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EgyptAir readies for Singapore-Sydney service

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 14 September 2026: EgyptAir, Changi Airport Group and Sydney Airport have announced plans for a new service connecting Cairo, Singapore and Sydney from early 2027. 

The proposed service, which is subject to regulatory approvals, will be the first direct link to North Africa for both Singapore and Australia, marking a significant step forward in strengthening connectivity across the regions. 

Photo credit: EgyptAir.

Changi Airport said in a press statement that “demand for travel to and from Egypt was robust and growing, with the country recorded as the largest unserved market in Africa for both Singapore and Australia by point-to-point traffic in 2025.”

The new route will connect three distinctive global cities. Cairo offers access to Egypt’s rich cultural heritage, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and cruises down the Nile River, as well as leisure destinations such as Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh and Al-Alamain. 

Singapore presents a unique blend of urban life and nature, from the iconic Marina Bay skyline to the award-winning Gardens by the Bay. 

Meanwhile, Sydney combines iconic landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge with a vibrant business and cultural scene.

Changi Airport Group, Executive Vice President, Air Hub and Cargo Development, Lim Ching Kiat said: “We are delighted that EgyptAir is planning to connect Cairo, Singapore and Sydney with this new service. Through Changi’s extensive regional network, travellers from Egypt and Australia will gain seamless access to destinations across Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific. 

“At the same time, Changi’s passengers from Singapore and the region will get to enjoy convenient access to Cairo and onward connections across Africa and beyond. We look forward to welcoming EGYPTAIR to Changi and supporting the successful launch of the service.” 

 (Source: Changi Airport)

Trip.Gourmet names fine dining list

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Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 14 September 2026: Trip.Gourmet, Trip.com Group’s dedicated food and dining brand, marked its 10th anniversary with the global launch of the 2027 Fine Dining List, held in partnership with Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) in Singapore. 

The event brought together restaurant partners, culinary experts and media from around the world to celebrate a decade of connecting travellers with the flavours that define the world’s great destinations.

Trip.com Group Vice President and CEO of Trip.Gourmet Sunny Sun.

The 2027 Fine Dining List now spans six continents, 105 cities and 40 countries and regions, recognising 744 restaurants across three tiers – Black Diamond, the highest distinction (60), Diamond (160) and Platinum (524) – with 34 new destinations added this year across Europe, North America, Oceania, Asia, South America and Africa. Since its debut ten years ago, the list has grown from a single-market ranking into a global culinary index spanning 66 countries and regions and 462 destinations, guiding travellers toward restaurants worth building a trip around.

“Today’s travellers are no longer just enjoying food at their destination – increasingly, a single meal is shaping where they choose to go, and when,” said Trip.com Group Vice President and CEO of Trip.Gourmet Sunny Sun. “As cross-border travel becomes more frequent, our goal for the next chapter of Trip.Gourmet is simple: to help every traveller discover restaurants worth the trip, understand why they matter, and book with confidence.”

This year’s list reflects the breadth of global fine dining, with restaurants recognised across 40 countries and regions. Asia-Pacific anchors the list by volume, with 478 restaurants — nearly two-thirds of the global total — spread across 51 cities and 32 Black Diamond honours, led by culinary hubs including Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing. 

Europe offers the broadest geographic reach of any continent, with restaurants recognised across 20 countries and regions and 35 cities, and 23 Black Diamond honours, anchored by Paris and London. The Americas contribute 63 restaurants across 14 cities, led by New York. Meanwhile, the list’s newest frontier — spanning South Asia, the Middle East and Africa — adds 17 restaurants across 5 cities, including Dubai and Cape Town.

As host city for this year’s global launch, Singapore is recognised with 27 restaurants on the 2027 Fine Dining List, spanning all three tiers: Three Black Diamond, eight Diamond and 16 Platinum. Singapore’s Black Diamond restaurants — Odette, Les Amis and Restaurant Labyrinth — represent some of the highest culinary honours awarded anywhere in the world this year. In contrast, Diamond-tier restaurants such as Zén, JAAN by Kirk Westaway and Summer Pavilion reflect the city-state’s continued rise as one of the world’s most dynamic dining destinations.

The full 2027 global restaurant rankings can be viewed on the Trip.com app.

(Source: Trip.com Group)

SalamAir flies to Copenhagen

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Newsdesk
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MUSCAT, 14 September 2026: SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost carrier, has announced the opening of ticket sales for its new service to Copenhagen, Denmark, via Baghdad in Iraq, with the first flight scheduled for 14 November 2026. 

Operating under fifth-freedom traffic rights on the Baghdad–Copenhagen sector, the service will connect Muscat and Copenhagen with a scheduled stop in Baghdad, creating a new travel link between Oman, Iraq and Denmark. 

Photo credit: SalamAir.

Travellers from Muscat can continue to Copenhagen via Baghdad, while passengers in Iraq can book flights directly between Baghdad and the Danish capital.  

With one-way Lite fares starting from OMR130.99 between Muscat and Copenhagen via Baghdad, and from OMR99.99 between Baghdad and Copenhagen, the service will expand affordable travel options, strengthen international connectivity, and support demand for leisure, business, and visiting friends and relatives. It will also create new opportunities for tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the Middle East and Northern Europe.

Adding Copenhagen marks another step in SalamAir’s European expansion. By extending its Baghdad service to Denmark, SalamAir will connect underserved markets, stimulate new passenger demand, and give travellers from Copenhagen and the wider Northern European region greater access to Oman and selected onward destinations across its network. 

Commenting on the announcement, SalamAir Chief Commercial OfficerSteven Allen said: “Copenhagen is the ninth new destination added to SalamAir’s network for 2026, reflecting the pace of our expansion and our focus on developing commercially promising markets. Operating twice weekly, the service creates an important new connection between Oman, Iraq and Northern Europe, serving demand between Baghdad and Copenhagen while offering travellers more affordable options to and from Oman. It will also generate new passenger flows across our network and create further opportunities for tourism, trade and business exchange, in line with the objectives of Oman Vision 2040.” 

Tickets are available through SalamAir’s website, mobile application, call centre and authorised travel agents.

(Source: SalamAir)

BBN Airlines joins IATA

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Newsdesk
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JAKARTA, 14 September 2026: BBN Airlines Indonesia has joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA), becoming part of a global association representing more than 370 airlines across over 120 countries. 

Together, IATA members account for approximately 85% of global air traffic. 

Photo credit: BBN Airlines Indonesia.

Established in Jakarta in 2022, BBN Airlines Indonesia is a non-scheduled airline specialising in wet-lease and charter services for airlines and other aviation customers across Indonesia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. 

IATA membership is open to airlines operating scheduled and non-scheduled services that maintain an IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registration, which BBN Airlines Indonesia obtained in 2025.

The milestone comes as BBN Airlines Indonesia continues to grow its wet-lease and charter operations. The airline currently operates two Boeing 737-800 aircraft, registered as PK-BBF and PK-BBG. It also plans to add an Airbus A320 to its fleet, with commercial services expected to begin in December 2026.

BBN Airlines Indonesia Chief Executive Officer Werry Orbani.

“We are proud to become part of the IATA network,” said  BBN Airlines Indonesia Chief Executive Officer Werry Orbani. “This membership represents an important step in our development as we continue expanding our wet-lease and charter operations. It strengthens our connection with the international aviation community. It allows us to contribute to industry discussions while continuing to provide reliable capacity solutions to our partners across Indonesia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.”

As an IATA member, BBN Airlines Indonesia will be able to participate more closely in industry discussions, advisory groups and initiatives covering areas such as safety, operational efficiency and regulatory development. The membership will also strengthen the airline’s connections with aviation stakeholders internationally. 

BBN Airlines Indonesia is part of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider. The group operates a fleet of 136 aircraft across six continents and is supported by more than 11,000 aviation professionals across its 250+ subsidiaries. 

Its portfolio also includes MRO, pilot and crew training, ground handling, and other aviation services worldwide.

About BBN Airlines Indonesia
BBN Airlines Indonesia is a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) provider, operating a fleet of 107 passenger and cargo aircraft worldwide. 

(Source: BBN Airlines Indonesia)

Thai Travel Plus: Is high season the right time?

By
Andrew Wood
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BANGKOK, 14 September 2026: Thailand’s proposed Thai Travel Plus, or Thai Tiew Thai Plus, scheme has an admirable objective: to encourage domestic tourism and spread tourism spending more widely across the country. (For the latest update on the campaign’s schedule, see POSTSCRIPT below, dated 18 September 2026).

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Pancharoenworakul says the proposal is expected to go before Cabinet on 22 September, with a government budget of around THB3.5 billion.

Under the latest proposal, the scheme will subsidise up to one million hotel room nights

Under the latest proposal, the scheme will subsidise up to one million hotel room nights, with each eligible Thai traveller able to receive support for up to five nights. Accommodation support would be capped at THB2,000 per night, alongside digital vouchers intended to encourage spending at restaurants, attractions and other tourism businesses.

Is November to February the best time for this promotion?

These are traditionally Thailand’s strongest tourism months, when hotels in popular destinations charge high-season rates and expect strong occupancy.

There is another curiosity. The proposed programme runs from 1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027, yet subsidies would reportedly be suspended from 15 December to 15 January, covering the Christmas and New Year peak.

That removes roughly one quarter of the four-month promotional period. Poor marketing, in my mind.  

The reasoning is understandable. Why subsidise rooms when demand is already at its strongest? But that raises the broader question of whether government money would be more effective in stimulating travel during genuinely softer periods.

Hotel participation is another challenge. Properties expecting high occupancies at normal high-season rates may have little incentive to allocate rooms to subsidised domestic business.

Affordability matters too. A subsidy of up to Baht 2,000 sounds attractive, but against high-season room rates, the remaining cost may still be more than some of the Thai travellers the programme is intended to encourage want to pay.

Clear benefits for secondary destination

Secondary destinations could gain incremental business; restaurants and attractions would benefit from additional spending, while hotels could use the scheme to fill softer midweek inventory.

That may be where the greatest opportunity lies.

The real measure of success should not simply be whether the one million subsidised room nights are used, but how much genuinely additional tourism they create.

If taxpayers subsidise holidays that would have happened anyway, the return is questionable. If the scheme generates new trips, fills otherwise empty rooms and directs travellers towards secondary destinations, it could be money well spent.

The concept has merit. The question remains: is high season really the right season to make it work?

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 international hospitality and tourism experience. He chairs the JFCCT Tourism Committee for 2026–2028 and has held senior leadership roles with Skål International and in Thailand and Asia.

POSTSCRIPT

BANGKOK, 18 September 2026: Since this article was written, the government has indicated that the proposed Thai Travel Plus domestic tourism stimulus will be postponed from October 2026 to April 2027.
Interestingly, the reasoning goes directly to the question raised in the original TTRW report: Is the high season really the right time to subsidise domestic travel?
The Thai government now appears to have concluded that introducing the programme during a period when hotels and tourism businesses already enjoy stronger demand would have limited additional impact.
Andrew Wood

TUI Blue Han River opens

By
Newsdesk
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DA NANG, 14 September 2026: TUI Blue Han River has opened its doors in Da Nang, marking an important milestone for both the city’s hospitality landscape and Dewan’s growing portfolio across Southeast Asia.

Developed by Thaigroup and operated under the international TUI Blue brand, the 125-room hotel sits on the banks of the Han River and brings together accommodation, dining, wellness, and business facilities.

For Dewan, the project represents much more than the completion of a hotel. As Lead Designers for the hotel component, the practice worked to create a destination that meets an international operator’s expectations while establishing a distinctive identity rooted in Da Nang, thanks to Dewan’s 10-plus years in Vietnam.

“Working with Dewan, we’ve brought the TUI Blue ‘Hotels designed for you’ philosophy to life on the banks of the Han River. The design seamlessly integrates our core brand pillars — authentic local experiences and modern wellness — with Da Nang’s vibrant energy,” said TUI Blue River Pre-opening and General Manager, Axel de Boynes.

(Source: TUI Blue Han River)

Island Horses: Discovering Langkawi from the saddle

By
Your Stories
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LANGKAWI, 11 September 2026: There is a different way to experience Langkawi, from the back of a horse.

At Island Horses, riders travel beyond the usual viewpoints and attractions, following trails through rainforest, countryside and along the island’s beaches. Depending on the route and riding ability, the experience can take you through jungle paths, rice fields, mangroves, village roads, and the Andaman Sea.

Established in 2006 at The Perdana Stables along Jalan Telaga Tujuh, Island Horses is a family-run equestrian centre offering guided rides for both beginners and experienced riders. Its location places riders within easy reach of some of Langkawi’s most varied landscapes, making the surrounding environment an integral part of the experience.

Into the landscape

The rides suit different experience levels, but all offer a closer encounter with Langkawi’s natural surroundings.

The Jungle & Beach Ride takes riders through secondary rainforest before emerging onto Pantai Kok. Meanwhile, longer routes combine forest trails, beaches, and mountain terrain, including a stop near the Telaga Harbour Lighthouse.

For a broader cross-section of the island, the Back to Nature ride passes through rainforest, rice fields, mangrove areas, beaches and village paths. Rather than moving between individual attractions, riders experience how these different landscapes connect across the island.

The pace is part of the appeal, too. On horseback, riders travel slowly enough to notice the terrain and surroundings, with the horses providing a natural way to navigate trails that would otherwise be difficult to explore.

The horses matter too

The experience centres on the horses as much as the landscape.

Island Horses’ stable includes Criollo horses from Argentina, a breed known for its endurance and suitability for varied terrain, as well as purebred Malaysian-Arabians bred and trained for endurance riding. 

The stables also raise younger horses and foals on site. Riders are matched with horses according to their experience level, with beginners accompanied on suitable routes by experienced trail leaders. This makes the rides accessible to people who may never have ridden before, while more experienced equestrians can take on longer and more varied trails.

Ride and swim

For riders looking for something beyond a traditional trail ride, Island Horses offers one of Langkawi’s more unusual experiences: swimming with a horse in the sea.

The two-hour Ride & Swim With the Horse begins on land, travelling through rainforest and along the beach before entering the water. Confident riders can then swim alongside their horses in the sea, combining a trail ride with an experience that takes full advantage of Langkawi’s island setting.

A shorter Swim With the Horse experience is also available for those who want to focus on the water-based element.

A closer connection to Langkawi

The trails reveal landscapes that are easy to pass by when travelling by car. At the same time, the slower pace lets riders take in the relationship between Langkawi’s forests, agricultural areas, villages, and coastline.

For first-time riders, it introduces horse riding set within one of Malaysia’s most diverse island environments. For experienced equestrians, it offers a chance to explore Langkawi on terrain that changes throughout the ride.

Either way, the experience ends where it began — back at the stables, with a better sense of the island not from having seen it from a distance, but from having travelled through it.

For more information on Langkawi, visit: https://naturallylangkawi.my/home-2026/

(Source: Your Stories — Naturally Langkawi)

Seabourn charts voyage to the Amazon

By
Newsdesk
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SINGAPORE, 11 September 2026: Seabourn releases details of a new 30-day “Amazon Explorer: Rivers & Rainforests” voyage aboard Seabourn Quest, sailing roundtrip from Miami from 18 November to 18 December 2028.

The voyage will visit 15 destinations across seven countries, combining Caribbean islands, scenic Amazon River cruising, and visits along the Amazon River, including Santarém, Boca da Valeria, Parintins, and Manaus.

Photo credit: Seabourn. Seabourn Quest will visit 15 destinations across seven countries, combining Caribbean islands and scenic Amazon River cruising.

Sailing during Seabourn’s Ruby Jubilee year, the voyage is part of the cruise line’s 40th anniversary celebration in 2028.

Seabourn Quest will follow a route from the Caribbean into the Amazon River, offering guests opportunities to experience cultures, remote communities and the changing landscapes that have captivated explorers and travellers for generations.

Exploring river, rainforest and local cultures

The voyage begins in Miami and winds through the Caribbean before entering the Amazon River, creating a natural progression from island destinations to one of the world’s great waterways. Throughout the voyage, guests will experience the Amazon through scenic cruising and visits to destinations that reveal life along the river.

A highlight of the voyage is the overnight stay in Manaus, a historic city surrounded by rainforest and long regarded as a gateway to the Amazon. The extended stay gives guests more time to experience the city’s architecture, markets, cultural landmarks, and vibrant waterfront.

Stops at Santarém, Boca da Valeria and Parintins offer opportunities to experience the landscapes, cultures and traditions shaped by one of the world’s great waterways. The ship will visit Devil’s Island in French Guiana, known for its dramatic history and remote setting, and make calls in the Caribbean, including Saint Barthelemy, Trinidad, and Grenada, adding further depth to the journey.

Featured voyage highlights

Amazon River Scenic Cruising: Sail along one of the world’s most legendary waterways, taking in rainforest landscapes and river life.

Manaus, Brazil: Enjoy an overnight stay in the gateway to one of the Amazon’s most captivating cities, with more time to explore the city’s culture, colourful markets, and acclaimed restaurants showcasing local flavours.

Santarém, Brazil: Discover a destination near the confluence of the Amazon and Tapajós rivers, where the sediment-rich brown waters of the Amazon flow alongside the clear blue-green waters of the Tapajós before gradually blending.

Boca da Valeria, Brazil: Visit a small riverside community surrounded by dense rainforest for a rare glimpse of everyday life along the Amazon.

Parintins, Brazil: Experience one of the Amazon’s most vibrant river destinations.

Devil’s Island, French Guiana: Explore a destination known for its dramatic history and remote setting.

Gustavia, Saint Barthelemy: Set around a yacht-like harbour rarely accessible to larger ships, this hidden, elegant harbour blends Swedish colonial and French Creole architecture with chic boutiques, cafés and restaurants.

About Seabourn
Seabourn represents the pinnacle of luxury ocean and expedition travel and operates a fleet of five modern ships. Seabourn is part of Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company with a portfolio of cruise lines operating in over 800 ports and destinations worldwide. (NYSE: CCL). 

(Source: Seabourn)

XiamenAir adds route to London

By
Newsdesk
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XIAMEN, China, 11 September 2026: XiamenAir’s inaugural flight MF821 landed at Heathrow Airport (LHR) on 6 September, marking the launch of a direct round-trip service between Xiamen and London. 

The 12-hour flight departed from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport with 263 passengers. 

Photo credit: XiamenAir. XiamenAir flies to Heathrow, London.

As Fujian’s first direct passenger service to London, the new route eliminates the need for stopovers in third destinations. It facilitates connectivity between the two cities for XiamenAir, a SkyTeam member airline.

A 287-seat Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner serves the new route three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. 

Flight MF821 departs Xiamen (XMN) at 0050 and arrives in London (LHR) at 0635.
Flight MF822 departs London (LHR) at 1235 and lands in Xiamen (XMN) at 0700 the following day (local time).

The schedule optimises connectivity and passenger convenience. Travellers can easily connect to XiamenAir’s network and enjoy a 15-second smart customs clearance at Xiamen Airport.

The early morning arrival in London gives business travellers a head start on their working day and provides ample time for onward connections to other European cities. The midday departure allows passengers to connect to domestic flights while easing jet lag.

Bilateral ties between China and the UK continue to strengthen. Fujian is home to a large Chinese community in the UK and has strong travel demand among students from the province. The new Xiamen-London route will further expand Xiamen Air’s intercontinental network and inject fresh momentum into Fujian’s engagement with the world.

(Source: XiamenAir)

ClubMed maps global expansion

By
Newsdesk
-

HONG KONG, 11 September 2026: ClubMed Lifestyle Group, a subsidiary of Fosun International Limited, has joined the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) as a Global Member. 

WTTC announced the membership last week.

Photo credit: ClubMed.

ClubMed Lifestyle Group operates premium all-inclusive resorts under the Club Med brand. It also expands its vacation offerings, including Integrated Vacation Destinations and Cultural-Tourism Complexes, through an asset-light model as it continues to build diversified vacation lifestyles.

Based on 2025 turnover, Club Med, the core brand of ClubMed Lifestyle Group, is the world’s largest all-inclusive resort brand. It currently operates 69 resorts across more than 40 countries and regions on six continents, serving over 1.5 million guests annually. The Group expects to operate approximately 85 resorts worldwide by 2030.

Since late 2025, ClubMed Lifestyle Group has signed new resort projects in China, Canada, Morocco, Brazil, the US Virgin Islands, Indonesia and Italy. It is also accelerating expansion across the Alps, the Mediterranean and North African coasts, Northeast and Southeast Asia, the Americas and the Caribbean, and exploring the Middle East. 

In July, Club Med, the core brand of ClubMed Lifestyle Group, signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with Microsoft at its Paris headquarters. Microsoft France CEO Corinne De Bilbao and ClubMed Lifestyle Group Co-President Xu Bingbin attended the signing ceremony. The partnership focuses on AI-powered guest experiences, cloud-native transformation, and operational modernisation.

The WTTC membership, a mark of global industry recognition, and the Microsoft partnership, which enhances operational intelligence, mutually reinforce each other, providing solid support for ClubMed Lifestyle Group’s path from 69 resorts to its 2030 target of 85 resorts.

(Source: Fosun)

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