SINGAPORE, 8 April 2025: Digital travel platform Agoda reveals the top international markets exploring travelling to Thailand for Songkran this year, with Malaysia leading the list.
Based on accommodation searches made on Agoda, Malaysian travellers are followed by visitors from Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines in their eagerness to take part in the Thai New Year celebrations.
Songkran, celebrated from 13 to 15 April is famous for its spectacular water fights that take place across Thailand. The top five city destinations for international Songkran visitors are Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Hat Yai, and Chiang Mai.
Key events in Bangkok include the Maha Songkran World Water Festival 2025, hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), and the Siam Songkran Music Festival, featuring performances by renowned artists from around the globe.
Agoda Country Director Thailand Akaporn Rodkong shared: “As the Songkran festival approaches, it’s exciting to see a wide range of international tourists considering visiting Thailand. And rightly so—Thailand’s lively celebrations and unique experiences create an atmosphere that’s hard to resist. Whether celebrating Songkran in Bangkok or exploring other destinations in Thailand, Agoda is here to help travellers find the best deals on flights, accommodations, and activities to make this festive season unforgettable.”
To make Songkran even more exciting and affordable, Agoda offers a “Songkran Fest” promotion, providing travellers with up to 10% additional discounts at participating hotels in Thailand. The promotion is available for bookings and stays made before 15 April 2025. For more information, visit https://www.agoda.com/SongkranFestTH.
BANGKOK, 8 April 2025: Asian Trails has promoted Justin Culkin to General Manager of Asian Trails China and Hong Kong, effective 1 April.
Since joining the company five years ago, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to excellence.
Justin Culkin, General Manager of Asian Trails China and Hong Kong.
Previously, he held the Director Of Business Development post from July 2022 to April 2025.
In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of business strategy and operations for Asian Trails China and Hong Kong.
“We are confident his expertise and passion will further strengthen our market presence and deliver outstanding results for partners and clients, the company stated in its monthly online newsletter.
Please join us in congratulating Justin on this well-deserved achievement. We look forward to his continued contributions to our company.
DUBAI, 8 April 2025: AirRetailer Travel Technology has launched AirBooking.com, a next-generation, AI-powered Corporate Travel and Expense Management platform designed to revolutionise the business travel industry.
By integrating with the IATA Financial Gateway (IFG), AirBooking.com sets a new standard for automated corporate travel management, offering AI-powerful solutions for Travel Management Companies (TMCs), corporate clients, and airlines.
Frédéric Léger, SVP Commercial Products and Services at IATA.
AirBooking.com combines advanced artificial intelligence (AI) with powerful travel content and automated expense management, providing an end-to-end corporate travel solution. The platform allows businesses to automate and optimise their travel and expense processes, ensuring cost savings, policy compliance, and superior traveller experiences. The AI-driven platform offers dynamic pricing, real-time travel policy enforcement, and automated reconciliation of travel expenses, and 24/7 AI Concierge provides assistance.
AirBooking.com’s integration with IATA Financial Gateway (IFG) enhances its platform by enabling streamlined payment solutions and seamless financial transactions.
IATA’s SVP of Commercial Products and Services Frédéric Léger commented: “This integration enhances payment orchestration across the travel ecosystem. Combining IFG’s robust global payment infrastructure with AirBooking.com’s AI-powered travel platform enables a seamless payment experience that accelerates the industry’s transition to modern airline retailing.”
The partnership ensures multi-currency support, dynamic FX capabilities, and a wide range of payment options, including Industry Settlement Solutions, payment cost optimisation, and automated payment reconciliation. This creates a frictionless payment process for businesses and a customised payment experience based on the merchant’s requirements.
“AirBooking.com is at the forefront of transforming the corporate travel experience,” said AirRetailer Chief Product Officer Kavitha Jagannathan. “By automating everything from booking to expense reconciliation, we empower companies to reduce travel spend by up to 15%, streamline operational workflows, and ensure 100% compliance with corporate travel policies. It’s not just about savings — it’s about giving travel managers and employees a smarter, faster, and more personalised experience.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2025: In partnership with Philippine Airlines, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has confirmed the Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar will be held from 10 to 11 September 2025 at the Hilton Manila in the Philippines.
The Asia Pacific Aviation Safety Seminar, APASS, is AAPA’s premier safety forum for the Asia Pacific airline community. It brings together safety professionals from across the region, including AAPA member airlines, regulators, manufacturers, maintenance and repair organisations (MRO), and solution providers.
The theme for APASS 2025, “SAFETY WITHOUT BORDERS: GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS, LOCAL IMPACT”, will cover operational resilience, human factors, safety leadership and risks arising from technology. It also covers evolving airspace threats, including spoofing, fatigue management, and data integration.
“As aviation safety challenges grow in complexity, our collective commitment to collaboration, data sharing and cross-disciplinary learning becomes even more critical,” said AAPA Director General. Subhas Menon. “APASS 2025 will offer the Asia Pacific safety community a unique opportunity to address high-priority safety concerns and strengthen alignment across safety domains. We are proud to partner with Philippine Airlines to host this important event in Manila.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2025: Tourism Malaysia welcomed FitsAir’s new direct flight on 4 April between Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka and Kuala Lumpur.
The expansion strengthens air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Malaysia, offers greater convenience for travellers and fosters closer ties between the two nations.
Arrival of FitsAir’s inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 2 on 4 April.
The new route will operate four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using a 167-seat A320. Travellers in Colombo will now have an additional low-cost carrier option, providing affordable and reliable air travel to Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia is the competing low-cost airline offering 11 roundtrip flights on the Kuala Lumpur – Colombo route. Malaysia Airlines also flies a daily service on the route. SriLankan flies the Colombo -Kuala Lumpur route 11 times weekly. The average roundtrip fare on the route is USD260.
FitsAir flight schedule
8D721 departs Colombo (CMB) at 0930 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1530. 8D722 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1630 and arrives in Colombo (CMB) at 1735.
The budget-friendly travel experience allows visitors to explore Malaysia’s diverse attractions, from the iconic Petronas Twin Towers to Langkawi’s beaches and Penang’s cultural heritage.
Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Secretary General Dato Shaharuddin Abu Sohot stated: “We are excited about FitsAir’s new route to Kuala Lumpur, further enhancing Malaysia’s appeal as a top travel destination for Sri Lankan visitors. This initiative aims to increase flight frequencies and reinforces our commitment to promoting tourism in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026.”
Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Munir Parambath, VP of Ground Operations and Service Excellence of FitsAir Airlines, and Zainuddin Mohamed Zainal, General Manager of aviation Marketing & Development at MAHB, attended the welcome event.
In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 61,766 visitors from Sri Lanka, reflecting a 4.2% increase compared to 2023. Regarding connectivity, there are now 33 direct flights offering 4,990 seats weekly between Colombo and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, operated by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, SriLankan Airlines and FitsAir.
KUALA LUMPUR, 8 April 2025: This year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a huge demand driver for international and domestic travel, according to data from Trip.com, a leading one-stop travel service provider.
Malaysians’ international travel bookings for this year’s Aidilfitri season (29 March to 6 April 2025) grew by 111%, while domestic travel bookings doubled (+103%) compared to the year before (6 to 14 April 2024). The latest insights, drawn from Trip.com booking data, also showed that Malaysian travellers increasingly favour secondary cities and off-the-beaten-track destinations for their Hari Raya travels.
Photo credit: Trip.com.
“Hari Raya is a meaningful time for many Malaysians — a time to reunite with loved ones, reflect, and recharge. We’re seeing that this festive season is also becoming a moment for travel discovery, where many are choosing to explore new places while reconnecting with family and friends,” said Trip.com Malaysia General Manager Stephane Thong. “At Trip.com, we’re committed to making travel planning simple and seamless, and our tech-driven tools like Trip.Best help Malaysians discover unique destinations and experiences that match what matters most to them — be it comfort, culture, or connection.”
Secondary Cities, Long-Haul Destinations Grow in Popularity for Hari Raya Travels
While Bangkok and Singapore used to top the list as the most popular international destinations among travellers from Malaysia, cities like Shanghai and Guangzhou have surged in popularity — ranking as the first and third most popular cities for international travel during Hari Raya season this year (See Table 1). In addition, demand for travel to destinations like Kunming, Osaka, Chongqing, Suzhou, Chengdu, Busan and Guangzhou increased by between 237% to 351% year-on-year (Table 2), showing Malaysians’ desire to head down paths less travelled for new discoveries.
Beyond visiting destinations in Asia Pacific, Malaysians are also venturing further – bookings for travel to Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives grew by 300% or more compared to the year before. Some took their journeys even further to New York in the United States of America – the furthest destination booked by a Malaysian traveller this Eid Al Fitr. This signals a preference shift, with Malaysians venturing to further-flung destinations rich in culture, nature and novelty.
More Booking Travel Further in Advance, Theme Park Attractions Popular with Malaysians
This year, Malaysian travellers are booking their travel further in advance, with the average booking window rising from 42.63 days last year to 48.10 days this year. Trip.com’s data revealed that Malaysian travellers spent 14.5% more on international flights and hotels than last year, signalling a growing appetite for international travel.
Regarding experiences, theme park attractions were clear favourites among Malaysian travellers. All five of the most popular attractions booked for this year’s Hari Raya travels are for major theme parks in the Asia Pacific region (Table 3). These attractions continue to resonate with Malaysians for their blend of family-friendly entertainment and iconic urban views.
Note: The trends highlighted in this release is based on international flights, hotels and attractions booking data on Trip.com, for travel from 29 March to 6 April 2025 and 6 to 14 April 2024
NEW DELHI, 7 April 2025: Dusit International has announced plans to expand its presence in India by launching its luxury and upper midscale brands in key emerging markets.
Rising disposable incomes, increasing demand for premium stays, and enhanced connectivity are reshaping India’s hospitality landscape. Dusit is focused on underserved yet high-potential markets nationwide.
Dusit International unveiled its expansion plans for India during a media briefing held at The Leela Palace, New Delhi, on 3 April 2025. (From left ): Deepika Arora, Consultant/Advisor – South Asia, Dusit International, and Siradej Donavanik, Vice President – Development (Global), Dusit International.
In addition to exploring opportunities in India’s Tier 1 cities, Dusit also aims to target Tier 2 and Tier 3 destinations where luxury and upscale hospitality options are currently limited – creating opportunities to deliver curated, high-end experiences tailored to local demand. This strategic expansion builds on the momentum of Dusit’s recent foray into the Indian market with the opening of the contemporary, upscale dusitD2 Fagu, Shimla in December 2024, and the signings of three key properties in Karnataka: the wellness-focused Devarana Sakleshpur, Karnataka – A Dusit Retreat (set to open in 2028), and two upcoming Dusit Princess Hotels & Resorts.
With a diverse brand portfolio spanning the ultra-luxury Devarana – Dusit Retreats to upper midscale and midscale brands such as Dusit Princess and ASAI Hotels, Dusit plans to tap underserved locations where it can leverage its expertise in delivering Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to meet the needs of today’s business and leisure travellers.
Prioritising quality over quantity, the company selects locations that align with its premium, experience-driven hospitality ethos – offering a distinctive blend of holistic wellness, contemporary design, and exceptional service.
As part of this vision, Dusit is preparing to launch six additional hotels nationwide. The upper-midscale Dusit Princess brand will debut in Raipur (200 keys), Bhiwadi (165 keys), Kolkata (220 keys), and Lonavala (120 keys). Meanwhile, two boutique luxury properties under the recently introduced Dusit Collection brand – in Kasol and Manali (each with 40 rooms) – will offer refined escapes in the Himalayan foothills.
“India represents an exceptional growth opportunity for Dusit – across major metros and particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, where premium hospitality options remain limited despite strong demand,” said Dusit International Vice President – Development (Global) Siradej Donavanik.
“The country’s tourism industry is evolving rapidly, with increasing demand for high-quality, experience-driven stays. By blending our unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with wellness-led experiences and destination-driven properties, we aim to create exceptional stays that resonate deeply with Indian travellers.
“Through strategic partnerships with visionary local developers, we are committed to shaping India’s premium hospitality landscape for the long term.”
Beyond immediate expansion, Dusit will focus on building an integrated hospitality ecosystem in India, where luxury stays, holistic wellness, refined gastronomy, and hospitality education converge to deliver lasting value. At the heart of this vision is a deep commitment to sustainability driven by Dusit’s group-wide Tree of Life programme. Aligned with selected United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the programme features 31 measurable criteria designed to ensure a lasting and positive impact in every community Dusit serves.
Through Dusit Hospitality Education, the company will also focus on local talent development, ensuring that Indian hospitality professionals are trained to uphold world-class service standards. Together, these initiatives underscore Dusit’s commitment to responsible hospitality and its vision for sustainable growth in the global hospitality industry.
Dusit’s entry into the Indian market forms part of its broader expansion strategy, targeting vibrant, high-growth markets such as Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, China, and India. With a bold plan to sign more than 100 hotels globally over the next five years, Dusit is poised to captivate travellers worldwide with its unique fusion of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and thoughtfully integrated local traditions.
About Dusit International Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.
DUBAI, UAE, 7 April 2025: Emirates has revealed that for the first time ever, My Emirates Pass will be available all year round with seasonal summer and winter offers. This will give customers access to over 600 exclusive offers across Dubai, allowing them to make the most of their visit.
Customers flying from, through or to Dubai can now unlock discounts on top culinary experiences, world-class shopping experiences, unmissable leisure attractions, and tranquil luxury spas anytime. Whether it’s an unforgettable family trip, a relaxing couples retreat, or a solo adventure, My Emirates Pass will offer those visiting Dubai unforgettable experiences regardless of season.
Offers at Aquaventure, The View at The Palm, La Perle and over 600 attractions with your Emirates boarding pass.
Using My Emirates Pass will remain as easy as ever. Passengers show their physical or digital boarding pass and a valid ID at participating venues to enjoy the benefits. Passengers who checked in online and downloaded their boarding pass to the Emirates App or Wallet should remember to screenshot it before landing, as it will no longer be accessible afterwards.
Emirates rolled out exclusive seasonal summer offers on 1 April, valid through 30 September, making it easier than ever to experience the best of Dubai. This includes the return of the much-anticipated Dubai Summer Surprises.
Dubai Summer Surprises
From 27 June to 31 August 2025, visitors can take advantage of Dubai Summer Surprises, a deal-packed season filled with exciting offers and unforgettable experiences. Emirates passengers flying to Dubai can look forward to luxurious shopping, spectacular entertainment, and exceptional dining. With countless offers and surprises in store, summer in Dubai is the perfect time to enjoy incredible value and create unforgettable memories for visitors of all ages.
An unforgettable summer of memories
Whether passengers seek Dubai’s beautiful golden beaches, world-class hospitality, or cultural attractions, the city caters to all visitors. Emirates offers its passengers unrivalled means to make the most of their visit; from customised holiday itineraries to bonus Miles, Emirates continues to provide its customers with first-class services.
Dubai Experience*: Customers can browse, create, and book their own customised itineraries, including flights, hotel stays, visits to key attractions, and other dining and leisure experiences in Dubai and the UAE, through Emirates’ Dubai Experience platform.
Skywards Partners: Members of the award-winning Emirates Skywards programme can earn Miles with worldwide partners like hotels, airlines, car rentals, retail and banking. Members can spend these Miles on reward tickets, upgrades, concerts, and sports events. Learn more about Emirates Skywards here. In Dubai, people can earn miles with partners, including the Dubai Mall, Arabian Adventures, Emirates Holidays, and more.
Emirates Holidays/Vacations**: Customers can book their holiday to Dubai through Emirates Holidays or Emirates Vacations. All Emirates Holidays packages include flexible booking options. For further peace of mind, Emirates Holidays’ dedicated 24/7 On Holiday Service team will support holidaymakers at every step of the journey. When you book your holiday with Emirates Holidays, you receive bonus Miles on top of the Miles you would receive for your flight.
Skywards Everyday: Finally, UAE customers can get Skywards Miles on the go and earn Miles on their purchases. Simply download the Skywards Everyday app, link up to five Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards, and automatically earn Skywards Miles on their purchases from hundreds of participating partners across shopping, dining, beauty and wellness, leisure and entertainment, pharmacy, and grocery. Learn more about Skywards here.
For more information, visit emirates.com. Tickets can be purchased on emirates.com, Emirates Retail Stores, via travel agents or through online travel agents.
*Available in 19 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Switzerland, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
**Available in 32 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tanzania, United Kingdom, United States, and Zimbabwe.Full terms and conditions can be found here: My Emirates Pass | The Emirates Experience
SYDNEY, 7 April 2025: Australians are heading for the annual Easter public holiday, 18 to 21 April, and the extended school break, prompting Expedia and Wotif to release their April Travel Outlook, which reveals their most popular international destinations.
April is set to be the most popular holiday period of the year, with over a third of Aussies (38%) planning to travel during the month to make the most of the April school holidays, the Easter long weekend, and ANZAC Public Holiday Day (25 April), which align and allow a 10-day break for only three days of annual leave.
Photo credit: Expedia
Internationally, many are making the most of the extended break, with Queenstown, New Zealand, Osaka, Japan, and Danang, Vietnam witnessing strong year-over-year growth over April. Expedia research shows that two-fifths (40%) of Aussies want to visit destinations where the dollar stretches further.
“While April is a peak travel period, booking a last-minute trip is not too late. For Aussies who want to avoid crowds and get a great deal, our top travel tip is to remain flexible with your travel dates; even the day of the week you travel can make a difference. For example, travelling domestically on a Sunday in April can be 352% less busy than travelling on a Friday,” says Expedia Group Travel Expert Sarah King
Travel booking tips
Vietnam, Bali, and Singapore have substantial last-minute deals for those seeking value destinations.
The best day to fly to beat the crowds is Sunday. It is 24% less busy than travelling on a Saturday.
Bundle up: Travellers can save an average of AUD395 by bundling their flight and hotel booking on Expedia and an average of AUD377 on Wotif.
Down-star accommodation tosave: To maximise a holiday budget over the busy summer period, consider down-staring your accommodation. Opting for a four-star property over a five-star could keep holiday costs within budget. Down-staring may also mean you can upgrade to a better room type, helping you find better value.
SINGAPORE, 7 April 2025: ITA Airways has officially received approval to start the integration process into Star Alliance following approval of the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board.
Building on its induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year, the latest decision paves the way for the airline’s entrance to the airline alliance.
Star Alliance Chief Executive Theo Panagiotoulias celebrated the milestone: “In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to join the Star Alliance network as a full member officially. Our Chief Executive Board’s decision underscores our members’ strong confidence in ITA Airways. As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide.”
ITA Airways, CEO and General Manager Joerg Eberhart said: “We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and bring Made in Italy’s excellence into the alliance, further enhancing its global reach. This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network.”
ITA Airways will add 360 daily flights to the Alliance network, further strengthening the alliance’s footprint in the European region. The biggest growth will come from its home cities, especially Rome and Milan, which are currently served by 16 Star Alliance members collectively.
