PATA Summit convenes in Macau

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May 14, 2024

BANGKOK, 14 May 2024: Sustainability is one of the overarching themes of the PATA Annual Summit 2024 that convenes this week, 15 to 17 May, in Macao, China, but there are other topics on the table PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid explains in his welcoming statement released on Monday.

“Sustainability remains a focal point but this year’s summit will delve into broader discussions, thought-provoking conversation, encompassing areas such as travel technology trends, marketing strategies, tourism policy, and cultural advancements,” he noted.

Hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and co-hosted by SJM Resorts, the three-day event with the theme ‘Reimagining Tourism’ underscores the potential to usher in an unprecedented era of transformation within the Asia Pacific tourism industry that will shape travel and tourism to be more resilient and sustainable in the coming years.

Commenting on the annual summit’s recovery post-pandemic, he said: “We have achieved the highest number of delegate registrations for the PATA Annual Summit since the end of the pandemic. I am thrilled to see that when PATA members come together in full force at such a flagship event like the PATA Annual Summit, it will present an opportunity for the association to come into full form that can recalibrate the strength of what PATA is all about. We can only get stronger when we are together. Hence, it is our hope that members from across the world will seize this opportunity to find touch-points to collaborate with each other as the travel and tourism industry is recovering to its fullest potential.”

Macao Government Tourism Office Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes commented: “We are looking forward to welcoming the PATA Annual Summit 2024 and extending the best of Macao hospitality to ensure a successful event. It has been several years since our destination last staged a PATA flagship event, and it will be a great opportunity to provide delegates from across the Asia Pacific region with a first-hand experience of the new dynamic development of Macao as a world centre of tourism and leisure.”

The summit’s speaker line up includes Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director, Macao Government Tourism Office; Daisy Ho, Managing Director, SJM Resorts, S.A.; Dane Cheng, Executive Director, Hong Kong Tourism Board; Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board; Fathmath Thaufeeq, CEO & Managing Director, Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation (Visit Maldives); Manisha Saxena, Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, India; Pansy Ho, Group Executive Chairman & Managing Director, Shun Tak Holdings Limited; David Fowler, Vice President and Head, Cross-Border & Sales Excellence- Asia Pacific, Visa; Mich Goh, Head of Public Policy, Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong & Taiwan, Airbnb.

IHG expands brands in Vietnam

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May 14, 2024

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, 14 May 2024: IHG Hotels & Resorts will debut two luxury and lifestyle brands in Vietnam this year as it introduces Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection to Vietnam’s hospitality sector.

Lifestyle brand Hotel Indigo will soon welcome guests to Ho Chi Minh City as the Hotel Indigo Saigon. Vignette Collection, IHG’s Luxury & Lifestyle collection brand, will also make its country debut with an upcoming hotel in Hoi An, situated close to the famous UNESCO Heritage Site in the historic central coast city.

The two brands will enter a robust domestic travel market, accounting for 108 million domestic trips last year. In the international visitor market, the Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City airline route is one of the top 10 busiest flight routes in the world.

Vietnam remains popular with international visitors from the US, South Korea, and China. International arrivals reached 4.6 million in the first quarter of 2024, exceeding 2019 levels. Vietnam is targeting 18 million visitors this year.

Introducing the two brands to Vietnam will help IHG grow its portfolio across destinations in the country. Next year, it will open InterContinental Halong Bay Resort in Halong City — its first property in the area — followed by Holiday Inn Resort Halong Bay in 2026. IHG also plans to introduce its InterContinental brand in Thanh Xuan Valley in the city of Vinh Phuc — its first valley resort project in Vietnam — within the next few years.

IHG has 18 hotels in Vietnam across six brands: Six Senses, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Voco Hotels & Resorts, and Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts. By 2028, it is on course to more than double its portfolio in the country by opening at least 26 more hotels.

Levelling up the Sentosa experience

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May 14, 2024

SINGAPORE, 14 May 2024: Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), DBS Bank (DBS), and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last week to enhance Sentosa’s guest experience through the development of a Sentosa Precinct Partnership.

The multi-lateral partnership will unveil joint offerings to propel tourism growth and solidify Sentosa’s position as a leading lifestyle destination.

The inaugural partnership will synergise all parties’ marketing efforts, inviting guests to discover more of Sentosa.

It includes SDC’s holistic event line-up and new offering launches; STB’s Made in Singapore global brand campaign; RWS’ offerings of world-class attractions, luxury hotel stays, and lifestyle experiences; and DBS’ strengths in offering exceptional value in shopping, dining, travel, and family experiences for customers in Singapore and key inbound markets including China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Additionally, the partnership will encourage the discovery of Sentosa’s accommodations, attractions, entertainment, dining, and retail offerings, enabling a longer and more meaningful stay.

The multi-lateral partnership announcement follows the soft opening of the highly anticipated Sentosa Sensoryscape. This 350-metre-long connector, featuring six innovative sensory gardens and an immersive night experience, is directly linked to Ave8 at RWS – a vibrant locale offering diverse dining concepts.

With Singapore’s robust tourism performance in 2023 and an optimistic outlook for 2024, this precinct partnership aims to boost tourism growth by offering visitors fresh and exciting experiences to look forward to.

According to STB’s 2023 data, tourism receipts across all categories recovered close to pre-pandemic levels, and visitors are staying longer than in 2019. This supports the continued exploration of joint marketing initiatives to promote the precinct, enrich the visitor experience and strengthen Singapore’s standing as a vibrant lifestyle and business destination.

DBS also observes this significant growth in its major overseas card markets. In 2023, DBS recorded a third consecutive record year across its cards, with travel spending surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Today, the bank is the largest issuer of specialised cards with travel perks in Taiwan, such as the newly launched DBS Travel World Elite card. It offers preferential travel privileges for its Treasures customers across its markets.

Singapore media revisits Penang and Langkawi

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May 14, 2024

SINGAPORE, 14 May 2024: Tourism Malaysia Singapore successfully concluded the Malaysia Familiarisation Programme for Singapore’s media representatives and key opinion leaders (KOLs) from 6 to 11 May 2024.

Participants explored tourism offerings in Penang and Langkawi, emphasising the concept of dual-city holidays in Malaysia.

Participants, representing magazines, newspapers, and online platforms, enjoyed luxurious accommodations at The George Penang, explored the breathtaking Kubang Badak Biogeotrail, and immersed themselves in the magical adventure of Dream Forest Langkawi.

The initiative showcased Malaysia’s appeal as a premier tourist destination, enhancing its positive image among Singaporean travellers.

The programme also offered an enriching cultural experience, including batik painting at Atma Alam Batik Art Village in Langkawi and visiting iconic attractions such as The Habitat Penang Hill and ESCAPE Penang. By capturing the essence of Malaysian hospitality and culture, participants gained firsthand insight into the unforgettable experiences awaiting visitors.

The familiarisation trip was made possible through partnerships with AirAsia, Penang Global Tourism, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA), Tropical Charters Sunset Cruise, Pelangi Beach Resort and Spa, and Dream Forest Langkawi.

AirAsia, with its extensive airline network, provided travel to both destinations. The airline flies 10 weekly departures to Langkawi and 30 to Penang.

Tourism Malaysia Director General Manoharan Periasamy expressed optimism about the programme’s impact in boosting arrivals and promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination for Singaporean travellers, capitalising on the strong cultural and historical connections between the two nations in the build-up to Visit Malaysia 2026.

Tourism Malaysia Singapore Deputy Director Mohana Murni Shanmugam remarked: “We anticipate that this familiarisation trip will significantly contribute to surpassing our target of 10 million Singaporean tourists by the end of the year. The positive exposure generated through media and KOL channels will undoubtedly entice Singaporeans to explore the diverse attractions, rich culture, and warm hospitality Malaysia offers.”

Singapore ranked as the top source of tourist-generating markets, contributing significantly to the 8.3 million arrivals in 2023. With a target of welcoming 27.3 million tourists and generating MYR102.7 billion in revenue in 2024, Malaysia is poised for continued growth. The upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026 further exemplifies this ambition, aiming to attract 35.6 million foreign tourists and achieve MYR147.1 billion in tourist receipts.

Emirates Group announces 2023-24 results

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May 14, 2024

DUBAI, UAE, 14 May 2024: The Emirates Group today released its 2023-24 Annual Report, hitting new record profit, revenue, and cash balance levels.

Both Emirates and dnata saw significant profit and revenue increases in 2023-24, as the Group expanded its operations worldwide to meet strong customer demand for its high-quality products and services.

For the financial year ended 31 March 2024, the Emirates Group posted a record profit of AED18.7 billion (USD5.1 billion), up 71% compared with last year’s AED10.9 billion (USD3 billion) profit. The Group’s revenue was AED137.3 billion (USD37.4 billion), an increase of 15% over last year’s results. The Group’s cash balance was AED47.1 billion (USD 12.8 billion), the highest ever reported, up 11% from last year.

Combined Group profits for the last two years, at AED29.6 billion, surpass pandemic losses of AED25.9 billion during 2020-2022.

Many major projects are already underway, including a multibillion-dollar aircraft fleet and cabin renewal programme; new catering, cargo, and ground handling capabilities; advanced technologies to support the Group’s operations; expanded training and people development programmes; and initiatives to progress the Group’s sustainability agenda.

In 2023-24, the Group collectively invested AED 8.8 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in new aircraft, facilities, equipment, companies, and the latest technologies to support its growth plans.

The Group’s workforce grew by 10% to 112,406 employees, its largest size ever, as Emirates and dnata continued recruitment activity worldwide to support its expanding operations and bolster its future capabilities.

The Group made significant strides in its sustainability journey during 2023-24, implementing numerous initiatives focused on the environment, its people, customers, and communities.

Environmental topics were on the agenda during the year, as the UAE hosted the world’s biggest conference for climate action, COP28, in Dubai.

In 2023-24, Emirates signed new supply agreements to uplift sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its Dubai hub for the first time, as well as in Amsterdam and Singapore. The airline operated the first A380 demonstration flight using 100% SAF in one engine, collecting data to support industry efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying.

Recognising that airlines today have limited solutions to reduce carbon emissions meaningfully, Emirates established a USD200 million fund to support R&D projects that focus on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation. It also became a founding entity of Air-CRAFT, a UAE-based research consortium for renewable and advanced aviation fuels. It joined The Solent Cluster, a UK initiative focused on producing low-carbon fuels for various sectors, including aviation.

Dnata continued to invest and induct more electric and hybrid vehicles into its global fleet of ground support equipment (GSE), adding new baggage tractors, cargo loaders, and pushback tractors to its USA operations. It also converted and refurbished diesel-powered GSEs in Italy to run on Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil and electric power. dnata’s UAE businesses, including dnata logistics, Arabian Adventures, Alpha Flight Services and City Sightseeing Worldwide, transitioned to biofuel for its landside fleet of vehicles.

During the year, dnata became the first combined air services provider to receive the International Air Transport Association’s environmental management (IEnvA) certification for its commitment to sustainability across its UAE businesses, and Emirates achieved IEnvA Stage One and the IEnvA Illegal Wildlife Trade module certifications, for its efforts in environmental stewardship and anti-wildlife trafficking.

The Group ramped up investments in people development, rolling out a comprehensive programme of learning and training options for its workforce in partnership with top universities and key industry partners. A Gender Balance Council was established to champion and promote gender equality within the Group.

The Emirates Group has expanded its ESG reporting in its latest 2023-24 report and is adopting aspects of the GRI standards. It plans to evolve its reporting to meet ISSB and CSRD requirements in the coming years.

Emirates Airline and Group Chairman and Chief Executive His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “We enter our 2024-25 financial year on strong foundations for continued growth. Emirates will receive delivery of 10 new A350 aircraft in 2024-25, adding to our fleet mix and supporting the next phase of its network growth. dnata will continue leveraging synergies and scaling across its business divisions to grow its footprint and capabilities. In tandem, we are investing resources to minimise our environmental impact, develop our people, look after our customers and the communities we serve.”

“The business outlook is positive, and we expect customer demand for air transport and travel to remain strong in the coming months. As always, we will closely monitor costs and external factors such as oil prices, currency fluctuations, and volatile environments caused by socio-political changes. Our business model has been tested before, and I am confident in our resilience and ability to respond quickly to opportunities and challenges.”

He added: “Looking further ahead, the Dubai government has announced plans to start the next phase of expansion at Al Maktoum International Airport, which will eventually be the new hub for Emirates and dnata’s operations. This AED128 billion (USD35 billion) investment will significantly expand and enhance Dubai’s aviation and logistics infrastructure, supporting the city’s growth and Emirates’ and dnata’s growth.

For bookings and flight information, visit www.emirates.com

Phuket to Chiang Rai flights stop

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May 14, 2024

CHIANG RAI, Thailand, 14 May 2024: Thai Vietjet has cancelled direct flights between Chiang Rai in far north Thailand and Phuket Island, a popular destination on the Andaman Sea coast in South Thailand.

The low-cost airline has not released a statement regarding the suspension. Still, its timetable for 1 to 31 May, filed with Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai International Airport and posted on its Facebook page, shows the last flight scheduled was on 12 May.

Flight Aware, a tracking service, confirmed that Flight VJ400 landed on time at Chiang Rai airport at 1025 on 12 May and that it was the last flight recorded on the route.

The airline started the direct route between Phuket and Chiang Rai in November 2023, using a 180-seat A320. It flew four times weekly: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The average roundtrip fare on the route was USD140.

Flight VJ400 departed Phuket at 0837 and landed at Chiang Rai airport at 1025.
Flight VJ400 departed Chiang Rai at 1055 and landed at Phuket airport at 1305.

Chiang Rai Airport lost its status as an ‘active’ international airport during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 when all international flights lapsed. Until the pandemic, a few Chinese airlines served Chiang Rai mainly with scheduled charters. It was possible to fly to Kunming in Yunnan province, and Hong Kong Express flew from Hong Kong three times a week. However, efforts to persuade Thai AirAsia to fly to Singapore failed after a single season back in 2019. Chiang Rai Airport is international in name only, and that will continue until the Airports of Thailand is prepared to waive landing fees and underwrite airline promotional campaigns to build traffic. It requires a long-term investment to support passenger and cargo flights to and from China. It might also help if the Chiang Rai skies were clear of smog rather than asking airlines to write off three months annually due to unhealthy air pollution.

Even Vietjet’s direct domestic flight from Phuket Island to Chiang Rai was doomed to failure as the airline’s fare on the direct Phuket – Chiang Mai route was considerably cheaper than quoted on the Phuket – Chiang Rai route. The two cities are just 180 km apart. Travellers flew to Chiang Mai and took the Green Bus to Chiang Rai, saving up to THB5,000 roundtrip on airfares. For a family on holiday, the difference in ticket pricing mounts up. Also travellers often combine visits to both cities and hire a car in Chiang Mai to explore the northern region.

The latest suspension leaves Chiang Rai Airport with five airlines concentrating entirely on serving the Bangkok – Chiang Rai route. There are no other domestic flight options from Chiang Rai.

During May, Vietjet, Thai Lion and Thai Airways International each fly three daily flights on the route. Nok Air flies twice daily, and AirAsia leads with five flights daily. The average roundtrip fare on Vietjet is USD40, Thai Lion USD67, AirAsia USD85 and THAI USD97.

Price checks show that USD30 roundtrip would be considered a bargain post-pandemic. Over the last 42 days, the best fares have been around USD40, which is pegged as high on the value scale. It suggests Chiang Rai residents deserve a better deal when flying to Bangkok. Fares out of Chiang Mai are likely to be lower, and there is a choice of other domestic destinations.

WorldHotels debuts in Hangzhou

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May 13, 2024

BANGKOK, 13 May 2024: WorldHotels announces the signing of Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel, a stylish hotel and conference venue in China that has staged major international events and overlooks the iconic, culturally rich landscapes of West Lake.

It has become the newest member of WorldHotels Distinctive, the curated collection of upscale hotels worldwide.

Located on West Lake Avenue in the vibrant Shangcheng District of Hangzhou, the capital of eastern China’s Zhejiang province, the landmark hotel offers uninterrupted views of West Lake, a charming UNESCO World Heritage site. Well-suited to business travellers, leisure seekers and meeting planners alike, it became WorldHotels’ first location in Hangzhou and its 20th hotel in China.

First opened in 2007, Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel underwent a comprehensive refurbishment in 2021. Guests can now stay in a selection of 196 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, all equipped with modern amenities and connectivity. A selection of dedicated business and family options are available, and many of the rooms command views of West Lake. An Executive Club Lounge is a sanctuary for guests staying in the hotel’s premium rooms, with elevated services and panoramic vistas.

Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy all-day international dining at the Lake View Restaurant, savour exquisite Chinese cuisine at ZhongWei Palace, which includes private dining rooms for life’s special occasions, or simply relax and enjoy refreshments at the Lobby Bar. An indoor swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and mahjong rooms provide myriad ways to unwind.

With 1,500 square metres of state-of-the-art meeting space, Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel has hosted prestigious international conferences, including the 2016 B20 Summit, the 2019 Asian Games, and the 2021 World Association President Conference & Service Industry Development Forum. The impressive 800-square-meter Goethe Hall has a 24-metre-high atrium topped with a glass dome and a Ferrari-branded piano.

The hotel is easily accessible, with two subway lines nearby from the hotel and Hangzhou International Airport, which is located only 27km away.

“We are delighted to announce the signing of Hangzhou ZhongWei Goethe Hotel, which becomes an excellent addition to our WorldHotels Distinctive collection in China. With its striking design, breathtaking views of the UNESCO-listed West Lake, remarkable facilities and world-class conference and banqueting venues, this is an outstanding option for visitors to Hangzhou. We look forward to assisting this exceptional hotel step into an exciting new era with WorldHotels,” said BWH HotelsVice President – APAC Olivier Berrivin,

For more information about WorldHotels, visit www.worldhotels.com.

About WorldHotels
WorldHotels™ is a privately held hotel soft brand within the BWH Hotels global enterprise. Founded by independent hoteliers dedicated to the art of hospitality, WorldHotels offers one of the finest portfolios of independent hotels and resorts around the globe, expertly curated to inspire unique, life-enriching experiences that connect people and places. WorldHotels comprises four unique collections, each with its personality and style to appeal to the needs of today’s traveller. The collections include WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Crafted and WorldHotels Distinctive. For more information visit www.WorldHotels.com.

Emirates returns to Edinburgh

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May 13, 2024

DUBAI, UAE: 13 May 2024: Emirates will resume daily flights to Edinburgh in Scotland starting 4 November 2024, complementing the airline’s A380 daily flight to Glasgow.

The Dubai to Edinburgh route will be served using an Emirates A350-900 aircraft in a three-class configuration: 32 lie-flat seats in business class, 21 seats in premium economy, and 259 seats in economy class.

Emirates flight EK23 will depart Dubai at 1450 and arrive in Edinburgh at 1905, local time. The return flight, EK24, will depart Edinburgh at 2040 and arrive in Dubai at 0805 the following day.

Customers can book flights on emirates.com , or Emirates Sales Office.

Back to the Highlands

Emirates first launched operations to Edinburgh in 2018 using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline will now resume operations to the city using its new A350 aircraft, which has spacious cabins, high ceilings, and customised mood lighting.

Customers travelling from Edinburgh can also access the airline’s extensive network of more than 130 destinations via Dubai, including popular destinations such as Maldives, Bangkok, Sydney, and Bali.

Emirates’ daily flight to Edinburgh will also boost cargo capacity and enable Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s cargo arm, to uplift 16 tonnes of cargo per flight. This will support local businesses, improve trade links with global markets, and increase popular exports such as salmon, shellfish, and whisky.

Edinburgh heritage

Edinburgh is a very popular leisure and business destination. The city’s Old and New Town are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. With charming streets, historic castles, and a thriving arts and culture scene, the city has something for everyone.

Visitors will be captivated by its rich history, architectural attractions, and thriving literary scene, which offers plenty of choices for galleries, museums, and musical performances.

Emirates’ A350 takes to the skies

Emirates recently announced its new A350 aircraft, scheduled to enter service in September 2024, will serve 9 destinations across the Middle East, GCC, West Asia, and Europe. Customers can look forward to more opportunities to experience the airline’s highly lauded Premium Economy cabin and sample its next-generation Business Class cabins.

Edinburgh will be Emirates’ eighth destination in the UK. The world’s largest international airline serves the UK with 133 weekly flights across seven gateways, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Glasgow. Its fleet consists of Emirates A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

Customers onboard will also enjoy the airline’s regionally inspired gourmet meals, premium beverage selection, and award-winning inflight entertainment on ice with up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment – including Scottish talent with Brian Cox starring in hit TV series Succession and Scottish director Charlotte Wells’ hit Aftersun starring Paul Mescal.

For more information, visit emirates.com.

Utopia of the Seas begins sea trials

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May 13, 2024

SINGAPORE, 13 May 2024: Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas is almost ready for its debut as the next in the lineup of Oasis Class ships embarked on its open ocean sea trials on 10 May, just 10 weeks ahead of the new vacation’s homecoming party and official introduction in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in July 2024.

More than 900 specialists in naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design are on Utopia to push the ship to its limits and ensure it’s ready for smooth sailing.

The teams are carrying out tests on how the ship moves through the open water and the operation of its navigation systems, as well as engine performance and back-of-house technical checks. The trials will cover more than 1,000 miles over five days, and once completed, the ship will enter the final phase of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Starting 19 July 19, Utopia will welcome vacationers on three-night weekend and four-night weekday cruises.

Princess Cruises maps mega 2026 season

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May 13, 2024

SINGAPORE, 10 May, 2024: Princess Cruises is going big in Europe for 2026 with the “Love Boat” line announcing that its 2026 European cruise and cruisetour season will be its biggest ever, with five Princess cruise ships sailing the region.

The lineup includes the new Sun Princess. Set to sail on a record-breaking 222 cruises, guests will have unparalleled opportunities to explore Europe’s beauty and diversity.

The European season runs March through November 2026 and features 59 itineraries, visiting 101 destinations across 29 countries and ranging from five to 42 nights. Highlights of the upcoming season include an opportunity to experience the 2026 total solar eclipse and sail on the cruise line’s newest ship, Sun Princess. Roundtrip cruises from Copenhagen return, and there are itineraries from Rome. The season goes on sale on 23 May 2024.

Highlights

Sun Princess will sail 7, 14, and 21-night Mediterranean voyages departing from Civitavecchia (Rome), Piraeus (Athens), and Barcelona. Guests on a 14 and 21-night voyage can enjoy an itinerary without calling to the same port twice for a Grand Mediterranean Adventure. One of the itineraries includes a seven-night Mediterranean voyage roundtrip from Piraeus (Athens) to Barcelona, calling at Santorini, Kotor, Corfu, and Messina (Sicily).

The 3,660-guest Sky Princess will return to its seasonal home port in Southampton for its sixth year. Sky Princess takes guests on itineraries ranging from seven to 28 nights to destinations including Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean.

What’s New

On 12 August 2026, Sky Princess will sail directly into the “path of totality” on a special 14-night Total Solar Eclipse Cruise, which also visits France, Spain, and Portugal. The cruise departs Southampton on 8 August 2026.

New for 2026 is a 28-night Northern Europe and Mediterranean itinerary sailing roundtrip Southampton and calling to Skagen, Copenhagen, Warnemunde (for Berlin), Stockholm (overnight), Helsinki, Tallinn, Visby, Zeebrugge (for Brussels/Bruges), Southampton, Vigo, Cadiz (for Seville), Malaga, Cartagena, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Bilbao, Le Verdon (for Bordeaux). Departs 12 September, 2026.

New for 2026, the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess offers Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome), ranging from five, seven, eight and 14 nights.

For the first time, the 3,560-guest Majestic Princess is sailing roundtrip from Southampton, offering British Isles and Northern Europe itineraries ranging from 11, 12, and 14 nights. British Isles voyages take guests to historic ports across England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, while Northern Europe itineraries include stops in Scandinavia, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

Princess Cruises returns to Copenhagen after six years with the 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess, providing 12-night Northern Europe itineraries. Before sailing from Copenhagen, the Sapphire Princess sails in the Mediterranean for two months between March and April 2026 from Barcelona, plus itineraries sailing roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome).

PATA Summit convenes in Macau

IHG expands brands in Vietnam

Levelling up the Sentosa experience

Singapore media revisits Penang and Langkawi

Emirates Group announces 2023-24 results

Phuket to Chiang Rai flights stop

WorldHotels debuts in Hangzhou

Emirates returns to Edinburgh

Utopia of the Seas begins sea trials

Princess Cruises maps mega 2026 season

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