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Aman plants roots in Nai Lert Park

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok - Exterior

BANGKOK, 10 February 2025: Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will open in the Thai capital on 2 April 2025, a new urban sanctuary following in the footsteps of Aman Tokyo and Aman New York. 

Located in the privately owned Nai Lert Park, the 52-suite hotel will be home to an Aman Club with dedicated spaces, a 1,500-sqm Aman Spa & Wellness Centre, and multiple dining and socialising venues alongside branded residences. 

Reservations are open for stays starting on 2 April. Aman Nai Lert Bangkok brings the brand full circle from its 1988 launch of flagship property Amanpuri in Phuket and will provide a gateway to Aman’s 24 hotels and resorts in Asia.

It’s the 36th property in the Aman collection and the brand’s third global urban property after Tokyo and New York. Aman Nai Lert Bangkok shares the private parkland with the historic Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, owned by the Nai Lert family and Aman’s partner in the project. Over decades, the trees and gardens have grown, creating the lush oasis that is the park today, just a short walk from the shopping and business district of Ploenchit in downtown Bangkok.

Aman Group Chairman and CEO Vlad Doronin said: ”Thailand has played a significant role in the history of our brand, and the latest evolution, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, will offer a unique connection to the city’s rich heritage. This is enhanced by our close collaboration with the Nai Lert family, particularly Naphaporn “Lek” Bodiratnangkura, whose involvement and support have ensured the property reflects the legacy of its incredible location. Further, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok represents another milestone in our long-term vision to introduce the exceptional Aman experience to urban destinations and provide a strategic link to our properties across Asia.’

On the 19th floor, exclusive to Aman Club Founders, is an open-air terrace with skyline views, two restaurants, an atmospheric Aman Lounge, and a cigar bar. In addition, Founders will also have access to the hotel’s state-of-the-art wellness facilities.

The 1,500 sqm Aman Spa & Wellness, spanning two floors, will house both a medical clinic operated by renowned experts Hertitude Clinic and an Aman Spa. The Medical Wellness by Hertitude Clinic will include eight private clinic rooms, one examination room, an IV Lounge and a cryotherapy chamber.

The Aman Spa will offer an extensive range of hydrotherapy facilities and movement spaces on a separate floor, featuring six spa therapy rooms, a dedicated Thai massage treatment room, and the private Banya Spa House.

Situated on floors 11 through 18, the hotel’s 52 suites, starting at 94 sqm, will be among the largest in the city. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the park and city views. Encompassing an entire floor, the Aman Suite is one of the largest presidential suites in Bangkok, offering up to 713 sqm and three bedrooms with a balcony and terrace, dining room with bar counter and separate kitchen, spacious living room, private spa, entertainment room, and dedicated study.

CTM hires head of sales and customer services

SYDNEY, 10 February 2025: Corporate Travel Management has announced the appointment of Darren Toohey as Chief Sales & Customer Officer, effective immediately. 

In this newly established role, Toohey will be instrumental in advancing CTM’s five-year growth strategy, focusing on driving new customer acquisition and delivering enhanced customer value through CTM’s market-leading technology, outstanding service and strengthened partnerships.

With two decades of experience in senior sales and leadership roles, including leading CWT’s global sales and customer retention team, Toohey brings a proven ability to drive customer-centric outcomes and build high-performing teams that consistently deliver results.

“I am excited to be joining CTM at a pivotal time for the company and the travel industry,” Toohey said. “As customer expectations continue to evolve and innovation reshapes business travel programmes, my focus will be on empowering our sales and account management teams to provide

CTM’s Global Chief Commercial Officer, Ana Pedersen, commented: “Darren’s appointment is a key step in executing our global sales and account management strategy. His leadership will be pivotal to advancing CTM’s competitiveness and ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value to our new and existing customers.”

About CTM
Corporate Travel Management (CTM) is an award-winning global Headquartered in Australia and with operations spanning four continents, CTM provides local service solutions for corporate events, leisure, loyalty, and wholesale travel.

Thomas Cook India’s MICE focuses on Malaysia

MUMBAI, India, 10 February 2025: Following the extension of visa exemptions and the increase in direct airline services between India and Malaysia, Thomas Cook (India) Limited partners with Tourism Malaysia to host a high-impact MICE promotion targeting corporate event planners based in Mumbai.

The event attracted over 30 senior executives from leading multinational corporations and Indian corporate houses across sectors, including BFSI, pharma, and electronics, hosted by Tourism Malaysia and Thomas Cook India representatives who pitched corporations to hold future business events in Malaysia. 

Photo credit: Thomas Cook India.

Inaugurated by Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, the event highlighted Malaysia’s unwavering commitment to expanding its MICE offerings and enhancing its accessibility for Indian corporates.

Organised in coordination with Nuwal Fadhillah Ku Azmi (Director International Promotion, Asia & Africa), Azura Zainol Abidin (President, Malaysia Sports Tourism), Noriah Jaafar (Director, Tourism Malaysia Mumbai) and T.Ediwanto T.Eddie (Dy Director of Tourism Malaysia), the event’s format allowed for a productive blend of business and networking, packed with insightful presentations, engaging discussions and invaluable one-on-one sessions that allowed participants to explore Malaysia’s vast MICE offerings in depth. 

The intent was to showcase Malaysia’s opportunity and inspire significant MICE groups for 2025 and 2026.

Gastronomy is a key element for India’s MICE segment, and the event featured an immersive culinary experience with a delightful array of Malaysian delicacies, vibrant Indian cuisine, and an innovative fusion of Malay-Indian-inspired dishes. The Malaysia-inspired décor transformed the event’s ambience, capturing the essence of the country’s rich culture and scenic beauty.

The event concluded on a high note, with exciting prizes, giveaways, and many participants leaving with renewed enthusiasm to consider Malaysia as the top choice for their MICE programmes in 2025-26 and beyond.

Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said: “We are proud to partner with Thomas Cook India to showcase Malaysia’s varied facets and unique offerings to its MICE clients. Malaysia’s warm welcome is a source of national pride, and it has something to offer to groups of all sizes and tastes. Malaysia is uniquely positioned as a MICE destination, offering significant advantages such as visa-free travel, strong flight connectivity with direct flights from key Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and others, and excellent infrastructure that caters to all group sizes. Malaysia provides an ideal environment for MICE events with its exceptional value offerings.

We look forward to a long-term collaboration to bring more Indian corporates to Malaysia for their MICE programs in the years ahead.”

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa — Rajeev Kale said: “Malaysia is not just a destination; it’s like a multifaceted jewel, offering exceptional value, world-class hospitality, and easy accessibility. With the recent exemption of visa requirements and direct connectivity, Malaysia is poised to become MICE planners’ go-to choice. This corporate engagement is intended to bring Malaysia to the market, highlighting its unique blend of cultural richness, value offerings, and seamless travel experience. Last year, we strengthened our commitment by signing an MOU with Malaysia Aviation Group (Malaysia Airlines), tapping into the growing appetite of Indian travellers for Malaysia.”

Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive Vice President & Head — MICE, Meera Charnalia said: “This engagement marked our focused effort to elevate Malaysia’s standing in the competitive MICE market. With its exceptional offerings, ranging from state-of-the-art infrastructure to diverse cultural experiences, Malaysia is well-positioned to meet the growing demands of Indian corporations. By delivering customised MICE solutions that address the specific needs of our clients, Thomas Cook India is reinforcing its commitment to providing seamless and memorable corporate travel experiences. I hope this engagement will further solidify Malaysia as a top choice for MICE events, offering immense potential for growth in the years to come.”

Qatar Stopover breaks record

DOHA, Qatar, 10 February 2025: Discover Qatar, the destination management arm of Qatar Airways Group, welcomed 10,000 stopover visitors in a single month for the first time since the Qatar Stopover Programme’s relaunch in August 2021. 

In January 2025, the programme recorded more than 10,500 visitors, compared to 6,651 in January 2024. The number of visitors in the stopover programme increased by an impressive 165% from April 2024 to January 2025, compared to the same timeframe in the previous year.

Photo credit: Qatar Airways.

The programme has also driven a growth in hotel bookings, with over 100,000 room nights sold this year — doubling the figures from the previous year. Qatar Airways Holidays is driving this success as the largest contributor to the programme’s sales, delivering over a third of all bookings, and leveraging the marketing strength of Qatar Airways around the globe.

Stopovers are also proving popular with Qatar Airways frequent flyers. Twenty per cent of customers use the popular loyalty currency Avios to pay for their bookings, and logged-in Privilege Club members earn Avios and Qpoints with every transaction.

The growth of the Stopover programme has been attributed to a combination of financial support from Visit Qatar coupled with strong demand from key source markets, driven by strong marketing campaigns from the Qatar Airways teams in Doha and in outstations across the globe. Leading global source markets include the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands. The stopover programme has also received significant support from the travel trade, with strong contributions coming from Australia, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and New Zealand, showcasing its wide-ranging appeal to both leisure and business travellers.

About Stopover
Discover Qatar’s Stopover programme offers a range of packages designed for travellers transiting through Doha with layovers of 12 to 96 hours. The packages start from USD14 for standard hotels. 

Korean Air reports record revenue

SINGAPORE, 10 February 2025: Korean Air reports a record-high revenue of KRW16.1166 trillion (USD10.9637 billion) in 2024, with an operating profit of KRW 1.9946 trillion (USD1.3229 billion).

In Q4 2024, operating profit grew 159% year-on-year and net profit returned to profitability.

Photo credit: Korean Air.

The airline’s Q4 2024 passenger business revenue totalled KRW2.3746 trillion, a 3% decline year-on-year due to the ongoing recovery in global supply chains. Despite the seasonal off-peak period, the airline maintained stable profitability by strategically adjusting capacity to meet strong winter tourism demand and enhancing premium-class service to improve load factors.

For Q1 2025, Korean Air aims to maximise revenue in passenger operations by maintaining capacity on high-demand routes and expanding charter flights, driven by sustained long-haul demand and anticipated recovery in the Chinese market. 

Commenting on the outlook In 2025, Korean Air said it “anticipates uncertainties in the business environment due to shifts in the global political landscape. However, the airline remains committed to strengthening its competitiveness as a leading global carrier by strategically preparing for its integration with Asiana Airlines.”

Resorts World Cruises renames third ship

SINGAPORE, 10 February 2025: Resorts World Cruises has confirmed its third cruise ship, Star Scorpio, will be renamed Star Voyager when it commences deployment on 26 March 2025 following a refit in Singapore.

Star Voyager will start her journey by exploring more of Southeast Asia until 21 July 2025, with Singapore as her primary homeport and Jakarta, Melaka, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City as her dual homeports.

Photo credit Resorts World Cruises.

Passengers can embark on the Star Voyager from any of these homeport cities on selected dates, including during the local school holiday periods, with the option to sail between cities and more popular destinations like Medan, Pulau Redang and Samui Island.

Singapore Departures from 26 March until 21 July 2025.

The Star Voyager will depart from the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC) Terminal to offer 10 roundtrip sailings for the six-day / five-night Melaka-Jakarta Cruises (26 March to 15 April and 11 June to 1 July), as well as five sailings for the six-day / five-night Bangkok-Samui Cruises (20 April to 10 May). 

In addition, Star Voyager will sail five-day / four-night Samui-Pulau Redang cruises (15 to 23 May) with three sailings, the four-day / three-night Melaka-Medan Cruises (27 May to 8 June) with five sailings.
The six-day / five-night Melaka-Ho Chi Minh Cruises (6 to 21 July) has four sailings.

Jakarta Departures are scheduled from 29 March to 13 April / 14 to 29 June 2025.
During the Hari Raya festive season and the Indonesian school holidays, passengers can conveniently embark on the Star Voyager from Jakarta (via Tanjong Priok Port). The ship will depart Jakarta from 29 March until 13 April and from 14 until 29 June 2025 to offer eight roundtrip cruises for six-day / five-night Singapore-Melaka Cruises. Sales for Star Voyager have already opened.

PATA Summit: Early bird registration opens

BANGKOK, 7 February 2025: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) have announced the theme for the PATA Annual Summit 2025, “Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future”.

Scheduled to take place at the CVK Park Bosphorus Hotel İstanbul from 21 to 23 April 2025, the Summit will explore timeless principles that have shaped perspectives on culture, community, and conservation. It will provide a stage for industry leaders to discuss how these insights can be applied to tackle current challenges and seize new opportunities. The theme also highlights Türkiye’s unique duality, where its rich heritage is preserved while progressing towards a sustainable future.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated: “The PATA Annual Summit is a premier thought leadership event that brings together global players in the tourism industry to explore trends and address critical issues shaping the future of tourism. We take pride in uniting diverse stakeholders — from public and private sectors to industry experts and young professionals — to foster meaningful, high-level discussions that drive the industry’s evolution.”

He added: “Set against the backdrop of Istanbul, Türkiye, a city renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage, the Summit provides an ideal platform for global dialogue. This dynamic setting underscores the mission to inspire collaboration and innovation in tourism development. Delegates from around the world can engage in critical conversations, exchange insights, and contribute to advancing an ever-evolving global tourism landscape. We look forward to welcoming participants to this landmark event and to collectively shaping a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future for the tourism industry.”

TGA Acting General Manager Sinan Seha Türkseven said: “We are thrilled to host the PATA Annual Summit 2025, a key event that will bring tourism specialists together to share valuable insights, network, and exchange ideas. We feel that it is quite significant that the focus of this year’s Summit will be cultural heritage and sustainability. 

This year’s Summit will provide a great experience to its attendees, as they will experience our country’s rich cultural heritage. With 21 ancient sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List and 79 on the Tentative List, Türkiye is home to many historical heritage sites. In addition, Türkiye has the second-highest number of items registered on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List, with its enlisted 31 cultural values. This wealth of humanity’s treasures and natural beauty also gives us the responsibility to safeguard this heritage. In this context, we strive to set the world an example as the first country to sign an agreement with the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) to develop a national sustainable tourism program.

We look forward to having the PATA delegates in İstanbul, a city rich in history and culture, to witness these firsthand and enjoy their time at the ideal venue for this global meeting.’

Turkish Airlines, a global leader in connectivity with a network spanning over 120 destinations, is the Official Airline Partner for the event. The airline will offer exclusive flight ticket discounts to delegates.

In line with the theme Timeless Wisdom for a Sustainable Future, the Summit will feature a comprehensive programme, the PATA Executive Board & Board meetings, PATA Policy Forum, Honours Committee Meeting, PATA Life Members Get-Together, Government, Education & Industry Roundtables, Chapter Meeting, Youth Symposium, Ask the PATA Experts sessions, a one-and-a-half-day conference and plenty of networking opportunities. The PATA Annual General Meeting (AGM), where the Association conducts official business and ratifies election results for the PATA Board and Executive Board members, will be a key event element.

Furthermore, PAS 2025 will feature a range of curated destination experiences organised by TGA. Delegates can participate in an Immersive Off-Site Destination Experience on the first day; the programme offers a refreshing change of scenery from the conference setting. After the Summit, complimentary half-day tours will be available, inviting delegates to explore İstanbul’s rich cultural heritage and iconic attractions, including the Hagia Sophia, Dolmabahçe Palace, and Topkapı Palace. Self-paying pre- and post-event tours to other destinations in Türkiye, such as Antalya, İzmir and Cappadocia, will also be available. Registration for these programmes is open.

Early bird registration for PAS 2025 is open and will remain available until 17 February 2025.

(Source: PATA). Visit www.PATA.org

Bargain fares at Kuching travel fair 

KUCHING, 7 February 2025: AirAsia offers fare bargains on domestic and international routes at the upcoming Travel Fair at Vivacity Megamall, Kuching, from 8 to 9 February 2025. 

The deals are valid for travel from 22 February to 30 November 2025.

The AirAsia Travel Fair promises travel deals on flights from Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia. It showcases 10% and 20% discounts on domestic and international routes and up to 25% off international Fly-Thru flights from Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) and Kuala Lumpur. Up to 33% off Santan meals and up to an impressive 50% discount on pre-booked checked-in baggage fees are also available. 

In addition, travellers can win free flights during the fair’s special ‘Happy Hour’. The travel fair is curated for travel enthusiasts looking for budget-friendly adventures and family getaways. 
For more information on Sarawak, visit Sarawak Tourism Board

CTM expands footprint to Colombia

SYDNEY, 7 February 2025: Corporate Travel Management (CTM) welcomes Colombian corporate travel and events management agency Trafalgar Tours to the CTM global network, extending servicing capabilities in South America.

CTM’s global agency network expansion and concentration of the LATAM region with the addition of Trafalgar Tours is a valuable addition to CTM’s expanding network, CTM Vice President of Agency Partnerships Programme Rafael Gonzalez explains

“Trafalgar Tours will enhance CTM’s service offering to provide exceptional local support for our customer’s specific requirements in Colombia. Their expertise and knowledge of local market dynamics align with our strategy of delivering best-in-class solutions to our customers.”

Trafalgar Tours is an established agency in the Colombian market that manages corporate travel, MICE, and tailor-made travel.

Headquartered in Australia, CTM  provides local service solutions to customers of all sizes worldwide. The global agency network, part of the CTM Group, is a global network of independent corporate travel and meetings management agencies providing service expertise across approximately 100 countries.

Air Astana joins IATA CO2 connect project

SINGAPORE, 7 February 2025: Air Astana, home-based in Kazakhstan, has set a new benchmark for sustainability in the region by becoming the first carrier in Central Asia and CIS to participate in the International Air Transport Association (IATA) CO2 Connect initiative.

The CO2 Connect project measures emissions by collecting accurate, route-specific data based on airline operational information. 

Photo credit: Air Astana.

Air Astana has joined 50 other airlines that are already participating in IATA CO2 Connect. It will provide actual operational data to enhance the accuracy of CO2 emissions calculations, contributing to the industry’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050.

“Aviation’s future relies on collective efforts to address climate challenges. As a member of IATA CO2 Connect, we are proud to collaborate with global airlines to drive meaningful change,” said Air Astana CEO Peter Foster.

Air Astana’s participation in IATA CO2 Connect underscores the airline’s determination to drive environmental progress in aviation regionally and globally. Air Astana continues implementing innovative practices, enhancing transparency, and contributing to the collective responsibility for a sustainable future in the aviation industry.