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All Hands on Deck for the World Expo 2030 Busan

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TTR WEEKLY
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BUSAN, 21 November 2022: Busan, a global city known for its excellent MICE infrastructure and abundant tourism resources, continues to double down on its efforts to win the right to host the World Expo 2030, scheduled to be held from May 1 to October 31, 2030.

Leading Korean companies and citizens have joined Busan’s efforts to win the bid and demonstrate the city’s capabilities as an expo host. If Busan is selected as the venue for the World Expo 2030, the city will use the slogan “Transforming the world, navigating toward a better future” to promote achievements in science and technology and other industries, present a new vision for the future, and introduce the diverse attractions of Busan on the international stage.

Busan’s Bid to Host the World Expo 2030

The World Expo, an event accredited by the Bureau International des Expositions, serves as an arena for global dialogue promoting collaboration between nations and companies. Likened to an “Olympics of economy and culture,” the event celebrates humanity’s achievements in industry, education, science, and technology while showcasing the merits of the host country. World expos are categorized based on their theme and duration as a “Registered (Comprehensive) Exposition” or a “Recognized (Specialized) Exposition.” Korea has already hosted a Recognized Exposition, which must be held under a specific theme for up to three months, in Yeosu and Daejeon.

A Registered Exposition is a large-scale event held every five years and features exhibitions with a wide range of themes representing diverse fields, which in turn contribute to the advancement of humankind around the world. If Busan is selected as the host of the World Expo 2030, it will create an opportunity for people from all over the world to gather together in Busan, experience and spread K-contents through cultural exchanges, and showcase the potential of the Korean people. 

Source: Busan Tourism Organization

Should Busan be selected as the host of the World Expo 2030, approximately 50.5 million visitors from more than 200 countries are expected to flock to the city, creating a large and enduring ripple effect that will surely change the future of Busan. In fact, many other cities have been reborn as global economic powerhouses following the successful hosting of a World Expo. For example, after hosting the World Expo 2020, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates became even more widely recognized than the nation’s capital, Abu Dhabi. Through the bidding process, and hopefully, through the hosting of the expo, Busan will similarly be able to fortify its position as a global maritime city and secure immense economic growth.

Efforts Being Made for World Expo 2030

Source: Busan Metropolitan City, Busan Tourism Organization

In recent years, Korea has been passionately working hard to win its bid as the host of the World Expo 2030. The Korean government designated the campaign to win the World Expo bid as a national project and has been providing active support for campaign activities at the government level. The global K-Pop group, BTS, was appointed as the official ambassador for World Expo 2030 Busan, and they held a concert last October in Busan as a part of their promotional activities. Fans from all corners of the world gathered in Busan, stirring up heated enthusiasm for the expo bid. Active efforts are being made not only in Korea but also abroad. LG is playing promotional videos supporting Busan’s bid to host the World Expo on billboards in New York Times Square and Piccadilly Square in the UK. During the London Royal Docks Festival, the Korea Tourism Organization set up a PR booth where they distributed brochures and devoted their focus to helping Busan win its bid as a host.

The Busan Tourism Organization has also been making every effort to support Busan’s campaign for expo host. During the International Astronomical Union (IAU) General Assembly 2022 and other MICE events, the BTO placed posters to inform international attendees about the bid, drawing favourable responses. Additionally, the organization placed banners and placards around Taejongdae Resort Park and made decorative magnets using Busan’s mascot, “Boogi,” which were given to MICE event participants and key decision makers, as part of the organization’s dedicated support of promoting Busan as the host of the World Expo 2030.

If Busan is selected as the host of World Expo 2030, the expo will be the first Registered Exposition to ever take place in Korea. Many Koreans nationwide are hopeful that Busan will be able to win the bid, bringing people from all over the world together in Korea’s top maritime city. As a result, many exchanges are expected to be made for the realization of a sustainable future that will go far beyond impacting Busan to positively influencing the whole of humanity.

For more information visit: https://bto.or.kr

(Your Stories: Busan Tourism Organization)

Emirates airs World Cup matches

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 21 November 2022: Emirates multi-award-winning inflight entertainment system ice won’t be letting football fans down this winter, as all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ matches will be aired live on Sport 24 onboard the aircraft, as well as in the A380 onboard lounges, and across dedicated Emirates airport lounges – ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the action.

The FIFA World Cup kicked off on 20 November, with the final scheduled for 18 December.

More than 200 Emirates aircraft are equipped with live TV, featuring dedicated sports channels – Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra. Kicking off on 20 November, Emirates passengers will be able to watch all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ on Sport 24 via ice, including the highly anticipated final on 18 December.

On Sport 24, fans can also watch live matches from the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, and the Asian Football Championship. Sport 24 also airs top international sporting events, including the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup, International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup, the Olympic Games, National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), major golf championships, tennis grand slams plus sailing, horse-racing, and motorsports. Passengers can view full match schedules in advance and plan their viewing at https://www.emirates.com

(Your Stories: Emirates)

Cheap fares on Hong Kong routes

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 21 November 2022: AirAsia will increase flights from cities in Southeast Asia to Hong Kong starting in December, despite some Covid-19 travel rules that still deter leisure travel.

Flights between Hong Kong and Bangkok (Don Mueang) will be increased to four times weekly starting from 15 December, while the Hong Kong – Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong – Manila routes will be served by three weekly fights each.

Fares from Hong Kong to popular destinations in Southeast Asia start as low as HKD672/MYR395, via AirAsia’s network to holiday destinations such as Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Singapore, Bali and many more.

The special promotion is valid until 27 November 2022, with the travel period open from 1 January until 30 April 2023.

As the AirAsia Group increases its services to Hong Kong, guests with AirAsia flight bookings to and from Hong Kong for the period up until 17 December 2022 will be able to change their flights at no charge via the AirAsia Super App and website. New flight dates can be selected until 31 December 2022, providing greater flexibility and convenience.

Since 26 September, travellers entering Hong Kong are not required to undergo compulsory quarantine but under medical surveillance for three days, subject to Amber Code restrictions under Vaccine Pass. Guests are advised to check the conditions and requirements imposed by the authorities before departing.

More information on travel requirements to Hong Kong is available at https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/inbound-travel.html

Flight Schedule between Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur / Bangkok / Manila

Sabre supports Girls Who Code

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 21 November 2022: Sabre Corporation, a software and technology provider powering the global travel industry, is partnering with Girls Who Code (GWC), an international non-profit organisation dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology and changing the image of what a programmer looks like and does.

Sabre’s sponsorship will help empower a generation of change-makers by supporting Girls Who Code after-school clubs for third to 12th graders, which seek to educate, engage and connect girls with technology in their communities. At the collegiate level, the GWC alumni program helps women develop skills, build confidence, and connect with women in technology. 

Through Sabre’s Women In Tech resource group, Sabre team members will have the opportunity to actively engage in Girls Who Code events, community-building activities and recruitment opportunities for Sabre internships and careers. 

Sabre is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging and values the diversity of our employees worldwide. Sabre’s inclusion groups, including Women In Technology and Women’s Career Network, foster an environment where employees can bring their full selves to work and belong. In addition, Sabre’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme has a rich history of giving back to our communities worldwide, including supporting organisations that educate and empower underrepresented and underserved groups. Full-time team members are also given one paid day every quarter to give time to causes and organisations they choose.

PETA slams coconut monkey labour

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 21 November 2022: PETA “monkeys” dressed in prison suits will chain themselves to a giant inflatable coconut milk carton outside the Theppadungporn Coconut Co headquarters on Monday as part of its campaign to end monkey labour in Thailand’s coconut trade.

PETA’s action on Monday comes on the heels of PETA’s third investigation that alleges monkeys continue to be mistreated and forced to pick coconuts despite Thai officials’ assertions that using monkeys to harvest coconut has ended.

PETA, in its pre-protest announcement widely circulated to regional media, claimed it had conducted a comprehensive investigation covering nine provinces in Thailand, including the top coconut-producing ones. It alleged monkeys are used across the industry and still “linked to brands that claim to be monkey-free.”

“Condemned to a hard and bleak life picking coconuts around the clock, these sensitive monkeys never once get to spend time with family or experience joy,” says PETA senior vice president Jason Baker. “PETA calls on everyone to avoid buying coconut milk and cream manufactured in Thailand until the industry agrees to break these chains.”

PETA investigations claim “monkeys used in the coconut milk industry “are reportedly abducted from their natural habitat as babies, and their teeth may be removed if they try to defend themselves. When not being forced to pick coconuts or perform in circus-style shows for tourists, PETA’s investigations have found that the animals are chained in flooded land or rubbish-strewn patches of dirt.”

Wink shines bright in Danang

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 21 November 2022: Wink Hotels, Vietnam’s first homegrown lifestyle hotel brand, opened Wink Hotel Danang Centre last week.

Located in the heart of Danang City’s entertainment district, the 244-room Wink Hotel Danang Centre offers four accommodation categories; standard, twin, family and a two-bedroom suite.

The action takes place in the Wink Space on the 19th floor with a sky lobby where guests can self-check in, enjoy a drink at the 24/7 Wink Bar and stock up on snacks, drinks and supplies at convenience store prices in the Grab & Go area.

Wink Hotel Danang Centre is destinated to become a community hub steps away from the iconic Han Market – the commercial heart of the busy city. It connects guests to the best of Danang City in partnership with establishments like Blush Beach Club, The Montgomerie Links Golf Club and  Danang365 Helicopter Tours.

The group opened its first hotel, Wink Hotel Saigon Centre, in March 2021 and will open a third property Wink Hotel Danang Riverside, during Q2, 2023. Under construction on Tran Hung Dao Street, the third property will feature 357 rooms, three floors of retail, bars, coffee shops and restaurants, and a rooftop swimming pool and bar.

PG routes almost back to full strength

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 21 November 2022: Bangkok Airways flight network, effective 20 November, returns to almost its pre-Covid 19 levels as far as destinations covered except for Hong Kong, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The airline continues to suspend services on popular routes Samui – Hong Kong and Bangkok – Phu Quoc (Vietnam) at least until the end of the year. While it serves Yangon in Myanmar, it has not resumed services to the political capital Nay Pyi Daw and Myanmar’s second-largest city Mandalay. As for domestic routes, it has reinstated all routes except for Bangkok – Chiang Rai.

Effective 20 November, the airline confirmed the following routes are  back, although in some cases with fewer flights than pre-Covid-19 times. Flights on domestic routes will likely increase to what they were before the pandemic in time for the Christmas and New Year travel seasons.

Bangkok Airways currently services destinations as follows:

Domestic Routes

✈ Bangkok – Samui

✈ Bangkok – Chiang Mai

✈ Bangkok – Phuket

✈ Bangkok – Krabi

✈ Bangkok – Trat

✈ Bangkok – Lampang

✈ Bangkok – Sukhothai

✈ Bangkok – Hat Yai

✈ Samui – Hat Yai

✈ Samui – Phuket

✈ Samui – U-Tapao

✈ Samui – Chiang Mai

✈ Phuket – Hat Yai

✈ Phuket – U-Tapao

✈ Chiang Mai – Phuket (One-way)

✈ Chiang Mai – Krabi (One-way)

International Routes

✈ Bangkok – Phnom Penh

✈ Samui – Singapore

✈ Bangkok – Maldives

✈ Bangkok – Siem Reap

✈ Bangkok – Yangon

✈ Bangkok – Danang

✈ Bangkok – Luang Prabang

Penang’s trade show makes a comeback

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TTR WEEKLY
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GEORGE TOWN, Malaysia, 18 November 2022: The Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE), organised by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau, made a successful comeback for its fifth edition, which took place from 15 to 17 November.

Penang’s flagship event for the business events sector welcomed 80 buyers from 14 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Dubai, Germany, Philippines, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the UK, Turkey and Malaysia.

The convention bureau positioned Penang as Asia Pacific’s key business events and travel destination in its event preamble, noting the tradeshow invited selected buyers worldwide to Penang to meet 40 exhibitors from the leisure tourism and business events industries in Malaysia.

“PITE 2022 presented a strong message that Penang is safe, ready, and moving progressively to rejuvenate and reactivate the business events industry,” said Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau chief executive officer Ashwin Gunasekeran.

In conjunction with PITE 2022, the bureau also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA) to boost business ties between Penang and India.

“PCEB is regularly taking the initiative to attract business event groups to visit Penang. Connecting with the Indian market is one of the efforts that are being made, especially with India being the key market for business tourism and events in Penang. In addition to the incentive group from India, we are also making strenuous efforts to organise association meetings in Penang,” Ashwin explained.

Sabah promotes Borneo resorts

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 18 November 2022: Sabah Tourism Board signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with the national carrier Malaysia Airlines.

The MoC aims to develop joint promotional activities to encourage an inflow of tourists from London to Sabah on Borneo island. Sabah Tourism Board also signed a Memorandum of Collaboration with Shangri-La Group to promote two luxury resorts on Borneo island.

Creating additional awareness, Sabah Tourism Board also awarded three lucky winners vouchers worth thousands of UK pounds. The random draw was held during the WTM Network Dinner. With the theme “An Evening with Enchanting Sabah”, Sabah Tourism Board hosted about 40 attendees – travel agents, media, and airline representatives –  at DoubleTree by Hilton London Marble Arch.

Sabah Tourism Board’s Chief Executive Officer, Noredah Othman said: “This is a form of incentive to encourage travel agents to further push Sabah in the UK market, and we hope that this can be of assistance as they plan their marketing strategy”.

For more information on Sabah visit www.sabahtourism.com.

Sarawak strengthens UK marketing

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 18 November 2022: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) confirmed new year-long partnerships with Malaysia Airlines and National Geographic Traveller at the recent World Travel Market held in London.

The MoU between STB and the airline focuses on promoting travel from the UK market to Sarawak in 2023 through joint marketing campaigns highlighting eco-tourism destinations with diverse products ranging from dense jungle environments and amazing wildlife.

Additionally, it will serve as a platform to promote Sarawak’s cultural diversity of indigenous tribes and the gastronomy delights of the region. The partnership shows confidence in the strength of the UK market for travellers to Sarawak and will continue to build on this potential.

Sarawak Tourism Board chief executive officer Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor commented: “With the reopening of our borders in April this year, we are happy to share that Sarawak’s visitor arrivals from the UK ranked sixth in the chart with a growth of 7238.27% from January till September 2022.

“I am confident that this latest collaboration with Malaysia Airlines and National Geographic Traveller will entice more visitors from the UK to visit Sarawak after this.” 

Malaysia Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer Captain Izham Ismail commented: “As the carrier operating nonstop direct flights from London to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines continues to see steady demand in growth and a healthy load factor for forward bookings on our flagship route.

“By further strengthening our partnership with the Sarawak Tourism Board, we will provide  convenient onward connecting flights to Sarawak, including on sister airline Firefly and (rural airline) MASwings, to explore the Land of the Hornbill.”

Malaysia Airlines flies twice daily on the London to Kuala Lumpur route, with seamless onward connections to cities in Sarawak, namely Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. MASwings operates rural air services to small towns in the state, including Mukah, Mulu and Limbang.

The London-Kuala Lumpur route is operated by Airbus A350s, featuring its signature Business Suite, business class and economy class cabins, providing comfort and convenience to the varying traveller needs.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Tourism Board looks to further its responsible tourism initiatives and grow awareness in its traditional UK market through an MoU with National Geographic Traveller. The MoU will highlight the collaboration between both parties to advocate responsible tourism practices, environment and community awareness through media publicity.

Sarawak’s Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Permanent Secretary Datu Hii Chang Kee added: “We are so proud to showcase the ’Wild Side of Sarawak’ video. It showcases not only Sarawak’s most renowned flora and fauna like the orang utan and the rafflesia, the biggest flower in the world, but also prized birds endemic to Borneo such as the Dulit Frogmouth, a rare submontane resident, and the cheeky proboscis monkeys which are endemic to the jungles of Borneo.”

“An additional aspect to this video is the original soundtrack which infuses the sounds of our traditional musical instruments, further highlighting the affiliation between our native cultures and wildlife”.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) and its local travel partners promoted niche tourism and community-based tourism products such as cycling, birding and eco homestays during the WTM this year.

Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, offers an alternative for those seeking authenticity far from the tourist-trap clichés. The region takes pride in five pillars of tourism: culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals or CANFF. From immersing themselves in the lifestyles of the many indigenous tribes at their longhouses and exploring gigantic caves at the iconic Gunong Mulu National Park to discovering community festivals and mouth-watering regional specialities, travellers can choose to experience Sarawak in a variety of ways.

For more information about Sarawak, log on to www.sarawaktourism.com.

(Your Stories: Sarawak Tourism Board)

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