Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The airline located in Dubai, flydubai, has announced a new contract with the airline based in the Czech Republic, Smartwings, to wet lease four Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft from 17 October 2023 to 16 April 2024. By using four leased aircraft to augment flydubai’s fleet of 79 Boeing 737 aircraft under the Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) arrangement with Smartwings, the airline will be able to increase passenger capacity and meet demand for travel during peak travel times. Ghaith Al Ghaith, the CEO of flydubai, commented on the arrangement: “We are glad to confirm this new wet lease deal with Smartwings, marking our third arrangement with the carrier since 2019. ACMI agreements are a speciality of Smartwings, an IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) accredited business. During one of the busiest travel times of the year, the leasing of four more aircraft will allow us to maintain operational effectiveness, increase network capacity, and reduce any potential passenger disturbance. Boeing 737 aircraft are now operated by flydubai in a single fleet consisting of 30 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800, 46 Boeing 737 MAX 8, and three Boeing 737 MAX 9. “We are happy to have partnered with flydubai on our third ACMI wet leasing deal. According to Jiri Juran, chairman of the board of directors at Smartwings, “this relationship, which we strongly value, will enable us to achieve a higher utilisation of our aircraft and provide our qualified personnel with more chances throughout the winter season. The flydubai network will use the all-Economy Class aircraft on a few routes, including those to Chattogram, Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi, and Muscat. Prior to their scheduled departure date, flydubai passengers who have reservations on a flight operated by Smartwings will be informed. Passengers can visit flydubai.com for further details. Source- Travel biz

The launch of the BAGTAG Crew Solution is announced by Icelandair. Following a fruitful proof-of-concept, they will launch the invention in October, making Icelandair the first airline to do so. This technology allows staff members to check their own bags. The operations of the airline are made more convenient and efficient thanks to this ground-breaking innovation. Crew baggage management has advanced significantly with the BAGTAG Crew Solution. Icelandair enables its crew members to optimise the crew travel experience by streamlining check-in procedures, eliminating paper waste, and using electronic bag tags in place of conventional paper tags.​ “We are constantly searching for methods to make our operations more efficient. This easy, clever, and environmentally responsible solution will simplify our procedures and support our goal of providing comfortable and joyful travel experiences for both our passengers and crew, according to Haukur Reynisson, Vice President of Flight Operations at Icelandair. The solution uses backwards-compatible plug-and-play technology to streamline procedures, cut down on mistakes, and improve the effectiveness of baggage handling. Using the Icelandair crew application, crew members can securely connect wirelessly to the electronic tags to wirelessly communicate baggage information. Amadeus, a BAGTAG partner, set up the necessary DCS link to retrieve the luggage information. Icelandair joined to the BAGTAG platform as an Amadeus Altéa airline in a couple of weeks, allowing for a speedy start to the PoC and integration of the solution.​ The electronic tags ensure a seamless and streamlined experience for the airline’s personnel by clearly displaying all pertinent baggage information, including crew data, flight information, and bag identification. “Icelandair is a fantastic partner as we introduce the BAGTAG Crew Solution. Through this collaboration, we will show how our crew solution may improve the crew baggage handling procedure. Jasper Quak, Managing Director BAGTAG, said, “We look forward to building on the success of our joint PoC and the potential it delivers for further advancements.” The Icelandair crew will start receiving personalised luggage with a permanent BAGTAG in October. Source- Travel daily

On November 18 in Melbourne, the much awaited National Travel Industry Awards will take place. The industry’s night of nights has already attracted unprecedented levels of interest. There have been a whopping 1700 nominations, and the AFTA crew is already hard at work planning a fantastic celebration. Dean Long, chief executive officer of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA), stated: “We are pleased to welcome Viking as our Afterparty sponsor and thank them for their kind support.” “The 2023 Afterparty is going to elevate travel’s night of nights to a whole new level,” we have already said in very early meetings with the Viking team. “Viking is a very welcome addition to our family of NTIA sponsors, and we are thrilled to team up with the best in travel to celebrate the best in and of travel,” said the NTIA. Viking “We are so excited to be sponsoring the Afterparty for travel’s night of nights and can’t wait to celebrate the success of our industry over the past 12 months,” said Michelle Black, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand. “Our business depends heavily on our industry partners, and the past year has been tremendously significant for all of us as travel has made a victorious comeback. As a result, we are eager to welcome everyone to the NTIA Afterparty, which promises to be the best one yet in true Viking fashion. Source- Travel daily

In order to progress towards a joint venture operating agreement, Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Turkish Airlines inked an MOU in Istanbul. This is an important step in strengthening the relationship between the national airlines of Thailand and Turkey. Since Turkish Airlines operates out of Istanbul Airport, which is ideally located to serve as a hub connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, Istanbul can provide unmatched connection to any country in the world. In December, THAI will launch daily service from its hub in Bangkok to Istanbul, solidifying its position as the gateway airline to Thailand, the Asia Pacific area, and Australia. Additionally, this alliance will encourage travel between Turkey (85 million people) and Thailand (66 million people). To maximise the synergies that this strategic relationship offers to both airlines, THAI and Turkish Airlines will work towards joint venture operations. In a meeting held on August 2 in Istanbul, the executive teams and CEOs of the two companies agreed to this strengthened partnership. The partnership would give THAI and Turkish Airlines customers an unmatched selection of destinations in Europe and Asia. The CEO of THAI, Chai Eamsiri, stated that this collaboration would improve the connection and route network efficiencies of THAI and Turkish Airlines. Utilising the vast networks provided by THAI and Turkish Airlines, our consumers will be able to simply travel between Thailand and Turkey as well as on to Europe and other locations in Asia. The CEO of Turkish Airlines, Bilal Ekşi, spoke on the significance of the partnership with THAI and said: “This agreement represents a significant turning point for Turkish Airlines and THAI’s cooperation as it brings together the rich cultural history of Turkey and Thailand. Through the networks of both airlines, this partnership will increase connection between the two areas, give passengers a larger selection of destinations and services, and enable seamless travel experiences. Source- Travel daily

Skyfun Travel has been designated as one of the booking channels by Dunamis 777 Co., Ltd., the charterer of the direct flight service between Bangkok and Ulaanbaatar, providing convenient flight service for business travellers and tourists who want to discover the capital of Mongolia. One-way international airfare from Bangkok to Ulaanbaatar, 20 kilogrammes of checked baggage, 7 kg of carry-on luggage, and hot meals served in flight starting at THB 20,000 per person are all included in the package. A round-trip package is also available to customers for just THB 32,000 per person. Bookings for the flight package can be made at www.skyfun.travel or through the LINE official @skyfuntravel until August 31, 2023. Every Sunday, a popular low-cost airline in Thailand, Thai Vietjet, operates the flight, which takes about 5 hours to complete and leaves from Bangkok at 2:10 in the morning and lands in Ulaanbaatar at 9:00 in the morning (all times are local). The return flight leaves Ulaanbaatar at 10:05 in the morning and lands in Bangkok at 2:35 in the afternoon. Source- Travel daily

Having welcomed a record 8.55 million foreign overnight guests in the first half of 2023, up from 8.36 million visitors in the first half of 2019, Dubai’s rebounding tourism sector is enjoying a triumphant first half of 2023. The most recent data released by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) shows the industry had its greatest H1 ever, surpassing pre-pandemic visitation levels and supporting the city’s push to become the most popular travel destination in the world. The Dubai Economic Agenda 2033, established by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, aims to solidify the emirate’s position as one of the top three cities in the world. The 20% YoY visitation growth supports this ambition. The successful and varied citywide marketing campaign for the destination, supported unwaveringly by partners and stakeholders, and carried out under the direction of Dubai’s visionary leadership, is reflected in the record H1 performance. Additionally, it confirms Dubai’s status as the location with the quickest recovery rate internationally and considerably exceeds the UN World Trade Organization’s prediction that foreign visitor arrivals might return to between 80 and 95 percent of pre-pandemic levels this year. The extraordinary increase in foreign tourists that Dubai saw in the first half of 2023 further demonstrates its emergence as one of the world’s economic powerhouses, according to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai. This achievement is due to Dubai’s leadership’s foresight, whose vision and wise policies strengthened the city’s resilience in the wake of global crises and allowed it to recover more quickly than other markets. While the increase in foreign visitors supports Dubai’s development into a significant worldwide tourist destination, it also highlights its standing as a key hub for trade, investment, and business. second consecutive year as the top travel destination in the world Dubai was named the top global destination in the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards thanks to its diverse offerings and willingness to accommodate visitors with a range of needs and preferences. It has only happened twice before in history when the same city has received the coveted honour twice. The diverse offering of the city was highlighted by DET’s specialised programming across markets, which covered a range of leisure touchpoints from heritage to entertainment, outdoor activities and beach adventures, gastronomy, family-friendly experiences, shopping, festivals, sports, and events, as well as yachting and cruise tourism. “This significant uplift in visitation, which surpasses both pre-pandemic levels and marks a new record for Dubai’s tourism sector, is the result of a highly coordinated, sustainable, and robust strategy, that is underpinned by a strong execution mandate and driven forward by the vision and ongoing support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the emirate,” said Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism. strong performance in key areas Western Europe became a significant source of tourism arrivals in the first half of 2023, accounting for 20% of all international visits, while the GCC and MENA regions delivered a combined 28% of the regional share, highlighting Dubai’s allure as a dependable and popular destination for tourists from neighbouring markets. South Asia accounted for 17% of all visits, and Russia, the CIS, and Eastern Europe as a whole made up 14%. The Americas, Africa, and Australasia each contributed 7%, 4%, and 2%, while North Asia and South East Asia each produced 8%. Key markets are still producing. Dubai experienced remarkable growth in key markets in the first half of 2023 despite the current global economic downturn, geopolitical unrest, and issues with air capacity, thanks to targeted campaigns that highlighted the city’s distinctive offerings, as well as its dynamic global appeal and improved connectivity with various continents. Overall, hotels fare better. In H1 2023, Dubai’s hotels performed better than pre-pandemic levels in terms of occupancy, average daily rate (ADR), revenue per available room (RevPAR), and length of stay. Dubai hotels’ average occupancy, which is among the highest in the world at 78%, is 2.2% points higher than the occupancy realised for the same period in H1 2019. Given the 13% increase in hotel establishments and the 26% increase in room capacity compared to the same period in 2019, this gain is particularly significant. By the end of H1 2023, Dubai’s visitors and residents could choose from a total of 810 hotel establishments and 148,689 rooms, as opposed to 714 hotel establishments that were open with 118,345 rooms at the end of H1 2019. This was due to continued domestic and international investment into the sector. The H1 industry performance is a tribute to the future-focused strategy of our visionary leadership to position Dubai as the best city in the world to visit, live, and work, according to Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing. Dubai has continued to gain momentum and maintain its lead in a highly competitive global tourist ecosystem, largely through showcasing the variety of the city’s services and the adaptability of our portfolio.  Fostering multi-level collaborations between the public and private sectors is essential to our success in positioning Dubai as a must-visit location. Cruising and yachting centre for the area Dubai completed an extremely successful 2022–2023 cruise season with a 125% increase in cruise tourist footfall, with 762,887 people disembarking through the renowned Mina Rashid Terminal and the world-class Dubai Harbour, demonstrating Dubai’s position as the region’s top cruise centre. Additionally, 29% more ship calls were made this season than the previous one. Source- Travel daily

Turkish has long been a popular travel destination for people all around the world because of its rich cultural and historical legacy. Türkiye is unwavering in its commitment to ethical and sustainable tourist practises in order to maintain and preserve this priceless heritage for future generations. The nation is committed to fostering a peaceful coexistence between tourism and heritage preservation in order to ensure a prosperous and dynamic future for its beloved landmarks and traditions. The official tourism website, GoTurkiye, recently debuted sections highlighting the nation’s cultural and historical beauties in an effort to promote and highlight Türkiye’s distinctive legacy. Visitors can learn important information about the significance of the nation’s historic places and the preservation efforts in these parts. The cultural and historical landmarks of Turkey are of immeasurable significance and play a vital role in shaping the identity of the country. The nation aims to find a balance between introducing tourists to these extraordinary riches and also preserving them for future generations through responsible tourism efforts. In order to establish a stronger bond between the nation’s heritage and the people who uphold it, Türkiye also provides a variety of sustainable experiences, such as eco-friendly lodging, cycling, and trekking. In line with these activities, Türkiye places a high priority on encouraging ethical behaviour that fosters respect for historical monuments, regional traditions, and customs. Visitors are urged to actively participate in preservation efforts and to be aware of their environmental impact. By working together, Türkiye makes sure that the country’s tourism industry expands while also safeguarding its valuable cultural and historical legacy. The history of Türkiye must be preserved by everyone working together and making ethical decisions. In order to protect the nation’s extensive historical legacy, Türkiye consequently advises visitors to be responsible while visiting such places and to support the sustainability measures in place. Source- Travel biz

This September, Dusit International will continue its growth in Japan with the opening of Dusit Thani Kyoto, a brand-new luxury hotel in the city’s thriving Hanganji Monzen-machi neighbourhood, just 850 metres from Kyoto Station, a major transportation hub that provides easy access to all of Kyoto and the rest of Japan. The lifestyle-focused ASAI Kyoto Shijo, Dusit’s first hotel in the nation, which opened in June, laid the groundwork for Dusit Thani Kyoto, which has been carefully designed to provide distinctive and remarkable stay experiences for affluent travellers seeking authenticity, exclusivity, and enrichment in the utmost comfort and convenience. The hotel, which is quietly situated in a residential neighbourhood, was especially created to honour Kyoto’s rich cultural legacy and magnificent architecture. Inside, the continuous design orientation is continued with subtle cues to the majestic chedis that the city is famous for, as well as references to Ayutthaya, Thailand, another historic capital. The 147 painstakingly decorated guest rooms are further influenced by this extraordinary blending of cultures, resulting in a beautifully balanced fusion of traditional elegance and modern appeal. The hotel, which is built around a tranquil courtyard, provides a variety of business and leisure amenities, such as chic event rooms that can accommodate up to 240 guests, a fully furnished fitness facility, an indoor pool, and the hotel’s unique Devarana Wellness centre. Visitors can find a particular combination of traditional Japanese rituals and ancient Thai massage therapies here, as well as individualised wellness treatments and custom well-being trips designed to help people unwind, detoxify, and get deep restorative sleep. With a variety of tempting options, such as a speciality Teppanyaki restaurant, an opulent tea shop, a stylish basement bar, Den Kyoto, and extraordinary dining experiences created by renowned Thai chefs Duangporn”Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones, dining and drinking at Dusit Thani Kyoto also promises to be an exceptional experience. Bo and Dylan are renowned for their dedication to creating genuine Thai cuisine using seasonal and ecological ingredients. At their earlier Bangkok restaurant, Bo.Ian, they received international recognition, including a Michelin Star. Ayatana, their newest culinary concept, is located at the Dusit Thani Kyoto and offers a singular, multi-sensory fine dining experience where the greatest Japanese traditions meet the most authentic flavours of Thai cuisine to create wonderful moments to relish. The couple also founded Kati, a unique dessert atelier that gives a modern twist on classic Thai desserts, to go along with this unique gastronomic adventure. The Dusit crew is available to assist in planning unforgettable trips to local sights like Nishi Honganji and Tojitemples (both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), as well as other well-known locations and undiscovered jewels throughout the city, in order to let visitors connect with the culture and spirituality of Kyoto. Travellers may take full most of their time and easily see all that this magnificent place has to offer thanks to quick and effective transport from Kyoto Station. “Dusit Thani Kyoto is primed to be a haven for luxury travellers seeking a harmonious blend of cultural appreciation, culinary indulgence, and ultimate relaxation,” said Mr. Gilles Cretallaz, COO, Dusit International. “With our commitment to impeccable service, exceptional wellness and dining experiences, and unique fusion of Thai and Japanese hospitality, Dusit Thani Kyoto is primed to be a haven for luxury travellers.” “Our guests can easily navigate and discover Kyoto’s rich cultural heritage, recognisable landmarks, and hidden gems thanks to our excellent location close to Kyoto Station,” says the hotel. We are delighted to offer a luxurious base for a memorable exploration of Kyoto’s treasures, ensuring guests can make the most of their visit and enjoy a full Kyoto experience. Whether it be visiting the revered Nishi Honganji Temple or travelling further to explore the serene bamboo groves of Arashiyama or the historic charm of the Gion district. For members of Dusit’s guest recognition programme, Dusit Gold, the Dusit Thani Kyoto is offering special room rates starting at JPY 56,925 (USD 400) per night, inclusive of JPY 5,000 in hotel credits per person per stay, to commemorate its launch. Bookings for stays between September 1 and December 28th, 2023, must be made by November 30th, 2023, in order to take advantage of this deal. Source- Travel biz

Greater Bay Airlines (GBA) took part in the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023, which was co-hosted by the labour department and the airport. This three-day show will be hosted at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 4-6, 2023, and GBA will fill more than 20 roles at the event, totaling around 100 aviation-related employment openings. Following their participation in the opening ceremony, Lam Sai-hung, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, and Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government toured the expo and stopped by the GBA booth where their representatives gave an overview of the airline’s plans for hiring and talent development as well as the most recent updates. Greater Bay Airlines took part in the Hong Kong International Airport Career Expo 2023, which was organised jointly by the labour department and the airport. As the newest airline in Hong Kong, Christine Chan, General Manager of Human Resources at GBA, stated, “Since the start of scheduled service last year, GBA has been vigorously extending its network. To meet the demands of our long-term development, we consequently require a stronger fleet and more personnel. We want more talented individuals to collaborate with us and help Hong Kong’s aviation sector and general economy grow. The GBA has a variety of employment openings, including those for pilots, flight attendants, ground services supervisors, maintenance control support engineers, and management trainees, among others. At the event, GBA employees will offer consultancy services and set up on-site interviews for interested parties. In July 2022, GBA started offering scheduled service. As of the now, it offers flights to Bangkok, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Ho Chi Minh City. Source- Travel daily

  Parents who wish to maximise their summer cruise vacation have been given advice on how to make travels with young children simple and pleasurable. For parents and carers planning a voyage on the open seas with their kids, Panache Cruises’ ten top advice have been presented. Checking the minimum age restrictions and whether the ship has on-board kids clubs to keep kids amused is crucial even before a cruise is booked. Before boarding, review the cruise schedule to be sure everyone in the family will enjoy the vacation. Children are more likely to get motion sickness than adults, so it could be a good idea to limit the amount of time spent at sea. Make sure there are lots of family-friendly activities available at each place by doing some research on it beforehand. You should also find out whether any entertainment needs to be reserved in advance. The night before taking sail, think about making a hotel reservation nearby to ensure a stress-free voyage start. Additionally, it allows parents to prepare kids, embark early, and settle them aboard the ship. It’s always a good idea to pack a bag of necessities to have nearby after boarding because it can take some time for the checked luggage to get to the stateroom. This could be toys, diapers, wipes, or a kid’s outfit change. After check-in, life will be considerably simpler as a result. All passengers will have enough room to unwind on board if they choose a spacious family-friendly stateroom or two connected accommodations. To prevent the stateroom from being cluttered, think about packing or renting a travel-friendly pram rather of bringing a large one. Here are the top ten suggestions for cruising with kids from Panache Cruises: Onboard youth group Make sure the ship is kid-friendly and will be able to accommodate youngsters before booking a trip with younger passengers. Do your research and find out if there is a kids club on-board – and check if this needs to be booked in advance. Make sure your kids are old enough to participate in the activities. Also check to see if there is a nursery or creche on-board to look after younger ones. For an additional cost, several cruise lines also provide a fully licenced babysitting service. The minimum age for cruises is Many cruise lines will have a minimum age requirement for passengers to board. Before even thinking about booking, parents will need to check that this will not impact the holiday. There are typically different age requirements for the amount of sea days, if there are any remote destinations, and where the ship is travelling to. Generally speaking, babies under six months old cannot embark on a cruise. Entertainment Choose a cruise line which offers regular entertainment for kids whilst on board. Check the itinerary in advance to see if there are activities every day to suit your plans. It’s important to see if the kids’ entertainment requires a guardian present, or if you’re happy for them to be left in the supervision of staff. Meal times As well as ensuring that the cruise provides kid-friendly meals that your children will enjoy, also look out for any bookings which need to be made to eat at specific restaurants. Stick to children’s mealtimes at home, as close as possible to keep routines similar. It’s a good idea to also pack treats and check out the on-board snack bars for in-between meal times. Read through the cruise itinerary Checking over the cruising itinerary will ensure that the holiday will suit all members of your family. Research beforehand to see if there are plenty of family-friendly activities and restaurants at each destination. See how many sea days there are too – kids are more prone to travel and sea sickness, so too many days in between destinations may be a bad idea. Although all modern cruise ships are fully stabilised, larger vessels will typically move less in heavy seas. Pack a dedicated necessity bag Having a bag with all of the necessities in one place for little ones will allow parents to access things quickly without having to faff about. Pack all documentation, visas, medication, suncream, change of clothes, wipes, nappies, toys and books in one place – and keep this with you when you board. The same bag will provide a useful ‘one stop shop’ for the entire duration of your cruise. Source- Travel daily