BANGKOK, 19 June 2026: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is backing efforts to upgrade the quality and expand the scope of train travel in Thailand.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool led a TAT product development team last week to explore options for upgrading and introducing a luxury version of train travel in response to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ high-value tourism policy.
TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool (left) and Gary Franklin, Managing Director of Belmond Trains, a subsidiary of LVMH and operator of the world-class luxury Eastern & Oriental Express train service (centre)
In a Facebook post, the TAT Governor emphasised the importance of upgrading rail tourism as a key turning point in creating new value for Thai tourism.
“Over the past decades, the Thai tourism industry has grown from its strengths in nature, culture, and services recognised globally. However, in an era of rapidly changing travel behaviour, another key performance indicator for tourism success is the “experiential value” received and the value distributed sustainably to the economy and communities.
“Upgrading rail tourism is therefore a crucial turning point that addresses this concept,” she explained. “Trains present experiences that will transform distance into emotional value and turn transportation routes into meaningful travel paths, opening opportunities for travellers to experience Thailand in a different dimension than other modes of travel.”
In line with the Ministry of Transport and the State Railway of Thailand’s efforts to develop a rail system that will support the growth of the tourism industry, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor led a team to discuss opportunities to introduce luxury train journeys with Gary Franklin, managing director of Belmond Trains, a subsidiary of LVMH and operator of the world-class luxury Eastern & Oriental Express train service.
Thapanee said the objective was to promote high-quality tourism in Thailand under the ‘Healing is the New Luxury’ concept.
“This project aims to cater to discerning tourists and high-income groups from around the world. A pilot route is planned to open between Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin, Hat Yai, and Padang Besar by 2027.
“This collaboration will enhance Thailand’s tourism image and standards, promote tourism products and services, highlight Thailand’s charm and contribute to the sustainable distribution of travel and income to secondary cities and regions of Thailand,” the Governor concluded.
SINGAPORE, 19 June 2026: EXO Travel confirmed on Thursday that it will join the JTB Group, one of the world’s leading travel and tourism organisations, following the acquisition of the EXO Travel Group brand, owner, All Wise Holdings Pte Ltd, by JTB’s Asia Pacific operations.
Founded in 1993, EXO Travel has grown into one of Asia’s leading Destination Management Companies (DMCs), operating across Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, and Egypt and Morocco.
Over the past 30 years, the company has built a strong reputation for tailor-made travel, deep local expertise, sustainability, high service standards and long-term partnerships across the global travel industry.
The partnership with JTB marks an exciting new chapter for EXO Travel. It reflects a shared commitment to high-quality travel experiences, strong local leadership and long-term investment in the future of travel globally.
JTB Group, President & CEO Eijiro Yamakit said: “JTB Group is delighted to welcome EXO Travel to our group. EXO Travel has earned deep trust across Asia and beyond through its commitment to sustainable tourism and its collaborative approach with local communities, creating value for both partners and destinations. By joining forces with EXO Travel — whose values closely align with the JTB Group’s mission — and combining this with JTB’s global network and expertise, we are confident that this partnership will elevate travel experiences while contributing to the continued advancement of the global travel and hospitality industry,” said EXO Travel Group CEO Hamish Keith.
“This partnership represents a very positive step forward for EXO Travel, our people and our partners around the world. JTB is one of the most respected travel companies globally, and we share a common purpose and long-term vision built around quality, relationships and meaningful travel experiences.
“EXO has been successful over the past 30 years due to our local expertise, our culture and our commitment to service excellence delivered by a high-performing team of committed people. We will continue operating with the same leadership, teams and partner-first approach that our agents and clients know today, while benefiting from the additional scale, resources and opportunities that being part of the JTB Group will bring.”
For EXO’s partners and clients, business will continue as usual. Existing teams, operational structures and points of contact remain unchanged, and there will be no disruption to current bookings, services or agreements.
By combining EXO Travel’s regional expertise and operational footprint with JTB’s global reach and long-established position in the travel industry, the partnership creates exciting opportunities for both organisations and their partners worldwide.
EXO Travel will continue to operate under the leadership of its CEO, Hamish Keith and the existing management teams across its destinations and regional hubs.
About EXO Travel EXO Travel is a leading Destination Management Company specialising in tailor-made travel and experiences across Asia and beyond. With operational offices throughout Asia Pacific, Egypt and Morocco, EXO Travel works with travel advisors, tour operators and industry partners worldwide to deliver high-quality, locally grounded travel experiences with a strong focus on service, sustainability and innovation.
SINGAPORE, 18 June 2026: Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar, President and Group Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), has been appointed to the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) during the 82nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held earlier this month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He will serve a three-year term until 2029, joining global industry leaders in providing strategic oversight and policy direction for IATA. In this capacity, he will contribute to guiding the association’s industry committees and subsidiary bodies on critical issues shaping the future of global aviation.
(Left to right) Capt Nasaruddin A Bakar, President and Group CEO of MAG, and Willie Walsh, Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Malaysia Aviation Group and Malaysia Airlines Non-Executive Director
Dato’ Amirul Feisal bin Wan Zahir said, “On behalf of the Board and management of MAG, I would like to congratulate Captain Nasaruddin on this well-deserved appointment to the IATA Board of Governors. His appointment is a testament to his deep expertise, leadership, and long-standing contributions to the aviation industry. I am confident that he will bring valuable insight and perspective to the Board, further strengthening Malaysia’s voice in global aviation and supporting the continued advancement of the industry.”
Captain Nasaruddin added: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed to the IATA Board of Governors. This appointment carries both privilege and responsibility, particularly at a critical time for global aviation. I look forward to working alongside fellow Governors to contribute meaningfully to strategic dialogue and policy direction that will strengthen industry resilience, accelerate innovation, and advance a more sustainable and connected future for air transport worldwide.”
Captain Nasaruddin also serves as Chairman of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Executive Committee and is a member of the oneworld Governance Board.
With more than 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, he began his career with Malaysia Airlines and has since held various leadership roles, including Co-Chairman of the Asia and Australasia Human Factors Safety Information Network, and Innovation Garage Director in collaboration with Khazanah Nasional and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad.
NEW DELHI, 18 June 2026: At a time when several airlines across the region have temporarily suspended operations due to ongoing geopolitical developments in the Middle East, Royal Jordanian has continued to operate consistently over the past six weeks, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for travellers across the region and beyond.
The airline played a critical role not only in maintaining regular travel but also in supporting evacuation and essential movement during the period, reaffirming its commitment to reliability, passenger confidence, and regional connectivity.
Photo credit: Royal Jordanian.
As global travel steadily regains momentum and traveller confidence returns, Royal Jordanian is positioning Jordan as a preferred gateway to the Middle East for Indian travellers seeking safe, seamless, and culturally rich experiences.
“During a period when uncertainty impacted travel sentiment across the region, Royal Jordanian remained operational and committed to serving passengers. Our continued operations reflect the resilience of both the airline and Jordan as a destination,” said a spokesperson from Royal Jordanian.
In recent months, Indian outbound travel has been shaped by heightened caution, with travellers closely monitoring developments in the region. While Jordan remained stable and operational throughout, broader regional perceptions led many travellers to postpone their plans temporarily. With the situation now easing, Royal Jordanian is seeing renewed interest from Indian travellers seeking destinations that offer reassurance and accessibility.
At the forefront of this effort is the airline’s continued focus on ExploRJordan, a dedicated platform showcasing Jordan’s diverse cultural, wellness, adventure, and lifestyle offerings. The initiative aligns strongly with evolving Indian traveller preferences, which are increasingly shifting towards immersive and experience-led journeys.
Royal Jordanian is also strengthening Amman’s position as a convenient and efficient hub, enabling Indian travellers to seamlessly connect onwards to the Levant and the wider Middle East through its extensive regional network. This reinforces Jordan’s role not only as a destination in itself but also as a strategic gateway to the region.
Royal Jordanian (RJ) is undertaking expansion in the Indian market to double its passenger traffic by 2028.
Royal Jordanian re-established direct connectivity from its hub at Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) in Amman to India’s two largest aviation hubs: Mumbai and New Delhi in 2025 after an 11-year gap.
From its Amman hub, Mumbai (BOM) and New Delhi (DEL) are served by three weekly flights to each destination, operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft. Flights will increase to four weekly as of September 2026.
Under the bilateral aviation agreement between India and Jordan, the airline has the right to increase these operations to daily frequencies (14 flights per route per week) as passenger demand steadily increases.
The strategy involves positioning Amman as a reliable gateway to route Indian travellers to Europe or North America. It also serves as a primary gateway to destinations such as Egypt and Lebanon and has resumed flights to Damascus, Syria.
Experience-led tourism push
Partnering closely with the Jordan Tourism Board, the airline is heavily promoting its ExploRJordan campaign to Indian outbound travellers. To incentivise the market, they have introduced curated travel packages featuring free tourist visas for Indian travellers booking through specific partner travel agencies. The airline aims to transport upwards of 40,000 to 80,000 Indian passengers annually as the routes mature, leaning into diverse segments ranging from family vacations, wellness/historical tourism, and adventure travel to enticing Bollywood production houses for destination film shoots.
BENGALURU, India, 18 June 2026: Otherland Hotels has appointed Jazib Husain as General Manager of Otherland Galle, the brand’s first international property, set to open soon on Sri Lanka’s southern coast.
With 20 years of experience at internationally renowned hospitality brands, Husain will bring a broad range of expertise to Otherland Galle in Sri Lanka.
Photo credit: Otherland Hotels. Jazib Husain.
Hailing from Lucknow, a city renowned for its culture and hospitality, he draws on his upbringing to shape his approach to leadership and guest experience. His command of international service standards, combined with hands-on fluency in restaurant operations, staff training, and general administration, positions him well to lead Otherland Galle’s operational vision from the ground up.
On helming Otherland Galle, Husain said: “I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence Otherland Hotels have placed in me. It is both an honour and a privilege to lead what I believe will become the benchmark for lifestyle hospitality in South Asia. Together with an exceptional team, I look forward to creating a destination defined by genuine warmth, memorable experiences, and uncompromising operational excellence. My commitment is to build a place that leaves a lasting impression on every guest.”
Situated in Galle, the 66-key oceanfront property is Otherland’s first international address and its most ambitious statement yet in the lifestyle hospitality category. The property is developed in collaboration with Emanuel Sidhartha, a co-founder recognised in Sri Lanka’s hospitality and cultural ecosystem.
Otherland Galle marks the first property in a broader pipeline of hotels, restaurants, and beach clubs planned by the lifestyle collective across South Asia.
About Otherland Hotels Otherland Hotels is headquartered in Bengaluru, India, and partners with creatives, developers, and investors who believe in thoughtful, future-facing hospitality rooted in design, curation, and signature F&B.
HONG KONG, 18 June 2026: This summer, Hong Kong is turning up the energy with a citywide celebration packed with festivals, family attractions, sporting spectacles and limited-time offers.
The “Hong Kong Summer Fun” campaign brings together some of the city’s biggest seasonal events alongside exclusive Summer Deals, creating even more reasons to plan a summer escape to the Events Capital of Asia.
Photo credit: Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival.
To make a summer getaway even more rewarding, the “Summer Deals” programme is now rolling out in phases through 31 August, unlocking rewards and savings at every step of the visitor journey — across attraction offers, transport discounts, shopping rewards and dining perks. The initiative helps travellers make the most of their Hong Kong getaway with exclusive seasonal savings from planning to departure.
Unlock deals across the city
In partnership with Trip.com Group, HKTB is launching more than HKD 20 million in offers across 19 attractions and three transport operators. From now on until 31 August, eligible visitors who book a participating Hong Kong hotel stay through Trip.com or Ctrip for the period from 1 July to 14 September, with a single transaction of HKD1,500 or above, can unlock a “Summer Getaway Pack” featuring one attraction and one transport discount of up to 50% off. Rewards drop in on 14 July.
Up to 50% off on Round-trip Standard Cable Car Ticket by Ngong Ping 360
Up to 50% off on Essential Ticket by Big Bus Tours
30% off on Sha Tin Racecourse & Happy Valley Racecourse F&B Experience + Guided Tour by The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Collect multiple rewards throughout your stay in town
From 1 July to 31 August, visitors can access “Summer Instant Rewards” through a collaboration with AlipayHK, Alipay and Alipay+. By leveraging Alipay’s vast Chinese Mainland and Alipay+’s international partner e-wallet user base, visitors can scan designated QR codes at nearly 100 participating shopping malls across the city, including Central Market, Festival Walk, Hysan Place, ifc mall, Hong Kong International Airport, K11, Mira Place, New Town Plaza, Olympian City, Peak Galleria, SOGO, Stanley Plaza, Times Square, Windsor House, and more—to receive a random spending rewards of up to HKD500 or RMB500 to be used at any merchant displaying the AlipayHK, Alipay or Alipay+ payment acceptance mark.
More than 150 merchant offers are available across participating malls. Highlights include:
AIRSIDE – Admission Ticket to the “The Cha Chaan Teng Codex — Tales of Invisible Designs” exhibition;
Central Market – Redeem a premium butterfly pastry gift box for HKD58 upon spending HKD200 or above at Imperial Patisserie;
Festival Walk – Enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free ice rink offer at Glacier and complimentary 2D movie tickets at Festival Grand Cinema;
MegaBox – Enjoy an extra 30% off at the i.t Outlet;
Mira Place – Enjoy HKD100 off upon spending HKD400 at Mira Dining;
Nina Mall – Enjoy bonus gaming tokens, with an HKD200 purchase receiving an additional HKD140 at Jumping Gym;
The Peak – Enjoy 15% off all regular-priced menu items at Bubba Gump;
T Town / Kai Tin Shopping Centre / Temple Mall / Lok Fu Plaza – Enjoy HKD100 off upon spending HKD500 at SKECHERS
Visitors can also enjoy a citywide collection of shopping and dining offers, delivered in partnership with the Quality Tourism Services Association (QTSA) and the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA), featuring buy-one-get-one-free offers and hot picks starting at HKD1 or HKD10 at various merchants. Rewards are on a first-come, first-served basis. Some rewards are limited to registered users of the Discover Hong Kong one-stop travel information platform.
Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival
Experience Hong Kong’s Dragon Boat Heritage, Festive Treats and Fun
19 June to 1 July 2026 at Tsim Sha Tsui promenade.
Kicking off the season is the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival”, running from 19 June to 1 July. At its heart is the 50th-anniversary edition of the “Sun Life Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races,” organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), co-organised by the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association (HKCDBA) and sponsored by Sun Life. It will transform the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront into one of the city’s most thrilling annual spectacles on 27 to 28 June. More than 220 teams from 16 countries and regions will compete across 21 races in Victoria Harbour.
For the first time, the celebration expands into a 13-day festival extending far beyond the races. Along the Avenue of Stars, visitors can explore a Dragon Boat Food Lane, Beer Garden, and discover themed photo spots, including Sun Life HK Dragon Boat Co-Creation Zone, a 22-metre traditional wooden dragon boat, a dragon boat-themed installation in collaboration with the new film Minions & Monsters, etc. A programme of intangible cultural heritage workshops will also offer hands-on experiences such as fishing net plaiting, blown sugar making and traditional lye rice dumpling making. Tourists can partake in a uniquely Hong Kong celebration that blends sport, culture and a lively waterfront atmosphere.
Hong Kong Football Festival 2026
With the return of the Hong Kong Football Festival from 31 July to 5 August, the series will bring four of Europe’s most decorated clubs to Kai Tak Stadium: Manchester City, FC Internazionale Milano, Chelsea FC and Juventus. Two blockbuster fixtures will take place at the state-of-the-art 50,000-seat venue, while Manchester City and Chelsea will also hold Open Training sessions for fans. Building on the success of last year’s festival, the event features a rare gathering of Champions League-winning clubs, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as one of Asia’s premier destinations for international sport and live entertainment.
Start planning your Hong Kong escape and discover a vibrant lineup of seasonal experiences while making the most of every moment in the city. For the latest event listings for “Hong Kong Summer Fun” and “Summer Deals”, visit: https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/summer-fun.html.
BANGKOK, 18 June 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) have reaffirmed their strategic collaboration to strengthen Thailand’s position as a leading global tourism destination through data-driven marketing initiatives, tourism product development, and industry capacity-building efforts.
The collaboration combines Agoda’s travel insights and digital expertise with TAT’s destination marketing capabilities to support demand generation from international markets while encouraging domestic tourism in Thailand.
Representatives of Agoda and TAT celebrate the MOU Launch
Areas of collaboration include promoting Thailand’s unique tourism offerings, highlighting emerging trends such as wellness tourism and encouraging travel to lesser-known destinations. The partnership will also support broader industry development through encouraging more sustainable practices and capacity-building initiatives under the ongoing Trusted Thailand collaboration.
Agoda Chief Executive Officer Omri Morgenshtern said: “We see many opportunities to work together on TAT’s priorities, from highlighting wellness travel as the new luxury to amplifying communications around travel safety. Our joint efforts will promote Thailand’s rich and trusted offerings to travellers around the globe.”
Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool added: “Our partnership with Agoda enables us to develop targeted campaigns that showcase Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, diverse tourism experiences and strong commitment to visitor satisfaction. By leveraging digital innovation and market intelligence, we can better connect with travellers worldwide and further reinforce Thailand’s reputation as a premier travel destination.”
Founded in Phuket, Thailand, over two decades ago, Agoda maintains strong ties to Thailand and continues to support the country’s tourism sector through its global digital travel platform, which offers access to more than 6 million accommodation properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 travel activities worldwide.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, 18 June 2026: Travel Meet Asia (TMA) 2026 will take place in Jakarta from 23 to 24 June 2026 with a 20% increase in exhibition space compared to the previous edition, reflecting growing participation from travel businesses across the region and reinforcing its position as a leading B2B travel trade event in Southeast Asia.
Organised by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific and powered by ITB Asia and the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA), the two-day B2B travel trade event brings together industry leaders, tourism boards, destinations, hospitality providers, travel technology companies and buyers from across the region and beyond.
Travel Meet Asia exhibition space grows 20%.
Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, Executive Director, Darren Seah said: “Indonesia continues to emerge as one of the most dynamic tourism markets in Southeast Asia, creating valuable opportunities for travel businesses across the region and beyond. Travel Meet Asia serves as a gateway for international stakeholders seeking meaningful partnerships and market access in the Asia-Pacific. We are also delighted to welcome Brunei Darussalam as our Official Partner Country, reflecting the growing spirit of regional collaboration that continues to shape the future of tourism in Asia.”
Growing platform for regional travel business
The growth of this year’s edition underscores Travel Meet Asia’s increasing importance as a strategic platform connecting international travel businesses with one of Asia-Pacific’s most dynamic tourism markets. Through its longstanding partnership with ASITA, the event continues to strengthen Indonesia’s position within the regional tourism and MICE ecosystem by combining international industry reach with strong engagement from domestic tourism stakeholders.
More than 100 exhibitors, 400 qualified buyers, 40 speakers, and 1,500 participants are expected to attend Travel Meet Asia 2026, creating extensive opportunities for business development, networking, and knowledge exchange across the Leisure, MICE, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors.
Brunei Darussalam: Official Partner Country
A key milestone for this year’s event is Brunei Darussalam’s participation as the Official Partner Country, highlighting growing regional cooperation and shared ambitions for tourism development across Southeast Asia. Throughout the event, Brunei will spotlight Visit Brunei 2027, its national tourism campaign designed to raise international awareness of the Sultanate’s rich cultural heritage, authentic community experiences and diverse nature-based attractions.
The official opening ceremony will bring together senior tourism representatives from Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, demonstrating strong governmental support for tourism growth and regional industry collaboration. The distinguished delegation includes Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia and Hjh Nur Fariza Munyati Hj Abd Aji, Acting Deputy Director of Tourism Development Department, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Brunei Darussalam. Their participation reflects the growing recognition of tourism as a driver of economic growth, regional connectivity, and cross-border cooperation.
International exhibitors: Networking opportunities
The exhibition floor features a diverse range of destinations and tourism suppliers from Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Participating destinations include Japan, Germany, Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Greece, Uganda, Singapore, Turkmenistan, the Maldives, India, Malaysia, Spain, Finland, South Africa, China and Türkiye.
Travel Meet Asia 2026 also welcomes several prominent exhibitors and industry brands, including Accor, Bintan Resorts, Sky View Igloos Resort, SUNRATE and WOW Borneo, further expanding the event’s international profile and sector diversity.
Conference programme
The conference programme will feature more than 40 speakers, including Winston Hanes (Senior VP of Operations, Archipelago International Hotels), Adilah Rahman (Tourism Officer – Lead for Strategic Partnership and Market Access Unit, Brunei Tourism), Hosea Andreas Runkat (Chairman. Indonesia Exhibitions Companies Associations (IECA)), Bima Boediman (Head of SDU Project Management Office, InJourney Aviation Services), Christine Tan (Area Managing Director, SEA, Preferred Hotels & Resorts), and Yoel Sumitro (Chief Product Officer, tiket.com), who will share insights on key industry trends, market opportunities, destination development, digital transformation and the future of travel across Asia-Pacific.
Visitor registration
Travel Meet Asia 2026 takes place in Jakarta from 23 to 24 June 2026. Complimentary trade visitor passes are available until 22 June 2026, after which visitor passes will become chargeable. Registration for Travel Meet Asia 2026.
About Travel Meet Asia
TMA was launched by Messe Berlin Asia Pacific in 2019 at regional locations within Asia. Originally organised as a conference and networking event, TMA has since expanded into a B2B trade show with exhibitions, conference sessions, and networking opportunities for the travel trade.
SYDNEY, 18 June 2026: The Australian Bureau of Statistics released its Overseas Arrivals Data last week, confirming that Australia welcomed close to 9.2 million visitors in the 12 months ending April 2026, 9.6% more visitors than the previous 12-month period, and 98.8% of 2019 levels.
Reporting on the findings, Tourism Australia noted that several key markets posted double-digit growth for the year, including China (+20%), Hong Kong (+17%), Italy (+16%), the UK and France (+15%), and Japan (+12%).
Photo credit: Tourism Australia.
In April, the pace of visitation growth slowed after a bumper month in March, with 644,770 short-term visitors, up 1% from a year earlier.
To support the industry, Tourism Australia shared the latest data and insights on consumer confidence and travel sentiment in key markets, along with an update on the international aviation landscape, during TA’s Industry Webinar last Friday.
Arrivals and departures by category of travel – selected months(a)(b)
SINGAPORE, 18 June 2026: Etihad Airways is entering its largest summer season ever, operating more than 300 daily flights, carrying near-record passenger loads and launching or returning to nine destinations within days as demand for travel to, from and through Abu Dhabi continues to accelerate.
The milestone comes as Etihad continues its rapid growth trajectory, with summer capacity up 10% year-on-year and supported by a fleet that has grown by 23 aircraft compared with the same period last year.
Photo credit: Etihad. Flights head to Damascus.
With flights operating at close to 90% load factors, the airline is seeing strong demand across its network spanning Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and the Middle East.
Between 11 and 14 June, Etihad launched four new routes in four days, connecting Abu Dhabi with Kraków, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar. This week, the airline also welcomes the return of five popular seasonal destinations: Mykonos and Malaga from 15 June, Santorini from 16 June, Nice from 19 June and Al Alamein from 16 July.
Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves said: “Today, Etihad is flying more guests to more destinations than ever before. We operate more than 300 flights a day, carrying near-record loads and connecting Abu Dhabi to more destinations than ever before.
“This week alone, we have launched four new destinations and welcomed back five seasonal routes, demonstrating both the strength of demand across our network and the pace of our growth.
“As we enter the peak summer travel period, we are delivering our most ambitious summer programme yet. Supported by 23 additional aircraft and strong demand from across the world, we continue to grow with confidence, expanding our network, increasing capacity and bringing more visitors to Abu Dhabi.”
To support growing visitor demand and make travel to Abu Dhabi more seamless, Etihad and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi have also launched complimentary medical travel insurance for international visitors flying to Abu Dhabi on Etihad-operated flights.
The initiative, available from July to December 2026 and administered by The National Insurance Company — Daman, provides eligible travellers with up to 15 days of medical cover in the UAE, including guests using Etihad’s stopover programme, which continues to attract growing numbers of visitors to Abu Dhabi by turning a transit into a holiday.
The four newly launched routes showcase the breadth of Etihad’s growing network. Kraków offers travellers access to one of Europe’s great cultural cities, while Palma de Mallorca creates a direct link between Abu Dhabi and the Balearic Islands. Damascus strengthens connectivity across the region, while Zanzibar adds one of the Indian Ocean’s most sought-after leisure destinations to the airline’s portfolio.
Etihad’s latest route launches form part of the airline’s ambition to expand its global footprint, with growth aligned to demand across key markets. The additions strengthen connectivity between Abu Dhabi and strategic destinations across Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian Ocean, reinforcing the capital’s role as a dynamic global gateway.
More summer escapes return
To offer travellers more ways to discover iconic coastlines and island getaways, Etihad is also bringing back a collection of summer favourites:
Mykonos – twice weekly from 15 June
Malaga – up to four times weekly from 15 June
Santorini – twice weekly from 16 June
Nice – twice weekly from 19 June
Al Alamein – twice weekly from 16 July
Together with Kraków, Palma de Mallorca, Damascus and Zanzibar, these destinations form part of Etihad’s largest-ever summer programme, giving guests more choice than ever before across Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
