BANGKOK, 5 December 2024: Vietjet Thailand is promoting its THB zero deal, ‘It’s Time to Vietjet!’ for all domestic and international routes.
The booking window closes at midnight on 7 December, with the travel period from 1 March to 25 October 2025 (excludes public holidays) at the airline’s website, www.vietjetair.com. The THB zero fare offer excludes taxes and surcharges)
The special promotional tickets apply to Vietjet Thailand’s entire domestic flight network from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, and Ubon Ratchathani and cross-country routes connecting Phuket to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.
It also applies to Vietjet’s international rout4s from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Vietnam, China, Fukuoka, Phnom Penh, Singapore, and Taipei, as well as from Chiang Mai to Osaka, and the newly launched routes from Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) to Okinawa & Hokkaido (via Taipei) and Mumbai.
The promotional fares are available on all distribution channels, including travel agencies and booking offices.
MANILA, 5 December 2024: The Philippines is ready to capture India’s rising outbound market, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported earlier this week as the country fully implements its new e-Visa system in India.
The development of the e-visa system in the Philippines began in 2019, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) partnering with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to design and implement the system.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco (centre) meets the Israeli tourism minister (left centre).
The system was initially launched in a pilot phase in 2021, with a limited number of visa types and eligible nationalities. The pilot phase was successful, and the DFA announced in 2023 that the e-visa system would be launched to the public in the third quarter of the year. However, implementing the e-visa system in India took longer to activate and achieve a fully automated status.
After a successful soft launch and beta testing in August 2023, the DFA officially launched the e-visa operations at the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and all three Philippine Honorary Consulates in India (Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai) on 28 October 2024.
In an interview on the sidelines of the two-day Philippine Dive Experience in Anilao, Batangas, the Philippines News Agency reported that the Philippines Department of Tourism’s Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco welcomed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issuance of e-Visas to Indian nationals, saying local destinations are ready to welcome more Indian travellers.
“We welcome the announcement of the Department of Foreign Affairs on the full automation of the electronic visa system for India,” she told PNA. “This is something that the administration has been working on for some time, and we greatly appreciate all the efforts to launch this, especially since we’re looking at India as a very robust outbound market for the Philippines.”
According to India-based consultancy firm Nangia NXT, India’s outbound travel will grow, earning USD55.39 billion in tourist receipts by 2034. The number of Indians travelling overseas should increase to 50 million in 2030.
“The Philippines has been ready for quite some time, and we are very eager to open up the doors to the Indian market,” said the tourism secretary. The Philippines has been in talks with the Indian government since 2023 to develop this market and cater to its travelling public through this e-visa initiative and the possibility of attracting more flights to the Philippines,” PNA reported.
Israeli Tourism Minister meets DOT chief
Meanwhile, the Philippines Department of Tourism welcomed Israeli Tourism Minister Haim Katz on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, for a bilateral meeting at the DOT Office in Makati City.
The meeting coincided with Minister Katz’s official visit to the Philippines. It was highlighted by signing a Joint Declaration of Intent on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism.
“Today, we have signed with Israel a joint declaration of intent to cooperate in the field of tourism, recognizing that tourism is a force for good in this world that allows us to continue relationships that have been there for generations and can only serve to be strengthened through an exchange of culture, peaceful dialogue, as well as opportunities for expansion in terms of providing livelihood to those that depend on the tourism industry,” said Secretary Frasco in her remarks at the signing ceremony.
MUNICH, 5 December 2024: Cathay Pacific has confirmed earlier this week that flights between Hong Kong and the Bavarian state capital will be introduced from mid-June 2025.
The airline plans to fly four times weekly from Hong Kong SAR in southeastern China direct to Munich.
Photo credit: Cathay. A350 aircraft.
Flights are scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using an Airbus A350-900.
Cathay Pacific is the fourth Asian airline to launch flights to Munich Airport in the last three years. Eight Asian airlines serve the aviation hub, confirming its significance as an economic and tourist hub linking Europe and Asia. The international airport in Hong Kong is a major hub for flights connecting cities in the Asia Pacific region with the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.
Schedule: Cathay Pacific
“The fact that Cathay Pacific has chosen Munich Airport shows both the appreciation of our airport and the attractiveness and pulling power of the state of Bavaria. The reconnection with the economic metropolis of Hong Kong via the home carrier Cathay Pacific is a great success,” said Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau commented: “We are very excited to add Munich to our network for the first time next year, marking our second port in Germany and 10th in Europe. Hong Kong is a world-class international financial, commercial and aviation hub, and these flights will provide our customers with a direct connection between our home city and one of Europe’s most important economic, tourism and transportation centres.”
SINGAPORE, 4 December 2024: For the intrepid explorer seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, Pandaw’s ultimate four-country, 21-night expedition aboard the RV Mekong between Vietnam and Cambodia is the perfect fit.
This expedition seamlessly combines with Pandaw’s spectacular Laos river cruise, allowing you to discover the undiscovered as you travel on the Upper Mekong River through northern Laos and Thailand. The exclusive combo cruise offers a unique blend of adventure and refinement, perfect for the discerning traveller.
For the first time, join Pandaw presents an in-depth exploration of the Mekong River from South to North. The itinerary combines two 10-night Mekong expeditions through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Sailing all of this mighty river’s navigable stretches, you will learn how one river can support a vast and diverse group of peoples and cultures, all from the comfort of locally crafted Pandaw vessels.
New for 2024, this cruise expedition will sail from central Saigon, embarking or disembarking in Vietnam’s bustling metropolis.
This combo cruise includes a flight and one-night accommodation between cruises in the package price. Flights and hotels are subject to routing and availability at the time of booking.
The Full Mekong, Four Country 21-Night Combo Cruise SAIGON – VIENTIANE 11 nights FROM USD9,596 per person
This celebrated family destination will welcome guests to an even more immersive experience, enhanced with newly added facilities designed for guests of all ages.
Just a two-hour commute from Bangkok, the resort will deliver exceptional family entertainment across four dynamic new water park zones. Volcano Island boasts dramatic eruptions and light displays, while the Giant Slider, interactive Jungle Water Park, and serene Misty Forest each provide unique aquatic adventures. At the heart of the resort, the Lost World Adventure Land theme park delivers aerial obstacle courses, a three-level playground with thrilling slides, a trampoline zone, and a dinosaur bone excavation site—making it an oasis for exploration and unforgettable family moments.
The resort’s 555 newly renovated ocean-facing rooms and suites blend the adventurous Lost World theme with modern comfort, offering breathtaking Gulf of Thailand vistas. Guests will also enjoy an array of delectable dining options, including the Coast Beach Club & Bistro, set to establish a new standard for beach clubs in Pattaya, as well as a newly designed lounge bar and a stunning new rooftop haven to suit every palate and preference. Additionally, various activities and amenities await, with the innovative, kid-focused Candy Spa and award-winning SPA Cenvaree providing relaxation and indulgence for the entire family.
As Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya completes this exciting revitalisation, it stands poised to deliver an elevated guest experience, blending the resort’s legendary Lost World charm with 5-star service and family entertainment.
From now until 27 December 2024, guests booking stays until 31 March 2025 will enjoy complimentary entrance to the Lost World Adventure Land for two children under 12 years, along with THB 1,000 dining credit at the COAST Beach Club & Bistro, set to establish a new standard for beach clubs in Pattaya, and THB500 Candy Spa Experience credit for the ultimate kid-focused pampering. Guests will also receive daily breakfast for two adults and access to special rates for optional private speedboat excursions to nearby Koh Larn Island for up to eight passengers.
SINGAPORE 4 December 2024: Twinpalms Hotels & Resorts expands its luxury portfolio with the opening of Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort located on Phuket Island’s west coast.
The adults-only luxury tented resort has appointed Olivier Gibaud as General Manager.
Twinpalms Bangtao Phuket Tented Resort features 28 luxurious tents (one and two bedrooms) in tropical landscaped gardens facing Bangtao Beach and the Andaman Sea. Five luxurious and spacious one-bedroom beach tents are on the fringe of the beach, offering elevated privacy and uninterrupted views over the Andaman Sea.
Beach tents
Five one-bedroom Beach Tents (50m²- 60m²) are “located on the beach, offering elevated privacy, with uninterrupted views over the Andaman Sea”. All air-conditioned tents feature a private balcony, plush king-sized four-poster beds, comfortable living spaces, oversized bathrooms, a tropical rain shower, and dual sinks. The Beach Pool Tent includes a private plunge pool.
Lagoon tents
Twenty-four one- and two-bedroom apartments (50m²- 150m²) are located a few metres beyond the shore in a tropical landscaped garden. (16 apartments feature private plunge pools, adding a new dimension to luxury glamping).
BANGKOK, 4 December 2024: Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is launching one of northern Thailand’s most spectacular river vessels, designed by acclaimed Thai National Artist Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat, known worldwide for his famous ‘White Temple’ in Chiang Rai, which draws over a million visitors from around the globe each year.
Named ‘Dibba Yana Chitta’ or ‘Heavenly Boat’, the boat will cruise the Chiang Mai’s Mae Ping River starting 24 December.
The boat’s design depicts the journey from this world to the next, and the vessel’s figurehead has been hand-carved into a mythical creature, symbolising the transport of humans along the river to heaven.
“I have always been fascinated by the boats of Ayutthaya from ancient times, especially those with unique and special designs. Since much of my work already explores the theme of paradise, the inspiration for Dibba Yana Chitta is the depiction of the ‘Divine Vessel’ — a boat inspired by Ayutthayan designs but reimagined in my own (Chalermchai’s) style. It is a vessel meant to carry people to a divine realm,” Ajarn Chalernchai Kositpipat explains.
The riverboat will accommodate up to 18 guests who enjoy the finest Thai dining experience. Each season, a new tasting menu will be curated by Thailand’s top Michelin-starred chefs, with the inaugural menu by Chef Piyachart Phudtawong (nicknamed Boy) of Saneh Jaan restaurant in Bangkok. Guests aboard the Dibba Yana Chitta can enjoy his seven-course menu of classic Thai cuisine until the end of March 2025.
“At Anantara Chiang Mai, river life is an integral part of the resort experience, “said Pitak Norathepkitti, General Manager of Anantara Chiang Mai Resort. “The Mae Ping River has been the lifeline of the city since ancient times, and to observe life unfolding along its banks today is to feel the very soul of the destination, and we are truly honoured to have collaborated with a world-renowned artist such as Ajarn Chalermchai Kositpipat to bring this unique and special experience to all our guests.”
The Dibba Yana Chitta will depart daily at 1730 from Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s private pier, just in time for sunset and cocktails. During dinner, guests will be serenaded by classical Thai music, and they may also borrow traditional Thai costumes for a souvenir photo.
The dinner costs THB6,999++ per person, with an additional THB 1,999++ for wine pairing. Dibba Yanna Chitta will welcome its first dinner guest from 24 December onwards.
SINGAPORE, 4 December 2024: The Lufthansa Group is expanding its tariff for more sustainable flying to include long-haul flights covering the group’s global route network.
The Green Fares will be bookable in all travel classes for more than 850,000 flights per year from 4 December. The more sustainable ticket already includes offsetting individual flight-related CO2 emissions. The Green Fares are part of the Lufthansa Group’s growing portfolio of more sustainable travel offers.
Photo credit: Lufthansa Group. Browsing green fares.
For two years, the Lufthansa Group has offered Green Fares on its short and medium-haul routes. After a successful test run on selected intercontinental routes, Green Fares can now be booked on long-haul routes as a permanent option to the Lufthansa Group’s existing fare structure.
Since the launch of Green Fares in February 2023, more than 2 million passengers have already opted for the tariff and offset almost 190,000 tonnes of CO2 by offsetting their flight-related CO2 emissions. This amount corresponds to the CO2 emissions of more than 1,300 flights from Munich to New York with an Airbus A350.
Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx explains: “We have set ambitious goals for ourselves to make flying more sustainable. To achieve this, we are investing billions of euros every year in new aircraft and pioneering technologies, among other things. With our innovative Green Fares, we are also involving our customers and offering them – as the first airline group worldwide – the opportunity to actively contribute to more sustainable aviation on more than 850,000 flights. Extending Green Fares to the Lufthansa Group’s global long-haul network is an enormously important and consistent step for the aviation industry.”
What’s behind the Green Fare tariff
With just one click, Green Fares offer a more sustainable way to fly, because the fare already includes the full offsetting of the individual, flight-related CO2 emissions.
This is accomplished by using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and contributing to the Lufthansa Group’s high-quality climate project portfolio. The composition of the two components differs depending on the distance of the route.
For flights within Europe and to North Africa, a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions is achieved through SAF, while the remaining 80% is offset through climate protection projects.
On intercontinental routes, 10% of CO2 emissions are reduced through SAF, and contributions to climate projects offset the remaining 90%. The Green Fare tariff also offers additional miles and points and the option to rebook free of charge.
The Green Fares are available for flights operated by Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines and Air Dolomiti. The only exceptions are flights operated by other airlines and individual routings in selected traffic areas of joint venture partners. Eurowings also offers a tariff for more sustainable flying under the name PlanetBlu.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 4 December 2024: Vietravel Airlines has appointed VIT AIR (Thailand) as its general sales agency following the signing of a cooperative agreement last week.
Vietravel Airlines general manager Dao Duc Vu signed on behalf of the airline. Under the terms of the new general sales agency agreement, VIT Air will embark on sales activities to boost the number of Thai passengers flying the Vietnamese low-cost airline while supporting the airline in promoting its image, sales promotion, and business opportunities in the Thai market.
VIT AIR is a travel company registered under the Miramar Group Thailand. Founded in 1994, It has almost 30 years of experience in aviation and tourism. Currently, VIT AIR is the general agent for Asian airlines such as Srilanka Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, SkyAngkor Airlines, Tiger Air Taiwan and Lucky Air.
Over the last two years, Vietravel Airlines has established daily flights on the Bangkok – Hanoi and Bangkok – Ho Chi Minh City routes.
The airline also seeks opportunities to expand operations between Vietnam and Thailand, operating both charter and scheduled flights, by focusing on secondary destinations in Thailand, such as Khon Kaen, Buriram, and Udon Thani in Northeast Thailand.
MANILA, 4 December 2024: Air France will inaugurate a new service linking Manila (Philippines) with its global hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle, effective 7 December.
The airline will operate three direct flights weekly on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday using an Airbus A350-900, offering 34 seats in business, 24 seats in premium, and 266 in economy (total seats 326)
Flight schedule
AF208 will depart Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) at 2320 on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, arriving in Manila (MNL) at 1930 (plus a day).
AF209 will depart Manila at 2150 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, arriving at Paris-Charles de Gaulle at 0550 (plus a day).
Manila is also a KLM destination with four weekly flights from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.
The introduction of Manila marks Air France’s fifth new route for the winter timetable 2024-2025. During this timetable period, the airline will inaugurate new routes to Salvador de Bahia (Brazil, three flights a week from 28 October 2024), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania, three flights a week from 18 November as an extension from Zanzibar), Malé (Maldives, up to two flights a week from 20 December), and Kiruna (Sweden, one flight a week from 21 December).
