Global Travel Media Podcast

According to Nitinai Sirisamatthakarn, general director of Airports of Thailand (AOT) Public Company, international airlines have returned up to 80% of their airport slots at Thailand’s six international airports between October 31st and March 26th of next year. AOT operates Thailand’s international airports Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Hat Yai, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang.

According to new data, Australians are reluctant to make travel plans as the country prepares to reopen its international borders in November. According to new data, Australians are reluctant to make travel plans as the country prepares to reopen its international borders in November. With borders due to open on November 1, according to “Choice” research, only 23% of Australians are confident in making travel arrangements in the next 12 months. The lack of travel refund rights under Australian law is a major factor in Australians’ reluctance to board planes.

The study uses data to reveal which global cities are most accessible and attractive for remote workers by assessing factors related to employment compliance, living costs, infrastructure and liveability, besides showing current location trends.

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.

CT Partners has announced the addition of another high-profile Victorian based agency, effective 1 November. Geelong Travel, an award winning, family-owned business specialising in premium and corporate travel, is the latest in a growing list of agencies who have joined CT Partners since the beginning of the year. Owner Stuart Coffield commented “I have renewed faith entering into this partnership with CT Partners, where I’ve found honesty and transparency at the forefront of all of our dealings. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the many innovative and successful agencies that make up the CT Partners group as we enter a phase of recovery and growth for the industry.”

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.