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AirAsia backs five-year Sabah promotion

KOTA KINABALU, 8 July 2024: AirAsia and Sabah Tourism Board (STB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week to establish a strategic partnership to boost the tourism industry for the next five years.

This partnership is set to bolster the Land Below the Wind’s status as a top-tier tourist hotspot by enhancing air connectivity between Sabah and the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), as well as the larger ASEAN region, North Asia, and Oceania for the period of 2024-2028.

The MoU was signed by Datuk Captain Chester Voo Chee Soon, Deputy Group CEO (Airline Operations) of AirAsia Aviation Group, and Julinus Jeffery Jimit, CEO of Sabah Tourism Board, witnessed by Datuk Christina Liew, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah. The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and Chairman of STB; Tuan Murad Abdul Rashid, Principal Senior Assistant Secretary representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah and Ahmad Al Farouk Ahmad Kamal, Deputy Group CEO (Corporate) of AirAsia Aviation Group.

AirAsia Group aims to enhance overall connectivity in Sabah by potentially launching 14 new exciting domestic and international routes, including Kota Kinabalu-Bandar Sri Begawan, Kota Kinabalu-Perth, Tawau-Guangzhou, Sandakan-Hong Kong, and more. These will be subject to market review and evaluation over the course of the coming months to assess demand for each route, regulatory approvals and other favourable market factors and conditions.

The partnership also includes greater collaboration between the airline and the tourism body to potentially develop the Kota Kinabalu International Airport as a regional aviation hub in the future.

Minister of Tourism Culture and Environment Sabah, Datuk Christina Liew said: “We are pleased to establish this five-year strategic partnership with AirAsia, where we will support bridging the conversation between the airline and relevant stakeholders. Over the past few months, Sabah has become one of the top affordable travel destinations, and AirAsia has played a crucial role in facilitating this milestone. In the first half of the year, we successfully welcomed 1.24 million tourists to Sabah to date, and with AirAsia’s vast reach, we are confident that we can attract more visitors and showcase the unique experiences Sabah has to offer to travellers beyond this region.

“As tourism flourishes, it creates a ripple effect that benefits the local economy in multiple ways. Tourism directly creates jobs in various sectors, such as hospitality, transportation, and retail. As of 2022, tourism alone has contributed 22.8% of employment in the state, including positions in hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and local attractions. The influx of tourists generates additional income for local businesses, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region. Furthermore, the growth in tourism prompts the development of better infrastructure, including roads, airports, and public amenities, benefiting both tourists and residents in the future.”

Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit noted that with 90% of arrivals into Sabah being by air, this strategic partnership will further amplify travel opportunities. He thanks AirAsia for being a supportive camaraderie. 

AirAsia Aviation Group, Deputy Group CEO (Airline Operations) Datuk Captain Chester Voo said: “This partnership marks a significant step for us to expand our connectivity from our second biggest hub in Malaysia, providing more opportunities for our guests in the state to explore the world and for the world to get to know and fall in love with Sabah. Since 2002, we have flown close to almost 80 million guests to and from Sabah, both domestically and internationally. We look forward to seeing these numbers grow exponentially in the next five years with this partnership.

“In 2023 alone, AirAsia flights contributed to a 60% market share for tourism in Sabah, highlighting the immense potential of this region as a major travel destination. Increased connectivity brings more international visitors to Sabah, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding and leading to new opportunities in various sectors. With the continuous support of our guests and partners, we are confident that AirAsia will play a pivotal role in transforming Sabah into a vibrant tourism hub, driving economic growth and improving the livelihoods of its people.”

AirAsia Group flies to 23 destinations to/from Sabah with a total of 294 flights weekly. These destinations include from Kota Kinabalu to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Hong Kong, Seoul and more; from Tawau to Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru and from Sandakan to Kuala Lumpur, excluding the destinations within the Sabah state.

For more information on Sabah’s attractions, head to the website www.sabahtourism.com.

Emirates names senior appointments

DUBAI, 8 July 2024: Emirates Group Chairman and Chief Executive, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, has announced senior appointments to support the organisation’s growth and strengthen its leadership bench.

This latest list of promotions and senior appointments includes seven UAE nationals, many of whom have grown their careers at the Emirates Group in different roles and continue to play key roles in the organisation’s success.

HH Sheikh Ahmed said: “These appointments reflect the expanded scale, breadth, and ambition of our business. I’m heartened that we have been able to fill these roles with internal talent, including UAE nationals. The Emirates Group will continue to invest in being an employer of choice for the best talent in the industry, to deliver world-leading products and services, and reflect Dubai’s vision to be number one in everything we do.” 

Appointments effective 8 July

Mr Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Chief Procurement and Facilities Officer     

Mr Ahmed Safa, Head of Engineering and MRO             

Mr Badr Abbas, Divisional SVP Emirates SkyCargo

Capt Mark Burtonwood, Divisional SVP Group Safety and Network Operations  

Mr Mostafa Karam, Divisional SVP Customer Affairs and Service Audit     

Mr Yousuf Mohammad Ali, Divisional SVP Group Procurement and Logistics  

Mr David Broz, SVP Aeropolitical and Airline Industry Affairs  

Mr Devarajan Srinivasan, SVP Facilities and Asset Management     

Mr Mahmood Al Khaja, SVP Material Management and Repairs 

Mr Will Lofberg, SVP International and Government Affairs    

Appointments effective 1 September

Mr Shahreyar Nawabi, CEO Emirates Flight Catering             

Mr Mahmood Ameen, Divisional SVP Engineering Projects and Aircraft Procurement

For more information on the airline and to make bookings visit www.emirates.com.

Dnata reports summer booking surge

DUBAI 8 July 2024: Dnata Travel, UAE’s longest-serving travel provider, is reporting a 35% increase in bookings for international travel across July and August 2024 compared to the same timings last year. 

As one of the busiest travel seasons fast approaches, the travel agency is supporting thousands of travellers with pre-booked itineraries and last-minute requests across its multiple channels.

For July and August, dnata Travel’s most popular destinations for international travel from the UAE are Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, Turkey, and the UK, respectively. Compared to trends released earlier this summer, Mauritius has emerged to enter the ‘top three’ most-booked holiday destinations. Across summer 2024, the island country is one of the fastest-growing holiday locations for dnata’s travellers, alongside Germany and Malaysia.

International trips are on the agenda for this popular time for summer travel, dominating a 90% majority of overall bookings this year, compared to 10% for UAE staycations. In comparison, the split was reported by dnata Travel experts as 65% international and 35% staycations over the Eid al-Adha break for 2024, with demand for outbound travel witnessing a significant increase.

Dnata Travel Head of Retail and Leisure UAE Meerah Ketait commented: “International travel is in high demand this summer, with destinations including Mauritius, Malaysia, and Germany witnessing some of the strongest growth we’ve seen this year. Mauritius and Malaysia offer the chance to stay on world-class beaches and in exceptional resorts at affordable prices. Kuala Lumpur is also a popular destination in Asia for a city break because of its impressive skyline and opportunities for shopping and dining. Meanwhile, Germany’s vibrant cities are popular this month, as travellers seek to soak up the action of the UEFA European Football Championship, taking place across the country.”

Dnata Travel experts continuously monitor trends and work with long-standing international partners to offer exclusive rates and added extras for the local market alongside the latest in travel inspiration. The travel agency’s summer campaign includes last-minute travel bookings for trending beach and city breaks worldwide.

Highlight offers include holidays in popular summer destinations such as Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, and Turkey.

A top Thailand offer features a three-night stay at the five-star Pimalai Resort and Spa, Krabi (located on Lanta Island), on full-board with complimentary extras, including an excursion, a spa treatment for adults, and activity for kids, in addition to return flights and airport transfers, with a starring price of AED4,000 per person. Pimalai Resort and Spa is enhancing its facilities by adding an underground tunnel near the resort’s main entrance to connect the resort’s beachside estate with its hill estate. The project will be completed by early September 2024.

Qatar boosts daily flights to Colombo

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, 8 July 2024: Qatar Airways will increase its Sri Lanka-Doha flights from the current five-daily schedule to six-daily, effective 10 July 2024. 

The additional flights will be served by the Boeing 787 aircraft, which will fly the additional services, featuring 30 business class seats and 281 economy class seats. With this network enhancement, Qatar Airways will operate a total of 42 weekly flights to and from Sri Lanka, connecting passengers to nearly 170 global destinations worldwide.

Qatar Airways Country Manager Sri Lanka & Maldives, Jonathan Fernando said: “We are thrilled to be increasing our flights to and from Sri Lanka to provide even better connectivity to our passengers. This flight increase is a testament to our commitment to providing our passengers with the best travel experience possible onboard the World’s Best Airline. With more flights to and from Sri Lanka via our home hub, Hamad International Airport, we hope to make it easier for more travellers to discover their dream destination within our robust network.”

The newly added flights will provide passengers with more options to connect to major destinations in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa via Skytrax World’s Best Airport, Hamad International Airport.

STB opens tenders for wellness attractions

SINGAPORE, 8 July 2024: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched a Concept and Price Revenue tender to develop and operate a wellness attraction at the Marina South Coastal site. 

The project is a key part of STB’s strategy to grow wellness tourism, offering holistic and immersive wellness experiences as part of our tourism offerings for visitors.

The four-hectare site is located along the waterfront, and the wellness attraction, when completed, will complement other places of interest such as Gardens by the Bay, Founders’ Memorial in Bay East and Marina Barrage.

In a press statement, STB said it sought proposals “with innovative, high-quality concepts that can positively impact physical, emotional, or mental wellness. These may include therapeutic art,tech-based offerings such as floatation or light and frequencies-based therapies, and complementary health and alternative therapies, as well as fitness or recovery-related activities, such as indoor and outdoor water or equipment-based activities.”

Additionally, the wellness attraction must also implement a strong pipeline of regular, high-quality wellness-themed events or programmes on its premises, as well as in public spaces within the wellness attraction or in the surrounding areas, which will appeal to both tourists and residents.

Singapore Tourism Board Executive Director, World Expo and Special Projects Carrie Kwik said: “With the rising demand for more restorative and wellness-related experiences, we believe Singapore is well-placed to be a leading Urban Wellness destination that prioritises holistic well-being.

“The tender marks a significant stride towards realising our wellness ambition as we leverage Singapore’s strengths in accessibility and technology as a strong business hub. This wellness attraction will contribute to Singapore’s tourism sector by giving travellers more compelling reasons to extend their stay and spend more in Singapore. Locals will also enjoy the wide range of wellness offerings available.”

The tender is open to local and international bidders for three months, with the closing date for submitting proposals set for 4 October 2024.

Banyan opens on Quan Lan Island

HANOI, Vietnam, 8 July 2024: Banyan Group opened Angsana Quan Lan on 1 July, the group’s latest property in Vietnam, located on an island in  Bai Tu Long Bay east of Halong Bay.

Angsana Quan Lan features 156 rooms and suites offering views of the Gulf of Tonkin. An isolated gateway to Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, Quan Lan lies on the eastern edge of Bai Tu Long Bay, just a three-hour drive from Hanoi and a short seaplane or speedboat ride.

“We are thrilled to present Angsana Quan Lan, nestled on an outlying island with a verdant landscape and incredible history. Once a thriving trading port in ancient times, Quan Lan is poised to be reintroduced to the world with our resort debut and will certainly appeal to discerning travellers looking for a unique location,” said Angsana Quan Lan General Manager Karim Klaa. “We look forward to welcoming guests to explore this emerging part of Vietnam and savour unforgettable moments together.”

The resort’s architecture blends Vietnam’s multifaceted culture and natural scenery, offering views of the Gulf of Tonkin. Additional amenities include a rooftop mini-golf course and Vietnam’s first and only coastal zipline integrated into a resort.

Angsana Quan Lan’s dining options include a restaurant highlighting Vietnamese and Asian street food, a Sky Bar, and a marketplace that provides an all-day dining experience with Vietnamese regional specialities. T 

The resort’s extensive recreational options include the largest outdoor lagoon-shaped pool in the region, an indoor all-season pool, and direct access to Son Hao Beach, known for its water sports. 

EU green lights takeover of ITA Airways

SINGAPORE, 8 July 2024: The European Commission’s Competition Authority has approved Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s bid to acquire 41% of ITA Airways, subject to conditions.

The transaction should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024, leading to the swift integration of the Italian airline into the Lufthansa Group. The airline is owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance and, under its present ownership, has been active since 2020.

Photo credit: Lufthansa Group.

Deutsche Lufthansa AG Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr says: “The approval from Brussels is excellent news for ITA Airways and Lufthansa, especially for all passengers flying to and from Italy. 

“We look forward to welcoming ITA Airways and its outstanding employees as new members of our airline family soon. The decision is also a clear signal for strong European air traffic, which can successfully assert itself in global competition.”

Lufthansa Group, the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and ITA Airways have welcomed the EU Commission’s approval under competition law. With this clearance of the competition authority, the way is now clear for the acquisition of a minority stake of 41% in ITA Airways (Italia Trasporto Aereo SpA) and the subsequent acquisition of the remaining shares by Deutsche Lufthansa AG for a capital contribution of EUR325 million, which was already agreed in May 2023. The investment will be completed through a capital increase. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

This requires both the prior implementation of the remedies negotiated with the EU Commission and the approval of other competition authorities outside the EU. Lufthansa Group and MEF have agreed to options for the acquisition of the remaining shares in ITA Airways, which can be exercised as soon as 2025.

ITA Airways will become the fifth network airline to be closely integrated with Lufthansa Group while keeping its brand name as part of the multi-hub, multi-airline, and multi-brand system successfully established by the Lufthansa Group. This will strengthen and further develop ITA Airways’ economic situation. Italy will become the Lufthansa Group’s fifth “home market”. It will then be the Lufthansa Group’s second-largest market in terms of revenue after Germany and the US. 

Flights to Bangkok

Meanwhile, ITA’s website is promoting a new service from Rome to Bangkok that will start this November with five flights weekly until the end of the winter timetable 28 March 2025.

The new route is the first ITA Airways connection between Italy and Thailand and represents one of the highlights of the upcoming 2024/2025 Winter season, alongside the Rome Fiumicino – Dubai flight inaugurating on 27 October 2024.

The Rome – Bangkok flight opened for sale on 1 July. According to the schedule, an Airbus A330neo will fly the route on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 16 November 2024 to 28 March 2025.

In the current summer season, ITA Airways operates 57 destinations, including 16 domestic, 26 international, and 15 intercontinental. The company has recently launched new nonstop flights from its Rome Fiumicino hub to Chicago (April 2024) and Toronto (May 2024), Riyadh (June 2023), and Accra (June  2023). It will inaugurate flights to Dakar on 3 July and Jeddah on 1 August  2024.

ITA Airways was founded in November 2020, started its operations on 15 October 2021 and currently has around 4,860 employees. Based in Rome, the airline carried almost 15 million passengers last year and has a modern fleet of 96 Airbus aircraft, including 23 long-haul and 73 short-haul aircraft. The hub in Rome offers ideal conditions for expanding the joint route network towards Africa and Latin America, thus providing customers with improved connections to the southern hemisphere. ITA Airways currently serves 69 destinations.

Air Inda to launch Kuala Lumpur flights

GURUGRAM, India, 8 July 2024: Air India will start nonstop services between Delhi and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia on 15 September 2024. 

Using its two-class configured Airbus A320neo aircraft, Air India will operate daily on the new route.

The new route will further strengthen Air India’s network of destinations in Southeast Asia, offer a new flight option to an increasing number of travellers between India and Malaysia, and open new connections for Malaysian travellers to access Air India’s global route network. 

“We are happy to support the fast-growing tourism and trade corridor between India and Malaysia with this new daily service,” said Air India Chief Commercial & Transformation Officer Nipun Aggarwal. “Leveraging our robust global network, this route will not only serve travellers flying between the two nations but also offer convenient one-stop connections for travellers from Europe and North America seeking to explore the wonders of Malaysia.”

The new services to Kuala Lumpur will enable convenient one-stop connections via Delhi for travellers from the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. 

Currently, Air India flies nonstop between India and five points in Southeast Asia: Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Yangon (Myanmar). New flights are being progressively opened for bookings on airindia.com and through travel agents worldwide. 

Frasers Hospitality expansion gears up a notch

SINGAPORE, 5 July 2024: Frasers Hospitality, a business unit of Frasers Property, is fortifying its international expansion through collaborations with capital partners and third-party hotel operators 

Over the past 18 months, in addition to its ongoing focus on opening new properties in key gateway locations, Frasers Hospitality acquired its inaugural premium rental apartment assets in Shenzhen, China, and Osaka, Japan, respectively, with joint venture partners.

A two-bedroom executive suite at Modena by Fraser Nansha Guangzhou.

In addition, as an extension of its current extended-stay portfolio offering, Frasers Hospitality is partnering with YOTEL to launch the brand’s first YOTEL property in Japan in early 2025. 

The site was acquired and developed by Frasers Hospitality and is located within walking distance of Tokyo Station, in the city’s most popular dining and shopping enclave.

Frasers Hospitality opened three new properties in Bahrain, Chengdu and Shanghai in the first half of 2024. An additional nine properties are scheduled to open in the next two years across China and Vietnam.

Recent openings 

Modena by Fraser Nansha Guangzhou China stands in Unipark Nansha, a lifestyle destination. Launched on 1 July 2024, the property features 150 fully furnished studios.  

The 210-room Fraser Place Wujiaochang Shanghai, China, opened on 15 June 2024, located in the core area of Yangpu District’s New Jiangwan City, close to Fudan University’s New Jiangwan Campus. 

Fraser Place Chengdu China opened its doors on 28 March 2024 and is located within the prestigious Chengdu Poly International Plaza. It has 238 rooms and suites. 

Fraser Suites Al Liwan Bahrain opened on 18 February 2024 in the vibrant Al Hamala neighbourhood and has 63 rooms and suites.  

The acquisitions add to Frasers Hospitality’s expanding portfolio in North Asia, which includes close to 3,400 units in 16 properties across China, Japan, and South Korea.

Looking Ahead

Over the next four years, Frasers Hospitality will open another 20 properties, including the nine properties scheduled to open over the next two years, as it continues to ride on the travel recovery trajectory post-pandemic.

Spanning an extensive accommodation offering across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Frasers Hospitality strives to continue being the preferred choice for guests and travellers with innovation and personalised service offerings by anticipating customers’ evolving expectations. 

Senior team in place at Dust Thani Bangkok

BANGKOK, 5 July 2024: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has announced the appointment of key leadership talent to spearhead the highly anticipated return of its legendary flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel. 

The hotel will officially open its doors after a stunning transformation on 27 September 2024.

Joining as Executive Assistant Manager of Rooms, Somruedee Getwansopon will lead the hotel’s highly elevated guest room experience. Drawing on a wealth of experience in hotel operations and management for luxury brands such as Kempinski Hotels and Okura Hotels & Resorts, she will oversee several departments to ensure every detail reflects Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and delivers the utmost in comfort and convenience for guests. 

In Sales & Marketing, Nuengruethai Sa-nguansakpakdee has assumed the executive role of Director of Sales and Distribution. Previously Group Director of Sales & Marketing at 137 Pillars Hotels & Resorts in Bangkok, she has a proven track record in senior roles for five-star hotels and resorts across Thailand. Now, she’ll oversee all sales, revenue management, and distribution aspects for Dusit Thani Bangkok.

Peeradej Charoendireksup joins the team as  Director of Marketing. A seasoned marketing and communications professional with experience at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, Centara Hotels & Resorts, and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), he will drive Dusit Thani Bangkok’s strategic marketing and communication initiatives.

The hotel’s six restaurants and bars are poised to deliver memorable experiences under the leadership of Jonathan Forestier, Director of Food & Beverage. He brings over 10 years of experience working in Thailand for luxury brands such as Sofitel and Anantara, most recently leading the food and beverage team at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.

Adrian Rudin.

The newly appointed leadership team will work alongside the hotel’s Managing Director, Adrian Rudin, an industry veteran with over thirty years of experience leading luxury hotels under renowned banners such as Shangri-La and Kempinski Hotels, to deliver meaningful and memorable experiences across the entire guest journey.

“Assembling this team of top industry talents strengthens the solid groundwork we have already done and ensures we are positioned to honour and build on the rich legacy of the original Dusit Thani Bangkok when we officially open our doors this September,” said Rudin. “From luxurious accommodations and innovative culinary experiences to our transformative urban wellness concept, we’re committed to crafting exceptional moments at every turn, delighting discerning travellers and Bangkok residents alike.”

Situated in the same prime location as the original Dusit Thani Bangkok, which graced the Bangkok skyline from 1970 to 2019, Dusit’s reimagined luxury flagship hotel sits at the heart of Dusit Central Park, a landmark mixed-use development. This development also comprises ultra-luxury residences (Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside), a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end retail centre, and an 11,200 sqm Roof Park (all slated to open in 2025). The hotel’s location offers a stay and an entire experience, with access to various amenities and a vibrant community.

Designed to deliver a fresh take on its predecessor’s esteemed heritage and once again stand as a beacon of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality for discerning travellers from all around the world, the newly built 257-key hotel offers ample space for guests, including elegant suites exquisitely crafted by internationally acclaimed Asian interior design firm André Fu Studio, starting at an impressive 50 sq m. A singular corridor floorplan ensures every room offers a breathtaking view of Lumpini Park, and each makes the most of this unparalleled vista with floor-to-ceiling windows and inviting window seating that frames the impressive landscape and fully immerses guests in the stunning scenery. This thoughtful design combination creates an atmosphere of tranquillity and connection with nature, all while enveloping guests in luxurious comfort.

The new Dusit Thani Bangkok is not just a hotel but a destination in itself. It offers a unique urban wellness concept, elevated dining experiences created in collaboration with renowned chefs, a stylish multi-level rooftop bar created in partnership with award-winning mixologists, and expansive banqueting and meeting facilities spanning over 5,000 sq m. This includes one of the largest grand ballrooms in Bangkok, boasting an impressive eight-metre-high ceiling, a panoramic view of Lumpini Park, and a diverse selection of meeting spaces for intimate gatherings and large-scale events. The hotel’s new benchmarks in service, design, and overall guest experience will set a new standard for Dusit Hotels and Resorts worldwide.

More details about the hotel and its special opening offer are available at Dusit Thani Bangkok.