodia

Located close to Phnom Penh, Pak Russei is a quaint village hosting local artisans that produce silks and foodstuffs such as noodles sold in the markets of Phnom Penh. This excursion replaces Silk Island or Koh Oknha Tei where most tourist vessels stop to visit the silk production demonstrations set up to cater to foreign guests. 

“We maintain the silk-making explanations and opportunity to buy authentic locally made silk products in this new village and our private demonstration of the Khmer martial art of Bokator, now performed in the village pagoda,” says Pandaw’s management in its latest product update.

Peam Chi Korng, Cambodia

“A small village known for its pottery industry, Peam Chi Korng is an untouched gem and a new addition along the Mekong north of Phnom Penh. This will replace Pandaw’s excursion in Angkor Ban, which was once a small and rural village where the Pandaw library was built to support the Angkor Ban secondary school. However, this has become a frequent stop for many larger tourist vessels.”

Rivers: Mekong River, Tonle River
Ships: RV Bassac Pandaw, RV Indochina Pandaw, RV Mekong Pandaw
Prices: from USD2,559 per person
Save:10%, No Single Supplement & Kids go free  on selected dates

Click below to view our fully updated Mekong itineraries
https://www.pandaw.com/vietnam-cambodia-river-cruises?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mekong-update-24

Book your expedition on the Mekong with Pandaw today to explore the authentic side of Vietnam and Cambodia that you will not see any other way. To book visit pandaw.com or contact the Pandaw team at [email protected].

 

Raffles Hotels heads to Tokyo

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 24 July 2024: Raffles Hotels & Resorts, a luxury hotel brand owned by Accor, and partners  World Trade Center Building Inc and Tokyo Tatemono Co have announced plans to debut the Raffles brand in Tokyo. 

Part of the redevelopment of Tokyo’s iconic World Trade Center (WTC) in the Hamamatsuchō district, the hotel is expected to open in 2028.  

“We are delighted to grow the Raffles global family with Raffles Tokyo, which will feature the brand’s world-renowned hallmarks including personalised Butler Service and an inspiring environment where anything is possible for our guests.

World Trade Center Building, Inc. and Tokyo Tatemono Co. are likeminded partners that share our vision for delivering luxury hospitality at the highest level, and we look forward to unveiling a new urban icon in one of the world’s most vibrant and culturally significant cities,” said Raffles Hotels & Resorts CEO Omer Acar.    

Slated to occupy the top 46 floors of the WTC building, a landmark in Tokyo since its completion in 1970, Raffles Tokyo will be located for business and leisure travellers, offering close proximity to some of the city’s most notable landmarks, including Tokyo Tower, the Roppongi Museum, and Rainbow Bridge. It will also have direct access to Hamamatsuchō station.  

The hotel will offer 130 rooms, including 27 suites, six food and beverage outlets, a fitness studio, swimming pool, and spa and bathhouse, and features sweeping panoramic city views.

The hotel will also offer more than 1,156 sqm of multi-functional meeting spaces and facilities. 

 

YouTrip kicks off seamless top-ups

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 24 July 2024: YouTrip, Singapore’s popular multi-currency digital wallet, announces that users can now transfer funds back to their bank account. 

Additionally, users can link their bank accounts for a convenient top-up process. These enhancements are designed to foster greater flexibility and spending confidence among users. YouTrip users will receive invitations to experience the new features in phases over the next few days. 

In response to users who requested feature improvements, YouTrip now allows new funds to be withdrawn back into their bank account through the user’s mobile number or NRIC tied to their YouTrip account. Withdrawals are available to all new top-ups made through PayNow or the newly introduced ‘Linked Bank Account’ method, starting from 22 July 2024, 00:00 hrs onwards. 

Only funds within the Singapore Dollar (SGD) wallet can be withdrawn. Users who wish to withdraw funds from other currency wallets will have to first convert them back to SGD. Funds that are withdrawable back to bank accounts will be reflected as the ‘transferable balance’. Users can perform up to 10 free withdrawals per calendar month. 

YouTrip has also introduced a new top-up method where users can link their bank account directly for effortless wallet top-ups. This new ‘Linked Bank Account’ option was added to its fee-free methods such as PayNow, Mastercard, and Visa (Debit). Users must only key in their bank information and complete the authentication process once to enjoy the convenience of topping up their YouTrip account moving forward. 

The new features follow YouTrip’s increased limits earlier in January this year. YouTrip was the first digital wallet in Singapore to raise its limits to SGD20,000 for wallet hold and SGD100,000 annual spending, previously SGD5,000 and SGD30,000, respectively, following the updated regulations. 

 

Drukair expands its Airbus orders

By
TTR WEEKLY
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FARNBOROUGH, UK, 24 July 2024: Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines, the national flag carrier of the Kingdom of Bhutan and a wholly owned subsidiary of Druk Holding and Investments Limited (DHI), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to expand its fleet with three A320neo and two A321XLR aircraft. 

The new aircraft will begin delivery in 2030. The airline plans to fly these aircraft out of Paro International Airport and the new airport at Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), which is envisioned to become Bhutan’s futuristic economic hub. Drukair plans to expand its connectivity to Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Drukair already operates four Airbus A320 Family aircraft consisting of three A319s and one A320. 

Drukair CEO Tandi Wangchuk said: “We are thrilled to embark on this new chapter in Drukair’s history, which dovetails perfectly with development of the Gelephu Mindfulness City and work to expand the Gelephu airport. Our investment in these state-of-the-art aircraft underscores our dedication to supporting Bhutan’s vision of holistic and mindful development.

Drukair is headquartered in Paro, Bhutan, and operates scheduled flights to 10 international destinations, including five countries in the South Asian region. Drukair also operates to three domestic destinations. 

The A321neo is the largest member of Airbus’ A320neo Family, offering new-generation engines and Sharklets that ensure a 50% noise reduction, more than 20% fuel savings, and CO₂ reduction compared to previous-generation single-aisle aircraft. 

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step from the A320neo that delivers an unprecedented extra long range of up to 4,700nm – 15% more range than the A321LR. 

AirAsia flights return to Subang

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TTR WEEKLY
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SUBANG, 24 July 2024: AirAsia confirmed on Monday that it will expand operations in Malaysia to the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (IATA: SZB), popularly known as Subang Airport. 

The expansion will complement its operations at its main hub at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (Terminal 2), which will provide travellers with additional connectivity and a more convenient option due to its vicinity to the city.

AirAsia’s operations at Subang Airport will commence with two domestic destinations, namely 14 weekly flights to Kuching (Sarawak) and Kota Kinabalu (Sabah). The start-up date for adding flights to and from Sepang is 30 August 2024.

Capital A CEO (Advisor and Steward of AirAsia Aviation Group) Tony Fernandes said: “Subang Airport holds a special place in my heart, and it is exciting to witness its resurgence as one of the key players in Malaysia’s aviation landscape. The government’s decision to revitalise the airport into a regional aviation hub aligns perfectly with our mission to continue revolutionising the aviation industry, as the increased air traffic and passenger flow generated by our operations will have multiplier effects on related industries, driving economic growth and development in the region.

“AirAsia’s homecoming to Subang Airport is nostalgic and strategic. Capital A’s engineering arm, Asia Digital Engineering (ADE), has operations there, enhancing the efficiency and streamlining of our aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities. Repainting Subang Airport red symbolises a return to our roots and a commitment to our growth journey and contribution to the prosperity of the communities we serve. This is a step in the right direction for the nation’s aviation industry, and we are thrilled to lead this visionary move.”

To celebrate, AirAsia offers promotional fares for flights from Subang to Kuching from MYR88 all-in* one-way and to Kota Kinabalu from MYR99 all-in one-way, including a complimentary 15kg checked-in baggage allowance. The promotional fares are available for booking on AirAsia MOVE app (previously known as airasia Superapp) and airasia.com until 28 July 2024 for the travel period between 30 August 2024 and 8 October 2025.

Flight Schedule from Subang (SZB) to Kuching (KCH)

Flight Schedule from Subang (SZB) to Kota Kinabalu (BKI)

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