The post In Photos: IATA World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium 2024 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The joint IATA World Financial Symposium and World Passenger Symposium 2024 were set against the dynamic backdrop of Bangkok, Thailand, a global capital that is working to become one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.

Travel Daily Media chief executive Gary Marshall was on the ground at the event, capturing its various aspects and messages for both the corporate side of the aviation sector, as well as that of 21st century consumers.

He also captured the event in the faces of those participating as speakers or exhibitors; living proof that global aviation is up and running despite the evolving challenges of today’s industry.

(Photo credit: Gary Marshall)

IATA officials at key panels

 

 

 

 

 

 

An extensive range of exhibitors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The post Accor announces signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel and Residences appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Accor formally announced the signing of Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences, a landmark luxury development set to bring Sofitel’s signature French elegance and cultural refinement to the breathtaking highlands of Northern Vietnam. 

This exciting new project will be a combination of 176 rooms and 436 branded residences. It is expected to open its doors in 2030, marking another milestone in the expansion of Sofitel’s portfolio in Southeast Asia.

Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery, and Emblems said of the property: “We are delighted to bring the Sofitel brand to the enchanting region of Sapa, which offers a truly unique blend of culture, history, and natural beauty. Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences will serve as a luxurious destination that harmoniously blends French zest with the spirit of Northern Vietnam. This signing reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences and supporting the growth of tourism in Vietnam.”

Alphanam Group vice-chair Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ / Sylvia Nguyen responded: “With the ancient carved stones of Muong Hoa Valley listed on UNESCO’s Tentative List, Sapa is a very special destination, dearly loved by Alphanam Group. By entrusting our beautiful development with reputable partners, we plan to offer a variety of hotels, room types, F&B and leisure services that further open up the Sapa market to our Vietnamese and international individual travelers, families, and other unique market segments, who seek for innovative, luxurious, and culturally-inspired traveling experiences. Through the branded residences component, we aim to give more choices for families, either as an investment asset, or as a weekend home. We are happy to announce our partnership with Accor and commit to building a product that reflects both the cultural significance and the international quality that Sapa deserves.”

A historic location

Perched in the stunning landscapes of Sapa, a region known for its terraced rice fields, mist-covered mountains, and vibrant cultural heritage, Sofitel Sapa will offer guests a unique blend of French Zest and the beauty of Vietnam’s most iconic natural surroundings. 

The hotel will embody the Sofitel brand’s timeless elegance while celebrating the local traditions and history that make Sapa a must-visit destination.

Sapa has long been known as a captivating destination for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation. 

Nestled in the Hoàng Liên Son Mountain range, this beautiful town is famous for its diverse hill tribe communities, rice paddies that cascade down the mountainside, and the towering peak of Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina. 

A touch of French luxury tempered by sustainability

The arrival of Sofitel in Sapa will elevate the region’s luxury offerings, blending French zest with Vietnamese hospitality to create a luxurious destination for both international visitors and domestic tourists. 

Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences will feature 176 guest rooms and suites with an additional 436 branded residences. 

Each will be designed to reflect the region’s natural beauty, with elegant French-inspired interiors complemented by local artistry and craftsmanship. 

Guests will enjoy world-class amenities surrounded by the alluring beauty of Sapa, including a signature Sofitel Spa, a premier fitness center, and a heated swimming pool. 

Gastronomy will also be a key highlight of Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences, with a selection of dining venues that combine the finest of French cuisine with locally sourced ingredients, offering a true “gastronomic journey” through the flavors of Vietnam and France.

In line with Accor’s commitment to sustainability, Sofitel Sapa Hotel & Residences will implement eco-friendly initiatives and practices, ensuring that the hotel is as kind to the environment as it is luxurious for its guests. 

This includes energy-efficient systems, waste reduction programs, and the use of locally sourced materials.

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The post Vietnam Airlines resumes daily nonstop flights from London Heathrow appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Vietnam flag-carrier Vietnam Airlines resumes daily flight frequencies from London Heathrow to Vietnam this winter, with daily nonstop services to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

The service resumed operations on Monday, 28th October.

The APEX five star-rated airline will operate four flights per week to Hanoi and three per week to Ho Chi Minh City, all on next-gen Boeing B787-9 Dreamliners.

Vietnam Airlines offers the UK’s only nonstop flights to Vietnam, operating from Heathrow Terminal 4. 

The flights are carefully scheduled to offer convenient overnight journeys in both directions, with onward connections via Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to multiple destinations throughout Vietnam, Asia, and Australasia, including Cambodia, Laos, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, China, South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

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The post Philippine Department of Tourism lauds new air routes to the Visayas and Mindanao appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) commended the opening of air routes connecting the Visayan city of Tacloban, Leyte to neighbouring Iloilo and Davao in Mindanao. 

Cebu Pacific launched several new domestic routes on Tuesday, 29th October. These include: Iloilo-Tacloban-Iloilo, operating four times weekly (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), and Davao-Tacloban-Davao, operating three times per week (every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

These new routes are expected to strengthen connectivity between Visayas and the Mindanao regions.

Just a flight away

DOT director for the Eastern Visayas Karina Rosa Tiopes said the new flights to the regional capital offer travellers greater convenience and accessibility.

Tiopes remarked in a statement: “With these additional flight options, travelling has never been easier. Whether you’re on a business trip, reconnecting with loved ones, or exploring the unique charms of these cities, you’re now just one flight away.”

She added that flights between Tacloban and Davao by Cebu Pacific are a big factor in promoting the region to the Mindanao market and in making Tacloban a MICE destination.

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The post SeaWorld Yas Island presents two new aquatic experiences appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

SeaWorld Yas Island in Abu Dhabi officially launched two brand new incredible encounters for guests: Discover Scuba Diving and Kayak on Tropical Lagoon.

Guests in search of unique and immersive experiences can now explore new depths and paddle through serene waters.

The two new SeaWorld Encounters are part of SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s continuous commitment to providing guests with the best educational marine life experiences and join eight existing SeaWorld Encounters, including the popular SeaVenture, SeaDive and unforgettable encounters with penguins, walruses and more.

With a diverse range of adventures, guests can continue to immerse themselves in the wonders of marine life with a special close-up experience.

Due to high demand and limited availability, it is recommended that guests book ahead to secure their spot.

Dive into the depths

Those eager to explore the thrill of scuba diving without a diving certificate and experience breathtaking marine life up close can head to Endless Ocean and embark on the new Discover Scuba Diving encounter.

Starting with an engaging theory lesson, the experience lasts approximately two hours from onboarding to diving where guests can expect mesmerising views of vibrant marine life from inside the region’s largest aquarium.

Paddle away

Within the serene beauty of the Tropical Ocean, Kayak on Tropical Lagoon invites guests to explore the colourful realm that is home to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s playful dolphins and tropical birds. 

This unique experience allows guests to paddle through the dolphin habitat, learning about the fascinating marine animals from SeaWorld Abu Dhabi’s Zoological team while witnessing natural behaviours and viewing the vibrant aviary and flamingo habitat.

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The post Javier Orejas discusses IATA Pay appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

At this year’s IATA World Financial Symposium, Travel Daily Media caught up with the International Air Travel Association (IATA)’s head of global banking Javier Orejas who gave us a closer look at IATA Pay.

Orejas has been with IATA for over 18 years, but took on his current position in 2021 while the IATA Pay system was launched a year later.

Since its introduction, IATA Pay has enabled participating airlines to save up to 99 percent in payment processing fees while providing travelers with a highly secure alternative form of payment.

According to Orejas: “We started [IATA Pay] two years ago, [and] we currently have 41 airlines using the system. We expect, though, by the end of this year to finalise connections with 30 to 46 other airlines, around 37 new countries to add to our list of users / clients.”

What exactly is IATA Pay?

IATA Pay is a payment solution for direct ticket sales via airline websites that can also be utilised for other platforms such as NDCs, agency portals, and even group sales. It is based on instant bank transactions and leverages on open banking or Request-to-Pay schemes.

While not directly a part of the IATA billing and settlement plan (BSP), IATA Pay leverages on the former’s settlement infrastructure. In which case, it is a payment solution which mainly focus on airlines’ or agents’ direct sales and will be settled separately from the BSP payments.

Essentially, IATA Pay was developed by the organisation as a cost-effective payment solution for airlines. Through several governance bodies, airlines endorsed and approved of the investments that paved the way for the payment system.

Initially, IATA opted to offer IATA Pay to airlines as a cost recovery service following the pandemic. Eventually, the association opted to primarily focus on B2C e-commerce when it came to implementing the solution.

Risks, issues, and eventual benefits

Orejas admits that the development of IATA Pay raised a number of issues when it first came about.

He said: “Among the things we needed to take into consideration was the risk of payment providers controlling citizens’ money instead of governments; the geopolitical risk involved with American companies controlling major card schemes; as well as high payment processing fees for airlines in e-commerce running to an average of 2.28 percent.”

At the same time, the implementation of IATA Pay posed challenges to airlines in terms of IT prioritisation. Those in charge of developing its system also needed to consider the complexity of managing ecommerce payments for airlines across vastly diverse market, as well as those involving the refund process which differs from one airline to another.

But IATA Pay has certainly proven itself in the more than two years since its launch. Today, it is regarded as a cost-effective and highly secure alternative payment solution which optimizes cash flow for airlines.

As a payment solution for airlines, IATA Pay is highly secure, has no chargebacks or holdback practices, offers a single technical integration for all available markets, and manages exposure to service risks by giving each airline a single contractual relation with IATA.

IATA Pay also gives airlines control over customer payment information as it serves as a simpler payment process with a transparent price structure. This results in faster cash flows to merchants.

What’s in it for consumers?

Airlines are not the only ones to get the most out of IATA Pay as the solution also offers a number of benefits for airline customers.

Among its benefits for end-consumers is that it serves as a highly secure and seamless system that offers users an increased number of payment options.

Likewise, IATA Pay delivers an enhanced shopping experience for consumers, along with on-demand features like pay-later plans, cashback rewards, and payment insurance.

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The post LOT Polish Airlines’ first charter flight to Malaysia successful appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

LOT Polish Airlines successfully launched its inaugural charter flight from Warsaw to Langkawi, marking a significant milestone in strengthening travel links between Poland and Malaysia. 

This new connection is set to enhance tourist traffic between the two destinations.

The maiden flight touched down at Langkawi International Airport (LGK) and was greeted by a welcoming ceremony led by deputy secretary-general for tourism Yasmeen Yasim of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.

Representatives from Tourism Malaysia, the Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and Nowa Itaka were also present to celebrate this occasion.

The aircraft was honoured with a ceremonial water salute upon arrival, symbolising the growing ties between Poland and Malaysia.

The new direct flight will operate once a week every Sunday until March 2025, bringing more convenience to the people of the two countries in bridging the economic and cultural exchange and investment. 

The introduction of this new route presents an excellent opportunity to attract more European tourists to Malaysia. As part of the ongoing efforts to promote Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), Tourism Malaysia remains dedicated to forging strategic partnerships with international airlines to boost promotional initiatives and stimulate travel demand, further positioning Malaysia as a top destination for global travellers.

Warm welcomes

As of September 2024, Malaysia welcomed 24,362 visitors from Poland, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and the total of 21,472 Polish tourists recorded in 2023.

As part of the welcoming efforts, LADA is also planning a series of promotional activities, including guided tours, cultural events, and immersive local experiences to ensure that Polish tourists have an unforgettable experience in Langkawi. 

LADA is optimistic that these initiatives will help increase air arrivals and raise the total number of tourists to Langkawi to an estimated 3 million by the end of this year.

LADA CEO Haslina Abdul Hamid remarked: “The arrival of these charter flights from Poland is a remarkable milestone for Langkawi’s tourism industry. We are eager to showcase the island’s natural beauty and warm hospitality to our Polish visitors. This initiative not only boosts our local economy but also strengthens international relations and cultural exchange. Our partnership with ITAKA was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding at ITB Berlin 2024.”

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The post Moroccan government signs understanding with Embraer appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Moroccan Government signed off on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Embraer to launch potential joint projects in the Moroccan aerospace industry, across areas in commercial aviation, defence, and urban air mobility. 

The MOU likewise acknowledges the mutual desire to strengthen and expand cooperation and investment between the Federal Republic of Brazil and the Kingdom of Morocco, around forging increased Atlantic cooperation across two role models of the Global South.

The agreement was signed by industry and trade minister Ryad Mezzour; minister-delegate to the head of government in charge of investment, convergence and evaluation of public policies Karim Zidane; Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency managing director Ali Seddiki; and Embraer’s president and CEO for commercial aviation Arjan Meijer.

A strategic collaboration

Mezzour said of the understanding: “This collaboration not only highlights the strength of our Moroccan ecosystem but also positions us as a key player in the global aerospace industry. It marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of our aeronautics industry, reinforcing our commitment to excellence and attracting strategic investments from global industry leaders. The agreement will catalyse a deeper synergy between Morocco and the major industry leader, Embraer, accelerating our shared ambitions and unlocking potential for groundbreaking achievements in aerospace”.

Meijer responded by saying: “This is an exciting opportunity for Embraer to develop a long-term relationship with the strong and thriving Moroccan aerospace industry. It’s particularly pleasing that our new partners in Rabat put the same emphasis on skills and training as we do at Embraer. Education, skills and development for young people is the basis for any strong industry, and a common value for all parties. We look forward to making a difference together, growing the industry and maximising the benefits for all.”

Understanding current opportunities

The parties identified business opportunities, with excellent potential to bring mutual benefits in the short and long term to both Embraer and Morocco. 

As such, the agreement covers opportunities in commercial aviation, defence, and urban air mobility, providing a framework around which to build an integrated sourcing ecosystem in Morocco, fostering innovation and economic growth and contributing to job creation and the development of local skills.

This project of cooperation will also consider an important range of fields in incremental phases by developing training and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO). 

Other fields to be explored for potential collaborations include: R&T especially in decarbonization, clean mobility, sustainable aviation, sustainable aviation fuel.

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The post Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup returns to Dubai appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Now on its ninth run, the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup triumphantly returned to Dubai for the tournament on Tuesday, 29th October at the Dubai Creek & Yacht Club.

Local high-profile figures and members of the business community attended the event. 

The event at the Dubai Creek & Yacht Club was the 103rd of 118 tournaments in this year’s Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup, with the victors competing in the Grand Finals in Türkiye later this year. 

From a global total of 118, those that win will go through to the Grand Finals and have the chance to stay and play at Gloria Serenity Resort & Gloria Golf Club on the Turkish Golf Coast. 

Representing Dubai, Alok Pant secured their champion position with 45 points, and Sameer Baht was runner-up, while Gregory Mathieu came third. 

The Closest to the Pin competition was won by Narinda Ahuja for the men and Nonita Chand for the women. Lee I’Ons won the lowest gross score with a score of +4.

An outstanding sporting event

Since its inception in 2013, the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup now brings together over 8,000 players who compete against one another in more than 118 tournaments in 67 countries worldwide. 

Turkish Airlines general manager in Dubai Mehmed Zingal said: “We warmly thank all of our guests who made the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup here in Dubai a huge success. Once again, it was a thrilling tournament in the TAWGC series, congratulations to our winner, Alok Pant. We wish him the best of luck in Türkiye.” 

All Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup finalists will fly to Türkiye with the comfort and luxury of the Turkish Airlines’ Business Class. 

Turkish Airlines’ support makes the past events, such as the Turkish Airlines Open and TAWGC in Antalya, an international premium destination for golfers with outstanding facilities. 

The Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup 2024 is supported by Gloria Hotels & Resorts and Ruck & Maul.

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