As operator of both Nyaal Banyul and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), VCET brings more than three decades of experience delivering world-class events to Geelong’s waterfront. 

Nyaal Banyul opens with more than 80 events already secured and more than 250 proposed events expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Geelong in the coming years. 

VCET Chief Executive Natalie O’Brien AM said the opening was a significant milestone for Victoria’s business events sector and a landmark moment for Geelong.  

“For VCET, this is the beginning of our journey operating a regional venue in Victoria’s second largest city that is right-sized, distinctive, and embedded in its community,” O’Brien said. 

“Drawing on our experience at MCEC, we’ve shaped not only the physical spaces but how this venue will operate – delivering events that will bring more people to Geelong and its surrounding regions, support local businesses and create lasting impact.” 

Nyaal Banyul features a 1,000-seat theatre, exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities, flexible event spaces, food and beverage offerings and a public outdoor plaza. 

The venue has been designed in partnership with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, embedding cultural narratives throughout the architecture, public spaces and visitor experience. 

“Nyaal Banyul reflects the cultural significance of this place and the stories connected to it, while also creating a contemporary venue that welcomes visitors from across Australia and beyond,” Ms O’Brien said. 

Victoria’s standing as a global events destination will be strengthened by having both MCEC and Nyaal Banyul within its business events portfolio, which can host events of varying scales and types. 

Upcoming events already demonstrate that diversity, from community-focused gatherings such as the Geelong Careers Expo to major gala events and national conferences. The venue will host its first major event, the Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball, on 3 July. 

Later in the year, Geelong will welcome key national industry events, including the Professional Conference Organisers Association conference in December, followed by the Australian Tourism Awards in February 2027. 

“Nyaal Banyul will play a critical role in bringing new audiences to Geelong – delegates, organisers and industry leaders coming from all over Australia, many of whom will be visiting the region for the first time,” O’Brien said. 

“The flow-on effects are significant- increased tourism, stronger local supply chains, and new opportunities for businesses across hospitality, services and the broader visitor economy, in Geelong and the surrounding areas in the Bellarine and Great Ocean Road.”

Nyaal Banyul is supporting local employment, with the majority of its workforce drawn from the Barwon South West region and more than 50 regional businesses engaged across catering, services and operations.  

Nyaal Banyul General Manager Rick Aylett said the team was well prepared to host its first event, the Barwon Health Foundation Gala Ball, on 3 July. 

“The Geelong community has backed Nyaal Banyul from day one, and now it’s our turn to deliver. “Our team is ready to get started, working alongside local partners to create exceptional experiences that not only showcase this venue but position Geelong as a global destination,” Aylett said.

(Source: Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre)

Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

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Reporting on the findings, Tourism Australia noted that several key markets posted double-digit growth for the year, including China (+20%), Hong Kong (+17%), Italy (+16%), the UK and France (+15%), and Japan (+12%). 

In April, the pace of visitation growth slowed after a bumper month in March, with 644,770 short-term visitors, up 1% from a year earlier.

To support the industry, Tourism Australia shared the latest data and insights on consumer confidence and travel sentiment in key markets, along with an update on the international aviation landscape, during TA’s Industry Webinar last Friday.

Arrivals and departures by category of travel – selected months(a)(b)

Australian Bureau of Statistics

(Source Tourism Australia).

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The collaboration significantly expands SriLankan Airlines’ network reach, enabling travellers to access a wider range of destinations through convenient domestic and international connections.

Under this arrangement, Saudia provides access to seven international and 13 domestic destinations. In comparison, Flynas adds eight international and six domestic destinations, offering passengers greater travel flexibility and improved accessibility across the Kingdom.

Through Saudia’s network, passengers can connect from destinations including Amman, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Cairo, Dubai, Kuwait City, and Los Angeles, as well as key domestic points such as Jeddah, Abha, Madinah, and Tabuk, among others across Saudi Arabia. Flynas further expands its network with international services from Addis Ababa, Karachi, Giza, Tashkent, and Sohag, alongside domestic connectivity from cities including Jizan, Najran, Dammam, and Jeddah.

Passengers travelling from across Saudi Arabia can now connect seamlessly via Riyadh and Dammam to SriLankan Airlines’ daily Colombo services, with onward access to destinations throughout the airline’s international network. 

SriLankan Airlines currently operates daily flights from both Riyadh and Dammam to Colombo, catering to growing demand for business, leisure, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel between the two countries.

Sri Lankan Airlines’ Head of Commercial Dimuthu Tennakoon said: “This partnership represents an important step in expanding SriLankan Airlines’ presence across Saudi Arabia while strengthening links to key destinations in the Middle East, Africa and North America. Working together with Saudia and Flynas enables us to offer customers smoother connections from multiple regional and international destinations into Sri Lanka and beyond.”

Commenting on the partnership, Saudia Manager Thusitha Wickramasinghe stated: “We are delighted to partner with Saudia and Flynas to strengthen further air travel links between Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. This collaboration offers passengers greater convenience, expanded travel options and seamless journeys across our combined networks, while enhancing the overall travel experience through improved network integration.”

SriLankan Airlines connects passengers to 131 destinations across 63 countries through its own services and codeshare partnerships, while operating direct services to 34 destinations worldwide. Its network spans Europe, Australia, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and the Far East. The airline operates an all-Airbus fleet comprising state-of-the-art A330-200/300 and A320/321 aircraft.

(Source: SriLankan Airlines)

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Under the theme “Celebrating Heritage – Empowering Innovation,” the congress convened at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macao. Officiating guests at the opening ceremony of the congress included MGTO Director, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, the acting President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Choi Kin Long, the Director of the Board of Directors of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute, Elaine Wong, the President-elect of Skal International, NSN Mohan, the President of Skal International Asia, Shekhar Divadkar, the President of Skal International Macao, Vinzenz Rosa de Pauli and the Chief Hospitality Officer of SJM Resorts, SA, Gerald Walker.

Skal International President-elect NSN Mohan highlighted in his remarks that the congress served as a shining example of what can be achieved through passion, collaboration, and vision, stating that the outstanding work of the organisers has not only strengthened partnerships among tourism leaders across Asia but also spotlighted Macao’s rich culture, heritage, and world-class hospitality to the international community.

The opening ceremony of the congress was followed by three panel discussions featuring around 10 national and international guest speakers that addressed topics such as forging the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a united tourism powerhouse, the vitality of regeneration in cultural tourism, and the impact of technology and AI in the development of tourism.

MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes joined a panel discussion with the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Professor Kam Hung, and the Chief Advisor of The Costa Advisory, representing Warner Bros. Discovery, Con Apostolopoulos. 

The MGTO director elaborated on how Macao was working with Hong Kong and Guangdong to leverage the region’s increasing connectivity and favourable policies to implement initiatives that position the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a unified, world-class tourism destination brand for multi-destination travel.

During the four-day congress, in addition to attending Skal International Asia’s internal meetings, delegates explored Macao’s heritage and community districts. 

MGTO organised in-depth cultural tours of Macao for delegates to visit the Historic Centre of Macao and community areas, with itineraries ranging from the Ruins of St Paul’s to Travessa da Paixão, Rua dos Ervanários, and Luís de Camões Garden, among other sites.

Founded in 1934, Skal International is a network of tourism professionals dedicated to promoting the industry and fostering friendship and contacts among its members. Currently, there are 294 Skal clubs in 75 countries and regions, including Macao, supported by approximately 12,500 members.

This is the fourth time Macao has hosted the Skal Asia Area Congress, following successful events in 1994, 2007, and 2018.

(Source: MGTO)

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During the meeting, shareholders reviewed and approved the corporation’s annual report and audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025, with VMC recording total self-generated income of MVR32.54 million in 2025, the highest annual income achieved by the corporation in the past eight years. 

Income was generated through membership contributions, participation in international trade fairs and roadshows, publications, and other commercial activities, reflecting continued growth in stakeholder engagement and revenue diversification.

The AGM also highlighted a landmark year for Maldivian tourism. During 2025, the Maldives welcomed more than 2 million tourist arrivals, while tourism receipts exceeded USD5.57 billion, representing a 16.4% increase compared to the previous year.

The corporation contributed to these broader industry achievements through destination marketing campaigns, international trade engagement, strategic partnerships, media outreach, and digital promotion activities implemented across key global markets.

Speaking at the AGM, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Abdulla Ghiyas Riyaz, noted that the achievements of 2025 reflected the collective efforts of the tourism industry and the corporation’s continued focus on strengthening destination competitiveness.“

“The achievements of 2025 demonstrate the strength of the Maldives tourism industry and the value of collaboration between government institutions, industry stakeholders, and our international partners.

“While the corporation’s record financial performance reflects stronger stakeholder engagement and commercial growth, our broader success lies in supporting a tourism industry that continues to deliver economic value for the country while maintaining the Maldives’ position as one of the world’s most sought-after destinations.”

In July 2025, the corporation officially rebranded from Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation to Visit Maldives Corporation under a Presidential Decree.

On the international stage, the Maldives secured significant recognition during 2025, winning World’s Leading Destination at the World Travel Awards for the sixth consecutive year and World’s Leading Green Destination for the second consecutive year.

The AGM further highlighted the corporation’s extensive marketing activities during the year, including 46 destination campaigns, 27 collaborative initiatives, and participation in 16 international trade fairs, 14 familiarisation trips, 27 public relations activities, and strategic engagements across key source markets.

About Visit Maldives Corporation
Visit Maldives Corporation is the State-owned enterprise mandated to promote the Maldives as a tourist destination worldwide under the brand “Maldives” and slogan “Maldives… The Sunny Side of Life”. The corporation actively markets the Maldives in key global markets with an integrated 360-degree marketing approach and has gained immense recognition, accolades, and awards in the international tourism arena.

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Based on emerging trends across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, RateGain Executive Vice President APMEA Anurag Jain points out that rapid changes in traveller behaviour and accelerating technology adoption are reshaping how destinations and hotel brands compete.

Despite widespread adoption of digital tools and AI among consumers, the hotel industry continues to lag behind in its operational transformation. 

Fragmented systems and disconnected data environments continue to limit the effective use of AI across commercial and operational processes, meaning many critical decisions remain largely manual.

According to RateGain, up to 50% of revenue opportunities are being lost due to a lack of automation in decision-making. This inefficiency is also evident in demand generation and performance management, where 70% of marketing teams struggle to demonstrate return on ad spend (ROAS) clearly. In comparison, 80% of revenue management teams spend up to two days per week on reporting tasks that could be automated.

“At RateGain, our focus is on helping hotels become more discoverable at the moments that matter, ensuring they are present where demand is created and strengthening direct channel performance,” says Jain. 

“Our AI-first approach is about removing friction from commercial decision-making and enabling faster, more accurate responses to shifts in demand.”

“We also want hotels to move away from fragmented vendor ecosystems and instead work with a single integrated partner that drives growth across the full commercial funnel. AI should not add complexity, but simplify operations and deliver scalable, performance-driven outcomes,” he adds.

AI as the connective layer of hotel commercial performance RateGain argues that the hotels currently outperforming the market are those that have moved beyond standalone tools and are embedding AI as a connective layer across the entire guest journey.

“The hotels that will win are not those with more tools, but those with smarter systems capable of connecting all guest data across the full travel cycle. The most successful operators are not simply adding more technology, but building smarter commercial practices that connect marketing, revenue, distribution, and guest experience,” Jain concluded.

RateGain highlights that early adopters of AI-driven commercial models are already achieving significant performance gains: more than a 100% increase in demand through intent-based marketing, a x2 increase in direct conversion via AI-powered booking engines, revenue uplifts of around 30% through intelligent pricing, and up to 300% growth in ancillary revenue through AI-driven concierge solutions.

(Source: RateGain)

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The launch follows the confirmation of services linking WSI to Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, connecting some of Australia’s most popular holiday destinations to a brand-new 24-hour international airport.

While the initial flight schedule is modest, ATIA says the significance of what WSI represents to the broader travel network is substantial.

From 25 October 2026, Jetstar will operate up to 14 flights a week between WSI and Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast, and three weekly flights to Brisbane. From 28 March 2027, Qantas will add four weekly services to both Brisbane and Melbourne, operated by QantasLink Embraer E190 aircraft.

For travel agents and tour operators across the country, the arrival of a new gateway into Greater Sydney opens genuine new options for building domestic itineraries and packages, particularly for the fast-growing Western Sydney catchment area. More flights mean more options for travellers, and more opportunities for travel businesses to serve a broader range of customers.

WSI will also become a significant freight hub, with the airport’s integrated 24-hour Cargo Precinct opening on 26 July 2026 and Qantas Freight among the first operators to fly from the facility.

ATIA CEO Dean Long commented: “This is exciting news for Australian travellers and for the travel industry. Yes, it is a small number of flights to start with, but they connect to some genuine holiday hot spots and mark the beginning of what WSI will grow into.

“More flights always mean more options for travellers, and more options mean more business for the travel agents and tour operators who are there to help Australians plan their trips.

“Western Sydney International is a transformative addition to Australia’s travel landscape. It gives millions of people in western Sydney direct access to the network for the first time, and it gives the whole country a new gateway. We look forward to watching this airport grow and to the increased connectivity it will bring for Australian travellers.”

Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) is located 41 km west of Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) and 44 km from downtown Sydney.  

Designated a 24-hour airport, in contrast to Kingsford Smith, which has a nighttime curfew for landings and take-offs, WSI will open for commercial passenger flights on 25 October, with a single 3.7 km-long runway and a terminal building capable of handling 10 million passengers annually. That compares with 41 million passengers that move through Kingsford Smith (SYD).

Singapore Airlines will serve WSI from its Singapore home base starting daily flights effective 23 November 2026.

(Source: ATIA)

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The agreement was marked by a signing ceremony at Amadeus’ Singapore office, attended by senior executives from both organisations, and reflects the importance of trusted, long‑term collaboration in supporting sustainable growth and digital transformation in travel.

Amadeus and Myrealtrip will expand their cooperation across several strategic areas. These include deploying Amadeus AI‑powered solutions to support more intelligent retailing, personalisation, and operational efficiency, as well as Professional Services to help Myrealtrip further differentiate its customer experience.

The partnership will focus on expanding non-air content, including hotels and destination tour experiences, enabling Myrealtrip to offer broader, more relevant content across the traveller journey. In addition, the collaboration will explore adopting Amadeus Hey!, Amadeus’ traveller engagement solution, to support personalised, contextual communication and services before, during and after the trip.

“This agreement marks an important milestone in strengthening our long‑term partnership with Amadeus,” said Myrealtrip CEO Donggun Lee. “By collaborating closely on AI‑driven capabilities, advanced search, and an expanded portfolio of non‑air content, we are strengthening our technology capabilities as an AI-native travel platform to deliver greater scalability, personalisation, and a more integrated travel experience for our customers as Myrealtrip continues to grow in Korea and beyond.”

“At Amadeus, we work closely with our partners to help them evolve their technology stack in line with their business ambitions,” said Amadeus Senior Vice President, Travel Sellers APAC, Renaud Nicolle.

“As AI continues to transform the travel ecosystem, we’re focused on enabling partners with the intelligent, connected capabilities needed to personalise experiences and drive smarter operations. This agreement reflects our commitment to collaborate openly and support Myrealtrip’s next phase of growth.”

The global agreement reinforces both companies’ commitment to ongoing collaboration and joint innovation, supporting Myrealtrip’s strategic roadmap and positioning Amadeus as a trusted technology partner as Myrealtrip continues to grow in Korea and beyond.

About Myrealtrip
Founded in 2012, Myrealtrip offers an end-to-end travel experience that spans flights, accommodations, and tours & activities. It has grown to more than 10 million registered users, 5 million monthly active users, and KRW 2.3 trillion in cumulative gross merchandise value (GMV).

About Amadeus
An IBEX 35 company, Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under AMS.MC, has been recognised by the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index for 14 consecutive years.

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The announcement follows the Qantas Group and WSI finalising a five-year agreement for domestic passenger flights and freight, enabling both airlines to expand their schedules as demand for services grows in Western Sydney.

Jetstar will make history as the first commercial passenger flight to take off from the airport when JQ362 departs at 1100 on 25 October for the Gold Coast. The airline will operate up to 14 flights a week between WSI and Melbourne, four weekly flights to the Gold Coast and three weekly flights to Brisbane*. All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft.

Qantas operations will begin on 28 March 2027 with four flights per week to both Melbourne and Brisbane on a QantasLink Embraer E190.

Qantas will also be one of the first commercial airlines to fly from the airport when its inaugural freighter service takes off from WSI’s 24-hour Cargo Precinct on the evening of Monday, 27 July.

It will increase overall flights to the Sydney basin, in addition to the airlines’ services from Kingsford Smith Airport.

Special launch fares for Qantas and Jetstar flights from WSI are available for purchase, with one-way economy fares available from AUD59^ on Jetstar to the Gold Coast and from AUD99* (economy) or AUD299 (business) on Qantas to Melbourne and Brisbane. All Qantas fares are inclusive of meals and baggage.

With the final terminal fit-out works taking place at Australia’s first major international greenfield airport in more than 50 years, the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, joined senior executives from Qantas and Western Sydney International Airport at the terminal for the historic announcement.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Hudson said: “This is a major milestone for Australian aviation and one that has been years in the making. We’re incredibly proud that Jetstar will be the first Australian airline to begin operations at Western Sydney International Airport, and Qantas will follow early next year.

“We’re excited by the potential of Western Sydney International Airport to spur local tourism and make aviation more accessible for millions of people in Western Sydney, who currently have to travel to Kingsford Smith to catch a flight.

“Jetstar has an incredible history of growing new markets and being the first airline to launch will give one of the country’s fastest growing regions better access to low fares to some of our most popular destinations.

“We know there’s growing demand for customers in Western Sydney, and we’re proud to be working with Gold Coast Airport and Tourism and Events Queensland to make our services to South East Queensland a reality.

“WSI will also become a key hub for Qantas Freight, with more than 850 tonnes of freight expected to move through our new terminal each week, helping us meet growing demand for e-commerce and next-day deliveries.”

Schedules at WSI

*Qantas and Jetstar flights to and from Western Sydney International are subject to government and regulatory approval.   

Launch fares are available until sold out. 
^ Jetstar fares are one-way and exclude checked bags.
Travel dates and conditions apply. 
^^ Taxes, fees and carrier charges.

(Source: Qantas Group)

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Flights to Larnaca, Cyprus, from Astana operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, while flights from Almaty operate on Thursdays and Sundays. 

Flight time is five hours and 40 minutes from Astana to Larnaca and six hours and five minutes from Almaty to Larnaca.

Larnaca, located on the south-eastern coast of Cyprus, is a finance centre and one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations. 

In addition to Cyprus flights this summer, Air Astana will also operate seasonal services to leisure destinations in Turkey, Georgia and Montenegro.

(Source: Air Astana)

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