Category: Latest Travel News

La Romana, Dominican Republic, April 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Casa de Campo Resort & Villas – home to the Caribbean’s premier, luxury golf experiences, including the iconic Teeth of the Dog course – has received Golf Digest’s prestigious 2021 “Editors’ Choice Award” in the “Best Resorts in the Americas” (Caribbean / Bermuda category).

The Editors’ Choice Awards annually honors the “best of the best” in the golf industry across 30-plus categories. This is the fifth consecutive year Casa de Campo has received the coveted tribute. The legendary resort’s Teeth of the Dog course, Pete Dye’s masterpiece design, is additionally No. 32 in Golf Digest’s “World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses.”

• Discover the World’s Best Golf Courses – Top 25 Golf Courses.

“We’re thrilled to once again be recognized with this significant honor from such a leading industry publication as Golf Digest,” says Jason Kycek, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. “Accolades such as the Editors’ Choice Award are a prime example of the success of our never-ending quest to be in the highest echelons of the world’s finest golf destinations.”

Casa de Campo is currently offering its exceptional “Golf Buddies in Villa” stay-and-play package for spring getaways in paradise starting from $699 (per night, per villa) through April 30. The offer allows golf groups to enjoy a “world of their own” in a three to five-bedroom luxury villa with one daily round of golf (per person) on three celebrated Pete Dye designs: Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore or the Links.

Breakfast for the group is prepared right in the villa each morning along with daily housekeeping, dedicated concierge services, and free WiFi. Complimentary replay rounds are available daily on Dye Fore or the Links. A preferred replay rate is also available on Teeth of the Dog for $75 per person (plus taxes). For golf rounds, a shared cart and practice balls on the resort’s state-of-the-art range are also included.

The resort’s new world-class Golf Learning Center is a “must visit” when on property. Highlighted by Trackman and BODITRAK technology, it features two indoor hitting bays for rapid game improvement, year-round training, individual and group golf lessons and schools, and expert club-fitting and repair. Residing on 21 acres of “pure grass,” the PGA Tour-quality facility also showcases practice greens for honing putting, chipping, and pitching games as well as unlimited use of the pristine outdoor range for full shots. On-course instruction is also available.

In the aftermath of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the resort initiated its new “Casa Cares” program touching virtually every area of the property including significant investment in new equipment and employee training. The robust health and safety practices will continue to remain a top priority extend to updated procedures for its golf courses as well.

• Discover the World’s Best Golf Courses – Top 25 Golf Courses.

Casa de Campo additionally offers a COVID testing center at the resort if documentation is needed for return travel.

For more information on Casa de Campo Resort & Villas please call 800.877.3643

About Casa de Campo Resort & Villas
A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, 7,000-acre Casa de Campo attracts affluent travelers with 63 holes of exceptional golf. The Teeth of the Dog, Dye Fore and The Links courses – Conde Nast Traveler, Golf Digest, GOLF Magazine and Golfweek award winners – are designed by the legendary architect Pete Dye. They are complemented by spacious hotel rooms, suites and luxury villas. Expertly prepared cuisine from around the world, a 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, the La Terraza Tennis Center, 245-acre Shooting Club and Altos de Chavon – an artisan’s village modeled after a 16th century Mediterranean city – are other on-property highlights.

Getting There:  La Romana International Airport (LRM) is five minutes from Casa de Campo and serviced by JetBlue (direct flights from New York – JFK three times weekly) and seasonally by American Airlines (non-stop service from Miami). A short drive from the resort, Santo Domingo (SDQ) and Punta Cana (PUJ) operate daily direct flights from all major North American airports.

 

London, United Kingdom, April 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / S Hotels and Resorts Public Company Limited (SET: SHR), the flagship hospitality arm of Singha Estate PCL (SET: S), has disclosed its intention to divest a selection of its underperforming hotel assets in the United Kingdom, as part of its strategy to optimise its UK portfolio and maximise returns.

The company announced today that it intends to enter into a sale agreement for the 73-key Mercure Newbury Elcot Park. S Hotels & Resorts in the amount of GBP 4.25 million (equivalent to THB 182 million). In addition, the company is also considering to dispose up to five other UK hotels in the portfolio which have been identified as non-core assets. Proceed from sales will be used to reinvest in the renovation of core hotel assets in the portfolio to lift up the product and potentially enhance their profitability.

Mr. Dirk De Cuyper, Chief Executive Officer of S Hotels & Resorts, revealed that the transaction forms part of the company’s portfolio enhancement strategy comprises three elements:

1. Asset enhancement: the company is evaluating to put capex to renovate core hotel assets – the asset that provides consistently solid performance and could generate higher EBITDA with proper enhancement program.  These enhancements will boost the hotels’ competitive advantage and extend the profitability of those properties.

1. Asset disposal: the company intends to dispose of some assets that have limitation on profit generation, but potentially can be sold at market price. The company targets the sale of 4-6 hotels which fall under these criteria and is currently in negotiations for potential buyers. The transactions are expected to be completed in 2021-2022.

1. Assets optimization: 60% of the portfolio is fallen into this category. We would seek further opportunities to enhance the efficiency of this group to allow the asset to become a core asset e.g. conversion of leasehold to freehold assets.

“Strategically, we believe the optimal number of hotels in this portfolio should be around 20-21 hotels and in the medium to long run we wish to uplift the EBITDA performance of this portfolio back to the peak level of GBP 18 million (THB 720 million equivalent).

“This is a part of our strategic direction to focus on maximising our portfolio returns and creating value for the company and its investors.” Mr. De Cuyper commented.

n February 2021, S Hotels & Resorts invested THB 560 million to purchase additional 50% stakes in 26 of its 29 UK hotels, raising its total ownership of these properties to 100%. This marked a significant commitment to the UK, reflecting the company’s confidence in the future of the country’s hospitality sector. S Hotels & Resorts believes that ongoing international travel restrictions and the UK’s successful vaccination programme will drive domestic tourism demand in 2021, followed by the recovery of inter-regional travel from 2022.

Geneva, Switzerland, April 24, 2021 / AIRLINEHUB by TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that the Single European Sky (SES) project to reform Europe’s air traffic management system faces collapse if European states do not support the European Commission’s proposals to reboot the stalled initiative.

“The European Commission has been trying to deliver the benefits of SES since the early 2000s. But state inaction has meant that none of its targets have been met. New legislation, as proposed by the Commission, is the only way to force the reform and improvements that are desperately needed. But the intransigence and selfishness of key EU states and their air navigation service providers (ANSPs) threatens to collapse the latest Commission effort,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

The SES is vital for a safe, sustainable, and efficient European air transport industry. Among its benefits are:

• An improvement in safety performance by a factor of ten
• Greater capacity and fewer delays, giving a EUR 245 billion boost to Europe’s GDP and a million extra jobs annually from 2035
• A 10% cut in EU aviation emissions, supporting the European Green Deal.

“The COVID-19 crisis makes the efficiency gains of the SES more critical than ever. And the climate crisis makes the sustainability benefits essential. Europe talks a good game about the importance of sustainability and competitiveness. It’s time to put action behind those words with the SES. If the combined weight of the climate crisis and the COVID-19 crisis are not sufficiently compelling drivers for SES, it’s hard to know what could be,” said Walsh.

The SES has so far failed because ANSPs have had inadequate targets and insufficient independent oversight. The Commission’s proposal provides a remedy by giving regulators the power to enforce robust performance targets. IATA strongly supports the efforts of the Commission and some reform-minded states in a package that includes:

• The creation of powerful, independent national economic regulators, and an EU-wide regulatory agency, and
• The strengthening of the pan-European Network Manager to improve efficiency, which will help cut delays and emissions.

“Air traffic control is a monopoly business. In every other business sector, monopoly suppliers are subjected to strong independent regulation—but not in air traffic control. European states make grandiose statements about climate action yet refuse to back common-sense reforms that would force ANSPs to make routings more efficient. And, oblivious to the EUR 27 billion collective loss made by European airlines last year, Europe’s ANSPs are demanding further price increases while sitting on at least EUR 2.5 billion of cash. This is pure madness. But, instead of driving solutions at this critical time, many states are positioning to block reforms and we are in serious danger of moving backwards,” said Walsh.

Many European states are considering blocking the reforms in favor of an alternative vision which will weaken the targets and regulatory oversight from what is currently in place. This is completely unacceptable and could collapse the entire package of reforms.

“Such a catastrophic failure of the Commission’s proposal would take years to recover from. We would have lost a real opportunity for change when it is vitally needed. And the environment and the European economy will pay a high price for that, along with travelers and airlines. It’s time for states to put an end to years of short-sighted political maneuvering and administrative paralysis and support the Commission’s proposal to finally deliver a Single European Sky,” said Walsh.

IATA calls on the transport ministers to adopt at the next Transport Council on 3 June a more ambitious general approach in line with the Commission’s proposal.

Madrid, Spain, April 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announce a Destination Tracker in preparation for the restart of international travel. It is the result of both organizations joining efforts to boost confidence and accelerate recovery of the tourism sector when borders reopen. The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is a new free online tool for governments to provide information on COVID-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination.

The tool is available through the websites of both organizations and will provide information on:

• COVID-19 Indicators including infection rates, positivity rates, and vaccination roll out by destination/country.
• Air Travel Regulations, including test and quarantine requirements, provided by IATA’s Timatic solution.
• Destination Measures, including general health and safety requirements such as use of masks, transit through a country, curfew, or regulations related to restaurants and attractions, provided by national tourism organizations.

The Destination Tracker will fulfil a key need by providing clarity on COVID-19 measures affecting tourism. The situation for travelers is complex with UNWTO data showing that one in three destinations remains closed to tourists. Moreover, restrictions and in-country measures are continuously being revised.

We trust this tool is also critical for governments to track existing travel restrictions and support the safe restart of our sector

Governments can use the Destination Tracker to post COVID-19 travel information so that potential travelers will know what to expect at their destination. When fully populated with updated destination information, travel stakeholders including Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and travel agencies, will be able to obtain the latest destination information, enabling travelers to make informed decisions when borders reopen and travel resumes. The development of the Tracker framework is now complete. Up-to-date information on COVID-19 indicators and air travel regulations is available and systematically updated. Destination information is being progressively uploaded, expanded and updated with official sources as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “UNWTO is pleased to reinforce its partnership with IATA, a UNWTO Affiliate Member, to provide this important tool. Travelers and companies will be able to check requirements in place for air travel, as well as what measures will be in place at the visited destination. We trust this tool is also critical for governments to track existing travel restrictions and support the safe restart of our sector.”

“It has been more than a year since the freedom to travel was lost as COVID-19 measures saw borders close. When governments have the confidence to re-open borders people will be eager to travel. And they will need accurate information to guide them. With the support of national tourism organizations, the UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker will help travelers and travel companies obtain the latest information for travel planning,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General.

The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker builds on the existing partnership between the two parties. In October 2020, UNWTO and IATA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together to restore confidence in international air travel. The agreement will also see the two agencies partner to foster innovation to drive the restart of tourism, promote greater public-private collaboration in the field of aviation and the tourism sector in general, and advance progress already made towards achieving greater sustainability and resilience.

Andorra, April 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The unique power of tourism to drive sustainable development was made clear as UNWTO took part in the 27th Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government in Andorra.

With a special focus on the role of innovation in sustainable development, the hybrid summit united leaders of the 22 Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries of Latin America and Europe. Held against this backdrop, the Ibero-American Business Meeting brough together top executives from the region’s top companies, including from the banking and aviation sectors. Addressing this meeting, UNWTO highlighted its leading role in addressing the key challenges facing tourism. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted the sector’s proven economic and social importance to all the participating countries and reiterated his strong call for clear leadership, coordination and joined-up action.

Coordinated restart and recovery

Coordinate the introduction of protocols for safe international travel to avoid adding uncertainty and undermining confidence

With tourism a pillar of development and employment in all Ibero-American economies, Mr Pololikashvili underscored “the opportunity for tourism to help us grow back better”. At the same time, he pointed to the pressing need to “coordinate the introduction of protocols for safe international travel to avoid adding uncertainty and undermining confidence”. The ‘Digital Green Pass’, which aims to restart tourism in the European Union by June or July, “should be an example for other global regions and countries to follow; the cost of more chaos is simply too high not to”, he added.

UNWTO outlined its new Destination Tracker, produced in partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to address uncertainty and lack of confidence in travel. Participants were also informed of UNWTO’s enhanced partnerships with international finance organizations to ensure tourism jobs and businesses receive the support they need in this time of crisis. Looking ahead, UNWTO’s work with the Inter-American Development Bank and with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will help ensure the restart of tourism delivers benefits for rural communities on both sides of the Atlantic.

Leaders united

The UNWTO Delegation joined His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain, alongside the Head of Government of Andorra, Espot Zamora, the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and the President de of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei, in Andorra for the biennial meeting. Leaders from across the other 17 Member States of the Ibero-American Community, as well as its Associate Observers and Consultative Observers from international organizations, joined in the proceedings virtually.

The Andorra summit followed on from high-level meetings between the UNWTO leadership and the Presidents of both the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. On the day before the start of the summit, President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, and the President de of Guatemala, Alejandro Giammattei both paid official visits to the UNWTO headquarters in Madrid.

In these meetings, UNWTO stressed the importance of cooperation in restarting tourism in a joined-up manner. The importance of tourism to both countries was also highlighted, including not just the sector’s economic importance but its contributions to rural development and the opportunities it creates for indigenous communities.

Miami, Florida, United States, April 21, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The annual Economic Impact Report (EIR) from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector suffered a significant loss of $766 billion* in 2020.

In 2019, the U.S. Travel & Tourism sector accrued a GDP of nearly $1.9 trillion. However, WTTC’s research found that in 2020, a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic devastated the industry, the country saw a 41% decrease to the sector’s GDP contribution. With the U.S. being the largest Travel & Tourism economy in the world, the country’s recovery plays an important role in the rebound of the sector on a global level.

According to the report, Travel & Tourism supported more than 16.5 million jobs (10.5% of total U.S. employment) in 2019. In 2020, Travel & Tourism jobs within the U.S. declined 33.2% to 11.1 million (7.5% of total U.S. employment). Globally, the sector saw a decrease of a staggering 62 million (18.5%) jobs in 2020 alone.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO WTTC, said: “Travel & Tourism plays a pivotal role in supplying both jobs and financial gains to the overall U.S. economy. The industry’s decline due to the pandemic has been felt across the board for families, business owners, and tour operators who rely on a thriving sector for their livelihood. A restart of international travel will create more employment opportunities and empower a resurgence of the country’s economy. Our research shows that if mobility and international travel resumes by summer this year, the sector’s contribution to global Travel & Tourism GDP could rise sharply in 2021.”

International and domestic travel play a key role in the U.S. economy regaining strength. The loss in traveler spend and unemployment, has been felt across the entire country, with Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), which make up 80% of all Travel & Tourism businesses, significantly impacted. Furthermore, as one of the world’s most diverse sectors, the impact on women, youth and minorities was significant.

The revival of Travel & Tourism businesses in the U.S. private sector will boost gains across the industry as a key component to the overall financial contributions that move public initiatives and campaigns forward.

The country’s domestic travel spend saw less of a drastic change with a decrease of 37.1%, while international visitor spend dropped by 76.7% in 2020 – decreasing from $181.2 billion in 2019, to just $42.2 billion in 2020.

The U.S. market and global Travel & Tourism sector is steadily trending in the right direction for recovery due to the efforts of the Biden administration. The $14 billion allocated to airlines, as stipulated in the earlier announced American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, coupled with the rapid pace of vaccine rollouts, presents opportunities for companies within the sector to regain losses and reinstate job positions across the industry.

“WTTC applauds the Biden administration’s swift action to effectively fight against COVID-19 through a robust vaccine rollout, firm stance on mask wearing to prevent further spread, and providing a much-needed stimulus to the Travel & Tourism sector. These steps are crucial in restarting international travel and reinvigorating the U.S. economy through the travel sector,” continued Gloria Guevara, President & CEO WTTC.

WTTC believes that if international travel is resumed by June this year, it will provide the boost necessary to bring back job opportunities in the U.S. and jumpstart gains in the economy.

The global tourism body also believes that public and private collaboration is key to reviving the sector, and following the recent meeting with business leaders, WTTC is confident that the Biden administration will continue to work closely with the private sector in its efforts to restore international travel.

“WTTC supports the recent announcements by the CDC regarding the effectiveness with vaccinations that will allow travelers to move around safely and hopes to see the health organization get behind a more standardized approach to help travel restart safely and seamlessly. While the vaccine rollout across the U.S. has started to boost confidence in travel again, WTTC strongly believes that the key to safely unlocking the sector by this summer, and in turn reviving millions of jobs, lies within a comprehensive testing regime for non-vaccinated travelers, mandatory mask wearing, and enhanced health and hygiene protocols across the board,” continued Gloria Guevara, President & CEO WTTC.

The safe reopening of the Travel & Tourism sector within the U.S. and globally is the pathway forward. A clear and consistent framework around comprehensive testing pre-departure for all non-vaccinated travelers, enhanced health and safety protocols, and mandatory mask wearing will work to restart the sector.

* Figure represents the total T&T GDP loss; which includes direct, indirect and induced impacts.

Pattaya, Thailand, April 21, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Cross Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading hotel operator, recently signed a significant hotel management agreement with Kasetsinn Co., Ltd. to open Cross Pattaya Phratamnak. In the face of the ongoing pandemic, Cross Hotels & Resorts continues to carve a leadership role in the hospitality sector as it once again proves that being agile in the marketplace pays dividends.

Cross Pattaya Phratamnak will be the first property after their luxury brand renaming from X2 (Cross To) to Cross. Synonymous with travel and the crossing of oceans, continents and countries, Cross’ pillars of core beliefs include natural inspiration, signature design and an uncompromised spirit of service. The brand’s signature properties bring to the market a new level of luxury that is intertwined with a strong sense community to encompass a borderless experience for savvy and financially independent travellers.

“I am pleased to announce that our agreement with Kasetsinn Co., Ltd. opens up a host of new opportunities for us. Presently, our lean and resilient business model gives us the manoeuvrability to act quickly. I firmly believe our clear branding and global distribution value proposition has allowed us to maximize benefits for all concerned parties,” said Harry Thaliwal, CEO, Cross Hotels & Resorts.

Cross Pattaya Phratamnak sits majestically on a strategic headland overlooking the Gulf of Thailand and is surrounded by verdant woodlands. Set to open in August 2021, Cross Pattaya Phratamnak features 78 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, plus a wellness spa, fitness centre, kids club, swimming pool, beach house, fine dining restaurant and bar, and state-of-the-art meeting facilities.

“We view this agreement with Cross Hotels & Resorts as an important deal as it is the first time we have developed an asset of this nature. The hospitality industry is built on trust and we believe we have found the perfect partner with the strongest brand image to drive this amazing hotel to both the domestic and global marketplace. Cross Hotels & Resorts has an extraordinary portfolio of existing properties and I am honoured to be part of the family,” said Thop Chandraprasert, Managing Director of Kasetsinn Co., Ltd.

Cross Hotels & Resorts currently operates 21 hotels across three distinct brands – Cross, Cross Vibe and Away – in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.

About Cross Hotels & Resorts
Cross Hotels & Resorts is an international hotel management company wholly owned by the ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG). FCTG is one of the world’s largest and progressive travel companies, incorporating diverse worldwide distribution, in destination travel experiences such as transport and touring as well as hotel management solutions. Cross Hotels & Resorts also delivers owner services all the way from the very early sourcing and planning stages of a development, through technical services during build, to pre-opening services and finally professional ongoing hotel management.

Kampala, Uganda, April 21, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / In line with UWA mandate of protecting wildlife resources in Uganda as per the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019, UWA has taken over full charge of Security of the Rhinos at Ziwa Sanctuary in Nakasongola district in order to secure the rhinos at the sanctuary.

For this to be effectively done, UWA has, with immediate effect, closed Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary to the public and as such, no tourism activities will be undertaken until further notice.

The closure has been triggered by the persistent misunderstandings between Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranches (ZRWR), the owners of the land where the rhinos are being bred, and Rhino Fund Uganda (RFU), an NGO that has been managing the rhinos at the Sanctuary. UWA realized that the conflict could potentially compromise the safety of the rhinos and took this decision to avert the threat. Therefore, the closure is a temporary measure as government engages the two parties with a view of mooting a lasting solution to the conflict.

UWA is not party to the conflicts between Ziwa and Wildlife Ranches and Rhino Fund Uganda and we reiterate our impartiality in the matter while stressing our mandate as an institution established to protect Uganda’s wildlife heritage.

Uganda Wildlife Authority
Tel: +256-41-4355000, +256-31-2355000
Fax: +256-41-4346291
E-Mail: info@wildlife.go.ug
Website: www.ugandawildlife.org

Geneva, Switzerland, April 21, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Unilabs, the leading European diagnostic services provider, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the trade association for the world’s airlines, have signed an agreement to incorporate Unilabs’ worldwide Covid-19 testing network into IATA Travel Pass.

The agreement will make Unilabs one of the first major lab groups to be integrated into IATA’s Travel Pass app. Proof of a negative Covid-19 test is required by many governments as a condition of entry, and the app makes the process seamless, secure, and easy.

“Covid-19 testing will play a role in re-starting international travel. Travelers will need to understand test requirements, locate labs, verify their identity to the lab and transfer their test results to relevant parties – airlines and governments – as needed. Our partnership with Unilabs will give travellers access to Unilabs’ extensive network and help them securely and efficiently manage their test results,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

“We are delighted that IATA has chosen us for this initiative,” said Michiel Boehmer, Unilabs’ President and COO. “As international travel starts coming back, we are ready to do our bit – delivering the fast, effective, and reliable Covid-19 tests that will get people moving again.”

IATA Travel Pass provides information on entry requirements, directs travellers to trusted labs, and allows passengers to receive and manage digital certificates for Covid-19 tests or vaccinations.

Unilabs will be able to securely upload test results in IATA Travel Pass, which are then checked against the IATA Timatic global registry of national health requirements, to produce an “OK to Travel” status. Through the app, passengers can share their status and the digital test certificates with authorities, airports, and airlines.

Unilabs and IATA are currently running a pilot program in the UAE. Once the processes are successfully up and running, the initiative will be rolled out to other entities of the Unilabs network in many countries.

Alongside PCR tests, Unilabs also performs antigen and serology tests. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the lab group has performed close to 10 million Covid-19 tests across its network in 17 countries.

Paris, France, April 20, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Vietjet President and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has been awarded the Legion of Honour from the French Government at the France Embassy in Vietnam. The award ceremony was attended by diplomats, high-ranking dignities from Vietnamese Government and business leaders in Hanoi on April 14, 2021.

The Legion of Honour, founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, is the most prestigious, long-standing and highest order of merit awarded by the French government to individuals and organizations to acknowledge one’s special contributions.

At the ceremony, the French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery presented the Legion of Honour to Madame Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao – the first self-made female billionaire in Southeast Asia and also the first Vietnamese businesswoman to receive this honor.

As the Chairwoman of Sovico Group, President and CEO of Vietjet, Madame Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has made outstanding contributions to promoting economic, cultural, development cooperation, making strong highlights in the strategic partnership, economic cooperation between Vietnam, Europe and France, especially in aerospace industry.

At the ceremony, Ambassador Nicolas Warnery honored the contributions of Madame Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, highly appreciated her vision, wisdom and business philosophy for the development of the community. He extended his gratitude to the businesses led by Madame Thao such as Sovico, Vietjet, HDBank, etc. for always accompanying and cooperating with French businesses and the French people, especially during the period affected by Covid-19. Achievements of the businesses led by female billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao in the fields of finance, aviation, real estate, and international trade are admired by international friends and contribute to the economic development in Vietnam as well as in the world.

On the Vietnamese side, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung remarked at the ceremony: “Congratulations to Madame Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao for the noble award that the French government has presented today. Vietnam is proud of the good values of a strongly developed Vietnam that business community in which Madame Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao is a typical female representative have joined hands to build”.

Madame Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao extended her thanks to the French government and people, French President Emmanuel Macron, the former French Ambassadors to Vietnam as well as Ambassador Nicolas Warnery. She also thanked everyone who has been supporting and cooperating closely with her personally as well as businesses such as Sovico, Vietjet, HDBank, etc. in the past time, achieving great business results.

The Legion of Honour is the most recent award that female billionaire Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao has received. She is one of the few Vietnamese businesswomen who have received many domestic and international awards such as Asia’s Most Influential People for her philanthropy awarded by Tatler magazine, one of 100 Asian economic transformers voted by Business Insider Australia magazine, top 100 most powerful women in the world, most powerful female leaders in Asia, the Best Businesswoman Award in ASEAN, Asia-Pacific CEO of The Year 2019 voted by the world business community, etc. She was also included in a case study for teaching and research at Harvard University – USA.

Sovico Group, under her leadership, has pioneered to become an official partner of the United Nations, together with member organizations such as UNESCO, UN-Habitat, UNIDO Vietnam and international, etc.

The Chief Representative of UNESCO in Vietnam Michael Croft expressed his admiration to the President and CEO of Vietjet: “Madame Thao has clearly shown a preeminent vision beyond ordinary business thinking. She understands that the honest business philosophy and corporate responsibility are the foundation to go beyond financial strength. This is probably due to her in-depth understanding of the role of businesses in a large society and her kind heart alongside her overwhelming vision”.

About Vietjet
The 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.

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, the airline was awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars in 2018, 2019, and 2020 by the world’s only safety and product rating website airlineratings.com and listed as one of the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations by Airfinance Journal in 2018 and 2019. The airline has also been named as Best Low-Cost Carrier by renowned organizations such as Skytrax, CAPA, Airline Ratings, and many others.

Thai Vietjet is cooperating with Vietjet to extend its flight network and provide more opportunities for travellers in the world to discover Thailand and many other countries. Currently the airline operates 14 domestic routes from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai, Khon-kaen, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani, Udon Thani plus the direct flight from Chiang Rai to Phuket, Hat Yai, and Udon Thani, direct flight from Chiang Mai to Nakhon Si Thammarat, 8 routes connecting Thailand and Vietnam such as Bangkok to Da Lat/ Da Nang, and more international routes from Thailand to mainland China.