SINGAPORE, 18 September 2025: Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has unveiled its 2027–2028 Journeys Collection, an expansive portfolio of experiences across five continents.
At the heart of the collection is the brand’s inaugural Journeys through Asia, opening a new chapter of discovery. The 2027-2028 season will also welcome the debut of Explora V, the fifth ship in the fleet, which will begin cruises in the Mediterranean before continuing east to the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula.
Photo credit: MSC. Asia will take centre stage as EXPLORA III embarks on the brand’s first-ever Journeys through the region.
Sailing from September 2027 to May 2028, the Collection includes close to 100 Journeys visiting 59 countries and nearly 200 destinations. With deeper regional immersion, seamless cultural discovery and extensive overnight stays, the 2027–2028 season reaffirms Explora Journeys’ vision of transforming luxury ocean travel into a more purposeful, enriching experience.
A new chapter in Asia
Asia will take centre stage as Explora III embarks on the brand’s first-ever Journeys through the region. Over the course of 28 immersive Journeys, the ship will visit 47 destinations across Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore – each one a maiden call. These Journeys have been meticulously crafted to showcase the profound diversity and layered heritage of Asia, from its luminous cities to its spiritual heartlands and coastal sanctuaries.
With overnight stays in Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Naha (Japan), Ha Long Bay (Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City and Bali, guests will have the time and space to engage with local life in greater depth. From autumn’s blaze of maple and ginkgo trees in Kyoto to spring’s ethereal cherry blossoms in Shimizu and Nagoya in Japan, the Journeys align with Asia’s most evocative seasons. The itineraries will also coincide with major cultural events, including Chinese Golden Week in Shanghai and Chinese New Year celebrations onboard in January 2028 – marked with themed entertainment and traditional festivities.
SINGAPORE, 17 September 2025: UN Tourism Calls on G20 Tourism Ministers to step up collaboration and make tourism a driver of inclusion.
The UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has stressed that “strengthening multilateralism through tourism will deliver results in socio-economic inclusion, sustainable development, peace and understanding”.
UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili addresses G2O Tourism Ministers at Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Addressing G20 Tourism Ministers at their summit in Kruger National Park, South Africa, he commended the South African Presidency’s focus on inclusion and sustainability. “More than a motto, the theme for South Africa’s G20 Presidency, ‘Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability’, reminds us that equality and sustainability can only be achieved through targeted policies, unified efforts and mutual support among countries — a recognition that in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one country can have ripple effects globally, “he said.
The G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting focused on the four priorities of South Africa’s Presidency:
Enhancing Travel and Tourism Startups and MSMEs through Digital Innovations;
Tourism Financing and Investment to enhance equality and sustainable development;
Air connectivity for seamless travel;
Enhanced resilience for inclusive, sustainable tourism development.
As international tourism continues to grow, international tourist arrivals increased 5% in the first half of 2025, according to the latest World Tourism Barometer.
Pololikashvili reaffirmed the critical importance of progressing digital transformation, financing for development, investment and resilient ecosystems in tourism, stressing that there will be no resilience without sustainability.
He called for supporting innovation and stressed that emerging technologies can transform tourism MSMEs, which are the backbone of tourism, but only with adequate financing and programmes to close the digital divide and promote inclusion.
Tourism is vital for developing countries
Focusing on financing for development, he noted that though “for many developing countries, including Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, tourism is a major source of employment, foreign exchange and tax revenues. Yet, the sector continues to be overlooked as a tool for development, with the total Official Development Assistance disbursements for tourism remaining below 0.11% of total ODA.”
Closing his presentation, Pololikashvili highlighted South Africa’s G20 Presidency as a show of the continent’s leadership in the global agenda. He recalled that Africa is home to 19% of the world’s population, with 70% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30.
“The opportunities the continent offers in tourism are many,” he said. “Unlocking tourism investment and development for jobs and inclusion is a core priority of the UN Tourism Agenda for Africa.”
The G20 economies represent around 70% of all international tourist arrivals and exports worldwide and 83% of the world’s tourism’s global GDP. The sector accounted directly for 3.1% of the GDP of the G20 (2023), 5% of all exports of the group and 23% of all its service exports (2024).
MUMBAI, 17 September 2025: Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, A multi-channel foreign exchange service provider, has launched TC Pay, a comprehensive forex app designed for today’s mobile-first Indian traveller.
Built on a foundation of digital innovation, TC Pay offers a one-stop forex solution for B2C customers, whether it’s buying or reloading forex cards, buying or selling currencies or sending international remittances.
With an intuitive interface and powerful features like end-to-end digital fulfilment, all-in-one forex card management, real-time card tracking and WhatsApp calling for instant support, TC Pay delivers an elevated user experience with simple, swift and secure forex services through its tech-enabled, mobile-first platform.
Mobile apps have emerged as the preferred gateway for financial transactions globally, with mobile-based remittances accounting for 60% of all digital transfers (Visa report).
In India, this shift aligns with a broader digital payments revolution — over 93% of consumers use digital payment methods, and nine out of 10 manage at least one financial task online (Mastercard New Payments Index). Against this backdrop, Thomas Cook’s innovative launch of TC Pay marks a strategic leap in its digital-first journey, creating a comprehensive, mobile-first ecosystem that reimagines the way foreign exchange services are delivered.
TC Pay features
End-to-end digital fulfilment: Aligns with Thomas Cook’s consumer-centric Ghar Baithe Forex offering convenience with the security of digital transactions.
Buy and reload forex cards, send international remittances (including student fees or transfers to family abroad), and make secure payments — all digitally. Smart navigation and “save for future use” features reduce transaction time by at least 30%.
All-in-One Card Management: Easily view card statements, manage card controls – set limits, block a card – all from a single, intuitive interface.
Virtual Card: Access a virtual card instantly for seamless and secure digital payments.
Multi-Currency Wallet: Load and manage up to 12 global currencies, offering flexibility and savings on cross-currency fluctuations when travelling abroad.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited Executive Vice President – Foreign Exchange Deepesh Varma said: “With their growing need for speed, security and simplicity, our pivot to digital solutions is already witnessing strong adoption with an approximate growth of 2.5 times in our Forex by WhatsApp transactions; and an overall 40% increase across our digital channels.”
This digital-first transformation enables Thomas Cook India to extend its footprint beyond physical branches, unlocking opportunities in new and underserved markets through a strong, scalable digital presence.
BANGKOK, 17 September 2025: Investment in Asia Pacific hotels reached USD4.7 billion in the first half of 2025, with investors focusing more selectively on the region’s more established hospitality markets, with 84% of total transaction volume occurring in just five key countries, according to JLL.
Investment in Thai hotels totalled USD 301 million (THB 9.8 billion) in the first half of 2025, fuelling a bullish full-year projection.
Japan continued to lead regional hotel investment with USD1.5 billion in transactions, followed by Greater China (USD744 million), Australia (USD664 million), Singapore (USD546 million), and South Korea (USD504 million).
Collectively, the other markets across the region accounted for USD758 million or 16% of total hotel investment volume.
Capital deployed in the first half of 2025 represented a 23% decline compared to the same period in 2024, reflecting a more cautious investment environment amid ongoing global macroeconomic uncertainty. Investors have gravitated to safe-haven markets, while decision-making timelines have lengthened. At the same time, the bid-ask spread between seller expectations and buyer valuations has also widened, with sellers holding firm on price expectations and buyers applying greater scrutiny, leading to extended due diligence periods on both sides of transactions.
JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific Executive Vice President, Investment Sales, Pimpanga Yomchinda said: “In Thailand, the hotel investment market continues to demonstrate healthy liquidity, with domestic buyers dominating transactions. We expect investment volume to exceed USD650 million (THB20 billion) by the year-end, with Bangkok remaining the country’s most sought-after market.”
Key gateway cities demonstrated varied performance, with the majority of the main markets showing higher ADR than pre-pandemic levels.
Tokyo recorded over 80% occupancy, slightly below pre-pandemic levels but improving year-over-year, while ADR significantly exceeded 2019 figures and continued growing.
Singapore maintained stable occupancy compared to last year, with ADR surpassing 2019 but declining slightly from the previous year. Sydney demonstrated occupancy trends at nearly 80%, while ADR remained flat compared to last year.
Similarly, Bangkok hotels demonstrated resilient performance with ADR significantly exceeding previous peaks, despite tourist arrivals declining 6.3% year-over-year in the first seven months, with the latest official arrival targets set at 35.5 million tourists.
“Coming off a high base last year, the level of investment moderation is indicative of a more cautious investment market whereby a realignment of capital sources in the hotel investment landscape is occurring,” said JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific CEO Nihat Ercan.
“In our interactions, although institutional investors remain selective, private capital is moving decisively to secure prime hospitality assets that offer both defensive income characteristics and growth potential, which should ensure an uptick in activity in this year and into next.”
According to JLL analysis, private equity firms have increased their capital allocations to hospitality assets, with a 6% year-over-year rise in investment volumes. This shift represents strategic positioning to capitalise on market dislocations and potentially undervalued assets in key gateway markets.
Additionally, High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) from within the region have emerged as increasingly active buyers in H1 2025, seeking portfolio diversification through hotel investments, with capital invested into hotels growing by 54% from the same period last year.
The outlook for the region’s hospitality industry remains positive in the long term, driven by solid fundamentals. International tourist arrivals across the Asia Pacific increased by 12% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, driving a supportive growth in revenue per available room (RevPAR) across the region. This performance improvement has bolstered investor confidence in the sector’s recovery trajectory.
Total hotel transaction volume across Asia Pacific is projected to reach USD12.8 billion for the full year 2025, representing about 5% increase from 2024. This forecast anticipates accelerated investment activity in the second half of the year as the backlog of deals in due diligence is expected to settle during the second half of the year, says JLL.
Liquidity is expected to remain strong in the traditional markets of Japan, Australia, Greater China, Singapore and South Korea. Markets like Vietnam and Malaysia should benefit from strong tourism momentum.
“The final six months of 2025 present compelling entry points for strategic investors looking to deploy active capital,” says Ercan. “Encouragingly, we anticipate private equity funds, family offices, and regional operators with access to private capital to emerge as the most active buyers through year-end as they capitalise on assets requiring operational expertise to maximise value.”
SINGAPORE, 17 September 2025: Air Astana secured a five-star rating by the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) in the “Major Airlines” category for the sixth consecutive year.
The award ceremony took place last week during the APEX/IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach, California, USA.
Air Astana Inflight Services Department manager Zhamilya Zhaxybekova. (centre).
The APEX Five-Star status reaffirms Air Astana’s consistently high standards of service. Over the years, passengers have commended the airline for its comfortable seating, attentive onboard service, diverse dining options and modern in-flight entertainment system.
“We are very proud to receive once again the highest level of APEX recognition, which reflects the trust of our passengers and strengthens our commitment to consistently delivering the very highest standards of service on every flight,” said Air Astana Manager of the Inflight Services Department, Zhamilya Zhaxybekova.
The APEX rating is based on verified passenger feedback, which is evaluated by over a million passengers who evaluate over one million flights operated by nearly 600 airlines worldwide. For 2026, the ratings criteria significantly increased to limit APEX Five Star to the top 40 airlines in the world, representing less than 7% of the airlines rated worldwide. APEX Four Star recognises the next 50 airlines in the world, meaning that only 8% of airlines worldwide reach this guideline.
Earlier this year, Air Astana was also awarded a Four-Star rating by the international rating agency Skytrax for the 14th time.
JAKARTA, 17 September 2025: BBN Airlines Indonesia, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, has been granted the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Third-Country Operator (TCO) authorisation effective 5 September 2025.
This approval enables the wet lease provider to operate in the European Union (EU) and expand its ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) service to airlines operating flights into the EU.
Photo credit: BBN.
All non-European operators seeking to fly to the EU are required to hold a TCO permit, which certifies compliance with EASA safety and operational standards. With this approval, operators may obtain commercial air operations permits across all EASA member states without requiring separate authorisation from individual EU countries.
“Securing the EASA TCO marks an important milestone for BBN Airlines Indonesia,” said BBN Airlines Indonesia Chairman Martynas Grigas. “It reflects not only our unwavering commitment to global safety and compliance standards but also our readiness to support airlines with scalable ACMI solutions as they expand into and within the EU market.”
BBN Airlines Indonesia currently operates a fleet of six Boeing 737 aircraft, with two additional aircraft scheduled to join by October 2025. Earlier this year, the airline also achieved its IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, further demonstrating its dedication to the highest levels of safety and operational performance.
The EASA TCO authorisation is a key step in BBN Airlines Indonesia’s growth strategy, strengthening its ability to deliver flexible, safe, and reliable ACMI capacity solutions to its partner airlines in Indonesia, the Asia-Pacific region, and now the EU. The TCO also enables BBN Airlines Indonesia to deploy its aircraft to Europe for the summer timetable 2026 when capacity is needed most, particularly in response to counter-cyclical seasonal demand patterns. This flexibility enhances the airline’s ability to support European carriers during peak periods while maintaining strong ACMI operations in its home markets.
BBN Airlines Indonesia is an Indonesian airline that specialises in aircraft wet leasing (ACMI: Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and air charter services. It is a subsidiary of the Avia Solutions Group, a global aviation company based in Ireland.
BBN Airlines fast facts
Establishment and operations: The airline was founded in August 2022. It obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) for cargo flights in August 2023 and for passenger flights in March 2024. BBN Airlines initially launched scheduled passenger flights in late 2024 but suspended these in early 2025 to focus entirely on charter and ACMI services.
Services: BBN Airlines’ primary business model provides ACMI services to other airlines, helping them meet capacity demands, especially during peak seasons. They also offer air charter and air freight cargo services.
Fleet: As of August 2025, the airline operates a fleet of six Boeing 737 aircraft. Two more Boeing 737s will join the fleet by October 2025. The fleet includes both passenger and cargo variants, such as the Boeing 737-800 and the Boeing 737-800BCF.
SINGAPORE 17 September 2025: Druk Asia, a Bhutan travel specialist, introduces “Bhutan Insider Experience with James Low”, a new series of small-group journeys with curated flexibility.
Druk Asia has recruited retired hotelier James Low, who lived in Bhutan for nearly 10 years. He accompanies each “Bhutan Insider Experience” journey alongside a licensed local guide and driver.
Royal Highland Festival at Laya.
Designed for travellers seeking to experience Bhutan’s essence, the limited-edition seven-day six-night trips prioritise Bhutan’s “High Value, Low Volume” tourism policy. Each journey strikes a balance between cultural preservation, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
While essential logistics such as accommodation, transport, and privileged access are seamlessly managed, each day remains open to unplanned discovery. Shared meals, interactions with local artisans, and conversations with spiritual leaders create an environment that fosters mindfulness.
Accompanied by a seasoned hotelier and trusted figure in Bhutanese circles, the journey opens doors to people, places, and perspectives rarely accessible to the average traveller.
Guests are invited to dine where locals gather, listen to the untold stories behind sacred temples, and discover the Kingdom through encounters that feel both intimate and extraordinary.
Low was the general manager of COMO Uma Bhutan, an international five-star hotel brand in Bhutan, before retiring in December 2024. During his tenure, he welcomed royalty, high-profile guests, and well-travelled visitors from around the world. Initially expecting a two-year posting, he was so captivated by Bhutan’s profound spirituality, serene landscapes, and the warmth of its people that he stayed for a decade. Today, he remains a passionate advocate for the Bhutanese way of life, deeply reverent of the Kingdom’s landscapes, culture, and spiritual heritage.
“You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of why the Bhutanese are often considered the happiest people on earth. Visually, visitors can expect magnificent Himalayan landscapes, magical monasteries and temples, rich cultural tapestries, pristine farmland, and charming heritage farmhouses,” said Low.
“My time in Bhutan grounded me in values that now anchor my life: compassion, kindness, selflessness, acceptance (‘it is what it is’), impermanence, and the interconnection of all things. Most of all, Bhutan helped me discover a sense of purpose. I hope to open the doors for others to experience the Bhutan that has meant so much to me”.
“We were thrilled when James approached us to co-create this journey,” said Druk Asia Managing Director Joni Herison. “This insider experience is ideal for anyone seeking a deeper connection with Bhutan. James will introduce guests to his favourite restaurants and, depending on the group’s interests, visit a monastery to witness the monks’ daily prayer rituals, invite artisans to share their knowledge of Thangka painting, or explore other aspects of traditional Bhutanese culture.”
Druk Asia has hosted over 20,000 travellers to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, establishing itself as one of Bhutan’s leading travel specialists.
The company is also the official representative of Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines) since the office opened 15 years ago. Druk Asia also operates MICE Bhutan and AVIS Bhutan, extending its expertise to corporate events, meetings, and high-quality mobility services.
Bhutan Insider Experience with James Low
Dates
4–10 December 2025 — USD6,588 per person
23–29 April 2026 — USD7,680 per person
Royal Highlander Festival in Laya, Gasa
Dates
19–29 October 2025 — From USD4,740 per person
Held at 4,000 metres above sea level in Laya, Gasa, the Royal Highland Festival is a high-altitude festival celebrated by Bhutan’s remote highland communities. Reaching the festival grounds is an adventure in itself: a six-hour drive from Thimphu to Tongshida base camp followed by a four-hour hike.
Prices are based on twin-sharing accommodation and include return economy airfare with Druk Air to Paro from Singapore. For options flying from Bangkok, visit www.drukasia.com.
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2025: Marriott International announced that the Fairfield by Marriott has reached a milestone of 150 combined open and pipeline hotels in Greater China, underscoring the brand’s accelerated expansion in the region’s select service segment.
The announcement was made during ‘The Beauty of Simplicity – Fairfield by Marriott Fireside Chat’ in Hangzhou, China, attended by Marriott International Chairman of the Board David Marriott and Marriott International President, Greater China, Yibing Mao.
(Left to right) David Marriott, Chairman of the Board, Marriott International, and Yibing Mao, President, Greater China, Marriott International.
The two senior executives reflected on Fairfield by Marriott’s heritage, the brand’s expansion to over 50 destinations in Greater China since its debut in 2017, and the new momentum driven by recent product enhancements in the region, centring around three core spaces — The Fairfield Living Room, The Fairfield Restaurant, and Guest Rooms.
As a key growth engine for Marriott in Greater China, Fairfield by Marriott has rapidly scaled its presence in the region. Since celebrating its 50th hotel opening in Greater China in 2024, the brand has grown by more than 50% in just over a year, with another 50+ hotels expected to open within the next two years. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, newly signed Fairfield by Marriott projects increased 75% year-over-year, with upcoming projects set to bring the brand to core locations across first-tier cities, including Shanghai’s Xuhui District, Beijing Capital Airport, and Shenzhen’s Qianhai area.
Fairfield by Marriott continues to expand both the breadth and depth of its footprint in Greater China, covering key transportation hubs, emerging urban districts, and trendy leisure destinations. In recent years, the brand has accelerated its expansion into high-demand leisure and business destinations, such as Yangshuo (Guangxi), Xinzhou (Shanxi), and Qiandao Lake (Hangzhou), extending its signature at-ease, comfortable stay experience to more destinations across Greater China.
To support this growth, Fairfield by Marriott recently launched a comprehensive product upgrade in Greater China, including a new Chinese name that carries the “by Marriott” endorsement, and unveiled its newly refreshed product design and guest experience.
The upgrades address the evolving needs of the Chinese market and modern travellers, while injecting new momentum into the brand’s development in the region. The newly upgraded design brings “The Beauty of Simplicity” to life, while addressing four core travel needs: working, sleeping, bathing, and service. The regional upgrade also enhances owner value through a best-in-class design model, efficient construction, and streamlined operations, strengthening the brand’s competitive edge in the select service segment in Greater China.
Globally, Fairfield by Marriott has more than 1,350 open hotels in 20 countries and territories, with over 460 additional hotels in the pipeline.
ABU DHABI, 16 September 2025: Etihad Airways has reported its strongest-ever half-year performance, delivering record profitability and passenger numbers in the first six months of 2025.
Profit after tax rose 32% to AED1.1 billion (USD306 million), while the EBITDA margin reached 20% on the back of strong operating performance and efficiency gains.
Passenger numbers rose 17% 10.2 million in H1 2025, with passenger load factor improving to 87% (+2pp year-on-year). The airline reached 20 million passengers carried on a 12-month rolling basis in early July.
Operating fleet surpassed 100 aircraft, with over 20 additional aircraft in the last 18 months.
Total revenue rose by 16% year-on-year, driven by both passenger and cargo revenue (16% and 9% growth, respectively).
The airline reported a 14% rise in Available Seat Kilometres (ASK) and an improved passenger load factor of 87%, +2pp year-on-year.
The operating fleet exceeded 100 aircraft, including the delivery of Etihad’s sixth Airbus A350 in April and the reintroduction of a seventh A380 in May. In the same month, the airline announced an agreement for an order for 28 wide-body aircraft with Boeing, reinforcing Etihad’s long-term growth and connectivity ambitions. In July 2025, the airline added five new aircraft to its fleet, including its first A321LR. This marked the highest number of deliveries the airline has ever received in a single month.
“We are proud to deliver another record half-year for Etihad,” said Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer Antonoaldo Neves. “Our strong financial performance and continued passenger growth demonstrate the success of our strategy and the dedication of our people. We are expanding sustainably, investing in premium experiences, and bringing record numbers of visitors to Abu Dhabi through our growing network.”
SINGAPORE, 16 September 2025: Fiji Airways, the national carrier of Fiji and a member of the oneworld alliance, won the APEX World Class Airline for 2026 Award, which places the airline among the Top 10 airlines in the world.
Fiji Airways is the smallest airline by fleet size ever to earn this honour, and the only airline in Oceania to be recognised.
(Centre) Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoe.
Fiji Airways also took home the APEX Innovation Award for Best In-Flight Food and Beverage 2026. The airline recently launched a new Pacific Rim menu, alongside on-demand Business Class dining and refreshed Economy service.
Fiji Airways Managing Director and CEO Andre Viljoen said: “This recognition is a proud and historic moment for the airline and for Fiji.”
The APEX World Class Award is judged through a rigorous process that combines independent audits with global passenger feedback, measuring excellence across safety, sustainability, well-being, service, and customer experience.
“In 2016, we were ranked outside the world’s Top 100 airlines. Today, through sheer grit, relentless innovation, and the unbreakable spirit of our people, we have risen to be named one of the top 10 airlines in the world,” said Viljoen.
About Fiji Airways Founded in 1951, the Fiji Airways airline group comprises Fiji Airways, Fiji’s international airline, and its wholly-owned domestic and regional subsidiary, Fiji Link. From its hubs at Nadi and Suva International Airports, Fiji Airways and Fiji Link serve 101 destinations in over 14 countries (including code-share). Destinations include Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada, the UK, Hong Kong (SAR China), Singapore, India, Japan, China, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
