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India’s August break will boost travel

MUMBAI, 3 August 2022: With India’s Raksha Bandhan* festival falling on Thursday and Friday, 11 and 12 August, followed by Independence Day on Monday, the second week of August presents Indian travellers with an extended five-day window to book a holiday getaway.

As Raksha Bandhan is a school holiday and Independence Day a bank holiday, families, young professionals and couples are booking trips, according to Thomas Cook India and its group company, SOTC Travel, latest travel news updates.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s consumer data reveals growing demand for short holidays (mini-cations), with 69% of respondents displaying a keen interest in booking holidays for the Raksha Bandhan-Independence Day extended weekend. Over 66% of the respondents indicated a preference for domestic locales, while 34% were open to short-haul international options.

To tap into the extended weekend demand, Thomas Cook India and SOTC have launched holiday packages to favourite Indian locales (Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Kerala, Goa and Andaman) and closer-to-home and easy visa destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi; island destinations like Maldives and Mauritius and South East Asia’s Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Special offers have been announced to capitalise on the cruise opportunity as well. Cruise options for the extended weekend include Genting Dream (two nights Singapore-Malaysia on 10 August); Royal Caribbean Cruises’ Spectrum of the Seas (three-night cruise from Singapore on 11 August), or Cordelia Cruises from Chennai to Chennai or Vizag to Chennai via Puducherry.

Thomas Cook and SOTC’s extended weekend holiday breaks include a range of ready-to-book travel experiences: outdoor and adventure, including safaris, biking, hiking/trekking, camping, water rafting and paragliding; ‘drivecations’ to nearby locales and spa-wellness getaways.

The companies also offer air-inclusive tours with Vistara Getaways, Air Arabia Holidays and Emirates Holidays.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa Rajeev Kale said: “With both Raksha Bandhan and Independence Day falling on weekdays, customers are offered a great opportunity of an extended weekend getaway… Customers can select from our array of options: safari-outdoor-adventure, wellness getaways and cruises.”

SOTC Travel president & country head – Holidays Daniel D’souza added:

“For this upcoming long weekend, we see a 69% increase in travel searches and interest. Our long weekend getaways include unique experiences at attractive prices for a range of favourite destinations.”

*Raksha Bandhan is a regional Hindu religious festival celebrated in north and west India, Nepal, and parts of Pakistan.

About Thomas Cook (India) Limited

Set up in 1881, Thomas Cook (India) Limited (TCIL) is the leading omnichannel travel company in the country, offering a broad spectrum of services, including foreign exchange, corporate travel and leisure travel. It operates leading B2C and B2B brands, including Thomas Cook, SOTC, TCI, SITA, Asian Trails, Allied T Pro, Australian Tours Management, Desert Adventures, Luxe Asia, Travel Circle International Limited (TCI), Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, Distant Frontiers, TC Tours, Digiphoto Entertainment Imaging (DEI), Go Vacation, Private Safaris East & South Africa.

The Thomas Cook India Group spans 25 countries across five continents.

PATA gurus meet in Songkhla

BANGKOK, 3 August 2022: The Pacific Asia Travel Association’s PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2022 opens today in Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.

The two-day event presents the theme“Building Back Sustainably through Cultural Heritage and Community-based Tourism” and is hosted by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Songkhla Convention and Exhibition Bureau (SCEB), the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA), and the Prince of Songkhla University with the support of Songkhla City.

 Impressive speaker lineup at the PATA Destination Marketing Forum.

The conference will be officially opened Wednesday by Thailand’s  Minister of Tourism and Sports, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

Two keynote presentations follow. Al Merschen, Partner, International Insights, MMGY Global, presents “The Best Practices for Destination Marketing”, and Audra Morrice, Masterchef Asia/ Singapore Host & Judge, Cook, Author, Australia, focuses on gastronomic tourism to Asia”.

Other confirmed speakers include Supawan Teerarat, Senior Vice President – MICE Capability and Innovation, TCEB; Naomi Mano, Chair, Japan MICE Association; Will Kataria, Senior Director, Sales and Operations, Cvent; Chris Adams, Director, Head of Research and Insights, Miles Partnership; Montakarn Suvanatap Kittipaisalsilp, Programme Officer for Culture, UNESCO Bangkok, Thailand; Dr. Nawamin Pinpathomrat, Doctor, Scientist, MasterChef UK Finalist, Thailand; Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Tourism Board; Thoyyib Mohamed, CEO & Managing Director, Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation; Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director General of Tourism Marketing Department, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT); Peter Semone, Chair, PATA; Douangmala Phommavong, Managing Director, Exo Travel Laos Co., Ltd.; Fernanda Rodak, Sustainability & Social Responsibility Project and Research Coordinator, PATA; Wanvipa Phanumat, Director of Community Based Tourism Development, DASTA; Jaray Suwannachart, Lecturer, Faculty of Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya; Thanawat Charoenpornthip, Head of Koh Yo Tourism Club; Poonsup Chukaew, Head of Node-Na-Le Learning Center, Tha Hin Community, and Pete Bryant, CEO, Steller.

Located in southern Thailand, Songkhla is a fishing town known as a major harbour, seaport, and the “City with Two Seas”. Most recently, Songkhla has been proposed by the Thai government as a World Heritage Site and UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy.

(Source: PATA)

Thai Vietjet starts recruitment drive

BANGKOK, 3 August 2022: For the first time in two years since the pandemic disrupted travel, Thai Vietjet successfully resumed its annual “Sky Career Festival 2022”.

Held last week at Bangkok’s Central World, more than 10,000 participants attended to explore career opportunities with the airline.

It has recently opened recruitment for cabin crew, pilots, engineering, and ground service staff to drive network expansion in response to the global tourism recovery.

During the ‘Sky Career Festival, the airline’s CEO Woranate Laprabang noted Thai Vietjet has expanded its fleets and flights continuously and needs lots of manpower to fulfil its ambitions.

“We arranged this event to offer opportunities for the young generation who dream of having a chance to work in the aviation industry and share comprehensive information from airline professionals.”

The Sky Career Festival has been Thai Vietjet’s annual event since 2018. It continues to provide participants with more opportunities to develop their career paths in a multinational working environment in Thailand, Vietnam, and the rest of Asia.

In 2021, Thai Vietjet was named the Gold winner of the HR Excellence Awards 2021 (Thailand) for ‘Excellence in Crisis Management Recovery’, highlighting its outstanding performance in crisis and people management throughout the pandemic.

Emirates bumps up Skywards rewards

Dubai, UAE: 1 August 2022 – Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, is giving members bonus Miles on flights, hotel stays, car rentals, and lifestyle partners this August.

Earn up to 15,000 Miles on hotel stays*

  • Emirates Skywards Hotels: Earn up to 15,000 Miles per night with more than 400,000 hotels in more than 900 destinations worldwide.
  •  Atlantis The Palm, Dubai: Earn up to 10,000 bonus Miles for a three-night stay.
  • IHG Hotels & Resorts: Earn 1,000 bonus Miles per stay at any Intercontinental Hotels worldwide.
  •  Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts: Earn double Miles per stay at any of the Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts worldwide.

Earn up to 6,000 bonus Miles on car rentals*

  • Avis: Earn 6,000 bonus Miles per rental worldwide.
  • Hertz: Earn up to triple Miles on car rentals worldwide.
  •  SIXT: Earn up to 3,000 bonus Miles per rental worldwide.

Earn thousands of Miles on shopping*

  • The Bicester Collection: Earn thousands of Miles this summer at the popular luxury shopping destinations within The Bicester Collection. Members can earn double Miles on all spends, and triple Miles based on achieving the minimum spend criteria.
  • utu: Get a chance to win a whopping 100,000 bonus Skywards and earn up to 1,750 bonus Miles with utu Tax-Free. Continue to earn Skywards Miles on Tax refunds in 50 countries across Europe, Asia and the Middle East with utu Tax-Free app.

Earn up to 100,000 bonus Miles with Emirates NBD Skywards Credit Cards

Members can be 100,000 Miles closer to their next dream destination. Members can sign-up for an Emirates NBD Skywards Credit Card and earn up to 100,000 bonus Skywards Miles. Members can accelerate their Miles earning by spending with their card across a variety of hotel, car rental, and lifestyle partners such as The Dubai Mall,skywardsmilesmall.com, Skywards Everyday, and more.

Click here to learn more about Emirates Skywards’ summer specials.

Emirates Skywards has more than 29 million members worldwide. The loyalty programme offers four tiers of membership: Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with each tier earning exclusive privileges. Members can earn Skywards Miles with partners ranging from airlines, hotels and car rentals to financial, leisure and lifestyle brands. Skywards Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of rewards, including flight tickets on partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel stays, tickets, hospitality at sporting and cultural events, tours and money-can’t-buy experiences.

For more information, visit www.emirates.com/skywards.
*Terms and conditions apply
*Offer is valid during the specified booking period

(Your Stories: Emirates)

NCL takes delivery of Norwegian Prima

SINGAPORE, 3 August 2022: Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 55-year history of breaking boundaries, took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Prima, in Marghera, Venice, at the renowned Fincantieri shipyard on Monday.

This highly anticipated milestone marks the arrival of the first ship in NCL’s Prima Class, which will see six new ships delivered through 2027. Present at the landmark event were Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line; Luigi Matarazzo, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri; as well as other notable NCLH and Fincantieri executives. The traditional flag exchange ceremony followed the delivery celebration.

Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “Today we usher in a thrilling new era in cruising as we celebrate the delivery of Norwegian Prima, the long-anticipated first ship in our extraordinary new Prima Class. She is a true testament to our Guest First philosophy and our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences that exceed expectations. We thank our wonderful partners at Fincantieri, whose coveted craftsmanship, expertise, and dedication, helped bring Norwegian Prima to life. We cannot wait to welcome our guests on board.”

At 294 metres long, 142,500 gross tons, and a capacity for 3,300 guests, Norwegian Prima is designed to put guests first. She features wide-open spaces, thoughtful and stunning design, and a variety of brand and industry-first experiences. She lays claim as the most spacious new cruise ship in the contemporary categories and offers the most outdoor deck space and expansive accommodations of any new build. Her variety of elevated experiences and epicurean delights include the Brand’s first upscale open-air food hall, Indulge Food Hall; the largest and first three-level racetrack at sea on the Prima Speedway, as well as The Drop, the world’s first freefall dry slide offering a 10-story plunge experience that reaches more G-forces than an accelerating F1 race car.

Other onboard standouts include Ocean Boulevard, which wraps around the entire deck, that’s over 4,000 square metres, allowing guests to connect to the ocean while enjoying alfresco dining and elevated experiences. Guests will enjoy the ultimate in relaxation via Infinity Beach, boasting two stunning infinity pools which are positioned close to water level to take in the vastness of the ocean with uninterrupted views, as well as Oceanwalk, where two glass bridges make guests feel as though they are walking on air over the water. An oasis for art lovers, Norwegian Prima will boast The Concourse, the first outdoor sculpture garden at sea, with six installations created by international metal artist Alexander Krivosheiw and an art wall designed by David Harber. 

Fincantieri, general manager of the Merchant Ships Division, Luigi Matarazzo, said: “We’re glad to work with Norwegian Cruise Line to create a world-class series of ships, and it’s a proud day seeing the first of the six Prima Class vessels delivered today.

Norwegian Prima is packed with world-firsts, never-before-seen features, and extraordinary attractions you would never expect at sea”.

Launching this August, Norwegian Prima will be the first major cruise ship christened in Iceland, commencing her eight-day inaugural voyage in the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik on 27 August 2022, sailing to Amsterdam. Global popstar Katy Perry, who serves as Norwegian Prima’s Godmother, will fulfil the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming the ship, as well as performing during the christening ceremony.

Following her inaugural voyage, Norwegian Prima will sail a series of eight-day voyages from Amsterdam and Copenhagen, offering guests the opportunity to explore Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords. She’ll then sail Bermuda from 10 October 2022; Caribbean itineraries from 15 October 2022; and Western Caribbean voyages from 11 December 2022 to 19 March 2023, before returning to Bermuda from 28 March to 7 May 2023. She’ll then offer cruises to Northern Europe from 14 May through 17 September 2023.

For more information about Norwegian Prima, NCL’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call Hong Kong on +852 2165 6000 and Southeast Asia on +65 3165 1680 or visit www.ncl.com.

(Your Stories: NCL)

Ethiopian orders more A350s

ADDIS ABABA, 3 August 2022: Ethiopian Airlines Group, the flag carrier of Ethiopia, Africa’s largest airline group, has upsized four of its A350-900 on order to the largest variant of the A350 family, the A350-1000, becoming Africa’s first customer for the aircraft.

Ethiopian Airlines has already ordered 22 A350-900s, of which 16 aircraft have been delivered. With the A350-1000 upsizing, Ethiopian Airlines’ backlog consists of four A350-1000s and two A350-900s.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO  Mesfin Tasew said: “We are delighted over the upsizing of the A350-900 on order to the largest variant, A350-1000, that helps us stay ahead of the curve in technology. We are the technology leaders in the continent, introducing the latest technology and fuel-efficient fleet into Africa.

“The A350-1000 is the best fit for our dense routes, and we believe that the upsizing will be instrumental in satisfying the increasing demand of customers in our vast global network across five continents.”

Thailand bids for Specialised Expo 2027/2028

PHUKET, 3 August 2022: The Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) visited Thailand last week to assess the feasibility of Phuket province as a candidate for the Specialised Expo 2027/2028.

Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co Ltd, an independent marketing consultancy based in Bangkok, Thailand, posted details of the visit in its latest news featured on its LinkedIn account.

Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co Ltd.

Thailand is one of five countries competing for the bid. The others are Argentina, Serbia, Spain and the US.

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Phuket province, the Ministry of Public Health and representatives from the public and private sectors are all eyeing the chance to host the Specialised Expo 2028 in Phuket.

The theme of the Expo, ‘Future of life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity’, will allow Thailand and Phuket to boost tourism and the economy and show that the country is recovering from the havoc wreaked by the pandemic.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew officially placed the bid during the BIE General Assembly in Paris last June. He was joined by Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) President, TCEB Southern Regional Office Director Pattanachai Singhavara, Phuket Tourism Association President Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, and Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Weerasak Lorthongkham.

Over the past few weeks, the local government has ramped up its public relations campaign to inform the private and public sectors on the island about the bid and garner support. Consuls and representatives from foreign missions, including Australia, Russia, Austria, Norway, France, Luxembourg, Chile and Mexico, have also been briefed on the bid and asked to offer their support.

Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew said hosting the Specialised Expo was an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of Phuket and Thailand and to attract foreign investors.

Thailand is one of five countries competing for the bid. The others are Argentina, Serbia, Spain and the US.

Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co Ltd. is an independent marketing consultancy based in Bangkok, Thailand, specialising in commercial sponsorship and partnership marketing.

Twice the Fun in Dubai & the Maldives

BANGKOK, 2 August 2022: What could be more magical this summer than treating your loved ones to a vacation in paradise filled with exhilarating activities?

With Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, parents can discover a choice of world-class resorts in Dubai and the Maldives that are blessed with fantastic family facilities and intuitive accommodation to create experiences that will live in the memory forever.

As standalone destinations, Dubai and the Maldives are both breathtaking. One of the world’s most spectacular cities, filled with iconic landmarks, superb shopping and cultural wonders, Dubai stimulates the senses and ignites the imagination. Just a short flight away, the Maldives is a haven of tropical tranquillity where travellers can refresh their senses and reconnect with nature. Together, these dream destinations offer unforgettable twin-centre holidays.

Part 1: Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai

Newly opened in 2021, Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai is a fantastic family-friendly destination which is inspired by mythical Thai and Arabian adventures. Set on the sandy shores of the Deira Islands, overlooking the Arabian Gulf just a short drive from downtown Dubai, this themed resort offers a collection of spacious rooms and suites with panoramic city or sea views, plus a wealth of activities and experiences for all ages, centred around a fun-filled water park.

The Centara Mirage concept was developed with families in mind. Youngsters can spend endless days making a splash in the water park, with its lagoon pools, lazy river, waterslides, cliff jumping platform, water play area and more, all surrounded by palm trees and sun decks. With three age-specific kids’ clubs, an outdoor playground, bunk beds in some of the rooms, water sports, and the dedicated Mirage Family Club, everyone can stay and play together. Little ones can also be pampered in the world’s first Spa Candy. With this sweetshop-themed wellness experience, kids can enjoy colourful spa treatments, manicures and pedicures or get creative by mixing their own lotions and potions! Parents can unwind at the serene Spa Cenvaree and fully-equipped fitness centre, and guests can dine in style at a choice of nine restaurants and lounges.

Under the “Me & Summer Holidays” promotion, holidaymakers can enjoy a stress-free family vacation at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, with free stays and full-board dining for up to two children. Special rates start from just AED 587++ (approx. USD 160++) per night, including breakfast, for stays taken before 30 September 2022. Book now!

Part 2: Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives

The end of a great vacation can be a 1melancholy moment, but with Centara, the fun doesn’t need to stop! Following an inspiring escape in Dubai, families can extend their adventure with a short flight across the Indian Ocean to the idyllic islands of the Maldives!

Nestled on a pristine island in the South Ari Atoll, Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives is a pure tropical paradise. While many Maldivian resorts are geared towards couples and honeymooners, this five-star retreat is an outstanding option for parents and children, with a selection of overwater villas that feature bunk beds and PlayStations, a dual-age kids’ club and plenty of exciting activities such as tennis, volleyball, water sports, cinema screenings and more. Kids will also love to splash in the sparkling swimming pool or snorkel in the lagoon, and a choice of inspiring offshore excursions will create moments that youngsters will never forget. Multiple dining options and meal plans are available.

Under the Maldives Summer Escape offer, guests can enjoy up to 35% off, plus 20% discounts on seaplane transfers and spa treatments, a bottle of wine & fruit basket on arrival, and late 1600 check-out. Guests who stay for four nights or more will be treated to a floating or in-villa breakfast. Bookings must be made before 31August for stays taken by 20 December 2022. Discounted rates start from just SGD 355 per night, including breakfast.

Dubai and the Maldives are a natural double-act. Regular daily flights connect Male’s Velana International Airport with Dubai International Airport and onwards to the rest of the world.

To book a spectacular summer vacation at Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, contact [email protected] (+971) 4 522-9999, and for Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives, contact [email protected] or (+960) 668-8000.

For more information about Centara Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Emirates double daily to Tel Aviv

SINGAPORE, 2 August 2022: A little over a month since it inaugurated its first flight, Emirates has announced plans to boost connectivity and increase travel options for customers flying between Dubai and Tel Aviv with a second daily flight starting on 30 October 2022.

The additional morning frequency responds to the high demand for travel to and from Israel. A Boeing 777-300ER will serve the second daily flight in a three-class configuration. The new schedule will operate as follows: EK933 departs Dubai at 0815, arriving in Tel Aviv at 0950. EK934 leaves Tel Aviv at 1150, arriving in Dubai at 1650h*.

An aerial view of Tel Aviv’s beachfront. (Courtesy Tel Aviv Yafo Municipality, Barak Brinker).

The second flight provides Emirates customers from Israel with additional travel options to Dubai and convenient onwards connections to popular destinations. The new flight also unlocks enhanced connectivity to a multitude of points within Emirates’ global network, such as Auckland, Brisbane, Perth, Bali, Seoul, and Singapore, as well as points across India, among others, making it easier for Israeli travellers to discover new places with shorter transit times.

The service will also give customers travelling to Israel more flexibility when planning their trip with the choice of a morning arrival at Ben Gurion airport, in addition to the existing EK931 service, which arrives in the evening. Customers can also take advantage of Emirates’ partnership with flydubai when planning their travel, which includes a robust schedule of multiple daily codeshare flights.

Travellers flying with Emirates can enjoy the best experience in the sky, with thoughtful product touches and exceptional service provided by its multinational cabin crew. Customers across every class will be able to enjoy Emirates’ ice entertainment system with over 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment to choose from, including numerous Hebrew language movies and programmes, regionally inspired menus complemented by a wide selection of beverages, as well as specially prepared kosher meals, available for pre-order on all flights.

Emirates’ second daily flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv will also provide another 20 tonnes of cargo belly-hold capacity for businesses, further opening global trade lanes through enhanced import and export opportunities.

Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, Emirates Sales Offices, via travel agents or through online travel agents.

*All timings are local.

Standard flies flag in Bangkok

BANGKOK, 2 August 2022: Standard International opened Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon on 1 August, its flagship property in Asia.

Residing in part of the King Power Mahanakhon building, located on Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Road, in Bangkok’s Bang Rak district, the property has 155 rooms and suites. Standard Hotels’ major shareholder is Sansiri PLC Thailand, one of the country’s leading real estate conglomerate.

Commenting on the opening, Standard International chairman Srettha Thavisin said: We are confident that The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon will have huge success in delivering the ultimate hotel experience – unlike any other in Thailand.”

The 360-degree view from the 78th floor ‘Sky Beach’ is the trending signature venue for guests to chill out and watch the sunset. It is also credited with being the city’s highest rooftop bar. In addition to the 155 rooms, suites and penthouse, the hotel features a terrace pool, fitness centre, meeting rooms and a variety of food, and nightlife venues, including the Parlor, Tea Room, Standard Grill, and Thailand’s first outpost of the acclaimed Mott 32, a Chinese restaurant.

To mark the official opening Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon offers guests a “Bite into Bangkok” until 30 September that provides hotel and dining credits per day worth up to THB5,000 depending on the room category booked.

A check of the starting room rates during the opening phase posted on the booking site Agoda shows the THB8,093 price tag on the standard room drops to THB4,573 until the end of September.

Standard International is the parent company of Standard Hotels. Created in 1999, the hotel group has properties in New York, Miami, London, the Maldives, Hua Hin, Ibiza and its Asia flagship, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon.

Standard Hotels in Lisbon, Milan, Melbourne, Singapore, Dublin and Brussels are under development.