Sunday, June 21, 2026
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Visa and Trip.com ink collaboration deal

SINGAPORE, 21 MAY 2026: Visa has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with Trip.com Group, marking a strategic collaboration to deliver richer travel experiences for Asia-Pacific consumers. 

The MoU, signed on Tuesday, will harness Visa’s global payments network and Trip.com Group’s ecosystem, enabling travellers to discover personalised recommendations, access offers for dream destinations and transact seamlessly on their journeys.

From left: Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer, Asia Pacific, Visa, and  Bo Sun, Chief Marketing Officer, Trip.com Group, at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Trip.com Group will also become a global Anchor Partner for Visa Destinations, a global experience-led programme that connects cardholders to curated travel experiences shaped by culture and local insights, allowing travellers to plan journeys around what matters most.

As Anchor Partner, Trip.com Group will integrate Visa Destinations into its ecosystem to create enhanced travel value propositions and provide personalised offers and benefits to a wide spectrum of consumer segments. Visa and Trip.com Group will also collaborate on joint marketing and promotional initiatives in selected markets, enabling more people to discover dream destinations and experiences around the world.

In addition, Visa and Trip.com Group will explore deeper collaborations catered to rapidly growing segments across Asia Pacific, including new ways for Trip.com Group users to access Visa’s affluent offerings, such as its global portfolio of sports, music, and lifestyle partnerships, while giving Visa Infinite cardholders access to exclusive Trip.com Group offers. Visa and Trip.com Group will also work closely to accelerate travel between Mainland China and the rest of the region.

Global travel intentions

According to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions (GTI) 2026 study:

Almost three in four (72%) survey respondents plan to travel within Asia in the coming months, with one in four intending to travel to Japan

Digital payments are second nature to Asia-Pacific travellers, with 73% of respondents bringing credit cards or mobile wallets on their trips.

92% of respondents went online to plan and research travel recommendations for recent trips, with 49% using AI tools to find travel destinations or ideas

Visa Chief Marketing Officer Asia Pacific, Danielle Jin, said: “Our collaboration with Trip.com Group is built for what travellers want today, combining trusted global payments with unmatched travel discovery through our platforms. We look forward to a successful collaboration with Trip.com Group, working closely to deliver more curated, rewarding, and seamless travel experiences that connect people to what they are most passionate about.”

Trip.com Group Chief Marketing Officer Bo Sun noted: “Through this strategic collaboration with Visa, we are advancing this mission in the Asia Pacific and beyond by integrating trusted payments capabilities, curated travel experiences, and expanded premium offerings across our one-stop travel ecosystem.”

(Source: Visa)

Aeroflot resumes flights to the UAE

MOSCOW, 21 May 2026: Aeroflot will resume its daily flight from Moscow to Dubai on 1 June, increasing to double daily on 1 July, the airline confirmed in a press statement this week.

The Moscow–Dubai–Moscow air route will be operated by Boeing 737-800 aircraft, seating 158 passengers in a two-class layout: Economy and business. Flight time is six hours and 25 minutes.

Photo credit: Tripadvisor (Tripadvisor). Aeroflot B737-800.

The up-to-date schedule is available on Aeroflot’s website. To book tickets, visit Aeroflot’s website, mobile application or visit one of the airline’s sales offices or ticket sales agents.

Aeroflot is the largest Russian airline. The group also includes Rossiya and Pobeda airlines. In 2025, Aeroflot carried 29.5 million passengers (55.3 million — Aeroflot Group airlines included).

Flight schedule 1 June 2026

SU520 departs Moscow (SVO) at 0705 and arrives in Dubai (DXB) at 1430. Daily flights.
SU521 departs Dubai (DXB) at 1615 and arrives in Moscow (SVO) at 2150.

Additional service effective 1 July 2026

SU526 departs Moscow (SVO) at 1100 and arrives in Dubai (DXB) at 1820.
SU527 departs Dubai (DXB) at 1950 and arrives in Moscow (SVO) at 0130. Plus a day.

Twice daily flights using a 158-seat Boeing 737-800. Flight time is six hours and 25 minutes.

(Source: Aeroflot)

Etihad brings double A380 magic to Paris

ABU DHABI, UAE, 21 May 2026: Etihad Airways will increase its Airbus A380 service to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) to double-daily this summer, expanding the route to triple-daily overall and making Paris one of only a handful of destinations in the world to be served twice a day by the iconic double-decker aircraft.

From 1 July, Etihad’s expanded Paris schedule will include two daily Airbus A380 services departing Zayed Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) at morning and afternoon times, designed for both business and leisure travellers.

Photo credit: Etihad Airways. Double daily A380s fly to Paris this summer.

A third daily Boeing 787-9 service featuring first, business and economy cabins. Together, the additional frequencies will significantly expand premium travel capacity between Abu Dhabi and Paris.

Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Arik De, said: “Paris is one of our most popular destinations, and this summer. Flying double-daily on the A380 to Charles de Gaulle is a statement of confidence in one of the world’s great travel markets. Whether our guests are heading to Paris for business, for leisure, or as the start of a journey onward across Europe, we are offering them our iconic A380 experience at the double.”

The double-daily A380 operation will bring more of Etihad’s flagship experience to the French capital than ever before. Guests travelling between Abu Dhabi and Paris can enjoy the airline’s celebrated onboard offering across every cabin, from The Residence — the world’s only three-room suite in commercial aviation —  and the exclusive First Apartments, to the spacious business and economy seats.

With three daily flights to Paris, including two operated by the A380, Etihad is significantly expanding premium travel capacity between Abu Dhabi and one of the world’s most iconic destinations, while strengthening connections to the wider Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Asia through its growing global network.

Paris schedule from 1 July to 24 October 2026

(Source: Etihad Airways).

Sun PhuQuoc Airways launches on 25 July

SINGAPORE, 21 May 2026: Sun PhuQuoc Airways has officially announced the launch of scheduled services to Singapore this July to enhance connectivity between two of Asia’s most popular island destinations. 

The launch also introduces the first full-service airline on the Singapore–Phu Quoc route, creating new opportunities to attract high-quality international travellers to Phu Quoc. The direct Singapore–Phu Quoc route is currently served primarily by low-cost carriers. 

Photo credit: Sun PhuQuoc Airways.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways’ ticket sales open on 20 May, ahead of the inaugural flight on 25 July 2026. As the first full-service airline operating this route, Sun PhuQuoc Airways introduces a new standard of travel between Singapore and Phu Quoc, with both business class and economy class cabin options.

Flight schedule  

● Singapore to Phu Quoc (9G720): Departs Singapore (SIN) at 1420, arrives Phu Quoc (PQC) at 1505.

● Phu Quoc to Singapore (9G721): Departs Phu Quoc (PQC) at 1035, arrives Singapore (SIN) at 1320.

The airline offers passengers an all-inclusive onboard experience, including hot meals, standard checked baggage allowance, and a modern wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) system. In particular, the business class cabin is designed around comfort, privacy and seamless priority services, catering to the expectations of business travellers and premium leisure guests from Singapore who increasingly value convenience and travel quality.

To celebrate the launch of the Singapore–Phu Quoc route, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is offering special fares from just SGD133 one-way. The offer applies to flights departing within one month of the inaugural flight date and is subject to the availability of promotional seats. In addition, passengers travelling from Singapore to Phu Quoc can enjoy a 20% discount on base fares during the launch period from 20 May to 19 June 2026.

Travellers flying with Sun PhuQuoc Airways will also receive complimentary tickets to the Sun World Hon Thom cable car, alongside exclusive privileges of up to 30% off accommodation, dining, spa and entertainment services within Sun Group’s ecosystem in southern Phu Quoc.

Connecting two of Asia’s leading island destinations

The launch of another direct air route carries significant meaning in strengthening connectivity between two iconic island destinations. Singapore is a modern island nation and one of the region’s leading financial and aviation hubs. At the same time, Phu Quoc offers pristine natural beauty, year-round tropical appeal and world-class integrated resorts.

With its visa exemption policy for international visitors, Phu Quoc is increasingly well-positioned as an ideal destination for weekend getaways among Singapore residents and the expatriate community based in the city-state. 

According to Skyscanner data, searches for Phu Quoc by Singapore users increased by as much as 184% year-on-year, placing the island second on the list of trending destinations for 2026.

About Sun PhuQuoc Airways
Sun PhuQuoc Airways is backed by Sun Group’s integrated ecosystem across tourism, hospitality, entertainment and infrastructure.

ATIA warns travellers to verify agency accreditation

SYDNEY, 20 May 2026: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) urges Australian travellers to check that their travel agent or tour operator holds current ATIA Accreditation, following issues with Melbourne-based tour operator AVG Travels (formerly Asia Vacation Group, ABN: 74 608 656 800).

ATIA cancelled AVG’s accreditation on 22 August 2022 after the company failed to meet the financial and ethical standards required to remain in the scheme. AVG continued to trade and sell tour packages after that date without ATIA Accreditation.

Photo credit: ATIA.

ATIA’s accreditation scheme sets the highest standards in the Australian travel industry. Last year, 22% of accreditation applications were rejected for failing to meet those standards. Accredited businesses are subject to ongoing monitoring, and accreditation is cancelled where standards are not met.

A public register of all cancelled and withdrawn accreditations is available at afta.com.au/Accreditation/Cancelled-Withdrawn-ATAS-Participants

Customers of ATIA Accredited businesses also have access to a formal complaints and dispute resolution process, giving them an independent avenue to resolve issues if something goes wrong.

ATIA is progressing a proposed merger with the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO). A key goal of that merger is to combine the strengths of both accreditation schemes into a stronger framework for businesses and consumers.

Travellers can check whether a business holds current ATIA Accreditation at Find ATIA Accredited Travel Agents & Tour Operators

ATIA CEO Dean Long commented in the press statement: “The message to consumers is clear — always check that ATIA accredits your travel agent or tour operator. We had a 22% rejection rate of applications last year. We take pride in the people that we removed from the scheme for not meeting our standards.”

“ATIA Accreditation is the highest benchmark in the travel industry. It comes with an excellent consumer complaint processing process, which means even if something goes wrong, you have an independent umpire to help you settle any disputes.

“One of the reasons why we have been working so hard on the details of the proposed merger with CATO is to bring the best of both accreditation schemes together. This situation underscores exactly why that work matters.”

About ATIA (www.atia.travel)
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the peak body representing Australia’s AUD69 billion travel industry. ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.

(Source: ATIA)

Brand USA expands America the Beautiful platform

SINGAPORE 20 May 2026: Brand USA President and CEO Fred Dixon this week announced a major expansion of the organisation’s America the Beautiful brand platform. 

Two new supporting initiatives expand the organisation’s messaging: Get Facts Get Going, an always-on effort designed to provide real-time information on visa and entry policies, fees, and more to combat misperceptions; and American Originals, a new content and storytelling series spotlighting the people, places, and experiences that are distinctly American.

Photo credit: Brand USA. GetFactsGetGoing.

The new initiatives being announced this week at the US Travel Association’s IPW in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, targeting leisure tourism, and at IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany, targeting international business events, reflect the organisation’s focus on growing international travel demand and boosting travel exports that impact the US economy and communities. The announcement comes as the US is readying to host significant major events beginning next month, including the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th anniversary, and the Route 66 Centennial.

“In line with our mission to impact the US economy through travel exports, we have an opportunity to build traveller confidence further and inspire visitation,” said Brand USA’s President and CEO, Fred Dixon. “With our expanded platform, we are introducing American Originals, which spotlights the people and places who originated the styles, sounds, and tastes the world loves, while Get Facts Get Going serves as a single source of information to address misperceptions head-on. We want international visitors to know that we are open for business and warmly welcome them.”

Since its global launch last October, America the Beautiful has served as Brand USA’s flagship campaign and platform, inspiring international audiences. Monthly surveys show more than seven in ten respondents say the campaign positively influences their interest in visiting the US.

Brand USA is now building on that foundation with two new initiatives, each serving a distinct and equally important role. America the Beautiful inspires. American Originals fuels consideration, and Get Facts Get Going aids conversion by dispelling perceived logistical barriers.

Operating under a single data-driven and strategic framework, Brand USA has also created new integration opportunities with its destination partners, such as South Dakota and Alabama, and with corporate brands such as Hilton, with more to come. New integrations are designed to expand reach, improve target efficiency, and increase visibility for the platform and partners.

Get Facts Get Going

The expansion tackles misperceptions about visa requirements, entry procedures, fees, visa integrity, national park pricing, and screening policies. It has created confusion among some international travellers — until now, no single easy-to-use resource has brought this information together in one place. 

Get Facts Get Going is built to be always on, and continually updated as an integrated marketing, communications, and trade effort reaching international audiences through paid media in key global markets; real-time content delivered through global distribution systems; direct travel trade engagement through Brand USA’s agent training USA Discovery Program; and testimonials through the organisation’s Visiting Journalists Programme.

As an extension of these efforts, Brand USA has an ongoing partnership with US Customs and Border Protection to facilitate and expand global entry sign-ups in international markets. CBP representatives will be on-site at IPW this week at Brand USA’s booth to help answer questions and provide updates on trusted traveller programmes.

(Source: Brand USA)

PATA confirms board members at its AGM

BANGKOK, 20 May 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association has confirmed the ratification of newly elected Board members at the close of the PATA Annual General Meeting held last week in Gyeongju, Korea (ROK).

The newly elected Board members will serve alongside the association’s ongoing Board members, further strengthening PATA’s collective expertise and representation across the travel and tourism industry, including the public and private sectors, academia, chapters, and youth representatives from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Welcoming the newly elected PATA Board members at the PATA Annual General Meeting during the PATA Annual Summit 2026 in Gyeongju, Korea (ROK). 

From left to right, Fabrizio Orlando, Global Industry Relations Director, TripAdvisor; Thomas Wan, Chairman, PATA Hong Kong School of Hotel & Tourism Management (SHTM) Student Chapter; Shuichi Kameyama, Lead Consultant, JTB Tourism Research & Consulting Co; Jonathan Low, Managing Director, Global Success Learning Academy Sdn Bhd; Dr Duangthida Nunthapirat, Dean, International Programs, Bangkok University; Henry Oh, Chairman, PATA; Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Dr Paithoon Monpanthong, GSTM Programme Director, Graduate School of Tourism Management, National Institute of Development Administration; Justin Ong, Regional Manager, APAC; Hotelbeds Pte Ltd; Dmitri Cooray, Managing Director, Jetwing Hotels Ltd, and Kamilia Hani Abdul Halim, Director, Tourism Malaysia Seoul, representing Datuk Musa Yusof, Deputy Director General (Promotion), Tourism Malaysia.

The announcement follows the unveiling of PATA’s new Chair and Executive Board line-up earlier during the Summit.

“PATA’s strength lies in the diversity, experience, and commitment of its members,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “We are pleased to welcome these newly elected Board members and look forward to working together as we continue to advance a more responsible, inclusive, and resilient tourism industry.”

Newly elected PATA board members

Bangkok University, represented by Duangthida Nunthapirat, Dean, International Programmes

Crescentrating Pte Ltd, represented by Fazal Bahardeen, CEO

Global Success Learning Academy Sdn Bhd, represented by Jonathan Low, Managing Director

Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, represented by Mr Jason Wang, Chief Operating Officer

Graduate School of Tourism Management, National Institute of Development Administration, represented by Dr Paithoon Monpanthong, GSTM Programmes Director

Hotelbeds Pte Ltd, represented by Mr Justin Ong, Regional Manager, APAC

Intrepid Travel, represented by Mike Stewart, Regional General Manager SEA

Jetwing Hotels Ltd, represented by Dmitri Cooray, Managing Director

PATA Face of the Future 2025, Yeji Cho, Assistant Manager, Korea Tourism Organisation

PATA Hong Kong School of Hotel & Tourism Management (SHTM) Student Chapter, represented by Thomas Wan, Chairman

PATA Nepal Chapter, represented by Khem Lakai, Chairman

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), represented by Dr Supawan Teerarat, President

Tourism Malaysia, represented by Datuk Musa Yusof, Deputy Director General (Promotion)

TripAdvisor, represented by Fabrizio Orlando, Global Industry Relations Director

Wakayama University, represented by Dr Kumi Kato, Professor

Ongoing PATA Board Members

The newly elected members will join the following ongoing Board members:

Booking.com B.V., represented by Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC

Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, represented by Dileep Mudadeniya, Senior Vice President Global Alliances & Partnerships

Dusit Thani College, represented by Simon Lloyd, Dean – Hospitality Management and Business Administration

Guilin Tang Dynasty Tours Co Ltd, represented by Michael Zhou, President

Hong Kong Tourism Board, represented by Anthony Lau, Executive Director

Korea Tourism Organisation, represented by Sunghyeuck Park, President

Macau International Airport Company Ltd, represented by Eric Fong, Marketing Director

Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation, represented by Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director

Pacific Leisure (Thailand) Ltd, represented by Watana Limnararat, Managing Director

PATA Hawaii Chapter, represented by Jennifer Chun, Chairperson

Sanya Tourism Board, represented by Hao Zhang, Vice Director

Saudi Tourism Authority, represented by Mr Alhasan Aldabbagh, President – APAC Market

Soaltee Hotel Limited, represented by Dinesh Bista, Executive Chairman

Taiwan Tourism Administration, represented by Yu-Hsiu Chen, Director-General

Tourism Authority of Thailand, represented by Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor

Venture Travel (Temple Tigers) Nepal, represented by Brajesh Mishra, Director

The Board plays a key role in guiding the association’s strategic direction and supporting its mission to share knowledge, enable networking, and protect tourism economy assets through innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.

(Source: PATA)

Back to school thanks to PATA

BANGKOK, 20 May 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association officially launches the PATA Micro-credentials Programme, a training and learning initiative that aims to empower tourism professionals in the Asia Pacific with practical, industry-driven skills.

Hosted on src.pata.org, the programme comprises short courses developed by two PATA members, EarthCheck and The Sigmund Project, with self-paced learning and content focused on relevant tourism knowledge. The target group are entry-level to senior professionals, Entrepreneurs and SMEs, and government and tourism organisations.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid announces the launch of the Micro-credentials programme at PATA Annual Summit 2026 in Gyeongju, Korea (ROK).

Learners will also be awarded with digital certificates upon completion.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “At PATA, one of our core aims has always been to support the industry through knowledge sharing and collaboration. Through this initiative, we hope to make practical learning more accessible and flexible, while drawing on the expertise and experiences of PATA’s global network. We believe that by sharing knowledge and learning from one another, we can help tourism stakeholders across the region grow, adapt, and move forward together.”

Initial courses available under the programme 

Integrating ESG into Tourism SMEs – EarthCheck
The course offers practical ESG strategies for small tourism businesses to build more sustainable operations and improve efficiency. Participants will learn simple, cost-effective actions that can deliver measurable environmental and social impact.

AI-Powered Marketing for Tourism Professionals – The Sigmund Project
The course offers practical applications of AI to create faster and smarter marketing campaigns, produce content, advertisements, and branding materials, and significantly reduce marketing time and production costs.

The courses are now accessible at src.pata.org/online-courses.

(Source: PATA)

Crystal teams up with Approach Guides

MELBOURNE, 20 May 2026: Crystal Cruises has confirmed a new collaboration with Approach Guides, launching an innovative suite of marketing technologies designed to help travel advisors more effectively promote Crystal voyages, engage clients and increase bookings.

At the heart of this new approach are “content experiences,” designed and ready-to-use digital marketing pages featuring Crystal’s itineraries, destinations, and exclusive offers. These pages can be instantly co-branded by advisors and shared across email and social channels. Each piece of content is paired with a personalised, co-branded Crystal website, enabling advisors to capture private leads directly and seamlessly convert interest into sales.

Photo credit Crystal Cruises.

To support adoption and maximise advisor success, Crystal is co-hosting a webinar for travel advisors on 28 May. The webinar will offer a live, hands-on demonstration of the platform, showing advisors how to co-brand content in real time, create their own marketing assets and begin sharing with clients immediately. 

Participants will hear directly from Crystal Cruises Sales Director – Cruise, Jacqui Tufala, and Approach Guides founder, Jennifer Raezer, on how this technology is designed to elevate advisor marketing while driving measurable results.

The platform is designed for simplicity and speed. Advisors can access Crystal’s marketing content, add their personal branding, and begin sharing with clients in minutes — eliminating the need for time-intensive content creation while ensuring a polished, high-end presentation consistent with the Crystal brand.

“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Approach Guides to provide our valued trade partners with cutting-edge technology that delivers both inspiration and immediacy. Working with Approach Guides provides our travel partners an elegant, intuitive way to market Crystal to their luxury clients, combining beautiful storytelling with powerful lead generation. It’s a meaningful step forward in how we support advisor success and help them grow their business,” said Crystal Cruises VP Sales and Partnerships, AU/NZ, Susan Haberle.

In addition, Crystal is offering agency-level integration options that allow host agencies to co-brand Crystal content directly from their intranet systems. This ensures advisors can access and distribute marketing materials within their existing workflows with minimal setup.

Travel advisors can explore the new platform and begin creating their own co-branded content by visiting: inspires.to/crystal. 

(Source: A&K Travel Group)

Qatar and PAL extend codeshare pact

DOHA, Qatar, 20 May 2026: Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines are expanding their strategic partnership by enhancing the connectivity between their networks. Starting 1 June 2026, Philippine Airlines will place its (PR) code on Qatar Airways flights from Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao to Doha, and connect to over 20 major European cities, including Paris, Rome, and Frankfurt via Hamad International Airport.

Qatar Airways will place its QR code on Philippine Airlines’ domestic flights, enabling travellers arriving in Manila and Cebu to enjoy seamless connectivity to popular leisure destinations such as Caticlan and Puerto Princesa.

Complementing the codeshare expansion, Qatar Airways’ loyalty programme, Privilege Club, has partnered with Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles to extend loyalty benefits to members of both programmes. This marks Privilege Club’s 26th airline partnership and increases the loyalty programme’s footprint in Southeast Asia, delivering diverse opportunities for members to collect and spend Avios across Philippine Airlines’ global flight network. Privilege Club members can now collect and spend Avios on Philippine Airlines routes across Australasia, Southeast Asia, and the US, and access a wider range of cities within the Philippines, including Cebu, Clark, and Davao City.

Additionally, Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles members can also collect and spend miles when flying across Qatar Airways’ global network, including destinations across Africa and Europe. For Philippine Airlines, this latest loyalty partnership enhances its presence in the Middle East by expanding its network.

Avios can be spent on travel rewards, including flights with Qatar Airways, Oneworld, and partner airlines, award flights, and Qatar Airways upgrades, as well as direct bookings with Qatar Executive. Lifestyle benefits include packages with Qatar Airways Holidays, dining and shopping at Qatar Duty Free, and much more. Similarly, Mabuhay Miles members can enjoy a broad range of rewards across its lifestyle partners, spanning travel, retail, and dining experiences.

(Source: Qatar Airways)