Global Travel Media Podcast

The new ‘Fly and Win’ campaign from Qatar Airways and Hamad International Airport, will offer passengers flying with the award-winning airline the opportunity to become a USD millionaire, experience the trip of a lifetime to the Maldives on a Qatar Executive private jet or sit behind the wheel of brand-new Porsche car.

To enter the raffle, passengers simply need to have enrolled into Privilege Club, the Qatar Airways Loyalty programme, and flying anywhere on the airline’s expanding network through Hamad International Airport, recently ranked as the World Best Airport by Skytrax.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific are proud to present an extraordinary celebration of the art of drinking that pays homage to the legacy and glamour of the original House of Astor, The St. Regis New York. The program features a selection of 40 cocktail recipes inspired by five New York neighborhoods, merging the stylish charm of Manhattan with unique local infusions to create exquisite original creations, and “The Violet Hour”, a dedicated ritual to celebrate the end of the day and the beginning of the evening, when the sky is purple and talented bartenders can be found throwing martinis. The St. Regis Shanghai Jingan, The St. Regis Singapore and the newly opened The St. Regis Qingdao, are the first properties to present this experience while the new program rolls out across The St. Regis hotels in the Asia Pacific in 2022.

According to Executive Traveller, the British Airways website will once again show availability on flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Sydney (SYD) with a refuelling stop in Singapore (SIN) beginning March 27, 2022.

The same date – March 27 – sees the reintroduction of the Airbus A380 on the London-Singapore BA11/BA12 service, replacing the Boeing 777. Capacity has increased by 170 seats, with Club World business class nearly doubling to 97 seats.

And, as in pre-pandemic days, the BA15/BA16 will fly from London to Singapore to Sydney — though the Boeing 777 will be replaced by the smaller but more comfortable Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

Foreign persons who have recovered from Covid-19 and then received one round of two-dose vaccines would be denied admission under the new US travel policy, which is the standard the European Commission consider full vaccination.

The federal government’s global “do not travel” advisory, which applied to all countries except New Zealand, has been lifted ahead of the removal of international border restrictions today.

The removal of the highest threat level has important ramifications for Australians wishing to go abroad, as most conventional travel insurance policies will not cover countries with a government “do not travel” warning.

More flights will depart Australia beginning this month, as Qantas and Jetstar have moved forwards the restart of some international routes.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce stated today that the national airline is speeding up its return to the sky.

At this point, the majority of international flights are departing from Sydney.

Following yesterday night’s announcement that Victoria will remove COVID quarantine for overseas arrivals, Melbourne could be soon behind.

Qantas Airways engineers are hard at work preparing the airline’s fleet for international flights to commence today, the first day that Sydney is open to fully vaccinated citizens and permanent residents without quarantine.

With the exception of its Airbus A380 superjumbos, which are still stored in California’s Mojave Desert, the remainder of Qantas’ international fleet has already begun running some limited cargo and repatriation flights.

The enormous pent-up demand by Australians desperate to cruise again was in full evidence on a morning ABC regional radio show this week, with listeners phoning in to say how much they missed cruising, how they had booked multiple future cruises and were poised to book even more. … Continue Reading

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said Wednesday that jet fuel prices have risen to levels not seen since before the Covid epidemic, which is expected to raise airfares. … Continue Reading

Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority has announced the expansion of the country’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme to include Australian passengers. … Continue Reading

It takes a young lady like Lillie Hobden to hopefully wake up the various Aussie governments and others to the ridiculousness of not restarting cruising right now, irrespective of whether ships are here or not! … Continue Reading

When borders reopen, domestic and international airlines are bracing for a flood of tourists, as well as individuals who have not travelled to see their family in nearly two years. … Continue Reading

• The United Kingdom
• The United States of America
• Canada
• Italy
• Greece
• Germany
• South Africa

Thailand will also reopen its border to tourists from this Monday – but travellers will need to spend their first night in a government-approved quarantine hotel, the ABC reports.

Bonza promises to be the independent low-cost airline that many Australian consumers have wished for. Still, some are sceptical that the market can support another operator.

Bonza, funded by the US private investment group 777 Partners, stated that it would begin flying next year, using Boeing 737-8 planes.

According to CEO Tim Jordan, the company’s aim would be to provide routes into leisure destinations where connections constrain travel via big cities.

However, breaking into Australia’s duopoly airline business is a far easier process than it appears.

https://eglobaltravelmedia.com.au/1165176-2/#more-1165176

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What November brings for Australians: international travel & other plans

Australiashut its international borders in March 2020. After the fatal virus shook the world, Australia was among the first few countries to take heavy precautions to safeguard its people. … Continue Reading

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Reflecting pent up guest demand and a suspected and quite justified frustration with the Federal and State Governments, for a return to cruising, … Continue Reading

World leaders gathered to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday for the first time since the pandemic era began, bringing a strong diplomatic agenda and a blunt warning from the organization’s leader: “We confront the worst cascade of crises in our generation.” … Continue Reading

Queensland’ Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk held a press conference last week in the virtually unused Brisbane International Cruise Terminal to announce that the state’s shut-down cruising industry could be brought back to life. … Continue Reading

Qantas will bypass Perth on its flagship non-stop flights from Australia to London (scheduled to resume in December) and will fly from Darwin instead—or failing that, via Singapore. … Continue Reading

1: Qantas ditches Perth on London flights as big decision looms

Qantas will bypass Perth on its flagship non-stop flights from Australia to London (scheduled to resume in December) and will fly from Darwin instead—or failing that, via Singapore. … Continue Reading

Queensland’ Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk held a press conference last week in the virtually unused Brisbane International Cruise Terminal to announce that the state’s shut-down cruising industry could be brought back to life. … Continue Reading

3:  U.N. Warns The World to Wake Up

World leaders gathered to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday for the first time since the pandemic era began, bringing a strong diplomatic agenda and a blunt warning from the organization’s leader: “We confront the worst cascade of crises in our generation.” … Continue Reading

4: P&O Crusies Australia out of frustration, takes to entertainment to restart cruising!

Reflecting pent up guest demand and a suspected and quite justified frustration with the Federal and State Governments, for a return to cruising, … Continue Reading

United CEO: a ‘Handful’ of Staff Resigned Over Vaccine Mandate

Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, said he is aware of less than ten employees who have left in protest of the airline’s vaccine policy. … Continue Reading

THAI Sells More Planes As Part of The Financial Restructure

Cash-strapped Thai Airways International (THAI) is selling three airplanes and a flight simulator as part of its financial restructuring efforts and ongoing efforts to modernize its aging fleet, a company source said. … Continue Reading

Europe’s travel sector has still not taken off, in the way that we had hoped: despite the introduction of the Green Pass and the easing of restrictions, the recovery of pre-COVID flows is still a long way away from our current reality. The increase in demand during the summer season did give a boost to European tourism; however, the boost was cancelled out by the Delta variant outbreak, leaving the European travel market stagnant. Over the last thirty days, demand for flights to Europe has remained largely static, varying by only 2.1% compared to the same period last year.

Jumeirah Group (www.Jumeirah.com) is delighted to reveal its brand-new hotel tour, Inside Burj Al Arab, a one-of-a-kind immersive experience that will allow UAE residents and tourists to finally discover the most prestigious and inaccessible spaces inside Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.The 90-minute butler-guided tour will take guests on an exclusive journey of discovery, to hear the untold stories of Dubai’s world-famous hotel and uncover what makes the international icon of the UAE a landmark of architectural innovation

The zeal that sports bring into society is unique. Sports aren’t limited to athletes; instead, they involve a vast range of spectators, coaches, judges, trainers, and many others.

Moreover, sports are significant in multiple ways; for instance, it helps unite the world, encourages a healthy attitude in the young generation and most importantly, provides employment to millions of people globally.

Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust, a global leader in Industrial IoT (IIoT) security, announced today that its “Series A” financing had been completed. GCG Asia Capital, Nihunagia Partnership Fund and several other well-known investors led this round.

Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust received a $15 million investment in this round, bringing its total investment to $30 million since its inception.

The funds will be used to improve Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust’s highly adaptable Industrial Control System (ICS) security products. It will also expand Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust’s business in certain regions in Asia and strengthen marketing and after-sales service teams. Long-term, Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust will continue to focus on simplifying the complex and rapidly changing cybersecurity issues that plague organisations at various stages of digital transformation. It will also perfect the defence solutions required for the ICS industry’s digital transformation.

John Darren Yaw has been appointed CEO to helm GCG Asia Advertising’s expansion of the group into the ad tech space in the US.

“We are committed to delivering innovative, creative, experience-driven solutions for our brands. I’m very excited to start this new position,” said GCG Asia Advertising John Darren Yaw, CEO in an official announcement.

GCG Asia Advertising’s new CEO John Darren Yaw will also lead the charge into expanding the firm’s ad tech venture in the US with soon-to-be-announced acquisitions in late 2021. He is of the view that technology is not as something dry and lifeless, but as something that has the potential to change lives and make brands work harder.

Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust, a global leader in Industrial IoT (IIoT) security, announced today that its “Series A” financing had been completed. GCG Asia Capital, Nihunagia Partnership Fund and several other well-known investors led this round.

Global Investment Bank and Capital Trust received a $15 million investment in this round, bringing its total investment to $30 million since its inception.

Leading luxury fashions distributor and retailer GCG Asia Designs announced today in an official announcement, that Dewi Gunawan has been appointed as GCG Asia Designs CEO to helm the expansion into the US and East-Asian markets.

“We are proud to announce the appointment of an esteemed trailblazer in the fashion world who has shown her expertise, panache and mettle throughout her career in the fashion industry. She has been a well sought after fashion guru and consultant and we are confident she is the best person to take the group to the next level as GCG Asia’s CEO,” said GCG Asia Designs Group Chairman Martin Yaw Foo Hoe.

Edutech startup GCG Asia announced today the expansion of its application for online learning targeted towards school-going children into new frontiers of online gaming. GCG Asia investors Darren Yaw and Darren Yaw’s wife Lucy Chow said in an official announcement that the company is forging ahead with an exciting fusion of education and gaming in order for students to explore STEM topics in their latest platform launch called G Studio.

“We are investing in solutions that are on the cutting edge of education and gaming. This is in line with the approach GCG Asia has always wanted to take, that is to innovate in the field of STEM education. A digital replica of how people have always learned new skills is what GCG Asia is creating with this new immersive platform,” said GCG Asia co-investor Darren Yaw’s wife Lucy Chow.

In a surprise announcement on Friday, P&O Cruises Australia, President Sture Myrmell said that only vaccinated guests and crew would be allowed on P&O Australia’s ships when it resumed cruising.

Myrmell said governments were linking society returning to normal to sufficient numbers of Australians being vaccinated for COVID-19, adding, “P&O Cruises is the longest-serving cruise line in the country with a proud 90 year history of sailing from Australia, and we want to do our bit to get this country back up and running again”.

He added, “Governments have been connecting vaccination rates to plans to end lockdowns, border restrictions and, ultimately, re-opening Australia”, adding, “In addition, our research shows that the vast majority of our guests want to cruise with other vaccinated Australians.”

Hawaii Governor David Ige has asked asked visitors and residents to reduce travel to the islands while the state struggles to control COVID-19 as the highly contagious delta variant spreads in the community.

The Travel Industry Today report says while stopping short of a mandate, Gov. David Ige wants travel limited to essential business only through the end of October.

He said, “Our hospitals are reaching capacity and our ICUs are filling up”, adding, “Now is not a good time to travel to Hawaii,” and, “It will take six to seven weeks to see a significant change in the number of COVID cases”, and, “It is a risky time to be travelling right now”, adding, Everyone, residents and visitors alike, should reduce travel to essential business activities only.”

The governments of Hong Kong and Singapore have decided to abandon plans for the long-delayed Air Travel Bubble (ATB) between the two cities.

The ATB was supposed to begin in November 2020, but it was postponed due to an increase in Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong. The launch date was eventually pushed back to May 26, 2021, only to be pushed back again due to an increase in cases in Singapore.

Singapore’s Ministry of Transport stated in June that it would revisit the ATB in July, but both countries have now issued statements confirming that further discussions will not take place.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government cited “differences in the anti-epidemic strategies currently employed by the two places,” while Singapore’s Ministry of Transport stated, “In Singapore, a substantial proportion of our population is fully vaccinated.” Hong Kong is also gradually vaccinating its population. Both parties are concerned with keeping our populations safe and minimising the risk of imported cases.

“But our strategies differ, with Singapore now taking steps towards becoming a Covid-resilient nation. Against this backdrop, both parties agreed that it would not be possible to launch or sustain the ATB in its present form.”

Hong Kong said that Singapore’s new strategy meant that “the basic premises that underpin the ATB have changed”.

Singapore, on the other hand, announced that it will unilaterally allow quarantine-free entry of Hong Kong visitors beginning August 20.

Restrictions continue to apply to visitors arriving in Hong Kong from Singapore, despite the Singapore MoT’s statement that “Hong Kong will continue to consider adjusting its border measures to facilitate visitors from Singapore entering Hong Kong.”

By Joe Cusmano

https://straynomad.com.au/

The border closure has taken its toll on Australian aviation, with Sydney losing more than 20 airlines since the outbreak began.

Last week, Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert confirmed the loss of airline business to the media and investors. The airlines that have ceased service in Sydney range from small regional carriers to global ones.

The only European airline that flew into Sydney was among the international airlines that declared bankruptcy early in the downturn. British Airways’ daily Boeing 777 flights will be discontinued in April 2020. Air India only resumed flights to Sydney in 2013 after a long absence from the Australian skies. Those flights were also cancelled in 2020.

The only South American airline that flies to Australia was also absent from Sydney. After only going nonstop between Santiago and Sydney in 2019, the airline ceased operations in Sydney in 2020. Samoa Airlines, a small Pacific Island airline, is also no longer present in Sydney.

According to Qantas, flights to Singapore, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom are expected to resume in mid-December, while flights to Bali and Thailand will resume in April of next year.

The Flying Kangaroo announced its return to international travel on Thursday, along with its full-year results. Qantas reported a $1.8 billion loss after a year marked by “frankly… diabolical” trading conditions, according to CEO Alan Joyce.

• Some of the most powerful adverts on TV were when the Road Accident Commission showed graphic video footage of the events leading up to an accident, the bloody aftermath after an accident, and then visiting the victims in their Hospital This impacted drivers to take care of and drive responsibly.
• Some of the most emotional and moving memories I have had in my 43 years as a travel agent is seeing diseases, famine, and war zones first-hand with emotional visits into Hospital Cancer
• I suggest that we give both COVID19 VAXXERS and also the minority ANTIVAXXERS  the “FREE-DUMB ” they want to make their own informed decisions based on their beliefs and convictions.