SINGAPORE, 12 October 2023: Inaugurating a daily service in May 2024 between São Paulo GRU and London LHR, Virgin Atlantic has named Discover the World its GSA partner for Brazil.
The partnership means Discover the World will put in place a sales, marketing, finance and support team for the Brazilian travel trade and set up a dedicated Virgin Atlantic office in São Paulo. The team will report directly to Justin Bell, the country manager in Brazil.
Photo credit: Virgin Atlantic
Discover the World’s head of airline development, Aiden Walsh commented: “We have had a strong relationship with Virgin Atlantic over several years … For Brazil, we have a comprehensive plan where travel trade partners will play a key role in revenue development. We look forward to implementing the plan and making Virgin Atlantic a brand that becomes a firm favourite with Brazil’s trade partners.”
About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984. In 2022, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the sixth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs more than 7,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 31 destinations across four continents. Virgin Atlantic recently continued its expansion in the US, launching new routes to Austin, Texas and Tampa, Florida.
SINGAPORE, 12 October 2023: Travelport, a global technology company that powers travel bookings and Res2, a Netherlands-based departure control system provider and airport automation leader, roll out a new multi-year agreement with Thai Vietjet.
Under the agreement, the airline will use iPort DCS (Departure Control System) to manage passenger handling, baggage, and boarding to enhance its customer experience with the automation enabled by iPort.
“We are very excited about this strategic partnership with Travelport and Res2. The growth plan of our airline requires a strong partner; we recognise the vital role that iPort DCS will play in our airport operation modernisation. We are confident that our collaboration with Res2 and Travelport LP will enable us to elevate the travel experience for our customers,” said Thai Vietjet chief executive officer Woranate Laprabang.
iPort DCS’s end-to-end service is designed to increase efficiency in the check-in and boarding process, deliver full-scale self-service capacity, enhance security and immigration regulatory compliance, reduce wait times, and improve accuracy information management.
BANGKOK, 12 October 2023: Dusit Thani Kyoto, a new luxury hotel managed by Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, officially celebrated its grand opening on 1 September unveiling Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and a range of exciting dining and wellness experiences – including the hotel’s signature fine-dining restaurant, Ayatana.
Conceived exclusively for the hotel by acclaimed Thai chefs Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan Jones, who earned global recognition, including a Michelin Star, at their former Bangkok restaurant, Bo.Ian, Ayatana offers a sensory journey unlike any other.
Taking inspiration from the rich cultures of both Thailand and Japan, every element of the restaurant has a story to tell, starting with the name – Ayatana – a Sanskrit word, which, in Buddhist philosophy, refers to the six senses: sight, sound, scent, taste, touch, and mind.
Ayatana’s unique multisensory culinary journey integrates all of these senses to deliver dining experiences that excite and delight on multiple levels – delivering a symphony of sensations from start to finish.
The journey begins the moment a guest arrives at the hotel. Upon entering the property, each diner is warmly greeted and presented with a traditional Japanese fan infused with essential oils (representing scent). They are then gracefully guided through the hotel’s peaceful courtyard garden (body, mind), before taking part in a traditional handwashing ritual with water infused with offcuts of organic Thai herbs that will be featured in the dining experience to come (touch, scent, sound, mind).
The gastronomic journey then begins in the restaurant’s open kitchen with a first bite that pays respect to the amazing bounty of Kyoto – specifically kyo-yasai (the prefecture’s famous vegetables) – with a tasty morsel of vibrant kyo-yasai aubergines and a pepper relish inspired by a Northeastern Thai speciality.
Delectable small bites from Kati, Dusit Thani Kyoto’s unique dessert atelier, are another delectable highlight.
Guests are then seated and the story of Ayatana further unfolds with the serving of five amuse-bouches that reference Shojin Ryori, the traditional dining style of Buddhist monks in Japan, which focuses on seasonal vegetables and wild mountain plants, believed to bring balance and alignment to the body, mind, and spirit.
The amuse-bouches also pay homage to the five elements of nature – Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space) – through five cooking techniques (grilled, smoked, steamed, boiled, raw), five distinct flavours (sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami), and five colours (green, red, black, yellow, white). Ayatana’s talented chefs curate various combinations based on the season and the availability of fresh produce, ensuring a dynamic and ever-evolving sensory experience.
The dining journey then continues with a fine-dining homage to the typical Thai-style family dinner, with six flavoursome Thai dishes arriving at the table, comprising organic rice, salad, traditional curry, a stir-fry, a steamed dish, a soup, and assorted relishes. In the spirit of authenticity, the spice level of dishes cannot be altered. However, a non-spicy selection of dishes is available for those seeking minimal heat.
Highlights of this season’s menu include Nashi pear and sweet prawn; Southern style rice salad; Peneang curry of short ribs; and Coconut soup of Hirame and vermicelli.
To complement its dishes, Ayatana takes pride in presenting more than just beverages; it offers a purposeful beverage experience.
Alongside a special wine pairing menu, the restaurant will also soon offer a selection of exclusive food-based mocktails created in collaboration with Intangible, a renowned non-alcoholic cocktail bar based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Championing the idea of “mocktails with soul,” the mocktail menu promises to celebrate sustainable Thai and local produce and deliver a symphony of vibrant flavours and aromas.
As part of the dining journey, diners will also experience Thai-inspired wagashi (a traditional Japanese confection) served with organic green tea specially created for Ayatana by the Dusit Tea Garden in Wazuka, which Dusit has set up in collaboration with TeaRoom Inc., a renowned sustainability-focused tea manufacturer. Adding to the sweetness of the experience are delectable small bites from Kati, Dusit Thani Kyoto’s unique dessert atelier. It proudly stands as the city’s first establishment to offer sweet treats crafted using fresh organic coconut cream sourced directly from Thailand.
The entire dinner experience takes around 2.5 hours, with each remarkable journey culminating in an auditory delight: the soothing tones of a singing bowl. This melodic touch is not just music to the ears; it’s believed to enhance digestion and promote a tranquil, rejuvenating slumber.
“From the gentle illumination to the thoughtfully designed seating to the fine Thai and Japanese ingredients and unique multisensory experiences we offer, each facet of Ayatana is a testament to the pursuit of ultimate guest comfort and enjoyment,” said Mr Makoto Yamashita, Area General Manager Kyoto, and Cluster General Manager, Dusit Thani Kyoto and ASAI Kyoto Shijo. “Ayatana is a space that cradles diners in its embrace, inviting them to linger, indulge, and immerse themselves in the harmonious blend of Thai culinary artistry and the time-honoured elegance of Japanese traditions. We look forward to delighting our guests with this memorable culinary journey.”
Dusit Thani Kyoto is located in the city’s vibrant Hanganji Monzen-machi district, only 850 metres from major transportation hub Kyoto Station. It is Dusit’s second hotel in Kyoto, following the lifestyle-focused ASAI Kyoto Shijo, which opened in June.
Ayatana is open daily for dinner journeys (except Tue and Wed) from 5:30pm – 10pm (last orders at 8pm). Price starts at JPY 24,800 / USD 170 per person (including tax and service charge). Wine/mocktail pairing options are also available. A lunch journey menu will be available beginning in November. Seating is limited and advance reservations are highly recommended.
Miang kham, a leaf-wrapped traditional hors d’oeuvre from Thailand, is just one of the mouthwatering amuse-bouches served as part of the memorable culinary journey.
BANGKOK, 12 October 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a Thailand headquartered hotel operator, has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SCG Cleanergy Company Limited, a service provider of solar energy solutions across Thailand.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator home based in Thailand, has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SCG Cleanergy Company Limited, a service provider of solar energy solutions across Thailand.
From left:Robert Maurer-Loeffler, GM of Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld and VP Operations of Centara Hotels & ResortsThaschai Phattanagosai, Senior Director of Risk and Legal of Centara Hotels & ResortsGun Srisompong, CFO and VP of Finance and Administration of Centara Hotels & ResortsThirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & ResortsAttapong Sathitmanotham, CEO SCG Cleanergy Apichet Nuytoom, VP of Operations SCG CleanergyChutinan Sirivasuvat, B2B Business Director SCG Distribution.
The partnership marks Centara’s dedication to embracing the “Smart Hotel” concept by integrating “Smart Energy”, a sustainable and clean electrical technology, throughout its extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts.
Under the terms of this MOU, Centara and SCG Cleanergy are embarking on a transformative journey to research and plan solar energy usage through the integration of “Smart Grid”, a smart electrical network operated by the SCG Cleanergy Platform. This strategic partnership aligns with Centara’s long-term goals for a greener future by reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions by 20% within the next decade.
This pioneering initiative will commence with Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World serving as the inaugural pilot property to utilise renewable energy from SCG Cleanergy as its primary electricity source. The installation of rooftop solar panels capable of generating 861.35 kilowatts of electricity is expected to reduce over 540 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually.
This clean energy venture is an integral component of Centara’s comprehensive 10-year sustainability plan spanning from 2020 to 2029. This multifaceted strategy seeks to lower the brand’s impact across four key areas by reducing energy consumption, water usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of waste sent to landfills by 20% compared to the baseline year of 2022. These ambitious goals underscore Centara’s continued dedication to sustainability and responsible environmental stewardship.
DELHI, 12 October 2023: Judges at the APEX and IFSA Global Expo declared SriLankan Airlines’ culinary tribute ‘SriLankan Flavours’ campaign the recipient of the 2024 IFSA Best Inflight Food or Beverage Innovation Award.
SriLankan Flavours is a palatable extension of the country’s culinary heritage served onboard SriLankan Airlines, and a display of the strong bond between carrier and homeland, which makes the SriLankan onboard experience inimitably Sri Lankan in every aspect.
SriLankan Airlines manager product development manager Maria Sathasivam explains the concept: “This campaign was ideated to champion Sri Lankan food being a differentiating factor in our product offering. The selection of dishes also highlights Sri Lanka’s multi-faceted and multicultural history, influencing Sri Lanka’s food story.”
The APEX/IFSA Awards and Expo wrapped up recently in Long Beach, California. The awards are jointly presented by APEX (Airline Passenger Experience Association) and IFSA (International Flight Services Association), rewarding airlines that have excelled in passenger experience.
SriLankan Airlines retained its status as a ‘four-star major airline’ in the 2024 APEX Official Airline Ratings for the sixth consecutive year.
SINGAPORE, 12 October 2023: Xiamen Airlines, a Chinese full-service carrier based at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, has appointed APG as its offline General Sales Agent (GSA) in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
APG represents a long-standing partner of APG, Xiamen Airlines, in multiple markets globally, including Qatar.
Xiamen Air’s fresh new livery promotes Universal Beijing Resort.
Xiamen Airlines recently announced that it will launch daily flights between Beijing Daxing and Doha on 20 October, followed by twice weekly flights on the Xiamen-Doha route on 31 October. Xiamen Airlines is the first Chinese carrier to operate nonstop flights from China to Qatar.
Advance schedule details indicate the airline will operate daily flights on the Beijing-Doha route departing Beijing at 1830 and arriving in Doha at 2245. The return flight will depart Doha at 0200 and arrive in Beijing at 1520, while the Xiamen-Doha route will operate two weekly flights (Tuesday and Friday) departing from Xiamen at 0005 and arriving in Doha at 0500. The return flight will depart Doha at 1930 and arrive in Xiamen at 0755 on the following day. Boeing 787 Dreamliners will serve both routes.
KUALA LUMPUR, 12 October 2023: Malaysia Airlines is expanding its network in Indonesia by introducing a new direct flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Kertajati (KJT) beginning 30 October.
It will make it easier for travellers to explore Bandung and West Java. The new service will bring the airline’s direct connectivity to seven cities in Indonesia; Jakarta, Denpasar, Medan, Yogyakarta, Pekanbaru and Surabaya.
To launch the new route, the airline offered introductory fares starting at MYR519 all-in return in economy class and from MYR1,969 all-in return in business class. The twice-weekly flight is scheduled on Monday and Friday using a Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.
Following that inaugural deal, the airline is promoting a 10% discount on fares to Kertajati, a tourism gateway to explore Bandung, Cirebon and Majalengka in West Java. Bandung is famous for its batik shopping, while Cirebon is noted for its volcanic sites and sulfuric lakes.
Malaysia Airlines will also provide a free shuttle service for travel between Kertajati International Airport to Bandung City. The daily shuttle service will commence on 30 October and extend until 31 December 2023.
Malaysia Aviation Group chief executive officer Ahmad Luqman Mohd Azmi said: “As one of the top five most prominent markets for Malaysia Airlines, adding Kertajati to our network will provide greater flexibility and convenience for travellers and stimulate tourism receipts. With this new service, travellers can seamlessly explore more of West Java, with its strategic connectivity to beautiful Bandung, Cirebon and Majalengka.
SINGAPORE, 11 October 2023: Rezio, a travel booking solution under the KKday Group based in Taipei, confirmed this week it has reached the milestone of serving over 6 million travellers worldwide based on data collected from 2022 to June 2023.
The Rezio network established in 2019 comprises more than 3,500 merchants offering a diverse selection of 15,000 travel experiences.
Its latest report, ‘Rezio 2023 Travel Trends and Consumer Insights,’ offers insights into emerging trends. The comprehensive report draws on data spanning the pandemic and post-reopening periods, identifying six key booking segments: outdoor activities, tours, tickets, experiences, workshops and leisure.
Tour operators focusing on outdoor activities experienced remarkable growth in 2022, boasting a staggering 335% increase, driven by curated day tours. Data showed that bookers firmed up their trips during lunch breaks and before bedtime, with an average lead time of just five days before the scheduled departure date.
As for international travel, Rezio spotlights Japan as the standout destination that draws tourists from elsewhere in Asia and is now the most popular choice. Conversely, South Korean travellers top the booking charts as far as outbound travel to Asian destinations is concerned.
Recognising the diverse array of platforms and online payment methods favoured by travellers from various countries, Rezio’s Channel Manager” feature empowers merchants to seamlessly distribute their products through integrated international sales channels, including popular OTAs like KKday, Viator, and GetYourGuide.
To access the full report, fill out the form here.
About Rezio
Founded and headquartered in Taipei in 2019, Rezio is a leading booking solution provider under the KKday Group of companies supporting attractions, tour operators and activity providers, especially those who previously operated offline. More than 3,500 travel operators worldwide have adopted Rezio as their booking system.
SINGAPORE, 11 October 2023: Pandaw has been recognised as the only boutique Asian river cruise operator in this year’s reader’s choice awards winners list, voted entirely by Conde Nast readers.
“We are delighted that our unique style of river expedition continues to strike a chord with adventurous travellers in Asia and are honoured to be listed amongst the world’s best river ships,” the Asian riverboat cruise specialist said in a statement.
Now in its 36th edition, Conde Nast lists the world’s best cruise experiences under the categories of mega, large, medium, expedition, and river ships. Pandaw gains a spot in the limelight as the only Asian river ship operator on the list.
You can view the full list of winners in the cruise category here
Conde Nest in its award citation, noted: “Most river cruise lines specialise in European rivers or the Nile, but Pandaw is not most cruise lines. It focuses on the waterways of Asia, sailing 17 ships on the rivers of six countries, including India’s Brahmaputra River and Ganges River. Though the ships are all traditional in their style, they offer guests a luxurious home base for adventurous excursions.”
Pandaw’s riverboat fleet currently explores the rivers of India and the Mekong Region – Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand.
For over 25 years, Pandaw has been the leader in Asian river cruising and can trace its heritage to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, founded in 1865 by Scottish merchants that operated commercial riverboat ferries transporting cargo and passengers on major rivers in Myanmar.
By the 1920s, the company had a fleet of 650 vessels on the rivers of Burma, then a British colony. As the Imperial Japanese Army invaded Burma in 1942, the entire IFC fleet was scuppered as an “act of denial”.
Paul and Roser Strachan revived the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company in 1955 to pioneer river cruises on the Irrawaddy River in post-colonial times. Today, it operates 17 luxury riverboats in six countries, offering distinctive cruise trips ranging from three to 30 nights.
Bookings can still be made for the 2023/24 season and there are confirmed advance dates open for bookings through to 2025.
DUBAI, 11 October 2023: As a global partner of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Emirates is once again in full swing as an Official Airline Partner of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, taking place across India ahead of the final on 19 November.
For the 13th edition of the tournament, Emirates is sharing a playful video featuring Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik. In the clip, the famous cricketer is seen enjoying the action of the matches live in the air on Emirates’ inflight entertainment system while seated in the comfort of premium economy. Seats in Emirates premium economy will be available on its routes to Mumbai and Bangalore starting 29 October.
Click here to watch the video, which is running on the airline’s social media channels.
Hosted across ten cities in India, the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup will bring together ten teams from across cricket-playing nations, including 2019 defending champions England, to battle it out for the coveted Cricket World Cup Trophy. The silver and gold trophy has already made its way to India ahead of the tournament.
Final on 19 November
The first 45 matches are scheduled across Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Dharmshala, Delhi, Chennai, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai in the run-up to the semi-finals, taking place in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The final will be played on 19 November at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, deemed the largest sports stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators.
Emirates and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
As the Official Airline Partner of the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, fans of the sport travelling onboard Emirates flights during the tournament can tune in to Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra and never miss the action. At the 45 matches across India, Emirates will enjoy a strong stadium presence, hospitality and ticketing rights, and select in-stadium activations to build on the excitement.
The Men’s Cricket World Cup is held every four years and is the most popular global cricket event on the sporting calendar. This edition will be the first to be held solely in India and will feature Dinesh Karthik making his commentary debut in the World Cup.
Emirates has a long-standing association with the ICC and all its major events, including the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup and the ICC World Test Championship.
The ICC partnership also sees Emirates featured on the official kit of the ICC Elite and International Panels of Umpires, having been the main sponsor of the Emirates Elite and International Panels of ICC Umpires since 2002, when the panels were formed to officiate Test Matches and One Day Internationals around the world. Emirates sponsors the Elite and International Panels of ICC Match Referees alongside the Umpires. Together with branding and media exposure to cricket fans worldwide, Emirates also transports umpires and referees to international events as the Global Partner of the ICC.
Emirates launched its services to India in 1985. Since then, it has grown operations to serve nine destinations nationwide. Emirates operates 167 weekly flights from Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
