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Malaysia Airlines unveils exclusive Business Class offers and additional privileges

Malaysia Airlines is offering exclusive Business Class fares starting from just INR 37,999 (all-in return) to a variety of enchanting destinations as the gateway to Asia and beyond. The sales period runs until 23 July 2024, for immediate travel up to 30 June 2025. Passengers can enjoy the airline’s Business Class fare offering for a premium travel experience, which comes with a generous check-in baggage allowance of 40 kg, two cabin baggage allowances of 7 kg each, free seat selection, priority check-in, baggage handling, as well as access to the airline’s exclusive Golden Lounges at KL International Airport Terminal 1. Additionally, travellers can enjoy an extra 5 per cent off until 23 July on flights purchased on the airline’s official website and mobile application for travel until 31 August 2024. Explore Malaysia’s hidden gems, the stunning beaches and majestic Mount Kinabalu in Kota Kinabalu (BKI), the rich cultural heritage of Kuching (KCH), the delicious cuisine and historic sites of Penang (PEN), the tropical paradise of islands and nature in Langkawi (LGK), and Miri (MYY), the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Gunung Mulu National Park. For international adventures, travellers can seize the opportunity to visit vibrant Hong Kong (HKG), the dynamic city of Seoul (ICN), the bustling metropolis of Tokyo (NRT), cosmopolitan Singapore (SIN), and the lively capital of Thailand Bangkok (BKK) with equally compelling offers. Now, travellers from Ahmedabad, Trivandrum, and Amritsar can also enjoy more convenient travel options, offering seamless connectivity and experiencing the renowned Malaysian Hospitality Economy Class travellers can also take advantage of the attractive deals, featuring a 10% discount on purchasing ancillary bundles such as value bundles, premium bundles, and MH Traveller’s Trio bundle, which includes a standard seat, 10kg extra baggage, and access to the KLIA Golden Lounge. Whether you’re exploring domestic treasures or venturing to international hubs, travellers can choose from a myriad of destinations within Malaysia Airlines’ global network, all while indulging in the comfort and convenience on board Malaysian Hospitality.

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Assam’s 700-yr-old Moidams to be considered for World Heritage List

The 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty — the Moidams from Assam — will be considered for nomination on the World Heritage List next week during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in New Delhi on Sunday. If the nomination comes through, it will become the first cultural site on the prestigious list from the northeastern region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 46th session of WHC, which is being held in India for the first time. The event, to be held at Bharat Mandapam from July 21 to 31, brings together culture ministers, representatives and stakeholders from around the world to discuss the preservation of shared cultural, natural and mixed heritage. The nomination dossier for the Moidams was sent more than a decade ago and is presently on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the first step towards the monument becoming a part of the final list. Assam, Assam Moidams, Assam Moidams World Heritage List, Ahom dynasty, World Heritage Committee (WHC), Indian express news, current affairsThe Moidams in Assam. File picture The 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty — the Moidams from Assam — will be considered for nomination on the World Heritage List next week during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in New Delhi on Sunday. If the nomination comes through, it will become the first cultural site on the prestigious list from the northeastern region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 46th session of WHC, which is being held in India for the first time. The event, to be held at Bharat Mandapam from July 21 to 31, brings together culture ministers, representatives and stakeholders from around the world to discuss the preservation of shared cultural, natural and mixed heritage. The nomination dossier for the Moidams was sent more than a decade ago and is presently on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the first step towards the monument becoming a part of the final list. It is among 28 sites proposed for inscription on the List, to be examined according to category: natural, mixed and cultural. Besides, the committee will also discuss the state of conservation of the 124 sites already inscribed on the World Heritage List, 57 of which are also on the list of World Heritage in Danger. Till date, the World Heritage Committee has inscribed 1,199 sites in 168 countries on the list. India has 44 of its sites on the list.

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Air India partners with The Bicester Collection, passengers to get luxurious dining, shopping experience

Air India has announced a partnership with The Bicester Collection, a renowned designer outlet shopping center located on the outskirts of Bicester, as part of its Flying Returns loyalty program. This collaboration offers customers reward points on shopping and dining experiences at The Bicester Collection’s nine open-air luxury shopping Villages in Western Europe. Flying Returns members can now earn 5 points for every GBP 4 or EUR 4 spent at any of The Bicester Collection’s Villages, which are conveniently located within an hour or less from major cities such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, Milan, Munich, Brussels, Dublin, Madrid, and Barcelona, ANI reported. To collect reward points, members need to present their Air India Flying Returns digital membership card along with their receipts at Concierge Services in the Villages. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our ongoing efforts to make the ‘reimagined’ Flying Returns a more robust and faster rewarding program. Adding The Bicester Collection to our rapidly growing network of ‘earn’ partners offers our loyal guests even more opportunities to accumulate points for the experiences they value,” said Sunil Suresh, Head of Marketing, Loyalty, and E-commerce at Air India. “The demand for luxury shopping among Indians continues to boom at a record pace, with Indians now being among the highest spenders during their travels across the world. We are also excited to offer the benefits of this collaboration to our growing base of loyal guests across Europe, providing many new ways of collecting Flying Returns points beyond just taking flights to and within India,” Suresh added. Laurent Vinay, Chief Brand and Communication Officer at The Bicester Collection, stated, “Air India aims to provide unparalleled Indian hospitality and customized service, aligning with The Bicester Collection’s values of offering an elevated experience. Air India is the most well-connected carrier in India, with flights to every European country where The Bicester Collection has a Village. Together, we can create wonderful experiences for our customers, making lasting and meaningful memories for all our guests.” Also Read: 25,000 job seekers end up in stampede-like situation at Air India Airport Services’ recruitment drive in Mumbai This announcement is part of Air India’s ongoing effort to transform its Flying Returns program, which recently underwent a significant revamp in April. The updated program now features a simplified structure, more customer-friendly features, renamed tiers, and an updated identity. The points collection model has shifted from miles-based to a more equitable spend-based approach, providing members with instant global status and privileges worldwide. Over the past 18 months, Air India has added over 50 partners to the Flying Returns program, enhancing ease, rewards, and recognition for its members. Air India serves Europe with 94 weekly non-stop flights to India from 10 locations: Amsterdam Schiphol, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Milan Malpensa, Paris CDG, Vienna, and Zurich. As it continues to expand its global presence, Air India has been increasing its European operations, recently inaugurating flights to Zurich and planning additional flights to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Milan this month.

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IndiGo to start direct flights from Mangaluru, Coimbatore & Tiruchirappalli to Abu Dhabi

IndiGo will launch direct flights from Mangaluru, Coimbatore, and Tiruchirappalli to Abu Dhabi. The flights on the Abu Dhabi to Mangaluru route will operate daily, from August 9, and the Tiruchirappalli to Abu Dhabi will operate four times a week, starting from August 11. Starting from August 10, the direct flights from Coimbatore will operate thrice weekly. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “With the addition of these flights, IndiGo now operates 89 non-stop flights a week to Abu Dhabi from 13 cities in India. These flights will provide smooth and convenient options for business as well as leisure travel to the UAE and further add to the gateways for travellers to explore the wonderful island city and beyond.”

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Japan eases entry for travellers with new preclearance system, faster immigration processing as tourist wave hits record

oreign visitors arriving in Japan may get to breeze through immigration soon as the country looks for new ways to amplify a tourism boom that is boosting its economy. The government will introduce a new preclearance system from next January, starting with tourists from Taiwan, NHK reported Friday. Visitors will be able to complete most of their immigration screening before departure to help shorten the time taken for entry procedures on arrival, according to the broadcaster. The decision comes with record numbers of tourists already visiting the country. Around 17.8 million people visited in the first half, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. June also marked the fourth straight month with more than 3 million travelers. The slump in the yen has turned Japan from a pricey bucket-list trip to a relatively inexpensive tourism and shopping destination. At a meeting to promote tourism on Friday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared that ¥8 trillion ($51 billion) of spending by foreign visitors is within sight in 2024. “It’s critical to promote the number of visitors to local regions, while preventing and keeping control of overtourism,” Kishida told a ministerial council. The prime minister called for the use of technology to ease congestion at airports, travel networks and popular destinations. He’s also seeking to boost the attractiveness of Japan’s national parks and promote sports tourism, as part of the government’s goal to reach 60 million visitors annually by 2030. Underscoring booming inbound travel demand, ANA Holdings Inc. said it will start three European routes from Haneda this winter starting with Milan in December, Stockholm in January and Istanbul in February. “We will continue to expand our network” All Nippon Airways President Shinichi Inoue said at a news conference Friday. In addition, ANA started daily flights to Paris and Munich in July ahead of the Paris Olympics and plans to restart its Haneda-Vienna route in August. Japan’s airports have been dealing with a jet-fuel shortage that has impacted foreign carriers seeking to increase flights to the country. While efforts are in place to ease the shortage by boosting production and imports, Kishida called on the council to take urgent measure to secure supplies. The influx is providing a boost to Japan’s fragile economy. The currency hit a 38-year low against the dollar earlier this month as the gap in interest rates between Japan and the US continues to keep downward pressure on the currency. While the weakness in the yen is attracting tourists and shoppers to Japan, it is also fueling the strongest inflation cycle in decades, a factor that is dragging on domestic consumer spending. Foreign visitors spent ¥2.14 trillion yen in the April-June quarter, according to figures released by the Japan Tourism Agency on Friday. There has also been a growing backlash among some locals annoyed by the ever-increasing influx. Kyoto’s local district council has banned visitors from the narrow private streets of the Gion district, while local authorities in Fujikawaguchiko erected a barrier to stop tourists from taking photos at a convenience store with Mt. Fuji in the background.

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KTO launches ‘Korea Super 30’ packages with educator Anand Kumar

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Anand Kumar, the esteemed educator and founder of the Super 30 program. Renowned for his commitment to education, KTO’s collaboration with the Padma Shree awardee, introduces the ‘Korea Super 30’ edutainment travel packages. Designed to blend cultural exploration with academic enrichment, this initiative offers young learners a transformative experience in South Korea. Kumar has also been named the Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism, tasked with promoting South Korea as a premier destination for international travel and education through December 2024. To mark the inaugural batch and to celebrate this collaboration, KTO is hosting an exciting contest. Three winners will embark on an all-expense-paid edutainment journey to South Korea alongside Kumar himself. “Through our collaboration with Mr. Anand Kumar and the launch of ‘Korea Super 30’ edutainment travel packages, we are excited to offer young Indian students a unique opportunity to discover Korea’s rich cultural heritage and academic insights. This initiative reflects KTO’s commitment to fostering educational exchange and cultural understanding. We eagerly anticipate the enthusiastic response from participants for this contest as they explore Korea’s vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and delightful cuisine, creating lasting memories,” said Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India & SAARC Countries, KTO. Interested parents can nominate their children by visiting the Visit Korea website and filling out the application form. Eligible participants must be Indian nationals residing in India, aged 14-18, and students up to class 12 with a valid passport. The last date to apply is 28th July 2024, 1800 hrs IST. Winners of the contest will be announced on 2nd August 2024. For any questions or further information, interested applicants can email at india@knto.or.kr. KTO India has partnered with PickYourTrail, a renowned online travel agency, to promote and sell the Korea Super 30 travel packages. The packages, running with fixed departures until December 2024, will accommodate 30 students per batch, ensuring a comprehensive, budget-friendly, and well-organized travel experience.

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