Tourism Malaysia promotes its sustainability offers at BIT 2023
Tourism Malaysia participated at the Borsa Internazionale del Turismo (BIT) from February 12-14 in Milan this year, presenting Malaysia’s strong identity as a sustainable destination.
The delegation was led by Mohamad Libra Lee Haniff, director of Tourism Malaysia Paris Office and for the markets of Italy, Spain and Portugal, who also hosted Malaysia Airlines, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, The Taaras Redang, and Lotus Asia Tours as co-exhibitors.
Participating in BIT 2023 enabled Tourism Malaysia to network with operators and others in the industry to share new experiences and products that the country has to offer in this new era of tourism after the pandemic.
With a well-defined post-Covid strategy focused on nature tourism, sustainable tourism and slow travel for travellers interested to discover this South-east Asian country, Malaysia will showcase highlights to encourage Italian tourists to travel to the destination.
“Malaysia (is) a perfect country for sustainable tourism development. Many regions in the country offer an authentic ecotourism experience, such as the state of Sabah, with the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Sarawak and Mulu National Park,” said Zainuddin Abdul Wahab, director general of Tourism Malaysia.
He added: “Malaysia is also a country full of culture, where living the community experience with their locals is possible in some areas, thanks to the Malaysia Homestay Programme to support local communities.”
Tourism Malaysia’s promotion campaign will continue to boost inbound tourism and aims to achieve 15.6 million international tourist arrivals with 47.6 billion ringgit (US$10.8 billion) in tourism receipts for 2023.
As of October 2022, Malaysia has received 14,998 visitors from Italy.
Routes Asia Awards 2023 dishes out accolades
Celebrating the outstanding achievements of the Asia community in restoring global air connectivity, Routes Asia Awards has announced this year’s winners at its Routes Asia Networking Evening held on February 15 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
The awards recognise marketing services in the aviation industry that support new and existing air services, as well as excellence and innovation in the route development community.
Singapore Changi Airport was named the Overall Winner of this year’s Routes Asia Awards. The air hub increased its traffic to 32.2 million passenger movements, from just 3.1 million passenger movements in 2021; it also recovered 47 per cent of its passenger traffic compared with 2019 and is currently ranked the seventh busiest international airport in the world.
In addition, Singapore Changi Airport welcomed 11 new passenger airlines in the last two years: Aircalin, Air Premia, Bamboo Airways, Cambodia Airways, Citilink, Gulf Air, Hong Kong Express, Starlux Airlines, Thai VietJet, T’Way Air, and ZIPAIR.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport won the Under 5 Million Passenger Category for its two-pronged approach to route development – creating supply and destination marketing to ensure the sustainability of its airline partners and addressing the demand for air services.
Perth Airport was declared the winner for the 5-10 Million Passenger Category, where VFR and leisure markets have rebounded strongly for the airport and produced impressive recovery results.
The Philippine Department of Tourism was named the winner in the Destination category for its persistent efforts in partnering with airports and airlines to reinstate discontinued routes and secure new air services.
AirAsia Group secured the Airline Award as the largest low-cost carrier in Asia providing extensive connectivity throughout the region.
Vietjet to launch direct flights to Australia
Vietjet will be starting two new direct routes in April, flying from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne and Sydney.
From April 8, the Ho Chi Minh City-Melbourne (Tullamarine Airport) service will operate six times per week, departing Ho Chi Minh City every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and from Melbourne every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday.
The Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney service will also operate six flights per week from April 12. Flights will depart from Ho Chi Minh City every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, while flights from Sydney will take off every Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Air Astana resumes flights to Beijing
Air Astana will resume flights from Astana to Beijing from March 18.
The twice-weekly service will operate on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with plans to add more flights for the summer season.
The airline will also increase the frequency of flights from Almaty to Beijing to four times a week, with plans to increase this to daily flights during the summer season.
New hotels: Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui, The Peninsula Istanbul and more
Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui, Thailand
Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui offers 82 suites and villas set within gardens on a hillside, and 74 suites and villas with an outdoor bath, and in a range of family-friendly configurations.
Facilities include a kids’ club, F&B options, spa, exercise room, two swimming pools, and a 24-hour co-working space.
The property is located 15 minutes by car from Samui International Airport, and is nearby dining venues and scenic sites, such as Fisherman’s Village and the nearby Chaweng Beach.
The Peninsula Istanbul, Turkey
The Peninsula Istanbul, Turkey is a waterfront property with three of its four buildings being protected historical landmarks dating to the early 1900s.
The property offers 177 rooms, including The Peninsula Suite which comes with its own hammam (Turkish bath), gym, and rooftop swimming pool. Available on-site are a rooftop restaurant and bar, lobby restaurant, wellness centre, indoor and outdoor pools, Turkish steam rooms, and event venues.
Located within Galataport, a new waterfront revitalisation project featuring museums, restaurants, and boutiques in the harbour district of Karaköy, the hotel is within walking distance to Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, The Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, Thailand
The 204-key Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach is an oceanfront sanctuary on Tawanron Beach, located nearby the fishing village of Bang Saray.
The resort boasts six restaurants and bars, three outdoor swimming pools, kids’ club, spa, fitness centre, yoga room, and event spaces.
Just a 10-minute drive to most of Pattaya’s hotspots, the resort is less than two hours by car from Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The Anam Mui Ne, Vietnam
The Anam Mui Ne is situated in southern Vietnam’s popular beach town Mui Ne, just a 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City via the new expressway.
Overlooking Mui Ne’s white sand beach, the resort offers 127 rooms and suites, as well as an all-day dining restaurant and grill, beachside restaurant and bar, spa, two swimming pools, water sports centre, fitness centre, yoga room, kid’s club and event venues.
The resort has also implemented an array of measures to reduce its carbon footprint with solar power and locally-sourced ingredients, and features its own water filtration plant which supplies drinking water in recycled glass bottles.
Get ready to ruck and rumble at HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens
Rugby action meets family-friendly festivities at this year’s HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens happening on April 8 and 9 at the National Stadium at Singapore Sports Hub.
The two-day sporting event will feature a star-studded line-up with teams from around the globe. In addition, this year’s edition comes packed with family-packed entertainment for fans and spectators of every age.
For those six and below, there is a drop-off facility with Super Mart and Hot Wheels zones; while kids aged seven to 12 have skating fun at the Roller Kids and Roller Disco Zones – instructors are present and gear are available for use.
At the beanbags zone, Minions clips will play non-stop to entertain the family – there may even be appearances by these beloved characters to surprise the little ones!
Other activities available include lightsaber duels and training with Singapore’s own Saber Authority, and surfing at The Stingray, the world’s first half-pipe surfing machine.
There will also be gastronomic treats from Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends, Meat Smith, and The Travelling C.O.W.
Ticket prices start from S$69 (US$51) for adults and S$39 for those aged four to 17. Family ticket packages are also available, starting from S$149 for four people.
To book, visit HSBC Singapore Rugby Sevens.
Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua names Jean-Pierre Joncas as GM
Jean-Pierre Joncas has been appointed general manager of Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua.
Hailing from Canada, he has amassed over 20 years of experience in international hospitality, and was most recently area general manager at Hotel Des Arts MGallery in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
In his new role at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua beach resort, Joncas will continue to develop and strengthen the hotel’s successful positioning in the Bali luxury hospitality market, improve guest experiences, increase sustainability, and inspire his team to new heights of performance.
He was also recognised by Haute Grandeur in 2022 as the Best General Manager – Global level.
Jeremy Healy takes helm as GM of Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street
Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street has named Jeremy Healy as its new general manager.
With more than 35 years in the industry, he was previously stationed in Hobart overseeing both the Movenpick Hotel, Hobart and Ibis Styles Hobart.
Healy has also worked with a number of Melbourne Hotels, including The Como Melbourne MGallery and Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
BWH Hotel Group sets the scene for next Asian adventure
Brought to you by BWH Hotel Group
With 19 brands under three distinct concepts – WorldHotels Collection, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotel Group – BWH Hotel Group (BWH) heralds an exciting new era of international hospitality in Asia, with an expanding collection of world-class hotels and resorts across the region.
Covering every segment of the market from economy to upper upscale, with locations from gateway cities to beach resorts, cultural hubs, and more, BWH sets the scene for the next Asian adventure.
Explore Asia with the latest destinations
The growth in 2022 was led by Vietnam (21 signings) and Pakistan (five signings). Two hotels were also signed in Thailand and Indonesia.
Key properties include Asia’s first SureStay Collection by Best Western property, Seekers Finders Rama IV in Bangkok and Asia’s first SureStay Studio by Best Western property in the Philippines.
Moving from strength to strength in 2023
The Group will continue to augment its regionwide portfolio of hotels and resorts in 2023, while initiating attractive promotions and leveraging the strength of Best Western Rewards, its global loyalty programme, to attract new and returning guests.
The expansion will focus on a series of key strategic markets, including Thailand and Vietnam, while also introducing more of its 19 diverse brands to the region.
Key openings in Vietnam this year will include Executive Residency by Best Western Cen Riverside Hanoi, which will mark the debut of its extended-stay Executive Residency by Best Western brand in Southeast Asia, as well as Venezia Binh Chau, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, a spectacular new development on the country’s southeast coast.
In Thailand, the Group recently opened Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin and will open Best Western Chatuchak and Best Western Ratchada Hotel over the next couple of weeks, followed by Best Western Click Sathorn 11 Bangkok, a modern midscale hotel in the heart of the Thai capital.
Multiple new openings are also planned in Indonesia, and exciting new concepts will be introduced to the Philippines, including Cebu’s first SureStay Plus hotel.
WorldHotels will also expand across Asia this year. In December 2022, the 160-key Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport, Tokyo, was added to the WorldHotels Elite collection, and this will soon be followed by its sister property, the 1,553-key Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport – the largest convention hotel at Japan’s busiest airport.
In the third quarter, La Green Resort will open its doors near Bangtao Beach to become the first WorldHotels member in Phuket. This 420-key eco-friendly resort will join the WorldHotels Distinctive collection.
All three new properties offer WorldHotels Rewards, the industry-leading loyalty programme which offers guests exclusive members-only offers and benefits.
Powering ahead
In Vietnam, BWH signed Best Western Premier Senla Boutique Saigon and Best Western Premier Sky Hue which will debut this year and 2025 respectively.
Its first branded residence, Best Western Premier Sunshine Diamond River, Vietnam, is also set to welcome guests in 2024.
As a pioneer in Pakistan, the Group will open three properties in the country’s breathtaking mountains in 2025 and 2026.
For more information, please visit www.bestwesternasia.com.
Vote for your favourite travel brand to win at TTG Travel Awards 2023, Asia-Pacific’s Most Prestigious Travel Industry Accolade
Vote Best Western Hotels & Resorts (BWH Hotels) for Best Mid-range Hotel Brand here.
The Thai cabinet on Tuesday approved an entry fee on foreign visitors, with collection to begin this June.
Part of the long-delayed levy will be used to provide health and accidental insurance cover for tourists during their stay in the country, informed tourism minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.
Travellers arriving at airports will have to pay 300 baht (S$12) for each trip, while those entering via land borders and seaports will be levied 150 baht each.
The Thai government expects to collect about 3.9 billion baht from the entry fee this year.