SINGAPORE, 21 February 2025: Paytm Travel and Agoda partner to offer hotel bookings across Indian and global destinations on the Paytm app, Agoda reported earlier this week.
One97 Communications Limited (OCL), which owns the brand Paytm, India’s leading payments and financial services distribution company, has partnered with digital travel platform Agoda, a brand under Booking Holdings
The deal offers hotel booking services on the Paytm app. This partnership expands Paytm Travel’s offerings to hotel bookings — alongside flights, buses, and trains — by enabling users to access Agoda’s wide range of accommodation options across Indian and global destinations, exclusive deals and a seamless booking experience.
Leveraging Agoda’s extensive selection of accommodations, Paytm Travel has integrated hotel booking services, allowing travellers to browse and book stays seamlessly. This integration reinforces Paytm Travel’s position as a comprehensive solution for travel needs. The partnership empowers travellers with streamlined itinerary management and provides cost-effective travel solutions, catering to frequent travellers and businesses seeking efficient travel planning.
Agoda Chief Commercial Officer Damien Pfirsch commented: “By joining forces with Paytm Travel, we are giving travellers even higher levels of convenience when booking their dream trip. Our combined efforts aim to simplify the booking process while making it even simpler to pay will ensure that even more Indian travellers can see the world for less.”
As an International Air Transport Association (IATA) accredited travel agent, Paytm Travel ensures a reliable and trusted booking experience with free cancellations, instant refunds, travel insurance, and enhanced ticket inventories. Additionally, exclusive deals and discounts on ticket bookings are available through Paytm’s extensive bank partnerships, making it a preferred choice for travellers nationwide.
SINGAPORE, 21 February 2025: Korean Air will commence twice-daily flights between Seoul Incheon and Kobe from 18 April, becoming the first Korean flag carrier to operate this route.
The morning flight will depart from Seoul Incheon at 0825 and arrive at Kobe at 1000. The return flight will depart from Kobe at 1100 and arrive at Seoul Incheon at 1300.
The afternoon service will depart from Seoul Incheon at 1550 and reach Kobe at 1730, while the return flight will leave Kobe at 1830 and arrive at Seoul Incheon at 2040. The flight time is approximately two hours.
Kobe, a key city in Japan’s Kansai region alongside Osaka and Kyoto, has been a major hub since opening its port to international trade in 1868. Today, it is known for its blend of Eastern and Western influences, with attractions such as the historic Kitano-Ijinkan district, Nankin-machi Chinatown, and the vibrant waterfront of Harborland. The city is also famous for its scenic harbour views, Arima Onsen — one of Japan’s top three hot springs — and its world-renowned Kobe beef.
With its central location, Kobe offers convenient access to nearby destinations. Osaka, Kyoto and Nara lie on the east, and Himeji and Okayama to the west, all within an hour’s drive. Osaka, in particular, can be reached in less than 20 minutes via the bullet train.
HONG KONG, 21 February 2025: The Cathay Group released its traffic figures for January 2025 earlier this week, noting 2025 started on a firm footing with another passenger milestone achieved, and new destinations announced.
Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “The Cathay Group has got off to a strong start in 2025. Over the Lunar New Year travel peak, on 25 January, Cathay Pacific and HK Express carried over 110,000 passengers, marking a new post-pandemic record for the number of passengers carried on a single day.
“As a Group, we continue enhancing our passenger network for our customers and Hong Kong as we strive to reach 100 destinations worldwide this year. In January, Cathay Pacific announced the return of direct flights to Rome starting 5 June 2025, while HK Express launched its service to Sendai on 17 January. HK Express has also announced flights to Nha Trang and Ishigaki starting on 3 April. So far, eight destinations are joining our Group passenger network in 2025, with more announcements still to come.”
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific carried 37% more passengers in January 2025 than in January 2024. Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 30.9% while the load factor increased by 3.6 percentage points year-on-year.
Lau said: “Following the Christmas and New Year holidays, Cathay Pacific witnessed a resurgence in business travel demand, leading to a solid load factor in the premium cabins. January also peaked for outbound student traffic as the school term resumed, boosting demand on long-haul routes.
“Towards the end of the month, passenger travel demand from our home market, Hong Kong, and the Chinese Mainland increased significantly during the Lunar New Year holiday, with short-haul destinations being the most popular. Looking ahead, we anticipate a quieter period for leisure travel demand until the end of March.”
Cathay Cargo
Cathay Cargo carried 13.7% more cargo in January 2025 compared with January 2024. Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 14.7% while the load factor decreased by 2.5 percentage points year-on-year.
Lau said: “Cargo got off to a slower start after the New Year holidays, but demand gradually picked up pace as we approached the traditional pre-Lunar New Year rush. Perishables and seasonal produce from the Southwest Pacific remained robust, and we also observed increased demand for our Cathay Secure solution, which was attributed to increased valuable cargoes from Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Softer cargo demand is expected following the Lunar New Year period.
HK Express
HK Express carried a record high of over 667,000 passengers in January 2025, an increase of 46.1% compared with January 2024, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 39.7%.
Lau said: “In addition to carrying a record number of passengers and expanding its network in January, HK Express also increased flights on a number of its routes, with Tokyo (Narita) increased to six daily return flights and Hiroshima to four return flights per week. Extra sectors to Hualien, Chiang Mai, Bangkok and Phu Quoc were also mounted over the Lunar New Year peak season.”
SINGAPORE, February 17 2025: The latest analysis from travel data provider OAG confirms that the Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) region is on track to solidify its position as the world’s most competitive aviation market in 2025, having surpassed 2019’s total capacity by 0.5% in 2024.
Both domestic and international sectors show remarkable growth and resilience.
OAG’s latest report, ‘Is Asia Pacific the World’s Most Competitive Aviation Market?’, reveals how domestic markets across the region have rebounded strongly, now operating at 4.7% above 2019 levels. This growth underscores the critical role of domestic travel in driving the region’s aviation recovery.
Chinese domestic capacity is 14% above 2019, and India is 13% ahead of pre-pandemic levels. These two countries, along with Japan and Indonesia, boast more than 100 million seats in their domestic markets.
However, Japan remains 4% behind 2019 domestic capacity levels as a combination of socio-economic factors hold back growth. Ongoing supply chain issues contribute to Indonesia’s slower return (17% behind), with 27% of the country’s aircraft currently stored or out for maintenance.
On the international front, the ASPAC region has achieved 594.8 million seats, making it the second-largest international aviation market globally. While this figure is below 2019 levels, ASPAC now accounts for one in every four international seats worldwide.
Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and China Eastern are leading the charge in international seat capacity. Singapore Airlines is also among the three Asia Pacific airlines within the top 10 for international capacity, surpassing their 2019 levels with 14.1% more than in 2024. The other two are Scoot (+13.8%) and EVA Airways (+4.5%).
The report also explains how airfares in the region have been driven down by rapid capacity expansion and increased competition. Average ticket prices on 17 of the 20 largest growth markets have declined, many by more than 20%, with Bangkok to Shanghai Pudong (BKK-PVG) seeing a 71% reduction in fares, year on year.
OAG’s Head of Asia Pacific, Mayur Patel, commented: “As the Asia Pacific region continues to expand, the synergy of robust domestic recovery, dynamic international growth, and competitive strategic pricing makes it the world’s most vibrant and competitive aviation market.”
Read OAG’s report, “Is Asia Pacific the Most Competitive Aviation Market?” on their website
SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025: Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is ramping up its recruitment efforts in Singaporeto keep pace with rising global customer demand.
The airline will hold a pilot recruitment roadshow in Singapore from 4 to 5 March 2025 to recruit experienced commercial pilots. Currently, 32 Singaporean pilots fly with Emirates.
The upcoming roadshow will be held at Carlton Hotel Singapore on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, from 1300 to 1800 and Wednesday, 5 March 2025, at 1000.
Last year, the airline announced significant changes to its pilot recruitment, including higher salaries, new roles, and a radical shift in eligibility. Experienced pilots keen to join Emirates as Direct Entry Captains, First Officers Type Rated and Non-Type Rated, or via the Accelerated Command Programme are welcome.
Prior registration is not required, and pilots are only required to attend one of the sessions. At the session, prospective Emirates pilots can learn more about the airline’s recruitment process, available opportunities, training programmes, expected career trajectory, and benefits, as well as speak to pilots currently flying with Emirates. More information can be found at https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/pilots/.
Emirates’ Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, Rashed Alfajeer said: “Emirates pilots fly one of the world’s youngest and most modern all wide-body fleets to over 148 destinations across the globe, including the A350 aircraft we recently introduced to our fleet. We have channelled significant investments into our pilot training facilities, ensuring they receive the best-in-class training with cutting-edge technology and equipment. They will also be able to live in the vibrant city of Dubai.”
Flying with Emirates
With a network of 148 destinations, Emirates pilots have the exciting opportunity to fly to diverse destinations. Emirates has recently announced the retrofit of an additional 71 Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s – which means the airline is refreshing the interiors of 191 aircraft in its fleet. The airline’s continuous investment ensures that its pilots fly the world’s youngest and most modern fleet of all wide-body aircraft.
Emirates is on its next big growth trajectory. The airline recently took delivery of its first 3 A350s, of which 65 were on order. The airline also looks forward to receiving its Boeing 777Xs, of which 205 are on order. Pilots relish the excitement and adventure of flying one of the most comprehensive global route networks that spans six continents.
Emirates offers exciting benefits for pilots and their families, including a competitive tax-free salary, 42 days of annual leave, a generous allowance for accommodation and education, full medical benefits, discounted travel benefits for the wider family and friends, and more.
Emirates pilots will be based in Dubai, one of the safest, most vibrant, and tech-savvy cities in the world, and a lifestyle destination with global annual sporting events, spectacular attractions, and adventure sports for children and families.
Cutting-edge Training Experience
Emirates provides new joiners with robust, evidence- and competency-based in-house training to ease them into their roles. Successful candidates complete training programmes at Emirates’ advanced pilot training facilities in Dubai, which currently house ten simulators.
Emirates is building an advanced pilot training facility to accommodate six Full Flight Simulator Bays for its A350 and 777X aircraft. The brand new, 63,318 sq. ft. facility, worth an investment of USD135 million, is slated to open later this year.
Direct Entry Captain
To command Emirates’ highly anticipated A350 fleet of 65 aircraft or the A380s, candidates need at least 7,000 hours of flying experience on multi-crew, multi-engine commercial airliner.
Accelerated Command Programme
Primarily designed for experienced Airbus and Boeing Captains who currently command narrow-body aircraft on regional routes and wish to dial up their careers by working with a global airline brand.
Captains with at least 1,000 hours of Airbus fly-by-wire and Boeing experience will join Emirates as First Officers on an enhanced salary package. They are eligible for an accelerated command upgrade after a minimum of 700 flying hours and two successful recurrent checks. Typically, Emirates pilots achieve these milestones in a little over a year as they fly a mix of ultra-long, long- and short-haul routes.
First Officers – Non-Type Rated
Emirates is welcoming non-type-rated First Officers — mainly those who have experience only on turboprops or jets. These pilots will now have the opportunity to be fully trained to fly the airline’s wide-body fleet of 144 Boeing aircraft. When these aircraft enter the fleet in 2025, First Officers can also fly 205 of the new Boeing 777-Xs.
First Officer
Candidates for First Officer roles must have multi-engine, multi-crew aircraft experience, a valid International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL), and a minimum of 2,000 hours on 20-tonne maximum take-off weight aircraft. More information about the requirements and benefits of each role can be found here: https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/pilots/.
SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025: American Express Global Business Travel reports the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (the “CMA”) has “provisionally concluded” that it has not identified any competition concerns with GBT’s proposed acquisition of CWT, a global business travel and solutions provider.
CMA’s final decision is required to be made by 9 March 2025.
American Express Global Business Travel’s press statement on 18 February noted: “If consummated, this transaction will accelerate investment and innovation in business travel, creating more choice and value for customers and suppliers, and more opportunities for CWT employees.”
However, the company continues to defend itself against a lawsuit filed in January 2025 by the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), seeking an injunction to prevent the proposed transaction.
“The updated provisional conclusions by the CMA is an important milestone toward the transaction consummation. The CMA’s revised findings reinforce the company’s belief that the DOJ’s lawsuit is fundamentally flawed, taking a narrow and outdated view of competition and disregarding the emergence of numerous significant competitors in business travel.”
The company previously announced on 25 March 2024 that it agreed to acquire CWT, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals.
About Amex GBT Amex GBT is a leading software and services company for travel, expense, and meetings & events with travel professionals and business partners in more than 140 countries.
SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025: Travelport and Costco Travel have signed a new long-term technology agreement.
The leading North American online travel agency, Costco Travel, will tap Travelport’s multi-source content and intelligent search experiences to make it easy for Costco members to shop and compare the company’s carefully selected travel options.
“Costco Travel is focused on delivering more value to its members by giving them more choice and better offers when planning their trips, and Travelport provides the seamless, modern travel retailing experience that their customers have come to expect,” said Travelport COO – Agency, Jason Toothman.”
The new partnership will provide Costco Travel with multi-source content while expanding the flight options available to Costco members with a single connection to normalise retail-ready air content from multiple sources.
Costco Travel is expected to use the latest Travelport+ features to modernise the travel retailing experience for members, such as faster, more intelligent trip searches driven by Travelport’s AI-powered Content Curation Layer.
PENANG, 20 FEBRUARY 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) Penang Chapter confirms the return of the MATTA Fair Penang, to be held at the Setia Spice Arena from 24 to 25 May 2025, from 1000 to 2100.
As the second-largest MATTA Fair after the flagship national event in Kuala Lumpur, this edition promises to deliver an even bigger and more exciting experience for visitors, with over 300 booths showcasing the best travel and tourism offerings.
MATTA Fair Penang is one of the most significant tourism events in the country, reinforcing the state’s role as a second gateway to Malaysia. With strong international connectivity and numerous foreign airlines serving the state, Penang remains a prime destination for domestic and international travellers. Its strategic location further strengthens the fair’s position as a significant platform for travel industry players to connect and offer exclusive deals to eager travellers.
In line with the success of last year’s event, which attracted more than 85,860 visitors and generated MYR78 million in total sales, the MATTA Fair Penang 2025 will see a significant expansion, with 40 new booths added this year, bringing the total to 300 booths. Given the overwhelming response, there is the potential to increase booths further to 330, should the demand require it.
The debut of the Domestic Zone, where guests will have the exceptional chance to browse domestic travel packages before accessing the international zone, is a significant highlight of this year’s exhibition. This campaign supports the idea that MATTA is not solely focused on outbound travel and is in line with MATTA’s commitment to promoting domestic travel linked to Visit Malaysia 2026 celebrations. By establishing a Domestic Zone, MATTA emphasises the tremendous potential for domestic travel and tourism and the significance of promoting expansion in the regional travel industry.
“Penang’s position as a key gateway and tourism powerhouse in Malaysia naturally makes the MATTA Fair Penang the second-largest event in the country, following the national MATTA Fair at MITEC. With its vibrant tourism offerings and strong economic dynamism, Penang is an ideal destination for domestic and international travellers. The MATTA Fair Penang plays a significant role in driving forward tourism in the region and supporting Malaysia’s ongoing tourism development,” said MATTA Fair Penang 2025 Organising Chairman Datuk Hamzah.
Admission to the MATTA Fair Penang is free. For more information and updates on the event, visit the MATTA Fair’s website and social media platforms on the Facebook page at MATTA Fair Penang.
SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025: Ponant Explorations unveil a brand-new itinerary featuring southern France and the Côte d’Azur aboard the company’s three-master, Le Ponant.
From May 2026, the first Relais & Châteaux labelled sailing yacht will offer 32 guests the Côte d’Azur in a new itinerary that unveils legendary ports of call and hidden harbours. With her size (88 metres bow to stern, 12-metre beam) and a shallow draft, Le Ponant can access smaller ports and secluded coves along the French Riviera.
Le Ponant catches the breeze with a new itinerary for summer 2026.
This part of the coast never fails to inspire, whether Nice, the pearl of the Riviera or Portofino and the Italian ‘dolce vita’, the picturesque queen of lemons that is Menton, Cannes with its stars and boutiques, Antibes the favourite of painters, Saint-Tropez and its stunning setting or Cassis and the intimate side of Provence in the Calanques.
“Le Ponant is a genuine sailing yacht for sailors, managing the wind and sea daily. Le Ponant is also a state of mind and connection with the marine element and environment the crew and guests share,” explains Le Ponant Captain Jean-David Lemaire.
The French Riviera under Le Ponant’s sails
From Nice to Nice Departs 7 and 23 May 2026 Seven nights
SINGAPORE, 20 February 2025: The Trip.com Group released its forward-looking report, Momentum 2025 on Wednesday, tagged ‘Travel’s Next Big Trends’ as the global travel industry strives to reinvent itself.
Based on insights from over 6,000 travellers across six Asia-Pacific markets, this report forecasts the trends and innovations shaping the future of travel, including technology-driven personalisation, niche travel experiences, and a renewed focus on meaningful, immersive journeys.
Experiential Dining to Dominate Travel Itineraries
Culinary tourism is rising, with 60% of Trip.com users searching for food-related content since early 2024. Across Asia-Pacific, travellers are drawn to food festivals (62%), hotel dining (60%), and street food tours (52%) as top culinary experiences. Urban food lovers from Hong Kong and Singapore show a particular enthusiasm for street food tours, while travellers from Japan and South Korea prioritise hotel dining for its blend of convenience and luxury.
Travellers Inspired by Media Content
The power of films and television on travel choices is stronger than ever, with 70% of travellers across the region planning trips inspired by what they’ve seen on screen. In Malaysia, a remarkable 91% of travellers credit media for shaping their travel plans, influenced by fan-favourites like Emily in Paris and Running Man.
Cruise Tourism Sees Major Growth
Cruising is set to become a significant growth segment in 2025, driven by scenic sea views, fresh ocean air, and diverse onboard experiences. According to the report, 44% of travellers value onboard dining highly, 38% are drawn to all-inclusive packages, and 31% prioritise live shows and entertainment.
Popular cruise destinations include Tokyo, Jeju Island, and the Maldives. Among Singaporean travellers, affordability (57%), scenic views (52%), and all-inclusive travel (51%) are the most attractive features of cruise holidays. Meanwhile, panoramic sea views are the top draw for 62% of respondents aged 55 to 64 in Hong Kong.
Entertainment Travel: Big Events Driving Movement
Entertainment-driven travel is set to soar, with concerts and sporting events becoming major travel motivators in 2025.
In 2024, sports tourism was driven by marquee events such as the UEFA Euro. Now, in 2025, football remains the top choice for live sports travel, followed closely by basketball and the ever-growing popularity of Formula 1.
The Social Media-Driven Explorer
Social media will continue to shape where and how people travel. Viral travel content on platforms like TikTok has already influenced 45% of travellers’ decisions. Popular destinations, including Tokyo and Bali, will further benefit from this trend, as users seek destinations with “Instagrammable” appeal. Trip.com’s social-sharing Trip Moments travel platform is expected to play a key role in fostering this community-driven exploration.
Emerging Micro-Trends for 2025
Dark Sky Stargazing: A growing number of travellers (37%) are planning trips to remote areas for optimal stargazing experiences.
Underwater Hotel Stays: Immersive travel experiences, such as underwater hotels and cultural immersion retreats, are gaining traction.
AI and Travel Innovation: AI-powered tools will revolutionise travel planning by offering hyper-personalised experiences. Over half of travellers (58%) already use AI for travel recommendations. Trip.com’s dynamic tools, like Trip.Genie, Trip.Best and Trip.Trends, are designed to enhance this journey by offering itinerary planning from real-time suggestions based on user behaviour.
