TTGWeb | Travel News

Latest travel news. Air travel, hospitality and tourism news.

Singapore Airlines losing, AirAsia gaining

by Travel News Editor

Singapore Airlines (SIA) – arguably among the world’s best-run, most profitable major airlines in the past – has announced a whopping loss for the April-June quarter of this year, blaming the world economic crisis, the H1N1 pandemic and losses on fuel hedging.

Not mentioned by the airline, but possibly another factor, is an ongoing boycott by Indian travel agents furious at having had their 5% commission on ticket sales cancelled. The boycott has been going on since the end of last year, and means that anyone in India wishing to travel by SIA can now book only at the SIA offices there, or online. Lufthansa and British Airways, too, are being boycotted for the same reason. [Read more…]

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport Awarded Green Globe

by Travel News Editor

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has been awarded “Green Globe” by the non-profit environmental organization EC3. In its first annual ‘Earthcheck’ assessment against benchmarking indicators and checklists to track performance in key areas of environmental and social impact, the 320-room hotel outperformed baseline levels in seven areas including water savings, use of paper products, cleaning products and pesticides. [Read more…]

Marina Bay Sands in Singapore planned opening by February 15, 2010

by Travel News Editor

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon G. Adelson and other senior executives celebrated the topping off of the three hotel towers at the company’s Marina Bay Sands property in Singapore. To clarify any ambiguities concerning the property’s opening date the company issued the following statement:

“The company has said on previous occasions that it is targeting an early 2010 opening for its Marina Bay Sands integrated resort in Singapore. That plan remains the same, and although we do not have an exact date, we are making every effort to open the property by February 15, 2010. [Read more…]

Accor opens two Mercure resorts on Koh Samui

by Travel News Editor

Accor, the largest international hotel operator in Thailand, opened of two beachfront Mercure resorts on Southern Thailand Island – Samui (Koh Samui) – Mercure Samui Buri and Mercure Samui Fenix.

Mercure Samui Buri Resort marks Accor’s first mid-scale hotel on the island. The hotel is situated on the secluded northern Maenam Beach, a beach that remains a secret paradise. The waters are calm and shallow for most of the year, the sandy beach is long, and has stunning vistas of Pha Ngan Island. The location is perfect for couples on a honeymoon or those in need of a relaxing break. [Read more…]

AirAsia Drops Admin Fees to Stimulate Travel

by Travel News Editor

With the aim of further stimulating travel and tourism in Malaysia and the region, AirAsia is abolishing the administration fee from its fare structure. This presents further real savings to AirAsia guests as they now only have to fork out the seat fare and airport tax.

‘No Admin Fee’ as it is aptly called, will come into effect for bookings made for all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights from 24th June 2009. From this date, AirAsia.com will display All-In Fares (fare + airport tax) throughout the booking process. This ensures transparency from the advertised price to selecting your flight and paying for it on AirAsia.com [Read more…]

Singapore Airlines Check-In at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

by Travel News Editor

Guests at the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport in Singapore now get an added bonus when they stay at the 320-room city-style resort.

Guests can now literally “check in” as they “check out”: check into Singapore Airlines or SilkAir flights from a dedicated counter in the lobby of the hotel, at the same time as they check out of their rooms.

The unique new service is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) personnel, who take care of check–in baggage and issue boarding passes. [Read more…]

Ritz-Carlton Opens Hotel in Shenzhen

by Travel News Editor

Ritz-Carlton hotel in Shenzhen opened on March 15, 2009. The opening of this hotel further demonstrates the exceptional brand growth of The Ritz-Carlton in China, with five new luxury hotels having opened in the space of slightly more than two years.

Contemporary in design, The Ritz-Carlton, Shenzhen comprises 282 luxurious guestrooms, including 43 suites that offer magnificent views of the city – nine of which feature signature balconies. The 446-square meter (4,801 square feet) Ritz-Carlton Suite features a magnificent two-storey grand entrance with floor-to-ceiling, offering a 270-degree panoramic view of the city, a steam room, Jacuzzi, study, library and games room. [Read more…]

Singapore Airlines Start Flights To Kuwait

by Travel News Editor

Singapore Airlines started operating flights between Kuwait and Singapore, via Abu Dhabi. SQ458 departed Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 at 1305hrs and is expected to arrive in Kuwait at 1830hrs (all times local).

For the return leg of the trip, SQ457 will depart from Kuwait at 2120hrs, and arrive in Singapore at 1230hrs the next day. Both legs of the flight will operate via Abu Dhabi.

This new four times weekly service will operate on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, using the Boeing 777-200 aircraft. [Read more…]

Thai Airways to Move All Domestic Flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport

by Travel News Editor

Starting on March 29, 2009 Thai Airways International will operate all domestic and international flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Airways will move a total of 23 domestic flights from Don Mueang Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

By shifting all flights to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thai Airways will achieve a strategic objective of promoting the airport as a major THAI and Star Alliance hub. The move will enable Thai Airways to develop network of operations, improve handling efficiency and reduce operating costs. It will also increase convenience for passengers and cargo shippers, not only for Thai Airways flights, but also for those of other Star Alliance member airlines operating to and through Bangkok. [Read more…]