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Turkish expands network in Southeast Asia

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BANGKOK, 14 July 2025: Turkish Airlines is increasing flights on the Istanbul-Bangkok route during the winter timetable that kicks in 27 October, while announcing that it will introduce a new service to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with a stop in the Thai capital effective 10 December.

Currently flying 17 round-trip services a week on the Istanbul-Bangkok route, the airline will increase frequencies to 21 flights per week on 27 October.*  

Starting 10 December, Turkish Airlines will introduce a new three-weekly service on the Istanbul (IST) – Bangkok (BKK) – Phnom Penh (PNH) route. This marks the first time Phnom Penh will be served by Turkish Airlines, making Cambodia the seventh country served by the airline in Southeast Asia. It will also increase round-trip flights to and through Bangkok to 24 weekly.

New service Bangkok – Phnom Penh

TK52 will depart Istanbul (IST) at 2205 and make a transit stop in Bangkok (BKK) at 1115. The flight will depart Bangkok at 1310, arriving in Phnom Penh (PNH) at 1440.
TK53 will depart Phnom Penh (PNH) at 1915 and arrive in Bangkok (BKK) at 2045. After a transit stop in Bangkok, TK53 will depart Bangkok (BKK) at 2140 and arrive in Istanbul (IST) at 0455.

The three weekly flights to Bangkok and Phnom Penh will depart Istanbul on Monday, Friday and Sunday using a Boeing 777-300ER configured with 353 seats.

Turkish Airlines’ new Istanbul-Bangkok-Phnom Penh route exemplifies a “fifth-freedom” strategy, providing local sales in Bangkok and Phnom Penh while developing Bangkok as a gateway to expand its reach into secondary Southeast Asian markets. 

Last June, the airline signed a Joint Business Agreement with Thai Airways International that signalled the green light for the two airlines to fly a combined 42 frequencies on the Istanbul – Bangkok route.   

The initial phase of the JBA will focus on enhancing codeshare flights and aligning schedules between Istanbul and Bangkok, effective by the end of the year.

The partnership aims to provide seamless travel experiences, expand connectivity between Turkey and Southeast Asia, offer more flight options, and foster tourism and trade between the two regions. It also allows both airlines to leverage their respective networks (Turkish Airlines’ global reach and THAI’s strong regional presence in Asia).

The agreement introduces a revenue-sharing framework, aligning their commercial strategies on the Istanbul-Bangkok route to optimise efficiency and maximise passenger volumes.

Currently, direct flights from Istanbul to Bangkok are operated by both Turkish Airlines and Thai Airways (daily), with Turkish Airlines offering 17 flights weekly (TK68, TK58, TK64).

Istanbul – Bangkok

TK68 departs Istanbul (IST) at 0140 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 1505 (daily).
TK58 departs Istanbul (IST) at 1530 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 0420 (daily).
TK64 departs Istanbul (IST) at 1945 and arrives in Bangkok (BKK) at 0840 (Monday, Friday, Sunday).

*TK64 flights increase from three weekly to daily, effective from 27 October, giving Turkish Airlines a total of 21 flights weekly between Istanbul and Bangkok.

Bangkok – Istanbul

TK69 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 2315 and arrives in Istanbul (IST) at 0610 (daily).
TK59 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 0550 and arrives in Istanbul (IST)  at 1230 (daily).
TK65 departs Bangkok (BKK) at 1010 and arrives in Istanbul (IST) at 1645 (Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday).

Beyond Thailand, Turkish Airlines intends to ultimately expand its network in Southeast Asia with new routes or increased frequencies to cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, and Manila.

Politically incorrect tourism webinars launch in Thailand

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 10 July 2025: A new series of Travel & Tourism webinars, designed to broaden the focus of industry discourse to cover ‘politically incorrect’ subjects, has been launched in Thailand.

The first one is set for 18 July on the topic of “What Next for Thai Tourism? – Life After 65”.

The webinars have been conceptualised and designed by Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire, one of the longest-serving travel trade journalists and a respected historian of Asia Pacific tourism. 

He describes a ‘politically incorrect’ webinar as one which “goes beyond the traditional comfort zones, steers clear of mumbo-jumbo sloganeering, and promotes an honest, intellectually-stimulating, respectful and productive discussion of issues that matter. Nothing, repeat nothing, is off the table,” Muqbil says.

He calls the current crop of industry forums “an insult to the intelligence of participants,” claiming the topics all steer clear of anything even remotely controversial for fear of upsetting the organisers and/or sponsors. 

“The speakers all end up saying the same thing. The questions are whetted and routed via moderators or through apps where they can be selectively chosen. Does that contribute to a productive, interactive session? I don’t think so.”

Muqbil argues that Thailand is the best launchpad for such a project, considering it ended the first half of 2025 with visitor arrivals of 16.7 million, a 4.6% decrease from the first half of 2024. 

“What was once the leading tourism destination in Asia is now one of the worst-performing. A desperate industry is working overtime to crank up the numbers. However, it is only treating the symptoms. The root causes run much deeper and have been building up for years, mainly because they were kept off the table.”

Unfortunately, he says, the Thai tourism industry is still failing to ask itself some critical ‘politically incorrect’ questions, such as:

  • Is it repeating all its past mistakes?
  • As an ageing destination, what “health & wellness” therapies are required?
  • Is the Tourism Authority of Thailand on the right track?
  • Is the industry leadership ready and up to the mark?

He adds, “I go to dozens of industry forums where the same old line-up of visionary, thought-leaders who rehash the same old textbook solutions.

“Garbage in, then leads to garbage out. Travel & Tourism deserves better. It is no longer an economic lifeline but a source of national security. As the industry is constantly talking about change, its discussion forums must mature and change, too.”

The 18 July session will include a carefully researched analysis of visitor arrivals over the first six months from 75 source markets, which Muqbil says provides clear indicators of where future marketing opportunities lie. A discussion of the ‘politically incorrect’ topics will follow, exploring some underlying, long-term solutions.
In conclusion, he affirms that the webinar’s core strength lies in its independence and sponsorship-free nature. 

Participants will need to support the webinars by paying a fee to help cover the costs of research, organisation and analysis.

Click here for registration and more details: 

https://www.travel-impact-newswire.com/2025/07/what-next-for-thai-tourism-life-after-65-sign-up-for-thailands-first-politically-incorrect-webinar/ 

NCL appoints chief marketing officer

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line has appointed Kiran Smith as Chief Marketing Officer, succeeding Adam Malone, who will transition into the newly created role of Senior Vice President of Guest Experience. 

Both will report to NCL President David J Herrera and serve as members of the Brand senior leadership team.  

Kiran Smith

With decades of experience elevating public and private companies and bringing them to the next stage of their growth potential, Smith will lead the marketing team in building a unified approach to executing data-driven strategies designed to put the guest at the centre. Insight-driven storytelling will be at the core of strengthening the brand, increasing guest engagement, driving sustained performance and attracting new cruise audiences.

Norwegian Cruise Line has a strong pipeline of ships on order, with seven new builds being added to the fleet through 2036, resulting in an overall 50% increase in capacity growth. 

Additionally, last April, the cruise line announced plans to expand the guest experience on its 5.6-acre private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, with a new multi-ship pier; an expansive area for guests to soak up the warm Bahamian sun, complete with an oversized heated pool.

(Source: NCL)

ACI ranks the world’s busiest airports

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TTR WEEKLY
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MONTREAL, Canada, July 10, 2025: Airports Council International (ACI) World has released the 2025 Edition of its World Airport Traffic Dataset, confirming the world’s busiest airports in 2024 across three major categories: passenger traffic, air cargo volumes, and aircraft movements.

Built from over 2,800 airports across 185 countries and territories, the dataset provides a comprehensive snapshot of global air transport demand and activity over the past year.

Passenger Traffic Highlights

Global passenger traffic hit a new high in 2024, surpassing 9.4 billion travellers, up 8.4% from 2023 and 2.7% above pre-pandemic levels (2019).
The top 20 airports alone processed 1.54 billion passengers, capturing 16% of global traffic.

Among notable shifts

Shanghai Pudong (PVG) climbed 11 positions to rank 10th globally.
Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) sustained its comeback, holding 12th place after ranking 57th in 2022.
The US contributed six airports to the top 20, dominated mainly by domestic traffic, except for JFK, where international passengers made up 56%.

Cargo traffic highlights

Air cargo rebounded with close to 127 million metric tonnes handled in 2024 — up 9.9% year-over-year and 4.1% over 2019.
The top 20 cargo hubs moved 52.2 million tonnes, up 9% from 2023 and 10.8% above pre-pandemic levels.

Key growth drivers

Maritime route volatility, led shippers to seek more reliable and faster alternatives via air.

E-commerce acceleration is driven by consumer demand for faster fulfilment across borders.

Falling jet fuel costs lowered operating expenses and improved air freight competitiveness.

Biggest mover: Dubai International (DXB), jumping from 17th to 11th in the rankings.

Aircraft movement highlights

Aircraft movements topped 100.6 million globally in 2024— an increase of 3.9% year-over-year, reaching 96.8% of 2019 levels.

The top 20 airports saw 11.08 million movements, up 5.4% year-over-year.

Shanghai Pudong (PVG) again showed strong momentum, rising 10 places to become the 8th busiest airport by movements.

ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci said: “These rankings reflect the scale of global aviation and the resilience of the industry that continues to grow, despite the complex global environment. In these times of constant change and uncertainty, reliable data like this is necessary to help airports navigate through the increasing headwinds. Our mission is to empower airports with data and intelligence like this report, as well as with the tools, support and advocacy they need to thrive in this dynamic environment.”

Cunard brand gains T+L readers’ attention

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2025: Luxury cruise line Cunard has been named the #2 Best Large-Ship Ocean Cruise Line in Travel + Leisure’s prestigious 2025 World’s Best Awards.* (Disney Cruise Line moved up from second place in 2024 to take the top spot this year).

The Cunard cruise brand celebrates 185 years, and this summer, the newly refreshed Queen Elizabeth continues a successful maiden season sailing to Alaska from Seattle. This October, the ship will mark another historic milestone for Cunard — Queen Elizabeth’s first Caribbean season and the brand’s first time homeporting in Miami.

Photo credit: Carnival Corporation. Queen Mary 2, the world’s only ocean liner, continues Cunard’s legacy of iconic ocean travel.

Each year, Travel + Leisure honours the top destinations, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and more through its World’s Best Awards, determined by the publication’s readers. The annual survey celebrates the places and companies that consistently exceed travellers’ expectations across key areas such as service, cuisine, destinations, entertainment and onboard ambience.

More information about the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards, including the full list of 2025 winners, can be found at: Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2025 

*The Full List (large ship ocean cruise lines)

1. Disney Cruise Line
Reader Score: 88.33

2. Cunard
Reader Score: 85.04

3. Holland America Line
Reader Score: 83.62

4. Celebrity Cruises
Reader Score: 82.60

5. MSC Cruises
Reader Score: 80.71

Langham hires Downing for Bangkok project

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 10 July 2025: Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has named Nick Downing as General Manager of The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok. 

The appointment is the first of a series of key hires the group is making ahead of the riverside retreat’s opening in late 2026.

Nick Downing, General Manager, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok.

Downing brings more than three decades of luxury hospitality experience from across Southeast Asia, Australia and the Indian Ocean. He most recently served as general manager of The Siam in Bangkok.

His previous leadership roles span both corporate and on-property positions, including posts at Minor Hotel Group, where he managed a cluster of 12 hotels; W Retreat Koh Samui, which he successfully repositioned; and Per Aquum Hotels & Resorts, where he steered key development projects and the seamless opening of the renowned Huvafen Fushi resort.

Downing will report to Sherona Shng, LHG’s Regional Vice President of Operations, Asia.

Located in Bangkok’s Bang Rak District, The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok is being developed by Rabbit Holdings, a subsidiary of BTS Group. The 78-key hotel will occupy a striking site along the Chao Phraya River and incorporate the city’s historic Custom House building, an architectural treasure that is being restored as part of the project.

Signature features at the property will include an outpost of The Langham, Hong Kong’s three-Michelin-star Cantonese restaurant, T’ang Court. 

ACI World opposes air travel tax

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2025: ACI World has expressed serious concerns regarding the decision by France, Kenya, Barbados, Spain, Somalia, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Antigua & Barbuda to launch a coalition ahead of COP30, focused on introducing a new tax on air transport.

The proposed tax would focus on premium flyers as a means to fund development, climate mitigation, and public health initiatives.

Changi Airport Singapore. Changi Airport is the world’s fourth busiest international air hub. Photo credit: Fact Sheet: Changi Airport Terminal 5 – Singapore

ACI World cautions that, while well-intentioned, such a tax risks undermining the air transport sector’s critical role in driving economic development, global connectivity, and progress toward sustainability.

“We fully support the global pursuit of sustainable development and climate resilience,” said ACI World Director General Justin Erbacci.

“However, targeting aviation with additional taxes is likely to undermine the very connectivity and economic growth that support these goals. The aviation sector must be empowered — not penalised—if we want to achieve long-term global progress.”

Aviation taxation threatens air connectivity 

Taxation on aviation has proven to hinder air connectivity and negatively impact regional economic growth. The economic benefits lost due to these taxes can be twice as large as the revenue governments collect from them. ACI research on the Taxation of International Air Transport and Airports estimates that the removal of the USD90 billion in taxes paid by aviation users would create 5.2 million jobs and USD180 billion in global GDP.

New taxes, such as the one proposed, also risk impacting regions that are particularly dependent on air connectivity for trade, tourism, and broader development.

Moreover, the eight States announced plans to invest “all or parts of the proceeds into resilient investments and fair transitions.” However, there is a significant risk that these funds will be diverted to other uses rather than serving their intended purpose.

New taxes risk undermining net-zero trajectory

The coalition of eight States announced it would work towards a “better contribution of the aviation sector to fair transitions and resilience.” However, the global aviation sector already is following an ambitious, coordinated plan to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, through the leadership of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), including the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)—the international market-based system specifically designed to address aviation emissions.

Call for fairer global solutions

ACI World joins ICAO, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), and others in cautioning against measures that extract value from aviation without reinvestment in its sustainable future. A globally fragmented approach—such as a tax imposed by a “coalition of the willing” — could distort competition, undermine environmental integrity, and disproportionately impact developing economies that rely on air transport for growth.

Indians search for visa-free destinations

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 10 July 2025: The international travel landscape for Indian passport holders is transforming, driven by the easing of visa policies across Southeast Asia. 

This shift is not only breaking down logistical barriers but also encouraging an increase in international travel, particularly to destinations that have recently simplified entry requirements.

Langkawi, an island destination in northern Malaysia, is popular with Indian visitors. Photo credit: Naturally Langkawi.

Data from the digital platform Agoda reveals that Indian travellers are responding enthusiastically to these changes. Comparing accommodation searches made on Agoda between July and December 2024 for check-ins between January and May 2025, against the same timeframe a year earlier, Malaysia, Palau, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka — countries that eased visa requirements — have seen an apparent rise in interest.

Malaysia, which introduced visa-free entry for Indian citizens in 2023, recorded a 47% year-on-year (YoY) increase in accommodation searches. Destinations like Langkawi (+118%), Kuala Lumpur (+28%) and hill station highlands (27%) have seen an increase, indicating renewed enthusiasm for Malaysia’s diverse travel offerings. 

Similarly, the Pacific Island nation of Palau, despite being a lesser-known gem, witnessed a 49% increase in interest, alongside its recent announcement of a 30-day visa-free entry for Indian passport holders. 

The Philippines, a long-time favourite, has also joined the club of visa-friendly destinations for Indians as of April 2025. Agoda has observed an upward trend in accommodation searches among Indian travellers for the Philippines, contributing to a YoY increase of 26%. The cities of Manila (+43%), Palawan (+30%), and Cebu (+25%) are among the top gainers.

Finally, Sri Lanka has also seen a 9% overall YoY increase following the country’s decision to grant visa-free access to Indian passport holders. Destinations like Mirissa (+31%) and Nuwara Eliya (+16%) suggest Indian tourists are eager to explore beyond familiar favourites such as Colombo and Kandy.

Commenting on the trend, Agoda Country Director India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, Gaurav Malik said: “This new era of accessibility is helping travellers discover not just tourist favourites like Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka but also hidden gems like Palau. Agoda remains committed to making travel seamless and affordable, and we’re excited to see where this heightened accessibility takes Indian tourists next.”

(Source: Agoda)

Emirates Aviation University marks 35 years

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, July 2025: Emirates Aviation University (EAU) celebrated its 35th graduation ceremony by honouring 154 bright, savvy and accomplished scholars who are poised to shape the future of global aviation. 

Since 1991, EAU has graduated over 26,000 students, the size of a small city or large town, shaping the workforce and the future of not just Emirates, but also the local and global aviation industry.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, and Chancellor of the EAU awarded the graduates with their well-earned certificates. Also in attendance were Emirates Group executives, elated graduates and their equally happy families and friends, and the university’s erudite and experienced faculty.

HH Sheikh Ahmed said: “Emirates Aviation University’s contribution to nation-building, particularly in relation to the country’s key aviation sector, is well recognised. The university has been an important pivot not just for training and education but also for research, development and community engagement within aviation. Our commitment to EAU is unwavering, and we enhance and amplify its capabilities with support from our Group’s senior leadership team and our solid investments in its future. Congratulations to our graduates – they have every reason to feel proud.”

This year’s cohort represented over 25 nationalities and a range of postgraduate and undergraduate degrees and disciplines, including aviation management, aviation safety, air transport management, aerospace and aeronautical engineering.

Reflecting on EAU’s 35th year, Professor Ahmad Al Ali, Vice-Chancellor of Emirates Aviation University, said: “This generation of graduates is stepping into the world of aviation at a pivotal moment of rapid transformation – in the UAE and globally. Their commitment and innovation will not only propel the industry forward but will also help to sustain it long-term as the world navigates the shortage of an expert and experienced workforce. Congratulations to our graduates – their achievements are a testament to our successful academic journey.”

The graduating class of 154 students includes 24 postgraduate and 130 undergraduate students, and some who are Emirates-sponsored. The university honoured 19 exemplary students across all disciplines.

Over 650 undergraduate students received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to intern with the Emirates Group for more than one semester in the last 4 years. The Emirates Group Internship Programme offers students valuable real-world experience as an integral part of their academic studies. Undergraduate students undertake a one-semester placement, earning up to 15 credit hours toward their degree.

About Emirates Aviation University
Since its founding in 1991, EAU, the education arm of the Emirates Group, has established itself as the leading university for aviation studies in the region. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes in aeronautical engineering, aviation management, logistics & supply management, AI & data science, aviation safety, and aviation security studies. Over the past three decades, EAU has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its facilities, faculties, learning resources and earning global accreditations, including recognition from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, UK. For more information, visit https://www.eau.ac.ae/en

Tourist confidence grows in Sabah’s East Coast

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TTR WEEKLY
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SEMPORNA, Sabah, 9 July 2025: The proliferation of new hotels, resorts, chalets, and lodges in Semporna and its surrounding islands is a clear sign of growing tourist confidence in Sabah’s east coast as a safe and attractive destination.

Many of these accommodations, some built on stilts over the water, show that more tourists will continue to visit the region, driven by improved security.

Datuk Joniston Bangkuai presents a memento to US ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan, while Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (left) and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai (right) look on.

Among the new developments are Seafest Regency and Pearl Bohey Dulang Resorts, both of which officially opened this year to meet the rising demand for accommodations in Semporna.

Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who joined Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and foreign delegates on a site visit to the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (ESSZone) last week, said Sabah’s tourism sector continues to show healthy growth.

The state recorded 1.44 million visitor arrivals between January and May this year, generating an estimated RM3.3 billion in tourism receipts.

Joniston said the steady increase in visitor arrivals, particularly from international markets, is closely linked to Sabah’s strong security framework, which is diligently maintained by the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCom).

“The fact that Sabah has reported zero kidnapping-for-ransom incidents over the past several years reflects ESSCom’s commitment to keeping our waters and communities safe.

“This complements the ongoing efforts of the Sabah Tourism Board to promote Sabah as a safe and welcoming destination,” he said.

Joniston was speaking at a dinner held in conjunction with the security site visit, which involved 15 diplomatic representatives and officials from 10 countries, namely the US, Australia, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Canada, New Zealand, China, South Korea, and Spain.

Present were Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Awang Alik Jeman; Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment Sabah Permanent Secretary Datuk Josie Lai; Joint Forces commander Datuk Zahani Zainal Abidin; and ESSCom Commander  Datuk Victor Sanjos.

The delegation also visited Pulau Omadal, Pulau Sibuan, Pulau Bohey Dulang, and Pulau Mataking.

“We are seeing the positive results of these close collaborations. Tourists feel safe to explore Sabah, even in the ESSZone, and investors are also confident of continuing to invest here,” said Joniston, who chairs the Sabah Tourism Board.

According to the latest figures from the Sabah Tourism Board, international visitors accounted for 559,150 arrivals, while domestic tourists made up 879,420 arrivals. China (243,688) remains Sabah’s top international market, followed by South Korea (76,685).

Joniston also highlighted a strong increase in tourist arrivals from Europe, which recorded 35,240 visitors from January to May, a 25.6 per cent growth compared to the same period last year.

The top European source markets include the UK and Ireland (13,910 arrivals), Germany (3,854), and France (2,750).

Meanwhile, the United States contributed 9,356 arrivals, while Canada recorded 2,949 arrivals.

Joniston expressed confidence that Sabah’s tourism sector will continue on its positive path, supported by the joint commitment of security agencies, local communities, and tourism industry players.

“We consistently maintain a positive outlook on the growth of tourist arrivals to Sabah. With ESSCom’s strong support and the growing trust of our visitors, we are well-positioned to welcome even more tourists in the coming months,” he said.

For more information on Sabah, visit the website: www.sabahtourism.com

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