The inaugural flight, 3U 3773, touched down at KL International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 at approximately 1145, establishing direct air connectivity between Chongqing and Kuala Lumpur.

Operating three times per week, the service links Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) to KLIA (KUL). Utilising an Airbus A321/A320 aircraft, the route offers 160 passengers, significantly enhancing connectivity between Malaysia and Southern China while supporting growth in tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

Passengers were warmly welcomed by Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General (Promotion II), Tourism Malaysia; Mdm. Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi, Senior Director, International Promotion Divisions (Asia/Africa) of Tourism Malaysia; Azmi Abdullah, Senior Deputy Director, International Promotion Divisions (Asia/Africa) of Tourism Malaysia; Zhou Cunming, Area General Manager (Malaysia/ Singapore/ Indonesia) of Sichuan Airlines; and officials from Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB).

Commenting on the launch, Samuel Lee Thai Hung stated that the new service reflects the continued strengthening of tourism relations between Malaysia and China. The direct connectivity improves travel convenience for visitors from Chongqing and surrounding regions, while reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination in Southeast Asia, offering rich culture, diverse tourism offerings, and natural attractions.

From January to August 2025, Malaysia recorded 3.3 million visitor arrivals from China, reflecting a 27.5% year-on-year increase compared to the same period in 2024. This sustained growth highlights Malaysia’s strong appeal among Chinese travellers, supported by enhanced air connectivity, vibrant urban destinations, renowned culinary experiences, and island getaways.

Tourism Malaysia remains committed to working closely with airlines, airport authorities, and industry stakeholders to expand international air connectivity further. In line with preparations for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), the launch of this inaugural route marks a timely boost in reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a leading global tourism destination. 

The government’s target for VM2026 is twofold: to welcome 47 million international visitors and to inspire a significant surge in domestic travel, ensuring the campaign’s success as a comprehensive strategic framework for the nation’s tourism future.

(Source: Tourism Malaysia)

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23 September 2025

– Flight TG638 Bangkok – Hong Kong / TG639 Hong Kong – Bangkok

– Flight TG602 Bangkok – Hong Kong

24 September 2025

– Flight TG603 Hong Kong – Bangkok

– Flight TG600 Bangkok – Hong Kong / TG601 Hong Kong – Bangkok

– Flight TG628 Bangkok – Hong Kong / TG629 Hong Kong – Bangkok

– Flight TG638 Bangkok – Hong Kong / TG639 Hong Kong – Bangkok

– Flight TG602 Bangkok – Hong Kong

25 September 2025

– Flight TG603 Hong Kong – Bangkok

For further information, please visit the THAI Contact Centre at +66-2356-1111 (available 24 hours) or the Global Contact Centre at +852 2495 1115.

Super Typhoon Ragasa has caused significant disruption to airline flights across Southeast Asia, particularly in and around Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The storm’s high winds and torrential rain have led to widespread flight cancellations and delays.

Hong Kong

Airlines like Cathay Pacific and HK Express have cancelled hundreds of flights, with services expected to be heavily curtailed or suspended for an extended period. The airport authorities have advised that flight movements would be sharply reduced.

Taiwan

Airlines such as Thai Airways, China Airlines (CAL), and Tigerair Taiwan have either cancelled or rescheduled international and domestic flights due to the typhoon warnings.

Philippines

As the storm, locally known as “Nando,” has battered northern Luzon, authorities in the Philippines have suspended work and classes, and flights have been impacted as a result.

Airlines are advising passengers to check their flight status regularly through their official websites, apps, or customer service centres before heading to the airport. They are also offering rebooking options and waiving ticket change fees for affected travellers.

After making landfall in China, the typhoon is expected to weaken significantly as it moves over land and interacts with a cold air mass moving south from the continent.

Reaching Vietnam

The storm is forecast to enter the Gulf of Tonkin and make landfall in northern Vietnam, with a predicted landfall around 25 Thursday, September 2025. The main impact will be felt in the coastal areas from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh provinces, with heavy rain and strong winds.

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In a statement posted on the association’s Facebook page, PATA chair Peter Semone praised the role of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters and recognised their outstanding contributions and achievements.

The 2025 award recipients

• PATA Malaysia Chapter – Spirit of PATA Award.
• Pacific Asia Travel Association Philippines Chapter  & PATA Philippines. LPU-Manila Student Chapter – Awards of Excellence.
• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)-Thailand Chapter – Best Engagement with Young Tourism Professional Award.
• PATA Cambodia Chapter & PATA India Chandigarh University Student Chapter – Best Sustainability Initiative Awards.
• PATA India Christ University Student Chapter – Best Digital Engagement Award.
• PATA Hong Kong SHTM Student Chapter – Trailblazer Award.

PATA Hong Kong SHTM Student Chapter – Trailblazer Award.

PATA has seen a revival of its chapter membership, with chapters in Asia dominating in terms of activities and presence at PATA events. The number of chapters in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) varies depending on the source, but the most recent estimate ranges from 31 to 41 chapters worldwide, excluding student chapters.

PATA’s official website notes that the chapters are a vital part of the organisation, providing a local platform for tourism professionals to network, share knowledge, and promote PATA’s mission.

Chapters worldwide

Americas: Chapters in Canada and the US.
Europe: Chapters in countries such as Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Northeast Asia: Chapters in Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea,  Macau and Hong Kong Student Chapter.
South Asia: Chapters in Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Southeast Asia: Chapters in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Pacific: A chapter in Micronesia.

PATA also has student chapters, which are a key part of its youth programme. Student chapters benefit PATA’s educational institution members, providing a way for students to engage with the industry and drive change.

75 years and still going strong

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) confirmed this week the start of a year-long campaign to celebrate its 75th anniversary. 
The announcement — featuring the screening of a short video briefly showcasing PATA’s past and revealing the 75th Anniversary logo and theme — was officially launched at the PATA Knowledge Forum 2025 on 26 August at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok, Thailand, in conjunction with the PATA Travel Mart 2025 (PTM 2025).

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid commented: “Seventy-four years ago, our founders came together when the world longed for peace, healing, and hope. Their vision was simple yet powerful: to use travel as a bridge between cultures, as a pathway to prosperity, and as a passport to peace. That vision continues to guide us today, reminding us that the work we do is not just about tourism, but about connecting people and creating understanding across borders.” 

He added, “It is in that same spirit — honouring the founders’ vision and embracing our ongoing mission — that I am delighted to officially launch the celebrations for PATA’s 75th Anniversary in 2026.”

Under the theme, “From Vision to Legacy: PATA at 75,” the anniversary marks a significant point in time in PATA’s journey, celebrating the association’s role in fostering responsible and sustainable tourism development across the Asia Pacific region and its future-forward commitment to actively evolve alongside the sector’s ever-changing priorities with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.

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In the Thai outbound travel market, visits to Spain reached 47,000 in 2023 and are still climbing, mostly due to itineraries sold by travel agents despite rising airfares. There is also a lack of direct flights between Bangkok and Spain’s two leading gateway cities — Madrid and Barcelona. 

Iberojet, a low-cost airline headquartered in Madrid, introduced a direct Madrid-Bangkok weekly flight (every Thursday) in late May. However, that caters exclusively to Spanish tourists heading for a holiday in Thailand. The airline says it will continue the weekly direct flight during the winter timetable from November 2024 to March 2025. It will be interesting to see if the airline can pick up local bookings in the Thai outbound travel market.

The recent Spain Tourism Product Update, attended by around 80 travel agents based in Bangkok, was hosted by Spain Tourism board director Marta Fernandez Martin, who leads the Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand marketing team. Turkish Airlines joined the event as the supporting airline. It offers direct flights twice daily from Bangkok to its hub city, Istanbul. Travellers from Thailand can then connect with three daily flights from Istanbul to Barcelona and Madrid.

Martin told TTR Weekly that her marketing team is lobbying Thai Airways International to consider introducing direct flights to Madrid or Barcelona.

“We need direct flights from Bangkok to Spain, either Barcelona or Madrid, to boost summer season family travel… It would make a big difference and encourage more independent travellers who stay around two weeks in Spain and explore beyond the two gateway cities. Spain is trending in 2024… Looking forward, we can expect more Thai families to visit Spain during the annual summer school holidays 2025 (April to May school and university holidays).

Thai Airways International dropped its Bangkok-Madrid direct flights in January 2015 after flying the route since the late 1988. If the airline did return to Spain, it would most likely opt for three weekly flights to Barcelona initially on a seasonal basis, starting in April and continuing through the summer timetable to the end of October. 

Martin concedes airfares on routes to Spain have been higher since the Covid-19 pandemic due to rising fuel costs. “It’s the main expense for long-haul travel…We are just hoping they will come down or level off.”

Since there is only one weekly direct flight between Bangkok and Spain, travellers will need to connect through another city in the Middle East or Europe, which will add significant travel time (potentially over 15 hours).

She also recognises that some of Spain’s most popular destinations, notably Barcelona, are introducing a city tourism tax, which increases the cost of travel for families. However, this tax is not applicable to all cities and regions in Spain.

Sometimes called an eco-tax or city tax, the tax is in place in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia. Rates and regulations vary by location, but visitors pay the nightly fee when checking out of their hotel. Barcelona increased the tax to EUR3.45 per person per night in April 2024.

“The tourist tax is not a national tax. It is only paid in cities that approve it, such as Barcelona, where it is used to balance the carbon footprint and improve the environment. We promote 17 regions in Spain in Southeast Asian markets, many of which have not introduced a tourism tax.”

However, more Spanish cities and regions will likely implement a tourist tax because it helps generate revenue for maintaining tourist infrastructure, promoting sustainable tourism practices and supporting local initiatives.

The biggest expenditure for travellers visiting Spain remains the airfare, which has risen considerably since the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

But there are still some roundtrip fares below USD1000 for summer travel to Spain from Bangkok to Barcelona with a plane change in either Europe or the Middle East. See the best fare deals for July travel on Google Flights. 

First-time visitor to Spain: Where to go?

Spain is a country rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Here are some of the top destinations for first-time visitors:

Barcelona: This vibrant city is home to some of Gaudí’s most famous works, including the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. You can also explore the Gothic Quarter, stroll down Las Ramblas, and relax on the beach.

Madrid: The capital of Spain is a great place to experience Spanish culture. Visit the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, and the Reina Sofía Museum. Take a walk through the Buen Retiro Park, and enjoy the tapas scene in La Latina neighbourhood.

Granada: This Andalusian city is famous for the Alhambra, a stunning Moorish palace complex. You can also explore the Albaicín neighbourhood, the Sacromonte caves, and the flamenco scene.

Seville: The capital of Andalusia is known for its flamenco shows, tapas bars, and beautiful architecture. Visit the Seville Cathedral, the Alcázar Palace, and the Plaza de España.

San Sebastián: This Basque city is famous for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, and relaxed atmosphere. You can also explore the Parte Vieja (Old Town), hike up Monte Igueldo for stunning views, and visit the San Telmo Museum.

Top three Spanish regions for hotel bookings

Based on the latest information from Spain Tourism, the three Spanish regions that account for 50% of all hotel bookings so far in 2024 are Andalusia (+22.9%), Catalonia (+19.8%), and the Balearics (+25.8%).

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