LANGAWI, 15 August 2025: Langkawi Development Authority won the Travel & Hospitality Gold Award for the campaign ‘Healing In Langkawi’ at The APPIES 2025 Malaysia Marketing Campaigns Awards held on 8 August 2025 at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
The campaign created by LADA’s appointed public relations company, CD Advertising, placed Langkawi in the top ranking to win the Gold Award for Best in Travel & Hospitality. ‘Healing in Langkawi’ was a creative social project under LADA’s Langkawi 99 Magical Islands brand.
Photo credit: LADA.
It was implemented in 2023, recruiting 15 TikTokers, rising stars and award-winning content creators from all over Malaysia who explored Langkawi Island with video cameras rolling to tell a story.
In a Facebook statement, LADA said winning the award “improved the image of Langkawi at the domestic and international level.”
The LADA campaign gained praise for increasing awareness that helped to persuade tourists to book holidays in Langkawi after the COVID-19 pandemic.
A video recap and campaign explanation with TikTokers’ snapshots is on YouTube.
The APPIES Malaysia Awards are a marketing and communications industry event in Malaysia that recognises and celebrates the most effective marketing campaigns.
Award Categories and Winners
The awards recognise excellence in various categories, with campaigns winning gold, silver, and bronze awards. The leading categories mentioned in the winning entries include subjects such as: Festive; Travel & Hospitality; AI; Tech; Healthcare; Social and Innovation.
SINGAPORE, 15 August 2025: With nearly 60 years of expertise sailing in Alaskan waters, Princess Cruises will deploy a fleet of eight ships for the 2027 season and offer stays at five signature wilderness lodges.
It will continue the record-breaking deployment already scheduled for 2026 when Princess announced that it was sending eight ships to Alaska for the first time.
Photo credit: Princess Cruises. Crown Princess is one of eight ships assigned to Alaska in 2027.
Princess remains committed to Alaska by offering more sailings, more glacier-viewing experiences, and more ways to explore the Great Land than ever before. The 2027 Alaska season opened for sale on 12 August 2025.
Returning for her second season in Alaska, Star Princess represents the line’s next-generation Sphere Class ship and the first of its kind to sail in Alaska. Star Princess headlines the season with seven-day Inside Passage cruises roundtrip from Seattle, joining a robust lineup of 187 departures across 17 itineraries from five homeports: Seattle, Vancouver (British Columbia), Anchorage (Whittier), San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
Cruise Highlights
Fleet of eight ships: Star Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Discovery Princess, Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Royal Princess, and Ruby Princess. 17 cruise destinations featuring four glacier-viewing experiences: Glacier Bay National Park, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
Voyage of the Glaciers Sailings
Seven-day sailings between Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier), with two glacier-viewing days and visits to Glacier Bay National Park. Combine for a 14-day Grand Adventure roundtrip from Vancouver, B.C. Opportunity to combine “Voyage of the Glaciers” itinerary with a land adventure to Denali National Park (more below). Sailing aboard Coral Princess, Island Princess, Crown Princess, and Discovery Princess.
Inside Passage Cruises: departures from Seattle, San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., and Los Angeles
Seattle
Star Princess – weekly seven-day roundtrip voyages every Sunday. Royal Princess – seven-day roundtrip sailings including Glacier Bay National Park every Saturday.
San Francisco
Ruby Princess – sails 10-day Inside Passage itinerary from San Francisco with Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
Vancouver, B.C.
Emerald Princess – full season seven-day itinerary featuring Glacier Bay National Park or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier. Coral Princess, Crown Princess and Discovery Princess – sail six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-day Inside Passage itineraries with Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier.
Los Angeles
Emerald Princess – two 16-day roundtrip Inside Passage voyages with Glacier Bay National Park.
MUMBAI, 15 August 2025: In a move to capitalise on robust travel booking trends by residents in Karnataka state, Thomas Cook (India) Limited has inaugurated its new franchise outlet in the high-potential market of Davangere.
The new outlet expands Thomas Cook India’s network to 19 locations in the state of Karnataka.
Photo credit: Thomas Cook India.
Davangere, often called the “Manchester of Karnataka”, is a key smart city with excellent connectivity via NH-48. It is a central commercial hub, featuring industries such as textile, rice and sugar mills. The city is also a prominent educational centre, attracting students from across the country.
In its commitment to enhance access and convenience, Thomas Cook’s new outlet will cater to key traveller segments from Davangere and neighbouring towns such as Harihar, Chitradurga, including business professionals, agriculturists, multi-generational families, Young India’s millennials & GenZ and GenS (seniors).
Thomas Cook’s Davangere outlet offers end-to-end travel services: International and domestic holidays (group tours, personalised holidays and cruises). The sales outlet also provides value-added services such as travel insurance.
Karnataka travel trends
Increase in multiple trips per year: from two to four/five annual holidays.
Longer stays: from three days to five-eight days for short trips; from five days to 10-15 days for more extended trips.
Preferences: high interest in experiential holidays such as Festivals/Carnivals, Northern Lights in Scandinavia and Murmansk; Iceland, Antarctica, river cruising, self-drives.
Top destinations
Domestic: Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andaman Islands, Northeast India, Sri Lanka and Bhutan; darshans to Manasarovar and Char Dham.
International: Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bali, Philippines, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya and South America.
Strong demand for Pilgrimage Tourism continues: Manasarovar, Char Dham, Kashi, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Tirupati, Amritsar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Dwarka and Sri Lanka (Ramayan Trails).
Strong growth emerging from not just metros like Bengaluru, but also from powerful regional markets like Davanagere, Harihar and Chitradurga.
DOHA, 15 August 2025: Qatar Airways, in partnership with Qatar Airways Holidays, has launched travel packages for the Qatar TotalEnergies Women’s Open 2026 and the Qatar ExxonMobil Men’s Open 2026.
Taking place from 8 to 14 February 2026 and 16 to 21 February 2026 respectively, the tournaments will bring world-class tennis action to the heart of Doha.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways.
Tennis enthusiasts worldwide can now book packages in advance, combining premium access to one of the most prestigious events on the WTA 1000 and ATP 500 tours with exceptional hospitality and five-star accommodation in Doha.
Last year’s matchups have set the stage for an electrifying 2026. Andrey Rublev had a captivating run to the championship trophy at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, battling with stars like Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. The Qatar TotalEnergies Open 2025 champion, Amanda Anisimova, seized the title by defeating World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.
Qatar Airways’ tennis travel packages include return flights to Doha with Qatar Airways, hotel stays in four or five-star properties, and access to all matches played on the Centre Court, along with access to the vibrant fanzone. The arena promises a truly intimate experience with seating designed to see the stars up close by offering the best vantage points. Fans can choose from three seating categories – Upper, Middle, or Lower.
Privilege Club members can collect Avios and Qpoints on flights and the total package value, redeeming packages using Cash + Avios. Fans can also add airport transfers and tours to the package.
About Qatar Airways Holidays Qatar Airways Holidays, the leisure division of Qatar Airways, operates in 84 countries, offering a diverse portfolio of holiday products including flight + hotel packages, cruise vacations, Qatar Stopovers, tours, and transfers.
DUBAI, UAE, 15 August 2025: Flydubai has taken delivery of seven new aircraft so far in 2025, with a further five Boeing 737 MAX 8s scheduled to join its fleet before the end of the year.
These additions form an integral part of the airline’s strategic growth plans, enabling the continued expansion of its network, enhancing operational efficiency and increasing capacity on existing routes.
Photo credit: Flydubai boost 737 fleet in 2025.
Delivery of the seven additional aircraft has taken place between April 2025. It will be completed by the end of the year, which will raise the fleet to 95 aircraft flying to 135 destinations in 57 countries. Expansion continues to open up underserved markets, creating more travel opportunities and further strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub.
Flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “The arrival of these new aircraft is a testament to our long-term strategic vision and our confidence in the future of air travel. Our fleet investment supports our mission to offer greater choice, enhanced convenience and improved connectivity for our passengers. These deliveries are part of a backlog extensively delayed in recent years, and despite receiving 12 aircraft this year, we remain 20 aircraft behind our original projections.”
“The continued interest from our financing partners highlights the strength of our business model and our commitment to contributing to the UAE’s leadership in global aviation. Looking ahead, these aircraft will enable us to unlock new destinations, optimise our operations and play an even greater role in supporting Dubai’s growth as an international aviation hub,” added Al Ghaith.
In parallel with its growing fleet, flydubai continues to expand its network and has added 11 new destinations this year, including seasonal summer destinations Antalya and Al Alamein, as well as Damascus and Peshawar. The carrier is also set to welcome four new destinations in Europe, including Chișinău and Lași from September and Vilnius and Riga from December, further strengthening its presence in the region and providing passengers with greater choice and connectivity.
Since the beginning of 2024, 23 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s have undergone a complete cabin retrofit as part of the carrier’s multimillion-dollar retrofit programme, which will continue into 2026. The new onboard cabin interior features flydubai’s flagship lie-flat seats in Business Class as well as exceptional in-flight entertainment in Economy Class, ensuring a consistent and enhanced travel experience across the fleet.
DUBAI, UAE, 14 August 2025: Using any kind of power bank is prohibited onboard Emirates’ flights, effective from 1 October 2025.
A power bank is a portable, rechargeable device primarily designed to provide power to other electronic devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and cameras. Emirates customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions listed below. Still, the power banks may not be used while in the aircraft cabin – neither to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves, utilising the aircraft’s power source.
Emirates’ new regulations
Emirates customers may carry one power bank that is under 100 watt-hours.
Power banks may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard.
Charging a power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted.
All power banks accepted for transport must have capacity rating information available.
Power banks may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front of you.
Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage (existing rule).
Why is Emirates making this change?
After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the broader aviation industry.
Power banks primarily utilise lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, and their function is as a portable battery pack designed to recharge devices on the go. The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges. If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may result in ‘thermal runaway.’ Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, leading to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase. This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases.
Most phones and sophisticated lithium battery-powered devices have an internal trickle system which slowly adds current into the battery to prevent overcharging. Still, many basic power banks may not have this safeguard, increasing the risk. All power banks are subject to the new rules on board Emirates.
Emirates’ new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that, in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire. For more information on the airline and to book flights, visit www.emirates.com.
SYDNEY, 14 August 2025: Tourism Australia kicked off the next chapter of its global ‘Come and say G’day’ campaign in the West Bund lifestyle district in Shanghai last week.
The campaign is ready to roll out across key international markets over the next few months, timed to align with localised peak booking periods.
Photo credit: Tourism Australia.
Last month, during his visit to China, Australia’s Prime Minister provided a sneak preview, confirming that Chinese actor Yosh Yu would star in the latest chapter released in Shanghai. Yosh has visited Australia several times, and his role in the campaign will help showcase the romance and lasting impact an Australian holiday has on its visitors.
China continues to be one of Australia’s most important inbound tourism markets. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, from June 2024 to May 2025, Chinese traveller arrivals reached 947,600, representing a year-on-year increase of 21%. This growth makes China the fastest-growing international source market for inbound tourism to Australia.
Tourism Australia is working with around 200 commercial partners, including major Chinese airlines and distribution platforms like Trip.com Group, to support recovery, and the ‘Come and say G’day’ campaign aims to accelerate that recovery through emotionally resonant storytelling and market-specific content.
Watch this video update from Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, Phillipa Harrison, live from the launch pop-up event in the West Bund lifestyle district in Shanghai.
BANGKOK, 14 August 2025: Thailand’s decision to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic, just three years after legalising it, has been broadly welcomed by senior tourism leaders, who believe the move will strengthen the country’s reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination.
Cannabis was removed from the narcotics list in June 2022, positioning Thailand as the first Asian Nation to permit its use. While the policy aimed to promote medical research and wellness tourism, lax regulation quickly turned it into a booming recreational market. Dispensaries sprang up in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Koh Samui, and the smell of marijuana became a common feature of busy tourist zones.
Cannabis shop signs: A common sight in Thailand’s popular tourist resorts.
As I observed earlier this year in a report posted by Travel Daily News, “the pervasive smell of drug odour throughout key tourist spots had a negative effect and was a concern, particularly for family tourism.” Families, especially from conservative Asian markets, began expressing discomfort, while several governments issued travel warnings or cautions to citizens.
Positive response from tourism leaders
In a Nation Online report, Thai Hotels Association President Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun said the policy reversal “had a positive impact” on Thailand’s core markets. “Tourists who do not use cannabis often feel unsafe in environments where its smell is pervasive. This discourages families with children from visiting urban areas”.
Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), Secretary-General Adith Chairattananon noted in the same Nation report that the Asia–Pacific region accounts for 70% of Thailand’s inbound visitors. He added that travellers from South Korea and China have faced random drug tests upon returning home after visiting Thailand, a practice he warned could undermine tourism partnerships and discourage future travel.
ATTA President Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn agreed, pointing out that major source markets, including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, and Taiwan, have little tolerance for recreational cannabis. Restricting use to medical purposes, he argued, will restore Thailand’s image and align it with the preferences of its largest visitor geo-markets.
Balancing Risks and Opportunities
The Association of Thai Tourism Marketing (ATTM) president, Kitti Pornsiwakit, acknowledged that the new rules could result in closures or costly adjustments for over 20,000 cannabis-related businesses. However, he emphasised the potential to reposition Thailand as a premium medical cannabis wellness hub.
Blending controlled cannabis use into spa, rehabilitation, and health retreat tourism. “It aligns with the original medical-use intention and addresses concerns over cannabis contamination in food while supporting family tourism,” he said.
This measured approach, industry leaders believe, could allow Thailand to preserve a limited cannabis tourism niche without compromising its broader market appeal.
A step towards a tourism blueprint
The policy change mirrors priorities set out in my earlier article, Thailand Tourism 2025–2030: Strategic Pathways to Growth and Sustainability, which called for greater focus on quality tourism, sustainable growth, and protecting the country’s family-friendly image. Limiting street-level cannabis sales reduces deterrents for premium and long-stay travellers while still leaving room for specialised, licensed cannabis experiences in a medical context.
Looking Ahead
The government now faces the challenge of enforcing the new rules, supporting affected entrepreneurs, and communicating the change clearly to international markets. The tourism sector hopes that by restoring a cleaner, safer atmosphere in key destinations, Thailand can capitalise on rising family and wellness travel demand, both critical to its long-term competitiveness.
About the Author Andrew J Wood is an internationally recognised travel writer, consultant, and former hotel general manager with over 40 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Based in Thailand since 1991, he is an international hospitality commentator for various online travel publications and a past President of Skål International Bangkok, Thailand and Skål Asia.
JAKARTA, 14 August 2025: The ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA) unveiled two regional initiatives: the 39th ASEANTA Tourism Award and a new digital travel platform, the “Discover ASEAN” Microsite.
The launch event was held at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on the 58th ASEAN Day, Friday, 8 August, officiated by Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa and the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Nararya S Soeprapto.
Photo credit: ASEANTA.
These initiatives highlight ASEAN’s united commitment to boost regional tourism recovery, digital innovation, and cross-border collaboration, aligning with the region’s broader post-pandemic development agenda.
“These initiatives symbolise our collective ambition to recover, to grow, and to lead. The ASEANTA Tourism Award raises the bar for our industry, while Discover ASEAN brings the stories
of Southeast Asia to life through the power of digital travel. We thank AirAsia MOVE for turning this vision into reality and call on tourism players from all sectors to be part of this momentum,” said ASEANTA president Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga.
The 39th ASEANTA Tourism Award covers 12 categories, spotlighting a wide range of contributions from digital campaigns to sustainability efforts, cultural heritage, and travel content.
Award categories
1. Best Travel Article: Outstanding storytelling that promotes ASEAN tourism through written features or blog content.
2. Best Airline Programme: Innovative air travel campaigns that improve regional connectivity or customer experience.
3. Best Tourism Photo: Captivating photography that visually represents the spirit of ASEAN destinations.
4. Best Cruise Programme: Exceptional cruise experiences highlighting ASEAN’s coastal and island tourism.
5. Best Hotel Package: Creative and value-packed accommodation offerings designed for intra-ASEAN travellers.
6. Best Sustainability Programme: Green initiatives that promote responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
7. Best New Tourism Attraction: Newly launched or significantly upgraded attractions enhancing local tourism.
8. Best Marketing & Promotional Programme: Creative campaigns that boost destination visibility and appeal.
9. Best Cultural Preservation: Efforts to safeguard and promote ASEAN’s rich cultural heritage.
10. Best Eco-Lodge: Unique and sustainable accommodations set in nature, offering authentic local experiences.
11. Best Convention Centre: Venues that lead in service, technology, and sustainability for business events.
12. Best Tour Operator: Exceptional travel organisers delivering high-quality, immersive regional experiences.
Submissions are open until 31 October 2025, and winners will be celebrated at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu, Philippines, this coming January. ASEANTA welcomes entries from across the region, tourism boards, travel operators, media, local communities, and private-sector players.
Discover ASEAN Microsite
Alongside the award launch, ASEANTA introduced the Discover ASEAN Microsite, an initiative co-developed by MOVE in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat.
The microsite is accessible via the MOVE app’s homepage. It features curated recommendations on food, culture, and destinations across ASEAN countries, verified travel requirements, links to each country’s official immigration websites, and up-to-date health and safety guidelines.
The content is drawn from ASEAN’s official tourism website and verified by the respective National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), ensuring accuracy and reliability for travellers. By consolidating this information and integrating access to book flights, hotels, and other travel services within the MOVE app, the microsite significantly lowers barriers to intra-ASEAN travel.
GURUGRAM, India, 14 August 2025: Air India will suspend its services between Delhi and Washington, D.C., effective 1 September 2025, due to a combination of operational factors, including a shortfall of aircraft in the airline’s long-haul fleet.
The suspension is primarily driven by Air India commencing a retrofit programme on 26 of its Boeing 787-8 aircraft last month.
Photo credit: Air India. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
This extensive retrofit will cause a prolonged shortfall of operational aircraft at any given time until at least the end of 2026. That, coupled with the continued closure of airspace over Pakistan, impacts the airline’s long-haul operations, leading to longer flight routings and increased operational complexity.
Customers with Air India bookings to or from Washington, D.C. beyond 1 September 2025 will be offered alternative travel arrangements, including rebooking on other flights or full refunds, as per their individual preferences.
Air India customers will continue to have the options of one-stop flights to Washington, D.C. via four US gateways — New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Chicago, and San Francisco — with the airline’s interline partners, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, allowing customers to travel on a single itinerary with their baggage checked through to the final destination.
Air India will continue to operate non-stop flights between India and six destinations in North America, including Toronto and Vancouver in Canada.
