Starfish Travel Corporation Team

On Wednesday, October 4, 2023, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., the American Women’s Club of Thailand (AWC) and the Combined Women’s Clubs of Thailand (CWL) will conduct a charity fundraiser lunch with a tropical cruise theme on the Chao Phraya Princess riverboat. The AWC is a volunteer-based organization that was founded in 1955. It works relentlessly to earn money for its chosen charity, the AWC Scholarship Program, which offers scholarships to impoverished girls in rural Thailand so they can complete high school.  250 students will get scholarships from the AWC in 2023 in order to pursue their dreams of going to college.  The AWC collaborates with the Education for Development Foundation (EDF) to guarantee that monies raised and programs launched will best serve the students. Under Thai legislation, EDF is a charitable organization dedicated to promoting education.  It received the “Thailand NGO of the Year” award in 2012 for excellent practices. Over THB200,000 in prizes, including dining certificates from Waldorf Astoria, Punjab Grill, Smoking Pug, Conrad Bangkok, Anantara Hotels, Kai New Zealand, and Mama Dolores, as well as contributions from local businesses like Lin Jewelers, Gemfetti jewellery, SJ International Jewelers, Rajawongse Tailors, Oasis Spa, and Asian Tigers, are among the prizes that will be given away on the day. No membership in the AWC or CWL is required to attend the event, which is open to everyone. “AWC is proud to organize the annual Combined Women’s Lunch fundraising in 2023, giving the numerous women’s organizations in Bangkok a chance to come together and cherish friendship.  Along with a fun-filled afternoon, 250 Thai high school girls will benefit from access to education in 28 rural Thai schools thanks to auction and raffle revenues.  Joining us in celebrating friendship and the gift of education would be great. Jennifer Sparks, co-president of AWC, said. Live music, an international buffet lunch, a welcome drink, non-alcoholic beverages, auction and raffle prizes, BYOB wine for free corkage, and a cash bar are all included in the THB 2023 per person ticket price (which must be paid in advance).  Tables of eight people will be seated, so gather your friends and make your reservation right away (although single tickets are also available for purchase).  At exactly noon, the boat will leave the Icon Siam port. Source- Travel daily

The whole schedule for Cvent’s annual customer and industry event technology conference, Cvent CONNECT Europe, has been released. The multi-day hybrid conference, which will provide both in-person and virtual experiences, will be held from November 7–9, 2023, at the Hilton London Metropole. In order to build on the success of the first-ever in-person event held in Germany last year, Cvent will hold Cvent CONNECT there on November 8, 2023. The event will take place in the state-of-the-art hybrid event technology-equipped SPARK venue in Frankfurt. The in-person event will feature regionally tailored breakout sessions, roundtable talks, and networking opportunities with peers and industry professionals in addition to the ability to interact with conference content broadcast live from London. A Cvent Tech Tour will be available at the event in Frankfurt.  This immersive tour, which is consistently rated as one of the most well-attended sessions at Cvent CONNECT Europe, takes participants through the in-person event tech customer journey. From onsite registration and check-in to session tracking and post-event analytics, this experience will demonstrate how Cvent technology streamlines and improves the end-to-end event experience. The Cvent CONNECT Europe agenda for this year is created to provide industry professionals with the tools and best practices they need to survive in this new era of events, given the rapid digital disruption sweeping through our sector. According to Patrick Smith, SVP & Chief Marketing Officer of Cvent, “Our sessions are carefully curated to unpack emerging trends and discuss insightful strategies that will resonate with marketers, event organizers, and hospitality professionals alike.” “Our return to both London and Frankfurt demonstrates the strong industry momentum and the increasing significance of event technology to produce real commercial effect. We are thrilled to offer our live and online audiences a seamless hybrid experience that combines education, innovation, and collaboration. To all MICE, hospitality, and marketing professionals, Cvent CONNECT Europe is open. The event’s extensive schedule includes over 45 breakout sessions, a variety of educational options, and more than 20 networking events. The whole conference agenda is designed to instruct and inspire, from roundtable conversations with industry leaders to expert-led programming. Meeting Highlights (New in 2023) Cvent users will be able to sharpen their event technology abilities and acquire a competitive edge with industry-recognized Cvent Certifications thanks to this immersive in-person training day (7 November), which is complimentary with in-person registration. While hospitality professionals learn how to maximize their usage of the Cvent Supplier Network to engage planners and drive more MICE business, event professionals will study the principles of event design, virtual content production, email marketing, and more. Cvent Excellence Awards (8 November) | Now in its second year, this awards program honors top businesses and lodging establishments that exhibit the significant contribution technology makes to creating more engaging experiences and producing favorable outcomes. The awards presentation will be streamed live to a worldwide online audience in addition to taking place in person at the Hilton London Metropole. Innovation Pavilion: The Innovation Pavilion serves as the conference’s focal point for engagement and offers visitors a lively setting in which to learn more about Cvent’s present and future solutions as well as the highlights of its product roadmap. Through focused “feature flash sessions” and live in-person trainings, the extensive Innovation Pavilion programming maximizes product education for guests. Visitors looking for specific technical assistance can visit the Cvent Expert’s Bar to have all of their concerns answered. Peer-to-peer networking, special meetups for first-time CONNECT Europe attendees, informal huddles throughout the conference, and planned breakfasts, luncheons, and evening gatherings are just a few of the focused networking options available at this year’s event. The Cvent Discussions features allow virtual participants to participate in real-time roundtable discussions and use Instant Networking to meet new people. The Best of the Session   “Exploring the Hottest Event and Hospitality Trends Set to Shape the Industry in 2024”: A panel of industry experts will share their knowledge of the new trends that are expected to have an impact on the sector.  “The BIG Debate: People vs. Technology” is a discussion in which the promise of artificial intelligence, automation, and technical innovation are contrasted with human creativity, emotion, and intuition. The panelists on “Corporate Travel Insights, The Role of Representation Companies in Driving Change” discuss the changing expectations of business travelers as well as the important part hotels and chains have in streamlining the market. Hear about essential automation technologies to effectively manage RFPs, room blocks, and responses, as well as viewpoints from hotel professionals, in “Game-Changing Ways to Utilize Automation to Tackle the Staff Shortage Challenge.” Specifically designed for event and operations experts, “Hospitality Community Conversations: Events and Operations” provides insights into RFP data, buyer feedback, and sourcing behaviors.  “Cvent Suppliers & Venue Services Product Roadmap”: An advance look at new Cvent innovations made to support hospitality workers in thriving, including AI-driven improvements that are altering the industry. Source- Travel daily

In October 2023, the Trump International Golf Club in Dubai will introduce brand-new, all-ages golf programs. Gil Hanse, the renowned course architect and well-known designer of the Rio 2016 Olympic Golf Course, created the Trump International Golf Club at DAMAC Hills, a 42 million square foot master development in Dubai.Launched in 2017, the Club has won numerous awards, including the World’s Best PAR 3 Golf Course in 2021 and UAE’s Best Golf Course in 2022 at the World Golf Awards, thanks to its links-style designed course and surrounding community with an iconic golf club at its epicenter. “By incorporating a vision of the future, our Trump Golf Performance Academy has designed courses for juniors, beginners, and ladies to expand the outreach of golf in the region with in-depth courses and assessments set to learn and improve your golf at various levels,” said Philip Waine, general manager of Trump International Golf Club. “Trump Golf Dubai has the golfing assets, hospitality facilities, and infrastructure to support a compelling value proposition for residents, and we are delighted to announce the launch of our new golfing programs in October 2023,” Waine continued. Source- Travel daily

The airline based in Dubai, flydubai, announced the beginning of daily flights to Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. The airline becomes the first to offer flights from the Middle East and the UAE to the well-known locations. Beginning on February 10, 2024, flights will be available to Langkawi International Airport (LGK) and Penang International Airport (PEN). In order to provide easy travel choices for passengers from the UAE and the area via Dubai’s aviation center, flights to Langkawi will operate via a brief stop in Penang. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, commented on the beginning of flights by saying: “We are thrilled to see our presence in Southeast Asia increase with the introduction of operations to Langkawi and Penang. Flights from the United Arab Emirates to these well-liked vacation spots are essential for tourism and business connectivity. These locations in Malaysia provide chances for investment, pleasure, and cultural diversity. Not only travelers from the UAE but also those from the GCC and European markets will be drawn to our new flights. Flydubai has increased its presence in Southeast Asia to four locations with the addition of flights to Langkawi and Penang, in addition to its Thai operations in Krabi and Pattaya. On the Malaysian routes, flydubai will use Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with lie-flat seats in Business Class and enhanced comfort and a pleasurable travel experience in Economy Class. Malaysia is a very significant market for flydubai, so we are happy to see these flights become a reality, said Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations (UAE, GCC, Africa, and the Indian Subcontinent). The daily service will be well-liked by our travelers from all over the network and will give passengers from Malaysia easy options to go to Dubai and beyond, whether they are doing so for business, pleasure, or to see family and friends.  Penang Island’s Kek Lok Si Temple is located in Georgetown, Malaysia Both Langkawi and Penang are excellent choices for travelers touring Southeast Asia since they both provide a wide variety of experiences that appeal to beach lovers, adventure seekers, and foodies alike. The spectacular geological formations, gorgeous beaches, and lush jungles of Langkawi are well known. The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park may be explored, and visitors can take pleasure in activities like island hopping and cable car journeys to the Sky Bridge. The island is a shopping paradise because it is duty-free. Penang, known as the “Pearl of the Orient,” offers a complex cultural tapestry that combines influences from China, Malay, India, and Britain. Its George Town, which is recognized by UNESCO, is well-known for its storied buildings, lively street art, and street fare. Recently, flydubai announced the beginning of operations to three more locations. It will begin daily service to Cairo on October 28, Poznan, its third Polish destination, will follow on October 29, and Mombasa will join its expanding network on January 17, 2024.  Tropical beach on Malaysia’s Langkawi island Flight information Flights will run daily from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Langkawi International Airport (LGK) and Penang International Airport (PEN) beginning on February 10, 2024. Return From DXB to PEN, business class tickets cost as little as AED 11,000, and economy class light tickets cost as little as AED 2,700. Return From DXB to LGK, Business Class prices start at AED 11,000, and Economy Class Lite fares begin at AED 3,500. Source- Travel daily

Travel is going through a similar metamorphosis at the same time that fashion is moving away from flashy logos and labels as the definition of luxury. A new trend known as “Quiet Luxury” is emerging today, gently altering how we perceive the world. Gone are the days when luxury was only defined by excess.  Imagine waking up to the tranquil sounds of nature and enjoying first-rate service during your stay. The hidden getaways offered by IHG Hotels & Resorts are created to provide visitors the ideal fusion of peace, first-rate service, and remarkable experiences.  Vietnam’s Phu Quoc Regent   On the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc, Regent Phu Quoc, a lesser-known paradise, celebrates the aspects of calmness and stimulation to give all visitors an uplifting and enjoyable stay. The resort, which is surrounded by white sand beaches, crystal-clear oceans, and tropical vegetation, fuses Asian hospitality with Western luxury to provide mindful experiences.   The hotel’s distinct personality is defined by its signature style, which elevates modern luxury to new levels by balancing the rawness of authentic locations with luxurious comforts. Choose between suites or villas, take use of the bar and dining options, cutting-edge fitness center, and a private spa where visitors may book opulent treatments and practice rooftop yoga at the Pavillion.    Thailand’s Koh Samui and the Kimpton Kitalay Samui   The Kimpton Kitalay Samui on Koh Samui offers luxurious island charm with contemporary Thai influences over the stunning seas of Choeng Mon Beach. The hotel, whose name combines the Thai words for “song” and “sea” (Kita and Lay), exudes a feeling of place and pays homage to Samui’s unique culture. It is the ideal place to enjoy calm luxury. Enjoy five creative restaurants and bars, explore the island on a bike, and listen to island mythology in Lanai Coves, all of which are situated in a neighborhood-like enclave with accommodations, suites, and villas. The hotel’s infinity pool has bean bags for visitors to lounge on in addition to rooms and dining options.    New Caledonia’s InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay   The brand-new resort, which will open in late 2023 and was developed in close consultation with the local tribes, is the first large hotel to be built on the uninhabited Lifou Island in New Caledonia. It features six hectares of lush green gardens. 50 different bungalows and villas are available, along with two on-site restaurants and a bar that is influenced by both French and Melanesian culture.  Imagine unspoiled, lush tropical woods, immaculate beaches, precipitous cliffs, and crystalline waters. Through enriching activities like open-ocean snorkeling and hiking, you can find a refuge of tranquility and immerse yourself in regional customs and cultural history.   Dominica’s InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort & Spa  A five-star eco-resort in Dominica that is tucked away in Cabrits National Park, designed to blend in with the island’s surroundings, and has a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea. Visitors can visit miles of unspoiled emerald paradise, immerse themselves in nature and adventure, explore mountains covered in tropical rainforest, or unwind in a natural hot spring thanks to the region’s high mountains, lush green forests, and winding rivers.  Enjoy upscale accommodations such as suites and villas as well as regional eateries and bars that are inspired by the island. Visitors have access to the Cabrits Spa and Wellness Center, outdoor swimming pools, and fitness center. Visitors with four legs are also cordially welcomed.   Source- Travel daily

As of September 2023, Trevolution Group, the industry leader and operator of Asaptickets Skyluxtravel, Dreamport, and other travel brands, will begin using New Distribution Capabilities (NDC) in its airline ticket distribution. By the end of the month, Trevolution Group will provide its customers with instant access to personalized travel content from over 15 international airlines, including several major carriers like Lufthansa Group, United Airlines, Emirates, Finnair, Air France-KLM, American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and others. This is made possible through a partnership with AirGateway, a leading NDC aggregator in the world. NDC has lately come to light as a true game-changer as the travel industry continues to develop and adapt to the needs of customers throughout the world. It is a more advanced industry standard that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) established to enable direct data sharing between the major industry participants, revolutionizing the way air products are sold to businesses, leisure travelers, and business travelers. The NDC aggregator, on the other hand, is essentially a third-party technology provider that acts as a centralized platform between airlines and travel agencies to provide immediate connections to multiple airlines’ NDC contents, such as flight inventory, supplemental services, and pricing, including those options that may not be accessible through traditional distribution channels. The ability to provide a transparent purchasing experience with personalized offers is another benefit of introducing NDC. By using the data, Trevolution Group’s travel brands can now offer customized travel packages that are specific to each customer based on their travel preferences, past travel experiences, behavior, and airline loyalty information, making the booking process more convenient and painless. Airlines can also respond to these tailored offers using NDC technology, apply loyalty-based discounts, or offer different payment methods like miles. Mr. Vazan The NDC standard offers real-time information, unlike the widely used global distribution system (GDS) paradigm, which only allows airlines to show prices and timetables. A full variety of NDC services will be introduced and made available to Trevolution Group’s customers in the coming months as it continues to implement the new integration. As a result, real-time updates and seamless integration will enable air travelers to make immediate adjustments to their bookings, such as seat upgrades or changes to their itineraries, without having to wait for airline confirmation. The introduction of NDC will also offer immediate flight updates, ensuring that clients are always informed of any alterations to their travel arrangements. In order to inform customers about in-flight services and facilities, offer upgrade possibilities, or inform them of flight delays or gate changes, airlines will send direct alerts to passengers. Following the signing of the collaboration agreement with AirGateway, the travel brands under the Trevolution Group will have quick and simple access to the full range of prices and ancillary items from numerous airlines at once through a single integration. No matter where in the world they are going to, we are thus able to provide our customers the best flight options that meet their needs and budget. We anticipate selling over 20,000 airline tickets using NDC by the end of the year, with a target of selling 150,000 seats by 2024. We are prepared to make investments in the future, even if it will need a sizable infrastructure expenditure. Trevolution Group’s EVP of Industry Relations, Peter Vazan, offers his opinion. The Dyninno Group of Companies, which offers goods and services in the financial, tourism, and entertainment industries, includes the Dyninno Group of Companies in Trevolution Group. The visiting friends and family area is where Trevolution Group has distinguished itself as the market leader in the travel industry. Trevolution Group ranked seventh among US travel consolidators in 2022 after selling over 730,000 airline tickets and holiday packages. Source- travel daily

The biggest privately held hotel management company in Southeast Asia, Archipelago International, has announced a strategic technological relationship with STAAH, a leading cloud-based distribution platform. Archipelago International manages more than 350 hotels and residences in more than 200 locations. The benefits of STAAH’s cutting-edge online distribution technology will be combined with Archipelago’s mission to run “best in class” properties that surpass the expectations of patrons, owners, and staff members thanks to the tech relationship. The agreement will help Archipelago’s plug-and-play solution gain traction, generating more leads and income for its clients. The audit and fix method used by Archipelago’s plug-and-play service aims to improve online connectivity for all of its clients and turn every connected channel into a money-making machine. To make this vision a reality, STAAH’s strong and flexible online distribution and booking capabilities will be vital. “Driving better revenue through automation and innovation has been a core principle for us,” says John Flood, President and CEO of Archipelago International. John Flood, President and CEO of Archipelago International, and Tarun Joukani, Commercial Director of STAAH “We have always sought out technology partners with strong performance, scalability, adaptability, and user-friendly interfaces. STAAH delivered on all fronts, and we are enthusiastic about the possibilities this relationship opens up for our customers. Since 1997, Archipelago has earned a solid reputation as a hotel management company with more than 45.000 keys, 350+ hotels, and customers in more than 200 locations around Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Oceania.ASTON, ASTON Collection Hotels, Alana, Huxley, Kamuela, Harper, Quest, Hotel NEO, favehotels, Nordic, and Powered by ARCHIPELAGO are among the company’s several award-winning brands. The organization strives to fulfill its purpose of exceeding guests’ expectations in all of its hotels, fostering employee career growth, and assisting owners in planning, building, and successfully running a “best in class” hotel they can be proud of. According to Tarun Joukani, Commercial Director – STAAH, “This partnership brings together two aligned visions for the expansion of Archipelago’s customer base into the world of online commerce and the transformation of travel through smarter technology.” The traveler of today is highly tech-savvy and seeks seamless connections from booking to service, according to numerous surveys. We are convinced that by combining Archipelago’s in-depth knowledge of its clients’ demands with STAAH’s cutting-edge digital platform, we will be able to attract more of these travelers to the front doors of Archipelago-managed hotels. Source- Travel daily

While other contestants are racing in a famous and historic UK-wide hot air balloon tournament, Stonham Barns Park is hosting a tandem launch for Eastern Region Balloon Club members. The Queen’s Cup will test British participants to see how far they can fly in a special sporting competition that takes place in October (the exact date will depend on the weather).  The national race will formally take off from Gloucestershire, with balloons taking off simultaneously in tandem across the nation. The pilot and crew that land the farthest away from their takeoff location on the evening will win this UK-wide competition. The tandem balloon launch will take place on the same weekend in October (weather permitting), with the Eastern Region balloon pilots and their crews taking off from Stonham Barns Park and traveling in the direction of the winds.  Our Eastern Region pilots will be participating in the “Great British Balloon launch” in order to assist the main Queen’s Cup competition. Members are sought after by Eastern Region Balloons from Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, and Essex.  Members of the group, which is associated with the British Balloon and Airship group (BBAC), regularly attend ballooning events across the nation. ‘This is one of the most important dates in the club’s calendar to date, one which significantly elevates our profile,’ said Jo Scott of Eastern Region Balloons about The Queen’s Cup. ‘We are delighted to be able to use the parklands at Stonham Barns Park for our tandem launch this year.  The location provides everything we need, including outstanding viewing options for spotters and photographers, and we have previously utilized it as a launch site. The Queen’s Cup balloon race will put pilots’ expertise, endurance, and teamwork to the test.  For those interested, the competition regulations are available on their website.  The meteorological data for the entire United Kingdom, the expected strategies of the opposing teams, and refueling and landing arrangements are just a few of the elements that pilots and their crews must immediately analyze and calculate.  Everything is pretty exciting.  We anticipate every flight, but this one is especially significant because it is the oldest and most renowned athletic prize in the UK. Despite the fact that we adore nothing more than a peaceful balloon ride through our stunning countries, we are thrilled to be a part of this thrilling endeavor. The late Queen Elizabeth II, who served as the Royal Aero Club’s patron and who received the Queen’s Cup as a wedding present in 1947, gave the trophy, which is typically kept at the Royal Air Force Museum, to the club. The event’s date is flexible because it is impossible to anticipate the weather more than 24 hours in advance.  It can’t be fixed beforehand.  In the week leading up to the event, the official “go-ahead” will be announced on social media. Source- Travel daily

Club Med is providing exclusive sailing excursions on the legendary Club Med 2, a French yacht. One of the largest sailing boats in the world, Club Med 2, has been renovated as a member of Club Med’s Exclusive Collection to provide an opulent experience evocative of the French Riviera. In the previous three years, more Indians have taken cruise vacations than ever before, according to a new CLIA report. Iconic ships like Club Med 2 are always making adjustments in response to these changing trends, strengthening their position as a tempting option for contemporary travelers. For Indian honeymooners, couples, and those organizing bachelor/bachelorette getaways, Club Med 2 presents an elite option. It comes complete with a club lounge, two pools, and a sizable balcony dangling over the ocean. It provides a customized mix of activities, including relaxing spa services, Heberson Yoga, and a variety of water sports, including water skiing, wing surfing, and Tiwal sailing. Club Med 2 offers a distinctive combination of serenity and excitement under the starry night skies, making it the ideal choice. Sailing itineraries range from a 21-day voyage from Nice to Athens via Turkey, Israel, Egypt, and Greece to shorter 4-day cruises in spring and fall. As Club Med 2 sets sail, we are strengthening our commitment to providing exceptional experiences far from home. “This iconic yacht invites travelers to explore the world’s wonders while embracing the all-inclusive excellence Club Med is known for,” said Rachael Harding, CEO of Club Med for East and South Asia & Pacific. Source- Travel biz