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CBS reality show lands in Hong Kong

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 3 March 2025: CBS’s Emmy Award-winning reality competition series The Amazing Race is set to debut in Hong Kong on 5 March, bringing viewers an action-packed adventure through one of the world’s most dynamic and visually stunning cities. 

The upcoming season will showcase Hong Kong’s breathtaking skyline, rich cultural heritage and electrifying urban landscape as contestants navigate the city’s fast-paced environment in a race to win the USD1 million dollar prize.

The Amazing Race host Phil Keoghan and a traditional Chinese opera singer greet contestants at the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong. Photo Credit Kit Karzen CBS.

“Hong Kong is delighted to host the season premiere of one of the most successful reality competition series in television history as they race worldwide.”

The Amazing Race will incorporate a series of challenges exclusive to Hong Kong, highlighting its blend of East and West. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats, cheering on their favourite teams as they sprint and navigate challenges while testing their endurance and their relationships with their teammates. 

Dubbed the “season of surprises,” season 37 features its most enormous cast in history, adding new twists and challenges like the “Fork in the Road,” where teams must choose which direction and route they will take to the Pit Stop, which could lead to significant consequences or advantages.

“Hong Kong is delighted to host the season premiere of one of the most successful reality competition series in television history as they race worldwide,” said Hong Kong Tourism Board Executive Director Dane Cheng. “The destination will play a starring role, and we can’t wait for viewers at home to follow along on their journey to uncover Hong Kong’s diverse offerings—from stunning greenery views to rich cultural traditions. The city will test contestants’ strategic thinking, teamwork and adaptability, as Hong Kong is known for its rapid pace, innovative spirit and unparalleled energy with surprises at every turn.”

Viewers must wait until 5 March to see which iconic spots the teams will race through, including legendary sites like Victoria Harbour, flanked by one of the world’s tallest skyscrapers.

The Amazing Race airs on CBS on 5 March 5 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT), and streams on Paramount+*.

For more information on Hong Kong, please visit www.discoverhongkong.com.

About The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is a multiple Emmy Award-winning reality series hosted by Emmy Award-nominated host Phil Keoghan, where two teams embark on a trek around the world. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of mental and physical challenges, and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams that are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning The Amazing Race and the USD1 million prize.

*Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the episode airs.

ATIA welcomes Qatar’s investment in Virgin Australia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SYDNEY, 3 March 2025: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomes the Federal Government’s approval of Qatar Airways’ 25% stake in Virgin Australia. This will enhance airline competition and create new opportunities for Australian travel agents and advisors.

The increased competition on international routes means more reasons for travellers to use travel agencies and advisors to secure the best value flights, particularly for long-haul travel to Europe.

Photo credit: Qatar Airway.

“This is great news for Australians who want more choice and more competitive fares when travelling internationally, with greater choices on flights to Europe. More competition in the skies drives innovation, better pricing and improved travel services,” said ATIA CEO Dean Long. “It also increases the potential for more investment to drive domestic competition.

“This decision strengthens the role of travel agents and advisors in delivering value to consumers. For agencies, greater competition means more reasons for travellers to use agencies and their travel advisors to find the best value.”

“For our land supply members, greater competition and more competitive fares free up more of the budget for travellers to spend more on experiencing destinations through touring.”

Virgin Australia flies to Qatar

Qatar Airways Group’s minority 25% investment in Virgin Australia has now received Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval following the Federal Treasurer’s announcement last week. This follows the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Draft Determination earlier in February, indicating its intention to authorise the airlines’ integrated alliance, with final approval expected in March or April 2025. 

Virgin Australia now awaits a decision from the International Air Services Commission (IASC) on what is an uncontested allocation of air rights for services between Australia and Qatar, due to commence in June.

Subject to IASC approval, Virgin Australia will return to long-haul flying in June 2025, with flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha. 

Flights from Melbourne to Doha are scheduled to commence in December 2025. These flights will be operated utilising aircraft wet-leased from Qatar Airways. 

Virgin Australia’s new Doha flights will connect to Qatar Airways’ global network, including more than 100 new connecting itineraries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

AAV clinches core profit closes Covid chapter

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 3 March 2025: Asia Aviation Public Company Limited (AAV), the sole shareholder of Thai AirAsia Company Limited (TAA), has delivered a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter ended 31 December 2024 (4Q2024), reinforcing its growth momentum and operational resilience as travel demand continues to be on an uptrend.

Revenue from sales and services stood at THB13,226 million, an increase of 6% year-on-year. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to THB3,396 million, a 7% increase YoY. Core profit, which excluded losses from foreign exchange, was recorded at THB1,454 million, a 40% increase YoY. Total passenger traffic reached 5.5 million, representing an 8% growth YoY, with a passenger load factor of 89%.

For the full financial year ended 31 December 2024 (FY2024), AAV reported revenue from sales and services of THB49,436 million, a 20% increase compared to the previous year. EBITDA was recorded at THB10,171 million, a 43% increase YoY. Notably, the core profit marked its first positive result since the pandemic, at THB3,007 million, signalling the end of the Covid pandemic and a return to growth. 

Total passenger traffic for FY2024 was 20.8 million, a 10% increase compared to the previous year, with a passenger load factor of 91%, reflecting continued high travel demand, particularly in the domestic market. The full-year passenger mix was 63% domestic and 37% international. The fleet expanded to 60 aircraft by year-end, following the addition of four new planes.

Moving forward

The company remains focused on accelerating growth despite ongoing challenges by leveraging its service excellence and modern fleet. It targets a mid-teens percentage YoY revenue increase in sales and services, supported by adding six Airbus A321neo aircraft, bringing its fleet to 66 aircraft by year-end.

With a strong commitment to reinforcing its market leadership, the company aims to consistently boost its domestic market share above 40%, driven by network expansion from its Suvarnabhumi base. 

In early February, Thai AirAsia launched two new domestic routes – Suvarnabhumi-Udon Thani and Suvarnabhumi-Khon Kaen—bringing its total Suvarnabhumi network to six routes. Further international expansion is planned throughout the year, including direct flights from Thailand and the strategic utilisation of Fifth Freedom rights. With these initiatives, the company aims to serve 23 to 24 million passengers in 2025, setting a new record.

2025 Tropical Cities Tourism Event heads for Sanya

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 28 February 2025: Sanya Tourism Board (STB) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), have whittled down the date options for the 2025 Tropical Coastal Cities Tourism Event to the first or second week of November 2025.

Sanya Tourism Board will continue to host the second edition following the event’s inaugural launch in 2024, which was backed by the PATA Travel Association. Finalised dates and a conference theme should be announced shortly.

Photo credit: Sanya Tourism Board.

The event will bring together leaders, experts, and stakeholders from tropical coastal destinations to exchange insights and foster collaboration in tourism development, sustainability, and cultural exchange. 

Sanya Tourism Board reports that a key highlight will be the establishment of the Tropical Island Tourism Alliance (TITA), a new platform aimed at promoting cooperation among tropical coastal destinations.

The annual event is a by-product of a collaboration between PATA and the Sanya Tourism Board, signed last year and valid for three years, to develop tourism in tropical coastal cities through innovative international tourism marketing strategies that support local communities and champion sustainable development. 

Key event features

  • Insight-sharing sessions.   
  • One-on-one meetings with tourism enterprises.   
  • Local cultural performances.  
  • Business Matching.

The aim of the 2025 event is to establish a charter for the Tropical Coastal Cities Tourism Alliance.

Collaboration

The event is organised by the Bureau of Tourism, Culture, Radio, TV and Sports of Sanya City and Sanya Tourism Board and supported by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).   

The partnership between the Sanya Tourism Board and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) involves a multi-year collaboration which kicks off with the annual co-hosting of the Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event for an initial three years, 2024 to 2026. 

Goals

To boost tourism consumption.
To establish Sanya as an international tourism hub.
To allow for the exchange of best practices and solutions among coastal cities.   

To find the most up-to-date information regarding the 2025 event, keep an eye on the websites:
The Sanya Tourism Board: https://www.visitsanya.com/en/
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA): https://www.visitsanya.com/en/ 

The three-year collaboration sees the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) partnering with the Sanya Tourism Board to focus on sustainable tourism growth in Hainan and other Asia Pacific tropical islands. 

During last year’s partnership launch, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid commented: “On behalf of the association, I am pleased to solidify our collaboration with Sanya. We can elevate tropical islands and coastal destinations as premier travel hubs by joining forces.

“PATA is dedicated to helping these destinations worldwide uncover their unique strengths and create more meaningful travel experiences that attract international visitors while preserving their rich cultural heritage and protecting their extraordinary natural resources.

“Sanya, as the most representative tropical coastal city in China – it has rich tourism resources and unique geographical advantages – is one of PATA’s important cooperative partners for future development.”

The 2024 Tropical Coastal City Tourism Event convened last September was themed ‘The Next Wave: Shaping the Future of Tourism Marketing in Tropical Coastal Cities’. 

AirAsia offers fixed fares for Hari Raya

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 28 February 2025: AirAsia is providing fixed low-cost fares for Hari Raya Aidilfitri*** with more than 16,000 seats up for grabs on over 90 late-night flights between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.

From 28 March 2025 to 5 April 2025, travellers can enjoy fixed fares at MYR328* one-way between Kuala Lumpur and Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu, or Miri, as well as between Johor Bahru and Kuching and Sibu. Meanwhile, flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, or Tawau and Johor Bahru and Kota Kinabalu are available at MYR388* one-way.

These promotional fares are available for booking starting today until 5 April 2025 on airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.

In addition to more than 90 late-night flights at fixed fares on 10 routes between Peninsular and East Malaysia, AirAsia also operates 287 weekly flights at regular fares to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to support the government’s festive season initiative.

Malaysia’s  Minister of Transport YB Loke Siew Fook said: “The government remains committed to ensuring that air travel remains affordable and accessible for all Malaysians. Initiatives such as the MYR499** ceiling fare subsidy and the FLYsiswa programme are part of our continued efforts to ease the financial burden of travellers, particularly students commuting between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia. 

“As we work hand in hand with industry partners like AirAsia, our priority remains the well-being of the people by ensuring fair and reasonable airfares. AirAsia’s fixed-fare initiative for Hari Raya is a crucial step in making travel more inclusive, allowing more Malaysians to reunite with their loved ones without financial strain. This government and airline industry collaboration reflects our shared mission to serve the people, particularly during peak travel seasons.”

For more information, visit: AirAsia 

Guests travelling this festive season are encouraged to self-check in using the AirAsia MOVE app, which is available as early as 14 days before the departure date, and use the e-Boarding Pass to board the flight. Guests are also advised to arrive at least three hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights to clear all travel formalities during this peak period.

*Promotional fixed fares quoted are for one-way travel, including passenger service charges, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Valid for selected flights only. T&C apply.

**Flights with base fares that cost less than RM499 will be sold at the current fare. Fares are non-refundable and subject to other terms and conditions. The government’s subsidy for purchases of one-way economy class tickets of over RM499 from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan is applicable four days before Hari Raya.

***Eid al-Fitr › Malaysia  
Evening of Sun, 30 March, 2025 to Tue, 1 April, 2025
Public holiday: Mon, 31 March 2025 – Tue, 1 April 2025

Meliá signs resort on Phu Quoc

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TTR WEEKLY
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 28 February 2025: Meliá Hotels International is adding a new hotel to its pipeline through an agreement with local real estate developer CityLand Group. 

The two companies signed a hospitality management agreement on 20 February 2025 for a new five-star Meliá resort on the popular tropical island of Phu Quoc off Vietnam’s southern coast.

Meliá Phu Quoc Forest Bay will open in 2028 on a northern beach on the island. This will be the third Meliá property on Vietnam’s largest island, joining Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc in the northwest and SOL by Meliá Phu Quoc in the southern part of Phu Quoc. The new partnership is Meliá’s first with CityLand Group, a leading real estate developer in Vietnam.

Meliá Hotels International has expanded rapidly in Vietnam in the last three years, with 20 operational hotels and six in the pipeline.

Located on a 700-metre shoreline, Meliá Phu Quoc Forest Bay will cover a 21-hectare site in the Bai Thom master plan district—one of the most promising areas in northern Phu Quoc. The total planned area is 173 hectares. 

The project will be developed in two phases. Phase one (expected to open in 2028) involves the launch of approximately 128 luxury villas and 130 hotel rooms. Phase two (expected to be completed in 2030) will add approximately 108 villas, bringing the total room count to 773.

HBX drives Turkish Airlines Holidays

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 28 February 2025: HBX Group, an independent B2B travel technology marketplace, and PerfectStay, a travel company specialising in travel packaging technology, announce the strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines that has curated the launch of Turkish Airlines Holidays.

Turkish Airlines passengers will now have access to HBX Group’s extensive global inventory of hotels, experiences, and transfers, powered by PerfectStay’s dynamic packaging technology, allowing travellers to conveniently book customised travel packages tailored to their preferences. 

Passengers will have the best price guaranteed and bundled package benefits for holiday packages in over 60 countries and 200 destinations, including tailor-made holiday and tour programmes.

With Turkish Airlines being one of the largest and most influential airlines in the world, covering the largest global network of international flights, this collaboration is a significant milestone in the HBX Group’s strategic focus on airlines and loyalty programmes, a key segment that accounted for 13% of total transaction value (TTV) of HBX Group’s accommodation segment in 2024. Turkish Airlines Holidays also will announce its entry into the US market in the coming months.

HBX Group’s Nicolas Huss said: “Today’s travellers expect a seamless and connected booking experience. With this in mind, we are proud to embark on this strategic partnership with Turkish Airlines to launch Turkish Airlines Holidays. Through this collaboration, passengers can now enhance their journeys by combining flights with our extensive global inventory of accommodations, transfers and experiences, powered by PerfectStay’s advanced packaging technology, to create the ideal getaway. As a company dedicated to connecting global travel, we are thrilled about this opportunity and eager to shape the future of travel together.”

Turkish Airlines Chief Executive Officer Bilal Ekşi added: “We are excited to launch Turkish Airlines Holidays globally. Offering the convenience of booking an entire trip on a single platform, Turkish Airlines Holidays will redefine how travellers plan and experience their holidays.”

Chinese airlines add flight links to KUL

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 28 February 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed the arrival of China Southern Airlines’ inaugural flight from Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, earlier this week. 

The flight makes a stopover in Guangzhou on its way to Kuala Lumpur (KUL). 

The route from northwestern China to Kuala Lumpur operates twice weekly (Monday and Saturday) using a Boeing 737 with 152 seats. The airline plans to expand to daily flights starting in April 2025. The new service complements the airline’s direct Guangzhou-Kuala Lumpur flights, which operate five times weekly.

Guests on the inaugural flight from Urumqi were welcomed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 by a delegation led by the Tourism Malaysia director-general YBhg Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, representatives from China Southern Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), and Aero Darat, the airline’s ground handling agency.

Meanwhile, China Eastern Airlines introduced direct flights between Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in central China, and Kuala Lumpur on 23 February.

Xi’an is a significant urban hub in northwestern China, witnessing rapid population growth, especially among middle-class families with rising disposable income.

This new route will operate daily with a 156-seat A320 aircraft and complements China Eastern Airlines’ existing daily Kunming-Kuala Lumpur service.

AirAsia X also serves the Xi’an-Kuala Lumpur route, offering four weekly flights. (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday).

Codeshare fares open for Lufthansa Group airlines

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TTR WEEKLY
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ROME, 28 February 2025: Italian-based ITA Airways announces the launch of ticket sales for codeshare flights with five airlines from the Lufthansa Group: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Air Dolomiti, for travel starting 30 March.

With these codeshare agreements, passengers can book a single ticket, check in at the departure airport, and collect their baggage at their final destination.

ITA Airways passengers will enjoy greater choice and flexibility, with access to over 100 new connections starting from the upcoming summer season.

“The codeshare agreements with the Lufthansa Group airlines represent a key step towards a major increase in connectivity for our passengers, who will benefit from connections to more than a hundred new destinations,” said ITA Airways CEO and General Manager Joerg Eberhart. “This collaboration will not only enhance our customers’ travel experience but also mark the beginning of a phase of strategic synergies to strengthen our market position”.

Likewise, Lufthansa Group customers can easily reach destinations served by ITA Airways’ extensive network, including Italy’s most sought-after tourist locations, such as Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria, and Apulia. They will have access to both domestic destinations (such as Brindisi, Florence, Milan Linate, Palermo, Turin, and Venice) and international destinations, including Tirana, Sofia, Malta, and Athens, via ITA Airways’ hubs in Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate.

ITA Airways passengers will be able to fly under the AZ code on Lufthansa-operated flights from Frankfurt and Munich to several cities in Italy (Verona, Cagliari, Olbia, Bologna, Catania, Milan Linate and Malpensa, Rome, Naples, Venice, Florence, and Turin), in Germany (Hamburg, Berlin, Hanover, Düsseldorf, Dresden, and Bremen), and selected international destinations (Prague, Dublin and Krakow).

Through the partnership with SWISS, ITA Airways passengers will have access from Zurich to the major Italian cities (Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan, Venice, and Naples) as well as multiple international destinations within the Swiss carrier’s network, such as Warsaw, Copenhagen, and Stockholm.

The agreement with Austrian Airlines will allow ITA Airways customers to reach destinations served by the Austrian airline from Vienna, both in Italy (Rome, Cagliari, Naples, Palermo, Bari, Milan Malpensa, and Florence) and across Europe, including Innsbruck, Warsaw, Podgorica, Chișinău, and Varna.

Additionally, with Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways passengers can travel from Brussels to several Italian destinations (Milan Malpensa, Venice, Bologna). Air Dolomiti will offer numerous connections to within Italty (Venice, Florence, Turin, Milan Linate and Malpensa, Verona, Bologna, Cagliari) from Munich and Frankfurt, as well as one international route to Krakow.

In addition to the convenience of a single ticket, allowing check-in at the departure airport and baggage collection at the final destination, members of ITA Airways’ loyalty program, Volare, will be able to earn and redeem points on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines.

Moreover, an exclusive commercial offer will enable them to earn extra points on their flights between 1 March and 15 April 2025. Similarly, the 36 million members of Miles & More, Lufthansa Group’s frequent flyer programme, can earn and redeem points on all ITA Airways flights.

These new commercial agreements, along with the partnership between Volare and Miles & More, mark the first major synergies between the Italian carrier and Lufthansa Group, following the completion of the transaction that officially brought ITA Airways into the German Group. 

Khiri Travel showcases sensory and colonial-themed tours

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 28 February 2025: Khiri Travel will present a new lineup of sensory urban day tours in five Southeast Asian countries and multi-day colonial tours featuring ornate 19th-century mansions and heritage hotels at the ITB Berlin from 4 to 6 March.

The sensory urban day tours have been launched in five countries — Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam — with Laos, Philippines, and Myanmar coming soon. In each of the private, guided tours, guests will experience sights such as sunsets from golden stupas, the smell of fresh turmeric as they make a herbal drink, the sound of Balinese gamelan or Sri Lankan baila music, mind-boggling tastes – need we say more, this is Asia – and the physical touch of a good massage or yoga session.

Consolidating its role as a product-first DMC, Khiri Travel has also launched a series of heritage and history tours ranging from nine to 13 days in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines and Laos, with Myanmar to follow. The focus is on colonial-era mansions, antique decor and grand estates from the times of Henri Mouhot and Francis Garnier.

Guests get to stay at heritage-era buildings repurposed as hotels, such as The Phoenix Hotel in Yogyakarta, Azerai La Residence in Hue, 137 Pillars in Chiang Mai, and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bataan. They can also enjoy expert insights from historians such as Francis Engelmann in Luang Prabang and, in Hoi An, Rehahn, an award-winning photographer specialising in the ethnic groups of Vietnam. 

“Whether you are an architecture enthusiast, a history lover, or simply seeking a journey through time, our history and heritage mansion house tours promise a deep connection to the elegance, intrigue, and timeless beauty of Asia’s colonial-related past,” says Khiri Travel Group Product Coordinator Sofia Tan.

Enhanced Agent Hub

In-depth details on each of the senses and mansions tour series have been uploaded to Khiri Travel’s online Agent Hub, which is being upgraded and will be released as a soft launch at ITB Berlin, 4-6 March. Agents can also view all newly featured Khiri specialist tours, sample itineraries, and an online photo gallery. They can use the Hub’s images to market and promote Khiri products.

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