Flights resume at Dubai airport
Dubai’s major airlines have returned to a full flight schedule after torrential rain hit the UAE and neighbouring countries last week.
Emirates and flydubai said operations were back to normal on Saturday but a passenger backlog remained. Emirates’ passengers previously stranded in the airport transit area have been rebooked and are en route to their destinations.
In order to prevent overcrowding at Dubai International airport, the airline has temporarily suspended check in at its hub and for passengers booked to fly in from points around the world. Flights inbound to Dubai were also cancelled, namely flights from Australasia, Africa and India.
British Airways has also returned to normal flight schedules since Sunday.
Dubai International has advised departing passengers not to arrive too early to prevent overcrowding at the airport, and that arriving at the terminal just three hours before departure would suffice.
HK Express to fly to Philippines’ Clark with new route
Cathay Pacific budget carrier HK Express will connect Hong Kong and Clark International Airport with four weekly flights starting June 6.
The Hong Kong-Clark services will depart at 07.55 on Mondays and Saturdays, and at 18.10 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The flights from Clark to Hong Kong will operate on Mondays and Saturdays at 10.50, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 20.55.
IHG signs second Holiday Inn & Suites in Australasia
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has partnered with Felix Capital to launch Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast in Australia.
Scheduled to open in early 2028, the new hotel will form part of a mixed-use development in the heart of the Sunshine Coast.
The 160-room hotel will include 33 suites, an open lobby, all-day dining restaurant and lobby café, rooftop restaurant and sky bar, meeting spaces, fitness centre, outdoor pool and kids’ club.
Located on Bulcock Street, Caloundra, the property is a 90-minutes’ drive from Brisbane, and just 35-minutes from Maroochydore Airport. Plus, a light rail with connectivity from Brisbane Airport was recently announced by Queensland State Government, to be completed in advance of the 2032 Summer Olympics in Brisbane.
Cameron Burke, director of development, Australasia & Pacific, IHG said: “Balancing a desired location and outstanding aspect, with convenient accessibility to a myriad of diverse recreational activities, we expect Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast to be a popular destination for leisure and business travellers alike, particularly with families.”
“Sunshine Coast boasts an abundance of opportunity for the community, and we are proud to be making our mark in Caloundra. Our vision aligns with the Holiday Inn brand as we bring to market the area’s first international hotel, offering an accommodation, dining, leisure and business precinct that is modern, affordable and convenient… while creating hundreds of new jobs and showing Queensland, Australia and the world the beauty of the Sunshine Coast,” added Michael Maroun, CEO and founder, Felix Capital.
Onyx hosts first roadshow in South Korea to boost inbound tourism
Onyx Hospitality Group held its inaugural roadshow event in South Korea from April 16 to 19 at Seoul and Busan to expand its presence in this market.
The roadshow brought together partners from various sectors of the travel industry, including travel agents, corporate companies, tourism authorities, and airlines.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in table-top sessions and luncheons, foster networking opportunities, and discuss sales opportunities.
Onyx also showcased its brand and properties to the South Korean market, highlighting the diverse offerings across its portfolio such as the upcoming openings of Amari Colombo in Sri Lanka; Amari Vientiane in Laos; Amari Bangkok in Thailand; Shama Suasana Johor Bahru, OZO Medini and Shama Medini in Malaysia; Shama Hub Metro South in Hong Kong; and Shama Hub Qiantang Hangzhou in China.
Onyx CEO Yuthachai Charanachitta shared: “We see tremendous potential in this (South Korean) market and are committed to expanding our presence to welcome more South Korean guests in the coming years.”
“We are dedicated to providing exceptional guest experiences, fostering sustainable practices while growing our presence in South-east Asia’s dynamic and competitive hospitality industry. We are excited to present our latest developments and illuminate our premier properties in unparalleled beachfront destinations, in the (South) Korean market through our roadshow.”
Fly through Patagonia with Quark Expeditions
Quark Expeditions has blazed a new trail in expedition travel with its inaugural helicopter-supported voyage through Chilean Patagonia.
The 15-day Essential Patagonia: Chilean Fjords and Torres del Paine begins at Buenos Aires with embarkation from Ushuaia, and includes Cape Horn, a transit through the Beagle Channel, then into Chile’s network of fjords and channels, featuring helicopter flightseeing and Zodiac cruises along a stretch of coastline that’s known for some of the most remote and picturesque landscapes on Earth.
Highlights comprise heli flight-seeing with views of Patagonia’s mountain-top glaciers and ice caps; heli landing at the peaks of Canal de las Montanas (Channel of the Mountains) for views of the surrounding fjords; immersive cultural experiences at the town of Puerto Natales; an array of wildlife and bird-watching; hiking and photography tours; paddling and kayaking excursions; and journeying down Iceberg Alley.
Quark Expeditions’ next departure of its Patagonia voyage embarks March 13 to 27, 2025, and March 12 to 26, 2026.
For more information, visit Quark Expeditions.
Barun Jolly returns to Robinsons Hotels and Resorts as SVP
Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) has named Barun Jolly as senior vice president and business unit general manager. He will replace Arthur Gindap who retired late last year.
Jolly has over 25 years of experience in the hotel industry, including his role as general manager of RHR’s Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila.
In his new position, he will take charge of all RHR’s local brands: Fili, Grand Summit, Summit, Go Hotel and Go Hotels Plus. He also oversees the performance of the company’s international brands Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, The Westin Manila, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria and Holiday Inn Manila.
Marriott International appoints Neeraj Govil as COO
Marriott International has named Neeraj Govil as chief operations officer for Asia-Pacific excluding China (APEC).
Based in Singapore, he will be responsible for driving the region’s performance and operations across all brands and markets.
Prior to his appointment, Govil served as senior vice president operations/CLS, APEC. He has amassed a wealth of experience built from more than 20 years of operational roles across Marriott International in APEC.
Rising interest and spending among Malaysian tourists in Australia
Tourism Australia is witnessing a robust resurgence in visitor numbers and interest from Malaysian outbound travellers, signalling a promising trend for the destination.
In November 2023 alone, Malaysian arrivals to Australia surged by a 137.3 per cent year-on-year, with over 70 per cent of these arrivals being repeat travellers. Moreover, Malaysian tourists were found to be spending more than double compared to the same period in 2022.
Karen Saw, Tourism Australia’s country manager for Malaysia, attributes this sustained interest to Australia’s reputation for offering exceptional value-for-money experiences.
“With the rising cost of living, travellers are seeking more value, and Australia remains a top choice due to its plethora of such experiences,” she remarked.
Saw highlighted findings from Tourism Australia’s Consumer Demand Report, indicating that 65 per cent of Malaysians travel to explore and are increasingly budget-conscious. Additionally, 83 per cent of Malaysian travellers tend to adhere to their travel budgets.
The trend of prioritising experiences over budget is particularly pronounced among the younger demographic. A survey revealed that 81 per cent of millennial and Gen Z Malaysian travellers are willing to allocate an average of 9,000 ringgit (US$1,878) for their holidays, compared to older travellers who may prefer tighter budgets.
Australia aligns well with this demand, offering a diverse range of attractions, including scenic walks, museums, and festivals, often at no cost. Malaysian travellers, interested in arts, history, and cultural immersion, find ample opportunities in Australia’s world-class museums and galleries.
Moreover, the average length of stay for Malaysians in Australia has increased post-lockdown, with an average of 30 nights spent in 2023 compared to 22 nights in 2019.
Enhanced air connectivity has further facilitated travel between Malaysia and Australia. AirAsia Malaysia and AirAsia X have expanded their services, with AirAsia Malaysia introducing 14 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Perth, and AirAsia X offering daily services. Additionally, Malaysia Airlines has increased its weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Melbourne as well as Sydney.
To cater to Muslim travellers, Tourism Australia’s website features a collection of Muslim-friendly holiday ideas, including refreshed food options. Saw emphasised ongoing efforts to collaborate with local partners to discover new and emerging halal eateries to enhance the experience for Muslim travellers.
The collaboration between Tourism Australia and its partners underscores a concerted effort to capitalise on the growing interest among Malaysian travellers and further enrich their experiences in Australia.
FATA’s new president shares lofty ambitions for tourism in South-east Asia
The Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA) has unveiled its new leadership with Tan Kok Liang at the helm, marking a pivotal moment for South-east Asian tourism.
Tan steps into the presidency for the term spanning 2024 to 2026, succeeding the stewardship of Pauline Suharno from the Indonesian Travel Agents Association.
Expressing gratitude for Suharno’s dedication, Tan said: “Pauline has steered FATA admirably through the post-pandemic landscape, and we thank her for her unwavering commitment.”
Tan, a recipient of the prestigious Tourism Promotion Organization (TPO) Best Tourism Industry Leader Award, brings a wealth of experience and a visionary outlook to his role. He is dedicated to elevating FATA’s profile and revitalising South-east Asian tourism in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tan’s strategic agenda includes positioning the ASEAN brand as an enticing choice for international travellers, with a focus on showcasing the region’s diverse destinations and recreational offerings.
Under Tan’s leadership, FATA will prioritise initiatives such as international travel trade shows to promote South-east Asian tourism and foster regional mobility. Tan applauds Thailand’s innovative visa proposal as a catalyst for enhancing intra-ASEAN travel and believes it will revolutionise regional mobility.
“Let’s seize the moment,” Tan urges, emphasising the untapped potential of intra-ASEAN tourism. With only seven per cent of the region’s population currently engaged in intra-ASEAN travel, Tan envisions a vibrant market ripe with affordability and a plethora of experiences waiting to be explored.
Tan’s vision extends beyond traditional tourism hotspots, advocating for the discovery of hidden gems and unique experiences across South-east Asian countries. Collaborations with industry leaders like AirAsia aim to create an interconnected South-east Asia tapestry, making travel within the region both accessible and exciting.
Furthermore, Tan aims to position FATA as a driving force for business-to-business opportunities and knowledge exchange among South-east Asian stakeholders. He plans to expand FATA’s influence by extending membership to other Asian countries, strengthening ASEAN’s position in the global tourism arena.
Assisting Tan in steering FATA towards this new era are industry professionals, including Pauline Suharno as deputy president, Evangeline Manotok as honorary treasurer, and Charles Tan as honorary secretary general, representing a diverse array of ASEAN member associations.
As FATA embarks on this transformation journey, it reaffirms its unwavering commitment to nurturing the interests of South-east Asia’s dynamic travel and tourism sector. This new chapter is not just about growth, but about fostering a spirit of cooperation and camaraderie among industry stakeholders, propelling South-east Asia to the forefront of global tourism, FATA declared in a press statement.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Klook have signed a Letter of Intent of Strategic Partnership to enhance collaborations on the development and promotion of quality tourism experiences in Thailand.
Under the agreement, TAT and Klook will enhance collaborations on increasing awareness and raising travel demand to Thailand, leveraging Thailand’s 5F soft power (food, film, festival, fight and fashion) to promote meaningful travel experiences in key and secondary cities, strengthening efforts on the promotion of sustainable and community tourism, and adopting digital transformation to help drive Thai tourism industry.
In addition, the partnership will help boost income distribution to local communities and strengthen Thailand’s sustainability profile, stimulating economic growth across the wider industry.
The collaboration will spotlight hidden gems and lesser known authentic Thai experiences by empowering small-medium operators with the tools to digitise their business and expand their reach to Klook’s global user base.
Both TAT and Klook will work closely together to forge partnerships with Thailand’s major ticketed festivals to offer an integrated booking experience, along with an extensive range of in-destination services across accommodation, curated experiences and local attractions.
TAT governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, remarked: “We have set our goals to collaborate and create comprehensive joint marketing with Klook to promote quality tourism experiences in the kingdom for (South-east Asia), South Asia, and South Pacific markets.”
“We are excited to team up with TAT to diversify and elevate tourism in Thailand with meaningful and exclusive experiences that best reflect the destination – from iconic activities to hidden gems and even mega-events including music festivals and sporting events,” said Eric Gnock Fah, COO & co-founder, Klook.
Klook currently offers close to 1,700 experiences and more than 10,000 packages in Thailand, with plans to increase offerings by 20 per cent this year. This will include curated experiences in line with Thailand’s 5F soft power, for example; tickets to Muay Thai matches in Bangkok and Siam Songkran Music Festival 2024.