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Visit Maldives rolls out exhibition schedule

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 16 January 2026: Visit Maldives kicks off 2026 with a strong global presence at leading travel trade shows during the year’s first and second quarters.

In Q1 2026, Visit Maldives will participate in several leading global travel trade exhibitions.

Photo credit: Visit Maldives Corporation. Busy schedule attending trade shows during Q1 and Q2.

The year begins with FITUR 2026 in Madrid from 21 to 25 January, followed by the Travel and Adventure Show in New York from 24 to 26 January, engaging both trade and consumer audiences in Europe and North America.

In February, Visit Maldives will be present at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi from 25 to 27 February, reinforcing engagement with the Indian market, one of the Maldives’ fastest-growing source markets.

The first quarter will conclude with participation at ITB Berlin 2026 from 3 to 5 March, the world’s largest travel trade exhibition, providing a global platform to engage with tour operators, airlines, media, and strategic partners, followed by MITT Moscow, 11 to 13 March, supporting continued market presence in Russia and the CIS region.

Q2 show planner

The Middle Eastern market will take centre stage with the ‘Visit Maldives Week in Arabia’ roadshow from 26 to 30 April 2026. This strategic circuit will feature high-level events across Kuwait, Jeddah, and Riyadh, offering a dedicated platform for focused interactions with the Arabian travel trade.

Following these focused roadshows, Q2 2026 will feature the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai, taking place from 4 to 7 May, which will serve as Visit Maldives’ flagship trade show for the year, following the strong outcomes and trade partnerships generated at ATM in 2025.

ATM Dubai remains a critical platform for engagement with the Middle East and global travel trade, offering high-value opportunities for destination marketing, airline collaboration, and commercial partnerships.

In addition to major exhibitions, Visit Maldives will also roll out a series of targeted market roadshows and partnership initiatives in Q2, implemented in collaboration with key industry bodies. These joint roadshows are designed to strengthen trade relationships, promote

both resort and guesthouse segments, and ensure inclusive representation of Maldivian tourism stakeholders across priority markets.

Through this comprehensive Q1 and Q2 trade engagement programme, Visit Maldives aims to sustain global visibility, deepen trade confidence, and support strong booking performance for 2026, while continuing to work closely with industry partners to deliver measurable outcomes and long-term value for the Maldivian tourism sector.

(Source: Visit Maldives Corporation)

Thai Lion Air flies double daily to HKG

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Newsdesk
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BANGKOK, 16 January 2026: Thai Lion Air will fly double daily on the route between Bangkok ( DMK) and Hong Kong (HKG) effective 29 March 2026, according to the low-cost airline’s timetable filing for the Northern Summer season ( March to October.

The number of flights will increase to 10 per week in February during the Lunar New Year season, then to 14 per week at the end of March.

Photo credit: Thai Lion Air.

The airline deploys Boeing 737-900ER aircraft on the Bangkok-Hong Kong route, configured with 176 seats in a single economy class.

Flight schedule

SL360 departs Bangkok (DMK) at 0920 and arrives in Hong Kong (HKG at 1305.
SL361 departs Hong Kong (DMK) at 1420 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 1605.

SL364 departs Bangkok (DMK) at 1430 and arrives in Hong Kong at 1915.
SL365 departs Hong Kong (DMK) at 2020 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 2205.

It’s part of a broader strategy as the airline returns to pre-pandemic capacity by focusing on high-demand regional gateway cities in China, including Hong Kong, and in Japan.

Thai Lion Air competes with Thai AirAsia on the Bangkok DMK- Hong Kong route. Both airlines currently operate daily flights on the route. The average round-trip fare on the route is USD 200.

For a round-trip departing on 1 April and returning on 8 April 2026, Thai Lion Air offers fares on the morning flight from Bangkok starting at THB5,517 (round-trip). The round-trip fare for the afternoon departure from Bangkok starts at THB6,862.

These prices are for economy class and typically include a 7kg carry-on. Prices fluctuate based on availability.

(Source: Thai Lion Air. Timetable and fares from Kayak)

AirAsia’s Guangzhou flights switch terminals

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Newsdesk
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GUANGZHOU, 13 January 2026: AirAsia will relocate its international flight operations at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Terminal 3 (T3) from Terminal 1 (T1), effective 22 January 2026. 

Affected passengers will receive notifications of this change through their registered contact details. AirAsia members will also be notified via the AirAsia MOVE app through push notifications.

Photo credit: AirAsia.

The distance between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at CAN airport is 8 km (20 to 30 minutes commute time). 

All AirAsia operations, including check-in, boarding, and baggage claim, will be conducted in the new terminal. Check-in counters are located in Row K on Level 4. Immigration/Departure is also situated at Level 4 of the terminal. 

AirAsia flights arriving at or departing from Guangzhou before 1130 (local time) on 22 January 2026 will still operate from T1.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport operates a 24-hour free terminal shuttle bus connecting Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Service frequency varies by time: Every 10 minutes from 0900-2100 and every 20 minutes from 2100-0900 the following day. Shuttle bus pickup points are located at Departure Gate 12 (T1), Transportation Centre, East Passenger Bus Station, Stall No.30 (T2) and Transportation Centre, East Passenger Bus Station, Stall No.74 (T3).

(Source: AirAsia)

Air India and Saudia sign codeshare

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Newsdesk
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DELHI, 16 January 2026: Air India and Saudia have signed a codeshare agreement, effective in February, that boosts connectivity, strengthens network access, and maximises flight options.

Through the new partnership, passengers will enjoy streamlined booking and ticketing, smooth connections using a single itinerary, and baggage check-through to their final destination.

Photo credit: Air India. Codeshare activates in February.

Passengers travelling to Jeddah or Riyadh with Air India can take seamless onward connections on Saudia-operated flights to Dammam, Abha, Gassim, Gizan, Madinah, and Taif. 

The codeshare will also provide Saudia’s passengers access to major cities across India via Mumbai and Delhi, including Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Lucknow, and Jaipur, as well as more than 15 other destinations via interline.

Air India, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, Campbell Wilson said: “Saudi Arabia is amongst our most important markets in the Middle East, with the country fast transforming into a major international gateway to the region. We are happy to be partnering with Saudia to provide greater access to the large Indian diaspora spread across Saudi Arabia, as well as to open up the Kingdom’s rapidly evolving and diverse tourism offerings and remarkable destinations to holidaymakers from India.”

Saudia Group Director General HE Engr Ibrahim Al-Omar said: “Saudia’s presence in India spans over 60 years, during which we’ve proudly served a wide range of guests and helped foster stronger ties between our two nations. With seamless e-visas, stopover visas, and visa-on-arrival for eligible Indian passport holders, it has never been easier to visit the Kingdom.”

Since its privatisation in 2022, Air India has maintained 24 codeshare partnerships and nearly 100 interline agreements with leading carriers, providing Air India customers with seamless access to over 800 destinations. 

(Source: Air India)

Thai Vietjet readies to launch BKK-KIX route

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Newsdesk
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BANGKOK, 15 January 2026: Thai Vietjet Air will launch a direct service between Osaka (KIX) and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) on 3 February 2026.

The latest confirmation from the airline’s timetable comes after numerous postponements. The route was initially slated to begin in December 2025, but was postponed multiple times due to delays in the delivery and certification of new aircraft.

Flight schedule 

The service will operate four times per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays).

VZ820 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 0025 and arrives in Osaka at 0755. Flight time is five hours and 30 minutes.
VZ821 departs Osaka (KIX) at 0855 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1330. Flight time is six hours and 35 minutes.

The airline confirms it will operate the route with a B737 MAX 8, configured with 187 seats, rather than an A321 aircraft (230 seats) as previously indicated in the timetable.

The route joins Thai Vietjet’s existing services to Fukuoka and its Chiang Mai–Osaka flight. The airline is also launching a daily Tokyo (Narita)–Bangkok route on 1 February 2026.

The airline faces a challenging competitive landscape. It will fly from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), competing head-on with full-service carriers such as Thai Airways International (twice daily) and JAL (daily), as well as low-cost airline Peach Aviation (daily). An average round-trip fare is USD460.

Thai AirAsia X operates 17 flights weekly from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport (DMK) to Osaka (KIX). The average round-trip fare on this sector is USD 400.

(Sources: Vietjet schedule and TTRW additional reporting)

Sabah concludes trade mission in HCMC

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Newsdesk
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HO CHI MINH CITY, 15 January 2026: Sabah Tourism Board (STB) successfully concluded a trade mission to Vietnam, hosting the Sabah Seminar and B2B Session at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel on 12 January 2026 earlier this week.

In collaboration with the Sabah Enhanced Travel Innovation Association (SETIA) and Tourism Malaysia, the event served as a networking platform for 20 delegates from Sabah, including 16 specialised travel agents, to engage in “tabletop” business discussions with Ho Chi Minh City’s leading travel trade partners.

Photo credit: Sabah Tourism Board. Sabah’s specialised travel agents engage in “tabletop” business discussions with Ho Chi Minh City’s travel trade partners.

Sixty-five buyers representing local Vietnamese agents attended the event.

The mission also highlighted AirAsia’s direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Kota Kinabalu, which improve connectivity and reduce travel time to just over two hours.

“This targeted initiative unlocked new growth opportunities and fostered high-value partnerships between Sabah’s travel experts and Vietnam’s rapidly expanding outbound tourism market,” said Sabah Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Jeffery Jimit.

As Malaysia welcomes Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Sabah is already planning for its milestone, the Visit Sabah Year 2027. Under the new branding, “Explore Sabah – Naturally Inspiring, Beyond Ordinary, the state is positioning itself as a premier global destination for culture, adventure and nature.

(Source: Sabah Tourism Board)

Emirates to launch flights to Helsinki

By
Your Stories
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DUBAI, 15 January 2026: Emirates will launch a daily flight between Dubai and Helsinki, Finland, from 1 October 2026, expanding its footprint in the Nordics. 

The new service introduces a direct link between Finland and the UAE, unlocking expanded opportunities for both international leisure and corporate travellers. Served by Emirates’ A350s, the year-round flights will deliver the latest products and a highly acclaimed premium economy cabin on the route to the Finnish capital.  

Emirates flight EK167 will depart Dubai at 0845h, arriving in Helsinki at 14:55; the return flight, EK168, will depart Helsinki at 1645, landing in Dubai at 0020 the following day. 

The flight schedule has been optimised to ensure smooth onward connections, providing convenient access to and from key destinations across Southeast Asia, including Bangkok, Phuket, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Singapore.

Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “The Dubai-Helsinki route is an exciting expansion on our global network. There is already strong demand between Helsinki and Dubai, with travellers connecting through our other Nordic gateways. Introducing direct, year-round connectivity is a natural next step, making the flight seamless and non-stop while offering more premium travel options to the market. In addition to better serving current demand, we see potential to attract travellers who may have previously opted for alternative connections, growing the overall market and creating opportunities for more people to discover the destinations have to offer.”

Tourism remains a key pillar of the country’s economy, with Visit Finland reporting 5 million international tourists in recent years. Emirates’ new route will provide connectivity from over 150 points across its global network, including key hubs in Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where demand for convenient, comfortable travel to Helsinki continues to grow. 

The Dubai-Helsinki route will be served by the Emirates A350, the latest aircraft type to join the airline’s all-widebody fleet. The A350 is the most fuel-efficient large widebody aircraft in commercial service today and also offers the quietest twin-aisle cabin. 

Accommodating 298 passengers in three spacious cabins — business, premium economy, and economy — the A350 presents Emirates’ world-class product and service to Finland. Passengers can dine on regionally inspired multi-course menus developed by a team of award-winning chefs, complemented by a wide selection of premium beverages, while tuning in to over 6,500 channels of global entertainment in various languages on ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system. 

Tickets can be booked now on emirates.com or via travel agents. 

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

Centara opens first hotel in Nepal

By
Your Stories
-

BANGKOK, 15 January 2026: Centara Hotels & Resorts announces this week the official opening of Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection, welcoming guests to its first-ever property in Nepal and further expanding the group’s international portfolio of distinctive destinations.

Nestled in the tranquil hills of Kaskikot, just a 35-minute drive from Pokhara, the resort is a secluded Himalayan retreat where contemporary comfort blends seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surrounding mountains. With sweeping views of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) and direct access to the Sarangkot Loop Trail, the resort offers a peaceful yet inspiring setting for immersive cultural discovery, meaningful downtime, and restorative wellness.

One Bedroom Pool Villa at Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection

As part of The Centara Collection, a curated portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels defined by individuality and a sense of place, Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara features 42 spacious rooms, suites, and villas, ranging from 75 to 128 square metres. Thoughtfully designed with soothing wooden tones and authentic Nepali touches, accommodations include private gardens or expansive balconies, while all suites and villas feature separate living areas. A diverse mix of Deluxe Garden Terrace rooms, Skylight Suites, One Bedroom Villas, and One Bedroom Pool Villas ensures flexibility for couples, families, and small groups, with extra beds available in every room type.

Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection

Guests can unwind and reconnect through a range of wellness-focused facilities, including Cense by SPA Cenvaree, an infrared sauna, yoga sessions, a fully equipped gym, and an outdoor swimming pool overlooking the mountains. The resort also features a rooftop terrace, a cocktail terrace, private fire pit setups, a play-and-chill room, and an intimate meeting room, making it well-suited for off-site meetings, executive retreats, and small social gatherings.

Dining at the resort reflects both local flavour and regional diversity. The Bistro serves international favourites alongside Nepalese cuisine throughout the day, while Chulo, the resort’s refined Pan-Asian restaurant, showcases Nepalese, Indian, Chinese, and Thai influences. Summit, a stylish cocktail and tapas venue, draws inspiration from the surrounding landscape, and the cosy Tea House celebrates local tea culture with carefully sourced brews and light snacks, all set against breathtaking mountain views. In-room dining is also available for guests seeking privacy and comfort.

Curated experiences allow guests to connect deeply with the destination, from guided village walks and cultural encounters to adventure activities such as paragliding, ultralight flights, and trekking to Annapurna base camp.

Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection General Manager Prapaijit Thongma said: “The official opening marks an exciting new chapter for Centara and for our team on the ground. This resort has been carefully crafted to reflect the spirit of the Himalayas, combining thoughtful design, warm hospitality, and meaningful experiences rooted in local culture. We are proud to now welcome guests to a place where they can truly reconnect with nature and themselves.”

Centara Reserve & The Centara Collection Corporate Director of Operations and General Manager at Centara Reserve Samui, commented: “We are delighted to officially begin the year with the opening of our debut property in Nepal. Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, part of The Centara Collection, not only reflects our strategy to grow The Centara Collection brand into exciting new destinations with strong cultural identities and long-term potential but also completes a distinctive portfolio that celebrates individuality and authenticity across diverse locations. This addition brings new colour and character to our brand, immersing guests in the rich spirit of Nepal while reinforcing our commitment to creativity and unique experiences.”

To mark the opening, Centara is introducing ‘Spirit of the Himalayas’, an exclusive offer inviting guests to be among the first to experience this breathtaking mountain hideaway. The offer includes Stay 3, Pay 2, complimentary airport transfers, and exclusive CentaraThe1 member privileges, including an additional 15% savings and triple CentaraThe1 points.

The offer is available for bookings from now until 31st March 2026, for stays between now and 30 April 2026.

For more information or to book, please visit: Himalayan Hideaway Resort Pokhara, The Centara Collection.

(Source: Your Stories — Centara Hotels & Resorts)

AirBorneo selects Sabre for strong technology foundation

By
Newsdesk
-

SINGAPORE, 15 January 2026: Sabre Corporation, a global travel technology company, inked a new long-term agreement with start-up airline AirBorneo. 

The newly established airline began operations in early January 2026 and has chosen Sabre to underpin its planning and pricing strategy from day one.

Photo credit: Sabre.

Airborneo is owned by the government of the Malaysian state of Sarawak and aims to support regional connectivity to the diverse tourism attractions and destinations across Borneo.

AirBorneo will adopt:

Sabre’s Network Planning & Optimisation (NPO) suite to automate and manage flight schedules, codeshare agreements, and route profitability.

Sabre Mosaic Revenue Optimiser to support pricing strategies by dynamically adjusting seat availability and fare conditions in response to market demand and business objectives.

Sabre Market Intelligence & Global Demand Data to gain critical insights and competitive benchmarks to fuel network and revenue growth.

“AirBorneo is committed to building a modern, competitive airline that enhances connectivity in Sarawak and the wider region,” said AirBorneo Holdings CEO Megat Ardian Wira Mohd Aminuddin. “By partnering with Sabre even before our first flight took off, we are ensuring that our pricing, planning, and revenue management capabilities are built on a robust, data-driven foundation. This will enable us to serve our first – and future – passengers effectively, make smarter business decisions, and set the stage for sustainable growth.”

About AirBorneo
On 12 February 2025, the Sarawak Government entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), formalising the acquisition of MASwings Sdn Bhd (“MASwings”). AirBorneo’s takeover of MASwings took place at the end of December 2025. 

(Source: Sabre)

Sydney hotels hit high note on New Year’s Eve

By
Newsdesk
-

SINGAPORE, 15 January 2026: Highlighted by New Year’s Eve, Sydney’s hotel industry posted a record-high monthly average daily rate (ADR), according to preliminary December data from CoStar, a provider of online real estate marketplaces, information, and analytics in the property markets.

December 2025 (year-over-year % change): 

Occupancy: 81.3% (+3.2%)

ADR: AUD349.06 (+11.1%)

RevPAR: AUD283.68 (+14.7%)

In addition to the ADR record, RevPAR was the highest for any December in the market. 

On the final night of the year, occupancy reached 95.4%, and ADR and RevPAR climbed to AUD1,009.10 and AUD962.95, respectively. Those were the highest ADR and RevPAR figures on record in the market, and the first time ADR surpassed AUD 1,000.

The month’s second-highest occupancy (93.3%) was seen on the night of Jimmy Barnes’ performance at the Sydney Opera House–Wednesday, 10 December. The same night pushed the market’s ADR and RevPAR to AUD326.09 and AUD306.11, respectively.

Sydney also hosted two Lady Gaga concerts as part of her “The MAYHEM Ball” tour on 12 to 13 December, which pushed occupancy to 89.4% on the first night. ADR and RevPAR peaked on the night of the second concert, at AUD379.65 and AUD333.57, respectively. Overall, Sydney’s occupancy levels remained above the 70% mark in all but five days during the month.

For more information about the company and its services, visit www.costargroup.com. 

(Source: CoStar)

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