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Centara presents Festive Escapes

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 5 January 2024: Time is fast running out to book a special Festive Escapes deal at hotels in Osaka, Japan and the Maldives under the banner of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Three of Centara’s hotels — one in Osaka, Japan, and two in the Maldives — offer festive season deals. The booking and stay period at the Osaka property ends on 29 February. The booking deadline for the two resorts in the Maldives is 10 January, but the stay period extends to 31 October 2024.

A leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand invites travellers worldwide to celebrate the festive season at three of its most dazzling overseas properties with spectacular holiday offers for a limited time only.

In addition to a 25% discount on flexible room rates at the Centara Grand Hotel Osaka and 50% off member rates with half-board meal plans at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives or the adults-only Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives, Centara presents an array of additional privileges for guests to enjoy at each destination.  

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka: The Magic of Osaka

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka beckons with its enchanting “The Magic of Osaka: Exclusive New Year” offer with an exceptional 25% discount on Flexible room rates when booking a room only or a room with breakfast for stays up to 29 February 2024. Located in the heart of Namba, the city’s vibrant shopping and entertainment district, Centara’s stunning debut hotel in Japan is also offering JP5000 in food and drink credit for one or JPY10,000 for two persons per stay, plus 25% off rejuvenating treatments at SPA Cenvaree and a complimentary welcome drink for two at Smoke & Spin rooftop bar. 

Bookings can be made online via the official website until 29 February 2024.

Centara Grand Island Resort & Centara Ras Fushi Resort: Festive Paradise

For unparalleled holiday bliss, Centara welcomes its loyalty members to explore the natural wonders and adventures of Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives or unwind at the stunning adults-only Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives with a captivating 50% discount on member rates with Half Board Plus meal plans. Including daily breakfast and a dinner buffet or set menu accompanied by two beverages, guests can also enhance their experience by upgrading to all-inclusive meal plan options during booking. Additional perks include a 25% discount on hotel transfers and the opportunity to earn triple CentaraThe1 points with every stay. 

Bookings are open via the official website for the “Festive Paradise: Exclusive Maldives Offer” until 10 January 2024 for stays until 31 October 2024. For bookings or more information, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com/ and seize the opportunity to create unforgettable memories with Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Airasia MOVE inks UnionPay deal

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 5 January 2024: Travel booking platform airasia MOVE partners with international payment brand UnionPay to extend great customer rewards and benefits.

The partnership was sealed between AirAsia rewards head Nicole Tan and UnionPay International Southeast Asia assistant general manager David Chong.

From Left: Nicole Tan, Head of airasia rewards, and David Chong, Assistant General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia.

Through the collaboration, airasia MOVE members, who spend MYR300 or more with their UnionPay cards on flights, hotels, or SNAP (flight plus hotel bundle), gain an upgrade to Platinum membership on their airasia rewards account, on top of free airport transfers* on airasia ride to and from any airport across Malaysia, as well as Bangkok, Thailand and Bali, Indonesia. 

This special deal runs until 30 November 2024 and is applicable to airasia MOVE and UnionPay customers based in any country in Southeast Asia. 

Airasia rewards head Nicole Tan said: ” We are happy to offer UnionPay cardholders airasia MOVE’s best value flights, hotels and other offerings with top-tiered benefits that will suit all their travel needs. We believe this will add value to both UnionPay cardholders and our members alike, bringing us closer to our vision of making AirAsia rewards a loyalty programme platform with the best value and widest array of offerings.”

Changi sets up a grand draw

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 5 January 2024: Changi Airport Group (CAG) has launched a Grand Draw for its latest campaign, “Shall We Just Go?”, encouraging travellers to embrace spontaneity in travel with Changi Airport.

The 12-week campaign has already seen 40,000 entries, with participants vying to win a spontaneous holiday to one of six mystery destinations — Cebu, Ho Chi Minh City, Jeju, Penang, Phnom Penh and Surabaya. 

Twelve winners walked away with return air tickets for two persons and SGD500 Trip.com accommodation vouchers for a token sum of SGD1. The only catch — they had to travel within the next 30 days.

Encouraged by the response to the campaign, CAG is extending the campaign by launching a Grand Draw, giving travellers another chance to win a spontaneous vacation to any of the six destinations. 

Two lucky winners will be drawn, with one of them being a Trust Bank Singapore customer. Each will win a pair of return economy class air tickets and SGD500 Trip.com accommodation vouchers. All participants who have previously joined the campaign will be automatically enrolled in this Grand Draw. The Grand Draw is open to all Singapore residents.

One more chance for a free holiday

Participants who have yet to register for the campaign so far can drop their names into the Grand Draw pot on the “‘Shall We Just Go?” campaign website (https://changi.me/justgo) from now till 16 January 2024 for one more chance at winning a free holiday. 

The winners will get to choose their holiday destination from the six destinations – Cebu, Ho Chi Minh City, Jeju, Penang, Phnom Penh and Surabaya.

All participants who have previously joined the campaign will be automatically enrolled in this Grand Draw. They can get an additional chance at the prizes by enrolling for the Grand Draw. Winners of the Grand Draw will be notified on 17 January 2024. 

The “Shall We Just Go?” campaign is supported by Trip.com and Trust Bank, Cambodia Airways, Cebu Pacific, Firefly, Garuda and Scoot.

Hong Kong airport flags recovery

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 5 January 2024: Passenger traffic at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) during Christmas 2023 recovered to 80% of the pre-pandemic level, in line with Airport Authority Hong Kong’s forecast. 

During the Christmas holiday travel peak, the airport consecutively handled more than 160,000 passengers daily on 22 and 23 December. The 164,000 passengers handled on 23 December is a new daily record after the pandemic.

Flight movements have exceeded 80% of the pre-pandemic level since mid-December. A new post-pandemic record of 1,034 daily flight movements was recorded on 23 December. Passenger traffic at HKIA is expected to fully recover to the pre-pandemic level by the end of 2024.

Malaysia Airlines rolls out holiday fares

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 5 January 2023: Malaysia Airlines and Firefly are the early birds with special one-way economy fares capped at MYR599* for flights departing Kuala Lumpur (MH flights) and Penang (Firefly) to Sabah and Sarawak for all festive holidays scheduled in 2024.

The fares kicked in on 1 January 2024 following the country’s Ministry of Transport’s recommendation that low fares should be offered during holidays to boost domestic tourism.

Photo credit: Malaysia Airlines.

The capped fares are applicable from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) for travel to Kota Kinabalu (BKI), Tawau (TWU), Sandakan (SDK), Labuan (LBU), Kuching (KCH), Miri (MYY), Sibu (SBW), and Bintulu (BTU) via Malaysia Airlines, and between Penang (PEN) to BKI and KCH via Firefly.

Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) airlines chief commercial officer Dersenish Aresandiran said: “We appreciate the government’s support in subsidising fares to ensure travellers can reunite with their loved ones. In line with this commitment, we will strive to provide a superior travel experience tailored to meet the needs and preferences of our passengers on their journey back home.”

Specified dates for holiday fares during 2024**

Chinese New Year
7, 8, 9 February 2024

Hari Raya Aidilfitri
7, 8, 9 April 2024

Kaamatan & Gawai
27, 28, 29 May 2024 (to Sabah/Labuan)
29, 30, 31 May 2024 (to Sarawak)

Christmas
22, 23, 24 December 2024
**Subject to change

In addition to the subsidised festive fares, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly will offer special fares, 9 to 22 January 2024, starting from just MYR79 all-in one-way to domestic destinations and from MYR219 all-in one-way to international destinations for travel starting from 9 January to 30 November 2024. 

Travellers can also take advantage of Firefly’s promotion during the same period, starting from just MYR69 for travel beginning 9 January to 30 June 2024. The promotion applies to all Firefly-operated routes, including those operated by its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

*Not inclusive of government taxes and fees.

Singapore’s Star Travelers grounded

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 5 January 2024: Singapore-based Star Travelers SG Pte Ltd (agency licence 03297) has been suspended from conducting travel agency activities effective 27 December 2023, according to the latest update from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The company was incorporated on 26 November 2018 with a paid-up capital of SGD100,000 and engaged in the business of a travel agency offering mainly outbound travel and an online marketplace for travel services.  

Photo credit: Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST) website https://trust.stb.gov.sg.

The STB statement said the suspension resulted from the company’s failure to submit its annual business profile returns (ABPR) and audited statement of accounts (AA) within six months after the close of its financial year. 

The suspension remains in place until further notice under Singapore’s Travel Agents Act 1975, until ‘Star Travelers’ submits its annual returns and audited statement of accounts, or for up to six months, whichever is earlier.

During the suspension, Star Travelers must fulfil its existing obligations to customers but will not be allowed to accept new travel bookings.

The submission of ABPR and AA are requirements under the Travel Agents Regulations 2017. A failure to submit the ABPR and AA within the stipulated deadline raises concern over a company’s ability to meet the minimum financial requirements as mandated under the Travel Agents Regulations.

STB reiterated that it “takes a serious view of errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.”

Singapore is the only country in ASEAN to update the international travel community on its decisions regarding the oversight of travel agencies.
For the most up-to-date list of licensed travel agents in Singapore, visit the Travel Related Users’ System (TRUST) website https://trust.stb.gov.sg.

Hilton’s LXR flag flies at Bali resort

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TTR WEEKLY
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BALI, Indonesia, 4 January 2024: Hilton has opened Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, marking the brand’s first resort in Southeast Asia. 

“LXR Hotels & Resorts presents a tremendous opportunity for Hilton’s Asia Pacific luxury growth. Following the brand’s successful regional launch in Kyoto, welcoming another stunning LXR resort in Bali underscores our commitment to expanding our world-class luxury brands in the most sought-after destinations.

Umana Bali, Hilton LXR Resorts.

With its coveted location and exclusive positioning, Umana Bali is set to shape a new generation of luxury travel in Bali,” said Hilton President Asia Pacific Alan Watts.

Umana Bali is owned by PT Surya Semesta Internusa Tbk and managed by Hilton. 
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Hilton to introduce Southeast Asia’s first LXR property in Bali, a destination that is vital to tourism in Indonesia and the region,” said  PT Surya Semesta Internusa Tbk president director Johannes Suriadjaja.

Perched on the island’s southernmost tip at Ungasan, Umana Bali boasts some of the destination’s most stunning ocean views. With 72 villas, the resort is laid out in cascading terraces atop limestone cliffs, reminiscent of uma, or ancient rice paddy fields, after which it is named.

Starting at 403 square metres, each villa features its private infinity-edge pool and outdoor hot tub, while the three-bedroom Umana Pool Villa sprawls across an impressive 1,200 square metres.

Umana Bali is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 22 distinct hotel brands. To celebrate the resort’s opening, Hilton Honors members will receive 10,000 bonus points with a minimum stay of three nights booked by 31 May 2024.

Hainan Film Fest spotlights Sanya

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TTR WEEKLY
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SANYA, China, 4 January 2024: The 5th Hainan International Film Festival hosted in Sanya in Hainan, China, last December attracted a record turnout of domestic and international tourists.

“Our hotel room occupancy reached 90% in November, and in December, as several large-scale events such as the Hainan International Film Festival opened, the room occupancy averaged 96.8% during December, and weekends were full,” said InterContinental Sanya Haitang Bay Resort marketing and sales director Cai Liwei.

In recent years, Sanya has organised various cultural and tourism competition events and activities, effectively activating the vitality of the cultural tourism consumer market. In 2023, Sanya’s tourism and accommodation facilities received more than 25 million overnight tourists, with overnight tourism revenue of 89.34 billion yuan, an increase of 7.48% and 47.83%, respectively, compared with 2019.

Damao Yuanyang Eco Village is a must-visit destination that offers a wide range of activities such as jungle adventure, RV camping, greenway cycling, and orchard picking. As the village creates its rural tourism brand and innovates on “agriculture+” tourism, education, sports, and multi-industry integration, it has boosted the income of local farmers.

According to the Publicity Department of Sanya Municipal Party Committee, for the next step, Sanya City will continue to focus on fashion consumption, cruises and yachts, cultural relics and arts.

(Your Stories: Publicity Department of Sanya Municipal Party)

Club Med opens mountain resort in Japan

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 4 January 2024: Club Med has opened the Club Med Kiroro Grand in the heart of Hokkaido’s Kiroro region, renowned for its record-breaking 21-metre snowfall and an extended 160-day winter holiday experience.

The project, completely overhauled and reborn in less than one year, is a part of Club Med’s commitment to Hokkaido ski destination, where the brand has been present since 1986, with its first Mountain Resort, Club Med Kiroro.

It was fully booked for festive weeks, thanks to vacationers from Asia Pacific, particularly Japanese, who have been loyal to the brand since it debuted in Japan in 1979.

Club Med president Henri Giscard d’Estaing emphasised the significance of Club Med Kiroro Grand in snow vacations, particularly in the beautiful region of Hokkaido, Japan, a perennial favourite among Asia Pacific travellers.

“The addition of Club Med Kiroro Grand marks a strategic milestone for our expanding portfolio in the world’s most desired travel destinations. We are excited to include another property within the region while keeping it distinctive from others. Following a record-breaking performance in 2023 driven by remarkable demand for our mountain Resorts, we are confident that Club Med Kiroro Grand will further reinforce our leadership in snow and summer mountain experiences,” he said at the opening ceremony of Club Med Kiroro Grand.

The 266-room Club Med Kiroro Grand has access to an immaculate ski domain, boasting 23 diverse courses catering to skiers of all levels, with pristine off-piste slopes spanning the Asari and Nagamine mountains. 

Ski and lift passes will be ready on arrival, ensuring guests can spend every possible moment enjoying the ski slopes. Guests can participate in group ski and snowboard lessons tailored for all ages and skill levels, overseen by dedicated professional ski instructors.

Pre-registration for the Winter 2025 holidays commenced on 3 January 2024, and booking channels will officially open on 30 January 2024. During this period, early birds can enjoy up to 30% discounts* on bookings for Club Med’s four resorts in Japan.

Thai Smile wraps up ops with final flight

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 4 January 2024: Thai Smile, the daughter company of Thai Airways International, ended all flights on 31 December following months of phasing out international flights and later handing over all its domestic routes to the parent airline.

Thai Smile’s last flights included a round-trip Bangkok-Krabi, Bangkok-Khon Kaen, Bangkok-Chiang Rai and Bangkok-Hat Yai. All Thai Smile flights ended on 31 December 2023, with the last flight departing Hat Yai in southern Thailand to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

Photo credit: Thai Smile. Final flight farewell 31 December 2023.

Closing down the subsidiary airline was part of THAI’s Rehabilitation Plan that should see the national airline achieving a complete restoration under the country’s bankruptcy court ruling.

As part of the business restructuring, Thai Smile was required to transfer all flight operations and services to Thai Airways, effective 1 January 2024. 

Thai Smile Airways launched in 2012 as a subsidiary of Thai Airways International, focusing on regional and domestic Thai routes.

It aimed to offer a low-cost fare alternative to Thai Airways International with a younger and more casual brand image.

However, success eluded its management, and due to heavy losses during the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided to phase out Thai Smile as part of the airline group’s rehabilitation plan supervised by the bankruptcy court.

As a subsidiary, Thai Smile’s financial performance was consolidated into Thai Airways’ books, affecting its bottom line.

Local news reports quoted by Khaosod English suggested that the cumulative loss from its inception in 2012 until the merger was just short of THB16 billion(approximately USD460 million). In 2021 alone, Thai Smile reported a loss of THB4.24 billion (approximately USD122 million).

Existing bookings on Thai Smile have now been transferred to Thai Airways International flights. On domestic routes, THAI has maintained flight schedules using the Thai Smile’s A320 fleet, but it has deployed larger aircraft on some key routes, such as Phuket and Chiang Mai. However, it did drop one flight on the Bangkok – Chiang Rai route, offering just morning and late afternoon flights between the capital and the far north town. The local travel and hospitality sectors called the loss of the third daily flight to Chiang Rai a setback. 

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