SINGAPORE, 23 MAY 2025: Sailing one step closer to its debut, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas takes to the open ocean for the first time this week for a series of sea trials.
It marks a key milestone before the new Icon Class ship makes its way to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, for its August 2025 debut.
Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Star of the Seas sets sail to the open ocean for the first time.
Over 11 days, over 2,000 experts from the naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design spaces are putting Star to the test across various technical examinations to ensure it’s in ship shape.
From testing how the ship moves through the open water to pushing its engine performance to the limits and more, Star’s journey will cover hundreds of miles before the ship enters its final construction phase at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.
Star will deliver eight neighbourhoods that are destinations in themselves for families and vacationers of all ages to make memories with a lineup of thrills like the fastest and tallest waterslides, seven pools and more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained.
The ship will serve up seven-night vacations visiting Eastern or Western Caribbean destinations, including the vacation brand’s top-rated destination, ‘Perfect Day at CocoCay’ in The Bahamas.
HONG KONG, 23 MAY 2025: The Cathay Group reached a new passenger milestone while expanding its global network, according to its latest traffic figures for April 2025.
Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “April was a good month for our travel business. The various holidays in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia helped drive strong leisure travel demand, and over the Easter travel peak, we were pleased to once again set a new post-pandemic record with Cathay Pacific and HK Express carrying more than 115,000 passengers combined on 18 April.”
The airline group continued to add routes to its passenger network, having launched flights to five new destinations in April, including Dallas-Fort Worth and Urumqi for Cathay Pacific, and Nha Trang, Ishigaki and Komatsu for HK Express.
Looking forward, the group is confident it will reach 100 passenger destinations to be introduced in the coming weeks and months.
On the cargo front, Lau commented: “The latest announcements regarding the tariffs between China and the US will provide some reassurance to the market in the near term. We will continue closely monitoring the market conditions and leverage our built-in flexibility to adjust freighter capacity.”
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific carried 36.3% more passengers in April 2025 than during April 2024, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 27.1%. In the first four months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 26.6% compared to 2024.
Lavinia noted: “Following a quieter month in March, leisure travel demand experienced a boost in April. The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the festive period in Indonesia generated strong demand for return traffic early in the month, followed by a notable increase in travel demand over Easter. Then, towards the end of April, we observed robust pre-holiday demand from the Chinese Mainland and Japan, coinciding with the respective ‘Golden Week’ holidays in those two markets.
“Together with our newly launched services to Dallas-Fort Worth and Urumqi, which have been met with enthusiasm, our network achieved a load factor of over 86.4% in April, the highest yet of any month this year. Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome Rome and Munich to our network in June as we continue to add more destinations and flights for our customers.”
Cathay Cargo
Cathay Cargo carried 13.6% more cargo in April 2025 than in April 2024. Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 8.9% while the load factor decreased by 1.1 percentage points year-on-year. In the first four months of 2025, the total tonnage increased by 12.4% compared to 2024.
“Tonnage in April was 10.4% lower than in March, primarily due to the traditional first quarter-end peak in March and the various holiday periods in April. However, our specialist solutions maintained their growth momentum. We saw increased demand for our Cathay Priority solution on the Asia Pacific-United States trade lane ahead of the implementation of trade tariffs. Demand for our Cathay Expert solution continued to grow, supported by robust exports of semiconductor machinery from North Asia and ad hoc demand out of Europe to Hong Kong,” Lau commented.
“Turning to May, we have seen steady replacement cargo from other parts of our network, including Southeast Asia, during the first half of the month amidst reduced demand from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. We will closely monitor the ongoing developments in the second half.”
HK Express
HK Express carried more than 690,000 passengers in April, marking an increase of 47.4% year-on-year, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) grew by 42%. In the first four months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 37.6% compared to 2024.
Buoyed by the long weekend holidays in April, HK Express achieved record passenger traffic and flight sectors while continuing to expand its network. Extra sectors to popular destinations like Bangkok, Seoul and Phu Quoc were added over the Ching Ming Festival and Easter amidst strong demand.
SINGAPORE, 23 MAY 2025: Vietjet has unveiled two new direct routes from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, to Chengdu and Xi’an in China, with inaugural flights taking off on 1 July and 6 July 2025, respectively.
Each route will offer four round-trip flights per week. These new services bring the airline’s total number of Vietnam–China direct routes introduced in the first half of 2025 to seven, further strengthening its expanding flight network.
Photo credit: Vietjet.
For Singaporean travellers, this opens up a more seamless journey to China via Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering more flexible and affordable travel options across the region.
To celebrate the launch, Vietjet is offering promotional fares for new services, available at its website and on the Vietjet Air mobile app.
These new services follow Vietjet’s recent launch of flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as the Hanoi-Shanghai route introduced in March and April.
The two additional services will strengthen comprehensive air connectivity between Vietnam and China, promoting tourism and trade while offering greater access between China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Vietjet has been rapidly expanding its international flight network, particularly between Vietnam and China, with direct routes now linking Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Beyond China, the airline is also boosting regional connectivity with a new direct service between Singapore and Phu Quoc to be launched on 30 May. During Q1 and Q2, Vietjet also launched new services to India, linking Ho Chi Minh City to Hyderabad and Bengaluru and Japan’s Nagoya and Fukuoka. These strategic expansions reflect Vietjet’s strong commitment to enhancing international cooperation and making travel across the Asia–Pacific region more accessible and affordable.
Timetables: Vietnam-China routes (Local times, using 24-hour format)
DUBAI, UAE, 22 MAY 2025: To celebrate International Tea Day on 21 May, Emirates and Dilmah Tea presented complimentary packs of luxury leaf artisan teas to customers on all flights.
It also marked a successful 33-year partnership, and more than 33 million cups of tea are served yearly. Emirates Lounges worldwide will also offer crafted Dilmah tea cocktails, mocktails, and traditional hot teas with sweet treats.
On International Tea Day, 21 May, customers in all classes on flights over 2.5 hours received the special edition gift box inflight, containing three of Dilmah’s most celebrated teas — the Emirates Signature Tea, Moroccan Mint Green Tea and Ceylon Tea with Strawberry.
Across all Emirates Lounges worldwide, First and Business Class customers sampled cocktails and mocktails crafted with Dilmah tea and expertly paired with delicious desserts. In the Dubai lounges, an exclusive Dilmah Elixir mocktail and cocktail were paired with a fragrant coconut vanilla cake, lemon cake and moreish apple tart. Until 31 May on flights from Dubai to the UK, Emirates’ cabin crew will offer Dilmah tea pairing tips for the Afternoon Tea service in First and Business Class.
Tea Artistry with Emirates and Dilmah
Emirates brews more than 33 million cups of tea annually for customers in-flight and serves a range of teas in Emirates’ airport lounges worldwide. In First Class, Emirates offers a selection of six Dilmah gourmet blends, from the energy-boosting Original Earl Grey, to a mellow Pure Chamomile Flowers, healthy and antioxidant Sencha Green Extra Special, to intense and majestic Brilliant Breakfast, the most popular option in First Class – Moroccan Mint Green Tea, as well as Emirates’ Signature Tea – Dombagastalawa Estate Ceylon FBOP1 grade, with safflower, marigold flowers, rose, ginger and almond.
In Business Class, Emirates offers five luxury leaf teas, Earl Grey – a deliciously fragrant gourmet tea with natural bergamot, as well as Ceylon tea, Pure Camomile Flowers, Green Tea Natural and Green Tea Moroccan Mint. Customers can choose Ceylon or Natural Green Tea in Premium Economy and Economy Class.
The Importance of International Tea Day
The UN General Assembly’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development marks 21 May annually as International Tea Day. The day is designed to ‘raise public awareness of the importance of tea for rural development and sustainable livelihoods and to improve the tea value chain to contribute to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.’
Emirates has partnered with family-owned Dilmah Tea, the celebrated Sri Lankan tea company, for 33 years. Dilmah is the first producer-owned ethical tea brand globally, where the tea is cultivated, handpicked and packed at its origin to preserve its natural goodness and ensure its unrivalled position as one of the finest teas in the world.
The Dilmah tea estates sit majestically amidst impressive views of abundant waterfalls, rising mountain tops and lush landscapes, producing exceptional Ceylon Tea. Ceylon Tea is made from the finest quality tea leaves in pristine estates at the highest elevation, and the tea gets its characteristics and flavours from the rich biodiversity of the surrounding forest. Handpicked in the central hills of Sri Lanka, the tea leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, and fired to produce tea with sophisticated aromas, tastes, and textures, fresh from plantation to cup.
KUCHING, 22 MAY 2025: The countdown begins for the 28th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), transforming the Sarawak Cultural Village into a global celebration of rhythm and unity.
The Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 in Sarawak will be held from 20 to 22 June 2025.
Now in festival countdown mode, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) hosted a Sponsors’ Appreciation Day last week at the Imperial Hotel Kuching, highlighting 15 key sponsors from different sectors.
The appreciation event brought together RWMF’s invaluable ecosystem of collaborators — from aviation and media to beverage, hospitality, and finance — whose collective commitment has helped RWMF evolve into one of the world’s most iconic and eco-conscious music festivals.
YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister for Tourism Sarawak, Sarawak Tourism Board’s Board of Directors, and STB’s Chief Executive Officer, Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor presided over the event.
As anticipation for RWMF 2025, themed “Connections: One Earth, One Love,” builds up, the Sponsors’ Appreciation Day served as a meaningful moment to recognise the connections that
make the festival’s global impact possible, from cultural diplomacy and creative synergy to climate action and community empowerment.
YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah shared: “The success of RWMF is neither built overnight nor by one entity alone. It is built by those who believe in Sarawak’s potential. It is built by our dedicated sponsors, partners, and supporters.
“The Rainforest World Music Festival has always reflected who we are – vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and future-forward. And our partners are central to that story. You help connect Sarawak to the world. You help bring the music to life. And you help to ensure that our values — sustainability, creativity, authenticity — remain at the heart of everything we do.” Puan Sharzede added.
In line with these efforts was the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association’s (SkTGA) official Responsible Tourism Proclamation, a landmark initiative reinforcing Sarawak’s commitment to sustainability, cultural preservation, and ethical guiding practices. The proclamation aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sarawak Government’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, amplifying the tourism sector’s role in building inclusive and regenerative growth.
This year, STB proudly recognises several top-tier partners whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the festival’s reach and experience:
With MAG returning as the Official Airline Partner, getting to Kuching has never been easier. Enjoy exclusive flight discounts from Malaysia Airlines and Firefly using the following promo codes:
• Use promo code MHRWMF25 (Malaysia Airlines) or FYRWMF25 (Firefly). • Booking period: 12 March – 22 June 2025. • Travel period: 14 – 29 June 2025.
From immersive workshops and international showcases to The Green Ruai’s sustainability activations, RWMF 2025 promises its most inclusive and environmentally aligned edition yet. With over 200 performers from 20 countries, including headliners Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay (USA), Otyken (Russia), and Sarawak’s very own At Adau.
The list of sponsors for Rainforest World Music Festival 2025:
SINGAPORE, 22 May 2025: Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach has appointed Jean Philippe Lovotti as its new general manager in a move by AYANA Hospitality to accelerate its sustainability initiatives.
With over 25 years of global hospitality experience, Lovotti has a track record of leadership in luxury and upscale hotels across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The appointment places Komodo National Park on the global map of luxury nature tourism.
Jean Philippe Lovotti GM Ayana Komodo.
Before joining Ayana Komodo, he was the general manager of Caravelle Saigon, where he led a transformative multi-phase renovation that modernised the historic property while maintaining full operations.
Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles with AccorHotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, and the Leading Hotels of the World hospitality group, overseeing flagship properties across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Europe.
Located on the shores of Labuan Bajo in East Indonesia, Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach is the premier luxury gateway to the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park. The five-star resort features 205 ocean-facing rooms and suites, seven signature dining venues, and access to Ayana Cruises, a fleet of five vessels including the flagship 54-meter Lako D’ia. Guests enjoy immersive experiences from marine conservation activities and sailing adventures to wellness programmes inspired by local traditions.
SINGAPORE, 22 MAY 2025: Sabre Hospitality has inked a new agreement with the hospitality brand Minacia Co Ltd, strengthening Sabre Hospitality’s presence in the Japanese market.
Under the agreement, Minacia will list its hotel inventory on Global Distribution Systems (GDSs), including Sabre’s global travel marketplace, as well as connect to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) through Sabre Hospitality’s Channel Connect, making its properties easily bookable worldwide.
Minacia operates 38 hotels across major Japanese cities.
Minacia operates 38 hotels across major Japanese cities, including the Hotel Wing International brand and Tenza Hotels, and has plans to expand further.
“Since opening our first Hotel Wing in 1990, we have been expanding our hotel and restaurant business nationwide, evolving our unique concept of a synergy between food and lodging,” said Minacia CEO Kaz Shimojima.
Minacia joins a growing number of hospitality brands in Japan that have chosen Sabre Hospitality’s reservation and distribution technology to grow their business.
“We’re proud to support Minacia’s growth strategy,” said Sabre Hospitality Senior Vice President, Global Managing Director of Community Sales Frank Trampert. “By choosing our GDS and Channel Connect solutions, Minacia is well-positioned to reach new customers and offer seamless booking experiences to travel agents and travellers globally.”
SINGAPORE, 22 MAY 2025: Delta resumed daily nonstop service on 20 May to Tel Aviv (TLV) Israel from New York-JFK, operating the route on an Airbus A330-900neo, the airline confirmed in a press advisory.
The airline’s decision to resume the route on 20 May, which was temporarily suspended in response to ongoing conflict in the region, followed an extensive security risk assessment.
Photo credit: Delta.
Delta said it continuously monitored the evolving security environment and assessed operations based on security guidance and intelligence reports.
Airlines that have resumed services to Tel Aviv
Based on the latest available information 20 May 2025, here’s the list of the airlines that have recently resumed or are currently flying to Tel Aviv:
Delta Air Lines: Resumed daily nonstop flights from New York’s JFK as of 20 May.
Wizz Air: Announced its return to Israel starting 15 May.
Aegean Airlines: Announced resumption of flights starting 19 May.
Air Europa: Announced the return of flights starting 11 May.
Azerbaijan Airlines: Announced flights resumed starting 7 May.
KLM: Announces resumption of flights starting 1 June 2025.
Airlines extending flight suspensions
Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Eurowings): Extended flight suspensions until 8 June 2025.
Ryanair: Extended suspension until 4 June 2025.
LOT Polish Airlines: Suspended through 25 May 2025.
Iberia Express: Suspended through 31 May 2025.
Air Canada: Postponed its return until 8 September 2025.
Transavia: Suspended through 24 May 2025.
AirBaltic: Suspended through 8 June 2025.
Given the fluid nature of the situation, check directly with the specific airline for the most up-to-date information on flight status and any travel advisories before making travel plans.
PHUKET, 22 MAY 2025: Thailand’s wellness economy has entered a period of rapid expansion, with the market reaching a value of THB1.4 trillion (USD39.2 billion) in 2023, according to the newly released Thailand Wellness Economy Report 2025 by C9 Hotelworks.
The surge is most visible in the wellness tourism sector, where total trip expenditures more than doubled year-on-year, from THB194 billion (USD5.43 billion) in 2022 to THB419 billion (USD11.73 billion) in 2023.
Photo credit: C9 Hotelworks. Thailand’s wellness scores a healthy outlook.
This increase is primarily attributed to international travellers, whose share of wellness-related trips rose from 23% to 40%.
The report emphasises that wellness in Thailand is evolving beyond spas and retreats, becoming embedded in daily lifestyle choices, from diet and fashion to travel and accommodation. Key market segments include tourism (30%), nutrition and weight management (22%), aesthetics and beauty (17%), traditional and complementary medicine (9%), and fitness (8%). To download and read C9 Hotelworks Thailand Wellness Economy Report 2025 CLICK
DENPASAR, BALI, 22 MAY 2025: Bali Hotels Association has become a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and World Tourism Organisation, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative unites the tourism sector behind a common vision to address the root causes of plastic pollution. It enables businesses and governments to take concerted action, leading by example in the shift towards circularity in the use of plastics.
BHA Head of Sustainability John TG Nielsen with BHA Chairman Franklyn Kocek
As a signatory of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, Bali Hotels Association pledges to eliminate, innovate and circulate its use of plastics.
By 2025, Bali Hotels Association commits to the following:
Align plastic reduction strategies of member hotels with the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, promoting circularity through culturally rooted practices.
Support member hotels in identifying and engaging local suppliers offering sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
Promote the adoption of reuse models and circular solutions by providing guidance and technical support to members.
Encourage and facilitate community engagement through expanded Banjar Green Days and collaborative local initiatives.
Inspire guest participation by equipping member hotels with tools and messaging to promote shared responsibility in reducing plastic waste.
“Bali as a destination holds a unique aspect due to the Balinese Tri Hita Karana philosophy,” says BHA Head of Sustainability John Nielsen. “It’s a holistic approach that guides how people, especially in Bali, live in harmony with the world around them. Our 167-member hotels and resorts, representing more than 26,454 hotel rooms and nearly 31,897 employees, adopt Tri Hita Karana as a framework for sustainable operations — integrating spiritual, social, and environmental values. Our approach to sustainability is rooted in Tri Hita Karana — the Balinese philosophy of balance between people, planet, and spirit. It guides everything we do, from our sourcing practices to our community relationships and environmental stewardship. This initiative also complements and reinforces the Bali Government’s Bali Waste Cleanup Movement, which launched in April.”
