BANGKOK, 28 January 2026: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, is set to expand its presence in Japan with the upcoming opening of Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka in Q2 2026, marking the group’s second hotel in Japan following the successful debut of Centara Grand Hotel Osaka in 2023.
To celebrate the launch, Centara is introducing a limited-time, members-only opening offer designed for modern travellers who want to experience the city from its most vibrant neighbourhood.
From now until 31 May 2026, CentaraThe1 members booking stays from 1 May 2026 to 31 August 2026 can enjoy the “Live the City” launch offer featuring an enhanced 25% member discount on The Place to Be and Flexible rates, plus triple CentaraThe1 points for every booking, allowing guests to maximise their benefits while discovering the hotel’s contemporary comfort and prime location. New members can sign up for free at www.centarathe1.com to unlock these exclusive benefits.
Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka offers convenient access to many of the city’s iconic sights and experiences, from the vibrant atmosphere of Dotonbori to the fresh flavours of Kuromon Market and the shopping streets of Shinsaibashi.
BANGKOK, 28 January 2026: HG Hotels & Resorts CEO Elie Maalouf views Thailand as a land of opportunity and remains committed to growing IHG’s world-class brand portfolio in 2026 and beyond.
IHG manages 40 hotels in Thailand, and another 39 are in the pipeline.
Photo credit: IHG. IHG CEO Elie Maalouf.
Maalouf forecasts the company will double its presence in Thailand within the next three to five years.
“This is going to be a big year for IHG in Thailand, a land of opportunity, as the country targets 36 million international visitors, a 10% increase year-on-year, and over 205 million domestic trips,” Maalouf explained. “This year, we are on track to open five hotels across our Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn Express brands in Bangkok.
“Bangkok’s hotel supply continues to grow rapidly, with more than 3,000 rooms added in 2025 in the city’s CBD, bringing the total to over 83,000 rooms.
“Many owners are investing in renovations and rebranding programmes to enhance asset value. We’re actively pursuing strategic partnerships with local developers and investors to facilitate entry into new destinations, aligned with local priorities.”
Maalouf sees opportunities for the global business throughout the Asia Pacific and highlights IHG’s strategy to secure long-term growth.
“Despite global macroeconomic challenges, Asia Pacific was the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in 2025, fuelled by fundamental drivers such as accelerating GDP, population growth and an expanding middle class.
“Travel is expected to remain one of Asia Pacific’s strongest growth engines this year and beyond – and IHG intends to be at the heart of it,” he concluded.
KOTA KINABALU, 28 January 2026: Cyclists from Chennai, India, embarked on a Sabah journey on Monday, exploring the state on two wheels as part of the Ride Sabah North Borneo Cycling FAM Tour.
The six-day/five-night familiarisation tour is curated by Tourism Malaysia–Chennai and involves participants from the Chennai Cycling Association.
Chennai cyclists at the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building with STB chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit (9th right); STB deputy chief executive officer (Product & Research) Humphrey Ginibun (8th right); Director of Tourism Malaysia-Chennai, Hishamuddin Mustafa (10th left); and Director of Tourism Malaysia Sabah, Haryanty Abu Bakar (9th left).
The ride officially commenced in the state capital, with cyclists flagged off from the Sabah Tourism Board building by chief executive officer Julinus Jeffery Jimit.
The tour, with the theme “Sabah Cycling Paradise, Malaysia Truly Asia”, covers key destinations including Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Kudat, Kundasang, and Tamparuli, offering participants a mix of coastal scenery, highlands, and cultural towns.
Royal Brunei Airlines supports the participation of delegates and cycling influencers from India.
Sabah Tourism Board will also participate in the Outbound Travel Mart 2026 in Mumbai next week, and officially launch the ‘Ride Sabah North Borneo Cycling Tour’to India’s outbound tour operators attending the show.
SINGAPORE, 27 January 2026: Vietjet invites Singapore travellers to start planning their 2026 Vietnam getaways with a limited-time promotion for just 71 hours, offering up to 30% off Deluxe fares across its international network and Vietnam domestic routes.
Until the midnight deadline on 29 January 2026 (GMT +8), passengers booking Deluxe fares via www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile application can enjoy a 30% discount on base fares by applying the promotional code DLXVJ.
Photo credit: Vietjet.
The promotion is valid for travel between 1 February and 31 December 2026, excluding taxes, fees, and selected blackout dates (*).
For Singapore travellers, the promotion applies to Vietjet’s direct services connecting Singapore with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc. It supports onward travel through the airline’s extensive domestic network in Vietnam.
Designed for travellers seeking greater comfort and flexibility, Vietjet’s Deluxe fare includes 20kg of baggage allowance, complimentary seat selection, free flight schedule changes, and additional bundled benefits (**).
Vietnam remains a popular destination for Singaporeans, particularly during the spring travel period when the country enjoys milder weather and a festive atmosphere. From Lunar New Year celebrations to cultural festivals, historic cities, and renowned regional cuisine, the season offers a compelling backdrop for both leisure and experiential travel.
(*) Travel periods may vary by route, blackout dates apply, and public holidays are excluded.
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 January 2026: Tourism Malaysia welcomed Shandong Airlines’ inaugural flight from Jinan to Kuala Lumpur last week, marking a milestone in strengthening air connectivity between China and Malaysia.
The new route operates daily with a Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft seating 176 passengers. Flight time is five hours and 40 minutes.
Zainuddin Mohamed, General Manager Aviation, Marketing & Development – Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), Deputy Director General (Promotion II), Tourism Malaysia, Lee Thai Hung, and Hao Shu, Deputy General Manager, Asia – Pacific Region, Air China, presented goodie bags to passengers arriving at KLIA on the inaugural Shandong Airlines flight from Jinan to Kuala Lumpur.
Flight schedule
SC8077 departs Jinan (TNA) at 0825 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0305, plus a day. SC8078 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 0405 and arrives in Jinan (TNA) at 0945.
Supporting the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign, the new route should boost inbound tourist arrivals from Shandong, China, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for Chinese travellers while enhancing regional aviation connectivity.
“We warmly welcome the inaugural Jinan–Kuala Lumpur flight by Shandong Airlines, which marks a positive step forward in meeting the growing travel demand between China and Malaysia,” said Tourism Malaysia Director General Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim.
“This new daily service will make it more convenient for Chinese travellers to discover Malaysia’s diverse attractions, culture, and hospitality, while reinforcing our commitment to strengthening tourism cooperation under the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.”
China remains a key source market for Malaysia, as demonstrated by sustained tourism growth: arrivals reached 4.3 million from January to November 2025, a 25.9% year-on-year increase. Recognising the significance of enhanced air connectivity in driving visitor growth, Tourism Malaysia will continue working closely with airlines and travel trade partners in China to promote curated itineraries and travel packages. These efforts will showcase Malaysia’s diverse attractions, rich culinary heritage, vibrant festivals, and renowned hospitality. The added flight capacity supports ongoing efforts to boost visitor arrivals and increase tourism spending from key source markets.
Two-way tourism potential
Jinan is the capital of Shandong Province in Eastern China. It is geographically positioned between the Yellow River to the north and Mount Tai (Taishan) to the south. Known as the “City of Springs” (Quancheng), Jinan is famous for its unique hydrogeology, which allows dozens of natural artesian springs to bubble up throughout the urban centre.
Jinan serves as a major cultural and transport hub on the North China Plain, acting as a gateway for travellers heading to the holy Mount Tai or to the hometown of Confucius in Qufu. Its primary tourist appeal lies in its “Spring Culture,” traditional architecture, and proximity to sacred sites.
(Source: Tourism Malaysia plus additional reporting)
MUSCAT, Oman, 28 January 2026: SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost carrier, introduced flights between Muscat and Port Sudan on Tuesday, marking the first operations of an Omani airline between the two cities.
The new service flying three times weekly expands SalamAir’s network across the Middle East and Africa. With this service, SalamAir becomes the first GCC airline to offer direct air links to Sudan, strengthening connectivity between the Sultanate of Oman and Northeast Africa through affordable travel options.
Photo credit: SalamAir.
The inaugural Muscat–Port Sudan flight operated with a full load factor of 100%, reflecting robust market response and underscoring the importance of this route in meeting growing travel demand while strengthening community, commercial, and economic ties between Oman and Sudan. The service offers passengers an affordable and convenient travel option between the two countries, with Lite fares starting at OMR69.99.
Commenting on the launch, SalamAir Chief Commercial Officer Steven Allen said: “The launch of Port Sudan reflects our targeted and commercially driven approach to network expansion. We are proud to be the first GCC carrier operating to Port Sudan, and while the route addresses clear travel demand between Oman and Sudan, it will also connect to our GCC network beyond Muscat. By offering affordable fares and reliable connectivity, we aim to support community links, facilitate trade and mobility, and strengthen regional connectivity in line with Oman Vision 2040.”
Flight schedule
OV391 departs Muscat (MCT) at 0640 and arrives in Port Sudan (PZU) at 0830. (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday — A321). OV392 departs Port Sudan (PZU) at 0920 and arrives in Muscat (MCT) at 1430. (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday — A321).
SINGAPORE, 28 January 2026: Swiss International Air Lines will deploy its latest Airbus A350 on the Zurich–Seoul route on 29 March, presenting ‘SWISS Senses’ new cabin products and services for the first time in Asia.
Flying three weekly direct services to Seoul Incheon, the A350 is the first SWISS aircraft to feature an entirely redesigned cabin across four travel classes — first, business, premium economy, and economy. It has 242 seats, replacing the 215-seat A340 on the route.
Photo credit: SWISS. Sweet travels in the Swiss Suite.
SWISS First will feature two Single Suites and one Suite Plus (two persons). while SWISS Business has five individual seat types — Classic Seat, Privacy Seat, Extra Long Bed Seat, Extra Space Seat and Business Suite. (Total:45 seats). Premium economy has 38 seats, and economy has 156.
Korea is the first market in the region to receive the premium Airbus A350 aircraft configured with the new cabin products and services.
The A350-900 aircraft will shave 50 minutes off the flight time between the two cities compared with the A340-300, which has served the route since 2024. Flight time will be around 11 hours and 10 minutes on the direct service.
South Korea is Switzerland’s fourth-largest trading partner in Asia, and this is reflected in the cabin layout, which favours varied seating options in business class.
Flight schedule
LX122 departs Zurich (ZUR) at 1320 and arrives in Seoul (ICN) at 0820, plus a day. Departures from Zurich on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. LX123 departs Seoul (ICN) at 1005 and arrives in Zurich (ZUR) at 1645. Departures from Seoul on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
SINGAPORE, 27 January 2026: Pandaw, a specialist river cruise operator in Southeast Asia and India, updated travel agents this week on its latest product updates for 2026.
As 2026 gets underway, Pandaw introduces ship additions, expanded land programmes and flexible short itineraries in its latest Route News.
Photo credit: Pandaw.
Route news
Three-night cruise from HCMC to Phnom Penh
New city-to-city connector: Designed for easy packaging, the three-night cruise adds a premium Mekong experience between two major city gateways. Travellers get a taste of local life, scenery, and culture without the time commitment of a seven-night cruise.
RV Kerala Pandaw launches
2nd ship for Kerala end of 2026: Pandaw, the pioneer of multi-day Kerala Backwaters cruises, is charting new horizons. At the end of 2026, the 10-cabin RV Kerala Pandaw will join the fleet, purpose-built to glide through Kerala’s waterways.
Photo credit: Pandaw.
Tonle Suites offer added luxury
Double the space: Tonle Suites offer agents a premium upsell opportunity, with double the space of standard staterooms and added benefits such as a private butler, sauna and steam room sessions in the Pandaw Spa, and a large balcony.
ITB Berlin
Pandaw Cruises’ marketing and sales team will attend this year’s ITB Berlin in Hall 25, Booth 318A, to discuss new product developments, itineraries, and partnership opportunities across Southeast Asia and India.
KUCHING, 27 January 2026: Building on its recent Guinness World Records achievement and accelerating momentum towards Visit Malaysia 2026, Sarawak delivered a high-impact presence at the MATKA Travel Fair 2026, Northern Europe’s largest travel trade and consumer exhibition, positioning the destination firmly within the Nordic long-haul travel market.
Held from 15 to 18 January 2026 at the Helsinki Expo and Convention Centre, Sarawak’s participation formed a key pillar of the Sarawak Tourism Board’s (STB) European and Nordic market strategy, supporting Malaysia’s national tourism ambition of welcoming 43 million visitor arrivals in 2026, with particular emphasis on high-value long-haul markets such as Europe.
Sarawak delegates engaged with visitors at the MATKA Travel Fair 2026 in Helsinki, Finland. The Sarawak destination booth served as a high-engagement platform, providing Nordic travellers and trade partners with information on the region’s strengths in eco-tourism, nature-based adventures, and indigenous culture.
“Our continuous presence at MATKA Travel Fair 2026 shows the importance of this market,” said Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Tourism Board.
“As Malaysia works towards its Visit Malaysia 2026 target of 43 million visitor arrivals, Sarawak is committed to playing a meaningful and differentiated role in that journey. The Nordic market values authenticity, sustainability, and meaningful travel, and Sarawak offers all three at scale.”
STB’s participation at MATKA Travel Fair 2026 reflects Sarawak’s commitment to contributing to Malaysia’s national tourism goals by strengthening engagement in high-yield European and Nordic markets, particularly at the start of 2026. This momentum builds on encouraging recovery trends, with Nordic visitor arrivals to Sarawak growing by nearly 30% from January to December 2025, reflecting renewed demand and increasing confidence in long-haul travel to the destination.
As one of Malaysia’s most distinctive destinations, Sarawak’s participation at the region’s largest travel exhibition went beyond destination promotion. Through immersive cultural showcases, targeted trade engagements and sustainability-led storytelling, Sarawak reinforced its readiness to welcome discerning long-haul travellers seeking nature, culture, and purpose-driven experiences. This sustained presence in the Nordic region reflects STB’s long-term market development approach, which prioritises relationship-building, trade readiness, and alignment with evolving traveller values.
A significant audience gathered to watch a traditional sape performance at the MATKA Travel Fair 2026 in Helsinki. The strong turnout underscored the Nordic market’s interest in authentic and meaningful cultural experiences, as showcased by Sarawak.
Over the four-day fair, Sarawak’s destination promotion booth served as a high-engagement platform for Nordic travel agents, tour operators, media representatives, and influencers.
Structured business meetings and destination briefings generated new trade contacts and qualified leads, strengthening Sarawak’s pipeline for post-event follow-up and conversion.
Destination presentations focused on Sarawak’s strengths in eco-tourism, nature-based adventures, indigenous culture, and community-based tourism, aligning firmly with the Nordic travellers’ preference for responsible, immersive, and low-impact travel experiences.
Cultural storytelling emerged as one of Sarawak’s most compelling engagement tools at the MATKA Travel Fair 2026. On-stage sape music and traditional dance performances drew a strong audience
interest, while hands-on bead-making workshops at the MATKA Experience Zone offered visitors a direct and personal connection to Sarawak’s living heritage.
Sarawak’s impactful presence at MATKA Travel Fair 2026 reinforces its growing visibility in the Nordic region at a pivotal moment for Malaysia’s tourism sector. By combining record-breaking global recognition, authentic cultural storytelling, and strategic market engagement, Sarawak continues to strengthen its position as a compelling long-haul destination during Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
PATTAYA, 27 January 2026: The Royal Cliff Hotels Group team, led by Panga Vathanakul, Managing Director, recently visited the Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind to present a donation and share a meaningful end-of-year celebration with the students and teachers.
The visit aimed to spread joy, warmth, and encouragement through both personal interaction and a specially prepared meal. Royal Cliff’s award-winning culinary team created a selection of all-time favourite dishes, including American fried rice, grilled chicken, Thai papaya salad, and Royal Cliff’s signature banana in coconut milk. The thoughtful gesture brought smiles to the children and teachers, creating a warm and joyful year-end celebration.
Royal Cliff’s award-winning culinary team curated a selection of all-time favourite dishes. The thoughtful gesture brought smiles to the children and teachers, creating a warm and joyful celebration.
An awareness-building activity was also organised for Royal Cliff team members, during which staff participated in a brief, guided exercise to better understand the everyday challenges faced by people with visual impairments. The activity encouraged appreciation for students’ resilience and abilities while reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and respect.
Children’s welfare and community health remain among Royal Cliff Hotels Group’s key priorities. The Group actively supports society through various initiatives, such as providing scholarships, donating educational materials, and contributing to projects for schools, hospitals, and welfare centres. Royal Cliff firmly believes that by supporting education and wellbeing, young people can grow into responsible individuals and become a positive inspiration to others.
Pattaya Redemptorist School for the Blind has played a vital role in providing education for blind and visually impaired children, empowering them to become independent members of society. The school offers three years of kindergarten education, followed by junior and secondary schooling. Students may then continue their Grades 10–12 at the Pattaya Redemptorist Vocational School for the Blind, which provides essential vocational and life skills training. Upon completing their education, students are recruited by Royal Cliff management to join the hotel team.
Royal Cliff staff took part in a brief, guided exercise to better appreciate the everyday challenges faced by people with visual impairments.
Perched atop a 64-acre private estate with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group boasts four award-winning hotels that charm travellers from all corners of the world. The resort offers a world of exceptional experiences through thoughtfully curated promotions and packages. Guests are encouraged to book directly with Royal Cliff to enjoy the best available rates and exclusive value-added privileges. To secure the premium experience you deserve, visit www.royalcliff.com, call our Reservations at (+66) 38 250 421 ext: 2732, or drop an email to [email protected].
