Sarawak Showcases Adventure
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VOL 44 • ISSUE 10 • 3-9 May 2021 NEWS FOR ASIA’S TRAVEL PLANNERS NEWS UPDATES at www.ttrweekly.com Sarawak showcases adventure Expedia joins PATA’s High testing costs Expedia offers a ranks could stall recovery helping hand 3-9 May 2021 Expedia joins PATA’s ranks Arguably the most ending December 2019, the world largest booking Expedia Local Expert, prominent travel booking the association’s revenue platforms with a stable of CarRentals.com, and conglomerate worldwide, from membership stood branded companies that it Expedia Cruises. Expedia signs up for a at USD1,591,309, but has acquired in a drive to “Working with leading Pacific Asia Travel Associa- that was before Covid-19 become the leading travel organizations like PATA tion membership. struck in early 2020. booking conglomerate. is crucial in helping us “As the Covid-19 Driven by the core belief achieve our mission of Expedia Group joins pandemic forces the world that travel is a force for powering global travel for the Pacific Asia Travel to adapt and evolve, good, they help people everyone, everywhere,” Association as its newest technological innovations experience the world in said Expedia Group Media corporate member, the association announced on Monday. It makes a welcome change for the global membership association headquartered in Bangkok to recruit a significant player when the Covid-19 crisis forces companies to reconsider non-essential expenses. Some long- standing PATA members closed shop last year or asked for a postponement will continue to be a key new ways and build lasting Solutions senior director on membership until driver in the recovery of connections. The Expedia Andrew van der Feltz. the pandemic eases. the travel and tourism Group family of brands “Our membership will Some trade associations industry post-Covid-19 includes Expedia, Hotels. bring opportunities for have even waived 2021 and beyond. That is why com, Expedia Partner greater engagement with dues entirely to support we are excited to welcome Solutions, Vrbo, Egencia, the travel sector in the members. Expedia Group to the PATA trivago, Orbitz, Travelocity, Asia Pacific, which will be In its latest tax filing family,” said PATA CEO Hotwire, Wotif, ebookers, vital as we continue to with the US Department of Mario Hardy. CheapTickets, Expedia reinvigorate global tourism Treasury, for the fiscal year Expedia Group is one of Group Media Solutions, and drive recovery.” Follow us on: TTR Weekly is a controlled circulation newspaper for the travel industry specialising in Thailand and the Mekong region. Published every Wednesday, alternatively in English, the publication is distributed free to travel agents. Available on subscription outside this qualifying category. Published by Ross Publishing Ltd. Managing editor: Don Ross: [email protected] EDITORIAL: [email protected] MARKETING: [email protected] PRODUCTION: Editor: Don Ross Content editor: Danai Stephen Ross Creative director: Danai Stephen Ross Publishing director: Lars Magnusson Graphics: Suradej Chatsomsiri, Kamolapat Sriveriwan Ross Publishing Ltd. 92/347 Moo 2, Lak Hok, Muang, Pathumtanee 12000 Tel: 66(0) 896 882 289. Email: [email protected] Website: www.ttrweekly.com 3-9 May 2021 PRODUCTION: Creative director: Danai Stephen Ross Graphics: Suradej Chatsomsiri, Kamolapat Sriveriwan 3-9 May 2021 High testing costs could stall recovery France stands out as the single Switzerland, Thailand, UK, USA, ticket prices (USD200) and average country that tests free for Covid-19 and Vietnam. Not all these markets low-end PCR testing (USD90) out of an IATA’s sampling of 16 require PCR testing. Nevertheless, twice each way, a journey for four countries the inbound requirements for PCR that would have cost USD1,600 testing by many states make the pre-Covid, could nearly double to The International Air Transport availability of affordable options USD3,040 – with USD1440 being Association called on governments everywhere critical for a travel testing costs. to ensure that high costs for recovery. “As travel restrictions are lifted COVID-19 testing don’t put travel Of the 15 markets where in domestic markets, we see strong out of reach for individuals and there is a cost for PCR testing to demand. The same can be expected families. the individual that varies from a in international markets. But that Covid-19 testing must be minimum of USD90 to a maximum could be perilously compromised affordable as well as timely, widely of USD208. by testing costs – particularly PCR available and effective to support Even taking the average of the testing. Raising the cost of any product will stifle demand. The impact will be greatest for short-haul trips (up to 1,100 km), with average fares of USD105, the tests will cost more than the flight. That’s not what you want to propose to travellers as we emerge from this crisis. Testing costs must be better managed. That’s critical if governments want to save tourism and transport jobs and avoid limiting travel freedoms to the wealthy,” said IATA’s director general Willie Walsh. WHO: States should bear an efficient restart of international low-end costs, adding PCR testing to the cost travel. average airfares would dramatically An IATA sampling of costs for increase the cost of flying for The World Health Organisation’s PCR tests (the test most frequently individuals. International Health Regulations required by governments) in 16 Pre-crisis, the average one-way stipulate that states should not countries showed wide variations airline ticket, including taxes and charge for testing or vaccination by markets and within markets. charges, cost USD200 (2019 data). required for travel or for the Of the 16 markets surveyed, A USD90 PCR test raises the cost issuance of certificates. only France complied with the by 45% to USD290. Add another The WHO Covid Emergency World Health Organization (WHO) test on arrival, and the one-way Committee recently reiterated this recommendation for the state cost would leap by 90% to USD380. position, calling on governments to bear the cost of testing for Assuming that two tests are needed to reduce the financial burden on travellers. in each direction, the average cost international travellers of complying Markets covered in the IATA for an individual return trip could with testing requirements and sampling were Australia, Brazil, balloon from USD400 to USD760. any other public health measures France, Germany, Indonesia, The impact of Covid-19 testing implemented by countries. Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, on family travel would be even Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, more severe. 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Rates from THB 3,315 per night Visit our dedicated trade website centarahotelsresorts.com/b2b 67626_CHR_Ads_(APAC)_TTRW_FP_Re03.indd 1 7/4/2564 BE 14:14 3-9 May 2021 Sarawak showcases adventure Sarawak focuses its pre-opening campaign on adventure, nature and beaches holiday options. Sarawak Tourism Board is promoting nature and adventure to travellers as well as travel consultants who are seeking new content when borders reopen to international tourism. The focus is on exploring the rainforest, national parks, caves and climbing adventures rolled into holiday options that culminate with a beach stay. Check out here some of the options that adopt sustainable and community tourism objectives. to the beach. Located at Santubong majestic rainforest that has some in Kuching, a one-hour drive from fantastic limestone outcrops and Beaches downtown Kuching it is also the montane jungles. Everyone loves beaches. There venue for the annual Rainforest is nothing more calming than to World Music Festival. relax on a beach accompanied by the soothing sound of splashing Hawaii Beach, Miri Located in Kampong Bakam a 15-minute drive from Miri City Centre, residents named the horseshoe bay Hawaii Beach due to its curved white sand lined with palm trees. Rainforests Caves Tropical rainforests make up two- Step into a mystical and mysterious thirds of the land area in Sarawak. world by exploring the many caves Explore this largely untouched of Sarawak. Malaysia’s largest state ecosystem and get personal with waves. Sarawak is home to many is home to hundreds of world-class the diverse selection of plant and beaches. Tripadvisor identifies caves that will awe and mesmerise animal life that Sarawak’s nature seven top beaches that generated you with their unique wonders, has to offer. Sarawak’s rainforests the most reviews They are Pantai personalities and topography. A are home to the proboscis monkey, TemasyaTanjung Batu; Tusan Cliff bucket-list destination for the bold silver monkeys, large lizards, wild Beach; Tusan Beach; Hawaii Beach; and the adventurous. Niah National boars and over 150 species of birds. Luak Bay; Damai Central and Damai Park in Miri is the home of the An opportunity that should not be Beach. Niah Cave where archaeologists missed by nature lovers. discovered 40,000-year-old human One of Sarawak’s most popular remains and ancient murals dating Damai Beach, Kuching rainforest parks, Mulu is named back 1,200 years. Close to Kuching city, Damai Beach after its highest mountain.