Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The 2023 edition of Booking.com’s APAC Travel Confidence Index (TCI) has been made public. The paper offers a thorough analysis of travel mindsets throughout Asia-Pacific (APAC) in light of the current macroeconomic conditions. It exposes a startling paradox: astonishingly, 73% of APAC tourists remain unwaveringly optimistic about their future travel intentions over the course of the next 12 months, despite the fact that financial issues are their top worry (42%). Despite the intricate and linked challenges pressing on the world economy, such as inflation, climate change, and supply chain disruptions, more over half (53%) of travellers questioned have no intention of cancelling any of their trip plans. What’s more impressive is that 59% of these travellers not only stick to their original travel schedules, but also want to take additional trips and spend more money on travel this year. Over 8,000 tourists from 11 different APAC nations and territories, including Singapore, participated in the TCI 2023 research, which was commissioned by Booking.com and independently carried out by Milieu Insight between April and May 2023. It provides a thorough investigation of traveller confidence and interest in sustainability across a range of APAC destinations. Singapore comes up at number four (4th) in the rankings that evaluate travellers’ levels of confidence in each market. In addition, the research introduces four different traveller personas for the first time, including insightful information about their primary driving forces, priorities, and travel habits: Eco-friendly and sustainable travel are aggressively pursued by Conscious Explorers (Hong Kong, India, China, and Taiwan). They are committed to discovering while reducing their negative effects on the environment. To be consistent with their ideals, they participate in ecotourism, stay in eco-friendly hotels, and give to the community. Comfort and convenience are prioritised by Comfort Seekers (Singapore, Australia). They look for luxurious getaways and lodgings that promote the utmost in relaxation. In their travel choices, they place a premium on comfort above sustainability and appreciate individualised services and high-quality amenities. Due to their awareness of their environmental responsibilities and motivation to support the places they visit, Mindful Voyagers (Vietnam) take a deliberate and mindful approach to travelling. However, they frequently feel anxious in strange settings and actively look for methods to get over their fears and build confidence. Homebound Pragmatists (New Zealand, Korea, Japan, and Thailand) favour practical travel and relocating close to their current location. They prioritise convenience, efficiency, and optimising time and resources. They seek seamless travel experiences that are well-organised and efficient, making the most of their limited time and resources. Source: traveldailymedia

With the addition of a number of new properties to its global network of hotels and resorts, BWH Hotels celebrates the continuous expansive growth of its 19 distinctive brands across every chain scale sector, from luxury to premium economy. The business has most recently grown in North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The expanded number of BWH Hotels properties in countries including Austria, Canada, Dubai, Ethiopia, France, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, and the United States will pleasure tourists. According to Larry Cuculic, president and chief executive officer of BWH Hotels, “We are excited to offer travellers even more convenient accommodations in popular locations around the world this summer season.” “We are strategically expanding our global footprint to better serve our cherished visitors wherever their travels may take them. BWH Hotels offers accommodations that may accommodate all types of travel demands, including upmarket, luxury, and lifestyle hotels as well as midscale, premium economy, and extended stay brands.According to Ron Pohl, President of International Operations at WorldHotels, “We invite new properties to join our distinguished global portfolio with great enthusiasm.” “I’m especially proud of WorldHotels’ ongoing expansion. These great independent hotels benefit from the standing and substantial global footprint of BWH Hotels by joining WorldHotels while retaining their uniqueness. We are eager to introduce visitors to these wonderful hotels for their forthcoming global travels. Source: traveldailymedia

The 2023 edition of Booking.com’s APAC Travel Confidence Index (TCI) has been made public. The study provides perceptions into the attitudes of APAC travellers and the significant influence that economic and global concerns have on their travel choices. India is the nation with the second-most confident passengers out of the 11 APAC nations surveyed, just behind Hong Kong. After Singapore and Taiwan, China comes in third. This year’s research reveals a startling paradox: a remarkable 86% of Indian travellers are brimming with optimism about their future travel plans, while 61% have no intention of postponing their travel plans in the next 12 months, in spite of complex global challenges like inflation, geopolitical instability, climate change, and supply chain disruptions. What’s more interesting is that more than half of these travellers (59%) plan to maintain or even increase the number of trips they take, and 68% want to increase their travel spend for the coming year. Key Findings Despite economic difficulties, 86% of Indian travellers are optimistic about their next travel plans, and 61% say they won’t be delaying their travels in the upcoming year. Indian travellers are more likely to want to explore their own country (43%), think that travel may help people improve personally (40%), and want to make important connections (33%). Three out of five people would prefer to travel over the long weekends, and the majority would like to visit North or South India. When it comes to travel experiences, Indian tourists like to go for natural beauty and picturesque locales, then beaches and cuisine More than half of Indian visitors (57%) create thorough itineraries in advance, along with reservations for lodging, activities, and meals, and 60% believe that having access to Indian food is essential. Travelling Patterns Indians stand out for their unusual travel behaviours, especially in how they approach itineraries and how much attention they place on cuisine. More than half (57%) prefer to follow a set schedule and reserve their lodging, activities, and meals in advance. This suggests a desire for a planned travel experience and the confidence that requested services will be booked in advance. While they are open to exploring different cuisines, a substantial number (60%) consider it crucial to have access to Indian food when deciding on travel plans. Indian visitors are more likely than other travellers to discover their own country (43%) and make lasting friendships (33%). When it comes to destinations they would like to explore domestically, a majority of the respondents (71%) want to travel to North India, 60% lean towards destinations in South India, 41% West India, 37% North East India, 16% East India and 13% opted for Central India. Travel Inspiration Travel is one of the most apparent desires of people across the APAC region, providing an escape from the daily routine. For 3 in 5 APAC travellers, their top motivation to travel is the pursuit of relaxation, rejuvenation and an escape from the chaos of everyday life. However, when it comes to Indian travellers besides the desire for a relaxing vacation (57%), other travel motivators include the desire to learn about their travel destinations (34%) and to immerse in the local culture (26%). Leading Travel Issues While there is a strong desire to travel, there are some travel concerns that are also facing travellers in India and across APAC. 39% of Indian travellers consider taking time away from work as one of the main challenges when planning a trip (Hong Kong 37%, Singapore 35%) 34% have financial concerns when choosing to embark on their travel (Thailand 57%, New Zealand 55%) 32% of Indian travellers wishing to travel outside the country are concerned about the complicated, expensive and time-consuming visa processes (Singapore 26%, Vietnam 25%) Additionally, environmental issues emerge as another significant concern, reflecting the growing awareness and consciousness towards sustainable travel practices among travellers in the region.To save on travel costs 39% stated that they are inclined to plan their trips around travel discounts and deals, 38% would travel during off-peak season and 36% would take advantage of staying with friends or family to save on travel costs. Top Places and Activities of Interest while Travelling When it comes to travel experiences, Indian travellers show a significant inclination towards nature and scenic locations (67%), indicating a desire to immerse themselves in the beauty of natural landscapes followed by beaches (63%) and food and dining (57%), that also holds a strong appeal. Other activities of interest include tourist attractions and landmarks (56%), local culture and lifestyle (55%) and shopping (52%). As compared to Indians, when it comes to APAC travellers like to seek out food followed by nature, tourist attractions and beaches. “The survey clearly demonstrated that despite the ongoing global and economic hurdles, there is a prevailing sense of positivity and enthusiasm among travellers. A significant 84% of respondents are actively planning their next trip within the upcoming 12 months,” said Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com. “Along with the high travel confidence that places India among the top three countries, Indian travellers are also most keen to prioritise sustainable travel. Our Travel Confidence Index 2023 shows that despite certain macroeconomic headwinds and fewer COVID-19 restrictions, APAC travellers’ spirit of adventure and desire to make lifelong travel memories remain unwavering and robust. We are confident that the travel sector will continue to thrive in the years to come with this zest and enthusiasm for travelling among people.” Source: travelbizmonitor

SpiceJet reported that the settlement of the payment of INR 100 crore to City Union Bank had been accomplished satisfactorily. “The last tranche of INR 25 crore was paid on June 30, 2023, successfully closing the entire loan account which was taken in the year 2012,” the airline stated in a stock exchange filing. All securities that were pledged to the bank are released upon loan repayment. In accordance with the press release, “the repayment to City Union Bank follows a successful settlement agreement with Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC), a significant lessor for SpiceJet’s Q400 aircraft.” The deal with NAC also clears the way for the return and addition of three more aircraft to SpiceJet’s fleet, according to the airline. “The agreement with NAC settles all past liabilities for the Q400s leased by NAC to SpiceJet,” it said. As the airline rebuilds its fleet and its operations, SpiceJet also stated that it is still dedicated to reaching amicable agreements with all of its debtors. Source: travelbizmonitor

Sales via Hawaiian Airlines’ NDC Adventure, Inc., which powers the air ticket reservations website “skyticket,” and Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. have entered into a distribution agreement for “NDC,” a new standard for the sale of air tickets, via direct connection. The direct NDC connection between the Hawaiian Airlines reservation system and the skyticket reservation system will enable quick confirmation of airfares and seat availability, optimal fares through the NDC connection, and user-specific ancillary services such as upgraded seat selection (for a fee). The system also enables complete reservation automation. It is anticipated that the entirely automated reservation procedure will increase the closing rate and user satisfaction. With the completion of the agreement with Hawaiian Airlines, the total number of airlines with NDC direct connection agreements has reached five. Adventure, Inc. continues to pursue the implementation of NDC in an effort to provide more convenient and user-friendly services to all of our global customers. Source: traveldailymedia

Today is the day for travellers who have their sights set on discovering the Far East. Families and groups of friends can now book 4- and 7-night vacations on Royal Caribbean International’s Spectrum of the Seas and be among the first to cruise to international destinations in 2024-2025 on Asia’s largest and most innovative ship. In April 2024, Spectrum will sail from Shanghai to renowned Japanese vacation destinations such as Fukuoka, Okinawa, Nagasaki, and Osaka. This is the most anticipated return of the cruise line to China. The cruise line’s website is now accepting bookings for the brand-new vacations. “As the first international cruise line to offer bookings and cruises in China, we are ecstatic to make it possible for Chinese tourists to once again explore Asia and create unforgettable memories. And what better way to celebrate Royal Caribbean’s return to Asia than with the return of Spectrum of the Seas, a ship designed particularly for the region,” said Dr. Zinan Liu, senior vice president and chairman of Asia for Royal Caribbean Group. “Today, we can proudly proclaim, ‘We are back in China!’” Spectrum features restaurants and entertainment with regionally inspired menus and shows, such as Hot Pot, Teppanyaki, and Sichuan Red, as well as the karaoke lounge Star Moment, Showgirls in the Royal Theatre, and Silk Road in the one-of-a-kind Two70, where artistry, robots, and technology combine to create jaw-dropping performances. In addition to the familiar comforts, Royal Caribbean offers unique excursions, such as skydiving on the RipCord by iFly, climbing more than 100 metres above the ocean on North Star, the all-glass observation capsule, and bumper cars and sports in SeaPlex, the largest indoor activity space at sea. Regarding opulence, the ship’s exclusive suite enclave has you covered. The luxurious experiences include a two-story, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suite with an in-suite slide that can accommodate up to 11 guests for the ultimate multigenerational family vacation, as well as private dining, shopping, and more. Source: traveldailymedia

This year, the Skytrax World Airlines Awards, which are given to airlines based on surveys of over 20 million travellers from over 100 countries who evaluated more than 325 airlines between September 2022 and May 2023, will be presented once again. This year, in comparison to the previous, many things have changed. Qatar Airways has consistently outperformed the opposition in recent years. However, in 2023, the Arab nation’s airline had to cede the top spot to Singapore Airlines, another superb airline. Notably, this is not Singapore Airlines’ first time atop the airline industry. Regarding Singapore Airlines, this is not the company’s first time holding this title. As a consequence, the Doha-based airline dropped to second place, followed by All Nippon, which “stole” the third step of the podium from Emirates in 2018, forcing the latter to settle for the so-called wooden medal in 2023. In terms of quality as a whole, the Asian airlines reign supreme. Asian airlines currently hold eight of the top ten positions. Two European airlines, Turkish Airlines and Air France, broke the monopoly by placing sixth and seventh, respectively. “This award is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our employees, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure SIA was ready for the resumption of air travel,” said the CEO of Singapore Airlines upon accepting the award. This allowed us to emerge from the pandemic as an even more formidable global airline. He stated, “We are extremely grateful for the passengers’ unwavering support and loyalty to Singapore Airlines. With their assistance, we could confront the pandemic’s extraordinary challenges with courage and resolve. As we move beyond the pandemic, SIA will continue to invest in innovative product development and provide passengers with an exceptional experience. Despite widespread celebration, these outcomes dissatisfied many. North American Airlines must still break into the top positions for the second consecutive year. Air Canada enters the rankings first, albeit in a disappointing 37th position, while United is far behind in 49th place. Transavia, easyJet, Ryanair, and Vueling were ranked ahead of Volotea. Unfortunately, only Air Dolomiti made it into the top 100, placing 96th, two positions higher than the previous edition. Source: traveldailymedia

The hotel operator in Thailand, Centara Hotels & Resorts, and Thai Hospitality Management Company Limited have signed a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) for the Centra by Centara Ratchada Hotel Bangkok. At a signing ceremony conducted at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, senior management teams from both companies officially executed the agreement. The initiative represents Centara’s sixth hotel in Bangkok and the second HMA with Thai Hospitality Management Company Limited. With plans to renovate an existing structure, the hotel is expected to welcome guests in December 2024. “It’s a pleasure to work with Thai Hospitality Management Company Limited again, and we’re thrilled to add a third Centra by Centara hotel to our Bangkok portfolio. Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts, commented, “We are excited to bring the Centra by Centara brand, renowned for its comfort, value, and convenience, to a new area of the city for travellers to explore.” “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Thai Hospitality Management Company Limited and Centara Hotels and Resorts. Director of Thai Hospitality Management Company Limited Kunyarat Thongtam stated, “We are confident that the values of both companies align, and we are thrilled to be bringing the elevated comfort of Centra by Centara to MICE and leisure travellers in the increasingly popular Ratchada areas.” This 32-story, 306-room addition to the Ratchada neighbourhood is only a 10-minute walk from the Ladprao MRT station and will feature an all-day dining restaurant, meeting rooms, a swimming pool, a spa, a fully-equipped fitness centre, and a contemporary rooftop restaurant with spectacular city views. Centra by Centara Ratchada Hotel Bangkok is the ninth Centra by Centara hotel and the third in Bangkok, following Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaweng Watthana and Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Pha Nakhon. Source: traveldailymedia

Trip.com Group has announced a childcare assistance programme for its employees worldwide. Employees who have been with the company for at least three years will receive an annual cash incentive of RMB 10,000 for each newborn child from the child’s first birthday through the child’s fifth birthday. The company intends to invest 1 billion RMB in employee family planning subsidies and to promote working families. James Liang, Executive Chairman of the Board of Trip.com Group, stated, “Employees are the company’s greatest asset, and we are committed to providing them with a better and more supportive work environment. By introducing this new childcare benefit, we hope to provide financial assistance that will encourage our employees to start or expand their families without sacrificing their professional goals and accomplishments.” Always a top priority at Trip.com Group is fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. This childcare subsidy is an additional commitment towards the objective, empowering our employees to maintain a healthy work-life balance. As a family-friendly organisation, Trip.com Group offers excellent support to working mothers and caters for pregnant employees. In recent years, Trip.com Group has implemented family-friendly policies, including hybrid work and a benefit for assisted reproduction. Demographic economist Liang believes that family welfare policies such as inclusive childcare services, equal maternity leave for men and women, protection of the rights of single-parent families, and open access to assisted reproductive technologies can help working women reduce the time and opportunity costs of parenting and achieve a win-win situation for family and career. In his new book, “Population Strategies: How Population Affects the Economy and Innovation,” published earlier this year, he examines and discusses policies that could encourage childbearing. As part of its efforts to increase employee contentment and satisfaction, the company implemented a hybrid working programme that allowed employees across all markets to work remotely on certain days of the week. The hybrid working model was implemented to increase employee satisfaction, support family care, and promote work-life balance. The multinational corporation was the first in China to implement the scheme. Trip.com Group has now adopted the policy in 14 regions and countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and Australia, where it was initially introduced. Source: traveldailymedia