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Pattisons on Salvation Army assignment in Bangkok

BANGKOK 15 September 2026: Australian travel industry figures Rodney and Nongnuch Pattison are beginning a new chapter in their lives, relocating to Bangkok following international appointments with The Salvation Army in Thailand.

The appointments bring together the couple’s extensive experience in travel, tourism, business, operations and community engagement with a longstanding commitment to service.

Auxiliary Lieutenant Nongnuch Pattison has been appointed to Business & Operational Support and Social & Community Services in Bangkok.

Auxiliary Lieutenant Rodney Pattison has been appointed to Social & Community Services and National Lead, Partnership & Fundraising, a role that will see him develop relationships with businesses, organisations, supporters and communities across Thailand.

Rodney and Nuch are well known to many in Australia’s travel industry. They are also friends and colleagues whose careers I have followed with considerable interest.

Rodney’s early expertise included website marketing and using website software as a strategic business tool at a time when the travel industry was only beginning to appreciate its commercial potential.

Through their travel company, Travel Connections, Rodney and Nuch subsequently developed considerable expertise in the Australian cruise market

The company became particularly well regarded for efficiently handling cruise passengers and the complex logistics of embarkation and disembarkation, an area requiring meticulous organisation, communication, and attention to detail.

Those skills should translate well into their new responsibilities involving operations, partnerships, fundraising and community engagement.

The Pattisons’ association with The Salvation Army is also deeply personal. Rodney comes from a family with strong Salvation Army connections, and the organisation’s traditions of faith, service, and music have influenced him throughout his life. His father was closely involved with The Salvation Army in Australia, while music also became a bond between father and son, both accomplished musicians.

“Nuch and I are deeply honoured to have been appointed to serve in Thailand,” Rodney said. “After many years connected with the travel industry, we are looking forward to using our experience, relationships and skills in a very different way, supporting communities and helping strengthen the work of The Salvation Army in Thailand.”

Friends and colleagues from Thailand’s travel, tourism and business communities are invited to welcome Rodney and Nongnuch at a special gathering on Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 1030 at The Salvation Army Foundation, Preecha Complex, Ratchadaphisek Road 20, Bangkok.

“Thailand has been an important part of our lives for many years,” Rodney added. “We would love to see friends from across the travel and tourism industry join us in Bangkok.”

For two people whose professional lives have long been about connecting people and places, Bangkok now marks the beginning of a very different journey, one centred on service, community and giving something back.

About the author
Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. A longstanding member of Skål International, he is a former Director and Past President of Skål International Asia, Thailand and Bangkok. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Skål International Bangkok and a member of the Skål Asia Board. He writes on travel, tourism, hospitality and Asia-Pacific industry developments.

Klook seals two deals in Vietnam

SINGAPORE, 15 September 2026: Vietnam’s tourism sector is having a record year. The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) recorded close to 13.9 million international arrivals in the first seven months of 2026, up 13.8% year-on-year. 

Klook, a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, is backing that momentum with two new strategic Memorandum of Understanding partnerships and its KREATORVERSE 2026 content creator summit, held in Da Nang and Phu Quoc in late August.

Photo credit: Klook. Signing ceremony with Sun Hospitality.

Vietnam: a market on the rise

Vietnam continues to cement its position among Asia’s fastest-growing destinations, and Klook’s internal data mirrors this trend, recording a 72% year-on-year surge in Vietnam travel demand for 2026.

Notably, travellers are increasingly exploring beyond traditional hotspots, with significant demand for emerging destinations. While Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi remain popular transit hubs in Vietnam, Klook is seeing 30% to 40% growth in secondary cities such as Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Sapa, and Ha Long. Alongside that, a slew of fast-growing emerging destinations such as Tay Ninh, Hoa Lu (Ninh Binh), and Haiphong are recording growth of 120% to over 200%, signalling a broadening traveller appetite for Vietnam’s less-traversed destinations.

Building the ecosystem

The new partnerships with Vinpearl and Sun Hospitality and Entertainment, two of Vietnam’s largest attraction operators, deepen Klook’s presence in the destinations already driving Vietnam’s tourism boom.

“As Vietnam’s tourism sector continues to grow, we want Vinpearl to be at the heart of that story, welcoming more of the world to Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, and beyond. Our partnership with Klook is an important step toward that ambition, connecting international travellers with the destinations we’re building for Vietnam’s future,” says Vinpearl Deputy CEO of Sales & Marketing Tran Thu Thuy.

“As more travellers look to Vietnam for their next trip, we want Sun Hospitality and Entertainment (SHE) destinations to be part of that journey. Our partnership with Klook is a step toward bringing these experiences to more travellers worldwide. We also hope that the innovative solutions developed through this partnership will serve as a catalyst not only for Sun Hospitality & Entertainment, but also for Vietnam’s tourism industry — accelerating digital transformation, enhancing the overall visitor experience, and setting new benchmarks for service excellence,”  Sun Group Deputy CEO Sun Hospitality and Entertainment Tran Nguyen explains.

“Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing travel markets in Asia, and these partnerships reflect our long-term commitment to shaping how that growth happens, not just capturing it,” says Klook Vice President, Corporate Development CS Soong. “Beyond distributing Vietnam’s extensive portfolio of experiences to our customers, we’re actively helping build the ecosystem to curate them and make them more discoverable, working alongside partners like Vinpearl and Sun Hospitality Entertainment to develop the supply behind Vietnam’s next wave of destinations.”

The new MOUs focus on curating experiences that support destination development, while strengthening how Klook drives and captures demand for Vietnam. Under the MOUs, Klook and its partners will collaborate across three areas:

● Marketing engagement: joint offline activations, on-ground events, and content creator familiarisation trips, targeting key markets such as Southeast Asia, India, China, and Vietnam (domestic).

● Strategic expansion and product development: supporting new site launches and curating exclusive offerings and deals.

● Data-sharing and performance review: regular exchange of on-the-ground market insights to inform joint planning.

Experience-led travel: the new source of destination competitiveness

Asia is proving increasingly resilient as a travel region, drawing a growing share of global demand amidst shifting travel patterns. Within that growth, the depth and distinctiveness of on-the-ground experiences increasingly set individual destinations apart.

Klook’s latest Travel Pulse 2026 study shows how experiences are driving travel decisions in 2026 and beyond. 23% of APAC travellers begin planning with a specific activity and determine their destination from there, and 73% of APAC travellers say they would visit a secondary or lesser-known city specifically to attend a unique local event, festival, or activity.

Photo credit: Klook. Klook and Vinpearl sign an MOU.

(Source: Klook)

Emirates scores strong summer boost

DUBAI, 15 September 2026: Emirates carried over 8.6 million passengers between July and August; arrivals into Dubai on Emirates in the second half of August alone were up 7% on the same period in 2025.

Fleet and network: 104 aircraft retrofitted to date; Premium Economy now available on 137 aircraft. 18 aircraft delivered since January, with six more A350s arriving before year-end.

Photo credit: Emirates.

Bookings for winter, beginning in late October, are tracking positively despite a broader shift where customers are making travel decisions closer to departure. South Africa, Brazil, India, Portugal, Egypt, Ghana, Colombia, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are among the markets where demand is currently tracking ahead of last year, alongside Nepal through Emirates’ partnership with flydubai.

Strong summer demand

Emirates services to and from West Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa all recorded seat load factors well above 75% during the summer, with particularly strong performance on routes to and from Indonesia, Côte d’Ivoire and across the UK.

Over the summer, the airline boosted its flexibility proposition with one free date change anywhere across the network, and unlimited free date changes to Dubai. It also reduced refund fees on Dubai journeys. It introduced Comprehensive Travel Cover, a first-of-its-kind policy which includes medical cover protecting against conflict and airspace disruption, backed by airline-managed accommodation, ground support and rebooking where needed.

More destinations 

Emirates’ network will continue to expand heading into winter, with new destinations, additional frequencies and more of its latest aircraft deployed across key markets.

Helsinki joins the Emirates network on 1 October, launching with the A350. The aircraft currently serves 30 destinations from Dubai, increasing to 36 by year-end.

Emirates is also adding capacity on several routes to meet demand. Accra, Tokyo Narita, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi will receive second daily services, while one of the airline’s daily Delhi services will be upgraded to an A380.

Emirates will deploy the A350 to Larnaca, Malta, Nairobi and Hamburg from late October, followed by Mauritius in November. Retrofitted Boeing 777s will be introduced to Stockholm in October and Frankfurt in November, extending Emirates’ latest onboard products to more markets.

Beyond its own network, Emirates’ 168 codeshare, interline and intermodal partnerships give customers access to an additional 1,750 cities. On an average day, more than 13,000 Emirates customers connect to their destinations on services operated by partner airlines.

(Source: Emirates)

SriLankan appoints acting CEO

NEW DELHI, 15 September 2026: Vipul Misra has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, effective from 9 September, the airline reports.

Photo credit: SriLankan. Vipul Misra, acting CEO, SriLankan.

In a press statement, the airline said the acting CEO brings over two decades of aircraft engineering and aviation leadership experience to the assignment.

Misra’s background spans major commercial carriers, including Air India, Vistara, Indigo, SpiceJet, Kingfisher Airlines, and Air Deccan. 

His expertise across legacy, full-service, and low-cost carriers should provide strong technical and operational direction during this interim period, as Sri Lanka’s national carrier works to enhance performance and long-term sustainability.

Meanwhile, the airline reported that its services to the Middle East are back in full force, with the resumption of six weekly flights to Kuwait, completing the restoration of its network across the region. SriLankan’s Middle East network spans Riyadh, Dammam, Dubai, Doha and Kuwait.

(Source: SriLankan)

Armenia names new tourism chief

SINGAPORE, 15 September 2026: Anushik Avetyan has been appointed Chairperson of the Tourism Committee of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, effective from 2 September.

Avetyan brings experience in public policy, international economic cooperation, investment attraction and management, strategic advocacy and partnership. Most recently, she served as Deputy Minister of Economy, where she worked on Armenia’s international economic cooperation agenda. 

Photo credit: Armenia Tourism Committee. Anushik Avetyan, chairperson of the Tourism Committee.

She coordinated and advanced Armenia–EU economic cooperation, oversaw policy development in the knowledge-based economy and intellectual property rights, and led the development and implementation of investment programs.

Previously, Avetyan served as Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Armenia, where she worked closely with government, international organisations, and the private sector, while leading the organisation’s advocacy, communications, and partnership activities.

She has also held positions at the Asian Development Bank, the Government of Armenia and the Eurasia Partnership Foundation. 

Commenting on her appointment, Avetyan said: “I am honoured to lead the Tourism Committee at an important stage in the development of Armenia’s tourism sector. I firmly believe that Armenia has all the potential to become a leading international tourism destination — a country of diverse experiences, where history and culture, nature and adventure, gastronomy and wellness come together throughout the year.

“Our ambition is not only to attract more visitors to Armenia, but to offer experiences that are truly memorable and inspire people to return again and again. We will focus on strengthening Armenia’s international positioning and brand, expanding cooperation with global partners, empowering the tourism industry and creating the conditions for sustainable, inclusive and long-term growth.”

(Source: Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia)

Explora releases 2027-2028 sailings

SINGAPORE, 15 September 2026: Explora Journeys introduces two new Journey Collections for the traditional Northern Winter 2027-2028 season, offering South America aboard EXPLORA I  and the Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands aboard EXPLORA V.

These new Journey Collections join the previously announced programme, complementing EXPLORA II and EXPLORA IV in the Caribbean and EXPLORA III in Asia.

Photo credit: Explora.

EXPLORA I

From December 2027 to March 2028, EXPLORA I takes full advantage of the Southern Hemisphere summer, charting a course through the contrasting landscapes and natural wonders of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Chile.

Guests will experience tropical shores, golden coastlines and festive celebrations, including Christmas at sea and New Year’s Eve on the Brazilian seafront. 

Five overnight stays in ports such as Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn and Rio de Janeiro promise lingering evenings, complemented by eight late departures in coastal cities ranging from Balneário Camboriú and Port Stanley to Rio and Maceiจฎ. Unveiling 20 maiden destinations along the way, including 12 in Brazil, the ship will move from lively cultural hubs into the raw, untamed majesty of the far south.

Sweeping towards Patagonia, the itinerary connects Montevideo and the wildlife-rich waters of the Beagle Channel with Puerto Williams, Punta Arenas and the legendary shores of Cape Horn. The route passes glaciers, fjords and isolated archipelagos, delivering pristine wilderness alongside refined oceanfront living.

EXPLORA V 

From December 2027 to April 2028, EXPLORA’s inaugural season begins by exploring the Western and Central Mediterranean and North Africa. In January, the ship sails into the Atlantic before returning to the Mediterranean in March. 

(Source: Explora)

Fliggy and Eastar Jet announce partnership

HANGZHOU, China, 15 September 2026: Fliggy, a leading online travel services platform and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group and Eastar Jet, a South Korean budget airline, signed a partnership agreement in Hangzhou on 10 September. 

The two companies will explore new “Flight+” bundle products and service scenarios built on Fliggy’s agentic AI travel assistant and Alibaba’s Qwen models. 

From left: Eastar Jet Chairman and CEO Cho Jung-seok and Fliggy Vice President and General Manager of Transportation Li Chen.

Eastar Jet plans to launch dedicated ticketing initiatives and policies for Fliggy users, drawing on Fliggy’s livestreaming, key opinion leader (KOL), and wider digital marketing resources to build its brand presence in China and improve conversion efficiency.

Eastar Jet flies routes across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Central Asia, with China among its most densely served markets. It currently operates round-trip flights between cities in South Korea and Shanghai, Yanji, Zhangjiajie, Yantai and Zhengzhou in the Chinese mainland, as well as the Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan markets.

China and South Korea now rank among each other’s top outbound travel destinations. Fliggy data shows bookings for South Korea travel products by Chinese travellers grew more than 40% year over year (YoY) during the recent summer, while flight bookings by Korean travellers to China rose by nearly 100% YoY over the same period.

Eastar Jet Chairman and CEO Cho Jung-seok said: “We look forward to expanding our reach among Chinese travellers through our partnership with Fliggy, one of China’s leading online travel platforms, and unlocking new demand for travel to South Korea. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our collaboration with partners across China, encouraging more travellers to explore South Korea while strengthening tourism exchanges between the two countries and supporting the growth of tourism economies.”

Fliggy Vice President and General Manager of Transportation  Li Chen added: “We are pleased to deepen our cooperation with Eastar Jet, which further strengthens the quality of Fliggy’s flight supply across East Asia and Southeast Asia. Together, we will be better positioned to serve cross-border travel between China and South Korea, as well as global travellers visiting the region, and to give our users a more convenient and higher-quality booking and travel experience.”

Fliggy’s flight booking services are now integrated with more than 10 search, e-commerce and e-wallet platforms, including Google Flights, AliExpress, Lazada, Alipay HK, Mpay, GCash, Touch&Go, DANA, TrueMoney and Hipay, making it easier for overseas users to book and manage travel.

About Fliggy
Fliggy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group (NYSE: BABA and HKEX: 9988 (HKD Counter) and 89988 (RMB Counter)) and is one of the leading online travel platforms in China. 

About Eastar Jet
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Seoul, Eastar Jet is a budget airline based at Gimpo International Airport, with additional bases in Gunsan and Cheongju. Since its maiden flight from Gimpo to Jeju on 7 January 2009, it has grown to provide short- and long-haul services, primarily to leisure destinations across Korea and the wider region.

(Source: Fliggy)

Qatar resumes flights in winter timetable

DOHA, Qatar, 15 September 2026: Qatar Airways will expand its global network to more than 170 destinations during the 2026-2027 winter season, reflecting the airline’s network growth and reinforcing its position as a leader in global connectivity. 

The winter schedule will see Qatar Airways operate more than 186 weekly flights across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East, giving passengers greater choice and seamless experiences through its hub at Hamad International Airport.

Photo credit: Qatar Airways.

The 2026-2027 winter schedule reflects strong demand across Qatar Airways’ network across six continents and includes resumed services and frequency increases in key global markets.

Expanding connectivity across Africa

In Africa, Qatar Airways is increasing connectivity to the world’s most sought-after destinations. Daily flights to Zanzibar (ZNZ), Tanzania, resume from 25 October 2026, further reinforcing the airline’s commitment to support tourism and trade across the continent.

Complementing this growth, the airline will also expand services to Seychelles (SEZ) from four to seven weekly flights from 1 March 2027, providing global travellers greater access to destinations renowned for their beaches, culture, and hospitality.

South Africa will begin benefiting from additional Qatar Airways flights to Johannesburg (JNB) starting 2 December 2026, with 18 weekly flights, up from 14, giving travellers more flexibility for business and leisure travel.

Strengthening the Americas network

In North America, Qatar Airways will increase services to Montréal (YUL), Canada from five to seven weekly flights from 25 October 2026, representing a 40% boost in seat capacity. The enhanced schedule caters to increasing travel demand to Canada from the Indian Subcontinent and the Middle East.

Significant growth across Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific remains a key region in Qatar Airways’ network, with multiple frequency increases and route resumptions planned throughout the winter season, notably for travellers from Europe.

On 25 October 2026, Qatar Airways service to Phuket (HKT), Thailand, will increase from 14 to 21 weekly flights, and flights to Malé (MLE), the Maldives, will increase from 12 to 21 weekly flights, offering more choice for adventure seekers worldwide.

Flights to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN), Vietnam, will increase from seven to 11 weekly services from 7 November 2026, supported by the reintroduction of direct four weekly flights between Doha and Ho Chi Minh City. The existing Doha-Ho Chi Minh City-Phnom Penh operation will continue, providing customers with greater flexibility while increasing overall capacity to Vietnam and beyond.

This winter season, travellers to and from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) will also have greater choice when selecting from Qatar Airways’ 18 weekly flights, starting 25 October 2026. The service will be complemented by oneworld partner Malaysia Airlines’ 14 weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Doha.

Starting 9 December 2026, Qatar Airways will resume daily flights to Canberra (CBR) via Melbourne (MEL), Australia. The resumption reconnects Australia’s capital to Qatar Airways’ global network and provides additional connectivity to Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Furthermore, the airline is expanding frequencies to Melbourne from seven to 14 weekly flights from 9 December 2026. In partnership with Qatar Airways, Virgin Australia will also expand flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha from December 2026.

Sydney will increase from seven to 14 weekly flights (total 21 weekly with Qatar Airways), Brisbane will restart with three weekly flights (total 10 weekly with Qatar Airways), and Perth will restart with four weekly flights (total 11 weekly with Qatar Airways).

Enhanced European connectivity

In Europe, Qatar Airways will continue strengthening its presence to key gateway cities.

Flights to London Heathrow (LHR) will increase from 49 to 56 weekly services from 25 October 2026, adding 11 per cent capacity. London-Doha connectivity is further supported by Qatar Airways’ codeshare partner, British Airways’ daily flight between the two capitals.

In Germany, services to Frankfurt (FRA) will increase from 18 to 21 weekly flights from 7 December 2026, enhancing capacity by 7%.

Continued expansion across the Middle East

Qatar Airways is expanding its services across the Middle East, with daily flights up 10 per cent during the winter season and four route resumptions announced in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Beginning with Qassim (ELQ) on 25 October 2026, Qatar Airways will also resume services to Taif (TIF) on 31 October 2026, Yanbu (YNB) on 2 January 2027, and Tabuk (TUU) on 3 January 2027, boosting access across the Kingdom.

Each destination will be served twice weekly, boosting Qatar Airways’ operations in Saudi Arabia to more than 155 weekly flights, an increase of more than 10 per cent over the summer schedule. The expansion will grow Qatar Airways’ Saudi network to 12 destinations, reflecting the airline’s long-term commitment to the Kingdom and its role in supporting regional connectivity and economic growth.

(Source: Qatar Airways)

MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay grand opening

SHENZHEN, China, 14 September 2026: MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay, a waterfront destination in Shekou, Nanshan, opened on 10 September. 

Flagged as a maritime gateway of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and connected via the Shekou Cruise Home Port, the hotel establishes a 60-minute connectivity circle that seamlessly links the GBA’s major cities, while providing efficient access to global resources and the region’s stunning bay scenery. 

Representatives pose for a group photo during the grand opening of MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay with traditional lion dance performers.

The hotel is part of the precinct featuring K11 ECOAST and Sea World Culture and Arts Centre, offering an integrated destination that combines art spaces, world-class gastronomy, and immersive experiences. This milestone opening further strengthens MGM Hospitality Group’s presence across the Greater Bay Area.

MGM China Holdings Limited Chairperson and Executive Director Pansy Ho remarked: “This hotel has never been merely a place to stay — it is a stage where MGM’s century-old hospitality meets the dynamic spirit of Prince Bay, creating a unique urban harbour living experience for our guests.”

The hotel features 298 ocean-view guest rooms and suites, ranging from 50 to 364 sqm. The room categories include 270-degree panoramic sea-view rooms, terrace suites, sky suites, and a presidential suite.

(Source: MGM Shenzhen Prince Bay)

Hilton unveils Curio brand in Wuxi, China

WUXI, China, 14 September 2026: Hilton confirms the opening of Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton, marking Curio Collection by Hilton’s first property in Jiangsu Province. 

Comprising a historic residence alongside a newly constructed building, the hotel’s design creates an urban retreat that blends historical heritage with contemporary comfort. 

Photo credit: Hilton. Xi Zhe Wuxi Curio Collection by Hilton.

Located in Wuxi Centre 66, the hotel was developed by Hang Lung Properties and is managed by Hilton.

The story of Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton begins with a notable residence at No. 118 Dongdajie Street. Built in 1933 by Wuxi entrepreneur Zhang Xiaocheng and his sister Zhang

Chuquan, the residence has been reimagined nearly a century later alongside a newly constructed building to form today’s hotel, blending Wuxi’s heritage with contemporary design.

“Today’s travellers are seeking stays that feel personal, authentic and deeply connected to their destination. Hilton’s lifestyle brands are designed to meet these evolving expectations, offering differentiated experiences that give guests the freedom to express themselves, discover local culture and connect in meaningful ways,” said Hilton  Senior Director, Lifestyle & Collection Brands, Asia Pacific, Alexander Shockley.

Located in the heart of Wuxi and surrounded by historic residences of notable figures, the hotel features 105 guest rooms and suites across the historic residence and contemporary building. 

To date, Hilton has introduced five lifestyle brands in China, including Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Motto by Hilton and Tempo by Hilton, which was newly introduced in July this year.

Since opening its first Asia Pacific property in Sanya, China, in 2017, the brand has expanded to destinations including Xiamen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Qingdao and Luoyang, becoming one of Hilton’s fastest-growing lifestyle brands in China.

(Source: Hilton)