Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com | 7 TRAVEL AGENT EDUCATION AND REWARDS PROGRAMME As we enter 2017 under the new management of AccorHotels, we're excited to offer your clients even more exceptional travel options— and more options for Famous Agents members, too! Choose the perfect holiday gifts with your reward points, from designer accessories to fitness equipment and more. And now get closer to your Wish List with our special bonus offer! From 1 October to 31 December 2016, earn double points on all qualified room nights you actualize at participating FRHI Hotels and Resorts' locations. It's our gift to you after a year of great work. For details, visit frhi.com/promo/giftsgalore Famous Agents can also earn points for reservations booked through wholesale partners. When booking directly, please book with the GDS chain code, FW. Wrap up the year with gifts you truly want We would like to thank all of our valued Famous Agents members for another successful year! Not a member of Famous Agents? Sign up today by visiting famousagents.frhi.com 12602_FRHI-FA-Q416-TW-Asia_FA.indd 1 2016-09-09 11:56 AM GW HIGHLIGHTS THAI's A350XWB awaiting approval to fly to Australia. DREAM CRUISES BRINGS SPACE TO SEA Dream Cruises, Asia's first Asian luxury cruise line, has revealed its 'Dreamscapes' programme of inspirational experiences for guests onboard its inaugural ship, Genting Dream – including a visit from a real- life astronaut. Dream Cruises has curated a programme of interactive guest activities and experiences that will be presented by a portfolio of world- class speakers. "We looked globally to identify and invite experts in various fields to bring our guests an inspired programme," said Dream Cruises' president Thatcher Brown. The programme will also feature epic stories from award-winning travel photographers and iconic explorers of land, sea and space. The ground-breaking campaign for the brand launch of Dream Cruises – the Mermaid's Dream - features a love-story between a mermaid and an astronaut that suggests, "breaking free of your boundaries to reach for your dreams". American astronaut Dr. Leroy Chiao has logged 229 days in space, and will deliver a truly unique view of the world. Space Exploration@Sea: The True Story of being an Astronaut, will see Dr. Chiao deliver a three-part storytelling experience of his time onboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. Genting Dream's maiden voyage on November 12 will see the first enrichment event Explore@Sea: The Silk Road, taking guests back in time on the historic trade route with National Geographic photographer Michael Yamashita. Others sharing their experiences include Juergen Freund, one of the world's top marine and wildlife photographers; kung-fu star JuJu Chan, and educational consultant Diederik van Renesse, who will advise families on how to manage the admissions process and selection of prep schools, colleges or universities in the U.S.. Genting Dream can have 3,400 guests in 1,674 staterooms. Guests are looked after by 2,000 crew members, the leading cruising crew to guest ratio in Asia. THE BEST OF TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA'S GLOBAL WRAP EDAILY DREAM CRUISES BRINGS SPACE TO SEA; THAI FORCE TO DELAY MELBOURNE A350 SERVICE Genting Dream's butlers greet guests in Hamburg. The Dream Mansion is a 'ship- within-a-ship' with two floors of suites featuring European-style butler service and exclusive privileges. THAI FORCE TO DELAY MELBOURNE A350 SERVICE Thai Airways International will delay the deployment of its first Airbus A350 XWB scheduled service to Melbourne because of additional inspections and requirements from Australian authorities. Thai Airways president Charamporn Jotikasthira said while awaiting approvals from Australia, the airline would operate the A350 between Bangkok-Chiang Mai and Bangkok-Phuket. Approval is expected end October.

• Cover