Science Centre Singapore’s beloved DinoQuest exhibition is now showcasing at the Guixi Ecological Park in Chengdu, China.
The 1,000m² interactive exhibit creates an entertaining yet educational STEM+ experiences for all ages, where guests travel millions of years back to the Cretaceous period to encounter the Australian polar dinosaurs on this immersive adventure, which spans across seven thematic zones.
Science Centre Singapore’s DinoQuest is now on exhibition at Chengdu’s Guixi Ecological Park in China
Highlights include holographic guides, animatronics and 4D elements, 4D theatre experience, fossil dig site, a replica display of dinosaur skeletons, and more. Guests can even doodle their own dinosaur and have it come to life at the virtual animated Dinosaur Park.
Jongheon Sim (Jong) has been appointed as vice president and chief communications officer of Korean Air.
He has a 27-year history with the airline – from operations to communications and external relations – and led the airline’s social media and digital communications team prior to this new position.
Hahnair has named Stephen Chung as regional vice president APAC where he will support the partner airlines using Hahnair’s distribution solutions throughout all stages of the partnership.
Based in Hong Kong, Chung will also advise existing and potential partner airlines on interline opportunities within Hahnair’s extensive network of more than 350 partner airlines and support the acquisition of new partner airlines.
Before joining Hahnair, he was commercial manager at the Cathay Pacific Group.
As Thailand looks to welcome 35 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, the two Asian giants China and India are expected to play a critical role in meeting the target. Initial signs seem promising, with Chinese travellers already surpassing the one million mark between January 1 and February 19.
“It is for the first time after the pandemic that we have welcomed more than one million Chinese travellers within the first two months of a year. Factors like Chinese New Year, visa exemption, joint promotions with travel agents, and MoUs with OTAs are resulting in (strong) demand from China’s outbound market. We expect China to be our number one source market in 2024 with eight million tourist arrivals,” Thapanee Kiatphaibool, governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) told TTG Asia on the sidelines of a press conference in New Delhi on February 21.
Thapanee: TAT is evaluating if we could also extend a visa-free facility permanently to Indian travellers
A visa-free travel scheme for Chinese tourists entering Thailand was launched in September 2023, and has now become a permanent arrangement.
Last year, China occupied the second spot among top five tourism markets for Thailand with 3.5 million travellers.
India, with 1.6 million tourist arrivals, occupied the fourth position, while the US was Thailand’s leading source market with 4.6 million tourist arrivals.
India is priority too, and the TAT is aiming for two million arrivals in 2024.
Thapanee elaborated: “India is a high quality and high spending market for us, and that’s the reason we introduced a visa exemption for Indian travellers last year. We are at present evaluating if we could also extend a visa-free facility permanently to Indian travellers.”
Indian travellers can now avail visa-free travel to Thailand from November 10 to May 10 with a stay of up to 30 days.
In order to spur demand from India, TAT is planning to focus on new segments like senior citizens and women travellers, and to promote rejuvenating tours and adventure sports to Indian travellers.
There are intentions to also highlight new products and destinations, such as the UNESCO sites in Nakhon Ratchasima; Thann Wellness in Ayutthaya; Mon Bridge and Pilok Village in Kanchanaburi; local vineyards; and Khao Yai National Park.
Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, minister of tourism and sports, Thailand told the media that work is going on to further improve direct connectivity between the two countries. Starting April 2, Thai Airways is launching a new route in India – Bangkok-Kochi with three flights per week.
The Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) is on a special Muslim-Friendly Tourism and Hospitality (MFTH) sales mission to Paris, France and London, the UK from February 18 to 25 to explore opportunities for Malaysian tourism industry players in the growing European Muslim tourist market.
The MFTH mission, which is set to tap into the estimated 25.7 million European Muslim population, will see ITC engaging with local travel agents and the Muslim community associations to share the best of Muslim-friendly Malaysia offerings, including MFTH Assurance and Recognition-approved services that also cover accommodation and tourist guides.
Malaysia will participate in the Muslim Travel Show in London after the sales mission; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, pictured
Malaysia will also participate in the Muslim Travel Show in London at the end of the mission. All 40,000 expected visitors of the exhibition will have the chance to be acquainted with Malaysia’s varied attractions and services from ITC, Tourism Malaysia, and other partners like Andalusia Travel and Tours, Kurma Getaways Travel Experience, and Nasyrul Quran.
The World Travel Agents Associations Alliance (WTAAA) has welcomed its newest member, Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA).
Representing over 7,700 travel agents across the 10 South-east Asian countries, FATA’s addition significantly expands WTAAA’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Both WTAAA and FATA will collaborate to shape a sustainable, agent-friendly travel industry
“FATA’s addition marks a significant expansion of WTAAA’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region, expanding the organisation’s unified voice for the travel agency sector worldwide,” said Otto de Vries, executive director of WTAAA.
“By combining our resources and collective expertise, we can advocate more effectively for the interests of agencies serving the diverse South-east Asian region and its over 622 million residents. Together, we will raise and advocate for beneficial industry standards, develop new opportunities, and promote global collaboration that drives success for our members at both local and global levels.”
As the umbrella body for South-east Asia’s national travel associations, FATA serves as a crucial platform for addressing regional tourism issues, challenges and trends. Key objectives include fostering cooperation among members, building strong partnerships, and contributing to tourism growth across South-east Asian countries.
“WTAAA’s global scale and expertise will complement FATA’s local insights as we collaborate to shape a sustainable, agent-friendly travel industry,” said FATA president Pauline Suharno. “This alliance comes at an important time as our sector focuses on safely reopening tourism and supporting economic revival in the region.”
The Indonesian Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) has issued a circular letter recommending its members to continue using the old entertainment tax tariff while waiting for the judicial review result of the Ministry of Finance’s decision to raise the tax.
Speaking to the media, GIPI chairman Haryadi Sukamdani said: “We have submitted the (judicial review appeal) but we are projecting the process will take time as the Constitutional Court (is likely) to be busy handling national and presidential election-related complaints, therefore we recommend entertainment services affected by the new regulation to refer to the old tariff.”
GIPI has advised members to continue using the old entertainment tax tariff for now; nightlife in Bali, pictured
He explained this would help maintain the continuity of entertainment businesses, including discos, karaoke, nightclubs, bars and steam baths/spas, and minimise the impact of rate increases on demands.
He said: “Moreover, these sectors open up many job opportunities for the community. I must help my members. We don’t want to lose them.”
In the meantime, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (MoTCE) has done a temporary study of the impact of the increase in entertainment services tax on business and came up with a couple of recommendations that would benefit not only the affected entertainment industry but the whole tourism sector.
Sandiaga Uno, minister of tourism and creative economy, commented: “We agree with the coordinating minister for economy’s proposal (and recommend) for a 10 per cent (company) income tax reduction for the tourism sector.”
MoTCE has also recommended to the regional governments to provide incentives on investments and events to maintain the interests of investors and event organisers to prevent workforce retrenchment. Sandiaga added that the higher the tax is, the lower the interest from “investors and event planners to do business here”.
According to Sandiaga, Bali provincial and districts have issued a fiscal incentive policy, including the regional government in Labuan Bajo – he hopes other provinces will follow suit.
Malaysia Airlines will deploy its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft on both of its daily non-stop services between Kuala Lumpur and Doha starting April 1.
The aircraft boasts a seating capacity of 300, including 40 in Business Class, 32 in Economy Comfort, and 228 in Economy Class. With a one-two-one configuration, the Business Class cabin features the Thompson XL Vantage seats, providing passengers with comfort and direct aisle access, in addition to more storage space to ensure practicality and accessibility.
Malaysia Airlines will deploy the Airbus A350 aircraft on its Kuala Lumpur-Doha route
Malaysia Airlines’s Kuala Lumpur-Doha service is in partnership with Qatar Airways.
Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre, Vietnam
The 155-key Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre offers facilities including a Kinetic Gym & Wellness Studio, Cabana Club Pool, restaurants and bars, two meeting rooms and a ballroom.
Located in the vibrant French quarter, Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre is just a short 10-minute drive to attractions like Hoan Kiem Lake, Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, St Joseph’s Cathedral, Hoa Lo Prison Museum, and the Temple of Literature.
Mantra Club Croc
Mantra Club Croc, Australia
The 160-room Mantra Club Croc on Airlie Beach has reopened after undergoing a refurbishment.
Situated close to the beachfront and Coral Sea Marina, the property is housed in a traditional Queenslander-style building, and now offers a reimagined room service, new poolside cocktail service, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. The resort’s reception area and poolside restaurant and bar will also be refurbished later in the year.
Facilities comprise a large lagoon pool, spa, gym, conference centre, and complimentary parking for cars, trailers, caravans and boats.
Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud
Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud, India
Moxy Bengaluru Airport Prestige Tech Cloud is located just 10 minutes from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru in North Bangalore, and is near the city’s iconic sites and major upcoming projects.
The hotel features 128 rooms, six of which are suites, and facilities such as a game arcade, library, co-working spaces, F&B venues, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool, and event spaces. Other offerings include onsite parking and an airport shuttle service.
Guests can visit attractions like the ISKCON Temple, St Mary’s Basilica, the National Gallery of Modern Art, the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum, as well as the British-era Opera House which offers virtual-reality experiences.
Hotel 101-Fort
Hotel 101-Fort, the Philippines
Hotel 101-Fort in Bonifacio Global City offers a total of 606 identical Happy Rooms, each with a queen and single bed setup, free Wi-Fi, cable television, and a kitchenette with a microwave oven and coffee maker.
The hotel also has an onsite café, swimming pool, gym and conference room, commercial areas, and a huge parking space.
The Five Footway Festival is returning to Singapore from March 9 to 17 with a host of fun and exciting activities for visitors of all ages at various locations in Chinatown.
Gain a deeper understanding on the way of life, values, and traditions of the country’s forefathers in Chinatown, and how the lives of early immigrants were centred at the Five Footway across trades, clan activities, cultural, arts and entertainment activities and beyond.
Experience the Kirin Dance Performance during Singapore’s Five Footway Festival in Chinatown
Visitors to the festival can also register for the walking trail, Conserved Buildings in Chinatown, to learn about the conservation of heritage buildings in Singapore, the history behind some of the oldest buildings in Chinatown and the activities that used to line the Five Footways.
Other highlights include folktale-telling at Joss Stick Storytelling; a Hokkien Puppet Show, Kirin Dance Performance; and the Tan Ah Huat theatrical walking tour that tells the tale of Chinatown back in the early days of Singapore through the eyes of a Chinese immigrant from the 1920s. This tour comprises cultural theatre acts across Cantonese opera, Teochew opera and Peking opera performances, and more.
The festival will also provide visitors with opportunities to pick up some of these traditional skills through various workshops and classes.
Discover the rich heritage of Hakka culture with Hakka Imperial Kitchen – learn to make a traditional omelette toast, attend the Traditional Wedding Talk, and marvel as an expert cooks up Hainanese dishes.
Visitors to the Five Footway Festival, especially families with children, can enjoy childhood games together at Pagoda Street with the nostalgic can and ring toss, hoop wheeling, zero point, and snakes and ladders. They can also munch on the much-loved traditional Singaporean snacks and biscuits, and meet-and-greet with stilt-walking Samsui women and khaki shorts policemen. Other interesting activities include movie screenings, dragon dances, wushu and many more.
He has a 27-year history with the airline – from operations to communications and external relations – and led the airline’s social media and digital communications team prior to this new position.
Before joining Hahnair, he was commercial manager at the Cathay Pacific Group.
