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NCL ships undergo a refresh

Aerial Norwegian Sky - Departure from Miami 09/05/08 Norwegian Sky - Norwegian Cruise line

SINGAPORE, 9 MAY 2025: Norwegian Cruise Line confirms Norwegian Epic and Pride of America will both undergo revitalisation projects just in time for the 2025 summer travel season.

The new enhancements include adding a reimagined water park for children, expanding the adults-only Vibe Beach Club and additional accommodations.

Following a three-week dry dock, Norwegian Epic will receive enhancements, including brand-new balconies and oceanview staterooms.

This summer, the Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe. Pride of America continues to offer the world’s only seven-day interisland Hawaii voyages departing from Honolulu 52 weeks out of the year.

Epic’s Europe sailings

After completing Norwegian Epic’s three-week dry dock on 8 May  2025, the top deck will get some noticeable enhancements with more outdoor experiences. Renovations include a brand-new hot tub on deck 18 and a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf and provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike.

With the expansion of Vibe Beach Club, guests will also enjoy more facilities. The adults-only outdoor oasis replaces Posh Beach Club and will offer an additional hot tub, more lounge chairs, and new private cabanas to soak up the sun while enjoying spectacular views of the Greek Isles and Mediterranean. Eight new staterooms with balconies and ocean views have also been completed.

Norwegian Epic will sail a variety of nine, 10 and 11-day cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy to picturesque ports of call in the Mediterranean and Greek Isles. 

Pride of America

From 3 to 31 May 2025, Pride of America will undergo notable upgrades, including adding a new Starbucks location within The Capitol Atrium on deck 5. As NCL aims to provide guests with more to do on board, guests who crave a game of friendly competition will soon be able to enjoy pickleball within the existing sports court.

Pride of America will feature 12 new club balcony suites and three inside staterooms on deck 12. Splash Academy, NCL’s youth club for children ages three to 12 and Entourage, the teen club, will be relocated to deck 6.

Upon completion of Pride of America’s nearly three-week dry dock, she will return to Honolulu on 31 May 2025.   

STB names director for the Middle East and India

MUMBAI, 9 MAY 2025: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced the appointment of Serene Woon as Area Director-Designate, India, Middle East, and South Asia (Mumbai), effective 1 May 2025.

She will assume the full director role on 1 July, 2025. 

Serene Woon Area Director-Designate, India, Middle East, and South Asia.

Based in Mumbai, Woon will oversee West and South India markets, as well as the Middle East and South Asia regions, while leading STB’s pan-India destination marketing efforts.

Woon brings over a decade of experience at STB since 2010, having served as Area Director in South Korea and Malaysia, where she drove significant market growth. 

She successfully led STB’s branded entertainment initiatives in South Korea and expanded the board’s presence in Greater Busan and East Malaysia. Most recently, as Deputy Director at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), she played a crucial role in the Cross Border Travel Office, helping shape policies for Singapore’s border reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic. Before assuming her role as Area Director (Mumbai), she served as the Deputy Director of Strategic Planning at the STB, where she worked on the Tourism 2040 (T2040) strategy, which charts out the next bound of tourism growth for Singapore. 

Commenting on the new appointment, STB, Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia & Africa (IMESA) Markus Tan said: “India represents immense potential as one of our key markets. Serene’s deep experience and keen understanding of modern traveller preferences will bring valuable new perspectives to strengthen Singapore’s connections with Indian travellers. We look forward to her leadership in this crucial market.”

Woon, commenting on her new role, said: “I am honoured to take on this position at such an exciting time for India’s outbound travel market. India’s culture, diversity, and growing global influence make it a key focus and growth market for us at STB. I look forward to building on the strong foundation we have established with my team and our partners and bringing Singapore closer to Indian travellers.”

Buddhist tourism flights to Gaya

GURUGRAM, 9 MAY 2025: Air India will launch daily direct flights between Delhi and Gaya, starting 1 September 2025, using Air India’s A320 aircraft.  

The new route adds Gaya as the 46th destination in Air India’s domestic route network. It will improve connectivity to Gaya and support Buddhist pilgrimage tourism. Travellers from other Asian countries can fly to Delhi and then connect with flights to  Gaya, the closest city to the Buddhist temples and heritage sites at Bodh Gaya.

Photo credit: Air India.

Air India’s flights to Gaya are timed to enable convenient connections to and from Kathmandu, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul-Incheon, and Tokyo-Haneda.

Flight schedule

The flights can be booked through all channels, including Air India’s official website, mobile app, and travel agents.

HKIA celebrates 2024 achievements

HONG KONG, 9 MAY 2025: Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) hosted the “Hong Kong International Airport Reception 2025” at AsiaWorld-Expo, showcasing the airport’s latest developments and innovative services.

AAHK chair Fred Lam commented: “The past year has been a fruitful one for Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). The Three-runway System was officially commenced last November, marking the most important milestone since the airport’s relocation to Chek Lap Kok in 1998. 

The event was officiated by Fred Lam, Chairman of AAHK; Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; Victor Liu, Director-General of Civil Aviation; Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK and Board Members of AAHK.

“We continued to be the world’s number one cargo airport, and our next goal is to press full steam ahead with the Airport City development under the newly unveiled brand, Skytopia, which leverages Hong Kong’s strengths under ‘one country, two systems’ and makes the best use of the airport’s land and adjacent marine resources to develop a world-class landmark. 

“We are confident that Skytopia and the Three-runway System will serve as powerful twin engines driving the airport’s future growth.”

The event introduced different elements of Skytopia, including the Airport Bay Marina, the Art Hub, and the 20,000-seat performance arena at AsiaWorld-Expo’s Phase 2. At the same time, interactive activities featured HKIA’s world-leading cargo services.

HKIA’s new initiatives were showcased at different interactive experience zones. One of the highlights was the world’s first and only autonomous vehicle fleet in live airport operations, with the spotlight on the new driverless bus that will shuttle passengers between the Hong Kong Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the airport. A live demonstration of the people-carrying driverless bus started the programme in front of the 1,000 guests attending the event.

The event featured a demonstration of the automated parking system to be used in carparks for transfer passengers and visitors from the Greater Bay Area cities.

The experience zones also featured HKIA’s innovative and premium passenger services, such as baggage collection at home/office, valet parking, and the HKIA VIP Lounge, alongside the airport’s retail and dining options.

Vietjet takes a stake in Qazaq Air

SINGAPORE, 9 MAY 2025: Vietjet and Qazaq Air have partnered to launch Vietjet Qazaqstan, a new low-cost airline to strengthen air connectivity between Kazakhstan, Vietnam and destinations in Southeast Asia. 

Vietjet confirmed the move during this week’s Kazakhstan–Vietnam Business Roundtable, noting that the venture will involve acquiring a strategic stake in Qazaq Air. The airline operates domestic flights in Kazakhstan and to just three international destinations, all in Russia. (Yekaterinburg, Omsk and Novosibirsk).

Vietjet CEO Dinh Viet Phuong (front right) and Qazaq Air CEO Adilbek Umraliyev (front left) exchange the cooperation agreement, witnessed by Vietnam General Secretary To Lam (centre back), Kazakhstan Deputy Prime Minister Yermek Kosherbayev (back left), and Vietnam Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (back right)

No details on the timeline for rebranding, but the press statement released by Vietjet this week anticipates the joint venture will operate “at least 20 Boeing 737 aircraft under a support agreement with Boeing for training, maintenance, and parts.” 

During the event, Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance granted a Foreign Investment Registration Certificate to Aviation Holdings, a subsidiary of Vietjet, authorising its acquisition of an equity stake in Qazaq Air. 

Vietjet will use the JV to expand its international expansion and strengthen bilateral ties between Vietnam and Kazakhstan in aviation, trade, and cultural exchange.     

This move marks a key milestone in Vietjet’s international expansion strategy. It aims to deepen bilateral ties between Vietnam and Kazakhstan across aviation, economic, and cultural domains while opening a new chapter for the aviation industry in Central Asia.

The launch of Vietjet Qazaqstan follows the successful development of Vietjet Thailand, now one of  Thailand’s leading low-cost carriers.

Qazao Air is an inter-regional airline established by Samruk-Kazyna JSC to serve destinations in Kazakhstan and cities in neighbouring countries.

Certified by IOSA international industrial safety standards since 2018, the airline is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The airline is headquartered at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, flying a fleet of turboprop aircraft —  De Havilland Dash-8-Q400NG (formerly known as Bombardier Q400). 

De Havilland Dash-8-Q400NG (86 to 90 seats).

Sarawak Legacy Awards invite submissions

KUCHING, 8 MAY 2025: BESarawak is calling all trailblazers in the business events sector, as well as influencers across the region, to file their submissions for the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards (BILA 2025).

Submissions are open until 15 June, with BESarawak encouraging travel stars and start-ups to grasp the moment to shine and celebrate the impact they are creating in Sarawak and beyond by presenting a submission.

Photo credit: BESarawak.

Hosted by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the awards celebrate individuals and organisations creating positive, lasting legacies in sustainability practices, innovation, and impact.

Celebrating 18 awards across five categories, from conventions to journalism, BILA 2025 honours those driving progress in positioning Sarawak as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo.

The Hon Dato Sri YB Karim Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, says: “We’re calling on forward-thinkers who go beyond event hosting — to those who forge legacies that empower communities, elevate industries, and inspire future generations.”

Submissions will close on 15 June 2025. Visit the website to make a submission LEGACY360.

The BILA 2025 presentations will take place from 2 to 3 October 2025 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching.

May 2025 Business Events in Sarawak. 

Borneo ADR Week 2025
The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
5 – 9 May 2025
http://www.l2icon.org/event/borneo-adr-week-2025/

AMOSH Symposium 3.0 2025
Kingwood Hotel, Sibu
8 – 9 May 2025
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=122231335562068772&set=a.122097407162068772

Borneo Eco Show 2025
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
9 – 10 May 2025
https://borneoecoshow.com

3rd D-FOOT International Wound Conference 2025
Imperial Hotel, Kuching
9 – 10 May 2025
https://www.mswcp.org/events/upcoming-conference

The National Farmer’s Conference cum Annual General Meeting 2025
Kingwood Hotel, Sibu
10 – 11 May 2025
📞 Mr Tang Liung Poh, 012 – 856 8125

Hydrogen Economy Forum 2025
Hilton Hotel, Kuching
13 – 14 May 2025
https://hydrogenapac.com/h2ef/

International Construction Week (ICW) Borneo 2025
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
13 – 14 May 2025
https://icw.my/icw_borneo_overview.php

International Cancer Research Symposium 2025 (ICRS2025)
The Waterfront Hotel, Kuching
14 – 15 May 2025
https://www.nottingham.edu.my/Conferences/icrs2025/index.aspx

New Era Fun 3.0_STREAM Expo 2025
Kingwood Hotel, Sibu
23 – 25 May 2025
https://www.streamhub.cc

Borneo Education Expo: Local Meets Global 2025
RH Hotel, Sibu
23 – 25 May 2025
https://borneoeduexpo.com/

International Resilience Seminar 2025 (IReS25)
Hilton Hotel, Kuching
25 – 26 May 2025
https://ires.my/

Asia Carbon Conference 2025
Borneo Convention Centre Kuching
29 – 30 May 2025
https://www.argusmedia.com/en/events/conferences/asia-carbon-conference

For more information on events in Sarawak visit: Business Events Sarawak 

(Source: BESarawak)

New Zealand taps Tourism Boost package

AUCKLAND, 8 MAY 2025: New Zealand’s largest international tourism business event, TRENZ, convenes this week, hosting international buyers for three days of business talks and networking with the country’s travel content suppliers through to Friday, 8 May.

The three days provide a valuable opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand tourism, our unique culture, and commitment to sustainability,” commented Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive René de Monchy in a statement posted in a newsletter to international travel buyers and influencers.

Photo credit: Tourism New Zealand. Tourism New Zealand’s  Business Events team connected with association decision-makers in Tokyo, Osaka, and Singapore during the recent Meetings Show APAC.

TRENZ comes on the heels of building destination New Zealand’s presence overseas, with Tourism New Zealand’s  Business Events team spending connecting with association decision-makers in Tokyo, Osaka, and Singapore during the recent Meetings Show APAC.  

“Next on the agenda is IMEX Frankfurt in late May, one of the world’s leading business events tourism trade shows. We’ll have an impressive presence at the show, with a full-scale Hobbit Hole ™ located on the 100% Pure New Zealand stand, with real grass and flowers to bring it all to life and entice buyers to bring their next conference or incentive in New Zealand, “said the Tourism New Zealand CEO. 

These trade shows are essential for New Zealand’s tourism industry, as business event visitors generate over NZD100 more in daily spending than other visitors to New Zealand. With the recent announcement of an additional NZD3 million in funding to support business events, these trade shows have come at an ideal time for us to promote New Zealand as a unique and memorable destination. 

Tourism New Zealand has gained an additional NZD13.5 million in funding as part of the government’s Tourism Boost package, which aims to accelerate international visitor arrivals from core markets from July to December 2025 and through to March 2026. 

“This will be used to bolster our international marketing activity, which is the primary lever for increasing arrivals to New Zealand. We know millions of people in our core markets are considering New Zealand, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to capitalise on this and accelerate growth for the tourism sector. This investment is expected to bring an additional 23,000 visitors to New Zealand and deliver over NZD100 million in visitor spending.

“In crunching the numbers, the February data from Stats NZ is positive, reporting 63,700 international visitors from the US over the month, a new record for US arrivals. The February year-end data also shows that 3.3 million visitors arrived in New Zealand, an increase of 247,017 (+8%) over February 2024 statistics.” 

René de Monchy, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand.

(Source: Tourism New Zealand)

Bhutan crypto powers tourism payments

THIMPHU, BHUTAN, 8 MAY 2025: Bhutan will become the first nation to implement a national-level crypto payment system for tourism. 

Bhutan’s innovative mechanism allows travellers with Binance account to experience cashless journeys. In collaboration with Binance Pay and Bhutan’s fully digital DK Bank, this initiative offers travellers using Binance Pay an end-to-end payment experience. 

Photo credit: Bhutan Travel

More than 100 merchants are now live with DK Bank and Binance Pay. From booking flights to purchasing fresh fruit from roadside vendors, visitors can enjoy the convenience and efficiency of digital transactions throughout their journey.

This innovative model allows Binance Pay users to pay for nearly every part of their Bhutan journey using supported cryptocurrencies. This includes airline tickets to Bhutan, tourist visa and Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), hotel bookings, tour guides, monument entry fees, local shopping, and more — all settled quickly and securely through static and dynamic QR code payments.

Known as the “Kingdom of Happiness,” Bhutan prioritises Gross National Happiness (GNH) over GDP, focusing on sustainability, cultural preservation, and societal well-being. This pioneering collaboration with Binance Pay and DK Bank furthers that vision by harnessing digital innovation to enhance travel experiences, empower local communities, and unite tradition with technology.

Key highlights

Seamless Experience: Use crypto for all travel-related expenses, from flight tickets and visas to local purchases.

Tourism First: A fully integrated system across immigration, travel agents, hotels, guides, and retail.

Inclusive Reach: Enables small vendors in remote areas to accept QR code payments.

Powered by DK Bank: Supported by Bhutan’s first fully digital bank.

Immediate Transactions: Seamless crypto-powered immediate transactions for tourists

Comprehensive Support: Accepts more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including BNB, BTC, USDC

Secure Transactions: Encrypted transactions, 2FA, and real-time confirmations are available via the Binance application.

Binance CEO Richard Teng said: “We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we advance the use of cryptocurrencies in travel and set a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences.”

“This is more than a payment solution — it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” said Bhutan Department of Tourism Director Damcho Rinzin. “It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”

The partnership marks the first time a tourism product has accepted cryptocurrency at a national level. It addresses common barriers to digital payments, such as high transaction fees and limited merchant acceptance, by offering a low transaction fee and prompt settlements. Real-time notifications further ensure transparency for both merchants and visitors.

DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank, is powering the local settlement mechanism. Licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, DK Bank brings modern technology and innovation to deliver seamless, secure, and accessible financial services to all strata of society, especially those marginalised and unbanked. 

Binance Pay is a seamless, borderless, and secure cryptocurrency payment feature on the Binance app, allowing users and merchants to pay, send and receive crypto worldwide without incurring fees. With support for over 300 cryptocurrencies, it caters to over 40 million active users and 32,000 merchants.

The Department of Tourism of Bhutan is responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Bhutan. It works to share the Kingdom’s remarkable places, people and experiences with conscious travellers, guided by the principles of high-value, low-volume tourism. Bhutan Travel 

Vietjet’s consolidated Q1 profit soars

SINGAPORE, 8 MAY 2025: Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company (HOSE: VJC) reported a 24% year-on-year (YoY) increase in consolidated profit for Q1 2025, driven by substantial international expansion reinforcing the airline’s leadership in regional connectivity. 

The airline will soon operate direct flights between Singapore and Phu Quoc by the end of May, adding to the services from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Danang. There are now 78 single-sector flights weekly between cities in Vietnam and Singapore. 

Photo credit: Vietjet.

Strong profit growth     

According to its Q1 2025 financial statements, Vietjet reported air revenue of VND17.92 trillion (SGD892 million), with a pre-tax profit of VND820 billion (SGD40.85 million), marking a 25% increase YoY. 

Consolidated revenue totalled VND17.952 trillion (SGD896.29 million), while pre-tax profit was VND836 billion (SGD41.71 million), up 24% YoY.

Ancillary revenue reached over VND6.223 trillion (SGD310.38 million) in Q1 2025, accounting for more than 35% of Vietjet’s total revenue.

In the first three months of 2025, Vietjet operated nearly 38,700 flights and transported over 6.87 million passengers, representing YoY growth of more than 12% and 9%, respectively. The airline operated 137 routes, including 40 domestic and 97 international routes.

In Q1 2025, Vietjet added two new aircraft, expanding its fleet to 106 of the most modern aircraft in the region. The airline reported strong operational metrics with a seat load factor of 87% and a technical reliability rate of 99.72%.  

Vietjet also introduced four new international routes connecting Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with major cities in China (Beijing, Guangzhou) and India (Bengaluru, Hyderabad), further strengthening connectivity and expanding growth opportunities in key Asian markets. Additionally, the airline announced two upcoming direct routes: Phu Quoc-Singapore, set to launch on 30 May 2025, and Ho Chi Minh City-Auckland (New Zealand), expected to begin in September 2025.

As of 31 March 2025, Vietjet’s total assets reached VND98.766 trillion (SGD4.93 billion), with a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.12 and a liquidity ratio of 1.5, maintaining a safe level within the aviation industry. 

Strategic Global Partnerships

Vietjet began 2025 with its inaugural flight to the US, leading to strategic partnership discussions with key US partners worth USD14 billion (SGD18.15 billion). Combined with existing deals with its longstanding partners such as Boeing, GE, Pratt & Whitney, and others, Vietjet’s total cooperation value now approaches USD50 billion (SGD64.78 billion). The airline also signed a USD300 million ( SGD388.67 million)  aircraft financing agreement with Carlyle Aviation Partners.

Labour Day holidays stretch to 11 days

HANGZHOU, 8 MAY 2025: Fliggy, an online travel platform and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alibaba Group, has released insights into the 2025 Labour Day holiday travel trends, indicating a solid year-on-year (YoY) rise in per capita travel expenditure.

This year, more travellers extended the standard five-day Labour Day holiday to 11 days by taking additional leave days. Fliggy’s data indicates a notable shift in return travel patterns, with peak return dates occurring later than the previous year, suggesting a marked increase in average trip duration.

(Photo credit: Fliggy https://us.fliggytravel.com/ )

Demand for comfort and customised experiences

Fliggy’s data highlights a growing consumer preference for comfort and tailored itineraries, with customised tour bookings soaring over 80% YoY. This trend is particularly notable in established tourism destinations such as Beijing, Tibet, Shaanxi, Xinjiang, and Sichuan, where bookings for related products surged by an average of over 300% compared to last year. 

Small private group tours (5 to 10 people) were especially popular. Bookings for four to five-star hotels and luxury hotels through their flagship stores on Fliggy rose by over 20% compared to last year, building on a high base.

Road trips continue to gain popularity, with domestic car rentals up 35% YoY. Cities like Pu’er (Yunnan), Jinhua (Zhejiang), Datong (Shanxi), Yili (Xinjiang), and Taizhou (Zhejiang) saw an average increase of 100% YoY in car rental bookings. The platform has also seen rising bookings for nature hotspots and destinations within a one- to two-hour drive from megacities.

Megacities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Chongqing, Wuhan, and Xi’an remain top choices. Meanwhile, off-the-beaten-path and long-haul destinations are gaining traction, with bookings for destinations of outstanding natural beauty such as Beitun (Xinjiang), Qamdo (Tibet), Golog (Qinghai), Nujiang (Yunnan), and Tunchang (Hainan) rising by an average of over 100% YoY.

Travellers increasingly prioritise diverse and engaging experiences, favouring activities such as island getaways, rainforest trekking, desert camel rides, stargazing camps, and tea-mountain tours. This holiday season also saw notable demand for crowd-avoidance strategies, relaxation-focused vacations, and deep cultural immersion.

Visa-friendly policies boost outbound travel

Driven by the trend of expanding holidays through additional days off, coupled with visa-friendly policies, outbound travel has seen a sharp rise in per capita bookings, signalling a preference for longer, more immersive trips. Outbound bookings for flights, hotels, and cruises surged, with cruise bookings alone up over 60% YoY.

Top outbound destinations include Japan, Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and France. Emerging destinations such as Iceland, Hungary, Greece, Saudi Arabia, and Norway also saw rapid growth, with bookings all up over 170% YoY.