Trip.com Group unveils new initiatives to support trip-planning through AI-driven strategy

July 19, 2023

Trip.com Group has introduced a series of enhanced services aimed at empowering travellers through AI-led capabilities and knowledge.

To ensure a seamless and hassle-free booking experience for its users, the group has launched a series of AI-enhanced curated lists, which include Trip.Trends, Trip.Best, and Trip.Deals.

Trip.com Group’s James Liang speaking at its AI-driven strategy press conference

Trip.Best enables global travellers to select the best experiences a destination has to offer, including flights, hotels, and attractions, as well as lifestyle choices such as restaurants, nightlife, bars, and shows. This list is curated by examining various travel products on Trip.com and scoring them based on an algorithm, with only the top one per cent of products featured.

Trip.Deals is designed for budget-conscious users who are looking for the best deals on flights, accommodation, and travel destinations. The list is curated based on various factors, such as historical and projected price changes, as well as current travel expenses.

Trip.Trends tracks the most popular travel topics and events in different markets, based on user searches across various platforms including Trip.com, mainstream online search engines, and social media. This feature provides users with up-to-date information on the most exciting and current activities and events worldwide and in their local areas.

Speaking at Trip.com Group’s AI-driven strategy press conference, James Liang, co-founder and executive chairman of the board, Trip.com Group, said: “Tourism will continue to be an important industry in a smart society, as it satisfies people’s innate desire to travel and explore. Artificial intelligence cannot replace this experience but can help to advance it.”

AirAsia sees strong demand for China flights

By TTG Asia

July 19, 2023

0

With the Kota Kinabalu-Beijing and Kota Kinabalu-Macau inaugural flights registering more than 90 per cent of seats filled, AirAsia is confident these newly-launched routes will continue to receive a strong demand from tourists and travellers.

The maiden flight from Beijing on July 2 recorded 172 guests (92 per cent full) and the inaugural flight from Macau on July 16 welcomed 169 guests (93 per cent full).

AirAsia has launched new routes from Kota Kinabalu to Beijing and Macau

AirAsia’s mid-haul airline, AirAsia X (AAX) also recorded a remarkable load factor for its first flight from Chengdu (Tianfu) to Kuala Lumpur on July 1 with 376 passengers (99 per cent full). Based on the increasing forward demand, AAX has recently increased the frequency from twice weekly to thrice weekly.

“The impressive load factors from AirAsia will not only foster stronger international relations and open up new opportunities for economic growth and cultural exchanges for Sabah as a whole, but also bring us a step closer to achieving our aim of registering more 2.2 million tourist arrivals this year,” said Christina Liew, minister of tourism, culture and environment Sabah.

“We are on the right course for a steady tourism recovery and we welcome AirAsia’s commitment in increasing its flight frequencies and launching more flight services in support of the government’s relentless efforts to boost the tourism industry in Sabah.”

AirAsia now operates 21 domestic and international routes to the state with a total of 300 flights weekly to/from Sabah, now with the addition of daily flights to/from Beijing and four weekly flights to/from Macau.

AirAsia Malaysia currently flies 14 routes to/from China with over 104 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Guilin, Quanzhou, Guangzhou, Kunming, Shenzhen, Nanning, Shantou and Macau; Kota Kinabalu to Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Beijing and Macau; and Johor Bahru to Guangzhou.

AAX flies four routes to/from China with over 22 flights weekly from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu (Tianfu), Beijing (Daxing), Shanghai, and Hangzhou.

“With the strong demand for more China flights from this hub, we look forward to increasing the frequency and adding more routes in the future,” said Riad Asmat, CEO, AirAsia Malaysia.

THAI operates flights to Yangon and Dhaka

By TTG Asia

July 19, 2023

0

Thai Airways International Public Company (THAI) has strengthened its airline route network with the Bangkok-Yangon and Bangkok-Dhaka services, both of which commenced on July 16.

The airline will operate 14 flights per week between Bangkok and Yangon, while the services between Bangkok and Dhaka will increase from three to seven flights per week.

THAI now flies from Bangkok to Yangon and Dhaka

THAI also currently operates flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Dhaka.

S.E.A. Aquarium launches new diving programmes

By TTG Asia

July 19, 2023

0

In conjunction with Shark Awareness Day, Resorts World Sentosa adds two new offerings to its range of scuba diving programmes at S.E.A. Aquarium.

Visitors can learn about sharks at the new AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course, while the PADI Discover Scuba Diving programme offers unique opportunities for marine life lovers to explore the underwater world below.

Divers in Shark Seas habitat at S.E.A. Aquarium (Photo: Resorts World Sentosa)

Priced at S$488 (US$369) and designed for certified divers aged 12 years and above, participants will learn about the importance of shark conservation during the AWARE Shark Conservation Specialty course, and experience swimming alongside over 100 sharks from 12 different species.

They will also learn about the value of sharks to marine ecosystems and economies, causes of declining shark populations, and how to become a shark defender during the eight-hour sessions held Tuesdays to Fridays for up to four participants.

S.E.A. Aquarium’s PADI Discover Scuba Diving is designed for non-divers aged 10 years and above, with two-hour sessions held Tuesdays to Fridays for up to four participants. It is priced from S$299 per head.

Diving into the Open Ocean Habitat, the largest habitat within S.E.A. Aquarium, participants will have fun picking up and practising new scuba skills under the guidance of experienced PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) professionals, while getting to know and develop appreciation for the underwater world. They will also be presented a certificate upon completion of the course.

For more information, visit Resorts World Sentosa Singapore.

Islamic Tourism Centre appoints new director general

By TTG Asia

July 19, 2023

0

Islamic Tourism Centre (ITC) has appointed Nizran bin Noordin as its new director general.

He will lead ITC to greater heights through transformational initiatives that capitalise on muslim-friendly tourism and hospitality.

With over 23 years of experience, he was formerly the group chief executive officer and executive director of Majuperak Holdings.

Mark Foxwell helms as GM of Hyatt Centric Melbourne

By TTG Asia

July 18, 2023

0

Hyatt Centric Melbourne has named Mark Foxwell as the new general manager. He will be responsible for all aspects of the hotel operations.

He has over 28 years of experience with Hyatt, including 14 years in general management roles in Australia, Japan and China.

IATA urges Sri Lanka to map aviation development

By TTG Asia

July 18, 2023

0

IATA has advised Sri Lanka to develop an aviation blueprint so as to generate greater economic growth and prosperity through having a stronger aviation industry.

IATA’s regional vice president for Asia-Pacific, Philip Goh, pointed out that “aviation connectivity can play a much bigger role in Sri Lanka’s economic development and social advancement” but requires government support in “developing Colombo as an aviation hub”.

Trade and tourism rely on aviation, which helps create jobs, alleviate poverty and generate prosperity; Colombo in Sri Lanka, pictured

He said that IATA is ready to provide support, and that the government and industry stakeholders need to “collaborate on developing an aviation blueprint to strengthen the aviation industry’s competitiveness and bring greater prosperity to Sri Lanka”.

IATA’s study in 2018 showed that Sri Lanka’s aviation sector supported some 700,000 jobs and contributed US$8 billion to the GDP, with the potential to increase to over one million jobs contributing nearly US$30 billion to the GDP by 2038.

During his keynote speech at Aviation Day Sri Lanka, organised by IATA and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), Goh suggested three areas to consider in the aviation blueprint: facilitating sustainable growth, safety, and sustainability.

Under facilitating sustainable growth, Goh said: “Sri Lanka’s aviation blueprint needs to facilitate the sustainable growth of the industry and having an updated airport masterplan is the first step. I urge the government to engage in a consultative approach involving airlines to ensure that industry input is factored in.”

He urged Sri Lanka to digitise processes for passenger and cargo facilitation, and that doing so will address capacity constraints, increase efficiency and improve the travel experience.

While recognising much has been done in recent months to lower the cost of jet fuel, Goh suggested that the government should review and consider placing limits or capping the amount on marked up fuel supply at the airport.

Goh also stressed the importance of staying safe while growing sustainably. IATA will support the aviation industry in Sri Lanka by conducting safety related training in August for CAASL and Sri Lankan Airlines, by utilising the International Airlines Training Fund. He also encouraged the government to explore how the IATA Operational Safety Audit and IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations can be used to contribute to greater aviation safety in Sri Lanka.

Finally, Goh called on the government to adopt a comprehensive consultation process involving airlines and other aviation stakeholders as the government develops sustainability policies, such as ensuring the availability of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the country.

25hours Hotels makes debut in Jakarta

By Tiara Maharani

July 18, 2023

0

Ennismore has inked a new collaboration with Agung Sedayu Realestat Indonesia (ASRI) to introduce the 25hours Hotel brand to Jakarta, marking the entry of the brand into South-east Asia.

Located at an integrated mixed-use development of District 8 at the city’s Sudirman CBD, the 25hours Hotel, The Oddbird Jakarta, is targeted to open by the end of this year.

The first 25hours Hotel, The Oddbird Jakarta, is set to open by the end of this year

The 345-key hotel and serviced residences will feature facilities such as COPA restaurant serving south American cuisine, and the Monkey Bar – known from the 25hours Hotels in Berlin and Dubai.

Additional facilities include a ballroom, themed meeting spaces, wellness facilities with an outdoor infinity pool, and a strategic partnership with MINI for enhanced electric mobility options.

Ennismore now operates 15 hotels in 12 cities in seven countries in Europe and Dubai and after an organic growth, 25hours Hotel’s founder Christoph Hoffman stated that they have a strong commitment to expand to South-east Asia with plans for Bangkok and Singapore.

He said: “My target is that in the next ten years, we will have between eight and 10 hotels in South-east Asia – but at the moment, our focus is on Jakarta.”

For ASRI, this is the second time the company brought in new international hotel brand to Indonesia after the Langham Jakarta, which opened in 2021.

ASRI’s CEO Alexander Halim Kusuma shared: “The philosophy of 25hours Hotel fits perfectly with District 8’s location profile – like other 25hours Hotel which are filled with eccentric designs, the concept of 25hour Hotel The Oddbird Jakarta will be out of the box, for example, there will be bird cages in the middle of a mini urban jungle and a number of works by local artists.

“I believe 25hours Hotel The Oddbird Jakarta will be well-curated lifestyle destinations with holistic experiences to enhance quality of life.”

Trip.com incubates first NFT collection

By TTG Asia

July 18, 2023

0

Trip.com is incubating its first non-fungible tokens (NFTs) collection, Trekki, as it makes its inaugural foray into Web3. The company claims to be one of the first global travel service providers to explore the NFT market.

The Trekki collection consists of 10,000 NFTs themed around a dolphin cartoon, and is now open for registration on Trekki’s official website. NFTs will be sold via blind boxes in 3Q2023. Trekki is categorised according to its scarcity, with each NFT possessing a distinct persona and various travel backgrounds.

The Trekki collection consists of 10,000 NFTs and is open for registration on Trekki’s official website

With the goal of connecting the Web3 nomads with the world of travel, Trekki allows travel enthusiasts who value unique experiences and digital collectables to enjoy various benefits on Trip.com. The new NFT also carries a unique gamefied growth mechanism – the more a Trekki holder travels, the more benefits the holder can unlock through Trekki.

The NFT project is also seeking collaborations with successful Web3 players and tourism partners to offer greater benefits to holders and foster a connection between the digital realm and real-life tourism experiences.

NH Collection expands beyond urban locations with Maldives opening

By TTG Asia

July 18, 2023

0

Minor Hotels has brought the NH Collection brand to the resort destination of the Maldives, with an opening set for next month.

NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll will offer 120 luxury villas, 60 beach and 60 over-water, each with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, along with an assortment of F&B and recreational facilities.

NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort will open in August

The addition of NH Collection in the Maldives is expected to strengthen the brand’s position by expanding into new regions and broadening its focus from central city locations.

Dillip Rajakarier, group CEO of Minor International and CEO of Minor Hotels, commented: “The continued expansion of Minor Hotels and particularly NH Collection into strategic tourism hotspots across Asia and the Middle East is positioning the brand as a key global player. We expect NH Collection Maldives Havodda Resort to become a sought after destination in this idyllic part of the world.”

The new resort will be the seventh property operated by Minor Hotels in the Maldives.

Trip.com Group unveils new initiatives to support trip-planning through AI-driven strategy

AirAsia sees strong demand for China flights

THAI operates flights to Yangon and Dhaka

S.E.A. Aquarium launches new diving programmes

Islamic Tourism Centre appoints new director general

Mark Foxwell helms as GM of Hyatt Centric Melbourne

IATA urges Sri Lanka to map aviation development

25hours Hotels makes debut in Jakarta

Trip.com incubates first NFT collection

NH Collection expands beyond urban locations with Maldives opening

Tried and Tested

Knai Bang Chatt by Kep West

What to Buy Now

Star Navigator to sail to Okinawa from Kaohsiung in January 2026