Air Olsplof, a newly launched LCC, is extending free air tickets on all routes, but here’s the catch – passengers are charged for lavatory use, on top of the usual ancillaries such as baggage, seat selection and meals.
The airline is launching with four routes, two within Asia and the other two intercontinental. Passengers will be charged US$3 for lavatory use in the first 100 miles from takeoff, and the amount increases by US$1 for every subsequent 50 miles.
Lavatory use joins the list of chargeable ancillaries?
Toiletries are to be purchased directly from the cabin crew. You may want to keep this in mind since passengers are charged every time they enter the toilet – and that includes stepping in to see a room bereft of supplies, immediately stepping out again for the amenities, before re-entering.
If you’re still with us by this point, hoping to find out about this airline, where they fly, and which nutter came up with this ludicrous idea, we’re happy to reveal that Air Olsplof is an anagram, or ‘April Fools’ rearranged.
Thankfully for our bladders (and sanity), the airline does not (yet) exist. Airlines out there, please don’t get any ideas.
We hope this early April Fool’s prank gave you a good laugh!
International arrivals to Kashmir currently 'minimal'
Travel stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir are keen to reverse the sagging tourism fortunes of the state, which has been hit by the rise in insurgency for the last two years and corresponding negative media coverage.
As part of its endeavour to spread the message that the valley remains safe for tourism, the state tourism department is presently hosting the 64th annual convention of Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), a major trade event being held in the state after a gap of 31 years.
International arrivals to Kashmir currently ‘minimal’
“We expect that post hosting of this convention, which has witnessed participation from agents (across) India, tourist arrivals will increase in the state multifold and dispel the myth that the destination is unsafe for tourists,” said Sunil Kumar, president of TAAI. “It is also a great opportunity for leading travel agents to get familiar with tourism products of the state.”
According to the government’s economic survey report, 7.3 million tourists visited the state in 2017, down from 8.4 million in 2016 and 9.2 million in 2015.
“The international tourist arrivals in Kashmir at present are minimal though there is an increase in demand from markets like Middle East, South-east Asia and Bangladesh,” said Zahoor Qari, chairman, Jammu & Kashmir chapter, TAAI. “However, the travel advisories issued by the US and Europe is the main challenge to attract tourist arrivals from these key source inbound markets.”
TAAI leadership and representatives from tourism ministry, Jammu and Kashmir addressing mediapersons
Film tourism has been identified as a key area that could bolster the travel sector in the Kashmir Valley, with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti having visited several Indian states last year along with industry stakeholders to hold meetings with tour operators, agents and movie stars.
“We plan to work closely with film production houses to attract more movie shootings in the state. We are looking at ways to incentivise production houses to promote the valley for film shots. It is part of our strategy to showcase tourist destinations here,” said Tasaduq Mufti, tourism minister, Jammu & Kashmir.
The state tourism department is also holding talks with Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India to organise a roadshow later this year to showcase Kashmir as a golf destination for Taiwanese.
Said Rajan Sehgal, president, India Golf Tourism Association: “Kashmir boasts of world-class golf courses. If international golfing events are organised in the state, it will result in attracting many international golfers.”
According to Mehmood Shah, tourism director of Jammu & Kashmir, the state tourism department continues to participate in domestic as well as international tourism marts and roadshows, in addition to organising events and festivals like Kargil Marathon, Tosa Maidan Festival and Gurez Festival to attract tourists.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has unveiled its next generation of regional cabin products first fitted on its new Boeing 787-10 fleet, a product it says will redefine medium-haul travel.
The refreshed cabin will include seats that recline to 76-inch fully-flat beds and aisle access for all business class passengers with a 1-2-1 staggered configuration.
Each business class seat measures up to 26 inches in width with retractable armrests that can be raised and lowered, while class enhancements include ergonomic contour backrests with six-way adjustable headrests.
The new 787-10s will have 337 seats in two classes, 36 in business class and 301 in economy class.
In addition, business class passengers will have their own 18-inch full high- definition touchscreen monitor, and economy class passengers will enjoy the same features on their 11.6-inch screens.
All passengers will enjoy what SIA says is a world-first personalisation of in-flight entertainment through myKrisWorld, offering passengers content recommendations based on their preferences and viewing history and the ability to bookmark and resume content, as well as to customise and save preferences for subsequent flights.
SIA is also the first airline to offer a series of games from Toca Boca and Sago Mini on KrisWorld. Initially available on the 787-10s, the entertainment option will progressively be made available on other aircraft types in the airline’s fleet.
SIA is investing US$350 million in the introduction of the new regional cabin products on an initial 20 787-10s, the first of which was delivered earlier this week.
Long-time Skal member and supporter Andrew Wood has been elected as Skal International Bangkok president at the club’s annual general meeting yesterday.
Wood is no stranger to the position, having been club president in 2008-10, and was a past national president of Skal International Thailand and international councillor in 2006-2010.
A Skal member for 26 years, Wood is also acting vice president South-east Asia for the Skal Asian Area.
Eric Hallin, the immediate past president, has been elected vice president.
Other members in the committee are secretary Glen Grosic, treasurer Nicholas Moberg, membership director Tom Sorensen, Young Skal director Scott Smith, PR & communications director Sunny Yu, events director Pichai Visutriratana and auditor Tomislav Babic.
Garuda to link Bali and Mumbai
Garuda Indonesia will launch its Denpasar-Mumbai service from April 24. The frequency will initially be twice-weekly (Monday and Thursday) before being increased to thrice-weekly in May. Flight GA814 will leave Denpasar at 15.40, arriving in Mumbai at 20.25. On the return GA 815 will leave Mumbai at 21.50 to arrive in Denpasar at 07.55 the next morning. The route will be served using Airbus 330-200 with 36 business class seats and 186 economy. With this service, Garuda will have six flights to Mumbai, from Jakarta and Bali.
Jetstar Asia inaugurates flights between Clark and Osaka
Jetstar Asia now operates a thrice-weekly flights between Clark (Philippines) and Osaka. Served with its 180-seat Airbus A320, flight 3K777 departs Clark every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 07.00, arriving in Osaka at 11.55. Flight 3K778 leaves Osaka at 12.55 to arrive back in Clark at 16.15.
Air Belgium to begin Hong Kong-Brussels service
The newly launched Air Belgium will introduce flights between Hong Kong and Belgium’s Brussels South Charleroi Airport, tentatively scheduled for commencement in the second half of April 2018. Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, flights leave at 14.00 for arrival in Hong Kong at 07.30. On the return, flights depart Hong Kong on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11.30 and arrive in Brussels South by 18.30. The route is operated with the Airbus A340.
Myanmar National Airlines launches Yangon-Phuket service
Myanmar National Airlines on March 25 launched twice-weekly flights between Yangon and Phuket. Utilising a 100-seat Embraer E190 aircraft/ Boeing 737 – 800 NG, flight UB- 031 departs Yangon at 17.55 on Fridays and Saturdays for arrival in Phuket at 20.15. Flight UB-032 then leaves Phuket at 21.15, arriving in Yangon at 22.35.
Hainan Airlines takes off for Madrid from Shenzhen
Hainan Airlines has launched its Shenzhen-Madrid service, its first direct route between mainland China and Spain. Operated with a Boeing 787 aircraft, flight HU7983 leaves Shenzhen at 15.00 on Thursdays and Sundays, landing in Madrid at 22.55. HU7984 departs Madrid the following day at 00.50 and arrives in Shenzhen at 20.25.
TTG Asia will be taking a break tomorrow, March 30, in observance of Good Friday. To our Christian readers, have a good Holy Friday and Easter Sunday. See you on Monday, April 2, when we return with more news.
Genting Cruise Lines saw sales from the NATAS fair surge three times over last year's event
A week of travel fairs has just drawn to a close, with two of Singapore’s seeming rivals – NATAS (National Association of Travel Agents Singapore) Travel Fair and Travel Revolution by Singapore Outbound Travel Agents Association (SOTAA) – running concurrently from March 23-25.
Instead of perceiving these as headbutting events to pledge allegiance to, local travel operators are regarding them as complementary options, and view their participation as an “individual business decision”, said Jane Chang, head of marketing communications, Chan Brothers Travel.
Three times the sales over last year’s NATAS fair for Genting Cruise Lines
Chan Brothers Travel exhibits at the Travel Revolution fairs due to factors such as “consistent venue in town with higher convenience for all due to central location of event, better advertising and promotional campaign lined up by SOTAA” and the “non-profit basis” of the event, explained Chang.
Eddie Kheng, outbound manager (Singapore market), outbound department, H.I.S. Travel, concurred that the decision is made “from a purely business standpoint”.
“We’re participating in NATAS Travel Fair not just because we’re a member of the association, but also because it’s the bigger fair. If Travel Revolution gets bigger, then we would participate in that,” he remarked.
NATAS Travel Fair 2018 attracted 83,291 visitors, and last year’s 50th anniversary event drew 110,901 during the show weekend from February 17-19.
In 2017, Travel Revolution saw some 80,000 visitors over February 25-27. For the recently concluded fair, SOTAA president Kay Swee Pin commented that turnout on March 23 was less than usual, but “Saturday and Sunday were okay”.
Regardless of any overhanging rivalry, “a travel agency could choose to participate in both if they found it justifiable to do so”, explained Chang.
For example, Genting Cruise Lines actively participates in numerous travel fairs – i.e. NATAS Travel Fair and Travel Revolution Fair – and roadshows in shopping malls with the support from its preferred travel agents, said Michael Goh, senior vice president – international sales.
He added: “We have received an overwhelming response from consumers both though our travel agents as well our Dream Cruises’ booth in NATAS Travel Fair. Sales volume increased significantly by 300 per cent as compared to last year.”
Meanwhile, Chang shared that Chan Brothers Travel “experienced a higher rate of conversion with consumers more ready to book and achieved our targeted growth of 10 per cent over the same event previous year”.
Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) has appointed Edward Kollmer as general manager of Parkroyal Penang Resort.
The industry veteran brings more than 25 years of experience having worked in his home country Ireland, the UK, and Asia.
Prior to joining PPHG, Kollmer was the general manager of Hotel Jen Manila by Shangri-La for three years, and has worked for different hospitality groups such as Forte Hotel Group, InterContinental Hotels Group and GLH Hotels.
The new office will be located near a Flight Centre office on Sanur beach, Bali
Since being acquired by Flight Centre Travel Group last year, Bespoke Hospitality Management Asia (BHMA) is now opening a new office in Indonesia, a move expected to complement the group’s current business activities in the country and take advantage of the destination’s strong and growing tourist arrivals.
Heading up the operation will be Clement Sebban, who has been appointed country manager for BHMA in Indonesia. He will be responsible for hotel development in Indonesia, including technical assistance, pre-opening and post opening operational phases.
The new office will be located near a Flight Centre office in Sanur, Bali
BHMA will manage its Indonesian expansion from new premises in Sanur, Bali, close to an existing Flight Centre office. Flight Centre has been operating in Indonesia for several years, having established travel and tour operations offices with a staff of more than 100 in Bali.
“Indonesia is a growing market and one of the key markets for our company, so having an office there can help our operations and allows us to respond to our clients’ needs more effectively,” said BHMA CEO Anthony McDonald, adding that the group currently buys almost 400,000 room nights a year in Bali alone.
“I will be in focused on securing new hotel contracts in and around the Bali and Lombok areas,” said Sebban. “To maximise returns to owners we will be looking for management contracts, leases and co-investment opportunities. In parallel I will also be working alongside our GMs in the country as our hotel portfolio expands with new properties to deliver the high service standards.”
At present, BHMA is targeting four more properties by the end of 2018 in Bali – two in operational and two under development. Looking further ahead, the focus will also be placed upon securing additional hotels and resorts in new destinations across eastern Indonesia such as Lombok, Sumba, Komodo Island and Raja Ampat.
Sabre Corporation has appointed Roshan Mendis as chief commercial officer (CCO) of its Travel Network business.
As CCO, Mendis will be responsible for leading global sales, sales operations and business development initiatives worldwide and will play an instrumental role in driving Sabre’s global travel distribution business as it accelerates its investment to next-generation retailing and distribution.
“Roshan has the vision, customer commitment and industry expertise to ensure that Sabre is ready to meet its customers’ needs today and well into the future,” said Wade Jones, president of Sabre Travel Network, picking Mendis for the CCO role after conducting a global search.
A 20-year veteran of the travel technology industry, Mendis most recently served as senior vice president of Travel Network for the Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific regions where Sabre saw its 2017 bookings grow 9.8 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively.
Prior to this, he led the Asia-Pacific region for Travel Network and was instrumental in the company’s acquisition and successful integration of Singapore-based GDS, Abacus International.
A native of Sri Lanka, Mendis will continue to be based in London for his new role.
