HONG KONG, 31 March 2025: Hong Kong will increase its Air Passenger Departure Tax on 1 October 2025 from HKD120 to HKD200, 20 years after it last increased the tax.
The Hong Kong SAR Government said the new tax rate will apply to air tickets purchased on or after 1 October, generating an estimated annual increase of HKD1.6 billion.
“Under the Air Passenger Departure Tax Ordinance (Cap 140) (APDT Ordinance), certain classes of people are exempted from payment of the APDT, including passengers under 12 years of age, direct transit passengers, connecting flight passengers, passengers who arrive at and depart from Hong Kong by aircraft on the same day, and passengers who arrive at Hong Kong International Airport by vehicle via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge or by ship and subsequently depart from Hong Kong by aircraft while remaining within the restricted area at all times before departure.”
Under the APDT Ordinance, airlines and helicopter companies collect the APDT from air passengers on behalf of the government and process applications for exemptions and refunds in return for an administration fee. The bill also proposes amending the APDT Ordinance to streamline the government’s financial arrangements for handling administration fees.
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2025: Malaysia Airlines marked its return to Paris last week with daily direct flights between its home base at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).
Flight MH22 departs from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 at 2345 local time (MYT) and arrives in Paris at 0640. It’s Malaysia Airlines’ 68th destination.
The inaugural flights received an overwhelming response, with flight loads for MH22 and the return sector MH21 reaching 95% and 98%,, respectively.
Malaysia Airlines scheduled four weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Paris before increasing to daily flights on 29 March.
As part of this resumption, Malaysia Airlines also introduced the Time for Memorable Journeys Pocketbook for all passengers flying on this new route. The Paris edition, the first in an ongoing series, is designed to enhance the travel experience by providing valuable tips to navigate the city.
Malaysia Airlines expands travel options for passengers flying beyond Paris through its long-standing partnership with American Airlines. Passengers can connect with flights to four additional US destinations from Paris: New York (JFK), Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA), and Orlando (ORD).
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2025: International passenger traffic and cargo uplift continued to grow, supported by positive business and consumer demand across the region, according to preliminary data for February released by the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA).
An aggregate total of 30.8 million international passengers flew on the region’s airlines in February, representing a 5.9% increase over the number recorded in the same month last year on the back of the Lunar New Year holiday period.
In revenue passenger kilometre (RPK) terms, demand grew by 9.2% year-on-year, reflecting relative strength in long-haul markets. When considering an 8.6% expansion in available seat capacity, the average international passenger load factor edged 0.4 percentage points higher to 82.2% for the month.
Meanwhile, as measured in freight tonne kilometres (FTK), international air cargo demand grew by a more modest 2.8% year-on-year in February, as export activity slowed across the major manufacturing hubs, notably China, during the festive celebrations.
Offered freight capacity increased by 6.0%, outpacing the growth in demand to result in a 1.7 percentage point decline in the average international freight load factor to 56.5% for the month.
Commenting on the results, AAPA Director General Subhas Menon,said: “In the first two months of the year, combined international passenger traffic for the region’s carriers rose by a robust 13%, reaching a total of 66 million passengers. During the same period, international air cargo demand increased by 4% year-on-year, supported by higher consumer and intermediate goods demand.”
Looking Menon noted: “Overall, airlines are expected to continue to benefit from sustained travel demand and growth in air shipments due to ongoing expansion in e-commerce activity. However, the region’s carriers are facing headwinds, particularly as rising costs, driven partly by fleet capacity constraints, continue to exert pressure on revenue.”
He concluded: “The recent rise in protectionist sentiment also presents potential trade and broader business activity challenges. In response, Asian airlines are maintaining a cautious stance, closely monitoring evolving operating conditions while actively exploring opportunities in high-potential growth markets.”
KUALA LUMPUR, 31 March 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA) has designated Macao as the International Favourite Destination for the MATTA Fair 18-20 April 2025.
The biannual travel show will be held at the Malaysian International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
In partnership with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the MATTA Fair aims to showcase Macao’s attractive travel deals and holiday packages to visitors at the fair.
Recognising Macao as the International Favourite Destination at the 56th edition of the MATTA Fair goes beyond celebrating its exceptional appeal. It reflects MATTA’s commitment to broadening the tour and travel markets at the fair, driving sales for MATTA members, travel agencies, and other exhibitors.
Located on Level 2 of the MITEC International Halls, the Macao Pavilion visitors can expect special promotions and interactive experiences to highlight Macao’s integrated resorts, iconic heritage monuments and famous cuisine.
“We are proud to be named the International Favourite Destination at MATTA Fair in April 2025. This reflects our strong partnership with MATTA in bringing more Malaysians to Macao. MATTA Fair is the perfect platform to showcase Macao’s exciting new attractions and highlight why it remains a top short-haul destination for Malaysian travellers,” said MGTO Marketing Division Head Cora Vong.
“MATTA Fair plays a primary role in connecting travellers with a world of opportunities while driving business for our members, especially in both inbound and outbound sectors. Our collaboration with Macao as this year’s International Favourite Destination is a testimony to how strategic partnerships can open new doors for visitors and industry players,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong.
“In line with our commitment to strengthening travel businesses for our members, MATTA has also announced the arrival of the first-ever international travel business-to-business (B2B) event, MATTA Connect, on the day preceding the consumer travel show.”
The event provides an opportunity for international sellers from many different countries to connect with local Malaysian travel agents as buyers to explore new international destinations and to establish new business partnerships. MATTA Connect will convene on 17 April 2025 at MITEC.
To ensure a smooth visitor experience, MATTA Fair offers free admission and is open from 1000 to 2100 from Friday to Sunday, 18 to 20 April.
For the latest updates, visit the MATTA Fair’s website MATTA Fair and social media platforms on Facebook, X and TikTok, or subscribe to the new Instagram page @mattafair.official and Telegram channel @MATTA_Fair.
HONG KONG, 31 March 2025: The Cathay Group will boost flights between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland this summer, providing close to 300 weekly return flights during the peak season.
In a press statement released over the weekend, the airline noted it would increase flights, strengthen direct services between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland cities, and cater to the growing demand for two-way travel between China and destinations worldwide.
Photo credit: Cathay Group
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau commented: “We are delighted to expand our flight schedule in the Chinese Mainland this summer with services to 20 destinations and increased frequencies to many of our popular routes.”
Focusing on the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Yangtze River Delta regions, both major national strategic areas, Cathay continues to boost flight capacity and provide flight schedules to ensure frequent and convenient travel services throughout the day to Beijing and Shanghai. Meanwhile, the airline group has also increased flights to other key Chinese Mainland cities to meet significant leisure and business travel demand.
Beijing: Increasing to seven daily return flights to Beijing Capital International Airport, together with a daily flight to Beijing Daxing International Airport operated by HK Express, for 56 weekly flights to Beijing’s two major international airports.
Shanghai: Increasing to eight daily return flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport, along with 11 flights per week to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport. Cathay Pacific will operate 67 weekly roundtrip flights between Hong Kong and Shanghai.
Zhengzhou, Ningbo, Haikou, Chongqing: Each increasing from four return flights per week to daily flights, with HK Express also operating daily flights to Ningbo this summer, significantly enhancing flight frequencies between Hong Kong and these popular destinations.
Other routes with more flights: Flights to Hangzhou are increasing to four return flights per day, flights to Nanjing increase to twice per day, flights to Wenzhou increase to 10 per week, and flights to Wuhan to 12 per week.
In addition, Cathay Pacific will launch direct flights between Hong Kong and Urumqi on 28 April. Together with HK Express, the Cathay Group will operate close to 300 return flights per week between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland during the peak period this summer – nearly 40% more than in 2024 – reinforcing connectivity between Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world while promoting economic and cultural exchange.
In addition to enhancing connectivity between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, the Cathay Group is expanding its global network to solidify Hong Kong’s status as a leading international aviation hub. The group is adding 13 destinations to its network this year, including Hyderabad, Dallas, Urumqi, Rome, Munich and Brussels for Cathay Pacific, and Sendai, Nha Trang, Ishigaki, Komatsu, Cheongju, Daegu and Miyako (Shimojishima) for HK Express.
SIHANOUKVILLE, 28 March 2028: TravelLife Gold Certification tips the scale in favour of Royal Sands Koh Rong when searching for an eco-conscious holiday destination that gives you peace of mind.
Since it achieved TravelLife Gold Certification in October 2024, Royal Sands Koh Rong is the only hotel in Cambodia to achieve the prestigious accreditation. That’s no mean feat for a luxury island resort located off the coast of Sihanoukville province in southern Cambodia. Success required strict compliance to sustainability criteria, including emissions, biodiversity, human rights, fair labour, child safeguarding, and animal welfare, verified by a stringent independent audit carried out by TravelLife-approved accessors and followed by the submission of monthly data.
“Our Gold Certification is valid until October 2026, after which we will undergo a new audit to retain our status,” explained the resort’s general manager, Mario Piazza. “The Gold level is the highest certification within Travelife’s framework, and achieving and maintaining the Travelife Gold Certification has positively impacted our resort in several ways.”
When you stay at Royal Sands Koh Rong, a spectacular view unfurls from the luxury villas — an uninterrupted squeaky-clean beach stretches as far as the eye can see, and clear seas sparkle in the sunlight. It doesn’t get better than this for travellers seeking a getaway, stress-free island sojourn that ticks all the sustainable travel boxes.
As you tuck into Eggs Benedict for breakfast, you’ll have peace of mind knowing Travelife certification works in the background to curate a sustainable beach holiday experience without compromising the eco-system.
Back-of-the-house improvements at work: “The TravelLife framework has guided us in refining our sustainability policies, reducing waste, and enhancing energy and water efficiency. We implement best practices in responsible tourism that align with global sustainability standards,” the GM explains.
Teamwork with staff engagement: “Our team actively participates in sustainability efforts, with contributions from our engineering and food & beverage teams, alongside our dedicated sustainability coordinator. Regular environmental clean-ups around the island and beaches foster a culture of responsibility and environmental awareness.”
Then there’s the guest experience: “Many travellers, mainly from Europe and the UK, actively seek eco-conscious properties, and we provide easy access to information regarding our sustainability initiatives on our website.”
Industry recognition: “Sustainability certification has become increasingly important for tour operators, particularly in the European market, where travellers demand proof of responsible practices. From a market perspective, we have observed a steady recovery since the pandemic, with a balanced mix of visitors from Europe, the UK, and other international markets.”
“While our primary market consists of couples, families, and solo travellers, we have successfully hosted some corporate incentive groups, typically those who travel first to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh visit our resort for leisure-focused retreats at the close of business meetings or events,” the GM acknowledges. “Yes, demand for incentive travel to our luxury island resort exists, but it remains a niche market.”
Piazza recognises that accessibility remains a challenge for the island resort. Sihanoukville needs more direct international flights from Asian cities to support the growth of luxury resorts and beach tourism. Siem Reap, the gateway to the Angkor Wat Historical Park, is Cambodia’s most popular destination by a substantial margin. However, travellers visiting the cultural and heritage sites of the Angkor Wat Historical Park can extend their holiday with a beach stay simply by boarding a domestic flight for the one-hour hop from Siem Reap to Sihanoukville.
Getting there the fast way
Getting to Koh Rong island was more manageable during the pre-Covid pandemic era when Bangkok Airways and Thai AirAsia scheduled direct flights from Bangkok to the airport on the outskirts of Sihanoukville town. The airlines have not resumed those services.
However, two direct international routes to Sihanoukville Airport (KOS) have resumed. Cambodia Angkor Air flies from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur.
Cambodia Angkor Air flies daily between Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Sihanoukville (KOS). K6839 departs SGN at 0755 and arrives in KOS at 0915. Flights are on the 70-seat ATR72.
AirAsia flies between Kuala Lumpur and Sihanoukville four times weekly (Mon, Wed, Fri and Sun). AK264 departs Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1210 and arrives in Sihanoukville (KOS) at 1300. Flights are on the 180-seat A320.
An alternative is a direct international flight to Phnom Penh from cities in Asia and then a 215 km air-conditioned bus or private car transfer on the much improved Sihanoukville Highway 4, which takes around three hours.
The Royal Sands Koh Rong provides a private ferry boat service for guests from Sihanoukville. (It also offers private taxis and helicopter pickups). The ferry port is 10 to 15 km from the airport, depending on the route. The resort arranges a transfer from Sihanoukville airport to the ferry pier and then to the island directly by the resort’s ferry. The refreshing ferry ride takes 40 minutes to Koh Rong island.
Luxury villa island getaway
The five-star Royal Sands Koh Rong spans a private 400-metre beach on the tropical island of Koh Rong, Cambodia, “offering an intimate glimpse of island life as it was meant to be”.
The luxury villas (67 units) are decorated in a contemporary tropical style and have an outdoor Sala lounge area. Free Wi-Fi is available in all villa rooms. Around half of the units feature private swimming pools. Bathrooms have an indoor and separate outdoor rain shower and double sinks. A range of spa treatments are on offer. The Chill Beach Bar & Grill, located right on the beach, serves Asian, European and Mediterranean dishes.
For more information on Royal Sands Koh Rong and to make a booking, visit the website: The Royal Sands Koh Rong
KOTA KINABALU, 27 March 2025: Sabah’s proactive promotional efforts in Hungary have started to bear fruit, with the state recording 192 Hungarian visitors last year and 30 in January this year.
Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board (STB) chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said while the numbers may seem small, they are promising considering that engagement with the Hungarian market only began last year.
Joniston with 12 Hungarian tour agents and media representatives. Also pictured is Sabah Tourism Board CEO Julinus Jeffery Jimit (4th right).
He said that travellers from Hungary can easily reach Sabah via Chinese airlines, with convenient connections through Guangzhou and Shanghai to Kota Kinabalu.
“With these direct routes, we anticipate more Hungarian visitors and tourists from neighbouring countries in Central Europe who may find Sabah appealing,” he added.
On Monday, Joniston met with 12 Hungarian tour agents and media representatives at a welcoming dinner hosted by the tourism board. The STB Chief Executive Officer, Julinus Jeffery Jimit, was also present.
Turizmus.com Online Editor-in-Chief Hajnalka Fucsko, Aviareps General Manager for Hungary And South-East Europe Attila Toth, and Haris Travel Club Managing Director Richard Haris were among key members of the familiarisation group.
In his welcoming remarks, Joniston emphasised that the focus is not on chasing high visitor numbers but on introducing Sabah to new markets and making it a preferred destination for those unfamiliar with Borneo.
“This effort is part of our strategy to diversify our tourism market and attract visitors from new regions like Hungary. Sabah offers unique nature-based tourism experiences, and we see potential in this market.
“The steady number of visitors, though small, is a positive indicator of curiosity within the Hungarian market and interest in discovering Sabah,” he said.
Noting Sabah’s potential, Fucsko suggested that the STB consider participating in Hungary’s largest travel exhibition, the HungEXPO in Budapest, next February to penetrate the market further.
“I have never been to Sabah before. I’ve been to Kuala Lumpur, so I had no second thoughts when the opportunity came to explore Borneo, especially Sabah.
“A new destination always brings fresh perspectives, and I look forward to introducing Sabah to our readers back home,” she said.
During their stay in Sabah, the group would explore the state’s iconic attractions, including the islands, the cool highlands of Kundasang, and the wildlife-rich areas of Sandakan for nature adventures.
Before returning home, they will also participate in a business-to-business (B2B) session on Friday to foster potential collaborations with local tourism stakeholders.
HONG KONG, 28 March 2025: Hong Kong has solidified its position as a culinary powerhouse in Asia, boasting three spots in the top three of both Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 and Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024.
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 were revealed at a ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday. Gaggan in Bangkok was named the best restaurant, while Hong Kong’s The Chairman and WING secured second and third places, respectively, each improving their standings from last year.
Celebrated chefs from Hong Kong who made it to the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, with The Chairman and WING ranked 2nd and 3rd on the list. (Credit: The Forks & Spoons, Forklore).
Vicky Cheng, Chef and Owner of WING, also secured the coveted peer-voted Inedit Damm Chefs’ Choice Award. The achievement caps a remarkable 12 months for Hong Kong’s gastronomy scene, which began when Hong Kong’s Bar Leone stunned the hospitality world by debuting at number 1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, the first ever bar to do so.
Danny Yip, owner of The Chairman, said: “I would like to dedicate this recognition to everyone in Chinese restaurants who harness the beauty of Chinese cuisine to connect with friends from all corners of the globe. We’re thrilled to share our culinary journey on the international stage, inspiring others to explore the richness of our cuisine and the vibrant essence of Hong Kong’s dining scene.”
Vicky Cheng, Chef and Owner of WING, said: “Being recognised among the best restaurants in Asia is an incredible honour for our team and a reflection of our commitment to pushing culinary boundaries, and we are proud to contribute to Hong Kong’s rich culinary tapestry.”
Hong Kong’s success in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and Bars firmly establishes the city as a premier destination for gastronomic excellence.
Looking ahead, Hong Kong will host the World’s 50 Best Bars 2025 for the first time on 8 October at the iconic Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, ensuring that this extraordinary year will further elevate the city’s reputation in the hospitality world.
SINGAPORE, 28 March 2025: Airlines flying to and from Munich International Airport are expanding services during the summer timetable from 30 March to 26 October 2025.
Airport authorities reported this week that 73 airlines have registered over 214,000 flights to 216 destinations in 68 countries during the summer timetable.
Photo credit: Munich International Airport.
Airlines at Munich Airport are expanding their services to include numerous new destinations.
Cathay Pacific will connect the Bavarian air traffic hub with the business metropolis of Hong Kong four times a week. The flights will be operated by Airbus A350 aircraft.
Discover Airlines opened a new long-haul base in Munich at the beginning of March and will serve Orlando, Windhoek and Calgary three times a week with Airbus A330 aircraft during the summer schedule period.
Lufthansa will base all eight Airbus A380 aircraft in Munich to kick-start expansion during the 2025 summer timetable. The aircraft will operate daily services to Boston, New York/JFK, Los Angeles, Washington and Delhi India.
Denver will be added to the A380 route network on 30 April. Germany’s largest airline will also increase flights to Bangaluru in India from three to five weekly flights. Lufthansa will increase flights to San Diego from five weekly to daily. Tromsø in northern Norway, which is served every Saturday, will also be offered in the summer flight schedule for the first time.
Connections to Asia are also expanding. Vietnam Airlines will increase flights to Hanoi from two to three weekly in July and will continue to offer twice-weekly connections to Ho Chi Minh City.
EVA Air is also modernising its Boeing 787 fleet and will fly directly between Munich and Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, starting on 17 May.
Starting in May, Etihad Airways will also fly twice daily to Abu Dhabi.
From the end of May, the airline SCAT will fly to Shymkent in southern Kazakhstan three times a week, making it the third airline to connect Munich Airport with Central Asia.
European route network expands
EasyJet will fly twice daily from Rome-Fiumicino to Italy alone, and from 30 March 2025, ITA will serve Milan-Linate from Terminal 2 with the same frequency.
At the end of May, charter companies Lumiwings and Universal Air will take off for the holiday destinations of Foggia and Rimini; also in May, the Italian airline SkyAlps will connect Munich with Mostar in Bosnia-Herzegovina twice a week.
In addition, Transavia France will fly to Paris-Orly three times a week from the beginning of April. The Scandinavian airline SAS will increase flights to Copenhagen from one to two daily flights. Pegasus Airlines is increasing its frequencies to Istanbul-Sabiha Gökçen from 14 to up to 25 weekly flights. Discover also offers connections to Bodø in Norway, Keflavik in Iceland, Marrakesh in Morocco and Funchal on the island of Madeira.
From 30 March, Condor will offer more flexibility for business travellers, with daily morning and evening flights between Munich and Frankfurt. The airline will operate up to 120 weekly departures, especially to popular beach holiday destinations such as the Greek and Canary Islands.
SINGAPORE, 28 March 2025: Dida, a tech-driven global travel distribution company based in Shenzhen, China, has appointed Florian Blois as Strategic Partnerships Director.
Blois will lead global partnerships in this role, focusing on DMOs, international hotel chains, airlines, and tour & activity providers to drive business growth through strategic collaborations and innovative marketing initiatives.
Photo credit: Dida. Florian Blois.
This appointment follows Dida’s robust global growth. The company is a leader in the outbound B2B Chinese and APAC source markets.
Recently, it has increased its footprint in outbound and inbound business markets such as the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
Reporting directly to Dida’s CMO, Gareth Matthews, Blois will work to develop and execute personalised marketing and sales strategies that further elevate Dida’s partners across its global platforms and distribution channels.
He has extensive experience in strategic partnerships, destination marketing, and business development. Before joining Dida, he held various management roles at HBX Group (formerly Hotelbeds) for eight years, including Senior Regional Manager – Destination Development & Marketing, where he managed global partnerships and led strategic marketing campaigns for DMOs across EMEA and APAC.
