The report outlines how the destination management company strengthened its environmental and community programmes during 2025 while supporting guides and grassroots organisations across the region.

Khiri Travel achieved GSTC certification in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka in December 2025, following a company-wide audit process led by Khiri Travel’s green teams in each destination.

The report also highlights the work of Khiri Reach, the charitable arm of Khiri Travel, which supported 14 projects in 2025 with total contributions of more than USD25,000. Projects covered conservation, emergency relief and community support initiatives in seven Asian countries.

Among the projects supported were nutrition programmes for children in remote villages in northern Laos, flood relief efforts in Vietnam, gibbon rehabilitation work in Thailand and earthquake response support in Myanmar. Khiri Reach also worked with organisations in Bali to host a blood donation campaign for local hospitals.

Other sustainability initiatives included ChildSafe awareness training for 95 staff members, sustainability training for guides, and partnerships with more than 47 responsible tourism hotels assessed through Hotel Resilient.

Regenerative tourism

Khiri Travel Founder and CEO Willem Niemeijer said that the report reflected Khiri Travel’s long-standing approach of using tourism to create opportunities in remote and emerging destinations.

“By encouraging travellers to venture beyond crowded tourism hubs,” he said, “Khiri Travel helps ensure that tourism revenue reaches communities that might otherwise be left out of the visitor economy.”

He added: “We aim to spread the benefits of tourism more equitably while helping travellers connect more deeply with places, cultures, and communities.”

On specific operational initiatives, Khiri Travel plans to expand ChildSafe training to leading guides, roll out a Sustainable Product Assessment framework, and deepen engagement with suppliers through a new Sustainability Supplier Code of Conduct.

The company is also increasing collaboration with ethical tourism partners, including elephant camps certified under the Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES), as part of a broader focus on animal welfare and responsible tourism experiences.

Khiri Travel said its current and future sustainability ambitions are inspired by the 4Cs framework of conservation, community, culture, and commerce, promoted by The Long Run, a global responsible tourism advocacy group of which Khiri Travel is a member.

The Khiri Travel 2025 impact report can be downloaded here

(Source: Khiri Travel)

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Messe Berlin China, the organiser of the China International MICE Exchange (CIMX), announced this week that Egyptair will participate in CIMX 2026 as the Official Airline Partner for the new-generation international B2B trade show dedicated to MICE and the business travel sectors. 

“CIMX has been created to bring together the partners, destinations and decision-makers shaping the next phase of China’s MICE market,” said CIMX Director Nikolaos Swoch. “The partnership with Egyptair combines international travel access with professional business exchange — an essential driver for the further development of China’s meetings, incentives and business events sector.”

As Official Airline Partner, Egyptair will receive prominent visibility across official CIMX communications, onsite branding and delegate touchpoints.

For Egyptair, the partnership provides a targeted platform to engage with China’s corporate travel, meetings and incentive travel market. As Egypt’s national carrier, Egyptair connects China with Egypt and onward destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe through its international route network.

About CIMX
The China International MICE Exchange (CIMX) is the premier new trade show designed to drive innovation, facilitate connections, and create business opportunities in China’s MICE and business travel markets.

CIMX brings together global MICE and business travel suppliers with top-tier buyers from China and around the world, promoting meaningful collaboration and growth.

CIMX 2026 will take place from 3 to 5  November 2026, in Beijing, alongside the CIMX Conference.

About ITB China 
ITB China 2027 will take place from 25 to 27 May 2027 in the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre. ITB China is the B2B travel trade show focused on the Chinese travel market, bringing together top buyers and industry professionals from around the world. 

About the ITB global brand family 
For more than 50 years, the name ITB has stood worldwide for  networking and trendsetting events. ITB China, the premier marketplace for China’s travel industry, is scheduled for 25 to 27 May 2027, in Shanghai. 

ITB India will take place in Mumbai from 2 to 4 September 2026. 

ITB Asia will be held in Singapore from 21 to 23 October 2026, covering the APAC market. 

The inaugural ITB Americas will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 10 to 12 November 2026, covering the American market. ITB Berlin, the world’s leading B2B trade show for the travel industry, will take place in Berlin from 16 to 18 March 2027.

(Source: Messe Berlin China)

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WTTC emphasises that this is a localised public health challenge, and at this stage, the overall risk to international travellers remains low. The organisation underscores the need for calm, coordinated and evidence-based responses, warning that misinformation and unnecessary alarm can have far-reaching social and economic consequences for destinations across Africa.

Travellers are encouraged to stay informed through trusted official sources and to follow destination-specific health guidance when travelling to affected areas.

WTTC also highlights that Africa is a diverse continent of 54 countries with very different health systems and tourism realities, cautioning against broad generalisations that could harm millions of livelihoods dependent on Travel & Tourism.

Recent developments, including the temporary suspension of some international flights to Uganda due to precautionary travel restrictions, underscore how responses that are misaligned with actual risk levels can create unnecessary disruption. Authorities and tourism leaders in the region have stressed that affected areas are limited and that conflating countries or imposing broad measures can unfairly impact unaffected destinations and communities.

 WTTC, President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “This situation must be approached with facts, not fear. Ebola remains contained to specific areas, and the risk to international travellers is low. Today, our sector is far better prepared than ever before. With the right measures, collaboration, and responsible behaviour, travel can continue safely while supporting the communities that rely on it.”

WTTC commends the swift, transparent, and collaborative response from Africa CDC, national governments, the WHO, and international health partners, noting that their leadership provides strong confidence in the management of the situation.

Preparedness based on the COVID-19 experience 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, WTTC worked alongside governments, international organisations, and industry leaders to develop the Safe Travels protocols, a globally recognised framework designed to ensure safe and seamless travel while protecting both travellers and local communities.

These protocols demonstrated that coordinated global standards and practical health measures make it possible to maintain travel even during periods of heightened concern. As a result, the global Travel & Tourism sector is now significantly better equipped to respond to public health events than in the past. 

WTTC continues to advocate for simple, evidence-based measures aligned with WHO guidance, including good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, sensible distancing in crowded areas, and compliance with health screening when required. These actions have already proven effective and remain key to reducing risk while preserving traveller confidence. 

WTTC reiterates that travel remains a powerful force for connection, resilience, and economic opportunity, and that responsible travel can continue safely.

(Source: WTTC)

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“These reports are entirely false and do not reflect the reality of the business or operations of the airline,” the airline group said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“All Z2 flights remain fully operational, with flights and services continuing as scheduled across the group’s network, subject to normal operational considerations such as weather and other standard factors affecting airline operations.”

AirAsia Group said it “views these coordinated and sensationalised reports as part of a deliberate smear campaign that has long been occurring, aimed at undermining fair competition in the Philippine aviation sector. 

“Such narratives serve only the interests of those seeking to limit consumer choice and create conditions that could lead to a monopoly in the market. A monopoly benefits no one except the dominant market players. For travellers, it often results in reduced competition, fewer choices and significantly higher airfares.”

AirAsia Group Co-founder and Advisor Tony Fernandes commented: “AirAsia has long championed affordable travel and will continue to stand firmly against any development that harms consumers or restricts access to air connectivity. AirAsia carries almost seven million guests in the Philippines annually, and our commitment to the Philippines is absolute. We are deeply invested in the country, its people and its future. For over a decade, we have played a key role in democratising air travel, making flying affordable, fun and accessible to millions of Filipinos who might not otherwise have had the opportunity to fly. We have removed charges that people don’t want and made travel more flexible by offering ancillary options.

“Looking ahead, we are investing in the development of new airport infrastructure across the country, including in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), which will unlock greater growth opportunities, improve connectivity, enhance operational efficiency and enable us to lower costs even further. As we expand our fleet and aircraft orderbook to become the first global low-cost narrowbody network carrier, we intend to deploy more aircraft in our operations in the Philippines. These developments will allow Philippines AirAsia to expand our network, offer even more competitive fares and continue delivering greater value to Filipino travellers.”

*The name change from AirAsia X to AirAsia Group Berhad is subject to shareholder approval at the company’s 19th Annual General Meeting and registration by the Companies Commission of Malaysia (CCM).

(Source: AirAsia X)

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Morning flight

AZ806 will depart from Rome Fiumicino airport at 0910 and arrive in Tel Aviv at 1330 local time. 
AZ807 will depart from Tel Aviv at 1430 and arrive in Rome Fiumicino at 1715 local time.

Thursday services will operate on a slightly different schedule, with flight AZ806 departing Rome Fiumicino at 0930 and arriving in Tel Aviv at 1350 local time.
Flight AZ807 will depart Tel Aviv at 1450 and arrive in Rome Fiumicino at 1735  local time.

Late-night flight

AZ810 will depart from Rome Fiumicino at 2250 and will arrive in Tel Aviv at O310 local time the following day.
AZ809 will depart from Tel Aviv at 0515 local time and will arrive in Rome Fiumicino at 0800 local time.

The schedule offers seamless connections through ITA Airways’ hub at Rome Fiumicino, providing convenient access to destinations across the airline’s domestic, European and intercontinental network.

The Rome–Tel Aviv service will be operated with the Airbus A321neo, configured with three distinct cabins — business class, premium economy and economy — delivering environmental and operational benefits, with more than 20% lower fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions per seat compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Tickets are already on sale through the airline’s website and travel agencies.

Meanwhile, the airline has introduced new seasonal services from Rome Fiumicino to Malaga, Valencia and Marseille to strengthen its summer offering across the Mediterranean.

The new flights started on 1 June and operate through to 30 September 2026, with daily frequencies offering passengers direct connections to some of the most popular European summer destinations, as well as connections to ITA’s domestic and international network via its Rome Fiumicino hub.

The launch of the new seasonal routes was celebrated earlier this week with three inaugural ceremonies held at the airports of Malaga, Valencia and Marseille, attended by airport authorities and the airline’s commercial teams.

Among the other key highlights of the summer 2026 season are the launch of the Rome Fiumicino–London Heathrow route, operated twice daily, and the opening of the new Rome–Houston direct service, the first-ever nonstop connection between the two hubs. The Houston route will increase to five weekly frequencies from June to September, further strengthening the airline’s presence in the North American market, which is strategic for the development of ITA Airways’ intercontinental network.

Looking towards Asia, ITA Airways continues to invest in connections to the region, increasing the Rome–Bangkok service to five weekly frequencies during August and operating the Rome–Delhi route daily, in response to growing demand for long-haul travel to destinations of significant tourist and cultural interest.

(Source: ITA Airways).

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Proof Wins: The Convergence of Sports, Travel, and Faith examines how Muslim travellers discover, plan and attend sports events, and identifies the key factors that convert interest into bookings. The research finds that while enthusiasm for sports travel among Muslim travellers is high, participation depends heavily on clear, reliable information on essentials such as Halal food availability, prayer facilities, transport logistics, and secure payment options.

Current projections indicate that the Muslim sports-event travel spend pool will grow from around USD11 billion in 2025 to USD17 billion by 2030. When destinations make Muslim-friendly readiness visible during the booking stage and deliver it consistently on the ground, the opportunity could expand further to USD21 billion by the end of the decade. 

This potential growth is fueled by two measurable shifts: greater participation from Muslim travellers when faith-compatible services are clearly communicated, and stronger in-venue spending when Halal food options are well-labelled, accessible and trusted. 

Converting interest into attendance 

Muslim international arrivals are expected to grow from 186 million in 2025 to 245 million by 2030, supported by a young, digitally connected population increasingly motivated by experience-led travel. Yet today, only around 6% of international Muslim trips include attending a sporting event, highlighting a substantial untapped market for destinations and organisers to convert interest into attendance. 

Several factors shape whether travellers ultimately commit to a sports trip. Affordability and value remain the most important considerations, followed by access to Halal food and prayer facilities, and confidence in safety and crowd management. When these elements are visible early — particularly during ticket discovery and trip planning — travellers are significantly more likely to follow through with bookings. 

Building confidence across the travel journey 

Digital discovery plays a decisive role in the sports travel journey. Social media is the primary channel through which Muslim travellers learn about sports events, often inspiring group travel among friends and family. However, conversion occurs only when that discovery quickly leads to trusted information, including official ticket links, venue access details, transport plans, and reliable digital payment options. 

“Sports tourism is entering a new phase of global growth, where experiences, community and cultural connection matter as much as the event itself,” said Mastercard Senior Vice President Customer Solutions Centre, Southeast Asia Aisha Islam. “Through Mastercard’s long-standing presence in global sports, including collaborations with the UEFA Champions League, the McLaren Mastercard Formula 1 Team and the Australian Open, Mastercard sees how major sporting moments can connect fans, destinations, and businesses at scale. As major sporting calendars continue to roll through Southeast Asia, the region is firmly establishing itself as a hub for high-profile sporting experiences. Muslim travellers are among the fastest-growing segments in global travel. When destinations provide clarity and confidence — from payment security to Halal dining and prayer access — they unlock significant participation and spending potential.”

“What this research clearly shows is that demand alone is not the constraint: Confidence is,” said CrescentRating Founder and CEO Fazal Bahardeen. 

Muslim travellers are highly motivated by major sporting events. But participation increases only when essential needs such as Halal food, access to prayer facilities, and transport are clearly communicated and trusted well before travel begins. Destinations in Southeast Asia that connect iconic sports moments with visible Muslim-friendly readiness are best positioned to convert interest into attendance and sustained economic impact.”For more information on the report, check out  Proof Wins: The Convergence of Sports, Travel, and Faith.

(Source: Mastercard)

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The agreement marks the first loyalty collaboration between a global airline alliance and a hotel group. It includes Taj, Claridges Collection, Brij, SeleQtions, Clarks, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger, Tree of Life, and amã Stays & Trails brands.

“We are pleased to bring together the world’s premium airline alliance with IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass. Our members can now enjoy IHCL’s celebrated brands, including the iconic Taj, with its heritage of luxury, in a first-of-its-kind partnership that extends the value of oneworld loyalty beyond air travel,” said oneworld CEO Ole Orvér. 

“With 10 million international customers travelling to and from India each year on oneworld member airlines, this partnership recognises and rewards our customers across a key global market.”

The tie-up, effective today on Wednesday 3 June, provides all oneworld Emerald, Sapphire and Ruby loyalty members access to exclusive savings on stays across IHCL’s global portfolio, in addition to enhanced on-property benefits spanning dining and spa experiences when booking through dedicated partnership channels. 

“Our partnership with oneworld marks the coming together of two global leaders to redefine how travel and hospitality intersect, signalling a shift towards more integrated ecosystems,” said  IHCL Managing Director & CEO Puneet Chhatwal. “As we expand Taj’s international footprint, this alliance will strengthen our ability to engage a wider global audience, bringing together scale and warm Indian hospitality to create a desirable proposition across markets.”

The loyalty partnership connects oneworld’s global network of nearly 1,000 destinations with IHCL’s portfolio of 630+ hotels across four continents. These include the iconic Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, as well as renowned properties such as The Pierre, New York and St. James Court Hotel, London. Together, oneworld member airlines offer an extensive network in India, with 11 member airlines serving 17 cities across the country from destinations throughout Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East. 

Preferential rates

Oneworld loyalty members will enjoy preferential rates and experiences for stays booked at participating Taj, Claridges Collection, Brij, SeleQtions, Clarks, Gateway, Vivanta, Ginger, Tree of Life hotels, and amã Stays & Trails.

Tier-based benefits include 15% discounts for oneworld Emerald members, and 10% percent for Ruby and Sapphire and all other members on the best available room rate, food and non-alcoholic beverage offerings and spa treatments. 

Additionally, oneworld members booking their first stay at participating IHCL properties worldwide will unlock vouchers offering exclusive savings on stays and food and beverage experiences.

Loyalty recognition

As a next step, IHCL and select oneworld airline members will introduce reciprocal loyalty recognition. Oneworld Emerald members will be matched to Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass Gold, while Ruby and Sapphire members will be matched to Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass Silver. 

Taj InnerCircle — NeuPass Gold and Platinum members holding a frequent flyer program membership with a oneworld carrier will be matched to the oneworld Sapphire tier, and Taj InnerCircle – NeuPass Copper and Silver members will be matched to the oneworld Ruby tier. 

(Source: Oneworld)

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An accomplished hotelier with over 25 years of experience across luxury and lifestyle hospitality brands, Scheffers brings a strong track record in hotel operations, commercial strategy, repositioning, and asset enhancement across key Asian markets, including Thailand, Singapore, India, the Maldives, and Hong Kong. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles with globally recognised hospitality groups such as Onyx, Shangri-La, and Hilton.

He joins the resort as it continues to lead and strengthen Mandai Rainforest Resort’s positioning as Singapore’s leading nature and wildlife destination.

In his new role, Scheffers will oversee the resort’s overall operations and strategic direction, with a focus on strengthening guest engagement, operational performance, service excellence, and the resort’s long-term commercial success.

(Source: Banyan Tree)

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Airline officials announced the news last week at the Vietnam–Singapore Tech Connect Forum 2026 on 29 May.

Scheduled to commence on 11 December 2026, the Singapore–Nha Trang route Vietjet will operate four return flights per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 

It will offer Singapore travellers a more convenient way to reach Nha Trang, reducing the need for domestic transfers in Vietnam and providing easier access to Vietnam’s south-central coast and its popular beach resorts.

Renowned for its pristine beaches, rich marine ecosystem, year-round pleasant climate, and world-class hospitality and entertainment offerings, Nha Trang continues to attract visitors from around the world. The new route will complement Vietjet’s existing direct services from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc.

Earlier, in March 2025, Vietjet also announced its direct Singapore–Phu Quoc route in the presence of the Vietnamese leader during his visit to Singapore, contributing to tourism growth and regional connectivity.

Vietjet First Vice Chairman Dinh Viet Phuong commented: “As we continuously expand our flight network, Vietjet aims to serve as a bridge for growth between nations, helping to promote trade, investment, tourism and cultural exchange. 

“Direct air links between Vietnam’s high-potential destinations and Asia’s leading economic centres, such as Singapore, are contributing to the development of new growth corridors for tourism, commerce, investment and international connectivity.”

Since launching its first route between Singapore and Vietnam in 2014, Vietjet has carried more than 3.8 million passengers on over 22,000 flights, contributing to stronger bilateral connectivity and meeting the growing travel demand of residents, tourists and the business community. 

The airline currently operates four direct services linking Singapore with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, offering more than 100 flights per week.

(Source: Vietjet)

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The new service complements the existing Almaty-to-Guangzhou route, which has operated five times a week since March 2025. Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province in southern China, is one of the country’s largest cities and is a major industrial, trading and transport hub.

Flights from Astana to Guangzhou operate twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing from Astana at 1845 and arriving in Guangzhou at 0430 local time. Airbus A321LR aircraft serve the route with a flight time of six hours and 45 minutes.

Additional services to Guangzhou strengthen Air Astana’s long-term commitment to developing connectivity between Kazakhstan and China. This commitment began with its first flight between Almaty and Beijing in December 2002. 

During the 2026 summer season, the Air Astana Group will increase frequencies on most of its existing routes to China, including services from Almaty to Urumqi, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Sanya and Yining, as well as from Astana to Beijing and Urumqi. As a result, the number of flights between Kazakhstan and China will reach 51 per week, the highest level in the airline’s history.

(Source: Air Astana Group)

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