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Airbnb app just got smarter

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Newsdesk
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BANGKOK, 27 October 2025: Airbnb is introducing new social features to help travellers connect with other guests before, during and after their experience.

With searches for winter season travel on the rise, Airbnb is releasing improved features, including smarter search, enhanced maps, and a new way to pay with ‘Reserve Now, Pay Later’. Changes also include expanded AI-powered customer support across more countries and languages, as well as more tools to help hosts manage their calendars and pricing.

Photo credit: Airbnb.

In a recent survey, more than seven in 10 respondents said they would like to know more about other guests before booking an experience, including where they’re from.

Direct messaging: Now, in the connections section of your Airbnb Profile tab, you can see the people you’ve met, making it easy to reconnect with them.

Flexible carousels: When searching for a stay, the Airbnb app shows more home options beyond the immediate search criteria. It will show homes with similar prices, different amenities or stays in nearby cities.

Improved maps: Maps filter to show nearby landmarks, attractions, and restaurants. By just tapping on any point of interest, it shows a summary and how far it is from the home searched or booked.

Reserve Now, Pay Later: With this option, guests can reserve an eligible stay and pay zero dollars upfront. Launched in the US earlier this year, it will be available worldwide starting next year for both domestic and international trips.

AI support assistant

More languages, more countries: The AI assistant will be available in English, Spanish and French, for users in the US, Mexico and Canada and worldwide in 2026.

Smarter answers: The assistant can recognise your reservation or your listing and provide quicker, more tailored responses.

Built-in actions: The assistant will offer to take actions right in the chat, with interactive responses for everyday tasks like cancelling a reservation or changing dates.

Upgrades for hosts

Airbnb is rolling out highly-requested features to give hosts more flexibility and insight.

Dynamic cancellation policies: It sets different cancellation policies for specific dates — like holidays or off-peak seasons.

Improved price tips: It shows price tips for dates up to a year in advance and applies all tips with a single tap.

Updated earnings dashboard: Starting next year, hosts can view earnings trends year-over-year and compare seasonal performance in a new tab.

(Source: Airbnb)

Emirates tops JFK Fly Quiet ranking

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Your Stories
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DUBAI, 27 October 2025: Emirates has been awarded the prestigious Gold Tier recognition in New York JFK Airport’s 2024 Fly Quiet Programme, the only airline to achieve this distinction. 

Emirates’ score of 92.9 significantly outpaced other carriers flying into the airport and taking part in the programme.

The Fly Quiet Programme, developed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is a voluntary initiative that encourages airlines to minimise their noise signature by utilising quieter aircraft and adopting noise-abatement procedures and preferential runway usage.

This Gold Tier recognition reflects the airline’s commitment to noise reduction at one of the world’s busiest and most operationally complex airports. Since the programme’s inception, Emirates has collaborated closely with the Port Authority, with the airline’s Flight Operations team making sustained efforts to meet all programme requirements. The latest accolade at one of the world’s busiest international hubs follows a series of industry recognitions in noise management over the years, including Silver Tier status at Newark (EWR) and the Chairperson’s Award at San Francisco (SFO) for the Fly Quiet programmes.

Emirates’ fleet noise levels register a notable cumulative margin, exceeding 12 EPNdB compared to ICAO Chapter 4 requirements[2]. The airline’s all-wide-body fleet and high-capacity operations efficiently transport passengers, while achieving optimised noise output by delivering an average of 1.75 million passenger-kilometres per sector, which involves one arrival and one departure noise event[3]. Simply put, this means fuller aircraft flying non-stop over longer distances, all while optimising noise output.

Operational efficiency from high-capacity, long-range aircraft helps deliver significant overall noise reduction. Consider a route serving 500 daily passengers, which a single Emirates Airbus A380 wide-body completes with one arrival and one departure noise event. Operations on the same routing using smaller aircraft, which have different noise characteristics than Emirates aircraft, may require up to three flights in each direction, including a tech stop, generating a total of six arrival and six departure noise events for the same operation. The nature of the airline’s network and high-capacity operations, driven by a fleet of wide-body aircraft, is how Emirates’ operational model optimises noise output while maintaining vital connectivity for communities.

Air connectivity delivers community benefits that extend far beyond airport boundaries, linking families and friends across continents, generating substantial economic activity in local communities, creating employment opportunities, and facilitating international trade and tourism to drive prosperity.

A commitment to quieter skies

Aircraft noise abatement is vital for protecting the health and quality of life of airport-adjacent communities. The airline’s commitment to minimising its noise impact reflects its support for local communities in the destinations it serves, recognising that even small decisions in flight operations can lead to meaningful noise reduction on the ground.

The airline’s noise reduction strategy pursues every available means while maintaining the highest standards of operational diligence, including:

Compliance with noise abatement and curfews: Emirates’ noise management strategy mandates strict adherence to Noise Abatement Departure Procedures (NADP). These procedures, published by state authorities, are integrated into Emirates’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) and are meticulously followed by all flight crews. The airline also ensures ongoing alignment with airport-specific curfews and restrictions, respecting local guidelines at every destination.

Prioritising noise-preferential runways: Emirates proactively utilises them whenever operationally viable, even in challenging conditions such as tailwinds, provided safety standards are maintained.

Transparent monitoring and accountability: Accountability drives Emirates’ operational approach. Any deviation from noise procedures triggers mandatory crew reports, which undergo rigorous review to identify root causes and implement improvements. This continuous feedback loop supports the airline’s commitment to ongoing improvement and responsible operations.

A quieter fleet: Emirates operates one of the industry’s quietest widebody fleets, achieving cumulative EPNdB margins meeting or better than ICAO Chapter 4 and Chapter 14 standards. Ongoing fleet modernisation investments ensure that noise performance keeps pace with technological advancement and continues to improve in the coming years.

Collaborative engagement with stakeholders: Emirates’ approach to noise management extends beyond technical excellence, with collaborative partnerships central to sharing insights and best practices. The airline actively engages in airport authority roundtables and focus groups. It rigorously complies with all regulatory documentation and reporting requirements, helping to build lasting trust and transparency with regulators and communities alike.

For more information about the airline and to book flights, visit: www.emirates.com  

(Source: Your Stories — Emirates)

Centara elevates Vegetarian Festival experience

By
Your Stories
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BANGKOK 27 October 2025: With just two days left of the annual vegetarian festival that ends on 29 October 2025, Centara Hotels & Resorts is celebrating at the Suan Bua at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok – a pioneer in authentic Thai dining that is redefining the boundaries of plant-based cuisine with a message deeply rooted in Thai wisdom: every food is medicine.

Suan Bua: Where Thai Heritage Meets Healing

For over four decades, Suan Bua has been a culinary landmark for genuine Thai flavours. Today, under the vision of Chef Pairin “Nim” Hahingsa, the restaurant continues its evolution by blending heritage recipes with modern nutritional insight. Guided by the principle of “Food as Medicine”, Suan Bua reinterprets traditional dishes using rare Thai herbs, GI-certified ingredients, and chemical-free produce, proving that food can be both wholesome and indulgent.

“Thai cuisine is more than nourishment—it’s heritage and healing,” says Chef Nim. “Each ingredient carries a purpose. We carefully select herbs and regional produce not only for taste but for their natural therapeutic benefits. At Suan Bua, good food truly is the best medicine.”

Chef Nim, the visionary behind the culinary innovations of Suna Bua

A Pioneering Collaboration with Mahidol University

In a groundbreaking partnership with the Sireeruckhachati Nature Learning Park, under the Faculty of Pharmacy at Mahidol University, Suan Bua gains access to rare medicinal herbs and indigenous plants. These botanicals, such as Kotchula, Kra Chai Dum, and Wankaew, are meticulously integrated into the restaurant’s seasonal vegan menu to naturally enhance wellness. All dishes are prepared à la minute, using no MSG or refined sugar, and sweetened with natural stevia to maintain purity and balance.

Vegan Creations Inspired by Royal Thai Wisdom

This year’s Vegetarian Festival menu reflects the perfect harmony of tradition, taste, and therapeutic value, showcasing vibrant plant-based creations designed to nourish body and soul.

Signature dishes include:

Tofu Herbal Spring Rolls – Freshly wrapped with Japanese mint, holy basil, and Pak Plaw, each herb chosen for its healing qualities.

Kaeng Liang Nop Gao – A royal-inspired vegetable soup with nine seasonal vegetables, symbolising balance and vitality.

Thai Green Curry with Organic Vegetables – A delicate reinterpretation of the Thai classic, made with organic produce and GI-certified rice varieties.

Stevia Pandan Pearls in Ratchaburi Coconut Milk – A fragrant dessert that replaces refined sugar with stevia for a naturally sweet finish.

Championing GI-Certified Thai Produce

Suan Bua’s dishes also celebrate the richness of Thailand’s Geographical Indication (GI)-certified produce, supporting local farmers and sustainable agriculture. Ingredients such as Volcanic Jasmine Rice from Buriram and Single Clove Garlic from Sisaket are thoughtfully featured, connecting diners to the land and its unique terroir.

A Legacy of Wellness and Sustainability

The relaunch of Suan Bua marks a milestone in Centara’s journey toward conscious gastronomy—one that values health, heritage, and harmony with nature, through careful ingredient selection, responsible sourcing, and collaboration with Thailand’s leading academic institutions.

Matsutake Dashi Risotto, a refined East-meets-West dish from Kunsei Restaurant at Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, Japan.

Leading the way year-round

What began as a tribute to Phuket’s Tesagan Gin Je has blossomed into a national Thai food festival, encouraging a culinary movement across Centara Hotels & Resorts. 

From Bangkok and Phuket to the Maldives, Osaka, and Dubai, Centara’s chefs reinterpret Thai vegan cuisine for a global audience — honouring wellness, sustainability, and compassion through flavourful, plant-based dining experiences.

By focusing on seasonal produce, local sourcing, and plant-based proteins, Centara chefs are reducing environmental impact while maintaining rich, authentic flavours. And the journey is far from over. As demand for plant-based dining grows, Centara continues to evolve its menus, ensuring Thai culinary traditions are not only preserved but also carried forward in new and exciting ways.

For more information about Centara, please visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com

(Source: Your Stories — Centara).

HKIA traffic makes headway in September

By
Newsdesk
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HONG KONG, 27 October 2025: Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 4.42 million passengers and 30,080 flight movements in September, marking year-on-year increases of 9.2% and 1.6%, respectively. 

The growth rates were moderate compared with the first eight months of 2025, partly due to multiple typhoons during the month. But significant growth was observed over the past nine months in such origin-destination pairs as the Mainland, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam.

Photo credit: HKIA.

Cargo throughput amounted to 408,000 tonnes, a slight 1.0% drop from September 2024, impacted by typhoon disruptions and ongoing trade policy uncertainty. Traffic to and from North America declined during the month, partially offset by continued growth in cargo traffic to/ from Europe and the Middle East. Bright spots with high growth over the past nine months included Qatar, Hungary, Belgium and the Mainland.

Over the first three quarters of the year, the airport handled 44.7 million passengers while flight movements increased to 290,885, representing year-on-year growth of 14.8% and 8.9%, respectively. Cargo volume rose by 2.2% year-on-year to 3.67 million tonnes.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume rose by 15.8% year-on-year to 58.8 million, while flight movements increased by 10.3% to 387,110. Cargo throughput grew by 4.1% year-on-year to 5.02 million tonnes.

(Source: HKIA)

Chargeback taps Sabre network

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 27 October 2025: Sabre Direct Pay, the travel payments division of Sabre Corporation, introduces a new service designed to help travel companies simplify and scale chargebacks, enabling dispute resolution more efficiently across both issuing and acquiring channels.

Developed in partnership with Chargebacks911, the solution enables users to initiate and represent charge disputes without navigating multiple issuer or acquirer systems, removing the need for separate logins, manual data entry, or technical integration—bringing together what is typically a disjointed set of workflows into a single interface tailored for the travel industry.

Photo credit: Sabre. Sabre Direct Pay – Enhance Your Travel Payment Strategy.

Chargebacks911 will operate as the dispute-resolution engine for the service, providing the expertise, infrastructure, and issuer connectivity required to manage chargebacks at scale. All access and interaction will take place through Sabre Direct Pay, ensuring customers engage with a single, unified platform for both payments and dispute management.

The launch builds on Sabre Direct Pay’s broader efforts to streamline financial operations across the travel industry. Recent partnerships have extended the platform’s footprint across multiple regions and capabilities — from Pay by Bank solutions with Trustly in Europe, to instant cross-border payouts through TerraPay, airline payment orchestration via CellPoint Digital, and large-scale virtual card issuance with Revolut, Sunrate, and WEX.

(Source: Sabre)

Hotel investment will climb in 2026

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 27 October 2025: The Asia Pacific hotel investment market will increase in 2026 as strong travel demand and changing tourism habits will offset global economic volatility and uncertainty. 

According to JLL, investment volumes in 2026 will total approximately USD13.3 billion, up from the revised 2025 forecast of USD11.9 billion.

Nihat Ercan, CEO, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific.

JLL’s forecast underscores a market characterised by strong buyer appetite confronting increasingly constrained asset supply, with safe-haven destinations commanding premium valuations while emerging markets present relative value opportunities. Furthermore, continued macroeconomic uncertainty is driving extended due diligence timelines and heightened focus on cost management among institutional investors, leading to more selective capital deployment strategies across the region, causing a more stable investment outlook.

JLL’s analysis has identified Japan, Singapore, and Australia as remaining highly sought-after destinations in the latter parts of 2025 and into 2026, particularly among private wealth investors targeting landmark assets. Elsewhere, the firm sees opportunities in markets, including Vietnam, which is gaining significant traction as an emerging market.

“A challenging economic environment and uncertainty in geopolitical spheres influence both investment decisions and travel habits. As a result, the Asia Pacific hospitality investment landscape is reflective of a maturing market where quality and operational fundamentals increasingly drive capital allocation decisions,” said JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific CEO Nihat Ercan. “While transaction volumes remain below historical peaks, the underlying tourism recovery story provides compelling support for long-term asset values.”

Market fundamentals remain robust, with UN Tourism forecasting continued international arrivals growth of 3% to 5% throughout 2025. Regional performance data supports this optimism, with international arrivals in the Asia Pacific rising 11% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching 92% of pre-COVID levels. North-East Asia demonstrated the strongest recovery trajectory, with 20% growth, while leading destinations, including Japan and Vietnam, each recorded exceptional 21% increases in arrivals, and South Korea delivered 15% growth. 

Revenue performance metrics further validate a hypothesis of investment stability in 2026. Asia Pacific’s hotel industry has delivered a respectable 3% growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) year-to-date August 2025. 

JLL’s revised 2025 transaction volume forecast of USD11.9 billion reflects the impact of prolonged transaction timelines and enhanced due diligence requirements amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Liquidity is expected to remain concentrated in five core markets — Japan, Australia, Greater China, Singapore, and South Korea — which continue to attract the majority of institutional capital flows.

“Despite near-term headwinds, the structural drivers supporting Asia Pacific hospitality investment remain intact,” said Ercan. “Volatility can’t be ignored, but the region’s growing middle class, strategic geographic positioning, and improving tourism infrastructure create compelling long-term growth prospects that sophisticated institutional investors recognise and are positioning to capture.”

(Source: JLL)

BTN Asia Pacific 2026 recruits buyers

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 27 October 2025: Registration is now open for Business Travel Show Asia Pacific 2026, returning to Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, on 14 to 15 April 2026.

Launched in 2025, the event was created to meet a growing need across the region: a dedicated platform for serious travel buyers, suppliers and solution providers to share insights, strengthen partnerships, and navigate the complexities of corporate travel in the Asia Pacific.

Photo credit: BTN Group.

Backed by more than three decades of Business Travel Show success in Europe and the BTN Group’s long-standing leadership in global business travel, the Asia Pacific edition continues to build momentum as the region’s most relevant meeting place for corporate travel professionals.

Drawing on the legacy of Business Travel Show Europe, the  2026 edition should welcome more than 200 hosted buyers and 75 exhibitors, reflecting the show’s growing influence across the Asia Pacific market.

The 2026 conference programme will continue the show’s focus on timely, practical education developed by the BTN editorial and conference team.

Last year’s agenda featured high-level sessions such as The State of the Industry with BTN’s editorial director Elizabeth West, the Business Travel Innovation Faceoff, and discussions on traveller experience, sustainability, supplier sourcing and travel risk.

Hosted buyers

The hosted buyer programme offers participants complimentary travel to Singapore, two nights of four-star accommodation, access to pre-scheduled one-to-one appointments with exhibitors, entry to networking events, including the hosted buyer dinner, and priority access to all conference sessions.

Registration is free for corporate travel buyers, procurement professionals, travel managers and executive assistants responsible for travel within their organisations. Check Business Travel Show Asia Pacific 2026.

(Source: BTN)

THAI and Drukair sign interline accord

By
Newsdesk
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BANGKOK, 27 October 2025: Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (TG) and Drukair Corporation Limited — Royal Bhutan Airlines (KB) have signed an Interline Agreement to strengthen network connectivity between the two airlines. 

The signing ceremony was held in Paro, Bhutan, between the two airlines represented by Chai Eamsiri, THAI Chief Executive Officer and Tandi Wangchuk, Drukair Chief Executive Officer.

Signing on the dotted line: Tandi Wangchuk, Drukair Chief Executive Officer (left) and Chai Eamsiri, THAI Chief Executive Officer (right).

The collaboration enables passengers to enjoy more convenient travel connectivity by issuing a single ticket for journeys combining flights operated by Thai Airways and Drukair. 

The agreement also provides check-in for both passengers and baggage to the final destination, reducing transit time and enhancing travel convenience via Suvarnabhumi Airport. In addition, passengers can also benefit from cheaper interline fares that offer greater flexibility and value.

Drukair passengers will now have access to Thai Airways’ international network via a seamless connection in Bangkok, offering seamless connections without re-check-in to destinations such as Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Seoul and Tokyo.

(Source: THAI)

Lufthansa Allegris arrives in Japan

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 27 October 2025: Lufthansa Allegris, the airline’s latest onboard travel experience designed for long-haul routes, is now available on flights from Munich, Germany, to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, effective today, Monday, 27 October 2025. 

The first Lufthansa Allegris flight from Tokyo to Munich, LH715, departed the same day at 1045 local time. Served with an Airbus A350-900 aircraft, all classes are fully equipped with the new Allegris product line, including its first class cabin.

Photo credit: Lufthansa. Allegris First Class offering includes two individual suites and the unique Suite Plus in the A350-900 aircraft.

Allegris first class cabin

The Allegris First Class offering includes two individual suites and the unique Suite Plus in the A350-900 aircraft. The furnishings in the first-class suite set new standards. Guests can heat or cool their nearly one-meter-wide seats in the suite according to their personal needs. 

The separate suites set new standards in comfort with ceiling-high walls and a lockable door, a large table and a wide seat, a giant TV screen and wireless over-ear headphones. 

A personal wardrobe provides ample storage so travellers can comfortably change and keep all their personal items at hand. Individual lamps let travellers create their own feel-good atmosphere. 

Currently operating 22 weekly flights from Europe to Japan, the Lufthansa Group is significantly enhancing the experience of Japanese guests at its Munich hub and beyond with the introduction of its Allegris product.

(Source: Lufthansa)

One in seven skip travel insurance

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Newsdesk
-

BRISBANE, Australia, 24 October 2025: Allianz Partners is urging Australian travellers to rethink their approach to travel insurance, following new ICA and DFAT research revealing that one in seven travellers still travels overseas uninsured. 

The findings underscore Allianz Partners’ ongoing commitment to helping Australians when things go wrong overseas.

Photo credit: Allianz Partners: One in seven Aussies skip travel insurance.

“It is concerning that those travellers who might decide against purchasing insurance are doing so because they think a destination is safe, because this doesn’t consider accidents, medical emergencies and travel interruptions that can be very costly if travelling without insurance,” said Allianz Partners Australia Executive Head of Travel Damien Arthur.

Despite growing awareness of travel risks, misconceptions persist about the value of coverage. Two-thirds (65%) of uninsured travellers said they had consciously chosen to forgo coverage, citing beliefs that their destination was safe (31%), that insurance was poor value (27%), or that they could handle emergencies themselves (22%).

The survey found Australians under 30 and those born overseas were significantly more likely to travel uninsured, with 23% of both groups reporting they did not purchase travel insurance on their last trip. Travellers visiting friends, relatives, or returning to their home country were also more likely to skip coverage, often citing short trips or familiarity with their destination.

“The reality is nobody plans for things to go wrong,” Arthur noted. “Even in destinations considered safe, such as Japan, medical emergencies can result in claims worth tens of thousands of dollars, covering hospital care, extended accommodation, and repatriation.”

For more information, visit http://www.allianz.com.au/travel-insurance.  

About Allianz Australia
Allianz Partners is a world leader in B2B2C insurance and assistance, offering global solutions that span travel insurance, assistance and health insurance. Present in over 75 countries, the group handles over 72.5 million cases annually.

ICA & DFAT Travel Insurance Survey
Data derived from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Travel Insurance Survey 2025. The survey was conducted independently by Quantum Market Research to assess traveller understanding of risk, behaviours and awareness of travel insurance.

(Source: Allianz Partners)

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