KUALA LUMPUR, 8 June 2026: Conrad Kuala Lumpur has named Paola Caciolli as General Manager of the brand’s first property in Malaysia and its Southeast Asia flagship.
Scheduled to open in Q4 2026 in the Malaysian capital’s Golden Triangle, the hotel marks a significant milestone for the Conrad brand in the region.
Photo credit: Conrad Kuala Lumpur. Paola Caciolli will lead Conrad Kuala Lumpur, the brand’s first hotel in Malaysia.
Beyond its long-established role as a regional business gateway, Kuala Lumpur is increasingly appreciated for its dining scene, cultural diversity, design-forward hospitality and neighbourhood experiences.
Caciolli brings more than 26 years of luxury hospitality experience across Asia and Europe, spanning hotel pre-openings, brand positioning, operations, commercial strategy and guest experience. Her leadership background includes senior roles across Hilton’s luxury portfolio, including Waldorf Astoria, as well as extensive experience in China, Italy, the United Kingdom and France.
She has been leading Conrad Kuala Lumpur’s pre-opening preparations since 2021, drawing on a track record that includes multiple luxury openings and brand introductions. Before joining Conrad Kuala Lumpur,
Caciolli had considerable experience opening hotels and overseeing marketing positioning and guest experience strategy. Her previous roles also include senior leadership positions at Waldorf Astoria Beijing and Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria, as well as cluster luxury hotel experience in Europe.
BANGKOK, 8 June 2026: The numbers are looking good, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) confirming strong participation in Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2026, taking place 10 to 12 June.
In its preview press release, the TAT says it will welcome “429 global buyers, 428 Thai sellers, more than 60 international media, engaging in an estimated 15,400 appointments. This year’s theme is “Healing is the New Luxury.”
Photo credit: TAT.
The event will be hosted at the NICE Pattaya Convention and Exhibition Centre in Chon Buri, which is part of Nong Nooch Gardens and its attractions. This year’s TTM highlights wellness tourism, sustainable travel, regional routes, digital trade support, and major global events while supporting “Hidden Gem” destinations.
Commenting on the B2B show, TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said: “As TAT’s annual strategic trade platform, TTM+ connects global travel buyers with Thai tourism businesses and presents the depth, quality, and diversity of Thailand’s tourism offer to the international market. The strong buyer response to this year’s event reflects continued confidence in Thailand despite global economic uncertainty and wider international challenges. TAT believes TTM+ 2026 will create meaningful business opportunities, strengthen Thailand’s global tourism profile, and distribute benefits to entrepreneurs, communities, and related sectors nationwide.”
International buyer participation has risen by 5.7% compared with the event’s 2025 turnout, with ASEAN (33%), East Asia (28%), Europe (24%), and the Americas (15%) leading the way. Increased participation from the Americas signals renewed long-haul demand and growing confidence in Thailand’s tourism sector.
Thai sellers include hotels, tour operators, attractions, entertainment businesses, golf courses, travel technology providers, wellness resorts, hospitals, and related services.
Participants will also include TAT STAR-certified operators aligned with Sustainable Tourism Goals (STGs), CF Hotels members, and Thailand Tourism Award winners.
Beyond the scheduled appointments, TAT will showcase Thailand’s tourism direction, market-ready products, and partnership opportunities.
Key sessions include the opening ceremony and welcome reception on 10 June at Alexa Beach Club Pattaya, and Pattaya Night on 11 June at the Columbia Pictures Aquaverse.
The Pre-Tour programme on 10 June has received strong interest from international buyers, with all seven routes fully registered. The programme will give participants first-hand exposure to Chon Buri’s tourism assets, including nature, lifestyle, golf, yachting, and community-based experiences.
Following the trade mart, the Post-Tour programme from 13 to 16 June will connect participants with five regional routes across Thailand: Rayong–Chanthaburi, Prachin Buri–Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Pathom–Kanchanaburi, Surat Thani–Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Chiang Rai. These itineraries are designed to develop new market-ready products, extend business engagement beyond the trade floor, and distribute tourism income nationwide.
SINGAPORE, 8 June 2026: The PuLi Group has appointed Dean Winter as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 June 2026, a significant milestone as the brand prepares to reveal PuLi Shanghai’s remake as a new chapter of growth.
Photo credit: PuLI Group. Dean Winter, Chief Executive Officer.
This appointment underscores PuLi Group’s ambition to evolve from an iconic flagship hotel into a refined collection of distinctive luxury properties across Asia and beyond.
Winter brings more than three decades of leadership across some of the world’s most respected luxury hotel brands, most recently as Managing Director of Swire Hotels, whose portfolio includes The Upper House Hong Kong.
Winter will lead strategic direction, brand development, and portfolio growth, working alongside a seasoned executive team as the group advances its expansion across key Asian markets.
He will also oversee The PuXuan in Beijing and the RuMa in Kuala Lumpur, both of which are managed by Urban Resort Concepts.
PuLi Shanghai is currently undergoing a comprehensive renovation, preserving what has distinguished the property since inception while reimagining its spaces, dining, and wellness offerings in line with the standards that will guide every future PuLi property.
The PuLi Group is a family-owned hospitality brand that currently comprises three properties: PuLi Shanghai, which opened in 2009; PuXuan in Beijing; and RuMa in Kuala Lumpur.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 8 June 2026: Riyadh Air has welcomed its first two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at the airline’s home base in Riyadh, a milestone for the airline as it prepares to expand commercial services.
“To see our very first custom-built 787 Dreamliners touch down in Riyadh is a historic moment for us, and a momentous day for Saudi aviation,” said Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas… “We are building an airline, and also opening a new gateway to the world from the heart of the Kingdom.”
Photo credit: Boeing.
The deliveries are a step forward for Saudi Arabia’s aviation strategy, which aims to attract 150 million visitors and serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030.
Riyadh Air’s fleet plan includes up to 72 Boeing 787s that will connect the Kingdom to regional and long-haul markets, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, and serve more than 100 destinations by 2030.
“Riyadh Air is bringing to life a vision of modern world-class travel, and we are delighted to support them as they open new possibilities for the Kingdom and the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ President and CEO Stephanie Pope. “The 787 Dreamliner gives Riyadh Air unmatched efficiency, flexibility across routes and a beautiful interior that will deliver a phenomenal travel experience.”
The new aircraft features a four-class cabin configuration: Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy with a total of 289 seats.
Commercial ticket sales for a daily Riyadh-London Heathrow service started last week, ahead of the deployment of the new aircraft on the route, set for 1 July.
Meanwhile, the airline has been experimenting with ad hoc flights to London since October, using a leased Boeing 787, with ticket sales limited to airline staff and their families.
Riyadh Air recently signed a partnership agreement with Air India to lay the groundwork for future codeshare and interline arrangements, designed to offer seamless connectivity between India, Saudi Arabia, and broader international destinations once operations expand.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the airline’s immediate sights are set on scaling up to nearly 20 destinations by the end of 2026, with an ultimate goal of reaching more than 100 destinations by 2030.
SINGAPORE, 8 June 2026: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released estimates showing that global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production is expected to reach around 2.4 million tonnes in 2026, representing just 0.8% of aviation fuel use, at a cost to airlines of USD4.3 billion.
“It looks to be another disappointing year for SAF production. Five years after committing to achieve net-zero by 2050, SAF production will account for only 0.8% of airline fuel use this year.
“The path to meeting 65% of our needs in 2050 is growing more difficult with each year of ineffectively sequenced government policies and oil companies’ manifest lack of interest. The current energy shock should add even more urgency to the development of renewables, including SAF. But we have yet to see either the energy shock, the need to develop energy independence and jobs, or the urgency to mitigate climate change materialise in the incentives needed to create a viable SAF market,” said IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh.
Photo credit: IATA. The aviation sector has committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
IATA is calling for coordinated action across four priorities:
Expand renewable energy supply to underpin SAF production and ensure sufficient feedstocks and clean energy are available.
Ensure open access to fuel infrastructure, including pipelines, storage, and airport fuel systems, to enable fair competition and efficient distribution.
Strengthen policy support by effectively sequencing production incentives and investment frameworks to provide certainty and reduce risk before any mandates are imposed.
Enable a global SAF market with sufficient volumes at commercially viable prices, critical for an airline’s financial and economic sustainability.
A book-and-claim system is essential for transforming the SAF market from local to global by making it accessible to airlines and SAF producers regardless of domicile. A global SAF market must also be supported by harmonised standards that create enduring rules and fair competition.
The e-SAF problem
Along with SAF (from biofuel sources), e-SAF (electro-SAF) will also play an increasingly important role in the decarbonisation of air transport. Converting renewable electricity via a power-to-liquid (PtL) process can produce e-SAF. E-SAF does not require biomass or waste oils, but does require large amounts of renewable electricity, green hydrogen, water, and CO2.
The EU and the UK have mandated e-SAF production of around 0.6 million tonnes by 2030. However, global production capacity currently operating and under construction stands at around 0.02 million tonnes, with only one production site in operation. It would take approximately 20 commercial-scale refineries to achieve the mandated volume. Moreover, no new final investment decisions for e-SAF facilities have been made over the past year.
“The 2030 e-SAF targets by the UK and the EU are beyond unrealistic – they are utterly detached from reality. It is a reckless energy market creation strategy to impose mandates before production is enabled. Such a strategy will only drive up the price. Coupled with penalties, it diverts scarce resources from being allocated to actual CO2 emissions reductions. The strategy is also bewildering, given that Europe has the highest renewable energy prices in the world. A serious strategy would first scale up renewable energy production to drive down its price and build e-SAF production capacity on sound economic grounds. Only at that point can mandates achieve the desired results,” said IATA’s Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen.
Passenger support for decarbonisation
The latest IATA passenger survey (April 2026) shows strong and consistent support for decarbonising air transport. 89% of passengers believe the industry should continue reducing emissions even if governments scale back their efforts, and a similar share sees flying as essential and as something that must be made sustainable, rather than restricting its use.
This support is backed by a willingness to act: about two-thirds of passengers (66%) say they are willing to pay more to compensate for emissions, and nearly 88% expect ticket prices to rise as a result of sustainability investments.
Passengers also clearly favour “real” decarbonisation solutions, with 25% prioritising SAF funding and 23% prioritising emissions-reduction technologies, far ahead of taxes (10%).
Importantly, sustainability is already influencing behaviour: nearly half of travellers (48%) look at carbon emissions when choosing flights, and among those who do, over 85% say it affects their decision, while around three-quarters say they prefer airlines with stronger environmental performance.
Overall, the data points to a clear message: passengers expect air transport to decarbonise, are broadly supportive of the transition, and increasingly factor sustainability into their choices, even if cost and convenience remain important.
SINGAPORE, 8 June 2026: Air Astana will resume regular services from Almaty to Dubai from 20 June 2026 and from Astana to Dubai from 10 July 2026.
Due to the closure of Iranian airspace, flights will operate via Pakistan to ensure the continued safety and reliability of services.
Photo credit: Air Astana
Flight frequencies will be restored gradually as follows:
Almaty–Dubai–Almaty
15–21 June: 2 flights a week (Saturday, Sunday)
22–28 June: 4 flights a week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
29 June – 5 July: 6 flights a week (daily except Tuesday) 6–12 July: 7 flights a week (daily)
Astana–Dubai–Astana
10–19 July: 3 flights a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
20–26 July: 4 flights a week (Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday)
27 July – 2 August: 5 flights a week (daily except Monday and Wednesday)
3–9 August: 7 flights a week (daily)
Passengers whose tickets have already been rebooked for departures up to 31 July 2026 may change their booking free of charge to an earlier flight from 20 June for travel from Almaty and from 10 July for travel from Astana.
HONG KONG, 8 June 2026: Cathay Pacific plans direct flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan’s commercial and cultural capital, in the first quarter of 2027.
The airline will operate three flights per week using an Airbus A330-300 widebody aircraft, which will be the only direct service linking Hong Kong and Kazakhstan.
Photo credit: Cathay Group.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavina Lau said: “Central Asia is a strategically important Belt and Road region that offers ample business opportunities. As Hong Kong’s home hub carrier, Cathay has aligned its interests with the HKSAR Government to strengthen our connectivity with this emerging market.
“Last year, we launched direct flights to Urumqi in Northwestern China, a city whose proximity to Central Asia extended our reach not only in the Chinese Mainland, but also to other key destinations along the Belt and Road. As we celebrate ’80 Years Together’ with our home city, we are excited to build on that momentum by announcing plans to operate direct flights between Hong Kong and Almaty, our first-ever destination in Central Asia, fostering new opportunities for people, cargo and capital flow with this dynamic region.”
Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s most developed economy with key industries including manufacturing, mining and industrial production. It is Hong Kong’s largest trading partner and leading export market in the region. Meanwhile, demand between the Chinese Mainland and Central Asia has grown steadily in recent years, underpinned by trade, investment and Belt and Road activity. The country also has a growing tourism sector offering summer and winter outdoor activities and is set to host the Asian Winter Games in 2029.
Together, Cathay Pacific and HK Express operate close to 600 return flights per week to 33 Belt and Road destinations. The Group also operates more than 330 return flights per week between Hong Kong and 24 destinations in the Chinese Mainland.
Lau made the comments while attending a ceremony alongside the President of Almaty International Airport, Goker Kose, and the Deputy Head of the Tourism Department of Almaty, Akmaral Yeshanova, last week.
She joined a high-level delegation led by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee Ka-chiu, to Central Asia and Kazakhstan to support efforts to explore new business opportunities for Hong Kong with emerging markets in the region.
SINGAPORE, 5 June 2026: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is closely monitoring the Ebola outbreak affecting parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda, following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 17 May 2026.
WTTC emphasises that this is a localised public health challenge, and at this stage, the overall risk to international travellers remains low. The organisation underscores the need for calm, coordinated and evidence-based responses, warning that misinformation and unnecessary alarm can have far-reaching social and economic consequences for destinations across Africa.
Photo credit: WTTC.
Travellers are encouraged to stay informed through trusted official sources and to follow destination-specific health guidance when travelling to affected areas.
WTTC also highlights that Africa is a diverse continent of 54 countries with very different health systems and tourism realities, cautioning against broad generalisations that could harm millions of livelihoods dependent on Travel & Tourism.
Recent developments, including the temporary suspension of some international flights to Uganda due to precautionary travel restrictions, underscore how responses that are misaligned with actual risk levels can create unnecessary disruption. Authorities and tourism leaders in the region have stressed that affected areas are limited and that conflating countries or imposing broad measures can unfairly impact unaffected destinations and communities.
WTTC, President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “This situation must be approached with facts, not fear. Ebola remains contained to specific areas, and the risk to international travellers is low. Today, our sector is far better prepared than ever before. With the right measures, collaboration, and responsible behaviour, travel can continue safely while supporting the communities that rely on it.”
WTTC commends the swift, transparent, and collaborative response from Africa CDC, national governments, the WHO, and international health partners, noting that their leadership provides strong confidence in the management of the situation.
Preparedness based on the COVID-19 experience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, WTTC worked alongside governments, international organisations, and industry leaders to develop the Safe Travels protocols, a globally recognised framework designed to ensure safe and seamless travel while protecting both travellers and local communities.
These protocols demonstrated that coordinated global standards and practical health measures make it possible to maintain travel even during periods of heightened concern. As a result, the global Travel & Tourism sector is now significantly better equipped to respond to public health events than in the past.
WTTC continues to advocate for simple, evidence-based measures aligned with WHO guidance, including good hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, sensible distancing in crowded areas, and compliance with health screening when required. These actions have already proven effective and remain key to reducing risk while preserving traveller confidence.
WTTC reiterates that travel remains a powerful force for connection, resilience, and economic opportunity, and that responsible travel can continue safely.
SHANGHAI, 5 June 2026: CIMX, a brand-new international trade show dedicated to meetings, incentives, conferences, business events, and corporate travel management, will take place in Beijing from 3 to 5 November 2026.
Messe Berlin China, the organiser of the China International MICE Exchange (CIMX), announced this week that Egyptair will participate in CIMX 2026 as the Official Airline Partner for the new-generation international B2B trade show dedicated to MICE and the business travel sectors.
Representatives from CIMX and Egyptair mark their airline partnership at the Egyptair booth during ITB China 2026.
“CIMX has been created to bring together the partners, destinations and decision-makers shaping the next phase of China’s MICE market,” said CIMX Director Nikolaos Swoch. “The partnership with Egyptair combines international travel access with professional business exchange — an essential driver for the further development of China’s meetings, incentives and business events sector.”
As Official Airline Partner, Egyptair will receive prominent visibility across official CIMX communications, onsite branding and delegate touchpoints.
For Egyptair, the partnership provides a targeted platform to engage with China’s corporate travel, meetings and incentive travel market. As Egypt’s national carrier, Egyptair connects China with Egypt and onward destinations across the Middle East, Africa and Europe through its international route network.
About CIMX The China International MICE Exchange (CIMX) is the premier new trade show designed to drive innovation, facilitate connections, and create business opportunities in China’s MICE and business travel markets.
CIMX brings together global MICE and business travel suppliers with top-tier buyers from China and around the world, promoting meaningful collaboration and growth.
CIMX 2026 will take place from 3 to 5 November 2026, in Beijing, alongside the CIMX Conference.
About ITB China ITB China 2027 will take place from 25 to 27 May 2027 in the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre. ITB China is the B2B travel trade show focused on the Chinese travel market, bringing together top buyers and industry professionals from around the world.
About the ITB global brand family For more than 50 years, the name ITB has stood worldwide for networking and trendsetting events. ITB China, the premier marketplace for China’s travel industry, is scheduled for 25 to 27 May 2027, in Shanghai.
ITB India will take place in Mumbai from 2 to 4 September 2026.
ITB Asia will be held in Singapore from 21 to 23 October 2026, covering the APAC market.
The inaugural ITB Americas will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 10 to 12 November 2026, covering the American market. ITB Berlin, the world’s leading B2B trade show for the travel industry, will take place in Berlin from 16 to 18 March 2027.
BANGKOK, 5 June 2026: Khiri Travel has released its latest full Impact Report, detailing major sustainability milestones across its operations in Southeast Asia, including Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification in all eight destinations where the company operates.
The report outlines how the destination management company strengthened its environmental and community programmes during 2025 while supporting guides and grassroots organisations across the region.
The report shows multiple positive outcomes. It also identifies upcoming challenges as Khiri Travel strives to enhance accountability.
Khiri Travel achieved GSTC certification in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka in December 2025, following a company-wide audit process led by Khiri Travel’s green teams in each destination.
The report also highlights the work of Khiri Reach, the charitable arm of Khiri Travel, which supported 14 projects in 2025 with total contributions of more than USD25,000. Projects covered conservation, emergency relief and community support initiatives in seven Asian countries.
Among the projects supported were nutrition programmes for children in remote villages in northern Laos, flood relief efforts in Vietnam, gibbon rehabilitation work in Thailand and earthquake response support in Myanmar. Khiri Reach also worked with organisations in Bali to host a blood donation campaign for local hospitals.
Other sustainability initiatives included ChildSafe awareness training for 95 staff members, sustainability training for guides, and partnerships with more than 47 responsible tourism hotels assessed through Hotel Resilient.
Regenerative tourism
Khiri Travel Founder and CEO Willem Niemeijer said that the report reflected Khiri Travel’s long-standing approach of using tourism to create opportunities in remote and emerging destinations.
“By encouraging travellers to venture beyond crowded tourism hubs,” he said, “Khiri Travel helps ensure that tourism revenue reaches communities that might otherwise be left out of the visitor economy.”
He added: “We aim to spread the benefits of tourism more equitably while helping travellers connect more deeply with places, cultures, and communities.”
On specific operational initiatives, Khiri Travel plans to expand ChildSafe training to leading guides, roll out a Sustainable Product Assessment framework, and deepen engagement with suppliers through a new Sustainability Supplier Code of Conduct.
The company is also increasing collaboration with ethical tourism partners, including elephant camps certified under the Asian Captive Elephant Standards (ACES), as part of a broader focus on animal welfare and responsible tourism experiences.
Khiri Travel said its current and future sustainability ambitions are inspired by the 4Cs framework of conservation, community, culture, and commerce, promoted by The Long Run, a global responsible tourism advocacy group of which Khiri Travel is a member.
The Khiri Travel 2025 impact report can be downloaded here
