Presto, Malaysia’s First and Largest Loyalty E-commerce Aggregator, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with PLUSMiles, Malaysia’s largest rewards programme for expressway travellers by PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS). This collaboration aims to provide extensive redemption rewards for PLUSMiles users, enhancing their travel and redemption options.
Group CEO of Presto, Mr Cheong Chia Chou
PLUSMiles serves a significant user base, with total PLUS expressway travellers reaching 1.8 million during non-festive periods and soaring to 2.2 million during festive seasons. Currently, PLUSMiles boasts a membership of 3.1 million loyal users.
Through this partnership, Presto will provide PLUSMiles with a comprehensive product rewards redemption catalogue within the PLUS App. This new catalogue offers an extensive array of products and e-vouchers for users to select from, significantly enhancing the redemption options available to PLUSMiles members. PLUSMiles users can now start redeeming their points from the all-new PLUSMiles Product Redemption Catalogue available within the PLUS App.
In the next phase of this collaboration, PLUSMiles will be integrated into the Presto App, allowing users to use PLUSMiles points directly within the Presto ecosystem. This integration is aimed to be completed by the end of this year, providing even greater flexibility and convenience for PLUSMiles users.
“We are delighted to partner with PLUSMiles, extending our innovative loyalty redemption platform to a broader audience. This collaboration will provide PLUSMiles members with more choices and flexibility, making their travels even more rewarding,” said Cheong Chia Chou, Group Chief Executive Officer of Presto.
“Presto’s unique advantage lies in its ability to integrate points directly at the payment level, providing users with unmatched flexibility. This allows PLUSMiles points, to be combined with other payment methods to unlock valuable rewards,” Cheng continued.
PLUSMiles is designed to reward expressway travellers each time they use the PLUS highways. Whether for daily commutes or road trips, PLUSMiles turns every kilometre travelled into a step towards earning rewards. Travellers earn 1 PLUSMiles Point for every kilometre travelled on PLUS highways using Class I vehicles. Additionally, users receive 1 PLUSMiles Point for every RM1 spent on cashless transactions at participating PLUS R&Rs, turning stops along the journey into opportunities to earn more points.
Where Presto, Malaysia’s premier Multiple Loyalty Points Redemption Hub, is redefining the loyalty rewards programme by ingeniously integrating it with e-commerce redemption. Connected to over 20 million loyalty members, Presto offers an unparalleled selection of over 20,000 products, including health and beauty, home and living, tech gadgets, and vouchers – all available conveniently on one platform. This groundbreaking approach marks a significant shift in the loyalty rewards ecosystem, introducing a concept where loyalty points extend beyond their traditional role.
Presto’s loyalty-to-e-commerce redemption platform frequently updates its rewards catalogue with new and exciting products, offering users a wide variety of choices. The digital product catalogue allows for seamless updates, ensuring users always have access to the latest products and deals, enhancing the overall value of their loyalty points.
How to Access the PLUSMiles Product Redemption Store:
TripGift(R) Unleashes Full Processing Power of its Gift Card Brand and Marketplace Portfolio, Leveraging its Market-Leading 103-Currency Travel and Bucket List Experience Gifting and Redemption Capabilities
TripGift, the market-leading, multi-currency travel and bucket list experience gift cards and redemption marketplace, breaks new ground today by announcing an unprecedented expansion into 103 currencies, with local currency reach in a staggering 180 countries – a first for any brand or gift card provider. This industry-first achievement solidifies TripGift’s position as the most globally accessible travel and experience gifting and redemption platform, empowering individuals and businesses everywhere to bestow the gift of travel and bucket list dreams. This strategic move caters to the ever-growing demand for outbound, domestic and inbound travel.
TripGift world view
Travel the world with TripGift travel gift cards and marketplace
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is projecting a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in 2024, with the sector’s global economic contribution set to reach an all-time high of $11.1 trillion.
“We are thrilled to drive innovation and value in the market with this landmark expansion,” said Cary George, Founder and CEO at TripGift. “Travel transcends borders and is a major motivator of human behaviour, creating meaningful, memorable and stronger connections with loved ones and culture. “Now digitally gifting travel, anywhere to anywhere, has never been easier, especially for businesses.”
TripGift’s expanded currency portfolio encompasses a wider range of regions, including:
Asia
Middle East
Africa
Eastern Europe
Central Europe
Key Advantages of TripGift’s 103-Currency Security-Minded Platform and Ecosystem:
Unparalleled Choice: Gift in the recipient’s local currency for a stress-free, digital self-serve travel booking experience.
Global Appeal: Perfect for individuals and businesses seeking a unique personalised gift to surprise and delight.
Business Value Creation: for Incentives, Activations, Retention, Rewards and Upgrades.
Flexibility and Freedom: Recipients can choose their dream trip or part of a trip on TripGift’s user-friendly platform.
Secure Digital Wallet to store balances and all booking transaction details in one place.
About TripGift TripGift® leads the market in multi-currency, travel anywhere digital gift cards, offering eight hero brand gift cards, including AirlineGift, BucketlistGift, HotelsGift, eLearnGift, FlystayGift, RentacarGift, TripGift and ToursGift, and opening doors to over 1.5 million bookable travel experiences in its online marketplace. The platform encompasses major airlines, hotels, and car rentals, as well as extraordinary local and global curated bucket list experiences, VIP sporting events, and cultural and music events. Customers can seamlessly redeem their gift cards exclusively within TripGift’s unique business ecosystem.
TripGift® leads the market with its industry-first, security-minded, 103 transactional currency processor, gift card API and global experiential marketplace for travel anywhere with its retail digital travel gift cards, ideal for local, regional and global travel gifting, travel rewards, loyalty rewards, employee rewards, incentives, wedding gifts, subscription bundles, cash back and prizes.
Contact: Hayley Rippon Global Brand Controller pr@tripgift.com
Contact Information Hayley Rippon Global Brand Controller pr@tripgift.com
HotelRunner, the leading hospitality and travel technologies platform, will attend MarketHub Europe by HBX Group as the Platinum Sponsor. This year’s event will take place to explore “New Frontiers” in the travel industry and beyond from June 25 to 28, 2024, in Istanbul, where HotelRunner has been the undisputed market leader for over a decade.
MarketHub Europe by HBX Group has been a pivotal event in the travel and hospitality industry for over 8 years, consistently bringing together top industry players from around the globe. Since its inception in Seville in 2013, MarketHub has grown to attract 350 participants annually, including 180 key client partners from 15 source markets.
HotelRunner‘s participation as a Platinum Sponsor highlights its commitment to fostering innovation and connectivity within the travel and hospitality industries. Attendees of the event will have the opportunity to engage with key members of the HotelRunner Team and discover the latest developments in the industry while learning how to grow your business at their dedicated stand. The attendees also include HotelRunner’s strategic partners, thus HotelRunner will take the opportunity to connect and catch up with them. The HotelRunner Team will also join the coffee break sessions to engage in conversations actively.
HotelRunner will use this prominent event as a platform to discuss its comprehensive end-to-end technology platform and how it unlocks the power of connectivity within the industry. With a network encompassing thousands of hotels and hundreds of travel agencies, HotelRunner’s solutions are designed to enhance connectivity and drive growth for its partners worldwide.
HotelRunner Founder and Managing Partner Ali Beklen will speak on the first day of the event at the panel “What are the evolving traveler trends? And how do you keep up?”. The discussion will explore various guest perspectives, highlighting data on shifting booking behaviors, emerging trends, and key demographic insights. The panel aims to uncover what travelers are currently seeking and how the industry can adapt to meet these evolving demands.
MarketHub Europe is renowned for its ability to gather the best and brightest in the industry, creating a vibrant platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business development. HotelRunner’s extensive experience and leadership in the market position them perfectly to contribute valuable insights and drive forward the conversations on technology and connectivity in the industry.
Contact Information Suheyla van Taarling Director of Marketing & Growth suheyla@hotelrunner.com 00905314010303
TransNusa Celebrates First Year Anniversary For Its Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur Route
PT TransNusa Aviation Mandiri, which claims to be the fastest growing airline in South East Asia, has achieved its international KPI for passengers
TransNusa marked its first-year anniversary for its first international route Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur on April 14, 2024
TransNusa carries more than 200,000 passengers within 12 months of launching its Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur route
TransNusa made headlines when the airline with just two airbus A320 and one Comac ARJ21-700 introduced its first international route from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur on April 14, 2023.
The airline, which had to close it business operation in September 2020 due to impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry, started operations again after injection of new shareholders and management team in October 2022.
Within 6 months, the airline introduced its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur.
TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis said, “The international growth strategy combined with our domestic business operations’ approach has proven to be successful as we have reached our international Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for passengers in our first year of operations for our Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur route. Our main KPI is based on our On-Time Performance (OTP).
“When we re-launched TransNusa, we started from the bottom again. We had no aircraft or roadmap to follow. Everything was new because the pandemic had broken the aviation business operations boundaries. We re-created and customised our business operations and strategy model based on the post-pandemic scenario,” Datuk Bernard added.
“As such, for us, the success of our first international Jakarta-Kuala Lumpur route is a milestone and brings us great satisfaction. In the past 12 months, we have assisted in providing our services to more than 200,000 passengers and we have also maintained our three times a day frequency. In addition, as per our KPI for passengers, we have also maintained our On-Time Performance (OTP) of 94 percent,” he said, explaining that airline OTP is defined as an aircraft arrival at the gate under 15 minutes of the scheduled arrival time.
On why TransNusa could not achieve a 100 per cent OTP, Datuk Bernard said there were unavoidable circumstances that delayed a number of TransNusa flights.
“Our delays were consequential and unavoidable such as weather patterns and airport disruptions as well as heavy traffic. There were times when our flight was delayed because we could land due to bad weather or heavy traffic,” Datuk Bernard elaborated.
“We understand that OTP is one of the most important factors for passengers in deciding their choice of airline. Respecting passengers time is high on our list of deliverables and to showcase our commitment towards our passengers, we have specific aircrafts dedicated to fly this route.”
After launching its first international route between Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur, TransNusa launched three more new international routes by the end of last year. TransNusa’s aggressive international growth strategy combined with its domestic business operations approach has enabled the airline to be the fastest growing airline in South East Asia.
In 2024, the airline does not only celebrate the first year of its operations in Kuala Lumpur but it will also be celebrating first year of operations in three other international locations that is Johor, Malaysia, Singapore and Guangzhou, China.
Since its re-launch, TransNusa became the first in the world to commission a Comac ARJ21-700 and TransNusa became the second airline in Indonesia to launch a Jakarta-Guangzhou route on November 16, last year.
On the domestic front, TransNusa, in keeping with its new player, new rules character, became the first in the world to offer direct flights between two world legendary destinations, which is Bali and Manado. This domestic route was launched in April, this year.
Media Contact Trina Thomas Raj Mobile: +6012 4992672 E-mail: trina@myqaseh.org
About TransNusa TransNusa Airline, is a Premium Service Carrier. After the take-over, in February 2024, the airline rebranded itself from being a Low-Cost Carrier to a Premium Service Carrier in line with its upgraded aircrafts that offers better comfort as well as based on the flexibility and quality of the services offered.
TransNusa, which received its AOC certification on 9th September 2022, launch its first three A320 operations on 6th October, 14th October and 12th December, 2022. The airline, which became the first outside of China to utilise Comac, received its first ARJ21 on 22nd December, 2022. In 2023, TransNusa introduced a new business model making it the first Premium Service Carrier in the Asia Pacific region. TransNusa introduced its first international flight on 14th April, 2023. The airline is currently based in Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
On the international front, TransNusa flies to Singapore, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The airline became the second Indonesian airline to fly to China and the first Indonesian airline to launch a Premium Service Carrier business model.
Passengers can book their flights on the TransNusa website (www.transnusa.co.id), through authorized travel agents in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, or by contacting the airline’s customer service centre at, +62216310888. For the Singaporean market, passengers can contact TransNusa’s General Sales Agent, Chariot Travels Pte Ltd, at +65 86602719 while for the Malaysian market, passengers can contact MKM Ticketing Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd at +60378312581.
Following the first mega overseas roadshow of 2024 held successfully in Tokyo, Japan this March, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) will soon unveil its second overseas promotional event in Singapore. The program includes a four-day roadshow and a presentation & networking seminar namely the “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart”, to be unveiled in advance this Thursday (25 April). Singaporean visitors and members of the travel trade will be offered a window onto Macao’s strengths as a MICE and travel destination. The event aims to attract more Singaporeans to Macao for leisure and MICE travel, as part of the endeavor to expand the Southeast Asian market.
Macao and Singapore industry operators explore “tourism + MICE”
MGTO will lead a delegation of Macao’s travel trade to Singapore and organize the “Macao Tourism + MICE Product Updates Seminar & Travel Mart” on 25 April. Industry participants from Singapore will be introduced to the strengths of Macao’s tourism and MICE industries. A business networking session will also be held on site for the travel trade from both sides to connect and forge partnerships, in turn boosting mutual visitations.
Spectacular roadshow teems with “tourism +” in Macao
The mega roadshow in Singapore will be held at Suntec City Atrium (Convention Centre) from 25 – 28 April. Designed after Rubik’s Cube, a special space is created with colorful key visual that manifests the vibrant scene of Macao’s cultural diversity and harmony blended with the unique splendor of “tourism +”.
The roadshow will feature numerous themed booths and interactive games. The Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin, the six integrated resort enterprises from Macao and Air Macau will also run booths to promote their newest tourism facilities and products. Singaporean residents can experience Macao from a kaleidoscope of angles.
MGTO has progressively unfolded an array of promotional initiatives in advance in Singapore for the mega roadshow. A themed webpage (https://www.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/article/promotion/experience-macao-singapore-roadshow) is launched. Singaporean travel KOL, The Travel Intern, has started spotlighting the event on various platforms since early April. Starting this week, information about the roadshow has been released on radio, newspapers, light boxes, mega exterior LED screens of shopping centres as well as MGTO’s platforms on social media, which widens the event’s presence together with several KOLs’ promotions. It is hoped that the marketing campaign can attract more locals to the event for an experience of Macao’s “tourism +”, in turn boosting visitor arrivals from Singapore and Southeast Asia for international market development.
Average daily Singapore visitor arrivals increase twofold in the first quarter
At present, Singapore ranks as the eighth largest international visitor market for Macao. In the first quarter of 2024, there were 25,623 visitor arrivals from Singapore to Macao. The average daily volume of Singaporean visitors recovered to 82.6% of the level in the first quarter of 2019 and increased by 263.1% compared with the first quarter of 2023. Two airlines (Air Macau and Scoot) currently operate regular direct air service between Macao and Singapore with two flights daily.
Promotional events towards international markets
This year, MGTO actively rolls out mega promotional events. In addition to the mega roadshows in Tokyo and Singapore in March and April respectively, the Office will unfold more roadshows in Jakarta (Indonesia), Seoul (Korea), Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) for a showcase of Macao’s “tourism +” offerings. To support industry partners to explore business opportunities, destination presentation and networking seminars will be held concurrently for the travel trade there. Moreover, MGTO will continue to engage in major regional and international travel fairs to raise Macao’s international profile and presence as a travel destination.
Enrich special offers to boost destination appeal
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Establishment of the Macao SAR, MGTO has launched the scheme “My Treats for You” of special travel offers for international visitors (from beyond the Greater China region). To attract international visitations to Macao, 250,000 gifts are rolled out including special offers on air tickets, cross-border transportation, hotel accommodation, dining, entertainment and show tickets. Targeting Singapore as a visitor market, MGTO partners with Air Macau and travel agencies in Singapore and Macao to launch different special offers to attract Singaporean visitors and expand the diversity of travel markets.
About Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO)
Main Responsibilities of Macao Government Tourism Office
In accordance with Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) Government’s strategy of positioning and developing Macao as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) serves as the public entity responsible for implementing, analyzing and assisting in formulating the tourism policies of the Macao SAR to enhance Macao’s reputation as a quality destination.
Transnusa Becomes First Airline To Offer Direct Flight From Bali To World Renowned Diving Destination, Manado
PT TransNusa Aviation Mandiri implements domestic strategy that coincides with Indonesian Government’s push for increase in air connectivity within tourism destinations
TransNusa introduces five new scheduled direct flights to boost connectivity to Manado, Sorong, Ambon, and Timika
TransNusa focuses on high potential tourism destinations to offers domestic and foreign tourists ease in travel to world renown diving destinations Manado and Raja Ampat, Sorong; the Island of Spices, Ambon and the world largest gold mining island, Timika
TransNusa has taken a bold move in introducing five new domestic routes to boost domestic and foreign tourism spending and travel. Ticket sale for the five routes started last week while flight for the new domestic routes will begin between April 1 and April 19, depending on TransNusa’s scheduled timeline.
The new five routes are renowned Bali to world’s diving paradise Manado; Manado to the home of world’s richest coral reef and rare marine species, Raja Ampat, Sorong; Manado to Indonesia’s Island of Spices, Ambon; Sorong to Ambon and Sorong to Timika, home to the Jaya Wijaya mountain, which is the highest peak in Indonesia.
TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis said that increasing air connectivity within tourism destinations is part of the Indonesian Government’s Eight Strategic Steps in boosting national tourism performance.
“We would like to play our part in boosting and increasing air connectivity within tourism destinations in the country to assist the Government realise its tourism development plans. Our focus is in increasing direct flight to destinations that has high potential and is world renowned for its unique and stunning landscape and natural offerings,” he said, adding that Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands that boosts it own stunning and vibrant panoramas.
TransNusa, in keeping with its new player, new rules character, has yet again implemented a strategy that allows the airline to become the first in the world to offer a direct flight between two world legendary destinations, Bali and Manado. The TransNusa flight will depart Bali from the Denpasar International Airport at 01.40am and arrive at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Manado at 04.05am. The return flight will depart Manado at 05.45 and arrive in Bali at 08.25am. The scheduled direct flight will begin on Tuesday, April 2. TransNusa will be flying the round-trip route three times weekly from Bali and Manado on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
TransNusa’s flight from Manado to Sorong will depart Manado from Sam Ratulangi International Airport and arrive at the Domine Eduard Osok Airport, Sorong. TransNusa will fly this round-trip route 11 times weekly. It has daily scheduled direct flight as well as one additional scheduled direct flight on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The daily scheduled direct flight will depart Manado at 09.00am and arrive at Sorong at 11.20am. While the second scheduled direct flight will depart Manado at 16.10pm and arrive at Sorong at 18.20pm while scheduled flight from Sorong to Manado will depart at 11.45am and arrive at 12.10pm. The additional scheduled flight will depart Sorong at 16.00pm and arrive in Manado at 16.20pm. The daily round-trip scheduled direct flights will begin on Friday, April 5 while the additional round-trip direct scheduled flight will begin from Manado on Wednesday, April 17 and from Sorong on Thursday, April 18.
On reasons behind the introduction of the above new route, Datuk Bernard said, “Raja Ampat in Sorong is Indonesia best kept secret. According to the National Geography Channel, Raja Ampat is the epicentre of marine biodiversity in the planet and is the world’s stronghold of healthy coral reefs. As such, it was only natural for TransNusa to introduce a direct flight from Manado to Sorong, in an effort to encourage and increase domestic and foreign tourism within the two destinations.”
BREATHTAKING SCENARIES AT RAJA AMPAT, SORONG
Meanwhile, TransNusa’s flight from Manado to Ambon will depart from Sam Ratulangi International Airport at 12.40pm and arrive at the Pattimura International Airport, Ambon at 14.50pm. The daily scheduled flight will depart Ambon at 15.15pm and arrive at Manado at 15.40pm. TransNusa’s daily scheduled direct flights for this round-trip route will begin on Friday, April 5.
“Ambon, known as the Island of spices, is also gateway to Banda Islands, Seram Island and even the Kei Islands. In addition, Ambon has some of the most pristine beaches and has an incredible natural landscape with sandy beaches and crystal-clear water,” said Datuk Bernard, adding that TransNusa will have daily scheduled flights to Ambon from not on Manado but also Sorong.
PANTAI LIANG…Ambon
TransNusa’s flight from Sorong to Ambon will depart from the Domine Eduard Osok Airport at 09.00am and arrive at the Pattimura International Airport, Ambon at 10.00am. The TransNusa flight will depart Ambon at 10.25am and arrive at Sorong at 11.25am. The daily round-trip flight will begin on Thursday, April 18.
Meanwhile, on the Timika route, Datuk Bernard said, “Timika, where the 7th highest mountain in the world is located, is not only a tourist destination but also home to many who work at the Timika Gold mine. The dual demand for flight to Timika makes it a high potential but underserved market.”
TransNusa’s flight from Sorong to Timika will depart Sorong from Domine Eduard Osok Airport at 12.10pm and arrive at the Mozes Kilangin Internatioal Airport at 13.30pm. The TransNusa flight will depart Timika at 13.55pm and arrive at Sorong at 15.15pm. TransNusa will offer daily scheduled flights for this route starting Thursday, April 18.
Since the injection of new shareholders and management team in 2022, TransNusa has been implementing innovative and creative strategies as well as introducing new routes aggressively. The airline became a Premium Service Carrier and became Indonesia’s second airline to introduce flight to China from Jakarta last year. In the same year, TransNusa launched its maiden international flight to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and within the subsequent eight months, it successfully launched three new international routes.
Media Contact Trina Thomas Raj Mobile: +6012 4992672 E-mail: trina@myqaseh.org
About TransNusa TransNusa Airline, is a Premium Service Carrier. After the take-over, in February 2024, the airline rebranded itself from being a Low-Cost Carrier to a Premium Service Carrier in line with its upgraded aircrafts that offers better comfort as well as based on the flexibility and quality of the services offered.
TransNusa, which received its AOC certification on 9th September 2022, launch its first three A320 operations on 6th October, 14th October and 12th December, 2022. The airline, which became the first outside of China to utilise Comac, received its first ARJ21 on 22nd December, 2022. In 2023, TransNusa introduced a new business model making it the first Premium Service Carrier in the Asia Pacific region. TransNusa introduced its first international flight on 14th April, 2023. The airline is currently based in Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The airline currently flies to Yogyakarta and Bali. On the international front, TransNusa flies to Singapore, Guangzhou, Kuala Lumpur and Johor. The airline became the second Indonesian airline to fly to China and the first Indonesian airline to launch a Premium Service Carrier business model.
Passengers can book their flights on the TransNusa website (www.transnusa.co.id), through authorized travel agents in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, or by contacting the airline’s customer service centre at, +62216310888. For the Singaporean market, passengers can contact TransNusa’s General Sales Agent, Chariot Travels Pte Ltd, at +65 86602719 while for the Malaysian market, passengers can contact MKM Ticketing Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd at +60378312581.
Mount Faber Leisure Group has officially launched the new futuristic SkyOrb Cabins on the Singapore Cable Car – Mount Faber Line. The launch of the SkyOrb Cabins took place at Mount Faber Peak, as part of the Singapore Cable Car’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The event was attended by Mr Bob Tan, Chairman of Sentosa Development Corporation and Ms Thien Kwee Eng, Chief Executive Officer of Sentosa Development Corporation, as well as Mr Michael Syn, Chairman of Mount Faber Leisure Group and Mr Buhdy Bok, Managing Director of Mount Faber Leisure Group.
Singapore Cable Car’s SkyOrb Cabin Took Its Maiden Flight on 15 March 2024
SkyOrb Cabins – A cabin like no other in the world
Exclusively designed for the Singapore Cable Car, the SkyOrb Cabin is the world’s first chrome-finished spherical cable car cabin. Unlike conventional cabins, the spherical design of the SkyOrb Cabins breaks the boundaries of traditional cable car aesthetics, offering a futuristic and captivating look.
The SkyOrb cabin boasts a spectacular view through its glass-bottomed floor
Fitted with glass-bottomed floors to allow guests to view the scenery below their feet, the new cabins offer guests an elevated journey with a stunning panoramic view of the skyline. As night falls, a captivating ring of lights surrounds the cabin windows, casting an illuminating glow that imparts a distinctly futuristic ambience.
The SkyOrb Cabins have been thoughtfully designed with double window louvres at the front and triple window louvres at the rear, providing enhanced air ventilation for guests on board. To offer an exclusive experience, only seven SkyOrb Cabins will join the existing fleet, enriching the vibrancy of the Sentosa skyline.
SkyOrb Cabin on the Mount Faber Line
“Each SkyOrb cabin, a gleaming chrome orb soaring through the sky, embodies modern design. These cabins offer guests a one-of-a-kind experience, taking them on a discovery between Mount Faber Peak and Sentosa, unveiling breathtaking views along the way,” said Mr Buhdy Bok, Managing Director of Mount Faber Leisure Group.
Collaboratively designed between Mount Faber Leisure Group and renowned cable car cabin manufacturer CWA, the SkyOrb Cabins showcase product innovation and commitment to creating new unique experiences for guests. Based in Olten, Switzerland, CWA has enjoyed a long partnership with Mount Faber Leisure Group since the first generation of the Singapore Cable Car cabins was launched in 1974.
The SkyOrb Cabins are open for guests to experience from 20 March 2024 and tickets are available for sale at the Singapore Cable Car Mount Faber and Sentosa Station ticketing counters from the same day. Mount Faber Line and Cable Car Sky Pass ticket holders have the privilege of upgrading one-way of their round trip (between Mount Faber and Sentosa Cable Car Stations) to a SkyOrb Cabin experience. This upgrade costs $15 per person on weekdays, and $20 per person on weekends and Public Holidays.
Official Hashtags: #MountFaberLeisure| #SingaporeCableCar | #SkyOrbCabin
About Mount Faber Leisure Group
Mount Faber Leisure Group (MFLG) is one of Singapore’s leading operators of a suite of leisure and lifestyle services, including attractions, guided tours, event venues, souvenir and lifestyle outlets as well as F&B operations. The company’s portfolio of products and services includes the Singapore Cable Car, SkyHelix Sentosa, Sentosa Island Bus Tour, Mount Faber Peak, Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro, Dusk Restaurant & Bar, Arbora Café, Cable Car Gift Shop, Sentosa Shop and Faber Licence. The company also operates Sentosa SkyJet, Sentosa Musical Fountain and International Food Street, in addition to the existing Wings of Time, Good Old Days Food Court & Western Grill and FUN Shop @ Central Beach Bazaar.
Spanning across the hilltop at Mount Faber and Sentosa Island, MFLG’s products are linked by the Singapore Cable Car Sky Network of six stations on two main lines – the Mount Faber Line that connects mainland Singapore to the resort island of Sentosa, and the Sentosa Line that connects to the island’s western end at the Siloso Point.
Its legal name remains as Mount Faber Leisure Group Pte Ltd, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sentosa Development Corporation and operates as an autonomous commercial arm.
MFLG is also one of the 17 founding members of Singapore’s first carbon neutrality-driven business alliance, the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network (SCNN), which was established in September 2021. The SCNN is a collective public-private effort to achieve Sentosa’s sustainability goals, including carbon neutrality by 2030. MFLG is also a member of the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition (CPLC) Singapore and a recipient of the LowCarbonSG Logo, awarded to companies that successfully measure and monitor their carbon footprints.
ANNEX A | CELEBRATING HALF A CENTURY: THE EVOLUTION OF SINGAPORE CABLE CAR
1974: Deputy Prime Minister Dr Goh Keng Swee and his wife took their seats in Cable Car Cabin No.1 to launch Singapore’s first and only cable car ride.
1994: As SCC hit its 20-year mark, its visitorship attained more than 18 million in total and was expected to increase, especially with the launch of new attractions on Sentosa island. On 10 April, the first batch of cable car cabins bade farewell – but not before offering “nostalgia trips” for Singaporeans who had created fond memories on the pioneering cable car cabins. Four days later, the second generation of cable car cabins was launched, which boasted higher speeds, increased ventilation, and the playing of audio commentaries about landmarks and highlights of Sentosa island.
1999: To commemorate the SCC 25th anniversary, six limited edition third-generation cabins were launched in 1999. It made history as the world’s first glass-bottom cable car cabins that offered unobstructed views of the harbour and seascape south of Singapore.
2009: The cable car system was revamped for the fourth time to rejuvenate the cable car experience. The fleet now comprises 67 LED-illuminated, sparkling metallic black and chrome cabins on a mono-cable ropeway that links Mount Faber to Harbourfront Tower and Sentosa island.
ANNEX B | THE SINGAPORE CABLE CAR HAS ACHIEVED SEVERAL WORLD FIRSTS FOR SINGAPORE
1974: World’s first cable car system to span a harbour
1998: World’s first Cable Car Sky Dining
1999: World’s first glass-bottomed cable car cabin
2010: World’s first 7* VIP Jewelled Cabin
2024: World’s first chrome-finished spherical cable car cabin
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, today unveiled its captivating program for 2024.
Vivid Sydney 2023 Photo credit: Destination NSW
From 24 May to 15 June, the festival promises 23 nights of unforgettable experiences, exploring the theme of ‘Humanity’ through Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Australia’s largest event will transform Sydney with mesmerising light installations and 3D projections from Circular Quay to The Goods Line; genre-spanning music performances and creative showcases; a formidable Vivid Ideas program featuring experiences that will open minds; and a mouth-watering Vivid Food program.
Vivid Sydney 2024 will deliver an immersive, holistic and diverse festival, spotlighting what makes us uniquely human — love, kindness, compassion and creativity — across the interactive experiences and events that make up the 23-day program.
John Graham, Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, said: “We’re getting set for the 14th Vivid Sydney. It’s an important event every year that Sydneysiders and visitors alike have come to love. It’s not just a light show, it’s a celebration of light, music, ideas and food – a program full of rich cultural experiences that resonate with locals and visitors alike.
“Vivid Sydney brings together important parts of Sydney’s culture – Light, Music, Ideas and Food. It celebrates what’s great and unique about our city, and our state and creates a uniquely Sydney experience. That’s why it’s been so popular over so many years.
“This year’s festival will have a variety of free and cost-effective events on offer to provide many opportunities for people to come together and celebrate.
“Last year, the festival achieved the biggest attendance on record and the largest visitor expenditure in its history, with more than 3.48 million attendees generating more than $206 million in visitor expenditure.
“We look forward to welcoming Sydneysiders and the world as they come and experience first-hand Sydney at its creative best at Vivid Sydney 2024.”
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said this year’s festival looks at how creativity fuels our interconnected world.
“Humanity is at the core of everything we do, and this year Vivid Sydney is diving deep into what makes us uniquely human,” Ms Minervini said.
“We have curated a diverse program that explores the human spirit, designed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Everyone is invited to be part of this global event in the world’s most beautiful city to connect, create and celebrate.”
Staged across Sydney, Vivid Sydney festival locations and venues include Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, State Library of New South Wales, Walsh Bay, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, Barangaroo, Darling Harbour, University of Technology Sydney, The Goods Line, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Carriageworks, and more.
Vivid Sydney 2024 will engage audiences across four pillars: Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food. Vivid Light will dazzle with large-scale projections, immersive experiences and interactive artworks. Witness a 40km stretch of rainbow lasers emanating from the Sydney Tower, a universal symbol of hope by US artist Yvette Mattern. Immerse yourself in the captivating display of the 2023 Archibald Prize winner, Julia Gutman, adorning the Sydney Opera House sails for Lighting of the Sails: Echo (2024). Reg Mombassa, Guan Wei, Leila Jeffreys and many more join the line-up, transforming the city into a dynamic open-air art gallery.
Vivid Music ignites the city with a curated program of live performances, concerts and DJ sets across diverse venues. Tumbalong Nights returns with a free program, featuring established and emerging artists including Budjerah, grentperez and Mallrat, while the newly opened Machine Hall Precinct pulsates with headliners like Deerhoof, Jen Cloher and No Fixed Address.
Vivid Ideas, a cornerstone of the festival, sparks curiosity with new ways to experience ideas – theatre, installations and engaging discussions are just the beginning. Engage in After The Fact, nightly discussions on current affairs, or peek into someone else’s window at Window Dressing and discover a universal human trait. Participate in unique experiences like A THOUSAND WAYS: An Encounter, which fosters connections with strangers; experience the immersive dance and art installation of Shifting Perspectives; or join influential Australians at the Golden Age of Humanity film screenings and discussions at Golden Age Cinema.
Vivid Food celebrates the diverse culinary landscape of Sydney and NSW. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns with delectable offerings at its new location, The Goods Line. A Culinary Canvas by Danielle Alvarez showcases women in Australian gastronomy, while Plates with Purpose offers a taste of Ukraine at Kyiv Social. Explore over 20 top chefs and restaurateurs at the VividPlace Food Trail or indulge in a bespoke bar snack and cocktail experience at Aurorae at Bennelong Bar.
Tickets go on sale on March 11 (AEDT). To learn more and stay updated about additions to the program, go to vividsydney.com.
Oravel Stays Ltd which operates travel tech brand OYOreported that it has doubled its profit after tax (PAT) sequentially in Q3 FY24 to ~INR 30 crore. The company had marked its maiden profitable quarter with a PAT of over ~INR 16 crore in Q2 FY24. OYO’s Founder & CEO, Ritesh Agarwal, during an employee townhall shared the update about this two-fold surge in profit. He said, “In the upcoming quarters, we anticipate a consistent rise in PAT, driven by enhanced patron confidence, improved customer experience (Cx), and favourable market conditions conducive to sustained growth.”
He also shared that the company clocked Adjusted EBITDA of ~INR 750 cr / $90mn in 2023 and expects to clock Adj EBITDA of ~INR 1000 cr / $120 mn in FY24, surpassing its earlier projected Adj EBITDA estimate of INR 800 cr for FY2024.
OYO’s revenue also grew by ~10% Y-o-Y in Q3 FY24. Agarwal also shared that OYO saw a ~27% increase in the number of hotels on its platform to 17K, over the last year. The company optimised its operating cost by 15% in Q3 FY24 vs same period. The company last filed its Annual Accounts for FY2023 and these updates are unaudited.
OYO recently concluded a debt buyback of INR 1620 crores. The back process involved the repurchase of 30% of OYO’s outstanding TLB due June 2026. Sources close to the transaction have indicated that OYO’s decision to retire debt reflects its commitment to reducing financial leverage and underlines the company’s robust financial performance. The company achieved operational profitability in FY2023 with an Adj. EBITDA of ~INR 275 crores, plans to fund future growth and expansion through its earnings.
Global credit rating agencies Fitch & Moody’s have termed OYO’s move to repurchase its outstanding debt as positive. Fitch wrote that this action will improve OYO’s EBITDAleverage and that they may take positive rating action. Moody’s doubled its Adj EBITDA estimate for FY2024 from $50 million (projected in May 2023) to $90- $100 million.
OYO recently announced its expansion plans in major spiritual hotspots across the country, fuelled by a surge in domestic travel and rising interest in spiritual tourism. OYO is gearing up to launch 400 properties in popular destinations like Ayodhya, Puri, Shirdi, Varanasi, Amritsar, Tirupati, Haridwar, Katra-Vaishno Devi, and the Char Dham route by the end of this 2024.
New Strategies for a Serene Trekking Vacation Unveiled
Altezza Travel, the largest operator of Mount Kilimanjaro tours, has released a comprehensive guide for 2024. The guide explores the crowding problem on Kilimanjaro climbing expeditions and offers expert guidance on crafting a memorable, crowd-free journey to the “Roof of Africa.”
Camp on Mt. KilimanjaroSunset on a Kilimanjaro Expedition in 2024 (Altezza Travel)
Mount Kilimanjaro rises 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, earning the title of Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain. Scaling the diverse climatic zones of this ancient volcano to stand on its iconic glacier-framed peak is on the bucket list of many adventurers.
In 2023, a record 61,527 trekkers set out to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. They were assisted by over 150,000 guides, porters, and cooks, essentially making Kilimanjaro one of the world’s busiest trekking destinations. However, it’s still very much possible to experience this stunning trek while enjoying its tranquil and scenic wilderness. Altezza Travel’s guide shares useful tips on how to do that.
Unlike many popular high-altitude mountains that have the problem of overcrowding, Kilimanjaro offers more options for those seeking a quiet trekking experience due to the variety of routes and their availability all year round.
During peak seasons, popular trails get crowded. For adventurers who seek the “authentic” Kilimanjaro experience – a tranquil trek with no other groups in sight, a new planning strategy is essential.
Altezza Travel reports that over 90% of climbers ascend during the dry seasons from late June to middle October, and from late December through late February. So, one key to a serene experience lies in the right timing. Climbing Kilimanjaro is possible all year round, even during the rainy seasons. However, Altezza has identified three sweet spots during transition seasons when favorable weather coincides with dramatically fewer crowds:
March 1-15June 1-20October 15-31
Route selection is equally critical. Eight classic trails ascent the volcano from different sides, varying in difficulty and popularity. The Lemosho route, once a quiet “hidden gem,” attracted 17,000+ trekkers in 2023, becoming the most popular path alongside the Marangu and Machame routes. Conversely, some trails like the Rongai route, while still being beginner-friendly, see over 10 times fewer hikers than Lemosho.
Interestingly, the day you start the climb also matters. To make the most of vacation time, many hikers arrive in Tanzania before the weekend and begin their ascent from Friday to Monday. However, a start on Wednesday or Thursday can mean encountering nearly half as many climbers compared to a Sunday start. Opting for less popular routes midweek can result in up to 20 times fewer hikers.
Thomas Becker, Expeditions Coordinator at Altezza Travel, shares his thoughts: “Choosing off-peak times for your Kilimanjaro climb not only ensures a tranquil experience but also contributes to the preservation of this pristine environment and provides work opportunities for the local communities during the tourism downtime.”
For tailored advice on Kilimanjaro treks, connect with Altezza Travel’s experts. They will be delighted to offer you detailed professional guidance.
About Altezza Travel Altezza Travel is a leading Destination Management Company in Tanzania and serves as the largest operator on Mount Kilimanjaro. Holding a #1 ranking on TripAdvisor, the company organizes nearly a thousand expeditions every year. Apart from leading the tourism industry in the region, Altezza Travel is proud to invest in local communities and champion sustainable tourism.
Contact Information Thomas Becker Expeditions Coordinator press@altezza.travel +255786350216
