Asia Pacific airlines carried a total of 32.4 million international passengers in April, broadly unchanged from the same month last year. In revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, demand nevertheless increased by 3.3% year-on-year, reflecting relatively firmer traffic on longer-haul routes. 

Available seat capacity increased by a marginal 1.4% year-on-year, as sharply higher fuel costs constrained growth. As a result, international passenger load factors remained high, averaging 84.8% for the month, up by 1.6 percentage points.

Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East led to supply chain disruptions and higher prices, prompting accelerated stockpiling as businesses and consumers sought to secure products ahead of further cost increases. This, in turn, lent support to growth in the air cargo market. International air cargo demand, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), increased by 4.1% year-on-year in April. Offered freight capacity expanded by 4.4%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 60.5% for the month.

Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General, Wong Hong, said: “International passenger traffic continued to show resilience in April, supported by sustained demand on longer-haul routes. Overall, Asia Pacific airlines carried a combined total of 135 million international passengers during the first four months of the year, representing a 5.1% increase compared to the corresponding period last year.”

“Meanwhile, the start of the second quarter saw accelerated expansion in global manufacturing activity, with increased purchases of consumer and intermediate goods driving demand for air shipments. Growth in April helped lift international air cargo demand during the first four months of 2026 to 5.3%.”

Wong Hong added: “The conflict in the Middle East continues to add volatility to energy markets, keeping jet fuel prices elevated and further intensifying cost pressures for airlines. In April, jet fuel prices rose to an average of US$165 per barrel, reaching levels last seen in 2022 following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war.”

Looking ahead, Wong Hong said: “Despite signs of the conflict easing, growing macroeconomic uncertainty, coupled with inflationary pressures, continues to weigh on the outlook for both passenger and air cargo markets in the months ahead. Nevertheless, Asia Pacific airlines remain vigilant in managing costs and carefully deploying capacity to optimise yields and profitability in this challenging operating environment, without compromising safety standards.”

(Source: AAPA)

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O’Brien will be responsible for managing Tourism Australia’s network of international offices across 16 global markets, as well as airline and distribution channel partnerships.

Commenting on the appointment, Tourism Australia Managing Director Robin Mack said O’Brien has a proven track record of leading international teams across tourism and aviation.

“She brings to Tourism Australia significant skill and experience, having worked across a range of international-facing roles in sales, distribution, product and marketing strategy to deliver both revenue growth and strong stakeholder relationships,” said Mack.

She joins Tourism Australia from Air New Zealand, where she is currently General Manager Australia, responsible for leading distribution, commercial, partnerships, sales, marketing, and operations for the airline in Australia.

Before Air New Zealand, O’Brien held roles at Experience Co, where she was global Chief Commercial Officer, and at Hamilton Island Enterprises, where, during her 17-year tenure, she held numerous roles, including global general manager sales.

She will commence her new role at Tourism Australia on 10 August.

(Source: Australia)

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Falling on 19 June this year, the traditional festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and commemorates the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan.

Dragon boat races and the preparation of zongzi, a type of sticky rice dumpling, mark the festival. Travellers can explore a mix of lesser-known cities and vibrant regions across Asia to enjoy the festivities and cultural richness of this historic celebration.

Hangzhou, China

In Hangzhou, the Dragon Boat Festival transforms the tranquil West Lake into a bustling arena of excitement. The rhythmic paddling of dragon boats echoes across the water, drawing crowds eager to witness the spectacle. Beyond the races, Hangzhou offers a serene escape with its lush gardens and historic pagodas, inviting visitors to delve into its rich cultural tapestry.

Wuzhen, China

Wuzhen, a picturesque water town, provides a charming backdrop for the Dragon Boat Festival. The town’s meandering canals host the races, set against a backdrop of ancient stone bridges and traditional wooden houses. Visitors can wander through narrow alleyways, discovering local crafts and savouring the flavours of zongzi, all while soaking in the town’s timeless ambience.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung comes alive during the Dragon Boat Festival, with the Love River serving as the focal point for the festivities. The vibrant races are complemented by a lively atmosphere, where street vendors offer an array of Taiwanese delicacies. The city’s modern attractions, including art districts and bustling night markets, provide a dynamic contrast to the traditional celebrations.

Macao

In Macao, Nam Van Lake becomes the epicentre of the Dragon Boat Festival, where the races are a thrilling spectacle against the city’s iconic skyline. The blend of Portuguese and Chinese influences is evident in the architecture and cuisine, offering visitors a unique cultural experience. From exploring historic ruins to indulging in fusion dishes, Macau presents a captivating mix of old and new.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant affair, with Victoria Harbour hosting the races. The city’s skyline provides a dramatic backdrop, enhancing the festive atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a plethora of cultural performances and culinary delights, making Hong Kong a bustling hub of activity during the festival.

Chiayi, Taiwan

Chiayi offers a more tranquil setting for the Dragon Boat Festival, with its rivers providing a serene stage for the races. The city’s proximity to the Alishan National Scenic Area allows visitors to explore breathtaking landscapes and experience Taiwan’s natural beauty. Chiayi’s local festivities and traditional markets offer a glimpse into the region’s rich heritage.

Agoda Vice President, Supply Jun Dong shared: “The Dragon Boat Festival is a fantastic opportunity to explore the cultural tapestry of Asia. Agoda is thrilled to guide travellers to these hidden gems where they can enjoy the festivities in a truly authentic setting. With our extensive network of accommodations and travel options, Agoda makes it easy for travellers to plan their perfect getaway, whether this be a cosy stay, adventurous itinerary or more.”

(Source: Agoda)

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Regarded as the global benchmark for airline excellence, Skytrax recognises carriers that deliver exceptional quality across every stage of the passenger journey. For Starlux, which launched operations in 2020, the continued recognition underscores the airline’s rapid emergence as a leading premium carrier built on service excellence, operational consistency, and a long-term vision to redefine luxury travel.

This recognition comes at a pivotal stage in the airline’s continued international expansion as it scales its long-haul network while maintaining the top-tier service standard that has defined its brand since launch.

As part of its long-haul fleet development, the airline recently introduced its first Airbus A350-1000 and will launch service to Prague on 1 August, marking the airline’s first European route. 

About Starlux Airlines
Starlux is a boutique international airline serving 31 destinations across Taiwan, the US, Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. Passengers travelling between Asia and North America can connect through Taipei to five US routes: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Ontario, CA, and Phoenix.

(Source: Starlux)

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The event will take place at Crossroads Maldives, a multi-island integrated lifestyle destination in the Maldives, located just 15 minutes by boat from Velana International Airport. 

The expanded ceremony will bring together winners from dozens of markets spanning Asia, the Pacific, Australasia and the Indian Ocean. 

 World Travel Awards Founder, Graham Cooke, noted: “By bringing together winners from the Indian Ocean, Asia and Oceania, we are creating a powerful platform that reflects the dynamism and global influence of the Maldives.”

Crossroads Maldives features three distinct resorts — SAii Lagoon Maldives, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SO/ Maldives — creating a multi-experience destination. 

SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton and Crossroads Marina, General Manager Alexandre Traeger said: “It is a true privilege to host the World Travel Awards on World Tourism Day. This milestone reflects our vision of bringing diverse experiences together in one seamless destination, and we look forward to welcoming the industry’s finest.” 

The Maldives last hosted the World Travel Awards in 2017. Since then, the nation has secured top honours at the World Travel Awards for sustainability and hospitality excellence, and currently holds the title of ‘World’s Leading Destination’. 

Visit Maldives, Managing Director, Ibrahim Shiuree commented: “We are tremendously proud to bring the World Travel Awards back to the Maldives. The gala ceremony will allow us to showcase not only the natural beauty and hospitality that define the Maldives experience, but also our enduring commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism.”

(Source: Visit Maldives)

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ATIA cancelled AVG’s accreditation on 22 August 2022 after the company failed to meet the financial and ethical standards required to remain in the scheme. AVG continued to trade and sell tour packages after that date without ATIA Accreditation.

ATIA’s accreditation scheme sets the highest standards in the Australian travel industry. Last year, 22% of accreditation applications were rejected for failing to meet those standards. Accredited businesses are subject to ongoing monitoring, and accreditation is cancelled where standards are not met.

A public register of all cancelled and withdrawn accreditations is available at afta.com.au/Accreditation/Cancelled-Withdrawn-ATAS-Participants. 

Customers of ATIA Accredited businesses also have access to a formal complaints and dispute resolution process, giving them an independent avenue to resolve issues if something goes wrong.

ATIA is progressing a proposed merger with the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO). A key goal of that merger is to combine the strengths of both accreditation schemes into a stronger framework for businesses and consumers.

Travellers can check whether a business holds current ATIA Accreditation at Find ATIA Accredited Travel Agents & Tour Operators. 

ATIA CEO Dean Long commented in the press statement: “The message to consumers is clear — always check that ATIA accredits your travel agent or tour operator. We had a 22% rejection rate of applications last year. We take pride in the people that we removed from the scheme for not meeting our standards.”

“ATIA Accreditation is the highest benchmark in the travel industry. It comes with an excellent consumer complaint processing process, which means even if something goes wrong, you have an independent umpire to help you settle any disputes.

“One of the reasons why we have been working so hard on the details of the proposed merger with CATO is to bring the best of both accreditation schemes together. This situation underscores exactly why that work matters.”

About ATIA (www.atia.travel)
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the peak body representing Australia’s AUD69 billion travel industry. ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.

(Source: ATIA)

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Hosted on src.pata.org, the programme comprises short courses developed by two PATA members, EarthCheck and The Sigmund Project, with self-paced learning and content focused on relevant tourism knowledge. The target group are entry-level to senior professionals, Entrepreneurs and SMEs, and government and tourism organisations.

Learners will also be awarded with digital certificates upon completion.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “At PATA, one of our core aims has always been to support the industry through knowledge sharing and collaboration. Through this initiative, we hope to make practical learning more accessible and flexible, while drawing on the expertise and experiences of PATA’s global network. We believe that by sharing knowledge and learning from one another, we can help tourism stakeholders across the region grow, adapt, and move forward together.”

Initial courses available under the programme 

Integrating ESG into Tourism SMEs – EarthCheck
The course offers practical ESG strategies for small tourism businesses to build more sustainable operations and improve efficiency. Participants will learn simple, cost-effective actions that can deliver measurable environmental and social impact.

AI-Powered Marketing for Tourism Professionals – The Sigmund Project
The course offers practical applications of AI to create faster and smarter marketing campaigns, produce content, advertisements, and branding materials, and significantly reduce marketing time and production costs.

The courses are now accessible at src.pata.org/online-courses.

(Source: PATA)

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The newly elected Board members will serve alongside the association’s ongoing Board members, further strengthening PATA’s collective expertise and representation across the travel and tourism industry, including the public and private sectors, academia, chapters, and youth representatives from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

The announcement follows the unveiling of PATA’s new Chair and Executive Board line-up earlier during the Summit.

“PATA’s strength lies in the diversity, experience, and commitment of its members,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “We are pleased to welcome these newly elected Board members and look forward to working together as we continue to advance a more responsible, inclusive, and resilient tourism industry.”

Newly elected PATA board members

Bangkok University, represented by Duangthida Nunthapirat, Dean, International Programmes

Crescentrating Pte Ltd, represented by Fazal Bahardeen, CEO

Global Success Learning Academy Sdn Bhd, represented by Jonathan Low, Managing Director

Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, represented by Mr Jason Wang, Chief Operating Officer

Graduate School of Tourism Management, National Institute of Development Administration, represented by Dr Paithoon Monpanthong, GSTM Programmes Director

Hotelbeds Pte Ltd, represented by Mr Justin Ong, Regional Manager, APAC

Intrepid Travel, represented by Mike Stewart, Regional General Manager SEA

Jetwing Hotels Ltd, represented by Dmitri Cooray, Managing Director

PATA Face of the Future 2025, Yeji Cho, Assistant Manager, Korea Tourism Organisation

PATA Hong Kong School of Hotel & Tourism Management (SHTM) Student Chapter, represented by Thomas Wan, Chairman

PATA Nepal Chapter, represented by Khem Lakai, Chairman

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), represented by Dr Supawan Teerarat, President

Tourism Malaysia, represented by Datuk Musa Yusof, Deputy Director General (Promotion)

TripAdvisor, represented by Fabrizio Orlando, Global Industry Relations Director

Wakayama University, represented by Dr Kumi Kato, Professor

Ongoing PATA Board Members

The newly elected members will join the following ongoing Board members:

Booking.com B.V., represented by Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, represented by Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President Global Alliances & Partnerships

Dusit Thani College, represented by Simon Lloyd, Dean – Hospitality Management and Business Administration

Guilin Tang Dynasty Tours Co Ltd, represented by Michael Zhou, President

Hong Kong Tourism Board, represented by Anthony Lau, Executive Director

Korea Tourism Organisation, represented by Sunghyeuck Park, President

Macau International Airport Company Ltd, represented by Eric Fong, Marketing Director

Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, represented by Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director

Pacific Leisure (Thailand) Ltd, represented by Watana Limnararat, Managing Director

PATA Hawaii Chapter, represented by Jennifer Chun, Chairperson

Sanya Tourism Board, represented by Hao Zhang, Vice Director

Saudi Tourism Authority, represented by Mr Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – APAC Market

Soaltee Hotel Limited, represented by Dinesh Bista, Executive Chairman

Taiwan Tourism Administration, represented by Yu-Hsiu Chen, Director-General

Tourism Authority of Thailand, represented by Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor

Venture Travel (Temple Tigers) Nepal, represented by Brajesh Mishra, Director

The Board plays a key role in guiding the association’s strategic direction and supporting its mission to share knowledge, enable networking, and protect tourism economy assets through innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.

(Source: PATA)

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At the heart of this new approach are “content experiences,” designed and ready-to-use digital marketing pages featuring Crystal’s itineraries, destinations, and exclusive offers. These pages can be instantly co-branded by advisors and shared across email and social channels. Each piece of content is paired with a personalised, co-branded Crystal website, enabling advisors to capture private leads directly and seamlessly convert interest into sales.

To support adoption and maximise advisor success, Crystal is co-hosting a webinar for travel advisors on 28 May. The webinar will offer a live, hands-on demonstration of the platform, showing advisors how to co-brand content in real time, create their own marketing assets and begin sharing with clients immediately. 

Participants will hear directly from Crystal Cruises Sales Director – Cruise, Jacqui Tufala, and Approach Guides founder, Jennifer Raezer, on how this technology is designed to elevate advisor marketing while driving measurable results.

The platform is designed for simplicity and speed. Advisors can access Crystal’s marketing content, add their personal branding, and begin sharing with clients in minutes — eliminating the need for time-intensive content creation while ensuring a polished, high-end presentation consistent with the Crystal brand.

“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Approach Guides to provide our valued trade partners with cutting-edge technology that delivers both inspiration and immediacy. Working with Approach Guides provides our travel partners an elegant, intuitive way to market Crystal to their luxury clients, combining beautiful storytelling with powerful lead generation. It’s a meaningful step forward in how we support advisor success and help them grow their business,” said Crystal Cruises VP Sales and Partnerships, AU/NZ, Susan Haberle.

In addition, Crystal is offering agency-level integration options that allow host agencies to co-brand Crystal content directly from their intranet systems. This ensures advisors can access and distribute marketing materials within their existing workflows with minimal setup.

Travel advisors can explore the new platform and begin creating their own co-branded content by visiting: inspires.to/crystal. 

(Source: A&K Travel Group)

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The airline will launch the first seasonal service (December to March) from San Francisco to Sapporo, Japan. It will be the only US airline offering direct daily service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita*. 

In 2025, the airline flew more than 1.8 million passengers between the two countries — more than all other US carriers combined. This winter, United will operate up to 13 flights each day from the continental US to four airports in Japan, including Sapporo (CTS), Tokyo-Narita (NRT), Tokyo-Haneda (HND), and Osaka (KIX).

San Francisco to Sapporo, Japan

Starting 11 December, three weekly winter seasonal services will launch between San Francisco (SFO) and Sapporo (CTS), marking the first nonstop flights between the continental US and Sapporo. Sapporo offers travellers an entirely new way to experience Japan in the winter, from fresh powder for world-class skiing to a rich culinary scene with must-try dishes like Sapporo ramen and Hokkaido seafood. The city is also home to the iconic Sapporo Snow Festival, which transforms it into a winter wonderland.

Flights are expected to operate on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United will connect travellers from nearly 80 US cities to Sapporo through its premier Pacific gateway in San Francisco, making it easier than ever to reach this unique Japanese destination.

Chicago to Tokyo-Narita

United will launch new daily year-round service between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo-Narita beginning 24 October. United will be the only US airline offering service between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita, further expanding its position as the only US carrier connecting Chicago to the Pacific region nonstop. The new service builds on the airline’s existing service between Chicago and Tokyo-Haneda, providing travellers with even more ways to travel between the US and Japan.

The new Tokyo-Narita flight unlocks easy, one-stop connections for travellers to 21 destinations across the Asia-Pacific on United or a Joint Venture partner, ANA. Customers can connect on United to cities such as Cebu, Guam, Kaohsiung, Palau, Saipan, and Ulaanbaatar. The new flights between Chicago and Tokyo-Narita are expected to operate on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners.

*Subject to government approval

(Source: United Airlines)

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