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China opens visa-free door

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 28 November: China will expand its visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from six countries (five in Europe plus Malaysia) starting 1 December. 

Implemented on a trial basis until 30 November 2024, the provision applies to citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. The policy will be implemented on a trial basis. Visa-free entry is available to ordinary passport holders from the six countries visiting China for business, leisure, and transit. The stay is limited to 15 days. 

“Inbound tourism is where new opportunities lie,” says Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group.

A Trip.com Group advisory said the move should promote the recovery of the Chinese inbound tourism market. During the first 10 months of 2023, Trip.com said it had recorded a four-digit growth in visitor numbers compared to the same period in 2022. This equates to more than 60% of pre-pandemic levels. 

Data showed that Malaysia and Germany were leading among China’s top 10 sources markets for inbound tourism. Trip.com Group noted that pageviews focusing on flights from Malaysia to China jumped by 48.69% on 24 November, compared to the same day a week earlier.

Long-haul inbound travel to China also shows signs of recovery, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Booking increases are evident elsewhere. For instance, European bookings to China saw a remarkable increase of 663.0% compared to 2022 and a significant growth of 28.9% compared to 2019.

Compared with the rapid recovery of domestic and outbound tourism, the recovery of inbound tourism is relatively slower. According to a report by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, inbound tours received by national travel agencies in the first half of 2023 totalled 477,800, while in the first half of 2019, the tally stood at 8,561,600.

However, inbound tourism is where new opportunities lie, according to Trip.com Group CEO Jane Sun.

“China’s inbound tourism has huge potential, and if it rises to the international median of 1.5% of GDP, it will bring at least RMB1,310 billion in growth earnings.”

Macao to flick the festive light switch

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TTR WEEKLY
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MACAO, 28 November 2023: Festive season lights switch on 2 December 2023 and will illuminate landmarks and streets until 25 February 2024

Organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office in collaboration with the six integrated resorts, “Light up Macao 2023”, the spectacular light displays adopt the theme “Dazzling Wonderland.”

The enchanting light arts will illuminate the city starting at 1900 daily at the Macao Peninsula, Taipa and Coloane.

Announcing details of “Light up Macao 2023” at a press conference last week, MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said the spectacular displays would span across a series of major festivities, such as the Anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, Winter Solstice, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, Renri and Chinese Lantern Festival.

Lasting for almost three months, the festive lights will dazzle at 34 locations across seven districts as follows: Central District, Praia do Manduco District, Nam Van District, Zona Nova de Aterros do Porto Exterior (NAPE), Northern District, Taipa and Coloane. There will be 36 light installations, 20 interactive installations and three mapping show venues. 

Light up themes

“Light up Macao 2023” will adopt different subthemes such as “Blooming Splendour” at Central District, “Light Up! Porto-A-Ma” at Praia do Manduco District, “Dancing Butterflies and Blooming Wonders” at Nam Van District, “Travel Around the Universe” at NAPE, “Joyful Journey” at Northern District, “Fantasy Fairyland” in Taipa and “Coloane Ambassadors” in Coloane. Residents and visitors can experience the Dazzling Wonderland in Macao. The installations will be on from 1900 to 2200.

SIX integrated resort enterprises in Macao will design and coordinate the installations in different districts. They are SJM Resorts for the central district, MGM for Praia do Manduco district, Wynn Resorts (Macau) for Nam Van district, Galaxy Entertainment Group for NAPE, Melco Resorts & Entertainment for Taipa and Sands China for Coloane.

Qatar extends FIFA partnership

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TTR WEEKLY
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DOHA, 27 November 2023: Qatar Airway has renewed a longstanding partnership with FIFA until 2030 as the association’s Global Airline Partner. 

Through a dedicated Qatar Airways booking platform, it opens the door for football fans to buy exclusive travel packages, including match tickets, flights, and accommodation for specific FIFA tournaments.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer (right) and FIFA president Gianni Infantino (left) sign off on the FIFA partnership.

Qatar Airways Group chief executive officer Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer joined FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the signing ceremony on last week’s first FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 anniversary.

The agreement will cover significant FIFA tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, and the FIFA World Cup 2030, as well as all youth men’s and women’s tournaments, commencing with the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

Donation appeal for Myanmar’s medical clinics

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 November 2023: Pandaw Cruises has completed the transfer of its funded medical clinics to local community organisations in Myanmar to streamline funding while urgently appealing for donations as a “full-blown civil war rages in Myanmar.”

Cruise passengers have supported the Pandaw Clinics for the last 15 years, with seven clinics in the Bagan area alone. The specialist river ship cruise operator, which traces its roots back to Myanmar, started the transfer of the medical clinics to local communities a year ago as the ongoing civil war raging through Myanmar made it almost impossible to get funds into the country while contacting local trustees became more precarious.

Seven clinics have survived and thrived under the administration of a Buddhist organisation, including a central clinic on the grounds of a large monastic estate just outside New Bagan. Due to its Buddhist status, the clinics have enjoyed protection from government interference. 

Pandaw reports that the religious organisation has now taken over the management and fundraising from local sources to keep the clinics operational. 

“The clinics are, we are glad to say, well managed and well-funded, and to hand them over to local control is a happy outcome,” Pandaw Cruises said in a recent press statement.

However, to maintain fundraising efforts for the medical clinics, Pandaw Cruises has formed an association with a Dutch and UK-registered charity called MAM (Medical Action Myanmar) to distribute donations made by Pandaw’s cruise guests since the 2021 military coup. MAM remains the prime channel for forwarding funds to the medical clinics that Pandaw Cruises supports. 

About MAM

MAM was established in 2009 with a clinic in a Yangon slum and since then has expanded to 18 clinics that last year provided 350,000 consultations, mainly in remote communities and urban slums. Each treatment costs an average of USD2.50, which includes diagnosis, treatment and medication. 

In addition, MAM supports 2,300 community health workers, many in inaccessible areas, who provided 1.6 million consultations last year. It is best known for its motorbike doctors who undertake dangerous journeys over mountain passes across raging rivers in the Himalayas. For more information on MAM: https://mam.org.mm/ 

On future funding raising

“From our Pandaw Charity Fund, we have been able to financially assist MAM in its invaluable work, mainly through financing the purchase of vital drugs prescribed for free.

“Currently, with a full-blown civil war raging, not just in the hill areas but in the Irrawaddy and Chindwin valleys, with fighting just a few miles from Bagan, humanitarian assistance has become more critical than ever. 

“As populations are displaced by the movement of armies and the destruction of villages and small towns from the air, there is a refugee crisis with many people thrown into makeshift camps with little sanitation, food or medical care. 

“Never more than now is there a need to help the people of Burma, and we believe that MAM is probably the most direct and efficient way of doing this,” Pandaw’s management stated.

For more information on making a donation, visit https://www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/3616052

Royal Cliff racks up more silverware

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TTR WEEKLY
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PATTAYA, 27 November 2023: Royal Cliff Hotels Group tallies its achievements, a remarkable milestone of over 280 prestigious awards and still counting.

Its recent triumph at the World Luxury Hotel Awards is a testament to Royal Cliff’s enduring legacy of excellence in the hospitality landscape. 

Photo Caption: Vitanart Vathanakul, CEO of Royal Cliff Hotels Group (2nd from left), together with Vankamon Athikomkhunchai, Marketing and PR Manager of Royal Cliff Hotels Group (left), Chaiyanan Boonyachalayont, Senior Deputy Resident Manager of Royal Cliff Beach Hotel (2nd from right) and Natrada Pongpaew, Deputy Resident manager of Royal Wing Suites and Spa (right) celebrates the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

The award, a symbol of luxury and recognition of world-class service standards, acknowledges the magical resort for its outstanding sports & wellness resort and popular family beach destination. 

“We are immensely honoured to receive such distinguished recognition, especially as it represents our long-standing tradition of excellence,” stated  Royal Cliff Hotels Group CEO Vitanart Vathanakul. “Surpassing this milestone of over 280 awards is a reflection of our dedication to capturing the hearts of every guest. This award is dedicated to our remarkable team, who have been the cornerstone of our success,” Vitanart continued. 

The World Luxury Hotel Awards is an esteemed global organisation providing luxury hotels with recognition for their world-class facilities and service excellence provided to guests. The awards are a celebrated achievement for the luxury hotel industry, offering international recognition as voted by guests, travellers, and industry players.

“We wish to congratulate all our winners. Travelers today increasingly value experiences over possessions and are willing to invest in unique, authentic, and immersive travel experiences. Guests can enjoy this with the unwavering commitment of dedicated staff. We congratulate the 2023 winners, who have worked hard and tirelessly to be successful in a very competitive industry,” said the World Luxury Awards executive manager, Jana Stoman.

Royal Cliff Hotels Group has been at the forefront of the hospitality industry, consistently raising the bar for luxury and innovation. The latest award adds to a growing list of accolades that underscore Royal Cliff’s unique offerings, from its bespoke services to its luxurious accommodations and culinary delights. The Group’s philosophy of delivering exceptional experiences is woven into the fabric of its operations, and this recognition from the World Luxury Hotel Awards further cements its position as a leader in the industry.

The Royal Cliff Hotels Group, a multi-award-winning Thai hospitality brand established in 1973, stands as a unique destination in a spectacular location with panoramic ocean views. Together with the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH), it is heralded as one of Asia’s leading resort convention spots, offering an all-in-one convention solution to cater to various meeting needs. Esteemed industry leaders have lauded the venue, recognising it as a forerunner in Thailand’s MICE sector. It has over 23,500 sqm of event space and boasts state-of-the-art amenities, impeccable services, and advanced technical support. It is ideal for hosting events ranging from international conferences and exhibitions to product launches and banquets. This timeless luxury destination is considered a leading Asian venue for magical vacations, business events, sports and wellness. The hotel has steadfastly committed to its employees throughout its history, ensuring no one has been laid off. The owners and board of directors emphasise the significance of staff well-being and fostering a positive company culture.

For a deeper dive into the offerings of the Royal Cliff Hotels Group and the Pattaya Exhibition And Convention Hall (PEACH), you can explore www.royalcliff.com and www.peachthailand.com. Social media official accounts: Facebook.com/royalcliff 

Vietjet flies to Perth and Adelaide

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 27 November 2023: Vietjet introduced two new flights to Perth and Adelaide last week that established routes to five cities in Australia, giving the airline 58 weekly flights to and from Australia.

Western Australia’s state capital, Perth, is the fourth largest city in Australia, followed by Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, in fifth place. Vietjet already flies to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, making it the first Vietnamese airline to fly to all five major cities in the country.

The two new destinations in Australia are served by five weekly flights each.

Photo credit: Vietjet.

Air India heads for Phuket

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 November 2023: Air India confirmed in a Facebook post at the weekend it will start a brand new service flying direct to Phuket from Delhi starting 15 December 2023. 

Saying the decision to fly to Phuket was a response to the recent Thai government’s move to introduce visa-free stays for Indian citizens, Air India confirms it will operate four direct weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday starting 15 December using Airbus A320neo aircraft. The roundtrip economy fares start at INR22,896 (USD275).

Flight AI378 will depart Delhi 0110 and land in Phuket 0710
Flight AI379 will depart at 0810  and arrive in Delhi at 1050 

IndiGo flies from Delhi to Phuket, offering daily services that depart Delhi at 0620 and arrive in Phuket at 1230.

Since February 2023, the average fare on the Delhi-Phuket has hovered around USD390. Air India’s four weekly flights will give the route 11 services weekly (IndiGo offers daily flights).

HBX teams up with Mastercard’s tourism hub

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 27 November 2023: The TravelTech Lab by HBX Group and Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub (the Hub) are sharing expertise and collaborating on accelerating innovation in the travel and tourism sector as they embark on a joint programme over the next three years.

The HBX Group’s TravelTech Lab and Mastercard’s Global Tourism Innovation Hub are based in Spain, and the companies have signed off on a joint commitment to provide a springboard for emerging innovation and tech talent. Together, they will share knowledge and industry insights over the next three years while collaborating on sustainability and inclusive tourism projects.

The first edition of Oktobertech 2023, from 24 to 30 October, was hosted at the TravelTech Lab at Hotelbeds headquarters in Palma, Spain.

“Our new membership in Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub will help us accelerate our goal to provide frictionless end-to-end travel for everyone,” said HBX Group chief innovation officer José María Pestaña Sartorius. 

“Mastercard’s Tourism Innovation Hub has become a trusted collaborator across the public and private sectors in developing more sustainable and resilient tourism globally, “Mastercard vice president Tourism Innovation Hub Quim Martinez Bosch noted. 

While the TravelTech Lab by HBX Group opened earlier this year to reimagine tourism and improve the overall travel experience, Mastercard’s Global Tourism Innovation Hub works with governments, public sector agencies and private sector companies to accelerate their digitalisation efforts, as well as innovate, research, and co-create solutions across the tourism ecosystem.

Recent additions to the Hub include the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan and the Kazakh Tourism National Company. They join existing Tourism Innovation Hub members, including the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Spain’s SEGITTUR, and the Global Travel Resilience & Crisis Management Centre (GTRCMC) of Jamaica.

About HBX Group
HBX Group is a  B2B ecosystem player in the TravelTech space, connecting and empowering businesses. Hotelbeds is part of the HBX Group. The group has over 3,000 experts worldwide, including specialists on the ground who provide insights and support to boost trading even further, especially in the most hard-to-reach segments.

Firefly flits between Sabah and Sarawak

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 27 November 2023: Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group, started flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) to Miri International Airport (MYY) last week.

The air link between the two towns in Sabah and Sarawak will enhance connectivity for business and leisure travellers. 

Starting with a twice-weekly service, the airline deploys a retrofitted Boeing 737-800 aircraft equipped with 189 seats in economy class. Fares start as low as MYR69 one-way for travel in January 2024 and around MYR89 in early December 2023.

About Firefly
Launched on 3 April 2007, Firefly is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group Berhad. Operating out of the Penang and Subang hubs, Firefly connects various points within Malaysia, Southern Thailand, Singapore, and Sumatera, Indonesia. Firefly has also extended its reach to include Sabah and Sarawak.

Look below the tip of the iceberg

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 27 November 2023: Despite the growing media hype surrounding AI and Chat GPT, technology, data, and people working together create the magic ingredients for the travel experience to succeed.

That was how Hotelbeds’ chief technology officer, Paula Felstead, opened her presentation, “How will tech shape the future of travel?” at last week’s Markethub Asia event hosted in Bangkok for Hotelbeds team players and partners.

Hotelbeds Chief Technology Officer Paula Felstead.

“It is the most powerful when all three elements are combined,” she explained. “ Without one, the rest will fail.”

Addressing the emerging trends in technology and the challenges, she said the focus should be on data quality, mainly to allow for personalisation.
“We need to, and we need to remove as many friction points out of the transaction flow as possible, and we must ground ourselves in making sure that what we are doing with technology adds value and improves our businesses,” she explained.

“One of the key elements today is that travel is one of the worst cases for security; the opportunity for the bad actors is huge. The more connected we become as an ecosystem, the more problems will flow. If we took this on collectively as an industry, to pool our information and come together to confront the issues, we would all benefit, especially the end travellers.

“We should be wary about embracing the ‘latest and greatest’ tech. There is no first mover advantage in embracing AI without understanding how it will benefit your business.”

“Technology is like an iceberg. Everyone is focused on what is visible, such as AI, but everything underneath is the most important – data, ability to scale, and security.

“At Hotelbeds, we have just undertaken a huge tech migration in just under 11 months because our previous tech stack would not allow us to scale and grow. The investment we’ve made is on the underwater section of the iceberg, so over the next 12 months, the visible top of the iceberg will be improved data.

“Tech can be challenging to drive tangible results, so we should always start with the problem we are trying to solve and the value we’re trying to drive, then use tech wisely rather than being sucked into the hype. Tech is great, people are better, data is essential.”

(Source: Markethub Asia, Hotelbeds)

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