Oceania

Four Points by Sheraton Melbourne Docklands (pictured above) Location: Part of the Marina Tower complex on Pearl River Road, in Melbourne’s Docklands area Grade: Midscale Keys: 273…

Marriott International has unveiled plans to launch its Four Points by Sheraton brand in New Zealand. The company has penned a deal for the Four Points by Sheraton Auckland, which is…

New Chinese connection for Thailand's Hat Yai Where? Kunming (China) to Hat Yai, pictured (Thailand) When? Three times a week, effective 1 April 2017 Who? Kunming Airlines Why?…

The Game Changer ProjectWe are excited to announce our Executive Village editor,  Chicke Fitzgerald has launched new site to allow her supporters to have early access to her book and other…

Q: Tell us about smarTours.  A: Founded in 1996, smarTours is dedicated to providing high-quality yet great value travel experiences all over the world. Our trips cover the most interesting…

Travel 2 is giving agents the chance to win one of 15 places on its upcoming FAM to Australia’s sunshine state as part of its latest campaign – ‘I Know Just the Place’. The worldwide…

It will soon be more convenient to travel between India and the Asia Pacific region, following the formation of a new partnership between two airlines. India's Jet Airways and…

Travel 2 is giving agents the chance to win a holiday for two to New Zealand with Business Premier seats as part of its latest campaign – ‘Discover New Zealand, Uncover the World’. …

Fiji Airways achieved its largest ever pre-tax profit last year, as the company reaped the rewards of its modernisation plan. The group generated a total of FJ$84.5 million (US$40.3m)…

Little Tai Hang Location: In the Tai Hang neighbourhood of Hong Kong, close to Causeway Bay and Victoria Park Grade: Upscale Keys: 91, including serviced apartments Facilities:…

A woman suffered burns to her face after her headphones caught fire on a flight to Australia. Channel NewsAsia reports that the passenger was listening to her own battery-operated…

Australia's Gold Coast set a new record for international tourism last year, attracting 1.03 million visitors in the 12 months to December 2016. The latest International Visitor…

With visitor numbers between New Zealand and South Australia continuing to soar, Air New Zealand has announced that it will start flying its twin-aisle Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft…

New Macau charters for Cambodia Angkor Air Where? Sihanoukville (Cambodia) to Macau (China) When? Twice a week, effective immediately Who? Cambodia Angkor Air Why? New charter service…

Cunard has released details of its 2019 international cruise programme, which will include a record two-month season in Australia. Australians will be able to choose from 27 local…

ibis Saigon Airport Location: Five minutes' drive from Ho Chi Minh City's airport, Tan Son Nhat International Grade: Economy Keys: 282, including 65 serviced apartments Facilities:…

Australians' appetite for food has reached the high seas with P&O Cruises revealing a record number of families are sailing away on Food and Wine cruises. In response to growing…

Qantas passengers travelling overseas from Brisbane Airport now have a new lounge in which to relax before their flight. The new Brisbane International Lounge is based on the new design…

Cathay Pacific will increase the frequency of its flights to key destinations on three continents later this year. In North America, the airline's Hong Kong-San Francisco route will…

Brisbane Airport has become the first in Australia to trial facial recognition technology. In partnership with Air New Zealand, the airport is now utilising SITA's "Smart Path"…

A hotel collection created especially for families with young children has started targeting travellers in Asia Pacific. The Little Guest Hotel Collection, which has 20 properties…

Travel between India and Fiji will soon become easier, following the signing of a new codeshare agreement between Jet Airways and Fiji Airways. The new partnership enables passengers…

Garuda Indonesia will increase its flights to Australia this summer, providing more connections to and from Jakarta and Bali. In a joint press conference with Tourism Australia, the…

More than half a billion people will travel to destinations in Asia every year by 2021, a new report has predicted. In its latest tourism forecast, the Pacific Asia Travel Association…

Vistara flies to Amritsar Where? Delhi to Amritsar, pictured (both India) When? Daily, effective immediately Who? Vistara Why? Tapping rise in trade and religious tourism traffic…

Vanuatu, the island nation in the South Pacific, has received a major tourism boost following the signing of an agreement with HNA Tourism Group, the Chinese travel giant.   The new…

New Zealand's tourism industry will be given another boost later this year, when Cathay Pacific launches the first direct service connecting Hong Kong with the country's South Island.…

The Cook Islands experienced a sharp rise in tourism arrivals in 2016. According to the country’s full-year tourism statistics released this week, the South Pacific nation welcomed…

Dubai's LCC adds Bangladeshi route Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh) When? Four times a week, effective 15 March 2017 Who? flydubai Why? Rising trade between two Islamic…

Jet Airways has formed a new partnership with Hong Kong Airlines aimed at enhancing connectivity between India and the Far East. The new codeshare partnership will lead to new…

Cruise & Maritime's (CMV) Magellan has arrived in Australia this week. More than 500 people are taking the whole 120 night cruise which began at the London Cruise Terminal on Thursday…

Virgin Australia will launch its first ever flights to China - including Hong Kong - as part of a major alliance with China's HNA Group. First announced in May 2016, the partnership…

Qantas and El Al have formed a new partnership aimed at improving flight connectivity between Australia and Israel. Under the new agreement, the national carriers will connect with…

World Travellers Group, the New Zealand-based retail travel network, has made a significant investment in its future by signing a new multi-year technology agreement with Travelport.…

Chinese travellers get more flights to Malaysia Where? Guangzhou (China) to Johor Bahru (Malaysia) When? Twice a week, effective immediately Who? Sichuan Airlines Why? Chinese carrier…

Jeju gets new budget service from Taiwan Where? Taipei (Taiwan) to Jeju, pictured (South Korea) When? Twice a day, effective 28 March 2017 Who? Tigerair Taiwan Why? Low-cost carrier…

Hotel G Singapore (pictured above) Location: Close to Singapore's main shopping street, Orchard Road, and few minutes away from Bugis and Dhoby Ghaut MRT stations Grade: Upper-upscale…

International visitors appear to be choosing other countries first when it comes to searching for airline tickets to the United States since President Donald J. Trump's Jan 20 inauguration…

Qantas passengers will be able to access extensive in-flight entertainment content later this year, as the carrier rolls out fast Wi-Fi on its domestic aircraft. Under the new…

Princess Cruises has created history with a new onboard exhibition showcasing major moments from Australia's past. The exhibition, titled Defining Moments in Australian History has been…

AccorHotels is aiming to enhance its fan base in Oceania by partnering the Rugby League World Cup. The hotel group has become the Official Accommodation Partner of the tournament,…

New link between biggest cities in Uzbekistan and Pakistan Where? Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to Lahore (Pakistan) When? Twice a week, effective immediately Who? Uzbekistan Airways Why?…

Q)    What are the key selling points of your property? Surrounded by a World Heritage-listed national park with many walking tracks to fantastic views and waterfalls. Modern…

The Australian government is considering plans to use Elon Musk's Hyperloop as an ultra-high-speed way of connecting Sydney and Melbourne. The Hyperloop was suggested this week in a…

IHG has upgraded the conference and banqueting facilities at the Crowne Plaza Queenstown. The half-a-million-dollar refurbishment has covered all of the New Zealand hotel's function…

JARED SIMCOX has been recruited as Scoot's new general manager for Australia. Having started as a ground handler at airports in New Zealand, Simcox then moved to Australia to work for…

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is ramping up its promotional efforts in Sydney with a new campaign on the city's trams. The so-called "Megasides" on Sydney's Light Rail carriages…

Asians are now taking multiple trips per year and spending more on travel, but security remains a key concern. These are the key findings from the "2017 Travelzoo Travel Trends…

Banyan Tree's The Grand Luang Prabang Location: On the banks of the Mekong River in the UNESCO-listed town of Luang Prabang, northern Laos Grade: Luxury Keys: 75 Facilities:…

What visitor trends are you noticing to the Sunshine Coast? With the expansion of Sunshine Coast Airport confirmed and the interest shown by international airlines in the region, it…

Tigerair Australia has suspended all flights to Bali, less than a year after it started flying to the island. The low-cost carrier said the decision had been taken after Indonesian…

W Hotels, the former Starwood luxury brand now operated by Marriott, has unveiled plans to make its debut in Melbourne in 2020.   The new-build property will rise on Collins Street in…

Plaza Premium, the Hong Kong-based airport lounge operator, has unveiled a new Chinese restaurant at Sydney International Airport. The Terrace Chinese Kitchen is based on The Terrace,…

An upscale resort in the Great Barrier Reef will undergo a multi-million dollar revamp, funded by its Chinese owners. The China Capital Investment Group (CCIG) will spend AU$50 million…

Hotels in Australia are cashing in on strong demand by raising room rates to record levels. According to the latest data from STR, the country's average daily rate (ADR) reached…

The Asian outbound tourism boom is driving a more mature type of traveller who is seeks regular, independent travel, a new report has revealed. In a major survey, Sabre found that…

Qantas’ Asian expansion strategy took another step forward today (25 January 2017) with the relaunch of direct flights to China’s capital city, Beijing. The Australian national carrier…

The Carnival Legend cruise ship completed its inaugural New Zealand sailing last week. The 88,500-tonne ship headed to the country on 10-day roundtrip cruise from Sydney earlier this…

Air New Zealand is celebrating a new milestone, with the news that it carried a million domestic passengers to and from Queenstown in 2016. The airline reached the seven-digit figure…

Vietnam's tourism industry will get a lift this year when Australian low-cost carrier Jetstar launches its first two routes to the country. In May 2017, Jetstar will start operating…

Second Sydney service for Vietnam Airlines Where? Hanoi (Vietnam) to Sydney (Australia) When? Three times a week, effective 29 March 2017 Who? Vietnam Airlines Why? Continues the…

Jetwing Lake Location: 5km from town of Dambulla, central Sri Lanka Grade: Upscale Keys: 94 Facilities: 71-metre pool, spa, gym, two restaurants (including Chinese) Meeting space:…

New Zealand’s tourism industry has become the country’s top export earner, contributing NZ$14.5 billion (US$10.2bn) into the country's economy and directly employing more than 188,000…