STOCKHOLM, 19 February 2026: The idea of escaping to a private island has long symbolised the ultimate dream for many, with islands embodying not just luxury but also space, rest and recovery.
Sweden now offers the opportunity to make this dream come true by providing five of the country’s islands to international travellers for one year of use.
Photo credit: Henrik Trygg/imagebank.sweden.se. The Stockholm Archipelago, with over 30,000 islands, is Sweden’s largest archipelago. As long as you cause no harm or disturbance, you are free to set up camp virtually anywhere you want, thanks to the Swedish Freedom to Roam.
A recent global YouGov survey found that people are drawn to silence, fresh air, and free access to nature.
77% said they would consider visiting a Swedish island. 44% of respondents said they would gladly escape the crowds by going to their own island. In Germany and France, one in five admits they’d appreciate some time away from their life partner.
The initiative, Your Swedish Island, now redefines luxury as simplicity, space, and nature rather than exclusivity or excess. Sweden has 267,570 islands.
“Sweden has more islands than any other country in the world, and we would like to invite people to enjoy what may be the most genuine form of luxury: the peace and tranquillity of nature on your own island”, says Visit Sweden CEO Susanne Andersson.
The initiative, launched by Visit Sweden in partnership with the National Property Board, welcomes travellers to apply to become custodians of one of five carefully selected islands. Each location is secluded yet close enough to a local community for essentials—whether it’s picking up groceries, sending a letter, or joining a traditional Midsummer celebration.
International travellers are welcome to upload videos explaining why they deserve a one-year right to use one of the five selected islands. A jury will select successful applicants based on creativity and personal motivation, who win a trip to Sweden.
“If you don’t get one of these islands, don’t worry. Sweden has many more for everyone to enjoy,” says Andersson.
SINGAPORE, 19 February: Tripadvisor, a travel guidance platform pioneer, announced this week the 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Beaches.
Based on a comprehensive analysis of millions of traveller reviews from the past 12 months, these awards celebrate the world’s most extraordinary coastal destinations. Awards span multiple categories, including best in the World, the US, and the newly introduced award category, ‘One of a Kind” beaches’.
Photo credit: Tripadvisor. Top of the table: Isla Pasion – Cozumel, México.
The 2026 awards showcase diverse coastlines, from Mexico’s pristine Isla Pasion, named the best in the world, to California’s La Jolla Cove, which claims the US top spot.
“For many travellers, the beach is the main event,” said Tripadvisor Chief Communications Officer Laurel Greatrix. “Based on millions of trips, reviews, and opinions, these awards highlight the very best beaches in the world — making it easier to decide where to go and how to spend your time once you’re there.”
From secluded coves to bustling shorelines, each beach has earned its place through firsthand traveller feedback. The comprehensive rankings not only help travellers discover their ideal beach destination but also showcase the best tours and activities in the area.
Top 10 Beaches in the World for 2026
1. Isla Pasion – Cozumel, México
Good for: Private island oasis, crystal-clear waters, marine life encounters, and snorkelling, which travellers can book through this Catamaran Snorkel Adventure to El Cielo and The Money Bar Beach experience.
Good for: Pink sand phenomenon, shallow lagoons, protected nature reserve, and can be easily accessed from Chania through the Elafonissi Beach Trip from Chania tour.
Best time to go: May & September
Unique features: Rare pink sand created by crushed shells
3. Balos Lagoon – Kissamos, Greece
Good for: Turquoise lagoon waters, dramatic landscapes, and Instagram-worthy vistas like this Balos & Gramvousa Luxury Catamaran Sailing Cruise from Kissamos experience.
Best time to go: April-June, September-October.
Unique features: Former pirate hideout, protected Natura 2000 site.
4. Eagle Beach – Eagle Beach, Aruba
Good for: Pristine white sand, watersports paradise, activities like this 3-Hour Electric Scooter Island Tour in Arubadivi.
Good for: Ochre cliffs with spectacular views that can be experienced during this Benagil and Dolphins Tour.
Best time to go: April-October.
Unique features: Dramatic red cliff formations.
6. Banana Beach – Ko He, Thailand
Good for: Crystal-clear waters and vibrant coral reefs with amazing snorkelling that travellers can book through this Banana Beach Snorkelling Adventure.
Best time to go: November-March.
Unique features: Part of the Racha Islands, a premier diving destination.
7. La Jolla Cove – California, USA
Good for: Sea lion colonies, an underwater park, and kayaking adventures like the Sea Caves Kayak Tour.
Good for: Caribbean-like waters and ancient watchtower views, available on the Half Day Catamaran Tour to La Pelosa with Aperitif.
Best time to go: June-September.
Unique features: 16th-century Torre della Pelosa.
9. Manly Beach – Sydney, Australia
Good for: Surf culture, beachside promenade, a scenic Sydney Harbour Ferry Ride.
Best time to go: September-May.
Unique features: Historic surfing beach, pine tree-lined Corso.
10. Boulders Beach Penguin Colony – Simon’s Town, South Africa
Good for: African penguin sanctuary, granite boulders that travellers can experience during the Table Mountain, Boulders Penguins and Cape Point Day Tour.
Best time to go: September-April.
Unique features: One of the few mainland penguin colonies globally.
Introducing the “One of a Kind” Beach Category
For 2026, Tripadvisor introduces a new category celebrating beaches offering unique experiences beyond the traditional sun and sand. South Africa’s Boulders Beach Penguin Colony leads this list, where visitors can see endangered African penguins in their natural habitat.
DELHI, 19 February 2026: Air India and Lufthansa Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to establish the framework for a joint business agreement between Air India’s and Lufthansa Group’s carriers and subsidiaries, including Air India Express, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), and other affiliated airlines.
Building on their existing codeshare agreements and shared membership in Star Alliance, the MoU enables the carriers to explore ways to enhance connectivity between India and major European markets and to offer travellers a more seamless and consistent experience across some of the world’s busiest routes on a single ticket.
Photo credit: Air India. The agreement explores ways to build on codeshares to expand routes and markets.
The MoU — signed by Air India Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Campbell Wilson and Lufthansa Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Carsten Spohr — is intended to leverage opportunities created by the recent conclusion of the landmark India-European Union Free Trade Agreement.
Subject to requisite regulatory and antitrust approvals, the carriers intend to collaborate across multiple areas, including coordinated route planning and flight schedules in specific markets to enhance customer convenience and connectivity, as well as joint sales, marketing, and distribution initiatives.
Further cooperation would include joint development and coordination to improve the customer experience across areas such as frequent flyer programmes and IT infrastructure.
The MoU initially focuses on increasing passenger traffic between Air India’s home market and the Lufthansa Group’s core home market region, which includes Germany, Austria, Belgium, Italy, and Switzerland. It also proposes to include the rest of Europe and the Indian subcontinent, creating opportunities for future expansion. The precise scope, including specific routes and markets, will be finalised once a comprehensive joint business agreement is formed, subject to regulatory approvals.
Air India and Lufthansa Group carriers currently codeshare on 145 routes across 15 Indian and 29 European cities and 20 countries. In February 2025, Air India and the Lufthansa Group announced an expansion of codeshare agreements among Air India, Lufthansa, SWISS, and Austrian Airlines.
India and the European Union are two of the world’s strongest economies, together representing nearly 25% of global GDP. According to the European Commission, the EU is India’s largest trading partner for goods, with bilateral trade exceeding €120 billion in 2024. The EU ranks India as its ninth-largest trading partner, accounting for 2.4% of the EU’s total trade in goods in 2024.
Dubai, UAE, 18 February 2026: Emirates and Loong Air have signed an interline agreement, expanding Emirates’ presence in China and giving its customers access to additional cities beyond its own gateways.
Effective now, Emirates customers have access to 22 points across China operated by Loong Air, including Hangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The cities span several regions across East, Northeast, South, Central, and Southwest China.
The partnership offers customers the convenience of booking multi-airline itineraries with a single fare, along with a single seamless baggage policy and consistent fare conditions throughout their journey. Emirates’ expanded reach in China will further enhance connectivity for leisure and business travellers alike, unlocking convenient access to key domestic hubs including Zhengzhou, Changchun, Haikou, Xiangyang, and Dazhou.
Tickets can be purchased on www.emirates.com, through online travel agencies (OTAs), and via travel agents via major GDS. Customers booking through Emirates’ official website can also use online payment methods such as WeChat Pay and Alipay.
Emirates in China
The launch of an interline agreement with Loong Air is part of Emirates’ ongoing commitment to the Chinese market. Last year, the airline launched flights to two new destinations – Shenzhen and Hangzhou, and has further enhanced its product offerings by deploying its award-winning Premium Economy on these new routes, in addition to bringing back its iconic A380 on Shanghai flights.
Emirates has operated in mainland China since 2004. Today, the airline serves five major cities with 49 weekly flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Hangzhou, operating a mix of A380s, A350s, and Boeing 777s.
In addition to Loong Air, Emirates partners with Air China, China Southern Airlines, and Sichuan Airlines, offering customers access to more than 110 points in China beyond its own network via its existing 5 gateways.
About Loong Air Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co Ltd (abbreviation: Loong Air) was founded on 19 April 2011. It launched passenger services on 29 December, 2013. Headquartered in Hangzhou, the airline has established branches in Xi’an, Chengdu, and Guangzhou.
SHARJAH, UAE; 18 February 2026: Air Arabia, arguably the largest budget carrier operator in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced its strongest-ever financial and operational performance for the full year ended 31 December 2025.
Air Arabia posted a record pre-tax net profit of AED1.8 billion for the full year ended 31 December 2025, reflecting a 14% increase compared to AED1.6 billion in 2024.
Photo credit: Air Arabia’s Airbus A320/A321 family jets.
Total turnover for the year exceeded AED7.78 billion, up 15% from AED6.76 billion in 2024.
During the year, Air Arabia continued to execute its growth strategy by expanding its network across its six operating hubs, adding 30 new routes.
This expansion drove a 10% increase in operational capacity and a 16% rise in total passengers carried, bringing the group’s total to 21.8 million. Average seat load factor — the percentage of available seats occupied — improved by 4 percentage points to 85%, reflecting sustained demand strength and the efficiency of the airline’s value-driven operating model.
In the fourth quarter ending 31 December 2025, Air Arabia reported a record net profit of AED405 million, up 15% from AED351 million in the same quarter last year. Total turnover for the fourth quarter of 2025 rose 26% to AED2.12 billion, driven by a 22% increase in passenger numbers, as the airline carried over 5.7 million passengers across all hubs during the quarter.
Seat load factor increased by 5%, reaching a strong 87%, reflecting sustained demand for Air Arabia’s services.
Full Year 2025 Highlights
Fleet
· In 2025, nine Airbus A320 family aircraft were added to the fleet, including five brand-new A320neo delivered under the company’s 120-aircraft Airbus order, and four long-term leased A320ceo supporting network expansion requirements.
· As of 31 December, 2025, Air Arabia’s total operating fleet expanded to 90 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, excluding five short-term lease aircraft deployed to support peak seasonal demand across the group.
Network
· Air Arabia added a total of 30 new routes to its global network across its operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan, bringing the total network size to 219 routes.
· The operational capacity available across all hubs increased by 10% during the full year 2025 compared to the previous year.
PHUKET, 18 February 2026: C9 Hotelworks’ Phuket Property Exchange will go live on 11 March, featuring practical learning sessions that bring together the trends, tools, and tactics driving Phuket property sales, says C9 Hotelworks CEO Bill Barnett.
Powered by FazWaz, with Delivering Asia, this limited-edition, two-and-a-half-hour event will take place on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, at the SAii Laguna Phuket, Similan Ballroom.
Photo credit: Bill Barnett, C9 Hotelworks.
C9 Hotelworks describes its latest event as “a toolkit for property sellers delivering real-world insights through focused discussions on demand drivers, lead generation and conversion, and sales tactics that build buyer confidence, strengthen standards, and close deals.”
Complimentary registration is now open for a programme that will deliver a tightly curated agenda that bridges strategy, storytelling, and sales execution, beginning with the prequel to The New Language of Luxury, Decoding Demand, Desire, and Decision-Making.
This opening sequence reframes luxury as a “lived experience”, with insights from Frank Cancelloni of Jim Thompson Group on how fashion, cuisine, and brand heritage shape residential value, alongside perspectives on aspirational travel and lifestyle design that influence buyer psychology at the highest end of the market.
The momentum continues into the main event with future-focused sessions led by Michael Kenner of FazWaz, who will unpack how technology, data, and digital platforms are reshaping how Phuket real estate is marketed and sold, setting the tone for a practical, insight-driven exchange that connects lifestyle influence with real-world transaction outcomes.
As one of Asia’s most established resort markets, Phuket’s real estate sector is entering a new phase — one defined by higher buyer expectations, increased competition, and a growing need for professionalism. What once relied heavily on location and lifestyle appeal now demands stronger knowledge, clearer standards, and more sophisticated sales execution.
Commenting on the event, C9 Hotelworks’ managing director Bill Barnett noted: “For agents, developers, and advisors, success is increasingly driven by trust, transparency, and the ability to adapt to evolving market dynamics.”
To view the full programme and for complementary registration, CLICK
SINGAPORE, 18 February 2026: Malaysia and Thailand are the most preferred visa-free international destinations for Indian travellers, according to the latest accommodation search data from the digital travel platform Agoda.
Indonesia continues to lead among destinations offering visa-on-arrival (VOA) to Indian outbound travellers.
The data show an uptick in interest compared to last year for destinations across Asia that offer easy entry requirements and diverse leisure and cultural experiences for the Indian market.
Agoda analysed accommodation search data generated in India for both visa‑free and VOA destinations, between 1 and 18 January 2026, for check‑in dates between February and March 2026.
The top five destinations, offering either visa-free or VOA status, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives, led the field.
Thailand (visa-free) and Indonesia (VOA) are firm favourites, offering a diverse mix of beaches, culture, and adventure, while Malaysia (visa-free) combines urban and natural experiences.
Sri Lanka (VOA) recorded notable growth in accommodation searches, registering a 61% increase compared to last year, supported by its proximity and diverse offerings. The Maldives (visa-free) continues to draw Indian travellers seeking premium island escapes and short-haul luxury stays. Together, these destinations underscore how Indian travellers are choosing destinations that offer strong value and simplified entry.
Beyond the top five, the Philippines (visa-free) ranked sixth and recorded 73% year-on-year growth in searches, driven by interest from beach-loving, adventure-oriented travellers, with water sports remaining a key draw.
Nepal (visa-free) ranked seventh, and Kazakhstan (visa-free) ranked eighth. Both rely on their distinctive Central Asian landscapes, while Bhutan (visa-free), ranked ninth, attracts travellers drawn to wellness and cultural immersion.
Laos (VOA) ranked 10th and recorded the strongest search growth among all top destinations with a 97% increase, positioning itself as a culturally rich alternative within Southeast Asia, aided by simplified visa access and growing awareness among Indian travellers.
Commenting on the trend, Agoda Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Gaurav Malik said: “Indian travellers are becoming increasingly intentional about their travel choices, with ease of visa accessibility playing a decisive role.
“Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report also revealed that if visa restrictions were not a factor, 84% of Indians would travel more frequently.
“91% said that they would be open to exploring new destinations, the highest among their Asian peers. Furthermore, the growing search interest in emerging destinations such as Laos and the Philippines, alongside established favourites, reflects a growing appetite for diverse, culturally immersive yet hassle-free international travel.”
Agoda’s latest research comes as Thailand is reviewing its visa-free stay period, which could be reduced from 60 to 30 days to avert security concerns.
If the proposal gains approval at the Thai Cabinet level, it could ultimately slow travel from the Indian market, which has been a lifeline for Thailand’s beleaguered travel industry since the COVID-19 pandemic era, 2020 to 2022.
SINGAPORE, 18 February 2026: JCB International Co Ltd, the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co Ltd, Japan’s international payment brand, has announced a new collaboration with Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd. (RWS), targeted at Japanese tourists.
The partnership with RWS is designed to enhance the travel experience for Japanese visitors to Singapore.
Photo credit: Resorts World Sentosa. Chinese New Year celebrations run through to 3 March at Universal Studios.
Located on Sentosa, Singapore’s resort island, Resorts World Sentosa is one of the nation’s leading integrated lifestyle destinations, welcoming millions of local and international visitors annually across its attractions, dining, entertainment and lifestyle offerings. This collaboration aims to curate meaningful experiences that enhance every stage of the visitor journey for Japanese guests.
JCB and RWS have now launched exclusive privileges for Japan-issued JCB cardmembers visiting Singapore’s leading integrated resort. Under this collaboration, eligible JCB cardmembers booking online will enjoy:
Up to 20% savings on selected attractions and accommodation experiences;
Dining and retail privileges at participating outlets within RWS attractions.
DELHI, 18 February 2026: Air India will deploy aircraft with new, retrofitted, or upgraded cabin interiors on additional international routes as part of its northern summer timetable 2026, which begins late March and runs through to the end of October 2026.
The changes to Air India’s schedule and product deployment on select international routes are as follows.
Photo credit: Air India. Business Class on Air India’s B777-300 ERs
Between February and March 2026
Effective 14 February, Air India’s Delhi-Tokyo (Haneda) operates with B787-9 aircraft, featuring a three-class cabin configuration, introducing Premium Economy on the route. This deployment adds 2408 seats between Delhi and Tokyo (Haneda) every month.
Starting 1 March, Delhi-Toronto frequency increases from seven weekly to 10 weekly.
Starting 29 March, Delhi-Seoul (Incheon) frequency increases from five to six weekly, and the newly launched Delhi-Shanghai flights increase from four to five weekly, adding 2048 seats per month on each route.
From 1 July 2026
Mumbai-London (Heathrow) flights will operate with a combination of Air India’s new B787-9 and retrofitted legacy B787-8 aircraft, both featuring all-new cabin interiors. These flights will replace the currently deployed B777-300ER on the route, which already features upgraded cabin interiors.
Delhi-Melbourne daily flights will operate on Air India’s B777-300ER, featuring upgraded cabin interiors and the introduction of First Class on the route. The aircraft features eight First Class suites, 40 fully flat beds in Business Class, and 280 seats in Economy Class, adding nearly 4,000 seats per month between Delhi and Melbourne.
From 1 August 2026
Bengaluru-London (Heathrow) flights will operate with the airline’s retrofitted B787-8 aircraft, featuring new cabin interiors, thus introducing Premium Economy on the route. With this, all Air India flights to and from London (Heathrow) will be serviced by aircraft featuring new cabin interiors.
Seven weekly flights on the Delhi-Toronto route will operate with Air India’s new B787-9 aircraft, featuring an all-new three-class cabin and the introduction of Premium Economy. The remaining three weekly flights will continue to operate with Air India’s legacy B777-300ER. More than 50% of Air India’s North America flights will be operated with new or upgraded cabin interiors.
Air India’s flights to Birmingham from Amritsar and Delhi, and to London (Gatwick) from Ahmedabad and Amritsar, will be operated with the legacy B777-300ER, replacing the currently deployed B787-8 and introducing First Class on these routes.
New and retrofitted B787s
Air India began retrofitting its legacy B787-8 aircraft last year, with 26 aircraft to be refitted with brand-new cabin interiors custom-styled for Air India and repainted in the airline’s new livery. The first two of these retrofitted aircraft are expected to return to service in the coming weeks, with several more to be retrofitted progressively throughout 2026.
Additionally, Air India expects deliveries of three new, line-fit (or made-for-Air India) B787-9 and two line-fit A350-1000 aircraft in 2026.
HONG KONG, 18 February 2026: Hong Kong International Airport will open new passenger departure facilities at Terminal 2 on 27 May 2026.
The announcement was made by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) Chairman Fred Lam and Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan during the Chinese New Year celebrations at HKIA on Monday.
Photo credit: AAHK. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) chairman, Fred Lam.
The passenger facilities of the expanded T2 are commissioned in phases to mirror passenger traffic demand trends. Launching the T2 departure facilities in May will enable HKIA to meet the anticipated surge in passengers during the summer peak season, providing a new and more convenient travel experience.
Seamlessly connected to the Airport Express platform and Terminal 1, the expanded T2 will offer next-generation smart check-in facilities. T2 is designed to be a trendy space for leisure travellers, served by approximately 15 airlines that primarily operate short-haul and regional routes. The airlines will move to T2 in phases.
AAHK has been working closely with relevant government departments, airlines, passenger handling agents and other stakeholders to prepare for the commissioning of T2’s departure facilities, with a robust, comprehensive programme of familiarisation activities, training sessions, drills, and exercises already underway.
The Coach Hall at T2 commenced operations on 23 September 2025 as the first phase launch of the new terminal. The Coach Hall provides 41 parking bays for tour buses, cross-boundary coaches, limousines, crew and resident coaches, as well as ticketing counters for cross-boundary transport connecting with more than 110 destinations in the Greater Bay Area.
