Malaysia reopening slated in Q1 2021 starting with ASEAN countries
Malaysia is reportedly planning to reopen its tourism by the first quarter of 2021.
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Taiwan leads pack of wishlist destinations, says Agoda
Taiwan, Thailand and Japan are the top searched destinations for travel until the year-end according to search data revealed by Agoda
New milestone: WTTC celebrates as Philippines becomes 100th destination to get ‘Safe Travels’ stamp
WTTC has announced that in just three short months, 100 destinations are now using its ‘Safe Travels’ stamp, with the Philippines becoming the official 100th destination
Age of Aquarius? TD speaks to AQI about megabucks luxury hospitality investment
Earlier this week Aquarius International Development (AQI), announced intensions to sink USD 250 million into the creation of a comprehensive hospitality "eco-system across Southeast Asia. I…
Johor Bahru top choice for domestic travel in Malaysia
As domestic and regional travel picks up steam in many parts of the world in tandem with the relaxing of travel restrictions, OYO has moved to capture the early travel trends, in the first…
Travel around Asia through QuaranCooking
As most countries in Asia remain closed and governments extend stay-at-home protocols, people get creative and come up with clever ways to explore new places and experience new things.
Status of tourism reopening in Southeast Asian countries
One thing is certain, all countries are keen to reopen and tourism stakeholders are hard at work in coming up with a plan so that we can all travel again.
Bali reopening moved to 2021
The much-awaited Bali reopening on September 11 is no longer happening based on the recent announcement of Bali Governor I Wayan Koster.
Asia Pacific preps to welcome back tourists
The Asia Pacific region has begun to slowly ease its COVID-19 lockdown measures along with its border restrictions and is moving toward welcoming tourists back.
Bali reopening in September still in limbo
Local tourism chief has slated Bali reopening to international tourists on 11 September, but this is still subjected to the approval of the government in Jakarta.
Thailand reopening to international tourism may not happen this year
While many countries are rushing to reopen their borders to international tourists, one of the beloved destinations in Asia, Thailand, is not jumping the bandwagon.
Podcast: Can Sea Islands Provide a Blueprint for the Future of Tourism?
This week’s island hop through South East Asia also takes in the latest travel developments across the region. Gary Bowerman and Hannah Pearson also discuss how idyllic island getaways such…
Thailand most confident country in the world to reopen tourism sector
New findings from a global study suggests that four out of five (82%) Thais are confident that Thailand is well-prepared to reopen its tourism
All of Asia’s Eyes Turn to Bali
The countdown is on. Will Bali really open to international arrivals on 11 September – and if it does, who will visit? By Gary Bowerman
Rediscover the world through ‘Slow Travel’
Slow travel isn’t just about speed; it’s about the impact of your travel.
It’s time to sail again! Get aboard on PONANT’s new webinars for post-COVID cruising updates
French luxury cruise line, Ponant, has announced a series of exclusive webinars starting next week for updates of its luxury products
3 misconceptions about Japan you need to stop believing
Matthew Joslin, marketing and communications manager, Japan National Tourism Organization, debunked three of the most popular views about Japan.
Cathay “Cares” from check-in to landing
Cathay Pacific introduces health and safety protocol - Cathay Care.
Luxury hotels opening in Bali to take note of
Raffles Hotels & Resorts has announced its 15th Raffles Hotel in the world, with the launch of the lavish Raffles Bali, which offers unparalleled views over the Indian Ocean and the…
Bali preps for reopening on September 11
The beaches, the waves, the gentle scent of frangipani wafting as soon as you landed the Ngurah Rai International Airport will welcome international tourists starting September 11.
Podcast – Penang Re-Born, Penang – Malaysia
Facing the Straits of Malacca, Penang was one of the great trading ports in South East Asia. Once part of the Sultanate of Kedah, it was ceded to the British East India Company on the…
PATA gets three new members
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) UK & Ireland has added three new members, which include Cape Panwa Hotel in Phuket, Thailand, a luxury hotel group called Santrian Resorts…
Flight to recovery: AirAsia breaks post-hibernation daily sales record
AirAsia registered its highest post-hibernation sale day, with a record-breaking 41,000 seats sold in a single day across AirAsia Group, signifying a strong rebound in demand for air…
Travel-19 to answer tourists pandemic travel questions
Amadeus has announced the launch of a new online bot, Travel-19, to address the most frequent COVID-19 related travel questions from travellers across the world today.
The online bot…
Traveller or Tourist?
Innovation and the ability to accept and embrace change are the key elements that will make a difference in the landscape of any sector, not just travel.
We’ve seen the last decade bring…
10 international destinations in Brits’ wish list
Booking.com shares the top destinations and properties on Brits’ minds as they wait for when the time is right to travel again.
Klook Home offers virtual interactive experiences and DIY kits
Klook Home offers almost 200 home-based experiences such as do-it-yourself craft and cooking kits, online workshops, and free virtual tours.
Archipelago International redefines staycation: It’s stuckation!
The infamous ‘staycation’ has been gaining strong popularity across Indonesia and the region, quickly becoming the favourite pastime for many families over the recent years. Staycation,…
Japan’s Golden Week dampened by coronavirus
Golden Week is usually the busiest travel periods in Japan with many salaried employees taking advantage of the week-long holiday to return to their hometown or overseas.
10 most Instagrammed ecotourism destinations
This year marks the 50th year of Earth Day celebrations that shows our relentless effort to make changes in saving the environment.
AirAsia set to resume domestic flights
AirAsia is set to resume its scheduled domestic flights commencing in Malaysia by 29 April followed by a rollout of aircraft to serve domestic routes in other Asian nations where it has…
Australia to experience increase in domestic tourism
Australia’s Minister for Trade’s warning that borders may stay closed until 2021 is expected to boost domestic tourism in the short term, according to data company GlobalData.
Coronavirus cure, vaccine, treatment update: Scientists discover potential cure
The whole world is on a race against the clock in finding coronavirus cure and treatment that will be a game-changer in this whole crisis.
10 movies to satisfy your thirst for travel during home quarantine
Here are 10 movies you can binge on during quarantine that will tour you around the world on your couch.
Enter Red Heroes: RedDoorz partners with governments across Southeast Asia for health workers
RedDoorz, Southeast Asia’s largest and fastest-growing online hotel management and booking platform, announced the launch of ‘Red Heroes’, a new regional initiative that will provide…
Asia-Pacific construction pipeline hits record high
Asia-Pacific’s total construction pipeline, excluding China, hit a new all-time high at the close of 2019 with 1,926 projects or 409,447 rooms. This was revealed by Lodging Econometrics…
Our expansion in mid-2021 will set AYANA apart: Stefan Fuchs
A true passion for innovation with a keen ability to inspire and instill passion in his team members on both an executive and front-of-house level is what best describes Stefan Fuchs, the…
AirAsia takes BIG sale to new heights
AirAsia’s BIG Sale is back with six million promotional seats to help send you on your next exciting adventure, including zero-fare seats to many popular destinations across its network.…
Best-selling authors, daring explorers and sporting heroes on ‘Soneva Stars’ list
Spanning all of Soneva’s world-leading resorts in the Maldives and Thailand, Soneva Stars is a new, year-round calendar of acclaimed visiting experts and one-of-a-kind activities,…
Preferred Hotels & Resorts updated portfolio for 2020
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its latest tranche of properties to come under its umbrella, which saw 24 new hotels join the independent brand's global portfolio, at the end of…
Khiri Travel unveils new multi-generation tours for Southeast Asia
Khiri Travel has launched seven tour options in Southeast Asia designed for parents, children and grandchildren travelling together. The seven itineraries range from six to 12 days in…
AirAsia Thailand completes IOSA audit
AirAsia Thailand has completed its Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) of the International Air Transportation Association (IATA).
It is the sixth airline in AirAsia Group to become IOSA…
No deal: Gojek squashes rumours of merger with Grab
It would have been the deal of the century if it happened, much bigger when Grab acquired Uber’s business in Southeast Asia in 2018, but Indonesia’s unicorn Gojek was quick to deny rumours…
Renewed five-star hotel rating for Bali Dynasty Resort
After having completed an official Indonesian certification and audit process, Bali Dynasty announced the renewal of its five-star hotel rating. The detailed evaluation was conducted by…
Bawah Reserve introduces Elang Private Residence
Bawah Reserve, one of Indonesia’s most exclusive off-grid resorts, is set to launch Elang Private Residence. Opening in May 2020, it is the second of the group's six islands to be…
Agent alert: Vietjet slashes ticket prices throughout Asia
Vietjet has announced a very sexy range of new promotions.rolling out flight fares offering 50% discounts on ticket fares for all routes from now untill 29 February 2020.
The promotional…
5 reasons why Air Italy went bankrupt
Below are the five reasons for the demise of Air Italy.
ASEAN destinations will benefit from growing connectivity with Europe, says GlobalData
GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Tourism Destination Market Insights: Association of South East Asian Nations – ASEAN’, found that Russia, France, Germany and the UK are some of the fastest…
Ibis Styles opens doors in Bekasi, West Java
ibis Styles, Accor’s upbeat economy brand, has launched a newly built property in Bekasi, Indonesia. Located in the Grand Icon Complex, west of the city, ibis Styles Bekasi Jatibening…
ANA and SIA join hands
All Nippon Airways (ANA), Japan’s largest airline and Singapore Airlines (SIA) signed a joint venture framework agreement that would deepen the partnership between the two Star Alliance…
OYO welcomed 1,000,000 guests in Thailand in 3 months
OYO Hotels & Homes has reached a remarkable milestone when it welcomed 1,000,000 guests in Thailand, less than three months since beginning operations in Thailand. It brings a model…
Vietjet’s first-ever direct service links Hanoi and Bali
In the cheerful celebration of the Lunar New Year 2020, the new-age carrier Vietjet officially commenced its newest direct route linking Hanoi and Bali island in Indonesia. This is the…
Spanish long haul figures “sluggish” compared to global growth
New data from ForwardKeys reveals that long-haul outbound travel from Spain, by independent travellers and small groups of up to five people, grew by just 1.3% in 2019 and forward bookings…
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi strengthens leadership
Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi, a luxury resort set in the North Shaviyani Atoll, has announced two key appointments within its management team; Andrew Steele as general manager and…
Oakwood Hotel & Residence Surabaya gets new GM
Oakwood Hotel & Residence Surabaya in Indonesia has started 2020 with an announcement of its newly appointed general manager, Subendi.
The city of heroes is a familiar place for…
Not Just Travel sees huge surge in bookings as Blue Monday arrives
The travel company Not Just Travel has seen an increase of 33% in bookings this January compared to last year – with more people than ever before planning trips to exotic locations.…
Thailand, Japan and Singapore top Hotelbeds’ Chinese New Year travel ranking
Hotelbeds, the bed bank company, has revealed the top international destinations for Chinese travellers during the seven-day Chinese New Year holiday period starting on 24 January.…
EbixCash partners with Amadeus to propel APAC and UAE expansion
EbixCash, a fully owned subsidiary of Ebix, has signed a strategic travel technology partnership with Amadeus to grow its footprint across the Asia Pacific region and UAE and become a…
World’s most ‘Instagrammable’ hotel bathrooms
To reveal the world’s most Instagrammable bathrooms, Mira Showers has monitored five key bathroom-related hashtags and identified hotel locations that appeared the most.
Best Western makes dreams come true in Bali
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has treated 10 lucky guests to their dream vacation in Bali, following a successful online contest. The 2019 ‘Dreams Come True’ competition took place…
“These individuals are making an incredible difference”: Introducing Cathay’s new changemakers
Cathay Pacific is bolstering its efforts to give back to society with the announcement of its three new Cathay ChangeMakers for 2020. These forward- thinking individuals have each made…
“Travel has been a working passion”: TD speaks to TTC Asian MD Nicholas Lim
The Travel Corporations Asian MD Nicholas Lim has never stopped opening doors.
WorldVentures Foundation’s VolunTour: Travelling with a heart to serve
What started as an exclusive luxury travel club created a foundation to give back to those who are less fortunate through VolunTours.
India remains strong source market for Singapore
With more than one million Indian tourists into Singapore for the fifth consecutive year, India continues to be one of the key source markets for its tourism sector. The Singapore…
World’s most punctual airlines revealed
The results of OAG Punctuality League 2020 have revealed a comprehensive ranking of the world’s largest airlines and airports for on-time performance (OTP).
Garuda Indonesia takes the…
Vietjet welcomes two aircraft
Vietjet welcomed two new Airbus A321 aircraft at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, increasing the total number of its fleet to 80 aircraft. With this arrival on the last day of 2019,…
Agoda reveals travel trend expectations for 2020s
Single apps for all travel needs, passport free travel and mobile app check-in are the top three ‘new travel norms’ expected by travellers in the next decade, according to new research…
Green measures, route expansion and other feathers in Royal Brunei Airlines’ cap
Already flying one of the youngest and eco-friendly fleets in the world, Royal Brunei Airlines has unveiled plans to introduce a host of new eco measures throughout 2020 to ensure the…
Let’s go around Singapore Lah!
Booking platform Traveloka has partnered with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to encourage tourists to discover more of Singapore’s hidden gems, popular attractions and unique experiences.…
Gojek, Blue Bird deal: Who has the last laugh?
Ride hailing giant Gojek is nearing an agreement to buy 5% of Indonesia’s top taxi operator PT Blue Bird.
Hyatt to expand luxury portfolio with over 20 new hotels by 2020
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that more than 20 new luxury hotels and resorts are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2020.
A different kind of mobility start-up receives USD 10.1 million to grow operations
Singapore-based smart mobility start-up Ministry of Movement has received a USD 10.1 million from its Series A funding round to grow and expand overseas.
Not giving up: Gojek to challenge Grab’s hold of the Philippine market
For the third time, Indonesian ride-hailing unicorn Gojek has reapplied to enter the Philippine market and to face off its greatest rival in the Southeast Asian region – Grab.
Travelio raises USD 18 million in a Series B funding round
Travelio, an Indonesia-based start-up that aims to disrupt the real estate sector, has raised USD 18 million in a series B funding round co-led by Temasek subsidiary Pavilion Capital and…
5 true stories on how hotels increase revenue by using this service
If there is one thing that is constantly in the minds of hoteliers, it is how to increase hotel revenue to keep the business going. To overcome this challenge, hoteliers need to think of…
5 road trips that every foodie should take
Embark on a food road trip and taste the unique cuisine from every place. Below are the five countries that every food lover should visit.
Logical step: Swiss-Belhotel announces Thai debut
Hong Kong-based hoteliers, Swiss-Belhotel International has divulged plans for its Thai debut today.
"This makes it the next logical step in our growth strategy"
Currently, the company has…
Take travel to a different level with G Adventures’ new Active trips
G Adventures has introduced eight new Active trips for travellers looking to combine physical activity with cultural interaction on their next getaway. The new tours include multisport…
Centara Hotels & Resorts reveals global expansion plans
Thailand's Centara Hotels & Resorts has announced a strategic five-year development plan that will see its global portfolio grow to over 130 hotels in more than 50 countries by the end…
5 scariest events that happened in travel this year
Happy Halloween! It is the perfect time to share horror stories. This year, the travel industry suffered a number of events. Below are the five events in travel that spooked everyone in the…
5 activities you shouldn’t miss in Koh Samui
Travelling to Koh Samui? Make sure you don’t miss out on some of the activities that you can only experience on the island.
Now, Grab a ride across Southeast Asia through Booking.com app
Booking.com has launched its on-demand ride-hailing service in partnership with Grab, giving the online travel agency (OTA) app users access to the largest fleet of drivers across eight…
Chinese travellers take 31 million trips via tour packages
Chinese mainland tourists made a total of nearly 31 million outbound trips through tour packages organised by travel agencies in the first half of 2019, said a report unveiled by the…
G Adventures increases Asia footprint
Melbourne-headquartered G Adventures says it will strengthen sales activities across Asia. After a record year for bookings from Asian travellers, the company’s director of emerging…
Aussies love Bali – Hotelbeds
Hotelbeds revealed the top source market for its hotel partners in Bali, Indonesia. According to booking data based on reservations made via B2B travel buyers using Hotelbeds, Australia …
United eyes January return for 737 Max
United Airlines has become the latest carrier to predict an early 2020 return for the grounded 737 Max aircraft as regulators continue to work on software fixes over an issue that is…
Hotelbeds’ MarketHub Asia 2019 tackles how to future-proof your business
“Shifting Futures” is the theme of Hotelbeds’ annual MarketHub Asia event that will take place from 22 to 25 October in Bali, Indonesia.
Accor to open 13 ibis budget hotels in Singapore
Accor will unveil 13 new ibis budget hotels in Singapore after having inked a deal with Global Premium Hotels. The hotels, rebranded from existing Fragrance hotels, will be progressively…
“Partnering with RedDoorz is a win-win”: Singaporean HMC to open 11 hotels in 2020
RedDoorz has announced it is well on its way to becoming top dog in Singapore with the announcement that it will be the second biggest hotel management company (HMC) in SG by the end of…
Korean Air helps renovate damaged homes in Sri Lanka
Korean Air’s volunteer group performed volunteer work in Sri Lanka in October for the underprivileged local community in the suburbs of Colombo. The area was severely damaged by the…
Cruise news: First floating cabanas in the Bahamas and more
This week in the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean introduces the first floating cabanas in the Bahamas, Windstar announces its 2021 Alaska season and more.
The dragon power: China’s outbound travel expenditure tops USD 127.5 billion
The outbound travel expenditure of Chinese travellers reached USD 127.5 billion in the first half of 2019, more than half of which was spent in Asian destinations, according to the…
These Reasons for Honeymooning in Bali Will Take Your Breath Away!
Hello honeymooners or romantic couples. Where are you heading for making honeymoon affairs? If you have not selected the destination for your romance right now, then you are at the right…
Destination Europe: The most aspirational for South-East Asian travellers
The scenic beauty, natural landscapes, diversity of cultural attractions and the good weather are just some of the reasons why Europe remains the most aspirational holiday spot among…
BA announces new codeshare deal with Malaysia Airlines
British Airways has announced a new codeshare agreement with oneworld partner Malaysia Airlines today.
The code will be added to 14 destinations the airline serves in Malaysia,…
Unstoppable: Global hotel pipeline soars to new heights
Provider of global hotel intelligence Lodging Econometrics (LE) has compiled construction pipeline counts for every country and market, revealing a record high of rooms around the world.
FCM partners with Grab for ground transportation
FCM Travel Solutions, a global travel management company (TMC), has made it easier for clients to take advantage of Southeast-Asia’s most popular ride-sharing service Grab, with a new…
Top destinations for Chinese travellers during National Day holiday revealed
Bedbank company Hotelbeds has provided an update on the top international destinations for Chinese travellers during the seven-day Chinese National Day holiday period starting on 1…
Travel tech this week: DiDi Japan expands in 20 cities
DiDi Japan plans to service more Japanese as it expands in more cities by the end of the year.
Hunan tourism festival takes centre stage
The 2019 Hunan International Culture & Tourism Festival opened with the showcase of many diverse opportunities for tourism the Hunan Province is able to offer.
This year also…
Extra costs: 7 most expensive cities to visit for Brits
Aside from flights, accommodations, and tours, travellers often overlooked miscellaneous costs like visas, vaccinations and travel insurance.
Cross signs Halong Bay hotel
Cross Hotels and Resorts has expanded its presence in Vietnam with a new hotel management agreement for the X2 Vibe Halong Bay. The agreement was signed with Halong Bay Hotel Joint Stock…
Go-Jek receives funding from AIA Group
Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek has secured an unspecified amount from insurance firm AIA Indonesia as part of its ongoing Series F funding round. The investment also comes with strategic…
Hotel booking wars? No-Commission Bidroom announces arrival in Asia Pacific
Bidroom, a no-commission membership-based hotel platform, is looking to expand its portfolio within the Asia Pacific region. Launched in 2014 in the Netherlands, Bidroom currently offers…
More Chinese opt for travel during family reunion festival
An ever-increasing number of Chinese celebrated the mid-autumn festival, a traditional holiday for family get-together by travelling. This was revealed by data from online travel agency…
Cruise news: World’s largest battery storage system, Kelly Clarkson and more
In this week’s cruise news: AIDA Cruises signs for the world’s largest battery storage system, NCL announces Kelly Clarkson as godmother and more.
Oakwood Hotels celebrates grand opening in Surabaya
The first Oakwood property to open in Surabaya, Indonesia, and the only five-star hotel and serviced residence in the area, Oakwood Hotel & Residence Surabaya celebrated its grand…
G Adventures adds 12 tours to Jane Goodall Collection
For the first time since it launched in 2016, G Adventures is updating its exclusive Dr. Jane Goodall-endorsed collection of wildlife-focused tours for 2020 with adventures in Indonesia,…
Travel tech this week: All about ride hailing
This week, ride-hailing giants from the east are rolling out new services to propel their growth, while their western counterparts are suffering losses since going public.
Going green: Abercrombie & Kent supports Refill Not Landfill campaign
Abercrombie & Kent Southeast Asia is supporting a project to introduce drinking water stations around the Thai capital in Bangkok. Its community support enterprise, Abercrombie &…
Amazon to augment SEA presence by investing in Go-Jek
Sources claimed that Amazon is reportedly in talks with Go-Jek for a plausible investment. This move could bolster the presence of the e-commerce giant in Southeast Asia.
Visitor count up 4.9% in Malaysia
Malaysia has reported its half-year tourism results declaring tourist arrivals reached 13.35 million up 4.9%, while tourist receipts improved 6.8% over the same period in 2018.…
How to play MICE (in paradise)
The perfect playground for MICE travellers — Bali Dynasty Resort is an award-winning hotel on the famous South Kuta Beach strip.
Hotelbeds’ MarketHub Asia 2019 explores how travel industry should react to changes
Hotelbeds´ MarketHub Asia is back this October. MarketHub Asia is an invitation-only, three-day event attended by around 300 of the most important Hotelbeds partners from all the key source…
Vietjet opens two direct routes to India
Vietjet is opening direct routes from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to New Delhi. To celebrate these new routes, the airline is offering thousands of super-saving tickets priced only from…
Kensington Tours introduces itineraries inspired by world’s foremost adventurers
Kensington Tours has expanded The Explorers Club Collection, a selection of exclusive travel itineraries inspired by the world’s leading adventurers and scientists.
The Explorers…
AirAsia connects Kuala Lumpur to hidden island paradise of Belitung
AirAsia launched a new route connecting Kuala Lumpur to Belitung, an island paradise off the east coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. As the first airline that connects Kuala Lumpur and…
AirAsia cuts fees in Malaysia
AirAsia will remove processing fees for Malaysia for bookings made from 1 October to keep air travel affordable for all. Starting with Malaysia, AirAsia will subsequently remove…
Singapore tourism receipts in Q1 dip 4.8% amid global economic uncertainty
Spending by visitors to Singapore fell 4.8% to SGD 6.5 billion (USD 4.69 billion), in the first quarter of 2019, compared to the same period last year, although international arrivals…
Airbnb creates K-pop themed experiences for Thais
Airbnb Experiences is inviting Thais to take their love of Korea to the next level with the launch of Airbnb’s K-pop and K-beauty Experiences.
Tourists can now book immersive and unique…
Global Wellness Summit shifts location from Hong Kong to Singapore
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the USD4.2 trillion global wellness economy, today announced the location of the 2019 GWS will move from…
10 most Insta-worthy experiences
From a trip down the picturesque French Riviera to a captivating tour of one of the oldest Hindu temples in Bali, Klook curates the ultimate list of photogenic spots to up the Insta-game.
Australia and Europe on Vistara’s radar
Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines (SIA), is all set to start long-haul international flights to destinations in Europe and Australia next year. The airline…
Family, ninjas and a top-notch day out
In part one of my interview with Sarah Somerville, Hilton’s senior director of customer engagement, loyalty and partnerships in Asia Pacific, we put the brand’s recent study into the travel…
Hilton, technology and the “deep passion” for travel in APAC
According to a new study from Hilton Honors the vast majority of travellers, based out of the Asia Pacific region, regard travel as a fundamental aspect of their identity, with 88% of…
Shop till you drop! TAT launches Give Me 5 campaign
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new shopping campaign, ‘Give Me 5’, to entice an additional 200,000 visitors from India and six ASEAN countries during the off-peak…
Vietjet unveils one million zero-fare tickets for all routes
Vietnam’s low-cost carrier Vietjet is offering one million super-saving tickets priced only VND 0 (USD 0) from 6-8 August. Flights can be booked for dates from 7 September 2019 to 25…
Two thirds of travellers prefer fellow nationals over anyone else
Following a recent study, by online travel agent Agoda, it has been discovered that, in a majority of countries surveyed, citizens prefer the company of their compatriots on holiday. …
Hot hotel openings: Santorini’s 5-star resort on a volcanic island and more
In this week’s roundup, we’re looking at Santorini’s latest beachfront resort, a new Art Deco hotel in Miami, a historic hotel revival and more.
Traveloka to raise USD 500m in latest funding round
Indonesia-based unicorn Traveloka is reportedly looking to raise USD 500 million funding to fuel its expansion in the region. The latest funding round will close in two months and could…
Jetstar adds fifth Service to Okinawa
Jetstar Asia, the only airline to provide direct scheduled flights between Singapore and Okinawa, will boost its services between the two cities from four to five return flights a week,…
APAC hotel performance shows ‘negative’ results for Q2 2019
According to new data, hotel performance in APAC shows negative results across the three key performance metrics during the second quarter of 2019.
10 destinations that are in everyone’s bucket list
Everyone has a place where they would like to go before they “kick the bucket”. Global travel site Big 7 Travel has released the official list of the 'Top 50 Bucket List Destinations 2019'.
Archipelago International unveils Harper Hotel Medan
Indonesia’s hotel management group, Archipelago International, has officially opened its third hotel in Medan, this time under the Harper brand. Carrying out its mission to provide more…
Destination Bali: Hotelbeds’ looks at the future of the hotel distribution at MarketHub Asia
Global bed bank, Hotelbeds, has announced that tropical haven Bali will be the host destination for the company’s second edition of the ‘Hotelbeds´ MarketHub Asia’, all set for to kick off…
Malaysia adds entry points for visa on arrival for Chinese travellers
In a bid to attract more Chinese visitors, Malaysia has announced it will grant visa-on-arrival to six more entry points for Chinese tourists. The home ministry of Malaysia announced the…
Garuda’s viral handwritten menu turned into a hot mess
We can see the power of social media after a popular Indonesian YouTuber posted a video of his experience in the business class of Garuda airline that immediately went viral.
Go-Jek adds Visa as one of its investors
Indonesian start-up superstar Go-Jek has announced that global payment technology provider Visa is the latest investor to back its ongoing Series F funding round.
“I design for the sensation”: Luxe hotel designer Jean-Michel Gathy
In this exclusive interview, Jean-Michel Gathy talks about his early years, his most unforgettable projects, and why his style is one that is charismatic.
Jayride unlocks global growth potential
Global online marketplace for airport transfers, Jayride Group has announced that it has completed the foundation phase of its global transport strategy by securing a presence at over…
Bill Bensley to challenge hospitality industry to lead sustainability and conservation
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the USD 4.2 trillion global wellness economy, today announced that Bill Bensley, the maverick…
AirAsia’s training scholarship for MMA now open
Mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation UFC and AirAsia have announced the opening of the application process for this year’s AirAsia UFC training scholarship.
Now in its second year,…
Chinaboo: A deeper look at Chinese tourism in SEA
Chinese tourists are ubiquitous across the globe. Anywhere you turn, Chinese is present; even in the most remote tourist area in Africa. It could almost be said that there is no tourist spot…
Korea to get more playful with Moxy Seoul debut
Marriott International has announced the signing of Moxy Seoul Insadong, marking the debut of the Moxy brand in Korea. Centrally situated in lively Insadong, one of the most happening…
“Travel is a deep passion for most travellers in Asia Pacific”
Following a recent poll, conducted by Hilton Honors, the Hilton loyalty programme has discovered that, for travellers in APAC, the ability to explore new regions and cultures is not just…
OYO ventures in Vietnam; allots USD 50 million to reach 20K rooms in 2020
Hospitality rockstar Oyo Hotels and Homes has launched its services in the newest darling of Southeast Asia – Vietnam. The start-up also announced that it will invest USD 50 million for its…
Top 5 honeymoon destinations in the world
There are plenty of budget-friendly destinations which are perfect for a magical, romantic getaway… in other words, a honeymoon on a budget!
Dubai’s Novus, Vietjet USD 1.3 billion deal for 10 aircraft
Dubai-based aircraft lessor Novus Aviation Capital has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Vietjet Air for the financing and leasing of 10 aircraft over the next 18 months.…
Radisson and Jin Jiang deal for loyalty programme
Radisson Rewards, the global rewards programme of Radisson Hotel Group, announced an exciting new collaboration with WeHotel, the global hotel booking platform for Jin Jiang…
New operations director at STAAH Southeast Asia: Tim Waterhouse
Armed with 39 years of international hospitality and business experience, the industry veteran Tim Waterhouse joins New Zealand-based technology company STAAH to build and develop on the…
Thailand among top countries offering global travellers the ‘host’ factor
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reported that a recent poll by Booking.com across 29 countries found Thai people to be among the top nationalities who consider their country to…
BHMA rebrands as Cross Hotels & Resorts to take on the future
The hotel management company, formerly known as BHMA Hotels & Resorts, has rebranded to Cross Hotels and Resorts, marking the successful transition into the global Flight Centre Travel…
Ocean odyssey: Oceania Cruises reveals new Sirena Exotic Collection for the intrepid traveller
The US-Based cruise line Oceania Cruises unveiled its most exotic and unique collection of itineraries to date with in-depth explorations of Egypt, Israel and Turkey, the Arabian…
Travel tech this week: Ride-hailing companies on the roll
This week, we turn our attention to ride-hailing companies that are taking over the world. From GoJek launching their social media accounts to Grab’s cancellation fines and to Uber’s JUMP…
Qatar Airways starts three flights a day from Manchester
Qatar Airways is increasing its flight frequency from Manchester Airport to three flights per day from 14 June in another show of confidence in the UK market. The route launched in April…
Go-Jek acquires another Indian start-up
Ride-hailing giant Go-Jek turned to another Indian start-up to further its growth. The company announced that it has acquired AirCTO, a recruitment platform based in Gurgaon.
Expedia reveals Thailand’s hotel demand trends
Expedia Group has revealed the latest hotel demand trends to Thailand, showing a steady growth which increased by 10% over the past 12 months.
Will a Bran Stark-like company win the OTA showdown?
“We are here and the enemy is coming from the south like in Indonesia; another force is coming from the north. China even has a wall!”
Vietjet unveils Ho Chi Minh City-Bali route
Low-cost carrier Vietjet has launched its newest international route from Ho Chi Minh City to Bali, connecting the largest city in Vietnam to one of the world’s most famous holiday…
My sweet Netflix Streetfood-fame Putu Piring experience
Putu piring reflects the image of Singapore being a melting pot of different nationalities.
Sail around the world with Columbus in 2021
You can sail around the world just like Christopher Columbus with CMV's World Cruise 2021 — travelling 34,770 nautical miles across 5 continents.
Travel tech this week: Boat and breakfast, Zip Up Hotels and more
There is never a dull moment in the travel tech sector, new things come up like an app to rent a boat and zip up hotels for cost-conscious hardy travellers. Companies also give back like…
‘Business as usual’ in Bali after Mount Agung eruption
Bali Hotels Association (BHA) has confirmed that it is 'business as usual' for Bali, with Ngurah Rai Airport operating normally except for a few flights that were delayed or cancelled.
X2 marks the spot: Pattaya Oceanphere opens in former Thai pirate haven
Southeast Asian boutique hospitality brand, X2 Resorts, has officially launched its latest resort, X2 Pattaya Oceanphere.
Cruise news: Royal Caribbean’s private island and more
From Royal Caribbean’s ultimate vacation island in the Bahamas to the international cruise industry's move to more sustainable ways — here are this week’s cruise news bleeping on our radar.
India: An OYO was booked every 0.50 seconds
According to OYO's Summer Booking Index, overall bookings in India have increased by 119% compared to the same period last year (January-March).
Go-Jek launches Go-Travel to counter Grab
Marking another milestone in Go-Jek and Grab’s intense competition, the two dove into the travel space by launching their respective hotel booking sites through their apps.
“Secluded, spiritual and sensual”: AKARYN arrives in Bali and Vietnam
Thailand’s AKARYN Hotel Group has announced it will be bringing its take on boutique accommodations to Indonesia and Vietnam this week, exporting its Aleenta and akyra brands for the first…
Go-Jek quietly rolls out e-commerce feature Go-Mall
Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek quietly introduced Go-Mall, a new feature that allows users to browse and shop for various items from electronics to groceries through the app.
Google in travel – slowly but surely
There is no denying the relevance of Google in our travel preparations that is why the tech giant is slowly encroaching in the travel space by launching products bit by bit.
Traveloka’s secret sauce for unicorn success
There is no denying that Traveloka is one of the most successful start-ups in Southeast Asia being one of the first unicorns in the region.
Go-Jek and Traveloka mull over going public
Indonesian unicorns Go-Jek and Traveloka are reportedly thinking of holding an IPO, which could be the first for Indonesia Stock Exchange.
OYO signs first-ever distribution partnership with Hotelbeds
Hotelbeds and OYO Hotels & Homes has announced a strategic global distribution partnership, representing OYO’s first distribution partnership with a bedbank.
Firefly goes global
Malaysian carrier Firefly, has hitched its wagon to Sabre Corporation, with the announcement that it has signed a new content distribution agreement with the industry tech solutions…
Swiss-Belhotel reveals the MICE potential of new Jakarta property
Swiss-Belhotel International unveiled its latest project Indonesian project today, with the launch of Swiss-Belresidences Rasuna Epicentrum in Indonesia.
W Hotels announces second ‘lux playground’ in Bali
W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott International Inc, has announced the signing of W Bali – Ubud, the brand’s newest W Escape.
Travel tech this week: Settling in Singapore
This week, we saw a lot of activity in Southeast Asia, which has been a fertile ground for start-ups. Two companies have set up offices in Singapore, which is still the best place to manage…
Google teases on new “engagement rewards” program
There is no stopping Google from exploring the possibilities outside metasearch. After it quietly rolls out its Hotel Search site that has kept every metasearch and OTA on their toes, the…
How NTUC Income “reimagined” travel insurance
Travel insurance firm NTUC Income, has come up with a new way of making sure travellers are protected against the seemingly random and unpredictable nature of airline’s tickets prices, which…
Another Boeing 737 Max 8 makes emergency landing due to engine problem
As investigation on Boeing 737 Max 8 progresses, another plane of its model made an emergency landing shortly after departing Orlando.
Lost trust: Garuda and Lion Air snub 737 Max 8
Indonesia’s Garuda has told Boeing that it will cancel its multi-billion impending order for 49 737 Max 8 jets after the model was involved in two fatal crashes.
Lion Air is prepping for billion dollar IPO – sources
Indonesia’s Lion Air has started preparations for domestic initial public offering, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Aviation round up: It’s the bees knees
This week's aviation round up comes with a brand new business class product, airport mapping and, of course, a new destination.
PH board says no to Go-Jek for the second time
Philippine’s Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has denied the application of ride-hailing Go-Jek to enter the Philippine market.
Bon appétit: Transforming in-flight meals into bespoke experiences
IATA has predicted that the number of air travellers will double by 2035. And offering premium in-flight meals is one way to attract more customers and expand their businesses.
Ctrip, Millennium Hotels sign China-focused distribution deal
Ctrip.com, one of China’s largest integrated travel services companies, has signed an agreement with upscale hoteliers Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR).
RedDoorz to raise USD 50 million in Series B round
Singapore-based budget hotel operator RedDoorz is raising up to USD 50 million for its Series B financing round.
Ethiopian Airlines crash leaves ‘no survivors’
An Ethiopian Airlines jet crashed six minutes after it took off from Addis Ababa leaving no survivors.
Unstoppable: Grab receives USD 1.5 billion fund
Yes, Grab is unstoppable as it just added another USD 1.5 billion in its stash by raising USD 1.46 billion from SoftBank’s USD 100 billion Vision Fund.
AirAsia permanently breaks up with Traveloka
AirAsia has permanently withdrawn all of its flights from online travel agent Traveloka after AirAsia’s Indonesia flights disappeared on the platform for the second time in two weeks,…
Go-Jek to try again in PH
Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek will try to penetrate the Philippine market again after reports claimed that one of the country’s oldest conglomerates Ayala Corporation will partner with the…
Thailand, India dominate Asia’s Top 25 Beaches
Thailand and India proved they have the most beautiful beaches in the region as both countries have the most entry in this year’s Top 25 Beaches in Asia by TripAdvisor.
Traveloka expands outside Southeast Asia
Online travel platform and Indonesian unicorn Traveloka has launched in Australia, which is its first expansion outside Southeast Asia.
Breathing (OYO) Life into Japan’s home rental market
After China, Indonesia and Malaysia; OYO is now spreading its wings further east into Japan.
Southeast Asia fights back! How countries battle pollution and overtourism
Bali, Phuket, Halong Bay, and Boracay used to be paradises on earth but now feature throng of crowds, heavy traffic, and shores defiled with trash.
Grab teases on big partnerships this year
Grab is not yet done as the ride-hailing app Grab has plans to expand into business ranging from health care to insurance to video streaming through big partnerships and raised funding.
Travel tech this week: New start-ups and groundbreaking updates
This week, we saw new start-ups launch worldwide KIWIride, SensorFlow, and Bounce. Zudu cooked up digital strategies while Egencia updated its platform to enhance customer experiences,…
DoubleTree by Hilton targets APAC in global expansion
Pushing for international growth, DoubleTree by Hilton has its sights set on APAC, placing nearly half of its 200 planned hotels in the region.
Roads less travelled: Didi Chuxing expands in South America
Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing is reportedly expanding in Latin America based on the job postings and a company official.
Solving the talent crisis
There is a talent shortage in Asia Pacific countries. The region is heading towards a deficit of 12.3 million workers by 2020, according to a recent study on global talent by strategic…
Go-Jek’s fresh funds fuel expansion
Go-Jek has announced that it had received series F funding from Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com Inc. and China-based conglomerate Tencent Holdings, with Mitsubishi…
Vienna House CEO on the need to redefine luxury
Quite intrigued by hie move and opinion, I decide to unfurl Vienna House's Asia expansion plans and more in an exclusive interview with CEO Rupert Simoner.
The long and the short of it: Ascott’s Brian Tan on the shifting serviced apartment market
A couple of weeks ago TD reported the news that serviced apartment specialists Ascott Limited, had experienced unprecedented growth. I spoke to country general manager for Thailand, Brian…
How TA’s can help save the world
Destination management company (DMC) EXO Travel has unveiled its shiny new way for travel agents booking responsible travel and hospitality -- giving them the power to help save the planet,…
“We are a local company”: RedDoorz CEO
Just last week, Indonesian OTA RedDoorz, announced its regional expansion plans to open in 10 new cities in East Java, Indonesia in 2019 starting with Pasuruan and Jember. Keen to know more…
“Nothing replaces the human factor”: GM of The Westin KL
The Westin KL's new GM talks about patience, communication and the value of movement in a career.
Travel tech this week: AirAsia’s AVA, CashlessSentosa, and more
This week, we saw how companies made use of technology to improve their services, making it convenient for their customers. AirAsia introduced its AI chatbot and Triptease announced…
OYO sets out to become ‘household name’ in the Philippines
After India, China, Malaysia, Nepal, UK, UAE and Indonesia, OYO Hotels and Homes has announced its eighth international destination, the Philippines.
Netflix and ride? Grab adds a streaming service to its app
Grab added Netflix-like video-on-demand service HOOQ into its core ride-hailing app. The company, which is valued at USD 11 billion and raising a USD 5 billion round, already offers a range…
Safest destinations for solo travellers in 2019
It is a no-brainer that safety is one of the main considerations of solo travellers. A recent survey of 2,000 travellers commissioned by Intrepid Travel found that 73% of respondents worry…
IHG unlocks Kimpton’s global growth with over 25 hotels in the pipeline
IHG’s Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has revealed its strongest state in its 38-year history with more than 25 hotels under development.
RedDoorz to open in ten cities across East Java
Indonesian OTA RedDoorz, has announced today it regional expansion plans by unveiling the 10 new cities in East Java it will open in 2019, starting with Pasuruan and Jember.
Vung pow! Vienna House arrives in SE Asia
European luxury expert Vienna House, has announced its arrival in Southeast Asia with news that Vienna House Vung Tau is set to open in Vietnam in 2021.
Bali: From Holiday to Home
The next step in your career could have you walking with Komodo dragons or sipping cocktails by azure seas and golden beaches in Indonesia.
A paradise of sun, sand and sea, Indonesia…
Travelstop marks major expansion in Asia
Singapore-based business travel start-up Travelstop is launching in seven markets including Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.
Ascott achieves “unprecedented growth” with 100,000 units globally
Serviced residence operator The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has secured contracts for another 26 properties, boosting its portfolio to 100,000 units globally.
Hot hotel openings: Fitness science meets travel
From a luxury resort nestled on the Island of the Gods — to a "fitness science meets travel" hotel on the streets of Manhattan’s west side.
‘I look at it like Fedex’ says GolfAsian MD, Mark Siegel
One company taking advantage of the continuing popularity of golf in Asia is Thailand’s GolfAsian. To find out more about how the company has grown, I spoke to the man at helm, managing…
GrabJobs disrupts old school recruitment process in SEA
Finding a job has never been this easy for both job seekers and employers. Singapore-based GrabJobs is making a fuss in the recruitment scene with their interview chatbot technology.
Go-Jek operates in Singapore after roadblock in the Philippines
Indonesian unicorn Go-Jek has opened its app to passengers in Singapore after it hits a roadblock in the Philippines.
OYO unlocks homes in Dubai to restore balance in hospitality
Making its way to the UAE’s largest, most populous, and trendiest city — OYO has announced the launch of OYO Homes in Dubai.
Tourism: Key to the rise of new-age Asian tigers
Cracking the inbound tourism growth to determine the new age Asian tigers.
Travel tech this week: Start-ups Grab, Nezasa, AvantStay secure millions and more
It is that time of the week again. This time, we saw millions being secured by start-ups hinting the forthcoming innovations in various sectors.
Solar-powered private island heats up the Maldives
Crown and Champa Resorts has opened its latest property, an eco-conscious getaway that’s powered by the sun, located in Lhayivani Atoll.
2018 in review: Movers and shakers in the hotel space
Mergers, acquisitions, and billion-dollar funding rounds — so much have happened in 2018 and so I’ve thought of compiling them into one bite-sized piece.
2019 firecrackers: Hot hotels opening with a bang next year
In this week’s special edition of hot hotel openings, we’ve got up and coming hotels from Rosewood, NH Hotel Group, BLESS Collection, Four Seasons and more.
Flight Centre launches BHMA in Bali
BHMA, Flight Centre Travel Group’s in-house hotel management division, has announced the launch of its Away brand in Bali this week, by signing a lease agreement on upscale resort, The…
Best Western in Asia: “Most exciting period in 72-year history”
Best Western Hotels & Resorts has announced another successful year in Asia with new brands and properties in the fast-growing region.
20/20 Vision: Wyndham’s APAC president’s plans for 2019 and beyond
Following the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts split from parent company Wyndham Worldwide earlier this year, it was necessary to install a new head honcho for APAC. Opting to recruit internally…
Traveloka reportedly acquires PegiPegi and two other rivals for USD 66.8 million
A report has surfaced that the Indonesian travel tech unicorn Traveloka has long acquired some of its rivals in Southeast Asia through a Singapore-based shell company named Jet Tech…
Winter Wonderland: WebBeds and Switzerland Tourism host well-performing Asian TA’s
WebBeds and Switzerland Tourism announces the winners of a "once-in-a-lifetime fam trip to Switzerland", following a major regional B2B contest that involved travel agents from all across…
“In art we trust”: ARTOTEL fuels Southeast Asian growth
Indonesian hospitality company ARTOTEL Group has announced the successful completion of a strategic investment led by sole investor Intudo Ventures.
“Shifting mindsets and creating a winner mentality,” Katerina Giannouka’s first year at Radisson
Following Katerina Giannouka's appointment as Radisson's head-honcho in APAC, the driven executive was thrown in at the deep end with a major company rebrand , overseeing an aggressive…
Save time, make money: Instaroom’s AI bot powers direct bookings for hotels
Personalisation is key in the hospitality sector and we are increasingly seeing new tech developments facilitate the service-heavy industry and how.
Preferred Hotels unveils 23 worldwide hotels for 2019
Preferred Hotels unveil the latest properties to be added throughout next year.
Industry insights with Willem Niemeijer of Khiri Travel
Celebrating 25 years in business, Khiri Travel retrospects on its journey in travel in Asia. Khiri Travel founder, Willem Niemeijer insights that inform his travel industry decision making,…
The last straw: Hotels and resorts in Asia fight back against plastic waste
When it comes to plastics, many have reached the last straw. Here are seven resorts and hotels around Asia that are fighting against plastic waste.
Traveloka co-founder bids goodbye and sparks rumours of internal conflict
Traveloka’s co-founder and chief technology officer Derianto Kusuma has resigned from the company, effective on 30 November, he co-founded after seven years saying “this game is no longer…
The cheapest and most expensive capital cities in the world revealed
Cuba Holidays has compiled an index of all the cheapest capital cities based on a variety of factors that come into play when considering a holiday.
The sexiest company in travel: TD asks 5 questions for rapid industry insight
In the world of travel, the phrase ‘NDC’ is on everyone’s lips at the moment. It represents a paradigm shift in the way airline tickets are retailed globally – and yet, surprisingly few…
Scoot to take over SilkAir’s routes ahead its merger into Singapore Airlines
SilkAir will transfer a number of its routes to Scoot ahead of its merger into Singapore Airlines, while Scoot will be transferring some of its services to existing destinations served by…
Komodo Islands: “Where once dragons roamed, tourism is the new giant”
Labuan Bajo is witnessing a rising tide of travellers who are pushing beyond the Eat Pray Love script of culture club Bali and embracing the more adventurous call of the wild.
BedLinker: A marketplace for midsize players in the travel business
A travel tech startup from the economic hub of Vietnam, BedLinker, aims to empower travel buyers and sellers to create their own seamless, configurable purchasing and distribution experience…
The shopping phenomenon you’ve never heard of just racked up USD 30b in a day
Alibaba did it again! The Chinese e-commerce giant beat its own record at Singles’ Day 11:11 event with USD 30.7 billion total sales during the 24-hour event beating last year’s USD 25.3…
“We take our Collection Criteria very seriously”: Preferred Hotels MD
Following an announcement from TripAdvisor declaring Preferred Hotels to be the number one “Most Excellent” large hotel chain in the world, I sought to find out what makes the independent…
15 years and counting: WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2019 call for entries
World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) are calling for travel and tourism organisations across Asia to showcase their achievements in sustainable tourism by entering the Tourism for…
Another Lion Air accident on runway during take-off
In a span of little more than a week, two unfortunate incidents befall Indonesian low-cost carrier Lion Air. Following the fatal crash of Lion Air 737 claiming the lives of 189 people,…
Three Amigos: Meliá Hotels signs a hat-trick of new hotels in APAC
Spanish hotel group, Meliá Hotels International, has signed three new hotels located in Vietnam and Thailand.
Where pawns become queens: 5 underrated Asian markets
Asia and the Pacific is a massive market and a fertile ground for travel start-ups.
For your tastebuds: Finnair announces summer routes in Europe
Further strengthening its summer holiday offering for leisure customers, Finnair will open three new routes to Bologna, Italy; Bordeaux, France and Porto, Portugal for the peak summer season…
“Capitalise on inbound Muslim travel”, says Tripfez founder
The GDP impact of Muslim travel in Asia is forecast to hit USD 33 billion by 2020, up 27% from USD 26.2 billion in 2017, according to new research unveiled this week.
“We have no intentions of slowing down”: Hilton VP talks Asian expansion
Following the recent debut of Hilton's flagship brand in the Philippines, we caught up with Paul Hutton, VP of operations in Southeast Asia to talk about the hospitality giant's expansion…
Oc-Toba: AirAsia touches down at Silangit International
Lake Toba, Indonesia
Earlier this month the Lake Toba Authority Executive Body (BPODT), a division of the Indonesian Tourism Ministry, signed an agreement with a group of private…
AYANA Komodo Resort: Flores Island welcomes first five-star resort
WATG, an integrated design firm, has opened AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach, the island’s first luxury offering.
Crystal Cruises 2021 lineup includes 175 heritage sites
Crystal Cruises has announced its full lineup of 2021 for Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, becoming the first cruise line to announce a complete 2021 deployment.
Bangkok Airways: Talking shop with Thailand’s boutique carrier at 50
With Bangkok Airways hitting the big fifty in 2018, I sat down with Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya, VP of sales for the Thai regional airline to discover how it has grown since its inception,…
Wellington: New Zealand’s capital enjoys tourism growth
Tourism New Zealand has released new figures that show Wellington as an emerging tourist destination.
Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia sign AUD 11 million marketing deal
Singapore Airlines and Tourism Australia have re-affirmed their commercial ties with a three-year strategic marketing deal.
Transforming tourism with Portier: How does that work then?
Back at the beginning of September I reported news that Vietnamese telecom giant Vinaphone had entered the world of hospitality through a partnership with hotel tech firm Portier…
PHIST: Phuket gets a helping hand cleaning up for the future
With some of Phuket’s biggest hospitality players in attendance, the very first Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Forum 2018 (PHIST), one of Thailand’s most popular destinations,…
Collateral damage: Tourism industry jolts as natural disasters strike Asia
For the past 25 years, global tourism has been in full upswing. People are travelling more than ever leaving no stone unturned, but one thing that can stop us in our track is natural…
Crystal Cruises 26th world cruise: “A truly comprehensive odyssey on a grand scale”
Crystal Cruises has announced it is all set for the its 26th annual World Cruise – this year the wide ranging voyage, dubbed “Ancient Dynasties & World Wonders”, will take in up to 17…
Following nature’s footsteps: Mövenpick to debut in the Maldives
Swiss hotel company, Mӧvenpick Hotels & Resorts, has announced the opening of its inaugural property in the Maldives — Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, scheduled to open in…
Wego report: Egypt still most popular among MENA travellers
Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the MENA region, released the MENA Traveller Destination Leaderboards for Q2-2018. This report highlights the rise and fall in popularity of…
Taking the piste: Club Med reveals the habits of Asian skiiers
Luxury ski firm Club Med has revealed the habits and influences of 5,500 winter sports lovers, across 11 markets in the China and APAC regions, in its 2018 Snow Holiday Report.
Island hopping: Top ten island holiday destinations
Luxury leather goods company, David Hampton, has analysed 50 global islands, ranking each for 11 key holiday destination priorities, to find the ultimate island holiday destination.
Sabre Corp’s DNA conferences to empower hoteliers across APAC
Tech solutions provider, Sabre Corporation, has announced a series of conferences designed specifically for hoteliers, to empower them and transform the guest experience across Asia Pacific.
How much do Singaporeans actually spend on travel?
Singaporeans love to travel, with a majority of people taking more two or more vacations per year. A study by Value Penguin breaks down the average cost of a vacation for Singaporeans, as…
How to – and how not to – use OTAs as partners
Dan Lynn is the co-founder of ZUZU Hospitality Solutions, a distribution and revenue management company for small independent hotels.
Bali-inspired luxury getaway Pantai Inn opens in San Diego
Set along the shores of the La Jolla coastline, with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, The Pantai Inn is a Balinese-inspired hideaway provides the ideal setting for a Southern…
CEO of Dream Hotel Group shares his global expansion plans
As Dream Hotel Group continues its unprecedented growth, we talk to its CEO for the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, Abid Butt, on the Group’s international expansion plans, the…
Chinese media giant Tencent to invest in Indian budget hotel start-up OYO Rooms
Tencent Holdings Ltd. is in talks to lead a financing round of between US$300 million to US$500 million in Indian budget hotel brand OYO Rooms, valuing OYO at over US$2 billion, according to…
Leveraging mobile and big data in the guest experience
I spoke to the cofounder of Portier about how engagement equals sales for five-star luxury hotels.
Hong Kong taps Wego to attract travellers from Southeast Asia
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has partnered with travel marketplace platform, Wego, to promote Hong Kong as a ‘Soul Cool’ summer destination.
Using the cloud before it was even called ‘the cloud’
I spoke to Andrew McGregor, CEO of Guestline, about life in Asia, the early days of e-commerce, and how to expand into new markets.
Seabourn unveils 146-day world cruise
Luxury cruise company Seabourn revealed its latest marquee itinerary this week when it announced the launch of the ultra-luxury 146-day 'World Cruise: Extraordinary Destinations on…
Hoteliers in Johor stay positive despite occupancy rates
Despite occupancy rates of less than 50%, hotels in Johor Bahru are optimistic about their future, Ivan Teo, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) and general manager of…
SLH adds four luxury boutique hotels to its portfolio
Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has added four properties to its hand-picked portfolio of luxury boutique hotels, including three newly-opened hotels.
Could Japan be the next country to close due to overtourism?
Following the huge drop in inbound tourists after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in March 2011, the Japanese government boosted its tourism efforts and reintroduced Japan to the world.…
IHG sets out to acquire 51% stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has set out to acquire a 51% stake in Regent Hotels & Resorts, with a goal of bringing the brand to the top of the luxury segment and accelerating its…
New Hahn Air agreement gives Sunwing access to over 350 partners
It’s been a few months since German airline Hahn Air last appeared in Travel Daily, by way of a GDS agreement between its global consolidation service (GCS) Hahn Air Systems and Citilink…
Low cost carrier Scoot launches non-stop flights to Berlin
Scoot launched its third long-haul destination with non-stop four-times-weekly flights to Berlin from Singapore.
RedDoorz expands to its third Southeast Asian market in the Philippines
RedDoorz, the budget hotels booking platform that’s been winning cities in Southeast Asia, today announced its expansion into its third market in the region – the Philippines.
82% of HK travellers planning to take dedicated food tourism trip this year, says Booking.com
Asian countries trump some of the well-known culinary destinations like France and Italy, according to westerners and fellow Asians.
Hilton regional GM for Malaysia: millennials will have careers “we would have envied 20 years ago”
As Hilton’s first regional manager for Malaysia, Jamie Mead has carved out an enviable reputation in the relatively short time he has been in the country. Described by Hilton as a “visionary…
The next big thing: Thailand outbound travel on the up
Thailand, long a major holiday destination, is starting to become a significant source of outbound travellers - The Next Big Thing Thailand Outbound Travel has revealed.
‘Preserving something special by sharing it’ – Explora.ph founder on the challenges of bespoke travel
Last month, we featured Explora.ph, a travel platform that partners with locals to offer bespoke travel experiences in the Philippines. Here’s the inspiration behind the company, and some of…
Swiss-Belhotel reveals ambitious global plan with up to 70 hotels in the pipeline
Global hospitality management chain Swiss-Belhotel International has revealed its ambitious expansion plan of launching at least 60 new hotels and resorts worldwide in the next few years.
“I wanted to create the Airbnb of tourism”
Arriving in a new city, in a country you have never been to before, can be an overwhelming experience. You may have all the right plans to discover ‘the real’ Bangkok, for example, but once…
Air Charter Service targets “one million millionaires” with China expansion
British-based chartered aircraft providers Air Charter Service (ACS) has revealed it will be developing its Chinese operations by upgrading to larger offices in Beijing.
The move to…
Go-Jek makes international debut with $500 million in its pockets
In the coming months, daily commuters in Southeast Asia will soon get the chance to join the Indonesian way of travel as Go-Jek expands into Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and the…
Email is still king even for social media-obsessed millennials
Travel companies should ramp up thier email marketing as email is still the preferred way of nearly a third of millennials across the Asia Pacific in receiving travel recommendations or…
Inspired by lunar phases, Capella Ubud rethinks the wellness journey
Capella Ubud Bali, a hidden sanctuary in the heart of Bali’s rainforest, will launch its Auriga Wellness signature treatments inspired by natural organic products and treatments drawing on…
Kempinski Hotels to open flagship property in historic Capitol Singapore
Perennial Real Estate Holdings has appointed luxury hotel group, Kempinski Hotels SA, to operate its flagship property in the country - The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore.
“Yes I can service ethos and 100% satisfaction guarantee” the driving force behind Radisson Blu Bali
Located 20k from Ngurah Rai International Airport, Radisson Blu Bali Uluwatu, the debut resort from the company on the Indonesian island, is all set to fling open its doors to the public.…
Haven Group unveil SGD 288 million deal for Lagoi Bay Bintan
The Haven Group has announced it has made a deal worth SGD 288 million (IDR 2.88 trillion) with Indonesian building contractors Total Bangun Persada Tbk (TOTAL) and the Yunnan Construction…
Swiss-Belhotel International signs MoU for new property in Riau Islands
Swiss-Belhotel International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Soma Jaya Sakti for the development and management of Swiss-Belhotel Karimun, Riau Islands.
Jakarta Palembang 2018: host hotel receives first MICE-fueled five-star hotel
Wyndham makes its inaugural launch in Palembang, Indonesia with the opening of Wyndham Opi Hotel, the new 5-star hub of the city.
Did Sabre just score a new distribution deal with one of Asia’s biggest airlines?
Hot on the heels of last week’s news that Sabre had renewed its GDS agreement with Vietnam Airways, the travel-tech company has now released news of its new content distribution agreement…
Crowdvilla ushers ‘real’ sharing economy in hospitality industry, says co-founder
Darvin Kurniawan believes that the blockchain can democratise the hospitality industry. In the last part of our interview with the Indonesian-born, Singapore-based start-up co-founder, he…
HARRIS Hotel & Conventions Malang unveils 26 new pool villas
Following news of the latest additions to its range of eco-friendly accommodations POP! Hotels and the opening of a new Harris Hotel in Java both coming in February, Indonesia's Tauzia Hotel…
Discover the real Singapore on the Baba Trail
The Baba trail is a walk down heritage lane with a visit to the Peranakan hotspots – NUS Baba House, The Peranakan Museum, Rumah Bebe, Kim Choo Kueh Chang; as it tries to glorify the true…
Booking.com’s battle to claim OTA market share in India
The fight for market share in India is heating up as the Amsterdam-headquartered OTA lists more non-hotel options. This is in light of Booking.com’s recent announcement that it offers five…
The rebirth of the timeshare – for the cryptocurrency generation: we talk to the CEO of Crowdvilla
Darvin Kurniawan, the Indonesian co-founder and CEO of Singapore-based start-up Crowdvilla, entered the alternative accommodations industry by way of blockchain-powered cryptocurrency. …
Small Luxury Hotels of the World announces five new hotels this April
Small Luxury Hotels of the World, a collection of over 500 hotels in more than 80 countries, has added five new hotels to its portfolio including two ocean-front hotels in Dubrovnik, a…
Beyond the slopes: Why Swiss partnership is a “win-win” for WebBeds
After announcing details of a new partnership with Switzerland Tourism designed to seduce Asian tourists to the country, WebBeds has revealed it hosted its first two travel trade workshops…
MICE is nice: The top 4 meetings and events locations in Jakarta
Cited as the world’s number one most popular location per tag stories and the eight most posted cities by Instagram in 2017, Jakarta’s tourism industry has traditionally been powered by the…
Ascott accelerates portfolio pipeline with new partners in Asia
CapitaLand’s serviced residence business unit, The Ascott Limited (Ascott), is accelerating its expansion in Asia by partnering with developers in China, Japan and Thailand.
Ctrip tracks record-breaking growth in Chinese outbound tourism
Chinese tourists and their money have continued to go places in 2017, according to Ctrip and the China Tourism Academy (CTA). The leading OTA of the People's Republic of China and the…
Retaj Hotels and Taj Hana join forces to seize potential of medical tourism
Qatari real estate and hotel management company Retaj Hotels and Hospitality, has recently announced details of it Asian expansion with the signing of new strategic partnership with…
Which carrier has Oman Air just signed its second Thai codeshare with?
Oman Air announced the development of its Asia Pacific network this week when it released details of its new codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways. The agreement, which went into action…
Travelodge doubles up with two new hotels in Kuala Lumpur
It’s been a very busy 2018 so far for Travelodge, who kicked off the new year with the opening of Skye by Travelodge Arena Nha Trang, in Vietnam. And, today the company have announced…
RedDoorz evolves with US$11 million pre-Series B fundraise, pilot property model
We have been following RedDoorz as it scales up towards becoming the leading accommodation marketplace in Southeast Asia.
Why WebBeds is showcasing the sights and sounds of Swiss summer
Hot on the heels of Finnish Capital Helsinki's recent push for Chinese tourists and their cash with a handy destination mini program Swiss Tourism and WebBeds Asia Pacific have signed a…
Startup brings the heat to Vietnam’s hospitality, tech industries
BedLinker is a Vietnamese joint stock company providing technology solutions that allow hotels, travel agents and tour operators to work together. The start-up founded by Thuan Dao, whose…
Opening the skies with AirAsia Group’s Spencer Lee
Spencer Lee, head of commercial for AirAsia Malaysia, looks quiet and unassuming. But if you talk about travel, the transport industry veteran can hardly contain his excitement. We sat down…
Herman Wegmueller reveals scale of MG Group expansion plans
Already Southeast Asia’s biggest bedbank, MG Group is not resting on its laurels and is intent on getting bigger and bigger. With it’s home territory wrapped up, MG has lofty ambitions and…
BackHotel Lite – Roiback pocket booking engine already present in five countries
BackHotel Lite, the new simplified version of Roiback’s booking engine for small chains and independent hotels, is already being used in five countries worldwide: Spain, Mexico, Indonesia,…
Oakwood says ‘Ohayou’ to Osaka in summer 2018
Oakwood Worldwide is slated to open Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Shin-Osaka, with Yasuko Sugiyama as its GM, on the summer of 2018.
favehotel Tasikmalaya boosts popular budget brand to 40 cities
The opening of favehotel Tasikmalaya marks Archipelago International (A.I.)’s seventh hotel opening in West Java, underscoring the popularity and demand for the company’s brands.…
ASEAN Tourism Forum 2018: Food trips, sustainability and scaling up in the next 50 years
The recent 37th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) saw the region’s tourism ministers express optimism on growing the sector in 2018 onwards.
SEAsians #GoLoka for Traveloka
Traveloka appears to be crushing Expedia in core SE Asian markets despite their late entry. Will it continue to do so in 2018?
GM for new Park Hyatt Jakarta, set to open this year, revealed
Park Hyatt Jakarta has announced the appointment of Fredrik Harfors as general manager effective immediately. Park Hyatt Jakarta is expected to open its doors in the second half of 2018 and…
Q&A with Arthur Kiong – CEO of Far East Hospitality
As one of the biggest players in the uber-competitive Singaporean travel market, it stands to reason they would have a CEO with a profile to match. Travel Daily sits down with Arthur Kiong…
The Residence by Cenizaro joins Global Hotel Alliance
Global Hotel Alliance has announced that The Residence by Cenizaro has joined its portfolio of distinct brands, adding a collection of luxury resorts to GHA’s network of more than 35…
How upscale hostels are edging into SE Asia’s mainstream market
New market report question’s if cookie cutter hotels groups will again fall asleep at the wheel as they did with OTA’s and Airbnb. Call them poshtels, hostels or hybrid hotels, but one of…
The hottest hotels opening in 2018
Planning to go on a dream vacation this 2018? Celebrate the year in style by going to these jaw-dropping hotel destinations.
Opening Asia to branded budget stays, one RedDoorz at a time
RedDoorz aims to be the Uber of budget accommodation: its ecosystem allows owners of unbranded spaces to showcase their properties & reach out to travellers who want to avail of quality…
Expedia and ARC reveal best times to book air travel for 2018
Expedia group and Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) have released the findings from the fourth annual Air Travel Outlook Report. A hallmark collaboration between two leaders in air…
Nine of the best: agoda reveal their top new hotels from 2017
Over the past year agoda’s accommodation listings have doubled, and now the fastest-growing online travel booking platform offers over 2 million properties worldwide. With so many new…
CBInsights reviews 2017 trends in travel tech start-ups and investments
Tech analyst company CBInsights argues that travel tech is evolving faster than Pokemon.
Archipelago add 770 rooms and waterpark to ever expanding portfolio
Archipelago International (A.I.) have announced further expansion into Asia will place with the signing of a 700-room management contract under the Quest Hotel brand. The Port Dickson…
Packdat start-up! Disrupting the travel market with Felix Lee
Felix Lee Zheng De looks like any other Singaporean engineering student: lanky, bespectacled, wearing jeans and trainers, raring to go anywhere. What sets this twenty-something apart is that…
Travelport CEO discusses results for third quarter of 2017
Travelport released revenue statistics for the third quarter of 2017, yesterday. Commenting on the numbers Gordon Wilson (main picture), president and CEO of Travelport, cited the Asian…
5 amazing getaway spots in the Philippines
We’ve listed down five amazing vacation spots in the Philippines with the most eclectic themes. Our list includes a Greek-inspired resort, a Filipino heritage site, a museum hotel, an…
Plan your group adventure with Packdat
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Sanya: China’s tropical city on target for record breaking numbers in 2017
Sanya, China's top destination for island tourism, received a total of 620,000 inbound tourists by the end of November of 2017, representing year-on-year growth of 70 percent. The tropical…
ANA Holding chairman is first two-time Person of the Year
Shinichiro Ito, chairman of the board of ANA HOLDINGS, was named the Person of the Year 2017 by Orient Aviation magazine, the commercial aviation news magazine in the Asia-Pacific region.…
Philippine Airlines enters 2018 with ‘Great Winter Seat Sale’
Philippine Airlines (PAL) offers value for money on return flights to Asian and Australasian destinations with its 'Great Winter Seat Sale.' All daily flights on the airline’s new Boeing…
Dheva Mantra Resort & Spa now part of Away Resorts
Bespoke Hospitality Management Asia (BHMAsia) recently added Kanchanaburi-based Dheva Mantra Resort & Spa to its roster of Away Resorts properties.
The Bangkok, Thailand-based…
AirAsia Beyond Aviation – New CEO for Digital Transformation Aireen Omar
AirAsia has announced that its board of directors has unanimously approved senior leadership changes, in line with the AirAsia Group’s new digitalisation strategy.
VITS Hotels signs Joint Venture with Exhicon in Thailand
Indian hospitality company VITS Hotels Worldwide Pvt. Ltd., has announced the signing of a joint venture with Exhicon Group in Thailand. The collaboration will accelerate VITS brand of…
TRAVLR can’t wait to “impact the lives of millions”, with SERIES A funding achieved
TRAVLR is a new travel platform hoping to disrupt the $1.29 trillion travel industry. Having raised $5m SERIES A funding, TRAVLR believe they are all set to redefine the way we travel.
What exactly is Best Western Hotels & Resorts so pleased about?
Best Western Hotels & Resorts is celebrating yet another successful year in Asia, with multiple new hotels being launched in key business and leisure destinations all across the region.
FIT Ruums arrives in Japan to take advantage of tourism boom
FIT Ruums, Webjet Group’s B2B travel distributor in Asia, has taken a major step forward in its global expansion strategy with the launch of its first Japanese office in Osaka.
agoda reveal Bali’s favourite Christmas guests
Despite the popular depiction of the far-flung Aussie globetrotter, according to global online booking platform agoda, Bali has remained the #1 destination for summer holiday travel for the…
Centara: Markland Blaiklock to lead expansion project
Centara Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Markland Blaiklock as deputy chief executive officer, effective immediately. Mr. Blaiklock will be responsible for steering the…
Why developers can’t resist the lure of hotel branding in Thailand
Property developers across Thailand are experiencing a magnetic attraction for hotel branded residences in order to spur price premium points and buyer demand. Currently there are 29 new…
G Adventures rebrands youth travel style
G Adventures has rebranded its ‘Yolo’ programme of tours for younger travellers to ‘18-to-Thirtysomethings’.
The refresh is being made to make it clear to customers that these trips are…
Tourico expects “consistent, diversified demand” throughout Asia, says Hillary Wang
Tourico Holidays have shared data reporting a 93 percent overall increase in Asia-Pacific hotel bookings in 2017 compared to the same time in 2016.
Ctrip double-down on tech’ advantages at ITB Asia 2017
Ctrip.com International highlighted the importance of South East Asia and the potential of the region to become a hotspot for China's rapidly growing outbound travel market, at the 10th…
Marriott International on Track to Open 16 New Resorts in Asia Pacific
The new hotels range from tranquil resorts such as the beachfront Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa, which is the company’s first hotel in Sri Lanka, to The Ritz-Carlton Haikou, which…
Hotelbeds: potential for China market “vast and almost unimaginable”
Hotelbeds Group, has announced today – at the ITB Asia event taking place in Singapore – outstanding growth in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region during the 2016/17.
Wyndham responds to “robust demand for quality hotels in exceptional locations”
Wyndham Hotel Group continues to strengthen the presence of its upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts and upper-upscale Wyndham Grand brands across South East Asia with five new hotel signings…
What Archipelago gains with smart online move
RateGain, has announced its tie-up with Archipelago International, Indonesia's leading hospitality management company. RateGain will manage online rates and inventory distribution for…
InterContinental finally brings Kimpton to Asia
InterContinental Hotels Group, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has signed three management contracts to introduce its luxury boutique hotel brand, Kimpton Hotels &…
Sheraton Bali channels “the power to engage and touch human emotions”
Innovation, a theme that is synonymous with Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort as they recently embarked on an exercise to enhance the pre-arrival experience for visitors planning a stay at the…
Q & A with Javine Tan, business development manager, for Traveltek Group Ltd in SE Asia
UK travel technology specialist Traveltek has opened a Singapore office,
marking its foray in South-East Asia – a market where its advanced solutions can help the travel industry keep pace…
Bali Eruption: the high price of irresponsible reporting
Tourists should keep visiting Bali as it is perfectly safe to do so. That was the recommendation made by Herman Hoven, General Manager of Khiri Travel Indonesia today.
Marriott have the Moxy for change
Moxy Hotels Marriott International’s disruptive hotel brand, is set to make its mark in Indonesia with the opening of Moxy Bandung. Moxy Bandung are looking to reinvent the lifestyle hotel…
Traveltek Group launches in Southeast Asia
Traveltek Group Ltd has made its debut in Southe ast Asia, introducing a potentially game-changing booking solutions to the region’s tech-hungry travel industry.
Batam and Bintan push for tourism boost
The Ministry of Tourism for Republic of Indonesia has announced a new collaboration with several ferry operators and tourism industries on Batam and Bintan to help increase the number of…
Strong line-up for Muscle Beach Bali 2017
Indonesia’s best bodies head to Bali this month for IFBB Indonesia’s national amateur bodybuilding championship Muscle Beach Bali this month, at Finn's Beach Club
Holidays with Kids announce Australia’s favourite family resorts
In time to plan for their summer holidays, Australian families are set to discover the nation’s favourite child-friendly locations with the release of the ‘Holidays…
Coral Expeditions to build next generation expedition cruise ships
Coral Expeditions, has signed a contract today with Norwegian shipbuilder Vard to build its fourth expedition cruise ship due to be delivered in mid-2019, with a further vessel intended to…
Banyan Tree Bangkok welcomes Alexander Sheppard as its new hotel manager
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts announced the appointment of Alexander Sheppard as its new hotel manager for Banyan Tree Bangkok this week.
Originally from New Zealand, Mr. Sheppard…
Welcome to Travels With Lindsey
Meet Lindsey O’Connor, self-described writer, traveler, storyteller and creator of Travels With Lindsey. After traveling to Seville, Spain during a college internship, Lindsey was hooked…
Archipelago to open new five-star resort in Malaysia
Archipelago International, Indonesia’s fastest growing hotel management company, is once again driving a wave of expansion with the announcement of a five-star villa resort in Port Dickson,…
The Best Chocolate Shop in San Diego
Welcome to Travels With Lindsey
Meet Lindsey O’Connor, self-described writer, traveler, storyteller and creator of Travels With Lindsey. After traveling to Seville, Spain during a…
Swiss-Belinn Airport Surabaya celebrates launch
Swiss-Belhotel International celebrated the official launch of its latest 3-star property in Indonesia, the Swiss-Belinn Airport Surabaya, with a Grand Opening Ceremony on 9th September…
Archipelago International On the Rise
Archipelago International is once again expanding its Indonesian portfolio with the opening of Aston Batam Hotel & Residence.
The brand new hotel, on the small island of Batam mixes…
MAS opens Surabaya
Malaysia Airlines it will be launching a new route to Surabaya, connecting Kuala Lumpur and the capital of the province of east Java, the company said in a statement.
Operations to the…
Singapore Cruise Centre and PT Nongsa Terminal Bahari sign marketing agreement
Singapore Cruise Centre Pte Ltd (SCC) and PT Nongsa Terminal Bahari (NTB) have entered into a marketing collaboration agreement to promote tourism in Batam and Riau Islands the two companies…
Travelport announces new content agreement with second member of Lion Air
Leading travel commerce platform Travelport has announced a new content agreement with Thai Lion Air, a low-cost carrier (LCC) in Thailand, operating both domestic and international flights.…
Post Office fastest growing currencies report reveals appetite for Far East
Far Eastern destinations have emerged as the biggest success story in the Post Office Travel Money’s Fastest Growing Currencies report.
Booming currency demand for Thailand, Vietnam,…
Q&A with Justin Banon, director, Priority Pass
What are the membership benefits with Priority Pass?
When we launched in 1992, we were the first company in the world to offer airport lounge access to travellers, regardless of the…
IHG aims to become lifestyle choice for Asian travellers
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is planning to launch a series of new lifestyle hotels - including new brands – across Asia, as it seeks to target the new wave of affluent middle…
TripAdvisor reveals surging Chinese demand for Thailand travel
A new report from TripAdvisor has revealed that Chinese interest in travel to Thailand continues to soar, building on already strong visitor arrivals.
China was found to be the…
Alternative accommodation offers home comforts for Asian travellers
The majority of Asian travellers who book non-hotel accommodation do so when they're travelling close to home, a new report has revealed.
In a study into the behaviour of Asians…
Where to Stay: the latest hotels in KL, Nagoya, Colombo and more
Favehotel Tuban
Location: On Basuki Rachmad Road in Tuban, the seaport in East Java, three hours' drive from Surabaya's Juanda International Airport
Grade: Economy
Keys: 105…
Two ASEAN cities get first international flights
A new flight will launch later this year, providing the first international air link for two Southeast Asia cities.
On 28 October 2017, Cebgo will commence services across the Sulu…
The latest appointments from Jet Airways, Sabre, Rosewood and more
VINAY DUBE has been announced as the new chief executive officer of Jet Airways. An experienced aviation professional with almost three decades of experience, Dube has held roles with…
Titan launches ocean and river cruise 2018 brochures
Titan has launched its new 2018/19 Ocean and River cruise brochures adding more than 40 new itineraries.
The operator has introduced its new partnership with Regent Seven Seas Cruises®…
Vietnam welcomed 1m visitors in July
Vietnam’s tourism industry continues to thrive, as the country welcomed more than one million international visitors in July 2017.
The monthly total of 1.04m arrivals, revealed by the…
Taking Flight: Onboard Wi-Fi in Asia Pacific
In recent years, the Asia Pacific region - the world’s fastest growing aviation market - has been seeing rapid development and increasing popularity in in-flight connectivity (IFC).…
NagaWorld helps Cambodian athletes “Go for Gold”
NagaWorld has extended its sponsorship of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) and the country's athletes, by offering cash incentives for gold medallists at the 2017 Southeast…
Australia’s Mantra Group agrees artistic acquisition
Mantra Group, the Australian hotel company, has entered into an agreement to acquire the Art Series Hotel Group.
The deal with the Deague Group is worth approximately AU$52.5 million…
The latest appointments, including new female heads at India Tourism and WTTC
RAVNEET KAUR has become the new chair and managing director of the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), becoming the first women to hold the role. In a 29-year career, Ms Kaur…
Regent’s mixed focus drives global growth
Regent Hotels Group, the Taipei-based hospitality company, has unveiled three new mixed hotel and residential projects as it ramps up its global expansion plans.
The company is actually a…
Expedia targets Southeast Asia with latest investment
Expedia is setting its sights on Southeast Asia's booming travel industry following the acquisition of a stake in Traveloka, the Indonesian OTA.
The US-based online travel giant has…
Red Planet selects SiteMinder to drive expansion
Red Planet Hotels has formed a new partnership with SiteMinder as it embarks on a major expansion plan.
The company, which operates 24 hotels in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines…
IHG to enter Bintan with double project
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has entered the Indonesian island of Bintan for the first time with the signing of agreement for two new-build hotels.
Scheduled to open in 2019,…
Hong Kong travellers are world’s best forward planners
Travellers from Hong Kong book their trips further in advance than any other nationality, a new report has revealed.
According the study by Agoda.com, Hong Kong residents are…
Phuket under pressure as tourism growth exposes issue of unlicensed hotels
One of Asia’s most desirable tourist destinations, Phuket is attracting an ever-increasing number of international visitors to its golden beaches and turquoise seas.
But many of the…
Travellers and local experts team up for authentic tailor-made travel experience
Better Places, a social enterprise in responsible travel that launched in The Netherlands in 2014, followed by Germany in 2016 (operating as Fairaway), is now available to English-speaking…
IHG unveils first Hotel Indigo resort in Bali
The world’s first Hotel Indigo in a resort location opens in Bali this month.
The launch of the Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach marks a significant evolution for the brand, which was…
Batik Air gets connected with Sabre
Indonesia's Batik Air has signed its first-ever global distribution system (GDS) agreement with Sabre.
The deal will see Batik, which is part of the fast-expanding Lion Group,…
Gold Medal sees Vietnam and Abu Dhabi top the most wanted list
Gold Medal has reported a 289% increase in forward 2017 summer holiday sales year-on-year to Vietnam and a 294% increase to Abu Dhabi compared to the same period in 2016.
The leap in…
The latest appointments from Vistara, Millennium Hotels and more
LESLIE THNG has been appointed CEO of Vistara, Singapore Airlines' Indian joint venture. Thng, a former chief executive of SilkAir, was previously the chief commercial officer of Budget…
Singapore hotel rates decline for fifth straight month
Hotel rates in Singapore fell 2.5% year-on-year in June, marking the fifth consecutive month they have declined.
According to latest preliminary data from STR, last month's drop took…
Bali tourism arrivals surge 24%
Bali continues to experience a sharp increase in international visitor numbers.
According to the latest data from the Antara news agency, Indonesia’s "Island of the Gods" welcomed a…
FIT Ruums to distribute Rail Europe in Asia
FIT Ruums, the Asian B2B travel distributor, has formed a new partnership with Rail Europe that will enable the region’s travel agents to book European train tickets and passes.
The…
The latest appointments from Regent, Lufthansa and more
VENESSA KOO has become senior vice president of development & technical services for the Regent Hotels Group. She returns to the hotel group, having worked at the Regent Taipei in…
Uber arrives in Cambodia
Uber has started trialling a new service in Cambodia, the Phnom Penh Post reports.
A test version of its smartphone app is currently being offered in Phnom Penh, moving the…
Face-to-Face: Marcelo Molinari
This week, Travel Daily Asia chats with Marcelo Molinari, Group Tourism Director at Value Retail, to discuss how Asia's outbound tourism boom is driving sales at the company's collection of…
Hayes & Jarvis launches 2017/2018 Far East brochure
Hayes and Jarvis has released its 2017-2018 Far East Destination Guide.
The latest brochure has 156 pages of hotels, trips, excursions and adventure ideas including new luxury hotels…
AirAsia bolsters fleet to meet short-term demand
AirAsia has ordered 14 more Airbus A320 aircraft, as it aims to meet short-term demand on its short-haul network.
The low-cost carrier already had outstanding orders for almost 400…
Azamara offering up to four complimentary nights
Azamara Club Cruises offers savings of up to £1,000 per person on select 2018 voyages, when booked before 20 August 2017.
The cruise line is offering travellers up to four complimentary…
The latest appointments from Sabre, Minor and more
PIETER VAN DER HOEVEN has become Minor Hotels' new area general manager for Vietnam. Based at the Anantara Hoi An, he will now oversee the operations and sales of all Minor hotel brands…
China’s Okay Airways boosts fleet with Boeing
Okay Airways, the Tianjin-based airline, has moved to expand its operations with the placement of orders for 20 Boeing aircraft.
The airline, which operates both domestic and…
Expanding Preferred focuses on Asia’s fast-growing markets
Preferred Hotels & Resorts is targeting several key Asia Pacific markets, including Vietnam and Indonesia, as it bids to expand its portfolio and capitalise on the Asian travel boom.…
Best Western brings upscale brand to Ubud
Best Western has opened an upscale resort in Ubud, the cultural centre of Bali.
Then new Best Western Premier Agung Resort Ubud is a low-rise property featuring 75 rooms with private…
Hong Kong Disneyland plans heroic summer line-up
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will expand its superhero line-up this summer, with the launch of a series of new attractions at its Marvel zone.
The theme park entered the Marvel…
Ascott breathes new Lyf into Singapore and China
Ascott has unveiled plans for the first three properties under its new brand, Lyf, which is designed for the millennial market.
Having unveiled the new concept last November, and set…
Half of Asia’s new hotel rooms to rise in China
More than half of the hotel rooms currently under construction in Asia Pacific are located in China.
According to the latest regional pipeline report from STR, there are now 1,189…
AccorHotels brings new brand to Japan
AccorHotels has brought its upscale Pullman brand to Japan for the first time, with the signing of a new hotel in central Tokyo.
Scheduled to open in autumn 2018, Pullman Tokyo Tamachi…
Mobile Travel Shopping and Booking Ascends in Southeast Asia
Individual travel markets within Southeast Asia showcase distinct shopping and booking trends. While computers remain the more popular device for travel shopping and booking among Southeast…
Travel 2 launches Summer Sun mini brochure
Travel 2 has released its 2017 Summer Sun mini brochure ahead of the busy booking period.
The brochure is a guide for agents selling last minute summer holidays and includes deals from…
Asian air route updates from AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Air Astana and more
AirAsia launches Borneo's new intra-island route
Where? Kuching (Malaysia) to Pontianak (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? AirAsia
Why? Low-cost carrier expands…
Where to Stay: New hotels from Ritz-Carlton, Ascott, Sofitel and more…
The Ritz-Carlton Astana
Location: In the Talan Towers, a new luxury complex in the square around the Bayterek Tower, the monument in the centre of Kazakhstan's capital city
Grade:…
Long-haul holiday travel trends from Southall Travel
Booking data from travel company Southall Travel has revealed the top destinations of 2017.
The Thai island of Phuket is the most popular long-haul destination for sun-seeking Brits this…
Shuttle service links Changi with Singapore ferry port
A new shuttle bus service is being launched connecting Singapore's Changi Airport with the city's Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal (TMFT).
The initiative is aimed at improving connectivity…
The latest appointments from Movenpick, IHG, Six Senses and more…
GERARD HOTELIER has become Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts' new vice president of operations for Asia. A long-term executive with the Swiss hotel group, Hotelier became GM of the Mövenpick…
Korean boost for Lombok tourism
Lombok’s tourism industry will get a significant boost this summer, when Korean Air launches direct flights to the Indonesian resort island.
The Antara news agency reported the general…
Melia bullish on Asian expansion
Melia Hotels International continues to focus its expansion efforts on Asia, as it seeks to boost its performance by tapping into some of the world's fastest-growing travel markets.…
Malaysia’s new A380 airline to launch in 2018
Malaysia Airlines has confirmed that its new pilgrimage charter airline will commence operations in the third quarter of 2018.
The new subsidiary will utilise the national carrier's…
Asian air route updates: new flights from AirAsia X, SriLankan, SilkAir and more…
Thai Lion links Bangkok with Bali
Where? Bangkok Don Mueang (Thailand) to Denpasar (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective 1 July 2017
Who? Thai Lion Air
Why? Connecting two of Southeast…
Q&A with Beth Whitman, Founder of Wanderlust and Lipstick/WanderTours
Beth Whitmen is a women's travel expert and the founder of WanderTours, where she leads small group adventures to off-the-beaten-path destinations. She is also the author of the Wanderlust…
Paris focuses on the future as tourism starts to recover
Paris is looking ahead to a brighter future, as tourists start returning to the city in greater numbers.
The French capital suffered a sharp drop in visitor numbers following the…
Asian air route updates: new flights from Garuda, KLM, AirAsia and more…
Bali gets another Chinese connection
Where? Bali (Indonesia) to Chengdu (China)
When? Three times a week, effective 22 May 2017
Who? Garuda Indonesia
Why? Part of the Indonesian…
Marriott brings new lifestyle brand to Japan
Marriott International has unveiled plans to bring its new lifestyle brand, Moxy Hotels, to Japan.
The hotel giant has penned agreements for two Moxy properties in the country, which…
The latest appointments from Carlson Rezidor, Fiji Airways and more…
ERIC DE NEEF has been named as Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group's new executive vice president, global chief branding & commercial officer. While he will be based in Brussels, de Neef…
Rove continues Asian expansion with Malaysian launch
Following the recent announcement that Rove will launch in Vietnam, the Asian DMC has now added Malaysia to its network with a new trekking tour in Borneo.
The new 11-day tour is…
China becomes Bali’s top tourism source market
Bali continues to experience a sharp increase in terms of international visitor arrivals, driven by rising number of Chinese tourists.
According to the latest official data, reported…
IndiGo buys 50 ATRs to enter Indian regional market
IndiGo has placed its first ever aircraft order with ATR as it bids to enter the Indian regional market.
The low-cost carrier has agreed to purchase 50 ATR 72-600 aircraft in a deal…
AirAsia to launch Chinese airline
AirAsia has signed an agreement for its most ambitious venture to date: a low-cost carrier based in mainland China.
The Malaysian company has penned a memorandum of understanding (MoU)…
2017 Travel & Hospitality Trends
For destinations, 2017 is all about discovering that pristine enclave. And the more locally curated, the sweeter the sojourn. Emerging 2017 hotspots are situated at already-coveted…
The latest appointments from American Express GBT, Etihad, Movenpick and more…
ELYES MRAD has been named as American Express Global Business Travel's (GBT) new senior vice president & general manager of international, overseeing the EMEA and Asia Pacific regions.…
Underwater hotels open up hospitality’s newest frontier
A company in the US is opening up a new frontier in the world of hospitality, as it prepares to roll out the world’s first underwater hotels.
Planet Ocean Underwater Hotel is planning to…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Bangkok, New York, Melbourne and more…
Mercure Bangkok Makkasan
Location: Next to Makkasan station, the main downtown hub for Bangkok's Airport Rail Link
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 180
Facilities: Outdoor pool with…
CLIA opens membership to Asian agents
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has started allowing Asian travel agents to join its membership and accreditation programme.
At an event in Jakarta yesterday, held in…
Asian air route updates: new flights from Korean Air, Vietjet, Air Canada and more…
Korean Air connects Seoul with Spain
Where? Seoul (South Korea) to Barcelona (Spain)
When? Three times a week, effective immediately
Who? Korean Air
Why? Rising demand for flights…
ITB Asia sees strongest demand ahead of 10th anniversary show
ITB Asia has revealed that it is experiencing strong demand from exhibitors for floorspace at its 10th anniversary show, which takes place this October.
The trade show's organiser,…
Southeast Asia drives growth of Muslim travel market
Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia are helping to drive the rapid growth of the Muslim travel market, a new report has revealed.
The latest…
International flights start from Jakarta T3
International flights have commenced at Terminal 3 of Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
The new terminal's first international services departed on 1 May 2017, with Garuda…
Indo president joins wax world leaders in Hong Kong
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has come face-to-face with his waxwork replica at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
Dressed in his trademark white shirt and rolled up sleeves, which were…
AirAsia traffic soars in first quarter
AirAsia saw a sharp rise in its passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2017.
In the first three months of the year, the group's five short-haul budget airlines carried a combined total…
Travel stats reveal most wanted holiday
Travel search engine momondo.co.uk recently conducted a global travel survey revealing preferred holiday habits.
The company asked 23,149 people from 23 countries and analysed more than…
Brits eye overseas holidays as Sterling shows signs of life
Better-than-expected currency sales in the first quarter indicate strong and sustained demand for overseas holidays, Post Office Travel Money has declared in its latest Holiday Money Index.…
Where to Stay: New hotels from Melia, Centara, Movenpick and more…
Innside Yogyakarta
Location: In the Sleman area of the Indonesian city, about eight minutes' drive from Adisucipto International Airport
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 242
Facilities:…
Hong Kong Disneyland unveils third and largest hotel
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort has continued to expand with the unveiling of its third and largest hotel, Disney Explorers Lodge.
The new-build 750-room property, which will officially…
The latest appointments from Garuda, AccorHotels, Amadeus and more…
LAURENT A. VOIVENEL has joined Swiss-Belhotel International as senior vice president of operations & development for the Middle East, Africa & India. A seasoned industry…
Tourist port planned for Labuan Bajo
Indonesia is planning to develop a major new port for tourist boats in Labuan Bajo, on the island of Flores.
The Antara news agency reported Indonesia's Tourism Minister, Arief Yahya,…
Taiwan eases visa rules for Asian visitors
Taiwan is easing visa restrictions for a number of Asian countries, in a bid to boost regional trade and tourism.
The island's Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that, effective 1…
Where to Stay: New hotels in India, Australia, Maldives and more…
Eastin Hotel Kurseong
Location: Located on the foothills of the Himalayas in India's Darjeeling tea-producing area, West Bengal state
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 35
Facilities: Five…
Boeing’s largest new 737 MAX takes to the skies
The new Boeing 737 MAX 9 has completed its first flight above the US planemaker's factory near Seattle.
The largest version of the fuel-efficient single-aisle series, the737 MAX 9 has…
StayWell Hospitality Group and Cristal Group join forces
Australian Based Hotel Management Company StayWell Hospitality Group and Cristal Group, a Middle East based Hotel Management Company, are joining forces with the announcement of a strategic…
Asia’s mega populations drive global air traffic growth
Asia’s most populous countries are among the fastest-growing markets in the world for air travel, new data has revealed.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a…
StayWell partners Cristal for Middle East expansion
StayWell Hospitality Group, which operates the Park Regis hotel brand, has formed a new strategic partnership to expand its portfolio in the Middle East.
The Australia-based company…
Global Village finishes 21st season with record numbers
Dubai's Global Village has closed the gates on its most successful season yet.
More than 5.6 million guests visited the theme park during its 21st season, which ran for 159 days and…
UK low-cost airlines honoured at TripAdvisor Awards
Jet2.com has been named Europe’s Best Regional & Low Cost Airline at the inaugural TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for airlines.
In addition to Jet2.com, the UK is home to…
SIA, Thai Smile top TripAdvisor’s airline rankings
Singapore Airlines and Thai Smile topped the Asian rankings in TripAdvisor's first ever Travellers' Choice awards for airlines, while Emirates was the world's highest-rated carrier.
In…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Jakarta, LA, Bangkok, Shanghai, and more…
Ayana Midplaza Jakarta
Location: The site of the former InterContinental Midplaza Jakarta on Jalan Sudirman
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 366
Facilities: Seven F&B outlets, spa, 24-hour…
Asian air route updates: new flights from Vietjet, AirAsia and more…
Vietjet creates new connection to Angkor
Where? Hanoi (Vietnam) to Siem Reap (Cambodia)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? Vietjet
Why? Serving increasing cross-border traffic…
AirAsia makes fresh attempt to launch in Vietnam
AirAsia is in talks with companies in Vietnam about establishing a new low-cost carrier in the country.
Vietnam News Service (VNS) reports that the Malaysia-based group has signed an…
The latest executive appointments from JNTO, Hilton, Citilink and more…
KANA WAKABAYASHI has been named as the new executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization's (JNTO) Sydney office. Ms Wakabayashi moves to Australia from Tokyo, where she…
Bali tourism boosted by Emirates double
Bali's tourism industry will get a significant boost this summer, following the announcement that Emirates will introduce a second daily flight to the island.
Commencing on 2 July 2017,…
Bangkok Airways adds ASEAN menus
Bangkok Airways has introduced a series of new menus designed to celebrate "the best of Thai and ASEAN cuisine".
The in-flight meals include six classic Thai options plus the…
Cruise body CLIA offers agent training in India
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global cruise body, has launched its travel agent training programme in India.
A travel industry event was held at the Four Seasons…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Melbourne, St Petersburg, Marbella and more
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…
Indo AirAsia X to resume Asia Pacific flights
Indonesia AirAsia X, the long-haul low-cost carrier, will resume flights to destinations in the Asia Pacific region in May 2017.
The airline is planning to launch a direct connection…
Hilton enters Laos
Hilton has sealed its first ever hotel in Laos, the landlocked Southeast Asian nation.
The US hotel giant has penned a deal with TPD Company to manage the 160-room DoubleTree by…
Milaidhoo Maldives Opens the Only Maldivian Restaurant in the Maldives
The first modern Maldivian restaurant in the Maldives opened at Milaidhoo Island Maldives, serving a six-course Maldivian heritage tasting menu and well as a la carte choices, nightly from…
Marriott brings new collection to China
Marriott International has introduced another of its hotel brands to China.
The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya has joined the Autograph Collection, Marriott's group of independently-branded…
A Year in Review: Hilton Highlights in 2016
2016 was an extraordinarily impactful year for Hilton (NYSE: HLT), which achieved record pipeline and net unit growth, accomplished its most successful brand launch with Tru by Hilton and…
Asia’s mega-populations drive hotel development
Asia's three most populous countries also now have the region's largest hotel development pipelines.
According to the latest monthly report from STR, there are now a combined total of…
Asian air route updates: New flights to Bali, Okinawa, Barcelona and more
Another direct Chinese connection between Bali and China
Where? Fuzhou (China) to Denpasar (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective 26 March 2017
Who? Xiamen Airlines
Why? Fujian province’s…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Bali, Hanoi, London and more
Sol House Bali Legian
Location: Walking distance Bali's Legian Beach
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 136
Facilities: Restaurant, rooftop area with large jacuzzi and DJ booth, 12 party rooms,…
Garuda boosts Australian routes
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…
Asia’s new adventure travel company unveils first tours
Rove, the new adventure travel company, has launched its first series of Asian tours.
Showcased on the company's new website, rove.travel, the new tours initially cover seven Asian…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Bali, Thailand, China, Brazil and more
Maison Aurelia Sanur by Préférence Hotels
Location: Slightly set back from the beach in the Sanur district of Bali, not far from the airport
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 41
Facilities:…
Khiri creates new Southeast Asian eco tours
Khiri Travel will unveil two new community- and nature-based tours in Thailand and Indonesia at ITB Berlin.
The company is focusing on lesser-known corners of these destinations,…
Oceania cruises around the world in 180 days
Oceania Cruises has unveiled details of a new world voyage which is set to circumnavigate the globe in 180 days.
Scheduled to depart in January 2019, the world cruise will see the…
Cheaper rates ‘good news for UK hotel sector’: TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor has announced the results of its 2017 Hotel Pricing Report, revealing global accommodation trends based on TripAdvisor hotel booking data.
Designed to highlight destinations…
Jet boosts Asian connectivity with Hong Kong Airlines
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…
Singapore lab breathes lyf into Ascott’s new brand
Ascott has created a new "living lab" to test its new social apartment brand, lyf.
First unveiled in November 2016, lyf is being created for - and by - the millennial market in…
The latest appointments from AccorHotels, ANA, Dusit and more
PAUL STEVENS has become CEO of Accor Plus, AccorHotels’ reward programme. He joined AccorHotels in 1997, holding several GM positions before leaving in 2004. He then returned as a GM and…
AccorHotels to host Indian showcase
AccorHotels will visit India next month, hosting events to showcase of its hotels and resorts to the local travel trade, as well as providing updates on its latest developments, products…
Bali hotel occupancy rises, but at what cost?
Bali's hotel occupancy rebounded last year, rising more than 4% following a challenging 2015. But at what cost?
According to the latest report from C9 Hotelworks and Horwath HTL, this…
Voluntourism: Travel That Makes You Feel Good
Combining travel and volunteering is one of the most rewarding ways to experience a new destination, be it in your home country or abroad. There are so many different ways to participate in…
Asia DMC to unveil new luxury tour brand
Asia DMC, the destination management company previously known as HG Travel, is preparing to launch a new brand of luxury tours.
Set to be officially unveiled at next month's ITB…
Asian OTA gets technology boost from Travelport
Hutchgo.com, the Asian online travel agency, has moved to expand and improve its operations by signing a major new technology agreement with Travelport.
The deal will see Travelport…
新加坡16年接待旅客人数创新高
Despite a number of challenges, including the Zika outbreak in Singapore and the weak economic performance of some tourist source countries, Singapore recorded record highs in both foreign…
Singapore tourism rebounds in record-breaking year
Singapore's tourism industry rebounded strongly in 2016, with international visitor arrivals and tourism revenues reaching record levels.
Following a weak 2015, Singapore shrugged off a…
Asian air route updates: Lion Air, Air India Express, and more…
Lion Air adds more services to KL
Where? Surabaya (Indonesia) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
When? Three times a week, effective 16 February 2017
Who? Lion Air
Why? Expanding trade between…
Tigerair Australia withdraws from Bali
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…
BHMAsia to open eight hotels as Asian expansion accelerates
BHMAsia, the Bangkok-based hotel group, is planning to following up its record year in 2016 with the opening of multiple new properties this year.
The company, which operates the X2,…
Dubai and Bangkok top Southall’s UK outbound bookings
Research conducted by long haul travel company Southall Travel has revealed that Bangkok, the bustling capital city of Thailand, was the most popular city break destination amongst Brits…
Singapore air traffic soars to record levels
Singapore's Changi Airport experienced a strong year in 2016, handling record numbers of passengers and flights.
According to official data released this week, a total of 58.7 million…
Work starts on Yogyakarta’s new airport
A ground-breaking ceremony was held recently to mark the start of work on the new Yogyakarta International Airport.
The new hub in Kulon Progo, west of the Indonesian city, will lead…
Garuda expands West Papua connections
Garuda Indonesia is extending its network to the westernmost parts of the country, with additional capacity to, from and within the province of West Papua.
The Antara news agency…
Where to Stay: New hotels in London, Jakarta, LA and more…
Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square (pictured above)
Location: In the former headquarters of the Port of London Authority, in the city's business district near Tower Bridge…
Major new marine park to open in Bali
Bali will soon be home to another major tourist attraction, following the launch of a new marine park.
Officials from the Taman Safari Indonesia Group told the Bali Post recently that the…
Oberoi unveils new additions to international portfolio
Oberoi, the Indian luxury hotel group, will continue to expand its international portfolio this year with the opening of two new resorts in the UAE and Morocco.
Following the opening of a…
Travel now a necessity as Asians become explorers
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…
AirAsia carried exceeds 50 million passengers
AirAsia broke through the 50 million passenger barrier again in 2016, as demand for its short-haul flights continued to flourish.
The low-cost carrier group boarded a total of 56.59m…
The latest appointments from AccorHotels, Carnival, Amadeus and more
LOUISE DALEY has been appointed as AccorHotels' deputy chief executive officer Asia Pacific. She has been with AccorHotels for 26 years, having commenced her career in Australia before…
Bali, Jakarta to welcome 70% of Indo visitors
Approximately 70% of international visitors to Indonesia in 2017 are expected to travel to just two destinations: Bali and Jakarta.
The Indonesian government is targeting a total of…
Mövenpick accelerates expansion in record year
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts signed a record number of management contracts for new properties in 2016.
The Swiss hotel group, which already operated 83 hotels worldwide, penned…
Dream Cruises reveals first non-Chinese homeport
Dream Cruises, the new upscale Asian cruise line, has revealed plans for its first homeport season outside China.
In December 2017, the Genting Dream cruise ship will commence a…
ANA to add third daily Jakarta flight
ANA has announced plans to launch a third daily flight to Jakarta this summer.
Commencing on 1 August 2017, the Japanese carrier will introduce a second daily service from Tokyo's…
Garuda eyes new routes for Chinese New Year
Garuda Indonesia is planning to take advantage of the booming Chinese outbound travel market by launching a series of new charter flights over the Lunar New Year holiday period.
The…
Tourists told to stay away from Krakatau
Authorities in Indonesia have warned tourists to steer clear of Mount Anak Krakatau, due to increased volcanic activity.
The Antara news agency reported the head of the volcano's…
Mövenpick makes Sri Lankan debut with landmark tower
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has entered Sri Lanka with the launch of a new property in the country's capital, Colombo.
The new Mövenpick Hotel Colombo becomes the city’s first new…
Halal tourism boom predicted for the UAE
Total spending on halal tourism in the UAE is projected to increase by 4.4% in 2016, according to a study conducted by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
The outbound…
Singapore tourism partners seal biggest ever partnership
Singapore's three main travel and tourism groups have teamed up once again for their highest value partnership to date.
The new two-year deal between Singapore Airlines (SIA), Changi…
Singapore prepares major tourism drive for Golden Jubilee
Singapore is hoping to give its tourism sector a lift this summer, with the launch of a major campaign to attract visitors for the country's Golden Jubilee.
The Singapore Tourism…
Indian tourism comes together at SATTE 2015
The Indian travel industry was on show at last week's SATTE 2015 event in New Delhi.
With the Indian government promising a renewed focus on the tourism sector, multiple state…
Asia Pacific leads global tourism growth – UNWTO
The Asia Pacific region led growth in the global tourism market last year, thereby earning a large share of global tourism arrivals and revenues.
According to a new report from the UN…
China drives Singapore tourism growth in 2013
Singapore recorded a steady increase in visitor arrivals in 2013, driven by a strong rise in the number of tourists from China.
Citing preliminary full-year arrivals data, the…
Call for higher policy coordination between tourism and aviation sectors
Improving air connectivity through a closer coordination of tourism and aviation policies to ensure the sustained growth
of the tourism sector and of air transport was the commitment…
International Tourism Mart concludes in Tawang
The second International Tourism Mart (ITM) has concluded in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh.
The three-day event organised by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) from 18-20 October 2013,…
