Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Bringing 60 key opinion leaders (KOLs) from China to Thailand to learn about meaningful travel experiences and to reiterate the safety precautions the nation has in place for visitors. Thailand – The “Trusted Thailand, You Taiguo Yue Wan Yue Kaixin” campaign has been launched by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as part of TAT’s ongoing efforts in China to boost market confidence and reiterate safety precautions for visitors while also promoting meaningful travel experiences in Thailand. “As the name implies, the ‘Trusted Thailand’ campaign is to reassure Chinese tourists that Thailand is a safe and secure destination,” said Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific. The Chinese tagline “You Taiguo Yue Wan Yue Kaixin,” which literally translates as “the more one travels to Thailand, the more fun they enjoy,” serves to highlight the fact that Thailand continues to be a top choice for Chinese tourists thanks to its abundance of high-quality travel goods and services that are tailored to their various travel needs. Through a key opinion leaders (KOLs) Mega Fam Trip, which will take place from May 18–28, 2023, TAT is pushing the campaign ‘Trusted Thailand, You Taiguo Yue Wan Yue Kaixin’ in collaboration with governmental and commercial sector partners. A group of 60 KOLs from China travelled to popular tourist locations such as Chiang Mai, Ko Chang in Trat, Chanthaburi, Pattaya in Chon Buri, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, and Nong Khai to discover significant travel experiences. The itineraries feature community-based tourism, gastronomic tourism, health and wellness tourism, beach tourism, the China-Lao PDR-Thailand high-speed train, and a variety of unique travel experiences to suit the lifestyles of Chinese visitors, with a focus on safety precautions for travellers. The trip includes a ‘Shopping Challenge’ at ICONSIAM in addition to important travel encounters in popular tourist spots. The purpose of the activity is to highlight a range of Thai tourist goods and services that provide experience-based travel and make use of the 5F soft-power characteristics of the country—food, film, festivals, fights, and fashion—to provide memorable travel experiences in Thailand. The 60 participating KOLs, as well as Thai and Chinese media in Thailand, representatives of the airlines and campaign partners, and TAT and the Royal Thai Police today shared measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all tourists while enjoying travel experiences in Thailand, underscoring the campaign’s key message. The Tourist Police Bureau is committed to the safety and well-being of visitors visiting Thailand, according to Pol. Lt. Gen. Sukhun Prommayon, Commissioner of the Tourist Police Bureau. To guarantee that visitors from all over the world may travel in peace while in Thailand, we are making every effort and best use of contemporary technologies. Along with calling the Tourist Police Hotline 1155, travellers may also download the smartphone app “Tourist Police I Lert U,” which is connected to the Tourist Police’s emergency response centre, where officers are available to help foreign visitors in a number of languages, including Chinese. The Tourist Police may be contacted using the app, and officers will be sent to the area right away. Additionally, visitors may post a snapshot of the incident to the app to request help. A live camera will be installed in the Tourist Police and patrol cars for surveillance purposes, and it will be utilised to monitor and transmit the situation to the emergency response centre. In order to increase safety and security during festivals and peak visitor seasons, the Royal Thai Police and its section of the visitor Police will work together. Through content shared with followers of the participating KOLs via various online community platforms, such as Weibo, WeChat, Little Red Book, and Bilibili, the ‘Trusted Thailand, You Taiguo Yue Wan Yue Kaixin’ campaign is expected to increase awareness of the safety precautions for tourists and meaningful travel experiences in Thailand. 1,003,893 Chinese visitors visited Thailand between 1 January and 18 May 2023. TAT aims to welcome 5 million Chinese visitors in 2023 with more flights between Thailand and China planned in the coming months. Source: traveldailynews

To draw more visitors from Bangladesh and other South Asian nations, Malaysia is emphasising health, education, and ecotourism. DHAKA – From May 21 to May 25, 2023, Tourism Malaysia will be in charge of promoting Malaysia at the Dhaka Travel Mart (DTM) and launching sales missions in a number of significant towns, including Sylhet, Chattogram, and Dhaka in Bangladesh. The Malaysian delegation, which is headed by Mr Hafiz Hazin, Deputy Director International Promotions Division (Asia & Africa), is made up of representatives from the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS), as well as other tour and activity providers. Malaysia has been broadening its tourist offerings to meet the increasing demand for alternative and one-of-a-kind vacation experiences. To draw more visitors from Bangladesh and other South Asian nations, Malaysia is also promoting health, education, and ecotourism. Director-General of tourist Malaysia, Dato’ Dr. Ammar Abd. Ghapar, stated: “We believe Bangladesh to be one of the important markets for us and are committed to strengthening our presence and collaborating with the tourism fraternities in this region.” The participation of Tourism Malaysia at DTM 2023 is the ideal opportunity to promote Malaysia, highlight its distinctive tourism product offers, and develop stronger ties with its Bangladeshi counterparts. The pre-planned business-to-business (B2B) session in the sales mission, however, opens the door to new partnerships and more engagements. 10,070,964 international tourists arrived in Malaysia in 2022, including 59,033 visitors from Bangladesh. In 2023, it is anticipated that there would be 16.1 million foreign tourists arriving, bringing in RM49.2 billion in revenue. Malaysian visa requests can currently be submitted online using eVISA. There are 37 direct flights every week between Dhaka and Malaysia, carrying 7,269 passengers, operated by Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, AirAsia, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, and US-Bangla Airlines. Source: traveldailynews

As the national carrier keeps an eye on renewal, the Qantas Group has today announced two changes to its Board. Doug Parker, a former chairman and CEO of American Airlines, will join the Qantas Board and bring with him more than 35 years of aviation expertise accumulated in one of the most dynamic aviation industries in the world. Michael L’Estrange AO, a long-time Qantas director who has served on the board for more than seven years, will step down from the board at the end of his current term in November after making a significant contribution. As the Group entered the next stage of its history, the changes, according to Qantas Chairman Richard Goyder, will assist retain the depth and breadth of expertise on the Board. There aren’t many people with Doug’s level of airline management expertise. He has more than two decades of experience as a CEO of an airline in North America, including eight years in charge of the biggest airline in the world. As we expand in the next years, his skills and perspective on the business will be a big advantage, according to Mr. Goyder. The connection between American Airlines and Qantas greatly grew during Mr Parker’s tenure as CEO as the two airlines established a joint venture to better service passengers. “Qantas has always been one of the great airlines in the world, and it has clearly come through the pandemic in a very strong position,” said Mr. Parker. It’s a pleasure for me to join the board at this time of great momentum, and I look forward to doing all I can to help. Prior to a shareholder vote at the company’s 2023 Annual General Meeting on November 3, Mr. Parker will serve on the Board starting today. Michael L’Estrange, the current non-executive director, will step down at the AGM after serving three terms. Michael has significantly aided Qantas over the past seven years, particularly during the most challenging times of the COVID issue, when the Board met often, according to Mr. Goyder. He is a highly meticulous director, and his knowledge of politics and global events in particular has been priceless. We are quite appreciative of his efforts. It has been an incredible privilege to serve on the Qantas Board, according to Mr. L’Estrange. Clarity of purpose and remarkable commitment and professionalism of its staff are two of Qantas’ greatest assets. I wish Qantas much success because I believe it has a very bright future. Following the November AGM, Qantas’ board will consist of eight members—four males and four women. Source: breakingtravelnews

The main waterfalls in Yosemite reach their heights in April, May, and into June, and several of them—including the park’s most famous cascade, Yosemite Falls—run dry by late summer. Yosemite Falls, however, is anticipated to continue running until July because to the abundance of snow that fell this winter. The greatest waterfalls Yosemite has seen in the past 40 years are currently on display thanks to the snow. One of the most well-liked walks in Yosemite, Nevada, and Vernal Falls is the Mist Trail, which is open all summer long. A list of Yosemite’s must-see waterfalls, from the most famous to the lesser-known, is provided below. The Iconic Waterfalls of Yosemite Yosemite Falls: active until July Height: 2,425 feet Region: Yosemite Valley Flow: November to July, peak in May/June The sixth-tallest waterfall in the world and the tallest in North America is Yosemite Falls. The top and lower waterfalls of the twin cascades, which are both visible from numerous locations around Yosemite Valley, are nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building combined. A wheelchair-accessible, one-mile circle walk leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall. The entire Yosemite Falls Trail is challenging, but for fit hikers, it is well worth the effort. Fall Bridal Veil Height: 620 feet Region: Yosemite Valley Flow: Year-round, peaks in May Bridalveil Fall, a breathtaking waterfall that welcomes visitors as they approach Yosemite Valley from Highways 140 or 41, is the first waterfall that the majority of visitors to Yosemite National Park witness. By the end of the season, it changes from a rumbling spring flow to a softly drifting wisp. Only Bridalveil’s accessibility is more convenient than its beauty. The multi-year Bridalveil Fall Restoration project by the Yosemite Conservancy resulted in a larger, wheelchair-accessible and pet-welcoming newly refurbished, paved route to the foot of the fall. This spring, new restrooms and bigger viewing spaces should be finished. Nevada Autumn Height: 594 feet Region: Yosemite Valley Flow: Year-round, peaks late May The second aquatic act, Nevada Fall, is reached at the summit of the operatic Mist Trail after a steep 1.5 further miles and 2,000 extra feet of elevation increase. Before climbing the last ascent, hikers cross Emerald and Silver Apron, two stunning pools where swimming is not permitted between Vernal and Nevada falls. The Merced River thunders as it rushes into Yosemite Valley in the late spring and summer as Nevada Fall. Amazing views may be seen from the summit, particularly where a footbridge crosses the Merced River. Lesser-Known Waterfalls in Yosemite Fall Horsetail Region: Yosemite Valley Drop: 2,030 ft (619 m), two-stage Best Time To See: December-April Horsetail Fall must have a good snowfall to flow, and this year it will. Yosemite Firefall, an annual event that occurs in February, takes place at Horsetail Fall. Horsetail Fall looks like a falling cataract of flames when the conditions are right. International photographers travel here to record this extraordinary phenomena. Falls Chilnualna Region: Wawona (Southern Yosemite) Drop: 690 ft (210 m), multiple tiers Best Time To See: Year-round, with peak flow in May Comparatively few people visit Chilnualna Falls (pronounced “Chil-noo-all-na”) compared to Yosemite Valley’s waterfalls. The autumn passes by forested areas, providing views of Wawona Dome above and the Wawona hamlet below. The ideal destination for those seeking to get off the beaten road is Chilnualna Falls. It is hidden back within the little village of Wawona, away from major thoroughfares. Region: Foresta (near Yosemite Valley) Drop: Multiple cascades with a 40 ft (12 m) finale Best Time To See: Year-round, with best flows March-June It’s astonishing how few people have visited Foresta, which is only six miles from Yosemite Valley, and learned about its intriguing history. The straightforward 1.8-mile out-and-back track to Foresta Falls is really a deserted dirt road that offers views of multiple cascading waterfalls as it drops 40 feet (12 metres) to a thoroughly gratifying depth. A rickety bridge here offers a handy vantage point for close-up views and pictures. Visit the Meyer and McCauley Barns in Foresta’s large meadow after you’ve seen the waterfall. The barns, which are listed on the US Register of Historic Places, serve as a reminder of Yosemite’s early transplanted residents’ pioneering days. Source: breakingtravelnews

The flag carrier of the Republic of Seychelles, Air Seychelles, and Qatar Airways have announced a codeshare arrangement that would enable smooth travel to one of the world’s most exotic and unusual locations for customers on both networks. Through its hub in Doha, Hamad International Airport (HIA), currently rated the “Best Airport in the Middle East,” Qatar Airways connects visitors from Africa, America, Asia, and Europe effortlessly to and from Seychelles. Qatar Airways currently flies to over 160 destinations globally. Additionally, members of the Qatar Airways Privilege Club have access to approximately 200 locations where they may earn and use Avios. Currently, Seychelles International Airport (SEZ), on the Island of Mahé, close to the capital city of Victoria, is served by a daily aircraft operated by Qatar Airways, arriving in the morning and departing in the evening. As a result of this new codeshare arrangement, Qatar Airways will display its code on flights operated by Air Seychelles between Mahé and Praslin, allowing customers to simply continue their trip with a single reservation. In addition to palm-lined beaches like Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, which are both surrounded by huge granite rocks, Praslin is home to the pristine Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The two airlines, as well as local and internet travel firms, all accept reservations from passengers. His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Group, stated: “This strengthened engagement with Air Seychelles is in accordance with our goal of enabling access to African markets through partnerships. In order to provide customers with more travel options and to help the Seychelles tourist sector, our two airlines are happy to collaborate. With a fleet of five Twin Otter TurboProps flying between Mahé and Praslin as well as charter flights, Air Seychelles keeps up its domestic network. The airline turned 45 in October 2022, and during the World Travel Awards in Kenya, it was named “Indian Ocean’s Leading Airline.” Captain Sandy Benoiton, acting CEO of Air Seychelles, stated: “This new partnership will provide passengers with new connection opportunities and access to unique destinations from both networks.” Source: breakingtravelnews

A hamlet in Austria has adopted a novel strategy to deal with undesired visitor behaviour. It appears that desperate times necessitate equally desperate methods, as some individuals simply cannot “Let It Go.” This week, the Austrian town of Hallstatt, which is thought to have served as the inspiration for the Disney film Frozen, erected a temporary wooden fence to ward off selfie-takers. Tourists are drawn to the town’s snow-capped mountains, candy-box architecture, and clear waterways. Although this UNESCO-protected location has a population of less than 800, it may apparently draw up to 10,000 tourists every day. A 2020 CNN interview with a representative of the Hallstatt tourist board revealed that the organisation intended to “focus on quality tourism in the future.” And it appears that they are testing a number of other measures as well. The barrier was a test project that was only up for a short while, but like everything else in this much-discussed community, it has drawn a lot of attention from across the world. Source: nine

The planned attraction was opened ahead of time by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. Miral and SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment collaborated to create the newest theme park on Yas Island.Sheikh Khaled was given a tour of the facility and given information about it. The 183,000 sq m complex offers guests entertainment and education focused on marine life, further enhancing Abu Dhabi’s status as a major travel destination. Sheikh Khaled also paid a visit to Yas SeaWorld Research and Rescue, the region’s first centre for integrated research, rescue, rehabilitation, return, and education. Sheikh Khaled went over the center’s initiatives, which aim to preserve the marine species, habitats, and ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf while enlightening and motivating a new generation of marine enthusiasts.Along with Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral, he was accompanied by Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The new Abu Dhabi attraction is home to rides and attractions, as well as food and retail options. It also offers entertainment, education, and family-friendly experiences, including close-up animal interactions and animal presentations. “Today marks a great milestone for Abu Dhabi as we open SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, a landmark attraction that is unparalleled in the region and the world on every level,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Miral. “SeaWorld Abu Dhabi symbolises the next generation of theme parks, complementing the world-class experiences on Yas Island, further establishing it as a top worldwide destination, and supporting Abu Dhabi’s tourism ambition. The Park will be crucial in fostering environmental awareness and safeguarding marine life in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, and the surrounding area. Visitors will definitely be motivated to look after and defend our priceless marine life in the years to come by the Park. In order to build a genuinely unmatched knowledge hub that upholds the best standards of animal care and welfare, we are happy to be pushing the boundaries of science and conservation. “At this one-of-a-kind park, we look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to showcase the beauty and wonder of the ocean.” “It is with great privilege that we celebrate this highly anticipated grand opening alongside our valued partners at Miral,” said Scott Ross, chairman of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “The extraordinary SeaWorld Abu Dhabi Marine Life Theme Park was created through years of innovation and cooperation, fusing SeaWorld’s nearly 60 years of expertise in animal welfare and dedication to marine conservation with Miral’s unmatched track record as a top developer of world-class destinations. Together, we built a cutting-edge Marine Life Theme Park that is unlike anything the area has seen before and fully embodies the SeaWorld experience of the future. We are certain that the attractions at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi will astound visitors, and we are happy to do our part to encourage their dedication to marine conservation for years to come. The leading animal welfare certifier in the world, Global Humane, the international brand of American Humane, recently announced that SeaWorld Abu Dhabi has received its accreditation. The MENA region’s first facility to receive this accreditation is this one. The most recent addition to Yas Island’s collection of theme parks and activities is SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. World Abu Dhabi’s Warner Bros. Abu Dhabi’s Ferrari WorldAbu Dhabi’s Yas Waterworld CLYMB. Yas Island was honoured with seven honours at the prestigious World Travel honours in 2022 for its top-notch theme parks, activities, and attractions. Yas Island won the Middle East’s Leading Tourism Development title for the fourth year in a row in addition to being named the World’s Leading Theme Park Destination 2022, demonstrating the island’s growing international recognition as a centre of leisure and entertainment. Source: breakingtravelnews

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the Bureau of Foreign Trade have teamed up and are prepared to continue marketing Taiwan’s MICE image in full force this May after IMEX 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic. The MICE sector is a significant component of many nations’ goals for economic growth. The Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the Bureau of Foreign Trade will work together to send specialists from the MICE sector to IMEX Frankfurt from May 23 to 25, hoping to hasten the recovery of business tourism. The IMEX press claims that because the Asian market as a whole is expanding, there is a huge increase in demand for international conferences. This purchasing power is anticipated to show up in the transactions at IMEX Frankfurt in 2023. Many professional MICE organisations, NTOs, travel agencies, and worldwide hotel groups are attending IMEX this year. On the showfloor, numerous new service offers and exchanges relevant to the most recent MICE updates will be unveiled. The largest worldwide show for incentive travel, meetings, and events, IMEX Frankfurt, annually draws over 15,000 professionals from more than 160 countries. Since the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were approved by the United Nations in 2015, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has developed into a trend and is now a key indicator for evaluating a company’s sustainability. By employing rental furniture, reducing the amount of paper used, and avoiding all single-use goods, the Taiwan Pavilion at IMEX 2023 will use as little resources as possible. In addition to lowering trash, this will demonstrate the MICE sector’s commitment to sustainability in Taiwan. The Taiwan Tourism Bureau and the Bureau of Foreign Trade have teamed up and are prepared to continue marketing Taiwan’s MICE image in full force this May after IMEX 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic. To display Taiwan’s rich and varied tourism attractions, the Taiwan Pavilion will be decorated with specially displayed local photographs of Taiwan. Three days into the show, the Taiwan Pavilion will give visitors a taste of the fantastic Taiwan experience with a performance of sugar painting, a tasting of Taiwanese drinks, and freshly baked classic wheel cakes. At the information desk, there will also be additional Taiwanese foods and tea that have been carefully chosen. Additionally, the Taiwan Pavilion will host a number of group meetings to highlight Taiwan’s extensive and varied tourism offers as well as its top-notch conference facilities. In an effort to draw more incentive tour buyers and foreign associations to Taiwan this year, the Taiwan Pavilion has been successful in recruiting 12 of the top businesses from across the economy to form a delegation. This delegation is expected to help the Taiwan MICE industry flourish. Source: traveldailynews

The full-scale worldwide COVID-19 transportation crisis has led to a severe decline in Asia-Pacific in terms of direct routes, aircraft frequencies, and seat capacity between 2022 and 2019. Contrarily, airports in the Middle East region, particularly the big international airports, have recovered far more quickly. JAPAN’S KOBE A trade association representing 622 airports from 47 countries/territories, Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific, adopted a resolution at its 18th Regional Assembly in Kobe, Japan, to promote, restore, and develop air connectivity in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East in order to ensure social and economic development and to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The resolution highlights how crucial it is to completely restore and further enhance air connection in the area, acknowledging the crucial role that airports—driven by effective and reasonably priced air connectivity—can play in fostering social and economic development. The full-scale worldwide COVID-19 transportation crisis has led to a severe decline in Asia-Pacific in terms of direct routes, aircraft frequencies, and seat capacity between 2022 and 2019. Contrarily, airports in the Middle East region, particularly the big international airports, have recovered far more quickly. According to the preliminary results of the ACI Asia-Pacific study on airport connectivity, which was carried out with PwC’s help, medium/large airports in the region, which are more heavily dependent on international traffic, will see a 42% reduction in the connectivity index by August 2022, compared to small airports, which benefited from more resilient domestic traffic, which will see a 17% reduction. A 19% rise in connectivity at large/medium airports and a 5% increase at small airports may be found in the Middle East, where airports have recovered significantly more quickly. The ACI Asia-Pacific Board encourages airport operators to start a new conversation with national authorities and industry stakeholders in order to modernise the aviation sector. The ACI Asia-Pacific Board is aware of the current operating conditions at airports, which are characterised by rising airfares, decreased airline competition and the aviation ecosystem workforce, as well as the significant resources needed to finance the necessary infrastructure modernization. Given that the aviation industry supports employment, trade, tourism, education, and foreign investments in addition to generating economic value, a comprehensive strategy is needed to foster the growth of the sector. Increasing connection through more market liberalisation in international aviation. Rethink the strategy for maximising the use of current infrastructure (via slot allocation, a modernised and more flexible charging system) in light of the predicted significant growth and the resulting congestion. Funding and finance for airport infrastructure should be encouraged with a respectable return on investment. Whenever appropriate, compel countries to simplify and streamline the visa application procedure for overseas visitors. Achieving environmental and other sustainability goals, such as lowering CO2 emissions to meet the long-term global aspirational target (LTAG) of net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050 Mr. Emmanuel Menanteau, President of ACI Asia-Pacific, commented on the resolution and stated that “Connectivity is a crucial facilitator for social and economic success. To help their economies recover, it is crucial to restore air connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region and expand the number of Middle Eastern flights. This resolution emphasises the commitment of the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern airport community to collaborate with national and regional authorities in a way that is both economically viable and ecologically sound, in order to benefit both the travellers and the local populations that the airports serve. The Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific, Mr. Stefano Baronci, stated that “Asia-Pacific is resurrecting after three difficult years. By closely collaborating with institutional and industry partners, modernising the sector entails critically evaluating what may be done differently and better. We urge States to implement a more liberalised market and strengthen cooperation and harmonisation on safety, security, environmental protection, and ATM optimisation in line with the example of the first bloc-to-bloc air transport agreement between the EU and the ASEAN States and the recent summit between India and the EU. It will take strong leadership, a sizable investment, as well as the development of ability and knowledge. ACI Asia-Pacific is eager to contribute at all levels to this process of transformation. Source: traveldailynews