Travel News

Abacus International expects a three to five per cent growth in travel bookings for the first half of 2010, signalling that the Asia-Pacific travel market is on the mend

SINGAPORE'S first casino at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has attracted more than 128,000 visitors since its opening on February 14, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

THE 41-key Wangz Hotel, a five-star boutique property, has opened in Singapore's heritage estate, Tiong Bahru, a site popular for boutique hotels such as the Link Hotel and Hotel Nostalgia.

TWO Indonesian airlines are preparing to utilise their fifth freedom rights as part of their route expansion to Europe and the Middle East.

MORE Singaporeans expect to go on holiday to a regional destination in the first half of this year compared to six months ago, according to a MasterCard survey on potential consumer travel behaviour.

THE ASSOCIATION of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has told members to recommend tourists to reroute, instead of cancel, their trips to other Thai destinations with direct international air links, if they were concerned over the situation in Bangkok.

Regional tour operators are decrying Indonesia's move to withdraw a seven-day visa-on-arrival (VOA) costing US$10, which means their clients must pay for the other VOA, a 30-day costing US$25 per application, even if they stay only a few days.

Best Western International has launched a luxury brand property in Indonesia.

HONG KONG will welcome 2,700 new hotel rooms to meet the demand of an expected increase in arrivals this year.

HONG KONG will welcome 2,700 new hotel rooms to meet the demand of an expected increase in arrivals this year.

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination. This annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member nations of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

As the New Year begins, my mind lingers on the “should”, “could” and some potential hot topics for 2010.

As the New Year begins, my mind lingers on the “should”, “could” and some potential hot topics for 2010.

Located on an untouched Thai island, Koh Kood, on the east coast of Thailand, the resort is accessible by a 50-minute flight from Bangkok in its own private plane. This ensures an exclusive experience, but also an invaluable community benefit: In addition to flying in guests in a fuel-efficient Cessna Grand Caravan, the airstrip is now available for emergency medical airlifts to Bangkok.

“Premium economy class seats are not quite popular with Singaporean holidaymakers who tend to be price-sensitive. When they travel as a family, it will cost more to have every member in premium economy class. Furthermore, there are limited premium economy class seats and a big family would have to be split up. This product is preferred by business travellers who want better service and greater comfort but do not want to pay the price of business class.”

A look at what Singapore’s long-awaited and game-changing IRs have to offer. Karen Yue writes

Visa-on-arrival launched but visitor multi-entry rules tightened By Ahir Bhairab Borthakur

Compulsory membership up for review, other associations being considered By S Puvaneswary

Kuala Lumpur puts plans into action to woo more luxury MICE groups. By S Puvaneswary

Tourism Malaysia finds ways to deal with hefty budget cut as competition heats up. S Puvaneswary writes