KUALA LUMPUR, 8 February 2022: Three airlines under AirAsia
Aviation Limited’s banner have again been awarded for upholding the highest
levels of safety and operational integrity with a 7/7 rating from the experts
at airlineratings.com.
This follows a similar rating awarded at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
AirAsia Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines gained
recognition for their robust and comprehensive Covid-19 mitigation plans in an
announcement by airlineratings.com released at the weekend.
The airline group was also named as one of the top 20 safest
low-cost airlines for 2022 by the same panel of experts at airlineratings.com.
The airline group was also amongst the first to achieve the
highest Covid safety ratings from airlineratings.com in 2020 for all the
innovations introduced to make flying safer and more hygienic than ever in the
new world of air travel.
AirAsia Aviation Limited is a subsidiary of Capital A Berhad
(formerly known as AirAsia Group Berhad).
AirAsia Aviation Limited Group CEO Bo Lingam said:
“Safety is the number one determining factor for air travellers, and this
is more important than ever now that we have started living with the virus.
This is a fantastic achievement for our airline Group and I thank the experts
at airlineratings.com for understanding and recognising the amount of work we
have put into making sure our airlines are not only safe and affordable, but
more contactless and hygienic than ever in the new world of travel.
Airlineratings.com editor in chief and founder Geoffrey
Thomas said: “The airlines in the AirAsia Group which we have acknowledged have
continued to pass the major International Air Transport Association Operation
(IATA Safety Audit – IOSA) which covers more than 1,060 parameters.”
BANGKOK, 7 February: Diethelm-Keller Group,
founders of Diethelm Travel, Thailand’s oldest destination management company,
have sold their remaining shares in the company to Tourasia’s Stefan Roemer and
two partners, according to a Diethelm Travel statement released last Friday.
Roemer, who currently heads Diethelm Travel as its CEO is joined by partners Thomas Maurer (Arcothai International, an exhibition, party entertainment service founded 2016) and a Swiss IT and private equity investor Gonpo Tsering. Together they have taken over the remaining shares in Diethelm Travel, a company established in 1957 that today commands a network of 13 offices in Asia.
Gonpo Tsering ( Photo Credit: Vereign.Com)
In 2017, Diethelm Travel Holdings and
Tourasia Roemer AG – the largest tour operator in Switzerland specializing in
travel to Asia – merged their Asian destination management operations.
Diethelm Travel’s statement says Stefan
Roemer, CEO of Diethelm Travel and founder of Tourasia, has been investing in
Diethelm Travel Holding AG for several years and is pleased that DK Travel
Holding AG, has agreed to sell its last shares to him and his new partners.
Details and conditions of the deal were not disclosed.
“I am excited to assume full ownership of
Diethelm Travel together with my new partners and would like to thank Diethelm
Keller Travel Holding for the great partnership over the years as well as their
trust in us to lead the business into the future successfully. I am confident
that Diethelm Travel is well-positioned to take advantage of the travel
industry taking off again in 2022,” said Roemer.
Thomas Maurer (Photo Credit:Travelnews CH)
According to Roemer, he and his partners
will take Diethelm Travel to “the new era of travel empowered with advance IT
system while staying true to our DNA as your trusted DMC in Asia.”
Backstory
Travelnews, a Swiss travel news publication,
presented the backstory that showed the Diethelm Keller Group set a course to
exit the travel industry back in 2018.
“As part of that decision, there were soon
changes in the portfolio within the group’s own travel arm DK Travel Group. In
2020, as a result of the pandemic, STA Travel went bankrupt, and Globetrotter
was repurchased by its founder. Explorer Fernreisen was also sold. As the
former head of DK Travel Group, Casper Urhammer explained to Travelnews in
December 2020 that a buyer for the shares in Diethelm Travel Group, one of the
largest Asian destination management companies, has since been sought. The
process was already underway.”
Stefan Roemer (Photo Credit: Travelnews CH)
The Swiss Asia specialist Tourasia has been
participating in an investment process since late 2017, when Tourasia founder
Stephan Roemer became CEO of the Diethelm Travel Group.
“In December 2020, Roemer told Travelnews
that he was “interested in principle” in taking over the Diethelm
Travel Group himself. Because of the pandemic, however, he was not willing to
take major financial risks at the time.
“But in 2021 the final pieces fell into
place. Even though a negotiated right of first refusal had expired, Roemer was
able to secure the entire Diethelm Travel Group by the end of December,”
according to Travelnews.
“Three investors jointly took over the DTG
shares of the Diethelm Keller Group. In addition to Tourasia Roemer AG, it
included Arcothai International Ltd, the holding company of Thomas Maurer, a
veteran Swiss tour specialist based in Bangkok. He had earlier sold his DMC
Travel Center Asia to the Diethelm Travel Group. After that development, he was
associated with the company in an advisory capacity. He is now stepping up to
the role of a co-investor.
“The third investor is Gonpo Tsering, who
according to “Bilanz” is one of the 300 richest Swiss nationals and
is credited with being the brains behind the IPOs of DKSH Holding AG and On
Shoes.
“Tsering is not only known for large IPOs
but also as a ‘deep tech investor’. For example, as an investor in companies
with innovative technology, that is probably an indication Diethelm Travel is
now taking the next step in terms of technology,” Travelnews reported.
Details of the deal, such as the price paid
for the remaining shares, the shareholding breakdown or other considerations
such as debt write-off, remain confidential.
Travelnews noted that “Roemer himself
stated he does not hold “a majority” in Diethelm Travel, but that the
three investors hold equal shares.
According to Travelnews, Roemer added:
“It was crucial for me to find partners who are willing to support the
ongoing transformation of Diethelm Travel to become a dynamic DMC.”
Roemer informed his own Tourasia management
team in Wallisellen Switzerland, about the deal on 3 February.
TravelNews concluded: “In a letter to
business partners, Roemer explains that together with the new investors,
Diethelm Travel wants to move forward “with the groove of a startup”.
Watch this space
Could that hint of an IPO brewing further down the track and a major shift in direction involving cutting edge travel technology?
The intervention of private equity investor Gonpo Tsering offers a glimpse of the path the restructured Diethelm Travel could take over the next three years. Both Roemer and Maurer are career tour operators or DMC specialists. In contrast, Gonpo Tsering brings to the table experience in IT, marketing, finance M&A, and managing large projects. He was on the DKSH executive board for over a decade. Also, he has served as vice-chairman of security printer Orell Füssli and chairman of luxury watchmakers Maurice Lacroix and Bovet. He currently sits on several company boards, including Cysec, the Go AG, Anapaya, Vereign and Dizmo. More to the point, he is also a significant private equity investor known for identifying promising tech startups in Europe and Asia.
Born again?
Diethelm Travel Group should enjoy the luxury of starting 2022 with a clean slate and a substantial war chest to navigate a new path in travel technology that will surprise competitors — a born again travel firm?
BANGKOK, 7 February 2022: The Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon
will be the Standard brand’s flagship hotel in Asia and the latest addition to
its growing global portfolio once it opens on 11 May.
The company launch announcement confirms the hotel opened
reservations on 4 February.
Located in Bangkok’s central business district between the
Sathorn and Silom roads, the hotel is located in the landmark King Power
Mahanakhon Building, a 78-story mixed-use building that is one of the tallest
in Thailand.
Standard International executive chairman Amar Lalvani said: “We couldn’t be more proud to partner with King Power to open our flagship for the region in this awe-inspiring building.”
With 155-rooms, the Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon joins the
group’s portfolio that includes Standard High Line and Standard in London,
waterside retreats in Miami, the Maldives, and Hua Hin, and the Standard in
Ibiza, due to open this Spring.
Standard Bangkok Mahanakhon offers a pre-opening 25% discount off the best available rate, including breakfast for two persons. The offer is open on bookings made until 31 July for stays booked between 11 May and 28 February 2023. Including the 25% discount, the hotel’s website shows a nightly rate of THB6,174, including tax and service for a 9 July reservation without identifying the benchmark best available rate.
MANILA, 7 February 2022: The country’s tourism industry will
welcome fully vaccinated international travellers starting 10 February, the
Department of Tourism (DOT) reported last week.
According to The Philippines News Agency report, Tourism
Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the sector had been preparing for this
development since the borders were closed in 2020.
“While this will be the first time the Philippines is
opening its doors for foreign leisure travellers since the start of the
pandemic, the tourism industry has prepared for this development for close to
two years,” she said in a text message. “We look forward to welcoming
foreign visitors once again, especially with Metro Manila, the country’s main
international gateway, placed under Alert Level 2.”
She confirmed that health and safety protocols would remain
in place.
“Tourism workers have been vaccinated, and the
observance of health and safety protocols at every destination remains to be a
priority. The DOT will be focusing its efforts on the visa-free countries under
EO 408 that are identified as our key, strategic, and opportunity
markets,” she said.
Travellers must be fully vaccinated and arriving from
countries that are on the visa-free list. They must present a negative RT-PCR
test taken within 48 hours before their departure from the country of origin.
At the latest count, 157 countries enjoy visa-free entry
privileges to the Philippines. They include top tourist markets such as South
Korea, Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, US and Germany.
Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief-operating-officer Ma.
Anthonette Velasco-Allones noted the country had established 79 tourism
circuits, consisting of travel-ready places in different regions.
“It is safe to say that they are ready. They are more
than ready,” she said, adding that the TPB is also working with the
DOT-National Capital Region to “refresh” visitor arrival areas in
Metro Manila.
The government is also eyeing to further streamline travel
rules in destinations to make travel more convenient, especially for foreign
tourists.
With the Philippines finally reopening its gates to leisure
travellers, Velasco-Allones expressed optimism about the Philippines’ tourism
industry in 2022.
“Our outlook for the tourism industry in 2022 is quite
optimistic. Imagine the first major global summit will happen in the
Philippines in April,” she said, referring to the World Travel and Tourism
Council (WTTC) Global Summit.
She added that the government would continue to promote and
develop the Philippines as a top international MICE-destination.
Aside from the WTTC Global Summit, one of the events slated
in the coming months is the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
“Our MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) team is also in talks with several professional associations like medical groups wellness groups because there are professional and corporate events already in our calendar,” Velasco-Allones said.
SINGAPORE, 7 February 2022: Carnival Cruise Line has changed
its fleet deployment plan, including two ships leaving the fleet, as it
implements a restart of cruises in the US and adjusts for the continued
uncertainty in Australia.
Carnival announced the following updates:
Jacksonville: As previously announced, Carnival Spirit will replace Carnival Ecstasy in Jacksonville. While that will happen for departures from 7 March to. 9 April 2022, the next two cruises are cancelled. A new ship will be assigned from the Carnival fleet to Jacksonville for the Ecstasy itineraries, effective 23 April 2022.
Mobile: Carnival Ecstasy will reposition to Mobile for departures from 5 March through 10 October 2022. Cruises from Mobile planned for Carnival Sensation from 15 October 2022 through 30 September 2023 are cancelled.
Australia: Carnival is cancelling Carnival Splendor sailings from 10 June through 26 September 2022 and Carnival Spirit sailings from 5 June 2022 to 5 October 2023.
As part of this deployment plan, Carnival Sensation will not
restart operations, and Carnival Ecstasy’s last cruise will depart on 10 October 2022 from Mobile. Both ships will
leave the Carnival fleet.
DUBAI 7 February 2022: Emirates has signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Turespaña, Spanish Tourism Institute, to help boost
trade and tourism to Spain.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and
Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, welcomed Her Excellency María
Reyes Maroto Illera, Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, at the
Emirates Group Headquarters.
The MoU was signed by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional
senior vice president, International Affairs at Emirates and Miguel Ángel Sanz
Castedo, Director General of Turespana. The ceremony was also attended by Juan
Ignacio Diaz Bidart, Cabinet Chief to the Minister, Ministry of Industry; Iñigo
de Palacio, Spanish Ambassador to the UAE; Andres Salinero, Trade and Economic
Counsellor, Embassy of Spain; and Daniel
Rosado Bayon, Director, Spain Tourism Office, Tourism Counsellor, Embassy of
Spain.
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President,
International Affairs at Emirates, said: “Emirates launched operations to
Spain more than 12 years ago, and the country remains an important market in
our global network. We’re very happy to be exploring mutually beneficial
initiatives that will drive tourism to Spain and also offer Emirates more
opportunities to serve the market. Thank you to our partners for their ongoing
support, and we look forward to continuing growing our long-standing
partnership.”
Miguel Angel Sanz, Director General Tourspain Madrid, said:
“Spain and Emirates are strategic partners of the recovery of travel.
Spain, as one of the most visited countries in the world, and Emirates, one of
the world’s leading airlines, will work together to improve the connectivity
and generate confidence, which are key factors for recovery.”
Daniel Rosado Bayon, Director of Spain Tourism GCC &
Iran, added: “We are happy to sign this MoU between Emirates and Tourspain
to further collaborate on improving the connectivity with Spain. We are
starting to see a recovery of the routes to Spain, and we have agreed to work
closer to promote our outstanding destination.”
Under the agreement, Emirates and Turespaña will explore
joint activities to drive tourism to Spain, including trade familiarisation
trips, workshops and marketing campaigns.
Emirates launched operations to Madrid in 2010, to Barcelona
in 2012 and Dubai to Mexico City via Barcelona in 2019. The airline currently
offers customers 10 weekly flights to Barcelona, including five weekly flights
from Dubai to Mexico City via Barcelona and nine weekly flights to Madrid
utilising the iconic Emirates A380 aircraft. Customers can also access popular
regional destinations via the airline’s interline agreement with Vueling,
Iberia Airlines and Air Europa. Emirates passengers travelling to Madrid and
Barcelona can also connect onwards to more than 13 cities through the airline’s
partnership with the national train operator, Renfe.
Emirates has safely restarted operations to more than 120 destinations within its global network via Dubai. The airline has led the industry with its innovative products and services, including a comprehensive set of health and safety measures at every step of the journey, contactless technology at Dubai Airport, generous and flexible booking policies, and COVID-19 medical insurance.
JAKARTA, 7 February 2022: Bali’s tourism leaders are optimistic the holiday island’s economy is about to turn the corner after international flights restarted on 4 February.
Commenting to the local press Indonesia’s Coordinating
Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said he
was hopeful the step would trigger a recovery in Bali’s tourism economy.
However, he told Antara news that international tourists
arriving in Bali would still be required to undergo quarantine, following the
latest rules issued by the Covid-19 Handling Task Force.
“I also request all parties to strictly comply with the
health protocols enforced by the COVID-19 Task Force. Because this is all
meaningless if we are not disciplined,” he said.
All international travellers arriving in Bali must show
proof they have been vaccinated a minimum of 14 days before arrival in
Indonesia and that they provide a negative RT-PCR test result taken not more
than 48 hours before departure.
Fully vaccinated travellers need to quarantine for five days
in a hotel or on liveaboard ships certified by the Ministry of Tourism and
Creative Economy. Travellers who have only received one dose of the Covid-19
vaccine must quarantine for seven days.
Bali is providing two additional quarantine sites that have been CHSE-certified by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy – a “bubble quarantine” at five hotels with 447 rooms in Nusa Dua, Ubud, Sanur, and Jimbaran and “live onboard” quarantine on ships anchored offshore.
According to the Bali Government Tourism Office, the first
flight Garuda Indonesia GA 881 arrived from Narita, Japan, on 3 February with
12 foreigners and six Indonesians onboard.
Singapore Airlines said last week it would resume flights to
Bali from Singapore starting on 16 February.
BANGKOK, 7 February 2022: Following the easing of travel restrictions in Thailand and Vietnam, Thai Vietjet confirms flights will increase between the two countries, starting from mid-February 2022.
Services on the Bangkok – Ho Chi Minh City route will
increase from two to three to flights weekly, 17 February and shortly
afterwards to five flights based on travel demand.
The airline will also resume its Bangkok to Danang direct
service starting 27 March 2022 (summer schedule) to boost leisure travel
between the two countries.
Thai Vietjet chief executive officer Woranate Laprabang
said: “We strongly believe that the increase of the flight services between the
two countries will contribute to the recovery of aviation and tourism, as well
as economic recovery while meeting the increasing travel demand of people in
the region, after a long suspension due to the pandemic.”
Recently, the airline announced it would introduce a new
international service connecting Bangkok and the Cambodian capital city of
Phnom Penh, starting 16 March.
SINGAPORE, 4 February 2022: International guests can sail on
Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas starting 11 April 2022
when the ship arrives in Singapore six months earlier than previously
scheduled.
Sailings are now open for bookings starting just a week
before the Easter holiday, 15 to 18 April. Cruise fans can book an Ocean
Getaway three or four-night cruise on Spectrum of the Seas.
“We have seen incredible demand for Royal Caribbean
cruise holidays in Singapore. Having hosted more than 178,000 Singapore
residents since we restarted cruising, bringing Spectrum six months early is
truly exciting, said Royal Caribbean International vice president and managing
director Asia-Pacific Angie Stephen.
Guests who book their vacation on Spectrum on or before 31
March 2022 can benefit from the Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence
programme, allowing changes and cancellations up to 48 hours before their
cruise sets sail. As long as holidaymakers cancel at least 48 hours before
their sail date, they will receive a Future Cruise Credit. The credit is valid
for future bookings on or before 30 September 2022, for sailings departing
before 31 December 2022, or one year from the original sailing date, whichever
is later.
SINGAPORE, 4 February 2022: Accessibility to resorts in the Maldives’ Lhaviyani Atoll will dramatically improve with the opening of Madivaru Airport later this month.
Domestic flights to and from Male’s Velana International Airport to Madivaru Airport will take just 25 minutes. Up until now, Lhaviyani has been served only by seaplanes, with operations limited to daylight flights. Travellers also departed from a different terminal at the country’s gateway airport Velana.
The flight schedule will commence with three flights daily scheduled that connect with international flights to ensure minimal wait times for travellers.
Kuredu Holdings Pvt Ltd is developing Madivaru Airport. It
will be managed by the national airline Maldivian, following a management
agreement signed by Mohamed Moosa, chairman of Champa Brothers Maldives Pvt Ltd
& co-owner of Crown & Champa Resorts, one of the owners of luxury
resorts Kudadoo Maldives Private Island and Hurawalhi Island Resort, as well as
Kuredu, Komandoo and Innahura (Crown & Champa Resorts). The airport project
included land reclamation from Madivaru’s lagoon, construction of a 1200
metre-long runway and a passenger terminal.
Kudadoo Maldives Private Island is a private island
comprising 15 overwater ocean residences, while Hurawalhi Island Resort
Maldives is an adults-only resort known for its 5.8 Underwater Restaurant.
Tickets for Maldivian flights from Velena International
Airport to Madivaru Airport can be purchased directly from Kudadoo Maldives
Private Island and Hurawalhi Island Resort, as well as Kuredu, Komandoo and
Innahura (Crown & Champa Resorts).
Domestic flights between Velana and Madivaru airports are
scheduled to connect travellers arriving in the Maldives on the following
international flights:
