AirAsia dons new livery showcasing Singapore attractions
AirAsia, together with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Group, have unveiled the Love, Singapore aircraft livery as part of a joint campaign to promote inbound travel to Singapore from visitors in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
This Airbus A320 aircraft livery features a special design showcasing Singapore’s iconic attractions, including Gardens by the Bay and Mandai Wildlife Group’s wildlife parks such as Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise, alongside Merli, Singapore’s brand character inspired by the Merlion.
AirAsia currently operates a total of 10 direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh, Langkawi, Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Jakarta, Bali, Bangkok, and Phuket to Singapore.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group adds Gurney Bay hotel to portfolio
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) will open its fourth hotel in South-east Asia with the addition of Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel in Malaysia.
The group will take over the operations of the existing hotel and embark on a phased soft renovation from September 1.
This announcement follows after the launch of Parkroyal Serviced Suites Jakarta in January, Parkroyal A’Famosa Melaka Resort in February and Pan Pacific Jakarta in June.
With views of the Penang coastline, Penang Hills, and George Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the 368-room hotel is 10 minutes from George Town and is located within the new Gurney Bay lifestyle precinct developed by the Penang State Government as part of its Penang2030 Vision.
The hotel’s facilities include a 220-seater all-day dining restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar, a ballroom which can accommodate up to 550 guests, four meeting rooms, kids’ club, outdoor tennis court, two swimming pools including a kid’s pool, steam and sauna rooms, and a 24/7 gym.
Aligned with the Parkroyal brand’s ethos of All Things Local, Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel will offer authentic local experiences within its culturally rich surroundings – from Penang’s renowned street food to the historic charm of its old town.
PPHG CEO Choe Peng Sum commented: “The city-centre Gurney Bay Hotel, A Parkroyal Hotel will complement Parkroyal Penang Resort which is located right at the beach at Batu Ferringhi.
“Both the hotel and resort will benefit from the state’s expansion of Penang International Airport which is set to become the country’s second largest airport. When it is completed in 2028, the new airport will double its current capacity of 6.5 million passengers per year to 12 million passengers per year.”
Saudi Tourism Authority woos Malaysian travellers with new initiatives
Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has returned to Malaysia with its largest trade networking event NUSUK today at Mandarin Oriental, bringing together over 40 prominent Saudi stakeholders and 500 travel agencies from Malaysia and the South-east Asia markets.
With the presence of Saudi Arabia’s minister of Hajj & Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan AlRabiah, this pivotal trade event provides STA an opportunity to engage with DMCs, hotels, transportation providers, and essential travel partners.
The goal is to gain deeper insights into their needs and refine offers, products, and packages to enhance the spiritual journey of Malaysian travellers performing Umrah and to facilitate easier exploration of other Saudi destinations.
During the event, STA will also unveil several key collaborations and initiatives with its major trade partners.
The first is Andalusia’s Exclusive Travel Experience with WeXpress in December, where Andalusia will introduce a unique travel experience package featuring exclusive itineraries, travel recommendations, and filming permissions supported by STA.
Secondly, Mitra Kembara and Grab will collaborate to enhance accessibility for Malaysian Grab drivers to perform Umrah. Under this initiative, specialised packages will be offered to over 300,000 eligible Grab drivers, funded by Grab and supported by Saudia for airline tickets. STA will play a crucial role by advising on itineraries, supporting logistical needs, and offering special access to key locations to ensure a smooth and enriching journey.
Finally, Saudi is set to launch Aroya Cruise, its first owned halal cruise line, operating from Jeddah with its inaugural itinerary starting in December 2024.
In addition, Saudi is making travel more accessible for Malaysian visitors with the free 96-hour Stopover Visa and an eVisa valid for up to 90 days. For those holding an Umrah visa, there is also the opportunity to explore additional destinations within the 90-day validity period.
From August 28 to September 1, there will be the first-ever Saudi Travel Fair at IOI Putrajaya Mall, offering exclusive deals, packages, interactive virtual and cultural experiences, and a chance to win amazing gifts and more.
The Westin Singapore readies for Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
The Westin Singapore has extended its partnership with Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon for two more years as the Official Elite Hotel of the sports event.
The three-day festival will take place from November 29 to December 1 and is expected to draw up to 50,000 participants globally.
As the region’s only World Athletics Gold Label race and an established marquee running event in Singapore’s sporting calendar, the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon welcomes professional, avid, and leisure runners to partake in the running experience, while exploring Singapore’s iconic city landmarks.
This year, The Westin Singapore is bringing back Natalie Dau, a Guinness World Record holder for her Project 1000 charity run from Thailand to Singapore in 12 days as ambassador. Alongside her will be Soh Rui Yong, a Singaporean national long-distance runner, and Joakim Gomez, a radio personality and an avid runner.
The hotel has also curated monthly run clinics and community runs leading up to the marathon weekend led by the Westin Run Concierge, Eddie Chang together with the appointed ambassadors.
Centrally located with convenient access to the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon trackside, guests who will be participating in the marathon can look forward to a rejuvenating weekend stay with the hotel’s three-day/two-night Move Well: Marathon Stay package which includes daily breakfast, massages, late checkout, and hotel credits.
In addition, The Westin Singapore will be launching Marriott Bonvoy Moments that include meet and greet with Elite runners, ambassadors, one pair of tickets to the marathon, access for two to the VIP Start Pen at the commencement of the day’s races, and more.
“As a hotel and brand centred around well-being, our partnership with the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon makes perfect sense. At Westin we understand the demands travel places on our guests so everything we do is curated with their needs in mind” said James Walkden, general manager of The Westin Singapore.
Stopovers made better with Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok
For travellers making a stopover in Bangkok, Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok is offering its Quick Escape package starting from just £75 (US$98) per night, inclusive of daily breakfast.
Travellers who book a stay before December 31 and sign up as an Onyx Rewards member will also receive an additional 10 per cent discount and up to 15 per cent discount when booking a minimum of two nights.
The 429-room hotel is located a short stroll from Don Mueang International Airport and accessible via an overhead walkway. It is just a 45-minute train ride or taxi journey from the heart of Bangkok, allowing travellers to make the most of their stopover, or plan a longer stay in the city. Popular destinations include Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani, Future Park Shopping Mall, and the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market; there are also golf courses close by.
Don Mueang International Airport offers connections to popular destinations such as Phuket, Krabi, and Chiang Mai. Travellers can also easily connect to international destinations like Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Vientiane.
For more information, visit Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok.
TAT’s sustainability campaign returns for third year
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable tourism with the third edition of its The One for Nature campaign, held at SookSiam in ICONSIAM, Bangkok on August 17 and 18.
This year’s theme, Leave No Trace Behind, aimed to motivate travellers to explore Thailand responsibly and be a part of the contribution to the long-term sustainability of the country’s tourism industry.
The two-day event featured interactive booths to raise awareness about the campaign. Tourists were invited to join in workshops on recycling and turning trash into treasure.
The eco-friendly activity is scheduled to be on tour to three other key tourist cities, including Ao Nang Walking Street in Krabi on August 24-25, Wualai and Tha Pae walking streets in Chiang Mai on August 30-31, and Ko Samui in Surat Thani on September 14-15.
To further boost awareness on Thailand’s sustainable tourism direction, travellers are invited to join an online activity from now to September 15 for a chance to win a three-day/two-night sustainable tour package in Thailand. There are three prize packages – one in Khao Lak, Phang-nga, and two in Phuket. Valid from October 1 to 20, each package includes round-trip flight tickets for two (international and/or domestic), accommodation, meals, and activities.
Nithee Seeprae, TAT deputy governor for marketing communications, said: “The campaign reflects TAT’s vision to position ourselves as a leader in sustainable, experience-based tourism. Various activities under this campaign are aimed to create memorable experiences for visitors and contribute to global conservation efforts, while addressing the demand for eco-friendly travel options and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Thailand’s tourism sector.
“We are confident that The One for Nature: Leave No Trace Behind campaign will reinforce our Amazing Thailand, Your Stories Never End communication message, promoting sustainable tourism within the country.”
Destination weddings on the rise in Asia-Pacific: Skyscanner
Skyscanner recently partnered with OnePoll to conduct a survey targeting adults in Asia-Pacific who are planning or have already had their own weddings in order to identify key considerations for weddings, particularly destination weddings, as well as related activities such as honeymoons and pre-wedding events.
The survey sampled 2,000 respondents from Australia, 2,000 from India, 1,000 from Singapore, and 1,000 from South Korea, all aged 18 and over.
The key findings for the region showed a strong appetite for destination weddings in the region. Over 68% of adults aged 18 and older have either already had or are considering a destination wedding, with India leading this trend.
As for being a guest at a destination wedding, 74% from India and 52% from Singapore have responded having attended one before. On the other hand, 61% of South Koreans and 56% of Australian respondents have yet to attend a destination wedding.
When it comes to the budget, around 30% are willing to invest 26-50% more in a destination wedding compared to a traditional hometown ceremony.
In terms of planning, about one-third of respondents reported using social media to assist with their destination wedding plans, while over 20% of respondents from each market are considering the use of OTAs. However, a smaller percentage are turning to travel meta search engines and AI-powered search tools instead.
When it comes to selecting locations, Asia-Pacific adults are prioritising regions close to home, with respondents from India, Singapore, and South Korea favouring Asia, and those from Australia opting for Oceania as their top choice.
Silversea expands expedition programmes in 2025
Adventurous travellers will have more options to discover wildlife and cultures next year, as Silversea resumes its West Africa sailings and expands its fly-cruise operations to Antarctica.
Conrad Combrink, senior vice president, expeditions, destination & itinerary management at the luxury cruise company, told TTG Asia that the marketplace has been waiting for the return of the West Africa programme since it was put on hold as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The itinerary was first developed in 2011/2012 and took off to great success, Combrink recalled.
The 40-day Cape Town to Lisbon journey on Silver Wind will sail off on April 3 and conclude on May 13. It will call at 23 ports in 14 countries, with stops in Walvis Bay, Bom Bom Island, Pointe Noire and enjoy overnights in Lomé and Tema.
Combrink described the itinerary as “unique”, granting guests access to places that are “almost impossible to get to on their own”.
“In a single trip, we will visit Namibia, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone, and more,” he said, adding that guests will not only discover African wildlife, but also uncover fascinating facets of African culture and way of life.
For those looking to explore the South Pole, Silversea will offer Antarctica Bridge expeditions on two ships next year. Currently, Silver Endeavour is the only expedition ship to sail six-night fly-cruise voyages that skip the Drake Passage. Come December 2025, Silver Cloud will also be deployed to the Antarctica Bridge. Altogether, Silversea will offer 18 Antarctica Bridge sailings in 2025/2026.
Combrink said these short expeditions have been a hit, as guests could experience the beauty of Antarctica in a very short time.
“By flying across the Drake Passage, we allow our guests six full nights of immersive experiences in the Antarctica Bridge,” he explained.
These 2025 expeditions are expected to charm Asia-Pacific travellers, who “look for quality both onboard and within the destination”.
“Silversea has such a wonderful reputation around the world, and customers in Asia-Pacific know that Silversea is really a unique opportunity to get both (quality cruise and shore experiences),” he remarked.
He said Silversea’s Best Ocean Cruise Line award at the recent 36th annual Virtuoso Travel Week is proof of the product.
“Our ships are all about understated luxury. We combine (the hardware) with very true, very unique destination experiences led by expedition staff who are extremely well trained. Most of our expedition staff work permanently or exclusively for Silversea, which means that their commitment to the destination, our company, and our guest is unique in many ways,” he added.
To ensure Asian guests feel at home and get the most out of their experiences, Silversea expeditions will bring onboard Mandarin-speaking staff when guests from Hong Kong and China are onboard, for example.
Silversea takes pride in its “industry-leading” crew-to-guest ratio on its expeditions. While the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators require a ratio of one crew to every 20 guests onboard, Silversea offers one expedition staff member to every 10 guests.
Extensive crew support is complemented by a large fleet of nimble Zodiac boats, allowing Silversea to get all guests off the ship for adventure at the same time and quickly.
Wonderfruit 2024 names Klook as official travel platform
Klook has been chosen as the official travel platform for Wonderfruit 2024, Thailand’s annual celebration of art, culture, music, and nature, which returns for its ninth edition this year.
As part of the collaboration, Klook will offer flexible booking and bundled packages at a range of hotels in Pattaya and Jomtien. After a day of exploration and immersive experiences in The Fields, travellers can look forward to unwinding in the comfort of their accommodation of choice from budget-friendly stays to luxury resorts.
This year, Wonderfruit anticipates an increase in attendees with the majority expected to be inbound tourists keen to experience the iconic festival and discover more of Thailand as a destination.
The Klook bundled packages will include festival tickets and local hotel stays, with sales commencing in September 2024.
“We’re proud to support one of South-east Asia’s top festivals to bring comprehensive bundles and seamless booking experiences to travellers all over the world,” said Michelle Ho, general manager of Klook Philippines and Thailand. “There is a unique opportunity for Thailand to cultivate itself as a destination for major festivals on the global stage. Our global audience and extensive in-destination capabilities across accommodation, mobility and attractions allows us to curate an enhanced traveller experience and showcase the destination’s distinctive charm.”
“Finding opportunities that enhance the Wonderer experience is at the core of how we approach partnerships. In response to requests from our community regarding off-site accommodation, we have worked with Klook to curate Wonderfruit Preferred Hotels as well as Premium Hotels and Hotels near The Fields. As the official travel platform for Wonderfruit 2024, Klook also offers options to help Wonderers travel to the area which we feel will help our international community plan their journey to The Fields seamlessly,” shared Donna Mei-Ling Dienel, partnership director of Wonderfruit.
While the luxury inbound business from the US to India is growing strongly, there is a need to address challenges restricting the growth of demand, according to industry stakeholders.
Vikram Madhok, managing director of Abercrombie & Kent India, noted that the American outbound travellers have shown strong resilience, even amid concerns about the US economy.
“The market is buoyant post the pandemic and travellers are not averse to spending top dollar when they travel. As a company, we are seeing a large number of luxury travellers from the US visiting India. In terms of overall luxury outbound business from the US, India features in third position for us as a company. It’s all looking good,” shared Madhok while talking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Indo-US Tourism & Hospitality Summit organised by Indo-American Chamber of Commerce in New Delhi last week.
Ventours International Travel, which specialises in private plane charter tours to India, also reported strong demand from the US, with about 75 per cent of its business originating from American travellers. However, Vivian Peres, director of Ventours, pointed out operational issues at Indian airports that are impeding further growth in the charter segment. For instance, limited parking space at airports like Agra has led to complex logistical challenges.
He explained: “For example, we have a charter coming to Jaipur, where guests stay for two nights. They also need to visit Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Now there is no parking space available at Agra airport because IndiGo is also operating in the city. So, we have to rework our timing to drop the passengers in Agra and the aircraft goes back to Jaipur and comes back again when the IndiGo flight leaves in the afternoon.
“While there is an e-visa facility for travellers visiting India, if someone is coming on a charter flight to Agra, we have to land the aircraft in Lucknow or Varanasi for customs and immigration – (this) takes about three hours. After that, you leave for Agra. Such challenges are restricting much more charter business for the country,” added Peres.
Ragini Chopra, executive vice president of corporate affairs at InterGlobe Enterprises, added that India could benefit from a more aggressive marketing approach in the US. She suggested: “The Indian government needs to hire a local destination marketing agency in the US to drive up the numbers of inbound arrivals.”