ZURICH, 21 October 2026: SWISS took delivery of its third Airbus A350-900 in Zurich last week ahead of assigning the aircraft to operate services to Shanghai and Johannesburg this month.
The Airbus A350-900, registered HB-IFC and named ‘Zug ’, is the third aircraft of its type to join the Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) fleet, following ‘Lausanne’ (HB-IFA) and ‘Delémont’ (HB-IFB).
Photo credit: SWISS. Third A350-900 joins SWISS fleet.
From 19 October, SWISS deployed the A350 on services between Zurich and Shanghai and Zurich and Johannesburg.
SWISS will add 10 Airbus A350-900s to its fleet by 2030. Like the first two A350s, the latest addition features the new “SWISS Senses” cabin, offering guests a new travel experience across all four classes of travel: First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy.
In related news, SWISS will offer its first-ever service to Bengaluru, India (starting 27 October) during the 2026/27 winter schedule, with five weekly flights. Bengaluru becomes SWISS’s third destination in India, joining Delhi and Mumbai.
The new eastbound LX140 service will depart Zurich daily (except Mondays and Wednesdays) at 1320 and arrive in Bengaluru at 0255 the following day.
The westbound LX 141 service will leave Bengaluru daily (except Tuesdays and Thursdays) at 0450 and arrive in Zurich at 1050 the same day.
The 2026/27 winter timetable period will run from 25 October 2026 to 27 March 2027. Overall, SWISS will serve 88 destinations from Zurich and Geneva in its upcoming winter schedules.
PHUKET, Thailand, 21 October 2026: Phuket gains a direct air link to London Heathrow following the introduction of Virgin Atlantic’s three weekly flights on 18 October.
The new seasonal nonstop service operates every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday during the airline’s 2026–2027 UK winter season.
Photo credit: Virgin Atlantic.
Representatives from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Phuket International Airport and Virgin Atlantic joined the welcoming ceremony and greeted arriving passengers on Monday 19 October.
Virgin Atlantic posted the news on its Facebook page, noting: “Our first flight has officially taken off, with ‘Queen Bee’ leading our new direct service from London Heathrow Airport to Phuket, Thailand, as the only UK airline to fly this route.”
The airline assigned a 258-seat Dreamliner 787-9, named Queen Bee, to the 12-hour-and-15-minute LHR-HKT flight.
TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa, Chiravadee Khunsub said, “Virgin Atlantic’s new service gives UK travellers greater access to Phuket during the winter season.
“Under TAT’s Airline Focus and Value over Volume directions, we are working with airline and travel trade partners to convert additional flight capacity into high-value tourism.”
The inaugural flight departed London Heathrow on 18 October and arrived in Phuket on 19 October.
Flight schedule
VS214 departs London Heathrow (LHR) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 1545 and arrives in Phuket at 0955 plus a day. VS215 departs Phuket (HKT) on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 1145 and arrives at London Heathrow (LHR) at 1925.
Among the passengers were 29 Barrhead Travel representatives, led by Managing Director Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, participating in TAT’s Joint Agent: Top Sellers Fam Trip. The programme offers UK travel sellers first-hand experience of Thailand’s tourism products and destinations to support future sales.
The route complements existing UK–Thailand nonstop services. Thai Airways International and EVA Air operate 21 weekly flights between London Heathrow and Bangkok. At the same time, British Airways, TUI, and Norse Atlantic Airways offer seasonal connections from London Gatwick and Manchester to Bangkok and Phuket.
TAT’s London Office partnered with Virgin Atlantic on a UK marketing campaign to stimulate travel for late 2026 and early 2027. Combining digital advertising, Thailand-themed promotions at Virgin Atlantic Holidays outlets, email newsletters, and in-store displays, the campaign generated 9,079 bookings on the London Heathrow–Phuket route and reached at least 5.41 million people.
The UK ranks among Thailand’s five highest tourism revenue-generating markets. In 2025, UK arrivals surpassed 1 million for the first time, generating THB74,515 million, up 21.7% year on year. From 1 January to 3 September 2026, Thailand welcomed 682,684 UK visitors, with demand showing improvement ahead of the winter season.
UK travellers stay an average of 14.18 days and spend THB61,615 per person per trip. First-time visitors account for 56.99% and repeat visitors 43.01%. Leading destinations for UK travellers include Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani and Chiang Mai, reflecting demand for Thailand’s combination of coastal holidays, culture, gastronomy, wellness and nature-based experiences.
SINGAPORE, 20 October 2026: Two of Thailand’s beachfront resorts, Banyan Tree Krabi and Banyan Tree Samui, have been awarded Two Keys by the MICHELIN Guide to Thailand for the third consecutive year.
Equivalent to MICHELIN stars for restaurants, the award of “Two Keys” is bestowed on a hotel or resort described by MICHELIN as “an exceptional stay”, in that it offers a remarkable experience in every regard, including distinctive character, outstanding design and impeccable service.
Banyan Tree Krabi.
The announcement follows a comprehensive evaluation of the five-star hotels by anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors and reaffirms Banyan Tree’s leadership in meaningful luxury hospitality in southern Thailand.
“To retain two keys in an increasingly competitive market is a significant achievement,” said Banyan Tree Krabi General Manager Haruethai Maneerat.
“Two MICHELIN Keys is a wonderful moment for all of us,” said Banyan Tree Samui General Manager Stuart de San Nicolas. “It belongs to our team, who bring such warmth and heart to everything they do.”
Wellbeing Sanctuary
At the heart of the two resorts is the Banyan Tree Wellbeing Sanctuary — an initiative the hotels pioneered in October 2021 to let guests combine a leisure vacation with a daily programme designed to enrich mind, body and soul.
Guests staying in Wellbeing Sanctuary Pool Villas and Suites can choose from a range of healthy-living facilities, including Banyan Tree’s award-winning Rainforest, a unique hydrotherapy facility available at both resorts, with vitality pools, steam rooms, saunas, and ice fountains.
Both resorts have been lauded in the MICHELIN Guide for their contributions to local communities, including ongoing marine conservation in Koh Samui, support for Krabi’s local fisheries, and the elimination of single-use plastics.
About Banyan Tree Krabi Banyan Tree Krabi offers 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa, and a majestic seven-bedroom beachfront Presidential Villa.
About Banyan Tree Samui Banyan Tree Samui’s 88 spacious pool villas, each with a private infinity pool, offer a secluded oasis where guests can unwind and reconnect with nature.
MANILA, 20 October 2026: The Philippines’ Department of Tourism is strengthening efforts to promote healthcare and wellness tourism as a driver of investment, job creation, and regional tourism development, while supporting the Philippines’ growth as a competitive health and wellness destination.
Speaking at the 15th Arangkada Philippines Forum earlier this month, Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay called on business leaders, investors, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to invest in the country’s growing health tourism ecosystem.
Photo credit: DOTP. Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay addressed the 15th Arangkada Philippines Forum earlier this month.
“We want to develop a stronger health and wellness sector that attracts investment, creates jobs, expands regional capacity, and improves services for Filipinos,” Secretary Angara-Mathay said.
The Tourism chief emphasised that advancing medical and wellness tourism requires an integrated ecosystem connecting healthcare, hospitality, infrastructure, and technology to ensure quality, accessibility, and a seamless patient experience.
“We invite investors to look at the full range of opportunities: healthcare facilities, diagnostics, digital health, rehabilitation, wellness, hospitality, and long-stay communities. The greatest potential lies in connecting these services so that patients can receive care and support throughout their journey,” she added.
As of September this year, the DOT’s accreditation network includes 13 hospitals, 21 ambulatory clinics, 10 dental clinics, and 63 spas. The country also has six hospitals accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI), laying a strong foundation to expand the Philippines’ presence in the global health tourism market.
Secretary Angara-Mathay underscored that the Department works closely with the health and wellness sectors to bridge gaps in tourism infrastructure and healthcare support services, particularly through public-private partnerships.
“Consider the possibilities — a patient receives specialised treatment at a major medical centre, continues rehabilitation nearby, stays in quality accommodation with family, and has access to appropriate nutrition, wellness, and recreation,” the Tourism Chief explained. “Such a model creates opportunities across hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, wellness centres, hotels, serviced residences, diagnostics, restaurants, transportation, and digital health providers.”
According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the Philippines’ wellness economy reached USD47.3 billion in 2024, ranking 23rd worldwide and 8th in the Asia-Pacific region.
In partnership with private-sector stakeholders, the DOT has launched the Medical Concierge and Lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. This facility provides arriving medical tourists with assistance and information on health and wellness services and connects them with DOT-accredited wellness and tourism experiences.
BANGKOK, 20 October 2026: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the third edition of ASEAN India+ Shoppers in Thailand 2026, expanding participation across ASEAN and South Asia.
Running until the end of November, ‘More Value More Thailand’ offers shopping, dining, accommodation and lifestyle privileges nationwide.
Photo credit: TAT.
TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, Parichat Boonclai, said, “ASEAN and South Asia are key markets for Thailand, with strong travel connections, demand for Thai products and potential for repeat visits. ASEAN India+ Shoppers in Thailand 2026 is designed to turn awareness into travel, spending and return visits. Under our Value over Volume approach, we are working with partners to increase visitor spending and distribute tourism income more widely among Thai brands, SMEs and local businesses, ensuring greater value for travellers and the Thai tourism economy.”
Representatives of TAT’s retail and lifestyle partners joined the official announcement, including those from King Power International, X8, Central and Robinson department stores under Central Group, Centara Hotels and Resorts, The Mall Group, Siam Paragon, Siam Piwat, ICONSIAM, One Bangkok, MBK Center, Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, Jungceylon Shopping Center, Lotus’s, Krung Thong Plaza, True | dtac 5G, MAMA, Mont Fleur, Erb, Malee, Propoliz, Siang Pure, Pumpui, Jula’s Herb, G Sure Plus, Kornthai, ZARE, StrackYum and Ginger Farm Kitchen.
They are among more than 50 partners offering discounts, vouchers, gifts and exclusive privileges across department stores, shopping centres, restaurants, Thai brands, hotels and accommodation providers.
Selected privileges, valued between THB500 and THB2,000, encourage visitors to spend more in Bangkok and destinations nationwide.
Building on the success of the 2024 and 2025 editions, which generated combined tourism revenue over THB81 million, TAT is expanding the campaign’s reach beyond the established ASEAN and Indian markets.
The 2026 edition also targets travellers from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, reflecting their potential for shopping and lifestyle tourism.
With this broader approach, TAT targets 30,000 participating tourists, generates at least 10 million campaign exposures, and delivers at least THB244 million in tourism revenue.
According to the 2025 international tourist behaviour survey, 91.05% of international visitors shopped during their trips, with shopping expenditure rising 21.04%.
Popular purchases included clothing, souvenirs, Thai food products, cosmetics and fragrances.
So far in 2026, ASEAN and India accounted for more than 8.45 million arrivals to Thailand. From 1 January to 30 September, Thailand recorded 23.4 million international arrivals and over 153.96 million domestic trips, generating approximately THB2.04 trillion.
TAT forecasts 33 million international arrivals and THB2.65 trillion in total tourism revenue by year-end. ASEAN India+ Shoppers in Thailand 2026 supports this outlook while encouraging regional visitors to spend more on shopping and lifestyle experiences across Thailand.
SINGAPORE, 20 October 2026: Seven out of 10 Gen Zs and Millennials living in Singapore find cruising an appealing way to explore Europe, according to a survey Royal Caribbean commissioned.
The findings reveal that 91% of Singaporean travellers surveyed find travelling between multiple European cities tiring and stressful, the highest proportion among the Asia Pacific markets surveyed.
YouGov conducted the study across Singapore, Malaysia, India, Indonesia and the Philippines, highlighting cruising’s appeal as an alternative way to discover more of Europe in one vacation, without the hassle of navigating travel logistics between destinations.
The appeal is particularly pronounced among Singaporean travellers who have experienced Europe firsthand. Some 73% of those who have previously travelled between multiple European cities find cruising attractive, compared with 50% of those who have never visited Europe. Among Gen Zs and Millennials who have travelled in the region, that figure rises to 78% and 79% respectively, compared with 59% and 53% among their counterparts who have not visited Europe.
An easier way to experience Europe
The research also highlighted strong interest among families in exploring Europe by cruise. 72% of parents with children under 18 find the prospect of experiencing multiple European destinations on a single cruise vacation appealing. Cruising was also among the top two preferred modes of transport for travelling between European destinations among this group, ranking ahead of short-haul flights, private cars and buses or coaches.
For travellers planning a multi-destination European vacation, the research points to a clear priority: Spending more time enjoying their trip and less time managing the journey.
More than nine in 10 respondents (91%) in Singapore identified at least one challenge associated with travelling between multiple European destinations, most commonly flight delays and cancellations (56%), managing luggage between countries (46%), long layovers (44%), and repeatedly packing and unpacking (33%). These figures were above the average APAC findings.
At the same time, travellers value vacations where the journey adds to the experience. Top perceived benefits of exploring Europe by cruise include included meals and entertainment (52%), reduced packing and unpacking between destinations (51%), and avoiding airport processes between destinations (48%).
The findings come as Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest Icon Class vacation, offers travellers new ways to discover the Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.
SINGAPORE, 20 October 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda and Emerging Travel Group (ETG), a global travel technology company operating the RateHawk, ZenHotels, and Roundtrip brands, have entered into a strategic partnership to expand accommodation supply and distribution across their respective platforms.
Under the partnership, the two companies will cross-sell their services, leveraging each other’s extensive inventory and strong customer demand.
Under the agreement, Agoda will connect to ETG’s global hotel supply through the RateHawk API, adding millions of accommodation options across Europe, the US, Latin America, and the Middle East to its marketplace. This will broaden Agoda’s offering for travellers from Asia and beyond while giving more choice to those planning trips to popular destinations worldwide.
Agoda Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Danil Dachkevitch added: “Travel discovery is becoming less linear as travellers turn to a wider range of platforms and content for inspiration. Wherever their journey begins, we want them to find accommodation that suits their trip. This partnership combines Agoda’s deep understanding of Asia and global customer reach with Emerging Travel Group’s diverse supply, giving travellers more choice across both platforms.”
For ETG, the partnership supports its strategic expansion in the Asia-Pacific region by strengthening its hotel supply and enhancing customer choice across the market.
ETG Managing Director for Consolidator Business Unit Nikita Elagin commented: “The Asia-Pacific region is an important destination market for our customers, across both leisure and corporate travel, with bookings growing at a double-digit rate annually. Agoda has a particularly strong hotel portfolio in the region, and by combining our supply, we can offer ETG customers a wider choice of accommodation and better serve their travel needs across APAC.”
According to ETG, East and Southeast Asia are among its top five destination markets, with bookings in the region growing by an average of 30% in 2026.
SINGAPORE, 20 October 2026: GetYourGuide, the global marketplace for travel experiences, and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have signed a two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the development, distribution, and promotion of Singapore’s diverse tourism tours and experiences to travellers worldwide.
The MoU was signed at GetYourGuide’s Berlin headquarters by GetYourGuide CEO and co-founder Johannes Reck and STB Chief Executive Melissa Ow.
Photo credit: STB. Johannes Reck, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder, GetYourGuide and Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board.
The partnership will leverage GetYourGuide’s insights to build a supply of quality tours and experiences and drive more tourist consumption and spending in Singapore. It is structured around three key areas.
Market Insights: GetYourGuide and STB will share insights into traveller preferences and demand to identify opportunities to enhance Singapore’s tourism experiences and better meet the needs of international visitors.
Co-ideation: Both parties will work with tourism stakeholders and experience providers to identify and develop new or enhanced Singapore experiences that reflect evolving traveller interests and broaden the range of experiences available to visitors.
Joint marketing: Both parties will explore joint marketing initiatives to raise the visibility of Singapore’s tourism experiences and inspire travellers to discover more of what the destination has to offer.
Notably, the agreement marks GetYourGuide’s first international destination marketing partnership outside Germany, where the company is based, underscoring the strategic importance of Singapore’s standing as a premier destination amidst GetYourGuide’s growth in the region.
“At GetYourGuide, we look forward to connecting Singapore’s attractions and experience providers with global travellers looking to discover the best of what a destination has to offer,” said Johannes Reck. “We’re proud to bring more visibility to Singapore’s best things to do to the world.”
“Visitors today increasingly seek experiences that are meaningful and memorable, and Singapore has so much to offer on that front. This MoU with GetYourGuide gives us a powerful channel to reach global travellers while creating opportunities for our tourism businesses to grow their international reach. We look forward to welcoming more travellers to discover what makes Singapore truly special,” said Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow.
About GetYourGuide GetYourGuide is a global marketplace for travel experiences. Travellers use GetYourGuide to discover the best things to do at any given destination, book and skip-the-line tickets to top attractions, and reserve tours and activities led by local experts. The website and app offer experiences in over 18,000 cities and destinations worldwide.
BANGKOK, 20 October 2026: Thai AirAsia (FD) and Thai AirAsia X (XJ) are launching a massive discount sale “Up to 30%* Off All Seats, All Flights” covering every route across their entire networks.
Book these special fares by 25 October 2026, for travel between 2 November 2026 and 30 September 2027.
Campaign highlights
Special offer: Up to 30% off All Seats, All Flights (across both domestic and international routes).
Booking period: Closes at midnight on 25 October 2026. Bookings are open on AirAsia MOVE and airline websites.
Travel period: 2 November 2026 – 30 September 2027
The deal comes with a one-time flight change fee waiver** with zero processing fees (fare differences may apply) and applies to Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X across a network of 53 routes to 46 cities.
*Discount applies to one-way travel, base fare only, not inclusive of passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges and other applicable fees.
KUALA LUMPUR, 20 October 2026: After a comprehensive safety review and operational risk assessment, Malaysia Airlines has resumed scheduled flights from its Kuala Lumpur base to Jeddah (JED) and Madinah (MED), effective 18 October 2026.
Passengers travelling to or from Jeddah and Madinah are advised to verify their flight schedules and update their contact details via ‘My Booking’ on the Malaysia Airlines website or mobile app.
Passengers who booked through third-party platforms or travel agents are advised to contact their booking provider directly about their travel arrangements.
In a press statement, Malaysia Airlines said it “appreciates the patience and understanding of its passengers during the temporary flight suspensions. The airline continues to closely monitor developments in the region, with the safety and security of our passengers and crew remaining our highest priority.”
Airlines resuming operations to Saudi Arabia
Malaysia Airlines: Resumed scheduled operations to and from Jeddah and Madinah starting 18 October 2026, following security reviews.
Gulf Air: Bahrain’s flag carrier announced that, after temporary cancellations through 17 October, it resumed scheduled flight operations on 18 October.
Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings): Short-term temporary suspensions ended after 16 October. Operational evaluations were initiated to restart flights on a route-by-route basis.
Airlines extending suspensions or postponing service
Many other international carriers have maintained or extended flight suspensions due to safety assessments and operational repositioning:
Etihad Airways & flydubai: Extended temporary cancellations through 18 and 19 October.
Air India & Air India Express: Suspended flights through 20 October.
Akasa Air & IndiGo: Suspended services to Saudi destinations (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam) through 21 to 24 October.
Air France-KLM: Suspended services through to the end of October.
Philippine Airlines: Suspended Riyadh routes through 29 November.
Cathay Pacific: Delayed return on Hong Kong–Riyadh/Dubai routes until 31 January, 2027.
Delta Air Lines: Postponed its planned Atlanta–Riyadh route launch to March 2027.
Note: Schedules and security assessments change rapidly during active re-openings. Passengers are strongly advised to verify flight status directly with the respective airlines before travel.
