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Make Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit your preferred address on bustling Sukhumvit Road

The post Make Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit your preferred address on bustling Sukhumvit Road appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

A leading name among Sukhumvit luxury hotels, Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit is the ideal choice for a memorable stay in the vibrant, chic and energizing Sukhumvit Road area. The BTS Skytrain is a short stroll away, the bustling dining and entertainment neighbourhood of Thong Lo is right next door, and major shopping and business enclaves are within easy reach.

And now is as good a time as any to make a 5 star hotel in Sukhumvit your address whether for a short stay or a longer sojourn, with enticing offers to be had at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit.

Stay Elevated, Stay Elite

The Stay Elevated, Stay Elite offer will make your visit all the more memorable. Valid for stays up to 22 December 2024 for occupancy in a premium room or suite, the offer includes daily buffet breakfast, two Signature drinks at Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar, and an exclusive benefit to further enhance your stay.

Book a Stay Elevated, Stay Elite city break now by visiting the hotel’s website, or by calling +66 279 70000. Use the promotional code FML. For toll-free numbers outside the US, go to Global Reservation Numbers.

Indulge & Unwind

The Indulge & Unwind package combines luxurious comfort with culinary delights, and is valid for stays up to 1 January 2025. It includes daily buffet breakfast for two persons, and a per day food and beverage credit of Bt 2,000 for Deluxe, Premier and Executive rooms and Bt 4,000 for Executive suites.

The credit can be used for leisurely lunches or intimate dinners at the hotel’s participating restaurants and outlets – The District Grill Room & Bar, 57th Street, Chocolate Cake Company (CCco.) and Azure Pool Lounge & Bar.

Book your Indulge & Unwind package today by visiting the hotel’s website, or by calling +66 279 70000. Use the promotional code D60. For toll-free numbers outside the US, go to Global Reservation Numbers.

Stay A Little Longer And Save Bigger

Take advantage of Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit’s long stay rate, for stays of three nights or more up to 30 September 2025. Enjoy a 20 percent discount on food and beverage, laundry and the hotel spa.

Book the long stay rate by visiting the hotel’s website, or by calling +66 279 70000. Use the promotional code ES7. For toll-free numbers outside the US, go to Global Reservation Numbers.

Uncomplicated Comfort In Stylish Rooms And Suites

The rooms and suites at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit offer uncomplicated comfort in a stylish and spacious environment. With views of the surrounding Sukhumvit area, they are well appointed with a writing/work desk, TV with cable/satellite and premium movie channels, wireless internet, mini bar, mini fridge, coffee/tea maker, in-room safe, hair dryer, and iron and ironing board.

The choice of room categories includes: Guest room 1 King; Guest room 2 Double; Guest room 1 King, High floor; Guest room 2 Double, High floor; Guest room 1 King, High floor with Executive Lounge access; Guest room 2 Double, High floor with Executive Lounge access; 1 Bedroom Executive Suite; 2 Bedroom Suite; and 2 Bedroom Presidential Suite.

The suites – which boast elegant marble bathrooms and soundproof windows – come with access to the Executive Lounge on the hotel’s 40th floor. This is open throughout the day from 6.30am til 10pm and offers various luxury perks and exclusive privileges. There’s complimentary food, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as business services available and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Superb Dining Choices

An award-winning steakhouse, a fabulous rooftop bar, an all-day dining restaurant, and a dessert shop where the deliciously sweet treats are handmade. The culinary choice at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit is superb.

Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar

One of Bangkok’s most stunning rooftop dining, bar and entertainment locations, Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar offers breathtaking views, exquisite cuisine and a vibrant, energizing ambiance. This spectacular spot is open from 5pm til 2am.

57th Street

Open from 6am til 11pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner, 57th Street boasts a delicious menu inspired by traditional Thai recipes.

The District Grill Room & Bar

At The District Grill Room & Bar, guests can savour the tantalising flavours of quality steaks and succulent seafood, as well as a celebrated Sunday brunch. This award-winning grill room blends comfort and exceptional service, with a twist on fine dining. It’s open from 5pm til 11pm Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday from 12pm til 3pm and 5pm til 11pm.

Chocolate Cake Company (CCco.)

For those with a sweet tooth, the Chocolate Cake Company (CCco.) is a must-visit. Open from 7am til 7pm, it’s renowned for the delectable array of treats on offer that tantalise the tastebuds. Each delicious item is handcrafted by CCco.’s skilled pastry chefs, from rich chocolate cakes to delicate pastries.

Azure Pool Lounge & Bar

High above Sukhumvit, the Azure Pool Lounge & Bar is a refreshing oasis where guests can enjoy various drinks and cocktails alongside the rooftop pool. Open from 9am til 7pm, there’s also appetizers, salads and pizzas to dine on while taking in the panoramic views.

Sukhumvit Luxury Experiences

Make the most of your 5 star hotel in Sukhumvit experience, at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit’s spectacular rooftop swimming pool, rejuvenating spa and energizing fitness centre.

Anne Semonin

At Anne Semonin spa, guests can discover the essence of relaxation in a welcoming and inspirational atmosphere. The spa menu includes soothing massages, revitalising body scrubs, facials, manicures and pedicures, and customizable spa treatment packages. Couples massages are available, and there are separate men’s and women’s lounges.

Fitness Centre

Guests can work out whenever they wish, at the 24-hour Fitness Centre equipped with weight machines, free weights, exercise bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines, strength equipment and cardio equipment. Sauna rooms are available, and there are personal trainers on site to provide expert guidance and advice.

Swimming Pools

The rooftop infinity swimming pool at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit is a pleasure to swim in or simply to just relax in, with fantastic city views to be had from in and out of the water. There’s also a children’s pool for the younger guests to have fun splashing around in.

Exceptional Meetings And Events

Meetings and events at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit can be as intimate or as grand as you wish, with 10,700 sq ft of total event space available and expert planners on hand to assist in all areas. Seven event rooms range in capacity from the largest, the Benchasiri Ballroom, able to accommodate 450 people theatre or reception-style/231 schoolroom-style/300 banquet-style to the smallest accommodating 30 people theatre-style/20 reception-style/18 schoolroom-style/20 banquet-style.

Book a stay now at Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit and experience the comfort and luxury of the favourite 5 star hotel in Sukhumvit for many a traveller. Visit the hotel’s website or call +66 279 70000.

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IATA: Airline profitability to grow in 2025 despite supply chain issues

The post IATA: Airline profitability to grow in 2025 despite supply chain issues appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced its financial outlook for the global airline industry in 2025, which shows a slight strengthening of profitability amid ongoing cost and supply chain challenges.  

Based on the outlook, net profits are expected to be $36.6 billion in 2025 for a 3.6 percent net profit margin, marking a slight improvement from the expected $31.5 billion net profit in 2024. 

Average net profit per passenger, on the other hand, is expected to be $7.0, below the $7.9 high in 2023 but an improvement from $6.4 seen this year.

According to IATA director-general Willie Walsh: “We’re expecting airlines to deliver a global profit of $36.6 billion in 2025. This will be hard-earned as airlines take advantage of lower oil prices while keeping load factors above 83%, tightly controlling costs, investing in decarbonization, and managing the return to more normal growth levels following the extraordinary pandemic recovery. All these efforts will help to mitigate several drags on profitability which are outside of airlines’ control, namely persistent supply chain challenges, infrastructure deficiencies, onerous regulation, and a rising tax burden.”

Potential developments

Operating profit in 2025 is expected to be $67.5 billion for a net operating margin of 6.7 percent, an improvement from the 6.4 percent projected for 2024. expected in 2024).

The return on invested capital (ROIC) for the global industry is expected to be 6.8 percent in 2025; while this is an improvement from the 2024 ROIC of 6.6 percent, the returns for the industry at the global level remain below the weighted average cost of capital. 

ROIC is the strongest for airlines in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America, where it did exceed the cost of capital.

Total industry revenues are expected to be $1.007 trillion, up by 4.4 percent from 2024 and will be the first time that industry revenues top the $1 trillion mark. 

However, expenses are expected to grow by four percent to $940 billion.

Passenger numbers are expected to reach 5.2 billion in 2025, a 6.7 percent rise compared to 2024 and the first time that the number of passengers has exceeded the five billion mark.

Meanwhile, cargo volumes are expected to reach 72.5 million tonnes, a 5.8 percent increase from 2024.

Breaching the trillion mark

Walsh opined that industry revenues will exceed $1 trillion for the first time next year, but that is a projection that needs to be put into a proper context. 

As he puts it: “A trillion dollars is a lot: almost 1 percent of the global economy. That makes airlines a strategically important industry. But remember that airlines carry $940 billion in costs, not to mention interest and taxes. They retain a net profit margin of just 3.6%. Put another way, the buffer between profit and loss, even in the good year that we are expecting of 2025, is just $7 per passenger. With margins that thin, airlines must continue to watch every cost and insist on similar efficiency across the supply chain—especially from our monopoly infrastructure suppliers who all too often let us down on performance and efficiency.” 

The IATA report also highlighted the broad benefits of growing connectivity. 

The most recent estimates show that airline employment is expected to grow to 3.3 million in 2025. 

Airlines are the core of a global aviation value chain that employs 86.5 million people and generates $4.1 trillion in economic impact, accounting for 3.9 percent of global GDP as of 2023.  

That said, connectivity is an economic catalyst for growth in nearly all industries.

Walsh concluded by saying: “Looking at 2025, for the first time, traveler numbers will exceed five billion and the number of flights will reach 40 million. This growth means that aviation connectivity will be creating and supporting jobs across the global economy. The most obvious are the hospitality and retail sectors which will gear up to meet the needs of a growing number of customers. But almost every business benefits from the connectivity that air transport provides, making it easier to meet customers, receive supplies, or transport products. On top of this, growth in aviation also contributes to achieving almost all the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs.)”

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JCB Cards may now be used to pay UK ETA application fees

The post JCB Cards may now be used to pay UK ETA application fees appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Japan’s JCB International Co Ltd announced that JCB Cards may now be accepted for paying the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) application fee for JCB Cardmembers travelling to the United Kingdom (UK). 

From 8 January 2025, visitors from designated countries and territories will require an ETA before entering the UK. 

In response to this change, JCB enables applicants to pay the ETA application fee using their JCB Cards, providing added convenience and ensuring a seamless payment experience during the application process.

JCB International (Europe) Ltd managing director Ray Shinzawa said: “JCB is delighted to provide our cardmembers with a smooth and efficient way to apply for their UK ETA. This partnership reflects our commitment to enhancing the travel experience for our cardmembers and supporting initiatives that promote secure and convenient cross-border travel.”

A timely collaboration

This collaboration comes at a crucial time, as the new UK border regulations require an ETA application fee of £10 (GBP) via the official UK ETA website. 

By accepting JCB, the UK government ensures a seamless and accessible application process for JCB’s 158 million cardmembers worldwide. 

This partnership allows cardmembers to use their preferred payment method on the official UK ETA website, removing potential barriers, and providing a convenient and much faster solution as they prepare for their travels to the UK.

With international travel experiencing a resurgence, the UK is preparing for a new wave of visitors. 

As shown in the October 2024 report from Visit Britain, there has been a gradual increase of inbound visits and spend in the UK, especially amongst Asian countries and territories. 

Although these numbers are still behind 2019, the report highlights that Japan was amongst the countries and territories which saw the strongest growth from 2023. 

By enabling JCB Card acceptance for ETA applications, the UK is welcoming a large segment of international travellers, many from Asia, and removing friction from the entry process. 

This initiative also aligns with broader efforts to simplify travel procedures and strengthen border security.

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ACCOR – a global leader in hospitality, recognised at TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia  

The post ACCOR – a global leader in hospitality, recognised at TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia   appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, was recognised at the prestigious TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia for its commitment to inspiring wanderlust and reinforcing brand loyalty.

Partnering with renowned content studio Beautiful Destinations, the company launched its “For ALL The Travellers In You”  multi-faceted campaign, which uses compelling video storytelling to feature its wide range of hotel brands and immersive destinations.

Marketing Initiative of the Year celebrates Accor’s innovative approach to transforming static imagery into engaging and innovative dynamic content and focus on reinforcing brand love. 

The creative campaign has already earned significant buzz after its launch in Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa and boosted engagement, bookings, and brand recognition. The initiative now spanned 23 brands, 40 destinations, and over 140 hotels. It successfully reshaped consumer perceptions by positioning Accor’s hotels as immersive, culturally enriching destinations. 

Centred around the theme “From Dawn to Dusk,” the campaign captures both in-hotel experiences and the vibrant local cultures surrounding each property. It further features Accor’s unique offerings, from its diverse locations to its ALL loyalty programme and the exceptional service provided by its dedicated employees, referred to as HEARTISTS. 

More than 1,000 HEARTISTS participated in the project, fostering a sense of unity and pride within Accor.

The campaign’s content serves as a valuable asset that will be used across multiple channels, from marketing and recruitment to event promotion and partner pitches. 

With its innovative use of video and a social-first mindset, the “For ALL The Travellers In You” campaign is poised to be a game-changer for Accor and the hospitality industry, offering a fresh, immersive way to connect with travellers around the globe.

TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Asia is a premier awards programme presented by Travel Daily Media. It seeks to honour the pinnacle of excellence in Asia’s travel industry, covering the best hotels, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, travel agencies, booking platforms, and travel technology.

The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2024 – Asia is presented by Travel Daily Media. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more details, please contact Jane Patiag at +(65) 3158 1386 ext. 217 or awards@traveldailymedia.com.

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Emirates Group extends Airbus leadership programme for Emiratis

The post Emirates Group extends Airbus leadership programme for Emiratis appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Emirates Group formally signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus Beyond to extend Airbus’s Leadership Programme for the Group’s Emirati workforce for another three years.

The MoU was signed by Emirates Group senior vice-president for training and development Amira Al Falasi and Airbus Beyond chief executive Adam McGonigal.

The signing was witnessed by officials from both companies.

The renewed agreement extends Airbus Beyond’s bespoke training modules for the Group’s Emirati talent, preparing them through experiences, exposure and educational programmes to equip them for future positions.

Necessary training 

As of press time, more than 45 UAE nationals in three cohorts have already completed the Airbus Leadership Programme.

The course was  specifically designed to cultivate the capabilities required to lead effectively in this fast-paced world, blending industry-knowledge with essential leadership skills.

The leadership programme comprises two modules that combine theoretical and practical training. 

Each module runs across five days, with the first module taking place in Toulouse, Airbus’s home base, and the second in Singapore.

What does the training entail?

Module 1 is designed to build self-awareness and emotional intelligence, raising confidence and further empowering talent as they navigate through their career growth paths. 

Module 2, on the other hand, encompasses practical training and delves into real-world business simulations that further enhance problem-solving and analytical skills. 

The Emirates Group currently offers various programmes dedicated to developing current and future Emirati leaders. 

These programmes ensure the Group’s UAE National workforce remains agile and well-positioned to support its business objectives and vision for the future.

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Tourism Malaysia Sabah shows appreciation for media partners

The post Tourism Malaysia Sabah shows appreciation for media partners appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Tourism Malaysia Sabah held an industry gathering to celebrate media practitioners who have greatly supported domestic tourism promotion activities throughout 2024 last 8th December at the KK Galaxy Bowl, Centre Point.

The event was attended by 40 media practitioners, including representatives from the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment,; the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), as well as tourism industry players in Sabah.

Tourism Malaysia Sabah director Haryanty Abu Bakar said that organising this event with the support of strategic cooperation from the airline MASWings aimed to express the bureau’s appreciation for the media who always provide support to Tourism Malaysia, especially in promoting attractive tourist destinations in the state of Sabah and the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Abu Bakar said: “Media engagement in promoting Malaysia will further complement the fast conversion and high-impact programmes planned by Tourism Malaysia for the domestic and international markets through strategic collaborations with airlines including on digital platforms, in addition to the implementation of sales missions and participation in tourism exhibitions.”

A vital partnership

Along with launching the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, close cooperation with the media is very important to make this national agenda a success which targets the arrival of 35.6 million foreign tourists with an expected tourism income of RM147.1 billion and a total of 261 million domestic visitors with a targeted expenditure of RM115.2 billion.

Also, with the potential in the ecotourism and adventure segments, Sabah is in the best position to attract global tourist arrivals seeking authentic experiences. 

As of September 2024, Malaysia recorded 18.4 million international tourist arrivals, recording an increase of 27 percent compared to the same period in 2023.

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Etihad Airways hailed Design Airline of the Year at DesignAir Awards

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UAE flag-carrier Etihad Airways received its second Design Airline of the Year title, as well as the Design Airline of the Year – Middle East at the 2024 DesignAir Awards.

With a reputation for extraordinary hospitality, Etihad is renowned for its signature design, from the aircraft’s striking tail fin featuring the facets of Abu Dhabi to the small details such as mood lighting in the cabin. 

Etihad Airways continues to significantly invest in the guest experience, introducing new menus, new amenities in partnership with Giorgio Armani and leading skincare brand ESPA, and remarkable new lounges at Zayed International Airport.

Etihad CEO Antonaoaldo Neves said of the award: “We are grateful for these industry awards that recognise our commitment to delivering extraordinary customer experiences for our guests. Etihad is well-known for its pioneering design ethos and bringing innovation to the cabin environment, and we’re looking forward to 2025 where we will continue to build on this with new and industry-leading design concepts.”

Exceptionally stylish yet timeless

From the airline’s lounges to the uniforms, Armani Casa amenities and soft product, Etihad left no stone unturned or detail to chance in creating a harmonious passenger experience that has Etihad’s brand at its heart. 

A quiet, understated luxury is a refreshing change in the region, and Etihad has struck the right balance between luxury and opulence that leaves a lasting impression on its guests. 

This prompted The DesignAir founder and CEO Jonny Clark to say: “We applaud Etihad for continuing to double down on the passenger experience in a period of growth and look forward to yet more design innovations and developments from the airline in 2025 and beyond.”

Recently, Etihad also picked up three awards in the global edition of the World Travel Awards 2024, receiving a hat-trick of awards for Best Customer Experience, Best Economy Class, and Best First Class Lounge at Zayed International Airport.

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UNESCO names two Thai specialities among world’s intangible heritage

The post UNESCO names two Thai specialities among world’s intangible heritage appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) announced that UNESCO has chosen two significant aspects of Thai intangible cultural heritage, the renowned Thai dish Tomyum Kung and the traditional kebaya garment, for inclusion in its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

This recognition reaffirms Thailand’s rich cultural heritage and further elevates its standing as a premier travel destination.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool remarked: “These new UNESCO listings not only celebrate the depth of Thailand’s cultural heritage but also present an invaluable opportunity to enhance our range of travel experiences. Visitors can now delve deeper into Thai traditions, from savouring authentic Tomyum Kung to discovering the local significance of the Kebaya in southern communities. This global recognition will inspire travellers to explore and appreciate Thailand’s multifaceted cultural landscape.”

Thailand’s UNESCO-recognised intangible cultural heritage now enjoys even greater diversity with this latest accolade. 

Delectable new additions

Globally celebrated for its vibrant culinary arts, Thailand takes immense pride in the international recognition of Tomyum Kung, a dish famed for its harmonious blend of hot, sour, salty, and sweet flavours.

Alongside Tom Yum Kung, the Kebaya, included in the listing as a shared cultural tradition across several Southeast Asian nations, holds significance in various communities in southern Thailand, reflecting a cherished cultural identity that transcends borders.

A growing number of inclusions

These new UNESCO inscriptions join a remarkable array of Thailand’s UNESCO gems, highlighting the Kingdom’s captivating natural and cultural wonders. 

From historic landmarks and pristine natural reserves to living traditions that continue to inspire, Thailand stands as an unparalleled repository of UNESCO treasures.

As Thailand’s cultural prestige continues to grow, TAT remains committed to promoting sustainable tourism experiences. 

Whether discovering heritage sites, indulging in gastronomic delights, or engaging with long-standing traditions, travellers can look forward to meaningful journeys that reflect the authentic essence of Thailand.

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SeaTrek to increase conservation projects in 2025

The post SeaTrek to increase conservation projects in 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Expedition cruise company SeaTrek announced that it is expanding the number of local conservation projects it will be supporting in Indonesia for 2025.

With the primary goal of preserving and restoring Indonesia’s incredible natural and cultural heritage SeaTrek is channelling its support at the grassroots level to help local people doing good on the ground with the resources they have available. 

These local heroes are champions of their local environments and SeaTrek believes they are better able to identify the needs of their community by working directly to protect and steward animals and ecosystems in their own backyards.

Sailing aboard its 12-berth traditional, UNESCO-heritage Indonesian Ironwood masted sailing ship, Ombak Putih or the smaller 6-berth Katharina, SeaTrek takes guests on a variety of sailing itineraries to meet and experience these organisations’ work, depending on the season and local conditions.

SeaTrek director Frank Hyde said: “It feels good to help and helping is at the centre of what we do.  The whole team’s goal is to help maintain, and restore where necessary, the incredible nature and cultures of Indonesia. Our belief is that by operating trips filled with pleasure and purpose our guests can go home with a next level happiness knowing that their travel has helped the places that they visited, the people that they met and the crew that took care of them.  Last but certainly not least, the traditional wooden boats that we travel in help keep the amazing culture of traditional wooden boat building alive. My aim is to have a business that allows all participants, guests, the SeaTrek team, and the people that we visit to go to bed at night feeling that they have done something to make things just a little bit better.”

A variety of initiatives

The proposed projects include meeting Pak Oné, a remarkable local fisherman in Alor who has worked with various organisations to reduce coral abrasion and restore the underwater seagrass meadows and mangroves of Sikka Island and Mali Island. 

Through his work Pak Oné has been able to encourage a lone Dugong called ‘Mawar’ to make this underwater meadow his home. 

As part of the journey from Komodo to Alor SeaTrek guests join a small local boat excursion to an area of seagrass where Mawar is frequently spotted, and the Dugong will often approach the boat, allowing guests to have a rare encounter with nature.

In Sumbawa near the Komodo National Park and at Kaimana in Triton Bay, the fishermen at the bagan fishing platforms share a small part of their catch with the local population of Whale Sharks. 

Working with these fishermen, SeaTrek arranges to bring small groups to swim in the water with these gentle giants and observe them in their natural environment. 

This is a lovely illustration of how people and animals may coexist peacefully, and the whale sharks are no longer seen as a threat to the fishermen’s livelihoods by taking a portion of their catch and have instead value as a second stream of income.

As a further illustration of the mutually beneficial relationship between humans and their native fauna, the residents of Bacan and Papua collaborate with SeaTrek to guide guests through the forests to witness the breathtaking Birds of Paradise. 

Before this arrangement, these individuals, who own the woodlands SeaTrek visits, made a living by clearing the trees and catching these birds to sell in the local markets. 

Under this new agreement, the birds are protected, the trees are flourishing again, and the men now have a new source of income from tourism.

All hands in for conservation

For guests wanting to get hands-on with a conservation project they can spend a morning assisting in the restoration of a coral reef off the island of Hatamin in the Komodo National Park. 

Wearing snorkels and a mask, they can help to secure small ‘frags’ of coral onto metal racks which are then carried by the SeaTrek guests to an area just offshore where they will grow into new coral beds. 

Over time, these attract hundreds of fish to live amongst the kaleidoscope of colourful coral species and guests leave with a deeper appreciation for the important conservation work being done and the feeling that they have been a part of the restoration process.

The project is headed up by the Coral Guardians who have successfully brought back an extensive area of corals and thus the fish for a local community living on the edge of the National Park.  

Powered by one time fisherman, they have now become stewards or ‘coral guardians’ of their place. 

Since the project started in 2012 over 53,000 corals have been restored, with five times the number of fish species reintroduced in the last four years and the local fish population has increased by over 300%.

In the waters of Raja Ampat, after decades of decline in local populations endangered Zebra Sharks are being bred and released as part of the ReShark STaR programme.  

SeaTrek guests visit the project to learn how ReShark is using eggs flown in from various partner aquariums around the world to support the Stegostoma tigrinum Augmentation and Recovery (StAR) project and realise the goal of releasing 500 Zebra Sharks in Indonesian waters in an attempt to restore a self-sustaining wild population.

SeaTrek guests in Raja Ampat will also meet Konstantinus Saleo, a Papuan local who is restoring seagrass beds and corals near his home village.  

They can get hands on helping to plant the mangrove seedlings and learn about the vital role seagrass plays in providing food, shelter, and nurseries for many marine animals, absorbing carbon dioxide from the water through photosynthesis, and how it helps to mitigate the impact of storms and wave action on coral reefs by absorbing wave energy.

Aiding local communities and organisations

Beyond these projects SeaTrek also supports local drivers and guides and sources local produce and seafood from villages along the routes. 

SeaTrek even carries solar powered lights to distribute to villages, as well as simple ceramic-based water filters, providing safe and clean drinking water. 

One of SeaTrek’s tour leaders has a small NGO called Peek Under the Surface (PUTS) which is run through SeaTrek and works by giving swim goggles to children in the places SeaTrek visits. 

The children live alongside some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world, but without the means to see them they have never been able to experience or understand the allure of corals that brings people thousands of miles to their village to see them. 

By giving the children goggles they get a chance to gain a wider understanding of the world around them and the importance of keeping a healthy ecosystem for the good of all.

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