SINGAPORE, 24 September 2026: Air Astana, Kazakh Tourism, and five regions of Kazakhstan signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement for 2027 in Almaty on Monday to boost inbound tourism, increase passenger traffic, and strengthen Kazakhstan’s profile in international markets.
Air Astana, Kazakh Tourism, the Akimats of Astana and Almaty, and the Almaty, Akmola and Mangistau regions signed the agreement. The parties will combine their marketing, communications and organisational resources to implement joint initiatives promoting Kazakhstan as a tourist destination.
Photo credit: Air Astana. From left: Kazakh Tourism Chair Talgat Gazizov and Air Astana CEO Ibrahim Canliel.
The cooperation will include digital campaigns, participation in major international exhibitions and roadshows, familiarisation trips for international partners and media, B2B events, and joint analysis of priority markets.
“Developing inbound tourism requires a coordinated effort. By bringing together the resources and expertise of the national tourism board, the airline and the regions, we can raise Kazakhstan’s profile in key international markets. This cooperation will help attract more international visitors and support the development of tourism-related businesses and services across the country,” said Kazakh Tourism Chair Talgat Gazizov,
“We are committed to jointly developing inbound tourism, which goes hand in hand with the growth of international air travel to Kazakhstan,” said Air Astana CEO Ibrahim Canliel. “We aim to make Kazakhstan more accessible to international travellers and raise awareness of the rich cultural heritage, variety of attractions and promote Kazakhstan as a destination.”
SINGAPORE, 24 September 2026: AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the 17th consecutive year at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Widely known as the ‘Oscars of the aviation industry’, the Skytrax World Airline Awards are among the most respected recognitions in global aviation, with the results based on the independent annual World Airline Survey and the views of travellers worldwide.
Photo credit: AirAsia. Skytrax Award Ceremony 2026.
For AirAsia, the recognition carries particular weight as a direct reflection of the trust and confidence from our guests, built up over 25 years of service.
AirAsia’s Co-Founder, Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, who accepted the award on behalf of AirAsia during the ceremony, said: “We started AirAsia 25 years ago with a simple mission: to make flying accessible to more people. The Skytrax recognition is a reflection of the trust travellers have placed in AirAsia, and that is something we never take for granted.”
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted added: “We congratulate AirAsia on this fabulous achievement at the 2026 World Airline Awards. This success, for the record seventeenth time, demonstrates the airline’s dedication to providing quality, affordable travel options for its customers. This is a highly competitive and fast-growing market for low-cost airlines, and this award is a clear affirmation of AirAsia’s success.”
The Skytrax World Airline Awards are based on the independent annual World Airline Survey, which reflects passenger votes from travellers worldwide. Skytrax independently conducts the survey and charges no entry or registration fees to airlines.
SINGAPORE, 24 September 2026: Ethiopian Airlines will launch a new scheduled passenger service from its home base in Addis Ababa to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, effective 1 December 2026.
The service will further strengthen Ethiopian Airlines’ presence in Nigeria and enhance air connectivity between West Africa and the airline’s extensive global network through its hub in Addis Ababa.
Photo credit: Ethiopian.
Services will operate four times weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Flight schedule
Port Harcourt, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial and industrial hubs, serves as a key gateway to the country’s energy sector and broader economic activities. The new route will give passengers convenient connections to Ethiopian Airlines’ network across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Nigeria remains one of Ethiopian Airlines’ most significant and longest-served markets in Africa, with the airline launching its first service to the country in 1960. It operates flights to Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Enugu.
SINGAPORE, 24 September 2026: Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) and Star Alliance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Star Alliance lounge at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport.
The MOU will ensure eligible passengers travelling with Star Alliance member airlines can continue to access the premium lounge at Incheon International Airport after Asiana Airlines departs Star Alliance on 16 December 2026, as part of its integration with Korean Air. Eligible passengers of Star Alliance member airlines currently enjoy access to Asiana Airlines lounges at Incheon International Airport.
Photo credit: Star Alliance.
Under the MOU, the existing Asiana Airlines Business Lounge (West) in Terminal 1 will transition to a Star Alliance lounge. The lounge is expected to begin operations in 4Q 2026, in conjunction with Asiana Airlines’ departure from the Alliance.
Eligible passengers of Star Alliance member airlines at Incheon International Airport will continue to enjoy seamless premium lounge services following the transition.
The decision to establish a dedicated Star Alliance lounge at Incheon International Airport reflects the airport’s continued importance as a major international gateway, ranking as the world’s number one airport for international passenger traffic in the first half of 2026.
The new space will be the seventh Star Alliance lounge worldwide, joining its existing lounges at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. In addition, eligible Star Alliance member airline customers enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges around the world.
MADRID, 24 September 2026: International tourism grew modestly in the first half of 2026, with global arrivals up by 0.4% even as insecurity in the Middle East, elevated oil prices, and broader inflationary pressures tested the sector’s resilience.
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism, an estimated 690 million tourists travelled internationally between January and June 2026, some 3 million more than the same period last year.
Photo credit: UN Tourism. World Tourism Day is on 27 September.
While global arrivals rose 2% in Q1 2026, they fell 1% in Q2, after a 3% decline in April. That drop was largely due to the calendar effect of the Easter holiday period starting in March and the impact of the Middle East conflict.
Globally, arrivals then dropped 3% in June. That was driven by a 6% decline in Western Europe, partly due to a heatwave in some destinations. South-East Asia recorded 5% fewer arrivals in June because of weaker demand from Asian markets, geopolitical tensions, air travel disruptions through the Middle East, and higher travel costs. Typhoon Sinlaku also impacted some destinations in Oceania (-6% in June) in Q2.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Shaikha Al Nuwais said: “The latest data shows a sector absorbing real pressure and finding a way forward. Tourism has not stopped growing, but that growth is fragile. The Middle East situation has touched destinations far beyond the region itself. It serves as a clear reminder that, in such a connected world, resilience needs to be built everywhere and not just when a crisis begins.”
Performance by region
The World Tourism Barometer breaks down performance by region and sub-region. The data shows:
In the first half of 2026, Africa (+4%) and Europe (+3%) recorded solid growth in arrivals, while the Americas saw a 2% increase, with mixed results across sub-regions.
Arrivals in Asia and the Pacific grew by 1% over these six months but remained 11% below 2019 levels as disruptions to air connectivity, higher air fares, and uncertainty affected intra-regional demand.
North-East Asia saw 3% growth in the first half of 2026, while South Asia (-5%) and South-East Asia (-1%) recorded declines when compared with the same period in 2025.
The Middle East saw a 22% drop over this period, as the conflict directly impacted it.
Although the conflict has negatively affected international tourism in the Middle East and other regions since early March 2026, disruptions to air traffic gradually eased in May and June following the announcement of a ceasefire. This led to the reopening of some air routes and an uneven rebound in consumer sentiment.
Looking ahead
In view of the latest data and current geopolitical volatility, international tourist arrivals are now expected to grow by between 1% and 2% globally in 2026, compared to UN Tourism’s January forecast of 3% to 4%. However, this will depend on the conflict’s actual duration and its effect on oil prices and overall inflation.
At the same time, international travellers are expected to keep seeking value for money and travel closer to home or domestically, again in response to elevated prices and uncertainty.
UN Tourism celebrates World Tourism Day on 27 September 2026. El Salvador is the signature host destination.
BANGKOK, 24 September 2026: Thai AirAsia (Flight Code: FD) and Thai AirAsia X (Flight Code: XJ) are gearing up to resume temporarily suspended international routes and increase flight frequencies across multiple destinations.
The latest expansion aims to accommodate the surging travel demand during the year-end high season in the fourth quarter (October to December), offering direct flights to up to 46 cities across 53 routes covering ASEAN and the broader Asian region.
Photo credit: AirAsia.
Thai AirAsia Head of Commercial Tansita Akrarittipirom explained that during Q3 the airline reduced flights and temporarily suspended certain routes to align with travel demand and rising fuel prices, ensuring optimal operational cost management.
“We are highly confident that travel will revive this high season, driven by both Thais travelling abroad and international tourists visiting Thailand. For the Indian market in particular, Thai AirAsia will resume operations on six temporarily suspended routes.
“Additionally, our Phuket hub will resume direct flights to Siem Reap, and the Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur route will also be reinstated. As international tourists arrive in Thailand, they can seamlessly connect to our extensive domestic network, which offers the widest coverage and highest flight frequencies in the country,” Tansita added.
For Q4, Thai AirAsia X will focus on direct flights from Don Mueang International Airport to Japan, covering four major routes.
Tokyo: Up to 21 flights weekly.
Osaka: Up to 14 flights per week.
Sapporo: Up to four flights weekly starting 1 October and increasing to seven flights weekly on 1 December.
Nagoya: Four flights per week (starting 2 October).
Furthermore, Thai AirAsia X will operate direct flights to New Delhi, India, four times a week, and to the popular destination of Almaty, Kazakhstan, also four times a week.
Combined, the two AirAsia affiliate carriers will operate a total of 53 direct routes to 46 cities from Don Mueang International Airport during the 2026 Winter Flight Schedule.
This expansive network covers 17 cities in East Asia (including China, Japan, Taiwan, and Macau), 15 cities in ASEAN (including Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos), 13 cities in South Asia (including India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives), and one city in Central Asia (Kazakhstan).
Routes resuming in Q4
Thai AirAsia (Flight Code FD)
Don Mueang – Kuala Lumpur: Commences 25 October 2026
Phuket – Siem Reap: Commences 25 October 2026
Don Mueang – Gaya, India: Commences 25 October 2026
Don Mueang – Ahmedabad, India: Commences 6 November 2026
Don Mueang – Guwahati, India: Commences 16 November 2026
Don Mueang – Hyderabad, India: Commences 16 November 2026
Don Mueang – Lucknow, India: Commences 16 November 2026
Don Mueang – Jaipur, India: Commences 17 November 2026
MUMBAI, 24 September 2026: Indian travellers are changing how they discover, plan and experience holidays, with experiences, events, digital content and convenience increasingly influencing travel choices.
This shift comes as digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence reshape tourism, enabling more personalised discovery, planning, booking and payments.
As the world marks World Tourism Day 2026 on 27 September under the theme “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” these behaviours reflect how technology is becoming an integral part of the modern travel journey.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its Group Company, SOTC Travel, share insights into key traveller behaviours shaping the Indian travel landscape today. These include a stronger focus on experiences, greater use of digital platforms and payments, more frequent short breaks, and growing international travel from beyond the metros.
Choosing the experience, not just the destination
Holiday searches increasingly start with what travellers want to experience, rather than simply where they want to go. Wildlife safaris in Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa; culinary trails in Italy and Japan; cultural immersion in Rajasthan and Vietnam; adventure in New Zealand and Switzerland; and stargazing in Ladakh and Norway are becoming reasons to choose a destination. For premium travellers, this is extending to experiences such as expedition cruises, premium rail journeys, Grand Slam tennis, premium golf and Formula 1, where access and curation are becoming an important part of the experience.
This is also visible in spiritual travel, where destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Ujjain and Rishikesh are being explored beyond the pilgrimage itself, with travellers adding heritage, cuisine, architecture, wellness and local experiences to their itineraries. Similarly, destinations such as Bhutan, Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are being explored for their distinctive mix of culture, nature, wellness and food. Digital platforms and personalised recommendations are further helping travellers discover destinations and experiences aligned with their individual interests.
Planning holidays around short breaks
Travel is increasingly being planned around moments rather than calendars alone. Festivals, concerts, sporting events and major cultural occasions are becoming reasons to travel, with travellers building holidays around experiences they do not want to miss. At the same time, the traditional long annual holiday is being complemented by more frequent, shorter breaks. Long weekends, festive holidays, and gaps between work commitments are becoming getaways, road trips, and short-haul international holidays, creating a more distributed pattern of travel throughout the year.
Going digital with forex and payments
Digitisation is now extending across the entire travel journey, including how travellers manage and spend their money overseas. Thomas Cook India’s 2026 Forex Report found that 25% of customers transact through digital purchase channels, while 57% of forex-card spending is through contactless and online transactions.
The shift reflects a clear preference for greater convenience, flexibility and control, with travellers increasingly comfortable managing forex digitally and using contactless and online payments rather than relying on cash. Payments are therefore becoming an integral part of the seamless travel experience, rather than a separate pre-trip consideration.
Taking international travel beyond the metros
International travel is no longer a metro-led story. Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are emerging as important growth engines for outbound travel, supported by rising disposable incomes, better connectivity and growing global aspirations. Markets such as Lucknow, Indore, Surat, Kochi, Bhubaneswar and Vijayawada are increasingly contributing to the outbound travel landscape. Importantly, travellers from these markets are moving beyond simply taking their first international holiday. They are increasingly seeking distinctive experiences from Northern Lights and Arctic cruises to wildlife safaris and multigenerational holidays while valuing the reassurance of trusted guidance and end-to-end planning. Digital access is further bringing international travel within easier reach, while stronger air connectivity is reducing dependence on metros as gateways.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Rajeev Kale said: “Indian travellers are becoming more intentional about what they want from a holiday. The focus is shifting from simply visiting a destination to experiences that offer discovery, immersion, and personal relevance — whether that is exploring a spiritual destination through its heritage and culture, experiencing wildlife and adventure, or choosing a premium cruise or rail journey.”
SOTC Travel, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar added: “From social media and OTT-led inspiration to digital payments and AI-enabled recommendations, the travel journey is becoming more connected and personalised. The next phase is about using technology meaningfully — to simplify planning, provide more relevant choices and create a smoother experience across the journey.”
PENANG, 23 September 2026: The 9th Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE) 2026 is set to return from 27 to 29 October 2026, bringing together key players from the global travel trade and Malaysia’s tourism industry for three days of business networking and B2B engagements.
PITE 2026 will take place at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), with the programme combining 1.5 days of structured B2B appointments with a further 1.5 days of familiarisation activities and networking opportunities across Penang.
(Left): Ashwin Gunasekeran, Chief Executive Officer of the Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB).
This year’s edition is expected to welcome approximately 100 buyers, representing a diverse range of travel trade segments including corporate, incentive and association buyers. The international buyer delegation will comprise representatives from key markets across China, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Bangladesh, Australia, Romania and South Korea, alongside participants from other international markets.
PITE 2026 is expected to feature approximately 50 exhibitors from across Malaysia, representing a broad spectrum of the tourism ecosystem. These include hoteliers, destination management companies (DMCs), professional conference organisers (PCOs), attractions and other tourism-related businesses, offering buyers a
comprehensive platform to discover Malaysia’s diverse tourism and business event offerings.
SINGAPORE, 23 September 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda has begun the beta rollout of its new AI Assistant, designed to help travellers turn their travel ideas into personalised, bookable trips.
Available initially to a select group of Agoda mobile app users, the AI Assistant marks a new chapter in how travellers can plan, book, and manage an entire trip in one place.
Organising a single trip today can mean jumping between AI chats, search engines, review sites, maps, and booking apps. Even after finding a recommendation they like, travellers can be left hanging: “Is this price real? Is it available for my dates? Nice hotel, but how do I actually book it?”
Agoda’s AI Assistant answers those questions. As an alternative to traditional search, it connects conversational trip planning with Agoda’s live inventory of more than 6 million accommodations, plus flights and activities. Travellers can explore ideas, compare options, check prices and availability, all within the same app experience. The assistant retains preferences and trip context as plans develop, helping personalise the experience and allowing travellers to pick up where they left off.
OpenAI’s latest GPT-5.6 model currently powers the AI Assistant’s core conversational intelligence. For more complex trip planning, such as designing a family getaway with teenagers, the AI Assistant uses Google Gemini’s ‘Grounding with Google Maps’ feature to recommend ideal spots based on real-time Google Maps data, such as ratings, photos, and opening hours.
The beta test lets Agoda gather customer feedback and keep refining the AI Assistant. Over the coming months, Agoda’s AI Assistant will gradually be made available to all users of Agoda’s mobile app.
BANGKOK, 23 September 2026: Following its first anniversary on 3 September 2026, Suan Dusit Arun — the 11,200 sq m public rooftop park at Dusit Central Park in the heart of Bangkok — has released its first set of visitor, community, and environmental performance data.
The figures demonstrate strong public demand for accessible green space in the Thai capital, with an average of 2,621 unique daily visitors during the 12-month reporting period.
Bangkok’s largest public rooftop park, Suan Dusit Arun, is a defining feature of Dusit Central Park and offers elevated views across Lumpini Park, one of the city’s most important green spaces. It was designed as a practical response to critical urban challenges facing Bangkok, including rising temperatures, limited access to green space, and declining biodiversity.
Open to all, the park offers the luxury of space, nature, and calm in Bangkok’s centre. Its public use and programming are thoughtfully managed to protect the landscape, preserve a comfortable atmosphere, and ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy the park without compromising the qualities it was designed to provide.
Combining beautiful views with a strong social and environmental purpose, the park serves as the unifying landscape connecting the principal elements of Dusit Central Park: the flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel, Central Park Offices, the Central Park shopping centre, and a 69-storey residential tower comprising the ultra-luxury Dusit Residences and contemporary Dusit Parkside.
The design of Suan Dusit Arun reflects the wider architectural philosophy of Dusit Central Park, responding to wind flow and solar orientation while drawing on Feng Shui principles to foster harmony, balance, and positive energy flow between people and their surroundings.
With approximately 98% of its layered landscape dedicated to green space, the park combines 184 plant varieties, including 48 Thai species, with accessible areas for recreation, learning, community gatherings, and quiet reflection. Its planting includes native shade trees, flowering varieties, and climate-adapted plants.
The planting includes nine tree species in the three threatened categories of the IUCN Red List – two Critically Endangered, two Endangered, and five Vulnerable. It also reflects Thailand’s cultural heritage through sacred spirit trees, species referenced in classical Thai literature, and jasmine, a symbol of Mother’s Day in Thailand. Pollinator-friendly species include mangrove apple and queen’s crape myrtle.
Water management is another important part of the park’s operation. Harvested or recycled water supplies approximately 25% of irrigation demand, supported by an automated, timer-controlled irrigation system. The planted landscape is estimated to reduce stormwater runoff entering the city’s drainage system by 30–50% compared with a conventional hard-surfaced roof.
While assessment of the park’s environmental performance is ongoing, monitoring conducted within and outside the project area on 13 and 14 March 2026 provided an initial snapshot of conditions. Air temperature within Suan Dusit Arun was recorded at 31°C, compared with 33°C outside the project area. Suspended particulate matter concentrations were also approximately 35% lower within the park during the monitoring period.
“When we conceived Suan Dusit Arun, we wanted it to become an active part of Bangkok’s daily life – a public landscape with a clear social and environmental purpose,” said Chanin Donavanik, Group CEO, Dusit International. “Welcoming more than 951,000 visitors in its first year shows how strongly people value accessible green spaces where they can exercise, learn, connect, and spend time in nature.
“For Dusit, this is how responsible hospitality reaches beyond hotel operations: by creating places that deliver meaningful value for the communities and environments around them. The initial data from Suan Dusit Arun indicates the potential of thoughtful design and responsible operation to improve everyday urban life. We will continue to monitor the park’s performance and report its contribution with care and transparency.”
Beyond its daily public use, Suan Dusit Arun hosted a thoughtfully curated programme of 43 recreational, wellness, and educational events and visits during its first year. Together, these activities engaged more than 9,500 people. They ranged from aerobics, Pilates, and city runs to Children’s Day celebrations, live music, design talks, and study visits by schools and universities.
Partners included Silpakorn University, SCG Packaging Public Company Limited (SCGP), and the Thai Red Cross, as well as schools, community groups, and commercial organisations.
Collaboration with SCGP also extends to waste reduction. Suan Dusit Arun participates in the company’s “Old for New” recycling initiative and separates around 100 kg of cardboard from its operational waste each month for recycling. Event organisers are also encouraged to reduce disposable plastics and choose reusable or recyclable materials wherever practical.
Tree Walk for Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026
To mark Bangkok Climate Action Week 2026, Suan Dusit Arun and Dusit International will collaborate with Big Trees Foundation to host Tree Walk: Discovering the Value of Urban Trees at Suan Dusit Arun on 9 October 2026. Led by landscape architect Touchapon Soontrajarn and professional arborists, the half-day programme will explore how thoughtful landscape design and tree care can support urban cooling, cleaner air, biodiversity, and public well-being.
Running from 0900 to 1130, the event is limited to 30 participants and costs THB250 per person, with all proceeds to be donated to Big Trees Foundation to support urban tree conservation. Registration will be available through the Bangkok Climate Action Week platform.
