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Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s talent wins ACI Asia-Pacific’s Young Executive Award 2023

Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad’s talent wins ACI Asia-Pacific’s Young Executive Award 2023

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

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Bitkub Metaverse added to Thailand’s Smart Tourism transformation

Bitkub Metaverse added to Thailand’s Smart Tourism transformation

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

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TRIPBAM releases updated version of smart sourcing for hotel RFPs

TRIPBAM releases updated version of smart sourcing for hotel RFPs

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

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Passenger traffic grows at Katowice Airport record-breaking April 2023

Passenger traffic grows at Katowice Airport record-breaking April 2023

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

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Aena tenders the private security service for all airports in Spain for 1,500 million euros

Aena tenders the private security service for all airports in Spain for 1,500 million euros

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

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Songtsam and Xiamen Airlines partner to create three joint curated travel routes in China

Songtsam and Xiamen Airlines partner to create three joint curated travel routes in China

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

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Qantas unveils ‘Neighbour Free’ empty seat program

Qantas unveils ‘Neighbour Free’ empty seat program

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

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Nikki Beach Global continues expansion with upcoming projects in Antigua, Baku and Muscat

Nikki Beach Global continues expansion with upcoming projects in Antigua, Baku and Muscat

With additional resorts, villas, and beach clubs scheduled to open in 2024 and 2025, the international hospitality brand will further increase its geographic presence in Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Florida’s Miami Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua and Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Baku will open in 2025, according to the premium lifestyle and hospitality company Nikki Beach Global. Nikki Beach Antigua, the property’s hotel, residences, and beach club, will be located in Antigua, while Nikki Beach Baku, the brand’s first standalone resort without a beach club, will be situated there. Late last year, Nikki Beach also announced that Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat, which will include a hotel, beach club called Nikki Beach Muscat, and apartments, will debut in early 2024. The property in Baku, which is being developed in collaboration with Nardaran Beach Resort LLC, will be situated on the Caspian Sea shore, a convenient 20 minutes from the city centre and 15 minutes from the airport. Six overwater bungalows, 49 beach villas with private pools, and around 90 rooms and suites will all be included in the resort. The villas will be usable as both homes and holiday rentals. The resort will also house three iconic Nikki Beach eateries: Café Nikki, Escape, and Soul Lounge. Additionally, the resort will have two enormous swimming pools, the Nikki Spa, and Tone Gym, among other top-notch facilities. The management team at Nardaran Beach Resort LLC stated, “We are thrilled to introduce Nikki Beach to the market of lovely Azerbaijan. This will be the first Nikki Beach resort in the Central Asian market, and we are certain that our collaboration will not only result in one of the best resorts in the region but will also significantly benefit both the local population and the whole luxury lifestyle industry. The 115 rooms, 25 suites and 30 villas with private pools at Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat, which is located on Yiti Bay and only 30 minutes from the Muscat airport, will also include a beach club, residences, Café Nikki, Escape, Soul Lounge, three swimming pools, a pool bar, Nikki Spa, Tone Gym and a marina. The area will be very appealing to the yachting community as a premier mega yacht destination. The OMRAN Group and the property are working together to develop it. Hashil bin Obaid al Mahrouqi, the CEO of OMRAN Group, stated that one of the company’s main goals is to create distinctive, long-term tourist destinations that foster bonds between visitors and the Sultanate of Oman while promoting economic development and solidifying the nation’s status as a top travel destination worldwide. This is very well illustrated by the Yiti Integrated Tourism Development. An important turning point in the development of the project has been reached with the launch of Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Muscat. It is a resort that pays attention to the scenic beauty of the setting and the nation’s fascinating and rich culture with luxurious modernism. Together with White Sand Development Ltd., the Nikki Beach Resort & Spa Antigua is now being built. In the upcoming months, more information on the project will be made accessible. Alexander Schneider, President of the Nikki Beach worldwide Hotels & Resorts Division, said, “We are extremely proud to continue our successful global expansion through this exciting pipeline of new hotels and resorts.” This collection “completely reflects our aim of focusing on ‘tomorrow’s places’ in order to present our well-traveled target group with totally new experiences. We are always working to develop cutting-edge ideas that will help new and developing travel markets experience our amazing lifestyle approach. We’re pleased to blend the Nikki Beach ‘Celebration of Life’ experience and barefoot luxury style with the wonderfully distinctive regional culture offered by these places. Nikki Beach Global, which launched in 1998, has expanded into a diverse hospitality firm with 11 beach clubs and 5 hotels and resorts across the world. The company has recently concentrated on growing its Hotels & Resorts segment, which now manages resorts in Koh Samui, Thailand; Porto Heli, Greece; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Santorini, Greece; and Tivat, Montenegro. Source: traveldailynews

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AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati takes off

AirAsia’s inaugural flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kertajati takes off

The first low-cost airline to offer a direct route between Kuala Lumpur and Kertjati. AirAsia Malaysia (AK) celebrated its first flight from Kuala Lumpur to West Java, Indonesia, town of Kertajati. The maiden flight took off from Terminal 2 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9.05 AM and touched down at Kertajati International Airport at 10.20 AM local time on the same day. Bapak Drs. Benny Bachtiar M.SI, Head of Tourism and Culture, Province of West Java, His Excellency Dato’ Syed Md Hasrin, Ambassador of Malaysia to Indonesia, Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia, and other dignitaries from the industry gave the delighted passengers on flight AK418 a warm welcome upon arrival. Following the epidemic, AirAsia is the first low cost airline to provide flights to and from Kertajati on international routes thanks to the new route. The second-largest airport in Indonesia, Kertajati International Airport, acts as a major hub for passenger connections to Greater Bandung, Cirebon and its surroundings, West Java region, and portions of Central Java. “We are truly honoured to be the first low cost airline to connect travellers to Kertajati, the undiscovered gem of Indonesia,” stated Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Malaysia. In order to make it easier for visitors to visit loved ones or simply enjoy the wonder and beauty of both nations, AirAsia started flying between Malaysia and Indonesia in 2004. Since then, we have increased our network to 12 locations in Indonesia with 151 flights per week, and in 2019, we have transported more than 2.5 million passengers between the two countries. “Our goal is to make Indonesia as a whole, as well as West Java, a must-see destination in Asean. With the addition of this new route, more residents and visitors will have the chance to explore the charming town of Kertajati and its surrounding regions and landmarks. Only an hour separates the Majalengka Regency, home to Kertajati, from Bandung, the world’s premier shopping destination. I am happy to see that the start of flights from Kuala Lumpur would not only make Kertajati known to tourists from Asean and beyond, but will also give the people a lot of economic and job chances. “As an airline group with substantial connectivity in Asean and the Asia Pacific, we are happy to continue playing our part in bringing international visitors directly to several well-known and underserved locations in Indonesia and Malaysia. This will be done in conjunction with our affiliate, Indonesia AirAsia. We intend to make a big contribution towards the governments’ 2023 goal of drawing millions of international tourists. Source: traveldailynews

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Hyatt announces plans for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand debut in Greece

Hyatt announces plans for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand debut in Greece

The Inclusive Collection’s second Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts facility will be in Zotry Halkidiki, a brand-new boutique all-inclusive resort that is a member of the World of Hyatt European portfolio. COLUMBUS – In order to add the new Zotry Halkidiki to the Inclusive Collection, a worldwide portfolio of distinctive, luxury all-inclusive resort brands that is a part of World of Hyatt, a Hyatt subsidiary has entered into a management agreement with AF Partners. The opulent resort, which is scheduled to debut in the middle of 2024, will boost the World of Hyatt value offer while supporting Hyatt’s sustained premium brand expansion in Europe’s top tourism hotspots. The resort will be situated on a cliffside with panoramic views of Mount Olympus and the nearby Aegean Sea in Halkidiki, Greece, close to the town of Sani. For the brand’s sophisticated travellers, a panoramic lift will provide guests unparalleled access to the beach right from the resort, offering a singular experience. The 105 rooms and suites at the opulent resort, which focuses on providing guests with a restful and meaningful experience, will have swim-out choices. According to Javier Coll, group president, global business development & innovation, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt, “We are thrilled to announce plans for the thoughtful expansion of the Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand into Greece, a market that is ripe with opportunity for the customised all-inclusive experience the brand is known for.” Given the numerous well-suited sites, both known and new, in Europe, the Inclusive Collection portfolio has tremendous promise there. We are excited to provide our upgraded services to new and returning guests, World of Hyatt members, customers, and developers as we continue to expand our brand’s footprint throughout Europe. A world-class Zotry spa, a gym, a beachfront pool, two à la carte restaurants, a buffet, three bars, and lounges are just a few of the upgraded facilities that Zotry Halkidiki, the ideal beachside getaway, is ready to provide. Guests will benefit from first-rate services, including as tastefully furnished suites, no check-in or check-out hours, gourmet food, limitless top-shelf spirits, 24-hour concierge, cultural enrichment events, and more, as part of the brand’s trademark Endless Privileges® concept. According to Carlos Paredes, director of development, EAME, Inclusive Collection, Hyatt, “as Greece’s tourism industry recovers, we are seeing increased demand for all-inclusive resort experiences from both travellers and developers who understand the appeal and opportunities of the Inclusive Collection’s brand promise.” “We are pleased by these plans to increase the footprint of the Zoetry brand with AF Partners, a leader in regional strategic development.” With improved facilities, unending hospitality, and extra special touches, The Inclusive Collection redefines and enriches the all-inclusive experience. With the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Zotry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Alua Hotels & Resorts, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas brands, guests and World of Hyatt members enjoy exceptional and immersive experiences. The anticipated opening of Zotry Halkidiki in 2024 is anticipated to strengthen Hyatt’s brand presence in Greece, which already includes The Unbound Collection by Hyatt properties Grand Hyatt Athens, Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki, AluaSoul Zakynthos, and Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki. Source: traveldailynews

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