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 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 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 , , , 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. Based on average Full Report... THE PLACE TO BE 3-9 May 2021

Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket

BRING BACK THE LOVE

Join us as we celebrate the reopening of our hotels in Phuket and Krabi, where your clients can enjoy up to 100% of the room rate as daily hotel credits, redeemable immediately on arrival.

At Centara Grand Resort Phuket, your guests can use the hotel credit for a room upgrade, ease into their holiday with a relaxing spa treatment, or indulge in a culinary experience before heading to the resort water park.

Nestled within its own secluded bay, Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi invites BOOK NOW travellers to check in and chill out with a choice of four restaurants and rejuvenating spa rituals at SPA Cenvaree. 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. The park is popular with visitors for a day trip covers about 32,000 hectares of Full Report...

3-9 May 2021 Expedia offers a helping hand

Around half of Singaporeans feel Expedia Rewards customers booking upfront rather than at checkout stressed at the thought of book- VIP Access hotels can benefit from (54%). ing their next big trip, according to room upgrades, spa credits and late They are asking for support Expedia Travel Companions Report. checkout (subject to availability). and responses to booking related “It’s going to take time for questions, including cancelling or Expedia launched its Travel travellers to adjust to a post- amending trips (45%). Companions Report Wednesday, pandemic life and the new norms The majority of Singaporeans showing Covid-19 vaccination rollouts are gaining momentum worldwide that should lead to a pick up in travel demand. Around 50% of Singaporeans are still feeling stressed about the thought of booking international trips. And, although Singaporeans are looking forward to travelling again, 71% have been overwhelmed by planning their next trip. They have put off hitting “book” at least once and estimate that they need over nine hours to plan a trip. Expedia recently announced new features to provide helpful tools for travellers around the world to regain confidence. that this may entail – we want to (83%) agree that, even before the Travel advisories make sure we are there for them, pandemic, they were grateful for The new COVID-19 Travel Advisory every step of the way. Providing their holiday “helping hands” – the tool helps travellers search for a helping hand to travellers is travel companions that guided them travel advisories around the our mission, arming them with to create the best trip possible. world, including regulations for all the information they need When asked which helping hands destinations and safety and health to confidently plan their next they missed most, respondents in guidelines. trip,” said Expedia APAC head of Singapore rank their go-to travel communications, Lavinia Rajaram. app the highest (57%), followed by their tour guide (39%), hotel staff Improved support Need to know (38%) and their travel agency (35%). New Virtual Agent capabilities However, with the upcoming allow many travellers to view their When it comes to getting back out there, travellers noted the need to Singapore – Hong Kong Air Travel bookings, check their refund status, Bubble, due to start 26 May with ask about hotel amenities or cancel/ know everything about Covid-19 related travel procedures, tests one flight daily data shows there amend parts of their trips with is strong appetite and eagerness ease. and clearances all in one place as a priority (63%). among Singaporeans to travel with They want access to all travel- searches on Expedia.com.sg for Extra perks related information, including travel to Hong Kong destinations Customers will receive more restrictions, guidelines, and surging by more than 800% in Expedia Rewards points on app processes for each country in the first 24 hours following the bookings, which can be redeemed a single place (56%), having all announcement on 26 April 2021, on future trips. Plus, premium final costs of their booking shown compared to the past seven days. The Best Tropical Karst Island in the World Naturally Inspired: Langkawi 3-9 May 2021