Aviation roundup: Air Astana, Jetstar Asia and more
Air Astana launches new flight to Phu Quoc
Air Astana is starting a new service from Almaty to Phu Quoc in Vietnam on October 28.
The new direct flights will be operated by Airbus A321LR aircraft and will initially fly on Mondays and Wednesdays, with frequencies set to increase to four times a week in December.
Jetstar Asia introduces Singapore-Colombo service
Jetstar Asia will become the only low-cost carrier to fly direct from Singapore to Colombo, Sri Lanka, when the new service takes off on November 21.
The airline will operate five return services each week using its fleet of Airbus A320s.
AirAsia to fly from Malaysia to India with new route
AirAsia is enhancing its network to and from India from Malaysia with a new route to Port Blair, Andaman Islands.
Set to commence on November 16, the airline will fly thrice weekly to the island.
Singapore Airlines adjusts network for 2025 Northern Summer season
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will increase flight frequencies and boost passenger capacity across its network in the 2025 Northern Summer operating season (March 30, 2025 to October 25, 2025), supporting the higher demand for air travel to several popular destinations.
From March 30, 2025, SIA will have a daily service to London (Gatwick), up from the current five-times weekly services – on top of its four-times daily flights to London (Heathrow) – making it a total of five daily services to the UK’s capital
Services to Rome will increase to five times a week between June 26, 2025 and August 28, 2025, up from the current four weekly flights.
SIA will delink its three-times weekly Singapore-Milan-Barcelona flights from June 24, 2025 to September 7, 2025, and operate more direct flights between Singapore and the two European cities. The airline will mount five-times weekly direct flights to Barcelona during this period, up from the current two weekly flights. Milan will have a daily service, up from four-times weekly currently.
Other increase in frequencies include flights to Adelaide up to 10 a week across the Northern Winter 2024 and Northern Summer 2025 seasons, thrice daily to Ho Chi Minh City and twice daily to Siem Reap. A three-times weekly service will be mounted to Johannesburg from December 11, 2024 to January 10, 2025, and from April 2, 2025 to October 24, 2025.
The Airbus A380 will return to Tokyo (Narita) between March 30, 2025 and May 31, 2025 on one of its two daily services, replacing the Boeing 787-10. The A380 will stop operating to Mumbai from July 28, 2025 to August 31, 2025, and Delhi from June 23, 2025 to July 27, 2025, and will be replaced by the Boeing 777-300ER.
In line with its capacity adjustments, SIA will suspend services to Houston via Manchester from April 1, 2025. However, SIA will maintain five-times weekly services between Singapore and Manchester via SQ302 and SQ301.
PHILTOA turns focus to young tourists
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) will be courting the next generation travellers with creative approaches and unique products when it stages the 35th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) next month.
First vice president Malou Japson said the travel mart will be rich with what the younger generation is craving for: sustainable and eco-friendly tours; digitalisation for smarter travel; inclusivity that empowers and celebrates diversity including pink and halal tourism; and health and wellness for travel that heals.
To be held from September 6 to 8 at SMX Convention Center Manila, the 35th PTM is expected to be more digitalised in keeping with the next gen travellers who are very much in control of their own decisions and travel needs, active in social media and with short attention span.
Thus, secretary-general Harold Atondo said the PTM will be having cross-marketing campaign of products and exhibitors consolidated for meta targeted audience; online and onsite registration, cashless transactions with instant online confirmation, pre-selling online ticketing; and more.
With all 18 Philippine regions joining PTM, PHILTOA is also encouraging exhibitors to use reusable and sustainable materials for their booths, design and packages during the event.
New hotels: MGM Shenzhen, Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo and more
MGM Shenzhen, China
Boasting 321 guestrooms that provide vistas of Xiaomeisha Bay, MGM Shenzhen offers 15 room types ranging from Deluxe Ocean View Rooms to the Presidential Suite.
The hotel also features dining options, a kids’ club, grand ballroom, as well as the iconic M Show from Las Vegas that showcases circus acts, interactive magic shows, lively clown performances, fire dances, and more.
Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo, Japan
Courtyard by Marriott Sapporo in Hokkaido offers 321 guestrooms and suites, as well as an all-day dining restaurant, lounge, fitness centre, and spa.
Situated in the city’s Nakajima Park area, the hotel is about an hour’s drive away from New Chitose Airport, and a three-minute walk from the Nakajima Koen subway station on the Sapporo municipal subway line, which connects to the JR Sapporo Station.
ibis Styles Sepang KLIA, Malaysia
Located just 1.2km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the 229-key ibis Styles Sepang KLIA houses facilities such as an all-day dining restaurant, lounge, fitness centre, spa, swimming pool, and event venues.
Each room is also equipped with a Flight Information Display System, ensuring guests remain well-informed about arrivals and departures throughout their stay. The hotel also has an automatic roller shutter-covered motorcycle parking to ensure safety and security for bikers.
Nearby are shopping destinations like Mitsui Outlet Park, and attractions such as Splash Mania, and Sepang International Circuit.
DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Bintaro Jaya, Indonesia
The 184-room DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Bintaro Jaya is strategically connected to Bintaro Xchange Mall 2 and in close proximity to local attractions such as the BX Sea oceanarium and BX Rink ice skating rink, as well as Jurang Mangu train station.
The hotel is also a 35-minute drive from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Onsite are an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge, multi-functional area and event spaces, which are conveniently located on a single floor, providing easy accessibility from both the hotel lobby and the adjacent shopping mall.
Philippines, Japan ready for upcoming hospitality conference
The Hospitality Asia Event Series, managed by Hospitality Asia Media, will be heading to the Philippines and Japan in the following months.
The 7th Hospitality Philippines Conference will be held from September 11 to 12 at Marriott Manila in Philippines’ capital city, while the 3rd Hospitality Japan Conference will be hosted at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo from October 8 to 9.
In the Philippines, key event highlights will be Hotel Investment Landscape, Capital Markets, Debt & Equity, Risk Management, Contracts & Agreements, and Brand DNA.
For the Japan conference, it will comprise three summits – Hotel Investment Summit Japan; Hotel Design Summit Japan; and Hotel Revenue Summit Japan.
Far East Hospitality achieves GSTC-certification for all 16 properties in Singapore
Far East Hospitality (FEH), Singapore’s home-grown hospitality management company with an international presence, has announced that all 16 of its hotels in the country have achieved the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Industry Criteria for Hotels Certification.
With this accreditation, FEH is now the hospitality group with the largest number of GSTC-certified sites in Singapore.
This certification, recognised globally as a benchmark in sustainability, underscores FEH’s dedication to environmental stewardship and aligns with its mission to uphold the highest sustainable hospitality standards.
FEH has conscientiously pursued sustainability initiatives, achieving this certification ahead of the 2025 target set by the Singapore Hotel Association and the Singapore Tourism Board.
This journey includes the annual tracking and monitoring of energy, water, waste, and carbon emissions data, which contribute to Far East Hospitality Trust and Far East Orchard annual Sustainability Reports.
Far East Hospitality has also created the Far More Sustainable framework, which encompasses initiatives to raise awareness about sustainability across its operations. These initiatives include actively encouraging guests to reuse towels and linens, implementing a carbon offset platform, eliminating single-use plastic water bottles, and switching to large amenity dispensers.
FEH also engages with suppliers and local communities to support children/youth beneficiaries and local businesses.
Arthur Kiong, CEO of Far East Hospitality, stated: “Achieving the GSTC certification is a significant milestone for our company. It reinforces our dedication to sustainability and demonstrates to our guests and clients that we are committed to upholding the highest standards of environmental stewardship and positive social impact. This certification is a testament to our current practices and a pledge to continue our journey towards a more sustainable future.”
Kids stay for free at Kempinski hotels in Dubai
Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, formerly known as Address Dubai Mall, and Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai previously known as Address Boulevard, have unveiled a range of staycation offers for families this summer.
With direct access to the Dubai Mall at both hotels, families can beat the heat with the escape of their own choosing, as each property are conveniently located next to one of the world’s premier shopping destinations.
From now to September 20, the Dubai Summer Surprises Kids Go Free offer, where children aged 12 years and below are invited to stay and dine for free, complemented by an additional 10 per cent off the best available rate.
The offer includes access to amenities at both properties such as the spa, outdoor pool, and kids club; and at Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai, there is even a family pool equipped with a slide and waterfall.
Guests can also enjoy the Travel Pulse offer where they get 20 per cent off the best available rate for stays of three to four nights, or 25 per cent off for stays of five nights or more. They also benefit from early check-in and late check-out, when booking for stays until September 30.
A luxury option for families is the Suite Escape where guests can save 15 per cent on the best fully flexible rate and receive hotel credits to enhance the experience across dining, spa services, and more.
For more information, visit Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai and Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai.
Thai PM removed from position in court ruling
Thailand’s Constitutional Court has dismissed prime minister Srettha Thavisin for appointing ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister. It ruled Srettha guilty of a gross violation of ethics. The move has also resulted in the dismissal of all positions in the cabinet.
Ministers will stay on in a caretaker capacity, with deputy prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai serving as acting prime minister until a new premier can be selected by the House of Representatives.
During his tenure as prime minister, Srettha, who found his fortune in real estate, was a strong supporter of the tourism industry. Recognising the contribution travel and tourism makes to the national economy, he championed various initiatives, including Ignite Tourism Thailand. Announced in April, Ignite Tourism Thailand is focused on elevating the tourist experience, promoting must-do activities, raising awareness of hidden-gem destinations, developing intra-regional travel linkage with neighbouring countries, and hosting more world-class events.
Intrepid Travel appoints Megan Lowe as head of partnerships ANZ
Megan Lowe has been named as the new head of partnerships for Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) for Intrepid Travel.
She will oversee Intrepid’s partnerships across the ANZ region, working to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and partners.
With more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, Lowe previously held senior roles at Flight Centre Travel Group.
IHG expands reach across Indonesia
IHG Hotels & Resorts is expanding its portfolio in Indonesia with eight properties launching in four cities this year, following the opening of the 144-room Holiday Inn Resort Canggu, Bali in December 2023.
This announcement was made by Andreas Bergel, area general manager of IHG Indonesia, at Meet and Mingle in Jakarta – the company’s first media event in Indonesia since the pandemic.
Earlier in March, Holiday Inn Lampung Bukit Randu in Lampung Province unveiled its first phase opening with 155 rooms. It targets to finalise the remaining 84 rooms by December. Following that, the 277-key Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar opened its doors on July 6.
Pascal Caubo, general manager of Hotel Indigo Bandung Dago Pakar, told TTG Asia that the Indigo brand hotel captures the spirit of the city. Located at the stylish Dago neighbourhood, its design is influenced by Bandung’s cultural traditions and folklore, where guests can enjoy local coffee in the café and authentic delicacies in the restaurant. The hotel also offers two infinity pools and a rooftop bar that frames stunning city views.
Opening in 3Q2024 are the 72-room Holiday Inn Express Sunset Road and the 162-room voco Bali Seminyak – the latter will mark the entry of the voco brand into Indonesia.
The Rumah Luwih Bali, a Vignette Collection, will open later in the year with 72 keys. It will be joined by the 150-suite Regent Bali Canggu.
IHG said in a media statement that, with the introduction of these new brands, it is “ushering in a new era of experience-seeking travellers”.
“This includes couples, friends, and families, all drawn to the continued growth of mainstream brands such as Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express,” it cited.
IHG will also open two properties in Bintan in 4Q2024 – the 258-room Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach and the 122-room Hotel Indigo Bintan Lagoi Beach.
Michael Beechey, cluster general manager of the two Bintan hotels, said they would be differentiated by customer segments. “Hotel Indigo is for experienced travellers; when they have (a) family and want to stay in Bintan, they can come to Holiday Inn Bintan.”
PATA’s inaugural Youth Symposium & Career Fair will be held on August 27 at Dusit Thani College in Bangkok, Thailand.
This event is held in conjunction with PATA Travel Mart 2024 and the 25th anniversary of the association’s establishment in Thailand.
The one-day programme will be filled with interactive activities and feature a special career fair segment offering students the chance to explore various career paths and meet experts in their fields of interest. Seven leading organisations from the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism sector, including Dusit Careers, Khiri Travel, Rama Gardens Hotel Bangkok, and Travel Compositor, will be part of the event.
The upcoming event will be held at Srinakarin Hall located on the campus of Dusit Thani College, an educational institution renowned for shaping generations of talent in hotel management, culinary arts, and business administration.
PATA Youth Symposium & Career Fair will feature presentations addressing insightful topics, and participants will have the opportunity to engage in roundtable discussions, panel discussion, and more.
Following these sessions, recruiters from various organisations will present available career opportunities within the sector. These include DTH Travel Thailand, Dusit Careers, Khiri Travel, Navigate Journeys, Rama Gardens Hotel Bangkok, SO/ Bangkok, Travel Compositor, to name some.
“We are witnessing a new era of young trailblazers whose passion and dedication are set to revolutionise the tourism industry,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “To support their journey, it is essential to bridge the gap between their potential and the workforce opportunities available to them. The PATA Youth Symposium is crafted with this purpose in mind. It will not only broaden young people’s understanding of the current tourism job market through professional presentations and mentorship sessions but will also offer practical opportunities through the career fair.”
Dusit Thani College’s dean of hospitality management program Simon Lloyd added: “Creating a strong network amongst students and a space where they can share, build and shape their ideas is vital for an innovative and sustainable tourism industry. The PATA Youth Symposium & Career Fair is an important platform to create a safe space for students to challenge the status quo and share their ambitions for the future.”
Interested parties may register for the PATA Youth Symposium & Career Fair here.