HONG KONG, 6 February 2024: Greater Bay Airlines suspends flights between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City effective 22 February without explaining when flights will resume.
When attempting to book a flight on the airline’s website in late February and March, a message drops down — flights sold out, suggesting the passengers should try another date or reselect. Aeroroutes first reported GBA flight suspension on the Hong Kong-Ho Chi Minh route last week.
Photo credit: Greater Bay Airlines.
The airline’s website indicates it flies the route thrice weekly on Monday, Tuesday and Friday using a Boeing 737-800.
Flight HB261 departs Hong Kong at 0040 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 0225. The return flight HB262 departs Ho Chi Minh City at 0325 and arrives in Hong Kong at 0710.
Vietjet flights reduce from HCMC
But it’s not the only airline reducing flights to and from Vietnam during the first quarter. Vietjet is reducing or cancelling some international flights from Ho Chi Minh City during March.
Ho Chi Minh City – Ahmedabad flights reduce from daily to four weekly, effective 29 February to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Chiang Mai flights cancelled, effective 1 to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Denpasar flights reduce from four to three daily, effective 1 to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Hong Kong flights reduce from daily to four weekly, effective 2 to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Kaohsiung flights reduce from daily to four weekly, effective 5 to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Seoul Incheon flights reduce from three to two daily, effective 4 to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Taichung flights reduce from daily to three weekly, effective 1 to 30 March. Ho Chi Minh City – Taipei Taoyuan flights reduce from two to one daily, effective 7 to 30 March.
BANGKOK, 6 February 2024: AirAsia launched direct flights between Hat Yai and Singapore last week, scheduling three weekly flights every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The airline held a send-off ceremony for guests on the inaugural flight FD336 from Hat Yai to Singapore.
AirAsia station manager Maneenuch Thongnounlertfor Hat Yai Airport noted that the new service was the fourth from Hat Yai after the airline introduced flights to Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur.
“From Hat Yai, there are 12 flights daily, and they are consistently popular amongst travellers. Since December last year, the average load factor has remained above 90%, especially for flights from Hat Yai to Don Mueang and Chiang Mai. The new Hat Yai-Singapore route will enable everyone to fly with greater convenience, punctuality and affordability,” Maneenuch concluded.
At present, AirAsia flies between Hat Yai and Don Mueang eight times daily, Chiang Mai twice daily and Kuala Lumpur daily in addition to the three weekly flights to Singapore.
BANGKOK, 6 February 2024: Trip.com Group’s Super World Trip BOSS Live Livestream sales event hosted last week showcased Thailand’s travel promotions generating THB100 million in Gross Merchandise Value*, the online booking platform reported just days before Chinese travellers embark on their Chinese New Year celebrations and week-long holidays.
Trip.com hosted the Super World Trip BOSS Live livestream session in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism & Sports, which headlined travel deals discounted by as much as 50%.
(From left to right) Sun Tianxu, Vice President, Trip.com Group; Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, Minister of Tourism and Sports; and Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Targeting Chinese travellers who can enjoy visa-free entry to Thailand starting 1 March, the livestream sales promotion gave travel buyers 1,000 vouchers from King Power Duty-Free worth THB200 each for purchases at King Power outlets at international airports and downtown locations.
Trip.com said the event grossed over THB100 million with a “plethora of deals” being sold, some offering as much as a 50% discount during the livestream hosted by Trip.com group vice president Sun Tianxu. The session also featured special guests, including Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who appeared on a video warmly welcoming Chinese travellers to Thailand, as well as the Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol and the Governor of the TAT Thapanee Kiatphaibool.
Minister of Tourism and Sports Wangsuphakijkosol commented: “The permanent visa exemption agreement has deepened the friendship between Thailand and China and marks a new chapter between our two countries. The Chinese tourist market has significant implications for the recovery of the Thai economy, as it is the key and major focus with high growth potential in terms of revenue and quantity.”
Sun Tianxu, who has hosted over 200 Livestream sessions over the past four years, said: “Last week’s Super World Trip BOSS Live was the first overseas livestream session of the year and the first streamed from Thailand following the announcement of the mutual visa waiver agreement between Thailand and China (30 days visa-free stay effective 1 March). While many Chinese tourists are visiting Thailand, we also believe that China’s rich and diverse culture and landscapes are attractive to Thais, with Thai visitors expected to become one of China’s top three sources of visitors in 2024.”
Trip.com Group launched its “Super World Trip” Livestream series at the start of 2023, with the first Livestream held in Thailand, followed by Livestream shows in markets such as Tokyo and Hong Kong.
Thailand is a key market for Trip.com Group, which noted that the number of bookings made by Chinese tourists to Thailand for this year’s Chinese New Year holiday season has increased by over 13 times year-on-year (YoY). Searches for Thailand on Trip.com Group’s Chinese platform increased more than seven times following the signing of the visa-free travel agreement between Thailand and China on 28 January. In 2023, the number of searches for Thailand grew by 124.4% YoY, almost 200% higher than 2019.
This year’s Bangkok edition of Super World Trip Boss Live generated Gross Merchandise Value (GMV)* of more than THB100 million from selling travel products, including airline tickets, hotel bookings and travel packages.
Trip.com clarifies Livestream earnings We posted questions to Trip.com requesting more clarity on the “gross over THB100 million.” How exactly was THB100 million generated, and what was the value in real terms: Estimated booking value or the actual cash earned from the campaign?
Trip.com scribes responded: “It was generated by selling travel products, including airline tickets, hotel bookings and travel packages on Trip.com Group’s platform. “It is the gross merchandise value (total value) of all Trip.com Group travel products sold during the Livestream measured over the day of the livestream, which was held on 31 January 2024.”
Who was the beneficiary of the THB100 million? “The total amount generated relates to Trip.com Group travel products. Trip.com Group partners with various airlines, hotels and local attractions to offer these travel products. It, in turn, promotes Thailand’s tourism.”
*Gross Merchandise Value (GMV): Represents the total value of all merchandise sold through a platform or marketplace over a specific period. Includes the full price customers pay before deductions like fees, discounts, or returns. Could include the value of giveaways
To identify gross revenue from the Livestream promotions as opposed to GMV, you would have to deduct the following: Commissions paid to sellers (on marketplaces); Transaction fees; Discounts; Any refunds due to cancellations; Value of giveaways.
SINGAPORE, 6 February 2024: Cathay Pacific resumes roundtrip daily flights between Bangkok and Singapore, following a three-year pause caused by the Covid pandemic.
The airline’s flight timetable on its website shows the daily flight resuming on 31 March through to 26 October 2024.
The airline will adopt the same departure times and flight numbers — CX717 on the outbound leg to Singapore and CX712 on the return sector to Bangkok. Both flights use A330-300 aircraft and operate under the airline’s fifth freedom rights allocated in the bilateral agreement between Hong Kong and Thailand.
Flight schedules
CX717 departs Bangkok at 1155 and arrives in Singapore at 1525. CX712 departs Singapore at 1325* and arrives in Bangkok at 1515.
(*Different A330 aircraft serve each sector of the Hong Kong-Bangkok-Singapore route — CX717 flies the outbound route from Bangkok to Singapore, and CX712, the return sector from Singapore, rather than one aircraft executing the roundtrip.)
Cathay is the only oneworld member airline flying between the two cities, one of the busiest routes in Southeast Asia, with two Star Alliance airlines (SQ and TG) offering 11 daily flights between them. Pre-Covid it was a popular route to cash in oneworld FFP miles for leisure trips to either Bangkok or Singapore for short holiday breaks. Flight time is two hours and 30 minutes.
SINGAPORE, 5 February 2024: This year’s hotspots are looking much cooler with the rise of Northern Lights tourism, spurred by reports that the astronomical phenomenon will be extraordinarily visible in 2024.
According to a survey commissioned by Expedia, nearly half (42%) of Americans will prioritise aurora-chasing in the year ahead over other bucket list experiences.
Travelling to see the Northern Lights is more in demand than visiting Egypt’s pyramids (36%) or walking along the Great Wall of China (33%). Expedia searches are skyrocketing for winter trips to Northern Lights “capitals” like Lapland in Finland (+370%), Canada’s Churchill (110%) and Alta in Norway (+100%).
Three of the top 10 sports to view the Northern Lights are in Canada, and the rest are in Europe, with Finland and Norway being the most popular destinations.
Northern Lights Guide
To help travellers plan, Expedia has released a Northern Lights Insider Guide packed with insights on trending destinations, booking hacks, photography tips and ideal itineraries.
“Planning your Northern Lights adventure might feel like navigating uncharted territory, but we’ve made it easy for travellers to make this trip a reality,” said Expedia Group Brands public relations head Melanie Fish. “From Canada to Norway, the free guide shows where to stay for under USD160 a night or how to bundle a whole trip together for under USD1,500. There’s even a photography guide to ensure you know how to capture the memory.”
Get the Northern Lights Insider Guide on the Expedia Newsroom, and visit the Expedia Magazine for in-depth, shoppable travel guides for six iconic Northern Lights destinations, including Yellowknife, Tromsø, Finnish Lapland, Churchill, Reykjavik and Fairbanks.
Top 10 Trending Northern Lights Locations Worldwide
Based on year-over-year search growth, here are the top destinations to view the Northern Lights in 2024, with the percentage increase in searches on Expedia.
BANGKOK, 5 February 2024: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand, announced on Friday a strategic partnership with The 1 Exclusive, introducing a fast track to CentaraThe1 Gold status for its esteemed members.
Available through 30 June 2024, this limited-time offer allows The 1 Exclusive members to enjoy a myriad of members-only benefits and promotions for free when registering via The 1 APP.
Upon upgrading to CentaraThe1 Gold status, The 1 Exclusive members will receive benefits such as an additional 25% CentaraThe1 bonus points for every stay, access to exclusive check-in lanes, the option of late check-out by 1 hour, complimentary room upgrades, and the ability to use The 1 points to redeem various privileges when using restaurant, spa, and other services at participating Centara Hotels and Resorts.
Additionally, members can savour bespoke birthday bonuses curated for truly memorable celebrations. These include an exclusive 20% discount on their subsequent stay, 2,000 complimentary bonus points, and an enticing 20% savings on food along with a buy one get one buffet offer at participating hotels.
The 1 Exclusive members can claim their Centara Gold status upgrade via The 1 APP. By booking a stay for a minimum of 2 nights through Centara’s official website at www.centarahotelsresorts.com until 30June 2024, they will have their CentaraThe1 Gold status extended until 31 December 2024. This offer is limited to the first 10,000 The 1 Exclusive members who register.
BANGKOK, 5 February 2024: Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT), one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is poised to significantly expand its food business with a targeted revenue of THB2,500 million by 2027.
This goal stems from the notable success of enterprises operating within DUSIT’s food business unit, Dusit Foods, in which DUSIT holds a 75% stake, and the strategic promotion of Dusit Gastro, a new sourcing and distribution hub servicing Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Thailand and affiliated companies and customers in the hotel, restaurant, café, and catering industry (HoReCa). New product lines and services will be showcased at the THAIFEX-HOREC Asia trade show in Bangkok at the IMPACT Exhibition Centre, Muang Thong Thani, from 6 to 8 March 2024.
Established in 2018 with the vision of investing in food businesses that place importance on natural, organic, and good-for-health processes while also supporting local communities, Dusit Foods has subsequently invested in food businesses that are not only related to DUSIT’s core hotel business but which also have high growth potential and cover the total supply chain.
To date, Dusit Foods holds a 70% share in Epicure Catering, a leading provider of catering services to international schools in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia; a 55% stake in Bonjour Bakery Asia Co Ltd, which operates a state-of-the-art baking factory producing French-style pastry products, and its associated bakery franchise business; and 51% ownership in Savor Eats, a central kitchen and cloud dispensing network business.
In August 2022, Dusit inked an agreement with PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) by Modulus Venture, a wholly owned subsidiary of OR, a leading oil and retail company, for OR to acquire a 25% stake in Dusit Foods in a synergistic alliance that leverages OR’s robust retail platform, including Café Amazon and the Ohkajhu health food brand, to sell various food products to consumers nationwide.
“Dusit Foods is a shining star for our company,” said DUSIT Group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun: “The business unit contributes significantly to our diversification, accounting for nearly 20% of our income in the first nine months of 2023, surpassing the 10% target. By strategically investing in Epicure, Bonjour, and Savor Eats, we’re fueling our expansion in catering, bakery, and food technology. This, coupled with Dusit Gastro’s launch, positions Dusit Foods as a major growth engine for DUSIT. With this in mind, we aim for 15 to 18% annual growth from the food business and target THB2,500 million in revenue by 2027.”
Dusit Foods managing director Manisa Mitpaibul commented: “In just the first nine months of 2023, Dusit Foods generated THB878 million, accounting for 19.5% of DUSIT’s overall income of THB4,512 million. Epicure and Bonjour played a key role in this, and both are expected to enhance their presence this year with Epicure broadening its catering scope beyond international schools and targeting strategic expansion in the Middle East and beyond, and Bonjour targeting China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.”
Beyond global expansion and strategic partnerships planned for 2024, Dusit Foods is also focused on promoting Dusit Gastro, a wholly owned venture sourcing premium ingredients such as organic rice from small-scale farms in northeastern Thailand, and offering high-quality products, including ready-to-cook curry pastes, par-baked pastries, and innovative frozen items.
“Driven by our vision to bring Asian food to the world, Dusit Gastro tackles the real challenges food businesses face today. From rising costs and inconsistent ingredients to labour shortages and changing consumer preferences, we offer innovative solutions through high-quality products and seamless integration with the Dusit Foods ecosystem,” said Mitpaibul. “Already trusted by a diverse range of clients, including restaurants, hotels, and gas stations across Thailand, we’re expanding rapidly. With exciting new product launches and growing interest from international partners, we’re poised to bring our unique solutions to the global HoReCa scene. At Dusit Gastro, we’re committed to continuously serving up the future of food.”
Dusit Foods various products and services, including products under Dusit Gastro, will be showcased at THAIFEX-HOREC Asia (Hall 10 – K14) at the IMPACT Exhibition Centre, Muang Thong Thani from 6 to 8 March 2024. The event promises a complete overview of Southeast Asia’s most sales-generating and future-forward products and services across 9 HoReCa segments: Bakery and Ice Cream, Café and Bar, Cleaning and Laundry, Dining, Furnishing, Kitchen, Services, Tech, and Wellness.
About Dusit Foods
Dusit Foods Co Ltd. is a subsidiary designed to leverage Dusit’s rich experience in food and beverage service to invest in food-related companies with strong growth potential and create high-quality food products for use at Dusit Hotels & Resorts and for sale internationally.
About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.
The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 19 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.
BANGKOK, 5 February 2024: Thailand’s Chinese New Year 2024 celebration officially opened during the weekend in Bangkok’s Chinatown, signalling cultural performances and street entertainment throughout February to mark 49 years of China-Thailand friendship.
Official festivities supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand are underway in five locations.
Thailand welcomes the Year of the Dragon.
In Bangkok, the celebration is being held at Yaowarat Road from 1 to 29 February with the theme of “Celebrating the Golden Year” and the illumination named “Tunnel of Golden Dragon”.
Other locations
3-14 February: “108 Miraculous Years of Faith” Pak Nam Pho Chinese New Year, Nakhon Sawan
9-11 February: Chinese New Year 2024, Ratchaburi
9-13 February: Hat Yai Chinese New Year, Songkhla
10-12 February: “16 Years Miraculous Dragon” Suphan Buri Chinese New Year at the Dragon Descendants Museum, Suphan Buri
10-11 February: 21st Chiang Mai Chinatown Festival, Chiang Mai
Tourism forecasters at the TAT reckon the Chinese New Year 2024 holiday week from 7 to15 February) will draw 995,000 visitors (+36%) and generate an estimated THB28.39 billion in revenue.
Beyond Chinese New Year, tourist arrivals from China should improve once a 1 March bilateral visa exemption kicks in. TAT is already forecasting around 8.5 million visits from China, up from 3.5 million in 2023.
During the Chinese New Year week-long festival, TAT estimates Chinese tourist arrivals will reach 177,000, generating THB6.2 billion in revenue.
SINGAPORE, 5 February 2024: Tourism Malaysia participated in the 12th Jeddah International Travel and Tourism Exhibition (JTTX) last week to bolster promotions to attract more Middle Eastern travellers to Malaysia.
The three-day event served as a crucial platform for connecting international travel businesses with the rapidly expanding Saudi travel market, recognised as one of the fastest-growing markets globally.
JTTX brings together influential local travel leaders and international exhibitors, fostering new relationships, fortifying existing business partnerships, and exploring collaborative opportunities.
Marking its fourth consecutive presence at JTTX, the Tourism Malaysia team was led by Ahmad Faisal Mohamed, Director of Tourism Malaysia Jeddah. Seven travel agents joined the event — Al Safer Travel & Tours, Future Group Tour & Travel, GR Travel & Tours, Kurma Gateaways Travel, TH Travel & Services, Universal Holidays Travel & Tourism, and Qadasfly Travel & Tourism.
Five hotels and resorts also joined the delegation: Aloft Langkawi Pantai Tengah, Grand Ion Delemen Hotel, Genting Highlands, Holiday Villa Hotels & Resorts, Hospitality 360, and Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia proudly maintains its position as the preferred “Top Muslim-Friendly Destination of The Year” as recognised by the MasterCard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2023. The destination has also been honoured as the “Muslim Women-Friendly Destination of The Year.” These accolades resulted from an annual online survey that considers various criteria, such as the availability of halal food, access to prayer facilities, Muslim-friendly services in hotels, and overall safety and security.
Tourism Malaysia director-general Dato Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar said: “We appreciated the opportunity to collaborate and cooperate with some of the best industry players, such as Saudia, Air Arabia and Al Mosafer (Seera). We anticipate a substantial increase in arrivals from Saudi Arabia this year, facilitated by the development of new tour packages in gearing up for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”
Malaysia welcomed 38,143 tourists from Saudi Arabia from January to September 2023, surpassing 35,980 recorded in 2022. In 2024, Malaysia aims to welcome 27.3 million tourists, generating MYR102.7 billion in revenue. The forthcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 has set an ambitious target of 35.6 million foreign tourist arrivals.
GURUGRAM India, 5 February 2024: Air India has selected TamGP Co Ltd as its passenger general sales agent (GSA) in Thailand to facilitate reservations, ticketing and supporting marketing efforts,
TamGP Co Ltd is a prominent provider of passenger and cargo services and will serve as a valuable partner to enhance Air India’s presence in Thailand while supporting the airline’s ongoing global expansion.
Photo credit: Air India.
The company’s AVP commercial, Anindam Choudhury, commented: “As the chosen partner, we are dedicated to utilising Air India’s vast network, our industry knowledge, and our customer-centric approach to showcase Air India’s offerings and enhance its presence in the Thai market.”
Currently, Air India operates two daily, nonstop flights between Bangkok and Delhi, one daily, nonstop flight between Bangkok and Mumbai, and one daily, nonstop flight between Phuket and Delhi.
Air India is undergoing significant changes across its organisation following privatisation. The airline has started taking delivery of its first aircraft as part of record-setting orders for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing, including its first Airbus A350. A USD400 million programme is set to commence in mid-2024 for a complete refurbishment of the interiors of
Air India’s legacy widebody fleet. This initiative will involve the installation of brand-new seats in every cabin and new inflight entertainment systems, among other changes.
