JOHOR BAHRU, 22 January 2025: AirAsia MOVE’s ASEAN Explorer Pass gained a shoutout at the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Forum closing ceremony on Monday as an initiative that makes travel accessible and inclusive across the ASEAN region.
The ASEAN Explorer Pass by AirAsia MOVE is an annual travel pass that allows subscribers to explore the ASEAN region of 10 member countries through AirAsia’s international and domestic flight network.
AirAsia Move gets a Shoutout for the ASEAN Explorer Pass.
They can also enjoy hotel discounts and connectivity on-ground through AirAsia Ride for an entire year from the subscription date, aside from seasonal perks throughout the year.
AirAsia MOVE CEO Nadia Omer said: “We are honoured to have ASEAN Explorer Pass featured as an initiative that promotes travel across ASEAN, as part of the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Forum closing ceremony.
“As an online travel agent (OTA), we hope each ASEAN country’s national flag carrier will consider being part of the ASEAN Explorer Pass, and look forward to having conversations…to unlock even more destinations across ASEAN for the world to experience.”
In line with the 2025 ASEAN Tourism Forum’s theme, ‘Unity in Motion: Shaping ASEAN’s Tourism Tomorrow’, the ASEAN Explorer Pass enables travellers to explore the region beyond the popular destinations and main tier-1 cities. It showcases the hidden gems of each ASEAN member country.
Since its launch in April 2024, over 25,000 trips have been completed across ASEAN, including cities such as Makassar, Jogjakarta, Danang, Johor Bahru, Chiang Mai, and many more, aside from popular tourist destinations.
Promotions are underway, and subscribers can enjoy more value with an 8% discount, valid until midnight on 7 February, by applying the promo code EXPLOREASEAN at checkout.
AirAsia MOVE’s ecosystem includes OTA services such as flight bookings from over 700 airlines, including AirAsia and over a million hotels worldwide, airport rides, online duty-free shopping, and travel insurance. A robust loyalty programme, AirAsia Rewards, underpins it.
SINGAPORE, 21 January 2025: IHG Hotels & Resorts has been named the official hotel partner for the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) hosted in Singapore from 2 to 9 February after qualifying rounds on 30 January and 1 February.
IHG in a press statement on Monday, said the stage was set, and “excitement is building for Singapore Smash 2025, the first World Table Tennis (WTT) Grand Smash of the year.”
Photo credit: IHG. Singapore Smash Table Tennis.
With 13 hotels in Singapore, IHG will get table tennis fans closer to all the action on the court. The multifaceted partnership will also include displaying IHG’s logo across digital and printed perimeter displays at the Infinity ∞ Arena at the Singapore Sports Hub.
“Our 13 Singapore properties are ready to welcome the world’s best table tennis players, their teams, and fans to experience true hospitality for all. To us, this is more than a partnership—it’s a shared vision to bring people together through sport, passion, and the energy of Singapore as the Lion City celebrates its 60th in 2025,” said IHG Hotels & Resorts, Southeast Asia & Korea Managing Director, Vivek Bhalla.
As one of the largest international sporting events in the region, Singapore Smash 2025 will light up the Infinity ∞ Arena at the Singapore Sports Hub from 2 to 9 February, with qualifying rounds from 30 January to 1 February. Finals day tickets are already sold out.
BANGKOK, 21 January 2025: AirAsia is expanding flights to India through its Phuket hub by adding direct flights to Kochi, a port city and financial and commercial capital of Kerala state, India.
Starting on 11 April 2025, Phuket will have three weekly flights (Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday) to Kochi. This will give Phuket direct flights to three Indian cities: Kochi, Chennai, and Kolkata.
AirAsia offers a special promotional fare starting from THB3690 (one way). Ticket sales are open until midnight 2 February 2025 for travel from 11 April until midnight 24 October 2025.
Flight schedule
Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya said: “Phuket is already a top destination for Indian travellers… The airline looks forward to connecting more visitors from India with even more direct trips to Phuket.”
Kochi is an important port and industrial city in India, serving as the commercial capital of Kerala state. (Thiruvananthapuram is the administrative capital of Kerala.)
The coastal city’s direct access to the Arabian Sea prompted the moniker “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” Tourists visit Kochi for its beautiful attractions, ranging from backwater boathouse cruises to viewing the over 500-year-old practice of Chinese fishnet fishing, which, while once distinctly Chinese practice, has become a signature of Kerala today.
AirAsia currently flies to 13 Indian cities via 16 routes, from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Kolkata, Chennai, Jaipur, Kochi, Bengaluru, Gaya, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Visakhapatnam, Tiruchirappalli, Hyderabad and Delhi, and from Phuket to Chennai, Kolkata and now Kochi.
SINGAPORE, 21 January 2025: Seabourn, a luxury and expedition cruise line, has unveiled its 2026 itineraries to the Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic.
Between August and October 2026, Seabourn Venture will offer six voyages ranging from eight to 24 days. The voyages will traverse the historic routes of the Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic before sailing south to explore the Caribbean, South America, and Antarctica. The expedition voyages are now on sale, and dates and full itinerary details are available on the cruise line’s website.
Photo credit: Seabourn. Seabourn Venture explores the Northwest Passage and Canadian Arctic before sailing south to the Caribbean, South America, and Antarctica.
Northwest Passage Experiences
Seabourn Venture will offer two “24-day Journey Across the Northwest Passage” expeditions between Reykjavik, Iceland and Anchorage, Alaska, departing on 5 August and 29 August 2026 as well as one “15-day Wild Labrador Coast: Missions, Fjords & Wilderness” departing 30 September 20 from Reykjavik to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Additionally, two combination cruises are available for a longer, more immersive experience: a “35-day Glaciers, Fjords & Northwest Passage” voyage from Reykjavik to Anchorage and a “38-day Northwest Passage & Wild Labrador Coast” itinerary from Anchorage to Halifax.
Caribbean, South America and Antarctica
Following the Northwest Passage voyages, in October 2026, Seabourn Venture will journey south to the Caribbean and South America, offering three voyages ranging from eight to 21 days.
5 to 13 October 2026: An “eight-day Southern Caribbean Yacht Harbors” voyage from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Bridgetown, Barbados, featuring visits to Rodney Bay (Saint Lucia) and Carambola Beach. While this itinerary does not feature expedition programming, guests can immerse themselves in Seabourn’s signature yacht-like atmosphere and traditional ocean cruise experiences, enhanced by a ship carrying only 264 guests.
Seabourn Venture offers the same luxurious small ship experience that travellers have come to expect from Seabourn, enhanced by equipment that allows the line to offer its widest range of expedition activities. Designed and built for remote, diverse environments to PC6 Polar Class standards, the ship includes a plethora of modern hardware and technology that extends the ship’s global deployment and capabilities.
SINGAPORE, 21 January 2025: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) opposes the UK Home Office’s proposal to increase the costs of UK Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) by 60% to GBP 16.
“Proposing to increase ETA costs just a week after the system was introduced is bewildering,” IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh commented. “If implemented, it would be a self-inflicted blow to the UK’s tourism competitiveness. In November, the UK government laid out plans to increase tourist arrivals by 30% to reach 50 million annually by 2030 in pursuit of tourism’s economic benefits.
“Gouging these travellers with a 60% increase in the ETA is a very bad start. The added cost would come on top of the Air Passenger Duty (APD) — the biggest travel tax in the world — which will increase again in April. And let’s not forget that travellers have a choice, and the EU’s ETIAS will be better value — costing about a third as much as this proposed pricing and lasting a year longer.
It’s time for the UK government to see the big picture. It has everything to gain by making the UK a more cost-competitive travel destination—including the substantial tax revenues that travellers generate. It makes no sense to discourage visitors with high costs even before they set foot in the country.”
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme is a new system that requires most non-visa nationals to obtain permission to travel to the UK before they arrive. This includes tourists, business travellers, and people transiting through the UK. The ETA is not a visa but an essential step in the process of entering the UK.
UK tourism industry concerns
The UK tourism industry has expressed several concerns regarding the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme.
Increased Costs: The proposed 60% increase in the ETA fee from £10 to £16 is a major concern. Industry leaders argue that this significant price hike could deter visitors, especially budget travellers and those from developing countries, negatively impacting tourism revenue.
Competitive Disadvantage: The higher ETA fee in the UK compared to similar schemes in other countries, such as the EU’s ETIAS, creates a competitive disadvantage for the UK tourism sector. This could lead to travellers choosing alternative destinations with lower or no entry fees.
Impact on Visitor Numbers: The tourism industry fears that the increased costs associated with the ETA, combined with potential delays in the application process, could discourage visitors from choosing the UK as their travel destination. This could result in a decline in visitor numbers and a significant loss of revenue for the industry.
Damage to the UK’s Image: The industry believes that the increased ETA fee sends a negative message about the UK’s openness to international visitors. This could damage the UK’s image as a welcoming and accessible travel destination, further deterring potential tourists.
These concerns highlight the potential negative impact of the ETA scheme on the UK tourism industry. The industry is urging the government to reconsider the proposed fee increase and implement measures to ensure the scheme does not hinder the tourism sector’s recovery and growth.
UK aviation and tourism support 1.6 million jobs and contribute USD160.7 billion to the UK’s GDP. For further details, check out the IATA Value of Air Transport to the United Kingdom study.
BANGKOK, 21 January 2025: Myanmar Airways International has increased flights from its home base, Yangon, to Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand while increasing flights from three to four weekly from Yangon to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, earlier this month.
MAI introduced additional daily flights between its home base, Yangon in Myanmar and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), effective 20 January. It raises flights to 35 weekly (five daily using A320s with 180 seats on the route).
Earlier this month, the airline also increased flights between Yangon and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand from three to four weekly, deploying an ATR72 with 68 seats (departing Yangon at 1150 on Tuesday) and an Embraer 190 with 98 seats (departing Yangon at 1230 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday).
MAI also introduced a fourth weekly flight from Yangon to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, every Monday, effective 15 January 2025. The additional flight departs for Phnom Penh at 1640 and arrives at 1910. The Monday, Wednesday, and Friday flights use an Embraer 190 with 98 seats. The Sunday flight departs an hour earlier at 1540 and uses an ATR72 with 68 seats.
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 January 2025: The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) announced Monday that Qantas Airways Limited has joined AAPA effective immediately.
“We are very pleased and honoured to welcome Qantas Airways as a member of AAPA. Qantas, a leading Australian airline with a long heritage, will not only strengthen the Association’s voice in international aviation policy discussions but also reinforce effective regional collaboration on key aviation tenets, namely safety, sustainability, and seamless air travel,” said AAPA Director General Subhas Menon
Cam Wallace Chief Executive Officer, Qantas International and Freight.
Qantas Chief Executive Officer of International and Freight Cam Wallace said: “Qantas looks forward to working with members of AAPA as the industry embraces opportunities to meet the evolving needs of customers in a dynamic market while at the same time confronting challenges such as climate change and supply chain disruptions. Airlines can share best practices and experiences in many areas to benefit the travelling public”.
AAPA is the trade association for scheduled international airlines based in the Asia Pacific region. Its permanent secretariat is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has international representation in Brussels in Belgium (EU) and Washington DC (USA) for government aviation affairs.
SINGAPORE, 20 January 2025: Ponant Explorations Group, a small ship expedition cruise operator, acquires a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions, a specialist for river and ocean cruises in South America and Southeast Asia.
This strategic acquisition, backed by Artémis Group, the Pinault family’s investment company, which owns prestigious fashion houses, will empower Aqua Expeditions to continue expanding its footprint globally and enable the company’s growth as a destination specialist.
Aqua Expeditions currently operates river explorations in the Peruvian Amazon and the Mekong Delta (Cambodia and Vietnam), and coastal yacht voyages in East Indonesia — Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands, Raja Ampat, and Asmat — and the Galapagos Islands.
Its founder and CEO, Francesco Galli Zugaro, will remain a shareholder and, along with his senior management team, will continue to lead the company as a stand-alone business unit.
This transaction comes at a pivotal time as Aqua Expeditions ramps up the launch of its East Africa itineraries, exploring the Seychelles and Tanzania, with a particular focus on the Aldabra group of islands.
Ponant Explorations Group has a fleet of 14 French-flagged small ships.
DUBAI, UAE, 20 January 2025: Following Emirates’ successful launch to Madagascar in September 2024, the airline will add flights to the island nation, boosting its schedule from four to six-weekly services, starting 2 April 2025.
The move reinforces the airline’s commitment to supporting Madagascar’s tourism ambitions, including accommodating more leisure visitors and promoting the island destination to global audiences.
Madagascar’s Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Tourism, and Emirates announced the boost in operations last week at a press conference in Antananarivo in response to strong demand for its passenger services between the capital city and Dubai.
Since flights commenced last year, Emirates has witnessed tremendous demand for its passenger services, both inbound and outbound, between Antananarivo and Dubai. With the current four weekly flights operating at near full capacity, the significant uplift to the number of seats offered on the route will support Madagascar’s efforts to increase visitor arrivals into the country while also providing more choice and convenience for travellers to plan trips to and from the popular Indian Ocean destination.
Announcing the expansion of Emirates’ services to the island at the press conference, Emirates’ Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for West Asia and the Indian Ocean Essa Sulaiman Ahmad said: “Our growing flight schedule to the island means better connectivity, more choices, and more convenient options for travellers. Enhancing services will also strengthen the economic ties between Madagascar and the UAE by supporting more inbound and outbound leisure and business travel to the island and bolstering trade lanes with additional cargo capacity. As tourism to Madagascar flourishes, local businesses thrive, generating a ripple effect that benefits the local communities. We would like to thank the authorities, the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Tourism for their support, and we look forward to strengthening our connections and supporting the nation’s development as it looks towards the future.”
Emirates temporarily increased its services to meet seasonal demand from four to five weekly flights. The new frequency significantly boosts its operations and capacity on the route.
“We have been diligently supporting the country’s tourism agenda by promoting the destination across our network, which is evident from the healthy bookings, and we will make every effort to continue raising awareness around the vibrant island’s unique charm and stunning natural landscapes to support sustainable traffic growth,” added Ahmad.
The expanded schedule between Dubai and Antananarivo, linked via Mahe, will operate on all days except Mondays.
Flights EK707 and EK708 are scheduled to operate as follows (all times are local):
Tickets can be booked immediately on emirates.com, Emirates World retail stores, the Emirates App, and through travel agencies. Holiday packages can also be booked through Emirates Holidays and other tour operators worldwide.
Highlighting the importance of Emirates’ additional flights to Madagascar, Minister of Transport and Meteorology, His Excellency Dr Manambahoaka Valéry F Ramonjavelo said: “Since February 2024, we have accelerated the strengthening of trust between the United Arab Emirates and Madagascar, and the air connectivity provided by Emirates contributes to these ties being built between our two countries. The increase to six weekly frequencies by Emirates is a strong signal of confidence in the country, particularly in the tourism destination of the Great Island. We are on the right path to achieving more than one daily flight.”
Madagascar’s Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Viviane Dewa, added: “The arrival of Emirates, with direct flights to Madagascar, has been a breath of fresh air for our tourism sector. This flight has connected our island to over 140 destinations worldwide, opening up new opportunities for promoting Madagascar as a destination. Our ambitious target of reaching one million tourists by 2028 will be significantly supported by the continued improvement of air connectivity, particularly through major hubs such as Dubai, and by collaborating with renowned airlines such as Emirates. On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts of Madagascar, we look forward to further strengthening the partnership with Emirates to provide smoother air transport and welcome more international tourists, thereby contributing to the growth of our tourism sector.”
Emirates has supported Madagascar’s tourism agenda by promoting it as a top leisure destination to its global network of tour operators. Its efforts have included planning familiarisation trips for 32 of its top travel agencies from major feeder markets to visit the island. Amongst the island’s main attractions, Madagascar is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites and is celebrated for its thriving biodiversity.
Over the past few months, the airline has experienced strong demand from the UAE, Sri Lanka, France, the UK, mainland China, Japan, Spain, and Italy to Madagascar. From Madagascar, travellers have mainly ventured to Dubai, the hub city of Emirates, in addition to Seychelles, France, India, Sri Lanka, Italy and Japan.
With the boost to services to Madagascar, Emirates’ flights aboard the Boeing 777 aircraft allow additional cargo capacity for imports and exports, with the ability to uplift up to 20 tonnes of cargo per flight in the aircraft’s bellyhold.
Bangkok, 20 January 2025: BWHHotels, the leading global hospitality network comprised of WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, has continued its rapid expansion in Bangkok with the opening of SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak, a modern hotel in the trendy Ari district of the Thai capital.
It is close to the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market and within easy reach of Bangkok’s commercial centre. Located in a quiet residential street steps from the main Phahonyothin Road and a short walk from Saphan Kwai BTS Skytrain station, this newly rebranded hotel puts visitors in the heart of this vibrant district. Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of Asia’s largest markets with more than 15,000 stalls, is approximately 2 km away, and the downtown Siam district, with its world-class lifestyle malls, can be reached in only six Skytrain stops. The property is conveniently situated for all guests, as local restaurants and shops surround it. SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak is close to the ViMUT International Hospital. Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport is just 19 km away.
SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak features 157 contemporary rooms, an outdoor swimming pool with serene relaxation areas, a fitness centre, a speciality coffee roaster and eatery, and an on-site restaurant for breakfast.
“I am delighted to unveil SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak, our latest hotel in Thailand’s dynamic capital city. This newly rebranded hotel demonstrates the strength of SureStay Hotels by providing an opportunity for independent properties to leverage the power of an international brand,” said BWH Hotels Vice President – APAC Olivier Berrivin.
“This modern hotel offers business and leisure travellers the assurance of an exceptional stay, backed by the renowned standards of BWH Hotels. Plus, Best Western Rewards members, our award-winning loyalty programme, can enjoy exclusive benefits and earn points”.
With the launch of SureStay by Best Western Iconic Ari-Jatujak, BWH Hotels now offers a comprehensive portfolio of 14 hotels in Bangkok, covering seven of its industry-leading brands: Best Western, Best Western Plus, Vīb, SureStay by Best Western, SureStay Plus by Best Western, SureStay Collection by Best Western, and WorldHotels Elite. This makes it one of the city’s leading hotel operators.
