BANGKOK, 26 March 2025: Thai AirAsia will add three direct routes from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) on 1 July to the northeast city of Buriram, Surat Thani (a mainland port town where ferries depart for Samui Island) and Narathiwat in Thailand’s deep south bordering Malaysia.
Flights to Buriram will operate three times weekly on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, daily to Surat Thani and daily to Narathiwat. The low-cost airline will now serve nine domestic routes from its Suvarnabhumi Airport hub.
Photo credit: AirAsia. Three new routes from Suvarnabhumi hub.
Flights on the three routes begin on 1 July 2025, with a promotional fare starting at THB880 one-way. Bookings opened on 24 March and will remain open until 24 April 2025 for travel from 1 July to 25 October 2025 via AirAsia MOVE or www.airasia.com.
Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya noted: “By providing service from both Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, the airline has created the most extensive domestic network in Thailand with 37 routes” (including the latest introductions).
“These additions also grow our domestic network. In 2024, AirAsia held a 40% share in the domestic market, and we will reach out to even more customers in the coming year,” Santisuk explained.
AirAsia serves nine routes (including the latest additions) from Suvarnabhumi Airport — Chiang Mai eight daily, Phuket six daily, Krabi three daily, Hat Yai two daily, Udon Thani two daily, Khon Kaen two daily. The latest additions are Buriram, three weekly, Surat Thani daily, and Narathiwat daily.
KUCHING, 25 MARCH 2025: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) hosted the inaugural Ramadhan Mubarak Market 2025, celebrating unity, tradition, and the holy month’s rich culinary heritage.
The two-day event took place from 22 to 23 March at the Visitors’ Information Centre IKGardens in Miri and Sibu. The venues offered an immersive cultural experience featuring traditional cooking demonstrations, community Iftar gatherings, and live performances.
In Miri, the festivities began on 22 March with a Bubur Pedas cooking demonstration by Persatuan Melayu Miri, followed by a traditional kuih-making workshop on 23 March.
In Sibu, the event featured a Bubur Lambuk cooking demonstration by JKKK Kampung Bahagia Jaya Teku on the first day and a kuih-making workshop the following evening.
The cooking sessions showcased local delicacies and allowed visitors to participate in the preparation and distribution of food, fostering a spirit of sharing and togetherness.
The Ramadhan Mubarak Market was part of STB’s ongoing effort to transform its Visitor Information Centres (VICs) into more than just tourism hubs. These spaces have evolved into vibrant cultural and social gathering points that bring communities together through meaningful experiences.
Previous events, such as the Twinkling Christmas Market, Lunar New Year Market: Spring in the City created the garden as a community space for both residents and visitors.
STB CEO, Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, emphasised the significance of this initiative: “The Visitors’ Information Centres in Miri and Sibu are more than just places for tourism information; they are spaces where people can come together to celebrate traditions,
connect through food and music. and be close to the community. The Ramadhan Mubarak Market was another step in our mission to make these VICs dynamic and community-driven.”
DUBAI, UAE, 25 March 2025: Emirates has revealed the next seven cities to be served by its A350, as more newly delivered aircraft featuring the airline’s latest cabin innovations enter scheduled service.
With the latest tranche of planned Emirates A350 deployments, the airline is expanding the list of its short to medium-haul destinations served in the Middle East/GCC and Europe. The Emirates A350 will debut in Africa and Southeast Asia for the first time.
Emirates Airline Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said: “Our strategic A350 expansion across diverse geographies in the Middle East/GCC, Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia leverages the aircraft’s operational flexibility and efficiency while offering more customers expanded premium travel options and the opportunity to experience our latest generation interiors like Business Class and Premium Economy along with plenty of thoughtful touches throughout every cabin, now available in more cities than ever before.”
He added: “The introduction of the (A350) aircraft and layering it on existing route schedules also enable Emirates to maintain a compelling competitive position as the airline of choice for discerning travellers looking for a unique slate of connectivity options and elevated onboard experiences they can’t have with any other carrier.”
The airline’s latest A350 fleet additions will start scheduled operations to the following destinations:
Emirates will operate the A350 six times weekly (all days except for Tuesday) to Tunis on EK 747/748 from 1 June.
Amman’s EK 905/906 will be served daily by the Emirates A350 from 1 June.
Emirates’ A350 featuring the latest cabins will land in Istanbul for the first time to commence daily operations on EK 117/118 from 1 July.
The Emirates A350’s first debut to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on its Dammam services will start on 1 July on flights EK 827/828.
The Emirates A350’s first foray into Southeast Asia will begin 1 August on the daily EK364/365 to Ho Chi Minh City.
Emirates will operate its A350 to Baghdad three times weekly (Monday, Wednesday and Sunday) on EK 941/943 from 3 August.
The Emirates A350 will debut in Oslo for the first time on 1 September on its daily EK 159/160.
As new aircraft join its fleet in the coming months, Emirates will announce more A350 destinations, including long-haul routes.
In addition to the newly added cities, Emirates will layer on more A350 services to Bahrain and Kuwait. Bahrain will become a nearly all-A350 operation with the addition of the third daily EK 835/836 flight from 1 June. Kuwait will be served by a second A350 flight on the daily EK 857/858 from 1 October. In addition, Bologna will receive its first A350 on 1 June, one month ahead of its latest announced deployment date.
The Emirates A350 features three spacious cabin classes, accommodating 312 passengers in 32 next-generation Business Class lie-flat seats in a 1-2-1 configuration and a mini-bar for quick snacks, 21 Premium Economy seats and 259 generously pitched Economy Class seats.
Emirates flights to the seven A350 destinations are now on sale and can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates Retail Stores, or via travel agents.
BANGKOK, 25 March 2025: SAii, a resort brand of S Hotels and Resorts PCL under Singha Estate PCL, confirms SAii Laguna Phuket and SAii Lagoon Maldives have achieved Sustainable Event Standards certification from the Event Industry Council (EIC).
The two properties are the first event venues in Thailand and the Maldives to gain Gold Certification following investments in upgrading both resorts’ event facilities.
Photo credit: SAii Laguna Phuket
SAii Laguna Phuket
The first venue in Thailand to achieve Gold certification from the EIC, SAii Laguna Phuket, is an outdoor event complex offering sustainable meeting solutions. All events held at its 1,900 sqm ocean-facing MICE centre are free from single-use plastics thanks to initiatives such as reusable decorations and a ban on plastic straws. In addition, event organisers can measure and minimise their environmental impact by calculating their event’s carbon footprint using the latest technology.
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton
SAii Lagoon Maldives is the first venue in the Maldives to achieve Gold certification from the EIC. It is part of Crossroads Maldives, a multi-island leisure destination.
The resort’s events hall, a dedicated 326 sqm venue, can accommodate over 400 delegates. Event planners can organise environmental and social activities, from setting up beachfront boardrooms to crafting ecological experiences, all aligned with Hilton Worldwide’s “Meet with Purpose” concept.
In addition to helping MICE groups reduce waste, the concept incorporates interactive cooking and dining experiences that are healthy, sustainable and fun.
SINGAPORE, 25 March 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line has welcomed the first guests aboard the Norwegian Aqua before embarking on her maiden voyage from Lisbon to Southampton, England.
Marking a new chapter in NCL’s fleet evolution, Norwegian Aqua will host over 2,000 invited guests aboard to experience how the brand delivers its newest innovations and offerings. This is the first of a five-part inaugural series that will conclude in Miami with the official christening voyage in April.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua debuts in Europe, welcoming first guests in Lisbon, Portugal.
As the first vessel in the new Prima Plus Class, Norwegian Aqua builds on the legacy of the award-winning Prima Class. It introduces groundbreaking experiences, and to celebrate, the cruise line released a first look at its 20th ship, showcasing its upscale design and key innovations.
There are 17 new and returning guest-favourite restaurants and 18 bars and lounges. New dining experiences aboard Norwegian Aqua include Sukhothai, NCL’s first-ever Thai speciality restaurant offering a rich culinary journey inspired by Thailand’s vibrant cuisine and Planterie, the brand’s debut plant-based eatery at Indulge Food Hall.
Following her inaugural voyage, Norwegian Aqua will embark on a Transatlantic voyage to the US, where she will be officially christened in Miami on 13 April 2025. She will then homeport in Miami, Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, and New York City, offering Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda itineraries until March 2027.
SINGAPORE, 25 March 2025: SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, launched flights from Muscat to Nairobi starting last week.
The milestone marks an essential step in SalamAir’s expansion into Africa, offering travellers more opportunities to connect between the Sultanate of Oman and Kenya.
Photo credit: SalamAir.
SalamAir CEO Adrian Hamilton-Manns said: “We are thrilled to expand our network by introducing flights between Muscat and Nairobi. This new route supports our vision to connect Oman to key global destinations, strengthening economic and cultural ties in alignment with Oman Vision 2040. Nairobi is a dynamic city with significant business potential and rich tourism offerings, and we are pleased to provide our passengers with an affordable and convenient travel option.
“Additionally, this connection will allow Kenyan travellers to visit Oman and discover its unique attractions, among the region’s most sought-after destinations. The route also opens seamless connections from Nairobi to the GCC and the Indian subcontinent.”
He emphasised that Nairobi is the first of several destinations SalamAir will introduce across East Africa, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to expanding connectivity across the region.
SalamAir, Oman’s low-cost airline, commenced services in 2017. It operates a fleet of 13 Airbus A320 family aircraft. SalamAir serves six domestic destinations in Oman and 37 cities in 18 countries.
KUALA LUMPUR, 25 March 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents has confirmed it will spearhead the organisation and promotion of the MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 (MPG2025), which is scheduled for this October.
MATTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Malaysia Pickleball Association, marking the start of a long-term collaboration to develop pickleball in the country and boost sports tourism.
Photo credit: MATTA. MATTA and Malaysia Pickleball Association Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony.
This first-ever tournament is scheduled from 7 to 20 October 2025 at PIKABOL, Malaysia’s Pickleball Powerhouse, Kuching and is expected to attract international players and enthusiasts.
MPG2025 should attract around 1,350 participants with more than 2,600 visitors and contribute an estimated MYR31.6 million in tourism spending.
Endorsed by the Malaysia Pickleball Association, Sarawak Pickleball Association, and Kuching Pickleball Association, and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, MPG2025 will kick start the further development of pickleball as a competitive and recreational sport and boost domestic and inbound tourism.
The tournament will feature multiple categories, including team and individual events for men, women, and mixed doubles across different skill levels and age groups. With a total pool prize value of MYR100,000, the largest cash prize in the region, the event is expected to draw top-ranked international players.
The Team Event will take place from 7 to 13 October, featuring 64 teams of 12 players each. The Individual Events, including the Junior Category, will follow from 15 to 20 October. The Individual Open will target 320 participants, and the Junior Category will target 192, making this a grand stage for both underdogs and professional players.
Regarding this initiative, MATTA President Nigel Wong stated: “As part of our commitment to promoting sports tourism, MATTA is taking the lead in establishing the Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam as an annual event. This tournament elevates Malaysia’s standing in the international sports scene. It encourages inbound and domestic tourism, allowing international players and visitors to experience our country’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and warm hospitality. By integrating sports and tourism, we want to create a lasting impact on the economy and position Malaysia as a must-visit sports tourism hub.”
SINGAPORE, 25 March 2025: Vietjet will introduce two new direct routes on 24 and 25 April from Ho Chi Minh City to Nagoya and Fukuoka, Japan’s third and fourth-largest cities.
The Ho Chi Minh City–Nagoya route will operate four times weekly (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), while the Ho Chi Minh City–Fukuoka route will be served by three weekly flights (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). Flights on both routes use an A321 with 184 seats.
Photo credit: Vietjet.
Vietjet will compete head-on with Vietnam Airlines on both routes. Vietnam Airlines flies from Ho Chi Minh City to Nagoya five times weekly. The average roundtrip fare on the route is USD680. On the route from Ho Chi Minh City to Fukuoka, Vietnam Airlines flies twice weekly, with the average roundtrip fare at USD570. It serves both routes with A321 aircraft with 184 seats.
Flight schedule
Ho Chi Minh City – Nagoya VJ856 departs Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 0100 and arrives in Nagoya (NGO) at 0830. VJ857 departs Nagoya (NGO) at 0930 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1305.
Ho Chi Minh City – Fukuoka (FUK) VJ832 departs Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 0055 and arrives in Fukuoka (FUK) at 0755. VJ833 departs Fukuoka (FUK) at 0855 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) at 1155.
With these additions, Vietjet will operate 138 weekly flights across 10 direct routes between Vietnam and Japan, connecting Vietnam’s largest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Hiroshima.
Vietjet introduced services from Ho Chi Minh City to Hyderabad and Bengaluru in India on 18 and 19 March and confirmed it would add a new Singapore-Phu Quoc route on 30 May. It also ramps up flights between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City to three roundtrip flights daily at the end of March.
SINGAPORE, 25 March 2025: Starting 4 July 2025, Ethiopian Airlines will schedule its fifth weekly direct flight on its Singapore to Addis Ababa route.
The additional flight responds to a surge in travel demand between gateway cities in Africa and Singapore via the airline’s Addis Ababa hub.
The airline currently serves the Addis Ababa (ADD)—Singapore (SIN) route with four weekly flights departing Addis Ababa on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The additional flight is scheduled every Friday, starting on 4 July. The flight time is nine hours and 40 minutes on a Boeing 787-8 with 270 seats. The average roundtrip fare on the route is USD1,260 for the year.
All fares and schedules have been uploaded on all major Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), enabling immediate sales and bookings through travel agents and online platforms.
The additional flight will provide passengers with improved connectivity to Ethiopian Airlines’ extensive global network of over 130 destinations.
“The addition of the new flight is a part of our roadmap to bolster the ties between Africa and Southeast Asia. Ethiopian serves as a gateway to Africa for travellers from across the world, and we are delighted that through the airline, we can extend Ethiopian hospitality to Singaporean travellers who are Africa-bound,” said Ethiopian’s Regional Manager of Asia-Pacific Operations, Telila Deressa Gutema.
Flight schedule
With both countries building stronger bilateral cooperation last year, increasing direct flights from four to five weekly will offer business and leisure travellers convenient connections to African and European cities.
KOTA KINABALU, 24 March 2025: The highly anticipated Sustainable Wholistic* Wellness International Conference & Expo (SWWICE) 2025 will take place in Sabah, Malaysia, bringing together global experts, wellness practitioners, and sustainability advocates.
Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo (SWWICE) 2025 is an international event happening in two locations: Sabah, Malaysia (24 June to 3 July 2025) and Munich, Germany (10 to 12 May 2025).
Photo caption: Displaying the 10 Pillars flag for the official opening presentation of the Sustainable Wholistic Wellness International Conference & Expo 2025 (SWWICE) Press Conference held last week.
Organised under the theme “Sustainable Wholistic Wellness Tourism”,SWWICE2025 will feature distinguished speakers, panel discussions, interactive masterclasses and workshops, and an expo showcasing wellness products, sustainable solutions, and wholistic health, wellness and wellness tourism practices.
Sabah Tourism Board hosted a press conference and MOU presentation ceremony on 18 March at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Leveraging Sabah’s natural healing environment and Germany’s wellness innovation, SWWICE2025 explores how wellness tourism, cultural traditions, and sustainable practices can transform lives and industries.
Event standouts
1. Global Experts & Thought Leaders: Featuring medical professionals, wellness entrepreneurs, and sustainability advocates worldwide.
2. 10 holistic wellness Pillars: These pillars feature topics related to mental health, fitness, nutrition, and environmental sustainability.
3. Exclusive Masterclasses & Panel Discussions: Focusing on AI-driven health innovations, traditional healing practices, workplace wellness, and sustainable tourism.
4. Expo & Networking Opportunities: Showcasing wellness-driven brands, sustainable solutions, and the latest wellness technology.
5. Transformative Retreat in Sabah: Offering immersive activities like Qi-Gong, mindfulness workshops, and holistic therapies.
SWWICE2025, Organising Chairperson Cleopatra Lajawai commented: “SWWICE2025 is a dynamic global platform where local and international communities exchange knowledge, share diverse practices, and explore sustainable ‘wholistic’ wellness solutions.”
This year’s SWWICE2025 Sabah comprises three components:
The Conference at Magellan Sutera Harbour from 24 to 26 June; The Wellness & Lifestyle Expo at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) from 27 to 29 June; The Retreat from 1 to 3 July.
Products and services that reflect or support wellness are invited to participate in the expo.
The Retreat offers attendees a chance to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with nature. Individuals seeking a restorative and energising experience in Sabah can join the curated Retreat.
Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment Sabah Datuk Seri Panglima Christina Liew highlighted the significance of hosting the event in Sabah.
“Sabah’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage provide an ideal setting for an international wellness conference.”SWWICE 2025 aligns with our vision to promote sustainable tourism and well-being, and we attendees worldwide.”
Liew also emphasised Sabah’s potential as a medical tourism destination: “With its world-class healthcare facilities, skilled medical professionals, and serene natural landscapes, Sabah is emerging as a preferred medical tourism destination. Visitors can experience high-quality medical treatments while enjoying the tranquillity of our beautiful environment, making it an ideal place for healing and recovery.”
In addition to the event in Sabah, SWWICE2025 will also take place in Munich, Germany, from 10 to 11 May 2025, followed by a Wellness Day trip to Bad Hindelang on 12 May 2025.
Why Sabah and Germany?
Sabah, with its pristine and natural healing environment, indigenous culture and traditions, and commitment to ecotourism, offers a serene backdrop for exploring sustainable wellness in harmony with nature.
Germany, known for its health technology and sustainability advancements, complements this by showcasing cutting-edge approaches to sustainable wellness and well-being. Together, these venues represent the fusion of ancient wisdom and modern innovation.
Passes for SWWICE2025 at Sabah and Germany as well as information on speakers, sponsorship opportunities, or participation, are available through www.swwice.com.
*Wholistic and holistic are interchangeable, though holistic is used more often when referring to holistic medicine and wholistic when referring to a philosophy of life.
