Wednesday, October 28, 2026
Home Blog Page 10

2027: How Singaporeans shape their travel plans

By
Newsdesk
-

SINGAPORE, 9 October 2026: Global travel app Skyscanner has launched its Travel Trends 2027 report, revealing seven key trends shaping Singaporeans’ travel behaviour. 

The annual travel trends report launched alongside a list of next year’s best-value destinations and key shifts expected in the travel industry.

Photo credit: Skyscanner. Skyscanner Singapore’s Travel Trends 2026

In a fragmented and often overstimulating world, travellers increasingly seek value not just in what they spend, but in what they gain. Whether that means unplugging completely, journeying for an exclusive purchase, maintaining a workout routine on the road, or chasing a favourite sound across borders, getaways now mirror how we choose to live.

And despite broader consumer spending slowing and global economic tides shifting, travel demand remains positive – with 89% of Singapore travellers planning to travel as much, if not more, in 2027. Instead of sacrificing trips, holidaymakers are adapting by prioritising what matters most to them, including finding authentic local experiences (37%), seeking convenience and familiarity (37%), and keeping costs low (36%). 

Cost remains the bottom line for those aged 17 choosing their next travel destination – the most important deciding factors are accommodation budgets (51%) and airfares (51%).

In an uncertain world where travel remains fluid and malleable due to world events, travellers are being more cautious by allocating more budget to travel insurance (32%), protecting themselves from unforeseen circumstances that may affect their travel plans. 

Seven trends shaping travel in 2027

1. Signal severance: 80% of Singapore travellers are somewhat able to disconnect during their travels to different extents. Driven by digital fatigue, constant connectivity, and Singapore’s fast-paced work culture, travellers are logging off during their holidays to be more attuned to themselves. As more people want to unplug, trending digital detox spots like Yining, China (+193% Year-on-Year) and Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (+84% Year-on-Year) are seeing rising demand. 

2. Pilgra-merch: The best keepsakes are the ones you must travel to secure. Travel Trends 2027 research found that Singapore travellers are building itineraries inspired by distinctive regional apparel, artisanal crafts and location-exclusive items. Over one in two (56%) take a trip specifically for items they can’t buy online.

3. Sound bound: Music has become one of the biggest drivers of global travel, but beyond stadium tours, regional sounds and local culture are driving destination choices. Cultural immersion is a priority, as one in five (18%) state cultural immersion to be the most important factor when planning a music-related trip. Traditional concert venues and carnival experiences also rank highly for both Gen Z (41% and 37%) and Millennials (31% and 34%).

4. Currency chasers: Savvy spenders can make their money go further in 2027 by actively matching destinations to take advantage of positive foreign exchange rates. Nearly half (44%) of travellers, including 55% of Gen Z and 49% of Millennials, have switched destinations to take advantage of better exchange rates, directly influencing destination choices.

5. Multi-mooning: Having just one honeymoon is no longer the trend for young couples in Singapore. Couples are spreading romance across a series of meaningful escapes, from mini-moons just after the wedding to dream trips years later. 31% of travellers (rising to 45% of Gen Zs) now opt for multiple “mini-moons” to celebrate their wedding rather than a single traditional honeymoon. Popular multi-moon destinations include Udaipur, India and ⁠⁠Qingdao, China, which have seen 119% and 105% Year-on-Year growth in searches, respectively.

6. Grand odysseys: In a fast-paced world, the world’s oldest stories inspire us to travel and be closer to ancient heroes, mythology and cultures. Films like The Odyssey have inspired 38% of travellers to plan a trip, while half (54%) were inspired by architectural wonders (e.g. Pompeii, the Parthenon, and the Colosseum).

7. Gym-cation: Health and fitness travel is inspiring people to seek out destinations where staying active and prioritising protein-rich healthy choices is as easy as sightseeing. Over two-thirds of Gen Z (78%) are more likely to book a hotel which serves a nutritious breakfast, and 32% of Gen Z travellers prefer hotels with gyms and are willing to choose one hotel over another if the fitness offering is better. Bangkok, Mumbai, New York, Phuket, and Seoul top the list of destinations for global travellers using Skyscanner’s hotel gym filter. 

Trending and best value destinations

Skyscanner’s experts highlighted 10 destinations seeing the biggest year-on-year search surges to help travellers experience the buzz while they’re still largely undiscovered. Belitung in Indonesia has come out on top, with a massive 388% increase Year-on-Year as adventurous travellers look past traditional capitals for untouched sandy beaches. 

For travellers looking to stretch their holiday budget further in 2027, Skyscanner’s experts have tracked the top destinations where airfares have fallen the most year-on-year, coupled with competitive accommodation pricing. Chicago, US, claims the top spot for value, leading the list with a massive 47% price drop, offering an affordable gateway to neighbourhood jazz clubs and world-renowned festivals. 

Horizons: The future of travel

Travel Trends 2027 research suggests that rising costs aren’t stopping travellers from getting away, but they are making for smarter planners and spenders. Instead of cutting back on the number of getaways, travellers are focusing their budgets on where it matters most, which for Singapore travellers means seeking authentic local experiences (37%).

For trip inspiration, human connection still beats bots. YouTube, Instagram and TikTok lead as the top sources of holiday ideas (58%, 48% and 39%), comfortably beating out AI chatbots and tools (19%). This is stronger for Gen Z, as they tend to trust recommendations from their friends (58%) and family (57%) the most. 

To read more about the Travel Trends 2027, check: Skyscanner Singapore’s Travel Trends 2026.  

(Source: Skyscanner)

Catch a bargain fare on Vietjet

By
Newsdesk
-

SINGAPORE, 9 October 2026: Vietjet rolls out a special sale until 10 October 2026, with SGD86 promotional Eco tickets and 20% off Deluxe base fares. 

The promotion comes as the airline expands its international network with new services to Prague (Czech Republic) and Almaty (Kazakhstan), as well as the upcoming launch of its Ho Chi Minh City–Maldives service via Colombo (Sri Lanka).

Photo credit: Vietjet.

From now until 10 October 2026 (GMT+8), travellers can grab Eco tickets from just SGD86 one-way (including taxes and fees) and a 20% discount on Deluxe base fares on Singapore–Vietnam routes when booking via the airline’s website and mobile app. 

The promotion applies to travel through to 30 September 2027 (blackout dates may apply) and is also available for Vietnam domestic routes and Vietjet’s other international services.

The extended travel period gives Singapore travellers more flexibility to plan year-end holidays, short getaways to Vietnam’s Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Da Nang, Phu Quoc or trips further afield in 2027. 

Singapore travellers will also have another direct Vietnam option from December with Vietjet’s new Singapore–Nha Trang service, offering easier access to the coastal destination known for its beaches, island excursions and resort stays.

Vietjet is also launching its Hanoi–Almaty and Hanoi–Prague routes on 10 October 2026, expanding its network into Central Asia and Europe. Later this month, two more services will commence, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Clark in the Philippines and Chiang Mai in Thailand. 

In addition, Vietjet’s new Ho Chi Minh City–Maldives service via Colombo is scheduled to launch on 5 December 2026, further strengthening Vietjet’s presence in South Asia and expanding its international network. 

With three round trips per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, the new service will give travellers more options to reach the Maldives via Ho Chi Minh City, while opening up possibilities for multi-destination holidays combining tropical island getaways with Vietnam’s vibrant cities, culture and cuisine. 

(Source: Vietjet)

STB revokes travel agency licence

By
Newsdesk
-

SINGAPORE, 9 October 2026: The Singapore Tourism Board has revoked the travel agent licence of Sheen Yeow Travel Pte Ltd (TA 03330) under the Travel Agents Act 1975. 

Sheen Yeow Travel is no longer permitted to carry out any travel agent activities under Section 9(1)(b) of the Travel Agents Act 1975.

Photo credit: STB.

In the media advisory, STB said it “has reason to believe that the company contravened Section 13(b) of the Travel Agents Act 1975 by submitting false financial statements for some years, constituting an offence involving dishonesty.”

Under Regulation 14(b) of the Travel Agents Regulations 2017, Sheen Yeow Travel submitted financial statements to STB each year. STB’s review of Sheen Yeow Travel’s submissions revealed concerns about the authenticity of the financial information provided.

Sheen Yeow Travel must refund all its existing customers or hand over its existing contractual obligations to licensed travel agents.

STB reiterated in its public statement that it “takes a serious view of errant travel agents and will not hesitate to take necessary actions to protect the reputation of Singapore’s travel industry.” 

(Source: STB)

TAT confirms annual reshuffle

By
Newsdesk
-

BANGKOK, 9 October 2026: The Tourism Authority of Thailand confirms its annual management reshuffle, with two new deputy governor appointments and three portfolio changes, effective from 1 October 2026.

TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said the appointments support TAT’s direction for 2027 under “The Year of Transformation”, as the organisation takes on a more integrated role across Thailand’s tourism ecosystem. 

Photo credit: TAT. From left to right:
Kittipong Prapattong, Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Research and Development;
Parichart Boonclai, Deputy Governor (appointed October 2026);
Suphida Onbanchong, Deputy Governor (appointed October 2026);
Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, Deputy Governor;
Akkarawit Tapasith, Deputy Governor

Promoted to deputy governors

Suphida Onbanchong has been appointed Deputy Governor for Administration, following her role as Executive Director of the Governor’s Office.

Parichart Boonclai has been appointed Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, following her role as Executive Director of the Marketing Services Department.

Assignment changes

Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai has been appointed Deputy Governor for the Domestic Market, formerly Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and the South Pacific.

Kittipong Prapattong has been appointed Deputy Governor for International Marketing Asia and the South Pacific, formerly Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Research and Development.

Akkarawit Taphasit has been appointed Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Research and Development, formerly Deputy Governor for Administration.

Three deputy governors continue in their current portfolios:

Chiravadee Khunsub, Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa; 
Nat Kruthasoot, Deputy Governor for Tourism Products and Business;
Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning.

(Source: TAT)

MH seals more codeshares with China Southern

By
Newsdesk
-

KUALA LUMPUR, 9 October 2026: Malaysia Airlines and China Southern Airlines have extended their codeshare partnership to cover five more routes between Malaysia and China. 

The additional codeshares take effect on 25 October and cover all routes operated by the two airlines between Kuala Lumpur and five Chinese cities.

Photo credit: MAG. From left: Nasaruddin A Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and Han Wensheng, President of China Southern Airlines.

The expanded codeshare cooperation will connect Kuala Lumpur with five economic, cultural and commercial hubs in China — Shenzhen, Changsha, Xiamen, Chengdu and Zhengzhou, offering customers more travel options between Malaysia and China.

Under the codeshare arrangement, Malaysia Airlines and China Southern Airlines will place their respective flight codes on eligible air services operated by either carrier, offering customers greater flexibility and smoother connections when travelling across the two airlines’ networks. 

Since launching their codeshare cooperation on the Kuala Lumpur-Guangzhou route in July 2023, the two airlines have continued to build on their partnership. In July 2024, the cooperation was further extended to cover the Kuala Lumpur-Beijing Daxing, Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai Pudong and Penang-Guangzhou routes.

The cooperation reflects both airlines’ continued investment in the Malaysia-China market.

Malaysia Airlines has launched new air services from Kuala Lumpur to Chengdu, Shenzhen and Changsha this year. At the same time, China Southern Airlines has continued to increase capacity on its Kuala Lumpur-Guangzhou/Shenzhen routes. 

The codeshare cooperation underscores the importance of the Malaysia-China market, which both airlines value highly. 

With this expansion, all routes linking Kuala Lumpur with Guangzhou, Beijing Daxing, Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen, Changsha, Xiamen, Chengdu Tianfu, and Zhengzhou are now under the scope of codeshare cooperation, covering all Kuala Lumpur-related routes operated by both airlines.

(Source: Malaysia Airlines)

Air India and SQ upgrade partnership

By
Newsdesk
-

NEW DELHI, 9 October 2026: Air India (AI) and Singapore Airlines (SG) have announced the launch of the first phase of initiatives under their Commercial Cooperation Framework Agreement, which was signed in January 2026.

From 15 October 2026, the two airlines will deepen their commercial cooperation by offering customers a range of itinerary and flight options through their respective booking channels. 

Photo credit: Air India/Singapore Airlines.

This covers 126 weekly flights between Singapore and eight Indian cities: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, and Mumbai.

Currently, an eligible Air India-operated codeshare flight booked through SIA must include an SIA-operated flight, and vice versa. This requirement will be removed from 15 October 2026, allowing customers to book eligible flights between India and Singapore operated by either airline on a standalone basis through the other carrier’s website, mobile application, and appointed travel agencies.

Customers will therefore have access to additional flight options and a more seamless booking experience, giving them greater flexibility and convenience when planning their journeys.

In April 2026, Air India and SIA enhanced reciprocal mileage accrual benefits by expanding eligible booking classes and revising earn rates across all cabin classes. Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer members can now earn miles on a wider range of eligible flights operated by either airline.

From the second quarter of 2027, Maharaja Club and KrisFlyer members will enjoy enhanced reciprocal benefits on eligible routes, in addition to their existing Star Alliance privileges.

Maharaja Club Platinum and KrisFlyer PPS Club members will enjoy priority check-in and boarding privileges, alongside other top-tier members of the respective airlines. Maharaja Club Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members will also receive additional baggage allowances and priority boarding benefits on eligible routes, providing greater recognition and a more consistent experience across both carriers.

Air India and SIA are also working on further customer-focused initiatives, including improved schedule connectivity to reduce layovers and waiting times, enhanced offerings for corporate customers, and additional measures to streamline the travel experience.

Air India Chief Commercial Officer, Nipun Agarwal, said: “Strategic partnerships will play a key role in Air India’s evolution into a leading, world-class global airline. The next phase of our cooperation with Singapore Airlines reflects a shared commitment to putting customers at the centre of everything we do. By building on the strengths of our two airlines, we aim to bring greater consistency to the travel experience of our common customers between India and Singapore, while delivering greater choice, convenience and value. As demand for travel between our countries continues to grow, this partnership positions us to serve that opportunity even better.”

Singapore Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Lee Lik Hsin, added: “The first phase of our strategic commercial partnership with Air India is an important step towards delivering greater benefits and a more seamless experience for our customers. Demand for travel between Singapore and India remains strong, and this partnership will give customers greater choice and convenience, as well as enhanced reciprocal benefits for our frequent flyer members. Customers can look forward to more initiatives that give them more options and strengthen connectivity between the two countries.”

Today, Air India and SIA have a comprehensive codeshare agreement covering 77 destinations across 27 countries and territories. Through their hubs in Delhi, Mumbai, and Singapore, the two airlines give customers access to an extensive network across Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond. 

(Source: Air India)

Langkawi: Best meals rarely come with a dress code

By
Your Stories
-

LANGKAWI, 8 October 2026: Some of Langkawi’s best meals aren’t where you expect them to be. Not inside polished restaurants overlooking infinity pools. Not beneath hanging pendant lights or curated playlists.  

Often, they appear beside busy roads, under zinc rooftops, next to fishing villages, or tucked inside modest warungs with plastic chairs that never quite match. And somehow, those are usually the meals people remember most. 

Food in Langkawi is less about presentation and more about place. 

You taste the island in ways that feel deeply tied to its landscape — in seafood pulled from surrounding waters, in northern Malaysian flavours carrying traces of Thai influence just across the sea border. Meals here feel generous in the way island life often is. 

Take Bronok Kerabu, for example. 

Widely considered one of Langkawi’s most distinctive dishes, it is made using bronok — a sea cucumber species found along the island’s muddy shores. Mixed with herbs, onions, chilli, lime, and young mango, the dish is cool, briny, herbal, and slightly unexpected. Some compare it to sushi. Others simply grow up eating it. 

At places like Restoran Kak Yan Nasi Campur, meals unfold differently from resort dining. Plates of nasi campur begin modestly enough before slowly becoming overloaded with gulai, sambal, fried fish, vegetables, and whatever looked too good to leave behind. Locals know to arrive early, before the most popular dishes disappear by lunchtime.  

Elsewhere on the island, seafood becomes ritual. 

At many gulai panas spots, diners are first brought to trays of fresh fish resting on ice. You point to the one you want and the kitchen takes over from there, simmering it into rich curry gravy fragrant with spices and coconut. There is something refreshingly unceremonious about the process. No elaborate explanation. Just familiarity built through repetition.  

At night, the island shifts again. 

Pasar malam stalls glow beneath fluorescent lights while smoke from grills curls into the humid air. Orders are shouted between stalls. Plastic bags swing from handlebars. 

Children weave between crowds carrying snacks still too hot to hold properly.  

This is where keropok lekor tastes best — fresh from the fryer, crisp outside, soft within, dipped into sweet chilli sauce before cooling too quickly.

And then there are the quieter meals. 

A bowl of bihun sup on a rainy afternoon. The sharpness of lime squeezed into slow-simmered broth. Roti canai eaten slowly over morning conversation and endless cups of tea. Fresh coconut water after hours spent under the island heat. These are not dramatic dining experiences and that is precisely the point. 

Langkawi’s food culture does not constantly try to impress you. It simply invites you in. 

Even the island’s cafés seem to understand this rhythm. Places like Smiling Buffalo Cafe feel less concerned with trends and more interested in slow coffee, open spaces, long conversations, afternoons that drift naturally into evening.  

And perhaps that is what makes eating in Langkawi feel different from other island destinations. The food rarely feels separated from everyday life here. 

It exists beside roadside stalls opening before sunrise. Beside families gathering around shared dishes without ceremony or occasion. Steady, generous, and unforgettable. 

https://naturallylangkawi.my/

(Source: Your Stories — Naturally Langkawi)

Global explorer speaks at ETF III

By
Newsdesk
-

BANGKOK, 8 October 2026: The Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF) confirms Jaime Alemán as a keynote speaker for ETF edition III, taking place 22 to 25 October 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Alemán is the first person in human history to achieve a staggering trifecta of exploration: travelling to all 193 UN member countries; reaching both the North and South Pole; and journeying into space.

Photo credit: ETF III. Jaime Alemán embodies the absolute pinnacle of global exploration.

His appearance at the Extraordinary Travel Festival offers attendees a rare chance to hear firsthand from one of the planet’s most accomplished contemporary explorers.

“Jaime Alemán embodies the absolute pinnacle of global exploration,” says ETF co-founder Ric Gazarian. “Very few people have been to every country. Even fewer have reached both poles. And only a tiny fraction of humanity has ever travelled to space. To combine all three is extraordinary — and perfectly aligned with the ethos of the ETF.”

About ETF III
ETF III will unite hundreds of the world’s most travelled individuals, including country collectors, overland adventurers, explorers, extreme travellers, and those pushing the boundaries of what it means to experience the world. The event will feature more than 20 speakers, including adventurers who have climbed the Seven Summits, visited every sovereign nation, and explored some of the globe’s most remote corners.

The largest mega-travel clubs will be prominently represented, including Every Passport Stamp (40,000 members), Travel Massive (80,000 members), Pangea, Most Travelled People (40,000 members), and NomadMania (50,000 members), fostering an unparalleled networking environment.

“Our goal is to convene the world’s most passionate travellers in one place,” Gazarian explained. “Bangkok, with its culture and unmatched energy, is the perfect location to host this next edition of the festival.”

ETF III will include keynote talks, breakout sessions, cultural programs, vibrant social gatherings, and a gala dinner. The event has previously drawn international media attention, with coverage in the Wall Street Journal and the Australian Financial Review, both of which have featured ETF in front-page travel stories.

Ticket Information

Tickets for ETF III are now on sale: https://extraordinarytravelfest.com/tickets/ 
Use code BANGKOK for a discounted rate.

(Source: ETF III)

SAS branding: Scandinavian as Standard

By
Newsdesk
-

STOCKHOLM, 8 October 2026: As SAS marks its 80th anniversary, the airline is launching a new brand platform and tagline, Scandinavian as Standard. 

Inspired by the belief that the world needs more Scandinavia, the platform celebrates the values, perspectives and way of thinking that have helped make the region increasingly admired internationally and have influenced SAS since its founding on 1 August 1946.

Photo credit: SAS. Scandinavian as Standard.

Many of the qualities associated with Scandinavia, from trust and collaboration to innovation and openness, have long been part of everyday life in the region. The new platform explores how these qualities have shaped both Scandinavia and SAS over the past 80 years.

“Scandinavia is a wonderful place to live, visit and do business. But I also believe the world can learn something from this region. Values such as curiosity, trust and collaboration have helped shape Scandinavia and the way it connects with the world. At the same time, Scandinavia has always looked outward, with a strong desire to explore, learn from other cultures and bring new ideas home,” says   SAS Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer Paul Verhagen.

The platform will serve as the foundation for how SAS communicates with customers across Scandinavia and internationally. It reflects the airline’s role as a connector between the region and the world, carrying Scandinavian ideas and perspectives outward while bringing people, cultures and opportunities closer to Scandinavia.

“The campaign is built around a simple observation: many of the things people admire about Scandinavia are things Scandinavians rarely think twice about. What others may see as exceptional is often considered standard here. Scandinavian as Standard brings that idea to life through stories and situations that reflect the values and mindset that have shaped both this region and SAS for generations,” says SAS Head of Brand Johanna Gustafsson.

Developed by SAS together with Ogilvy, the campaign launched last week and includes TV, online video, digital display, outdoor and social media advertising.

(Source: SAS)

Maldivian launches Journey+

By
Newsdesk
-

NEW DELHI 8 October 2026: Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives, has launched Maldivian Journey+, a new range of optional travel services for passengers.

Journey+ responds to growing passenger demand for greater flexibility and the ability to personalise their travel experience. Phase 1 brings together a range of optional services under the Journey+ subbrand, allowing passengers to tailor different aspects of their journey to fulfil individual travel needs.

Photo credit: Maldivian.

Under Phase 1, passengers will have access to Journey+ services:

Journey+ Premier offers priority check-in and baggage handling; 

Journey+ Bites offers a convenient pre-ordered onboard snack and beverage combo;

Journey+ Bags allows passengers to purchase additional baggage in advance at preferential rates;

Journey+ Relax provides access to selected Maldivian lounges;

Journey+ Upgrade offers the opportunity to upgrade to a higher cabin class on select international flights, subject to availability.

“Maldivian Journey+ has been developed around the evolving needs of our passengers and their desire for greater choice and flexibility when they travel with us,” said Maldivian Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas.

“Many of these services have been requested by our passengers for some time, and with Journey+, we are bringing them together under one service that allows customers to personalise their journey based on what matters most to them. This is only the first phase, and we look forward to introducing more services and options as Journey+ continues to evolve.”

Journey+ services can be purchased through the Maldivian Call Centre, Viber, WhatsApp, Ticketing Office, Passenger Sales Agents (PSA) and General Sales Agents (GSA), with services available for purchase up to 24 hours before departure.

The launch marks the first phase of Maldivian Journey+, with additional services planned for Phase 2, including seat selection and other options that give passengers greater control over their travel experience.

About Maldivian
The national airline of the Maldives provides domestic and international connectivity from 17 domestic airports and international destinations such as Australia, India, Bangladesh and China.

The airline operates a fleet of 25 aircraft, including one A320, one A330-200, seven Dash 8 aircraft, eleven DHC-6 Twin Otters, and five ATRs.

(Source: Maldivian)

1...91011...846Page 10 of 846

Stay ahead with the
latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.

Subscribe now


Contact Us
TTR Weekly (TTRW) is published in Bangkok, Thailand, registered since 1978.
/ month
placeholder text
/ month
placeholder text
Press releases, announcements, events for calendar should be sent to: [email protected]
/ month
placeholder text

Copyright © 2023 TTR Weekly, all rights reserved.