Emirates partners with the Vietnamese Business Council (VNBC), a non-profit organisation supporting Vietnamese businesses and professionals in the UAE, to build closer ties with the Vietnamese business community. The agreement follows the announcement of additional services to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from this winter, giving members greater choice when travelling between the airline’s Vietnamese points and Dubai. 

Emirates and the Mozambique National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment, Public Fund (ANDITUR) have joined hands to support the growth of international tourism in Mozambique. The agreement will see the partners explore opportunities to promote Mozambique to international travellers in key regions through airline partnerships across Africa, providing seamless connectivity to Mozambique.

Emirates and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) partner to strengthen collaboration and support the growth of inbound tourism to Kenya. Already one of the most consistently in-demand destinations on the airline’s Africa network, the partnership will build on this strong demand and help unlock new opportunities for Kenya to attract visitors from emerging and established markets worldwide.

Emirates connects with the Finnish Business Council (FBC), a non-profit organisation supporting Finnish businesses and professionals in the UAE, to build a relationship that helps introduce Emirates more widely to the Finnish business community, especially with the new direct Dubai–Helsinki route starting 1 October. 

(Source: Emirates).

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Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) ranks fourth globally and first among all Asian airports, with connections to 154 destinations.

KUL also tops OAG’s Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Megahubs index, offering nearly 15,000 possible low-cost connections. AirAsia operates 34% of the airport’s total flights. Seoul Incheon (ICN) ranks second in the LCC rankings, with connectivity to 198 destinations.

Another standout story in Asia Pacific this year is the recovery of Chinese airports. Shanghai Pudong (PVG) rises from 19th to 14th globally, Guangzhou Baiyun International (CAN) from 36th to 19th, and Hong Kong (HKG) returns to the global top 20, moving from 22nd to 20th. Tokyo Haneda (HND) also improves, from 9th to 8th globally.

Singapore Changi (SIN) climbs significantly in the LCC rankings, from 10th to 5th, reflecting growth in both destinations served and potential low-cost connections. Fukuoka (FUK) is another strong mover, rising from 13th to 8th in the LCC index.

The average dominant carrier share at Asia Pacific’s top 10 airports is 33%, lower than most other regions. This reflects the diverse mix of full-service and low-cost carriers serving different traveller segments across Southeast and Northeast Asia.

“The Asia Pacific numbers tell two stories this year,” said  OAG Head of APAC Mayur Patel. “The first is the completion of Chinese aviation’s post-pandemic recovery; these airports are back in the top 20, and the data shows it. The second is how low-cost carriers have reshaped Southeast Asian connectivity: 51% of all seats in the region are now operated by LCCs, well above the global average.”

Megahubs 2026 data and methodology: https://www.oag.com/megahubs-2026

(Source: OAG).

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Bwnd was officially unveiled at ETA Group’s Annual Partner Gathering at Capella Bangkok, on Wednesday, with leading event professionals, clients and suppliers in attendance.

The launch builds on ETA Group’s successful delivery of the Flight Centre Global Gathering 2026 in July in Bangkok, where it curated 32 events and activations across the senior leaders and sponsors programmes, as part of the wider week-long event for 2,100 guests from around the world.

The scale and success of the Flight Centre Global Gathering programme gave ETA Group Founder & Executive Chairman, Max Boontawee Jantasuwan, the confidence to push ahead with the launch of Bwnd, led by industry leader El Kwang as its Chief Executive.

Kwang said the agency was created in response to what the team was hearing from clients and industry partners.

“Bwnd started by firstly listening. Max, Pete [Make-Arun] and I listened to our clients and supporters, and we saw an opportunity to create something that helps future-proof our profession.

“The successful delivery of 32 events and activations for the Flight Centre Global Gathering gave us the confidence that there is a clear need for a high-touch agency like Bwnd, particularly across our immediate key markets of Australia and Singapore.”

Bwnd will work with clients from concept development through to onsite execution, creating experiences that engage people, strengthen relationships and achieve measurable business outcomes.

FCM Meetings & Events — a Flight Centre Travel Group business —

Senior Project Director Dee Kelly commented: “We have worked with many DMCs over the decades of this event, and our team felt that ETA Group was absolutely one of the best,” she said. “We felt that we had a true partnership. The team was well structured, and they are specialists in their areas of focus.

“The event was a huge success, and we are very aware that this was largely due to the exceptional service received from the team.”

ETA Group have also appointed experienced business events professional Pete Make-Arun as COO.

Bwnd joins Events Travel Asia, E-Transportation and E-Distribution as ETA Group’s fourth specialist brand, with the businesses providing expertise across event strategy, delivery, logistics and fulfilment.

About Bwnd Events

Bwnd (pronounced ‘Bound’) is ETA Group’s creative event and incentive agency, specialising in progressive, purposeful and high-touch programmes. 

(Source: Bwnd).

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The move strengthens its presence in the Visakhapatnam market and the wider Andhra Pradesh region, offering travellers convenient access to a range of foreign exchange services and currencies.

According to Thomas Cook India’s India Forex Report 2026, Tier 2 cities account for 41% of overall forex demand, while Tier 3 cities contribute a further 12%. Together, these markets account for over half (53%) of overall forex demand, highlighting the next phase of forex growth in the Indian travel market.

Visakhapatnam represents an important market within this broader shift. With the opening of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, the region is gaining a new aviation gateway and is expected to handle over 28 lakh domestic and international passengers annually. The airport currently has international connectivity to destinations including the UAE and Singapore, with the potential addition of further Southeast Asian routes expected to support international passenger growth.

The expansion in Visakhapatnam is part of Thomas Cook India’s broader strategy of strengthening its airport forex presence across key aviation gateways. In Delhi, the company recently reopened its forex counters at Terminals 1 & 2 in June & July 2026. At Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, the company opened multiple forex counters at both terminals earlier this year.

Thomas Cook India’s airport counter transaction data also provides insight into the diverse purposes driving outbound travel. Leisure and holiday travel is the largest segment, followed by employment-related travel. Reconversion transactions, where NRIs or foreign nationals convert their unspent Indian currency back into foreign currency and student travel also contribute to the overall transaction mix. This highlights the diverse forex needs the company meets across its airport network.

The expanding airport footprint is aligned with the changing geography of India’s outbound travel and forex demand. As international travel gains momentum across Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, Thomas Cook India is focused on extending its physical and digital forex services across key travel corridors and high-potential markets.

Thomas Cook (India) Limited Chief Business Officer — Foreign Exchange Deepesh Varma commented: “The opening of our new forex counters at Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is an important step in strengthening our presence in Visakhapatnam and the wider Andhra Pradesh market. 

“Our India Forex Report 2026 highlights the significant contribution of Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, which together account for over half of overall forex demand. This reinforces our view that the next phase of growth will increasingly come from India’s emerging travel markets. As Visakhapatnam develops into an important international aviation gateway, we see a strong opportunity to bring our forex services closer to customers in the region. Alongside the reopening of our airport forex counters in Delhi and the opening of new counters in Bengaluru, we will continue to evaluate strategic opportunities that enable us to build a stronger presence across India’s evolving travel and forex landscape.”

(Source: Thomas Cook (India).

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Passenger volume exceeded 210,000 on 1 August, marking the highest daily passenger traffic during the summer travel peak this year, excluding days affected by flight rescheduling due to adverse weather. Transfer/ transit passengers continued to drive overall passenger growth in August, recording a double-digit increase. Growth was mainly led by traffic with the Chinese Mainland and South Korea, while the decline in the Middle East moderated further.

In the first eight months of the year, passenger volume grew by 10.1% year on year to 44.3 million, while flight movements increased by 3.5% year on year to 269,900. On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume rose by 11.4% year on year to 65 million, while flight movements increased by 4.5% to 403,850.

Cargo volume declined by 1.2% year on year to 422,000 tonnes in August 2026. Exports declined by 8.8% year on year, partially offset by 18.2% growth in transshipments and 3.6% growth in imports. Among key trading regions, Southeast Asia and the Chinese Mainland remained resilient, helping to cushion softer traffic with Europe and the Middle East amid evolving regional trade dynamics.

From January to August this year, cargo traffic recorded year-on-year growth of 17% in the Chinese Mainland, 14% in Southeast Asia and 8% in Europe, offsetting declines in North America and the Middle East. Total cargo throughput over the eight months increased by 2.6% year on year to 3.34 million tonnes. On a 12-month rolling basis, total cargo traffic reached over 5.15 million tonnes, up 2.7% year on year.

(Source: HKIA).

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Nacala will join the vast Ethiopian network as the airline’s third destination in Mozambique after Maputo and Beira.

Ethiopian will deploy the Boeing B737-8 aircraft for the service, operating the flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays per the schedule below.

Commenting on the new service, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew said: “As a pan-African airline, expanding our presence in Mozambique with a third destination is truly a proud moment for us. The commencement of this flight will further strengthen the relationship between the people of Mozambique and Ethiopia and bridge connectivity gaps across Africa and bring every corner of our continent closer to the World.”

Nacala is a vital centre for trade and tourism, and Ethiopian Airlines’ new service will strengthen the city’s economic, commercial, and diplomatic connectivity.

With the largest network in Africa, serving more than 65 destinations across the continent, Ethiopian Airlines continues to play a pivotal role in promoting trade, tourism, and economic integration among African nations, while enhancing connectivity and facilitating business and cultural exchange.

(Source: Ethiopian Airlines).

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I remember being impressed then, so I was delighted to be invited back recently to update myself on the hotel and its facilities.

The timing of that first visit is worth remembering. Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort officially opened on 1 October 2020 (the first Four Points in Thailand) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, so when I first inspected the property in 2021, it was still a very new resort. Opening a 600-room beachfront hotel during one of the most difficult periods the global travel industry has ever faced was no small undertaking, making its subsequent development and success all the more noteworthy.

Having recently attended a conference in Phuket’s Laguna area, I took the opportunity to extend my stay on the island and spend four days and three nights at Four Points.

What struck me immediately was how little this 600-room resort feels like a 600-room hotel.

The property is predominantly low-rise, with water and tropical landscaping playing an important role in its design. There is an almost lagoon-like quality as you walk through the resort, with pools, narrow waterways and water features appearing throughout the grounds.

For me, one of the most enjoyable areas is The Deck Beach Club. Its infinity-style pool and beachfront setting create a lively atmosphere, helped along by music and a DJ, while attentive staff circulate with menus and drinks. Plenty of sunbeds and shaded areas meant I never felt overwhelmed, despite its popularity.

Families are also particularly well catered for. The Little Sea Gypsies Kids’ Club was supervised every time I passed it on the way to my room and, judging by the number of young guests using it, clearly fulfils its purpose very successfully.

The accommodation itself deserves mentioning. There are eight room types, and I found the contemporary design comfortable and practical rather than unnecessarily elaborate. High ceilings and large floor-to-ceiling windows give the rooms a sense of space, while some categories have balconies, ocean views, or terraces providing direct access to the pool.

I was particularly interested to discover the Superior Triple Rooms, an increasingly useful option for families and groups of friends travelling together.

 They overlook the resort pool and accommodate up to three guests with a sofa bed, with configurations including either a king bed or two double beds.

It is a simple idea, but in my opinion an important one. Too often three people travelling together are forced either to book two rooms or compromise on comfort. Here, the third guest can be accommodated properly while everyone remains together.

There are also pool-access rooms for those who want to step directly from their private terrace into the water, while families wanting considerably more space can choose a two-bedroom Family Suite, complete with a separate children’s room and specially designed facilities for younger guests.

For those interested in meetings and conferences, however, this resort has another side altogether.

The conference facilities were one of the principal reasons for my original visit in 2021, and they are even more impressive today. The Akara Grand Ballroom now features an enormous 9m by 5m LED wall, opening up considerable possibilities for conference organisers and event planners. The ballroom accommodates up to 500 guests and is complemented by a junior ballroom and numerous meeting and breakout rooms.

With two levels of meeting facilities, escalator access, generous reception and pre-function areas and extensive indoor and outdoor event space, I found myself once again thinking that this is a serious conference hotel disguised rather cleverly as a beach resort.

Food and beverage was another highlight of my stay.

I particularly enjoyed Sears & Co. Bar and Grill, where guests can dine indoors in air-conditioned comfort or outside overlooking Patong Beach. The resort runs numerous dining promotions, including grilled meats, seafood and seasonal buffet offerings, adding welcome variety for guests staying several nights.

Breakfast at Chao Leh Kitchen deserves a special mention. In my opinion, it is one of the most extensive hotel breakfast buffets I have encountered in recent years.

Rather than one seemingly endless buffet line, the food is divided among different kitchen areas, offering Asian, Indian and Western favourites alongside traditional breakfast dishes. The selection seems endless, and during my stay it was extremely well patronised. Despite that, service remained efficient, friendly and remarkably well organised.

Location is another major advantage.

The hotel sits directly opposite Patong Beach. Cross the road, and you are on one of Phuket’s best-known stretches of golden sand, extending for approximately three kilometres.

I took an early morning exercise walk along the beachfront and found it one of the most fascinating walks I have enjoyed recently. (I walk a lot). Patong is already coming alive at 0630. Vendors prepare for the day, people exercise, restaurants and stalls open, and massage areas and beach businesses gradually spring into action.

Later, of course, the beach becomes considerably livelier. There is parasailing, jet skiing, and other water sports, along with volleyball, food vendors, restaurants, and the almost continuous energy Patong is famous for.

And that, for me, is part of the attraction. You can enjoy the facilities and relative calm of a large resort. Yet the moment you step outside, you are very much in Phuket, with Patong Beach and its extraordinary mixture of people, food, entertainment, and activity immediately in front of you.

For anyone considering a stay, it is also worth checking the hotel’s website before booking, as seasonal packages and special offers are regularly available. Marriott Bonvoy members should also check the benefits and rates available to them, which can add further value to a Phuket stay.

Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort manages an interesting balancing act. It is large without feeling enormous, lively without being overwhelming, and equally capable of accommodating a couple, three friends sharing a room, a family holiday, a beachfront escape, a wedding, or a substantial international conference.

Five years after my first inspection, I found a resort that has matured considerably.

Sometimes returning to a hotel tells you much more than visiting it for the first time. In this case, I came away more impressed than I had been in 2021.

About the Author
Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. He chairs the JFCCT Tourism Committee for 2026–2028 and has held senior leadership roles with Skål International in Thailand and Asia.

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Weekly direct flights to Bangkok from the airline’s home base in Sofia (SOF) are scheduled to operate from 5 November 2026 until 26 March 2027, while Sofia-Phuket flights are scheduled until 21 March 2027, using an Airbus A330-200 wide-body aircraft with 326 seats.

GullivAir will operate direct services from Sofia to Phuket every Thursday, while Bangkok will be served twice weekly, with departures from Sofia on Thursdays and Saturdays. Return flights from Phuket will operate every Sunday, while Bangkok-Sofia services will depart on Fridays and Sundays. All departure and arrival times are local.

The new services will allow travellers from Thailand to reach Bulgaria directly, without changing aircraft at another international hub before arriving in Sofia. At the same time, the flights will provide passengers travelling from Bulgaria with direct access to two of Thailand’s most popular destinations.

Flight schedule Sofia-Bangkok

G2501 departs Sofia (SOF) at 1945 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1555
G2502 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 1210 and arrives in Sofia (SOF) at 2300

G2501 departs Sofia (SOF) Thursday at 1620 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 0855 the next day
G2502 departs Bangkok (BKK) Sunday at 1855 and arrives in Sofia (SOF) at 0500 the next day

Flight schedule Sofia-Phuket

G2701 departs Sofia (SOF) Thursday at 1620 and arrives in Phuket (HKT) at 0600 the next day
G2702 departs Phuket (HKT) Sunday at 2305 and arrives in Sofia (SOF) at 0500 the next day

For travellers from Thailand, the new winter timetable also opens direct access to a lesser-known European destination offering winter and ski resorts, natural mineral-water SPA experiences, historic cities, and cultural heritage. 

A new direct gateway from Thailand to Bulgaria

The new routes provide travellers from Thailand with direct access to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital and largest city.

For passengers travelling from Bangkok and Phuket, this creates a new alternative to itineraries that traditionally require a transfer through another major aviation hub before reaching Bulgaria.

The routes are also expected to support tourism, business travel and stronger cultural and economic links between Thailand and Bulgaria.

Discover a different side of Europe

Once passengers arrive in Sofia, the new services open the door to a European destination offering a wide variety of experiences within relatively short distances.

Bulgaria combines historic cities, snow-covered mountains, ski resorts, natural mineral springs, traditional cuisine, wine, cultural heritage and contemporary urban life.

From November to March, Bulgaria becomes a winter destination with snow, mountains and established ski resorts. Among the best-known are Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo.

Travellers can ski or snowboard, enjoy mountain scenery and winter resorts, or experience snow and the atmosphere of a European winter holiday.

Bansko combines skiing with a traditional old town, while Borovets, located in the Rila Mountains, is within easy reach of Sofia.

(Source: GullivAir)

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The result comes as Australians took a record 12.76 million overseas trips over the same period, new Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) Travel Trends data shows. 

Outbound travel grew 3.5% for the year, while international visitor arrivals reached 9.07 million, up 6.9%. Vietnam was the fastest-growing destination overall, Indonesia remains the most popular, and New Zealand remains Australia’s largest visitor market. 

The findings come from the ATIA September 2026 Travel Trends Report, based on ABS and Department of Infrastructure data analysed by ATIA. 

Reporting periods: overseas arrivals and departures to July 2026; international airline market share to May 2026; domestic airline capacity for June 2026. 

Japan nears a new high 

Japan is on track to become the next market to cross the 1 million mark, following in New Zealand’s footsteps. Australian visitor numbers there climbed 8.5% to July, edging closer to the milestone with each new month of data. 

Vietnam and China power an outbound boom 

Vietnam was the fastest-growing destination for Australian travellers this year, up 15.9% to 577,880 visitors. China wasn’t far behind: outbound travel there rose 13.4% to 749,130, while Chinese visitor numbers to Australia jumped 17.6% to 1,131,650, the strongest inbound growth of any market. 

Indonesia and New Zealand hold their place as favourites 

Indonesia remains the destination Australians visit most, with 1.79 million trips through July. New Zealand remains Australia’s largest visitor market, with 1.43 million arrivals over the same period, as Hong Kong (up 9.2%) also climbed the inbound rankings. 

More Australians flying than ever 

Airlines flew fuller planes than ever on Australia’s busiest domestic corridors, with load factors climbing on nine of the ten busiest routes. Melbourne-Sydney and Adelaide-Melbourne led the way, both up six percentage points to 85% full. 

Qantas and Jetstar now carry one in three international passengers travelling to and from Australia, up from a combined 30.6% a year earlier. At the same time, Malaysia Airlines was the biggest mover, climbing from 2.4% to 3.9% market share. 

Commenting on the performance, ATIA CEO Dean Long said: “Japan is knocking on the door of one million Australian visitors a year, and that’s a huge milestone for what has become one of our most popular destinations. We wouldn’t be surprised to see it cross the line in our next report. 

“Vietnam and China are where the growth is right now, and we expect airlines to keep adding capacity to the region to keep pace with that demand. 

“Indonesia and New Zealand remain the two markets our members know best, and it’s fantastic to see them holding firm as the growth story in Asia keeps building around them. Our accredited agents and tour operators are working hard every day to keep that momentum going in both directions.” 

(Source: ATIA)

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The proposed collaboration seeks to bring together Visa’s expertise in trusted digital commerce and intelligent discovery experiences with ONDC’s open network infrastructure, with the shared objective of simplifying how travellers discover experiences, itineraries and tourism offerings across the country. The exploration aims to make tourism discovery more seamless and accessible while helping travellers connect with destinations, experiences, and local businesses across India.

Speaking at the Global Fintech Festival 2026, Visa Group Country Manager, India & South Asia, Suresh Sethi said: “India has taken a very futuristic approach in terms of how we can digitally connect people, and that is on open networks. When a global Indian is travelling out, or when somebody is coming from overseas, you are really looking for places where you can discover the experiences you can get in India. 

“We also see many agents being used to curate and create journeys, helping people discover experiences. India has its own homegrown digital public infrastructure, creating opportunities for digital commerce, and we realise tourism can be a key asset where ONDC can serve as the country’s digital infrastructure for tourism.

“Everything related to tourism, whether discovering experiences, cities or travel itineraries, as well as small and medium businesses in the ecosystem, can potentially be housed in one place. ONDC brings the trust of a homegrown India digital public infrastructure, while Visa brings trusted discovery experiences. Together, the two can create a superlative experience for anyone considering India as a destination. We are delighted to be exploring this opportunity with ONDC.”

As part of this exploration, Visa and ONDC will evaluate opportunities to leverage open network principles, trusted commerce and digital innovation to create richer tourism discovery experiences and support India’s ambition of becoming an even more accessible and attractive destination for travellers. The collaboration will also explore ways to support tourism participation across destinations, regions and local economies through an open and trusted digital ecosystem.

(Source: Visa)

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