14 February 2024: Lao Airlines expands its international network this March with new flights from Vientiane to Phnom Penh and Savannakhet to Bangkok.
Booking websites indicate the airline will launch the Vientiane-Phnom Penh flight on 19 March, offering three weekly services on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It will deploy an A320 for the one-hour and 20-minute flight.
QV551 will depart Vientiane at 0830 and arrive in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, at 0950. The return flight QV552 will depart Phnom Penh at 1050 and arrive in Vientiane at 1210. According to the airline’s website, the starting one-way fare is pegged at USD110.50
The airline’s Facebook page confirmed the launch of a three-weekly service on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between Savannakhet in central Laos and Bangkok, the Thai capital, starting 15 March. Using an ATR72 with 70 seats, the flight time will be one hour and 30 minutes. The one-way fare starts at USD105.
Flight QV202 will depart Savannakhet (ZVR) at 1040 and arrive in Bangkok at 1210. The return flight QV203 will depart Bangkok at 1310 and arrive in Savannakhet at 1310
SINGAPORE, 14 February 2024: In a revealing insight into Valentine’s Day travel trends, digital travel platform Agoda identifies the top 10 most searched international destinations for couples checking in on 14 February, with Bangkok topping the chart with Tokyo and Osaka, Japan, in second and third place.
Asia’s diverse cities seem to be getting the most love from travellers this Valentine’s Day (14 February), with eight of the top 10 destinations being cosmopolitan hubs.
Bangkok wins the most hearts, with Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, and Hong Kong making up the rest of the top five. Bali and Phuket are the only two beach destinations feeling the love and making it to the top 10.
The list reveals a significant interest in Japan and Thailand, with three Japanese cities — Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka — making the top 10, and two Thai destinations — Bangkok and Phuket — also capturing the hearts of travellers.
Agoda’s senior vice president supply, Andrew Smith, shared: “Valentine’s Day is a special time for couples to explore and create new memories together. The diversity in this year’s top-searched destinations highlights the broad spectrum of experiences couples seek, from the bustling streets of Tokyo and Bangkok to the rejuvenating beauty of Bali and Phuket.”
Notably, cities like Seoul, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur reflect an interest in exploring dynamic urban environments, while the presence of Bali underscores the enduring appeal of tropical getaways. This trend suggests that quality time can come in many forms, with couples looking for a mix of adventure, culture, relaxation, and culinary delights.
Top 10 searched international destinations for couples checking in on Valentine’s Day 2024: 1. Bangkok; 2. Tokyo; 3. Osaka; 4. Seoul; 5. Hong Kong; 6. Bali; 7. Phuket; 8. Singapore; 9. Fukuoka; 10. Kuala Lumpur.
SINGAPORE, 13 February 2023: Launching in March, the Eastern and Oriental Express’ new Wild Malaysia itinerary includes an excursion to the Taman Negara National Park.
Guests can choose between three activities: an educational park tour to learn about the endangered Malayan Tigers, a wildlife photography class or an exploration of the rainforest’s ancient caves.
Following the introduction of a new itinerary and a refresh of the train’s interiors and cabins, the Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia, departed on 11 February on its first journey since its four-year pause, mainly due to the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The iconic train’s 2024 trips begin in Singapore’s Woodlands station and take in destinations like Penang and Langkawi before returning to Singapore.
This May, a special Tiger Express journey designed with the train’s partner, ‘Save Wild Tigers’, aims to raise awareness of the conservation efforts to save the Malay Tiger from extinction, contributing to the fight against illegal poaching and habitat loss. The latest train itinerary includes the Wild Malaysia excursion, concluding with two nights at The Datai in Langkawi.
The revamped Eastern & Oriental Express rolls out with 15 cars, including eight sleeping carriages, two restaurants, a piano bar lounge car and an open-air observation car.
New in-cabin experience
Pullman, State, and Presidential cabins are air-conditioned. The Pullman cabins draw inspiration from Kuala Lumpur, featuring red and blue accents resembling the city’s skyline. The State cabins reflect Penang’s marine locale with a blue and green palette, and the Presidential Suites exude opulence with hues of gold and embroidered elements.
KOTA KINABALU, 13 February 2024: Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, is operating scheduled charter flights between Nanjing (NKH) in China and Tawau (TWU), just 60 km from Semporna, Sabah’s east coast’s famed diving destination.
The charter flights between Nanking and Tawau are scheduled until 31 March (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). Sales are exclusively via China’s online travel agencies, including the roundtrip fares on flights (FY8102/FY8101) hotel accommodation, transfers and tours.
STB and Tourism Malaysia officials, with Sabah’s cultural dancers at the Tawau Airport.
STB Senior Marketing Manager Humphrey Ginibun noted during the welcome ceremony for the first flight with 157 passengers that bookings are made through the Chinese OTAs Ly.com, Ctrip, Qunar and Fliggy.
Tourism officials said the scheduled charter flights should generate around 500 Chinese tourists weekly. Minister of Tourism, Culture & Environment Datuk Christina Liew said the Sabah Tourism Board was proud to announce the commencement of charter flights connecting Nanjing in China to Tawau, Sabah, by Firefly Airlines, noting Tourism Malaysia also played a role in the development of this new flight route.
“We warmly welcome our Chinese friends and look forward to showcasing the unique cultural and natural treasures of Sabah,” said the state minister. “The launch of direct flights from Nanjing to Tawau is a testament to the growing appeal of our region as a tourist destination. I am excited that this new route will contribute to the growth and development of Tawau as a prominent international destination.
“Currently, Sabah receives 42 weekly scheduled flights from Beijing, Shanghai, Guang-zhou, Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Wuhan through the gateway airport at Kota Kinabalu, delivering 7,520 seats weekly,” she said.
While the scheduled charters fly to Tawau, the tour package highlights the visit to Semporna and its famed beaches and diving off the east coast of Sabah state.
Semporna attractions Travellers from all over the world flock to Semporna, Sabah, for many reasons. Here are some of the biggest draws.
Underwater Wonderland: World-renowned diving and snorkelling: Semporna is considered one of the best diving destinations in the world, thanks to its pristine coral reefs, diverse marine life, and clear visibility. Divers can encounter incredible creatures, from reef sharks and manta rays to turtles and pygmy seahorses. Popular dive sites include Sipadan Island, Mabul Island, and Kapalai Island.
Hiking and nature adventures: For those seeking adventure beyond the sea and sandy shores, Semporna offers a variety of hiking trails, including the challenging trek to the summit of Bohey Dulang Island and the historical Skull Hill (Bukit Tengkorak).
Cultural experiences: Immerse yourself in the rich culture of the Bajau Laut people, who have inhabited the Semporna area for centuries. Visit their traditional villages, learn about their way of life, and sample their delicious cuisine.
Stunning scenery: Semporna boasts breathtaking natural beauty, with turquoise waters, lush rainforests, and dramatic mountain ranges. Relax on a beach, soak up the sun, and enjoy the serenity of the surroundings.
Delicious food: Savor Semporna’s fresh seafood and local delicacies, from grilled fish and curries to exotic fruits and traditional Malay dishes.
Sustainable tourism: Semporna is committed to preserving its fragile ecosystem and promoting conservation and sustainable tourism practices. Travellers can support these efforts by choosing eco-friendly accommodations and activities. Whether you’re an avid diver, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a relaxing getaway, add Semporna to your travel bucket list.
Tawau in the spotlight The latest launch of scheduled charters between Nanjing and Tawau is part of a well-thought-out strategy announced by the Sabah Tourism Board in early 2023 to promote Tawau as a must-see destination on the east coast of Sabah.
It was initiated by the state’s Assistant Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who emphasised Tawau had a significant amount of untapped tourism potential, and it should not merely serve as a passing point for tourists who typically fly to Tawau to visit the dive sites of Semporna.
“I must say that whenever we attend (tourism) roadshow, there always seems to be a great deal of interest in Semporna, while Tawau is overlooked,” he said at a close of a fact-finding trip to Tawau last year.
“Hence, Tawau needs to expand its attractions, and we need to design a strategic plan to encourage tourists to stay and discover all that Tawau has to offer,” he said.
Here are some of the top attractions in Tawau, Malaysia, according to Google Maps:
Tawau Hills Park: Rugged national park featuring a hot spring, volcanic terrain, waterfalls, campsites & picnic spots. It has a 4.4-star rating on Google Maps.
Tawau Hill Park (Table Waterfall): This waterfall is another popular attraction in Tawau Hills Park. It has a 4.7-star rating on Google Maps.
Teck Guan Cocoa Village & Tawau Cocoa Cafe: This cocoa village offers visitors a chance to learn about the cocoa-making process and sample some delicious chocolate. It has a 4.3-star rating on Google Maps.
Balung River Eco Resort: This eco-resort is located on the Balung River and offers a variety of activities, including boat tours, fishing, and jungle trekking. It has a 4.1-star rating on Google Maps.
DUBAI, 8 February 2024: Emirates and the National Basketball Association (NBA) have announced a multiyear global marketing partnership naming Emirates the Official Global Airline Partner of the NBA.
The collaboration also makes Emirates the inaugural title partner of the NBA Cup, previously named the NBA In-Season Tournament, and the NBA’s first-ever referee jersey patch partner.
As the first title partner of the Emirates NBA Cup, the global airline will be featured through a co-branded Emirates NBA Cup event logo, with co-branded promotion planned across the NBA’s global social media community and in-arena signage throughout the Emirates NBA Cup Semifinal and Championship games starting next season.
The Emirates logo will also be featured on all NBA referee jerseys, starting with the 2024 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, 18 February, at 2000 ET on TNT.
“We are proud to establish a global marketing partnership with the National Basketball Association to become its Official Global Airline Partner,” said Emirates Group chairman and chief executive, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
“This collaboration will also see Emirates become the league’s first referee jersey patch partner and the inaugural title partner of the NBA Cup. With basketball’s popularity worldwide, we are excited to work with one of the most globally recognised and prestigious professional leagues. The NBA is a valuable addition to our sponsorship portfolio. It allows us to connect with a vast global fanbase, including in the U.S., where the game is integral to the country’s sports culture.”
“Emirates is a world-class airline that shares our commitment to engaging fans around the world in new and creative ways,” said NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum. “As basketball continues to be recognised as the fastest growing sport globally, this collaboration will showcase the excitement of the NBA to the millions of people who fly Emirates annually.”
The sponsorship will also allow Emirates to enjoy a presence at other marquee league events, including as a partner of NBA Crossover – an immersive fan event at NBA All-Star – and as the presenting partner of the NBA Finals Legacy Project, which features the dedication of new NBA Cares Live, Learn, or Play Centers in each NBA Finals team market. Emirates branding will also be visible through virtual in-arena signage and on top of the backboard during nationally televised NBA games, beginning with the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.
Emirates will engage NBA fans around the world as a partner of select preseason and regular-season NBA Global Games and through the league’s interactive fan events, including “NBA District” and “NBA House.”
Fans can watch NBA content on all Emirates flights via the airline’s inflight entertainment system, including long-form documentaries, player profiles, interviews and more.
The marketing partnership will also allow basketball fans to purchase a wide range of official NBA merchandise, including basketballs, sportswear and vintage collectables, with co-branded collaborations to follow later this year. The merchandise will be sold at the official Emirates Store at Emirates’ Headquarters in Dubai and online at www.emirates.store, which delivers worldwide. Emirates Skywards members can also redeem Miles to purchase items from the exciting range.
Emirates’ patch will also be featured on the jerseys for all referees in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), beginning with the 2025 season, and NBA G League, the official minor league of the NBA, beginning with the 2024-25 season.
The 73rd NBA All-Star Game will take place at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana and reach fans in 214 countries and territories in 60 languages on television, digital media and social media.
Emirates has been a longstanding supporter of basketball in the region for almost 30 years, helping to connect with avid fans of the popular sport in the UAE and Lebanon and providing a platform to highlight the best and brightest stars.
Emirates’ global sponsorship portfolio includes partnerships with top sporting clubs, tournaments, high-profile cultural events, and more. Emirates’ association with the NBA will support the airline’s efforts to reach a huge fanbase in the U.S. and worldwide through a shared passion for basketball.
Emirates currently offers services to 12 U.S. gateways, including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD), Seattle Tacoma Airport (SEA), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). For more information on the airline and to book flights, visit www.emirates.com.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 13 February 2024: South Korea’s Aero-K Airlines has launched daily flights from Cheongju to Danng, the gateway to coastal resorts and cultural attractions in central Vietnam.
Last week, the Danang City Department of Tourism coordinated with Aero-K Airlines to welcome an inaugural flight on the Cheongju-Danang route, according to a Tourism Information Technology Centre report.
Photo credit: Aero-K.
TITC said Aero-K had chosen Danang as the first city in Vietnam to launch scheduled services from Cheongju. The flight departs from Cheongju at 2205. and lands in Danang at 0045. The return trip departs from Danang at 0215.
T’way Airlines, another Korean low-cost airline, serves the Cheongju-Danang route with daily flights.
Korea is a leading international source market for Danang’s tourism; every day, there are 23 to 25 flights from major Korean cities such as Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Muan, and Cheongju, accounting for more than 50% of the international flights to Danang.
SINGAPORE, 13 February 2024: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has recently renewed its longstanding partnership with Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, Traveloka, through a one-year Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in Jakarta.
STB’s chief executive, Melissa Ow and Traveloka’s president, Caesar Indra, led the signing ceremony.
The MOC signing comes as Singapore reports Southeast Asia’s outbound travel market collectively contributed 5.28 million visitor arrivals. The continued recovery reflects Singapore’s appeal as a world-class lifestyle destination for Southeast Asian visitors and the invaluable support from industry partners such as Traveloka. Outbound travel from Thailand fully recovered in 2023 to become Singapore’s top source market, generating 450,000 visitors.
Traveloka’s president commented: “Singapore holds a prominent position as one of the top outbound destinations, as we saw a notable rise in search and transaction for all products from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Phillippines of nearly 80% during 2023 compared to the previous year. We are excited to continue our partnership with STB to bring greater value to our customers.
Insights and data
The MOC marks the deepening collaboration between STB and Traveloka, moving beyond the confines of marketing campaigns. Notably, it will focus on sharpening the targeting of consumers by sharing insights and data.
Additionally, both parties will explore the introduction of new Singapore products and experiences on the Traveloka platform. The new agreement reflects a shared dedication to innovation and the enhancement of visitor experiences across multiple Southeast Asian markets.
Made in Singapore
These efforts also align with the Singapore Tourism Board’s latest campaign, “Made in Singapore.” It highlights how everyday ordinary moments are made extraordinary through a rich tapestry of unique and unexpected experiences, made possible only in Singapore. The MOC with Traveloka reinforces this commitment by introducing new avenues for personalised and tailored experiences to enhance visitor experiences and showcase Singapore’s diverse offerings to a wider Southeast Asian audience.
STB executive director of Southeast Asia Terrence Voon said: “Traveloka has been an important and valued partner since our first collaboration in 2019. As travel continues to recover in the region, our partnership will help unlock Southeast Asia’s rich tourism potential, help us understand our customers better, and strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading destination for regional travellers.”
Targetted campaigns
Beyond attracting more visitors to Singapore, the partnership will emphasise knowledge-sharing and the discovery of new insights that can enhance visitor engagement. For instance, STB and Traveloka will exchange insights to develop more targeted promotional campaigns and create tailored travel experiences. By leveraging shared expertise, the collaboration seeks to elevate the overall visitor experience and drive impactful outcomes across Southeast Asia.
The MOC signing signifies a joint commitment by STB and Traveloka to co-invest in marketing campaigns, focusing on Indonesia and expanding to Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
What to expect in Singapore in 2024
Singapore promises exciting events, new attractions and exclusive deals this year. Visitors can enjoy numerous festivals such as the Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS), entertainment extravaganzas including performances from global artists and world-class sports events such as the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon.
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 February 2024: Batik Air introduced direct flights four times weekly between Kuala Lumpur and Istanbul at the weekend.
Malaysia’s Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture YB Dato Sri Tiong King and representatives from Batik Air and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad welcomed passengers aboard the Batik Air inaugural flight arriving at Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Turkey’s Sabiha Gokcen International Airport, Istanbul, on Saturday.
Photo credit: Tourism Malaysia.
A water salute greeted the aircraft as a warm welcome for the passengers on Flight OD724, which flies between the two cities every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday using an Airbus A330-300 with 377 seats.
From January to November 2023, Malaysia welcomed 15,623 arrivals from Turkey, delivering a positive growth of 10.8% compared with 14,096 arrivals in 2019.
SHANGHAI, 13 February 2024: Vietjet took delivery of two additional aircraft under a wet-leased arrangement, deploying them to serve routes where there has been a surge in travel demand during the Lunar New Year festival that continues until 15 February.
The latest additions increase the airline’s wet-lease fleet to six aircraft apart from its current fleet of 105 aircraft, serving 125 routes in Vietnam and internationally.
The airline has recently added nearly 750 flights, providing 154,800 additional seats to serve rising demand during the peak travel period in Vietnam and the region.
Vietjet opened the Shanghai – Ho Chi Minh City route to address Chinese tourists’ holiday travel needs last December, connecting the cities. In addition, on the first day of the Lunar New Year (10 February 2024), Vietjet commenced the new Chengdu – Ho Chi Minh City route, offering the opportunity for travellers from Chengdu to visit Vietnam and experience the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
The added flight capacity also includes routes to and from popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Phu Quoc, Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Da Lat, catering to Chinese tourists’ exploration of Vietnam.
Over the last two months, Vietjet has proactively expanded its international flight network to include destinations such as Shanghai, Vientiane, Siem Reap (Cambodia), Busan (South Korea), Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide (Australia).
In 2023, Vietjet operated 133,000 flights with 25.3 million passengers onboard (excluding Vietjet Thailand) – a surge of 183% YoY. More than 7.6 million travellers were on international flights. Last year, the airline also continued to grow its flight network with 33 new international and domestic routes, bringing the total routes to 125, including 80 international and 45 domestic routes.
SINGAPORE, 13 February 2024: Air Japan confirms it will start five weekly flights between Narita Tokyo and Changi Singapore on 26 April, flying a Boeing 787-800 with a single economy class cabin.
The low-cost airline will schedule flights from Narita on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Flights depart Narita at 1735 and arrive in Singapore at 2355.
Photo credit: Air Japan.
The return flights depart Singapore at 0055 and arrive in Narita at 0910. (Departure days from Singapore are Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Last week, the low-cost airline launched daily flights from Narita to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The airline offers a one-way fare of THB4,780 (JPN17,000), excluding airport fees and taxes for bookings made from 1 July 2024 to 26 October 2024.
Flight NQ1 departs Narita at 1800 and arrives in Bangkok at 2245. The return flight NQ2 departs Bangkok at 2345 and arrives in Narita at 0805 plus one day.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand’sTAT Tokyo Office joined with the CEO of Air Japan Airlines and the CEO of Narita Airport to send off the inaugural flight on 9 February.
The airline is the low-cost subsidiary of ANA and flies a Boeing 787-800 with 320 seats for daily flights to Bangkok. (Capacity: 2,240 seats weekly). It will compete head-to-head with five airlines flying the Narita to Bangkok route. They comprise Viva Macau, JAL, and ANA, each scheduling daily flights and THAI and AirAsiaX are scheduling twice daily flights. The average return fare on the route is USD440 this month, but it will drop to an average of USD268 in July.
