Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Global airport services aggregator DreamFolks and Plaza Premium Group, a provider of airport hospitality with the largest network of independent airport lounges in the world, have announced a partnership to add more than 340 Plaza Premium Lounges in more than 70 major international airports to the DreamFolks global lounge network, starting today. This will improve the travel experience for its members all over the world. In four continents, including major travel hubs like Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Florida, Brazil, Italy, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and more, Plaza Premium Lounges will be extensively covered thanks to this collaboration. The number of DreamFolks’ global touchpoints will rise to an impressive 1700+ with the addition of Plaza Premium Lounges. This expanded network will provide members with unmatched access to premium lounges in popular travel locations around the world, ensuring a smooth and relaxing travel experience. Dreamfolks Services Ltd. Chairperson and MD Liberatha Kallat stated, “We are thrilled to work with Plaza Premium Group and expand our global lounge network. The impressive geographic reach that Plaza Premium Lounges provides is something we are proud to highlight across newer lounges and various locations. The strategic partnership represents a crucial step in improving everyone’s experience travelling abroad. Travellers can anticipate experiencing unrivalled comfort and hospitality at important travel hubs around the world thanks to expanded lounge coverage and access to a vast network of touchpoints. Plaza Premium Group’s Deputy-CEO, Bora Isbulan, stated, “We are pleased to work with DreamFolks. Due to the fact that India is one of the largest and fastest-growing outbound markets in Asia, this strategic partnership allows PPG to further its mission to improve travel by providing travellers with distinctive airport hospitality solutions that cater to their changing needs. Given India’s sizable population, rising purchasing power, and rapidly expanding outbound travel market, our goal is to make the airport experience a part of the journey you look forward to in India. We also believe that the airport hospitality space presents a significant opportunity for growth. Through this partnership, we can more successfully introduce new goods and services to the Indian market by utilising DreamFolks’ broad exposure and in-depth knowledge of the country’s travel industry and consumers, as well as PPG’s robust global network and expertise in airport hospitality.Source– Travel biz

In the city of Limassol, which is well-known for its tourism and business activities, Cisalpina Tours has built an official office. The inaugural event was held on board the cruise ship MSC Musica, and about 150 people from various organisations, partners, and management staff were present. This occasion gave people a chance to talk about the Bluvacanze Group’s foreign investments and the MSC Group’s competence, particularly in the areas of cruises, tourism, events, and business travel. The Bluvacanze Group has expanded five times since December 2022 as part of their steady and quick global expansion, with the opening of their office in Cyprus being the latest. Upcoming expansions will concentrate on European capitals through the end of 2023, and then this phase will come to a close with the development of a presence in Durban, South Africa. In the business travel sector, particularly within the marine industry, Domenico Pellegri Prabhat Jha, CEO of MSC Shipmanagement Limited, emphasised the significance of significant experience and reliable connections. He emphasised how MSC’s considerable presence in Cyprus will help local businesses create synergies and take advantage of rare opportunities. The MSC Group’s established presence in Cyprus, according to Domenico Pellegrino, CEO of the Bluvacanze Group, paves the way for the growth of their business travel division, which will target clients in the marine industry. The managing director of Cisalpina Tours Cyprus, Vaso Nikola Leonidou, expressed confidence in the knowledge and professionalism of his team, saying that it will truly provide value for customers. Source- Travel daily  

Greater Bay Airlines, the newest airline based in Hong Kong, and Sabre Corporation, a software and technology company that supports the worldwide travel industry, have announced a new distribution arrangement. Greater Bay Airlines will have access to Sabre’s extensive network of travel agencies, online travel agencies, and businesses thanks to the integration of the Global Distribution System (GDS) from Sabre. This will enable the airline to reach a larger audience and maximise distribution reach. The new agreement bolsters Sabre’s position in the Hong Kong travel industry while allowing Greater Bay Airlines to disseminate its flights and services quickly and efficiently around the globe. Travel agents worldwide who are connected to Sabre will have access to more airline material, enabling them to design the best deals and experiences for their leisure and business clients.  Gloria Slethaug, General Manager, Marketing and Sales, Greater Bay Airlines, said: “After launching our scheduled services in July 2022, we’re now focusing on expanding our regional network from Hong Kong to destinations like Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, and Ho Chi Minh City, while providing our customers with best-in-class travel experiences. In order to improve our distribution capabilities to travel agents and their clients around the world as we go on with our expansion objectives, it was crucial that we select the proper technology partner. Greater Bay Airlines wants to play a bigger part in Hong Kong’s burgeoning tourism industry as the city works to draw more foreign tourists and business travellers. The airline launched regular service from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City recently, adding a sixth destination to its network after operating its first route to Bangkok last summer. Greater Bay Airlines anticipates adding more international services in the upcoming years as a result of efforts to grow its fleet. Rakesh Narayanan, Vice President, Regional General Manager, Asia Pacific, Travel Solutions, Airline Sales, Sabre Corporation, said: “We’re happy to welcome Greater Bay Airlines to our growing network of airline clients. “To efficiently reach international travellers while focusing on growing company operations, the airline must have access to a strong distribution network. Now that Sabre technology is being used, we anticipate seeing additional Greater Bay Airlines aircraft take to the sky. Source- Travel daily

This July, Qatar Airways launched a new direct flight between Doha, Qatar, and Toulouse, France, marking the airline’s most recent efforts to broaden its network in that country. After the airline’s recent additions of Nice and Lyon, the much awaited debut flight becomes the fourth destination in France. French treats and music were served to passengers at the Hamad International Airport’s (DOH) departure gate. Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways Group, and His Excellency Mr. Jean-Baptiste Faivre, the ambassador of France to the State of Qatar, were among the distinguished passengers on board the inaugural flight, QR047. The flight was welcomed by Mr. Philippe Crébassa, Chairman of the Board of the Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, and His Excellency Sheikh Ali bin Jassem Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to France. With 24 Business Class seats and 236 Economy Class seats, the Airbus A330-200 is used to conduct the new direct service to Toulouse. To mark the new route, the maiden flight gave all of its passengers a box of the exquisite Pierre Hermé macarons as well as other gifts at both the departure and arrival gates. French cuisine is synonymous with perfection. Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways Group, and Philippe Crébassa, the chairman of the board of Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, held a press conference to announce the expansion of the national airline of the State of Qatar into the French market as well as upcoming cooperative opportunities between the two exciting cities. “Qatar Airways’ expanded footprint into France will serve to strengthen the trade, tourism, and commercial links between our two countries and, of course, set the stage for future opportunities,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Airways Group. In terms of destinations, our new routes to Toulouse, Nice, and Lyon strengthen Qatar Airways’ status as one of the top carriers in France. Philippe Crébassa, chairman of the board at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, declared: “Toulouse-Blagnac Airport is happy to announce the start of this route to Doha today. We are thrilled that one of the top airlines in the world, Qatar Airways, has selected Toulouse to hasten its development. There is now a direct connection from the south-west of France to the Middle East. “Our French and foreign customers will benefit from easier access to links with Asia, Africa, and Oceania thanks to the Doha hub. Additionally, this opening opens up new possibilities for Toulouse-based international air freight transport.I want to express my gratitude to all the organisations in Toulouse and the Occitanie area that have supported economic development and tourism marketing. Another French site that is a must-see is the energetic city of Toulouse. This city’s more than 2,000-year history includes several musical and artistic traditions, making it a vibrant and exciting place to visit. Nature, art, history, sports, and most importantly, its distinctive architecture, can all be explored by tourists. Source- Travel daily

Industries, returns with a bang this September with an energising full-day forum headlined by one of the region’s most inspirational leaders: KP Ho, the founder of Banyan Tree Group and pioneer of Laguna Phuket. PHIST 6 will also feature industry pioneer Bill Bensely.  Bill Bensley, a local activist, artist, and “maximalist” hotel designer, will perform with him as part of a double bill. PHIST organiser Bill Barnett will interview Bensley. David Johnson of Delivering Asia Communications will speak with KP Ho. PHIST 6, which is being organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, C9 Hotelworks, and Greenview, will take place on September 4th, 2023, at SAii Laguna Phuket, where it is anticipated that 1,000 travel and hospitality professionals from all over Asia Pacific will attend. Before it became a catchphrase, KP Ho, a journalist who later became a hotelier, recognised the fundamental relevance of sustainability. Banyan Tree’s founder played a key role in Laguna Phuket’s transformation from a desolate moonscape of scarred land that had been abandoned by the tin mining industry and declared unusable into Southeast Asia’s top integrated resort development.  This paved the way for the 1994 opening of the first opulent, environmentally conscious Banyan Tree resort, which included the first pool villas ever built. The business has since grown to include over 100 hotels and resorts, either open for business or in the planning stages. Additionally, the Banyan Tree Global Foundation was established to aid with community growth and conservation. Bill Bensley has constructed several of the best hotels in Asia over the past 30 years, garnering a tiny collection of prestigious medals and accolades for the extreme reverence shown for their surroundings and purposeful nature. Similar to KP, he will only share his life’s journey and philosophy with 100 people per session. The first person who registers gets a spot, first come, first served. Source- Travel daily

A brand-new pilot cadet programme being introduced by British Airways will provide funding for up to 60 aspiring pilots’ training each year. The economic barrier to training to become an airline pilot will be eliminated with the establishment of the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy, making the career considerably more accessible. After clearing the course, successful candidates will be offered a career as a British Airways pilot, assisting the airline in ensuring it has the necessary levels of future flying talent for years to come. For many, becoming a pilot is out of reach due to the high expense of initial training, which can reach tens of thousands of pounds. British Airways will now cover this expense as part of its multi-million pound commitment in developing its future generation of pilots, making becoming a pilot a real career option for all aspirants. The airline is keen to raise awareness, visibility, and applications to this new cadet programme to persons from all backgrounds, not just those who can pay the first training expenditures. The airline remains committed to further growing diversity in the aviation business. The Speedbird Pilot Academy would help students who had previously discounted the possibility due to the financial burden realise their dream of becoming a British Airways pilot, according to Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO of British Airways. “Our goal is to draw in the best talent available for our upcoming pilot generation. We’re levelling the playing field by removing the first training cost barrier to make a flying profession more accessible to a larger spectrum of individuals and give everyone an equal shot, whether they are just graduating from high school or starting a second career they never imagined conceivable. A career as a British Airways pilot is tremendously gratifying because we fly to more than 200 destinations worldwide on a variety of aircraft types. Anyone can make it a reality thanks to this once-in-a-generation programme. This is a fantastic job for anyone, according to British Airways Senior First Officer and former cadet Hannah Vaughan. Naturally, you must enjoy flying and travelling, but working as a pilot with British Airways offers so much more. “I would definitely recommend it as a career path, from working with an incredibly dedicated team and meeting customers from around the world to benefiting from world-class training facilities.” Successful applicants will be given a spot at one of the approved flight training schools, with British Airways paying for all of their tuition. One component of the airline’s larger pilot recruitment strategy is the Speedbird Pilot Academy. In addition to partnering with the UK Armed Forces to provide military pilots new career possibilities in commercial aviation once their stipulated service tenure has expired, British Airways continues to hire current commercial pilots. Source- Travel daily

The Perdana Fellow Alumni Association (PFAA) and MITEC are working together as a strategic partner to unlock the potential of young people and promote change-makers whose leadership will help the nation achieve the SDGs. Mala Dorasamy, CEO of MITEC, stated that the association “aligns with the direction for the centre to accomplish Youth 4 Global Goals (Youth4GG) to promote and support the change-makers of their leadership abilities that will act as a catalyst in driving the accomplishment of SDGs or also known as the Global Goals and Agenda 2030” in order to harness the potential of young people in Malaysia. In order to give young Malaysians first-hand exposure to issues of national government, the Ministry of Youth and Sports formed the PFAA in 2013. The chosen young people were chosen from among thousands of applicants, and “The cream of the crop” was given to the ministers of various ministries to help in the highest level of governance. They join the Perdana Fellows Alumni Association (PFAA) after completing the fellowship, continuing the tradition of encouraging a close network between youth leaders and corporate, governmental, and non-profit leaders. “We are deeply honoured to receive the support of MITEC, a significant economic catalyst and renowned Gateway of Southeast Asia,” said Syed Mohamed Arif, president of PFAA. In order to achieve our ambitious goal of raising the association’s reputation within ASEAN and beyond, a cooperation with MITEC will certainly be expedited. The International young Centre (IYC) and MITEC have similar goals in creating an empowered young to contribute to the nation with their ideas, skills, and manpower for the improvement of the next generation in the country. MITEC hopes to identify numerous talents through this association. “We believe MITEC’s initiative to support and partner with PFAA is based on shared responsibility to make society a better place and is a good way to expand as well as include more holistic approaches in corporate social responsibility,” said YBhg Dr. Hi Mohamed Maliki, Director of the International Youth Centre. The MITEC organisation has started initiatives to address youth empowerment before. eUsahawan Young Heroes by MDEC, the Business Events (BE) forum, the Elite Programme for talent development, Michelin Guide Debut with Sunway & Taylors University, and giving interns platforms in engineering, finance, business development, marketing, culinary and hospitality industry at the largest venue in Malaysia as part of the graduate programme are just a few of the well-known initiatives that MITEC has partnered with. “With partnerships, we have successfully introduced fresh and innovative approaches to attain the SDGs in a more approachable manner,” added Mala Dorasamy, CEO of MITEC. In this situation, the collaboration will effectively unlock the potential of youth, enabling them to make a substantial contribution to our common SDGs. Source- Travel biz

Booking.com has agreed to serve as the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023’s Official Online Travel Sponsor. Booking.com is in a great position to assist travellers and football fans in booking their lodging when travelling to see their favourite team play, according to the company. With a wide selection of lodging options, including over 28 million listings in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, not to mention over 60,000 in host countries Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand alone, Booking.com is well-positioned to assist them. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which will be held in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand from July 20 to August 20, is anticipated to be the largest women’s sporting event ever, featuring 64 matches that will be played in 10 renowned locations throughout the two nations. Booking.com, the official online travel sponsor, will make it possible for fans to book lodging during the games, including hotels, holiday homes, apartments, and everything in between, allowing them to take advantage of everything the host cities have to offer. Taking place in Australia and New Zealand in 2023, the FIFA Women’s World Cup is a celebration of diversity and sport that aims to strengthen relationships between local communities and fan bases in both countries. Booking.com has maintained its commitment to supporting elite women’s sport by teaming up with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, continuing recent investments into women’s sporting events. “The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 tournament will create the perfect synergy for unforgettable experiences that last a lifetime,” said Arjan Dijk, CMO and Senior Vice President at Booking.com. “Football is the world’s #1 passion, and when combined with the excitement and adventure of travel, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 tournament will create the perfect synergy for memorable experiences that last a lifetime.” Through our nifty app, which makes it simple for everyone to book accommodations, we’re thrilled to play a part in encouraging travellers and helping them achieve their travel goals. “We are thrilled to welcome Booking.com to our family of tournament sponsors and supporters ahead of the greatest FIFA Women’s World CupTM ever,” said Sarai Bareman, Chief Women’s Football Officer, FIFA. Over the next month, supporters of teams from over 150 different nations will travel to Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand to cheer on their teams and the competition. With Booking.com at their disposal, many of these supporters will be able to locate excellent lodging alternatives during their stay. Source-Travel biz

According to the nation’s official statistics, Spain is one of the most travelled nations in the world. Two well-known locations, Barcelona and Madrid, are among the top five summer destinations that European travellers on Trip.com have booked as a result of the pandemic. The travel outlook for this summer, Ms. Morillo said Ms. Sun, “is fantastic.” “The number of visitors has surpassed the pre-pandemic level, and most importantly, travellers are spending more this summer compared to 2019,” the statement continued. However, Ms. Morillo clarified that they don’t solely pay attention to visitor volume. Right now, sustainable and high-quality tourism is Spain’s preferred approach to tourism, which has replaced “mass, sun, and beach” tourism. “The geography and culture of Spain are different. Despite the fact that we already have well-known tourist locations, we must concentrate on enhancing tourists’ experiences rather than merely bringing in more people. According to Ms. Morillo, we should work to encourage more tourists to visit off-the-beaten-path locations. Ms. Sun, who has been throughout Spain, concurred that there are many undiscovered jewels to be found there and pointed out that the Trip.com Group has been preparing for the return of Chinese tourists to Spain ever since the pandemic’s emergence. Through the use of content marketing techniques, the online travel agency has produced effective campaigns to maintain clients’ interest in the nation. These include influencer marketing initiatives on its platform for travel-related content, the debut of a StarHub official account for Spain, and the development of curated lists for users to discover vacation ideas in Spain. Has there been a change in Chinese tourists’ recent travel habits or choices, even though Spain has traditionally been one of their most preferred destinations? According to Ms. Sun, “The new generation of Chinese tourists expects genuine and distinctive experiences in Spain. Through our cutting-edge technology and marketing capabilities, we give them the most exciting travel inspiration and trustworthy suggestions. Future travel will change as a result of technology The use of cutting-edge AI technologies by Trip.com Group to improve the consumer experience is reshaping the travel and hospitality sector. Over 75% of airline and hotel-related issues voiced by customers are now resolved by the AI chatbot, without the need for these consumers to speak to a customer support representative, thanks to the company’s pioneering use of AI technology in customer service in 2016. Trip.com introduced “TripGen” earlier this year, a real-time AI travel assistant that offers users immediate advice on pre-trip decisions and on-trip plans. The overall travel experience has become more joyful and stress-free thanks to this cutting-edge gadget. Ms. Morillo concurs that technology is redefining the tourism business in all facets, including talent development and destination development in addition to pre-booking, booking, and customer service. “Technology will alter travel patterns in addition to how individuals purchase goods. For instance, Ms. Morillo said, “We have observed numerous cities employing technologies to direct the flow of passengers and improve mobility in the city, ultimately enhancing the travel experience. Women are an organization’s foundation. In December 2022, Ms. Morillo took on the position of State Secretary for Tourism, capping a long and fruitful career covering a variety of industries, including software, investment banking, and hospitality. “I think everybody should work in the public sector at some point in his or her life, because you can give back to the society and make a difference,” said Ms. Morillo. Ms. Morillo is a strong advocate for gender equality in the workplace and encourages more women to take up leadership positions. “While the gender ratio in middle management teams in Spain is equal, it becomes increasingly unbalanced at higher management levels. This needs to be changed,” Ms. Morillo shared. The Spanish government recently approved a draft Equal Representation Law that aims to promote more equal representation of women and men in politics, business, and other spheres of public life. While Ms. Morillo views this as a positive step, she believes that more needs to be done to create a truly gender-inclusive workplace. Ms. Sun agrees with Ms. Morillo’s views and believes that striving for equal gender representation in senior management teams is not only the right thing to do but will also lead to more rational and considerate decision-making for governments, companies, and organisations. “With more than half of Trip.com Group employees and one-third of middle managers being female, women are the backbone of our business,” said Ms. Sun. “I look forward to further enhancing the figure in the near future.” During their discussion, Ms. Sun also shared with Ms. Morillo’s the Group’s recently launched Childcare Subsidy programme. Under this new scheme, full-time employees with children after 1 July 2023 will receive a subsidy of RMB 10,000 for each child on their first, second, third, fourth and fifth birthdays. The Group plans to invest RMB 1 billion as subsidies to support its employees in family planning and promote working families. Over the years, Trip.com Group has introduced several family-friendly policies including hybrid work and assisted reproduction benefits. “As we have always said, our employees are our greatest asset. The launch of this new initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting our employees to achieve their family and career goals,” said Ms. Sun. “Going forward, we will continue to create family-friendly workplaces across our various offices.” Source- Travel daily

As of July 19, 2023, the Philippines had welcomed 3 million foreign visitors, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Department of Tourism (DOT). According to the most recent DOT data, from January 1 to July 19, 2023, there were a total of 3,000,079 international visitor arrivals. From January 1 to June 30, 2023, the Philippines’ incoming tourism receipts increased to P212,467,522,100.14, which is 502.02 percent more than the P35,292,495,457.14 in tourism revenue from the same time the previous year. According to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, “We are pleased to report that in just over seven months, we have already surpassed the 3 million international visitor arrivals mark, reflecting continued robust recovery and the gains of the Marcos Administration towards the resurgence of Philippine tourism.” Millions of Filipinos rely on the tourism industry for work and a living. We are appreciative of the increased global interest in the Philippines, which provides many good reasons to enjoy exploring all of our islands. We also applaud our fellow Filipinos for continuing to visit their home country and for helping the local families, communities, and businesses that make up the tourist value chain. 91.36 percent of the total, or 2,740,802, is made up of foreign visitors, while the remaining 8.64 percent, or 259,277, is made up of Filipinos living abroad. The top 5 source markets for foreign arrivals included Australia with 146,062 (4.87 percent), Japan with 143,227 (4.77 percent), Canada with 132,018 (4.40 percent), and South Korea with 741,658 (24.72 percent). The USA came in second with 550,569 (18.35 percent), followed by Japan and the United States in that order. In addition, there were 129,077 visitors from China (4.30%), 104,211 from Taiwan (3.47%), 85,847 from the UK (2.86%), 81,656 from Singapore (2.72%), and 54,411 from Malaysia (1.81%). Source- Travel daily