Starfish Travel Corporation Team

This week, ILTM Asia Pacific celebrated its most successful event since 2019 in Singapore, welcoming 500 luxury travel suppliers from across the globe to meet with 500 accredited regional agents representing their high-net worth clients across 25 countries in the region, including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. There were over 28,000 business-generating appointments, and a genuine sense of optimism permeated the week. ILTM Portfolio Director Alison Gilmore commented on the event’s success, stating, “At each ILTM event, we bring together our community to not only develop connections, but also to celebrate the constantly evolving luxury travel industry. Throughout the week, travel suppliers and consumers forged new relationships inside and outside the official venue of ILTM Asia Pacific in Singapore, Marina Sands. Over fifty influential media from across the region and the globe were also present, and many of these editors, along with the buyers and exhibitors, commented on the event’s energy and vitality. Space Perspective’s Edita Teper remarked, “We have met with incredibly engaged and affluent agents whose clients are seeking transformational experiences, which Space Perspective undoubtedly offers. Following this first ILTM Asia Pacific experience, we are confident that we will confirm a large number of trips to the border of space, in addition to gaining significant brand awareness.” Crystal Cruises’ Tony Archbold stated, “ILTM Asia Pacific is the best occasion to meet the most qualified agents who will introduce Crystal to the regional market. Incredible enthusiasm and interest have been demonstrated. Crystal is of Asian descent, so this forum is ideal for us.” Preferred Hotels’ Rick Stiffler stated, “This is a fantastic market for Preferred. And ILTM is the perfect venue for us to connect with such a large number of exceptional agents from the region. Overall, a tremendous prospect for our brand and hotels.” Standard Hotels’ Ollie Palmer stated, “With upcoming openings in Melbourne and Singapore, we are concentrating on raising awareness throughout Asia, particularly in Australia. In addition to reconnecting with so many excellent agents at ILTM Asia Pacific, we’ve also met nearly 70% new contacts – it’s exciting to be a part of the new business opportunities presented by the event’s continued growth.” Greta Defoe of the Town Hall Hotel in London stated, “This is my first ILTM Asia Pacific, and I’ve already received a number of very positive inquiries and reservations before the first day! It is a pleasure to meet so many proactive and effective agents at ILTM in Singapore.” Henny Fraser of ANI Private Resorts stated, “This has been a remarkable week at our first ILTM Asia Pacific. From the early morning dialogues to the networking events in the evenings, it is evident that the travel agents curated for us here are eager for knowledge and discovery. It is the ideal platform for us to reach so many pertinent new high-end travel curators.” Source: traveldailymedia

Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, inaugurated service to Olbia today, becoming the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights between Dubai and Olbia. This commences the airline’s seasonal three-times-weekly service to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB), expanding its network in Italy to five destinations, including Catania, Milan-Bergamo, Naples, and Pisa. Officials at Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) greeted the inaugural flight with a water cannon salute and a cordial welcome. The Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, Ghaith Al Ghaith, stated, “We are committed to opening underserved destinations, and we are thrilled to offer our consumers more summer travel options with the launch of flights to Olbia, Sardinia. Since 2018, when flydubai began operations to the region, Italy has been a popular destination for UAE and GCC customers, and we look forward to offering more travel options as flydubai enters another record-breaking summer.” “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Chief Executive Officer of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, Silvio Pippobello, as well as the tourism board in Sardinia and other key stakeholders for their support. I look forward to enhancing connectivity between the UAE and Italy,” Al Ghaith concluded. ​ Silvio Pippobello, Chief Executive Officer of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, stated: “Thanks to flydubai’s extensive network, today’s inaugurated connection significantly improves the island’s connectivity for the benefit of the region and the local population, while also providing a crucial opportunity for our tourist destination to officially enter the global market. Today, in fact, it is possible to reach Sardinia with a single halt from every corner of the globe. We applaud the airline for believing in our destination, the region of Sardinia for its support, the Sardinian airports that have collaborated to reach this milestone, and all the stakeholders who are working to ensure the success of this flight.” Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, commented on the launch of flights: “With the launch of flights to our fifth destination in Italy, we look forward to providing more convenient and dependable options for passengers travelling between Dubai and Olbia. Our flights will be operated by our Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, where both Business Class and Economy Class passengers will enjoy a comfortable flight experience. ​ ​ In addition to Batumi, Bodrum, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Mykonos, Santorini, Tivat, and Trabzon, Olbia has joined flydubai’s network of seasonal summer destinations. The airline’s 737 MAX aircraft feature exceptionally comfortable Business Class seating. Additionally, passengers can enjoy an enhanced travel experience with menus inspired by international cuisine and hours of immersive in-flight entertainment. Economy Class seats are newly designed to maximise space and comfort, allowing passengers to lean back, unwind, and enjoy the flight. Flight Details From 22 June to 30 September 2023, flights between Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB) and Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) will operate three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Business Class round-trip fares from DXB to OLB begin at AED 11,725 and Economy Class Lite fares begin at AED 3000. Business Class return fares from OLB to DXB begin at €2,900, while Economy Class Lite fares begin at €550. Source: traveldailymedia

Cisalpina Tours received the prestigious GoGlobal accreditation from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), making it one of the very few global travel companies to effectively complete all requirements for approval. The GoGlobal accreditation is intended for travel agencies with a global footprint that wish to participate in IATA’s Agency Programme by operating in multiple countries with a high proportion of owned entities. IATA performs corporate compliance, due diligence clearance, and sanity checks on the company’s consolidated and audited financial statements prior to approving the application for accreditation, making it a highly reputable status highly regarded by global airlines. After approval, IATA conducts quarterly financial assessments at the parent company level, a significant reaffirmation for global airlines of our group’s stability. The GoGlobal Accreditation is a significant milestone in the annals of Cisalpina Tours. Cisalpini Tours’ Global Industry Relations Manager, Cristina Stacchini, believes that IATA’s GoGlobal is one of the most essential steps towards the internationalisation of the company, which is being undertaken in conjunction with its parent company, MSC Group. The airline partners have been entirely supportive of the expansion plan, and the Group’s GoGlobal status will help pave the way for it to become a global player in the travel industry. Cisalpina Tours received the prestigious IATA’s GoGlobal accreditation, making it one of only a handful of global travel companies to effectively complete all requirements for approval. Source: traveldailymedia

Recent Earth Day (22 April) and World Environment Day (5 June) brought with them inescapable tales of disgraceful greenwashing by energy companies, global banks, and automobile manufacturers. As an industry that contributes 8-11% of global greenhouse gas emissions (WTTC, 2022), travel companies have a significant role to play in adopting greener practises; however, they can easily face reputational risks in doing so: accusations of greenwashing or backlash from those opposed to environmental policies can leave many companies thinking it is better not to bother. For those in the travel industry who are truly committed to change, this creates a fear of launching green campaigns publicly, resulting in the exact opposite: “green-hushing,” or not communicating what they are doing. This not only deprives companies of the deserved benefits of acting virtuously, but also diminishes the impact of such actions, as engagement levels are lower due to a lack of awareness. Therefore, what should travel companies do in terms of communication when attempting to act sustainably? Where should their efforts be concentrated? We questioned several experts in the travel technology industry. Christian Sabbagh, Founder & CEO of travel SaaS provider Travelsoft – owners of platforms such as Orchestra, Traffics and Travel Compositor – comments: “In an increasingly environmentally conscious world and a very strong media focus on the travel industry regarding this subject, travel companies are under increasing pressure to not only reduce their carbon footprint but also to communicate and report their efforts in a transparent and meaningful manner. I believe that as an industry, we should view this topic as a positive challenge that we should embrace, act upon, and communicate our successes. By responding affirmatively to this pressure, we can advance more quickly and remain one step ahead.” Looking at how hotels present themselves in their sales and marketing channels, Janet Jaiswal, VP of Marketing at Cloudbeds, a technology provider for independent hotels, believes that “it’s not enough to just make changes behind the scenes; companies must also communicate these efforts to their customers in order to make a difference.” In a world where eco-friendliness is increasingly important to travellers, failing to follow through on sustainability initiatives once the guest is on the property can result in reduced guest satisfaction, cancellations, and fewer bookings over time. In order to benefit the environment and maintain profitability, businesses must adopt a holistic approach to sustainability. Alex Gisbert, CEO of FastPayhotels, a global B2B platform for travel sellers and hotels, notes that while much of the focus is on those who have a large carbon footprint, such as airlines and hotels, all businesses in the travel distribution ecosystem must accept that the days of saying ‘that’s not me’ are over. “The carbon footprint of the travel-focused technology sector – bedbanks, GDS providers, channel administrators, payments services, property management systems, PSS platforms, etc. – may have a negligible direct carbon impact compared to that of the suppliers, but it still exists. Moreover, genuine sustainability is about much more than just carbon footprint. There are steps in the correct direction, but they are not as well communicated or coordinated as they are in the B2C space, and they need to find their voice, neither overemphasising nor underemphasizing their role and impact. Start small is my recommendation.” In light of the challenges faced by tourism boards, Carlos Cendra from travel intelligence provider Mabrian adds, “DMOs have a unique opportunity to make meaningful contributions to sustainability, while avoiding the risks of greenwashing and backlash from those opposed to environmental policies.” Tourism sustainability must be approached from a variety of perspectives, including environmental, social, economic, and structural dimensions. Managers of DMOs are responsible for implementing a sustainable culture for both the tourism industry and residents. This requires time and effort to establish, but it is the only method to bring about a genuine and lasting change. In contrast, the ‘patchwork’ strategy of uncoordinated sustainability actions is nearly ineffective and can give the impression of greenwashing. Source: traveldailymedia

IndiGo, the largest airline in India, has announced a partnership with Sula Vineyards and Fratelli Vineyards to offer specially curated vacation experiences to all of its customers travelling to Nashik and Pune, respectively. With this partnership, IndiGo will offer exclusive 6Experiences that go beyond air travel, thereby enhancing the customer’s journey and giving them another incentive to experience ‘India by IndiGo’. As part of this partnership, IndiGo passengers who visit Sula Vineyards in Nashik will receive complimentary offers. At the Sula Vineyards, guests can expect a breathtaking setting, expansive vineyards, a luxurious stay, and exquisite cuisine. Customers will have the chance to partake in a delightful experience that will make their stay genuinely memorable. IndiGo will extend the partnership benefits to include an exclusive discount on stays at the Fratelli estate in Akluj, Maharashtra, for all Pune-bound passengers. Guests can anticipate vineyard tours in the largest vineyards in India, intimate stays, tailor-made cuisine, and special seasonal offers on rates for visits and stays at the Fratelli estate, guaranteeing a memorable and value-packed experience. Chief Digital and Information Officer of IndiGo, Neetan Chopra, stated, “IndiGo is overjoyed to combine travel with on-the-ground experiences, and we believe our partnership with Sula Vineyards and Fratelli Vineyards exemplifies this commitment. We are committed to connecting people with locations in a manner that transcends the ordinary, thereby enhancing the overall experience and value. By providing our valued customers with exclusive tours and discounts, we hope to create unforgettable memories and enhance their voyage. IndiGo remains committed to providing affordable, hassle-free, and on-time travel experiences throughout the network.” Grégoire Verdin, global brand ambassador for Sula Vineyards, stated, “We are ecstatic that Sula Vineyards and IndiGo have joined forces to usher in a new era of tourism in India. There is no need to travel abroad when we have a stunning vineyard with delectable flavours. We cannot wait to have you explore our vineyard and stay at our exclusive vineyard resort, The source at Sula. Let’s embark on a culinary journey together. Cheers to exploring the enchantment of our vineyard!” The Managing Director of Fratelli Vineyards Pvt. Ltd., Gaurav Sekhri, stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with IndiGo to create a genuinely captivating and immersive experience. Fratelli is proud of the vineyards it has developed and invites visitors to investigate them. They are able to experience exclusive, custom-designed itineraries against a backdrop of charming, endless vineyards. This partnership exemplifies our dedication to providing 6E guests with an unforgettable adventure, coupled with IndiGo’s seamless travel experience.” Passengers who schedule flights directly and exclusively through IndiGo’s website or app will have access to the exclusive offers resulting from this collaboration. Source: travelbizmonitor

At its current fifth session, the National Assembly of Vietnam approved extending tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days beginning August 15, 2023. Upon receiving an e-visa, a foreigner may enter and depart the country an unlimited number of times within 90 days without having to obtain a new visa. Citizens of nations that Vietnam exempts unilaterally from visa requirements will be granted temporary residence for 45 days (increased from 15 days) and may be considered for visa issuance and temporary residence extension in accordance with regulations. The 15th legislature authorised the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on the Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Foreigners’ Entry into, Exit from, Transit through, and Residence in Vietnam, with 95.14 percent in favour. The law becomes effective on August 15, 2023. Le Tan Toi, chairman of the National Assembly Committee for National Defence and Security, stated that online immigration procedures will improve the administration of entry and exit activities and create more favourable conditions for both Vietnamese and foreigners. Currently, the e-visas issued by the Immigration Department via the electronic transaction system to foreign nationals are only valid once. Vietnam issues e-visas to the citizens of 80 nations. Source: travelbizmonitor

VietJet, the premier carrier of the 21st century in Vietnam, has announced direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Brisbane, making it the first airline to operate directly between Vietnam and Queensland. The new route will make it simpler for Indians to travel from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and New Delhi to Australia via Ho Chi Minh City due to the airline’s convenient connecting connections. The airline has expanded its services from Vietnam to the east coast of Australia by offering eight weekly return flights to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. In addition, the number of flights between Sydney and Melbourne will increase beginning in September. The airline will operate two weekly A330 flights to Brisbane, departing Ho Chi Minh City at 10:05 (local time) on Mondays and Fridays and arriving in Brisbane at 21:10 (local time). The return flights will occur on the same days, departing at 23:10 (local time) and landing at 04:50 (local time) in Ho Chi Minh City. Michael Hickey, chief operating officer of Vietjet, stated, “Vietjet’s direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Brisbane will facilitate travel between the two cities, nations, and throughout the region. Vietjet’s crew and leaders extend a warm greeting to our passengers for a comfortable and enjoyable flight.” Until 30 June 2023, the airline is also offering a 50% (*) discount on its SkyBoss and SkyBoss Business fares. The offer is valid for travel between 15 August and 20 December 2023. Using the promotional codes SKYBOSSALL50 (SkyBoss) or BUSINESS50 (SkyBoss Business) at www.vietjetair.com and Vietjet Air mobile apps, passengers can take advantage of this offer. In addition, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, the airline offers tickets for as low as INR5,555 (*) on all international routes, including those between Vietnam and Australia. Source: traveldailymedia

Black Swan Holdings LLC has acquired the Lyric brand to complement the real estate strategy of its asset manager, Black Swan Asset Management LLC, which was founded this year and raises capital to acquire Class A multifamily properties across North America. The acquisition comprises domestic and international trademark rights, a complete brand package, operational and performance data, and the domain name lyric.com. The company plans to relaunch Lyric in the summer of 2023. Black Swan and Lyric, two industry-leading hospitality companies of the next generation, have a history of strategic financing, operations, and growth performance. Since 2015, Black Swan has managed twenty distinct properties in nine markets, utilising a distinctive operational model and strategy to maintain the properties’ profitability in a competitive market. Black Swan and Wheelhouse began acquisition negotiations in the summer of 2022 and completed the deal in late 2022. “In a technology-focused category where brand and experience played a secondary role, Lyric stood out without question. As Black Swan gained control of the former Lyric units at LIZ DC, the magnitude and extraordinary level of investment in the brand became evident,” said Zachary Tombley, founder and managing partner of Black Swan Holdings. “This sparked a conversation between Andrew Kitchell, founder and former CEO of Lyric, and myself about the brand’s future trajectory. Controlling a developed, world-class brand became crucial as we transitioned to expanding through real estate acquisition.” Source: traveldailymedia

In a first of its kind, the world’s two leading Travel & Tourism organisations, representing the global public and private sectors, have agreed to collaborate on a number of essential goals. The Memorandum of Understanding signed today by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Tourism Organisation of the United Nations (UNWTO) at the G20 Ministerial meeting (Goa, India) focused on advancing public-private sector cooperation at the global level while promoting job creation, talent development, and global business opportunities. Together, WTTC and UNWTO will promote tourism on global and national agendas while advancing skills, innovation, entrepreneurship, investment, and the transition to a more resilient and sustainable Travel & Tourism sector. Using the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, the two parties will also promote community empowerment and inclusion, and collaborate on crisis preparedness, management, and recovery. WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson stated, “Through the signing of a historic new MOU, WTTC and UNWTO embark on a new chapter of collaboration, combining our expertise to pave the way for a prosperous future for the Travel & Tourism industry.” Together, we can create a potent synergy that will reshape the global landscape, unlocking countless opportunities and benefiting travellers, businesses, and destinations. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili emphasised, “We are only stronger if we work together to address the interconnected challenges confronting our industry. Strong public-private partnerships are the foundation for transforming tourism and building resilience, and consolidating our partnership with WTTC will accomplish precisely what we require – combining efforts to create a better future through tourism.” The MOU was signed by WTTC President and CEO Julia Simpson, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvil, and public and private sector representatives. Source: traveldailymedia