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New Zealand taps Tourism Boost package

AUCKLAND, 8 MAY 2025: New Zealand’s largest international tourism business event, TRENZ, convenes this week, hosting international buyers for three days of business talks and networking with the country’s travel content suppliers through to Friday, 8 May.

The three days provide a valuable opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand tourism, our unique culture, and commitment to sustainability,” commented Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy in a statement posted in a newsletter to international travel buyers and influencers.

Photo credit: Tourism New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand’s  Business Events team connected with association decision-makers in Tokyo, Osaka, and Singapore during the recent Meetings Show APAC.

TRENZ comes on the heels of building destination New Zealand’s presence overseas, with Tourism New Zealand’s  Business Events team spending connecting with association decision-makers in Tokyo, Osaka, and Singapore during the recent Meetings Show APAC.  

“Next on the agenda is IMEX Frankfurt in late May, one of the world’s leading business events tourism trade shows. We’ll have an impressive presence at the show, with a full-scale Hobbit Hole ™ located on the 100% Pure New Zealand stand, with real grass and flowers to bring it all to life and entice buyers to bring their next conference or incentive in New Zealand, “said the Tourism New Zealand CEO. 

These trade shows are essential for New Zealand’s tourism industry, as business event visitors generate over NZD100 more in daily spending than other visitors to New Zealand. With the recent announcement of an additional NZD3 million in funding to support business events, these trade shows have come at an ideal time for us to promote New Zealand as a unique and memorable destination. 

Tourism New Zealand has gained an additional NZD13.5 million in funding as part of the government’s Tourism Boost package, which aims to accelerate international visitor arrivals from core markets from July to December 2025 and through to March 2026. 

“This will be used to bolster our international marketing activity, which is the primary lever for increasing arrivals to New Zealand. We know millions of people in our core markets are considering New Zealand, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to capitalise on this and accelerate growth for the tourism sector. This investment is expected to bring an additional 23,000 visitors to New Zealand and deliver over NZD100 million in visitor spending.

“In crunching the numbers, the February data from Stats NZ is positive, reporting 63,700 international visitors from the US over the month, a new record for US arrivals. The February year-end data also shows that 3.3 million visitors arrived in New Zealand, an increase of 247,017 (+8%) over February 2024 statistics.” 

René de Monchy, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand.

(Source: Tourism New Zealand)

Bhutan crypto powers tourism payments

THIMPHU, BHUTAN, 8 MAY 2025: Bhutan will become the first nation to implement a national-level crypto payment system for tourism. 

Bhutan’s innovative mechanism allows travellers with Binance account to experience cashless journeys. In collaboration with Binance Pay and Bhutan’s fully digital DK Bank, this initiative offers travellers using Binance Pay an end-to-end payment experience. 

Photo credit: Bhutan Travel

More than 100 merchants are now live with DK Bank and Binance Pay. From booking flights to purchasing fresh fruit from roadside vendors, visitors can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of digital transactions throughout their journey.

This innovative model allows Binance Pay users to pay for nearly every part of their Bhutan journey using supported cryptocurrencies. This includes airline tickets to Bhutan, tourist visa and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel bookings, tour guides, monument entry fees, local shopping, and more — all settled quickly and securely through static and dynamic QR code payments.

Known as the “Kingdom of Happiness,” Bhutan prioritises Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GDP, focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, and societal well-being. This pioneering collaboration with Binance Pay and DK Bank furthers that vision by harnessing digital innovation to enhance travel experiences, empower local communities, and unite tradition with technology.

Key highlights

Seamless Experience: Use crypto for all travel-related expenses, from flight tickets and visas to local purchases.

Tourism First: A fully integrated system across immigration, travel agents, hotels, guides, and retail.

Inclusive Reach: Enables small vendors in remote areas to accept QR code payments.

Powered by DK Bank: Supported by Bhutan’s first fully digital bank.

Immediate Transactions: Seamless crypto-powered immediate transactions for tourists

Comprehensive Support: Accepts more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including BNB, BTC, USDC

Secure Transactions: Encrypted transactions, 2FA, and real-time confirmations are available via the Binance application.

Binance CEO Richard Teng said: “We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we advance the use of cryptocurrencies in travel and set a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences.”

“This is more than a payment solution — it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” said Bhutan Department of Tourism Director Damcho Rinzin. “It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”

The partnership marks the first time a tourism product has accepted cryptocurrency at a national level. It addresses common barriers to digital payments, such as high transaction fees and limited merchant acceptance, by offering a low transaction fee and prompt settlements. Real-time notifications further ensure transparency for both merchants and visitors.

DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank, is powering the local settlement mechanism. Licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, DK Bank brings modern technology and innovation to deliver seamless, secure, and accessible financial services to all strata of society, especially those marginalised and unbanked. 

Binance Pay is a seamless, borderless, and secure cryptocurrency payment feature on the Binance app, allowing users and merchants to pay, send and receive crypto worldwide without incurring fees. With support for over 300 cryptocurrencies, it caters to over 40 million active users and 32,000 merchants.

The Department of Tourism of Bhutan is responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Bhutan. It works to share the Kingdom’s remarkable places, people and experiences with conscious travellers, guided by the principles of high-value, low-volume tourism. Bhutan Travel 

Vietjet’s consolidated Q1 profit soars

SINGAPORE, 8 MAY 2025: Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HOSE: VJC) reported a 24% year-on-year (YoY) increase in consolidated profit for Q1 2025, driven by substantial international expansion reinforcing the airline’s leadership in regional connectivity. 

The airline will soon operate direct flights between Singapore and Phu Quoc by the end of May, adding to the services from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Danang. There are now 78 single-sector flights weekly between cities in Vietnam and Singapore. 

Photo credit: Vietjet.

Strong profit growth     

According to its Q1 2025 financial statements, Vietjet reported air revenue of VND17.92 trillion (SGD892 million), with a pre-tax profit of VND820 billion (SGD40.85 million), marking a 25% increase YoY. 

Consolidated revenue totalled VND17.952 trillion (SGD896.29 million), while pre-tax profit was VND836 billion (SGD41.71 million), up 24% YoY.

Ancillary revenue reached over VND6.223 trillion (SGD310.38 million) in Q1 2025, accounting for more than 35% of Vietjet’s total revenue.

In the first three months of 2025, Vietjet operated nearly 38,700 flights and transported over 6.87 million passengers, representing YoY growth of more than 12% and 9%, respectively. The airline operated 137 routes, including 40 domestic and 97 international routes.

In Q1 2025, Vietjet added two new aircraft, expanding its fleet to 106 of the most modern aircraft in the region. The airline reported strong operational metrics with a seat load factor of 87% and a technical reliability rate of 99.72%.  

Vietjet also introduced four new international routes connecting Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with major cities in China (Beijing, Guangzhou) and India (Bengaluru, Hyderabad), further strengthening connectivity and expanding growth opportunities in key Asian markets. Additionally, the airline announced two upcoming direct routes: Phu Quoc-Singapore, set to launch on 30 May 2025, and Ho Chi Minh City-Auckland (New Zealand), expected to begin in September 2025.

As of 31 March 2025, Vietjet’s total assets reached VND98.766 trillion (SGD4.93 billion), with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12 and a liquidity ratio of 1.5, maintaining a safe level within the aviation industry. 

Strategic Global Partnerships

Vietjet began 2025 with its inaugural flight to the US, leading to strategic partnership discussions with key US partners worth USD14 billion (SGD18.15 billion). Combined with existing deals with its longstanding partners such as Boeing, GE, Pratt & Whitney, and others, Vietjet’s total cooperation value now approaches USD50 billion (SGD64.78 billion). The airline also signed a USD300 million ( SGD388.67 million)  aircraft financing agreement with Carlyle Aviation Partners.

Labour Day holidays stretch to 11 days

HANGZHOU, 8 MAY 2025: Fliggy, an online travel platform and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has released insights into the 2025 Labour Day holiday travel trends, indicating a solid year-on-year (YoY) rise in per capita travel expenditure.

This year, more travellers extended the standard five-day Labour Day holiday to 11 days by taking additional leave days. Fliggy’s data indicates a notable shift in return travel patterns, with peak return dates occurring later than the previous year, suggesting a marked increase in average trip duration.

(Photo credit: Fliggy https://us.fliggytravel.com/ )

Demand for comfort and customised experiences

Fliggy’s data highlights a growing consumer preference for comfort and tailored itineraries, with customised tour bookings soaring over 80% YoY. This trend is particularly notable in established tourism destinations such as Beijing, Tibet, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, and Sichuan, where bookings for related products surged by an average of over 300% compared to last year. 

Small private group tours (5 to 10 people) were especially popular. Bookings for four to five-star hotels and luxury hotels through their flagship stores on Fliggy rose by over 20% compared to last year, building on a high base.

Road trips continue to gain popularity, with domestic car rentals up 35% YoY. Cities like Pu’er (Yunnan), Jinhua (Zhejiang), Datong (Shanxi), Yili (Xinjiang), and Taizhou (Zhejiang) saw an average increase of 100% YoY in car rental bookings. The platform has also seen rising bookings for nature hotspots and destinations within a one- to two-hour drive from megacities.

Megacities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Xi’an remain top choices. Meanwhile, off-the-beaten-path and long-haul destinations are gaining traction, with bookings for destinations of outstanding natural beauty such as Beitun (Xinjiang), Qamdo (Tibet), Golog (Qinghai), Nujiang (Yunnan), and Tunchang (Hainan) rising by an average of over 100% YoY.

Travellers increasingly prioritise diverse and engaging experiences, favouring activities such as island getaways, rainforest trekking, desert camel rides, stargazing camps, and tea-mountain tours. This holiday season also saw notable demand for crowd-avoidance strategies, relaxation-focused vacations, and deep cultural immersion.

Visa-friendly policies boost outbound travel

Driven by the trend of expanding holidays through additional days off, coupled with visa-friendly policies, outbound travel has seen a sharp rise in per capita bookings, signalling a preference for longer, more immersive trips. Outbound bookings for flights, hotels, and cruises surged, with cruise bookings alone up over 60% YoY.

Top outbound destinations include Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and France. Emerging destinations such as Iceland, Hungary, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Norway also saw rapid growth, with bookings all up over 170% YoY.

Air India appoints Swiss and Austria GSA

GURUGRAM, 8 MAY 2025: Air India has named Friends Touristik Marketing GmbH & CoKG as its General Sales Agent (GSA) for passenger services in Austria and Switzerland.

Friends Touristik Marketing GmbH & CoKG will manage reservations and ticketing, assist with marketing initiatives, and deliver extensive passenger sales support across the region for Air India, ensuring efficient and tailored service for travel agents and customers.

Photo credit: Air India. Zurich.

This partnership aims to boost passenger traffic connecting to Air India’s flights from and to Vienna, Zurich, and beyond.

“We are proud to be part of the Air India family and look forward to contributing to its continued growth and success in our region,” said  Friends Touristik Marketing GmbH & CoKG CEO Natalia Zaragoza.

Air India operates five weekly services to and from Zurich and four weekly to and from Vienna, connecting the two cities directly to India. The airline offers convenient one-stop connections to destinations across Southeast Asia. Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft serve the Zurich and Vienna routes from India, offering 18 flat beds in business class and 238 economy class seats. 

Qatar expands flights to the Americas

DOHA, 8 MAY 2025: Qatar Airways is broadening travel options to and from the Americas with its upcoming increase in flights to Toronto and São Paulo. 

Reaffirming its focus on serving growing demand, the airline will serve Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) with five weekly flights from 19 June 2025 and São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) with 17 weekly flights from 25 June 2025.

Photo credit: Qatar.

Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said: “We launched our services to Toronto Pearson Airport less than six months ago and have seen a strong response in the market. We are proud to announce the increase in flights to meet the growing demand for our award-winning travel experience.”

At the same time, the airline is expanding in South America with additional flights to São Paulo, a key gateway and strategic hub for business and leisure travel.

Qatar Airways flights to Toronto (YYZ)

The airline inaugurated its flights to Toronto in December 2024, ahead of the festive season, and is planning to offer daily flights to the city this coming winter to provide passengers across Canada with enhanced connectivity to Doha and beyond. From 19 June 2025, Qatar Airways will operate five weekly flights to Toronto, with plans to offer daily service to Toronto during the winter timetable.

Qatar Airways flights to São Paulo (GRU)

From 25 June 2025, Qatar Airways will expand frequencies to São Paulo from 14 to 17 weekly flights.

The airline has connections to 55 destinations in Latin America through LATAM Airlines, including Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima and Santiago de Chile.

ITB Asia 2025 unveils exhibitors and buyer network

SINGAPORE, 7 MAY 2025: Set to convene for three days, 15 to 17 October, ITB Asia will bring together destination experts, suppliers, top-tier buyers and influential thought leaders to explore the full spectrum of Leisure, Corporate Travel, MICE and Travel Technology.

Among companies and airlines, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg (BER), Disney Cruise Line, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Resorts World Sentosa and Sentosa Development Corporation will be on hand to showcase their latest offerings. 

Photo credit: ITB Asia. ITB Asia unveils exhibitor lineup for 2025 edition.

Leading hotel groups will present their newest properties and loyalty programmes, including Banyan Group, Best Western Hotels and Resorts, Marina Bay Sands, Meliá Hotels International and Pan Pacific Hotels Group. 

Strong NTO registration

A rich selection of national tourist boards will also be in attendance. Delegations from the Czech Tourism Board, Lithuania Travel, Malta Tourism Authority, Philippines Tourism Promotions Board, Singapore Tourism Board, Taiwan Tourism Administration, Tonga Tourism Authority, Tourism Association of Sarajevo Canton, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Seychelles, Visit Estonia, Visit Finland, Visit Iceland and Visit Norway will share insights into their latest marketing initiatives and travel incentives.

Regional tourist boards, including Jakarta Tourism and Creative Economy Department, Penang Tourism Board, Phuket Tourist Association, Sabah Tourism Board, Sarawak Tourism Board, Seoul Tourism Board, Visit Almaty, Visit Rovaniemi and visitBerlin, will demonstrate how they are driving growth in their respective markets.

Travel Tech Asia

Meanwhile, Travel Tech Asia will host a world-class lineup of technology providers. Trip.com, Korea Tourism Startup Center, Juniper Travel Technology, Go Global Travel, Rakuten Travel Xchange, Wego, DerbySoft, RateHawk, Worldline, Flywire, RESTEL S.A., SiteMinder and SUNRATE will unveil innovations in booking platforms, payments and guest-experience management that are set to revolutionise the travel ecosystem.

Buyers network 

The Buyer Elite Partner Programme continues to be a cornerstone of ITB Asia’s value proposition. In partnership with associations and agencies such as Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA), ASTINDO, BWH Hotels, Cambodia Tourism Association (CATA), Enterprising Travel Agent’s Association (ETAA), EVINTRA, IME Consulting, Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR), Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA), Outbound and Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), United Travel Agencies and Operators Association (UTAOA), Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA) and Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), ITB Asia will deliver a hand-picked cadre of MICE, Leisure and Corporate buyers. Partners can recommend both existing clients and new prospects – ensuring high-quality, pre-arranged meetings that translate into real business outcomes.

Early bird tickets for trade visitors

An Early Bird rate for trade visitors is available until 12 September 2025 at itb-asia.com/visit-register.

To secure a presence at ITB Asia 2025 exhibitors can register now at itb-asia.com/exhibiting

Hilton’s NoMad brand lands in Singapore

SINGAPORE, 7 MAY 2025: Hilton has reached an agreement with UOL Group to open a NoMad hotel in Singapore, marking the brand’s entry into the fast-growing luxury lifestyle segment in Asia Pacific. 

It will join NoMad London which opened in 2021.

(Photo credit Hilton). Artist impression of NoMad Singapore.

Developed in partnership with UOL Group, a leading Singapore-listed property and hospitality group, the new 173-room NoMad in Singapore will open in early 2027. Located on Orchard Road, guests will be on the doorstep of  Singapore’s luxury retail corridor, lifestyle experiences and local heritage enclaves, including Arab Street, Bugis, and Chinatown.

“This signing adds a new and significant dimension to Hilton’s growth story in Asia Pacific, as we gain a critical foothold in the luxury lifestyle space,” said Hilton Asia Pacific President Alan Watts. “With demand for high-end, experience-driven stays surging across the region, the luxury gateway of Singapore offers the perfect backdrop to debut NoMad’s local luxury hospitality and will be the first of many cities in Asia to welcome the brand.”

“NoMad is built on the concept of a hotel as a welcoming home filled with stories. The signing of our first hotel in Singapore marks an exciting introduction of our brand to Asia Pacific,” said  The Sydell Group Founder and CEO Andrew Zobler. “This debut is just the beginning as we seek out the best destinations to introduce NoMad, with several deals in advanced discussions in destinations in North America, Europe and beyond.”

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) announced in April 2024 that it had acquired a majority controlling interest in Sydell Group to expand the NoMad Hotels brand from its existing London flagship location to high-end markets worldwide. UOL is its first partner in the Asia Pacific. 

UOL Group Chief Executive Liam Wee Sin noted: “We are excited to introduce NoMad to Singapore as part of our placemaking vision for Orchard Road. Alongside UOL’s upcoming private and exclusive preview of its luxury residential project, UpperHouse at Orchard Boulevard, and the award-winning Pan Pacific Orchard, we will form a trio that will contribute to the transformation of Orchard Road.” 

With the signing of the NoMad hotel in Singapore, Hilton takes another step toward its plan to grow its luxury presence to 150 hotels in the Asia Pacific region in the coming years. Over the next two years, Hilton will open Waldorf Astoria properties in Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Shanghai, Tokyo, Xi’an and Hanoi. Conrad Hotels & Resorts is expanding with upcoming properties in prime travel destinations across China, including Xi’an, Chengdu, and Nanjing, as well as in Nagoya,

Japan. Hilton has also expanded its luxury offering with the recent introduction of LXR Hotels & Resorts to Southeast Asia with Umana Bali, its second LXR property in the region, following ROKU KYOTO in Japan. 

About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,600 properties and nearly 1.3 million rooms in 139 countries and territories. NoMad London, the brand’s first luxury hotel bookable under Hilton’s portfolio, is located close to Covent Garden’s historic Bow Street Magistrates Court. 

Agoda names top school holiday spots

SINGAPORE, 7 MAY 2025: As school breaks and summer holidays get underway digital travel platform Agoda reveals the top family travel destinations in Asia for 2025, based on search data from January to March 2025.

Agoda identifies the top 10 family-friendly destinations in Asia — Tokyo, Osaka, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Seoul, with Singapore, Bali, Taipei, Okinawa, and Hong Kong.

Photo credit: Agoda.

According to Agoda’s 2025 Trend Survey, family travel is on the rise, with over a third of travellers (34%) planning to explore the world with their loved ones this year — a testament to the growing desire for shared experiences. Families embrace the joy of travel together, but none more so than travellers from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, leading the charge as the most avid family travellers in order of importance.

For city-loving groups, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore deliver a mix of culture, entertainment, and kid-friendly attractions. Beach lovers can head to Bali or Okinawa, while foodies can explore Bangkok’s famous street food or family-friendly mega shopping malls.

Agoda Associate Vice President North Asia Hiroto Ooka said: “Family travel is all about creating memories that last a lifetime, and Agoda is here to make that as seamless and affordable as possible. Whether it’s a beach escape, a city adventure, or a mix of both, Agoda’s got the perfect stay for every family. Plus, with our mobile app, finding the best deals is as easy as planning your next family game night.”

(Source: Agoda)

IATA: March passenger demand grows 3.3%

SINGAPORE, 7 MAY 2025: Passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres (RPK) during March 2025, improved by 3.3% compared to March 2024, according to the latest data from the  International Air Transport Association (IATA) released last week.

IATA’s air traffic highlights for March 2025 also showed capacity, measured in available seat kilometres (ASK), was up 5.3% year-on-year. 

The March load factor was 80.7% (-1.6 ppt compared to March 2024).

International demand rose 4.9% compared to March 2024. Capacity was up 7.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 79.9% (-1.7 ppt compared to March 2024).

Domestic demand increased 0.9% compared to March 2024. Capacity was up 2.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 82.0% (-1.3 ppt compared to March 2024).

“Passenger demand grew by 3.3% year-on-year in March, a slight strengthening from the 2.7% growth reported for February. However, a capacity expansion of 5.3% outpaced the demand expansion, leading to a load factor decline from record highs to 80.7% systemwide. There remains a lot of speculation around the potential impacts of tariffs and other economic headwinds on travel. While the small decline in demand in North America needs to be watched carefully, March numbers continued to show a global growth pattern for air travel. That means the challenges associated with accommodating more people who need to travel—specifically alleviating supply chain problems and ensuring sufficient airport and air traffic management capacity — remain urgent,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.

Regional Breakdown – International Passenger Markets 

International RPK growth slowed to 4.9% in March year-on-year, from the 5.9% reported for February and the 12.5% reported in January. This slowdown since January largely reflects the final normalisation of year-on-year demand comparisons post-COVID. Asia-Pacific was the strongest performer among regions, with 9.9% growth. Load factors fell in every region, for a -1.7 ppt overall decline. 

Asia-Pacific airlines reported a 9.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 11.6% year-on-year, and the load factor was 84.1% (-1.3 ppt compared to March 2024).

European carriers had a 4.9% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity increased 6.9% year-on-year, and the load factor was 78.2% (-1.5 ppt compared to March 2024).

Middle Eastern carriers saw a -1.0% year-on-year decline in demand. Capacity increased 2.8% year-on-year, and the load factor was 74.6% (-2.9 ppt compared to March 2024). The decrease in demand is likely related to the timing of Ramadan, which impacts travel patterns.

North American carriers saw a 0.1% year-on-year fall in demand. Capacity increased 2.0% year-on-year, and the load factor was 83.0% (-1.8 ppt compared to March 2024). While demand had a second consecutive month of year-on-year contraction, it is important to note that this is an improvement on the -1.5% decline reported for February.

Latin American airlines saw a 7.7% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity climbed 12.1% year-on-year. The load factor was 80.9% (-3.3 ppt compared to March 2024).

African airlines saw a 3.3% year-on-year increase in demand. Capacity was up 3.5% year-on-year. The load factor was 70.1% (-0.2 ppt compared to March 2024).