Outrigger Hospitality Group in Thailand has teamed up with Singapore-based New Energy Capital Asia to install solar rooftop systems at three of Outrigger’s premier properties in Thailand.
These include Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort, Outrigger Surin Beach Resort and Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort.
Three Outrigger Resorts in Thailand will have rooftop solar panels installed; Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort, pictured
Under the three solar Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) signed between Outrigger Hospitality Group and New Energy Capital Asia, the benefits will comprise annual electricity savings, CO2 reduction, and positive environmental impact, as well as helps to preserve Thailand’s lush landscapes and natural beauty.
Marc Lamsfuss, CEO, New Energy Capital Asia, commented: “By integrating cutting-edge solar technology into their resorts, Outrigger is not only setting a new standard for the hospitality industry in Thailand but also demonstrating that environmental responsibility can go hand-in-hand with world-class guest experiences.”
“Adopting the latest solar technology at its resorts underscores Outrigger’s commitment to championing renewable energy practices and reducing its carbon footprint as part of a robust ESG strategy,” said Tony Pedroni, Phuket-based vice president, operations, Outrigger (Asia-Pacific).
In 2024, Legoland Malaysia is going all-in on creating unforgettable experiences that blend iconic Malaysian culture with the playful magic of Lego.
Every month brings a new reason to visit Legoland Malaysia, with monthly celebrations such as the Lego Ninjago-infused Lunar New Year celebration happening now through March 17, to an authentic Lego Hari Raya extravaganza.
Enjoy a fun stay at Legoland Malaysia Resort’s themed hotel rooms
Fan favourites also return, like the Legoland School Challenge in April, and the Splash Carnival in July, as well as new happenings including the new Lego Friends 4D movie, and Brick Fest, a celebration of creativity with stories and building experiences for the whole family.
In addition, there is a Master Model Builder Search where Lego enthusiasts can show off their Lego creations for a chance to become the face of Legoland Malaysia on social media, in-park classes, and special experiences.
Those staying at the Legoland Malaysia Resort can also experience the new Friends-themed hotel rooms, and enjoy the iconic Miniland experience under newly added shade structures.
Ammar Abd Ghapar, director-general, Tourism Malaysia has been unexpectedly reassigned to the position of deputy director-general of Tourism Malaysia.
His tenure as director-general of Tourism Malaysia, which began on April 12, 2023, concludes today. As of press time, a successor has not been named.
Ammar Abd Ghapar has been reassigned to the position of deputy director-general of Tourism Malaysia
On February 23, 2024, news of Ammar’s abrupt dismissal from his role as director-general of Tourism Malaysia sent shockwaves through the Malaysian tourism industry, prompting calls for clarification from Malaysia’s minister of tourism, arts, and culture, Tiong King Sing.
The Malaysian Tourism Federation (MTF) has issued a press statement on Friday expressing concern over Ammar’s sudden and unexplained termination.
MTF’s secretary-general, Sri Ganesh Michiel, remarked that the unexpected termination caught industry players off guard, emphasising that a detailed explanation was needed from both Tiong and Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim.
He stressed the need for transparency to address any uncertainties among stakeholders and to ensure the stability and competitiveness of Malaysia’s tourism sector, especially amid the ongoing recovery from the pandemic.
Michiel stated: “It is essential for the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board to have an experienced, strong and stable leadership in order to elevate Malaysia’s tourism industry and enhance its competitiveness in the regional market. This move is highly disheartening for both Tourism Malaysia, and Malaysia’s tourism sector as a whole.”
Following the launch of the National Craft Day at Kompleks Kraf in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, reporters queried Tiong about Ammar’s sudden dismissal.
Tiong responded by citing “non-performance”, as reported by New Sunday Times. He alleged that Ammar had not devised any strategies to enhance the tourism industry, and asserted that stakeholders had raised concerns about the lack of engagement from the tourism board.
The minister also expressed dissatisfaction with the under achievement of Chinese target arrivals last year and unfavourably compared Malaysia’s two million Chinese tourist arrivals with Thailand’s achievement of attracting 10 million.
Tiong remarked: “Ammar was supposed to end his term in March next year, but for the sake of the tourism industry, I cannot wait until next year to take action.”
Singapore’s pursuit of quality tourism continues to guide how it prioritises and attracts targeted visitor profiles, grow revenue and boost the destination’s appeal as a leading city for both business and leisure in the coming year.
According to Melissa Ow, who returned to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as chief executive in June 2023 after a three-year secondment to the Economic Development Board, the aim is to anchor high-quality and first-of-its-kind tourism concepts, while refreshing and rejuvenating existing offerings.
Well-loved sights remain in Singapore even as new attractions sprout; Peranakan houses pictured
Ow continued: “We also tap on our global network of strategic partners to develop tourism products and establish market presence.”
In September 2023, STB launched its latest marketing campaign Made in Singapore, “which showcases quintessentially local experiences in a bold and refreshing manner, with the aim to capture the mindshare of travellers and inspire them to choose Singapore as their next destination”.
STB is also focusing on branded entertainment partnerships in film, TV, music and other formats that can reach a wide audience and inspire travel to Singapore through authentic and creative storytelling.
Ow noted: “STB collaborates with media and entertainment companies, as well as celebrities, to leverage their global networks and channels.”
This includes STB’s partnership with South Korea’s Studio Dragon Corporation to promote Singapore jointly through branded content and a three-year partnership with Warner Bros Discovery to collaborate on content creation and joint marketing to spotlight and inspire travel to Singapore.
“Going forward, STB will continue to leverage our understanding of traveller profiles and work with relevant in-market partners to target the right audiences and promote Singapore as a choice destination,” the tourism chief said.
“We encourage the industry to continuously find ways to embark on digital transformation to become more efficient in their business processes, which will in turn enhance overall visitor experience.
The iconic Singapore Zoo is part of the larger Mandai Wildlife Reserves
“The strong pipeline of business and leisure offerings demonstrates Singapore’s continued appeal as a choice destination for business and leisure.
“It shows that despite geopolitical and economic uncertainties that may influence travel sentiment, Singapore retains the firm confidence and trust of our international partners as a credible, safe, and conducive place for business and leisure.”
Commenting on Singapore’s appeal, Daniel Chua, founder and chief of Aonia, an experiential communications agency, said the city is perceived as safe and would stand to benefit from in-person events.
However, organisers and suppliers will have to find new and creative ways to lower costs to be competitive at the same time, with inflationary pressures highly perceptible in Singapore.
On what would give Singapore businesses a boost in 2024, he named alignment with Singapore’s Green Plan as part of developmental plans for sure, with sustainability and the circular economy as key focal areas.
Chua noted: “MICEcarbon, a joint venture between AONIA and climate-tech firm Ureca was launched in September 2023 to help decarbonise the business events industry by providing organisers and attendees solutions to measure, incentivise, compensate and educate in regards to carbon offsets.
“The platform uses blockchain technologies to tokenise carbon credits so that these can be made more accessible and affordable.
“In terms of tourism products, I’m excited by the Mandai precinct, which showcases how clever planning allows multiple objectives to be met in an integrated and innovative tourism concept with luxury accommodation that supports nature conservation while being a profitable tourism destination,” said Chua, adding that such a combination was “quite rare in an otherwise highly urbanised country like Singapore”.
For Darren Tan, managing director of DMC World Express, which had a good 2023, the coming year “continues to look very busy and promising”.
Tan added: “We are seeing strong arrivals on our books in 1Q2024 as well as enquiries for future events in the next one to two years.
“We have had more than a few clients tell us how they appreciate the peaceful and open state of Singapore, and feel welcome here.
“I am delighted to see the opening of so many new hotels in Singapore from five-star luxury to three-star, as we need more rooms to provide more choice and value for visitors. It bodes well for the greater tourism industry in an expensive city like Singapore.”
Tan is also excited to see the development of the Mandai eco wildlife enclave coming to life and changes over on Sentosa island.
Uzbekistan is setting ambitious sights on attracting 12,000 tourists from Malaysia to its shores this year.
This marks a remarkable increase from last year’s inbound arrivals from Malaysia which was around 4,500 visitors. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, arrivals from Malaysia to Uzbekistan was around 4,300.
Landscape view of Ichan-Qala, the walled inner town of the historic city of Khiva
Central to Uzbekistan’s bold aspirations are the direct air links between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur. Currently, Uzbekistan Airways operates three weekly flights utilising the A321neo aircraft from Tashkent to Kuala Lumpur. Otabek Akhmedov, general manager for Malaysia, described the load factor for this winter season as “very good”.
Adding to the accessibility, Batik Air initiated weekly services every Friday from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent since mid-December 2023, and has plans to increase flight frequency to twice weekly from April 15.
Speaking to TTG Asia at the recent B2B Tourism Presentation programme that was jointly organised in Kuala Lumpur by Uzbekistan Airways and Smart Global Adventures (the passenger sales agent for Uzbekistan Airways), Uzbekistan’s ambassador to Malaysia, Karomidin Gadoev, expressed the embassy’s commitment to supporting airlines with direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Tashkent through collaborative marketing and promotional efforts.
The B2B Tourism Presentation event holds particular importance for Uzbekistan Airways, showcasing the carrier’s commitment to expanding tourism and its route network. Supported by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Kuala Lumpur, Gadoev opened the half-day programme which showcases Uzbekistan as a central hub in Central Asia to selected outbound travel agents from Malaysia.
He highlighted Uzbekistan’s allure, which lies in its rich history, captivating architecture, vibrant culture and delectable cuisine. Notably, Malaysia is one of the 93 countries benefitting from Uzbekistan’s visa-free policy.
He mentioned that the Embassy of Uzbekistan will actively organise roadshows in major Malaysian cities this year to increase awareness of the destination’s numerous attractions to Malaysians residing beyond Kuala Lumpur.
To further tap into the Muslim market, Gadoev aims to position Uzbekistan as an ideal stopover destination for Muslim Umra pilgrims.
Additionally, the embassy is dedicated to enhancing awareness of Khiva, within the Khorazm Region, among Malaysians. Despite its comparative obscurity to Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand, Khiva boasts considerable potential as a tourism hotspot that will appeal to Malaysians of various ethnicities. This initiative is expected to contribute to the extension of the average length of stay for Malaysian visitors to Uzbekistan, presently set at seven nights.
The Moscow City Tourism Committee is focusing on leisure, MICE, wedding and film tourism segments in India to spur tourism growth. The Indian outbound tourism market is now strongly recovering for Moscow with the destination recording 60,000 tourist arrivals from India in 2023 – a 25 per cent year-on-year growth over the previous year.
Evgeny Kozlov, first deputy head of the mayor’s office and the Government of Moscow, chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee who is at present in India as part of the delegation participating in trade event, SATTE 2024 said the electronic visa regime which was introduced by Russia for India among many other global markets on August 1, 2023 is helping the tourist numbers to grow.
Moscow hopes to attract the Indian wedding sector with its unique location offerings; Zaryadye Park in Moscow, Russia, pictured
“There are many diverse tourism experiences available in Moscow. We want to promote the use of ‘RUSSPASS’ among Indian leisure tourists who with the use of this digital platform can plan their trip in Moscow according to their interest,” said Kozlov.
Last year, Moscow hosted the Meet Global MICE Congress which recorded a strong presence from the Indian market. “We cooperate closely with the Indian MICE planners, educating them about our MICE products through fam trips. This year, we are planning a fam trip for MICE planners in India,” said Kozlov.
The Moscow City Tourism Committee is also looking to tap into the Indian weddings segment, since no Indian wedding has been hosted in Moscow.
“We understand the potential of Indian weddings and want to penetrate this market. Apart from traditional venues, as a destination, we can offer very unique locations for weddings like old beautiful metro stations, forests or (nearby the) river. We will be engaging with wedding planners in India to understand the demand and expectations of this segment and will plan our strategy accordingly,” added Kozlov.
Moscow City Tourism Committee is also engaging with Indian film production houses to promote its new shooting facility for Bollywood movies.
Moscow recorded 109,000 tourist arrivals from India in 2019.
AirAsia has unveiled plans to launch the world’s first low-cost network carrier, leveraging 22 years of its multi-hub strategy through its airlines in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and soon Cambodia.
The announcement was made during a welcoming ceremony for Christian Scherer, who was recently appointed CEO of the commercial aircraft business of Airbus to AirAsia’s corporate headquarters in Malaysia.
Capital A and AirAsia welcome the new Airbus CEO
Starting with a fleet of just two aircraft in 2001, AirAsia swiftly converted to an all-Airbus fleet, which enabled over two decades of a unique multi-hub strategy through the group of airlines in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines – with the newest airline AirAsia Cambodia ready to take flight in the coming months.
AirAsia will be expanding its narrow-body fleet with the introduction of the A321XLR and exploring opportunities with the A321LR to gradually replace its A320 predecessor over the coming years from our key hubs including Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila and more. These new aircraft will enable greater flexibility on existing short to medium-haul routes and network expansion to places such as North Asia, Australia and Central Asia from South-east Asia.
AirAsia will also resume its Airbus A321neo deliveries this year in line with strong forecast demand, starting with the first post-lockdown delivery expected in June.
Tony Fernandes, CEO of Capital A, the umbrella company for the AirAsia aviation group of airlines, said: “Our commitment to Airbus never faltered, even through the pandemic. All of our achievements, including becoming one of the largest and most popular airlines in the world, have been possible with our great partnership with Airbus.
He shared that AirAsia has an orderbook of 647 aircraft consisting of 612 A320 Family and 35 A330 Family aircraft with another 362 A321neo, 20 A321XLR and 15 A330neo to be delivered over the next decade.
“We are also looking to expand our medium to long-haul network to the European continent, to cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Bratislava, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Africa (Cairo, Nairobi, Cape Town), East Coast North America (New York, Miami, Toronto) via Europe and West Coast North America (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Vancouver) via Japan,” he said.
Changi Airports International (CAI) and Cam Ranh International Joint Stock Company (CRTC) have signed an agreement for CAI to manage Cam Ranh International Terminal’s non-aeronautical businesses and to support the growth of Cam Ranh International Airport’s international route development.
This landmark agreement is the first to materialise under a cooperation framework between CAI and Legacy Infrastructure, and aims to bring innovative solutions to the Vietnam aviation industry, enhancing connectivity, efficiency and international competitiveness.
The agreement aims to bring innovative solutions to the Vietnam aviation industry
Cam Ranh International Airport serves Nha Trang City and the Khanh Hoa province, an important tourist destination for Vietnam. In the next five years, CAI will work with CRTC to accelerate the revenue growth of CRX’s Terminal 2, and enhance the passenger experience in the terminal. Under the agreement, the contract can be extended for another five years.
“The partnership between Changi Airports International and Cam Ranh International Terminal marks a significant milestone, offering many aspects for improving service quality, putting advanced modern technology into practice, and helping CRTC to rapidly connect with airlines and airports over the world,” said Johnathan Nguyen, chairman of CRTC.
“The successful model of management cooperation between CRTC and CAI will be the first of its kind that CAI implements in Vietnam, opening up great opportunities for both parties in the field of airport operations and realising the vision of Imex Pan Pacific Group for strategic collaborations in Vietnam and other countries.”
CAI CEO Eugene Gan commented: “Cam Ranh International Airport, which welcomed 6.5 million international visitors in 2019 before the pandemic and was the fourth busiest international airport in Vietnam, is undoubtedly one of the driving factors for the tourism development of Nha Trang. We are excited to apply the experience we have gained over the years to work with our valued partners and uplift the passenger experience at Cam Ranh International Airport, helping to further grow its potential as one of the leading airports in Vietnam.”
Batik Air and Jiangsu TopView Cultural Tourism Industry Development Co. have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand charter flights on China routes.
The four routes include Nanning to Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai to Tawau, Chengdu to Tawau, and Shenzhen to Tawau.
The MoU will expand charter flights on the four China routes
This expansion builds upon the existing charters initiated by Jiangsu Topview, which commenced on January 23 and will continue until the end of March to accommodate the Chinese New Year and spring festival holiday season. Due to the encouraging response to the charter, Jiangsu Topview decided to venture into the expansion of the additional routes with Batik Air.
On December 1, 2023, the announcement of visa-free travel for Chinese tourists has fuelled interest in travel from China, underscoring Malaysia’s allure as a preferred tourist destination in the region.
Last year, Malaysia welcomed 1.47 million arrivals from China, an exponential growth of 593.4 per cent in comparison to the same period in 2022 with 212,603 arrivals.
Starlux Airlines has placed a firm order for three more A330neo widebody aircraft.
Starlux currently operates an all-Airbus passenger fleet that includes the A350-900, A330neo and A321neo. The additional order for the A330neo will boost its A330neo fleet from four to seven, with the aircraft featuring a premium two-class cabin comprising 28 business class seats and 269 economy class seats.
Starlux Airlines places order for more A330neo to strengthen its fleet
Starlux CEO Glenn Chai commented: “The three new A330neos will strengthen our fleet advantage and provide greater flexibility for passenger operations.”
