LANGKAWI, 11 March 2024: In a move to boost travel to Langkawi from emerging European markets, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) and ITAKA Poland concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at ITB Berlin last week.
It will lead to Poland’s leading tour operator introducing competitive holiday packages using charter flights for the first time later this year. Direct flights will be introduced from Warsaw to Langkawi Island, winging in hundreds of Polish holidaymakers on weekly departures.
MoU signing between LADA and ITAKA Poland.
‘We have leased a Boeing 787 Dreamliner with 294 seats, which can fly directly from Warsaw to Langkawi. It will be a new and exotic destination for us,” commented Jaralow, head of charter operations at ITAKA.
The visionary collaboration between LADA and tourism players on the island, leading to charter holiday flights from Poland, will propel Langkawi’s tourism to a new level and spur expansion from other emerging European markets.
The strategic MOU signing between LADA and ITAKA is the centrepiece of a significant expansion that will introduce direct charter flights from Poland to Langkawi.
The agreement is supported by collaborating with Malaysia Airport Holding Berhad (MAHB). It leverages Malaysia’s Airlines X-Celeration Programme (AXP), whereby LADA offers charter flight Incentives that will set the stage for an unprecedented surge in tourism to the island,
SINGAPORE, 11 March 2024: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter confirmed during last week’s ITB Berlin that Nepal will host the 5th Himalayan Travel Mart (HTM) from 4 to 7 June 2024 in the country’s capital, Kathmandu.
The trade show delegation from Nepal rustled up interest in the show during ITB, encouraging travel buyers in Europe to attend the annual trade event managed by the PATA Nepal Chapter.
The show is hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and supported by the Nepal Tourism Board, Nepal Airlines, PATA International, other prominent tourism associations, and private-sector tourism businesses in Nepal.
Each year, HTM draws a strong turnout of global travel buyers, exhibitors in Nepal, travel bloggers, influencers, and international media.
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Nepal Chapter led 40 tourism and hospitality business companies from the private sector’s tourism industry in Nepal at last week’s ITB Berlin.
PATA Nepal Chapter chairman Bibhuti Chad Thakur affirmed PATA Nepal’s commitment to ongoing tourism marketing and promotion, expressing joy in maintaining and promoting Nepal’s image at one of the world’s premier travel shows.
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 March 2024: Costa Serena will be sailing from Port Klang in Malaysia to Phuket in South Thailand on four-day/five-night cruises throughout March before it relocates to its homeport in Keelung Port, Taiwan.
The 3,780-passenger Italian-owned cruise ship has been sailing from its seasonal homeport of Port Klang in Malaysia since January, offering cruises to Penang, Langkawi, and Phuket. The cruise series is sold exclusively through Asian tour operators led by Hwajing Travel & Tours. During March, Costa Serena will sail from its seasonal homeport of Port Klang to the shores of Phuket, mooring off Patong Bay. Cruise packages start at MYR980 per person.
Photo credit: Hwajing Travel & Tours. Costa Serena visits Patong Bay Phuket island.
Once the school holidays close, the ship will sail to its homeport in Keelung Port, Taiwan, where it will resume sailings to South Korea (Busan) and Nagasaki in Japan.
The January to March sailings in Southeast Asia marks the first time that Costa Serena has homeported seasonally in Port Klang, Malaysia. Costa Cruises and Hwajing Travel & Tours signed a partnership last October, making Port Klang the first international cruise port in Malaysia for a seasonal cruise series for the first quarter of 2024, a decision that tourism officials said was an “opportunity for Malaysia to show its attractiveness as a cruise tourism destination, but also brings a positive impact to the economy and promises a paradigm shift in the country’s cruise industry.”
During the launch press conference, Hwajing Travel & Tours managing director Kenny Cheong said that “collaboration with Costa Cruises was in line with the travel company’s commitment to exploring new markets and offering the best travel experience.”
Costa Serena has adapted to the Southeast Asia market by introducing services and offers to meet the needs of Muslim travellers. The ship gained Halal Certification before its stay in Malaysia to meet the needs of Muslim travellers in Southeast Asia.
Costa Serena offers a three-day, two-night voyage from Port Klang to Penang and extends the cruises to up to four days/five nights, including a stop in Phuket, Thailand. Next month, Costa Serena returns to Taiwan, docking at Keelung Port, where it joins France’s Ponant Le Soleal, which also made Keelung its home port. Norwegian Spirit will visit Taiwan this summer, making Keelung and Kaohsiung its dual home ports.
Klook, a trip and activity online booking platform, is selling two-night Costa Serena cruises that will sail to Busan, South Korea, on 8 June and visit Fukuoka and Nagasaki in Japan.
SINGAPORE, 11 March 2024: To mark International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) underscored the pivotal role of women in the global travel and tourism sector.
According to WTTC data, women comprise a significant portion of the tourism sector’s workforce, accounting for nearly 40% of the total employment.
This marks a substantial increase from 2010 to 2019, highlighting a 24% surge in direct female employment within the sector, increasing from 38.6 million to 47.8 million.
Key findings reveal that hospitality stands out as the leading employer of women within the Travel & Tourism sector, with over half (52%) of all female employment in 2019 attributed to this segment.
WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson emphasises the positive impact of women in the sector, stating, “Women in travel and tourism play a vital role. We are proud that our sector is one of the largest employers of women in the world.
“As our sector continues to grow, women have a key role to play; we have the opportunity to make travel and tourism more resilient and inclusive. Putting women at the heart of travel and tourism will be critical to securing a sustainable future for the sector.”
The global body’s data also reveals women in travel and tourism surpass the average workforce participation in other sectors globally. In regions such as the Americas, women make up a larger share of employment in the sector compared to the economy-wide workforce.
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this data underscores the significant contribution of women to the travel and tourism sector, portraying it as a catalyst for gender inclusivity and empowerment on a global scale.
WTTC remains committed to providing high-wage jobs, gender equality, fostering entrepreneurship through SMEs, and generating more high-level opportunities for women within large corporations.
HONG KONG, 11 March 2024: United is expanding its global route network, adding new nonstop flights between New York/Newark and Marrakesh, Morocco, plus Tokyo/Narita-Cebu, Philippines.
United confirmed last week that it will also increase flights to popular destinations worldwide, including Hong Kong, Seoul, South Korea, and Porto, Portugal. Additionally, the airline will add four weekly flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai, as the Chinese and US governments recently agreed to increase flights between the two countries*.
Including the latest additions to its route network, United will offer nonstop service to 134 international destinations across 67 countries.
“We have consistently been ahead of the curve in finding hidden gem destinations for our customers to explore and remain committed to providing the most unique slate of travel options for their adventures abroad,” said United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, Patrick Quayle.
Tickets for United’s new Shanghai and Cebu flights are on sale now on the United app and United.com.
Asia network changes
Tokyo/Narita-Cebu, Philippines United expands its presence in the Philippines with a new nonstop service from Tokyo-Narita to Cebu, starting 31 July. United will be the only US carrier to fly to Cebu with daily flights using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The flight will connect with United’s flights out of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Newark-New York, and Houston to Tokyo-Narita. United is the only US carrier offering transpacific service to the Philippines, with daily flights between San Francisco and Manila. Also, it flies to Manila from Guam and Palau.
In addition, the airline is continuing to rebuild its mainland China schedule, with four weekly flights between Shanghai and Los Angeles on a Boeing 787-9 starting 29 August. By late October, the Shanghai-Los Angeles route will have a daily service. It will complement United’s daily service between San Francisco and Shanghai and San Francisco and Beijing. This enhanced service is enabled by the agreement between the governments of the US and China to increase flights between the two countries.
United will add more flights to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea. On 26 October, United will launch its second daily Los Angeles-Hong Kong flight on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft, complementing its two daily flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong. The airline will also offer year-round, twice-daily flights between San Francisco and Seoul starting 25 October. Additionally, United will expand its Tokyo service with a new route between Haneda and Guam in May.
ROME, 11 March 2024: Justice For Myanmar, a covert activist group campaigning for justice and accountability for the people of Myanmar, calls on Italy to take swift action against Htoo Group shareholder and director Rachel Tayza, following a legal submission presented on 4 March 2024 by French lawyers William Bourdon and Lily Ravon
The submission calls for Italian authorities to investigate Htoo Htwe Tay Za, alias Rachel Tayza, for her alleged “involvement as a shareholder and director of companies that are part of the EU-sanctioned Htoo Group of Companies, and, where appropriate, to freeze her assets and to remove her from Italy.”
The submission alleges that while residing in Italy, Tayza continues to hold shares and act as director of at least seven Htoo Group companies, including ones formed after the military’s coup in February 2021 and those in direct business with the Myanmar army.
It points the finger at the tourism and hospitality company Ayeyarwaddy Resorts and Lodges Company Limited as one of those identified companies. Justice for Myanmar alleges it has build-operate-transfer contracts with the Myanmar army’s EU-sanctioned Office of the Quarter Master General regarding a multipurpose commercial project, including a hotel, luxury residence towers and a shopping mall on 22 acres of land in Yangon.
The US, UK, Canada, and the EU have extended sanctions against the Htoo Group. On 31 January 2023, the US sanctioned Rachel Tayza for her active role in the Htoo Group of Companies and for being the adult daughter of the Htoo Group chairperson, Tay Za. The EU, USA, UK, and Canada also sanctioned her. Rachel’s brothers, Pye Phyo Tay Za and Htoo Htet Tay Za, are also sanctioned by the USA, UK, and Canada.
In its reasons for sanctions, the EU noted: “Htoo Group of Companies has acted as an intermediary for the provision of military equipment which was used against civilian populations protesting against the 1 February coup, all across the country and in particular in areas with ethnic minorities.”
Justice for Myanmar describes Htoo Group as a “key node in the Myanmar military’s international network of businesses” that provides it with funds through its network of more than 60 businesses in Myanmar and Singapore.
One of the enterprises, Aureum Palace Hotels and Resorts, operates 11 hotels in Myanmar that are promoted and bookable on various online travel agency websites. International booking websites that accept payments in USD and Euro through credit cards could breach US and EU sanctions.
Another company, Myanmar Treasure Resorts, is under Htoo Hospitality operations, while Htoo Trading closed two airlines, Air Bagan in 2015 and Asian Wings Airlines in 2019. According to a Justice For Myanmar investigation, Rachel Tayza has been residing in Milan, where she recently completed her studies at a fashion school supported by proceeds from the Htoo Group of Companies.
Justice For Myanmar urges the EU to impose sanctions on the whole Htoo Group network of companies and individuals, including Rachel Tayza, as well as all other Myanmar junta cronies and brokers.
Justice For Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung says: “Weak sanctions enforcement by Italian authorities has allowed Tayza to do business in Italy that funds an illegal and illegitimate military junta.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 11 March 2024: Vietjet will launch direct flights from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, to Hiroshima in Japan starting 12 May.
Initially, the airline will schedule two weekly flights on Thursday and Sunday, using an A320 with a flight time of around four hours.
Flights* will depart from Hanoi at 0600 (local time) and arrive in Hiroshima at 1230. The return flights depart from Hiroshima Airport at 1330 and arrive at Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) at 1620.
Hiroshima is located in the Southwest of Japan. It has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the Itsukushima Shrine with the Torii gate on the Seto Inland Sea. It also has many famous landmarks, such as Ueno-Hiroshima Park and Senkoji Park.
Vietjet flies from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to famous Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Nayoga, and Fukuoka.
According to the latest update on flights between cities in Vietnam and Japan provided by OAG, Vietjet’s seat capacity is 34.7% of the total available seats. Vietnam Airlines commands the largest share at 41.6%, followed by All Nippon Airways at 12.8% and Japan Airlines at 10.9%.
LANGKAWI, 8 March 2024: Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) is poised to capture the global tourism community’s attention by focusing exclusively on Langkawi’s enchanting islands, pristine beaches and tropical charm.
Through activities, expos, and partnerships, Langkawi is moving forward in top gear to broaden its global reach in 2024.
At the forefront of this initiative is the “Langkawi Seminar and Business to Business Workshop with Malaysian Product Owners” in Amsterdam. LADA reported hosting 40 tourism agencies based in Amsterdam this week for a tourism presentation at the Corendon Hotel Schiphol last week.
The event served as a platform to strengthen ties with Tourism Malaysia in The Hague to enhance efforts to position Langkawi as the destination for discerning travellers searching for natural wonders and unparalleled experiences.
“As we eagerly anticipate the grand unveiling of Langkawi’s latest tourism attraction and hospitality, we invite you to discover the meticulous craftsmanship behind the offerings designed to captivate visitors with unique and immersive experiences. This unveiling not only showcases the diverse attractions of Langkawi but also reflects LADA’s steadfast commitment to ensuring every traveller enjoys a truly memorable and exceptional experience,” said LADA’s newly appointed chief executive officer, Dato Haslina Abdul Hamid.
Following the Amsterdam promotion, LADA participated in ITB Berlin earlier this week, from 5 to 7 March, to broaden Langkawi’s global reach. This premier international tourism event served as a stellar platform to showcase Langkawi’s natural beauty, attracting global attention and fostering partnerships that will contribute significantly to the island’s growth in the tourism sector.
Expanding the global footprint further, LADA has recently engaged in constructive discussions with ITAKA in Poland to finalise a series of charter flights to Langkawi, scheduled for Q4 2024.
This collaboration stems from fruitful talks initiated at ITB 2023 that laid the foundation for a promising partnership. A pivotal moment in this collaboration was ITAKA’s reconnaissance visit to Langkawi in September 2023, where they witnessed firsthand the allure and potential for an exceptional tourist experience. During the meeting with ITAKA, the Langkawi Development Authority presented the Langkawi Charter Flight Incentive Programme, which supports and incentivises charter flights to Langkawi. During ITB Berlin earlier this week, LADA and ITAKA concluded a positive round of discussions leading up to the signing of a MoU.
Dato Haslina Abdul Hamid added: “Regarding our vision for LADA, we strongly emphasise the island’s captivating charm and coastal beauty, aiming to position the archipelago as a destination on every traveller’s must-visit list.
“Our collaboration with Tourism Malaysia in The Hague and ongoing discussions with ITAKA are a testament to LADA’s unwavering commitment to creating a robust and sustainable tourism ecosystem.”
As Langkawi prepares for the charter flight series, LADA invites B2B travel content providers and global travellers to experience the magic of Langkawi’s islands and beaches. A journey that promises to be unforgettable and immersed in the heart of nature’s paradise.
With a leisurely 13-hour KLM flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur and a short one-hour domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, travellers can discover the allure of Langkawi, where the beauty of its islands and beaches awaits, making every moment a cherished memory.
06 MAR 2024, BERLIN/GERMANY:
Emirates Airlines, ITB Berlin
IMAGE: 20240306-01
RIGHTS OF USE: Unlimited rights of use in all media (print and online) of Emirates AIrline and the right to transmit this rights to third parties.
BERLIN, Germany, 8 March 2024: Emirates and ITA Airways have inked an MoU to expand their existing interline into a full codeshare partnership.
Once activated, the codeshare will boost travel options and connection choices for customers travelling between Dubai, Italy, and beyond.
06 MAR 2024, BERLIN/GERMANY:
Emirates Airlines, ITB Berlin
IMAGE: 20240306-01
RIGHTS OF USE: Unlimited rights of use in all media (print and online) of Emirates AIrline and the right to transmit this rights to third parties.
The MoU signed on Wednesday during ITB Berlin will establish the foundations to strengthen the partnership between both airlines, creating one-stop connections to popular cities across Italy and wider Europe with ITA Airways. It will also open up simpler and faster journeys to the Emirates network from Dubai.
Emirates Airline deputy president and chief commercial officer Adnan Kazim said: “Enhancing our partnerships and boosting our presence in key regions such as Europe is an integral part of our commercial strategy and underscores our commitment to providing customers flexibility through our partners’ complementary networks. Working closely with ITA Airways will strengthen our footprint across exciting cities in Italy and key points in Europe. We look forward to fully activating our partnership with ITA Airways in the coming months and providing unrivalled access to both of our growing networks.”
ITA Airways chairman Antonino Turicchi said: “This MoU further enhances ITA Airways’ commercial growth strategy and opens up a privileged access route to all passengers who will benefit from the connectivity via Rome Fiumicino and Dubai.”
Under the planned codeshare, Emirates’ customers can travel to several domestic cities in Italy from the airline’s gateway in Rome, including popular tourist destinations like Florence, Genoa, Palermo, and Trieste. Customers can also connect to cities across Europe, including Tirana, Sofia, and other major cities.
ITA Airways customers will benefit from significantly enhanced choices by connecting to the Emirates route network from Dubai via the airline’s Rome services. The connectivity provided between Emirates and ITA Airways will eventually offer combined ticketing and seamless baggage transfers. The planned agreement will also support inbound visitation to Italian points from regions across the Emirates network, including Australia, the Far East, the Middle East/GCC and West Asia.
The MoU also seeks to establish extending reciprocal loyalty benefits on both airlines’ frequent flyer programmes at a later stage.
Once the necessary government and regulatory approvals are obtained, the codeshare flights will progressively be made available to customers across online and travel agency platforms.
Emirates has been serving Italy since 1992. The airline currently operates 41 weekly flights between Dubai and its four Italian gateways, including Rome, Milan, Venice, and Bolonga, using a mix of Boeing 777s and Airbus A380s.
DUBAI, UAE, 8 March 2024: Dubai-based Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives & Events (AAMIE) has won the prestigious SITE Crystal Award for Excellence in Incentive Travel, Africa and the Middle East for the fourth time.
The specialist events division of Arabian Adventures, UAE’s leading destination management company, has been recognised for designing and delivering an exceptional, multi-city event in the UAE for top-performing employees of a France-based renewable energy company, in association with LDR, Groupe WMH PROJECT. Presented by The Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the SITE Crystal Award is considered the highest honour in the incentive travel industry.
Arabian Adventures team wins Crystal Award for the fourth time.
The event marked the first Middle East-based edition of the French company’s long-standing employee reward programme, renowned for its adventurous destinations that ‘challenge expectations’. Previous events were held in Panama, Cambodia, and South Africa. For Arabian Adventures’ UAE-based adventure, 78 guests from 20 countries travelled to the Emirates.
In designing the event, Arabian Adventures focused on a sense of contrast between different worlds, times, and paces between the emirates of Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Highlights of the winning itinerary
Day 1: Dubai
After Dubai Airport’s fast track, a VIP chauffeur drive took guests deep into the city’s Old Town to stay at a hotel built to blend into the setting. Dubai Creek’s ancient souks, local people, and traditional Emirati food were the focus of day one. Guests then plunged back into the modern world for a sea-to-land view of the famous Dubai skyline, with an Arabian Gulf sunset overlooking the iconic Burj Al Arab.
Day 2: Abu Dhabi
A contrast between different worlds continued as guests travelled to the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi. They explored masterpieces of European and Middle Eastern art in the city’s unique collaboration with the Paris Louvre, toured the magnificent Grand Mosque, and explored the winding channels and unspoilt nature of the Eastern Mangroves.
Days 3-6: Ras Al Khaimah
The third stage took guests to Ras Al Khaimah’s ancient trading centre, where few large groups had previously visited. From there, they trekked with a Bedouin tribe, learned desert survival skills, met pearl fishermen, and visited the ruins of an abandoned fort – transformed into a private dining venue at night. The finale of their journey saw guests travel to the highest point in the country – the summit of Jebel Jais.
Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives and Events director Justine Thomas commented: “When designing the itinerary for our clients’ first Middle East-based reward programme, we placed a significant emphasis on nature, reflecting their teams pioneering work in renewable and green energy. We wanted to offer them the chance to experience the UAE’s unparalleled juxtaposition of history and modernity amidst some of the world’s most incredible natural landscapes, from the beach to the desert, cityscapes, and beyond. We are proud to return this award to the UAE for the fourth time.”
The 2024 edition of the SITE Crystal Awards was held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 26 to 29 February. Global travel, events, and destination management companies competed to win the coveted accolades.
To discover more about Arabian Adventures Meetings, Incentives & Events (AAMIE), its award-winning team, event concepts, and delivery, visit www.arabianadventuresmice.com.
