Category: Tourism

Connexus Travel Appoints Eric Lau as General Manager

Connexus Travel Limited (Connexus Travel or Connexus) is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Lau as its new General Manager, effective immediately, to drive digital transformation and the growth of its corporate travel business in the region, as well as global expansion. In his role as General Manager, Eric will lead Connexus team to take advantage of the growing corporate travel opportunities in the post-COVID era to drive the business forward and further strengthen the company’s strategic development to achieve long-term, sustainable success.

Connexus Travel’s new General Manager, Mr. Eric Lau

Eric has more than 18 years of experience in the travel and aviation industry, focusing on people management and strategic partnership. He joins Connexus from Travelport, where he held various senior positions for over a decade and served as General Manager, Agency Commerce for its Greater China operation since 2018. During his time at Travelport, he oversaw. and managed strategic commercial partnership with travel agencies including OTA, TMC and Leisure Travel agencies as well as off-shore partners including airlines in North Asia region. Prior to this, Eric also worked for Cathay Holidays and Cathay Pacific Airways.

Eric holds a Master of Science degree in International Shipping and Transport Logistics from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems from the University of London.

Founded more than 70 years ago as the first travel agent registered in Hong Kong, Connexus Travel, (formerly Swire Travel) now also operates in Beijing and Shanghai, specialising in corporate, leisure and MICE travel, offering a full range of travel services and digital booking applications for corporate travellers.

About Connexus Travel Limited
Established in 1948, Connexus Travel Limited, formerly known as Swire Travel, was the first travel agent registered in Hong Kong. Connexus Travel has offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, with a local licence in Beijing since 2009, serving corporate customers who demand excellence and high levels of travel services. The company provides a full range of travel services for domestic and foreign tourists, including flight and other travel ticket bookings, hotel reservations, travel tours and packages, and visa applications. After 70 years of excellent service, Connexus Travel has evolved into a leading regional travel management company, with a focus on customer service and technology for corporate, leisure and MICE travel. Connexus Travel has also met the highest international security standards in relation to securing personal data processing and storage.

Society Pass, Inc. (SOPA) / NusaTrip Expands Services to Philippines

NusaTrip, Indonesia’s first IATA-certified online travel agency (OTA) and the travel vertical of Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq:SOPA), today formally announces the opening of its second Southeast Asia (SEA) regional office in Philippines.

The market for Filipino tourists and foreign workers is sizable. According to the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration’s (POEA) data, approximately 2.3 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were deployed in 2019. In 2021, OFW was estimated to be 1.83 million, up from 1.77 million in 2020. Based on the Department of Tourism’s November 2022 report, 73% of the 2.025 million visitors to the Philippines are foreign tourists, whereas 27% are OFWs. In 2023, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) aims to increase the number of overseas Filipino workers. The majority of OFWs work in the service sector, such as domestic help, healthcare, engineering, and construction. By 2020, Asia employed 83.6% of OFWs, followed by Europe, America, and Australia.

NusaTrip CEO Johanes (Joe) Chang elaborates, “Considering the market’s size and potential, the Philippines is an essential market for our ecosystem. NusaTrip aims to be the promotion partners for the Philippines tourism boards and become the travel hub that helps to connect overseas Filipinos with their home country. We are excited to collaborate with the local businesses. It will accelerate and improve the quality of our synergies and customer growth rate in Southeast Asia. In addition, given Philippines’ countless scenic spots and picturesque beaches, NusaTrip will focus on promoting thousands of hotels into our platform and provide leisure alternatives for international travelers”.

Leveraging the momentum of the travel and tourism industry recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic, NusaTrip is expanding its offering beyond air travel. NusaTrip aims to extend its flight content with more travel inspirations and relevant options, so everyone will always find something to explore and somewhere to fly to. On the business side, NusaTrip connects worldwide flight content through streamlined integration with low-cost and full-service airlines from multiple points of sale and enables global distribution at ease via its proprietary technology, the NusaXchange platform.

Nusatrip regional offices will focus on creating more variety of marketing initiatives and managing existing business relationships with airlines, hotels, and tourism promotion board partners.

“We are very excited to welcome NusaTrip and look forward to the collaboration with our local businesses. I believe it will benefit our business partners and customers,” said Arbie Christie Pagdangan, Country Manager for Society Pass in the Philippines.

About NusaTrip

Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is an IATA-licensed online travel agency that serves both local and global customers and partners by optimizing cutting-edge technology and providing 24/7 customer-centric support team-as-a-service. NusaTrip is now a member of Society Pass (Nasdaq: SoPa) ecosystem. For more information, please visit: https://www.nusatrip.com.

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
Rosa Milyarna – NusaTrip Indonesia
Rosa@nusatrip.com

NusaTrip / Society Pass ID PR Representatives
Elisabeth ( elisabeth.winiartati@gmail.com | +62813375150220)
Angga ( anggahadi@gmail.com | +6281213858388)

Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA)’s NusaTrip Opens Regional Office in Singapore to Service Booming Rebound in Southeast Asia Travel Market

NusaTrip, Indonesia’s first IATA-certified online travel agency (OTA) and the travel vertical of Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA), today announces the opening of its first regional office in Singapore and first office outside of Indonesia. The office opening positions NusaTrip as the travel platform of choice for travelers desiring access to the booming recovery of Southeast Asia’s (SEA) tourism industry and reflects NusaTrip’s commitment to developing a wider range of marketing and commercial partnerships with airlines, hotels, and tourism boards. Customers in Singapore can now directly book flights and hotel rooms and pay in local currency on NusaTrip.com’s dedicated website for Singapore travelers.

“Singapore’s strategic location at the center of Southeast Asia (SEA) make it a preferred destination for travelers from around the globe. Ranked the third busiest airport in the world by Skytrax, Singapore’s Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) plays an important and strategic role in SEA’s travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. The presence of NusaTrip in Singapore is only the beginning of many significant advancements to come. It is an important step toward increasing our accessibility and credibility among our key stakeholders in SEA”, said NusaTrip’s CEO, Johanes (Joe) Chang.

Leveraging SEA’s soaring momentum of the travel and tourism industry recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic, NusaTrip is expanding its offering beyond air travel. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council’s “Travel & Tourism Economic Impact 2022” report, the Travel & Tourism GDP in Asia-Pacific is forecasted to grow at an average annual rate of 8.5% or twice the 4% growth rate for the regional economy. Against this backdrop, NusaTrip expects to significantly add to its supply of hotels beyond the current 200,000 registered hotels on its platform. NusaTrip connects worldwide flight content through streamlined integration with low-cost and full-service airlines from multiple points of sale and enables global distribution at ease via its proprietary technology, the NusaXchange platform.

About NusaTrip

Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is an IATA-licensed, Indonesia-based online travel agency serving both local and global customers and partners by optimising cutting-edge technology and providing 24/7 customer-centric support team-as-a-service. NusaTrip is a member of Society Pass (Nasdaq: SoPa) ecosystem. For more information, please review: https://www.nusatrip.com.

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital advertising network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a premier online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please review the following online information which is not part of this press release:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
Rosa Milyarna – NusaTrip Indonesia
Rosa@nusatrip.com

NusaTrip/Society Pass ID PR Representatives
Elisabeth (elisabeth.winiartati@gmail.com | +62813375150220)
Angga (anggahadi@gmail.com | +6281213858388)

Yoga’s Kashmir Connection: Time for Revitalisation

Members of Yoga Library Singapore made their way to a retreat in the Kashmir Valley last month

By Chayanika Saxena, Library Singapore

The social tapestry of the valley of Kashmir is vibrant, diverse and layered. From the relics of its Buddhist past to its long history of association with Vedic practices, Kashmir is truly as multifaceted as it can get. Apart from its resplendent beauty, Kashmir has also been at the forefront of leading the mantle as a site of spirituality. Its connection to Yoga, in particular, traces its history back to the time of Adi Shankara, who is believed to have visited the valley in the 8th century CE. A proponent of Advaita philosophy, Adi Shankara advocated ideas related to spiritual oneness, attained as it was to be through meditative practices and consciousness about the Self. It is no surprise then that the Valley of Kashmir is full of places, monuments and sites named after the founder of Advaitism.

Speaking of Adi Shankara’s cultural import, the Jyeshteshwara Temple, which is the oldest temple in the Kashmir Valley, is more commonly known as Shankaracharya Temple. Dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva, this temple and its adjacent land have been declared sites of national importance. They are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. Also, it is interesting to note that despite its inclusion within the folds of Hinduism, the temple and the hill on which it is located have been relevant to Buddhist and Persianate cultures alike. Accordingly, where the architecture of this temple is essentially Buddhist, the hill, which otherwise goes by the name of Gopadiri, is also known as Koh-e-Suleman and Takht-i-Sulaiman.

In addition to being a known seat of spirituality, the Shankaracharya Temple has a historic connection to Yogic practices. Connecting yoga to meditation, it was Adi Shakara who came to establish a tradition of meditative contemplation that could help in attaining a sense of spiritual oneness of the Self, i.e. Atman with the Universal reality, i.e. Brahman. For Shankaracharya, yoga was essentially a tool that could help in steadying one’s mind and which, when combined with the study of the Upanishads, could help in attaining moksha, or salvation. Rejecting the need for an absolute suppression of desire in favour of the conscious withdrawal of the mind from sense objects, Adi Shankara approached yoga, particularly Jnana Yoga (yoga of knowledge), as the most optimal means to achieving higher knowledge about oneself. Indeed, the goal self-realisation is not simply attained through the renunciation of the material world. Instead, spiritual awakening often comes about as a result of a disciplined training of the mind and body, in which yogic meditation can be of immense help.

Latching on to this potential of yogic practices, the members of Yoga Library Singapore made their way to the Kashmir Valley last month. Having conducted yoga retreats in South East Asia, including Bali, Bangkok and Vietnam, their recently organised retreat in Kashmir marked their maiden foray into the Indian yoga market. In fact, in a way, choosing Kashmir as their first port of entry, so to speak, allowed the Library to give Kashmir its due by highlighting the contribution of the Valley to the larger yogic landscape.

According to Anand Goyal, co-founder of the Library, Kashmir Shaivism Yoga is at least 1200 years old. In fact, Goyal went on to observe that unlike what may have ordinarily been thought of, “yoga is not frowned upon in the Kashmir Valley (which is predominantly Muslim)”. Apart from building on the vast historical capital that yoga has in the Valley, the Library maintains that the place itself, courtesy of its pitcuresque environs, is a “good place to do yoga “. For that matter, Goyal believes that the Library came to Kashmir at an appropriate juncture just when the Valley is recovering from the after-effects of COVID and lockdowns.

Kashmir’s growing interest in yoga and other meditative practices was recently demonstrated as the union territory came to host a “Yogasana” competition. Organised in Srinagar by the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council and Jammu and Kashmir Yogasana Association, more than 300 more people competed in different age categories in the event. According to reports, the competition was not only meant to give the youth of the Valley an opportunity to participate and compete at national and international events on yoga. But, at the same time, use such collective events as occasions to create further awareness about social evils, such as drug abuse, with the objective of combating them.

The newfound momentum around yoga in Kashmir comes as an exciting and encouraging new development. Apart from helping the Valley promote itself as a spiritual retreat for the domestic audience, the international traction it is gaining on these grounds will certainly help Kashmir project itself in a new and different light.

OYO announces up to 70% discount on bookings for school holiday season in Malaysia

  • OYO announces up to 70% discount on bookings on all its properties across Malaysia during school holidays
  • Price assurance and revenue assurance plans have been introduced to support hotel partners during the ongoing holiday season
  • School holidays have been announced from December 10 until end of the month
  • Hotel bookings are expected to remain strong during school holidays as a lot of people take advantage of this season for their annual vacations

Global hospitality technology platform OYO has announced up to 70% discount on bookings during the school holidays in Malaysia. The discount scheme will be available till the end of this month across all OYO properties in different segments such as Collection O, Capital O, OYO Rooms and Spot On in the country. This year, tourism activities in Malaysia are expected to resume in full fervour after a two-year break, attracting tourists from all over the country to indulge in three-week-long celebrations.

Global hospitality technology platform OYO has announced up to 70% discount on bookings during the school holidays in Malaysia. [Image: oyo]
OYO has a presence across Malaysia with a network of more than 8,000 hotels in 75 cities and towns in primary, secondary and tertiary markets. [Image: oyo]

The scheme is tailor-made to ensure that guests planning to embark on their annual vacations are able to book clean, safe and convenient stays that add more excitement to their holiday spirits. It is also designed to boost government initiatives to promote domestic tourism after two subdued years.

As per the Tourism Malaysia report, the government is planning to refresh and elevate the ‘Cuti-Cuti Malaysia’ brand and image to promote domestic tourism aggressively by leveraging digital platforms. It also aims to increase tourism revenue by increasing domestic tourist arrivals and their average length of stay. In addition to this, there are plans to market and promote ‘One Product One District’ as a main attraction for domestic tourists.

OYO’s discount scheme is also aligned with Malaysia Digital Nomad Program to establish Malaysia as the preferred Digital Nomad Hub and support the local community of digital nomads in the country as a catalyst for tourism recovery.

OYO has a wide presence across a network of more than 8,000 hotels in 75 cities and towns throughout Malaysia including in primary, secondary and tertiary cities and towns.

Guests can avail of this discount by downloading the OYO App, clicking on the red ‘Nearby’ icon to discover a valid participating hotel in the city of their choice, selecting from the coupon codes ‘MYDEDAGANG55’, ‘OYODEDAGANG65’, ‘OYODEDAGANG55’, ‘MYPSALE’ and hitting the Book Now and Pay at Hotel button. Customers can also book through the OYO website www.oyorooms.com and through multiple online booking sites such as Agoda, Booking and Traveloka.

OYO booking data reveals that guests are more likely to look for clean, hygienic and contactless properties. OYO properties that are tagged as Sanitized Stays receive twice as many customers as those without. Most of the hotels are equipped with facilities such as Wi-Fi and air-conditioning to ensure maximum convenience for the guests.

Speaking about the offer, Ankit Tandon, Global CBO and CEO, SEAME said “OYO Malaysia is determined to provide guests with a wide range of accommodations while ensuring flexibility in booking and assurance of sanitization. With this offer, we also want to showcase our strength as a hospitality technology platform with a wide range of accommodation options. School holiday season is also an opportunity for us to help our hotel partners boost their revenue. We have introduced price assurance and revenue assurance programs for them which have received an overwhelming response with some of them even committing a higher volume of business than earlier”.

Customers choose OYO’s platform for many reasons, including accessibility to OYO’s hotels at competitive prices, quality accommodation, ease of use of its app, personalization, and flexibility of the OYO platform. They can also resolve their queries quickly with OYO’s 24*7 chatbot – Yo! Chat.

Website: https://www.oyorooms.com/my/

Media contact:
Abhishek Sinha
PR & Corporate Communications
Email: abhishek.sinha3@oyorooms.com

Indonesian new criminal code respects privacy, human rights

Indonesia clarifies that the New Criminal Code was drafted carefully and obeys Human Rights aspects, following the emergence of reactions related to the ratification of the code.

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej on Friday stated the criminal code was drafted carefully by paying attention to the balance of the interests of individuals, the state, and the public and by taking into account Indonesia’s multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural condition.

Some of the articles criticized by the public include those related to privacy, freedoms of the press, and human rights. One of the issues is regarding the adultery and cohabitation articles in the code.

Hiariej clarified that the adultery and cohabitation articles are complaint-based. Thus, the perpetrator should only be prosecuted on the basis of a complaint, which can only be made by their spouse (for those who are married) or parents or children (for those who are not married).

The articles, he says, are aimed at protecting people from acts of arbitrariness. “When these articles are regulated in the criminal code, there would definitely be no raids,” he added.

Additionally, the Spokesman of the Dissemination Team of the New Criminal Code, Albert Aries, clarified the criminal code has never given additional administrative requirements for tourism players to question people about their marital status. Aries affirmed that people’s privacy is still guaranteed by law in Indonesia, of course, without reducing respect for the values that the country holds.

A criminologist from the University of Indonesia, Adrianus Meliala, expressed optimism that the implementation of the cohabitation article will not violate human rights since it is complaint-based. He said that law enforcement officers must face the discourse with real actions.

Apart from adultery and cohabitation, freedom of expression and freedom of the press are among the issues that have been addressed.

Regarding freedom of expression, deputy minister Hiariej stated that the new criminal code made a clear distinction between critics and defamation. He explained that critics should not be criminalized as they are in the interest of the public in a democratic society, while defamation is deemed a criminal act in any country.

He further said that the freedom of the press is also ensured as the criminal code adopted one of the provisions of the Law on the Press, which states that critics are a form of supervision or public scrutiny.

The spokesman Aries affirmed that the criminal code is in accordance with human rights. “It is not true to say that the Indonesian Criminal Code is inconsistent with human rights,” he stated. The criminal code, says Aries, regulates everything by paying attention to the balance between human rights and human obligations.

In order to pay respect to the general law principles that apply universally, the criminal code adopts the substance of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Treaty of Rome 1950). The code also adopts the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (the New York Convention, 1966), and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, December 10, 1984.

Written by: Raka Adji, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022

Club Med appoints Olivier Monceau as its new General Manager of Singapore and Malaysia

Club Med, the leader in premium all-inclusive holidays, has announced the appointment of Olivier Monceau as the new General Manager of Singapore and Malaysia effective from October 2022.

With his strong business acumen and deep brand knowledge, Olivier is poised to deliver success while demonstrating an inspiring, creative and fresh approach to leadership. Under his leadership, Olivier’s priorities will be to guide the team through the next phase of strategic brand growth within the region, drive a purposeful brand building through exceptional travel destinations, and to solidify the brand as the leader for all-inclusive ski and mountain holidays. Olivier will also lead his team to deliver effective and targeted end-to-end omni-channel experience to clients that synchronises consideration and conversion to grow top line and client acquisition. Club Med will continue its journey to being the #1 brand choice for vacations and business trips preferred by families, active couples and business-leisure clients.

“Olivier brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role and I am delighted to have him on the team as he leads the execution of our aggressive plans to grow the Club Med brand within the region,” says Rachael Harding, Chief Executive Officer of East, South Asia and Pacific (ESAP). “Moreover, Olivier has produced exceptional results in his previous appointment within Club Med, and I am confident that he will accelerate the strategic growth in both Singapore and Malaysia markets. His appointment is also perfectly timed to succeed our new capacity in Kiroro, Hokkaido in 2023 and Borneo, Kota Kinabalu in 2024.”

Originally from Paris, France, Olivier embarked on his Club Med journey in 2016, where he was appointed General Manager of Russia. Olivier was responsible for building brand awareness and positioning Club Med as a premium holiday brand in the market. Together with his team, Olivier turned unprecedented challenges into opportunities during the global pandemic as he tapped on an unrealised potential for long-haul and upscale travel within the region and delivered an effective marketing campaign that led to +400% market growth in 2021 compared to 2019 in an exceedingly challenging time, through the successful recruitment of a new Premium clientele and achieved more than 45% of the total sales for the Exclusive Collection resorts. The market has also been a key contributor to the reopening of Club Med in Seychelles and Maldives, both of which became crucial resorts in the group’s rebound once travel bans were lifted.

“I am excited to be joining such a dynamic team and even happier to lead the brand through its next phase of growth,” shares Olivier. “I look forward to cementing Club Med as the preferred holiday brand for families while building on our shared vision to further enhance the value of our brand towards achieving a long-term strategic growth within the region.”

Now in the heart of a city pulsating with boundless energy, Olivier together with his wife and lovely daughters are embracing their new home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with open arms and heart. Since his arrival, Olivier can be found busy exploring the city’s neighbourhoods, discovering new cultures and the vibrant street hawker culinary scene.

About Club Med

Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gerard Blitz, invented the all-inclusive holiday club concept, adding in activities especially for children with the creation of the Mini Club in 1967. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med seeks out exceptional destinations and sites. Today, Club Med is the world’s leading provider of upscale, all-inclusive holiday packages with a French touch for families and working couples. Club Med operates nearly 70 resorts, of which 85% are rated Premium & Exclusive Collection. Present in 30 countries around the world, the Group employs more than 23,000 Gentils Organisateurs (GOs) and Gentils Employes (GEs), representing 110 nationalities. http://www.clubmed.asia/

Press Contacts for Club Med
PRecious Communications for Club Med
clubmed@preciouscomms.com
+65 6303 0567

Indonesian Criminal Code won’t harm investment

The dissemination team spokesperson of the Draft Law on Criminal Code (RKUHP) Albert Aries clarified the fundamentally misleading news related to the adultery article, which is considered to harm Indonesia’s tourism and investment sectors.

“The adultery article in the new Criminal Code that takes effect three years after its stipulation is an absolute criminal complaint. This means that only the husband or wife (for those bound by marriage) or the parents or children (for those not bound by marriage) can make a complaint. No one else can report or take the law into their own hands. There will be no legal process without a complaint from the entitled and directly harmed parties,” Aries said in his statement on Thursday (Dec 8).

The articles of the Criminal Code that have recently attracted the attention of foreign tourists, including investors, are Article 411 concerning adultery, Article 412 concerning live-in relationships, and Article 424 concerning drinks and intoxicants.

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, has said he believes the newly passed Criminal Code (KUHP), specifically its provisions on live-in relationships, will not affect tourism and creative economy investment in Indonesia. “I am very confident that we can get US$68 billion (in foreign investment), and we can create 2 million jobs in this sector. But, of course, we need support,” he informed here on Saturday (Dec 10).

According to Uno, investors need legal opinion before investing in Indonesia. The legal opinion must give confidence in safe. Uno added that the ministry will still need support and assistance in terms of legal certainty to convince investors to invest.

Upholds Human Rights

Aries also stated that it is not true that Indonesia’s Criminal Code is not following human rights. “We certainly respect United Nations (UN) concern on equality, privacy, religious liberty, and journalism issues. On that basis, the criminal code regulates all of them by paying attention to the balance between human rights and human obligations,” Aries said.

The reason is that the legal politics contained in the Criminal Code are aimed at respecting and upholding human rights based on the ideals of Pancasila (the Five Principles), BhinnekaTunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity), the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, and the 1945 Constitution.

He underlined that the Criminal Code does not discriminate against women, children, and other minority groups, as well as the press.

One example is the adoption of Article 6 letter d of Law Number 40 of 1999 on the Press into the Elucidation of Article 218 of the Criminal Code so that criticism is not punished because it is a form of supervision, correction, and advice on matters relating to the public interests.

According to Aries, it is also incorrect to say the Criminal Code legitimizes negative social attitudes towards adherents of minority beliefs. “The regulation of criminal acts against religion and belief in the Criminal Code has been reformulated by taking into account the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), as inputs from the civil society,” he said.

Previously, the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) passed the Draft Law on Criminal Code into law in a plenary meeting chaired by the Indonesian House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad on Tuesday (Dec 6).

In the formulation of the Criminal Code, meaningful participation as the fulfillment of civil societies’ rights to be heard, explained, and consideration has been given as much as possible.

–Antara

Society Pass / NusaTrip Expands Flight Routes and Fares Offering through Connection with Regional Low-Cost Carriers: JetStar Airways, VietJet Air, NokAir, Thai Smile Air, and Thai Lion Air

NusaTrip, the Indonesia-based online travel agent (OTA) and travel platform of Society Pass Incorporated (“SoPa”) (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) leading data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces the expansion of NusaTrip’s +500 global airline partners network by adding JetStar Airways, VietJet Air, NokAir, Thai Smile Air, and Thai Lion Air. With the addition of these low-cost carriers, users can enjoy more flight content, travel options, competitive pricing, and convenience in booking multiple trips / airlines through NusaTrip’s consolidator and distribution technology platform, NusaXchange.

NusaXchange connects worldwide flight content through streamlined integration with low-cost and full-service airlines from multiple points of sale and enables its global distribution at ease. NusaTrip’s flight contents include a wide range of domestic and international inbound-outbound routes.

NusaTrip’s CEO, Johanes (Joe) Chang underlines that the company continuously improves the richness of flight content in its NusaXchange platform, to cater to a broader range audience that increasingly demands a more varied and personalised experience. “Direct connectivity with more airline partners means more inventory to offer, more reliable and faster responses, as well as more competitive pricing for our customers and distribution partners”.

Low-cost carriers are gaining momentum during the recovery period of the COVID-19 pandemic. As elaborated in the Low Cost Airlines Market By Purpose, By Destination, By Distribution Channel: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2016-2030, the value of the global low-cost airlines market is projected to grow from USD 155 billion in 2016 to USD 440 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2022 to 2030.

NusaTrip’s newest airline partners of choice are the leading low-cost carriers in their respective regions. Carried more than 250 million passengers worldwide since 2004, JetStar serves more than 5,000 flights to over 85 destinations every week – across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Pacific. VietJet, together with its affiliate, ThaiVietJet, operates a total of 197 domestic routes in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as international routes to Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Japan, and India. NokAir, a subsidiary of Thai Airways International, is a SkyTrax-certified 3-star low-cost airline and offers flights to 25 destinations throughout Thailand and Myanmar.

NusaTrip offers ease of travel options from arranging multiple airlines / routes to serving personalised flight preferences. NusaTrip’s one-stop booking platform allows users of different travel styles to prepare their itineraries easily. Customers who book last-minute air tickets and hotel rooms benefit from a wide range of airline selections, schedule options, and trip destinations. Travel connoisseurs may also take advantage of convenience in pre-flight arrangements, including selecting a preferred seat, meals, or extra baggage.

As the travel business vertical, NusaTrip’s industry leadership and initiatives simultaneously strengthens the Society Pass ecosystem and broaden the company’s network in the fast-growing Southeast Asia markets.

About JetStar Airways

JetStar serves more than 5,000 flights to over than 85 destinations every week – across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific. Since launched in Australia in 2004, the airline has carried 250 million+ passengers worldwide.

The airline operates an extensive domestic network as well as regional and international services from its main base at Melbourne Airport, using a mixed fleet of the Airbus A320 family and the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. For more information, please check out: https://www.jetstar.com/id/en/about-us.

About VietJet Air

Vietjet Air’s fleet consists of nearly 100 new-generation A320, A321 and A330 aircraft, with an average fleet age of 2 to 3 years, making it one of the airlines with the newest fleet in the region and the world. Together with its affiliate, Thai Vietjet, the airlines operate more than 150 domestic routes in Vietnam and Thailand, as well as international routes to India, Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and Kazakhstan, etc.

As a new-age carrier, Vietjet has not only revolutionized the aviation industry in Vietnam but also been a pioneering airline across the region and around the world. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations and performance, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers’ demands. For more information, please check out: https://www.vietjetair.com/en.

About Nok Air

Nok Air is a new low-cost airline registered under Nok Airlines Public Company Limited. It is a joint venture between public and private investors. Nok is the Thai language for ‘Bird’. Nok Air offers the largest number of domestic routes within Thailand along with expanding Asian destinations. For more information, please check out: https://nokair.com.

About NusaTrip

Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is an IATA-licensed online travel agency that serves both local and global customers and partners by optimizing cutting-edge technology and providing quality customer-centric support team-as-a-service. NusaXchange platform is the travel technology built to consolidate worldwide flight content through streamlined integration with low-cost and full-service airlines from multiple points of sale and enables its global distribution at ease.

NusaTrip is a member of Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) ecosystem, with headquarters in Jakarta and representative offices in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. For more information, please check out: https://www.nusatrip.com.

About Society Pass Inc

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in the Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.

For more information on Society Pass, please check out:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contacts:
Rosa Milyarna – NusaTrip
rosa@NusaTrip.com

PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

Hospitality 360 Expands Hotel Management Portfolio

  • MoUs and agreement signed with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and property developers to manage hotels and service apartments

Hospitality 360 Sdn Bhd (H360), a Malaysian hotel management and consulting company, is pleased to announce the signing of a strategic partnership with Wyndham Hotels and Resorts to expand their portfolio of hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments across Malaysia.

Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Indera Naresh Mohan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Hospitality 360 Sdn Bhd; Ms. Teng Car Men, Executive Director of Jesselton Newcity Development Sdn Bhd and Mr. Matt Holmes, Vice President & Head of Development of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (South East Asia and Pacific Rim) [L-R]

As H360 and Wyndham memorialize their common objective to continue their commercial dealings and deepen their business relations, we are witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in their illustrious partnership. Under the terms of their partnership agreement, H360 will deliver at least 15 hotels signed as franchises under various Wyndham-owned brands over the course of the next six years.

To mark this illustrious partnership, there were several Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) and agreements for H360 to manage, under various Wyndham brands, 4 hotels and luxury serviced apartments in Sabah.

The MoUs were signed between Wyndham and the developers of the hotel properties, namely, Jesselton Newcity Development Sdn. Bhd; and Sumbangan Aru KK Sdn. Bhd; for the properties that will in turn be managed as Wyndham Grand, Dolce by Wyndham, and Ramada by Wyndham brands. Construction of these hotels, totalling more than 2000 rooms will commence in phases starting in 2023 and is expected to complete by 2027.

In addition to the pipeline of current signings, H360 through the newly announced strategic partnership with Wyndham also has other hotel properties in the pipeline. They are namely our future flagship property, the Wyndham Grand TRX KL with more than 190 rooms, developed by Core Precious Development Sdn Bhd in which the construction is underway and due to complete by Q4 2023; and the newly built Ramada by Wyndham The Straits Johor Bahru with more than 190 rooms which will be operational by Q1 2023.

Furthermore, the under construction, 85 rooms luxury serviced apartment project Isola KLCC, developed by OCR Berhad, the 152 rooms Shahzan Kuantan in Pahang, the 204 rooms Trinidad Suites Puteri Harbour in Johor and three more properties namely the 88 rooms Lisbon Melaka, the 158 rooms Trigo Kuala Lumpur, and the 90 rooms Shahzan Frasers Hill are all expected to sign to Wyndham’s Trademark Collection brand.

Looking ahead and through the various agreements, we target to achieve a portfolio of approximately 5000 rooms all over Malaysia by 2027.

Group Chief Executive Officer of Hospitality 360 Sdn Bhd, Dato’ Indera Naresh Mohan said, “This is an exciting time for us as we expand our hotel management portfolio to more locations around the country. The properties we will manage are targeted at different segments of the market, from leisure travellers and families to business travellers. We are looking forward to working with Wyndham to ensure all our guests get a full and holistic experience in our managed properties.”

Vice President of Development, South East Asia & Pacific for Wyndham, Matt Holmes said, “By signing this strategic agreement with Hospitality 360 Sdn. Bhd, we continue to grow our operational presence in Malaysia. This move will position Wyndham strongly to tap on the exponential rise in travel demand which has accelerated since early 2022 as borders reopen across key markets in Asia Pacific. Looking ahead towards the future, we are excited and happy to strengthen the partnership with Hospitality 360 in Malaysia and deliver our iconic ‘Count on Me’ service to our business and leisure guests.”

Hospitality 360 Sdn Bhd: http://hospitality360.my/