SYDNEY, 20 May 2024: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) welcomes the Federal Government’s Budget announcement to fast-track passport processing, saying the move is significant and aligns with ATIA’s advocacy efforts to make travel seamless for Australians.
The introduction of expedited passport services will commence on 1 July 2024. For an additional fee, applications will be processed within five business days. This initiative is anticipated to streamline Australian travel, enhance international mobility, and boost the travel industry’s recovery post-pandemic.
From left to right: ATIA CEO Dean Long; Minister for Trade & Tourism Senator the Hon Don Farrell; ATIA Director of Advocacy & Public Policy Ingrid Fraser.
“We are thrilled by the Government’s decision to fast-track passport processing. This reflects our close relationship and ongoing work with the Australian Passport Office and Government,” said ATIA CEO Dean Long.
“Starting in July, passports can be processed within five business days for an additional fee of AUD100. This offers a great option for travellers seeking more certainty in receiving their passports, without needing the two-day expedited service, which will soon cost nearly AUD300.”
“It’s also an opportunity to share with clients that, on 1 July, passport fees have an additional 15% increase, so anyone looking to renew this year should do so before then.”
SINGAPORE 20 May 2024: The global travel sector is breaking boundaries in 2024 as consumer spending on tourism remains robust and passenger traffic soars, according to the latest report from the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI).
Released last week, MEI’s fifth annual report, “Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries,” provides comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of the travel industry across 74 markets, including 13[1] in the Asia Pacific region (APAC).
Despite fluctuating exchange rates and varying levels of affordability, travel is booming. Nine out of the last 10 record-setting spending days in the global cruise and airline industries occurred this year. Looking ahead, the MEI anticipates this momentum will continue as consumers worldwide prioritise meaningful experiences and allocate more of their budgets to travel.
Here in the Asia Pacific region, a few themes stand out
Japan emerged as the top trending destination worldwide (growing 0.9% vs Ireland at 0.4%), as it welcomed 3,081,600 visitors from abroad in March 2024 — the highest level ever — even before the peak travel season began. Driven by a weak yen (the lowest since 1990), Japan’s favourable exchange rate is expected to help it remain the clear tourism frontrunner throughout 2024, benefitting Japanese businesses catering to tourists and the local economy overall.
APAC passenger traffic is rebounding, particularly for shorter, intra-regional trips. For example, this summer, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Perth are the top destinations for travellers from Singapore.
According to MEI, Thailand’s tourism is expected to fully recover in 2024, with total visitor arrivals now only 7% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels[3]. Notably, inbound flight traffic from South Asia and the ASEAN region is nearly 20% above 2019.
Chinese Mainland Tourism Rebounds
The Chinese mainland’s travel dynamic has shifted, as more Chinese tourists are prioritising domestic trips over international ones.
The Chinese mainland’s domestic tourism story is positive, as air passenger traffic has fully normalised and even exceeded 2019 levels, benefiting local businesses. Meanwhile, international tourism traffic leaving the Chinese Mainland continues to recover and is now at 80.3% of 2019 levels.
Additional upside growth is expected in 2024, supported by visa exemptions in APAC and beyond and an increase in international flight capacity, which will benefit destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
More Indians are travelling
Strengthened by a burgeoning middle class, additional route capacity, and a strong desire to travel, 2024 marks when more Indians travel internationally than at any time in history.
In the first three months of 2024, 97 million passengers travelled through Indian airports. Just 10 years ago, the same figure would have taken a whole year to achieve. As of March 2024, domestic passenger traffic is up 21% compared to 2019 levels, while international passenger traffic is up 4%.
Indian travellers to key markets are up significantly in 2024 compared to 2019: 53% increase in visitors to Japan, 248% increase to Vietnam, 59% increase to the United States (notable as total overseas arrivals to the U.S. are still 7% below 2019 levels, largely due to the strong USD).
Leisure for Longer
In APAC (excluding ANZ) in 2024, tourists extend their trips by an average of 1.2 days to 7.4 days, motivated by the affordability of destinations, warm weather, and favourable exchange rates. This compares to the 2019 average of 6.1 days per trip.
In Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), overseas visitors stay for an average of 5.4 days, an increase of 0.6 days compared to 2019.
The APAC destinations with the longest increase in trip duration between 2019-2024 are India (+2 days), Vietnam (+2 days), Indonesia (+1.9 days), and Japan (+1.4 days), largely due to their lower growth in hotel prices during this period compared to other markets.
Longer stays generally translate to more spending per trip, which benefits local economies.
Thrill Seekers Want Experiences and Nightlife
Consumers globally continue to prioritise experiences over material goods. This is playing out in the travel sector as spending on experiences and nightlife totals 12% of tourism sales – the highest point in at least five years. Meanwhile, retail shopping is recovering at a slower pace.
Australian tourists are the highest spenders globally on experiences and nightlife
In 2024, Aussies will spend one out of every five dollars (19%) on these activities, significantly higher than the global average (12%). Tourists from the Chinese Mainland are also increasingly seeking out experiences, spending 10% on this category in 2024, up from 7% in 2023.
Explore the full Travel 2024: Breaking Boundaries reporthere. Additional reports and insights from the Mastercard Economics Institute can be found here
BANGKOK, 20 May 2024: Traveloka, A leading travel platform in Southeast Asia, has announced a strategic partnership with Filipino low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) to attract more Thai and Southeast Asian tourists to visit the Philippines.
It introduces an application interface allowing inbound travellers to explore CEB flights through the travel app.
(Left) Xander Lao, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Cebu Pacific and (Right) Iko Putera, CEO of Transport Traveloka, during the partnership signing at the Cebu Pacific office.
Aligned with Traveloka’s commitment to helping the tourism industry in Southeast Asia recover from the pandemic, this initiative is expected to positively contribute to the growth of Philippine tourism by making it easier for Thai and Southeast Asian tourists to explore the country’s exciting destinations.
The Philippines’s tourism sector continues to perform strongly year after year. The Philippine Department of Tourism recorded more than 5.4 foreign travellers visiting the country in 2023, and targets 7.7 million foreign travellers in 2024.
Meanwhile, Traveloka also recorded a 2.5-fold increase in searches to the top five airports in the Philippines in 2024 compared to last year. The five most popular destinations in the Philippines on the Traveloka platform include Manila, Laguindingan, Cebu, Davao, Boracay, and Palawan.
Traveloka, CEO of Transport Iko Putera said: “Our partnership with Cebu Pacific, one of the premier and most affordable airlines for the Philippines, will provide diverse possibilities for travellers and spearhead innovation to deliver optimal solutions for customers. We will also contribute to growth within the tourism industry in the Philippines and the wider region.”
Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Traveloka to support the local tourism industry and make travelling to the Philippines easier.”
Traveloka also noted a significant surge, a fivefold increase compared to the previous year, in the number of travellers from Southeast Asian countries who booked Cebu Pacific flights through its platform. Apart from domestic tourists, travellers from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia are among the top six nationalities travelling to the Philippines based on Cebu Pacific flight data.
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 May 2024: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA), the leading voice for Malaysia’s travel and tourism industry, is pressing for more equitable cross-border tour bus arrangements between Malaysia and Thailand.
Currently, Malaysian tour buses are restricted to operating within a 100 km radius of the Thailand border, while Thailand tour buses enjoy unrestricted access throughout Malaysia without any distance limit.
MATTA President Nigel Wong expressed concern over the disparity and called on the Malaysian Government to discuss rectifying the imbalance with its Thai counterparts.
“The current arrangement places Malaysian tour operators at a significant disadvantage. While Thailand tourist buses can operate without restrictions in Malaysia, our buses face a 100 km limit in Thailand. This is neither fair nor conducive to fostering mutually beneficial tourism relations between our two countries,” said Wong.
MATTA underscores the potential economic benefits of reciprocal agreements, allowing seamless travel and operations for tour buses from both countries. Such arrangements would promote fairness and stimulate tourism collaboration, leading to increased economic benefits for both Malaysia and Thailand.
“We urge the Malaysian Government to take immediate action in negotiating with the Thailand Government to allow Malaysian tour buses the same freedom of movement within Thailand as Thailand buses currently enjoy in Malaysia. This will ensure a level playing field and support the growth and development of the tourism sectors in both nations,” Wong added.
MATTA renews its commitment to supporting Malaysian travel agents and operators, advocating for policies and practices that facilitate smoother and more efficient operations. The association is confident that the Malaysian Government will prioritize this issue and work towards a fair resolution.
SINGAPORE, 20 May 2024: Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas will homeport in Singapore for six months from October 2025 to March 2026, one of the longest homeporting seasons in the region.
The Quantum Class ship will schedule cruises for three to eight days, visiting popular holiday destinations in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Bookings for the cruises opened at the weekend on Royal Caribbean’s website for Ovation of the Sea 2025/2026 cruises from Singapore as well as through partner travel agencies in Southeast Asia.
Photo credit: RCI. Ovation of the Seas at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore.
Three- and four-night cruises will focus on the sights and sounds of Southeast Asia, such as visiting George Town in Penang, Malaysia, and the beaches of Phuket, Thailand.
Longer five-night cruises will feature a night in Phuket to explore the ever-popular night markets, while an eight-night cruise will explore the attractions of Bali and Lombok, Indonesia, from the ship’s homeport, Singapore, the gateway to Southeast Asia’s iconic destinations.
Ovation of the Seas, a Quantum Class ship, offers a plethora of attractions for families and adventure enthusiasts. From the deck-defying North Star — a 360-degree glass observation capsule with views 300 feet above sea level — to the signature RipCord by iFly skydiving experience, the ship is a haven for thrill-seekers. Other exciting features include the FlowRider surf simulator, a rock climbing wall, bumper cars, a full-size sports court, roller-skating, and more at SeaPlex – the largest indoor activity complex at sea.
Holidaymakers can enjoy 20 dining options offering a variety of cuisines from laidback bites at SeaPlex Dog House and Sorrento’s Pizza to signature favourites like Wonderland’s imaginative cuisine, sushi and sashimi at Izumi, and casual seafood at Fish & Ships. As the sun sets, the ship’s decks come alive with entertainment at venues like the transformational Two70, which features shows that weave aerialists and robots into showstopping performances.
For the Singapore homeport season starting October 2025 through March 2026, bookings are open with early bird promotions at the Hwajing Travel & Tours website. Cruise prices start at MYR1,188 per person.
Itineraries
3-Night Penang Cruise：
2025: Oct 20, 27 | Nov 3, 10, 17, 24, 27 | Dec 8, 15, 18, 21
2026: Jan 5, 16, 19, 26 | Feb 2, 9, 12, 15 | Mar 3, 6, 9
4-Night Penang & Phuket Cruise：
2025: Oct 23, 30 | Nov 6, 13, 20, 30 | Dec 4, 11, 24
2026: Jan 8, 12, 22, 29 | Feb 5, 23, 27 | Mar 12.
5-Night Penang & Phuket Cruise (Overnight in Phuket)：
PHNOM PENH, 20 May 2024: Cambodia Angkor Air opened reservations last week for a new direct service to India, scheduled to take off on 16 June, the airline announced on its ‘socials last week’.
It’s just one of three new services in the pipeline. The others are flights from its home base in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to Nanning in southern China, launched on 1 May, and Danang in central Vietnam, which will start in July.
Cambodia Angkor Air plans to resume flights to all destinations it served in 2019, pre-Covid pandemic, with Chinese cities a priority.
Flights to India will operate between Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital, and Delhi, India, four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday using an 181-seat Airbus A320. The service was initially scheduled to start in October 2023, but the launch was postponed at least twice since the initial announcement.
Flight K6760 will depart from Phnom Penh (PNH) at 1645 and arrive in Delhi (DEL) at 1950. Flight K6761 will depart Delhi at 2050 and arrive in Phnom Penh at 0250 plus a day. Flight time is four hours and 45 minutes.
Cambodia Angkor Air will be the sole airline offering direct flights between Phnom Penh and Delhi, India, with an introductory fare of around USD350 roundtrip. Air India served the direct route to Phnom Penh until 2020.
The airline also announced on social channels that four weekly flights, using an A320 resumed earlier this month from Phnom Penh to Nanning in China. Flights are scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The schedule closes on 26 October 2024.
Flight schedule Phnom Penh – Nanning
Flight time is one hour and 55 minutes.
Cambodia Angkor Air will introduce a new service from Phnom Penh to Danang on 11 July. The twice-weekly service will operate on Thursday and Sunday using an A320 until 26 October 2024.
Flight K6846 will depart Phnom Penh (PNH) at 1020 and arrive in Danang (DAD) at 1135. Flight K6847 will depart Danang (DAD) at 1225 and arrive in Phnom Penh (PNH) at 1340.
KUCHING, 17 May 2024: For the second year in a row, a delegation representing Sarawak is participating in this week’s IMEX Frankfurt in Germany, but this time, Sarawak took centre stage with an impressive brand new pavilion.
Sarawak strategically invested in a pavilion to showcase the state’s travel content, focusing on the lucrative MICE market (meetings, incentives conferences and exhibitions). The timing of IMEX Frankfurt, hosted from 14 to 16 May, following the Arabian Travel Market held in Dubai last week, demonstrates Sarawak’s continuous efforts to promote its travel experiences to international travellers.
Photo credit BESarawak. Launch of Sarawak’s FIRST pavilion at IMEX Frankfurt.
In 2023, IMEX Frankfurt hosted 3,883 event buyers from 94 countries and registered a visitor footfall of 11,764 visitors over the three-day trade show.
Investing in a pavilion at IMEX underscores the state’s commitment to attracting top-flight events to Sarawak and establishing it as a hub for meetings in Malaysia and Borneo Island.
Photo credit BESarawak. It’s the second day at IMEX and Cat City Holidays. is taking the lead on today’s afternoon group meeting from DACH MILUX (Europe). The Sarawak pavilion is buzzing.
The Ministry for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, led by Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, played a pivotal role in the promotion. He commented: “Exhibiting at IMEX Frankfurt amplifies the message that Sarawak is genuinely interested and engaged in impact-driven events. With the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 in motion, the Sarawak government actively seeks quality business events to contribute to economic prosperity, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability.
“To attract international conventions and exhibitions, as well as corporate meetings and incentives, Sarawak must be recognisable and identifiable worldwide. We are glad to be here again for the second year to explore new business opportunities with global players,” he noted.
The lineup of events specialists at the Sarawak Pavilion (Stand A200 IMEX Frankfurt)
1. Business Events Sarawak (Convention Bureau) 2. Borneo Adventure (Destination Management Company) 3. Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (Venue) 4. Cat City Holidays (Destination Management Company) 5. Hemisphere Hospitality (Hospitality and Tourism Services Provider) 6. Place Borneo (Professional Conference Organiser) 7. Pullman Miri Waterfront Hotel (Hotel and Venue) 8. Pullman Kuching Hotel (Hotel and Venue) 9. Culinary Heritage & Arts Society Sarawak (F&B) 10. The Bibber’s Tale (F&B)
One of the pavilion’s showstoppers is the showcase of local products made in Sarawak by Sarawakians.BESarawak teamed up with 10 SMEs and NGOs to bring some of their best products to IMEX Frankfurt, where planners and visitors alike can understand why business events are always impactful in Sarawak.The image features Penan Women Project rattan bags and baskets, Bad Cat Borneo tuak, and The Rasa Family tuak.
LANGKAWI, Malaysia, 17 May 2024: Langkawi Island extended a warm welcome to the luxury cruise ship, The World, Residences at Sea, which made its inaugural docking at the island’s cruise terminal on 15 May.
This highly anticipated visit marks a significant milestone. The World Residences at Sea becomes the 32nd cruise ship to visit Langkawi’s waters, contributing to the island’s growing reputation as a premier luxury travel destination.
Photo credit: LADA.The World, Residence at Sea.
Langkawi stepped up for the occasion by hosting a welcoming ceremony to commemorate the special occasion.
In 2023, Langkawi experienced a remarkable resurgence in tourism, as the resort island witnessed a substantial increase in visitors flocking to its shores. Enhanced connectivity, including improved air and ferry services, has made Langkawi more accessible. Three ports facilitate travel: Telaga Terminal at Telaga Harbour Marina, Pantai Kok, Kuah Jetty, and Langkawi Cruise Terminal, which caters to superyachts and large cruise ships.
Langkawi saw a significant rise in visitors aboard cruise ships visiting the island in 2023. The total number of cruise visitors reached 31,456, with December contributing 21,727 visitors and November 6,969, delivering a substantial increase compared to 3,261 cruise visitors in 2022.
The Langkawi Cruise Terminal, recognised for hosting major cruise lines, serves as a gateway to Langkawi’s wonders. While public transport options remain limited, five-star hotels extend chauffeur services to their guests, ensuring seamless transitions from ship to shoreline resorts.
The World is renowned for its super luxury experience, focusing on lifestyle, community and adventure integrated into one luxurious voyage. In its website publicity, it is branded as “the largest privately owned residential mega yacht on Earth.”
On arrival at the cruise terminal, residents aboard The World awakened to breathtaking views of Langkawi’s 99 magical islands and its UNESCO Global Geopark.
Since its maiden voyage in 2002, The World has redefined luxury travel with its continuous worldwide itinerary, spanning over 1,000 ports of call in more than 120 countries.
With 165 residences onboard offering spacious living and facilities, the ship features a spa, fitness centre, and multiple dining options.
The World is also visiting Singapore for a four-day stay as part of its Asian journey, which features ports of call in India, Myanmar, and Malaysia. After Singapore, The World will set sail for Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
The World’s visit to Langkawi reaffirms the island’s status as a must-visit destination for luxury travellers. Langkawi’s allure extends beyond luxury; it boasts ultra-cheap duty-free shopping, fascinating legends, and captivating natural wonders. From eagle viewpoints to pristine beaches, every stop promises a unique experience, whether indulging in local cuisine or seeking familiar comforts.
Langkawi cultural welcome for the inaugural The World visit.
About Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) was established by the federal government of Malaysia on 15 March 1990 to plan, promote, and implement development on the island of Langkawi. LADA is committed to supporting efforts to position Langkawi as a world-renowned island tourism destination.
SINGAPORE, 17 May 2024: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has launched several initiatives to raise sustainability standards across the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry to reinforce its position as the ‘World’s Best MICE City’.
To promote a greener and more sustainable future for MICE events, STB launched its Legacy Toolkit, a Singapore MICE Industry Carbon and Waste Baselining Study, and announced its ambition for carbon-neutral participation at international tradeshows.
“Since the MICE Sustainability Roadmap launch in 2022, the Singapore Tourism Board has remained steadfast in our commitment to fostering a more sustainable and impactful MICE industry,” said Singapore Tourism Board Deputy Chief Executive Yap Chin Siang.
“We are pleased to share that the initiatives we unveil today will not only steer the MICE industry towards a more sustainable future but also provide tangible ways in which event organisers and planners can make meaningful, lasting impact in Singapore. We will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and uphold our ambition to be the World’s Best MICE City,”
Empowering a Legacy Toolkit
The ‘World’s Best MICE City’ global positioning campaign, launched in March, aims to strengthen Singapore’s pioneering role as a sustainable MICE destination and ensure that business events can leave a positive and lasting impact. Singapore is committed to supporting the impact ambitions of events by inviting event organisers and planners to co-create business events that yield meaningful outcomes. The legacy toolkit assists stakeholders in creating a clear framework titled ‘FIRM’ — Frame their vision, Ideate their initiatives, Realise action plans and Measure impact.
It also contains case studies to inspire legacy possibilities in Singapore. The legacy planning process fosters greater engagement between event organisers, venues, local communities and stakeholders.
The legacy toolkit can be downloaded here.
STB will pioneer understanding carbon emissions when participating in international MICE tradeshows. From 2024, it aims for carbon-neutral participation at key international tradeshows, namely IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America, and IBTM World. This long-term goal is part of the proactive approach to environmental stewardship, which aims to significantly reduce its carbon footprint as an exhibitor at these platforms.
IMEX Frankfurt 2024 is the first tradeshow where STB commits to holding itself accountable to robust standards in the journey to carbon-neutral participation.
It aims to adhere to ISO14068 standards, which were newly published in December 2023 and provide principles, requirements, and guidance for achieving and demonstrating carbon neutrality. Following ISO 14068, STB will take a hierarchical approach that prioritises emission reduction and removal over offsets, offsetting residual emissions only. Singapore is one of the first destinations to hold itself to this standard, demonstrating its commitment to responsible decarbonisation.
With STB’s deliberate efforts to create a more sustainable pavilion and track its carbon profile, it will utilise this information to derive and refine carbon reduction measures for future tradeshow participation. Please refer to the Annex for examples of STB’s emission reduction and removal measures at IMEX Frankfurt 2024.
The enhanced Singapore MICE Advantage Programme (SMAP), rolled out in March 2024 to attract MICE organisers to Singapore. It offers a range of new and revamped benefits supplied by partners such as Singapore Airlines, Changi Airport Group, tourist attractions, and F&B experiences. More information about SMAP and other assistance schemes is available at www.visitsingapore.com/mice.
2024 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB), a group of the Singapore Tourism Board. The SECB’s efforts will continue to centre on shaping and retaining Singapore’s exceptional reputation for business events.
Singapore has secured second place on the ICCA Worldwide City Rankings 2023, advancing more than 10 places from the 2022 results. Furthermore, Singapore has maintained its position as Asia Pacific’s Top Meeting City for 21 consecutive years, reaffirming its unparalleled appeal and capabilities in hosting world-class meetings and events.
BANGKOK, 17 May 2024: Minor Hotels, a global hotel owner and operator, has named Puneet Dhawan Head of Asia as the group plans to expand in Asia and India.
Starting in July, Dhawan will assume the crucial role of overseeing the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia. His appointment underscores Minor Hotels’ strategic focus on expanding its presence in Asia and India. He will collaborate closely with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and report directly to Minor Hotels CEO Dillip Rajakarier.
Dhawan, a seasoned professional with a 30-year hospitality career spanning Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
Most recently, he was Accor’s Senior Vice President of Operations – India & South Asia, leading the group’s business development, owner management, hotel operations and commercial team. Notably, he oversaw the opening of the first Raffles hotel in India. His 25-year tenure at Accor also included time as the group’s Vice President of Operations, Middle East, and several GM assignments. Dhawan’s journey in the hospitality industry began with the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he held positions at its properties in the Philippines and Hong Kong.
In January, Minor Hotels unveiled its target to add more than 200 new openings to its global portfolio, with approximately half in Asia, by the end of 2026. More recently, the hotel group announced its plan to add 50 new openings in India within the next 10 years, including the debut of its luxury Anantara brand later this year in Jaipur.
