KUALA LUMPUR, 26 August 2025: The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) introduced the first edition of its MH Wellness Fair 2025 series on 23 August, themed “Young & Healthy Champions.”
Held at The Campus, Ampang, MH Wellness Fair 2025 featured a line-up of activities, exclusive wellness packages, and engaging sessions designed to encourage preventive healthcare, fitness, and mental well-being.
Health Insights
Dental Care: Oral Health for Kids and Teens” by Dr. Tracey Lau Phui Yi, Kheng Dental Clinic.
Heart Disease: If We Know the Enemy, Why Are We Still Losing?” by Dr. Abdul Arif Shaparudin, Cardiologist, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN).
“Stop the Progression: Myopia Control for Children” by Dr Ng Chun Wai, OPTIMAX Eye Specialist Centre.
Recovery: Mental & Emotional Health with Aromatherapy & Cakra Energy by Redzuan Sabar, AMSPA member from Treat Me Wellness Centre.
Fitness & Fun: Babel Fit’s “MoveQuest Adventure Park,” immersive workouts, family dance sessions, and recovery lounge experiences.
Wellness Experiences – Complimentary massages, posture checks, spa vouchers, and a marketplace featuring over 20 local health and lifestyle vendors.
Culture & Tradition: A captivating performance of Anggalang Magunatip, the traditional bamboo dance of Sabah, alongside the Integration of Malaysian traditional games like Congkak and Batu Seremban that promote coordination, reflexes, and intergenerational bonding.
The fair also emphasised inclusivity, providing a welcoming environment for both locals and expatriates of all ages to explore Malaysia’s healthcare and tourism offerings. As MHTC prepares for the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, this initiative served as a platform to showcase Malaysia’s strengths in healthcare and wellness, while fostering community engagement and promoting healthier living for all. For more information, visit https://malaysiahealthcare.org/.
DONG HOI, Vietnam, 26 August 2025: IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG, the first international resort in Quang Binh (now part of Quang Tri province).
The all-suite-and-villa resort also marks the second voco property to open in Vietnam, alongside the voco Ma Belle Danang – By IHG, which opened in 2023.
Photo credit: IHG. Voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG.
Voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG is a great gateway to explore the province of Quang Binh.
Located in Dong Hoi, voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG offers 68 suites and beachfront villas with between 43 sqm and 300 sqm, which have direct access to Bao Ninh beach. The resort features Flamingo Restaurant, an all-day dining concept and Oasis Pool Bar, a vantage point to watch the spectacular Vietnamese sunset.
Voco Quang Binh Resort By IHG also introduces Yen Spa & Wellness, the resort’s spa featuring tranquil spa treatment rooms, a Yin Yang foot spa, a rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool, sauna rooms and salon.
Yen Spa is a comprehensive wellness and spa centre, including an indoor and outdoor pool.
Quang Binh Resort By IHG is also a gateway for a journey through the magnificent beauty of “the Kingdom of Caves”. From here, guests can explore Son Doong Cave, the largest cave in the world, which is home to towering stalagmites, underground rivers, a jungle with wildlife, and a 116-kilometre-long coastline with picturesque beaches such as Nhat Le and Da Nhay. Guests can also look to visit the Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, kayak on Mooc spring, experience Vietnam’s longest zipline, mud bathing at Chay river, or visit the spiritual cultural site of Lieu Hanh Mother Temple.
MUMBAI, 26 August 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Limited has introduced contactless cross-border payments via Google Pay & Mastercard, addressing the growing demand for seamless international transactions.
Thomas Cook’s pioneering initiative with Google Pay enables Indian travellers to make secure overseas payments via their mobile device across accommodation, transport, dining, shopping and more. This eliminates the need to carry physical cards, reducing the stress of card loss/theft, replacement hassles or the need for emergency cash.
Photo credit: Thomas Cook India
The contactless Tap-and-Pay/online feature is available across Thomas Cook’s suite of prepaid forex cards — Borderless Travel, One Currency, Study Buddy and EnterpriseFX— offering both an additional layer of security via tokenisation and extensive access at more than 270 million Mastercard merchant locations. Customers merely need to add their Thomas Cook forex cards to Google Pay for a simple, swift, secure and seamless payment experience.
Key Benefits
Seamless addition of Thomas Cook’s range of forex prepaid cards to Google Pay.
Contactless and quick payments via a handheld device.
Enhanced security with tokenisation.
Global access – transact smoothly and seamlessly at 270 million merchant locations and online.
Avoids having to carry a physical card. Avoids the stress of card loss/theft/replacement, as well as the need for emergency cash.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive Vice President – Foreign Exchange, Deepesh Varma said: “Today’s Indian traveller demands simple, real-time and secure digital solutions for their overseas payments. We are delighted to lead the charge in embracing digital innovation via the launch of our contactless payment solutions in collaboration with Google Pay and Mastercard. This collaboration combines the domain expertise of Thomas Cook (foreign exchange), the tech prowess of Google Pay and Mastercard’s global payment network. We have built a robust, borderless payment ecosystem that perfectly aligns with India’s new-age traveller seeking frictionless experiences across the world.
This innovation underscores our commitment to driving digital adoption, strengthening security and delivering seamless access — reiterating Thomas Cook’s leadership in India’s cross-border payments space.”
Mastercard, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions, South Asia, Ravi Datla added: “Mastercard is at the forefront of transforming the travel experience for its cardholders through innovative and secure payment solutions. The seamless integration of Thomas Cook’s forex prepaid cards with Google Pay underscores our commitment to supporting contactless, tokenised, and globally accessible payment solutions. This new offering eliminates the need to carry physical cards—reducing the stress of loss or theft and removing the inconvenience of replacements or emergency cash. With enhanced security and access to millions of merchant locations worldwide, Mastercard continues to empower travellers to explore with greater confidence, convenience, and peace of mind.”
HONG KONG, 26 August 2025: Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 5.2 million passengers and 33,670 flight movements during July, representing 9.7% and 8.3% year-on-year growth, respectively.
While transfer and transit passengers continued to experience growth from a low base, overall passenger traffic growth softened due to adverse weather and a decline in travel demand to Japan.
Photo credit HKIA. Terminal 1.
Cargo throughput saw a 3.9% year-on-year increase to 430,000 in July, mainly driven by more substantial traffic to/ from Europe and the Middle East, which offset declines in traffic to/ from North America.
For the first seven months of the year, passenger volume rose to 34.6 million, while flight movements increased to 226,020, experiencing growth of 15.3% and 9.8% respectively, compared to the same period of 2024. Cargo throughput recorded a year-on-year increase of 2.2% to 2.83 million tonnes for the same period.
On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume grew by 17.3% year-on-year to 57.6 million, while flight movements increased by 13.1% to 383,450. Cargo throughput rose by 5.4% year-on-year to about 5 million tonnes.
Meanwhile, HKIA continues to expand its extensive air network with airlines resuming more routes and launching new ones in recent months. Notable additions include Munich, Rome and Brussels in Europe; Subang in Southeast Asia; Yiwu and Datong in Mainland China, among others, further reinforcing the airport’s role as an international aviation hub in Asia.
SYDNEY, 26 August 2025: Qantas will operate direct flights between Brisbane and Koror, Palau’s capital, for a second year following the route’s success since its launch in December 2024.
The service, known as the ‘Palau Paradise Express’, will continue to operate as part of a contract awarded to Qantas by the Federal Government and will help maintain strong trade, tourism and people-to-people links between Australia and Palau.
Palau Pacific Resort.
The extension of the ‘Palau Paradise Express’ comes in response to strong market demand and significant growth in Australian visitation since Qantas began operating the service. In the first six months of 2025, Palau has recorded a 113% increase in visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2024, with Australian travellers playing a significant role in the destination’s tourism resurgence.
Known for its globally renowned marine life and commitment to sustainability, Australian tourists are heading to Palau, with 75% of them visiting the destination for the first time.
The route will continue operating weekly, departing from Brisbane on a Saturday, on a Qantas Boeing 737 aircraft, arriving in Koror following the six-hour flight. The renewed service provides Australians with seamless connectivity to a destination suited to travellers seeking a luxurious, adventure-filled and sustainable escape.
Palau is an archipelago with 300 islands fringed by coral reefs, turquoise waters and home to the UNESCO-listed picture-perfect Rock Islands, one of the most environmentally protected destinations in the Pacific.
Palau has transformed from a little-known island nation into one of the most talked-about destinations among Australians in 2025. March and April saw the highest year-on-year growth in Australian arrivals, with March alone increasing by 146%, reflecting a growing curiosity to explore this remote and pristine corner of Micronesia.
Director of Palau Visitors Authority, Kadoi Ruluked, said he is delighted the route has already delivered strong results for the country’s tourism economy.
MANILA, 26 August 2025: Philippine Airlines (PAL) is making Siargao more accessible with more flight options via Clark and Cebu.
These domestic routes complement the flag carrier’s direct Manila-Siargao service, improving connectivity for travellers to the popular island destination.
Photo credit: PAL.
Clark International Airport’s location makes it convenient to get to from most areas of Luzon, making it an ideal choice for most travellers who are heading for Siargao Island.
In addition, travellers can take the Manila-Cebu flight and transfer to Siargao. Cebu’s fast and efficient layovers are sufficient to facilitate smooth transfers between flights. This route provides a suitable alternative for accessing the island, making it possible for visitors to have more choices to meet their travel requirements.
Cebu, a business and tourism centre, gathers visitors from surrounding islands and provinces. PAL’s Cebu-Siargao route is particularly geared towards travellers who want fast access to the island’s surf breaks, the most pristine nature, and a lively community, for a weekend getaway.
“Siargao’s alternative air connections via Clark and Cebu address the appeal for air access and encourage local tourism and economic activity,” said PAL Express President Rabbi Ang. “We are happy to play a leading role in the steady development of Siargao, wherein both the visitors and the residents will prosper due to expanded air transport opportunities.”
Philippine Airlines’ additional flights from its hubs in Cebu and Clark to Siargao have significant economic importance for both the airline and the island’s tourism sector.
By establishing new routes from Clark and Cebu to Sayak Airport on Siargao Island, PAL is reinforcing these airports as key hubs in its domestic network, reducing its reliance on the main Manila (NAIA) hub. This makes travel more efficient for passengers and helps distribute air traffic across the country.
The new flights will provide direct, non-stop access for travellers in Central and Northern Luzon (via Clark) and the Visayas region (via Cebu). Previously, many of these travellers would have had to endure a long land trip to Manila or a layover there, which was less convenient and often more expensive.
PAL continues to have direct Manila-Siargao flights, which serve residents and tourists of the country’s capital as well as travellers connecting from international flight routes.
The Manila-Siargao route remains a viable PAL service, ensuring that international visitors have convenient access to the Philippines’ famous island paradise. Travellers can take advantage of PAL’s special one-way base fares in economy class for as low as PHP4,388 according to the latest airline offer.
Siargao is an island in the Philippine Sea situated 196 kilometres southeast of Tacloban. It has a land area of approximately 437 square kilometres (169 sqmi). Siargao is known as the surfing capital of the Philippines, and was voted the Best Island in Asia in the 2021 Conde Nast Traveller Readers’ awards. (Source: Wikipedia).
BANGKOK, 25 August 2025: Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has expanded its sustainable hospitality vision by taking on the management of Tantawan Tented Camp, a refined tented retreat set amidst the scenic mountains of Chiang Rai in far north Thailand.
Located just a 40-minute commute from Chiang Rai International Airport, this serene, boutique hideaway features 10 spacious safari-style tents — from two-bedroom family options to a romantic one-bedroom suite — each with private bathrooms, handcrafted teak furniture, modern comforts, and sweeping valley views.
Guests can enjoy a curated programme of meaningful experiences, from trekking and cooking classes to tree-planting programmes and meditation sessions, all designed to connect them deeply with the local culture and environment.
Set to become a living showcase of Dusit’s group-wide Tree of Life programme, which integrates environmental stewardship, community engagement, and social impact across 31 criteria linked to selected UN Sustainable Development Goals, Tantawan Tented Camp is uniquely positioned to promote responsible tourism with measurable benefits for both local communities and the environment.
A cornerstone of this commitment is the resort’s close affiliation with Sunflower Organic Farm, a residential home for girls run by Friends of Thai Daughters. This non-profit provides education, safe shelter, and emotional support to ethnic minority hill tribe girls at risk of trafficking. Dusit plans to further support the girls with training programmes and workshops conducted by institutions under Dusit Hospitality Education, namely Dusit Thani College and The Food School, as well as structured work experience at Tantawan Tented Camp and other Dusit properties, creating clear pathways for future careers in hospitality.
Guests are also invited to tour the farm, which supplies the camp with fresh produce, fragrant herbs, and free-range eggs. At the camp’s al fresco Reu Doo Gaan restaurant, northern Thai dishes and international favourites are prepared with these and other locally sourced ingredients, giving visitors an authentic taste of the region while supporting environmentally responsible practices.
“Managing Tantawan Tented Camp gives us a fantastic opportunity to bring the Tree of Life vision to life beyond our branded properties and showcase our commitment to having a positive impact wherever we operate,” said Dusit International Chief Operating Officer Gilles Cretallaz. “From sourcing food directly from the farm to providing education and training for girls and young women, this property shows how sustainability and hospitality can work hand in hand. With work experience opportunities through our educational arm, we can create transformative pathways for the next generation while offering guests an unforgettable and meaningful experience.”
Tantawan Tented Camp also offers a variety of facilities to enhance each stay, including a central swimming pool framed by tall palms and wildflowers with stunning mountain views, and an outdoor amphitheatre for movie nights under the stars, complete with a cosy bonfire. Guests seeking adventure can try archery, visit nearby hill tribes and an elephant sanctuary, or book a private ‘forest and field picnic’ featuring artisanal breads, seasonal salads, gourmet cheeses, and house-made delicacies. Guests are also welcome to play pickleball at Sunflower Farm’s two covered and lighted courts.
Families will appreciate a variety of creative activities, from pottery and glass painting to ‘Tung’ making – the creation of colourful banners once used by Lanna villagers to bless homes, temples, and festivals. Participants can learn the spiritual meanings behind each design, symbolising values such as good fortune, protection, and prosperity.
To mark the start of Dusit’s management, Tantawan Tented Camp is offering a special ‘Stay Three, Pay Two’ package starting at THB9,450 net per room per night (USD290*), inclusive of breakfast for two. The offer is available for booking now through 15 October 2025, for stays through 30 November 2025, exclusively via tantawantentedcamp.com.
In addition, Dusit is offering an exclusive two-night half-board voucher package at THB23,900 net (USD734*), valid for stays from 21 August 2025 to 31 March 2026. The vouchers can be purchased online at dusitshop.com (until 31 August).
Tantawan Tented Camp joins a growing portfolio of distinctive independent properties managed by Dusit in Thailand, including Seapine Beach Golf and Resort, Hua Hin; Green Lake Resort, Chiang Mai; and Chainarai Riverside, Chiang Rai – each benefiting from Dusit’s service standards and operational expertise while retaining their own unique identity.
HONG KONG, 25 August 2025: July marked the start of the traditional summer peak season, and together Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried approximately 3.2 million passengers, the most of any month so far this year, according to Cathay Group traffic figures for July 2025 released last week.
Traffic figures confirmed Cathay Pacific carried 24% more passengers in July 2025 compared with July 2024, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 30%. In the first seven months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 27% compared with the same period in 2024.
Photo credit: Cathay Group.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau commented: “The robust demand Cathay Pacific saw in July was primarily driven by long-haul traffic to and from Hong Kong in the first half of the month, particularly among students and those visiting friends and relatives, followed by leisure traffic to regional destinations such as South Korea and Southeast Asia in the second half of July. These traffic flows contributed to a load factor of 86% in July.
“Turning to August, earlier this month, we were delighted to return to Brussels with the launch of our four-times-weekly flights between Hong Kong and the Belgian capital. Looking further ahead, we expect student traffic to provide a travel boost in September ahead of the new school year, while the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday periods are expected to stimulate leisure travel demand from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland in October.”
Cathay Cargo
Cathay Cargo carried 11% more cargo in July 2025 than in July 2024, while Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 11%. In the first seven months of 2025, the total tonnage also increased by 11% compared with the same period in 2024.
Lavinia added: “In July, we saw increased cargo tonnage compared with the same month last year, reflecting the movement of air cargo ahead of the tariff timelines. Meanwhile, our capacity grew by 6% compared with the previous month, with strong demand from Southeast Asia to Hong Kong in particular, driven by machinery and perishables. Demand for our Cathay Fresh solution was buoyed by the seasonal movement of cherries from the United States. Looking ahead, the external environment remains uncertain, and we will continue to stay vigilant and agile while serving demand where it arises.”
HK Express
HK Express carried more than 680,000 passengers in July 2025, an increase of 22% year on year, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) grew by 38%. In the first seven months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 32% compared with the same period in 2024.
“HK Express has continued to expand its network with the launch of new routes to Guiyang in July and Kuala Lumpur (Subang) in early August,” Lau explained. “Demand for flights to Japan remained subdued in July due to earthquake rumours, and while we are gradually seeing a pickup in bookings in August, they are yet to return to normal levels.”
TOKYO 25 August 2025: Four Points Flex by Sheraton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, is set to expand its footprint in Japan with the upcoming opening of three new hotels in Tokyo.
The new openings will increase Four Points Flex hotels in Japan to 16, further accelerating the brand’s rapid growth in the region.
The new Four Points Flex hotels slated to open in Tokyo are:
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Higashi Kanda (opened 22 August 2025)
The 78-room hotel is located just a three-minute walk from the Bakurocho station, with Akihabara’s Electric Town and anime culture district within walking distance too. Guests have convenient access to iconic Tokyo attractions such as the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station, Ueno Park, and Asakusa.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Ueno (opens 14 October 2025)
The 199-room hotel is located in the heart of Tokyo, just steps from Ueno Station and close to Narita and Haneda airports. Guests can explore Ueno Park, museums, cherry blossoms, Ameyoko Market, and nearby Asakusa Temple and Tokyo Skytree.
Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Shibuya West (opens 1 December 2025)
With 92 rooms, the hotel is expected to deliver modern comfort in the heart of one of Tokyo’s liveliest districts. Situated just minutes from Shibuya Station, the hotel offers convenient connections to Narita and Haneda airports and is within easy reach of popular tourist sights, including the Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, and Yoyogi Park.
Launched in 2024, Four Points Flex by Sheraton is among Marriott International’s newest midscale brands.
SINGAPORE, 25 August 2025: Australian hotel markets saw significant jumps in performance during the British and Irish Lions Tour, including Brisbane posting record highs in average daily rate (ADR) and revenue per available room (RevPAR), according to data from CoStar, a global leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.
Six Australian cities hosted matches over the course of June, July and August. The highest occupancy for a single night was recorded in Canberra (95.9%) on Wednesday, 9 July. Year over year, the market’s ADR (AUD247.17) and RevPAR (AUD237.00) for that night were up 10.3% and 12.8%, respectively.
In Brisbane, ADR and RevPAR peaked on the night of the Wallabies match (Saturday, 19 July) at AUD504.91 and AUD447.30, respectively. Those were the market’s highest levels on record for each metric with year-over-year growth of 109.3% (ADR) and 125.7% (RevPAR).
“Major events drive additional demand and create peaks in room rates,” said STR regional director Matthew Burke. “Such events are even more valuable through the Australian winter, typically the lowest occupancy months of the year.”
Adelaide and Sydney saw their highest matchday occupancy levels at 94.8% (Saturday, 12 July) and 92.9% (Saturday, 2 August), respectively. Melbourne followed closely with occupancy peaking at 91.4% on the night (Saturday, 26 July) of the second test between the Wallabies and Lions.
Perth hosted a ‘Western Force vs. Lions’ match on Saturday, 28 June, which drove occupancy to 79.1%.
“Beyond the host cities, British and Irish fans also contributed to regional destinations through July with high-single to double-digit RevPAR gains in North Queensland, Sydney surrounds, Great Ocean Road and Gold and Sunshine Coasts,” Burke said.
The last time the Lions toured Australia was in June and July 2013, with occupancy peaking in Canberra (99.4%) on the night of the match between the Lions and ACT Brumbies (Tuesday, 18 June). The highest ADR and RevPAR levels were posted in Brisbane at AUD355.73 and AUD348.41, respectively, for the Lions’ match with Australia on Saturday, 22 June. That night, Brisbane saw occupancy at 97.9%.
Starting in November 2025, Australia is set to host yet another large English contingent for the Ashes 2025-2026 cricket tour. The event will be held across five cities, with Adelaide’s occupancy on the books (as of 4 August) already showing as high as 80.1% on the second night of the Third Test (Thursday, 18 December).
For more information about the company and its products and services, visit www.costargroup.com.
