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Macau shuts shop for 14 days

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TTR WEEKLY
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MACAU, 10 January 2022: Macau has cancelled all international flights and all inbound travellers outside of China for 14 days ending 23 January.

The only exception is mainland China where residents can continue to visit Macau. All arrivals to Macau must provide a valid negative Covid-19 PCR test. You may need to undergo medical screening or observation at a designated venue. Restrictions may change at short notice.

The 14-day ban on all civilian flights from foreign countries started on 9 January and will be in place until midnight on 23 January following

Macau’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre’s announcement last week in response to the surge in Omicron variant infections worldwide which now poses a severe public health threat to Asian nations.

Despite the ban on all international flights, several positive cases of Covid-19 have been detected requiring foreign arrivals to enter strict hotel quarantine. They were mainly from the UK, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand.

Macau’s ban on all international arrivals is stricter than measures imposed by Hong Kong that limited its ban to just arrivals from eight countries – Australia, Canada, France, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK and the US.

Hong Kong’s ban started a day earlier, on 8 January. Vaccinated Hong Kong residents who are living overseas can return if they have not been resident in any of the eight countries. Arrivals must undergo between seven and 21 days of quarantine in a designated facility, depending on their vaccination status and travel origin. They are also required to take multiple Covid-19 tests, both upon arrival and throughout quarantine.

Non-residents, meanwhile, are only allowed to travel to Hong Kong if they are not coming from one of 140 countries included in the government’s high-risk Group A category.

The Maldives reaches million plus milestone

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TTR WEEKLY
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MALE, The Maldives 2022: The Maldives welcomed 1.3 million tourist visitors during 2021, despite the many challenges faced this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

A ceremony was held at Velana International Airport for the 1.3 millionth visitor, Constantin Stelian Emil, who was welcomed by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation chief executive officer and managing director Thoyyib Mohamed.

A ceremony was held at Velana International Airport to welcome the 1.3 millionth visitor, Constantin Stelian Emil and family from Romania.

“Despite all the challenges, 2021 has been a great year for the Maldivian tourism sector, achieving many milestones and receiving many accolades and awards, one of which was the prestigious World Travel Awards leading destination 2021 title. Reaching 1.3 million visitors is not a small achievement considering how volatile the global tourism situation has been throughout the year.”

As the parent company responsible for marketing the Maldives as a destination abroad, MMPRC generated over 400 different marketing activities in 24 global markets this year, including fairs, roadshows, familiarisation trips, marketing campaigns, webinars, and interviews. This year MMPRC plans over 60 in-person events, including 17 fairs, roadshows, and events scheduled for just the first quarter of 2022.

Swiss-Belhotel expands in Indonesia

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TTR WEEKLY
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JAKARTA, 10 January 2022: Swiss-Belhotel International Indonesia recently sealed a management agreement for Swiss-Belhotel Airport, Yogyakarta, with the owning company PT Adhiraka Graha Sejahtera.

Scheduled to be opened later this year,  the four-star 167-room hotel project is located just minutes away from Yogyakarta’s international airport within the Kulon Progo Airport hub complex.

From left to right Emmanuel Guillard, Matthew Faull, Whari Prihartono, Devi Arlitawati, Ratu Reny.

“Swiss-Belhotel International is proud to be the appointed operator for this exciting project. This hotel will become our third hotel in Yogyakarta, and it will add our brand collection in this city after the presence of Swiss-Belboutique and Zest Yogyakarta,” said Swiss-Belhotel International senior vice president of operations and development for Indonesia, Emmanuel Guillard. “We will accommodate the increasing demand of travellers to this city with the presence of Swiss-Belhotel Airport Yogyakarta, especially with the new airport operations and the rapid city development in recent years.”

Key facilities at the hotel include a ballroom and meeting rooms, an all-day dining restaurant with indoor and outdoor sitting options, in-room dining, a rooftop swimming pool, and a fitness centre.

FCM offers fee-free service

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 January 2022: FCM a leading travel management firm in the Asia Pacific, says it is launching a fee-free scheme for startups and mid-sized companies in Singapore to help them weather the Covid-19 pandemic.

The travel management company says it will fill the gap left behind by smaller agencies in Singapore and plans to roll out the initiative in Malaysia and Hong Kong when borders reopen for international travel, possibly later this year.

“We are launching a fee-free travel management programme in Singapore because we believe it’s the right thing to do to support startups and mid-sized companies,” said FCM Travel’s director of marketing Henry Jones, who heads the company’s SME travel division in Asia. “Often, these companies have similar business travel needs as MNCs and large national companies but are held back by greater budgetary considerations. They also have less negotiating power for group deals with suppliers as compared to large organisations. This is our way of supporting them – providing cost-effective rates and full travel management services inclusive of technology support at no fees.”

Fee-free business travel for all flight and hotel bookings is the core item to assist startup companies, but FCM will also help with systems and technology implementation at no cost, completed within two weeks.

Services included within the programme are FCM’s 24/7 expert agent support; monthly reporting; always available duty of care via safety and risk functions through FCM’s mobile technology to account for the well-being and location of every traveller; and online booking capabilities.

With the reopening of the Singapore borders and Vaccinated Travel Lane arrangements with several markets in Q4 of 2021, business travel is showing the first signs of recovery. The pandemic had also left many startups and mid-sized companies stranded with the closure of several local agencies, which prompted FCM to step up and fill in the gaps left behind by these players.

“We recognise that the travel landscape is changed, which has created a challenging trading environment for some companies, especially budget-conscious clients,” said FCM vice-president of customer success in Asia Vicki Parris. “This initiative allows us to offer a helping hand to more Singaporean startups and mid-sized companies as they continue to grow. Furthermore, we want to continue to be able to provide more customers with the FCM trademark personalised service regardless of the size of a company.”

AJC webinar explores Japan’s travel market

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TTR WEEKLY
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TOKYO, 10 January 2022: The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) will organise a webinar, 12 January for tourism stakeholders that reside in the BIMP-EAGA grouping in Asia.

BIMP-EAGA covers tourism players in  Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, known as the East ASEAN Growth Area or BIMP-EAGA. The webinar will present the latest information on the Japanese travel market and how to promote tourism attractions on the BIMP-EAGA grouping to Japan.

A relatively unknown entity in regional tourism BIMP-EAGA has links dating back to its foundation in 1994 with a mandate to spur tourism development in the four participating Southeast Asian countries that were lesser lights on the regional tourism stage.

In its Vision 2025, BIMP-EAGA presents the need to strengthen five pillars: Connectivity, food basket, environment, and socio-cultural & education, and tourism.

AJC ran a series of symposiums focusing on the four pillars from November to December 2021 and now hosts its tourism webinar to complete the Vision 2025 presentations.

The upcoming tourism webinar will introduce updates and trends prevalent in the Japanese market, such as consumer sentiments and will focus on ecotourism, one of the strengths of the region. It will also provide information on digital marketing for tourism promotion.

BIMP-EAGA Tourism Webinar

Japanese market insights and trends post-COVID-19
Date/Time: Wednesday, 12 January 2022, 1500 – 1700 (Japan time) via Zoom.

Programme

Opening Remarks
Kunihiko Chris Hirabayashi, Secretary-General of ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Shu Kawano, Director, Second Southeast Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan.

Salinah Md Salleh, Acting Director of Tourism Department, Brunei Darussalam/Chair of BIMP-EAGA Joint Tourism Development Cluster.

Presentations
How do Japanese travellers view BIMP countries?

Reading trends through ASEAN travel awareness survey 1.
Speaker: Haruna Chinzei, Account Manager, Marketing Voice Ltd.

The new chapter of ecotourism post COVID-19

Cases of Japan and beyond.
Speaker: Masaru Takayama, Chairperson, Asian Ecotourism Network.

How to attract Japanese travellers through effective digital marketing.
Speaker: Kei Shibata, Co-founder & CEO, Venture Republic – TRAVEL jp & Trip101.

Organiser:
ASEAN-Japan Centre.

Supporting organisation:
BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Centre.

Language:
English

Registration:
Free
Please register from the link below to participate:
https://bit.ly/3rLorpu

Thailand adds Sandbox destinations

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 10 January 2022: Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved a new round of entry measures for international arrivals to Thailand, reopening three more Sandbox destinations – Krabi, Phang-Nga, and Surat Thani (only Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao) from 11 January 2022. 

It gives the country four Sandbox destinations when the already established Phuket is included. 

International travellers will be able to travel to Thailand under the Sandbox programme and can choose to undergo their mandatory seven-day stay in either Krabi, Phang-Na, Phuket, or Surat Thani (limited to Samui, Pha-ngan, and Tao islands).

However, all travellers must make sure that they arrange everything in order before applying for the Sandbox Thailand Pass. This may include but is not limited to the following: A vaccination certificate, a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR test result, prepaid seven night’s accommodation in an approved hotel, prepaid RT-PCR tests for when in Thailand, and an insurance policy with the cover of no less than US$50,000.

Travellers must stay at least the first seven nights within a Sandbox destination if planning to continue the journey to other destinations in Thailand. If staying less than seven nights, the traveller must leave Thailand to another country immediately.

Lifting of travel restrictions

Also, from 11 January 2022, the CCSA approved the lifting of travel restrictions on arrivals from African countries. This means travellers from Africa will be allowed to apply for the Thailand Pass under either the Sandbox programme or the Alternative Quarantine system.

New Test & Go Thailand Pass applications remain suspended until further notice. Those who have already obtained a Test & Go Thailand Pass and have a QR Code are allowed to enter the country (CCSA will update if there is a cut off date for entry for those who already have a pass). That window remains open for the time being for those who have already completed the Test & Go procedure and have the go-ahead to travel.

Even though new applications for the  Test & Go scheme have been suspended until further notice, travellers who are currently planning to enter Thailand can apply for the Thailand Pass under either the Sandbox programme or the Alternative Quarantine system.

Thailand’s 26 “Blue Zone” provinces

The CCSA also approved the measure to maintain the designation of 26 “Blue Zone” provinces with pilot tourist destinations. However, stringent health and safety guidelines have been introduced.

“Blue Zone” destinations are:

Central Region: Bangkok, and Ayutthaya (Mueang district only), Kanchanaburi, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phetchaburi (Cha-Am district only), Prachuap Khiri Khan (Mueang, Hua Hin, and Nong Kae districts only), and Samut Prakan (Suvarnabhumi Airport only).

Eastern Region: Chanthaburi (only for Mueang and Tha Mai districts), Chon Buri (only for Bang Lamung, Ko Si Chang, Pattaya, and Si Racha districts, and only Bang Sarey and Na Jomtien subdistricts in Sattahip district), Rayong (only for Ko Samet), and Trat (only for Ko Chang and Ko Kut districts).

Northern Region: Chiang Mai (Mueang, Chom Thong, Doi Tao, Mae Rim, and Mae Taeng districts only) and Chiang Rai (Mueang, Chiang Khong, Chiang Saen, Mae Chan, Mae Fah Luang, Mae Sai, Phan, Thoeng, Wiang Kaen, and Wiang Pa Pao districts only).

Northeastern Region: Buri Ram (Mueang district only), Khon Kaen (Mueang, Khao Suan Kwang, Poei Noi, Phon, Phu Wiang, and Ubolratana districts only), Loei (Chiang Khan district only), Nakhon Ratchasima (Mueang, Chaloem Phra Kiat, Chok Chai, Pak Chong, Phimai, Sikhio, and Wang Nam Khiao districts), Nong Khai (Mueang, Si Chiang Mai and Tha Bo districts only), Surin (Mueang and Tha Tum districts only), and Udon Thani (Mueang, Ban Dung, Kumphawapi, Na Yung, Prachaksilpakhom, and Nong Han districts only).

Southern Region: Krabi, Phang-Nga, Phuket, Ranong (Ko Phayam only), and Surat Thani (Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and Ko Tao only).

For more information on entry into Thailand schemes, please visit: https://www.tatnews.org/thailand-reopening/

(YOUR STORIES: TAT)

Maldives marketing taps Kuoni France clients

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 7 January 2022: The Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation has initiated a month-long marketing campaign with Kuoni France.

The campaign that started 6 January runs until 6 February, targeting Kuoni France sales channels, one of the largest online travel agencies, catering to a worldwide audience, selling over 100 destinations.

The collaborative campaign between MMPRC and Kuoni France aims to promote the destination as a safe haven, ready to welcome tourists from the French market.

Under this campaign, advertisements, articles, photos, and newsletters of the Maldives will be posted on the digital and social media platforms of Kuoni, France and will be placed at strategic outdoor locations.

The campaign content focuses on promoting the natural geography of the Maldivian islands, where social distancing rules are easily applied as part of comprehensive  Covid-19 safety measures in place at resorts, hotels, guesthouses and liveaboards.

France is an important market for the Maldives, ending the year 2021 with strong travel arrivals. As of 29 December 2021, the Maldives had welcomed 1,312,706 tourists. During this period, France became the ninth strongest source market for the Maldives, with arrivals totalling 29,877.

BW extends footprint in Vietnam

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 7 January 2022: Best Western Hotels & Resorts breaks new ground in Vietnam by signing two new projects in Ho Tram, a beachfront resort town just 110 km from Ho Chi Minh City.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts will brand the two properties owned by Thien Binh Minh Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of the Charm Group, a real estate conglomerate.

Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Premier Collection by Best Western and Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Signature Collection by Best Western will be unveiled in the first quarter of 2024, offering more than 1,000 rooms, suites and villas across the two properties.

Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, will offer 458 rooms and suites plus 90 villas. Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Signature Collection by Best Western will feature 470 rooms.

This signing marks the latest phase of Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ expansion strategy in Vietnam. With four high-end hotels and resorts now operating, 16 new properties signed, and ongoing discussions for more, including several in partnership with Vietnam’s real estate companies, the group is targeting over 20 branded hotels and resorts by the end of 2024.

Centara names startup winners

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 7 January 2022: The inaugural Centara Startup Sandbox programme, presented by Centara Hotels & Resorts x True Digital Park, recently concluded with team PMPO taking home the grand prize.

Markland Blaiklock, deputy chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts, Dr Tarit Nimmanwudipong, general manager of True Digital Park and Nichapat Ark, director & Thailand Coverage from Openspace Ventures congratulated the winning team who won cash and THB 400,000 worth of prizes, as well as the two runners-up who also came up with innovative solutions for the hospitality industry at the final pitch event at True Digital Park building last week.

Find out more about Centara at www.CentaraHotelsResorts.com 

Greater Bay Airlines taps Amadeus channel

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 7 January 2022: Hong Kong’s newest airline, Greater Bay Airlines, takes a step closer to flying following an agreement with Amadeus to distribute fares and schedules online to travel agencies worldwide.

Planning to fly its first commercial services possibly by the end of the first quarter of 2022, GBA applied for traffic rights to operate to 104 destinations across Asia, including mainland China. It will launch services with three leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft and says it will muster a fleet of 30 aircraft by 2027.

GBA obtained its Air Operator’s Certificate on 8 October 2021, despite considerable objections from Cathay Pacific carrier suggesting the market could not sustain another airline start-up.

Amadeus-connected travel sellers – including travel management companies, corporations, tour operators, retail travel agencies, online travel agencies, and metasearch – will be able to search, book and service reservations on Greater Bay Airlines once it starts flying.

Amadeus airline distribution sales, Asia Pacific regional vice president Frederic Saunier said: “We are excited that Greater Bay Airlines will be using Amadeus’ technology as it embarks on its new journey when it begins flights end of this year.

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