SINGAPORE, 11 February 2026: Oceania Cruises has celebrated a milestone in the construction of its next-generation ship, Oceania. Sonata, as the keel of the ship, was laid at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
The ceremony, an important maritime tradition, honoured the rich heritage of shipbuilding, the importance of partnership, and underscored the line’s bold vision of its future.
Photo credit: Oceania Cruises.Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri team at the shipyard in Marghera, laying the keel of Oceania Sonata. From left to right: Marco Lunardi, Senior Vice President, Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard; Franco Semeraro, Chief Experience Officer, Oceania Cruises; Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager, Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division; Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer, Oceania Cruises; Harry Sommer, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd; Patrik Dahlgren, Executive Vice President, Chief Vessel Operations & New Build Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
“Oceania Sonata embodies the next chapter in our legacy of redefining luxury travel, and we are proud to mark this occasion as we cement our position in the industry,” said Oceania Cruises Chief Luxury Officer Jason Montague. “This milestone is the result of the extraordinary dedication and expertise of the Fincantieri team – shipbuilders, engineers, designers and countless others whose skill and passion transform our vision into reality.”
Set to embark on her maiden voyage in August 2027, Oceania Sonata marks the next evolution of Oceania Cruises’ fleet. She will be followed by three sister ships, Oceania Arietta, scheduled to join the fleet in 2029, and two as-yet-unnamed Sonata class vessels in 2032 and 2035.
Oceania Sonata will be the line’s ninth ship and follows its two Allura class vessels, Oceania Vista and Oceania Allura, launched in 2023 and 2025, respectively, to outstanding global acclaim.
At 86,000 tons and accommodating just 1,390 guests, one-third of all guest accommodation will be suites on Oceania Sonata, including four new two-bedroom Owner’s Suites, and two entirely new categories: the Horizon Suites and the Penthouse Deluxe Suites.
Also debuting aboard Oceania Sonata will be two new culinary experiences: A fine-dining restaurant at sea, La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, and Nikkei Kitchen, which will specialise in a fusion of Peruvian flavours and refined Japanese culinary techniques and tastes.
SYDNEY, 11 February 2026: The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced this week the appointment of new members to its Accreditation Advisory Committee (AAC), reinforcing the Association’s commitment to a member-led, robust accreditation framework.
As the initial two-year terms for several founding members conclude, this scheduled refresh brings new voices to the table to ensure the “ATIA Accredited” mark remains the definitive gold standard for professionalism and consumer trust.
From left to right: Rebecca Day; Stephen Brady; Kylee Ellerton; Judy Tanner.
ATIA welcomes four new industry leaders to the committee for a two-year term:
Rebecca Day, Regional Head of Sales, Stuba
Stephen Brady, Group General Manager Cruise, Helloworld Travel Ltd
Scott Darlow, Chad Carey, and Gina Norman have been reappointed for a second term. They continue their service alongside Chair David Walker, and members Ken Morgan, Brett Dann, Lauren Gray, and Karen Deveson.
ATIA thanked departing members Debra Fox and Steve Hui for “their significant contributions that have been vital to building the robust foundation upon which the AAC continues to grow.”
With three meetings scheduled for 2026, the committee will be instrumental in progressing the A30 Industry Led Protection Scheme and ensuring accreditation remains fit-for-purpose in a rapidly evolving market.
Commenting on the latest appointments, AAC Chair David Walker said: “The AAC is the primary vehicle for ensuring ATIA accreditation remains the most representative and robust scheme in Australia. I want to thank our outgoing members for their incredible service and welcome our new appointees. Their willingness to step forward and volunteer their expertise ensures our accreditation remains fit for purpose for businesses of all sizes, from independent agencies to major corporate players.
“From advising on solvency standards to endorsing landmark changes to the complaints resolution process, this committee ensures ATAS remains an independent, sector-informed forum for resolving claims. I am honoured to work with such a capable group as we continue to strengthen consumer trust in the ‘ATIA accredited’ brand.”
About ATAS ATAS, the travel sector’s accreditation programme, is pivotal in distinguishing exemplary travel businesses that meet and exceed the highest industry benchmarks. Accreditation under ATAS is contingent on stringent criteria, including an in-depth analysis of business models and compliance with Australian Consumer Law.
About ATIA (www.atia.travel) The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is the peak body representing Australia’s AUD69 billion travel industry. ATIA represents the majority of Australian travel agents, corporate agents, tour operators, wholesalers and ITOs.
SINGAPORE, 11 February 2026: Vietjet is marking the Lunar New Year (Tet) season with a limited-time travel promotion offering 20kg of free checked baggage for Eco ticket holders, alongside a festive Vietnamese Tet menu available for Business Class passengers.
To support peak Tet travel demand, Vietjet offers 20kg of free checked baggage for passengers booking Eco tickets on selected international services, including flights from India, China, South Korea and Japan to Vietnam, from now until 28 February 2026.
Photo credit: Vietjet.
Tickets can be booked via the airline’s official website and the Vietjet Air mobile application, with travel available from 1 March to 31 March 2026 (travel periods may vary by route).
In addition, passengers flying with Vietjet can enjoy resort and lifestyle privileges of up to 30% discount (*) on accommodation, dining, and spa services at leading hotels and resorts on Phu Quoc Island, further enhancing their holiday travel experience.
To complement the Tet celebrations, Vietjet is also serving a special Lunar New Year menu in business class cabins on Vietnam domestic and international flights departing from and arriving in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi until 20 February 2026.
By integrating festive in-flight dining with attractive travel incentives, Vietjet continues to strengthen its position as a dynamic airline connecting Asia while promoting Vietnam as a cultural, culinary, and tourism destination during the Lunar New Year season.
BANGKOK, 11 February 2026: S Hotels & Resorts PCL (SET: SHR), the international hospitality company under Singha Estate PCL, has unveiled the revitalised look of two flagship UK assets – Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh and The Grand Hotel Leicester.
It also marks a new chapter for both landmark properties under the Unlimited Collection brand by The Ascott Limited, which will reposition the flagship assets to strengthen the brand’s presence across European markets.
Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection is centrally located on Princes Street.
Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh completed its rebranding in Q4 2024, revealing newly renovated rooms that blend Scottish charm with contemporary flair.
The Grand Hotel Leicester has undergone a comprehensive transformation, including updates to its façade, public areas, and rooms, culminating in its grand reopening on 2 February 2026.
This initiative reflects SHR’s long-term vision to reposition several of its core UK properties as lifestyle hotels designed for domestic and international travellers.
To enhance performance across its UK portfolio, SHR has partnered with The Ascott Limited. Guests staying at these hotels will benefit from Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), the group’s global loyalty programme, which supports repeat visits and enhances guest engagement. The strategy is already yielding positive results, with occupancy reaching nearly 98% in Q3 2025.
Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection is centrally located on Princes Street, offering a blend of heritage and urban retreat. Formerly the Royal Hotel in the early 1800s, it now features 169 rooms, many with uninterrupted views of Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and the historic Old Town. The hotel’s central location, opposite the Scott Monument and National Gallery, makes it the ideal launchpad for exploring the capital.
The Grand Hotel Leicester, known as the only 1900s-built hotel in the city, is located on Granby Street in Leicester’s city centre, within walking distance of Leicester Railway Station and close to key cultural attractions and business districts. The hotel offers 104 renovated rooms alongside flexible meeting and event spaces.
Building on the successful repositioning of its Edinburgh and Leicester properties, SHR says it is “accelerating the next phase of its UK portfolio evolution, with additional key hotels to be rebranded in support of its long-term growth strategy in the UK.”
SINGAPORE, 10 February 2026: Maldives’ President, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, has officially designated 2027 as ‘Visit Maldives Year’, signalling the start of a transformative national campaign to elevate the country’s tourism sector to unprecedented heights.
Delivering the 2026 Presidential Address at the opening of the People’s Majlis (unicameral legislative body of the Maldives), President Muizzu characterised the initiative as a “monumental national endeavour.”
Photo credit: The President’s Office Facebook. Dr Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives.
He emphasised that the campaign will serve as a unified platform, bringing together domestic and international stakeholders to fortify the nation’s primary economic engine.
“Tourism remains the gateway of our economy and the primary source of foreign exchange,” President Muizzu stated. “Transforming ‘Visit Maldives Year’ into an inclusive national success story is vital to ensuring that the benefits of this industry reach every Maldivian citizen.”
To achieve the ambitious targets set for 2027, Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC), in coordination with a specialised Steering Committee under the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, has already activated an aggressive international promotion strategy for 2026/2027.
The first quarter of 2026 will see a high-impact presence at premier international travel shows and forums. In January, the Maldives participated in FITUR 2026 in Madrid, engaging with more than 50,000 industry professionals and trade experts.
This was followed by a strategic activation at the Travel & Adventure Show in New York. Conducted in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations, participation at the adventure travel show spearheaded a targeted approach toward the high-value North American market.
Building on this momentum, Visit Maldives will maintain a rigorous schedule of high-profile global engagements throughout the first half of the year.
During February, the corporation will focus on strengthening ties with one of its primary source markets at SATTE 2026 in New Delhi, India. This will be followed by a major presence at ITB Berlin 2026 from 3 to 5 March, providing a vital platform for networking with global tour operators, major airlines, and international media.
To further solidify its presence in Eastern Europe and the CIS, the Maldives will also participate in MITT Moscow from 11 to 13 March, aimed at increasing market share and brand visibility in these key territories.
Strategic campaigns will continue into the second quarter with a specialised focus on the Middle Eastern luxury segment. From 26 to 30 April, the “Visit Maldives Week in Arabia” roadshow will travel through Kuwait, Riyadh, and Jeddah to engage directly with regional travel agents. This Middle Eastern circuit will culminate in a significant
presence at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai from 4 to 7 May. Visit Maldives aims to utilise ATM 2026 to secure new B2B partnerships and further cement the Maldives’ status as a premier destination for travellers from the Gulf region.
VMC recently concluded the first of a series of “Quarterly Insights:
Maldives Tourism Insights Briefing” serves as a critical bridge between policymakers and industry leaders, facilitating the exchange of data and synchronised planning for the 2027 roadmap.
Meanwhile, 2026 should be a year of record-breaking profitability, laying the groundwork for the landmark “Visit Maldives Year 2027”.
Visit Maldives Corporation is the state-owned enterprise mandated to promote the Maldives as a tourist destination worldwide under the brand ‘Maldives’ and its campaign slogan — ‘Maldives: The Sunny Side of Life’.
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 February 2026: Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, announced this week the country’s 2025 tourism results at a press conference held in İstanbul.
In 2025, Türkiye recorded 64 million tourist arrivals, the minister revealed, noting that tourism revenues reached USD 65 billion.
Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye.
The Türkiye Minister of Culture and Tourism highlighted that Turkish tourism has become a force not only regionally but also globally, according to data from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.
In 2017, Türkiye ranked 8th among countries hosting the most tourists worldwide, but by 2024 it had risen to 4th place.
In terms of tourism revenue, Türkiye ranked 15th in 2017 but had climbed to 7th by 2024, while announcing a target of USD68 billion in tourist receipts for 2026.
Minister Ersoy stated that Türkiye’s tourism sector has moved beyond just sea, sand, and sun tourism; there is a growing diversity in many areas such as culture and faith tourism, nature and eco-tourism, archaeology, health and thermal tourism, gastronomy, congress and fair tourism, cruise tourism, and winter tourism.
Minister Ersoy stated that the ‘Heritage for the Future’ vision and Night Museum projects are among the country’s achievements.
Some highlights from Türkiye’s 2025 tourism results:
Türkiye’s three biggest markets:
1. The Russian Federation: 6.90 million;
2. Germany: 6.75 million;
3. UK: 4.27 million.
(Source: Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency)
KUCHING, Sarawak, 10 February 2026: As Malaysia intensifies its global push to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) with a national target of 43 million visitor arrivals, Sarawak has presented its destination narrative directly to the Oceania market, engaging the travel trade across six major cities in Australia and New Zealand through the Total Holiday Options (THO) Mega Roadshow 2026.
The trade-only B2B roadshow, held from 27 January to 5 February, spanned six cities in the Oceania market, namely Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, placing Sarawak face-to-face with key decision-makers responsible for designing and selling long-haul itineraries.
Travel agents and industry partners in New Zealand attend a destination briefing by the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) during the Total Holiday Options (THO) Mega Roadshow 2026.
Such engagements are critical in markets like Australia and New Zealand, where travel planning is powerfully shaped by travel agency knowledge, product confidence and long-standing trade relationships.
Australia and New Zealand continue to show steady potential for Sarawak, with the Oceania market recording a 9.3% increase in visitor arrivals from pre-pandemic levels to the end of 2025.
While growth remains incremental, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) emphasises sustained, targeted trade engagement to drive stronger medium- to long-term performance through improved itinerary design and product diversification. Australia ranked among Sarawak’s Top 10 source markets in 2025, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Oceania market.
“For long-haul markets such as Australia and New Zealand, destination awareness alone is not enough. Confidence drives conversion, and confidence comes from direct engagement with the trade,” said Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak
Tourism Board. “Our presence at the THO Mega Roadshow reflects Sarawak’s commitment to showing up, telling our story accurately, and positioning Sarawak as a destination that delivers meaningful, well-curated and responsible travel experiences in line with Visit Malaysia Year 2026.”
Through the THO Mega Roadshow, Sarawak positioned itself as a compelling addition to multi-city and twin-city itineraries, connecting seamlessly with regional gateways such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bandar Seri Begawan and Jakarta.
This approach supports longer stays, deeper exploration and higher yield, aligning with Malaysia’s broader VMY2026 objectives.
The roadshow also serves as a platform for Sarawak to leverage VMY2026 through collaborative opportunities with airlines, tourism stakeholders, and trade partners, while strengthening coordination by meeting with the Tourism Malaysia Office in Sydney and the High Commission of Malaysia in Wellington, New Zealand. These engagements translated into sustained conversion initiatives, including trade campaigns, tactical promotions, travel agent training programmes and media familiarisation activities.
Sarawak’s participation reflected a deliberate strategy to strengthen its presence in high-value, long-haul markets and ensure the destination remains visible and accurately represented in an increasingly competitive Southeast Asian travel landscape. By being on the ground, STB presented Sarawak’s tourism offerings directly, clarified the destination’s positioning, and reinforced its readiness as a long-haul destination anchored in culture, nature, and sustainability.
Sarawak’s presence at the THO Mega Roadshow 2026 underscores the state’s commitment to investing early and engaging directly with the travel trade ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. By taking its story across two countries and six key trade hubs, Sarawak laid firm groundwork to convert awareness into bookings and position itself as a destination of choice for long-haul travellers seeking meaningful and well-curated experiences in Malaysia.
SINGAPORE, 10 February 2026: Kimpton, part of IHG Hotels and Resorts’ luxury and lifestyle portfolio, makes its Malaysian debut with the opening of Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur.
Owned by LQ Hotel, a joint venture between Lendlease and TRX City, the property is located in Kuala Lumpur’s lifestyle and cultural quarter, anchored by Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) mall and the city’s newest urban green spaces.
Photo credit: IHG. Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur — The Living Room.
Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur is set to become a compelling new weekend and short-stay destination for Singapore travellers seeking a design-led luxury escape in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
Founded in San Francisco in 1981, Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur marks the continued strategic expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, catering to growing demand for authentic luxury lifestyle experiences.
Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur has named Paul Cunningham general manager.
The 26-storey hotel features 466 rooms and suites within the Exchange TRX mall and offers guests landmark views of the city, including Merdeka 118 and KL Tower.
Kimpton Naluria Kuala Lumpur joins a growing IHG portfolio of luxury lifestyle hotels, which opened in 2025, including Kimpton Main Frankfurt, Kimpton KAFD Riyadh, Kimpton Aqeos Hainan, Kimpton Atlântico Algarve and Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong, with more exciting destinations in the pipeline, such as Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud opening in 2026.
MUMBAI, 10 February 2026: SOTC Travel, a leading travel and tourism company, has enhanced its holiday booking experience by introducing no‑cost EMI* options, making travel more affordable and financially convenient for Indian consumers.
As part of this initiative, customers booking holidays with SOTC can now opt for no‑cost EMI plans, allowing them to spread payments over convenient tenures, thereby reducing upfront financial pressure and enabling customers to plan their trips with greater confidence and ease.
With travel emerging as a key lifestyle priority, Indian consumers — especially GenZ and Millennials — are increasingly seeking flexible payment solutions for value‑driven travel. Travellers today are embracing options such as cashback, loyalty benefits, and dynamic EMI plans to manage holiday spending better, driving rapid adoption of affordable payment methods such as Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL).
· Flexible repayment tenures ranging from three to 24 months;
· High approval rates thanks to a multi-channel, technology-led financing engine.
SOTC Travel Limited President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours, SD Nandakumar said: “Travel today has become a non-negotiable part of the Indian consumer’s lifestyle, with demand steadily shifting to a year-round opportunity…By offering no‑cost EMI options, we are enabling customers to plan their holidays with greater comfort, financial flexibility and confidence—while continuing to deliver strong value and memorable experiences.”
What’s an EMI?
*No-cost EMI (Equated Monthly Instalment) is a popular payment option allowing consumers to purchase products — often high-value items like electronics or appliances — and pay in instalments over three to 24 months without paying additional interest.
KUALA LUMPUR, 10 February 2025: AirAsia Malaysia (AK) is accelerating its fifth-freedom expansion between Taiwan and Japan by extending its Kuala Lumpur-Kaohsiung service to Osaka in Japan.
Building on the success of its first fifth-freedom route launched last year, flying from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to Fukuoka, Japan, with a stop in Taipei, Taiwan, AirAsia continues to expand beyond traditional point-to-point routes and create new connectivity opportunities with local fare sales for both flight sectors.
Photo credit: AirAsia (AK)
Engaging fifth freedom rights on the Kaohsiung-Osaka route strengthens connectivity between Taiwan and Japan while leveraging Kuala Lumpur as a key origin hub within the airline’s broader network.
AirAsia will begin operating the new route from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to Osaka, Japan, with daily flights, as an extension of its daily service between Kuala Lumpur and Kaohsiung.
The new fifth-freedom sector enhances AirAsia’s presence in North Asia and supports growing demand for travel between Taiwan and Japan. It also enables AirAsia to sell local-sector fares between all three cities.
AirAsia Malaysia General Manager Dato Captain Fareh Mazputra said: “The strong demand for our first fifth-freedom route between Taipei and Fukuoka last year is a clear testament to the success of this strategy, with an average passenger load factor of over 90% since the service commenced. Building on this momentum, we are now introducing the new Kaohsiung-Osaka route as part of our ongoing network expansion, where we strengthen existing routes while unlocking new market opportunities.”
To commemorate this launch, AirAsia will offer special promotional fares for flights from Kaohsiung to Osaka, starting at TWD2,690* (USD85.16) all-inclusive, one-way. Fares from Osaka to Kaohsiung are also available from JPY11,990* (USD76) one-way, all-inclusive. Bookings are open until 15 February 2026 for travel between 15 June 2026 and 24 October 2026, via the AirAsia MOVE app and airasia.com.
Flight schedules: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Kaohsiung (KHH) with the new Kaohsiung (KHH)-Osaka (KIX) sector
Osaka is one of Japan’s most dynamic cities, known for its street food culture, rich history and modern urban energy. As a major commercial and tourism hub, the city continues to attract travellers from across Asia for both leisure and business. The new Kaohsiung-Osaka service further strengthens tourism and travel between Taiwan and Japan, supporting the growing two-way demand.
Travellers can book through-trips on AK170 between Kuala Lumpur and Osaka (round-trip AK170/AK171). They can also purchase local-sector flights between Kuala Lumpur and Kaohsiung, and also between Kaohsiung and Osaka (one-way or round-trip) under the Fifth Freedom rule.
Operating the Kaohsiung (KHH)-Osaka (KIX) route will be challenging for AirAsia, as it will compete directly with Eva Air (11 weekly flights), China Airlines (10 weekly flights), Tigerair Taiwan, and Peach Aviation, each offering daily services. The average round-trip fare on the route is USD400.
*All-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees. Terms and conditions apply.
