SINGAPORE, 18 March 2025: Trip.com announced Monday its partnership with national carrier Malaysia Airlines to enhance the travel experience for passengers.
Through this collaboration, Trip.com becomes the first third-party platform to integrate the ‘MHupgrade’ programme, previously available only on the Malaysia Airlines website, offering travellers a seamless way to access upgrade opportunities.
You can customise your travel on Malaysia Airlines by changing your comfort level on board through different travel classes via MHupgrades.
MHupgrade offers eligible economy class or business class ticket holders the opportunity to place an offer to upgrade to the next cabin class. By integrating this feature, users who book Malaysia Airlines flights on Trip.com can now conveniently access and enjoy premium travel experiences with greater ease and flexibility.
Trip.com Group Associate Vice President CT Ooi said: “We are thrilled to partner with Malaysia Airlines to bring the MHupgrade service to our customers. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to enhancing the travel experience by providing more options and greater convenience to our users and is also a testament to the trust that our partners, such as Malaysia Airlines, have in us to build innovative new products together.”
Malaysia Airlines sees this partnership as an opportunity to reach a broader audience and provide more passengers with the chance to experience the exceptional service of its premium cabins.
Malaysia Aviation Group, Chief Commercial Officer of Airlines Dersenish Aresandiran said: “This strategic partnership will enable us to offer our valued passengers with an elevated travel experience with our signature Malaysian Hospitality while expanding our presence in the global market through a trusted partner in Trip.com.”
The integration of MHupgrade on Trip.com went live at 1400 Singapore/Malaysia Time (UTC/GMT +8) Monday, providing passengers with a seamless and user-friendly process to bid for upgrades – including on the recently introduced A330neo.
Demand for premium cabin flight bookings has been rising. In 2024, bookings for business class seats and above on Trip.com saw three-digit growth compared to the year before, underscoring travellers’ increased willingness to spend more for added comfort and luxury on their trips.
LONDON, 18 March 2025: The UK’s Annual Post Office Holiday Money Report names the best holiday hotspots for bargain hunters, claiming that a relatively strong sterling currency is a pivotal factor when choosing destinations.
This has powered Portugal, and specifically the country’s Algarve region, to the top of the 19th Holiday Money Report chart as the value-for-money winner ahead of 47 destinations covered.
Photo credit: UK Post Office. Beach at Albufeira in 2025’s best-value destination: the Algarve, Portugal.
The report reveals a strong demand for holidays abroad: Three in five Britons plan trips, and 44% have booked Portugal’s Algarve, which tops the chart of 47 destinations for the first time in nine years.
Cape Town and Tokyo claim the runner-up spots in the biggest-ever cost comparison survey. The survey shows prices are down in half of the resorts and cities surveyed last year.
Holidaymakers who have not decided on their destination will benefit from lower prices in many of the world’s most popular resorts and cities. The report’s Exchange Rate Monitor reveals that 29 of the Post Office’s 30 bestselling currencies have weakened against sterling over the past two years.
In its barometer of costs in 47 destinations worldwide, Post Office Travel Money found that prices for eight items were down in half of the resorts and cities compared with a year ago.
The study compared the following items: A three-course meal for two with wine, a cup of coffee, a bottle of local beer, a can of cola, a glass of wine, a bottle of still water, suncream, and insect repellent.
The biggest price fall was in the Dominican Republic, the only Caribbean Island of seven surveyed to make the top 20 in this year’s barometer in 19th place. At UKP93.09, prices in Punta Cana have plummeted by over 26%.
Prices fell in the Algarve, Portugal’s most popular resort area. It took the top spot this year, up from fifth place a year ago, with a barometer cost of UKP58.95, 1.6% less than in 2024.
Thanks to the continuing low price of meals and drinks, the cost of a three-course meal for two with wine was UKP40.33 — the lowest recorded across the 47 destinations surveyed and one-third the cost in New York (UKP128.27). Sterling’s strength against the Euro was up 1.8% year-on-year and 6.3% compared with March 2023.
Long-haul destinations have outperformed European ones, claiming five of the top six places in this year’s barometer. Cape Town in South Africa has retained the runner-up position with a barometer cost of UKP59.84, albeit 11% higher than a year ago. In third place, Japan’s capital city, Tokyo, has moved up one place, but prices have risen by 7.4% to UKP63.34. Bali (UKP66.88) has moved from eighth to fourth place, but prices are 5% higher year-on-year.
Of the new entrants to the top 10 chart this year, Delhi rises to fifth place from 13th a year ago on the back of a 10.7% price drop to UKP69.52. Among the other new entrants to the Post Office, the top 10 are Prague and the Czech Republic (8th, UKP75.92), which saw a significant price fall of over 20%.
Phuket took the 9th slot with UKP76.10). Prices in the Thailand resort are down by 2.7%. Spain’s Costa del Sol (10th, UKP76.51) saw costs drop 6.4%.
Sunny Beach, Bulgaria (6th, UKP71.46) and Hoi An, Vietnam (7th, UKP73.23) complete the top 10.
However, a substantial price rise of 41.3% saw Hoi An drop from the top spot last year.
New York is the most expensive of the 47 destinations surveyed, with a barometer total of UKP167.85 (+15.6% year-on-year).
Top 10 for value and price breakdown by country and resort area
Post Office Travel Money, the UK’s largest provider of foreign currency, says that currency sales are a valuable indicator of where Britons choose to visit. Over the past year, these indicate a growing travel demand further afield to long-haul destinations — mainly in Asia and South America. Notable among these are the sales gains made by the Japanese yen, Thai baht, and Indonesian rupiah, all three of which boast destinations (Tokyo, Phuket, and Bali) in the Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer’s best value top 10.
Another consideration could be the value of sterling. Although it has proved volatile in the wake of the US presidential election, sterling remains strong against many currencies. Over three-quarters of Post Office’s top 30 currencies — including the Euro and most other European currencies — have weakened since last March.
A full breakdown of findings from the Post Office Travel Money Holiday Money Report and the source material used in it can be found here www.postoffice.co.uk/holidaymoneyreport.
DUBAI, UAE, 17 Mar 2025: Emirates has joined forces with Parsys Telemedicine to introduce next-generation equipment to enable customers to receive high-quality, speedy medical care inflight.
Emirates has invested more than USD2.4 million in co-designing the new equipment set with Parsys, which will be rolled out to 300 aircraft over the next few years. The groundbreaking ‘telemedicine station’ has advanced features such as high-definition video conferencing, remote passenger assessment, secure data transmission and 12-Leads Telecardia ECG – enabling Emirates’ highly trained cabin crew to save lives in emergencies.
Emirates has always invested in high-quality medical equipment. Still, the new Parsys kit results from a yearlong collaboration between Emirates and Parsys to create a bespoke inflight tool that is more efficient, reliable, connected, and ultimately safer for Emirates’ customers.
More safety, speed and reliability for Emirates’ customers
Medical training and support for cabin crew is a top priority at Emirates. New joiners undergo 8 weeks of intense ‘ab-initio’ training to become world-class cabin crew. The ab-initio period includes many courses from security to service, safety and emergency to hospitality, and the critically crucial medical response training. Using a combination of practical, in-situ, classroom and online learning, recruits are taught invaluable lessons to save lives. The new Parsys kit is introduced to the cabin crew through a blended e-learning and practical learning approach.
Emirates cabin crew receive extensive medical training to handle inflight emergencies, from fainting and choking to breathing difficulties, allergic reactions, and sudden illnesses. They are also trained in managing injuries, infection control, and onboard hygiene. Life-saving skills such as CPR, Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, and even childbirth assistance are taught using advanced simulation technology. This comprehensive training, led by certified aviation first aid instructors, takes place at the world-class Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre in Dubai.
Cabin crew knowledge and skills are tested each year at recurrent training. The crew must complete a 1.5-hour online course and a two-hour practical session on CPR, AED, severe bleeding, and severe allergy management, with assessments for each. The experienced crews also annually participate in a flight simulation exercise to ensure they are fully equipped to handle any medical incidents and that their knowledge is regularly refreshed.
From a psychological perspective, cabin crew also receive training on gaining consent to assist customers, showing empathy to the sick and their families, staying calm, keeping the casualty informed at all stages and being present with the casualty until the situation improves. They also learn how to break difficult news when required. After any incident, the cabin crew are also provided with support for their own mental health through Emirates’ Employee Assistance Programme, the Peer Support service, and Sehaty – Emirates’ employee wellbeing programme.
For flight information and to make a book visit www.emirates.com.
PENANG, 17 March 2025: The highly anticipated Northern International Audio & Visual Show (NIAV) 2025 will return for its third edition from 25 to 27 April 2025 at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre, Penang.
The Northern International Audio & Visual Show 2025, organised by Gryphon Production and supported by the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), combines high-fidelity sound and state-of-the-art visual technology in one dynamic event. Approximately 50 exhibitors showcase over 125 world-class brands, showcasing the latest innovations in high-end audio and visual technology.
Photo credit: PCEB. Northern Audio & Visual Show is back: Bigger and louder than ever.
Exhibitors from Singapore, China, Lithuania, Taiwan, and Denmark will be present, while esteemed brands from the USA, Denmark, Japan, Lithuania, the UK, France, South Korea, Canada, Sweden, Italy, and Switzerland will be on display, making this a truly international showcase.
Beyond the exhibition, NIAVS 2025 will offer an engaging programme of expert-led talks, hands-on workshops, and exclusive product demonstrations, providing valuable insights into the latest industry trends and advancements. Attendees can explore groundbreaking technologies that push the boundaries of sound and visual entertainment. The event will be open to the public from 1000 to 1800, 25 to 27 April.
SINGAPORE, 17 March 2025: Oceania Cruises, a culinary and destination-focused cruise line, opened sales last week for its 2027 Around the World cruise, which will span 180 days and visit more than 100 ports across 46 countries and six continents aboard its newest ship, Vista.
Setting sail from Miami on 6 January 2027, the 1,200-guest ship will explore over 150 UNESCO World Heritage sites over six adventure-filled months.
Photo Credit: Oceania Cruises.
Guests will transit the Panama Canal, island hop through the Pacific from Hawaii to Fiji, sail along Australia’s stunning coastline, and spend more than two months in Asia before heading for Europe.
Two additional itineraries are also on sale: A 244-day Epic Global Adventure from Miami to New York and the shorter 127-day Continental Explorer sailing from Miami to Doha.
Starting at USD76,199 per person, Oceania Cruises’ 2027 Around the World sailing features an Exclusive Prestige Package packed with additional complimentary amenities, including unlimited wine, beer, and spirits or a generous shore excursion credit.
The 1,200-guest ship offers all-veranda accommodations, featuring the most spacious standard staterooms at sea at 291 square feet. Vista also boasts a staffing ratio of two crew members for every three guests, ensuring unparalleled personalised service.
SINGAPORE, 17 March 2025: Korean Air introduced its new corporate identity last week, revealing a modernised version of its signature Taegeuk symbol — the first design change in 41 years.
The unveiling presentation convened at the airline’s headquarters hangar in Seoul Incheon International Airport during an exclusive event titled “Rising Night.” Approximately 1,000 guests, including employees, industry leaders and media representatives, attended the event.
Photo credit: Korean Air. Korean Air unveiled its new aircraft livery on a Boeing 787-10 aircraft, registered HL8515.
The redesigned blue Taegeuk symbol displayed prominently during the event reflects Korean Air’s heritage while embracing contemporary aesthetics. The updated logo aligns with modern and global minimalist branding trends while preserving the airline’s identity.
The accompanying logotype, “KOREAN AIR,” positioned next to the Taegeuk symbol, combines the airline’s national prestige with a refined visual identity.
Korean Air also unveiled its new aircraft livery, which adorns a Boeing 787-10 aircraft, registered HL8515, in a spectacular display at the airline’s hanger venue. The aircraft also showcased the airline’s latest Prestige Suites 2.0 cabin interiors. It entered service with the new features and livery on 12 March, operating from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita.
Hanjin Group and Korean Air chair and CEO Walter Cho shared his vision for the airline’s future: “As a unified Korean Air, we are committed to more than just transportation — we aim to connect people, cultures and the world through the skies. world.”
He continued: “With the full integration of Asiana Airlines, our role as Korea’s flagship carrier has grown even more significant. We will bring together our expertise, refine our strengths and unite cultures to create an innovative, unmatched airline experience.”
This marks the first major brand update since 1984, when Korean Air introduced the Taegeuk symbol. Recognised globally, it remains a powerful representation of both the airline and the nation.
SINGAPORE, 17 March 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda’s 2025 Sustainable Travel Survey reveals its ranking of Asia’s most sustainability-conscious travellers.
Travellers from the Philippines earn the top spot, with 86% responding that sustainability is essential in their travel choices for 2025. Travellers from India (82%), Taiwan (80%), Malaysia (80%) and Vietnam (77%) round out the top five.
This survey, which engaged over 6,000 respondents across 11 Asian markets, spotlights the evolving landscape of sustainable travel in Asia, where authentic and purposeful tourism and off-peak travel are becoming more prominent.
The survey found that most Asian travellers (68%) consider sustainability when making their travel plans for 2025. Less than one in ten (8%) travellers overlook sustainability in their travel decisions, although less optimistically, in Hong Kong and Japan for example, where 21% and 17% of travellers, respectively, reported that sustainability was not particularly important in their travel choices.
Authentic Experiences Drive More Sustainable Choices
Asian travellers are increasingly motivated by the allure of authentic experiences and the opportunity to contribute positively to local communities. Nearly one in four respondents prioritise authentic tourism, while 22% are keen on supporting local economies when they travel. Indian travellers, in particular, are guided by personal values and beliefs, with 24% citing these as their primary motivation for more sustainable travel. This trend underscores a broader movement towards enjoyable but also meaningful and impactful travel.
Exploring Off-peak Takes Center Stage
Many travellers in Asia seek to mitigate their impact on the environment by travelling during off-peak seasons to alleviate overcrowding, a choice made by nearly a quarter of respondents. Additionally, 20% of travellers opt for accommodations with sustainability certifications, while 18% pack reusable items to reduce waste. Japanese travellers stand out for being the most committed out of all Asian travellers to reducing waste, with 25% packing reusable items like water bottles and shopping bags on a trip.
Agoda Senior Vice President Supply Andrew Smith said: “Asian travellers are increasingly seeking ways to impact the destinations they visit positively. Agoda’s Eco Deals Programme is one way we empower them to do just that. By offering great value deals on partnering properties and donating one US dollar to local conservation projects for every program booking, we are helping travellers save and contributing to the preservation of the places they love.” Since the recent launch of the 2025 edition, Agoda’s Eco Deals programme has provided travellers with discounts of up to 15% on partner hotels across 10 Asian markets. This marks the first year that Japan and South Korea have joined the Eco Deals Campaign, providing more Asia-bound travellers the opportunity to support their favourite destinations. For every Eco Deals booking, a dollar is donated to WWF conservation projects to protect wildlife and conserve critical habitats across Asia. For more information, visit ww.agoda.com/ecodeals.
SINGAPORE, 17 March 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line has taken delivery of Norwegian Aqua at Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy — the 20th ship in its fleet and the first in the next-generation Prima Plus Class.
Meanwhile, as Norwegian Aqua prepares to enter service, NCL completes another landmark event with the float out of Norwegian Luna. The float-out signifies the completion of the ship’s external work and marks the first time it makes contact with water. Norwegian Luna will move to the floating dock for interior construction and furnishing in preparation for the ship’s launch in April 2026.
Norwegian Cruise Line and Fincantieri executives and team members celebrate the delivery of Norwegian Aqua.
Building on the legacy of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is 10% larger in size and capacity, offering more open space. It will introduce fresh features and blend hallmark Prima Class features such as spacious staterooms and world-class entertainment with new enhancements. Measuring 322 metres in length and 156,300 gross tonnes, the ship will accommodate 3,571 guests at double occupancy.
Norwegian Aqua 2025 sailings
Norwegian Aqua will embark on a transatlantic journey from Southampton, UK, on 28 March 2025. She will mark her much-anticipated arrival to the US on 4 April for two inaugural events in Boston and New York City. On 13 April 2025, the ship will be officially christened in Miami in a celebratory ceremony.
Norwegian Aqua will sail from Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, and New York City during her first year of service. Departing from Florida ports, Norwegian Aqua will offer short voyages to the Bahamas and seven-day Caribbean itineraries. Sailing from New York City in August and September 2025, Norwegian Aqua will offer Bermuda cruises during the peak summer season.
BANGKOK, 17 March 2025: Tripseed chief growth officer and co-founder Ewan Cluckie delivered an unusual message in his presentation to European tour operators attending the recent ITB Berlin: He told them to check rigorously to ensure they are not partnering with foreign nominee businesses.
“It’s crucial to remember the enormous stakes when choosing local suppliers for your Thailand travel services,” he warned overseas tour operators who attended the world’s largest travel show, ITB Berlin.
Photo credit: Tripseed.
Tripseed is a locally owned travel operator and distributor headquartered in Thailand. The Destination Management Company (DMC) creates tailor-made holidays designed to explore Thailand and neighbouring countries, focusing on authentic local connections.
Its co-founder and chief growth officer reiterated a recent Thai Chamber of Commerce warning: “Foreign businesses (using local nominees) take advantage of loopholes in Thai law for personal gain, using Thailand as a base for tax evasion and money laundering.”
Photo credit: Tripseed. Ewan Cluckie.
Thailand’s Department of Business Development has launched a new complaints centre, and the government has announced that some arrests will be publicised in the future. The news was first reported in the Bangkok Post.
“This puts reputations at stake, not just in Thailand, but for all countries where non-compliant companies are operating,” Cluckie said in a statement sent to various travel trade news channels in Southeast Asia.
“Consumer trust is fragile, and these moves are necessary and welcomed by the local business community to tackle a decades-long problem finally.
“These compliance breaches are extremely common, especially in Thailand’s DMC sector. Most UK, EU, and US travel agents and tour operators sending clients to Thailand are unwittingly involved and at risk, if consumer complaints are lodged with authorities or investigated.
By law, all travel firms in Thailand must register with the Department of Tourism, a division under the Ministry of Tourism.
However, Cluckie told TTR Weekly that the Minister of Tourism clarified at a meeting with some local tour operators late last year that it was not responsible for checking or enforcing potential breaches of business registration laws.
“These issues span multiple industries, but primarily real estate and tourism are the targets. Investigations and charges that have been increasing in intensity since 2023 are being led by the Department of Business Development and the Department of Special Investigations in the Royal Thai Police.”
However, the Ministry of Tourism confirmed that foreign-owned businesses are legally prohibited from using local nominee shareholders under Article 36 of the Foreign Business Act 1999.
Tourism companies must also comply with the Tourism Business and Tour Guide Act 2008, which prohibits majority foreign ownership of tourism businesses under Section 17 (1(a)) as it is a protected industry.
“Therefore, for any foreign-owned companies to legally operate tours in Thailand, they must have legitimate local partners as their majority shareholders, decision-makers and financial beneficiaries,” said Cluckie in response to questions from TTRW.
“This is why in the tourism sector, you very commonly see a 51:49 ownership ratio with non-compliant companies, giving Thai partners the legal majority on paper, but in situations where these people are acting as proxies to allow these foreign-owned businesses to operate and who are not legitimate beneficiaries of the company, this becomes illegal under both laws.
“It also raises tax evasion concerns since the companies are not registering properly as foreign-owned businesses and, therefore, avoid paying compulsory foreign business taxes. In addition, they do not want to share their profits with their proxy shareholders since they are not legitimate owners. This prompts them to move their profits offshore, resulting in minimal, if any, profits being recorded locally with the Thai Revenue Department, and therefore, no corporate income taxes are payable either. These extractive practices result in incredible economic leakage from Thailand’s tourism industry.”
In addition, international insurance companies may not compensate in case of an accident or claim, quoting insurance contracts that stipulate that service-providing businesses must abide by all local laws.
“It is this that I refer to when I say overseas agents and operators are putting themselves at great risk by using non-compliant suppliers such as DMCs and other foreign-owned operators that have been comfortable for years exploiting the historical lack of enforcement of these laws,” Cluckie explained.
“Consumers would, potentially, have a lawful claim against the agent or the tour operator they booked with for failure to perform proper due diligence of their suppliers under the European Package Travel Directive.”
In response to TTRW questions, he concluded: “I would like to see the Ministry of Tourism and the Tourism Authority of Thailand play a more active role in these investigations, but I’m not under any current impression that will happen. The new task force set up this year is an independent body created specifically to root out nominee businesses. I’m not sure how much I buy into the feasibility of its stated goal to investigate over 25,000 businesses this year. Still, I do sincerely believe it is a question of when, not if, we start to see some of the bigger industry players left red-faced given the complete dominance of non-compliant companies in Thailand’s DMC sector.”
(Source: Tripseed co-founder’s opinion posted on Linkedin with additional responses to TTRW questions) Website: Tripseed
BERLIN, Germany, 14 March 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, celebrated a successful ITB Berlin 2025 by adopting a refreshing new approach to B2B relations. Its traditional exhibition booth was replaced with key executive meetings and vibrant events.
The world’s largest travel trade show, which convened from 3 to 5 March 2025, has always been an essential fixture on Centara’s calendar. But this year, the company decided to do things a little differently.
Chief Executive Officer Thirayuth Chirathivat and Chief Operating Officer Michael Henssler led a top-level delegation, which presented the group’s latest strategic updates to their travel industry colleagues and media partners.
In addition to highly productive days at Berlin ExpoCenter City, Centara’s team invited its travel trade and business partners, local dignitaries, former ambassadors and media friends to a series of impressive events, running under the theme “Centara Journeys” and highlighting the brand’s world-renowned style of warm, heartfelt and Thai-inspired hospitality.
On the evening of 4 March, a spectacular brand showcase was staged at Kaufhaus des Westens (KaDeWe), the luxury department store. Eighty distinguished guests were treated to a glamorous evening of contemporary cuisine, creative cocktails, fine wine and live jazz music that will live long in the memory. KaDeWe is part of a global network of luxury department stores owned by Central Group, Centara’s parent company, which includes other prestigious locations such as Selfridges in London, La Rinascente in Milan, Globus in locations across Switzerland, and Central Embassy in Bangkok.
Then, on 5 March, Centara hosted an exclusive evening at Dae Mon, the acclaimed Asian restaurant. Amid an inspiring ambience with creative cuisine and dazzling décor, Thirayuth Chirathivat, CEO of Centara Hotels & Resorts, and Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibility of Centara Hotels & Resorts, personally thanked a select group of 20 media representatives for their positive coverage and cooperation.
ITB Berlin was the perfect platform for Centara to provide updates on its latest developments, including the recent launch of The Atollia by Centara Hotels & Resorts, the twin-resort destination which combines two properties – the new underwater world-themed Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives and the soon-to-open Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives. This will give Centara four distinct resort experiences in the Maldives to intuitively cater to a wide range of guests, from families to couples.
Trade and media delegates also learned about the group’s plans, such as launching nine new hotels & resorts in 2025, including Centara’s inaugural properties in Indonesia and Nepal and two major transformation projects. Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin will significantly upgrade all accommodations, public spaces and facilities while preserving its historic and colonial charm. The resort will also add a new collection of 70 exclusive villas under The Centara Collection. Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi will be fully refurbished and repositioned as the world’s second Centara Reserve. The executive team also discussed the group’s brand strategy and Centara’s commitment to sustainability.
With a growing global portfolio of 90 hotels and resorts, both operating and in the pipeline, including locations in Thailand, Japan, Vietnam, Laos, the Middle East, and four distinct resorts in the Maldives, Centara is now moving confidently towards its goal of becoming “The Place to Be” for the world’s travellers and one of the planet’s top 100 hotel operators by 2027.
About Centara Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 90 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, The Centara Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centara Life and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxury island retreats and upscale family resorts to affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology.
