Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Digital payment cards will be made available throughout the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman thanks to a partnership between Mastercard and Bankiom, a lifestyle banking app located in the UAE. This collaboration represents a key step in Mastercard’s ongoing efforts to advance digitalization in the region’s payments sector. Building effective synergies with multi-market, adaptable fintech partners like Bankiom is essential as we transition to a more digital world. With 98% of the population online, the GCC alone has one of the highest internet penetration rates worldwide. Amnah Ajmal, Executive Vice President Market Development, EEMEA, Mastercard, said: “Our relationship will let us utilise our innovative payment solutions to advance digital and financial inclusion across the region. “Bankiom is creating a digital bank called PuraVida for those times in life when you want to experience life to the fullest. Consider it a membership to the “good life.” Partnering with Mastercard, particularly with their Priceless brand, was a no-brainer for us because our purpose is to share happiness through financial services. According to Danny Abla, founder of Bankiom, “We both share the same purpose and the same ambition to offer outstanding, unforgettable life experiences for our consumers. Launched in March 2022, Bankiom already has over 30,000 verified customers and is expected to reach 1 million users in three years. Its growth rate is 20% each week. Through PuraVida and in partnership with Mastercard, Bankiom is empowering a young, tech-savvy generation to enjoy life to the fullest by addressing their changing demands. Source: traveldailymedia

A Torii shrine gate, a Tokyo skyscraper, and cherry blossoms in full bloom are among the sights that most visitors to Japan must see. Traditional streetscapes rank high on this list as well, and one of the best examples may be seen in Ouchijuku, a time-traveling town two hours from Tokyo that is quickly establishing a reputation as a top tourist attraction. Located in the Aizu region, Ouchijuku flourished as a post town along an important trade route in the 17th century and continued to be a busy destination for tourists throughout the Edo era. In 1981, the town was declared an Important Historical Preservation District and restoration efforts started after a period of deterioration. The results are striking: the main street is lined with immaculate thatched Edo-style buildings and is devoid of the wires, pylons, neon, and noise that characterise contemporary towns. Here, history is very much alive. A tutorial in sustainability and community may be found in Ouchijuku. Three fundamental principles—no leasing, no selling, and no destroying—have been outlined in the town charter by the residents. The goal is to protect Ouchijuku so that locals can continue to live there as well as a tourist destination. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN serve as a guide for their actions, which include making sure new generations are taught traditional thatching techniques. Must-Sees While the main street alone can transport you back in time, there is much more to do. Get a panoramic view of the main street by climbing to the viewing platform atop Yudonosan hill. Visit the renovated Ouchijuku Honjin Machinami Tenjikan (Ouchijuku Main Inn Museum), which was formerly the city’s most opulent lodging option, to learn about the history of the place from a remarkable collection of tools and artefacts. Try your hand at making your own buckwheat noodles at the Soba Dojo in the Ouchijuku Food Hall. Exit the town core to find a wealth of natural beauty, including the Higurashi Falls, a forest park with a 1,000-year-old Zelkova tree, and the Kannonnuma Forest. Source: traveldailymedia

The inaugural flight of Qatar Airways has arrived in Trabzon, Turkey. Three times a week on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the nonstop service is run by Airbus A320 aircraft. The new route increases Qatar Airways’ presence in Turkey and boosts its more than 160-destination worldwide network. His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Goksu, the Ambassador of The Republic of Türkiye in Qatar, was present on board QR319 to commemorate the flight. Passengers were welcomed with exquisite Turkish pastries, enjoyed a custom meal, and received one-of-a-kind gifts that celebrate Turkish culture during festive events in the Premium and Economy Cabins. The water cannon salute greeted the aeroplane as it touched down, and Mr. Smail Ustaolu, the governor of Trabzon, attended a brief airport ceremony. Passengers received Turkish baklava and red flowers in addition to watching a traditional folk dance performance. Trabzon is the sixth Turkish destination served by Qatar Airways. Other Turkish destinations are Adana, Ankara, Antalya, Bodrum, Istanbul, and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen. Trabzon, a city in the northeast of Turkey, is renowned for its illustrious past, diverse cultural offers, and stunning Black Sea coastline. The beautiful Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum, Sumela Monastery, and Uzungol Lake are just a few of the city’s many historical and natural beauties. Passengers on Qatar Airways will have the chance to easily and conveniently discover Trabzon’s many offerings thanks to this new route. Every tourist can find something special in Trabzon, from sporting events to mountain hikes and family vacations. “Trabzon is an exciting and significant new route for Qatar Airways, which solidifies our strong commitment to Türkiye and meets the high demand for connectivity between Doha and Trabzon,” said Akbar Al Baker, the group chief executive of Qatar Airways. Reiterating our dedication to the robust connection between Qatar and Turkey, Qatar Airways has increased its network in Türkiye to 58 weekly flights during the busiest summer travel period. We look forward to providing travellers from the Gulf region and beyond with an unmatched travel experience through our residence, the first-rate Hamad International Airport, to bring them to Trabzon. “We are proud of the ongoing demand from the State of Qatar to The Republic of Türkiye, evident in Qatar Airways operations to not only one, but seven different airports,” stated His Excellency Dr. Mustafa Goksu, the Republic of Türkiye’s ambassador to Qatar. “I am happy to participate in the airline’s celebration today, and I know that my nation will provide all travellers arriving in Trabzon with a first-rate and unforgettable experience. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for being a part of this special occasion.” Throughout the summer of 2023, Qatar Airways will offer service to Trabzon on the route between 16 June and 22 August. Source: traveldailymedia

The Warner Bros. Studio Tour will undoubtedly visit Japan. Sophie Harvard-Williams, the head of business development for London and Hollywood at Warner Bros. Studio Tour, will be attending this year’s Arival Activate event in Bangkok in support of the brand’s expansion into the APAC region. “Our big focus right now is the opening of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter this summer,” Harvard-Williams said of the planned launch in Japan. Fans will have the opportunity to see enchanted sets, view real costumes and interact with mystical creatures from the Harry Potter films during the first studio tour of its type in Asia. “The most crucial aspect of what we do is consistently exceeding client expectations; we want to ensure that when consumers leave, they are truly impressed. Particularly at this time when people are [increasingly] looking for mystical experiences. Harvard-Williams also made the following comment about the future: “After Tokyo, we will make additional decisions about where we go from there. An essential component of what we do is the global market. “The Asia Pacific (APAC) region is seeing a surge of renewed interest in travel and tourism,” said Douglas Quinby, CEO and co-founder of Arival. Travellers are spending more money and placing a higher value on extraordinary, immersive experiences than objects, driven by the experience-hungry Gen Z. A company that is utilising this enormous opportunity to capitalise on Asian consumers’ appetite for cutting-edge in-destination experiences is Warner Bros. Join us in Bangkok in June 2023 to meet Harvard-Williams and her team in person as well as other top tour, activity, and attraction business executives. Source: traveldailymedia

Nine out of ten slots on OAG’s list of the busiest international flight routes for June 2023 are shared by Asia and the Middle East. Notably, the Cairo-Jeddah route has been replaced at the top of the list by the Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Changi route, which now has 417,982 seats. Two routes include Seoul Incheon, albeit both have dropped off the list since May. Incheon to Tokyo dropped from fourth to fifth, while Incheon to Osaka dropped three spots, from third to sixth. The Bangkok-Hong Kong route is now in the top ten, replacing the Incheon to Bangkok route in position ten. The 8th busiest international flight route in June 2023, with 334,560 seats, is New York JFK to London Heathrow, the only route outside of Asia and the Middle East. Source: traveldailymedia

After finishing a number of well-received events, such as Global Sources Hong Kong, which filled all ten halls at the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) with over 100,000 buyers, and HOFEX, Asia’s Leading Food and Hospitality Tradeshow, which attracted over 30,000 buyers from all over the world to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Hong Kong is now booking additional events to keep the momentum of the exhibition growing. In addition to four new trade exhibitions for this year, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that the city will once again host Vinexpo Asia 2024 and APLF Leather, Materials + & Fashion Access 2024, two additional prestigious international trade fairs. In 2024, APLF and Vinexpo Asia are expected to return to Hong Kong. The most prestigious international wine and spirits exhibition in Asia-Pacific, Vinexpo Asia, and one of the world’s most significant leather and fashion tradeshows, APLF Leather, Materials + & Fashion Access 2024, are scheduled to return to Hong Kong in March and May of 2019, respectively. “The return of the world’s top trade shows highlights Hong Kong’s attractiveness, its welcoming trading policies, and its strong fundamentals; Hong Kong also enjoys promising growth potential with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and comprehensive government support for the industry,” said Kenneth Wong, General Manager, MICE & Cruise of HKTB. We are overjoyed that producers of both new and classic shows have chosen Hong Kong.We’re thrilled to welcome the APLF events back to Asia’s World City next year, said David Bondi, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets Asia. The excitement is obvious because the city has served as our headquarters for a long time, connecting Chinese suppliers and customers to international markets. Vinexpo Asia, which was first held in Asia 25 years ago, is one of the biggest trade shows for wine and spirits experts worldwide. “Hong Kong is the strategic gateway to the market in mainland China,” according to Rodolphe Lameyse, Chief Executive Officer of Vinexposium Group, “and 2024 will mark Vinexpo Asia’s triumphant return to the city with hundreds of producers presenting the very best wines from all around the world.” Source: traveldailymedia

In honour of World Sea Turtle Day 2023, the Jumeirah Group’s Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project released 15 Hawksbill and 6 Green Turtles from its Jumeirah Al Naseem beach. Both turtles are endangered species. The release commemorates the day designated to recognise the significance of these wonderful animals and their crucial contribution to the harmony of marine habitat A huge female green turtle with carapace injury from a boat strike and Zippy, a male hawksbill turtle, were two of the turtles that were successfully rehabilitated. Zippy was found in poor condition floating close to the Ras al Khaimah beach in October 2022 and reported via the 800 TURTLE helpline. Zippy was then saved by the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP). Zippy had a severe lung infection, gut impaction from consuming plastic garbage, and was fully coated in barnacles. The DTPR devotes its entire existence to saving endangered turtle species like the hawksbill turtle, which nests annually along this Gulf coast despite being highly endangered. Katerina Giannouka, chief executive officer of Jumeirah Group, served as the event’s host. In her welcome remarks, she made the following observation: “With many of our resorts being coastal, both here in the Middle East as well as in Europe, Indonesia, and the Maldives, we see first-hand the impact that climate change has on precious marine species and these delicate ecosystems.”“Coastal resilience and biodiversity health are critical to Jumeirah as a company and for the global travel and hospitality industry,” Giannouka continued. We have a responsibility to take action right away, spread awareness, work together, and promote advancements towards a sustainable future for all. His Excellency Sheikh Fahim Bin Sultan Bin Khalid Al Qasimi, the DTRP Project Ambassador, as well as important partners from the government, academia, and NGOs, attended the release. Representatives from Yas Sea World Research and Rescue, which gave Zippy a CT scan at the beginning of his incredible recovery odyssey, were also there. Source: traveldailymedia

For the fiscal year 2022–2023, IntrCity has reported a startling increase in pre-COVID revenues of 573%, along with an equivalent rise in operating margins. The company’s exceptional financial success underlines its position as a market leader in intercity travel and indicates the rising demand for its services. With a vast network spanning 14 states, IntrCity is well-positioned for ongoing success and expansion in the quickly changing inter-city travel market. With a 1.2 billion passenger-kilometer capacity, IntrCity SmartBus managed to maintain an amazing average occupancy rate of 91%. With repeat customers accounting for 50% of daily sales, the booking ratio emphasises client loyalty. Additionally, one-third of reservations are made directly through IntrCity’s mobile application and website, demonstrating the ease of use and convenience that these platforms offer. These figures highlight IntrCity’s capacity to draw in and keep clients while utilising technology to speed up the reservation process and raise client happiness. Notably, the business, which ended last year with -5% EBITDA, is expected to record its first full year of profitability in FY23–24. This noteworthy accomplishment emphasises IntrCity’s dedication to sustained growth and success and further confirms the company’s financial future. The need for safe, dependable, and economical shared road mobility has been amply underscored, in our opinion. We are really appreciative of the positive feedback from customers and are dedicated to become the go-to option for travellers across India, said Manish Rathi, co-founder of IntrCity. “Bus travel is expected to predominate the inter-city mobility landscape given the government’s large efforts in improving the road network. We see significant room for expansion on both old and new routes. Added he. The business has centred its brand on innovation, dependability, and customer comforts including on-board restrooms, cosy boarding lounges, and skilled bus captains. IntrCity SmartBus takes pride in offering features that are firsts in the industry to further enhance the travelling experience. For instance, the ability for travellers to reschedule their trips now provides flexibility and convenience. Additionally, the company has developed a pre-order food service at pit stops, ensuring speedier service and enabling consumers to select from a consistent menu with prices while also giving them the opportunity to rate and evaluate the pit stops. Source: traveldailymedia

In order to improve connectivity for Vistara customers going around Europe, Lufthansa, one of the top airlines in Europe, has expanded its codeshare cooperation with Vistara, India’s full-service carrier and a joint venture of Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines. Amsterdam (AMS), Stockholm (ARN), Berlin (BER), Budapest (BUD), Copenhagen (CPH), Rome (FCO), Hamburg (HAM), Helsinki (HEL), Lisbon (LIS), Munich (MUC), Oslo (OSL), and Prague (PRG) are the 12 important cities that will now be part of Vistara’s network. Customers will have easier travel options thanks to the bilateral codeshare agreement between Vistara and Lufthansa, which allows both airlines to market and sell flights on each other’s networks. In 2019, Vistara and Lufthansa unilaterally agreed to a codeshare arrangement that allowed Lufthansa to add its designator code (LH) to Vistara flights to 18 Indian destinations. ‘We are happy to further deepen our partnership with Lufthansa, one of the world’s premier airlines,’ said Deepak Rajawat, Chief Commercial Officer of Vistara. This is evidence of our ongoing dedication to providing our clients with improved connectivity, first-rate service, and a variety of options. This makes it possible for our customers to easily plan their trips and travel around Europe on the joint Vistara and Lufthansa network. “We take pride in our relationships and in India, our partnership with Vistara embodies our strong commitment to the country,” stated Jeffrey James, Head of Communications APAC & Chief Spokesperson, Lufthansa Group. India, the third-largest aviation market in the world, continues to be a top priority for our Group, and we are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Vistara and provide Indian travellers with additional options, options, and connections between Europe and the subcontinent. Vistara has always concentrated on extending its international reach and providing superior customer service. It is a wise strategic decision for Vistara to expand their codeshare relationship with Lufthansa in order to connect India with popular international destinations. With the signing of this bilateral codeshare agreement, Vistara further solidifies its position as a major player in the Indian aviation market, one that is renowned for its dedication to high-quality service, innovation, and client happiness. Source: traveldailymedia