SINGAPORE, 2 July 2025: Trafalgar and sister brands, Insight Vacations and Luxury Gold, announce the launch of 16 new itineraries for travel in 2026, marking the most extensive introduction of new trips in the past seven years.
Spanning five continents and featuring both timeless destinations and trending travel hotspots, this expansion reinforces the brand’s dedication to meeting evolving traveller desires for immersive, personalised, and culturally rich travel experiences.
Bakewell in the UK’s Peak District, a place known for its character and countryside charm, features in Trafalgar’s 10-day English Adventure. (Photo credit: The Travel Corporation)
From Patagonia to Portugal, the Balkans to the Great Lakes, the newly unveiled trips include a dynamic mix of nature escapes, culinary explorations, heritage-rich adventures, and women-only departures, showcasing TTC Tour Brands’ commitment to offering something for every kind of traveller.
“Asian travellers are looking for new and meaningful experiences. With an audience that has matured in terms of travel styles and taste, we find that more travellers are embracing a slower, more mindful pace of travel,” said The Travel Corporation CEO Asia, Nick Lim. “Our new itineraries are designed to reflect this evolutionary shift.”
Meeting Travellers Where They’re Headed:
The launch comes as travel trends show surging interest in off-the-beaten-path destinations, regional cultural immersion, and multi-country adventures:
Portugal, South Korea, and the Balkans are among the top trending destinations for 2025, according to multiple travel indexes (Google Travel, Booking.com).
Women-only travel is booming, with companies catering specifically to female travellers growing by 230% in recent years and women now accounting for 71% of solo travel globally (Euronews, 1000 Mile Travel Group). Insight Vacations’ new Country Roads of the Deep South – Women-Only tour meets this growing demand.
Travellers are increasingly booking longer, multi-country itineraries, with 61.7% of travellers visiting more than one country on their most recent trips — reflecting a shift toward more immersive and diverse travel experiences (University of Zurich, Travel Medicine Department).
“From Asia, we’re seeing a growing appetite for travel to South America and lesser-explored parts of Europe, and we’re excited to meet that demand with these new trips,” Lim concluded.
KOTA KINABALU, 1 July 2025: Sabah has officially welcomed the first group of Chinese parent-child families for the inaugural Malaysia Educational Family Camp, a large-scale nature-based learning programme organised by Hangzhou Mutong Travel Services—the company behind China’s leading educational travel brand, Baby Walk the World.
Over the next two months, nearly 500 families from across China will arrive in scheduled groups to participate in this 6-day, 5-night immersive journey through Sabah. Designed for children aged six and above, the programme offers experiential outdoor learning focused on nature, resilience, and cultural appreciation, encouraging deeper curiosity and personal growth through real-world experiences.
With 13 years of experience and over 390,000 families served, Hangzhou Mutong is a pioneer in parent-child educational travel. Sabah now joins the brand’s global portfolio of destinations, which includes Sri Lanka, Hokkaido, Malaysia-Singapore, Nepal, and the United Kingdom.
“We are delighted to welcome Hangzhou Mutong Travel Services and their Baby Walk the World programme to Sabah,” said Julinus Jeffrey Jimit, Chief Executive Officer of the Sabah Tourism Board.
“This meaningful collaboration supports our vision for educational tourism and strengthens people-to-people ties between Malaysia and China. We trust these families will return home with unforgettable memories of Sabah’s nature and hospitality.”
This initiative further positions Sabah as a premier destination for family-focused and educational tourism while deepening cultural connections with a new generation of globally minded Chinese travellers. For more information on Sabah visit: Website | www.sabahtourism.com
DUBAI, UAE, 1 July 2025: Emirates and Bahamasair have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an interline partnership benefitting customers travelling to the Bahamas.
The partnership enables Emirates to expand its reach in the Caribbean, allowing customers to fly the Bahamas’ national flag carrier from Florida to one of three destinations in the island nation.
Under the unilateral agreement, customers travelling on Emirates to Miami or Orlando will be able to connect to Bahamasair flights to Nassau, Freeport or San Salvador, with the added convenience of booking itineraries with both airlines on a single ticket. Additionally, Emirates customers will enjoy a generous baggage allowance when flying on Bahamasair to the three destinations.
Commenting on the new interline partnership, Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “We are pleased to establish an interline partnership with Bahamasair to expand our reach to new and exciting destinations and offer travel options for our customers planning journeys to the Caribbean nation. The interline partnership offers customers the convenience of connecting in Florida for travel onwards to points across the islands of the Bahamas, while enjoying competitive fare pricing, the convenience of booking the entire journey on a single ticket and a generous baggage policy.”
As part of the MoU, both carriers will also explore opportunities to enhance their cargo interline cooperation and potential partnerships under their frequent flyer programmes.
Florida gateways, Miami and Orlando, are among the 12 US destinations that the world’s largest international airline currently flies. Emirates serves Miami with daily flights with its Boeing 777, along with five-weekly services to Orlando, connecting travellers across its expansive network of over 140 destinations.For more information and to make bookings visit: www.emirates.com.
LONDON, 1 July 2025: Two-thirds of Britons plan to holiday abroad this year despite concerns about affordability and travel costs, according to findings featured in the annual Post Office Holiday Spending Report.
The study also showed that more than half plan to increase budgets to reduce the 37% average overspend on their last trip.
Over three-quarters of holidaymakers worry about the value of sterling and Trump’s tariffs.
Britons rate Spain, Turkey and Thailand as best value — but the Thai baht is one of only five bestselling Post Office currencies to surge against sterling since last summer.
Exchange Rate Monitors show visitors to Turkey will get the most for their money.
For the fifth year running, Post Office Travel Money’s Holiday Spending Report reveals a sharp rise in Britons planning trips abroad. Two-thirds (66%, up 5% year-on-year) of those surveyed for the annual report say they intend to take a holiday abroad this year1, and more than half (54%) have already booked their trip despite growing concerns voiced by nine-in-10 of them about whether they have enough money to afford the trip. In spite of this, holidaymakers say they are setting bigger budgets after overspending by an average of 37 % on their last trip but admit to being worried about sterling’s strength and the impact of the planned US trade tariffs.
Over three-quarters (77%) told Post Office, the UK’s largest foreign exchange provider, that exchange rates are a significant concern for them, while an even higher proportion (78%) are worried about the potential impact of US trade tariffs on prices in foreign destinations. As a result, over half (53%) will actively avoid destinations where they think the tariffs could affect resort prices, while two-in-five (39%) will not travel to the USA even though they had previously considered doing so.
Looking at where they might travel instead, holidaymakers rated Spain (41%), Turkey (35%) and Thailand (31%) best value for money out of 39 worldwide destinations. Yet, the latest Post Office Exchange Rate Monitor, published within the Holiday Spending Report for the first time, found that the Thai baht was one of only five of the 30 bestselling currencies to rise in value against sterling. A sterling year-on-year fall of 5.2% means that British visitors will get £27.64 fewer Thai baht on a typical £500 currency transaction.
Given that almost half (48%) of holidaymakers said they will choose their destination based on the strength of sterling, two other Far Eastern destinations – Vietnam and Bali – will offer Britons more for their money. Visitors to Vietnam, which took seventh place in the Post Office’s Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer earlier this year, will get the equivalent of £42.01 – or 9.2% extra – on a £500 purchase of Vietnamese dong. Those choosing Bali, fourth-placed in the barometer, can expect around £33 (7.1%) more in Indonesian rupiah than a year ago.
The Exchange Rate Monitor looked at how sterling is performing against Post Office Travel Money’s 30 bestselling currencies compared with 12 and three months ago. It reveals that the UK pound is stronger than a year ago against 25 of the 30 currencies and has gained ground against 80 %t of them since March. The monitor shows that visitors to Turkey will get the most for their money.
Although visitors to Eurozone countries will get slightly more — just under one % – for their money compared with last year and marginally more than three months ago, this is dwarfed by the ongoing long-term collapse of the Turkish lira. The scale of this is shown by the 12.9% fall of the lira against the pound over the past three months. Compared with last June, visitors can now expect to receive around £116 (+30.2%) more when they buy £500 worth of lira.
Sterling has also bounced back against the US dollar and is currently 6.6% stronger than a year ago as well as having gained 4.9 %t in the past three months. Although demand for US trips may be in question, holidaymakers can still benefit as the dollar recovery also extends to the Caribbean and Middle East currencies that are pegged to the dollar. It means Britons planning trips to Barbados, Antigua, Dubai, and other long-haul holiday favourites will get more for their pounds.
The Holiday Spending Report compares the financial intentions expressed by holidaymakers now with their past behaviour. In a change to previous years, over half (52%, up from 22 % questioned in January) say they will budget more for their next holiday due to increased costs. However, the report concludes that a significant budget increase will be needed because of the high levels of overspending by holidaymakers on their previous holiday. Over four-in-five (82%) of them said that they had set a budget averaging £377 on their last trip but seven-in-10 (71%) admitted overspending this by £140 – 37% more than their budget.
The report also found that worrying habits persist when making payments abroad. While it is well recognised that it is advisable to carry some cash overseas, one-in-five (21%) relied solely on plastic to pay for purchases and a quarter (27%) changed less than £100 into foreign currency. As a consequence, more holidaymakers ran into difficulties. 7% tried to pay a restaurant, shop or bar bill with a credit card, only to find that it was not accepted. More than one-in-10 (11%) also fell foul of a practice known as Dynamic Currency Conversion by agreeing to pay on their card in sterling rather than local currency, incurring unnecessary transaction charges as a result.
14 %t withdrew money at an ATM and incurred bank transaction charges as a result. This was most likely to happen to younger holidaymakers. 17% of those in the 25-34 age group and 19% of 35-54 year-olds admitted paying transaction charges on cash withdrawals. 5% said they could not find an ATM, while 4% found that the machine was out of order or would not supply them with cash.
One-in-eight (13%), rising to more than one-in-five (21%) of older travellers aged 55-64. chose to load cash onto a prepaid travel money card, according to the latest spending research.
The full results of the 2025 Post Office Travel Money Holiday Spending Report can be viewed online at postoffice.co.uk/holidayspending.
MANILA, 1 July 2025: Agoda spotlights Asian destinations for travellers seeking short-term trips that pack a punch based on the digital travel platform’s bookings.
The top 10 list focuses on short, manageable getaways that fit into busy schedules, offering a refreshing escape without the need for extensive planning or hefty budgets.
According to bookings made on Agoda during the first five months of the year, Manila ranked fourth in the most popular destinations for a one-night stay in Asia. Manila’s mix of history and modernity makes it a great spot for a quick escape. Travellers can explore Intramuros, enjoy a sunset at Manila Bay, and immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant nightlife all in one night.
Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) earned the top spot for a micro-trip in Asia, followed by Seoul (South Korea), Taipei (Taiwan), Manila (Philippines), and Pattaya (Thailand) in the top five. Jeju (South Korea), Nagoya (Japan), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Penang (Malaysia) and Surabaya (Indonesia) round out the top ten.
Domestically, in addition to Manila, Agoda data revealed that Cebu, Davao City, Tagaytay, and Palawan are the top destinations for one-night stays in the Philippines. Whether it’s a day trip or a one-night stay, these bite-sized journeys in the Philippines are ideal for travellers with limited vacation time or unpredictable work commitments.
Whether it’s city lights or beach sunsets, these destinations prove that exploring the world doesn’t require extra days off or time-consuming planning.
Here’s Agoda’s list of the top destinations in Asia for small trips:
Agoda Associate Vice President Jun Dong shared: “Micro-travel is all about making the most of your time and budget while still enjoying meaningful experiences. Whether you’re looking for an urban adventure or a tropical escape, these destinations show that you can pack a world of fun into a quick getaway. Agoda’s wide range of accommodations and activities makes it easier than ever for travellers to plan their perfect one-night trip.”
JAKARTA, 1 July 2025: TransNusa Aviation Mandiri will increase its scheduled flights from Jakarta to Singapore from twice daily to three daily to meet Indonesia’s school holiday travel demand.
TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Bernard Francis, said: “Our expansion plans are mainly based on our passengers’ needs, demands and travelling trends. For example, in Indonesia, July is the favoured travelling period, especially during our school holidays.
TransNusa CEO Datuk Bernard Francis.
“Starting July 1, we will increase our scheduled flight frequency from Jakarta to Singapore from twice daily to three times daily,” Datuk Francis said, adding that the additional scheduled flight will be in effect until 31 July this year.
The additional flight, 8B155, will depart from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 1830 and arrive at Changi Airport at 2115. Flight 8B156 will depart Changi Airport at 2205 and arrive at Jakarta Airport at 2255.
TransNusa currently operates two daily flights from Jakarta to Singapore, departing the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 0755 and 1210, respectively. Flights from Singapore to Jakarta depart at 1145 and 1530.
Regarding TransNusa’s domestic market, the airline will increase its scheduled flights from Jakarta to Singkawang to daily starting this week up from the current four times weekly.
TransNusa scheduled flights will depart from the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 1145 and arrive at the Singkawang Airport at 1325, while the return flight will depart Singkawang Airport at 1410 and arrive in Jakarta at 1550.
SINGAPORE, 1 July 2025: The 2025 edition of Travel Meet Asia (TMA), held from 25–26 June at Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue, successfully concluded, marking two days of high-value business, dynamic networking and forward-looking discussions.
Organised by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, this year’s event reaffirmed Travel Meet Asia’s position as a focused and agile B2B platform tailored to the travel and tourism industry across Asia.
From left to right: Budi Tirtawisata, CEO of PT. Panorama Sentrawisata; Katrina Leung, Managing Director & Vice President Asia Pacific at Messe Berlin; Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism Indonesia and Darren Seah, Executive Director, Messe Berlin Asia Pacific.
The event was officially opened by Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing at the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, whose presence underscored Indonesia’s growing influence in the regional travel ecosystem.
“We are proud to support Travel Meet Asia 2025 as a vital platform to connect Indonesia’s tourism industry with key partners across Asia-Pacific. It offered a valuable opportunity to showcase our diverse destinations — from Priority Tourism Destinations like Lake Toba and Borobudur to vibrant hubs such as Greater Bali and Jakarta. We also highlighted our award-winning tourism villages that reflect Indonesia’s rich culture and sustainable tourism potential. We invited all stakeholders to explore Indonesia and collaborate in shaping a more inclusive tourism future,” commented Ni Made Ayu Marthini, Deputy Minister for Marketing, Ministry of Tourism Indonesia.
Travel Brands Drive B2B Momentum
The exhibition floor was a hub of targeted engagement, welcoming prominent regional and international companies including: The Ascott Limited, Meliá Hotels International, Millennium Group, Business Events Sarawak, DidaTravel, Resorts World Sentosa, Miki Travel, SUNRATE, Khiri Travel, Ama Waterways, TUI Hotels & Resorts, Bintan Resorts, New World Saigon Hotel, Tokyu Hotels Asia, Heritance Aarah & Adaaran Resorts, Nippon Travel Agency, Wow India Travel & Tours, Seeru and Congress Rental Indonesia.
The event delivered quality meetings and renewed business partnerships across key travel verticals, supported by a strong mix of local and international participants.
640 Minutes of expert-led Insights
This year’s conference programme was one of the event’s major highlights, with over 640 minutes of content spread across 22 sessions and featuring 40 renowned speakers. Key themes included market trends, destination marketing, business travel, accommodations, travel technology, and transportation.
Looking Ahead
As the industry continues to evolve, Travel Meet Asia remains committed to providing a dedicated, focused, and efficient platform for building business and advancing dialogue within Asia’s travel ecosystem.
Travel Meet Asia 2026 will take place from 23 to 24 June 2026 in Indonesia. For further updates and access to post-show highlights, visit: www.travelmeetasia.com
BANGKOK, 1 July 2025: Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa, under Marriott Hotels, the namesake brand of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, opens this week at this famous beachside town on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard.
The resort commands a prime location, just steps from Jomtien Beach and a short commute over the headland to the main bay of Pattaya. Bangkok is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, and the resort can be reached from three international airports: U-Tapao (30 minutes), Suvarnabhumi (two hours), and Don Mueang (three hours).
The resort features 289 rooms and suites, ranging from 33 sqm deluxe rooms to 57 sqm family rooms with bunk beds, as well as spacious premium suites with up to 88 sqm space.
Pattaya Marriott Resort and Spa also sets the stage to host events, featuring four flexible meeting rooms that cater to various social gatherings, from team-building weekends and training sessions to corporate seminars and sunset cocktail receptions. Families can choose from three pools: a dedicated children’s pool, thrilling water slides, and a stunning infinity pool for all to enjoy.
Michael Hogan has been appointed the resort’s General Manager.
DELHI, 1 July 2025: IndiGo confirms it will introduce direct flights between Hindon (Ghaziabad) and Goa, starting 20 July 2025.
Operating daily except Saturdays, this new route offers a time-saving travel option for residents of East and Central Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad by bringing Goa’s iconic beaches closer than ever. The flexible schedule is designed to cater to the increasing demand during peak travel season, offering more choice and comfort to travellers.
Photo credit: IndiGo.
Hindon, located in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh, is a rapidly developing urban and industrial hub within the National Capital Region.
Known for its strategic location and proximity to major economic zones like Noida and East Delhi, Hindon serves as a crucial point for commerce and connectivity. The region is characterised by a dynamic mix of industrial estates, educational institutions, and burgeoning residential areas, reflecting its significant contribution to the economic landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
This new air connectivity will further catalyse the region’s growth, offering its residents and businesses enhanced access to India’s diverse cultural and economic centres.
Goa, India’s premier beach destination, is renowned for its stunning coastline, vibrant nightlife, and rich Portuguese heritage. From the sun-kissed shores of Baga and Palolem to the historic charm of Old Goa’s churches and forts, the state offers a blend of relaxation and cultural exploration.
Visitors can indulge in authentic Goan cuisine, explore bustling flea markets, or enjoy water sports along the Arabian Sea. Beyond its tourist appeal, Goa is also emerging as a hub for wellness retreats, digital nomads, and eco-tourism, making it a versatile destination for all types of travellers.
BANGKOK, 30 June 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, reports that three of its properties have been recognised by the prestigious Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, reaffirming the brand’s growing global presence and reputation for delivering distinctive guest experiences.
Voted by Travel + Leisure’s discerning international readers, the annual awards honour the finest in luxury travel, celebrating destinations, resorts, and travel experiences that set the benchmark across the region.
This year, Centara received accolades for these exceptional destinations:
Centara Reserve Samui — Rose two positions to 7th place in Thailand’s Beach + Island Resorts category, highlighting its bespoke luxury, curated wellness offerings, and immersive oceanfront setting on Chaweng Beach.
Roukh Khiri Khaoyai, The Centara Collection — Awarded 8th best Upcountry Hotel in Thailand, recognised for its serene hilltop setting, personalised hospitality, and barn-house-inspired contemporary design.
“We are honoured to be recognised by Travel + Leisure’s readers and the global travel community,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts COO Michael Hensler. “These accolades are a reflection of our team’s passion, the evolving strength of our luxury and boutique offerings, and our ongoing commitment to creating meaningful stays that connect guests with the heart of each destination.”
The achievement marks another milestone in Centara’s mission to share the warmth of Thai hospitality with the world while evolving to meet the needs of today’s luxury travellers.
“As the group continues its international expansion, Centara remains dedicated to crafting meaningful stays inspired by culture, connection, and care — hallmarks of the Centara experience.”
