Malaysia Airlines’ new look
Malaysia Airlines’ first A330neo recently rolled out of the Airbus paint shop in Toulouse, showcasing the airline’s signature Malaysia flag livery.
The aircraft will next be equipped with its Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines and undergo performance tests in preparation for its first flight.
All cabin systems will also be meticulously tested, including comprehensive checks of air flow and air conditioning, lighting, galleys, lavatories, seating, and in-flight entertainment systems – Airbus will also conduct advanced general performance tests to ensure the aircraft meets all specifications and is ready for delivery.
Malaysia Airlines is set to receive its first A330neo in 3Q2024, which will serve routes across Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.
Culinary masters come to One&Only Desaru Coast
Ember Beach Club at One&Only Desaru Coast is presenting the third edition of the Ember Curates series on August 17, featuring a Michelin-starred dinner collaboration with two renowned chefs: Mano Thevar of the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Thevar, and Andrew Walsh of one-Michelin-star CURE.
For one night only, Ember Beach Club will host a four-hands gastronomic experience, where guests can expect to be delighted with a collaborative menu with pairings that meld the styles of distinct South Asian flavours from Thevar, alongside the seafood and barbecue inspired flavours from Walsh’s signature creations at Ember Beach Club.
Limited seats are available for booking at 650 ringgit (US$139) per person, with room rates starting from 2,900 ringgit.
The first One&Only resort in South-east Asia is easily accessible two hours by car from Singapore or 90-minutes via the Singapore-Desaru ferry service.
For more information, visit One&Only Desaru Coast.
How’s the weather?
The weather is looking like a Katy Perry song for a while now – it’s hot then it’s cold, it’s yes then it’s no, it’s in then it’s out, it’s up then it’s down – utterly erratic. It is nothing to sing about, not when unexpected weather disrupts travel and event plans while extreme conditions result in aviation accidents.
Look what freak storms did to eastern and southern China in March and April – they destroyed buildings and infrastructure. Look what a rainstorm did to Dubai in April – it recorded a year’s worth of rain in just 12 hours. Look what severe air turbulence did to passengers and crew onboard three flights, each operated by different airlines, in May alone.
While aviation experts have said such severe air turbulence is rare, with resulting fatalities rarer still, social media chatter and my conversations with flight crew on separate occassions since the start of this year have highlighted more troubled flights, with bumps, scrapes, and spills becoming commonplace.
Are people withdrawing from flights then? According to data from YouGov BrandIndex in the aftermath of the Singapore Airlines SQ321 accident, which had the worst outcome – one fatal case and several severe injuries – travel considerations with the airline slumped in the following week. Fortunately, intentions rebounded by end-May.
It may be easy to brush these off as freak incidents and carry on as usual. However, it is wiser to take heed and be more stringent with inflight safety procedures for both passengers and crew.
Weather has an impact on travel programmes too – some tour and experience operators in parts of South-east Asia that are baked by hotter than usual temperatures have had to tweak their programmes, either by starting much earlier in the day or after sunset, when the air is cooler. Alternative plans and friendlier refund conditions due to unsuitable weather conditions should also be a must by now.
While increasingly unusual weather conditions have yet to reshape travel seasons, this could well happen some day and is a reminder for destinations to get cracking now – if it isn’t already – to spread travel demand out across the year and into more locations.
Japan innovates after dark events for tourists’ entertainment
More night-time entertainment is being developed and launched in Japan as part of efforts to enhance the country’s reputation as an all-round destination.
Japan has long trailed its competitors in the number and variety of activities available in the evenings, with no Japanese destination making Statista’s list of Top 10 cities with the best nightlife according to tourism marketing professionals worldwide as of January this year.
However, the country’s dramatic inbound tourism rebound is driving record demand for night-time entertainment, prompting tourism and hospitality stakeholders to act.
Tokyo Night & Light, a projection mapping show designed “to create a new tourist resource to add colour to Tokyo at night”, according to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, uses a government building in Shinjuku to showcase light and sound in artistic ways five times every night.
At almost 14,000m², the area used for the screen holds a Guinness World Record for the largest permanent architectural projection-mapped display.
The Sumo Hall Hirakuza, which opened in Osaka in May, offers evening “sumo entertainment” with international visitors in mind. The attraction involves bouts between former professional sumo wrestlers in a sumo ring.
Also in Osaka, Boat Race Suminoe is hoping to attract inbound travellers visiting the city for World Expo 2025. Tourism stakeholders, including JTB and the Osaka Convention and Tourism Bureau, are developing programmes to enjoy kyotei boat racing at night.
Expected to launch in the autumn, the tours would allow visitors to place bets on the races, which involve six boats racing three laps around a 600-metre course, and gain insight into boat racing from local guides.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts targets Asia-Pacific’s luxury travel boom
Preferred Hotels & Resorts currently have more than 90 properties in Asia Pacific – out of over 600 across the globe – in their portfolio, but the hospitality chain is motivated to expand their presence in the region.
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, shared with TTG Asia on the sidelines of ILTM Asia Pacific 2024: “Asia is one of the biggest source markets for luxury global travel, and a hotspot for luxury travellers from North America and Europe. We also know that there are large number of Asians who choose to travel within Asia, and there are multiple seasonal opportunities that we can leverage to satisfy this sector.”
She pointed out that there were “tremendous opportunities” here, as there are so many independent hotels in South-east Asia (especially Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia), Australia, and China.
“We are looking for properties in all major markets so that we can provide travellers the options and convenience for multi-city itineraries that will allow them to travel around the region. That explains our regular presence at events like ILTM Asia Pacific,” Ueberroth added.
Meanwhile, for the China market that took a beating during the pandemic where some member hotels have ceased operations, things are looking up this year.
Ueberroth shared: “Our team has been strengthened with a recent senior appointment based in Beijing. We are currently looking into opportunities and partnerships in both major and secondary destinations in China, and are excited about the return of luxury Chinese travellers.”
Since the start of 2024, Preferred has welcomed over 40 new members, of which 10 to 15 per cent are from Asia-Pacific. Thirteen of these new members are also new builds.
When asked about trends in the luxury travel market, Ueberroth observed that luxury travellers these days are looking for ultra-personalisation in their stays; are seeking experiences that will transform them and have an impact on their lives; and want sustainable travel that goes beyond the 3Rs( Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) and delve deeper into the culture and heritage of the local community.
TAT, Freedomverse elevate travel experience in Thailand with new campaign
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Freedomverse, the innovative Web3 builder behind the Freedom World application, have introduced the Freedom World mobile app designed to enhance community-driven experiences as well as facilitate engagement and information exchange through the community of the Discover Thailand by Amazing Thailand x Freedom World campaign.
The campaign will focus initially on Koh Samui and its neighbouring islands, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao islands, located in the Gulf of Thailand, aiming to stimulate travel during the Green Season from July to October 2024. It then aims to include more than 50 local businesses with plans to expand to other provinces across Thailand in the next phases.
Discover Thailand will foster long-term relationships between business owners and tourists, reinforcing Thailand’s image as a destination for the new generation, especially digital nomads, and driving tourism revenue to local communities, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
The Freedom World app will help facilitate and create a community for domestic and international travellers, and is available in Thai and English. It offers features including push notifications, which allow travellers to stay updated with current events and promotions, interactive maps, gamified activities and missions with rewards for the completion, and community-building functionalities that allow members to chat and invite other members and connect with fellow travellers.
Local merchants and businesses who join the campaign can subsequently contribute to offering curated experiences and engaging with the community members.
Somradee Chitchong, deputy governor for domestic marketing at TAT, said: “TAT aims to revitalise Thailand’s tourism industry in 2024 with a focus on quality and sustainable transformation. This partnership with the Freedom World app provides a digital platform that enhances travel experiences for the new generation of travellers.”
“This partnership in our home country perfectly aligns with our mission and commitment to co-creating and expanding the ecosystem, providing equal opportunities for small businesses and communities,” added Didi Wimonpun Wiboonma, chief communications and marketing officer of Freedomverse.
Sri Lanka Tourism hosts networking session in Kolkata
Sri Lanka Tourism, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, hosted an exclusive networking evening on a cruise over the Ganges River on July 10.
The event highlighted Sri Lanka’s diverse natural landscapes, vibrant cultural heritage to the travel trade and media of Kolkata through engaging discussions and presentations. Attendees were treated to a showcase of Sri Lanka’s varied attractions, ranging from pristine beaches to ancient temples, marking a new chapter of tourism excellence for the island nation.
Under the resonant tagline Sri Lanka – You’ll Come Back for More, the event aimed to entice Indian travellers by highlighting Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism offerings. The networking evening brought together around 300 of Kolkata’s travel agents, key figures in the industry, and media representatives, who engaged with a strong delegation led by 25 DMCs specialising in leisure and MICE as well as leading hotels, resorts, homestays, tour operators, and other service providers from Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, the extended visa-free entry for Indian nationals is expected to boost arrivals.
Sri Lanka has adopted an aggressive approach towards the Indian market by establishing a strong presence through multi-city B2B roadshows in Bengaluru, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai, and New Delhi. These efforts are complemented by participation in major travel trade shows like the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai and the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange in New Delhi. The year-long marketing efforts will be intensified with participation in various travel exhibitions such as TTF-Kolkata and IITM-Bengaluru, IITM-Chennai and so on. Another round of B2B roadshows in other Tier-II markets is planned for September this year.
Aviation roundup: Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, AirAsia and more
Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines get approval for commercial joint venture
Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have received the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore’s approval for their commercial joint venture agreement.
With this approval, the airlines will be able to deepen their strategic partnership on a wider range of commercial activities that will bring greater benefits to both airlines, as well as Indonesia and Singapore.
These potentially include operating joint revenue sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules, and exploring joint sales and marketing initiatives.
The airlines today codeshare on a wide range of flights, including between Singapore and Indonesian cities of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as on longhaul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai.
AirAsia flies to Labuan Bajo
AirAsia has introduced direct flights to Labuan Bajo, Indonesia from Malaysia.
This new service operates three weekly flights to Labuan Bajo from Kuala Lumpur, adding to AirAsia’s current 13 routes in Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati, Banda Aceh, Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Medan, Padang, Pekanbaru, Makassar, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Balikpapan; as well as from Penang to Jakarta and Medan.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Indonesia flies to 11 routes in Malaysia from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching; Bali to Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu; Medan to Kuala Lumpur and Penang; Lombok to Kuala Lumpur; as well as from Surabaya to Johor Bahru.
China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airlines expand codeshare flights
China Southern Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are expanding their codeshare flights to include Guangzhou-Penang, Kuala Lumpur-Beijing Daxing and Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai Pudong routes from July 10.
China Southern Airlines aims to increase its capacity in the Malaysian market to 73 flights per week to meet the various travel demands.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Airlines currently operates 54 weekly flights to China, covering Guangzhou, Shanghai Pudong, Beijing Daxing and Xiamen.
Marriott Bonvoy kicks off Summer Music Fest 2024 in Japan
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s travel programme, is turning up the volume with live music events at Moxy and Aloft hotels for this year’s Summer Music Fest.
Summer Music Fest 2024 will present a line-up of music events across Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto from July through September. A diverse range of talented and unique Japanese artists, from Tik Tok and YouTube sensations, singer-songwriters, to a monomane performer will headline the events.
Performances will be held at Moxy Osaka Shin Umeda on July 20, Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho on August 10, Aloft Tokyo Ginza on August 17, Moxy Kyoto on September 7, and Aloft Osaka Dojima on September 20.
Alongside the music festivities, the six participating hotels will also offer summer-themed food and beverage menus at their restaurants and bars from July to September.
Trip Affiliates Network (TA Network) has introduced an advanced connectivity tool that will boost the efficiency and effectiveness of travel agents, help increase inventory, boost sales and commissions, improve productivity, reduce errors, and deliver superior customer service.
Hotel Switch is a tool that integrates multiple features to enhance travel agents’ ability to offer a wide range of accommodation and manage bookings efficiently.
The platform maps to over two hundred thousand hotels linked to the TA Network, allowing agents to provide clients with a wide range of accommodation options, catering to different preferences and budgets.
Real-time updates on allotments and/or blackouts when rooms are unavailable are automated, ensuring that agents have access to the best available rates 24/7.
Tactical hotel/package promotions enable agents to earn higher commissions like OTAs and offer competitive deals and promotions, while the automated 24/7 feature offers instant booking and confirmation. Furthermore, complimentary VCC payment support is available.
Agents will also be able to book directly with hotels instead of using third-party online hotel suppliers, which help eliminate check-in issues and provide a smoother, more reliable booking experience for clients.
“Hotel Switch is a vital tool for travel agents aiming to stay competitive and meet the evolving demands of their clients,” said Josef Foo, managing partner, TA Network.