Starfish Travel Corporation Team

Strategic alliances like Passage Asia and Ezy Healthcare help to expand the medical tourism sector in Malaysia. Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur In order to improve its seamless healthcare travel experience, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) has increased its worldwide reach by signing two key Memorandums of Understanding with renowned medical tourism and healthcare facilitators, Passage Asia and Ezy Healthcare. These partnerships represent a crucial turning point in MHTC’s mission to offer the greatest healthcare travel experience and broaden its service area throughout Oceania. In 2022, the Malaysian healthcare travel sector will generate excellent revenues of RM1.3 billion, which is a whopping 76% more than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. MHTC is aggressively looking into strategic alliances with important stakeholders in order to seize this momentum, take advantage of synergies, and further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a top location for top-notch healthcare. These proactive measures will boost the healthcare travel industry to new heights, igniting innovation and providing healthcare travellers with unbeatable value. The collaborations we have with Passage Asia and Ezy Healthcare, according to Mr. Farizal bin Jaafar, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, “mark a big step forward for Malaysia Healthcare. We hope to establish synergies that will advance the healthcare travel sector and give our patients experiences that are unmatched by any other by partnering with these well-known medical tourism and healthcare facilitators. Together, we can open up new doors, expand our audiences, and establish new standards for excellence. The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) developed the MoUs to broaden Malaysia’s healthcare networks overseas and to provide a smooth experience for healthcare travellers. These strategic alliances seek to advance the sector by showcasing Malaysia’s recognised healthcare excellence and affordability and fostering confidence among patients on the go. A wide range of projects will be carried out through these partnerships, aiding in the development and growth of Malaysia’s healthcare tourism industry. Leading Oceania healthcare facilitator Passage Asia will build relationships with the member hospitals of the MHTC, coordinate engaging events like webinars, health talks, and CME sessions, and lead cooperative marketing initiatives throughout Australia and New Zealand. Passage Asia provides a wide range of services, such as post-treatment assistance, travel and lodging reservations, medical care coordination, and medical tourism advice. Passageasia.com, their one-stop website, offers hassle-free international medical travel, guaranteeing a smooth experience for patients and their families. “We are excited to work with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to improve the medical travel experience for customers visiting Malaysia. By combining our resources and skills, we can provide clients with a wide range of medical services, top-notch facilities, and attentive patient care that meets all of their requirements. According to Ms. Shalizahanim Binti Shukor, Chief Executive Officer of Passage Asia, “This crucial alliance not only reinforces our unwavering commitment to providing outstanding patient care management and medical tourism services, it also solidifies Malaysia’s position as the undisputed destination for high-quality medical and healthcare. Ezy Healthcare, a well-known provider of healthcare solutions with a significant presence in Oceania, Oman, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Malaysia, will play a significant role in facilitating industry collaboration, networking opportunities, and collaborative marketing initiatives. Through this tactical alliance, Malaysia hopes to increase brand recognition and strengthen its position in the healthcare tourism market. Ezy Healthcare will aid in broadening Malaysia’s influence, encouraging partnerships, and supporting corporate growth by utilising their vast worldwide network and experience. The partnership also provides access to prospective Middle Eastern business prospects. Ezy Healthcare and Malaysia will combine their talents to fully reap the rewards of this alliance and take the medical travel sector to new heights. The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and Ezy Healthcare are both happy to be working together. To establish Malaysia as a top destination for medical travel, we are starting a wonderful adventure. Our partnership will open up easy access to top-notch healthcare services, guaranteeing that our clients receive the highest level of professionalism and consideration all throughout their medical journey. According to Mr. Nay Phu Tran, Chief Executive Officer of Ezy Healthcare, “We are thrilled to extend our services and meet the healthcare requirements of our clients with unmatched expertise. While the healthcare sector is always changing, MHTC is dedicated to providing exceptional healthcare travel experiences, encouraging cross-industry collaboration, and fostering innovation in the sector. Through these strategic partnerships, MHTC is well-positioned to achieve previously unheard-of feats and create previously unheard-of standards of excellence within the international healthcare travel industry. Additionally, MHTC will seize this chance to aggressively connect these partners with appropriate MHTC hospitals, therefore successfully broadening their networks and facilitating chances in niche markets and therapeutic areas, deepening their relationship and opening up new avenues. “We acknowledge the tremendous benefit of strategic partnerships in advancing the healthcare travel sector. We are still dedicated to encouraging innovation and constant improvement as important forces behind long-term success as we make our way through the post-pandemic world. We extend an invitation to local, regional, and international business leaders to join us in investigating partnership possibilities that improve patient satisfaction and provide seamless, top-notch service to healthcare travellers. Together, we work to provide everyone comfort and make sure their experience is hassle-free, said Farizal. Source: traveldailynews

For a four-day familiarisation tour, Tourism Malaysia sent a group of Indian golf tour specialists and enthusiasts to Sabah. KOTA KINABALU – Sabah is seen as more than just a golf destination by Indian golf tour professionals and aficionados who are in the state to discover courses with a distinctive setting. The party of five Indian golfers came in Sabah last Tuesday and were astounded by the stunning backdrop of Kota Kinabalu and the kind welcome they got. They are here on a four-day familiarisation trip organised by Tourism Malaysia, which includes a dinner given by Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, chairman of the Sabah Tourism Board, on the first day of the itinerary. The group discussed how Sabah may attract visitors from India beyond only golfers owing to the state’s diverse holiday offerings at the dinner event. Romit Bose, the top golf instructor in India, emphasised the accessibility of golf courses within resorts, hotel amenities, and the great weather for year-round golfing when he said Sabah’s opportunity is obvious. “I manage a golf academy in New Delhi where I instruct players and develop young golfers who want to become professionals so they may participate in competitions. Sabah appeals to me as a venue for a competition. You should be able to draw between 300 and 500 youth golfers and their families by utilising everything that Sabah has to offer. Sabah should, in my opinion, be a vacation spot for families with children, said the managing director of The Golfing Hub. Mahender Pal Khanna, the managing director of Diplomatic Travels, recognised that the breathtaking natural beauty of the state capital of Sabah alone is an attraction and that the presence of high-quality wellness resorts is an additional benefit for Indian tourists. “From what I’ve seen, Sabah is a wonderful location with a lot more to offer than simply golf. We also have a big wedding business, which you may take use of. I think direct flights from India would make it easier to welcome many visitors to Sabah,” he continued. Members of the panel also discussed the possibility of establishing direct chartered flights from India to Sabah soon. YB Khairul Firdaus bin Akbar Khan, Malaysia’s honourable deputy minister of tourism, arts and culture, and golf operators had a fruitful discussion at the South Asia Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2023 in India in February, which led to the group’s trip. In order to establish Sabah as a top golf destination for Indian tourists, we are delighted to highlight the state’s stunning golf courses and attractions. We are optimistic that Sabah will enchant Indian golfers and support the expansion of tourism in Malaysia through partnerships with industry players and improved connectivity,” said Khairul, who previously met the golfers at a luncheon. The state of Sabah, according to Joniston, who also serves as the assistant minister for tourism, culture, and the environment, wants to provide golfers with a really exotic experience that is unique from that found in other golfing destinations. About 20 of our golf courses are bordered by verdant mountains, gorgeous beaches, and thick rainforests, offering a distinctive setting for golfers to enjoy. The number of golfers visiting Sabah has increased, and India is a new market for us. We sincerely want to see more Indian golfers and their families in Sabah taking advantage of our rich cultural legacy as well as golfing. “This cultural immersion adds another dimension to the golfing trip, making it a well-rounded experience that combines sport, nature, and cultural exploration,” he claimed. During their familiarisation tour, the party would play golf at the Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club and the Dalit Bay Golf & Country Club. Additionally, the Nexus Golf Karambunai Resort would be inspected. At the dinner were Datuk Sr Mohd. Yusrie Abdullah, Permanent Secretary of Sabah’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and the Environment; Manoharan Periasamy, Senior Director International Promotion Division (ASAF); Muhammad Akmal Hafiz Abdul Aziz, Deputy Director (North and East India); and Tay Shu Lan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board. Source: traveldailynews

Indian passengers prefer to go to the UK, the US, and locations in Europe. For internal tourism, Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, and Kullu are the most popular destinations among Indian visitors. NEW DELHI According to the most recent data from Airbnb, the number of nights booked by Indian visitors for international travel more than quadrupled in Q1 2023 compared to Q1 2022. The main international travel destinations for Indians are now the United Kingdom, the United States, and different European nations. Indians are increasingly pursuing local travel adventures as well as foreign ones, delighting in beach getaways, metropolitan adventures, and peaceful retreats in the hills. The most popular domestic travel destinations are Goa, Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, and Kullu, in that order. When comparing full-year 2022 with pre-pandemic 2019, the total number of nights booked in India increased by 70%, while domestic nights increased by approximately 110%. Additionally, Airbnb has noticed a persistent interest among visitors from abroad to travel to India and experience the nation’s rich culture and traditions. Along with the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Canada, the United States stands out as the top source of Airbnb visitors to India. “The strong enthusiasm we are witnessing for travel presents a remarkable opportunity to foster meaningful connections,” said Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. It displays the increased assurance and willingness of Indian tourists to discover new places and make lifelong experiences. Along with our thriving host community, we want to make sure India has the variety of lodging options required to capitalise on the travel rebound. We also want to support the promotion of responsible travel habits that enable visitors to genuinely engage with local communities and fully experience the nation’s rich cultural heritage. In order to help and speed up the continuing travel recovery, we’re dedicated to collaborating closely with the government and industry stakeholders. The travel outlook from Airbnb for 2023 Exploring off-the-beaten-path locations has attracted a lot of attention in 2023, giving tourists the chance to see new regions without having any preconceived assumptions. People are travelling alone more frequently as they look for self-reflection and balance in nature-based activities. Solo travel has become more popular due to its flexibility and independence as well as the desire for quiet and alone in remote locations. According to data from Airbnb, solo travel in India has increased by almost twofold over the same time previous year6. The number of Indians using Airbnb to travel with their families has increased significantly year over year, by over 110 percent. Families may stay at Airbnb lodgings since almost 90% of rentals have kitchens, 25% have three bedrooms or more, and over a million have cribs for young children. India has also seen a sharp increase in responsible tourism, as tourists are increasingly prioritising trips that support ethical behaviours, such eco-tourism, community-based tourism, and cultural tourism. Responsible travel enables people to form strong connections with local cultures and ways of life, resulting in genuine and distinctive experiences. Travellers are also increasingly looking for unconventional venues like treehouses, houseboats, and farm stays, which go beyond the standard lodging options. Trends in Summer Travel Indian tourists are avidly embracing both local and foreign sites as the summer season progresses. The top summer travel destinations inside India include Puri, Chennai, Goa, Dehradun, Mumbai, Kochi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Munnar, and Nainital, which all perfectly capture the country’s unique scenery. Internationally, the allure of Bali, Lucerne, Vienna, Paris, Lisbon, Split, Rome, Prague, Singapore, and Bangkok has drawn Indian tourists. When comparing Q1 2023 to Q1 2022, data on nights booked by Indians for overseas bookings were used as the basis.2 Based on data from Airbnb reservations between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023.3 Based on data from Airbnb reservations between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023.4 Based on reservations made in India and a comparison of the whole year 2022 with the pre-pandemic year 20195 Based on data from Airbnb reservations between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023.Based on statistics from Airbnb bookings between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, compared to March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022.Based on Airbnb booking data between March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2023, compared to March 31, 2021, and March 31, 2022.8 Based on an increase in destination searches (minimum 1000) from Q1 2022 to Q1 2023. Source: traveldailynews

Sami Abu-Hmeidan of Queen Alia International Airport (Airport International Group) and Shoichi Higuchi of Narita International Airport Corporation both deserve honourable recognition. KOBE, JAPAN – ACI Asia-Pacific has named the recipient of the Young Executive Award 2023, the Association’s premier Human Resources initiative. The winner has been named as Ms. Noor Sabrina, who most recently held the position of Senior Executive Stakeholder Relations & Regulatory Affairs at Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad. Mr. Sami Abu-Hmeidan of Queen Alia International Airport (Airport International Group) and Mr. Shoichi Higuchi of Narita International Airport Corporation received Honourable Mentions from the judging panel as well. Papers this year focused on “The Future of the Airport Workforce” as their topic. A study paper written by Ms. Noor Sabrina examines the trends in airport workforce difficulties, including case studies from several international airports, and offers suggestions for reshaping the airport workforce’s future. In a competitive labour market, our sector is up against competition from a number of different industries. Making airports a more desirable environment for long-term careers requires improving training and employee development for reskilling and upskilling, as well as offering stronger career development plans. With the Young Executive Award programme, ACI Asia-Pacific is happy to contribute to developing the industry’s young talent, according to Mr. Stefano Baronci, Director General of ACI Asia-Pacific. A $1,000 cash prize and a scholarship for the Airport Operations Diploma Programme (online self-study) will be given to the winner. We are providing the selected candidate’s airport with an extra scholarship to any ACI Global Training Leadership and Management Professional Certificate Course, virtual or classroom (except travel fee), as a thank-you for nominating them. Since its inception in 2009, the Young Executive Award programme has promoted the dissemination of fresh perspectives and industry-leading techniques within the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern airport community. To promote the dissemination of novel concepts and best practises throughout the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern airport community, the papers of the winner and Honourable Mention will be put on the ACI Asia-Pacific website. Source: traveldailynews

TAT and Bitkub Blockchain Technology have signed an agreement to work together to maximise the potential of the metaverse for the growth and marketing of Thai tourism. Thailand – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Bitkub Blockchain Technology have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together to advance the Bitkub Metaverse as part of the TAT’s continuous initiative to use technology and innovation to convert Thai tourism into Smart Tourism. According to Mr. Nithee Seeprae, TAT’s Deputy Governor for Digitalization, Research, and Development, “With the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, TAT is reviving Thai tourism towards digital transformation in recognition of the significance of the digital economy and digital as a game changer. Blockchain technology will be crucial in growing and promoting tourism, and it also gives Thailand the chance to set an example by embracing virtual reality as a powerful marketing tool. Through the Bitkub Metaverse, TAT and Bitkub Blockchain Technology will collaborate to promote Thai tourism under the terms of the MoU. In addition to promoting tourist landmarks and year-round travel experiences that imitate real-world tourist sites and destinations with 3D visuals and videos, this will be further enhanced to include an information hub on Thai tourism. By using Web 3.0 technology and the use of digital assets, a new virtual environment in the metaverse that integrates NFT (Non-Fungible Token), Blockchain, cryptocurrency, XRB Token, and other technologies will be created. Tourists may have a virtual travel experience and shop for travel-related goods and services in the real world using digital coupons and NFT. After enjoying their virtual experience, travellers from both Thailand and outside will be motivated to visit Thailand more frequently. “We are excited about the possibilities to further develop the Bitkub Metaverse, a project that has received much attention in Thailand’s blockchain industry,” said Mr Passakorn Pannok, CEO of Bitkub Blockchain Technology. Our partnership with the renowned animation production and design studio The Monk Studio provides consumers with a genuine connection to the characters, which may help advertise Thai travel and tourism to both local and foreign tourists. The ‘Amazing Thailand Metaverse: Amazing Durian’ project, the ‘Thailand Travelution 2022’ event, and two seasons of the ‘Amazing Thailand NFTs’ tourist experience were all part of TAT’s innovation strategy for digital tourism in April 2022, November 2022, and April 2023, respectively. Source: traveldailynews

To ensure quick response times for customers and hoteliers, TRIPBAM has also increased the size of its support staff. DALLAS – TRIPBAM has released the most recent iteration of Smart Sourcing for hotel RFPs. TRIPBAM is a global provider of air and hotel fare/rate reshopping, auditing, benchmarking, and sourcing. With this new upgrade, travel professionals now have access to an even more potent engine for automating and streamlining their hotel procurement tasks. By minimising manual labour for corporate travel buyers and hoteliers, TRIPBAM Smart Sourcing, which debuted in late 2019, assures a more effective RFP process. According to David Mollov, EVP of Hotel Solutions at TRIPBAM, “We’ve spent the last three years working with clients and their hotel partners to eliminate waste from what has traditionally been a long and time-consuming exercise.” “This most recent release takes ease of sourcing for buyers, national account managers, and hotel properties even further.” Improvements to TRIPBAM Smart Sourcing include: An improved RFP dashboard to assist buyers in assessing supplier replies and speed up and simplify decision-making Self-extracting bids in popular travel agency formats including PRDS, HARP, Concur, and GBTA Increased ability to convert currencies A comprehensive National Sales Manager dashboard set up with input from hotel chains to allow chains to participate in the RFP process Resources for buyers, national account managers (NAMs), and properties that have been updated and enhanced To ensure quick response times for customers and hoteliers, TRIPBAM has also increased the size of its support staff. According to Steve Reynolds, founder and CEO of TRIPBAM, “a number of the legacy RFP service providers are closing down their sourcing operations.” Instead, “We’ve made the investment to develop a product that addresses persistent problems with corporate hotel sourcing.” In order to save customers money, cut down on manual procedures, and improve supplier contract performance, TRIPBAM’s Smart Sourcing works in conjunction with its other products, such as hotel reshopping, contract audits, and benchmarking. In 2022, the number of corporate customers of Smart Sourcing quadrupled year over year, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023. The updated edition of Smart Sourcing is available right away for use by travel managers and corporate travel departments wishing to improve their hotel sourcing strategy. Source: traveldailynews

In the fourth month of 2022, there were 236,782 passengers on regular flights operated by Wizz Air, Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, and Lufthansa, which is 43,469 more (+22.5%) than in the fourth month of 2022. The Katowice Wojciech Korfanty International Airport in Pyrzowice is managed by Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL SA), which has summarised passenger traffic for the fourth month of 2023. The number of passengers handled by Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport in April 2023 was 320,524, which is 69,314 higher (+27.6%) than it was during the same month previous year. The fourth month of 2019 was the greatest in airport history, surpassing the April 2019 figure of 302 783 passengers serviced at Katowice Airport. In the fourth month of 2022, there were 236,782 passengers on regular flights operated by Wizz Air, Ryanair, LOT Polish Airlines, and Lufthansa, which is 43,469 more (+22.5%) than in the fourth month of 2022. During that period, passengers primarily flew from Katowice Airport to Dortmund, London-Luton, London-Stansted, Eindhoven, and Warsaw. Travel companies managed 81,633 passengers on charter flights, which is 24,877 higher (+43.8%) than during the same period in 2022. The most popular destinations for travellers were Gran Canaria, Marsa Alam, Hurghada, Fuerteventura, and Antalya. 2,994 aircraft took off and landed at Katowice Airport last month, which is 108 more operations (+3.7%) than in the same month previous year. Katowice Airport handled 1,115,529 passengers in the first four months of 2023, an increase of 397,733 (+55.4%) over the same period in 2022. The year 2023’s first four months were the best ever for the airport. The highest performance thus far for the first four months of a year came from 2019, when Katowice Airport serviced 1,015,169 passengers. “The ‘Summer 2023’ schedule’s first full month set new records for Katowice Airport. Thanks to a robust summer network that, at its busiest, will include 107 routes to 29 countries, including 58 charter routes, passengers fly from our airport on both scheduled and charter flights, according to Artur Tomasik, president of the board of the Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL SA). Source: traveldailynews

The deal has a four-year term with the option of an additional year’s extension. In the upcoming years, Aena will adopt technical improvements in security measures, and businesses will need to adapt. For 1,500 million euros, Aena has put out to bid the private security service for the network’s 46 airports and 2 heliports in Spain. The four-year award period may be extended for an additional year. The tender has been initially divided into 13 lots, however this number may vary as the process progresses: Lot 1: Passenger inspection and Fast-Track at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport Lot 2 includes the airports of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (checked baggage screening), Madrid-Cuatro Vientos, Valladolid, and Salamanca. Lot 3: Airport Management Centre at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Lot 4: Passenger screening at Barcelona’s El Prat Josep Tarradellas Airport Lot 5 includes the following airports: Barcelona-El Prat Josep Tarradellas (checked baggage screening), Girona-Costa Brava, Reus, Zaragoza, Sabadell, and Huesca-Pirineos. Lot 6: Airport Management Centre at El Prat Josep Tarradellas in Barcelona Lot 7 includes the airports of Gran Canaria, Tenerife Sur, Tenerife Norte-Ciudad de La Laguna, César Manrique-Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, El Hierro, and La Gomera. Lot 8 includes the airports at Palma de Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Son Bonet Lot 9 includes the airports of Alicante-Elche, Valencia, the Region of Murcia International Airport, Almera, and Albacete Lot 10 includes the following airports: Málaga-Costa del Sol, F.G.L. Granada-Jaén, Melilla, Ceuta, and Algeciras Lot 11 includes the airports of Seville, Jerez, Cordoba, and Badajoz. Lot 12 includes the airports of Bilbao, Vitoria, San Sebastian, Logroo-Agoncillo, Pamplona, Seve Ballesteros-Santander, and Burgos. Lot 13 include those at Santiago-Rosala de Castro, A Corua, Vigo, Asturias, and León Aena will go through a significant technical modernization process for the duration of the contract in order to preserve its top spot in airport management globally. To comply with European requirements, the business will keep installing explosive detection equipment (EDS standard 3) for checking checked luggage. In order to speed up pre-boarding inspections and enhance the passenger experience, security filters will also be updated with the installation of cutting-edge technology (EDSCB, ATRS, Remote Screening, and biometric systems). Competitive conversation Aena will use the competitive conversation approach in this tender as a novel element. By using a descriptive document that outlines the most crucial elements of the tender, the goal of the service provider will be described during the conversation phase with the applicants. The time period for businesses to submit their participation, technical, and financial bids has been extended to 30 calendar days. A second step will involve communication with the bidders to discuss issues like the length of the contract or the layout of the lots, among others. The suppliers are required to submit their final proposals when the conversation period has ended. Aena wants to offer potential grantees a voice and include them in the entire process through this competitive dialogue technique, including their suggestions to make the contract fair and appealing to the industry. Passenger assessment of the security service is quite high at the airports in the Aena network. The average rating for this service is 4.23 out of 5 according to last year’s ASQ (Airport Service Quality) passenger satisfaction surveys, which is higher than the 4.18 average for Europe. Source: traveldailynews

Three jointly branded travel experiences—wine, coffee, and tea—will be the emphasis of the “Xiamen Airlines x Songtsam Joint Travel Routes” first phase. The city of New York Xiamen Airlines Co., Ltd., a member of the SkyTeam Airline Alliance, and Songtsam, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel collection and destination management firm situated in the Chinese provinces of Tibet and Yunnan, have announced a strategic alliance. Travellers will be able to meet with locals and enjoy immersive experiences as a result of this ground-breaking relationship, which combines air travel with stays at Songtsam facilities. This will help them celebrate the richness of Yunnan’s cultures and better comprehend its biodiversity. Three jointly branded travel experiences—wine, coffee, and tea—will be the emphasis of the “Xiamen Airlines x Songtsam Joint Travel Routes” first phase. The travel and tour experiences offered by Songtsam and Xiamen Airlines are enhanced by the abundance of local knowledge shared by their specially qualified tour guides. Jointly Curated Travel Routes by Songtsam and Xiamen Airlines 1. Wine fragrance Snowland A handcrafted grape juice in a glass in front of snowy mountains The original “Shangri-La” was a made-up place tucked away amid snow-capped mountains and valleys, with cloud-shrouded woods, undulating mountains, and rising snow-tops, as described in the book “Lost Horizon.” This imaginary utopia, however, has a genuine presence in Yunnan. The traditional Naxi homes and the mix of Tibetan, Han, and other ethnic traditions in the villages along the way will provide tour participants the chance to comprehend the long-established culture of this region as they travel from Lijiang to Shangri-La. The gourmet lunch that the chef from Xiamen will create in the forest will be one of the highlights of this journey. Properties owned by Songtsam along these roads are dispersed and surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. What’s more, the places where these homes are situated close to the Three Parallel Rivers Region all exhibit various natural topographies as well as a fusion of civilizations. This route includes a stop at a winery in Benzilan, Deqin, which was recreated using Tibetan homes. The vineyards are spread out and situated on high slopes, making them inaccessible to mechanisation. Only by hand can the wine be produced. There are less than 20,000 bottles produced annually. While taking in the picturesque surroundings of these uncommon vineyards, guests will be able to enjoy a specially designed wine-themed sampling meal. 2. Coffee from the Rainforest A cup of inventive coffee on a coffee farm in a rainforest The biggest Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer, Pu’er, stretches over 700 kilometres (435 miles), integrating several ethnic minorities and providing a rich fusion of various civilizations. At 23 degrees north latitude, Pu’er is the northernmost point in Yunnan. Here, the sun in the northern hemisphere is directly exposed, resulting in a hot, humid environment that supports a thriving tea and coffee industry. In fact, Colombia, the renowned producer of coffee, shares same latitude. Tian Deneng, a French missionary who travelled to Yunnan to engage out missionary work, planted the first coffee beans there in 1892. The largest coffee trade centre in China is the Yunnan Coffee trade Centre, which is also close to Songtsam’s Padma Pu’er Hotel. It is Asia’s largest speciality coffee quality control facility and is situated at the source of the raw ingredients for coffee. The Yunnan Coffee Trading Centre, which is committed to establishing the value of Yunnan coffee, has emerged as the domestic and international market leader for Yunnan speciality coffee. The visit to Grandpa Liao’s coffee garden, an 80-year-old senior agronomic in Pu’er who has turned 20 hectares (about 49 acres) of desolate mountain slopes into a unique and ecological coffee farm and garden, is the highlight of this tour of local coffee farms. Visitors will learn about the growing of coffee beans from Liao, a specialist on tropical plants. Visitors will get the chance to make their own cup of speciality Yunnan-flavored coffee at this coffee plantation with the help of Xiamen Airlines travel/tour experts. Additionally, this trip includes stops at Yunnan’s national coffee gene bank and the sole Starbucks cooperative estate. Guests staying at Songtsam’s Padma Pu’er Hotel will be able to sample the fine cuisine that reflects the many ethnic local cultures and the subtropical flavours that flourish in Pu’er. 3. Pu-er Tea A practical Royal Tribute Tea encounter Visitors on this excursion will get the chance to learn from the tea garden instructor while being guided by Xiamen Airlines travel/tour guides as they prepare their own tea cakes and cups of potent and fragrant Pu’er tea at the Royal Tribute Tea Garden, which is situated behind the Pu’er Mountains. In the middle of the forest’s scent and air, guests are encouraged to dine and savour a fine dinner. Focus on Sustainability in the Curated Tours The use of biodegradable waste bags and a reduction in the usage of plastics, such as water bottles, are two ways that these trips emphasise sustainable travel. The excursions also emphasise gaining knowledge of the local culture and the passing down and preservation of traditional arts and crafts. Source: traveldailynews

To make travelling in economy a little more tolerable, Qantas has come up with a scheme, but you’ll have to pay for it and the advantage might be taken away right before you board. The airline has made public its new “Neighbour Free” programme, which on select flights will allow travellers to reserve an empty seat next to their own. When flying in economy, Qantas said, “Neighbour Free gives you the option to reserve the seat next to you, so you can enjoy extra space and comfort.” For the time being, it is not accessible internationally or on several of its popular internal routes. Some elite frequent fliers have had secret access to this benefit in economy for a while now, but it’s now available to everyone for a fee. If a client has purchased a domestic flight and is travelling on a qualifying route with seats still available, they will get an email 48 hours prior to departure requesting them to reserve the seat next to them. If they choose to participate, they will then incur an additional fee of $30 to $65 and get notification that their Neighbour Free request has been approved. Depending on the route, there may be a fee to reserve the seat next to you. The minimal cost of a flight from Sydney to Melbourne or Adelaide to the Gold Coast is $35. However, the majority of the routes that qualify, such as Adelaide to Brisbane, Brisbane to Perth, and Darwin to Sydney, will cost $65 each way. Many of Qantas’ biggest domestic routes, like as those from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane as well as Brisbane to Melbourne, won’t initially be covered by the Neighbour Free programme. The initial batch of itineraries does not appear to include any trips to Canberra or Tasmania. International Qantas flights aren’t either. However, according to Qantas, “plans are underway to further expand the initiative to other domestic routes in the months ahead.” Children are not permitted to utilise the seat, and extra carry-on baggage or musical instruments are not permitted to be placed on them. The airline has issued a warning that the vacant seat can be removed at the last minute as well. “Neighbour Free seats are subject to availability and may need to be changed for operational, safety, or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft,” it has stated. Basically, if Qantas sells the seat later, you could still have a neighbour, but it’ll probably attempt to give last-minute ticket holders priority in unoccupied Neighbour Free seats. Only if they have reserved the adjacent seat at the gate will passengers be able to be certain. If the seat is taken, you will get a refund for the previously vacant seat. Since September of last year, Qantas has been testing the project on six different routes. These six routes are still all included in the extended programme. Source: escape