Monday, August 4, 2025
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Emirates and IHG support SMEs

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DUBAI UAE, 4 August 2025: Emirates and IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaborations on programmes designed to meet the travel needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across global markets. 

The signing ceremony was attended by Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management; Matthew Jones, VP-USA, Emirates; Ashraf Baytam, Senior Manager Global Business Travel, Emirates; and Ryan Plemmons, Vice President, Global Sales Strategy, IHG Hotels & Resorts.

Together, Emirates and IHG will explore ways to reach and engage with SMEs through value-added benefits and exclusive rewards to facilitate business travel. The hotel group will provide enhanced travel incentives and seamless integration with its extensive portfolio of hotels and resorts around the globe.

Present at the signing ceremony was Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President for Passenger Sales and Country Management, who commented: “With the SME segment playing a crucial role in fostering economic growth and creating jobs, Emirates is committed to supporting them with solutions and value-added propositions to meet their travel needs.

We are pleased to collaborate with the leading hotel group, IHG Hotels & Resorts, to explore programmes that will be mutually beneficial to our valued customers. Together we aim to extend valuable benefits to our customers in the SME sector, while expanding our customer base in this crucial segment.”

Mark Sergot, SVP, Global Sales, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Emirates to redefine business travel for Small and Medium Enterprises worldwide.

This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to delivering exceptional value, seamless experiences, and exclusive rewards tailored to the unique needs of SMEs.

By combining IHG’s hospitality expertise with Emirates’ global connectivity, we are unlocking new possibilities to empower businesses and drive growth across international markets.

For information on the airline or to make a booking, visit www.emirates.com.

Sarawak’s hotels present key performance metrics

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KUCHING, 4 August 2025: The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), through its agency Tourism Malaysia, recently hosted the Hotel Data Refinement Session with Sarawak’s Hotel Industry in conjunction with the Presentation of Appreciation Certificates to Hotel Survey Samples in Sarawak. 

The event was held at the Hilton Hotel Kuching and marked the first engagement of its kind for the year.

Hotel Data Refinement Session with Sarawak’s Hotel Industry.

The session was officiated by Tourism Malaysia Deputy Director General (Planning) Shahrin Mokhtar, and brought together key tourism and hospitality stakeholders in Sarawak, including representatives from the Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), Sarawak Chapter, Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Sarawak Chapter, Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF), Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), and the National Property Information Centre (NAPIC) Sarawak.

Organised by the Strategic Planning Division of Tourism Malaysia, the session served as a platform to present the latest findings from the quarterly Paid Accommodation Survey (also known as the hotel survey), which captures key performance metrics such as Average Occupancy Rate (AOR), Average Room Rate (ARR), and guest arrivals, both domestic and international.

In addition to data sharing, a refresher on the survey’s reporting procedures was provided to ensure consistent and accurate data submission.

The session was also supported by newly appointed hotel officers in understanding their roles, while offering a platform for industry players to share feedback, challenges, and suggestions to improve the survey’s implementation and relevance.

According to Shahrin, this engagement is timely as the country prepares for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). 

“Reliable and high-quality data is essential in supporting our national tourism agenda.

The hotel survey plays a vital role not only for Tourism Malaysia but also as a key reference for policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders,” he said.

To acknowledge outstanding contributions, Tourism Malaysia also presented certificates of appreciation and Visit Malaysia 2026 promotional materials to hotel operators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and consistency in data submission. 

This recognition reflects the agency’s appreciation for their continued support in enhancing national tourism data.

Malaysia continues to experience a strong recovery in tourism. In 2024, the country welcomed 38 million international visitors — a 31.1% increase from 2023 and 8.3% higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

The positive momentum has carried into 2025, with 13.4 million visitor arrivals recorded from January to April, representing a 21.0% year-on-year increase. 

Singapore remained Malaysia’s top source market, followed by Indonesia, China, Thailand, India, Brunei, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, and the UK.

InterContinental Halong Bay opens

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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2025: InterContinental Halong Bay Resort has officially opened its doors in Ha Long Bay, one of Vietnam’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage destinations.

InterContinental Halong Bay Resort & Residences – Exterior (Rendering).

Located two hours from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, InterContinental Halong Bay Resort features 174 rooms and suites, 60 residences, 41 private villas, alongside six F&B venues and restaurants and five event spaces for corporate meetings, weddings, and milestone celebrations. 

Anchoring the resort’s wellness offering is the newly unveiled Hidden Lagoon Spa, a sanctuary that presents treatments curated in partnership with luxury wellness brands Sodashi and Margaret Dabbs London. 

Opening Offer: Tranquillity Awaits

To celebrate its grand opening, the resort offers its Tranquillity Awaits package, available now through 31 October 2025.

The offer includes:

  • Daily breakfast
  • Morning coffee tasting at Marina Kitchen
  • A curated programme of resort activities
  • Special welcome amenities

Guests can also choose one of five experiences:

  • A three-course signature dinner at La Baguette or Marina Kitchen
  • Afternoon tea with panoramic bay views at Vue
  • Sunset cocktail tasting with the resort’s Head Mixologist at Del Mar
  • A floating sunrise breakfast in the privacy of their villa pool
  • VND 1,000,000 resort credit redeemable at the spa or any dining venue

Sort out your Spring 2026 fare deals

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HO CHI MINH CITY, 4 August 2025: Vietjet introduces its double day 8/8 August discount campaign with up to 80% off on tickets (*) for early bird bookers planning trips for the 2026 Lunar New Year across Vietnam and worldwide.

The ticket purchase window is open 0000 to 2300 on 8 August 2025 (GMT+7), using the VJ80 code when booking Eco tickets on the airline’s website or the Vietjet Air app to obtain an 80% discount (*). 

Photo credit: Vietjet.

The offer applies to all Vietjet flights, with travel dates from 15 September 2025 to 27 May 2026 (**).

Vietjet will sell domestic flight tickets from the North to the South before Tet holidays and from the South to the North after Tet at promotional prices to serve people celebrating Tet.

The deal is also available for round-trip fares on flights from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to all destinations. Popular destinations include Sydney (Australia), Mumbai (India), and Shanghai (China).

Asian Trails hires new chief tech officer

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BANGKOK, 4 August 2025: Asian Trails has confirmed the appointment of Sushil Mankar as Chief Technology Officer, succeeding Marcel Grifoll, who has been an integral part of Asian Trails for the past 13 years.

With over two decades of IT leadership experience, Mankar brings a wealth of knowledge in driving digital transformation within the travel industry.

Asian Trails’ Chief Technology Officer Sushil Mankar

In his previous role as Senior Vice President of IT at Thomas Cook India, he led the implementation of core applications and IT systems across 23 countries.

He will lead the expansion of Asian Trails’ digital strategy, including eConnect, the company’s real-time B2B booking platform, along with other industry-leading technologies.

Commenting on his appointment, Mankar said: “I am excited to join Asian Trails and lead the technology team into the future of innovation and growth.

“My focus will be on fostering a collaborative environment, driving strategic technology initiatives and delivering exceptional value to our customers and people.”

Sushil succeeds Marcel Grifoll, who has been an integral part of Asian Trails for the past 13 years. He played a key role in the company’s growth, first as Group CFO/COO and more recently as head of our technology division since 2022.

Commenting on his time with Asian Trails, Grifoll said: “It has been a fascinating journey since I joined Asian Trails in 2012, and I am happy to have been able to contribute in key strategic areas to shape Asian Trails’ ongoing success and digital transformation process.

Malaysia promotes stargazing holidays

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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2025: Tourism Malaysia is showcasing its latest eco-tourism initiative, the Stargazing Packages, a curated collection of over 30 ready-to-book experiences designed for astronomy enthusiasts of the night sky. 

Malaysia’s High Commissioner to Singapore, Dato Indera Dr Azfar Mohamad Mustafar, officiated at the launch during the 8th edition of Malaysia Fest 2025, which concluded on 3 August 2025.

Stargazing holidays take centre stage at Malaysia Fest 2025.

The initiative aims to position Malaysia as a premier destination for eco-adventure tourism by highlighting its pristine natural landscapes and unpolluted night skies, ideal for stargazing. 

The packages offered Malaysia’s most breathtaking stargazing destinations, such as Bukit Merah, Pantai Pengkalan Balak, Desaru, Perlis, Pantai Tok Bali, and several others, known for their spectacular celestial views.

In addition to the stargazing launch, Tourism Malaysia’s pavilion at the festival, which opened on 31 July, showcased a diverse range of tourism products and services from Peninsular and East Malaysia.

Featuring 16 co-exhibitors, the pavilion offered visitors the chance to explore travel deals, healthcare tourism, theme park attractions, and resort stays.

Tourism Malaysia Singapore director Norliza Md Zain said: “By offering exclusive travel deals and curated tour experiences, Tourism Malaysia Singapore created a dynamic platform that connects Malaysian tourism stakeholders with the growing appetite of Singaporean travellers seeking memorable journeys.”

Care Luxury Hotels & Resorts, KPJ Healthcare, Hospitality 360, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa, and Sunway Theme Parks presented attractive packages at the festival.

Singapore remained Malaysia’s leading source of international visitor arrivals. From January to May 2025, Malaysia recorded 8.3 million visitors from Singapore, a 26.5% increase compared to the same period last year, signalling strong year-on-year growth. 

For 2025, Malaysia targets 43 million international visits, paving the way towards the upcoming Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026).

Passenger growth slows to 2.6% in June

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SINGAPORE, 4 August 2025: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data for June 2025 showing global passenger demand measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK), improving 2.6% compared to June 2024 but at a slower pace than registered in previous months. 

Total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was also up 3.4% year-on-year. The June load factor was 84.5% (-0.6 ppt compared to June 2024).

International demand rose 3.2% compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 4.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.4% (-0.8 ppt compared to June 2024).

Domestic demand increased 1.6% compared to June 2024. Capacity was up 2.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 84.7% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).

IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh commented: “Demand for air travel grew by 2.6% in June. That’s a slower pace than we have seen in previous months and reflects disruptions around military conflict in the Middle East. With demand growth lagging the 3.4% capacity expansion, load factors dipped 0.6 percentage points from their all-time record-high levels. At 84.5% globally, however, load factors are still powerful. And with a modest 1.8% capacity growth visible in August schedules, load factors over the northern summer are unlikely to stray far from their recent historic highs”.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

International RPK growth reached 3.2% in June year-on-year, but load factor fell across all regions as capacity growth outstripped demand. The steepest fall in RPK growth from May was in the Middle East, where international traffic contracted 0.4% year-on-year, impacted by military conflict.

Asia-Pacific airlines achieved a 7.2% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 7.5% year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.9% (-0.2 ppt compared to June 2024).

European carriers had a 2.8% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 3.3% year-on-year, and the load factor was 87.4% (-0.4 ppt compared to June 2024).

North American carriers saw a 0.3% year-on-year fall in demand. Capacity increased 2.2% year-on-year, and the load factor was 86.9% (-2.2 ppt compared to June 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a 0.4% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity increased 1.1% year-on-year, and the load factor was 78.7% (-1.2 ppt compared to June 2024). Military conflict particularly impacted traffic on routes to North America (-7.0% year-on-year) and Europe (-4.4% year-on-year).

Latin American airlines saw a 9.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 11.8% year-on-year. The load factor was 83.3% (-1.9 ppt compared to June 2024).

African airlines saw a 0.3% year-on-year decrease in demand. Capacity was up 0.3% year-on-year. The load factor was 74.6% (-0.5 ppt compared to June 2024). The decline in African load factor may be due to increased competition from European and Middle Eastern carriers.

HK Express links Hong Kong and Subang

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HONG KONG, 4 August 2025: HK Express Airways (HK Express) launched its daily flights between Hong Kong and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) in Subang, Kuala Lumpur, last Friday. 

The addition of Kuala Lumpur (Subang) marks HK Express’ second destination in Malaysia after Penang, further strengthening its Southeast Asian network. 

Photo credit: HK Express. The airline’s management team celebrates the launch of the Kuala Lumpur (Subang) by distributing souvenirs and taking commemorative photos with passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport.

This new route provides travellers greater flexibility and convenience to explore Malaysia, while reinforcing HK Express’ commitment to connecting Asia’s exciting destinations.

Upon arrival at Subang (SZB) airport, passengers were greeted with a warm welcome from representatives of the local tourism board and airport, who presented souvenirs to commemorate the occasion.

HK Express CEO Jeanette Mao said: “We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of our Kuala Lumpur (Subang) route, a significant milestone in our efforts to connect travellers across Asia. 

“With just a 30-minute transfer from Subang Airport to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, this new route makes it even easier for our customers to experience the vibrant energy, rich culture, and renowned hospitality that Malaysia has to offer. This route not only enhances travel convenience but also reinforces the ties between Hong Kong and Malaysia, fostering greater collaboration in tourism, culture, and economic opportunities.

“By strengthening regional connectivity and supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, we are proud to play a role in facilitating cultural and economic exchange. Looking ahead, we will continue to grow our route network, creating more opportunities for travellers to explore the unique charm and diversity of Asia.”

Tourism Malaysia Director General Datuk Manoharan Periasamy said: “We are delighted to welcome HK Express to Subang Airport, a historic aviation hub nestled in the heart of Selangor. This new connection plays a vital role in supporting our Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign by offering international travellers more accessible routes to explore our beautiful country.”

He added: Subang Airport serves as the ideal gateway to discover Malaysia’s treasures — from the Petronas Twin Towers and the vibrant Bukit Bintang shopping haven to authentic street food delights at Petaling Street and the colonial charm of Merdeka Square.”

Flight schedule

HK Express deploys an A320 aircraft on the route, flying a daily service with 180 seats in a single cabin configuration. The flight time is four hours and five minutes. Airline scheduling data shows the average round-trip fare on the HKG-SXB route is estimated at USD170 during August to December 2025.

UO716 departs Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 1645 and arrives in Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB) at 2030.
UO717 departs Subang Kuala Lumpur (SZB) at 2130 and arrives in Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) at 0135.

Dusit brands arrive in France

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BANGKOK, 1 August 2025: Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with SYDEL, a French real estate investment company, to establish Dusit France — a joint venture created to bring Dusit’s brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to France for the first time.

Leveraging SYDEL’s local knowledge and operational expertise, the joint venture will focus on identifying opportunities for Dusit Hotels and Resorts, whose portfolio of nine brands spans the lodging spectrum – from affordable lifestyle hotels to full-service luxury retreats. 

Dusit International and SYDEL formally established Dusit France at a signing ceremony held in Paris. Pictured (from left): Donatien Carratier, Head of Dusit France; Jordan Elbaz, Partner, SYDEL; Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International; and David Elgrably, Partner, SYDEL.

Brands being considered for the French market include Dusit Thani (Bespoke Luxury), Devarana – Dusit Retreats (Wellness Luxury), Dusit Collection (Character Luxury), Dusit Hotels (Upper Upscale), dusitD2 (Lifestyle Upscale), Dusit Princess (Upper Midscale), ASAI Hotels (Lifestyle Midscale), and Dusit Suites (Lifestyle Long Stay). 

Together, Dusit and SYDEL will identify strategic locations, support asset owners with repositioning projects, and introduce innovative hotel concepts focused on delivering memorable guest experiences, championing well-being, and creating long-term sustainable value.

The partnership was formalised at a recent exclusive signing ceremony held in Paris. At the event, Dusit International Chief Operating Officer Gilles Cretallaz shared the vision for Dusit France and outlined the group’s growth ambitions in the region.

“We are thrilled to partner with SYDEL to seek opportunities to expand Dusit’s footprint and bring our distinctive brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to France — one of the world’s most iconic travel destinations,” said Cretallaz. “This partnership marks an important milestone in our global expansion strategy, and we are confident that our unique blend of cultural authenticity, innovation, and gracious service will resonate strongly with travellers and developers alike.”

Dusit’s portfolio currently spans 294 properties across 18 countries, including 55 operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 239 luxury villas under Elite Havens. In Europe, the company operates the upper-upscale Dusit Suites Athens in Greece, located in the vibrant coastal district of Glyfada on the Athenian Riviera.

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely memorable stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. 

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes close to 300 properties operating under a total of nine brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.

For more information, visit dusit.com

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services. 

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

For more information, visit dusit-international.com

Agoda rolls out deals for Singapore’s 60th birthday

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SINGAPORE, 1 August 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda is launching its SG60 Celebration Campaign to encourage tourism in Singapore as the nation celebrates its 60th year of independence on 9 August.

With rising interest from both regional and long-haul travellers, the SG60 Celebration Campaign presents an opportunity for hoteliers to tap into the destination’s growing popularity during this shared national milestone. Under the campaign, Agoda will be offering discounts of up to 20%, from 1 to 15 August 2025, for consumers on inbound and outbound travel bookings.

Photo credit: National Day Parade 2025. Over 39 artists and 3,000 performers will be featured in this year’s National Day Parade 2025 Show.

Singapore’s diamond jubilee is a year-long nationwide effort to celebrate the nation’s 60th year of independence. Some of the participating partners in the SG60 campaign include hospitality groups like Resorts World Sentosa and Furama Hotels International, as well as airline providers including national flight carrier Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Firefly, reflecting Agoda’s ongoing collaboration with leading industry players for major campaigns.

“As Agoda marks its 20 years in Singapore, the SG60 Celebration Campaign is a special celebration for us too,” said Agoda Senior Vice President of Supply Andrew Smith. “Through our close collaboration with Singapore’s tourism authority in past years, we are using innovative, data-driven campaigns to showcase the city’s unique appeal to global travellers during the nation’s 60th year of independence.”

Agoda’s search data from April to June shows key Asian travel markets, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea, are among the top geo-markets searching for Singapore, with Thailand showing the highest growth in searches with a 10% increase year-on-year. This growing interest is further supported by increased searches from long-haul markets such as Austria, Spain, and Denmark, each recording year-on-year growth and highlighting Singapore’s expanding global profile.

Singapore continues to stand out as an international hub and a leader in Asia, thanks to its melting pot of different cultures, a secure and stable environment, world-class food and shopping, drawing increasing interest from travellers.

Singaporeans are also exploring the world, with travel searches on Agoda’s platform spanning over 100 countries in 2025. China saw a 40% year-on-year increase in searches, while Malaysia, Japan and Indonesia remain the top regional destinations for Singaporean travellers.

(Source: Agoda)

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