SINGAPORE, 6 December 2023: SriLankan Airlines has introduced double daily flights between Colombo and Mumbai, multiplying the convenience for passengers travelling to and from India’s financial and entertainment capital.
The new double daily service to Mumbai gives a 50% boost to SriLankan’s capacity on its Mumbai route and strengthens the airline’s network in India.
Flights UL142 and UL144 will depart daily from Mumbai to Colombo at 0310 and 2045, respectively.
Flights UL141 and UL143 from Colombo to Mumbai will depart at 2345 and 1710, respectively. Passengers travelling out of Mumbai on SriLankan Airlines will now have the advantage of more flight options to Colombo and convenient connections via Colombo to popular destinations in Asia, Europe and Australia, including Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Melbourne and Sydney.
SriLankan Airlines’ head of worldwide sales and distribution, Dimuthu Tennakoon, stated: “India is fast becoming one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets. We are only happy to expand our operations in one of India’s most celebrated cities and make travel between Mumbai and Colombo extra seamless. Our frequency increase comes from Sri Lanka announcing free visas for Indian visitors. We hope these positive developments will encourage more travellers from Mumbai to stop by Sri Lanka.”
India is the only country with nine cities featured in Sri Lankan Airlines’ network, operating close to 100 flights every week. This includes Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Trichy and Madurai in addition to Mumbai.
6 December 2023: The Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) conferred the World Tourism Icon of the Year Award on the Department of Tourism Philippines Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on 1 December.
The GBTA citation said the award recognised Secretary Frasco’s exceptional leadership as the World Tourism Icon of the Year and her relentless efforts to showcase the best of the Philippines nation to the world.
Photo credit: DOT Philippines. Department of Tourism Philippines Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
“Fostering cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, and economic growth, indeed, you have validated the Philippine Tourism sector on the global stage by attracting visitors worldwide and has set a new standard for excellence in the global tourism landscape.
“This plaque serves as a token of our deep appreciation for your extraordinary contributions to the tourism industry. May it stand as a testament to the positive impact (you have made) and inspire future generations,” GBTA said in its statement.
Secretary Frasco underscored the pivotal role of the tourism industry in delivering economic recovery: ” The synergy between the private tourism industry and the government is a pivotal factor to our success at achieving unprecedented goals in tourism. I commend GBTA for rallying the private sector and championing tourism globally,” the Tourism Chief commented in her response.
Just days before the GBTA citation, the Philippines Department of Tourism confirmed the country will exceed its target of 4.8 million international arrivals by the end of 2023.
“We have now welcomed over 4.82 million international visitors, contributing an impressive PHP404 billion in foreign visitor receipts so far this year, Secretary Frasco confirmed in an official statement.
MANILA, 4 December 2023: The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Philippine Department of Tourism office in the US reaffirmed the country’s status as a premier dive destination by generating PHP306.1 million in sales at the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association show held recently in New Orleans USA.
The sales estimate at this year’s show was up 60% compared to the DEMA show in 2022, which was held in Florida, USA.
Photo credit: TPB
Earlier this year, the Philippines was named Best Dive Destination by the Dive, Resort and Travel Show in Taiwan and Malaysia and Asia’s Best Dive Destination by the World Travel Awards.
“Recently, we were honoured as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination at the World Travel Awards 2023, a title that the Philippines proudly maintained for five consecutive years since 2019. This is no small feat and a big source of national pride for us. Leveraging this achievement, we seize all opportunities to actively promote diving as a key tourism product of the Philippines, specifically focusing on the American market through the DEMA Show,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
Sixteen private sector companies joined the DEMA sales and networking. They comprised Atlantis Dive Resorts & Liveaboards, Kokays Maldito Dive Resort, Magic Resorts Philippines, Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa, Amun Ini Beach Resort & Spa / Salaya Beach Houses, El Galleon Dive Resort/Asia Divers, Crystal Blue Resort, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Discovery Fleet, Seadoors Liveaboard, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Kasai Village Dive Inc., Scandi Divers, and MY Resolute (Liveaboard), and the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines. The Philippines pavilion at the show showcased the country’s top dive sites in Batangas, Puerto Galera, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Palawan.
BANGKOK, 4 December 2023: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed a hotel management agreement with Gamuda Land to manage ASAI Gamuda Cove – Dusit’s first hotel in Malaysia and the first hotel development by Gamuda Land.
Slated to open in Q1 2026, the hotel is situated next to the sprawling Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands within the thoughtfully planned Gamuda Cove. Spanning 1,530 acres, Gamuda Cove will also include residential and commercial areas to complement a range of eco-friendly tourism attractions, such as the already operational SplashMania Waterpark and Discovery Park, all designed with sustainability and a low carbon footprint in mind.
Photo caption: (from left) Eusoffe Chua, Gamuda Land Chief Commercial Officer, Chu Wai Lune, Gamuda Land Chief Executive Officer, Zuaida Abdullah, MIDA Executive Director, Services Development, HE Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia, Mohd Shahrir Mohd Ali, Tourism Malaysia Senior Director, International Promotion (ASEAN) Siradej Donavanik, Dusit International Vice President Development Global, Gilles Cretallaz, Dusit International Chief Operating Officer.
Kuala Lumpur airport is only a 20-minute drive by car and just 40 minutes to the city centre. This strategic location caters to both domestic and international travellers, enhancing the overall accessibility and appeal of the destination.
Operating under Dusit’s distinctive locally focused lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels, which promises to uniquely link curious travellers with authentic local experiences in the world’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, the 280-key ASAI Gamuda Cove hotel enjoys the distinction of being the first hotel signed under Dusit’s expanded ‘ASAI Tropical’ model, specifically tailored for properties located in areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Like Dusit’s operational inner-city ASAI Hotels in Bangkok, Thailand, and Kyoto, Japan, ASAI Tropical hotels will feature thoughtfully compact rooms delivering a distinctive blend of thoughtful essentials, such as plush beds and refreshing showers, complemented by an inviting communal space and locally inspired dining experience. What sets the model apart is providing a broader range of facilities. In this case, an infinity pool, more dining venues, expanded event spaces, and a wider variety of room categories, including spacious, family-friendly options.
Strategically situated in the southern region of the Gamuda Cove development, ASAI Gamuda Cove will be designed to forge a sense of community by integrating local identity into its design language. Surrounded by lush greenscapes, the hotel will blend seamlessly with the adjacent wetlands and a sprawling 90-acre Wetlands Arboretum, accessible directly from the hotel.
Further highlighting Gamuda Cove’s green credentials, an e-tram network – the first of its kind in Malaysia – will seamlessly link guests to hotspots within the development, such as Discovery Park, SplashMania Waterpark, and a pedestrian-only commercial hub, helping to limit the use of motorised vehicles and reduce carbon footprint. Regular community-based activities and events will give guests a unique taste of local culture and experiences while highlighting the importance of responsible tourism.
ASAI Gamuda Cove is set to cater to both domestic and international tourists who will visit Gamuda Cove’s host of eco-tourism activities, such as SplashMania Waterpark, Discovery Park, and Paya Indah Discovery Wetlands – attracting a targeted 1 million visitors annually.
“To be entrusted with the management of the first hotel within the dynamic Gamuda Cove development truly is an honour, and we are delighted to partner with Gamuda Land to help bring their vision for their first-ever hotel project to life,” said Dusit International chief operating officer Gilles Cretallaz.
“With its stunning location and sustainable credentials, Gamuda Cove perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the ASAI brand, and we look forward to delivering a unique and unforgettable hotel experience that immerses guests in the diverse cultural tapestry of Malaysia and the natural beauty of the wetlands, all while contributing enduring value to our esteemed partners and the community we serve.”
Dusit’s property portfolio spans 19 countries and comprises 56 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and approximately 240 luxury villas under Elite Havens. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline worldwide.
About Dusit International
Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT), is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. 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.
LANGKAWI, 4 December 2023: Over 2,600 marathon runners from 31 countries signed up for the Langkawi International Half Marathon (LIHM) 2023 on Saturday, underscoring Langkawi’s role as a sports destination for running enthusiasts.
LADA partnered with the Langkawi Runners Association for the second time to host this event successfully. The event targets running enthusiasts to revive tourism activities on Langkawi Island. In addition, this event also helps the tourism industry players enjoy economic benefits and restore the vibrancy of Langkawi’s tourism industry.
The event attracted runners in three categories: the 21km half marathon, 10km and 5km Fun Run.
In addition, the unique feature of LIHM2023 this year was the picturesque route crossing the scenic paddy fields of Ulu Melaka, better known as Mahsuri Rings, formed from an ancient meteor impact, resulting in a lowland surrounded by rolling hills shaped like a ring when seen from the air. To make the event more special, the release and end of the running participants took place inside the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), marking the first indoor start venue for a running event in Malaysia.
Photo credit: LADA
Langkawi is well-known for hosting sports-based tourism events. Popular events include the IRONMAN Malaysia, Langkawi Legendary Ride and Langkawi Swimming Festival. The growing number of participants and countries involved indicates that LIHM has the potential to become an annual flagship event in Langkawi.
As part of its support, LADA provided facilities throughout the event and coordinated between the organisers and other agencies in Langkawi during the event, which attracted 8,000 visitors. LADA supports event management companies that aim to turn Langkawi into a world-class event destination to help stimulate tourism.
MANILA, 4 December 2023: Clark International Airport (CRK) has been honoured as one of the world’s most beautiful airports this year, earning the prestigious Prix Versailles, the World Architecture and Design Award of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Commenting on the accolade, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco commented: “This prestigious award received by CRK not only reflects the aesthetic grandeur of the Clark International Airport but also showcases the Philippines as a destination that values both function and beauty in its infrastructure.”
Photo credit: Clark International Airport.
“The DOT is committed to continuing our dedication to pushing for the improvement of our transport infrastructures in collaboration with other government agencies with the comfort and convenience of the traveling public on top of our mind,” added the tourism secretary.
Other airports in Asia included in the Ninth edition list are Beijing Daxing International Airport in China, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in China, Kempegowda International Airport in India, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport in China, and Van Don International Airport in Vietnam.
As a regional gateway, Clark International Airport can serve up to 8 million passengers annually. There are international flights from Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore. Currently, the airport handles flights to major tourist destinations destinations such as Caticlan (Boracay), Puerto Princesa and Busuanga (Palawan), Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, General Santos, and Cagayan de Oro.
BANGKOK, 4 December 2023: Thai Airways International launched its daily flight from Bangkok to Istanbul, Turkey, on 2 December and increased the list of codeshare flights on Turkish Airlines that TG passengers can connect with on arrival in Istanbul.
The maiden flight (TG900) of Thai Airlines International used an Airbus A350-900XWB with 322 seats for the inaugural flight.
Flight TG900 departed Bangkok at 2345 and arrived at Istanbul International Airport (IST) at 0605 on the following morning. The return flight TG901 departed IST at 1630 and arrived in Bangkok at 0535 (the following morning).
THAI returned to Istanbul after a gap of 26 years. It stopped serving the destination in October 1997.
More codeshares with Turkish
Meanwhile, effective 1 December, THAI and Turkish Airlines have expanded their codeshare partnership to allow THAI passengers to connect with Turkish Airlines routes beyond Istanbul. The list now includes the following Turkish Airlines flights, enabling travellers to ticket the entire end-to-end journey with seamless connections and baggage transfer to the final destinations on the codeshare flights.
THAI codeshare flights operated by Turkish Airlines beyond Istanbul.
Istanbul – Ankara Istanbul – Antalya Istanbul – Atlanta Istanbul – Boston Istanbul – Brussels Istanbul – Geneva Istanbul – Izmir Istanbul – Lisbon Istanbul – Miami Istanbul – New York JFK Istanbul – Porto Istanbul – Washington Dulles
KUALA LUMPUR, 4 December 2023: Batik Air will launch direct flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Melbourne (MEL) on 20 December 20, 2023.
A wide-body A330 will offer seasonal flights from 20 December to 6 February to cater to the rising demand for travel to Australia during the peak holiday and travel season.
Photo credit: Batik Air
Flight OD175 will take off from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) four times weekly – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 1820 and arrive in Melbourne at 0515 (local time) the following day.
The return Flight OD176, will fly Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, departing from Melbourne at 0645 and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 1210.
Melbourne serves as a prominent Australian VFR (Visiting Friends and Relatives) travel hub, earning its place in Batik Air’s expanding portfolio, which includes other major cities in Australia, such as Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Batik Air also provides direct flights connecting Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide and Perth. It also serves Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth via Denpasar. Additionally, Batik Air operates to Auckland via Perth.
Batik Air offers special promotional fares starting from MYR799, all-inclusive one-way economy class tickets. The booking window is open to 15 December 2023, and travel is from 20 December to 31 January 2023.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 4 December 2023: Vietjet Air inaugurated a new route connecting Ho Chi Minh City In Vietnam with Shanghai in China, on 1 December, but travellers must wait until 5 December for the first commercial flight.
A search on Skyscanner shows daily direct flights on the Ho Chi Minh City-Shanghai route are bookable from 5 December, with the lowest one-way fare pegged at USD81.
(From left to right) Wei Huaxiang, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Thanh Son, Vietjet Vice President, Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism of Ho Chi Minh City, performed the inaugurating ceremony for the new route.
Using an A321, Flight VJ3900 will depart daily from Ho Chi Minh City at 1630 and arrive at Shanghai at 2130. Flight time is four hours. Flight VJ3901 will depart Shanghai at 2300 and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 0245.
The direct flight is not showing up on all booking sites, and even the airline’s official booking site showed no booking dates available for December.
China Eastern is the main competitor offering direct flights from Shanghai to Ho Chi Minh City, with its lowest fare pegged at USD147 one-way. The flight departs Ho Chi Minh City at 0210 and arrives in Shanghai at 0700
Shanghai is one of the largest economic and financial hubs in China. In 2022, Shanghai’s GDP reached 4.465 trillion Chinese yuan (663 billion USD), with a population of 24.76 million residents.
Vietjet has operated services between Vietnam and China since 2014, with the first routes connecting Chinese visitors to popular tourist destinations in Vietnam, including Nha Trang, Danang, and Phu Quoc.
(Source flight information: Google Flights, Skyscanner).
SINGAPORE, 4 December 2023: Vistara inaugurated daily, non-stop flights between Delhi and Bali on 1 December and confirmed it will start flights from Mumbai to Doha on 15 December.
The inaugural flight, operated on Vistara’s A321LR aircraft, commenced from Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, at 0030 on 1 December 2023 and arrived at Denpasar International Airport, Bali (DPS) at 1105.
Vistara’s A321LR has a three-class seating configuration and offers in-seat power/USB charging ports, a state-of-the-art In-flight entertainment system, live TV and onboard Wi-Fi.
Vistara chief executive officer Vinod Kannan commented: “Bali is one of the most coveted holiday havens for travellers in India. We are excited to be the only airline currently to launch direct connectivity between Delhi and Bali. Given India and Indonesia’s close commercial and cultural ties, Bali has also rapidly grown to be a key destination for corporate travel and MICE. We are excited to bring the Best Airline in India and South Asia to Bali and are confident that Vistara, with its world-class product and services, will be a much-preferred choice for customers travelling on this new route.”
Schedule for Delhi-Bali route
New direct flight to Doha
Doha becomes Vistara’s 50th destination, with four weekly direct flights from Mumbai scheduled to start on 15 December. Return fares from India start at INR 30599 all-in, or QAR1349 if purchased in Doha. Flights are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
