Starfish Travel Corporation Team

This Mid-Autumn Festival, Hong Kong’s iconic Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance returns, reigniting the fires of this revered tradition for the first time since 2019. The extravagant dance, which is slated for three nights in a row from September 28 to 30, 2023, will involve more than 300 artists parading a magnificent 67-meter-long dragon through the orderly streets of the quaint Tai Hang area. An extended viewing area to accommodate more spectators will be set up along Wun Sha Street and Tung Lo Wan Road, as well as a special performance by next-generation dragon performers. There will also be an LED giant flower plaque with a dragon head near the entrance for photos. The recently opened Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, which offers an intriguing look into the 143-year-old custom, is another place where the history and significance of the occasion may be learned during the day. A group of knowledgeable and trained crafters work tirelessly for over a month to hand-craft the dragon using materials including pearl straw, rattan, and hemp rope. The dragon’s body is made up of 32 segments and is covered in 12,000 lit incense sticks; the head weighs 50 kilos. This blazing, smokey extravaganza can only be seen in Hong Kong, giving it a singular exhibition. Guardian of the Ancient Flame The Fire Dragon Dance first appeared more than 140 years ago when Tai Hang struggled to deal with the plague’s effects on its farming and fishing communities. A village elder was given instructions to build a dragon decorated with burning incense sticks and parade it around the streets to save the hamlet in a stirring dream. Since then, the ritual has been carried out annually with its unique style and has become one of the most significant cultural events in Hong Kong, with the dance being listed on the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. We are overjoyed that the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance will be back this season after a four-year absence and are looking forward to inviting locals and others from around the world to join the festivities. We are proud that traditions like ours will always exist as we pass the legacy on to the next generation as the dance is more than just a performance to us, says Cheung Kwok Ho, Almon, the acting commander in chief of the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance and a native of Tai Hang. A Center for Commemoration and Preserving The recently inaugurated Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, located at 12 School Street in a Grade 3 Historic Building, enhances the celebrations. The museum hosts exhibitions and has a café serving meals influenced by the mouthwatering cuisine of the Hakka people, who were Tai Hang’s original settlers. Vice Chairman Anthea Lo explains that the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre is a celebration of the excitement of the Fire Dragon dance and offers intriguing insight into the dance’s history, traditions, and intangible cultural heritage as well as Hakka culture. “The Center is housed in a historic building that dates back to the late 1940s and is a great example of urban revitalization that serves as a living link between the local community of today and the historical traditions of the fire dragon dance.” The City’s Spectacular Nighttime Show The Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong offers a variety of joyful nocturnal festivities that are not to be missed, in addition to the Fire Dragon Dance. Families will congregate along the sparkling harbourfront and in parks decorated with spectacular decorations and lighting displays to enjoy the glow of the moon and indulge in celebratory mooncakes. The city will be illuminated by hundreds of lanterns that will be placed across the city. Everyone is invited to Hong Kong to experience the Mid-Autumn Festival’s magical atmosphere. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/hong-kongs-legendary-tai-hang-fire-dragon-dance-returns-this-september/

From September 8 to September 17, 2023, The Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) will be back with electrifying precinct parties spanning over four unique venues and a tempting selection of race-themed lifestyle experiences all across the city. GPSS offers a variety of experiences that encourage both residents and foreign visitors to set out on an exploration adventure of everything that Singapore has to offer. GPSS was created to appeal to varied preferences and interests. Attendees may fully experience this one-of-a-kind event thanks to GPSS, which provides a wealth of themed parties and celebrations to the F1 period along with the F1 Singapore race. The newest Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) is about to begin in Singapore, according to GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Fans from all over the world are still fascinated by the night race. A really iconic way to witness how Singapore, one of the most lively lifestyle capitals of the region, celebrates such events, high-speed Formula 1 racing offers both a thrilling athletic spectacle and a vibrant energy to the city. For those seeking our distinctive blend of speed, spectacle, and entertainment, GPSS is a must-experience event. “The GPSS is returning for its 14th edition, igniting greater fervor and celebrations around Singapore for a jam-packed 10-day period. Ong Ling Lee, Executive Director, Sports and Wellness, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “The chosen lineup of offerings across several facets, such as dining, entertainment, and retail, reflect the best of Singapore’s lifestyle experiences, which both locals and visitors can enjoy. This year’s precinct celebrations, with the theme “Circuit of Festivity,” promise distinctive items with a racing motif in four separate but related venues. Feel the excitement of race season at Orchard Road, Clarke Quay, Kampong Gelam, and Sentosa. Each of these locations has unique and extensive programming that enables visitors to spend more time thoroughly exploring each place’s offerings. During the Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS), Singapore’s renowned shopping district, Orchard Road, will change into a complex epicenter of excitement. The high-tech light and sound performance “Revolutions: The GPSS Immersive Experience,” created by local artist Brandon Tay, is at the center of this metamorphosis. This amazing production tells the compelling tale of GPSS while paying a stirring homage to the people, accomplishments, and aspirations of our lively city. Visitors can also peruse the Orchard Pit Shops: GPSS Lifestyle Bazaar, which has over 24 stalls and features a variety of local handcrafted goods, delicious food and beverages, live music, and arresting art pieces, in addition to this immersive performance. Additionally, customers will be thrilled to find a retail wonderland at Design Orchard, where they can get limited-edition goods that have been specially chosen for GPSS. During GPSS, Clarke Quay easily transitions from day to night, giving a wide variety of entertainment options that create a bustle in the neighborhood. This adds to the area’s thriving riverside hub of restaurants and entertainment. Fitness buffs enjoy exciting workouts with music and alluring lights, from the busy CQ Street Market to the GPSS Fitness Fest with Les Mills. For the GPSS Sims Championship, motorsports enthusiasts can compete in the Teleios Race Sims Grand Slam. Meet Formula 1 and Formula 2 drivers like Nico Hülkenberg at OutDrive GP, and watch live competition between local racing talent. Music fans may immerse themselves in Music Matters Live, Asia’s largest independent music festival, which features a broad lineup of international artists in addition to local musicians, including Kiwi singer-songwriter Paige, Indonesian sensation Teddy Adhitya, Korean electro pop acts like Love x Stereo, and more. At the Culturally Singapore celebration held in the Kampong Gelam precinct, guests may fully immerse themselves in Singapore’s rich cultural heritage. As part of the celebrations and race season celebration, this event includes multicultural acts. Visitors to the GPSS Food Park are in for a treat as they may indulge in a delicious variety of local and international cuisines, including smokey flavors at Hot-Pit Stop: Grills & BBQ. A thrilling voyage through time will be provided by the exhibition “Singapore Stories: Miniatures of the Past” by Wilfred Cheah. This is a chance to immerse yourself in the minutely detailed miniatures that vividly depict Singapore’s long history. Sentosa, renowned for its immaculate beaches and top-notch attractions, has returned with island-only experiences geared for adventurers. Sentosa now offers a variety of thrilling activities following its spectacular debut at the GPSS precinct parties last year. The Siloso Beachwalk Bazaar, which spans the entire length of Siloso Beach, promises to be a dining and shopping adventure along with wandering performers and other interesting pit stops. The GPSS Beach Feastable, which offers about 20 gourmet booths and outside seaside seating, will be a significant lure for tourists eager to sample Singapore’s legendary culinary treats, including the world-famous Chilli Crab. “Timeless Rides: An Era of Vintage & Classic Cars,” a collection of rare vehicles assembled especially for GPSS, will excite automotive enthusiasts. Visitors to Singapore have until September 30 to take part in the exciting and entertaining GPSS 2023. There will be plenty of chances to party with the international DJs on the MARQUEE Singapore Race Weekend lineup, which includes Alan Walker and Hardwell. Source- Travel daily

One of the first Austrian tour companies to invest in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for flights with Austrian aircraft and other Lufthansa Group aircraft is Kneissl Touristik. The family-run business (Kneissl Touristik – sabtours Group) invests in sustainable aviation fuel with the money that clients donate in July and August 2023 to offset the CO2 emissions of their travels. This SAF amount is used by the Lufthansa Group’s airlines to cut back on the CO2 emissions associated with flying. With this investment, Kneissl Touristik and the Lufthansa Group’s airlines are making significant progress toward more environmentally friendly air travel. In comparison to fossil fuel, Austrian Airlines’ Sustainable Aviation Fuel cuts CO2 emissions by about 80% over the course of its lifecycle. It is made of biogenic residues like discarded cooking oils. Increased production of fuels derived from renewable sources that have even greater potential for reduction is planned for the upcoming years. Sustainable aviation fuel is still not widely available, and it costs three to five times as much as fossil fuel. One of the biggest SAF consumers in the world, Lufthansa Group utilized 5% of the SAF produced worldwide in 2017. The independent Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) approved the Lufthansa Group’s CO2 reduction objective (minus 30.6 percent of specific CO2 emissions by 2030) in August 2022. With a scientifically supported CO2 reduction target in line with the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement’s objectives, the Lufthansa Group was the first airline group in Europe. The Lufthansa Group invests in expedited fleet modernization, ongoing flight operations optimization, the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and offerings for individual and corporate clients to make their air travel more environmentally friendly in order to attain the goal of CO2-neutral aviation by 2050. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/kneissl-touristik-invests-in-sustainable-aviation-fuel-at-lufthansa-group/

The Swedish padel and social club ASCARO has announced a strategic sporting partnership with One&Only Desaru Coast, Malaysia. The racquet-based ball sport will now be available to play in both the frenetic city and lush greenery thanks to the market-first agreement between the two businesses. Two of Malaysia’s outdoor padel courts are exclusively located at One&Only Desaru Coast’s enormous entertainment hub, Club One, a tropical haven for families, couples, and groups of friends. With unique spa services, guided fitness classes, a top-notch gym, and a championship golf course nearby, the serene coastal refuge is perfect for individuals who wish to be active while on a luxurious holiday. In the Malaysian metropolis of Kuala Lumpur, ASCARO has inaugurated its first-ever rooftop facility in Asia, with the goal of reviving and elevating the game of padel. The social venue offers a sporting playground with four top-notch courts, purchased directly from the World Padel Tour’s official supplier, along with a stylish outdoor gym and delectable bar fare. Padel players in Malaysia and the neighboring country of Singapore can benefit from the following advantages of this exclusive partnership with each partner: When you purchase a day pass for the resort’s acclaimed Ember Beach Club Room package at One&Only Desaru Coast that includes guided padel courses and resort credit, you have the option to play padel with an ASCARO-trained coach there.Special ASCARO Malaysia membership rates for visitors to One&Only Desaru CoastClothing by ASCARO is only available at NEO Boutique at One&Only Desaru Coast.Jerome Pichon, General Manager of One&Only Desaru Coast, stated that the company was “delighted” to welcome ASCARO as its exclusive padel partner in Malaysia. This collaboration will give our visitors access to the top-notch padel coaching talent of ASCARO, giving yet another way for them to experience holistic wellbeing at our resort. Padel is an amazing sport that is underappreciated in Malaysia and Singapore, according to ASCARO Malaysia’s managing director Daniel Liljekvist. With the help of our new relationship, we intend to reach more players and close the luxury market gap with our club’s similar clientele at One&Only Desaru Coast. Early in October 2023, One&Only Desaru Coast will host a padel tournament and inaugural celebration as the exciting relationship gets underway. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/oneonly-desaru-coast-announces-new-padel-partnership-with-ascaro-malaysia/

The second Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand on November 15–17, 2024, according to Ric Gazarian. He designed The Festival to bring together the most ardent, accomplished, and daring “mega” travelers from around the world for three days of experience exchange and education. Less than 300 people living today are known to have visited all 193 sovereign nations in the world, an accomplishment that will be discussed by speakers and attendance. The festival will also be open to travelers who have different travel goals and aspirations. The Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok will feature more than 20 speakers who will interact with, educate, and motivate other guests through a mix of keynotes, breakout sessions, and panels. “Consider the world’s contemporary Marco Polos gathered in one place,” said Gazarian, whose website @GlobalGaz contains tales and photos from his fascinating journeys to 170 nations. “The first event was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in terms of energy, enthusiasm, and the vast knowledge exchanged about traveling and country-collecting.” Thor Pedersen, who recently completed a nearly 10-year journey to every country without using a plane, @Barry Hoffner, who has built 17 schools in the legendary city of Timbuktu, and @Renee Bruns, who has traveled to more than 130 countries in a wheelchair, are just a few of the truly outstanding speakers taking the stage in Bangkok. The biggest mega-travel clubs, such as @Every Passport Stamp (20,000 members), @NomadMania (50,000 registrations), and @Travel Massive (60,000 members), will also be present at the event. “By gathering us in one location, we can share our methods for guiding and motivating the travelers who follow us, which will grow this great community of mega-travelers. Many of us go alone, but we are not the only ones who want to share the word about the eye-opening benefits of going farther, farther, and more frequently,” Gazarian continued. The ETF is building on the inaugural event’s enormous success, when 100% of attendees said they would attend the next one and invite their friends. Despite the fact that North America and Europe accounted for 90% of attendance and presenters, people from all six continents attended the Extraordinary Travel Festival. Men and women were split 60/40, with ages ranging from 20 to 80. Along with the packed speaker schedule, participants will also be amused with jovial gatherings and a formal dinner. Bangkok will offer countless dining alternatives and has been dubbed the “capital of the world’s street food.” Participants will also have the choice of touring greater Bangkok and the surrounding area. Thailand was recognized as the “Best Tourist Country” in 2023. The most successful and knowledgeable travelers from all around the world can be reached and engaged through this travel event, according to Gazarian. Also encouraged to enquire about sponsorship options are tourism boards, consumer travel companies, and tour operators who seek to engage with or assist bookings with this extraordinary group of travelers. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/the-extraordinary-travel-festival-to-be-held-in-bangkok-from-15-17-nov-2024/

The Junk Fee Prevention Act, which especially targets airline and hotel resort fees, was recently introduced by two US senators. As a result, hotels and airlines will have to disclose all of their costs up front and stop charging “surprise” fees. This could refer to “resort fees” that are tacked on at the end of a hotel stay or expenses that parents have been made to pay to sit next to their kids on airplanes. Consumer advocacy groups, however, have been drawing attention to this issue and calling for reform in other areas for years, such as the inclusion of local hotel taxes only at check-in. Additionally, the UK’s Department for Business and Trade has launched an inquiry into the pricing transparency of airline tickets and other forms of transportation, such as trains. Travelers dislike the fees, of course, but what does the industry think about them and the new rule? And how would these adjustments be made to the sales and marketing and B2B distribution processes? Transparency, in the opinion of Digitrips, owner of the popular French multi-product travel platform MisterFly, is essential. “Since the launch of our first website in 2016, we have always considered transparency as a key differentiator, and the price displayed on our search result is the price you pay,” says managing director Emilie Dumont. It has shown to be a successful tactic, increasing client trust. Any concern about additional costs is yet another reason why people can lose faith in our business, which is still working to regain the public’s trust in travel. As long as the data is normalized, we can include these in the booking display quite easily from a technological standpoint. Didatravel, a tech-driven global travel distribution company, continued, “Resort fees are a short-term solution to increasing revenues when times are tough,” but believes that by imposing surprise costs, hotels and airlines may really be losing out on income over the long term. “While they might boost revenues per traveler in the short term, they don’t do anything to encourage repeat business or long-term loyalty. Even if a guest had an otherwise pleasant stay, a sting at check-out is likely to create an unfavorable impression on anyone who sees that person’s review. According to BEONx, a hotel revenue management expert, there are more productive approaches to optimize pricing. “Unexpected fees are never a good tactic for raising relatively small sums in relation to the overall cost of the stay,” says Alex Barros, chief marketing & innovation offices. Instead, hotels would do better to concentrate on technologies that enable them to set competitive prices and adjust their rates in response to real-time influencing factors. Even better, use technology solutions that cross-sell the customer additional services that they value and are profitable for you, like a transfer or in-destination experience, your F&B, or even just a room upgrade for a small fee. Transparency is the essential, and we don’t like tactics like hidden fees, says Janis Dzenis of the price comparison website WayAway. Our basic tenet has been “What you see is what you pay” since the beginning. However, the structure of airline prices is complicated. Because modern businesses offer “unbundled ancillaries” with separate rates for everything other than the plane seat, we pay less for air travel. Think about extra luggage, lunch, fast track at the airport, and other conveniences. Because not everyone need those, you can use this a-la-carte system to tailor your trip experience. But should clients be made aware of the fee structure in a clear and open manner? “Hell yeah!” Katie Crowe from the travel insurance company Battleface notes that while evaluating the potential advantages of unbundling, “of course openness on pricing and clarity on what you are getting should always be on offer. Airlines should prioritize providing customers with items based on their real demographics and travel plans rather than saturating them with pointless options along what is frequently a convoluted buying path. In reality, such product personalization and unbundling will increase customer engagement, provide travelers a stronger sense of connection to the airline, and make them feel that the things they are purchasing are genuinely appropriate for their requirements. Any legislation that reduces choice or compels carriers to offer services they are already charging for as “free” options would only drive up costs for everyone. A different viewpoint is provided as a last point by Morgann Lesné of the travel investment banking firm Cambon Partners: “Investors are seeking for companies that have a stable client base, and trust is a significant element of that. The anticipated verdict may benefit travel providers in the long run by driving them to develop trust with their clients and go to more well-liked, ethical ways to gain more money. Untransparent pricing is an easy way to losecredibility and confidence. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/is-the-end-of-surprise-airline-and-hotel-fees-good-or-bad-for-the-travel-industry/

The largest airline in South America, LATAM, has started operating flights again between Santiago and Melbourne, reestablishing a direct connection between Victoria, Australia, and South America. A Boeing 787 Dreamliner made headlines on September 2 when it flew the first direct route from South America to Victoria since 2020. Initially, flights will leave Santiago, Chile’s capital, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They will then fly over the Pacific Ocean to Melbourne, Australia, where they will land the following day. With services leaving from Melbourne to Santiago on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, travelers and exporters from the state of Victoria have direct access to LATAM’s international network. For the service, Boeing 787-9s with 30 business class seats and 283 economy seats are operated. LATAM offers two 787-9 cabin arrangements. On the Melbourne-Santiago route, the former 2-2-2 business cabin arrangement is still available. LATAM’s Australian operations were stopped by the pandemic in April 2020. Flights from Sydney via Auckland to Santiago were resumed in March 2022 with three weekly trips, and they increased to daily service by December 2022. According to Lorie Argus, chief executive officer of Melbourne airport, “the restart of flights to Santiago restores our direct connection to South America and brings the number of international carriers flying into Melbourne back to pre-pandemic levels.” “Before COVID-19, there were 36 airlines flying into Melbourne Airport for foreign flights, and getting back to that number has required a lot of work from our staff and the Victorian state government. With LATAM’s restoration, our overall international capacity has returned to 97% of its pre-pandemic levels. By the end of the year, we anticipate having reached 100%.Best in Class Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/latam-restarts-melbourne-santiago-service/

Bangladesh and France have agreed to a $3.2 billion deal for the acquisition of 10 Airbus aircraft. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron. A letter of intent was also exchanged for an earth observation satellite system in addition to the aircraft purchase. France is viewed as making a move with Macron’s trip to Bangladesh to strengthen its Asia-Pacific strategy and counteract China’s expanding influence in the area. In his conversations with Prime Minister Hasina, Macron highlighted the value of democracy and the rule of law while also presenting a different path in opposition to the “new imperialism.” An important step has been taken with the acquisition of Airbus aircraft by Bangladesh’s leading airline, Biman Airline. Biman has previously purchased aircraft from American manufacturer Boeing. Bangladesh is demonstrating its confidence in the European aerospace sector with this purchase. A letter of intent was signed for the supply of an earth observation satellite system in addition to the aircraft agreement. This technology will mostly be used to monitor crops and the ocean. Bangladesh now lacks the tools necessary to monitor its enormous sea. Macron’s trip to Bangladesh is a component of France’s plan to forge deeper ties with Bangladesh. It comes after his earlier this year tour of the Indo-Pacific, during which he outlined France’s commitment to the area. The fifth-largest commercial partner of Bangladesh is France, with whom it has close relations in the fields of engineering, energy, aerospace, and water. Both Macron and Hasina expressed the hope that the strategic alliance between Bangladesh and France will promote peace and stability in the region and around the world. As Bangladesh is one of the most affected countries by changing weather patterns, they also discussed working together on climate change-related projects. Overall, Macron’s visit represents a significant turning point in the alliance between France and Bangladesh as both nations endeavor to deepen bilateral connections and advance prosperity for all. Source- ts2Link-https://ts2.shop/en/posts/bangladesh-inks-deal-with-france-to-buy-10-airbus-aircraft-satellite-technology-procurement

With a stunning +40% gain in hotel sales year to date compared to pre-pandemic, 2019 sales (+292% growth comparing the same period, 2022) DidaTravel has surpassed the broader Chinese outbound rebound. Additionally, DidaTravel’s inbound hotel sales into China year to date have shown a spectacular +124% growth compared to the same period in 2019. This demonstrates Dida’s capacity to outperform market dynamics and gain sizable new market share, as well as China’s ongoing appeal as a tourism destination. Given that the China market, both inbound and outbound, has not yet fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels, DidaTravel’s achievement is all the more astounding. According to DidaTravel’s booking statistics, the top 10 source markets for travelers to China in 2023 were, in descending order: Thailand, Indonesia, Spain, India, Turkey, UAE, Brazil, Israel, USA, and Switzerland. DidaTravel’s ability to outperform the competition has been primarily fueled by its capacity to increase its portfolio of directly contracted hotel products under unique terms and conditions, gain market share in China and abroad, and concentrate on tech-driven, customer-centric innovation. DidaTravel’s founder and CEO, Rikin Wu, commented on these ground-breaking accomplishments, saying, “Dida’s success story is intricately connected with the growing storyline of the Chinese travel business. We worked assiduously throughout the pandemic to significantly expand our portfolio of directly contracted hotels, many under exclusive terms, as well as working tirelessly to expand our distribution partnerships globally, and the results speak for themselves. We effectively anticipated the Chinese recovery, both inbound and outbound. We never waver in our commitment to quality and consider it an honor to steer the sector in the right direction. Source- Travel dailyLink- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/didatravel-outperforms-chinese-hotel-market-recovery/