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Costa Serena Starts Cruising Early From South Korea and Taiwan

Joe Cusmano Feb 8, 2023

Costa Cruises established cooperation with Asian travel firms to restore the Costa Serena, the first Costa ship in Asia since 2020, to service. After three years, the 114,000-ton cruise…

Hotels

InterContinental Kaohsiung brings smart luxury to Taiwan’s south

Kanchan Nath Dec 12, 2022

Situated next door to Kaohsiung's 5G Development Area, International Airport, Port Cruise Terminal, and the International Exhibition Center, and a short stroll away from harbour bay, the…

Taiwan

Experience Tainan to imbibe ancient Taiwanese culture

Kanchan Nath Nov 21, 2022

Tainan, the ancient capital of nearly 400 years, preserves the most complete historic sites and traditional culture.

Taiwan

Giving visibility to Tainan in Taiwan

Kanchan Nath Sep 28, 2022

At the end of 2019, the Taiwanese TV series "Someday or One Day" was broadcasted in various Asian countries and it created a wave of nostalgia for Tainan in the 1990s. The destination wants…

TD Syndicated Partner

Major earthquake strikes Taiwan

Harry Johnson Sep 17, 2022

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries caused by the powerful earthquake Major earthquake strikes Taiwan

Visa updates

Taiwan to resume visa free entry for few countries

Kanchan Nath Sep 7, 2022

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre said the resumption of visa free entry for visitors from the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and diplomatic allies would start…

Transport

WeMo launches electric vehicles service for tourists in Taiwan

Kristin Mariano Aug 29, 2022

WeMo Scooter has launched WeMo RenTour, Taiwan’s first shared all-electric vehicle platform. WeMo RenTour has partnered with smart vehicle brands and rental companies to offer drivers…

Tourism

Macau to lower quarantine period for Hong Kong and Taiwan travellers

Megha Paul Jun 15, 2022

The Macau government announced that the quarantine period for those entering from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other foreign regions will be shortened to 10 days of medical observation

Tourism

Taiwan to cut Covid-related quarantine for arrivals to 3 days

Megha Paul Jun 13, 2022

Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre said the new, reduced quarantine rule would start this week

Reopening updates

Taiwan to open borders to travellers in March

Megha Paul Feb 25, 2022

Taiwan announced plans on to reopen to business travellers and shorten quarantine for all arrivals

Events

Taiwan Lantern Festival is back!

Kristin Mariano Feb 1, 2022

The streets and night skies of Kaohsiung will be bathed in light as the city stages the 2022 Taiwan Lantern Festival, with this year's event drawing on both tradition and modern innovation…

Air

Inaugural Palau-Taiwan travel bubble flight takes off

Megha Paul Apr 1, 2021

As Taiwan has now introduced its first travel bubble in the COVID era, China Airlines has begun to fly to Palau under the Taiwan-Palau Travel Bubble agreement this April

Reopening updates

Taiwan eases restrictions on business travellers from Singapore and Vietnam

Megha Paul Mar 30, 2021

Taiwan has said it will move Vietnam and Singapore to its list of low-risk countries, meaning business travellers from those nations will only need to undergo five days of quarantine instead…

Reopening updates

Taiwan to open first travel bubble with Palau

Megha Paul Mar 18, 2021

The government has announced that Taiwan will form its first travel bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic with the tiny Pacific nation of Palau

Taiwan’s ‘new normal’ of MICE

Megha Paul Nov 28, 2020

Taiwan Tourism Board is now taking small steps towards establishing a new normalcy in terms of MICE

Taiwan preparing to gradually re-open to foreign tourism

Harry S. Johnson Oct 7, 2020

Taiwan’s Ministry of Transportation and Communications announced that the Republic of China is preparing to start gradually re-opening for foreign visitors.

Taiwan leads pack of wishlist destinations, says Agoda

Megha Paul Sep 23, 2020

Taiwan, Thailand and Japan are the top searched destinations for travel until the year-end according to search data revealed by Agoda

Debuting the world’s only balloon festival this year in Taiwan

Megha Paul Jul 27, 2020

Taiwan International Balloon Festival successfully held its grand opening on 11 July

Taiwan’s three-phase opening plan post COVID-19

Megha Paul Jun 10, 2020

Towards the goal of welcoming international tourists in the third quarter of the year, Taiwan has implemented a three-phase opening plan, the first phase of which is now underway. This…

Taiwan Tourism Bureau reactivates its online training for travel agents

Kristin Mariano Apr 24, 2020

Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) has relaunched its programme with Online Travel Training (OTT) providing in-depth training with eight sessions to learn about the destination. The eight…

Taiwan’s ‘Holiday for Healing’ to focus on more enriching experiences

Megha Paul Apr 10, 2020

Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB), in close contact with all stakeholders within Taiwan and in India, is keeping a close eye on the situation and exploring ways to recover from the situation…

Taiwan to launch tap-and-go payment on airport metro

Megha Paul Dec 31, 2019

Taoyuan Metro company will launch contactless payment via bank cards on 16 January 2020 to serve passengers travelling to and from the capital city of Taipei and Taoyuan International…

Taiwan Tourism gets on track with Mumbai Metro

Megha Paul Aug 13, 2019

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) has partnered with the Mumbai Metro, a rapid transit system serving Mumbai, and the wider metropolitan region, to expand awareness of Taiwan as a…

Tourism

Taiwan on China solo travel ban: “Tourism shouldn’t be politicized”

Kristin Mariano Aug 2, 2019

Taiwan has responded on China’s travel ban on solo travel permits for Chinese tourists saying that it is Beijing’s move in manipulating the upcoming presidential elections in the self-ruled…

Tourism

Taiwan sees rising growth in Indian visitorship

Christian Tolentino Apr 17, 2019

Taiwan is increasingly becoming the destination of choice among Indians, with a recent report revealing a year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals (+41% to 3,608) from India in February.

Tourism Boards

Taiwan Tourism taps Musafir.com to attract travellers from the UAE

Christian Tolentino Sep 11, 2018

UAE's premium-experience travel website, Musafir.com, has announced an alliance with the Taiwan Tourism Board to raise awareness about Taiwan as a leisure destination for the Middle East.

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s first independent airline celebrates 50 years

Mili Sep 6, 2018

Evergreen Group, the parent company of Taiwan’s independent airline EVA Air and a leader in marine transportation, celebrated its 50th anniversary on 1 September.

Tourism

Taiwan focuses on bay tourism with eco-friendly initiatives

Christian Tolentino Jul 13, 2018

To further develop Taiwan’s bay tourism, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has announced new initiatives designed to spread knowledge, appreciation and…

Tourism

Four amazing experiences for a summer in Taiwan

Christian Tolentino Jun 26, 2018

This summer, visitors of Taiwan can experience an array of exciting events ranging from summer festivals to culinary exhibits. Here are four of the best experiences tourists can have in the…

Tourism

Taiwan Tourism Bureau promotes Penghu archipelago for ‘Year of Bay Tourism’

Christian Tolentino May 14, 2018

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau (TTB) and Penghu County Government have announced plans to promote the Penghu archipelago as part of its ‘Year of Bay Tourism’ initiative for 2018.

Tourism

Taiwan employs halal tactics to attract Middle East travellers

Christian Tolentino May 7, 2018

Becoming ever-popular as a Muslim-friendly nation, Taiwan eyes to be the preferred travel destination for Middle East travellers.

Air

China Airlines new code share partnership to drive closer links between France and Taiwan

Alastair Newport Apr 18, 2018

Following the announcement towards the end of last year of Air France’s partnership with Vietnam Airlines, the French carrier has released details of another Asian collaboration, this time…

Tourism

Taiwan saw record-breaking number of British visitors last year

Jill Sayles Feb 1, 2018

In 2017, Taiwan welcomed the largest number of British tourists ever to the destination – 64,719 travellers – representing an increase of 8.3% on visitor numbers in 2016. The UK market…

Airlines and Aviation

THAI and Thai Smile introduce flights from BKK to Taiwan

Alastair Newport Oct 9, 2017 8

Thai Airways International (THAI), and Thai Smile Airways Company Limited, recently held an event to introduce the new route from Kaohsiung to Bangkok.

Tourism

Taiwan to expand tourist VAT rebates

Mark Elliott Aug 30, 2017

Taiwan will expand its value-added tax (VAT) refund service for international travellers next month. The Taiwan News reported the country’s Finance Ministry as saying that, effective…

Cruise

Taiwan’s cruise sector surges in 2017

Mark Elliott Aug 17, 2017

Taiwan's cruise industry continues to experienced strong growth, with double-digit rises in terms of ship and passenger visits in 2017. According to figures released by Taiwan's…

Attractions & Tours

Hundreds left hanging on Taiwan cable car

Mark Elliott Aug 16, 2017

More than 250 passengers were left stranded on a cable car ride in Taiwan on Tuesday, following a power outage. Taiwan News reports that all cable cars at the Maokong Gondolas, a…

Airlines and Aviation

Ex-EVA chief to launch new airline in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Aug 14, 2017

The former chairman of EVA Air is planning to launch a new airline in Taiwan, operating both short- and long-haul routes. Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reports that the…

Hotels

Where to Stay: new hotels in Taiwan, China, Indonesia and more

Mark Elliott Aug 2, 2017

CitizenM Taipei North Gate Location: Overlooking the Tamsui River, within walking distance of Taipei Main Station Grade: Upper-upscale Keys: 267 Facilities: 24-hour F&B outlet,…

Travel Agents

FIT Ruums, China Airlines create packages for Taiwanese travellers

Mark Elliott Jul 31, 2017

FIT Ruums has formed a new partnership with China Airlines to provide a series of packages to travellers in Taiwan. Under the new agreement, Taiwan's national carrier will release special…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s Mandarin Airlines boosts fleet

Mark Elliott Jul 21, 2017

Mandarin Airlines, the regional subsidiary of Taiwan’s national carrier, China Airlines, has placed an order for six new aircraft. The new ATR 72-600 are valued at US$160 million and…

Tourism

Taiwan arrivals decline in first quarter

Mark Elliott May 18, 2017

The number of international travellers visiting Taiwan declined in the first quarter of 2017. The total of 2.54 million visitors for January-March 2017 was 10% lower than the same…

Tourism

Taiwan eases visa rules for Asian visitors

Mark Elliott Apr 17, 2017

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…

Cruise

Taiwan’s second city targets cruise boost

Mark Elliott Mar 21, 2017

Taiwan's second largest city, Kaohsiung, is hoping to receive more cruise ships and passengers in future, as a means of boosting its tourism industry. Taiwan News reported a senior…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Tigerair Taiwan, Sichuan Airlines and more

Mark Elliott Feb 21, 2017

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

Airlines and Aviation

Airlines team up on all Japan-Taiwan flights

Mark Elliott Feb 20, 2017

The national carriers of Japan and Taiwan will start codesharing on all every flight they operate between the two countries. Effective 21 February 2017, the partnership between Japan…

Road

Tragedy as 32 tourists die in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Feb 13, 2017

Tragedy struck in Taiwan on Monday night when a tour bus crash killed at least 32 people. Channel NewsAsia reports that the bus, which was carrying 44 people including the driver and a…

Tourism Boards

Taiwan sets new tourism record, despite Chinese slump

Mark Elliott Feb 6, 2017

Taiwan welcomed a record number of international visitors in 2016. New data from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau reveals that a total of 10.69 million travellers visited the island last…

Road

Uber settles Taiwan row with new taxi service

Mark Elliott Jan 23, 2017

Uber will form a new taxi-hailing service in Taiwan, following a compromise reached with the country's Transport Ministry. The ride-hailing service had been in dispute with the Taiwanese…

Hotels

Marriott adds second Aloft in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 8, 2016

Marriott International's push into Taiwan will continue next month, with the opening of a second Aloft hotel in the country. The high-tech upper-midscale brand made its Taiwanese…

Airlines and Aviation

Air India gets connected to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2016

Air India has entered a new partnership that will provide its passengers with one-stop connections to Taipei. Under the new codeshare agreement with EVA Air, which gets underway on 1…

Airlines and Aviation

AirAsia starts flying Philippines-Taiwan

Mark Elliott Nov 29, 2016

AirAsia has launched its first two routes linking the Philippines with Taiwan. The low-cost carrier's Philippine subsidiary started flying direct from Manila to Taipei on 21 November, and…

Airlines and Aviation

Vietjet spreads wings to Taiwan and Korea

Mark Elliott Oct 25, 2016

Vietjet continues to expand its international network with the launch of three new routes to two countries: Taiwan and South Korea. The first new route will commence on 30 October…

Face‑to‑Face

Face to face: Arthur Hsieh, director, Taiwan Tourism Bureau Singapore Office

Gemma Greenwood Oct 14, 2016

How many Middle East visitors does Taiwan receive each year? In 2015, Taiwan welcomed 1,04,39,785 tourists from across the globe and of these, around 200,000 were Muslim visitors and…

Guest Column

Taiwan for every traveller

Gemma Greenwood Oct 2, 2016

For a relatively small island nation, Taiwan has a lot to offer. Great food, kind locals (the East Asian island recently placed top in a survey looking at the friendliest place for expats),…

Guest Column

Getting artsy in Taiwan

Gemma Greenwood Sep 26, 2016

Blown bubbles drift over disused railroad tracks. Behind this, a woman pushes a child in an oversized, slightly rusted swing and the sound fills the air. Two young lovers sit on grass that’s…

Religious Tourism

Taiwan promotes its halal credentials

Gemma Greenwood Sep 20, 2016

Taiwan, rated the 10th best destination for Muslim travellers outside the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states by Global Muslim Travel Index, is promoting its halal-friendly…

Airlines and Aviation

Vietjet takes off in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Aug 30, 2016

Vietjet, the Vietnamese low-cost carrier, will double its presence in Taiwan later this year with the launch of two new routes. The expansion will start on 30 October 2016 with the…

Airlines and Aviation

HK Express adds second destination in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Aug 16, 2016

HK Express is adding a second Taiwanese destination to its route map. Located on the island's east coast, just over an hour’s flight from Hong Kong, Hualien joins Taichung in the…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s V Air to suspend operations

Mark Elliott Aug 11, 2016

V Air, the Taiwanese low-cost carrier, will cease to exist from 1 October 2016. The airline, which is a subsidiary of TransAsia Airways, only started operating in December 2014, but…

Road

Uber could be banned from Taiwan

Mark Elliott Aug 4, 2016

Uber could be kicked out of Taiwan this month, Taiwan News reports. The country's Investment Commission ruled this week that ride-sharing app misrepresented its business, calling…

Taiwan

Plaza Premium opens first airport lounges in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jul 27, 2016

Plaza Premium Group, the independent airport lounge operator, has opened its first ever facilities in Taiwan, located at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport. Available to all…

Airlines and Aviation

Vietjet doubles up in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jun 23, 2016

Vietjet has launched its second route to Taiwan, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Tainan, on the island's southwest coast. The new service launched on Wednesday (22 June),…

Tourism

Taiwan Tourism looks to raise awareness in Middle East

Mark Elliott Jun 15, 2016

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s Middle East office is adopting a two-pronged approach to capture the growing numbers from this region. The tourism bureau held multi-city roadshows as a…

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates’ A380 touches down in Taiwan

Mark Elliott May 3, 2016

Emirates has launched two new routes using its Airbus A380 aircraft, including its first superjumbo service to Taiwan. The inaugural A380 flight from Dubai to Taipei landed at Taoyuan…

Taiwan

Taiwan’s main airport shelves T4 project

Mark Elliott Apr 25, 2016

Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport will not proceed with the development of its Terminal 4 project, the Central News Agency (CNA) reports. The airport's operator, Taoyuan…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s V Air arrives in the Philippines

Mark Elliott Mar 28, 2016

V Air, the Taiwanese low-cost carrier, has launched its first flights to the Philippines. The inaugural flight from Taipei to Manila touched down at the Philippine capital's Ninoy…

Tourism Boards

Hong Kong, Taiwan team up to target US tourists

Mark Elliott Mar 14, 2016

Hong Kong and Taiwan have joined forces to entice more travellers to visit both destinations in the same trip. The tourism boards of the two destinations, the Hong Kong Tourism Board…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s V Air flies to Tokyo

Mark Elliott Mar 14, 2016

V Air, the Taiwanese low-cost carrier, has launched direct flights between Taipei and Tokyo. The inaugural service departed Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport on Friday night,…

Hotels

Taiwan’s Regent Hotels returns to the US

Mark Elliott Feb 18, 2016

Regent Hotels & Resorts will return to the US for the first time in 10 years following the signing of a new strategic partnership. The Taipei-based company has partnered with…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s V Air flies to the Philippines

Mark Elliott Feb 16, 2016

V Air, the Taiwanese low-cost carrier, has announced plans to launch its first ever flights to the Philippines. Commencing on 27 March 2016, the new Taipei-Manila service will operate…

Hotels

Marriott opens first Courtyard in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jan 6, 2016

Marriott International has launched its midscale Courtyard by Marriott hotel brand in Taiwan. The new Courtyard by Marriott Taipei opened recently in the city's Nangang district.…

Airlines and Aviation

Tigerair Taiwan makes debut mainland China

Mark Elliott Dec 14, 2015

Tigerair Taiwan launched its first ever flights to mainland China on Saturday. The low-cost carrier's inaugural cross-Strait flight departed Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport on…

Hotels

Starwood opens second Four Points hotel in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 7, 2015

Starwood Hotels & Resorts has opened its second Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Taiwan. The new Four Points by Sheraton Penghu becomes the first internationally-branded hotel in…

Airlines and Aviation

Tigerair Taiwan pens GDS deal with Travelport

Mark Elliott Nov 24, 2015

Tigerair Taiwan, the Taipei-based low-cost carrier, has signed a new GDS deal with Travelport. The multi-year agreement will allow the airline's fares to be distributed to the travel…

Airlines and Aviation

Jetstar Japan targets Taiwan

Mark Elliott Oct 15, 2015

Jetstar Japan will make a major move into Taiwan in the coming months, with the launch of three new routes to Taipei. The low-cost carrier will launch flights to Taiwan's capital from…

Hotels

Marriott makes debut in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Sep 29, 2015

Marriott International has made its debut in Taiwan with the opening of the Taipei Marriott Hotel. Located in the Dazhi area of Taipei, the 320-room hotel forms part of a new complex…

Hotels

Swiss hotel group moves into Taiwan

Mark Elliott Sep 14, 2015

Swiss International Hotels Group, which operates properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, has taken its first steps into the Taiwanese hotel sector with the signing of a…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s V Air launches flights to Korea

Mark Elliott Aug 5, 2015

V Air, the Taiwanese low-cost carrier, has announced plans to launch its first flights to South Korea. Commencing on 24 August, the airline will initially operate twice weekly flights…

Tourism Boards

Taiwan welcomes almost 5m arrivals in first half

Mark Elliott Aug 4, 2015

Taiwan welcomed 4.99 million overseas visitors in the first half of 2015, 3.4% more than the same period last year. Data released by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau reveals that the country…

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates deploys one-off A380 to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2015

Emirates recently announced its intent to operate a one-off service its Airbus A380 aircraft to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. A ceremony witnessed the attendance of Fan…

Train

Taiwan to overhaul railways

Mark Elliott Apr 22, 2015

Taiwan's government has unveiled plans to spend almost TW$100 billion (US$3.2bn) over the next 10 years upgrading the country's rail network. The China News Agency reports that…

Airlines and Aviation

Scoot adds second route to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 16, 2015

Scoot will launch flights to Kaohsiung this summer, marking the airline's second destination in Taiwan. Commencing on 9 July 2015, the Singaporean low-cost carrier will operate three…

Hotels

Taiwan’s Ambassador adds second amba hotel in Taipei

Mark Elliott Jan 15, 2015

Taiwan's Ambassador Hotels & Restaurants has unveiled plans for its second amba hotel. Scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2015, the amba Taipei Zhongshan will mark a modern…

Airlines and Aviation

New budget airline takes off in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 17, 2014

Taiwan's newest low-cost carrier, V Air, launched its maiden flight today, connecting Taipei with Bangkok. The new airline, which is a subsidiary of Taiwan’s third largest carrier,…

Airlines and Aviation

VietJet embarks on Taiwanese growth plan

Mark Elliott Dec 15, 2014

VietJet Air is eying Taiwan as its new growth market, with the launch of a new service between Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Taipei, and plans to add several more routes to the country.…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s V Air flies to Thailand

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2014

Taiwan's new low-cost carrier, V Air, is launching flights to Thailand. The airline, which is a subsidiary of TransAsia Airways, will commence services from Taipei to Bangkok on 17…

Airlines and Aviation

Tigerair Taiwan eyes mainland China

Mark Elliott Nov 27, 2014

Tigerair Taiwan could soon spread its wings to mainland China, having applied for permission to launch its first cross-Strait routes. The new low-cost carrier, which commenced…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan’s first LCCs prepare to launch

Mark Elliott Sep 2, 2014

Taiwan is on the verge of a budget air travel revolution, as the country's first ever low-cost carriers prepare to take off. The country's first budget airline, Tigerair Taiwan,…

Airlines and Aviation

V Air to become Taiwan’s first LCC

Mark Elliott Mar 25, 2014

TransAsia Airways has revealed the name of its new subsidiary, which is set to become Taiwan's first low-cost carrier. V Air was unveiled on Monday, along with the budget airline's…

Cruise

Hong Kong, Taiwan develop cruise fund

Mark Elliott Mar 14, 2014

Hong Kong and Taiwan have joined forces to fund the development of the Asian cruise industry. The new 'Asia Cruise Fund', which is a first for the region's cruise sector, was…

Airlines and Aviation

Open skies between Macau and Taiwan

Mark Elliott Feb 19, 2014

The aviation authorities in Macau and Taiwan have signed a new Air Services Agreement (ASA), offering unlimited capacity on routes between the two territories. The new deal, which has…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan keen to lure Middle East travellers

Mark Elliott Jan 15, 2014

The expansion of Gulf Carriers has witnessed opening up of many new destinations. One of the many is Taiwan which is being explored with Emirates soon to be launched connection to…

Tourism

Taiwan eyes eight million visitors

Mark Elliott Dec 23, 2013

Taiwan could welcome eight million visitors this year, after the country revealed that it has already reached its target of 7.7m international arrivals. Reported by the China News…

Airlines and Aviation

TransAsia Airways plans Taiwan’s first LCC

Mark Elliott Nov 20, 2013

TransAsia Airways has unveiled plans to launch Taiwan's first ever low-cost carrier. The Taipei-based airline has already received approval for the new venture from Taiwan’s Civil…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan Tourism livery adorns CAL jet

Mark Elliott Nov 14, 2013

China Airlines (CAL) has formed a new partnership with Taiwan Tourism Bureau, adorning one its aircraft with a special promotional livery. The repainted Airbus A330-300 aircraft made…

Tourism Boards

Taiwan taps East India market

Mark Elliott Nov 6, 2013

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau made its foray in the East India market by organising a travel mart and a B2B workshop in Kolkata. The event kicked off with 100-plus agents from Kolkata…

Tourism Boards

Taiwan to conduct educational seminars in India

Mark Elliott Sep 23, 2013

Taiwan Tourism Board (TTB) plans to conduct educational seminars for the travel trade in India. The TTB will plan a number of seminars for the travel trade and other corporate…

Tourism

Half of Taiwanese arrivals now Chinese

Mark Elliott Aug 5, 2013

More than 50% of international visitor arrivals to Taiwan are now from mainland China. According to the latest data from Taiwan's Tourism Bureau, the island welcomed 3.81 million…

Cruise

Taiwan, China to allow cruise crossings

Mark Elliott Jul 30, 2013

Taiwan and China will allow international cruise companies to sail direct between the two countries next year, a Taiwanese official has said. The China News Agency (CNA) reported Yeh…

Tourism

Think Strawberries to continue Taiwan representation

Mark Elliott Jul 26, 2013

Taiwan Tourism Bureau has re-appointed Think Strawberries as its representative in India for the year 2013-2014. “We have established Taiwan as a year round destination with top of…

Hotels

GHM plans major move into Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jul 9, 2013

Asian luxury hotel group, GHM, has signed a new deal that will see it launch in Taiwan for the first time. A contract with Taiwanese business development company, Elements Innovation…

Airlines and Aviation

Private Chinese airlines to fly to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jun 27, 2013

Privately owned Chinese airlines will soon be permitted to fly cross-Strait routes to Taiwan. According to recent media reports from Taiwan and the mainland, two Shanghai-based…

Hotels

Millennium & Copthorne debuts in Taiwan

Mar 5, 2013 1

Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C) has launched its first ever branded hotel in Taiwan. The Millennium Vee Hotel Taichung is a modern 24-storey tower in the centre of…

Airlines and Aviation

Hawaii taps pent up demand in Taiwan

Dec 4, 2012 15

Hawaii is anticipating a major influx of visitors from Taiwan after it became the latest Asian nation to be granted a US visa waiver, prompting Hawaiian Airlines to add Taipei to its…

Transport

Avis drives into Taiwan

Jul 1, 2012 14

Car hire company Avis has expanded its presence in Asia with the launch of operations Taiwan. Avis Taiwan will operate in three locations in Taiwan - two city bases in Hsinchu and Chupei,…

Tourism

Taiwan conducts study tour for Indian agents

Mark Elliott May 16, 2012 10

Taiwan Tourism Bureau has hosted a familiarisation trip for travel agents from Mumbai and New Delhi. The study tour offered travel agents to have a firsthand experience of the destination,…

Human Resources

Genting HK welcomes Taiwan students

May 15, 2012 14

Genting Hong Kong recently invited 150 students from four Taiwan-based colleges to attend the ‘Star Cruises Open House’ onboard the SuperStar Aquarius cruise ship. The 11 May initiative was…

Airlines and Aviation

AirAsia X boosts Australia, Taiwan

Mar 14, 2012 13

AirAsia X has unveiled the next phase of its network realignment strategy, with the addition of flights to Australia and Taiwan. Earlier this week the Kuala Lumpur-based low-cost carrier…

Tourism

Taiwan invests in Indonesian ecotourism

Mark Elliott Nov 15, 2011 16

Authorities in Taiwan are joining counterparts in Indonesia to help develop an ecotourism project on a remote Indonesian Island. Taiwan's government-affiliated International Cooperation and…

Tourism Boards

Taiwan and Japan ink open skies agreement

Mark Elliott Nov 14, 2011 17

Taiwan and Japan last week signed an open skies agreement, hailed as a breakthrough in bilateral relations. The new agreement permits an unlimited number of carriers to operate scheduled…

Tourism

Taiwan breaks monthly arrival records

Mark Elliott Oct 21, 2011 17

September was a record month for Taiwan's tourism industry which recorded 470,000 tourist arrivals, the highest monthly figure ever achieve and a 9.92% improvement on September 2010.…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA Air transports rare cranes to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Oct 11, 2011 9

A pair of endangered red-crowned cranes arrived at Taipei Zoo recently, having been transported from Japan on a special EVA Air flight. The two rare birds, named Big and Kika, made the…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwanese airlines told to expand fleets

Mark Elliott Sep 16, 2011

Taiwanese airlines have been told to expand their fleets in preparation for a wave of mainland tourists. Taiwan's Transportation and Communications Minister Mao Chikuo recommended that…

China

Thousands of Chinese cancel Taiwan trips

Mark Elliott Aug 22, 2011

Kaohsiung city, South Taiwan Thousands of Chinese tourists are cancelling trips to Taiwan. Lin Fu-nan, head of the Southern Taiwan Tourism Industry Alliance, said that many hotels in…

By the Way

CTC authorised to sell Taiwan high-speed rail

Mark Elliott Aug 22, 2011

CTC Travel has been appointed as the authorised ticketing agent for Taiwan's high-speed rail network in Southeast Asia. Overseas visitors to Taiwan can now purchase the three-day unlimited…

Charity / Sustainability / CSR

First ecotourism park opens in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Aug 2, 2011

Taiwan recently established its first ecotourism corridor. The project was initiated in response to Typhoon Morakot which devastated four aboriginal villages in August last year. The…

Airlines and Aviation

Passengers hurt after Taiwan plane evacuation

Mark Elliott Jul 25, 2011

A passenger plane had to be evacuated at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport yesterday, injuring several people. The China Post reported that 15 passengers were hurt as they disembarked…

Tourism

Taiwanese retailers profit from Chinese tourism

Mark Elliott Jul 21, 2011

Taiwan's iconic retail outlet, Tapei 101 (pictured), expects Chinese visitors to contribute 25% of total sales as travel restrictions ease between the island state and mainland China. Last…

Face‑to‑Face

Taiwan gears up for influx of Chinese tourists

Mark Elliott Jun 15, 2011

Chinese officials have confirmed individual citizens will be provided the right to visit Taiwan from 28 June onwards.The pilot programme will allow individuals from Shanghai, Beijing and…

Transport

Two bus crashes injure tourists in Taiwan

Mark Elliott May 10, 2011

More than 25 people were hospitalised over the weekend after two tourist bus accidents in Taiwan. In once incident, a bus transporting 24 Taiwanese overturned in Hualien county, eastern…

Travel Tech

EasyRMS signs Taiwan partnership deal

Mark Elliott Apr 26, 2011

Easy (Ez) Revenue Management Solutions Ltd (EasyRMS) has announced a new technology partner in the Asia Pacific region - Taiwan-based Fashion Information Technology Co Ltd. Fashion has…

Charity / Sustainability / CSR

Earthquake felt in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 18, 2011

A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Taiwan on Saturday, according to the US Geological Survey. Residents of Orchid Island, a small mountainous landmass off Taiwan's southeast…

Cruise

Star Cruises expands presence in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 8, 2011

Star Cruises has announced the deployment of its SuperStar Aquarius to homeport in Taiwan beginning in April. The liner has undergone a month-long, US$1.6 million refurbishment in Hong…

By the Way

Taiwan targets UK travel trade

Mark Elliott Mar 21, 2011

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau is to place greater emphasis on working with the UK travel trade this year with the launch of its first-ever online training scheme. Scheduled to launch in May,…

Tourism

Taiwan Tourism Bureau launches online training scheme

Mark Elliott Mar 20, 2011

Taiwan Tourism Bureau has announced that it will launch its first online training scheme later this year. The programme will be available from May and is part of the tourism board's growing…

Tourism

Record Taiwanese tourists visit China

Mark Elliott Mar 15, 2011

A record 5.14 million Taiwan tourists visited mainland China in 2010, up 14.6% year-on-year, the Cross-Straits Tourism Exchange Association (CTEA) has revealed. The figure marks the first…

Taiwan

Nine killed in Taiwan bar fire

Mark Elliott Mar 7, 2011

Nine people have been killed after a fire broke out in a bar in Taiwan. The BBC reported officials as saying that the blaze was caused by a discharge of sparks from a stage show at the Ala…

Global

Taiwan calls for better connectivity

Mark Elliott Feb 25, 2011

Taiwan has approached Indian civil aviation authorities to explore possible bilateral aviation agreements in order to boost tourism. At present, only China Airlines flies three times a…

Events

China to allow solo tourists to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Feb 23, 2011

China will allow its citizens to visit Taiwan individually in a pilot scheme being launched in Q2 this year. The China Daily reported Shao Qiwei, Chairman of the Cross-Strait Tourism…

Taiwan

Michelin launches new Taiwan guide

Mark Elliott Feb 19, 2011

Michelin has unveiled its first tourist guide for Taiwan. Prepared with the assistance of the Taiwanese Government Information Office, the English language version of the 'MICHELIN…

Taiwan

Taiwan to welcome individual Chinese tourists

Mark Elliott Jan 3, 2011

Taiwan is expected to allow visits by individual mainland Chinese tourists from April 2011. The Taipei-based China Times reported that up to 500 solo travellers from Shanghai and Beijing…

Taiwan

Grounded Taiwanese carrier may fly again

Mark Elliott Jun 15, 2010

Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) has confirmed that Far Eastern Air Transport Corp (FEAT) has submitted a proposal to return to the skies. According to a Taiwan News…

Global

Third terminal plan for Taiwan airport

Mark Elliott Jun 9, 2010

A plan to build a third terminal at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TTIA) has been submitted for government approval, Taiwan News reported the country's Civil Aeronautics…

Taiwan

Taiwan tourism on course for record year

Mark Elliott Jun 3, 2010

Taiwan is well on track to break its record for annual international tourism arrivals in 2010. According to figures released this week by the country's Bureau of Tourism, Taiwan…

Global

African safari resort opens in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 27, 2010

Asia's only African safari resort has opened in north-western Taiwan's Hsinchu County. According to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, the Leofoo Resort Guanshi offers 164 African-themed…

Global

Strong quake strikes Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 27, 2010

An earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan yesterday, Taiwan News reported the country's Seismology Centre as saying. The quake hit struck just before 11am local…

Global

Landslide buries major Taiwan highway

Mark Elliott Apr 26, 2010

A landslide has buried a 300-metre stretch of a major highway in Taiwan. Up to four cars are thought to have been buried in the incident, which occurred yesterday on the six-lane No.3…

Global

Direct flights to link China with eastern Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 20, 2010

Three Taiwanese airlines will begin chartered flight services from eastern Taiwan's Hualien and Taitung cities to Chinese, Taiwan News reported the country's Tourism Bureau as saying.…

Global

Taiwanese boy sings like Whitney Houston

Mark Elliott Apr 8, 2010

A young Taiwanese boy looks set to become a global singing sensation after performing I Will Always Love You on a TV talent show. Lin Yu Chun, 24, stunned judges on the Taiwanese…

Global

Shanghai mayor to promote World Expo in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Apr 6, 2010

Shanghai's Mayor, Han Zheng, arrives in Taiwan today on a three-day visit to promote the World Expo. According to a Taiwan News report, the official will travel to…

Global

China, Taiwan at odds over cross-strait flights

Mark Elliott Mar 18, 2010

Taiwanese airlines want more flights to primary Chinese destinations, but China is only willing to offer routes to secondary cities, according to a Taiwan News report. The exchange…

Global

Taiwan launches first bicycle hotel

Mark Elliott Mar 18, 2010

A hotel in Taitung, eastern Taiwan, is being developed to cater for cyclists. The renovation of the Naruwan Hotel will see the property completely renovated, with 40 suites on…

Global

Taiwan hit by strong earthquake

Mark Elliott Mar 4, 2010

A powerful earthquake has struck southern Taiwan. According to a Channel NewsAsia report, the 6.4 magnitude quake's epicenter was approximately 30km from the coastal town of…

Global

New terminal planned at Taiwan Taoyuan Airport

Mark Elliott Mar 4, 2010

A new passenger terminal is to be built at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan News has reported. According to a plan commissioned by the country's Civil Aeronautics…

Global

Taiwan trains air marshals

Mark Elliott Feb 23, 2010

Taiwan's Aviation Police Bureau trained 25 air marshals to serve on US-bound flights operated by Taiwanese carriers, Taiwan News has reported. The move is part of a Taiwan-US…

Global

Bombardier promotes planes in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Feb 12, 2010

Canadian planemaker, Bombardier, has completed a two-day visit to Taiwan in which it gave demonstrations aimed at promoting the company's more fuel-efficient aircraft. Bombardier…

Global

Taiwan eyes Indian tourists

Mark Elliott Feb 11, 2010

Taiwan is the latest destination of choice for the growing Indian outbound market, Anil Mathur reports. While only about 23,000 Indians visited Taiwan in 2009, this number is…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines to launch first UK to Taiwan non-stop flights

Mark Elliott Jan 21, 2010

From 28th March 2010, China Airlines will launch the first non-stop flights to Taipei from London Heathrow, Terminal 4. The new service will operate three times a week and will…

Global

Taiwan rejects light rail plans

Mark Elliott Jan 20, 2010

Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications has rejected plans by four counties to build light rail transit (LRT) systems. Taiwan News reported that the plans, which included…

Global

Record arrivals for Taiwan in 2009

Mark Elliott Jan 14, 2010

Nearly 4.4 million international nationals visited Taiwan in 2009, a record number that exceeded the government target of 4.1 million by 14.3%. According to a Taiwan News report,…

Global

Taiwanese scientist discovers ‘strawberry crab’

Mark Elliott Jan 6, 2010

A Taiwanese marine biologist has discovered he had found a new species of crab, Channel NewsAsia has reported. The crustacean, which is coloured like a polka-dotted…

Global

Record tourist arrivals for Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 21, 2009

Tourist arrivals in Taiwan are expected to hit 4.2 million by the end of the year, approximately 10% more than the 3.85 million foreign visitors who came to Taiwan in 2008, Taiwan…

Global

Strong quake rocks Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 21, 2009

An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale rocked Taiwan on Saturday night, shaking buildings in the west of the island, according to a Taiwan News report. No serious damage…

Global

Japan, Taiwan sign air services pact

Mark Elliott Dec 16, 2009

Taiwan and Japan have penned a new air treaty to expand flight services between the two countries, Taiwan News has reported. Under the agreement, the number of permitted weekly…

Global

Abacus launches four new solutions in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 10, 2009

Taiwan, 10 December 2009 - Abacus International, Asia Pacific's leading travel facilitator, today announced the introductions of four innovative solutions -…

Global

Hotel for dogs launched in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2009

Taiwan's latest luxury hotel has recently opened for a slightly different clientele - of the four-legged variety. Dogs can now enjoy a pampered stay at an exclusive hotel in…

Global

China and Taiwan to exchange tourism offices

Mark Elliott Oct 22, 2009

The SCMP reports that Taiwan and China are set to swap tourism offices by the end of the year in yet another sign of warming ties and booming cross border travel between the former rivals.

Global

China tourism boycott over Dalai Lama’s Taiwan visit

Mark Elliott Sep 18, 2009

China has told tour groups to call off planned trips to a city in Taiwan after the Dalai Lama visited there. Hotels in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's second-largest city, have received…

Global

Face-to-Face: David Wu, Chairman, Abacus Taiwan

Mark Elliott Sep 4, 2009

1) How extensive is the take-up of travel technology in Taiwan, and how well received have Abacus' solutions been in this market?The Taiwan travel community is very…

Global

Taiwan unemployment hits new record high

Mark Elliott Aug 26, 2009

Taiwan's unemployment rate rose to another record high of 6.07% in July, up from the previous record of 5.94% set in June. Officials attributed the rising jobless rate partly to new…

Global

Taiwan confirms Morakot death toll

Mark Elliott Aug 25, 2009

Taiwan's government confirmed yesterday that 292 people were killed and 385 missing after Typhoon Morakot struck the island earlier this month. Those still unaccounted for include 311 from…

Global

Air China to begin Taiwan scheduled flights

Mark Elliott Aug 18, 2009

Air China will begin regular scheduled flights to Taiwan from 31 August, Xinhua reported the airline's President, Cai Jianjiang, as saying. The carrier will operate 27 weekly…

Global

Morakot’s Taiwan death toll rises to 107

Mark Elliott Aug 13, 2009

Typhoon Morakot is now known to have killed at least 107 people in Taiwan, although that toll could rise as scores more remain missing. The latest toll includes 32 people who were found…

Global

Taiwan to boost ecotourism

Mark Elliott Aug 4, 2009

Taiwan's Tourism Bureau is planning 10 new ecotourism packages to capitalise on the country's ecological resources and develop its tourism industry, Taiwan News reported officials as…

Global

Macau helps Taiwan prepare for gaming boom

Mark Elliott Jul 29, 2009

As Taiwan gears up to allow casino gambling on the Penghu islands, institutions from Macau have been offering their expertise to help the country prepare for the expected gaming…

Global

Taiwan’s railway stations to get facelift

Mark Elliott Jul 28, 2009

Taiwan is planning a major refurbishment of its railway stations, the China Post has reported. Twenty-three of the 28 stations between Hualien and Taitung will be given a TW$6.1 billion…

Global

Taiwan plans mega casino resort

Mark Elliott Jul 24, 2009

Officials in Taiwan are planning to build a huge resort-casino complex with investment of at least US$910 million, if local voters approve a gambling referendum. Reuters reported that…

Global

Taiwan unemployment hits record high

Mark Elliott Jul 24, 2009

Taiwan's unemployment rate reached a record high of 5.9% last month as fresh graduates joined the jobs market. The rate meant that a record 647,000 people were out of work, an…

Global

Costa Crociere launches Taiwan cruises for mainland tourists

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2009

Costa Crociere SpA, Europe's number one cruise company, has announced that it will become the first international cruise company operating in China to introduce regular Taiwan…

Global

Chinese tourists generate US$764m for Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2009

Chinese tourists have generated US$764 million in revenue for Taiwan in a year, as ties between the formal rivals improve, a report has said. The China Times reported tourism…

Global

Taiwan, China common language proposed

Mark Elliott Jul 14, 2009

A cross-Strait forum in Changhsa has proposed that China and Taiwan adopt common Chinese-language technical terms and software development. Mandarin is used in the mainland and Taiwan,…

Global

Strong quake hit Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jul 14, 2009

An undersea earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale rocked Taiwan early this morning. Buildings swayed in areas of Taiwan's east coast, but there were no immediate reports of…

Global

Three more Chinese cities get Taiwan green light

Mark Elliott Jul 13, 2009

Three more mainland Chinese cities will be authorised to validate passes for Taiwan visitors entering the mainland, Xinhua reported the country's Ministry of Public Security as saying.…

Global

Chinese carriers apply to open Taiwan offices

Mark Elliott Jul 7, 2009

China SouthernAirlines, Air China,China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines have allsubmitted applications to open offices in Taiwan. A Taiwan News report,citing the…

Global

Taiwan property prices to fall until 2010

Mark Elliott Jul 1, 2009

Taiwan property prices will continue to decline through to the first quarter of next year, the government has said. The property market dropped 1.76% in the three months to March - the…

Global

China tourists make 350,000 Taiwan trips

Mark Elliott Jun 29, 2009

Tourists from mainland China have made more than 350,000 trips to Taiwan since the travel ban was lifted a year ago, according to a Xinhua report. Du Jiang, Deputy Director of…

Global

China, Taiwan to double flights

Mark Elliott Jun 24, 2009

China and Taiwan will increase flights the number of flights connecting the countries to 270 a week from 31 August, compared with 108 currently, Bloomberg reported, citing…

Global

First Chinese medical tour group arrives in Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jun 23, 2009

A 32-member medical tour group from China arrived in Taiwan yesterday for health check-ups, making it the first Chinese group to visit Taiwan for medical tourism since the border…

Global

De-mining efforts to make Taiwan’s Kinmen island more tourist-friendly

Mark Elliott Jun 9, 2009

Taiwan's Kinmen Island was once in the cross fire of hostilities between both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Now with warming ties, plans are now underway to make the island more…

Global

President Ma envisages Taiwan as a ‘tourism island’

Mark Elliott Jun 9, 2009

In a report by the Taiwan news President Ma Ying-jeou outlined his vision for turning Taiwan into a "tourism island" with the concerted effort of the private and public sectors. Addressing…

Global

Regular direct flights between Taiwan and China start in July

Mark Elliott Jun 4, 2009

Thelaunch of the regular flights is the result of one of the agreements signedbetween Taiwan and China last April 26 in NanjingA totalof 270 flights a week will be provided, with…

Taiwan

Taiwan considers building bridge to China

Mark Elliott Jun 2, 2009

Taiwan and China appear to be taking the term"bridge building" a little too literally. According to a ChannelNews Asiareport, the Taipei government is considering building a…

Global

Taiwan urged to woo more tourists

Mark Elliott May 29, 2009

Taiwan should further improve its infrastructure to compete with neighbouring countries and areas and better court foreign tourists, business representatives said at a seminar sponsored…

Global

Taiwan smokers to carry own ashtrays

Mark Elliott May 22, 2009

Authorities in Taiwan may require all smokers to carry their own ashtrays by the end of next year. The government is seeking to clean up the estimated 10 billion ciggie butts that litter the…

Global

Taiwan unveils World Games stadium

Mark Elliott May 19, 2009

The main stadium for the World Games 2009 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan has been unveiled. The TW$5 billion (US$152 million) arena will be known as the National Stadium. The World Games 2009…

Global

China approves five more Taiwan ports

Mark Elliott May 18, 2009

China has approved five additional ports for direct shipping with Taiwan, bringing the total to 68. The addition of ports Tongling, Shidao, Laizhou, Taizhou Damaiyu and…

Global

Chinese tourists killed in Taiwan crane collapse

Mark Elliott Apr 27, 2009

Two Chinese tourists have been killed in a crane collapse in Taipei. Early investigations have showed that strong winds may have caused the tower crane to fall. Taiwanese authorities have…

Global

Taiwan unemployment hits record level

Mark Elliott Apr 24, 2009

Taiwan'sunemployment rate rose to a record 5.81% last month as businesses slashed jobsin the ongoing recession, the government said. March unemployment was up 1.95percentage points from…

Global

Taiwan allows more Chinese tourists

Mark Elliott Apr 22, 2009

Taiwan authorities have temporarily raised the daily quota of mainland tourists from 3,000 to 7,200, to cope with the increasing number of travellers, Xinhua has…

Global

Chinese tourists to Taiwan exceed daily limit

Mark Elliott Apr 17, 2009

The number ofarriving Chinese visitors broke the 3,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday,reach 3,043, according to statistics released by the country's Tourism…

Global

Taiwan to launch state-run airport company

Mark Elliott Apr 14, 2009

According to a Taiwan News report, the new body, which is hoped to enhance the airport's efficiency and competitiveness, will be in place by 2010.The new company will also…

Global

Taiwan to develop tourist spots

Mark Elliott Apr 14, 2009

The Taiwan News reported thatthe five attractions, which will be named in May, will each be given TW$300 million(US$8.9 million) over two years to upgrade facilities and attract…

Global

Taiwan lake disappearing

Mark Elliott Apr 8, 2009

A highland lake in the mountains of eastern Taiwan has shrunk to about half its size since winter due to low rainfall, according to a Taiwan News report. Jiaming Lake was about 120m…

Global

Taiwan offers "one dollar" holidays

Mark Elliott Mar 25, 2009

The Taiwan News reported that from May, five-star hotels in Taipei will inviteforeigners to spend one night in the city for just US$1. In Europethe campaign will be called "One Euro…

Global

Taiwan welcomes first Chinese cruise ship

Mark Elliott Mar 18, 2009

A cruise ship carrying 1,600 mainland Chinese tourists arrived in Taiwan on Monday, marking the first direct cross-strait cruise. Xinhua reported that Royal Caribbean's Legend of…

Global

Taiwan to allow two casinos

Mark Elliott Mar 17, 2009

Taiwan has taken another step in a move to lift a ban on casinos after it was decided that two gambling resorts would be initially licensed, according to a ChannelNews Asia report.The…

Global

More Shanghai agencies get Taiwan nod

Mark Elliott Mar 13, 2009

Seven more Shanghai travel agencies have been approved to provide travel services to Taiwan, the Shanghai Daily reported. Shanghai China Travel International, Shanghai Airline…

Global

Taiwan to cut bullet train services

Mark Elliott Mar 2, 2009

Taiwan's loss-making high-speed rail company has announced plans to reduce its services, cut fares and impose pay cuts on executives in an effort to bring down costs. ChannelNews Asia…

Global

China pledge to boost tourism to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Feb 27, 2009

China has pledged to boost tourism to Taiwan to help the island shore up its ailing economy amid the global downturn, an Associated Press reports said.To promote tourism to Taiwan,…

Global

Taiwan plunged in recession

Mark Elliott Feb 19, 2009

Taiwan has been plunged into recession as the economy contracted a record 8.36% in the three months to December, the government has said. The decrease was the largest since records…

Global

Taiwan turns to India

Mark Elliott Feb 16, 2009

Taiwan plans to increase arrivals from India to about 25,000 in 2009, up from the 20,000 it received in 2008, Anil Mathur reports.The country plans to scrap visa…

Attractions & Tours

Pandas make Taiwan debut

Mark Elliott Jan 28, 2009

The pair of pandas donated by China to Taiwan have made their official debut at Taipei City Zoo, Xinhua reported. The two pandas have completed a month-long quarantine period since their…

Attractions & Tours

China-Taiwan discuss museums

Mark Elliott Jan 23, 2009

Officials from China and Taiwan have met to discuss joint exhibitions between Beijing's Palace Museum and Taipei's National Palace Museum, Xinhua reported."We are glad to see the two…

Features

Taiwan sets-up airport bird flu centres

Mark Elliott Jan 22, 2009

As travel increases over the Lunar New Year, kiosks are being set-up at airports in Taiwan to warn people of danger of avian flu, Taiwan News reported.The advice centres will be…

Taiwan

Taiwan set for New Year tourist boom

Mark Elliott Jan 16, 2009

According to a Xinhua report, Yao Ta Kuang, a senior official at the TaiwanTravel Agent Association, said that Taiwan tour operators had so farreceived more than 10,000…

Features

Taiwan-China to discuss global air destinations

Mark Elliott Jan 14, 2009

In a move that would benefit airlines on both sides, Taiwan plans to discuss with China expanding their cross-strait flight routes to include other global destinations.The talks are…

Taiwan

Taiwan to legalise casinos

Mark Elliott Jan 13, 2009

Taiwan's parliament has passed a controversial bill lifting a decades-old ban on casinos, ChannelNews Asia reported. The new law is expected to lead to the construction of a series of…

Taiwan

Huge ocean wall found off Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jan 7, 2009

A researcher has found a huge basalt rock formation in the Taiwan Strait, resembling a city wall and similar to monoliths on land, Reuters reported.The 200 metre-long, 10…

Features

Taiwan festival aims at international market

Mark Elliott Dec 23, 2008

Taiwan's Hualien County is to hold its first Pacific International Tourism Festival on 26 December, in the hope of attracting more visitors from around the world, Taiwan News…

Taiwan

Taiwan approves first of daily China services

Mark Elliott Dec 15, 2008

Taiwan's government has approved airlines to offer 101 flights in the first week of daily passenger services between the island and China, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) in…

Global

Taiwan airport rail link due for 2014

Mark Elliott Dec 12, 2008

The mass rapid transit (MRT) line connecting Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport with Taipei is scheduled to be completed by 2014, The Taipei Times has reported. The new facility…

Features

Taiwan-China tourist arrivals fall short of target

Mark Elliott Dec 2, 2008

The number of Chinese tourist arrivals to Taiwan is not expected to meet the Taipei government's target of 100,000 this year, Taiwan News has reported. According to statistics from…

Features

HK develops new China and Taiwan tours

Mark Elliott Nov 14, 2008

Hong Kong is to develop new multi-destination tour products connecting mainland China and Taiwan, local media reported.According to an agreement signed between mainland China and…

Features

Chinese agency bullies Taiwanese tourists into shopping

Mark Elliott Nov 11, 2008

A Chinese travel agency guide locked a group of Taiwanese tourists in a tour bus after they refused to patronise a shop, a report said.Taiwan News said Sun Jianping,…

Taiwan

New Holiday Inn Express for Taiwan

Mark Elliott Nov 10, 2008

Six months after launching the Holiday Inn Express brand in Taiwan, IHG has added a second hotel under the brand. The 169-room Holiday Inn Express Taichung Park opens in the island's…

Features

Taiwan hotels form alliance

Mark Elliott Nov 4, 2008

Nine of Taiwan's leading hotels have joined forces to form the 'Star Hotel & Resort Alliance', the Taiwan News has reported. The marketing alliance is reportedly aimed a those…

Taiwan

HK eases curbs on Taiwanese visitors

Mark Elliott Oct 16, 2008

Hong Kong's government will relax travel restrictions on Taiwanese visitors next year as part of its effort to improve business and tourist links, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen…

Taiwan

Taiwan tourism chief visits China

Mark Elliott Oct 15, 2008

Taiwan's top tourism official is in China to boost tourism relations with the mainland, the Taiwan News has reported. Director-General of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Janice…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan-Nanjing charter flights to start

Mark Elliott Oct 15, 2008

China Airlines and Mandarin Airlines will launch direct weekend charter flights from Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport to Nanjing from 1 November, the Centre for Asia Pacific…

Taiwan

Taiwan’s bailout plan for travel agencies

Mark Elliott Oct 13, 2008

Taiwan's Tourism Bureau (TTB) said it was planning to provide loans to struggling travel agencies that have been hit hard by the economic downturn, according to Taipei TimesBureau…

China

China-Taiwan to change flight routes

Oct 8, 2008

Direct flights between China and Taiwan will be re-routed to allow more direct flight paths, the Taiwan News has reported. At present, the direct weekend flights introduced last July must…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan saves Air Pacific island flights

Mark Elliott Oct 6, 2008

Taiwan has provided US$3 million to keep the only air link for Kiritimati (Christmas Island) operational, the Fiji Times has reported. Taiwan reportedly paid money to operator Air…

Tourism Boards

Taiwan plans Culture & Tourism Ministry

Mark Elliott Oct 6, 2008

Taiwanese President, Ma Ying-jeou, has said that his government is working towards creating a Culture & Tourism Ministry. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported Ma as saying that…

Taiwan

Taiwan debates island casinos

Mark Elliott Oct 6, 2008

The government of Taiwan is discussing plans to legalise gambling and casinos on outlying islands, Taiwan News has reported. Islands such as Penghu, which between Taiwan and…

Taiwan

China pushes for more Taiwan tourists

Mark Elliott Sep 25, 2008

The Chinese mainland promised on Wednesday to take measures to increase the number of tourists visiting Taiwan, China Daily reported.State Council Taiwan Affairs Office…

Taiwan

Abacus meets Taiwan agents

Mark Elliott Sep 19, 2008

Taiwan's travel agents turned out at this week's Abacus Taiwan Conference. Hosted by Abacus Taiwan General Manager, David Chen, the conference saw leading industry experts share…

Taiwan

Beijing relaxes policy Taiwan islands

Mark Elliott Sep 9, 2008

More Chinese citizens will be allowed to take sightseeing trips to Taiwan's outlying islands after Beijing yesterday announced further relaxing of cross-strait tourism controls. Xinhua…

Taiwan

Taiwan plans landing visas for Chinese

Mark Elliott Sep 3, 2008

Taiwan said it plans to offer landing visas to Chinese tourists travelling to two Taiwanese-controlled islands off the mainland, AFP reported.The proposal, expected to be approved…

Global

Taiwan prepares for Sk

Mark Elliott Aug 15, 2008

The 69th Sk

Taiwan

Fewer Taiwanese travelling

Mark Elliott Aug 8, 2008

The number of Taiwanese outbound tourists in July dropped by 10% from a year ago. China Post has reported that figures fell to 746,000, mainly due to poor performance of the local…

Taiwan

Typhoon grounds Taiwan flights

Mark Elliott Jul 29, 2008

Typhoon Fung-wong hit Taiwan's east coast yesterday, forcing many flights to be grounded, ChannelNews Asia has reported. All domestic and 56 international services were…

Taiwan

Storm batters Taiwan

Mark Elliott Jul 21, 2008

Tropical Storm Kalmaegihas devastated parts of Taiwanover the weekend, causing flooding and landslides, the BBC has reported.Officials have reported the death toll as being at…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan office for China Eastern

Mark Elliott Jul 8, 2008

Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines has become the first mainland Chinese airline to get approval to set up an office in Taipei, Xinhua has reported. The airline will initially set up…

Airlines and Aviation

Taiwan carriers cut routes

Mark Elliott Jun 10, 2008

Taiwan's two major airlines, China Airline and EVA Airways, are planning to slash their services to cope with spiralling jet-fuel prices, Bloomberg reported. China Airlines is…

Taiwan

Taiwan in tourism boost

Apr 24, 2008

Taiwan will spend NT$30 billion (US$990 million) on infrastructure as it prepares to open its doors to millions of tourists from the mainland under a plan to boost the economy, president-…

Hotels

Holiday Inn Express in Taiwan

Apr 4, 2008

InterContinental Hotels Group has signed its first Holiday Inn Express hotel in Taiwan. The hotel will be located in Taichung, Taiwan's third largest city, and will be the city's first…

Hotels

Another Shangri-La in Taiwan

Mar 27, 2008

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is to manage a second property in Taiwan, following Shangri-La's Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Taipei, which opened in 1994. The new 336-room Shangri-La's Far…

Airlines and Aviation

Mobile counter airport service in Taiwan

Dec 6, 2007

China Airlines has launched a new Mobile Counter airport service in Taiwan, which allows passengers to save time when they line up for check-in. China Airlines is the first airline to use…

Sports Tourism

Taiwanese love HK

Mark Elliott Nov 21, 2007

The survey by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications showed that Taiwnese trips to Hong Kong reached 2.31 million. Japan was next (978,000), followed by Macau…

Features

Taiwan’s local airlines hit hard by bullet train

Mark Elliott Nov 13, 2007

The island's four domestic airlines - Far Eastern Air Transport, TransAsia Airways, Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air - used to dominate the corporate travel market serving businessmen…

Airlines and Aviation

JAL cleared to fly to Taiwan

Mark Elliott Nov 6, 2007

JAL International plans to take over the routing completely from JAA by first placing its 'JL' designator on all JAA flights from April 2008 at the earliest, and by integrating JAA into…

Events

Taiwan entities promote medical tourism

Mark Elliott Oct 8, 2007

Taipei Times reported that this was the first time that the three industries have joined forces to promote medical tourism. The medical tourism market is estimated to be worth up to…

Events

China-Taiwan flight talks stall

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2007

Tourism talks between the two have been going on for years, and include discussions on direct charter flights to allow 365,000 mainland tourists to annually visit the island,…

Tourism Boards

Sabah Tourism Board rebrands to ‘Feel Sabah, North Borneo’

Kristin Mariano Mar 19, 2023

There could not be a better travel marketplace platform than the ITB Berlin 2023 (Internationale Tourismus-Borse Berlin) for Sabah Tourism Board (STB) to launch Sabah's new destination…

Airlines and Aviation

Prague Airport gets a direct route to Taipei

Kanchan Nath Mar 17, 2023

Effective 18 July 2023, Prague Airport is getting a direct connection with the Taiwanese capital of Taipei.

TD Syndicated Partner

New Taipei to Los Angeles Flight on STARLUX Airlines

Harry Johnson Mar 17, 2023 0

by: Harry Johnson | STARLUX Airlines also announced its new designation as the “Official International Airline Partner of the LA Clippers” Full article: New Taipei to Los Angeles Flight on…

Hotels

Just Sleep Osaka Shinsaibashi opens with 100 keys

Kanchan Nath Mar 15, 2023

Silks Hotel Group (SHG) celebrated the grand opening of its first overseas hotel on March 1st, situated in Osaka's bustling Shinsaibashi district.

Travel Tech

Lion Travel Group partners with Amadeus

Kanchan Nath Mar 14, 2023

Lion Travel Group, Taiwan’s largest travel agency, is working with technology provider Amadeus to support its expansion plan in growing its footprint in Taiwan and across Asia Pacific.

Travel Tech

Reopening China: Sabre data indicates significant outbound travel rebound

Kanchan Nath Mar 14, 2023

With more than 166 million international trips booked by Chinese travellers in 2019, contributing over USD 245 billion to global tourism in the process, it is no wonder that the world has…

TD Syndicated Partner

Lufthansa Group extends CEO and CFO contracts for 5 more years

Harry Johnson Mar 3, 2023 0

by: Harry Johnson | Spohr's and Steenbergen's contract extensions will be particularly important in securing successful future for Lufthansa Group Full article: Lufthansa Group extends CEO…

Airlines and Aviation

Singapore Airlines Forecasts Strong Demand In China

Joe Cusmano Mar 2, 2023

Singapore Airlines’ quarterly operating profit, nine-month operating profit, and nett profit all hit record highs. For the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2022, the airline brought…

Airlines and Aviation

Scootin’ Back to China

Kanchan Nath Feb 27, 2023

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), will steadily resume flights to and from China to accommodate strong travel demands in line with the further relaxation of border…

Tourism

From Reykjavik to Kyoto: The safest tourist destinations in 2023 –

Kristin Mariano Feb 27, 2023

Rank City, Country Homicide Rate per 100,000 by Country LGBT Social Acceptance (Score /10) Numbeo Crime Index (Score /100) % of People…

TD Syndicated Partner

High TIMES for SMEs in World Tourism: Minister Rings Bali Gong

Dmytro Makarov Feb 24, 2023 0

by: Dmytro Makarov | copyright: eTurboNews - Travel Industry News - World Travel News TIME 2023 is a go. The World Tourism Network Summit September 29-October 1 in Bali is official. SMEs…

Hotels

Four Seasons to unveil brand new luxury hotel in Taipei

Kristin Mariano Feb 17, 2023

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, a global leader in luxury hospitality, and Yuan Lih Construction Co., Ltd., the developer that is part of Taipei-based Yuan Lih Group, announce plans for…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

WebBeds teamed up with TAT for ‘IMPACT’ in Bangkok

Kanchan Nath Feb 15, 2023

WebBeds, a global marketplace for the travel trade, joined forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to hold its inaugural IMPACT Summit – a high-level event designed to help…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Hong Kong welcomes all!

Kanchan Nath Feb 13, 2023

As all border control requirements involving quarantine, vaccination and pre-departure PCR testing have been lifted for visitors from the Mainland, Taiwan and overseas, Hong Kong is…

TD Syndicated Partner

Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club names new GM

editor Feb 11, 2023 0

by: editor | copyright: eTurboNews - Travel Industry News - World Travel News Avani Chaweng Samui Hotel & Beach Club from Mari Beach Club in Bali announced it has appointed a new…

Reports

Agoda uses ChatGPT to regale Valentine’s Day hotspots

Kanchan Nath Feb 10, 2023

Tokyo, Bangkok, and Singapore are this year’s most popular Valentine’s Day getaways in Asia, global digital travel platform Agoda revealed

Attractions & Tours

IAAPI Expo 2023 to take place in March 2023

Kanchan Nath Feb 6, 2023

IAAPI Expo 2023 – an exclusive trade exhibition for Amusement, Leisure & Entertainment Industry of India is set to launch its 21st edition this year at the Bombay Exhibition Centre,…

Awards

Puducherry named ‘The Most Welcoming Region’ in India followed by Kerala and Rajasthan

Kanchan Nath Feb 6, 2023

As travel continues to make its return in most parts of the world, digital travel brand Booking.com announces the recipients of its eleventh annual Traveller Review Awards, including 2023’s…

Cruise

Oceania Cruises reveals exotic explorations in Asia with newly re-inspired Riviera

Kristin Mariano Jan 26, 2023

Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, announces that the newly re-inspired Riviera will sail in Asia for the first time due to unprecedented…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Year of the Rabbit: Top destinations that are a short ‘hop’ for Asian travelers

Kristin Mariano Jan 24, 2023

Japan is the most sought-after destination for travellers across Asia as they usher in the Lunar New Year, Agoda reveals. According to search data from the global digital travel…

Special Reports

Reunite and Recharge: Agoda travel goals for 2023

Kanchan Nath Jan 17, 2023

Agoda’s Travel Trends survey asked travellers from India, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam to share their top travel…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Trip.com Group sees surge in mainland China travel bookings ahead of Lunar New Year period

Kristin Mariano Jan 17, 2023

Trip.com Group, the leading global travel service provider, has seen mainland Chinese demand for travel continue to surge in the run-up to the Lunar New Year holiday season. This comes…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA Air to launch daily non-stop flights between Taipei and the northwestern Philippines

Kristin Mariano Jan 12, 2023

EVA Air will launch daily non-stop flights between Taipei and the northwestern Philippines, starting on March 30, 2023. The addition of Clark International Airport will give EVA Air…

Charity / Sustainability / CSR

Families visit Ocean Park Hong Kong during Christmas

Kanchan Nath Jan 5, 2023

Trip.com and Save the Children Hong Kong invited 66 local families living in Sham Shui Po to visit Ocean Park Hong Kong on 23 December, 2022, and to provide more opportunities for…

Italy

Italy imposes mandatory COVID-19 tests for travellers from China

Kanchan Nath Jan 2, 2023

Three years after the first case of a person infected with Coronavirus was detected in China, Italy has imposed again entry restrictions on travellers from this country, in a bid to prevent…

India

India makes Covid-19 test mandatory for travellers from 6 destinations

Kanchan Nath Jan 2, 2023

India has made Covid-19 negative test mandatory for travellers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand from Jan 1, its health minister said on Thursday.

Tourism

Best countries to visit if you’re vegan or vegetarian

Kristin Mariano Dec 30, 2022

In honour of Veganuary, researchers have found the world's most vegan and vegetarian-friendly countries to visit with destinations including India and Poland. The team at Busuu have…

Reports

Agoda: ‘Family and friends’ group travel is back

Kanchan Nath Dec 26, 2022

Agoda’s Family Travel Trend survey 2022 reveals that four out of five travellers will take a vacation with immediate family in the next 12 months and, while travelling with friends proves…

Train

JR East launches Japan Rail Club

Kanchan Nath Dec 15, 2022

Launching in Singapore and Taiwan in December 2022, it's time to reimagine Japan with this new community-based membership.

Tourism

Hong Kong Tourism Is Struggling As COVID-19 Limitations Continue

Joe Cusmano Dec 14, 2022

Experts claim that Hong Kong’s ongoing pandemic restrictions have not effectively stopped the spread of COVID-19, and the city is now fighting to restore its tourism industry. Despite…

Reports

Destination over dollar: Despite economic uncertainties, over 80% still plan to travel in 2023

Kanchan Nath Dec 14, 2022

If the economic uncertainties are making you worried or anxious about your holiday plans for 2023, you’re not alone. Almost 4 in 5 travellers in Asia are anxious about traveling next year…

Global

Top eight booking trends from Sabre

Kanchan Nath Dec 12, 2022

With the big festive getaway about to begin, new bookings insights revealed by Sabre show improving travel confidence and the emerging festive destinations of choice for global travellers.

By the Way

The 10th Straits Youth Day held in Fuzhou, Fujian Province

Kanchan Nath Dec 9, 2022

On 2 December, the 10th Straits Youth Day, co-sponsored by Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, All-China Youth Federation and Fujian Provincial People's Government, was held in …

Hotels

Hyatt to expand independent collection brands in key global destinations through 2025

Kristin Mariano Dec 8, 2022

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced the continued global growth of its Independent Collection brands, including recent openings and a strong development pipeline through 2025 across The…

Global

Free rail pass and travel products in Tohoku, Japan with Klook

Kanchan Nath Dec 1, 2022

Free rail pass and travel products for independent travellers now on sale on "Klook" special page to enjoy Tohoku area, popular destination for repeat visitors to Japan.

Airlines and Aviation

Singapore Airlines Adds A380 Flights To Sydney And Melbourne

Joe Cusmano Nov 25, 2022

Singapore Airlines’ flagship Airbus A380 is returning to Melbourne, and the airline is increasing the number of flights to Sydney using the superjumbo. This change will provide a…

Airlines and Aviation

Singapore Airlines to increase services to Australia, resume flights to Busan

Kanchan Nath Nov 23, 2022

Singapore Airlines (SIA) will boost frequencies to destinations across East Asia and South East Asia, resume flights to Busan, and increase Airbus A380 services to Australia during the…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Health and Safety top concern for Asia Pacific Corporate Travellers

Kanchan Nath Nov 23, 2022

SAP Concur released new research that finds APAC corporate travellers are concerned about the continuing health and safety threats from COVID-19, even as they retain high interest in…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines Reintroduces Flights To Brisbane And Auckland

Joe Cusmano Nov 7, 2022

China Airlines’ flights between Auckland, Brisbane, and Taipei have resumed, with three flights per week from October to December, increasing to five flights per week from January to…

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates embraces demand for plant-based meals

Kanchan Nath Oct 27, 2022

Heralding the upcoming World Vegan Day on 1 November, Emirates has delivered a resounding response to heightened demand for plant-based cuisine with a multimillion-dollar investment into new…

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates to resume flights between Dubai-Taipei

Kanchan Nath Oct 21, 2022

Emirates recently confirmed that it will increase its flights between Dubai and Taipei from 6th November.

Japan

Japan foodservice sector to benefit: GlobalData

Kanchan Nath Oct 12, 2022

The reopening of borders and a weakening yen are expected to make the country an attractive travel destination. Against this backdrop, the Japanese foodservice sector to benefit from a…

Airlines and Aviation

Singapore Airlines Capitalizes On Covid Rule Easing

Joe Cusmano Oct 11, 2022

Singapore Airlines Group has announced intentions to restart flights and boost service across its network in the following weeks, following the recent relaxation of entry requirements in…

Asia

Klook: Asia Pacific travel recovery with strong 300% QoQ revenue growth

Kanchan Nath Sep 29, 2022

Klook announced that it is seeing accelerated cross-border travel growth in Asia Pacific with one of its strongest quarters (over 300% QoQ growth) as it celebrates its eight-anniversary…

Hospitality

APAC hotel sector continues to grow

Kristin Mariano Sep 27, 2022

Confidence in Asia Pacific’s Hotels & Hospitality market continues to grow as borders reopen, investment appetite increases, and operating performance approaches pre-pandemic levels,…

Japan

Flight searches to Japan double on Expedia

Kanchan Nath Sep 26, 2022

Lavinia Rajaram, Asia head of public relations, Expedia Group stated that search demand for travel to Japan on Expedia doubled following Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s announcement to…

Hotels

Asia Pacific hotels & hospitality market continues to grow

Kanchan Nath Sep 24, 2022

Investment in Asia Pacific Hotels Rises to USD10.1 Billion YTD—17% Increase Y-O-Y. Confidence in Asia Pacific’s Hotels & Hospitality market continues to grow as borders reopen,…

Global

Travel Un’chained’ with blockchain

Kanchan Nath Sep 16, 2022

Around 230 players from 150 leading international tourism and tech companies representing more than 30 countries came together in Mallorca to jointly lay the foundations for the further…

Airlines and Aviation

More flights via Thai Vietjet from Bangkok – Fukuoka and Taipei

Kanchan Nath Sep 13, 2022

Thai Vietjet further announced the addition of its international services Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) – Fukuoka, Japan from 4 to 5 weekly flights, starting from 1 October 2022, as well as Bangkok…

Tourism

Untouched rural destinations more popular with tourists in Thailand: Airbnb

Kanchan Nath Sep 8, 2022

Airbnb claims that some of the ‘lesser-known’ destinations that travellers are exploring include Koh Lanta, Trat, Pai and Cha-Am.

Airlines and Aviation

Australia Approves Korean Air-Asiana Merger

Joe Cusmano Sep 6, 2022

After consulting with relevant stakeholders, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has decided to approve Korean Air’s acquisition of Asiana Airlines. Even though…

Visa updates

Longer trip to Thailand? Kingdom grants visa extension for tourists

Kristin Mariano Sep 1, 2022

Thailand’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has approved the proposal by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to extend the period of stay to 45 days for tourists…

Airlines and Aviation

AirAsia X To Restore Fleet And Network After Pandemic

Joe Cusmano Aug 31, 2022

Following the COVID-19 downturn, AirAsia X is working to restore its network by launching additional long-haul services to Istanbul, Dubai, and London by year’s end. The low-cost…

Cruise

Royal Caribbean announces 2023-24 year-round holidays from Singapore to Thailand, Vietnam, Japan & more

Kristin Mariano Aug 26, 2022

Vacationers can set their sights on more ways to explore Asia and make lifelong holiday memories. Royal Caribbean International has released its line-up of holidays on Spectrum of…

Global

Now fly Bangkok – Taipei via Thai Vietjet with fares starting from USD 99

Kanchan Nath Aug 18, 2022

The Low-cost Carrier Vietjet celebrates the inaugural flight of its new international service connecting Bangkok and Taipei.

Tourism

Most Powerful Passports in 2022

Joe Cusmano Aug 16, 2022

Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm in London, has produced a new quarterly report stating that holders of three Asian passports have more worldwide…

Travel Tech

KKday secures Series C+ round for hiring, expanding footprint, and tech innovation

Kristin Mariano Jul 22, 2022

KKday has announced it has secured additional funding in a Series C+ round, bringing the total Series C round raised to US$95 million. The round is led by major tech Asia private equity…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Asians are ready to explore the world

Kristin Mariano Jul 12, 2022

Booking.com, the world’s leading online travel company, has launched its inaugural APAC Travel Confidence Index, which provides a snapshot of how confident consumers feel about exploring the…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA Air to launch new flights to Milan and Munich

Kristin Mariano Jul 8, 2022

EVA Air, Taiwan’s leading independent airline, is set to launch nonstop flights between Taipei and two popular European destinations. It will initiate the Milan service on 25 October…

Coral Expeditions launches small islands of Japan & the Philippines series

Kristin Mariano Jul 6, 2022

Coral Expeditions, Australia’s pioneering cruise line, has announced a new series of voyages to the Small Islands of Japan and the Philippines. Part of Coral Expeditions’ Small Islands…

Airlines and Aviation

Malaysia Airlines launches a Bonus Side Trip in Malaysia on selected tickets to Asia and Australasia

Kristin Mariano May 26, 2022

Malaysia Airlines is pleased to announce that it has re-launched its Bonus Side Trip product campaign where passengers can add a stop in Malaysia to their journey from the UK to Asia and…

Heritage Expeditions announces three new Japan voyages for 2023 schedule

Kristin Mariano May 10, 2022

Pioneering New Zealand-based expedition cruise company Heritage Expeditions has added the intriguing islands of Japan to its 2023 schedule announcing three incredible new voyages aboard…

Tourism

Quarantine-free travel sparks a flurry in APAC

Kristin Mariano May 5, 2022

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asia Pacific (APAC) region has had some of the tightest travel restrictions in the world. But with many countries and regions now…

Domestic travel remains top preference among PH travelers

Kristin Mariano May 2, 2022

Booking data from travel platform Agoda reveals that visiting domestic destinations remains a priority for Filipinos.

Why Korea is garnering merit as the optimal incentive travel destination

Chris Head Apr 12, 2022

According to a well-known futurologist who declared that “the world is making a fundamental shift from industrial production to cultural production,” the growing dominance of the content…

Airlines and Aviation

Cathay Pacific resumes flights to Hong Kong and beyond

Kristin Mariano Apr 4, 2022

Cathay Pacific is welcoming passengers on board as flights between the UK and Hong Kong officially resume on 1st April.

Air

VFS Global predicts spike in Thailand eVisa on Arrival demand ahead of Thai Airways resuming flights

Megha Paul Mar 29, 2022

Starting of Thailand eVOA services through VFS Global is expected to offer great convenience to customers travelling to Thailand

Selo Group appoints renowned sustainability expert Piet Van Zyl as Chief Regenerative Officer

Chris Head Mar 25, 2022

, Selo Group, an award-winning and fully integrated development company based in Singapore, announced the appointment of Piet Van Zyl as chief regenerative officer. Drawing on his wealth of…

Hospitality

New Bengaluru tech hub part of Airbnb’s ongoing investment in India

Megha Paul Mar 23, 2022

Airbnb has announced fresh investment in India through the impending opening of a new technology hub in Bengaluru

Adventures of a lifetime with Aurora Expeditions’ new Arctic & Global 2023 season offerings

Kristin Mariano Mar 7, 2022

Now that travel is steadily returning, joining a voyage from Aurora Expeditions’ Arctic and Global 2023 season offerings is the best way to start.

Features

Most popular destinations to celebrate the Year of the Tiger

Kristin Mariano Feb 1, 2022

Big cities and tourist favourites are back in favour for travel this Lunar New Year as travellers head to tourist hotspots to ring in the year of the Tiger, according to booking data from…

Vaccination Updates

Greece extends entry rules for international travellers until 24 January

Megha Paul Jan 11, 2022

Greek authorities have decided to extend their entry rules imposed against all travellers for another two weeks and this was announced by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Greece

Agoda unveils digital quarantine packages in Japan

Megha Paul Jan 3, 2022

Agoda has launched Japan Alternative Quarantine (Japan AQ) packages to offer greater options for Japanese citizens returning home for holidays from 'high-risk' countries

Agoda launches digital quarantine packages in Japan to facilitate safe return for repatriates

Kristin Mariano Dec 28, 2021

Agoda has launched Japan Alternative Quarantine (Japan AQ) packages to offer greater options for Japanese citizens returning home for holidays from 'high-risk' countries as COVID-19…

Reopening updates

2022 is the year travel will broaden not just horizons, but social circles too

Kristin Mariano Dec 27, 2021

As we look to the year ahead, Booking.com has shared its predictions for travel in 2022, revealing a renewed sense of optimism that is fueling a hunger to embrace the new normal and get back…

Where are travellers staying on New Year Eve

Megha Paul Dec 24, 2021

Agoda data shows that travellers across Asia are showing their ongoing desire to get out, to getaway and to escape the constrictions and controls of Covid impacted regions, venturing into…

New form of ‘conscious travel’ as travellers look to contribute to communities

Megha Paul Dec 3, 2021

Travellers are more actively focused on enabling positive and empowering experiences for the communities they visit, new research shows

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates Outlines Their Premium Economy Class Rollout

Joe Cusmano Nov 30, 2021

Emirates has announced that it will be introducing premium economy across the majority of its long-haul fleets.

Features

Quarantine-free travel to the Philippines for certain countries starting November 22

Kristin Mariano Nov 22, 2021

The Philippines will waive quarantine rules for fully vaccinated travellers from green countries starting November 22, 2021.

Booking.com reveals 8 top trending destinations in 2022

Kristin Mariano Nov 12, 2021

Forget the days of dreaming of trips and holidays abroad, 2022 is looking like an optimistic and extraordinary year for travel.

Shopee offers seamless hotel bookings with Shopee Hotel

Kristin Mariano Nov 8, 2021

As travel starts to rebound, e-commerce platform Shopee has partnered with travel platforms Agoda and Booking.com to launch Shopee Hotel.

Oneworld in talks with several airlines to join the alliance

Joe Cusmano Nov 2, 2021

The Oneworld alliance is looking to expand its membership to catch up with rivals SkyTeam and Star Alliance. As a result, several new airlines could join.

Cruise

Aurora Expeditions certified 100% Carbon Neutral in an ongoing active sustainability plan

Kristin Mariano Oct 21, 2021

Aurora Expeditions is certified 100% Carbon Neutral as part of its long-term and far-reaching sustainability strategy.

The Philippines updates testing, quarantine rules for incoming travellers

Kristin Mariano Oct 19, 2021

The Philippines has updated the testing and quarantine rules for incoming travellers. The country is also following a traffic light system naming “red, yellow, and green” countries and…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas plans to launch new international routes in 2022

Joe Cusmano Oct 12, 2021

After moving through with plans to begin foreign flights in December, Qantas is set to fly to numerous new international destinations next year.

Japan is reopening borders to fully vaccinated travellers but there’s a catch

Kristin Mariano Oct 5, 2021

The long wait is finally over! Japan is reopening its borders to international travellers as the nation’s health ministry has eased the entry restrictions for travellers to the country.…

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas plans to launch new international routes in 2022

Joe Cusmano Oct 1, 2021

After moving through with plans to begin foreign flights in December, Qantas is set to fly to numerous new international destinations next year.

Flexible searches, hosted travel and unique stays define travel in 2021: Airbnb

Megha Paul Sep 27, 2021

Airbnb presents round-up of key travel trends that have been emerging in India and reflects how consumers are viewing travel in the new normal

Reopening updates

The Singapore-Australia travel bubble ready by year-end

Joe Cusmano Sep 15, 2021

Australia's vaccination rates are on the rise despite a string of lockdowns and Delta outbreaks.

Travel Tech

APAC business travellers eager to restart trips: SAP Concur

Megha Paul Aug 31, 2021

New research commissioned by the SAP Concur organisation highlights enthusiasm among Asia Pacific (APAC) business travellers to resume their work trips

Vaccination Updates

Asian airlines report high Covid-19 vaccination uptake among crew

Joe Cusmano Aug 23, 2021

As everyone’s in the region wait for the tight pandemic-related border controls to be relaxed, Asian airlines are reporting high vaccination take-up rates among pilots and cabin crew.

Tourism

PATA announces return of in-person live events with ‘Taste of PATA London’

Megha Paul Aug 20, 2021

Pacific Asia Travel Association UK & Ireland has announced its return to in-person live events

Hospitality

Lights, Camera, Action! Airbnb celebrates world of Bollywood with festival of hosted online experiences

Megha Paul Aug 11, 2021

Airbnb announced the launch of Bollywood Insiders, a 10 day festival of engaging Online Experiences that brings India’s storied film industry to life

Eva Air to unveil first Asian pilot of AOKpass

Megha Paul Jul 14, 2021

EVA Air has announced a pilot of AOKpass, the world’s most operationally advanced secure health certificate platform and app

Airlines and Aviation

Air NZ dust off long-haul routes suspended at start of pandemic

Joe Cusmano Jul 9, 2021

Air New Zealand is bringing back long-haul routes it suspended in early 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and is increasing frequencies on the few long-haul services it has been…

Features

Indians looking to live anywhere, explore nature getaways and offbeat locations when travel returns

Megha Paul Jul 9, 2021

Indians are looking at travel in newer ways and exploring flexible, nearby travel and travel to work remotely, according to new Airbnb and YouGov research

Vaccination Updates

PH reduces quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers from green countries

Kristin Mariano Jul 6, 2021

The Philippines’ Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved to shorten the quarantine for fully-vaccinated travellers from green…

Vaccination Updates

Guam embraces vaccine tourism

Kristin Mariano Jul 6, 2021

In a bid to revive its tourism industry, Guam Visitors Bureau offers Air V&V — a program for travellers interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine while vacationing in Guam.

Hospitality

The winners of the 1st edition of the LIV Hospitality Design Awards have been revealed!

Chris Head Jul 2, 2021

The program is one of the most highly anticipated acknowledgments in the Hospitality Architectural Design and Interior Design industry.

Tourism

Oyo, Airbnb, EaseMyTrip and Yatra come together to launch CHATT

Megha Paul Jun 10, 2021

Leading players of the OTA industry in India have come together to back and enable an industry association - Confederation of Hospitality, Technology and Tourism Industry (CHATT)

Global

South Korea and Singapore mull travel bubble in July

Megha Paul Jun 10, 2021

South Korea is talking with Singapore about opening its first travel bubble in July, which would allow vaccinated travelers on direct flights to by-pass quarantine

Vaccination Updates

The future of travel bubbles in APAC

Kristin Mariano Jun 7, 2021

Industry analysts predict stronger recovery for APAC business travel in the third and fourth quarter of this year.

Vaccination Updates

One year of free Qantas flights and more as vaccination incentive

Joe Cusmano Jun 3, 2021

Qantas has announced that it will offer 10 'mega prizes' of a year of free flights for Australians who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021.

Interviews

South Australia tourism is back in the spotlight for all the right reasons

Anthony Gallagher May 28, 2021

Enjoying the distance now between devastating bushfires and COVID-19, South Australia is open for business again with much more to offer, see and do.

Expedition Cruising

Dream Cruises resumes cruise in HK with Genting Dream

Kristin Mariano May 28, 2021

Dream Cruises has announced the restart of cruises in Hong Kong, set to begin at the end of July with Genting Dream offering 2 and 3-night “Super Summer Seacations” on the high seas.

Tourism Boards

5 activities in Davao that will give you an adrenaline rush

Kristin Mariano May 25, 2021

There are several activities in Davao that will give you an adrenaline rush and will make your heart race in excitement if you are up for an adventure.

Airlines and Aviation

Japanese airlines eye low-cost to drive post-pandemic growth

Joe Cusmano May 13, 2021

Japan's two major airlines are positioning themselves to take advantage of any upturn with a punt on low-cost services.

Reopening updates

Thailand’s latest quarantine blooper puts tourism in jeopardy

Joe Cusmano May 3, 2021

Thailand has made overnight changes without any advanced warning, to end shortened quarantine, vaccinated or not, and is returning to a full 14-day quarantine.

Cruise

Fancy a voyage on the biggest cruise ship? You can now book it!

Joe Cusmano Apr 23, 2021

This will be a big event for cruise fans! The first voyages of the biggest cruise ship ever built are now available for booking.

Air

Travel searches to Singapore spike up after talks of travel bubbles

Kristin Mariano Apr 12, 2021

A significant spike in travel searches to Singapore originating from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan has been recorded through the last two weeks of March 2021.

Features

More international flights to Hua Hin, Thailand soon

Kristin Mariano Apr 7, 2021

Getting to the seaside resort city of Hua Hin may become easier for international tourists as more direct flights will land soon in the city’s international airport.

Tourism

Plan your escape! 2021 travel trends show research is king and confidence along with safety is queen

Megha Paul Mar 31, 2021

Travellers worldwide are growing more confident they will be able to travel internationally in the second half of 2021, somewhere

Vaccination Updates

Global vaccine rollout improves 2021’s travel outlook, says Agoda CEO John Brown

Kristin Mariano Mar 31, 2021

Confidence in the vaccine rollouts, discussions around COVID-19 passports, and alternative state quarantine announcements have triggered an increase in international travel searches for…

Tourism

Thailand to fully reopen to tourists in January 2022 in new proposed four-phase reopening rules

Kristin Mariano Mar 18, 2021

Thailand is considering a four-phase reopening that will most likely to kick off in April and will relax quarantine rules. However, the kingdom may not fully reopen to international tourists…

Interviews

Why International Women’s Day is particularly important this year

Alastair Newport Mar 5, 2021

If there’s one upside to experiencing a major challenge or transformative event, it’s that these moments can highlight issues that were sitting on the backburner and provide an opportunity…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Top 5 Lunar Year destinations in the Philippines

Kristin Mariano Feb 11, 2021

Filipinos, like those from the rest of the region, will be exploring domestic destinations to ring in the year of the Ox.

Tourism

APAC travellers look at new domestic destinations to celebrate year of the Ox

Megha Paul Feb 2, 2021

Traditionally one of the biggest annual travel periods for Asia Pacific travellers, this Lunar New Year Agoda reveals changing travel patterns emerging post-COVID

Guest Column

Singapore Airlines Asks Crew to Wear Tracking Devices on Layovers

Joe Cusmano Jan 26, 2021

Singapore Airlines crew members are forbidden to leave their hotel rooms on layovers.

Tourism

COVID-19 pandemic costs the tourism industry USD 935bn

Kristin Mariano Jan 13, 2021

In 2019, global travel and tourism contributed USD8.9 trillion to the world’s GDP, but due to the pandemic the financial impact of COVID-19 on world tourism resulted in huge losses.

Features

Not just COVID-19: 8 travel risks for 2021

Kristin Mariano Jan 11, 2021

Knowing these risks will help companies planning and managing employee travel in the year ahead.

Features

What Matters 2021: Singaporeans most looking forward to travelling and spending time with loved ones

Megha Paul Jan 7, 2021

The ‘What Matters 2021’ survey for Agoda reveals top three travel priorities for people this year in 2021

Reopening updates

Hong Kong’s three-week hotel quarantine for visitors

Megha Paul Dec 29, 2020

Hong Kong has extended its compulsory quarantine to three weeks for almost all international travellers from this week, saying the measure was needed to prevent new, more infectious,…

Tourism

Abu Dhabi reopens: No quarantine for travellers from these 16 countries

Kristin Mariano Dec 28, 2020

On Christmas Eve, Abu Dhabi Emergency Crisis and Disasters Committee has announced the reopening of Abu Dhabi and travellers from 16 countries are now exempted from the mandatory quarantine.

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival Draws Close to 1 Million

Linda Hohnholz Dec 16, 2020

The 2020 Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival officially concluded yesterday. It was the first time the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) had adopted an “online + offline” format for the event

Airlines and Aviation

Qantas international travel will not resume until July 2021

Joe Cusmano Dec 9, 2020

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce says the Australian domestic sector has had a massive bounce back, but fears for the future of international travel recovery.

Stay Thai, Your Style! Airbnb unveils domestic travel campaign for Thailand

Megha Paul Dec 8, 2020

As part of Airbnb’s ongoing commitment and in support of the government’s efforts to help drive Thailand’s tourism recovery, Airbnb has launched a domestic travel campaign Stay Thai, Your…

Associations

SKÅL Bangkok’s Wood warns of a deepening Thailand tourism crisis

Andrew J Wood Dec 7, 2020

Andrew J Wood BANGKOK: It is becoming increasingly evident that the damage being inflicted to Thailand’s massive travel and tourism industry is proving to be critical with deep long…

Tourism

Thailand general tourism closed until March 2021

Kristin Mariano Dec 2, 2020

Minster for Sports and Tourism, Pipat Ratchakitprakan, has announced that Thailand’s tourism is close until the second quarter of next year.

Air

Melbourne To Resume International Flights from December 7

Joe Cusmano Nov 30, 2020

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews said Melbourne will once again welcome overseas flights.

MTDC partners with Airbnb to promote offbeat destinations in Maharashtra

Megha Paul Nov 16, 2020

By promoting homestay tourism, this partnership will encourage travel to lesser-known destinations and will enable inclusive community-led tourism in the state, that will further enhance…

Australia to expand travel bubble in APAC

Kristin Mariano Nov 11, 2020

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is reportedly holding discussions with several low-risk Asian countries in order to expand the country’s travel bubble with no quarantine.

Thailand tourist visa requirements: Everything you need to know

Kristin Mariano Nov 9, 2020

In line with its tourism reopening, the Land of Smiles is now offering two types of visas for travellers wanting to gain entry in the country.

Tourism

APAC travel recovery may take time – GlobalData

Kristin Mariano Nov 5, 2020

Even though some Asian countries have established travel bubbles and green lanes with other countries, the overall recovery of the travel industry may need some time, according to…

Thailand mulls no-quarantine policy for Chinese tourists

Kristin Mariano Oct 19, 2020

As Thailand will welcome its first batch of tourists at the end of the month, the country is reportedly in talks with China to exempt Chinese tourists from the required 14-day quarantine by…

Worried about homestays in Thailand? Airbnb launch new safety standards

Alastair Newport Oct 15, 2020

To ensure hosts are aligned with Thai government guidance, Airbnb has consulted with the Ministry of Public Health’s Department of Health and recently held a joint discussion with Airbnb…

Air

APAC nations begin to ease travel bans but hurdles remain

Megha Paul Oct 13, 2020

Asia-Pacific countries including Singapore, Australia and Japan are gradually easing some international travel restrictions as coronavirus cases slow, in hopes of helping to revive their…

Podcast: Worming your way through The Big Apple

Steve Collins Oct 7, 2020

Let’s not beat around the bush – New York is the most exciting city that I have ever visited. I’ve visited many cities, but nothing tops New York for the vibe that you get just being there.

Singapore relaxes border restrictions, allows visitors from New Zealand and Brunei in

Harry S. Johnson Oct 1, 2020

Singapore authorities announced that visitors from New Zealand and Brunei are now allowed to travel to and from the island city-state.

Vietjet to resume several international flights

Megha Paul Sep 18, 2020

Vietjet plans to resume regular international flights to Japan, Korea and Taiwan from 29 September to meet the needs of passengers for safe learning, working and travelling

Tourism

Japan reopening to these Asian countries

Kristin Mariano Sep 15, 2020

After months of travel ban to over 150 countries, Japan is slowly easing its travel restrictions starting with a travel bubble with several Asian countries.

Japan, Singapore to open ‘green lane’ for business travel

Kristin Mariano Sep 14, 2020

Starting 18 September, Japan and Singapore will open ‘green lane’ for business and official travel.

Tourism

Asia Pacific preps to welcome back tourists

Kristin Mariano Aug 18, 2020

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.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

Health and safety top concerns for Asia Pacific business travellers in post-COVID era

Megha Paul Aug 17, 2020

New research commissioned by SAP Concur in May-June 2020 provides important insights that are shaping a new normal for business travel

Airbnb contributes USD 320 million to Indian economy

Megha Paul Aug 14, 2020

Airbnb contributed over INR 22 billion (USD 320 million) to India’s GDP and supported close to 50,000 local jobs in 2019 alone, according to a new study

All of Asia’s Eyes Turn to Bali

Gary Bowerman Aug 13, 2020

The countdown is on. Will Bali really open to international arrivals on 11 September – and if it does, who will visit? By Gary Bowerman

Thailand tops Global COVID-19 Recovery Index

Megha Paul Jul 31, 2020

According to Global COVID-19 Index, Thailand has ranked number one in the world out of 184 countries for its ongoing COVID-19 recovery effort

Cruise

Flexi-feast dining, island-hopping and more! What’s new at Dream Cruises as it restarts service

Megha Paul Jul 27, 2020

Dream Cruises is first international cruise company to resume operations with deployment of Explorer Dream in Taiwan, where she began island-hopping itineraries

Rediscover the world through ‘Slow Travel’

Kristin Mariano Jul 27, 2020

Slow travel isn’t just about speed; it’s about the impact of your travel.

Good To Go! Tailored, actionable plans to help rebuild travel flows with new recovery platform

Megha Paul Jul 15, 2020

Asia Pacific hospitality companies, hotels and resorts, destinations and tourism businesses can now access a platform designed to help plan and manage their recovery from the ongoing…

Cruise

Ready to sail! Explorer Dream sets new safety standards for cruise industry

Megha Paul Jul 7, 2020

Genting Cruise Lines announced that Dream Cruises’ Explorer Dream is the first cruise ship in the industry to receive the Certification in Infection Prevention for the Maritime industry…

5 reasons why travellers may not book that flight

Kristin Mariano Jun 23, 2020

Months after lockdown, countries are slowly reopening their borders to travellers. OTAs are also seeing a surge of search in the past few weeks.

Shaping biz for new future! Techsauce Virtual Summit 2020 kicks off

Megha Paul Jun 19, 2020

Some of the biggest names in tech across Southeast Asia are set to take part in Techsauce Virtual Summit, which kicks off today. The first-ever online event of its kind was created as a…

Hong Kong

Booking.com reveals top travel dreams of a city in waiting

Megha Paul May 22, 2020

Travel might be on pause in these unprecedented times, but data from Booking.com reveals that this hasn’t stopped people across the city from dreaming about its possibilities. Delving…

Asia Prepares For Recovery

Andrew J Wood May 5, 2020

BANGKOK: How do we sensibly and effectively restart travel and tourism, the industry that employs 1-in-10 workers globally? A workforce that has been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic.  

5 Regions winning the battle against COVID-19 and here’s what they’re doing

Kristin Mariano Apr 29, 2020

some other countries appear to have managed to slow down the rate of new cases and now seem to be on a slow and possibly difficult path towards recovery. Here they are:

OTAs & Tour Operators

Agoda reveals markets with harshest and most favourable reviewers

Megha Paul Apr 22, 2020

Globally 84% of travellers read online reviews before choosing where to stay when they travel, according to Agoda’s Usage & Attitude Study 2019. The online travel agency, which has…

Wendy Wu Tours on coronavirus crisis and travel industry

Anthony Gallagher Apr 13, 2020

Travel Daily Asia caught up with Wendy Wu and talked about the current health crisis and its impact to travel, especially on tours and travel agents. Wu also shared the lessons they learned…

AirAsia takes BIG sale to new heights

Megha Paul Mar 9, 2020

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.…

AirAsia X unveils first-ever long haul free seat sale

Megha Paul Feb 24, 2020

Fly extra long on AirAsia for less than ever before, as the airline goes the extra mile to offer guests zero-fare seats for the first time ever on many popular long-haul destinations,…

Agent alert: Vietjet slashes ticket prices throughout Asia

Alastair Newport Feb 24, 2020

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…

Gaining ground in Asia: Connexus Travel signs deal with Aeronology to boost growth

Megha Paul Feb 13, 2020

Hong Kong-based Connexus Travel (formally known as Swire Travel), one of the largest corporate travel businesses in Greater China, has signed a long-term technology sharing agreement…

Airlines and Aviation

Philippine Airlines ferries stranded passengers due to coronavirus

Kristin Mariano Feb 11, 2020

Philippine Airlines (PAL) made two special flights on its Manila-Xiamen route to ferry passengers stranded because of the travel ban imposed on China due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Here’s why the new 2019-nCoV coronavirus a big threat on travel

Kristin Mariano Jan 27, 2020

The new strain of coronavirus, tentatively-known as the 2019-nCoV, is spreading at an alarming rate. In China, the tally jumped to 2,700 cases and the number of deaths climbed to at least…

Associations

TAT’s announces Year of the Rat and 60th anniversary celebrations

Alastair Newport Jan 17, 2020

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting all to join in its unique Chinese New Year (CNY) 2020 celebrations organised in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket to ring in the ‘Year of the…

Chinese New Year: Group travel explodes in 2020

Alastair Newport Jan 16, 2020

Ahead of the upcoming Chinese New Year season, Airbnb reveals a surge in family travel during the holidays that boosts tourism in the region. Travellers choose to travel with their loved…

Vietjet links Can Tho with Seoul and Taipei

Megha Paul Jan 13, 2020

New-age carrier Vietjet has inaugurated the first two international services connecting Can Tho, the hub city of Mekong Delta region with Taipei and Seoul, the capital cities of Taiwan…

Chinese mainland has 38,433 travel agencies

Megha Paul Jan 10, 2020

The Chinese mainland had 38,433 travel agencies at the end of September 2019, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The travel agencies received 4.86 million overseas…

Genting’s biggest luxury ship to call on Mumbai during maiden voyage

Megha Paul Jan 9, 2020

Michael Goh, president of Dream Cruises, along with Naresh Rawal, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, India & South Asia, Genting Cruise Lines announced the proposed launch of…

China sees 670 million cross-border trips in 2019

Megha Paul Jan 8, 2020

Border inspection agencies across China saw 670 million entry and exit trips in 2019, an increase of 3.8% from the previous year, figures from the National Immigration Administration…

Leading the mobility revolution: TD speaks to Keith Rankin, president – international, at Avis Budget Group

Alastair Newport Jan 8, 2020

Back in September last year, Avis Budget Group appointed Keith Rankin as its new President – International. This is the second time the dynamic executive has worked for Avis, who joined the…

China Airlines to grow Southeast Asia network

Megha Paul Jan 7, 2020

Due to the strong outlook of the Southeast Asia travel market, China Airlines is following up on the launch of its first Cebu service in March by adding four weekly direct flights to…

Mysterious viral illness in China sows fear in Asia

Kristin Mariano Jan 6, 2020

Airports in Asia are on heightened alert following the outbreak of a mysterious illness in Wuhan, China.

Vietjet welcomes two aircraft

Megha Paul Jan 3, 2020

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,…

India’s tourism industry hit hard amidst CAA protests

Megha Paul Jan 1, 2020

The ongoing Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) has hit the tourism industry hard. As anti-government protests rock several cities, latest reports suggest that as of now, at least seven…

Travel Tech

Agoda reveals travel trend expectations for 2020s

Megha Paul Dec 30, 2019

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…

Eva Air launches daily Taipei-Da Nang flights

Megha Paul Dec 25, 2019

Taiwan airline Eva Air has launched a daily nonstop flight between Taipei and Da Nang. The carrier will serve the route with an Airbus A321-200 configured for 184 passengers with eight…

9 kid-friendly tourist attractions in Asia

Kristin Mariano Dec 5, 2019

When parents touch down in a new country (after hearing 'are we there yet?' for hours on end), they need to have a plan.

Unlucky for some: EVA adds 13th destination to SE Asia network

Alastair Newport Nov 28, 2019

Taiwanese carrier EVA Air has announced the launch of its new service between Taipei and Phuket. EVA will be the only airline to offer a non-stop service from Taiwan to Phuket, which will…

Hong Kong’s local elections: Are the nation’s travel woes finally over?

Kristin Mariano Nov 25, 2019

Is the long-awaited indication of triumph finally here? The semi-independent Hong Kong held its local elections amid the protests that could be a key on how things will end.

Slow Travel and Micro Escapes: Trends to watch out for in 2020

Alastair Newport Nov 19, 2019

Skyscanner has published its APAC Travel Trends Report for 2020. today. Following research into the booking preferences of Asia-Pacific (APAC) travellers, the report has revealed that Slow…

USA, Australia and India remain the UK’s top tourism markets

Christian Tolentino Nov 6, 2019

A study by ForwardKeys, the travel analytics firm, has produced rankings of the top long-haul inbound tourism markets for the UK.

Events

5 scariest events that happened in travel this year

Kristin Mariano Oct 31, 2019

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…

G Adventures increases Asia footprint

Megha Paul Oct 25, 2019

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…

The dragon power: China’s outbound travel expenditure tops USD 127.5 billion

Megha Paul Oct 8, 2019

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…

Cross Hotels on the road: “We are excited to have penetrated this market for the first time”

Alastair Newport Oct 7, 2019

Bangkok based firm, Cross Hotels and Resorts, showed its ambitions within the thriving, and ultra-competitive, Chinese travel market this week, when it hosted a series of roadshows in three…

PONANT’s Le Lapérouse: Luxury expedition sailing with 5-star hotel services

Christian Tolentino Sep 30, 2019

This exclusive cruise feature is brought to you by TD founder and co-chairman Gary Marshall aboard the small luxury expedition ship, Ponant Le Lapérouse, en route to Osaka, for what might be…

Hunan tourism festival takes centre stage

Megha Paul Sep 25, 2019

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…

Features

Extra costs: 7 most expensive cities to visit for Brits

Kristin Mariano Sep 24, 2019

Aside from flights, accommodations, and tours, travellers often overlooked miscellaneous costs like visas, vaccinations and travel insurance.

Shenzhen airport sees jump in passenger traffic as Hong Kong declines

Megha Paul Sep 18, 2019

The Shenzhen airport in southern China reported significant rises in both passenger and cargo traffic, presenting a stark contrast to the airport in neighbouring Hong Kong. The disparity…

Bangkok Airways teams up with Shopee

Megha Paul Sep 11, 2019

Bangkok Airways has partnered with Shopee, an e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan. The tie up is part of a promotion called ‘2019 Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day’ and creates…

Vietnam Airlines gets foreign air carrier permit from US

Megha Paul Sep 9, 2019

Vietnam Airlines has been awarded a prerequisite Foreign Air Carrier Permit by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to operate air transportation of persons, property and mail…

TAT’s ‘happy shopping’ campaign jazzes up tourism offering in Thailand

Megha Paul Sep 6, 2019

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) together with key public-private sector partners are jointly launching a ‘Happy Shopping’ campaign to stimulate inbound travel and tourist…

Vietnam Airlines unveils cash and miles payment method

Megha Paul Aug 29, 2019

Vietnam Airlines has announced that from 2 September 2019 passengers can combine cash with Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles when buying air tickets – the first scheme of its kind in Vietnam.…

Thai VietJet welcomes 9th aircraft

Megha Paul Aug 28, 2019

Thai VietJet welcomed the arrival of the new Airbus A321 aircraft named ‘Jasmine (HS-VKJ)’ at Suvarnabhumi International Airport with promotion campaign of THB 9 fares (USD 0.29) for its…

Vietjet opens Da Nang-Taipei route

Megha Paul Aug 27, 2019

It’s good news for the lovers of land of bubble tea as Vietjet has announced its latest direct route connecting Da Nang – the coastal city in central Vietnam with Taipei. To celebrate…

Is Hong Kong safe? The impact of pro-democracy protests on tourism

Kristin Mariano Aug 13, 2019

Over two months of occupying the streets with no peaceful conclusion in sight, Hong Kong extradition and pro-democracy protests put the country’s tourism in peril.

Hong Kong tourism suffers from massive protests

Kristin Mariano Aug 12, 2019

Hong Kong’s tourism industry is feeling the paralyzing effect of the extradition protests as it enters its 10th week.

10 most Insta-worthy experiences

Kristin Mariano Aug 12, 2019

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

Megha Paul Aug 9, 2019

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…

Hospitality

On a mission: Agoda launches Travel Guides

Megha Paul Aug 9, 2019

Nature, beaches, food and drink, landmarks and culture are the five top global reasons to travel, according to new research from Agoda. Whether travellers are looking for nature or…

Air

Vietjet unveils one million zero-fare tickets for all routes

Megha Paul Aug 6, 2019

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…

Tourism

ITE HCMC surpasses record with 350 exhibitors & 30,000 expected visitors for its 15th year

Kristin Mariano Aug 1, 2019

To celebrate its 15th year milestone, the International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) is introducing a bundle of new features and special highlights to make the annual event an…

Tourism

East Rift Valley showcases offerings in Malaysia

Megha Paul Jul 20, 2019

The East Rift Valley National Scenic Area Administration (ERV Administration) of Taiwan is leading tour operators to attend the 2019 international MITM Travel Fair 2019 in Johor,…

Air

Dubai’s Novus, Vietjet USD 1.3 billion deal for 10 aircraft

Megha Paul Jul 4, 2019

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.…

Cruise

Cruise news: Custom submarines, Hawaii extended cruises and more

Christian Tolentino Jul 3, 2019

On this week’s cruise roundup, we have Seabourn’s custom submarines, Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ports, Hawaii extended cruises and more.

Tourism

Thailand among top countries offering global travellers the ‘host’ factor

Megha Paul Jul 1, 2019

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…

Interviews

Centara World Masters: “The driving force of golf tourism to Thailand”

Christian Tolentino Jun 24, 2019

In this exclusive TD interview, we speak with David Martens, Centara Hotels & Resorts, about this year’s Centara World Masters Golf Championship.

Airlines and Aviation

Vietjet unveils Ho Chi Minh City-Bali route

Megha Paul Jun 3, 2019

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…

Tourism

Chinese tourism in US slows down as tourists travel closer to home

Kristin Mariano May 29, 2019

According to the National Travel and Tourism Office, Chinese tourism to the US fell by 5.7% in 2018 to 2.9 million visitors. In comparison, the US welcomed more than 3 million Chinese…

Travel Tech

Fifty global travel agencies sign up for Trip Assist app

Alastair Newport May 28, 2019

UK based tech firm and travel commerce platform Travelport, has announced it has signed up 50 new travel agencies clients to its Trip Assist mobile app. The most recent signatories include…

Tourism

Thailand tourism to benefit from the worsening US-China trade war

Kristin Mariano May 21, 2019

Thailand tourism sector is expected to gain from the aggravating trade war between US and China as mainland tourists are looking to shorten their long haul flights to visit closer…

Cruise

Cruise news: Celebrity Edge “defies expectations” and more

Christian Tolentino May 15, 2019

On our cruise radar this week, we're seeing facial recognition technology, hotel amenities for river cruising, new deals and more.

Cruise

Cruise news: Hitting the right note, sailings to the Galapagos and more

Christian Tolentino Apr 17, 2019

Making waves in this week’s cruise round-up are Seabourn’s new public spaces, Silversea’s new sailings to the Galapagos Islands, and more.

Travel Tech

Travel tech this week: Settling in Singapore

Kristin Mariano Apr 4, 2019

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…

OTAs & Tour Operators

Top 5 regions best explored by rail

Kristin Mariano Apr 3, 2019

Travel activities and services booking platform Klook revealed that rail services bookings increased by more than 150% from 2018 to 2019.

Cruise

Dream Cruises unveils new ‘Godmother’ at Explorer launch

Alastair Newport Mar 26, 2019

With the role of women in society, culture and business honoured with the World Women’s day earlier this month, Dream Cruises has signed up trail-blazing Chinese designer, Grace Chen, as its…

Global

Finding the balance with Sabre APAC head of talent acquisition and culture

Kim Kalanon Feb 25, 2019

In a single minute, Sabre supports 5,235 online hotel room shoppers, brings in $454,000 from hotel and air bookings and 132,103 flight searches. The international travel technology company…

Tourism

How to maximise your savings while booking your next trip

Mili Feb 22, 2019

When two industry specialists in air travel distribution and intelligence join hands, we are sure to get insights that reveal how the digital world of travel works or atleast how we can make…

Startups

Roads less travelled: Didi Chuxing expands in South America

Kristin Mariano Feb 18, 2019

Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi Chuxing is reportedly expanding in Latin America based on the job postings and a company official.

Hotels

Hot hotel openings: “Art, in all its forms, nourishes the human spirit”

Christian Tolentino Feb 15, 2019

From an artsy hotel in the US’ largest urban art district to a patisserie-themed boutique hotel in Rome — here’s the hot list of hotel openings this week.

Hotels

IHG acquires Six Senses for USD 300 million

Christian Tolentino Feb 13, 2019

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) makes a major move with the USD 300 million acquisition of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas.

Global

Klook couples Old World train travel with new-school tech

Alastair Newport Jan 30, 2019

Klook, the Hong Kong tour and experiences booking app which has been making waves throughout Asia for the last 18 months, has entered into a new relationship with Rail Europe, bound to cause…

Hotels

IHG unlocks Kimpton’s global growth with over 25 hotels in the pipeline

Christian Tolentino Jan 29, 2019

IHG’s Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants has revealed its strongest state in its 38-year history with more than 25 hotels under development.

Startups

Travelstop marks major expansion in Asia

Kristin Mariano Jan 23, 2019

Singapore-based business travel start-up Travelstop is launching in seven markets including Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam.

Vietnam

How travelling to Halong Bay just got a whole lot faster

Kristin Mariano Jan 7, 2019

Access to, the UNESCO World Heritage recognised, Halong Bay is now much faster and easier thanks to the newly-opened international airport on the island of Van Don.

Tourism

Tourism: Key to the rise of new-age Asian tigers

Mili Jan 4, 2019

Cracking the inbound tourism growth to determine the new age Asian tigers.

Corporate & Business

7 reasons why foreign businesses should think twice when investing in China

Kristin Mariano Dec 19, 2018

Last week, Wall Street Journal published an interesting piece claiming that Americans who flocked to China for better opportunities are slowly calling it quits and are flying home.

Travel Agents

Winter Wonderland: WebBeds and Switzerland Tourism host well-performing Asian TA’s

Mili Dec 17, 2018

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…

Hotels

Hot hotel openings: AC Hotel Cape Town Waterfront and more

Christian Tolentino Dec 14, 2018

In this week’s edition of hot hotel openings, we’ve got new properties from Marriott International, Rosewood, RIU Hotels & Resorts, Hilton and Anantara.

HR & Careers

Here’s why the younger generation want to work in travel and why you should hire them

Kristin Mariano Dec 12, 2018

70% of the respondents opined they have a strong desire to travel and is a major reason why they work.

Airlines and Aviation

Carb on, carb off: China Airlines helps passengers go carbon neutral

Alastair Newport Dec 4, 2018

China Airlines has announced an “ECO TRAVEL Carbon Offsetting” service that allows travellers to learn about the carbon footprint and emissions generated during their flight.

Charity / Sustainability / CSR

The last straw: Hotels and resorts in Asia fight back against plastic waste

Christian Tolentino Nov 30, 2018

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.

Airlines and Aviation

Aviation round up: BA waves goodbye to an icon, Ethiopian says hello Moscow and more

Alastair Newport Nov 28, 2018

It is no surprise then that such a vital industry, is awash with announcements of new destinations, new planes, codeshares and sales. This week’s aviation round up, however begins with the…

Cruise

United we stand: Making Thailand a yacht tourism destination

Mili Nov 21, 2018

Andy Treadwell, CEO of Verventia Pte Ltd, owners of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), Gael and Olivier Burlot, owners of Asia RendezVous, and Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina,…

Travel Tech

LINE to be a ‘super app’ for new travel funnel

Kristin Mariano Nov 16, 2018

LINE is on its way from being a mere messaging app to becoming a super app that will offer services for the new experiential travel funnel.

Airlines and Aviation

Finnair installs premium economy across global fleet

Alastair Newport Nov 13, 2018

Finnair has revealed today that it will update its passenger offering in 2021 by installing its brand new Premium Economy product.

Hospitality

LINE Travel partners with Agoda, Lions Travel, KKday and Tripresso

Alastair Newport Nov 9, 2018

LINE Travel to be launched in Taiwan from 28 November.

Global

The TD weekly aviation top five

Alastair Newport Nov 9, 2018

With so many airlines announcing new planes, new schedules and new destinations we have decided to introduce a weekly round-up of some of the most eye catching ones to land at on the news…

Hotels

The Standard to open 20 hotels in Asia, ME by 2023

Kristin Mariano Nov 8, 2018

Hospitality firm Standard International plans to open 20 hotels within five years as part of its aggressive expansion plans in Asia and the Middle East.

Travel Tech

Where pawns become queens: 5 underrated Asian markets

Kristin Mariano Nov 5, 2018

Asia and the Pacific is a massive market and a fertile ground for travel start-ups.

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines-Airbus liveried aircraft to debut on Taipei-Hong Kong route

Kristin Mariano Oct 23, 2018

China Airlines and Airbus A350 joint liveried aircraft has been revealed and will officially enter service on October 26 on the Taipei-Hong Kong route.

Hospitality

Newly launched: Hilton Taipei Sinban

Mili Oct 15, 2018

Hilton Hotels & Resorts announced the opening of Hilton Taipei Sinban marking its return to the Taiwan market after 15 years.

Airlines and Aviation

Vietjet reveals network priority with four new flights

Alastair Newport Oct 4, 2018

Vietjet has placed the expansion of its current network at the heart of its plans over the next few months with the launch of four new routes, within a few weeks of each other.

Tourism

Thailand suffers slow Chinese arrivals based on flight booking data

Kristin Mariano Sep 21, 2018

Thailand is suffering a huge blow with the slowing down of Chinese arrivals following the tragic boat accident in Phuket on 5 July that left 41 dead – all of which were Chinese nationals.

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

“Chinese visitors are coming in big numbers to Yas Island”: MeetChina 2018 organisers

Mili Sep 11, 2018

The seventh edition of Meet China brought together a host of the country’s top-tier travel buyers and key suppliers from across the UAE.

United Arab Emirates

Record numbers set to attend MeetChina forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

Mili Sep 3, 2018

Two-day forum on Yas Island – Abu Dhabi is set to welcome 85 top tier travel buyers from China and 75 suppliers from across the MENA region.

How to – and how not to – use OTAs as partners

Brett Henry Jul 31, 2018

Dan Lynn is the co-founder of ZUZU Hospitality Solutions, a distribution and revenue management company for small independent hotels.

Corporate & Business

Is the sharing economy safe for corporate travel?

Kristin Mariano Jul 30, 2018

The sharing economy enables individuals to lend and avail goods and services to one another for a fee.

Attractions & Tours

KKday – a tour company of millennials for millennials

Kristin Mariano Jul 24, 2018

If there is Booking.com for hotels and Skyscanner for flights, there is KKday for tours and activities. KKday avoids “one-size-fits-all” tours and targets younger travellers.

Hospitality

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort responds decisively to evolving market

michael Jul 9, 2018

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort is fine-tuning its products ahead of a stepped-up sales campaign as the Northern Thai city begins to deal with a plateauing Chinese market.

Entrepreneurs

Project Deepblu dives into adventure travel

Simon Willmore Jun 29, 2018

We talk to marketing professional and Bitcoin-based entrepreneur James Tsuei about his new environment project

Travel Tech

Western companies go east: Overcoming the Great Firewall of China

Kristin Mariano Jun 29, 2018

China’s population of 1.4 billion has attracted companies from all over the world. Even a slice of this statistics would do wonders for a company. However, travel tech companies must first…

Asia

Ninjas, fireflies and the Forbidden City: Isango unveils latest Asian tours

Alastair Newport Jun 28, 2018

Experience specialists Isango announce new Asian itineraries, including updated trips to Malaysia, Japan, China, and Taiwan.

Travel Tech

7 head-turning travel tech startups at Techsauce Global Summit 2018

Kristin Mariano Jun 26, 2018

Southeast Asia is a treasure trove of some of the most innovative travel tech start-ups today.

Airlines and Aviation

Osaka Castle to Ha Long Bay in half a day: Vietjet launches new route

Alastair Newport Jun 21, 2018

Roll up, roll up! Vietnamese low cost carrier (LCC) Vietjet is celebrating two new routes by releasing tickets for one million flights for free.

Food & Drink

82% of HK travellers planning to take dedicated food tourism trip this year, says Booking.com

Kristin Mariano Jun 18, 2018

Asian countries trump some of the well-known culinary destinations like France and Italy, according to westerners and fellow Asians.

Travel Tech

Email is still king even for social media-obsessed millennials

Kristin Mariano May 23, 2018

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…

Middle East

Thailand second favourite destination in Muslim tourism market set to reach US$300 billion

Alastair Newport May 11, 2018

Repeating its performance from last year and 2016 as runners-up in the Mastercard-Crescent Rating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) most Muslim-friendly travel destination -- outside of the…

Air

Cathay charges up distribution capabilities with Skyscanner deal

Alastair Newport Apr 23, 2018

Skyscanner has linked up with Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary, Cathay Dragon, to make them the first Hong Kong airlines to be able to sell tickets directly within the site.

Hospitality

Beyond the slopes: Why Swiss partnership is a “win-win” for WebBeds

Alastair Newport Apr 11, 2018

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…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA Air to start daily non-stop flights to Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, in July

Christian Tolentino Mar 23, 2018

EVA Air, Taiwan’s flagship independent airline will launch daily non-stop flights between Taipei and Chiang Mai.

Air

Are we there yet? The best airlines for flying with your family

Alastair Newport Mar 22, 2018

Qatar Airlines announced the launch of their new children focused Oryx Kids Club conference earlier this week, featuring appearances from the club mascots ‘Orry’ and ‘Orah’ the Oryx (main…

Hotels

IHG buys into Regent Hotels & Resorts and goes back to the 80s with Hong Kong property

Simon Willmore Mar 16, 2018

IHG continues its acquisitions streak by expanding its luxury portfolio. While the rest of us were either sleeping or shuttling about, it snapped up a 51% stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts…

Tourism

Why WebBeds is showcasing the sights and sounds of Swiss summer

Alastair Newport Mar 6, 2018

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…

Hotels

Herman Wegmueller reveals scale of MG Group expansion plans

Alastair Newport Feb 22, 2018

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…

Hotels

“Stay inspired” GM Mark Meaney discusses the importance of MICE at Conrad Seoul

Alastair Newport Feb 21, 2018

Following the addition of Conrad Seoul to the city's International Finance Centre, five years ago, the hotel has very quickly gone on to establish itself as one of the main players in the…

Tourism

Agoda: top destinations for Asians during Chinese New Year 2018

Alastair Newport Feb 14, 2018

Tokyo has overtaken Bangkok as the number one Chinese New Year (CNY) destination for Asian travellers in 2018, a title held by Bangkok for the last two years, according to global online…

Airlines and Aviation

Marriott web ban is a warning from China

Christian Tolentino Jan 22, 2018

Mariott Int'l suffered the consequences for listing Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan as separate countries in their online customer survey. What's next?

Hotels

Marriott International apologizes for online gaffe, website in China temporarily closed

Christian Tolentino Jan 12, 2018

Shanghai authorities close down Marriott International Inc.’s website in China for listing Chinese-claimed regions as separate countries.

Appointments

Grand Hyatt Taipei names Jan-Hendrik Meidinger new GM

Alastair Newport Jan 5, 2018 19

Grand Hyatt Taipei has tapped veteran hotelier, Jan-Hendrik Meidinger, as its new general manager. In his new role, Meidinger will lead one of the region’s most iconic luxury properties and…

Startups

Packdat start-up! Disrupting the travel market with Felix Lee

Simon Willmore Jan 3, 2018 6

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…

Airlines and Aviation

Does China Airlines really deserve fifth award as best Airline in north Asia?

Alastair Newport Dec 26, 2017 0

It should come as no great surprise that China Airlines that has once again received the nod for best Airline in north Asia by U.S. travel magazine, Global Traveler. Its fifth award in as…

Family & Group Travel

Plan your group adventure with Packdat

Simon Willmore Dec 22, 2017 24

_linkedin_data_partner_id = "167515"; (function(){var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script"); var b = document.createElement("script"); b.type = "text/javascript";b.async = true;…

Airlines and Aviation

Philippine Airlines launches winter seat sale

Jill Sayles Dec 19, 2017 14

Philippine Airlines has launched The Great Winter Seat Sale with return flights from London Heathrow to Taipei in Taiwan from £469. Flights to Manila start from £549 inclusive of taxes.…

Airlines and Aviation

Philippine Airlines enters 2018 with ‘Great Winter Seat Sale’

Simon Willmore Dec 19, 2017 26

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…

Travel Tech

How does new Sabre and Far Eastern Air Transport deal affect agents?

Alastair Newport Dec 5, 2017 28

Sabre has announced an expanded three-year partnership with Far Eastern Air Transport, opening a wider variety of travel options within Taiwan and internationally. Established in 1957, Far…

Associations

Fourth Asia Super Team unveil overall winners and reveals MICE big data

Alastair Newport Dec 4, 2017 22

The fourth Asia Super Team competition, organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and executed by TAITRA, organized a major press event for the final at Taipei International Convention…

Hotels

Blockbusters: Cryptocurrency pioneers OwlTing launch world’s first blockchain hotel management service

Alastair Newport Nov 30, 2017 16

OwlTing, a Taiwanese technology company focusing on blockchain & e-commerce, is launching "OwlNest Blockchain Hotel Management Service," an integrated lodging management platform to help…

Corporate & Business

FIT Ruums arrives in Japan to take advantage of tourism boom

Alastair Newport Nov 28, 2017 20

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.

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines increases Gatwick-Taipei route

Jill Sayles Nov 27, 2017 13

China Airlines is increasing its non-stop route from London Gatwick to Taipei from four to five flights per week. The national flag carrier of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will add a…

Hotels

Q&A with Janet McNab:The Macao based MD who is always up for a good challenge

Alastair Newport Nov 22, 2017 19

The managing director of Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel and The St. Regis Macao, Cotai Central talks shop with Travel Daily.

Hotels

Why is age the secret to Airbnb success?

Alastair Newport Oct 31, 2017 18

Airbnb celebrates the UN’s International Day of Older Persons. This year, the theme for was “Stepping into the Future”, something Airbnb claims it is seeing senior people do all over APAC.

Hotels

Marriott International on Track to Open 16 New Resorts in Asia Pacific

Mark Elliott Oct 26, 2017 7

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…

Cruise

Korea welcomed as new member of the Asia Cruise Cooperation

Alastair Newport Oct 23, 2017 44

Hainan Provincial Tourism Development Commission, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Philippine Department of Tourism, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, and Xiamen Municipal Tourism Development Commission…

Consumer

Travelzoo uncovers the secret travel habits of Hong Kong

Alastair Newport Oct 19, 2017 27

Travelzoo, a global publisher of exclusive travel offers, has disclosed the travel preferences of Hong Kong travellers. The information is based upon data derived from their first half-year…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines returns to the UK

Jill Sayles Oct 17, 2017 17

China Airlines, the national flag carrier of the Republic of China (Taiwan), is returning to the UK following a five year hiatus. It will launch a new non-stop service between London…

Q & A with Javine Tan, business development manager, for Traveltek Group Ltd in SE Asia

Alastair Newport Oct 17, 2017 6

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…

Airlines and Aviation

Vietjet and Qatar Airways sign interline agreement

Alastair Newport Oct 16, 2017 17

Vietjet has announced its interline partnership with Doha based Qatar Airways, an agreement which will allow Qatar Airways’ passengers to travel to and from points in Vietnam and in Taiwan,…

Hotels

Cycling fever at Hong Kong Cyclothon

Alastair Newport Oct 10, 2017 5

Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon was held on Sunday, with the participation of 4,900 local and international cyclists.

Tourism

Asia dominates World’s 50 Best Bar awards

Alastair Newport Oct 9, 2017 9

The World’s 50 Bars announced its highly anticipated list and awards at a live ceremony in London, at the end of last week. The rankings are created by the votes of an academy with over 500…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2017 focuses on education.

Alastair Newport Oct 2, 2017 42

In depth knowledge building was the core of an amplified education programme across 22 forum sessions at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific 2017.

Cruise

Holland America Line enhances Asia programme

Jill Sayles Sep 19, 2017

Holland America Line has announced an enhanced Asia programme for winter 2018/19. Early bookers can benefit from its Explore4 offer. The recently refreshed ms Westerdam will offer…

Airlines and Aviation

Thai Vietjet to announce international expansion

Alastair Newport Sep 17, 2017

The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has implemented its reassessment (Air Operator Certificate Recertification - AOCR) of all Thai carriers as part of a requirement by the…

United States

Hong Kong’s Celebrated Four-Day Culinary Festival Returns This October

Mark Elliott Sep 6, 2017 0

James Beard Award-winning chef Curtis Duffy joins for event's most notable chef line up to date. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced today that critically-acclaimed American chef…

Face‑to‑Face

Q&A with Justin Banon, director, Priority Pass

Jill Sayles Sep 1, 2017

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…

Guest Column

ITE HCMC 2017 to showcase tourism as Vietnam’s key economic sector

Mark Elliott Aug 30, 2017

The International Travel Expo, Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2017, returns for the 13th time as the largest and most established annual international travel trade event in the Mekong…

Events

Asian countries flock to WTM

Mark Elliott Aug 22, 2017

The organisers of the World Travel Market (WTM) have revealed a sharp rise in interest from the Asia Pacific region. According to Reed Travel Exhibitions, rising demand for exhibition…

Tourism

Vietnam welcomed 1m visitors in July

Mark Elliott Aug 10, 2017

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…

Attractions & Tours

Klook to lure more Asian visitors to Korea

Mark Elliott Aug 10, 2017

Klook, the Asian attraction, tour and activity booking platform, has signed a new agreement aimed at attracting more international visitors to South Korea. The memoranda of…

Travel Tech

Brain Waves: travel’s latest innovations including driverless buses in Taipei

Mark Elliott Aug 8, 2017

Taipei tests self-driving bus A self-driving bus was tested on the streets of Taipei earlier this month. From 1-5 August, a battery-powered EZ10 driverless vehicle was put through its…

Human Resources

EVA cancels flights due to cabin crew shortage

Mark Elliott Aug 1, 2017

EVA Air was forced to cancel dozens of flights on Sunday, when more than 500 flight attendants asked for the day off. The unusual manpower crunch occurred a day after Typhoon Nesat…

Airlines and Aviation

Airbus delivers 100th A350 to China Airlines

Mark Elliott Jul 28, 2017

Airbus reached a major milestone this week when it delivered its 100th A350 aircraft. The twin-aisle jet was handed over to China Airlines, becoming the seventh A350 in the Taiwanese…

Tourism

Hong Kong travellers are world’s best forward planners

Mark Elliott Jul 20, 2017

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…

Tourism

Thailand targets one million Americans

Mark Elliott Jul 18, 2017

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is hoping to attract one million visitors from the US this year. Kittipong Prapattong, director of the tourism board's Los Angeles office, told…

Travel Agents

FIT Ruums to distribute Rail Europe in Asia

Mark Elliott Jul 10, 2017

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…

Tourism

Vietnam visitor arrivals surge 30% in first half

Mark Elliott Jul 5, 2017

Vietnam's tourism industry experienced strong growth in the first half of 2017, registering a 30% increase in terms of international visitor numbers. According to the latest data released…

Tourism

Vietnam extends visa waiver for Brits

Jill Sayles Jun 30, 2017

The Government of Vietnam has confirmed that it is once again extending its visa exemption programme for UK passport holders for single-entry stays of up to 15 days, until 30 June 2018. …

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines to launch non-stop flights to London

Mark Elliott Jun 29, 2017

China Airlines will start flying direct to the UK later this year. The Taiwanese national carrier will kick off its new non-stop service between Taipei and London's Gatwick Airport on…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates from AirAsia, China Airlines, Malindo and more

Mark Elliott Jun 28, 2017

AirAsia connects Thailand's regional cities Where? Chiang Mai to Ubon Ratchathani (both Thailand) When? Daily, effective immediately Who? Thai AirAsia Why? Low-cost carrier provides…

United States

Asian air route updates, including multiple new flights between China and Thailand

Mark Elliott Jun 19, 2017

Thailand's NewGen taps Chinese demand for Krabi Where? Krabi (Thailand) to Hefei (China) When? Three times a week, effective immediately Who? NewGen Airways Why? Thai carrier adds…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates from Thai AirAsia, Air Canada, Lao Airlines and more

Mark Elliott Jun 12, 2017

AirAsia adds low-cost link to Danang Where? Bangkok Don Mueang (Thailand) to Danang (Vietnam) When? Daily, effective immediately Who? Thai AirAsia Why? Low-cost carrier expands…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: new flights from JAL, Air Astana, China Southern and more…

Mark Elliott Jun 1, 2017

China Southern adds Shenzhen's first link to Melbourne Where? Shenzhen (China) to Melbourne (Australia) When? Twice a week, effective immediately (rising to three times a week on 3 July…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: new flights from Garuda, KLM, AirAsia and more…

Mark Elliott May 18, 2017

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…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines flies newest aircraft to San Francisco

Mark Elliott May 17, 2017

China Airlines has started flying its newest long-haul aircraft, the Airbus A350, to San Francisco. The twin-aisle jet was deployed on the trans-Pacific route from Taipei on 14 May,…

Tourism

Intra-regional travel drives 94% of Asian arrivals

Mark Elliott May 16, 2017

Asian tourism is now almost completely reliant on intra-regional travel, a new report from PATA has revealed. Releasing its full-year arrivals data for 2016, the association reported that…

Australia

China becomes Bali’s top tourism source market

Mark Elliott May 16, 2017

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…

Airlines and Aviation

Cambodia’s newest airline spreads wings across Asia

Mark Elliott May 15, 2017

JC International Airlines, the Chinese-backed Cambodian carrier that launched earlier this year, has started adding a series of new routes across Asia. Previously the only overseas route…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines joins cartoon club

Mark Elliott Apr 20, 2017

China Airlines has become the latest Asian airline to unveil a cartoon-themed aircraft livery. The Taiwanese national carrier revealed its "Buddy Bears" paintwork, which will feature…

Cruise

AIDA makes maiden call in Shanghai

Mark Elliott Apr 4, 2017

AIDAbella has become the first cruise ship in the AIDA fleet to sail past Shanghai's high-rise skyline, before the ship docked at the city's International Cruise Terminal at 0630 on Sunday…

Airlines and Aviation

Cathay flies new jet to Canada

Mark Elliott Mar 29, 2017

Cathay Pacific has deployed its newest aircraft, the Airbus A350, to Canada for the first time. The long-haul jet touched down at Vancouver International Airport this week following a…

United States

Chinese company takes major stake in SeaWorld

Mark Elliott Mar 28, 2017

A Chinese investment company has agreed to take a 21% stake in SeaWorld Entertainment. Zhonghong Holding, a subsidiary of Zhonghong Zhuoye Group, will acquire the equity interest in…

Airlines and Aviation

Indo AirAsia X to resume Asia Pacific flights

Mark Elliott Mar 28, 2017

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…

Hotels

Brain Waves: Flexible hotel check-ins, Italy’s first capsule hotel, and more…

Mark Elliott Mar 21, 2017

New booking site offers flexible check-in/out times A new hotel booking site has launched that offers travellers early check-in and late check-out times as part of their reservation. …

Airlines and Aviation

EVA’s latest cartoon jet takes off

Mark Elliott Mar 14, 2017

EVA Air has unveiled the latest themed aircraft in its partnership with Japanese cartoon creator Sanrio. Following the previous roll-out of EVA's Hello Kitty jets, the Taiwanese carrier…

Airlines and Aviation

New Korean carrier to launch in 2018

Mark Elliott Mar 13, 2017

A new airline will take to the skies in South Korea next year. KAIR Airlines will be based in Cheongju, the capital of North Chungcheong province in central South Korea, and will…

Cruise

Princess Cruises announces largest Japan programme ever

Simon Willmore Feb 21, 2017

Princess Cruises has unveiled details of its bigger ever season of sailings in Japan. The cruise line's 2018 Japan programme will feature a record number of departures, with a total…

Airlines and Aviation

Vietnam Airlines offers 1000 bonus miles for new Lotusmiles members

Maria Airey Feb 20, 2017

Vietnam Airlines is offering travellers the chance to earn 1,000 bonus miles when they sign up to the airline’s Lotusmiles rewards programme this year. All customers need to do is enter…

Travel Tech

Asian OTA gets technology boost from Travelport

Mark Elliott Feb 15, 2017

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…

By the Way

500 people gather for New Year family photo

Mark Elliott Feb 9, 2017

More than 500 people with the same ancestors gathered in China recently for a huge family photo. UPI News reports that the group, made up of members of the Ren family, came together in…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Uzbekistan Airways, Jetstar, Tibet Airlines and more

Mark Elliott Feb 9, 2017

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

Australia

Security a concern for Asian travellers

Mark Elliott Feb 7, 2017

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

Airlines and Aviation

EVA Air to retire Boeing 747s this year

Mark Elliott Feb 2, 2017

EVA Air is accelerating the retirement of its Boeing 747 fleet, bringing forward the scheduled date of the final flight from October to August 2017. The Taiwanese carrier currently…

Australia

Travel now a necessity as Asians become explorers

Mark Elliott Jan 26, 2017

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…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Gulf Air, Vietjet and more

Mark Elliott Jan 20, 2017

Gulf Air starts flying to Sri Lanka Where? Manama (Bahrain) to Colombo (Sri Lanka) When? Five times a week, effective immediately Who? Gulf Air Why? Taking advantage of double-digit…

Tourism Boards

Macau exceeds 30 million visitors, but mainland market stagnates

Mark Elliott Jan 19, 2017

Macau welcomed more visitors last year, despite the fact that arrivals from mainland China remained almost flat. According to the full-year data from the Macao Government Tourism…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Vietnam Airlines, AirAsia X and more

Mark Elliott Jan 16, 2017

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

Cruise

Viking ship to invade Asia in 2018

Mark Elliott Jan 13, 2017

Viking Ocean Cruises has unveiled a series of new Asian itineraries for 2018 and 2019. The new voyages will enable passengers to board in a series of key Asia Pacific destinations,…

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates to launch daily service to Croatia

Gemma Greenwood Jan 12, 2017

Emirates will introduce a daily flight from Dubai to Zagreb (ZAG), the capital of Croatia from June 1, 2017. The new southeast European destination will be served by an Emirates Boeing…

Tourism

Japan tourism surges to record 24m arrivals

Mark Elliott Jan 11, 2017

Japan's tourism industry continued to boom in 2016, as a sharp rise in Asian arrivals took the country’s full-year visitor total over the 20 million mark for the first time in history.…

Airlines and Aviation

JAL-CAL partnership expands from 28 to 240 flights

Mark Elliott Jan 11, 2017

Japan Airlines and China Airlines have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will significantly expand their codeshare agreement. From mid-February 2017, the two carriers’…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines flies brand new jet to Amsterdam

Mark Elliott Jan 10, 2017

China Airlines has started flying its latest long-haul aircraft, the Airbus A350, to Amsterdam. The Taiwanese national carrier commenced a new non-stop service to the Netherlands in…

The World's Biggest & Brightest Cultural Festivals in 2017

Simon Willmore Jan 9, 2017 0

New Year’s isn’t the only occasion for fireworks – 17 of the world’s biggest and brightestIf you’ve ever wanted another reason to light up the sky with brilliant colors, look no further;…

United States

Where to Stay: New hotels in Edinburgh, Taipei, Florida and the Alps

Mark Elliott Jan 9, 2017

Courtyard Edinburgh Location: Converted from three terraced town houses in centre of Scotland’s capital city Grade: Midscale Keys: 240 Facilities: Restaurant and bar with outdoor…

Train

Taipei’s new airport rail to check-in passengers

Mark Elliott Jan 9, 2017

Passengers travelling on the new airport rail link to Taoyuan International Airport will be able to check-in at the railway station in downtown Taipei, it has been confirmed. The…

Tourism Boards

Vietnam reaches major tourism milestone

Mark Elliott Jan 6, 2017

Vietnam's tourism industry reached a major milestone last year, as the country exceeded 10 million international visitor arrivals for the first time. The 10 millionth visitor, UK…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA agrees to help boost Thai tourism industry

Mark Elliott Jan 6, 2017

EVA Air has signed an agreement to help increase the number of North American visitor arrivals to Thailand. The Taiwanese carrier has penned a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian air route updates: Lion Air, Thai Smile and more

Mark Elliott Jan 2, 2017

Who's flying where? All is revealed with our round-up of the latest new air routes... Beach boost for western China Where? Bali (Indonesia) to Chengdu (China) When? Four times a…

Cruise

Major cruise ship to be based in Manila

Mark Elliott Jan 2, 2017

Hong Kong's Star Cruises will embark on its first homeport season in the Philippines this year when the SuperStar Virgo cruise liner starts sailing from Manila. The 269-metre-long…

Appointments

The latest industry appoinments

Mark Elliott Dec 14, 2016

NOELLA FERNS has become British Airways' new regional general manager for Greater China and the Philippines, based in Hong Kong. Ms Ferns has worked for BA for more than 20 years,…

Hotels

Japan’s Fujita Kanko to open restaurant and hotel in Taipei

Mark Elliott Dec 6, 2016

Fujita Kanko, the Japanese hospitality company, has unveiled plans to open a new restaurant in Taipei, ahead of the launch of its first Taiwanese hotel. Scheduled to open on 9…

Cruise

Exclusive ‘BBC Earth Experiences’ rolling out across Holland America Line fleet

Mark Elliott Dec 1, 2016

Guests on Holland America Line ships can now experience more of the world’s natural wonders, test their knowledge of the planet and participate in some family-friendly competition through…

Tourism

Shanghai offers tax-free shopping for international visitors

Mark Elliott Nov 28, 2016

International travellers to Shanghai will now be able to save 9% on their purchases following the launch of a new tax-free shopping scheme. Effective immediately, Global Blue, the…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA unveils cracking new cartoon jet

Mark Elliott Nov 25, 2016

EVA Air has expanded its partnership with Sanrio, the Japanese cartoon creator, with the launch of a new Gudetama-themed aircraft. The colourful aircraft features both an exterior livery…

Global

Priority Pass reaches 1,000 airport lounges

Mark Elliott Nov 24, 2016

Priority Pass, the airport lounge membership programme, now provides access to more than 1,000 lounges worldwide. This milestone follows a year of strong growth for the company, which…

Airlines and Aviation

Troubled TransAsia Airways forced to close

Mark Elliott Nov 23, 2016

TransAsia Airways, the Taiwanese carrier that suffered two fatal crashes in the space of eight months, has announced its closure. The airline, which operated domestic and…

Tourism Boards

Newly-launched FIT Ruums picks major partner in China

Mark Elliott Nov 22, 2016

FIT Ruums, Webjet’s new Asian B2B travel distributor, has taken a major step into mainland China by forming a partnership with DidaTravel Technology, the largest travel aggregator in…

Airlines and Aviation

Japanese LCC pens major deal for new jets

Mark Elliott Nov 18, 2016

Peach, the Osaka-based low-cost carrier, has decided to expand its fleet with Airbus' newest short-haul aircraft, the A320neo. The airline, which is owned by ANA, has placed an order…

Hotels

Regent opens “urban resort” in Chongqing

Mark Elliott Nov 17, 2016

Regent Hotels & Resorts has made its debut in Chongqing with the opening of the Chinese city's first urban resort. Located in the Jiangbeizui financial district, at the confluence…

Hotels

Webjet launches FIT Ruums for Asian travel trade

Mark Elliott Nov 10, 2016

Australia's Webjet has launched FIT Ruums, a new B2B travel distributor in Asia. Operating under its B2B division, WebBeds FZ, FIT Ruums will offer an array of travel services to the…

Airlines and Aviation

SIA’s Tigerair to become Scoot in 2017

Mark Elliott Nov 4, 2016

Singapore Airlines has revealed that its two low-cost carriers, Scoot and Tigerair, will adopt a single brand name. The rebranding of Tigerair as Scoot is expected to take place in…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

BLTM celebrates successful inaugural show

Mark Elliott Nov 3, 2016

The organisers of the inaugural Business & Luxury Travel Mart (BLTM) in India have hailed the event a success. The event, which took place at the Hyatt Regency Gurgaon from 24-25…

Tourism Boards

Vietnam shatters tourism record

Mark Elliott Nov 3, 2016

Vietnam has set a new record for international visitor arrivals. The country has now welcomed more than eight million overseas visitors in a single calendar year for the first time,…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA adds sixth US destination

Mark Elliott Nov 3, 2016

Taiwan’s EVA Air has continued to expand its presence in the US with the launch of flights to Chicago, its sixth destination in the country. The new service took off for the first time on…

Airlines and Aviation

Asian mega-cities get new low-cost link

Mark Elliott Nov 2, 2016

Travellers will soon be offered a new low-cost option when flying between two of Asia's - and the world's - largest cities. Jetstar Japan has announced plans to launch its first ever…

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing, Exhibitions)

New BLTM trade show debuts in India

Mark Elliott Oct 23, 2016

The inaugural Business & Luxury Travel Mart (BLTM) kicks off tomorrow at the Hyatt Regency Gurgaon. The new event, which runs from 24-25 October, become India’s first travel mart…

Events

“Biggest” ITB Asia kicks off in Singapore

Mark Elliott Oct 19, 2016

The ninth edition of ITB Asia opened in Singapore on Wednesday 19 October, promising more content, countries and appointments than ever before. Addressing the opening media briefing at…

Tourism Boards

Vietnam tourism on track for record year

Mark Elliott Oct 4, 2016

Vietnam's international tourism arrivals continue to surge, with the country now having exceeded seven million visitors for the year. According to the latest data from the Vietnam…

Airlines and Aviation

China Airlines joins A350 club

Mark Elliott Oct 3, 2016

China Airlines has become the latest Asian carrier to take delivery of the new Airbus A350 aircraft. Taiwan's national carrier welcomed its first A350 - an A350-900 model - on Friday,…

Airlines and Aviation

Air Canada expands Asia’s links with Vancouver

Mark Elliott Sep 29, 2016

With its location on the Pacific Rim, Vancouver is already one of the best connected long-haul destinations from Asia. And these links will be strengthened even further next year when…

Airlines and Aviation

The latest industry appointments

Mark Elliott Sep 28, 2016

JONATHAN KAO has been appointed as BCD Travel's new managing director for Greater China, overseeing the company's operations in mainland China and Hong Kong. Kao joins BCD Travel from…

Airlines and Aviation

Express double links Hong Kong with Myanmar

Mark Elliott Sep 2, 2016

Hong Kong residents now have a new low-cost way of travelling to Myanmar, with the launch of two new services by HK Express. The budget airline's inaugural Myanmar flight touched down in…

Airlines and Aviation

Japan’s Peach takes first bite into China

Mark Elliott Sep 2, 2016

Peach, the Japanese low-cost carrier, has announced plans to launch its first ever flights to mainland China. From November 2016, the airline will commence two new routes to Shanghai,…

Hotels

Dramatic new Conrad rises on Chinese coast

Mark Elliott Aug 22, 2016

Hilton Worldwide has opened its first ever Conrad hotel in southeast China's Fujian province. The brand new Conrad Xiamen opened on 18 August 2016 as part of a dramatic 300-metre-tall…

Appointments

Thailand to double visa-on-arrival fee

Mark Elliott Aug 19, 2016

Thailand will double its visa-on-arrival fee from THB1,000 to THB2,000 (US$29 to US$58) next month. The Nation reports that the new charge will come into effect on 27 September, and…

Tourism

Chinese outbound surge continues as travellers broaden horizons

Mark Elliott Aug 19, 2016

The Chinese appetite for global travel shows no sign of abating, with new data showing that the country's outbound market continues to experience double-digit growth in 2016.…

Airlines and Aviation

China’s Capital Airlines to fly to North America

Mark Elliott Aug 18, 2016

Capital Airlines, HNA Group's Beijing-based carrier, has announced plans to start flying to North America for the first time. On 30 December 2016, the airline will commence services…

Airlines and Aviation

China Southern to link Shenzhen with Jakarta

Mark Elliott Aug 17, 2016

China Southern Airlines will launch the first ever direct flight from Shenzhen to Jakarta next month. The new route commences on 21 September 2016 and will run four times a week,…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA to launch first Badtzu-Maru aircraft

Mark Elliott Aug 16, 2016

Having already launched several Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, Taiwan's EVA Air is taking its partnership with cartoon creator Sanrio one step further, with the launch of its first ever…

Airlines and Aviation

Emirates reports record year for Glasgow service

Gemma Greenwood Aug 13, 2016

Emirates carried a record number of passengers to Glasgow during the financial year ending in March 2016. The airline flew 410,000 passengers between Dubai and Scotland’s largest city,…

Appointments

The latest industry appointments

Mark Elliott Aug 3, 2016

RAINER STAMPFER has been promoted to the position of president of hotel operations for Asia Pacific with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts. Stampfer has worked with the company since…

Airlines and Aviation

EVA boosts Singapore route ahead of schedule

Mark Elliott Aug 2, 2016

EVA Air has brought forward the date of its planned increase in services between Taipei and Singapore. The Taiwanese carrier had initially intended to move to two daily flights on 10…

Airlines and Aviation

China’s Lucky Air plans first long-haul routes

Mark Elliott Aug 1, 2016

Lucky Air, the Kunming-based subsidiary of China's HNA Group, is planning to spread its wings east and west, with the launch of new international flights to the US and Europe. The…