Starfish Travel Corporation Team

In the fourth month of 2022, there were 236,782 passengers on regular flights operated by Wizz Air, Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, and Lufthansa, which is 43,469 more (+22.5%) than in the fourth month of 2022. The Katowice Wojciech Korfanty International Airport in Pyrzowice is managed by Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL SA), which has summarised passenger traffic for the fourth month of 2023. The number of passengers handled by Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport in April 2023 was 320,524, which is 69,314 higher (+27.6%) than it was during the same month previous year. The fourth month of 2019 was the greatest in airport history, surpassing the April 2019 figure of 302 783 passengers serviced at Katowice Airport. In the fourth month of 2022, there were 236,782 passengers on regular flights operated by Wizz Air, Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, and Lufthansa, which is 43,469 more (+22.5%) than in the fourth month of 2022. During that period, passengers primarily flew from Katowice Airport to Dortmund, London-Luton, London-Stansted, Eindhoven, and Warsaw. Travel companies managed 81,633 passengers on charter flights, which is 24,877 higher (+43.8%) than during the same period in 2022. The most popular destinations for travellers were Gran Canaria, Marsa Alam, Hurghada, Fuerteventura, and Antalya. 2,994 aircraft took off and landed at Katowice Airport last month, which is 108 more operations (+3.7%) than in the same month previous year. Katowice Airport handled 1,115,529 passengers in the first four months of 2023, an increase of 397,733 (+55.4%) over the same period in 2022. The year 2023’s first four months were the best ever for the airport. The highest performance thus far for the first four months of a year came from 2019, when Katowice Airport serviced 1,015,169 passengers. “The ‘Summer 2023’ schedule’s first full month set new records for Katowice Airport. Thanks to a robust summer network that, at its busiest, will include 107 routes to 29 countries, including 58 charter routes, passengers fly from our airport on both scheduled and charter flights, according to Artur Tomasik, president of the board of the Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL SA). Source: traveldailynews

The deal has a four-year term with the option of an additional year’s extension. In the upcoming years, Aena will adopt technical improvements in security measures, and businesses will need to adapt. For 1,500 million euros, Aena has put out to bid the private security service for the network’s 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain. The four-year award period may be extended for an additional year. The tender has been initially divided into 13 lots, however this number may vary as the process progresses: Lot 1: Passenger inspection and Fast-Track at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport Lot 2 includes the airports of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (checked baggage screening), Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Valladolid, and Salamanca. Lot 3: Airport Management Centre at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Lot 4: Passenger screening at Barcelona’s El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport Lot 5 includes the following airports: Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (checked baggage screening), Girona-Costa Brava, Reus, Zaragoza, Sabadell, and Huesca-Pirineos. Lot 6: Airport Management Centre at El Prat Josep Tarradellas in Barcelona Lot 7 includes the airports of Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur, Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna, César Manrique-Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera. Lot 8 includes the airports at Palma de Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Son Bonet Lot 9 includes the airports of Alicante-Elche, Valencia, the Region of Murcia International Airport, Almera, and Albacete Lot 10 includes the following airports: Málaga-Costa del Sol, F.G.L. Granada-Jaén, Melilla, Ceuta, and Algeciras Lot 11 includes the airports of Seville, Jerez, Cordoba, and Badajoz. Lot 12 includes the airports of Bilbao, Vitoria, San Sebastian, Logroo-Agoncillo, Pamplona, Seve Ballesteros-Santander, and Burgos. Lot 13 include those at Santiago-Rosala de Castro, A Corua, Vigo, Asturias, and León Aena will go through a significant technical modernization process for the duration of the contract in order to preserve its top spot in airport management globally. To comply with European requirements, the business will keep installing explosive detection equipment (EDS standard 3) for checking checked luggage. In order to speed up pre-boarding inspections and enhance the passenger experience, security filters will also be updated with the installation of cutting-edge technology (EDSCB, ATRS, Remote Screening, and biometric systems). Competitive conversation Aena will use the competitive conversation approach in this tender as a novel element. By using a descriptive document that outlines the most crucial elements of the tender, the goal of the service provider will be described during the conversation phase with the applicants. The time period for businesses to submit their participation, technical, and financial bids has been extended to 30 calendar days. A second step will involve communication with the bidders to discuss issues like the length of the contract or the layout of the lots, among others. The suppliers are required to submit their final proposals when the conversation period has ended. Aena wants to offer potential grantees a voice and include them in the entire process through this competitive dialogue technique, including their suggestions to make the contract fair and appealing to the industry. Passenger assessment of the security service is quite high at the airports in the Aena network. The average rating for this service is 4.23 out of 5 according to last year’s ASQ (Airport Service Quality) passenger satisfaction surveys, which is higher than the 4.18 average for Europe. Source: traveldailynews

Three jointly branded travel experiences—wine, coffee, and tea—will be the emphasis of the “Xiamen Airlines x Songtsam Joint Travel Routes” first phase. The city of New York Xiamen Airlines Co., Ltd., a member of the SkyTeam Airline Alliance, and Songtsam, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel collection and destination management firm situated in the Chinese provinces of Tibet and Yunnan, have announced a strategic alliance. Travellers will be able to meet with locals and enjoy immersive experiences as a result of this ground-breaking relationship, which combines air travel with stays at Songtsam facilities. This will help them celebrate the richness of Yunnan’s cultures and better comprehend its biodiversity. Three jointly branded travel experiences—wine, coffee, and tea—will be the emphasis of the “Xiamen Airlines x Songtsam Joint Travel Routes” first phase. The travel and tour experiences offered by Songtsam and Xiamen Airlines are enhanced by the abundance of local knowledge shared by their specially qualified tour guides. Jointly Curated Travel Routes by Songtsam and Xiamen Airlines 1. Wine fragrance Snowland A handcrafted grape juice in a glass in front of snowy mountains The original “Shangri-La” was a made-up place tucked away amid snow-capped mountains and valleys, with cloud-shrouded woods, undulating mountains, and rising snow-tops, as described in the book “Lost Horizon.” This imaginary utopia, however, has a genuine presence in Yunnan. The traditional Naxi homes and the mix of Tibetan, Han, and other ethnic traditions in the villages along the way will provide tour participants the chance to comprehend the long-established culture of this region as they travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La. The gourmet lunch that the chef from Xiamen will create in the forest will be one of the highlights of this journey. Properties owned by Songtsam along these roads are dispersed and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. What’s more, the places where these homes are situated close to the Three Parallel Rivers Region all exhibit various natural topographies as well as a fusion of civilizations. This route includes a stop at a winery in Benzilan, Deqin, which was recreated using Tibetan homes. The vineyards are spread out and situated on high slopes, making them inaccessible to mechanisation. Only by hand can the wine be produced. There are less than 20,000 bottles produced annually. While taking in the picturesque surroundings of these uncommon vineyards, guests will be able to enjoy a specially designed wine-themed sampling meal. 2. Coffee from the Rainforest A cup of inventive coffee on a coffee farm in a rainforest The biggest Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer, Pu’er, stretches over 700 kilometres (435 miles), integrating several ethnic minorities and providing a rich fusion of various civilizations. At 23 degrees north latitude, Pu’er is the northernmost point in Yunnan. Here, the sun in the northern hemisphere is directly exposed, resulting in a hot, humid environment that supports a thriving tea and coffee industry. In fact, Colombia, the renowned producer of coffee, shares same latitude. Tian Deneng, a French missionary who travelled to Yunnan to engage out missionary work, planted the first coffee beans there in 1892. The largest coffee trade centre in China is the Yunnan Coffee trade Centre, which is also close to Songtsam’s Padma Pu’er Hotel. It is Asia’s largest speciality coffee quality control facility and is situated at the source of the raw ingredients for coffee. The Yunnan Coffee Trading Centre, which is committed to establishing the value of Yunnan coffee, has emerged as the domestic and international market leader for Yunnan speciality coffee. The visit to Grandpa Liao’s coffee garden, an 80-year-old senior agronomic in Pu’er who has turned 20 hectares (about 49 acres) of desolate mountain slopes into a unique and ecological coffee farm and garden, is the highlight of this tour of local coffee farms. Visitors will learn about the growing of coffee beans from Liao, a specialist on tropical plants. Visitors will get the chance to make their own cup of speciality Yunnan-flavored coffee at this coffee plantation with the help of Xiamen Airlines travel/tour experts. Additionally, this trip includes stops at Yunnan’s national coffee gene bank and the sole Starbucks cooperative estate. Guests staying at Songtsam’s Padma Pu’er Hotel will be able to sample the fine cuisine that reflects the many ethnic local cultures and the subtropical flavours that flourish in Pu’er. 3. Pu-er Tea A practical Royal Tribute Tea encounter Visitors on this excursion will get the chance to learn from the tea garden instructor while being guided by Xiamen Airlines travel/tour guides as they prepare their own tea cakes and cups of potent and fragrant Pu’er tea at the Royal Tribute Tea Garden, which is situated behind the Pu’er Mountains. In the middle of the forest’s scent and air, guests are encouraged to dine and savour a fine dinner. Focus on Sustainability in the Curated Tours The use of biodegradable waste bags and a reduction in the usage of plastics, such as water bottles, are two ways that these trips emphasise sustainable travel. The excursions also emphasise gaining knowledge of the local culture and the passing down and preservation of traditional arts and crafts. Source: traveldailynews

To make travelling in economy a little more tolerable, Qantas has come up with a scheme, but you’ll have to pay for it and the advantage might be taken away right before you board. The airline has made public its new “Neighbour Free” programme, which on select flights will allow travellers to reserve an empty seat next to their own. When flying in economy, Qantas said, “Neighbour Free gives you the option to reserve the seat next to you, so you can enjoy extra space and comfort.” For the time being, it is not accessible internationally or on several of its popular internal routes. Some elite frequent fliers have had secret access to this benefit in economy for a while now, but it’s now available to everyone for a fee. If a client has purchased a domestic flight and is travelling on a qualifying route with seats still available, they will get an email 48 hours prior to departure requesting them to reserve the seat next to them. If they choose to participate, they will then incur an additional fee of $30 to $65 and get notification that their Neighbour Free request has been approved. Depending on the route, there may be a fee to reserve the seat next to you. The minimal cost of a flight from Sydney to Melbourne or Adelaide to the Gold Coast is $35. However, the majority of the routes that qualify, such as Adelaide to Brisbane, Brisbane to Perth, and Darwin to Sydney, will cost $65 each way. Many of Qantas’ biggest domestic routes, like as those from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane as well as Brisbane to Melbourne, won’t initially be covered by the Neighbour Free programme. The initial batch of itineraries does not appear to include any trips to Canberra or Tasmania. International Qantas flights aren’t either. However, according to Qantas, “plans are underway to further expand the initiative to other domestic routes in the months ahead.” Children are not permitted to utilise the seat, and extra carry-on baggage or musical instruments are not permitted to be placed on them. The airline has issued a warning that the vacant seat can be removed at the last minute as well. “Neighbour Free seats are subject to availability and may need to be changed for operational, safety, or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft,” it has stated. Basically, if Qantas sells the seat later, you could still have a neighbour, but it’ll probably attempt to give last-minute ticket holders priority in unoccupied Neighbour Free seats. Only if they have reserved the adjacent seat at the gate will passengers be able to be certain. If the seat is taken, you will get a refund for the previously vacant seat. Since September of last year, Qantas has been testing the project on six different routes. These six routes are still all included in the extended programme. Source: escape

With additional resorts, villas, and beach clubs scheduled to open in 2024 and 2025, the international hospitality brand will further increase its geographic presence in Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Florida’s Miami Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Baku will open in 2025, according to the premium lifestyle and hospitality company Nikki Beach Global. Nikki Beach Antigua, the property’s hotel, residences, and beach club, will be located in Antigua, while Nikki Beach Baku, the brand’s first standalone resort without a beach club, will be situated there. Late last year, Nikki Beach also announced that Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat, which will include a hotel, beach club called Nikki Beach Muscat, and apartments, will debut in early 2024. The property in Baku, which is being developed in collaboration with Nardaran Beach Resort LLC, will be situated on the Caspian Sea shore, a convenient 20 minutes from the city centre and 15 minutes from the airport. Six overwater bungalows, 49 beach villas with private pools, and around 90 rooms and suites will all be included in the resort. The villas will be usable as both homes and holiday rentals. The resort will also house three iconic Nikki Beach eateries: Café Nikki, Escape, and Soul Lounge. Additionally, the resort will have two enormous swimming pools, the Nikki Spa, and Tone Gym, among other top-notch facilities. The management team at Nardaran Beach Resort LLC stated, “We are thrilled to introduce Nikki Beach to the market of lovely Azerbaijan. This will be the first Nikki Beach resort in the Central Asian market, and we are certain that our collaboration will not only result in one of the best resorts in the region but will also significantly benefit both the local population and the whole luxury lifestyle industry. The 115 rooms, 25 suites and 30 villas with private pools at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat, which is located on Yiti Bay and only 30 minutes from the Muscat airport, will also include a beach club, residences, Café Nikki, Escape, Soul Lounge, three swimming pools, a pool bar, Nikki Spa, Tone Gym and a marina. The area will be very appealing to the yachting community as a premier mega yacht destination. The OMRAN Group and the property are working together to develop it. Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, the CEO of OMRAN Group, stated that one of the company’s main goals is to create distinctive, long-term tourist destinations that foster bonds between visitors and the Sultanate of Oman while promoting economic development and solidifying the nation’s status as a top travel destination worldwide. This is very well illustrated by the Yiti Integrated Tourism Development. An important turning point in the development of the project has been reached with the launch of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat. It is a resort that pays attention to the scenic beauty of the setting and the nation’s fascinating and rich culture with luxurious modernism. Together with White Sand Development Ltd., the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua is now being built. In the upcoming months, more information on the project will be made accessible. Alexander Schneider, President of the Nikki Beach worldwide Hotels & Resorts Division, said, “We are extremely proud to continue our successful global expansion through this exciting pipeline of new hotels and resorts.” This collection “completely reflects our aim of focusing on ‘tomorrow’s places’ in order to present our well-traveled target group with totally new experiences. We are always working to develop cutting-edge ideas that will help new and developing travel markets experience our amazing lifestyle approach. We’re pleased to blend the Nikki Beach ‘Celebration of Life’ experience and barefoot luxury style with the wonderfully distinctive regional culture offered by these places. Nikki Beach Global, which launched in 1998, has expanded into a diverse hospitality firm with 11 beach clubs and 5 hotels and resorts across the world. The company has recently concentrated on growing its Hotels & Resorts segment, which now manages resorts in Koh Samui, Thailand; Porto Heli, Greece; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Santorini, Greece; and Tivat, Montenegro. Source: traveldailynews

The first low-cost airline to offer a direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Kertjati. AirAsia Malaysia (AK) celebrated its first flight from Kuala Lumpur to West Java, Indonesia, town of Kertajati. The maiden flight took off from Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9.05 AM and touched down at Kertajati International Airport at 10.20 AM local time on the same day. Bapak Drs. Benny Bachtiar M.SI, Head of Tourism and Culture, Province of West Java, His Excellency Dato’ Syed Md Hasrin, Ambassador of Malaysia to Indonesia, Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, and other dignitaries from the industry gave the delighted passengers on flight AK418 a warm welcome upon arrival. Following the epidemic, AirAsia is the first low cost airline to provide flights to and from Kertajati on international routes thanks to the new route. The second-largest airport in Indonesia, Kertajati International Airport, acts as a major hub for passenger connections to Greater Bandung, Cirebon and its surroundings, West Java region, and portions of Central Java. “We are truly honoured to be the first low cost airline to connect travellers to Kertajati, the undiscovered gem of Indonesia,” stated Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia. In order to make it easier for visitors to visit loved ones or simply enjoy the wonder and beauty of both nations, AirAsia started flying between Malaysia and Indonesia in 2004. Since then, we have increased our network to 12 locations in Indonesia with 151 flights per week, and in 2019, we have transported more than 2.5 million passengers between the two countries. “Our goal is to make Indonesia as a whole, as well as West Java, a must-see destination in Asean. With the addition of this new route, more residents and visitors will have the chance to explore the charming town of Kertajati and its surrounding regions and landmarks. Only an hour separates the Majalengka Regency, home to Kertajati, from Bandung, the world’s premier shopping destination. I am happy to see that the start of flights from Kuala Lumpur would not only make Kertajati known to tourists from Asean and beyond, but will also give the people a lot of economic and job chances. “As an airline group with substantial connectivity in Asean and the Asia Pacific, we are happy to continue playing our part in bringing international visitors directly to several well-known and underserved locations in Indonesia and Malaysia. This will be done in conjunction with our affiliate, Indonesia AirAsia. We intend to make a big contribution towards the governments’ 2023 goal of drawing millions of international tourists. Source: traveldailynews

The Inclusive Collection’s second Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts facility will be in Zotry Halkidiki, a brand-new boutique all-inclusive resort that is a member of the World of Hyatt European portfolio. COLUMBUS – In order to add the new Zotry Halkidiki to the Inclusive Collection, a worldwide portfolio of distinctive, luxury all-inclusive resort brands that is a part of World of Hyatt, a Hyatt subsidiary has entered into a management agreement with AF Partners. The opulent resort, which is scheduled to debut in the middle of 2024, will boost the World of Hyatt value offer while supporting Hyatt’s sustained premium brand expansion in Europe’s top tourism hotspots. The resort will be situated on a cliffside with panoramic views of Mount Olympus and the nearby Aegean Sea in Halkidiki, Greece, close to the town of Sani. For the brand’s sophisticated travellers, a panoramic lift will provide guests unparalleled access to the beach right from the resort, offering a singular experience. The 105 rooms and suites at the opulent resort, which focuses on providing guests with a restful and meaningful experience, will have swim-out choices. According to Javier Coll, group president, global business development & innovation, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt, “We are thrilled to announce plans for the thoughtful expansion of the Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand into Greece, a market that is ripe with opportunity for the customised all-inclusive experience the brand is known for.” Given the numerous well-suited sites, both known and new, in Europe, the Inclusive Collection portfolio has tremendous promise there. We are excited to provide our upgraded services to new and returning guests, World of Hyatt members, customers, and developers as we continue to expand our brand’s footprint throughout Europe. A world-class Zotry spa, a gym, a beachfront pool, two à la carte restaurants, a buffet, three bars, and lounges are just a few of the upgraded facilities that Zotry Halkidiki, the ideal beachside getaway, is ready to provide. Guests will benefit from first-rate services, including as tastefully furnished suites, no check-in or check-out hours, gourmet food, limitless top-shelf spirits, 24-hour concierge, cultural enrichment events, and more, as part of the brand’s trademark Endless Privileges® concept. According to Carlos Paredes, director of development, EAME, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt, “as Greece’s tourism industry recovers, we are seeing increased demand for all-inclusive resort experiences from both travellers and developers who understand the appeal and opportunities of the Inclusive Collection’s brand promise.” “We are pleased by these plans to increase the footprint of the Zoetry brand with AF Partners, a leader in regional strategic development.” With improved facilities, unending hospitality, and extra special touches, The Inclusive Collection redefines and enriches the all-inclusive experience. With the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas brands, guests and World of Hyatt members enjoy exceptional and immersive experiences. The anticipated opening of Zotry Halkidiki in 2024 is anticipated to strengthen Hyatt’s brand presence in Greece, which already includes The Unbound Collection by Hyatt properties Grand Hyatt Athens, Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki, AluaSoul Zakynthos, and Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki. Source: traveldailynews

In addition to six multi-currency ATMs, ChangeGroup will operate two branches in the international hub, one in the departures area and one in the arrivals area. Newcastle International Airport now has a variety of currency exchange options available thanks to a contract signed with ChangeGroup, a well-known international supplier of foreign currency and financial services. Following the addition of Gatwick Airport, London Stansted Airport, London Luton Airport, East Midlands Airport, and St. Pancras International Railway Station to its network during the previous year, the acquisition represents the next phase in the company’s ambitious development plans for its UK business. In addition to six multi-currency ATMs, ChangeGroup will operate two branches in the international hub, one in the departures area and one in the arrivals area. These offices will offer a variety of premium services to travellers, such as quick travel cash in all major currencies and cross-border bank transfers. As always, ChangeGroup’s renowned courteous, educated, and talented sales specialists will provide the best level of customer care and help travellers with any questions. ChangeGroup has made a sizable investment in the atmosphere of the branches while collaborating closely with Newcastle International Airport to achieve good harmony on the overall architecture of the terminal. The striking and captivating design has been created to improve tourists’ airport experiences and make sure they can quickly recognise the branches. High-end LED displays guarantee your messaging is concise, compelling, and current. In 2023, Newcastle International Airport anticipates receiving 4.7 million passengers, offering over 80 direct destinations as well as simple one-stop connections to locations throughout the world via key hubs including Amsterdam, London, and Dubai. Newcastle International Airport is a great addition to our network and a really exciting area for us to be operating in, according to Sacha Zackariya, CEO and Co-Founder of ChangeGroup International. We have furthered established ourselves as the operator of choice for big landlords all around the nation by winning another key UK airport. We have a great relationship with Newcastle International Airport, and we are very certain that the seamless integration of our services will improve the experience of visitors at the airport. Newcastle International Airport’s Dean Ward, Director of Commercial, stated: “We are happy to welcome ChangeGroup and to be a part of their ambitious UK expansion strategy. We have been working closely with the team over the past few months to develop two gorgeous-looking branches in prime locations, and we can’t wait to start greeting clients this summer. As we strive to enhance our commercial offering, the investment from ChangeGroup is just one of many exciting new improvements planned around the airport in the upcoming 12 months. Source: traveldailynews

The connection, made possible by Alipay+, takes place while Philippine tourism is on the upswing. SINGAPORE – Agoda, a worldwide digital travel platform, now accepts payments made through the Philippine consumer finance app BillEase. This gives Filipino travellers greater freedom to pay in installments even without a credit card. Alipay+, a global, cross-border digital payment and marketing system run by Ant Group, has made this connection possible. The collaboration occurs as domestic and international travel in the Philippines is recovering. When comparing the first quarters of 2023 and 2022, BillEase found that the number of buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions in the travel category increased by more than 26 times. While domestic travel is anticipated to return to pre-pandemic levels in the second half of 20232, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) also recorded a 158 percent rise in the number of passengers in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same time in 20221. In addition to offering personal loans, e-wallet top-ups, prepaid loads, bill payment, gaming credits, and a customisable BNPL that enables clients to access cardless installment plans, BillEase, an on-demand consumer credit app, was introduced in 2017. Filipino travellers may use BillEase’s Pay Later or installment options to pay for their next lodging, airfare, or local activity on Agoda. Travellers may divide the total cost of their purchases into biweekly or monthly payments for as little as 0% interest or with the lowest interest rate on the market for up to 12 months of installments by choosing BillEase as a checkout option on both Agoda’s online and app platforms. In a post-pandemic world where travel has been greatly disrupted, Georg Steiger, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of BillEase, said: “Our cooperation with Agoda signals a big shift in how Filipinos throughout the world may manage their travel expenditures. By giving customers greater financial freedom and autonomy, it enables them to return to the world of travel on their own terms. They won’t have to worry about paying for their reservation all at once, which will free them up to start exploring, reconnecting, and making new memories. “We are proud to further our partnership with BillEase as our first BNPL partner in the Philippines, to offer Filipinos more payment flexibility at a global online travel site like Agoda,” said Peng Yang, Vice President and Head of Alipay+, Ant Group. Merchants must now cater to the varied payment habits of consumers. This is particularly true in the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, where consumers have adapted considerably better to digital lives and are much more likely to prefer digital payments like e-wallets and BNPL. To reach these customers and better meet their requirements, we look forward to collaborating with new partners. BillEase and Alipay+ announced their collaboration earlier this year in order to allow local customers in the Philippines to make online purchases from foreign retailers and pay in small, card-free installments. In the Philippines, BNPL use is on the rise and is projected to increase at a CAGR of 36.9% between 2022 and 20283. Manila International Airport increased by 158%. McKinsey: What will the Philippines’ economy look like in 2023? The Philippines’ Buy Now Pay Later Gross Merchandise Value is Projected to Achieve $9.9 Billion by 2028, according to Research and Markets. Source: traveldailynews

At least 20 hospitality internships and scholarships will be funded with auction proceeds, all of which will help young people from Phuket who would otherwise be unable to afford their education. Bangkok, Thailand The public is invited to participate in the “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale” by the Phuket Hotels Association, a nonprofit organisation of hoteliers dedicated to promoting a positive image of Phuket. This online auction will raise money for scholarships for deserving young people in Phuket. The Phuket Hotels Association Benefit (PHAB) 2023 campaign, a significant fundraising effort that also includes “PHAB 5”, a charity gala dinner at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Saturday, May 20, 2023, incorporates this as a component. The online auction is currently accepting bids until noon (Thailand time, UTC+7 hours) on June 15, with prizes located all around the world. The top bidder will likely receive significant savings on stunning five-star accommodations and thrilling experiences in a variety of locations, including Dubai, Sydney, the Maldives, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui. These prizes are graciously offered by sponsors. The auction offers a variety of thrilling experiences in addition to hotel stays, including boat charters, golf, tennis, surfing lessons, and gym memberships. At least 20 hospitality internships and scholarships will be funded with auction proceeds, all of which will help young people from Phuket who would otherwise be unable to afford their education. Over 30 students who are now enrolled in Phuket to study hospitality and tourism have been funded by the organisation with success. New items are constantly being added to the PHAB 5 online auction. Bidders may check in on their progress, submit new bids, and learn about upcoming big rewards. Please visit phab.phukethotelsassociation.com/silent-auction for more information on the PHAB 5 online auction and to put your bid in the “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale”. As the president of the Phuket Hotels Association, Bjorn Courage said, “By participating in our online auction, you will not only be able to bid on fantastic items and five-star hotel stays around the world, but you will also be helping young people find a new career that could improve their standard of living and even support an entire family.” “PHAB 5” is a positive fundraising event held at Angsana Convention & Exhibition facility (ACES), the world-class event facility at Angsana Laguna Phuket. The evening will start with welcome cocktails and live music and include a lavish international buffet meal with live cooking stations staffed by some of Phuket’s greatest hotels’ top chefs and beverages made by the island’s most inventive mixologists. The party will continue all night long thanks to an entertaining MC! Feelsion, a live band, in-demand Phuket DJ CAMMUK, and stunning dancers who will kick the party off with their performances are some of the musical highlights. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is sponsoring the event. Source: traveldailynews