Jetstar launches Clark-Singapore service
Starting on June 16, Jetstar Asia will resume direct flights from Singapore to Clark, the Philippines, offering four weekly return services.
This frequency will increase to five weekly services starting on October 18.
The route will be operated on Jetstar Asia’s growing fleet of Airbus A320s.
World of Sanrio arrives at Macau’s Studio City
From now to June 30, Studio City in Macau presents the Sanrio Characters Studio City Carnival where guests can embark on a Sanrio journey with their favourite characters including Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Cinnamoroll, Gudetama, Pompompurin, Bad Badtz-Maru, Kerokerokeroppi, and Little Twin Stars.
Featuring life-sized installations of Sanrio characters with camera-ready spots throughout the resort, guests can explore Sanrio-themed interior designs, savour gourmet delights at selected outlets, and enjoy a Sanrio-themed Golden Reel cabin experience complete with a limited-time Sanrio Characters afternoon tea set offer.
There will also be interactive activities such as meet-and-greets with Sanrio Characters, complimentary popcorn, and opportunities to receive special gifts.
For more information, visit Sanrio Characters Studio City Carnival.
The Calile Hotel welcomes new GM
Chris Kemlo has been appointed as general manager of The Calile Hotel in Brisbane.
In his new role, Kemlo will be taking a guest approach, people approach and a business approach to further enhance the guest experience at The Calile.
With more than 18 years’ experience in the industry, he previously held leadership positions with Crown Resorts in Melbourne and, more recently, with Crown Towers Sydney.
David Roberts joins Fusion Hotel Group as COO
Fusion Hotel Group has named David Roberts as its new chief operating officer.
With 20 years’ experience in the Asian hospitality sector, Roberts joins the Vietnam-based team at Fusion from his previous base in Thailand where he worked as vice-president at Onyx Hospitality Group for nine years.
Audra Arul helms as cluster DOS for Kandima, Nova Maldives
Kandima Maldives has appointed Audra Arul as cluster director of sales for its Dhaalu Atoll property, and Nova Maldives.
With over a decade of experience in the hospitality industry, she will leverage her strategic vision and market knowledge to elevate the sales performance and strengthen the position of the resorts.
Air Canada’s longest flight by distance takes off
Air Canada’s newest international service – and the only non-stop flight between Singapore and Canada – has commenced, with an arrival in Singapore this morning.
Stretching 12,818km, the route is the airline’s longest flight measured by distance even though the flying time from Singapore is scheduled to be only 14 hours and 40 minutes.
The Singapore-Vancouver route is operated with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners offering a choice of three cabins: Air Canada Signature Class featuring lie-flat individual pods; Premium Economy featuring larger seats with additional leg room and premium services; and Economy featuring complimentary chef-inspired and designed meals, wines, and beverages.
The service is operated four times a week, with flights departing from Vancouver International Airport every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; and from Singapore Changi Airport every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Mark Galardo, executive vice president, revenue and network planning at Air Canada, said: “These new Singapore flights are part of our strategic expansion at (Vancouver International Airport) which, together with an efficient and seamless in-transit connection process, further position the airport as the preferred North American gateway to Asia.
“Singapore is also an important gateway from beyond destinations. Customers have a multitude of connection options travelling from South-east Asia, Southern India and Western Australia with our longstanding codeshare and Star Alliance partner, Singapore Airlines.”
Lim Ching Kiat, executive vice president for air hub & cargo development at Changi Airport Group, said the new service was “especially timely, as travel volume between Singapore and Canada last year has seen a healthy rebound, exceeding 85 per cent of pre-pandemic levels”.
Vancouver Airport Authority president and CEO, Tamara Vrooman, noted that the new service from Vancouver International Airport would generate US$18 million in economic output and support jobs across the sector.
Saudi Arabia gains more interest among Indonesians
Traditionally regarded as Umrah and Hajj destination, Saudi Arabia is picking up in popularity as a leisure destination among Indonesian travellers who are seeking experiential travel, observed Indonesia’s outbound players.
Yento Chen, CEO, Destination Tour Indonesia, has seen demand for Saudi Arabia rising over the past year, including from non-Muslim travellers, who are keen to explore new destinations. He shared that most clients are “curious and excited to see things” that they have heard about Saudi Arabia, such as tales like living in the desert and 1,001 Nights.
Destination Tour Indonesia has sent its first Indonesian group of 15 pax to the kingdom last February, with group bookings up to the end of the year.
The six-day itinerary includes attractions such as Shubra Palace, Arrudaf Park, Old Town Jeddah, Harrat Viewpoint, Elephant Rock, and Al Masmak Fort – there are also plans to expand the programme to include the Red Sea and more off-the-beaten-path destinations for 2025.
Seeing the positive trend, Yento is confident that Saudi Arabia will be a hot destination for 2025, especially when “the development of tourism products, most of which are premium, are completed”, he added.
Likewise, Ricky Hilton, spokesperson at Golden Rama Tours & Travel, perceives Saudi Arabia as a new destination with huge tourism potential, having received several queries from priority customers who favoured experiential travel.
He shared: “Travellers in these markets are drawn by the exotic allure of Saudi Arabia as well as the luxury hotel chains that have flagged their brands there.”
This growing trend has prompted Golden Rama Tours & Travel to create new packages for sporting holidays, such as golf, and soft adventure activities like trekking, paragliding and horse riding.
The development of Soudah Peaks, a luxury mountain destination, and Sheybarah Islands are some attractions that can fulfil his clients’ preference for luxury and hidden gems, stated Ricky, adding that the four-day free visa facility for transit in Saudi will also help agents to develop more business.
“We can create a Europe plus Saudi package – this could be a favourite tour because it gives clients more choices of attractions and experiences,” he noted.
Aviatour’s director Jeffry Darjanto, however, opined that although Saudi Arabia is becoming a hot topic among the premium market, more information about the country as a tourist destination was still needed. Many queries persist on what attractions were available beyond Mecca and Madinah.
Jeffry also called for a closer collaboration between the NTO office in Jakarta and Indonesian outbound travel companies.
In the meantime, Pauline Suharno, managing director of Elok Tour, hopes that Saudi Tourism Authority will promote the destination through roadshows, travel marts or travel fairs to raise awareness on tourist spots.
She also pointed out the need for the Saudi Arabian government and tourism business stakeholders to train Indonesian travel agents to better understand the country’s tourism sector, including its attractions and offerings, so that they would be well-equipped to push Saudi Arabia’s tourism products to prospective travellers, especially to non-Muslim travellers.
Club Med boosts China inbound tourism with global event
Club Med hosted its Lijiang Resort’s first global event with the theme of Dancing with Yulong (Jade Dragon) that invites overseas guests to experience the beauty of China.
Around 100 tourism trade partners and media from different markets were invited to this global event, including Hong Kong SAR, Taiwan region, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Vietnam and Belgium, during which they visited the Club Med Guilin and Lijiang resorts respectively.
At Lijiang Resort, guests experienced a wide range of activities both within and outside the resort – they saw the sunrise over the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, took a stroll through Baisha Ancient Town (the World Cultural Heritage), appreciated the traditional art of Naxi tie dye and learned about the Dongba script, which is the only existed pictographic writing system throughout the world. Plus, Discovery, a product series of Club Med excursion, includes the travelling route not only in Lijiang, but Kunming, Dali, and Shangri-La.
Guests from Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong SAR can get direct flights from their respective cities to Lijiang and Kunming, providing them with convenient access to the diverse exploration itineraries that Club Med offers in the destination.
Currently, Club Med operates 10 resorts in China, with Lijiang and Guilin resorts as two of its iconic destinations – its three mountain resorts, located in Changbaishan, Beidahu and Yabuli, provide professional skiing facilities, instructions and diverse snow activities.
In anticipation of the upcoming peak tourism season, Club Med has taken a series of proactive steps to promote outbound travel among domestic guests, such as an early bird promotion, which commenced on March 26, offers discounts of up to 30 per cent and up to 30 days cancellation notice.
Andrew Xu, CEO of Club Med China, commented: “We are thrilled to utilise this global brand event as a showcase for our resorts and the beautiful destinations in China to media and travellers worldwide. With a robust demand for skiing and summer vacations across all regions, we anticipate a sustained increase in bookings throughout 2024.”
Royal Caribbean partners Make-A-Wish foundation
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Make-A-Wish are joining forces to support the latter’s mission of creating life-changing wishes for many kids around the world with critical illnesses.
RCI’s Wishes at Sea programme aims to contribute to the non-profit organisation’s efforts with both fundraising and in-kind donations of Royal Caribbean’s most impactful asset – memorable family experiences.
In addition to making donations online, adventurers will soon be able to raise awareness and funds while enjoying their vacations across the cruise line’s ships and private destinations. The line-up of efforts will vary from Walk for Wishes 5Ks and walkathons to auctions for exclusive experiences and more.
Every wish will come to life with a bigger, bolder Royal Caribbean getaway that is specially planned for wish kids and their families. The adventures in store will be packed with everything from the ultimate experience at the cruise line’s top-rated private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, that includes access to the waterpark in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, a private cabana and a high-flying experience on the Up, Up & Away helium balloon. Plus, VIP treatment from start to finish, with exclusive experiences, complimentary Wi-Fi, private FlowRider sessions, and more.
“The memories we make with our families and friends on vacation are among the moments that are the most special and impactful, and for wish kids and their families, that very impact can change the course of their lives,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, RCI. “In this partnership, we are in a position to do what we love – delivering memorable vacations – while making a difference in the lives of those at the heart of Royal Caribbean, families, that need it most.”
“As we celebrate World Wish Month, we are grateful to partner with Royal Caribbean International and open a sea of new opportunities for us to fulfil our mission of granting life-changing wishes,” said Leslie Motter, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “We know that a wish can chart a new course in these children’s lives, and we look forward to having the opportunity to work together to deliver that life-changing impact.”
Philippine Airlines (PAL) will launch non-stop flights between Manila and Seattle starting October 2.
The Manila-Seattle-Manila services will initially operate three times weekly, every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, with departures at 22.40 (local time) from Manila’s Terminal 1, and at 23.40 (local time) from Seattle Tacoma International Airport.
The Philippine carrier will deploy Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to perform the Seattle services, with full-flat seats in Business Class.
The flights from Philippines will provide convenient connectivity to various US mainland cities, including Chicago, Houston, Las Vegas and Washington DC via PAL’s airline partners. Likewise, travellers from the US will be able to get connecting flights via Manila to PAL’s domestic and regional international network, including cities such as Cebu, Davao, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.