BANGKOK, 1 February 2024: Four tourism specialist organisations, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), Green Destinations (GD), and the Trade Association of Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN), signed a MOU earlier this week to promote sustainable tourism certification for destinations in the six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion.
The MOU was signed by Athikun Kongmee, director-general of DASTA (Thailand), Suvimol Thanasarakij, executive director of MTCO, Susan Santos de Cardenas, Southeast Asia partner and representative of Green Destinations and Masaru Takayama, president of the Trade Association of Asia Ecotourism Network (AEN).
The MOU outlines a collaborative framework that enhances sustainable tourism practices, particularly in destination management and certification in the Mekong Region, but possibly extending to other Asian countries.
It calls for the four partners to share knowledge and resources, support the development and testing of sustainable tourism initiatives, and exchange ideas to formulate operational guidelines.
LONDON, 1 February 2024: Emirates has become the first international airline to join The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative focused on low carbon investments established to reduce CO2 emissions from industry, transport and households in the South Coast of England.
The Solent Cluster is a cross-sector collaboration of international organisations, including manufacturers and engineering companies, regional businesses and industries, leading logistics and infrastructure operators and academic institutions.
Emirates joins over 100 members as part of the Cluster, alongside founding members the Solent Partners (previously the Solent LEP), global energy provider ExxonMobil and the University of Southampton. The founding members have each shared details of their vision for the Solent and how it could secure existing jobs and produce low-carbon fuels for various sectors, including aviation.
Sustainable aviation fuel potential
The Solent Cluster has the potential to create a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) plant with an estimated fuel production capacity of 200,000 tonnes (200 kt) per year. If approved, the plant could start operating in 2032. Jet fuel produced by the SAF plant could avoid emissions of 563 kilotons of CO2 per year by producing fuel with 70% less emissions than fossil kerosene. Existing pipeline networks can supply the SAF from the plant to major airports served by Emirates, such as Heathrow and Gatwick.
Emirates’ long-term aspiration to secure UK-produced SAF with The Solent Cluster is in addition to several SAF initiatives the airline has announced over the last year. It follows Emirates’ A380 and Boeing 777 demonstration flights using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel in 2023. Emirates has expanded its partnership with Neste for the supply of SAF in 2024 and 2025 for its operations in Amsterdam and Singapore. The airline also uplifted SAF for the first time at its hub in Dubai for commercial flights in October 2023. Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark said:“Emirates is proud to join like-minded organisations as part of The Solent Cluster Initiative. The Cluster has strong potential to power clean energy innovation and production and is another step forward in our journey towards long-term SAF adoption within our network. Alongside our fellow members, we look forward to contributing towards these efforts while also seeing The Solent Cluster’s positive impact on the local economy, Southeast region, and wider industries.”
PATTAYA, 1 February 2024: Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with a delicious buffet for an unforgettable evening on Chinese New Year, 10 February.
Enjoy a variety of famous Chinese dishes such as roasted duck, red BBQ pork, crackling pork belly, dim sum, and Baked Red Snapper, along with an array of desserts and homemade ice cream.
Venue: Panorama Restaurant, Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya Date: 10 February, 2024 Time: 1800 – 2100 Price: THB999++ per person
LONDON, 1 February 2024: Tourism Malaysia is reaching out to travellers to discover the wonders of Malaysia during London’s Destinations Show 2024, open until 4 February at the Olympia London Exhibition Centre.
Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, in association with The Times and The Sunday Times, is the UK’s largest and longest-running event for travel consumers. Hosted at Olympia from 1 to 4 February, it features more than 600 travel brands and a diversity of sights, cultures, landscapes, wildlife and cultural experiences worldwide with more than 600 travel brands.
Tourism Malaysia presents an immersive experience showcasing the rich tapestry of Malay culture and providing invaluable insights for future travel adventures at its stand AP64.
Visitors to the booth can indulge in a taste of Malay culture by experiencing the art of henna. Mehndi Creations is a renowned UK-based centre for Malay henna artistry that uses all-natural ingredients.
In addition to the cultural experience, visitors have the opportunity to enter a prize draw for a chance to win an unforgettable trip to Malaysia. The grand prize includes a pair of Malaysia Airlines return economy class tickets from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur flying the newest Airbus A350 and a two-night stay at the Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 February 2024: AirAsia will resume flights to Visakhapatnam this April from its Kuala Lumpur home base, making it the only airline in Malaysia to fly direct to the Indian city.
Commencing 26 April 2024, AirAsia will deploy an A320 to offer three weekly flights to Visakhapatnam, on the Bay of Benga coast. Visakhapatnam, sometimes known as ‘Vizag’, has plenty to offer, from its lush landscapes to its historical landmarks, such as the popular tourist attraction of Dolphin Hill, its traditional festivals and Andhra cuisine.
Photo credit: AirAsia
To mark the return of direct flights to Visakhapatnam, the airline is offering a discount until 14 February with a starting fare of MYR199* all-in-one-way and INR4,999* from Visakhapatnam to Kuala Lumpur. The travel period runs from 26 April to 19 March 2025 for the special fares.
A check of the AirAsia booking website and other independent booking sites indicates bookings are not yet open as of 31 January 2024.
AirAsia Aviation Group CEO Bo Lingam commented: “A direct route to Visakhapatnam is a core part of our expansion plans, and we’re delighted that it is taking off at an opportune time for AirAsia, marking our fourth new route to India this year.
The airline recently announced three other new routes to India that will begin operating this year ‒ Thiruvananthapuram in February, serving as AirAsia’s second route to the state of Kerala, following Kochi, Jaipur in April and Ahmedabad in May. In addition, AirAsia and sister airline AirAsia X fly to six cities in south India ‒ Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata, as well as to two cities in the north ‒ New Delhi and Amritsar.
KUALA LUMPUR, 1 February 2024: the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines’ preliminary traffic figures for 2023 released on Tuesday showed robust growth in international passenger demand, underpinned by a strong appetite for travel following the removal of the region’s remaining pandemic-related travel restrictions.
For the year, the region’s airlines recorded a 161.0% increase in the number of international passengers carried to a combined total of 278.5 million. In revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) terms, demand rose by 131.0%, reflecting strength in short-haul markets. The increase in demand was supported by a 106.2% expansion in available seat capacity for the year as airlines restored flights within and across regions. The international passenger load factor returned to pre-pandemic levels with an average of 80.9% in 2023, an 8.7 percentage point increase compared to 2022.
Meanwhile, air cargo markets entered 2023, weighed by multiple headwinds, including inflation, a strong US dollar, government policy dampening trade activity, and household spending power. Nevertheless, the year’s final months saw demand grow strongly, led by increased e-commerce shipments. In December, international air cargo demand as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK) recorded a 13.2% year-on-year growth, further reducing the decline recorded for 2023 to 2.8%. Offered freight capacity rose by 6.4%, resulting in a 5.8 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.7% for the year.
Commenting on the results, AAPA director-general Subhas Menon said: “International passenger traffic carried by Asian airlines grew solidly by 161% in 2023. Passenger numbers averaged 72% of pre-pandemic 2019 levels, up significantly from 28% in 2022.
“Whilst international air cargo demand declined by 2.8% for the full year, the last quarter of 2023 saw an 8.2% increase compared to the previous corresponding period.”
Overall, 2023 was a good year for the region’s carriers due to a gradual restoration of flights and city-pair connections for the year, which provided more options for travellers, further stimulating demand.
“However, as operations were progressively restored, airlines faced capacity constraints and increased cost pressures driven by volatile fuel prices, a strong US Dollar and inflationary impacts on operations,” Menon explained.
“2024 promises to be another good year for Asian airlines. International passenger traffic is poised to return to pre-pandemic levels in the coming months, buoyed by the return of tourism and resilient expansion of the region’s economies.”
He concluded that “uncertainties remain, including the potential erosion of business and consumer sentiment amid rising geopolitical risks. Against this background, the region’s airlines remain vigilant to market influences while investing for future growth.”
SINGAPORE, 1 February 2024: US-headquartered Carnival Corporation is rerouting cruise ships scheduled to transit the Red Sea until the end of May this year.
In a press statement released Tuesday, Carnival Corporation confirmed it has rerouted itineraries for 12 ships across seven brands for the “safety and well-being of crew and guests following consultations with security experts and the government.”
Photo credit: Cunard’s Queen Victoria visits Singapore on a world cruise.
Carnival Corporation is the largest global cruise company and among the largest leisure travel companies, with a portfolio of cruise lines — AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.
Carnival Corporation reports the Red Sea rerouting is expected to have an adjusted earnings per share impact of USD0.07 to USD0.08 for the full year 2024, with the vast majority of the impact in the second quarter. The company has not seen an impact on booking trends due to the Red Sea situation and has no other Red Sea transits until November 2024.
Carnival is not the only cruise line adjusting itineraries due to the risk of attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, though to varying degrees depending on their scheduled itineraries over the next three to four months,
MSC Cruises has cancelled some Red Sea sailings, especially its “Grand Voyages” from South Africa. Due to security, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean Line have cancelled or modified Red Sea itineraries. Italy’s Costa Cruises ( a brand under Carnival) announced earlier in January it was cancelling Red Sea transits.
Travel warnings
There are several travel advisories issued by governments regarding cruise ships passing through the Red Sea. The US Department of State, the UK and Australia warn of heightened risk of piracy and maritime attacks in the southern Red Sea, particularly off the coast of Yemen and Somalia. They advise cruise ships to exercise extreme caution and implement heightened security measures.
Avoiding the Red Sea
Rerouting to avoid the Red Sea means longer voyages detouring around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope adds seven to 10 days to itineraries. It also inflicts considerable costs on the cruise line. In addition to disrupting cruise schedules, it impacts passenger satisfaction and could lead to cancellations or postponement of trips going into summer if the security risks remain unresolved.
Cancelled Suez Canal transits
While not a major draw for most cruise lines, some world cruises use the Suez Canal to reduce sailing time from ports in the Mediterranean and destinations in the Indian Ocean. These itineraries could suffer major revisions to avoid the canal until safety can be assured. They cannot pass on the cost of extra sailing days around the Cape of Good Hope to passengers.
Lost revenue
Cancellations and altered itineraries lead to lost bookings and revenue for cruise lines. Longer voyages mean greater fuel consumption, pushing up operational costs.
SINGAPORE, 1 February 2024: The Global Destination Sustainability Movement and Tripadvisor have forged a partnership to recognise and promote sustainable travel destinations to consumers through Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice Best of the Best Destinations Awards.
The GDS-Movement and Tripadvisor have partnered to launch a new subcategory for 2024, Best Sustainable Destinations, combining review data and audited excellence in social, economic, and environmental performance.
The Travellers Choice Best of the Best awards showcase favourite sustainable destinations based on rankings and reviews, integrating verified and validated GDS-Index data.
The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme from GDS-Movement that measures, benchmarks, and guides the social, economic, and environmental sustainability strategy and performance of tourism and events in participating cities and regions worldwide.
The index is the global standard for tracking and better managing the regenerative contributions of a destination’s visitor economy. In 2023, it measured sustainability efforts in 100 destinations across four important performance areas: city environment performance, city social sustainability performance, tourism supply chain and destination management organisation, using 69 qualitative and quantitative sustainability indicators aligned with the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The cities included in the GDS-Index stand out for their commitments to sustainability as measured by Tripadvisor’s ratings, including destinations for which Tripadvisor users were most likely to discuss sustainability in positive English-language reviews over 12 months.
Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Sustainable Destinations 2024 list highlights the top 10 global destinations of choice among discerning travellers seeking more responsible destinations.
Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best Sustainable Destinations 2024:
Copenhagen, Denmark
Stockholm, Sweden
Bordeaux, France
Helsinki, Finland
Singapore, Singapore
Melbourne, Australia
Oslo, Norway
Brussels, Belgium
Galway, Ireland
Belfast, United Kingdom
Europe leads with eight out of the top 10 environmentally and socially responsible cities. Copenhagen, Denmark, claims the top position, while the Asia-Pacific region is notably well-represented, with Singapore and Melbourne praised for their sustainability efforts.
GSD-Movement CEO and chief changemaker Guy Bigwood said: “We’re pleased to collaborate with Tripadvisor in recognising cities committed to environmental and social responsibility through the Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Sustainable Destinations 2024. These cities serve as role models in sustainable tourism, showcasing a shared dedication to a more sustainable and resilient future in travel.”
Tripadvisor president Kristen Dalton said: “Tripadvisor’s community of global travellers is passionate about sustainability as a consideration when planning trips, and we’re proud to highlight such an important category. This category helps guide people looking to travel more sustainably while recognising the efforts of global destinations committed to environmental change.”
ABOUT THE GDE-MOVEMENT
Its mission is to empower people with the mindsets, skill sets, and toolsets to create regenerative destinations to visit, meet, and live in. www.gds.earth
BEIJING, 31 January 2024: Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, on Saturday to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Attaching great importance to the development of bilateral ties, Xi said he stands ready to work with Macron to take the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to open up a new future and make China-France comprehensive strategic partnership more solid and dynamic, further contributing to improving the well-being of the two peoples and of humanity.
Photo credit: CGTN
Over the decades, the people of China and France have forged deep bonds in their friendly exchanges and shared cultural exploration.
This winter at the distinguished Harbin Ice and Snow World, a landscape inspired by the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism, is proof of these exchanges. It incorporates two world-famous cultural heritage sites, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. The two ice sculptures representing China and France are connected by a bridge symbolising friendship.
The sculptures were unveiled by French Tourism Minister Olivia Grégoire when he officially declared the commencement of the 2024 China-France Year of Culture and Tourism at the Harbin Ice and Snow World on 5 January.
Echoing Xi’s congratulatory message, Macron said in his message on Saturday that he looks forward to working with the Chinese president to promote bilateral economic, cultural, and youth exchanges. Macron also said he looks forward to continually deepening France-China’s comprehensive strategic partnership with Xi so both sides can infuse renewed vitality into bilateral relations for the next 60 years.
Promoting closer ties
In a video speech to a reception in Beijing celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and France, Xi urged the two sides to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges and promote closer people-to-people ties by taking the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism and the Paris Olympic Games as opportunities.
In November 2023, the 6th meeting of the China-France high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges was held in Beijing when the foreign ministers of both countries witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in fields such as education and scientific research, cultural tourism and health, with the release of a list of high-quality cultural exchange activities between the two countries in 2024.
Summer Olympics
In the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the Chinese Olympic Committee will set up a “China House” during the event to host sports achievement displays, Chinese sports culture displays, and foster interactions between athletes in Chinese and French sports circles, among other activities to add more excitement to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye told China Media Group on Friday.
Lu also noted that people-to-people exchanges between China and France have warmed up in the post-pandemic era. “Nearly 46,000 Chinese are studying in France, and around 1,000 primary and secondary schools in France have opened Chinese language courses, with over 100,000 students learning Chinese.”
China introduced a 15-day visa-free entry policy for ordinary passport holders from France last December. France was named in a list of six countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia.
Last week, China announced similar bilateral agreements with Thailand effective 1 March and Singapore 9 February for a 30-day visa-free stay.
SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024: Pandaw Cruises is promoting a 10-night expedition along the upper Mekong in Laos and Thailand, exploring the untouched valleys and hill tribe villages along the iconic river banks.
Sailing between Chiang Khong in Thailand and the Laotian capital, Vientiane, the cruise stops for three nights at the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, giving guests ample time to explore the town and tourist sights in the Luang Prabang Valley.
Pandaw’s specially crafted expedition vessels sail from October to March each year and are the perfect way to explore this hidden gem in Asia.
