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Emirates takes veggie farm under its wing

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DUBAI UAE, 23 February 2024: Emirates Flight Catering, one of the world’s largest catering operations, has fully acquired Emirates Bustanica, formerly Emirates Crop One, and its consumer brand Bustanica, the world’s largest indoor vertical farm.

This strategic move establishes Emirates Bustanica as a fully UAE-owned company, helping sustain the country’s vision of enhancing food and water security and its agricultural capabilities. The acquisition empowers Emirates Bustanica to leverage its local expertise and the latest tech know-how to meet the market’s growing demands.

Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, Bustanica’s 330,000 sqft facility can grow more than one million kg of quality leafy greens annually, equivalent to three tonnes daily, using 95% less water than conventional agriculture.

Operating under the brand name Bustanica, the produce is available across all major retailers in the UAE, such as Spinney’s, Waitrose, Carrefour, and Choithrams. Customers on Emirates and other airlines enjoy this farm-fresh produce in their salads and meals.

Since its launch in July 2022, Bustanica has become a part of UAE’s dinner table conversations, thanks to its growing range of leafy greens, herbs and microgreens that can and should be eaten straight out of the box – even tap water can contaminate the produce. Bustanica’s produce is grown without pesticides or herbicides and is 100% clean, fresh, and nutrient-rich. Bustanica produces a variety of lettuce, spinach, parsley, and kale.

Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence, and other patented technologies – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists, and plant scientists.

More recently, Emirates Bustanica was a preferred produce supplier for COP28, a recognition of its commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

About Emirates Flight Catering

Operating the largest flight catering facility in the world at Dubai International Airport, Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) is a global leader in aviation hospitality. EKFC offers a comprehensive range of services, including airline catering, airport dining, private dining and event catering, and food supplies to the HORECA and hospitality industries, complemented by support services such as laundry. Renowned for its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, EKFC consistently delivers exceptional culinary experiences tailored to the discerning tastes of consumers worldwide. With cutting-edge facilities, a dedicated team of culinary experts, and state-of-the-art technology, EKFC continues to set the standard for premium dining across the aviation and wider hospitality industries.

For bookings and flight information, visit www.emirates.com.
For more information on the vertical farm, check out Bustanica 

(Source: Emirates)

Pandaw sails in the premier league

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 February 2024: Pandaw has been named a winner in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best River Cruise Line worldwide. 

Making it to USA Today’s top 10 of the world’s best river cruises, Pandaw is the only Asian boutique specialist among a stellar cast of some of the largest global operators. 

“We are proud to continue flying the flag for small ship expeditions across Asia and look forward to continuing to provide unique adventures on the waterways of Southeast Asia and India to our loyal travellers,” the Pandaw team said in a statement released on Thursday.

Pandaw gained the fifth ranking in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best River Cruise Line 2024, announced in the US on 16 February following an independent selection process by its editors and readers. 

Introducing the list, USA Today noted that “river cruising has been exploding in popularity in recent years, and it’s easy to see why. You check in, unpack your bag, and let your floating hotel take you on a journey of discovery down some of the world’s great waterways, with experiential guided excursions along the way.

“The 10 river cruise lines have been selected by a panel of cruise industry experts and voted as the best by readers because they offer stellar experiences — both on the ship and off — from comfy staterooms and top-notch cuisine to outings that are expertly led and culturally immersive.”

Pandaw, the only Asian river cruise operator in the top-10 list, was ranked fifth with the following citation:
“Adventurous travellers hop aboard any of Pandaw’s fleet of riverboats to cruise the waterways of Myanmar, India, Borneo, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Pandaw’s 17 boats, handcrafted in brass and teak, offer spacious promenades, observation decks for outdoor viewing, and expansive staterooms where every window can be opened. Local cuisine is prepared from locally sourced ingredients whenever possible.”

Check the full listing at https://10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-river-cruise-line-2024/ 

To book a river cruise with Pandaw and experience award-winning service and itineraries first-hand, contact pandaw.com or contact [email protected]

Download a brochure: https://www.pandaw.com/brochures?utm_source=pandaw&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=usa-today-winner-feb24 

Trip.com’s results map robust recovery

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TTR WEEKLY
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SHANGHAI, 23 February 2024: Domestic and international businesses continued to recover robustly in the fourth quarter of 2023, Trip.com Group, a leading one-stop travel service provider, reported this week in its unaudited financial results for Q4 and full year of 2023.

Domestic hotel reservations grew by over 130% year over year.

Outbound hotel and air reservations recovered to over 80% of the pre-Covid level for the same period in 2019, compared to a 60% industry recovery in terms of international air passenger volume for the same period.

Total bookings on the company’s global OTA platform increased by over 70% year-over-year.

Financial highlights Q4 

The company delivered strong financial results Q4 of 2023. Net revenue grew by 105% compared to the same period in 2022. 
Net income was RMB1.3 billion (USD189 million).

Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter was RMB2.9 billion (USD401 million). The adjusted EBITDA margin was 28%, which improved from 6% for the same period in 2022.

“We are pleased with the strong results achieved across our business segments in the past year,” said Trip.com Group chief executive officer Jane Sun. “The global travel industry has shown remarkable resilience and is poised to sustain its growth trajectory. To capitalise on this trend and unlock new opportunities, we remain committed to investing in technology and product innovation, enhancing customer services, and promoting sustainable travel industry development.”

Jane Sun CEO Trip.com Group

Q4 and full year 2023 business updates

The company’s business has recovered significantly due to the resilient travel demand, leading to a surge in travel bookings and boosting revenue in 2023.

For the fourth quarter of 2023, Trip.com Group reported net revenue of RMB10.3 billion (USD1.5 billion), representing a 105% increase from the same period in 2022, primarily due to the substantial recovery of the travel market. Net revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by 25% from the previous quarter, primarily due to seasonality.

For the full year of 2023, net revenue was RMB44.5 billion (USD6.3 billion), representing a 122% increase from 2022.

Accommodation reservation revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB3.9 billion (USD550 million), representing a 131% increase from the same period in 2022, primarily due to the substantial recovery of the travel market. Accommodation reservation revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by 30% from the previous quarter, primarily due to seasonality.

For the full year of 2023, accommodation reservation revenue was RMB17.3 billion (US$2.4 billion), representing a 133% increase from 2022. The accommodation reservation revenue accounted for 39% of the total revenue during 2023 and 37% in 2022.

Transportation ticketing revenue for Q4 2023 was RMB4.1 billion (USD578 million), representing an 86% increase from the same period in 2022, primarily due to the substantial recovery of the travel market. Transportation ticketing revenue for Q4 2023 decreased by 23% from the previous quarter, primarily due to seasonality.

For the full year of 2023, transportation ticketing revenue was RMB18.4 billion (USD2.6 billion), representing a 123% increase from 2022. The transportation ticketing revenue accounted for 41% of the total revenue both in 2023 and 2022.

Packaged-tour revenue for Q4 2023 was RMB704 million (USD99 million), representing a 329% increase from the same period in 2022. Packaged-tour revenue for the fourth quarter of 2023 decreased by 47% from the previous quarter, primarily due to seasonality.

For the full year of 2023, packaged-tour revenue was RMB3.1 billion (US$442 million), representing a 294% increase from 2022. The packaged-tour revenue accounted for 7% of the total revenue in 2023 and 4% in 2022.

Corporate travel revenue for Q4 2023 was RMB634 million (USD89 million), representing a 129% increase from the same period in 2022 and a 7% increase from the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, corporate travel revenue was RMB2.3 billion (USD317 million), representing a 109% increase from 2022. Corporate travel revenue accounted for 5% of the total revenue in 2023 and 2022.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB1.3 billion (USD189 million), compared to RMB2.1 billion for the same period in 2022 and RMB4.6 billion for the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2023 was RMB2.9 billion (USD401 million), compared to RMB286 million for the same period in 2022 and RMB4.6 billion for the previous quarter. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 28% for the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to 6% for the same period in 2022 and 34% for the previous quarter.

For the full year of 2023, net income was RMB10.0 billion (USD1.4 billion), compared to RMB1.4 billion in 2022.

(Source: Trip.com Group Limited)

HK reports positive passenger traffic

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 February 2024: Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) released air traffic figures for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) for January 2024, recording a robust increase in passenger traffic with the highest growth from Southeast Asia, Taiwan and China.

During the month, HKIA handled 4.1 million passengers and 28,755 flight movements, representing year-on-year increases of 100.0% and 77.3%, respectively.

HKIA was named “International Airport of the Year” at the 2023 Sky Choice Travel Awards.

The growth in passenger traffic continued a steady recovery trend, with significant increases in all passenger segments compared to January 2023. The highest growth in passenger traffic was recorded on flights from Southeast Asia, Mainland China and Taiwan.

Cargo throughput maintained its solid momentum in January 2024, registering a year-on-year increase of 31.1% to 377,000 tonnes. The month also saw a substantial year-on-year increase in exports of 44.5%. In January, traffic to and from key trading regions in North America, Europe and the Middle East posted the highest increases.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume recorded 41 million, 443.1% higher than the previous comparable period. Flight movements and cargo throughput saw year-on-year surges of 101.9% and 7.9% to 288,620 and 4.4 million tonnes, respectively.

HKIA continues to expand its extensive air network. The airport recently welcomed two new airlines: Ruili Airlines, connecting with Nanning in Mainland China, and Cambodia Angkor Air, connecting with Phnom Penh respectively.

Meanwhile, HKIA was named “International Airport of the Year” at the 2023 Sky Choice Travel Awards organised by CAAC Inflight Magazine, the official inflight publication of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The awards celebrate achievements in the aviation, hotel and travel sectors, commending leaders and forward-thinkers steering post-pandemic economies in industry development, innovation, quality service and customer experience. Winners are determined by online voting, with evaluations by an expert jury panel and the magazine’s editorial team.

AAHK chief operating officer Vivian Cheung said: “We are delighted that HKIA has been named ‘International Airport of the Year’ at the 2023 Sky Choice Travel Awards. As an international aviation hub, we are committed to offering and continuously enhancing the airport facilities and services through innovation and technology.”

(Source: AAHK)

Vietjet signs MOU to buy A330neo widebodies

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 February 2024: Vietjet Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus to purchase 20 A330-900 wide-body aircraft. 

The aircraft will serve the carrier’s growing long-range network and high-capacity regional services. They will replace the current fleet of leased A330-300s and support network expansion. 

Vietjet chief executive officer Dinh Viet Phuong said: “The new A330neo aircraft is a strategic addition to comprehensively modernise Vietjet’s fleet, enhancing operational capabilities to support our global flight network expansion plan. Its fuel-efficient new-generation design aligns with our sustainable development strategy and ESG goals, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. With the introduction of the A330neo, passengers can look forward to longer-range, well-equipped flights with excellent services at more competitive fares.”

Powered by the latest generation Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330-900 can fly 7,200 nm/13,300 km nonstop. At the end of January 2024, the A330 Family had accumulated 1,771 firm orders from more than 130 customers worldwide.

US Airlines return to Stockholm Arlanda

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 February 2024: Flight connectivity between Sweden and North America will substantially increase in mid-April when two new long-haul routes will be added to the existing supply from Stockholm Arlanda airport. 

Both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are returning and will operate routes from Stockholm Arlanda to Newark and JFK during the summer season of 2024.

The return of the two airlines will raise departures from Stockholm to North America by five flights per day or close to 30 per week. 

The news that United Airlines and Delta Air Lines business and leisure travellers, particularly families, during the summer holiday season. 

During the summer season, Stockholm Arlanda Airport will have direct routes to several hubs in North America. Air Canada, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines will operate routes to Toronto, Montreal and New York several times a week starting on 10 April (Delta Air Lines), 6 June (United Airlines) and 13 June (Air Canada), respectively, in addition to the routes already served by SAS (Toronto and New York).

India’s Vistara launches Points Fest

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TTR WEEKLY
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GURUGRAMม India, 23 February 2024: Vistara’s loyalty programme announced one of its biggest annual campaigns this week – Points Fest 2024 across its bank/hotel point transfer partners. 

The Club Vistara campaign is open through 31 March 2024, offering members and Vistara flyers (post-enrolment) the chance to earn a bonus of up to 100,000 CV points (per transaction per eligible points transfer partner) when transferring bank/hotel reward points to CV points. 

The campaign allows members to earn up to 40% bonus CV points (up to 100,000 CV points per partner and 11,00,000 CV points with all points transfer partners) on eligible bank/hotel reward programmes with a minimum transfer of 5000 CV points. The eligible points transfer partners include American Express, AU Bank, Club ITC, FAB, FI Money, HDFC Bank, HSBC, IndusInd Bank, SBI AURUM, SCB UAE, and Yes Bank.

Vistara’s chief commercial officer, Deepak Rajawat, said: “In the last three years, our annual Points Fest has become a much-anticipated campaign amongst the members of Club Vistara. This year, we are delighted to launch yet another edition of this campaign with bigger customer benefits and rewards. This is our way of expressing gratitude to our loyal customers for their continued support and love over the last nine years.”

With the accumulated CV points, members can enjoy various redemption options, such as award flights and upgrade awards across all Vistara destinations. 

Additionally, participants can win prizes, including a weekly raffle where two lucky winners will receive a Vistara Purple Ticket Gift Card worth INR 5000 each. The top five Club Vistara members with the highest CV points transferred across eligible partners until 31 March 2024 will each receive a Vistara Purple Ticket Gift Card worth INR 10000.

(Source: Vistara)

ITC leads Muslim-friendly sales mission

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TTR WEEKLY
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LONDON, 23 February 2024: The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) and Tourism Malaysia are leading a special Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) Sales Mission to Paris, France and London, UK, this week.

The mission enables Malaysian tourism industry players to reach out to travel agents and Muslim community associations in the two European capital cities to share information on the best Muslim-friendly Malaysia offerings.

The mission highlights the importance of booking Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality Assurance and Recognition (MFAR)-approved services, such as accommodation and Muslim-Friendly Tourist Guides (MFTGs).

In London, ITC and Tourism Malaysia will lead Malaysia’s delegation to the Muslim Travel Show at Excel London from 24 February to 25, which will be the final stop of the two-country sales mission. The event will attract around 40,000 visitors over two days. The sales mission will present Malaysia’s varied attractions and services from ITC, Tourism Malaysia and other partners showcasing their MFTH products and services, namely Andalusia Travel and Tours, Kurma Getaways Travel Management and Nasyrul Quran.

ITC and Tourism Malaysia will also introduce the newly launched MY Ramadan Experience packages to the European market, where tourists can find an impressive selection of four-day, three-night or three-day, two-night programmes, offering an opportunity to immerse themselves in the festivities of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month, in Malaysia.

ITC director-general Nizran Noordin said: “ITC organised this sales mission following the success of the China Imam familiarisation trip we organised last January, where some 35 Imams from the East Asian country were introduced to Malaysia’s diverse culture, heritage, nature and modern attractions in a tour package tailored to suit the Muslim tourists’ interests and needs. By working with Imams and collaborating with our partner, Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association (MICA), we hope to see a cascading impact that leads to 18,000 Muslim tourists from China visiting Malaysia from this effort alone.”

He added: “We see the same opportunity in the European market that we want to tap. In France, there is a Muslim population of 5.7 million. In the UK, a study revealed that 68% of British Muslims prioritise halal food availability and Muslim-friendly environments when they choose their travel destinations. Traditionally considered in the tourism industry to have substantial purchasing power, the market shows a high demand for outbound travel, a combination that Malaysia’s tourism businesses can benefit from, especially in preparing for the much-anticipated Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”

A Muslim-majority nation, Malaysia provides a mature and established Muslim-friendly ecosystem that allows Muslim travellers to enjoy the widely available Halal food ranging from local delicacies to international fast-food chains, visit tourist attraction sites with on-site Musollahs, spend their nights at Muslim-friendly hotels, and enjoy many other value-added services that make travelling a hassle-free experience for them. 

These have earned Malaysia the top position in the CrescentRating and Mastercard Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) report on Muslim-Friendly Destination Ranking for eight consecutive times from 2015 to 2023 (no report was released in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic). On top of that, the recently announced plans for Malaysia’s visa liberalisation and connectivity expansion will make the destination even more accessible to global Muslim travellers.

About Islamic Tourism Centre:
Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) is an entity under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Malaysia, tasked to develop the Islamic Tourism segment for Malaysia. It advocates for Muslim-friendly tourism (MFT) by offering research and market intelligence, training, industry development consultation, Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) services standards and recognition, and information exchange.

Centara achieves four ESG milestones

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 22 February 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, celebrates four remarkable sustainability achievements that underscore its commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence. 

In 2023, Centara Hotels & Resorts achieved an ‘A’ rating in the MSCI ESG Ratings, secured its sixth consecutive recognition on the SET ESG Ratings list (formerly THSI), including its first ‘A’ ranking, earned the Sustainability Disclosure Recognition from the Thaipat Institute for the fourth consecutive year, and will be included in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024.

As part of the TRT Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines Industry, Central Plaza Hotel Public Company Limited [CENTEL], Centara’s parent company, has been recognised as an ‘Industry Mover’ in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2024 for its exceptional sustainability practices. 

This prestigious recognition spotlights companies that have achieved at least a 5% increase in their S&P Global 2023 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA Score) and demonstrated the biggest improvement within their industry. CENTEL achieved a CSA Score of 60/100, marking a 12-point rise from the previous year and positioning the company in the top 15% of its industry. This score was part of the S&P Global 2023 CSA assessment, which covered 62 industries and 9,400 companies and analysed 174,000 documents and 16.5 million data points.

Central Plaza Hotel Public Company Limited [CENTEL], Centara’s parent company, achieved an outstanding ‘A’ rating in the MSCI ESG Ratings assessment, a testament to its robust ESG practices. MSCI ESG Research, a globally recognised authority, provides in-depth research, ratings and analysis of the ESG-related business practices of thousands of companies worldwide. It evaluates companies on a scale from AAA to CCC based on their exposure to industry-specific risks and their ability to manage them relative to peers. This rating reinforces Centara’s position as a leader in the hospitality industry, where sustainability is a core focus and a driving force in its operations, ensuring a positive impact on communities and guests worldwide.

For the sixth consecutive year, Centara made the Thailand Sustainability Investment (THSI) list, now known as the SET ESG Ratings, with 2023 marking the first year the company received an ‘A’ ranking for this accolade. These high-profile ratings are an esteemed recognition presented by The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), highlighting the ongoing efforts of businesses to integrate sustainability into their business strategy, fostering long-term value for stakeholders and contributing to environmental and societal well-being. Centara is one of 193 companies out of 262 participants to receive this honour.

Centara Hotels & Resorts has also been awarded the Sustainability Disclosure Recognition from the Thaipat Institute for the fourth consecutive year, standing among the 54 recipients of this prestigious honour. The award emphasises the importance of transparency and reporting operational data regarding ESG issues, aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs), and ensuring stakeholders are well-informed about sustainability initiatives.

Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat stated, “These esteemed accolades are a testament to our commitment and passion for sustainability. Responsible business practices contribute to our success and a better future for all. We will continue to prioritise environmental sustainability and responsibility in our operations, striving for excellence and innovation in every aspect of our business.”

For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/sustainability

ABOUT CENTARA

Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 96 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey and the UAE. 

Sabah welcomes Shanghai flights

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 22 February 2024: In conjunction with the Lunar New Year, AirAsia celebrated its inaugural flight from Kota Kinabalu to Shanghai with a 100% passenger load, continuing to soar high in the prosperous Year of the Dragon.

The inaugural flight AK1516 departed from Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 0930 on Tuesday, 20 February and landed at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 0200 (local time) on the following morning, 21 February. 

On the return flight, the airline also welcomed the inaugural flight AK1517 from Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu with more than 90%  load. Together with Sabah Tourism Board CEO Jeffrey Jimit, the aircraft was greeted with a water cannon salute. 

Sabah Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment Datuk Christina Liew said: “We are thrilled to welcome AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Shanghai. It is heartening to know that this is the 11th international route the airline operates to Sabah, with three weekly flights.  

“We truly appreciate AirAsia’s efforts in continuously boosting tourism opportunities in the state, especially from the fast-growing Chinese market. As the airline with the most routes flying in and out of Sabah, AirAsia has provided affordable travel for all and a welcome boost to our economy with many spin-off effects, including job creation.  

“Sabah Tourism Board (STB)  saw an incredible increase of 1,119% in tourist arrivals from China between 2022 and 2023. The continuous commitment by AirAsia to launch new routes and grow its services delivers significant tourism and economic opportunities between Malaysia and China. This is a great start to the auspicious Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Lunar New Year.”

AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam said: “As China’s largest foreign low-cost carrier, we recognise this route’s immense potential. It comes at a perfect time, coinciding with a surge in tourism during the Chinese New Year and Spring Festival and following the ongoing visa-free initiative between both nations. Our services to China are continuing to grow in line with strong demand. This additional new route serves as a significant opportunity for us to support the Malaysian government’s ambition of attracting five million tourists from China. 

“We are confident this new route will prove popular and are encouraged to share that our inaugural flight recorded full passenger occupancy, demonstrating the strong early demand and enthusiasm for this new service. We look forward to continuing to facilitate even more affordable connectivity between the two popular destinations in the future.”

Operated by AirAsia Malaysia (AK), Shanghai is the sixth destination in Mainland China accessible from Kota Kinabalu, following Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Wuhan.

For more information on Sabah visit www.sabahtourism.com.

(Source: AirAsia)

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