Starfish Travel Corporation Team

The only safety and product rating website in the world, AirlineRatings.com, has named Air New Zealand as their airline of the year for 2023. For the seventh time since 2013, Air New Zealand has been recognised for its several award-winning in-flight innovations, including the SkyNest economy beds, operational safety, environmental leadership, and employee motivation. For the top slot, Air New Zealand edged out Singapore Airlines, Korean Airlines, Etihad Airways, and previous winners Qatar Airways (2021, 2022). Twelve important factors, including fleet age, passenger reviews, profitability, investment rating, product offers, and staff interactions, are combined with major safety and government audits in the AirlineRatings.com Airline Excellence Awards, which are judged by five editors with a combined 180 years of industry experience. www.AirlineRatings.com “In our objective analysis,” stated editor-in-chief Geoffrey Thomas, “Air New Zealand came out on top in many key areas, though it was a very close scoring for the top five.” Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Singapore Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic, EVA Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Lufthansa / Swiss, SAS, TAP Portugal, All Nippon Airways, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, British Airways, Jet Blue, JAL, Vietnam Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Hawaiian, KLM, Alaska Airlines, and United Airlines are among the top 25 premium airlines. “Air New Zealand’s commitment to excellence in all facets of its business starts at the top with outstanding governance and one of the best executive teams in aviation through to a workforce that is consistently delivering on the airline’s strategy and customer promise.” “Like many airlines across the world, Air New Zealand experienced significant interruptions during and after the pandemic, as well as significant difficulties this year due to storms and cyclones. The airline has handled itself nicely. “Our editorial team was impressed by the airline’s commitment to the economy passenger and on long hauls offers more comfort options than any other airline,” Mr. Thomas stated. While Qatar Airways won Best Business Class and Best Catering for the fourth consecutive year, Air New Zealand won Best Economy Class. Best First Class went to Singapore Airlines, and Best Cabin Crew went to Virgin Australia/Virgin Atlantic. Emirates won the awards for Best In-Flight Entertainment and Best Premium Economy, while Qantas won the award for Best Lounges. Source: traveldailymedia

As the Indonesian archipelago works to replant or preserve carbon-rich coastal areas that have been destroyed by human activity, tourists are learning about the advantages of mangroves. Connie Sihombing, a 50-year-old Jakarta resident, paddles her kayak through murky waters and the arching roots of mangrove trees without minding that she can hear cars or planes soaring above. She spoke to a protected mangrove forest along the northern coast of the nation’s capital and stated, “I’ve been far, yet I had no idea that close to home lay this intriguing and beautiful park. As urban expansion or seafood farming replaces what was once a natural barrier against increasing sea levels and saltwater intrusion, mangroves in Indonesia, a country with more than 17,000 islands and kilometers of coastline, have decreased to roughly 4.1 million hectares (10.1 million acres). According to Indonesia’s Mangrove and Peatlands Restoration Agency (BRGM), the nation lost 700,000 hectares of mangroves just last year. Along with government initiatives, Indonesia hopes that “ecotourism,” which involves visitors exploring, planting, and caring for the forests, would help people recognise the value of these areas as carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. “Many people and corporations level these mangrove forests, then develop a tourist destination above it by building artificial beaches out of sand. According to Muhammad Saleh Alatas, owner of The Mangrove Paddling Centre, which arranges trips in Jakarta’s mangroves, “that goes against the preservation of nature.” Environmental experts argue that in order to repair the harm done to mangroves and other wetlands, more space is needed than the 98-hectare Angke Kapuk Nature Reserve Park now has. According to Muhammad Ilman, director of Nusantara Nature Conservation Agency, even though government financing has increased over the previous five years, assistance from commercial groups and non-governmental organizations is still required. Source: theprint

Today, Garuda Indonesia (GA) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) revealed their intentions to form a joint venture that would strengthen their existing partnership, boost travel options for passengers between Singapore and Indonesia, and increase passenger capacity between the two nations. The planned joint venture will operate flights between Singapore and Denpasar, Jakarta, and Surabaya, pending regulatory permission. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the two airlines signed in November 2021 will be expanded upon by this. In order to provide consumers with more seamless flight connection between the two nations and beyond, it would be possible for Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines to coordinate schedules between Singapore and Indonesia. The airlines will also investigate putting new ideas into practice, such as shared fare items and corporate programme alignment to improve the value proposition for customers. “With the existence of more than a decade of collaboration between these two national flag carriers, this joint venture agreement, as a further milestone of the partnership expansion initiative, will undoubtedly strengthen the commitment between the two carriers at the same time, delivering a seamless and beneficial flying experience to both of our customers across the globe,” said Irfan Setiaputra, President and Chief Executive Officer of Garuda Indonesia. The joint venture agreement is also a component of our efforts to enhance the performance of our business through our network strategy by partnering with our strategic airline partners, particularly Singapore Airlines, to optimize our network. With this initiative, the two airlines have agreed to look into additional benefits for their respective clients, enabling them to take advantage of a variety of flight schedules and higher-quality services across the networks of Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines. “Additionally, this deepening relationship may strengthen traveler flows between Indonesia and Singapore, making it simpler for foreign tourists to plan their remarkable South East Asia journey — visiting Singapore’s uniqueness, exploring Indonesia’s multiculturalism, and taking in the stunning scenery that awaits across its islands.” The long-standing collaboration between Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines would be strengthened by this joint venture, according to Goh Choon Phong, chief executive officer of Singapore Airlines. It demonstrates our steadfast commitment to expanding the aviation markets in Singapore and Indonesia, enabling deeper interpersonal and commercial ties and elevating both nations as popular tourist destinations in the region. Even more advantages will be provided to our customers, such as increased network connectivity, improved travel convenience, and more fare possibilities. Source: traveldailymedia

On June 7-8, 2023, Travel Meet Asia (TMA) will be held with Malaysia as its primary aim. For the first time since 2019, the event in Kuala Lumpur will take place live. The show offers a venue for members of the travel industry to enter new markets, learn about the sector, and investigate the opportunities the area has to offer. In the leisure, MICE, and corporate travel segments of this year’s TMA, exhibitors from over 20 destinations, including the Maldives, Phuket, Miami, Western Australia, Singapore, Jordan, Iceland, India, Georgia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Indonesia, UAE, Gold Coast, Cambodia, and Malaysia, will be showcasing their goods and services to over 200 attendees. TMA has a reputation for having a wide customer base; this year’s edition will feature around 50% of visitors from Malaysia and other Southeast Asian nations, with the other visitors representing a global clientele. The region’s travel market will be revived in 2023 thanks to intense business networking and matching, discussing and exchanging views at conference panels, and direct B2B interactions at TMA. More than 30 eminent business speakers from around the world will be participating in TMA 2023. On important subjects related to the themes of Market Overview and Trends, Travel & Destination Marketing, Hotels & Alternative Accommodations, MICE & Corporate Travel, Travel Technology, and Transportation & Logistics, conference attendees will exchange knowledge and industry insights over the course of the two days. The keynote address, “Redefining Travel in an Ever-Changing World,” will be given by Cleland Robertson, Country Director for Malaysia and Brunei at Agoda. Other conference highlights include Richard Soo’s presentation of “MICE Reimagined – The New Growth Indicators and Opportunities Ahead” at MEP Meeting & Exhibition Planners, Fazal Bahardeen’s overview of “Growing Asia’s Halal Travel Market” at CrescentRating & HalalTrip, and “Hotel Leaders’ Fireside Chat: Building Resilience in the Hospitality Industry” with Datin Christina Toh, President of Malaysia Tourism. Source: traveldailymedia

The partnership will allow Air Partner to extend its cargo footprint in key APAC countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Thailand. By collaborating with Worldwide GSA, Air Partner aims to leverage the regional expertise and established network of the Air Logistics Group, enabling seamless coordination and operational support for cargo charters throughout the APAC region. Worldwide GSA will act as Air Partner’s first representatives in the region, facilitating increased access to Air Partner’s comprehensive range of solutions. As the charter-desk for the Worldwide GSA group in APAC, Air Partner will leverage its expertise and industry-leading capabilities to deliver efficient and tailored cargo charter services to customers across various industries. Renowned as the ‘factory of the world’, the APAC region has consistently showcased remarkable resilience within the air cargo industry, even in the face of economic uncertainties. The recent reopening of China’s economy has further bolstered the region’s economic outlook and witnessed a surge in cargo traffic. In light of this dynamic period, Air Partner is enthusiastic about expanding its client base across a comprehensive range of solutions. The partnership aligns with Air Partner’s strategy to continue to grow its presence in the region, having recently expanded its office in Dubai as part of its plans to double its workforce in the Middle East. Commenting on the partnership, Pierre Van Der Stichele, Vice President of Air Partner’s Global Cargo division at Air Partner, said: “Our collaboration with Worldwide GSA will enable us to strengthen our presence in key markets and provide our customers with enhanced access to our solutions. With the support of Worldwide GSA, we are confident in delivering seamless logistics solutions to meet the growing demand for air cargo services in the region.” Maggie Goh, CEO of Worldwide GSA group, said: “At Worldwide GSA, we are committed to delivering exceptional air cargo solutions to our customers. Our partnership with Air Partner aligns perfectly with our mission, enabling us to enhance our offerings and expand our reach in key APAC markets. Together, we will deliver a new standard of excellence and innovation in cargo charter services.” Source: traveldailymedia

To encourage travel to the city, the San Francisco Travel Association has launched “Always San Francisco,” its largest-ever global marketing and advertising campaign. The multimillion dollar advertising effort targets meeting organizers and leisure visitors in significant home markets and important international markets. It is the first campaign using television advertising for the destination marketing company. The “Always San Francisco” campaign features famous landmarks that people associate with San Francisco, such as the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, and Lombard Street, as well as ones that highlight the city’s vibrant neighborhoods and the variety of visitor experiences. San Franciscans Lady Camden of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame, Sirron Norris, Mae Powell, Michael O’Konis, Chinatown lion dancers, chefs from Michelin-starred Angler, dancers from the acclaimed AXIS Dance Company, and others make cameo appearances in the campaign to represent the talent and inclusivity the city champions. “This is the largest campaign San Francisco Travel has ever launched due to the incredible support from the City and County of San Francisco, Visit California, and other stakeholders,” said Joe D’Alessandro, President and CEO, San Francisco Travel. “Tourism is essential to the city’s economic recovery, and ‘Always San Francisco’ is designed to drive increased visitation by showcasing the real-life San Francisco experience that people love and long for.” San Francisco Travel’s Lynn Bruni-Perkins, CMO, remarked, “The campaign captures the emotional thrill travelers experience here. San Francisco will forever remain the same. Although it is always changing, San Francisco’s atmosphere never changes. You will always remember its breathtaking beauty, recognisable sites, a wide variety of people, and extraordinary moments. San Francisco Travel worked with local and San Francisco-connected musicians to reinterpret Judy Garland’s beloved rendition of the iconic “San Francisco” song for its ad video in order to complement the strong and inspirational picture. “We tapped into San Francisco’s legendary local music scene to reimagine the song,” said Bruni-Perkins. “We chose a soundtrack that matched the campaign’s energy and uplifting message.” The outcome is a stunning artistic effort that embodies San Francisco.Campaign assets will appear in high-impact media, such as linear TV (traditional TV), connected TV (CTV), and digital out-of-home (DOOH) in New York City, Chicago, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Houston. Source: travelbizmonitor

The cooperation between the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) has strengthened connections between Saudi Arabia and India and helped to realize the potential of sport and tourism to unite people and improve lives. Two million Indian tourists are projected to visit Saudi Arabia this year, and by 2030, it is anticipated that India will be the country’s largest source market for tourists. Saudi funding for Indian sports is a perfect illustration of how market cooperation produces results. The National Football League and the English Premier League have larger global audiences than the Indian Premier League, which is the most popular sport in India. Utilizing this fan network, STA hopes to increase interest in Saudi Arabia as a brand-new, exciting year-round travel destination for Indian tourists, particularly young ones. With more than half of both populations under 30, the strategic cooperation is extending how Saudi Arabia and India interact with equally youthful demographics. Along with the IPL relationship, Saudi is facilitating access for millions of tourists from all around India, encouraging them to visit the real Arabia. Saudi Arabia has established nine VFS Tasheel offices across India, including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. These offices offer practical assistance to Indian tourists considering trips to Saudi Arabia. The new Stopover Visa, which was established earlier this year and allows travelers on SAUDIA or Flynas bound for a final destination to visit Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours while receiving a complimentary hotel night for Saudi passengers, is available to travelers from India. Additionally, Indian citizens with valid passports who have traveled on a UK, US, or Schengen visa at least once can now apply online for a Saudi e-visa. These changes come after the rapid expansion of air travel between India and the Kingdom, which now has seven direct carriers operating: SAUDIA, Flynas, Air India, Air India Express, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet, and Vistara. Indigo Airlines also recently opened a route connecting Jeddah and Ahmedabad, which improves accessibility between the two countries. As part of Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Programme, the development will become Riyadh, a major international hub with 120 million passenger capacity within the next seven years. “Partnerships like the IPL are a key pillar of Saudi’s tourism strategy as they bring fans, athletes, and nations together while igniting curiosity from those that may want to be among the first to visit Saudi as a destination,” said Alhasan Aldabbagh, APAC President at the Saudi Tourism Authority. Source: travelbizmonitor

A jump in foreign travel will increase demand for larger planes, which will benefit General Electric’s aviation division even more than it already anticipates from a growth in domestic air travel in India, according to its country head. According to data from aviation analytics company Cirium, over 60% of India’s 700+ commercial aircraft are powered by engines made by GE Aerospace and partner Safran. But the majority of them are domestically-focused narrowbody planes. Only 50 widebody planes are currently in use by airlines in India, which has 1.4 billion inhabitants, but GE expects this to change as more Indians choose to splurge on travel.More widebody aircraft are obviously needed, according to Vikram Rai, GE Aerospace’s national head for India and Indonesia, who also said it would be “the next path of growth.” According to GE, India’s foreign passenger traffic will increase from 70 million in 2019 to 125 million by 2030. India’s middle-class population is projected to increase to 700 million from roughly 450 million within the same time period, driving up demand. “That is higher than the United States’ population, which has 5,500–6,000 commercial aircraft in operation compared to India’s 700. Thus, there is a possibility for substantial expansion, according to Rai. Following a recent record agreement to provide 800 fuel-efficient LEAP engines for 400 Air India narrowbody planes as part of a mega plane order, GE has a positive view for India. Of the 70 widebody planes ordered, GE will also provide the engines for 30 of them. This gives GE a monopoly on the narrowbody jet market in India, along with a pipeline of orders for 500 Airbus narrowbody jets for IndiGo and a deal to power 72 Boeing aircraft for the upstart airline Akasa. The dominance of GE has also been strengthened by reliability problems with competitor Pratt & Whitney engines that have prompted Indian airlines to halt dozens of aircraft and compelled the biggest airline in the nation, IndiGo, to switch suppliers. In order to propel the fifth-largest economy in the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants aerospace and military to play a major role. Airbus and Boeing have just pledged to increase local manufacturing and investment. Along with other investments, GE is enhancing its manufacturing and supply chain in the nation where it produces engine parts for export to its global factories with Tata Group. It extended its $1 billion deal with the Indian behemoth in November. Rai claimed GE has grown its spending on components in India 20 times over the previous five years and added that it was a “strategic market for GE Aerospace” although declining to provide a perspective on potential future investments. Source: theprint

According to data, Chinese visa applications are still far below pre-pandemic levels despite the lifting of travel restrictions in January, the data from a specialized visa firm showed. This is because there are still few international flights available. Visa application volumes from China reached 35% of pre-COVID levels by May, according to a statement from VFS Global, a corporation that provides outsourcing and technology services for the visa application process. This compares to the same period in 2019 (January to May 20). The United States, Canada, Germany, Italy, and Britain were among the top travel locations identified.In January, the Chinese government resumed issuing passports and travel visas to its citizens, clearing the way for overseas travel. However, analysts had predicted that, for a variety of reasons, including the low volume of flights into and out of the nation, traffic would not rapidly recover. Despite a spike in domestic travel demand during the Lunar New Year and Labour Day vacations, Nomura analysts noted in a report that the rebound in international travel has continued to be sluggish. New breakouts are still a possibility, which would discourage travel. When the country first opened its borders, a number of nations forbade the entry of Chinese nationals out of concern that they may transmit COVID and its suspected new versions during a rise in the nation, which the authorities later declared to have been defeated. According to experts at Citi, “the new wave could raise the infection rate to its highest level since China’s official reopening this January.” The Dragon Boat Festival (June 22–24) and the start of the summer tourism season also fit nicely with the peak of the simulated virus. In this regard, the travel data for the approaching holidays will be crucial to monitor, according to experts at Citi. Many national health specialists have downplayed any new significant resurgence despite cases rising in areas like Beijing, where the city’s municipal health commission recently reported four consecutive weeks of escalating infections. Source: theprint