Amadeus gets level three on latest NDC standard, welcomes Qantas to NDC-X

June 13, 2018

airplane-tech-concept — Distributors evolving with new standard

Amadeus has become the first to achieve level three certification on the latest version of the NDC standard, released in March this year.

“We’ve been working hand in hand with IATA and other industry partners to test and improve this latest version of the standard, which will help to drive industrialisation and adoption. Version 18.1 and the new data model means that NDC messages between airlines and third parties – whether aggregators, travel sellers or corporations – now have a more defined structure,” explained Gianni Pisanello, vice president, NDC-X program, Amadeus.

Amadeus is targeting level 3 aggregator certification

He added: “This means that we are getting a step closer to the milestone when all the industry players will be able to speak and interpret the NDC language, in the same way, which is a key benefit for the whole industry.”

This certification as an IT provider follows on from Amadeus’ previous level three certification as an IT provider and level one certification as an aggregator in 2016 and 2017. Amadeus says it is on track to achieve level three certification as an aggregator later this year.

Meanwhile, Qantas has joined Amadeus’ NDC-X program soon after the two renewed an IT and distribution partnership. Amadeus will connect to the Qantas Distribution Platform and deliver NDC content to travel sellers, allowing travel sellers to book NDC content alongside other travel content.

Pisanello said efforts are underway to make NDC content available within Amadeus Travel Platform. “We’re making great progress, and will have online travel bookings in production later this year, meaning that the full booking flow of ‘shop, order and pay’ will take place using the NDC standard,” he elaborated.

Melbourne to get a new Vibe on historic Queen Street

By TTG Asia

June 13, 2018

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Construction has started on the Vibe Hotel Melbourne, set to open in late 2019 comprising a preserved 145-year-old building on the site of the former Fletcher Jones showroom and a new 24-storey glass fronted tower.

To rise on the corner of Melbourne’s Queen and Flinders Streets, Vibe Hotel Melbourne will feature 206 rooms as well as “contemporary communal areas”. Its upper levels will take in views of the Yarra River to Port Phillip Bay, while its dual frontage provides city views to the north and south-east.

The hotel’s new design will be preserving the 145-year-old building’s façade and add a 24-storey glass fronted tower with four distinct sections marking the links between old and new

The original two-storey building on the Queen Street site was built in 1873 in the Renaissance Revival architectural style and was called the Cobden Building, first serving as offices for the maritime trade. In 1955, clothing manufacturer and retailer Fletcher Jones bought the building, which became a fixture for Melbourne shoppers. At its peak the company ran 55 stores, using the building as its main city showroom until the company’s collapse in 2012. It was then occupied by streetwear brand Culture Kings.

Since launching in Sydney in 2003, Vibe Hotels has now grown to nine locations: Melbourne, Sydney, Rushcutters Bay Sydney, North Sydney, Gold Coast, Darwin Waterfront, Canberra and Marysville (Victoria).

In addition to Vibe Hotel Melbourne, two more Vibe Hotels are under construction in 2018 – Argyle Street in Hobart and Sydney’s Darling Harbour.

TFE Hotels’ CEO Rachel Argaman said: “We are about to unveil a multi-million-dollar refurbishment at Vibe Hotel Gold Coast with a coast-meets-hinterlands design scheme and we are completely transforming Vibe Hotel Sydney in Goulburn Street, Sydney, adding a new dining offering, Storehouse Sydney Central.”

Asia’s largest cruise ship makes double maiden call in Philippines

By TTG Asia

June 13, 2018

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(from_L)_Atty._Wilma_Eisma,_Chairman_&_Administrator,_Subic_Bay_Metropolitan_Authority,_Senator_Richard_Gordon_&_Capt_Nielsen — XXXX

Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas, said to be the largest cruise ship sailing in Asia, arrived in the Philippines’ Subic Bay and Manila for the first time last week.

The ship brought to the Philippines the highest number of cruise guests, which totalled close to 4,600 from around the world. At 347m long, 168,666 gross registered tonnes, Ovation of the Seas has a total capacity of 4,905 guests staying in 2,091 staterooms and hosted by 1,500 crew.

A traditional plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard between (from left) local officials Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s Wilma Eisma and senator and former tourism secretary and former chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Richard Gordon, as well as Ovation of the Seas’ captain Flemming Nielsen

Highlights of Ovation of the Seas’ upcoming cruises are the six-night cruise from Hong Kong to Tianjin with calls at Fukuoka and Shimonoseki on June 15; the 12-night cruise from Tianjin to Singapore visiting Okinawa (Naha), Taipei (Keelung), Hong Kong, Hue/Danang (Chan May), Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My) on October 7; and the 14-night cruise from Singapore to Sydney visiting Perth (Fremantle), Adelaide and Hobart on October 19.

Catalonia – Barcelona is much more. A destination with quality and character.

By TTG

June 13, 2018

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Catalonia - Barcelona is much more. A destination with quality and character.

Brought to you by Catalan Tourist Board

Catalonia – Barcelona is much more. Fall in love with our land, gastronomy, Mediterranean culture, and rich heritage.

Image: Besalú – Medieval village in Costa Brava

Catalonia is a Mediterranean destination with a millenary history, its own culture and language, wealthy historical and natural heritage. With a population of over 7.5 million, the region covers 32,107 km2 and enjoys a temperate and mild Mediterranean climate, characterised by dry, warm summers and moderately cool winters. It is home to many significant metropolises, from its capital, Barcelona, to the provincial cities of Girona, Tarragona and Lleida and smaller towns filled with remarkable heritage and majestic monuments.

Barcelona, the gateway and capital city of Catalonia is the perfect start to the region with its incredible vision of architect and designer Gaudí. As you take a stroll around the city, you will be awestruck by the whimsical Catalan Modernism epitomized in the Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà and Park Güell and the newly opened Casa Vicens.

Unha - snowcapped village in Val d’Aran — Image: Unha – snowcapped village in Val d’Aran

If you fancy a change of scenery, you do not have to travel far. The beauty of Catalonia is that a diverse array of landscapes can be found within a compact area highly connected by high speed trains and highways. Visit the mountains of Montserrat, go wine-tasting at iconic wineries like Bodegas Torres, discover the home-towns of Salvador Dalí, Picasso and explore the 36 UNESCO World Heritage treasures and taste the gastronomic highlights of Catalonia.

Tarragona Amphitheatre - UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tarragona — Image: Tarragona Amphitheatre – UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tarragona

The Catalan landscape is varied; with the rugged Pyrenees, with several peaks well over 2,000 metres, inland mountain ranges, charming villages, seaside towns, 600 km of Mediterranean Sea and also one of the largest deltas in Europe, the Ebro Delta. In addition to its landscape, the region boast incredibly colourful and tasty produce. It is no surprise that the small region has 65 Michelin stars and 11 Designations of Origin for wine and cava (Catalan champagne).

Image: Camp Nou – FC Barcelona home stadium, Barcelona

When it comes to sporting credentials, Catalonia is unsurpassed. Boasting one of the most famous football teams in the world, FC Barcelona, the region also hosts Formula One and has one of the finest golf courses on the continent. Today, over 300 sports are played in Catalonia. From swimming to sailing, deep-sea diving, skiing, mountain-biking and road cycling, there is something to cater to every sports lover.

All this and much more make Catalonia a destination that attracts more than thirteen million foreign visitors every year.

Whether you are looking for a luxury break, an adrenaline-packed adventure, a beautiful honeymoon, MICE destination with a difference, or an exciting gastronomic journey, Catalonia is truly the place to experience the good life.

We invite you to see it with your own eyes. Visit www.catalunya.com for more information!

‘World’s loneliest airport’ in Sri Lanka gets even lonelier

By Feizal Samath

June 12, 2018

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Mattala_Rajapaksa_International_Airport_Terminal_Building — At one point, five airlines flew to the airport

Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), once dubbed “the loneliest airport in the world”, yesterday become even lonelier when the only airline flying there ceased services.

Owing to a combination of bird strikes and commercial viability, Dubai-based budget carrier Flydubai has stopped flights to Mattala, located in Sri Lanka’s southern town of Hambantota, from Monday onwards. It was the only airline flying there since the airport’s opening in 2013.

The airport had initially opened to some fanfare and attracted five airlines

“Bird strikes have led to costly repairs, and we have only an average of 13 passengers per flight to Mattala,” said an officer at Flydubai’s Colombo office, who declined to be named.

The airline has faced 21 bird strikes since the inception of flights to Mattala. Each time this happens, the airlines is forced to heli-transport an engineer from Colombo, 260 km away. In one instance, an engine even had to be replaced.

“Mattala doesn’t have proper infrastructure (nor) engineers to handle this type of crisis,” he said, adding that apart from costly bird strikes, it was also commercially unviable to continue this route. Flydubai will however continue its four-times daily flights on the Colombo-Dubai sector.

The officer said while they are considering resuming flights in December to Mattala, this is also contingent on the airport being upgraded with bird alarms, and better passenger loads. “We are also hoping to attract hotels in the areas with more charter flights,” he said.

Airline and travel trade industry officials said the Mattala airport would have succeeded if there was enough international marketing and promotion. “No one marketed this airport, otherwise it may have attracted airlines since its closer from Mattala for tourists to visit popular sites in Sri Lanka, then coming to Colombo,” an industry member said.

MRIA was built by the former regime in the hometown of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa, opening to much fanfare on an old wildlife sanctuary of birds and elephants.

Initially five airlines were using MRIA – SriLankan Airlines, budget carrier Mihin Lanka, Abu Dhabi-based Rotana Jet, Air Arabia and Flydubai. Gradually others pulled out due to low passenger loads from Mattala, while Flydubai, which also operated a few wedding charters, continued operating there.

The government has been looking for a foreign party to manage the airport and industry sources said India was interested in striking a deal. Sri Lankan migrant workers make up most of the traffic to and from the Middle East.

Cartoon Network theme park coming to Bali

By TTG Asia

June 12, 2018

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CartoonNetworkBaliPark — First Cartoon Network theme park with indoor and outdoor components

Indonesia will welcome its first internationally branded theme park in 2020, with Turner Asia Pacific having entered a licensing partnership with Indonesian real estate and hospitality investment company, The Maj Group, to develop a 4.3ha entertainment park in Bali.

The destination will feature the island’s largest waterpark and an indoor entertainment centre – all splashed with Cartoon Network theming.

Artist impression of the first Cartoon Network theme park with both indoor and outdoor components

Live entertainment and performances at the park will feature characters from shows such as Ben 10, We Bare Bears, The Powerpuff Girls and Adventure Time.

The development will include water rides as well as surf and wave pools, and sit within The MAJ Nusa Dua complex, which also features hotels and an award-winning golf course.

Gita Wirjawan, chairman of The Maj Group, expects the Maj Nusa Dua complex, with the addition of the theme park, to help position Bali as a family-friendly destination in Asia.

This will be Indonesia’s first park to partner with an international brand, and will be Cartoon Network’s first with both indoor and outdoor attractions.

Sojern bolsters APAC presence with bigger office, team in Singapore

By TTG Asia

June 12, 2018

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Republic-Plaza — Sojern's office space in Singapore's Republic Plaza (pictured) has nearly tripled

Travel marketing engine Sojern has announced an expanded presence and hiring plans in Singapore driven by its rapid growth in Asia-Pacific.

Sojern launched its first Singapore office in March 2015 and has since grown to more than 40 employees. In 2018, Sojern plans to expand its Singapore workforce by 25 per cent to meet the growing business demand, and has almost tripled its floorspace with its new office at Republic Plaza in downtown Singapore.

Sojern’s office space in Singapore’s Republic Plaza (pictured) has nearly tripled

“We plan to continue investing in the Asia-Pacific region because we see a tremendous growth opportunity here for travel marketing,” said Russell Young, Sojern managing director of Asia-Pacific. “Asia-Pacific has a burgeoning travel industry and we anticipate further expansion in the years to come.”

Sojern’s company expansion in Singapore comes on the heels of its explosive global growth with now nearly 500 employees across 13 global locations. Last year, the company made its first acquisition in Adphorus, a Facebook marketing partner specialising in travel.

Russia tourism, Europe’s hub airports score this World Cup

By TTG Asia

June 12, 2018

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russia-fifa-world-cup — This will be the first FIFA World Cup to take place in Eastern Europe

This will be the first FIFA World Cup to take place in Eastern Europe

For the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia (June 4 – July 15), Forwardkeys is reporting a 50.5% surge in visitors, with an uptick observed even from non-qualifying countries such as Hong Kong.

Non-qualifying countries showing the largest uplift are the US, China, Hong Kong, Israel, India, UAE, Paraguay, Canada, Turkey and South Africa.

Of the countries that have qualified, those with the greatest increase in visitors to Russia are, in order, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, South Korea, Mexico, UK, Germany, Australia, Egypt and Peru.

In addition, with many Russians staying home for the tournament instead of going ahead with their usual holiday plans, outbound bookings from Russia are 12.4% behind the same period last year.

A notable feature of the booking profile is that the current upsurge peaks around the opening matches and, as of now, there is a limited advancement in bookings after the group stages of the tournament, according to Forwardkeys’ analysis.

However, once the outcome of the group stages become clear, Forwardkeys postulates it is possible for a subsequent surge in bookings for the later knockout rounds.

While the FIFA World Cup is bringing more visitors to Russia, Forwardkeys says further analysis of data suggests that many of these visitors’ “real interest is in football, much more than it is in Russia”. World Cup ticket holders being required to obtain a Fan ID, which grants them visa-free entry into Russia from June 4 to July 15, for stays until July 25, presumably allowing pass holders to remain in the country after the final on July 15. Yet, Forwardkeys says data shows that bookings for overnight stays fall sharply to normal levels after the final.

Forwardkeys further observed that major hub airports are other beneficiaries of the mini tourism boom to Russia, with over 40 per cent of visitors during the World Cup arriving via indirect flights.

Hub airports with the greatest number of passengers to Russia is Dubai, with forward bookings up 202%. This is followed in order by Paris, whose Russia (+164%), Frankfurt (+49%), Amsterdam (92%) London Heathrow (+236%) ahead, Istanbul (+148%), Helsinki (+129%), Rome (+325%), Munich (+60%) and Warsaw (+71%).

New marine centre opens on Phi Phi Island

By TTG Asia

June 12, 2018

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marine-discovery-centre-phi-phi-island — New facility will serve as a base for reintroducing clownfish, breeding bamboo sharks and replanting coral reefs

Amid mounting concern surrounding of environmental damage on Thai islands frequented by tourists, Singha Estate in May opened a Marine Discovery Centre at the Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort to raise awareness about the importance of marine biodiversity and conservation.

The Marine Discovery Centre houses four zones – the Shark Room, the Phi Phi Islands Room, the Clownfish Room and the Auditorium – and offers visitors interactive displays with educational material about unique marine species endemic to the region.

New facility will serve as a base for reintroducing clownfish, breeding bamboo sharks and replanting coral reefs

The new environmental attraction will also be a base for the re-introduction of clownfish, as well as breeding bamboo sharks and replanting coral reefs.

The company is also collaborating with national park officials, local communities and the Faculty of Fisheries at Kasetsart University to rehabilitate the reef and protect marine life in Maya Bay, a recommended attraction for guests at the resort.

“Over the last few years Singha Estate has taken an active part in sustainable development projects to catalyse the prototype ‘Phi Phi Set to Change’ programme, aimed at recovering, restoring and managing the natural assets of the world renowned destination of Phi Phi Island,” said Naris Cheyklin, CEO, Singha Estate.

The opening of the Marine Discovery Centre comes amid a stronger focus on conservation in Thailand. A new law banning harmful activities such as the feeding of marine life, walking on the seabed, and new seaside construction is set to kick in on the islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in July. Moreover, some beach and island destinations such as Maya Bay have recently been closed to allow for the rehabilitation of marine ecosystems.

Singha Estate also intends to reference the “Phi Phi Model” in its new mega project, Crossroads, in the Maldives. The multi-island development will feature a marine conservation centre; a coral laboratory to study, grow and reintroduce corals; as well as a coral reef nursery, covering a planned area of 62,000m2.

Make a booking, donate to child protection in tourism

By TTG Asia

June 12, 2018

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nota-prensa-EN — Funds raised by Bedsonline will go to A21's Thailand Child Advocacy Center

For each booking made through the Bedsonline platform today (June 12), the International Labour Organization’s World Day Against Child Labour, one euro (US$1.20) will be donated to A21, an Australia-based non-profit organisation that aims to abolish slavery worldwide.

Bedsonline said the one-day initiative is aligned to its commitment to protect against the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in the travel and tourism industry, and forms part of parent company Hotelbeds Group’s Child Protection Policy.

Funds raised by Bedsonline will go to A21’s Thailand Child Advocacy Center

Alistair Rodger, director of retail travel agents at Hotelbeds Group, commented: “We recognise that the tourism industry has the legal and moral obligation to ensure that the protection of children and adolescents is included in its development agenda. That is why we wanted to launch a global campaign to both raise money and raise awareness with travel agents about this global problem.”

A21 will use the funds raised by Bedsonline for its Thailand Child Advocacy Center. The Thailand centre was chosen as it is dedicated to children in the region, and the group has a particular commitment to Thailand, its fourth most booked destination globally, Rodger added.

Amadeus gets level three on latest NDC standard, welcomes Qantas to NDC-X

Melbourne to get a new Vibe on historic Queen Street

Asia’s largest cruise ship makes double maiden call in Philippines

Catalonia – Barcelona is much more. A destination with quality and character.

‘World’s loneliest airport’ in Sri Lanka gets even lonelier

Cartoon Network theme park coming to Bali

Sojern bolsters APAC presence with bigger office, team in Singapore

Russia tourism, Europe’s hub airports score this World Cup

New marine centre opens on Phi Phi Island

Make a booking, donate to child protection in tourism

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