LONDON, 14 November 2025: HBX Group, an independent B2B travel technology marketplace, has announced the 2026 editions of its flagship MarketHub events, which will take place across Asia, Europe and the Americas under the theme ‘Unlocked’.
The first event of the year, MarketHub Asia, will be held from 3 to 6 February 2026 at the Hilton Bali Resort, Bali, Indonesia. This will be followed by MarketHub Europe, taking place from 21 to 24 April 2026 at the InterContinental Malta. And finally, MarketHub Americas, which will take place from 23 to 26 June 2026 at Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Photo credit: HBX Group.
This year’s theme reflects the fast-evolving state of travel and technology in 2026. From the acceleration of artificial intelligence to shifting traveller expectations, the industry faces an era of profound transformation.
At ‘MarketHub: Unlocked’, HBX Group partners, thought leaders and industry trailblazers will explore how technology can uncover untapped potential, how data drives meaningful action, and how human connection remains at the heart of innovation and collaboration.
HBX Group Chief Distribution Officer David Amsellem commented on the event series: “Our MarketHub editions are where the travel industry comes together to exchange insights, spark ideas, and forge meaningful partnerships. Under the theme ‘Unlocked’, we want to encourage our partners to think differently about what’s possible when innovation and collaboration go hand in hand.”
HBX Group Chief Sourcing and Operations Officer Xabi Zabala added: “The MarketHubs wouldn’t be possible without the continued trust and support of our partners. Their valuable contributions play a key role in bringing these events to life and driving innovation across the travel ecosystem. Together, we’re shaping a more connected, agile and collaborative future for our industry.”
For over 13 years, MarketHub has attracted more than 1,400 participants from 50 markets to its annual, invite-only events.
About HBX Group HBX Group, a leading global independent B2B travel technology enterprise, owns and operates Hotelbeds, Bedsonline, The Luxurist, Roiback and Civitfun. Its interconnected travel technology products and services partners include online marketplaces, tour operators, travel advisors, airlines, loyalty programmes, destinations, and travel suppliers.
JOHOR BAHRU, 14 November 2025: AirAsia Malaysia (AK) will launch a direct route on 14 December, connecting Johor Bahru and Kunming, China.
It marks a key milestone in the airline’s ongoing efforts to expand and strengthen its domestic hubs beyond Kuala Lumpur.
Photo credit: AirAsia.
As the only low-cost carrier (LCC) in Malaysia operating commercial flights on the Johor Bahru-Kunming route, the new service presents fresh opportunities for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Johor and the Yunnan province, supporting the airline’s broader agenda for regional growth.
Commencing 14 December 2025, AirAsia Malaysia will operate three flights weekly between Johor Bahru and Kunming, also known as the ‘Spring City’ for its pleasant year-round climate.
Complementing the airline’s 14 weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Kunming, the new service strengthens AirAsia’s presence in the China market and makes it easier for travellers from Johor and neighbouring Singapore to fly direct to Kunming.
This new route underscores the airline’s strategic focus on elevating Johor Bahru as a key southern hub, complementing its main base in Kuala Lumpur and enhancing connectivity from other emerging gateways across Malaysia.
Travellers from Johor Bahru can now experience Kunming’s rich culture, scenic landscapes and mild climate with ease, while visitors from China gain convenient access to southern Peninsular Malaysia, home to vibrant cities, natural attractions and cross-border leisure experiences. The Johor Bahru-Kunming service marks another step forward in AirAsia’s mission to grow its network and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a regional aviation hub.
To commemorate the launch of this brand-new route, AirAsia is offering special promotional fares for flights from Johor Bahru to Kunming, starting from just MYR469* one-way. Flights from Kunming to Johor Bahru are also available from CNY678* one-way.
All fares are available for bookings on the airline’s website from today until 23 November 2025, for travel between 14 December 2025 and 28 March 2026.
Flight Schedule between Johor Bahru (JHB) and Kunming (KMG)
Known as the ‘Spring City’, Kunming welcomes travellers from Johor Bahru with its pleasant year-round climate, breathtaking natural landscapes and vibrant local culture — a gateway to explore the beauty of Yunnan province in southwestern China.
Travellers from Kunming can look forward to discovering Johor Bahru’s dynamic city attractions, rich heritage and proximity to some of southern Malaysia’s most exciting leisure destinations.
From 14 December 2025 onwards, AirAsia Group will operate flights to 13 destinations in Mainland China from Malaysia, with a total of 21 routes across the region.
*All-in fares are quoted for one-way travel only, including passenger service charge, regulatory service charges, fuel surcharges, and other applicable fees.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 14 November 2025: The Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, announced on Thursday the launch of Beyond Tourism, a new multi-sector initiative aimed at transforming the global tourism industry through coordinated, measurable action in sustainability, inclusion and resilience.
The announcement took place on the sidelines of TOURISE, the global platform bringing together public and private sector leaders to shape the future of tourism.
Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, brings together leaders from across the tourism ecosystem to launch the ‘Beyond Tourism’ initiative with the World Economic Forum.
Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, brings together leaders from across the tourism ecosystem to launch the ‘Beyond Tourism’ initiative with the World Economic Forum.
Beyond Tourism presents a platform for leaders from across the tourism ecosystem — including real estate, infrastructure, technology, urban planning, culture, and conservation — to advance a shared agenda for the future of travel. The initiative is anchored in 10 guiding principles designed to ensure that tourism growth delivers meaningful and lasting value for residents, visitors, businesses, and communities.
“Saudi Arabia is proud to lead Beyond Tourism in partnership with the World Economic Forum,” said the Minister of Tourism. “This partnership reflects our shared belief that the solutions we seek for tourism are solutions for humanity itself — solutions that foster understanding, create opportunity, and build resilience for generations to come.”
The launch of Beyond Tourism aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which positions tourism as a key driver of economic diversification, job creation and cultural exchange. Saudi Arabia has welcomed more than 116 million visitors since the launch of Vision 2030 and aims to reach 150 million by 2030.
The World Economic Forum and Ministry of Tourism jointly developed the initiative’s 10 guiding principles, which include aligning market opportunities with local strengths, empowering local economies, investing in future-ready workforces, championing cultural heritage, revitalising ecosystems, and harnessing technology responsibly.
“Tourism is both a bridge and a ladder — connecting cultures and lifting communities,” said World Economic Forum President Børge Brende. “If we do this together, Beyond Tourism will unlock the sector’s full potential — not just in GDP terms, but in quality jobs, vibrant places, and regenerated nature.”
The 10 guiding principles for transformative tourism are:
Align market opportunities with local strengths and values;
Enable responsible choices for evolving travellers.
Empower local enterprise and economies;
Invest in a future-ready workforce;
Develop infrastructure for shared benefit;
Balance demand with local capacity;
Champion cultural heritage and connection;
Revitalise and protect natural ecosystems;
Strengthen ecosystem resilience;
Harness data and technology responsibly.
As part of the initiative, a global coalition of leaders has been established to identify and implement demonstration projects in key regions. Over the next three years, the Ministry of Tourism and the World Economic Forum will focus on building a diverse community, developing practical tools and piloting sustainable tourism models.
The future of tourism will be defined not by one country or one organisation, but by our collective ability to listen, innovate, and act together. This initiative sets a global agenda for tourism that is more connected, inclusive, and sustainable — reflecting Saudi Arabia’s central role in advancing international collaboration and ensuring the sector delivers long-term benefits for people and planet.
DUBAI, UAE, 13 November 2025: The Emirates Group reports a new record half-year financial performance, posting a profit before tax of AED 12.2 billion (USD3.3 billion) for the first six months of 2025-26, making this the fourth consecutive year of record profitability for the half-year reporting period.
After accounting for income tax charges, the group’s profit after tax is AED 10.6 billion (USD2.9 billion), up 13% from last year.
Illustrating its strong operating performance, the group maintained a robust EBITDA of AED 21.1 billion (USD5.7 billion), 3% higher than the AED 20.4 billion (USD5.6 billion) reported for the same period last year.
Group revenue was AED 75.4 billion (USD20.6 billion) for the first six months of 2025-26, up 4% from AED 70.8 billion (USD19.3 billion) last year.
The group closed the first half year of 2025-26 with a record cash position of AED 56.0 billion (USD15.2 billion) on 30 September 2025, compared to AED 53.4 billion (USD14.6 billion) on 31 March 2025. The group has been able to tap into its own strong cash reserves to support business needs, including funding for new aircraft deliveries and servicing existing debt obligations. The group also paid the remaining AED 2 billion (USD545 million) in dividends to its owner, of the AED 6 billion (USD1.6 billion) declared during the financial year 2024-25.
His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “The Group has once again delivered an outstanding performance, surpassing our half-year results of last year to achieve a new record profit for H1 2025-26. I’m delighted to note that Emirates maintains its position as the world’s most profitable airline for this half-year reporting period.
“This performance was primarily driven by the unflagging demand and growing customer preference for our product and services, which drove revenue growth and profitability.
“Emirates and dnata have invested billions to continually enhance our products and services, to bring new products to market, to improve our operations through innovation and technology, and to look after our employees who ensure our customers’ safety and satisfaction. These are core to our DNA.
“The group’s strong profitability enables us to continue making these investments, and to scale up our proven business models in concert with Dubai’s growth as a global city of choice for talent, for businesses, and for tourists.”
HH Sheikh Ahmed added: “Global demand for air transport and travel services has been buoyant, despite geopolitical events and economic concerns in some markets. We expect this demand resilience to continue for the rest of 2025-26 and look forward to increasing our capacity to grow revenues as new A350 aircraft join the Emirates fleet, and new facilities come online at dnata.”’
Airline operations
Emirates continued to enhance its network and connectivity options through its Dubai hub. During the first half of 2025-26, Emirates launched new flight services to: Danang, Siem Reap, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. As of 30 September, Emirates’ passenger and cargo network spanned 153 airports in 81 countries and territories.
The airline strengthened its network connectivity by deploying 28 additional weekly scheduled flights to Antananarivo, Johannesburg, Muscat, Rome, Riyadh and Taipei.
Providing even more connection options for customers, during the first six months of 2025-26, Emirates entered agreements with three codeshare and interline partners: Air Seychelles, Condor, and Aurigny.
Between 1 April and 30 September, Emirates received five new A350 aircraft, adding more Business Class and Premium Economy seats to the airline’s inventory. During this period, 23 aircraft (six A380s, 17 Boeing 777s) with fully refreshed interiors rolled out of the airline’s USD 5 billion retrofit programme. This enabled Emirates to bring its latest cabin products to even more markets, including the industry-leading Emirates Premium Economy. By 30 September, Emirates Premium Economy was available to customers flying between Dubai and 61 cities.
On the ground, “Emirates First” opened at Dubai Airport, offering First Class customers and Platinum Skywards members a luxurious private check-in area and experience. In the first six months of 2025-26, Emirates accelerated the roll-out of its retail strategy with the opening of new concept travel stores in Accra, Bangkok, Geneva, Jakarta, Mauritius, Osaka, Seoul, and Singapore.
Emirates continued to progress on its environmental initiatives, uplifting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) where available and feasible, including at 37 airports. In April, Emirates joined the Aviation Circularity Consortium (ACC), a network of organisations committed to building a circular economy for aviation and creating new pathways to accelerate decarbonisation through high-value circularity in the global supply chain.
In the first half of 2025-26, Emirates made notable investments to boost its global brand visibility. The airline signed multi-year sponsorship deals to become the Platinum Partner of FC Bayern Munchen, the Official Main Sponsor of Real Madrid Basketball, and Premium Partner and Official Airline Partner of the Investec Champions Cup and European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) Challenge Cup. Emirates also extended its partnership with ATP as a Premier Partner and Official Airline of the ATP Tour through 2030, as well as its shirt sponsorship with Olympique Lyonnais, which will run through 2030.
Overall capacity during the first six months of the year increased by 5% to 31.3 billion Available Tonne Kilometres (ATKM) due to expanded flight operations. Capacity measured in Available Seat Kilometres (ASKM) increased by 5%, whilst passenger traffic carried measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometres (RPKM) was up by 4% with an average Passenger Seat Factor of 79.5%, compared with 80.0% during the same period last year. Emirates carried 27.8 million passengers between 1 April and 30 September 2025, up 4% from the same period the previous year.
Profit before tax
Cementing its position as the world’s most profitable airline for the half-year reporting period, Emirates’ profit before tax for the first half of 2025-26 hit a new record of AED11.4 billion (USD3.1 billion), compared to AED 9.7 billion (USD2.6 billion) last year. Emirates’ profit after tax is AED9.9 billion (USD2.7 billion), up 13% from last year.
Emirates’ revenue, including other operating income, of AED65.6 billion (USD17.9 billion) was up 6% compared with AED 62.2 billion (USD 16.9 billion) for the same period last year. The airline’s new record revenue can be attributed to an unabated travel appetite across markets and customer preference for Emirates’ products and services, particularly its premium cabins.
Emirates’ operating costs (including fuel) grew by 4% in line with increased operations. Fuel remains the largest component of the airline’s operating cost at 30%.
Driven by customer demand and increased operations during the six months, Emirates’ EBITDA of AED19.7 billion (USD5.4 billion) remained strong, up 3% compared to AED19.1 billion (USD5.2 billion) for the same period last year.
For more information on Emirates or to book flights, visit: www.emirates.com.
SINGAPORE, 13 November 2025: The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), known for its global destination brand ‘Saudi, Welcome to Arabia,’ has launched its new international campaign ‘Immerse Your Soul in Arabia’, inviting travellers to rediscover the warmth and spirit of Saudi Arabia through authentic cultural experiences.
The global campaign video, “Immerse Your Soul in Arabia,” follows the travel diary of a young Chinese girl and her family on a heartfelt journey through Saudi Arabia, capturing the country’s authentic blend of heritage and modernity through vivid and emotional storytelling.
The global campaign film ‘Immerse Your Soul in Arabia” follows the travel diary of a young Chinese girl and her family.
The launch of “Immerse Your Soul in Arabia “comes at a time when Chinese travellers’ interest in Saudi Arabia is growing rapidly. According to the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA), around 140,000 Chinese visitors travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2024, marking a historic high.
From a broader market perspective, Saudi Arabia welcomed approximately 116 million visits in 2024, representing a 6% year-over-year increase. This included around 29.7 million international arrivals, an 8% increase from the previous year.
As destinations such as Riyadh, Jeddah, AlUla, and the Saudi Red Sea continue to gain popularity, Chinese travellers are showing growing enthusiasm to explore this vast city. With its rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes, Saudi Arabia is quickly emerging as one of the most sought-after destinations among Chinese tourists.
SINGAPORE, 13 November 2025: Four Points by Sheraton, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, celebrated the opening of its 100th hotel in Greater China — Four Points by Sheraton Xi’an Bell Tower on Wednesday.
Situated in the Bell Tower area in the heart of downtown Xi’an, the hotel is suited for both business and leisure travellers, offering guests a balanced and comfortable stay that reflects the relaxing spirit of Four Points by Sheraton.
Four Points by Sheraton Xi’an Bell Tower.
Four Points by Sheraton Xi’an Bell Tower, located on West Street in Xi’an’s Lianhu District, serves as an ideal base to explore the city’s rich heritage — the Bell and Drum Towers, the Shaanxi History Museum, and the Terracotta Warriors.
The 214-room hotel is also conveniently located near major transportation links: 30 metres from Guangji Street Metro Station, approximately 5 km from Xi’an Railway Station, 17 km from Xi’an North Railway Station, and 37 km from Xi’an Xianyang International Airport.
The 100th Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Greater China named Liu Ning as general manager.
SINGAPORE, 13 November 2025: YouTrip, Singapore’s multi-currency wallet, is giving away 100 hotel stays and 2% cashback to let Singaporean travellers get more out of their overseas spending during the year-end festive season.
Launched on 12 November, the hotel and cashback perks are available through to midnight on 6 January 2026. YouTrip users who spend at least SGD1,200 in foreign currency equivalent stand a chance to be one of 100 lucky winners to gain hotel vouchers worth SGD600.
Photo credit: YouTrip.
The first 2,500 users who hit the minimum spend will also receive 2% cashback on all qualifying spends capped at SSG30. Users can join by registering via the Promo banner in the YouTrip app.
YouTrip offers competitive exchange rates throughout the day, with no hidden fees. Twelve in-app wallets allow users to pre-convert currencies and lock in favourable rates ahead of their trips. Users also receive real-time notifications for every transaction, with the ‘one-lock’ switch providing instant control over their cards, ensuring both convenience and security while abroad.
DOHA, Qatar, 13 November 2025: Qatar Airways will embark on its latest route expansion in Saudi Arabia, the airline’s CEO, Engr Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, confirmed during a panel discussion, “Tourism Rising: A New Era of Influence and Impact”, at the TOURISE Summit 2025 in Riyadh, 11 to 13 November.
From 5 January 2026, Qatar Airways will launch three weekly flights to Hail (HAS), making it the 13th Saudi city to be served by the airline in addition to increasing services to Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH) from six to seven daily flights.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways. TOURISE Summit 2025 in Riyadh, 11 to 13 November.
“At Qatar Airways, we are proud to see our presence continually grow in both scale and significance across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Our network now spans every major region of the Kingdom, and over the past 12 months, we have connected nearly 2.5 million passengers in the Kingdom to our global network. This is a reflection of the level of trust travellers in Saudi Arabia place in our airline and the excellence of our services across the Saudi market.”
Qatar Airways flights to Hail International Airport (HAS)
This development follows a strong year of operational growth for Qatar Airways in Saudi Arabia, including the resumption of flights to Abha earlier this year, and the launch of services to The Red Sea in October, making the airline the first international carrier to connect The Red Sea to over 170 global destinations.
With Qatar Airways’ new route to Hail, the airline’s footprint in the Kingdom will expand to 13 destinations served with more than 150 weekly flights, providing travellers across Saudi Arabia with convenient access to over 170 global destinations through the airline’s Doha hub, Hamad International Airport.
SINGAPORE, 13 November 2025: Australia’s international visitor arrivals in September exceeded the pre-COVID-19 September 2019 benchmark for the first time.
Quoting Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, Tourism Australia called it “a long-awaited milestone” for the country’s international arrivals data.
Photo credit: Tourism Australia.
TA also noted that it “was positive news” when compared to September 2024, with arrivals up 10.4% year-on-year. New Zealand was once again the leading source market with more than 135,000 Kiwis visiting Australia in September, followed by China with 83,000 and the UK with almost 47,000.
“Overall, the numbers for September are very encouraging as we approach the Summer period, which is traditionally the peak time for so much of our tourism industry around the country”, Tourism Australia concluded.
Key September statistics from ABS
Short-term visitor arrivals: 696,500 – an increase of 10.4% on one year earlier.
Short-term resident returns: 1,050,090 – an increase of 2.9% on one year earlier.
Total arrivals: 1,830,370 – an increase of 5.6% on one year earlier.
Total departures: 1,921,380 – an increase of 6.9% on one year earlier.
Short-term visitor arrivals, Australia – top 10 source countries (a)
The statistics represent the number of international border crossings rather than the number of people. (ABS)
HONG KONG, 13 November 2025: Cathay Pacific returns to Adelaide, Australia, with the launch of a three-weekly seasonal service connecting Hong Kong with the South Australian capital.
The first flight departed from Hong Kong International Airport just before midnight on Tuesday, 11 November and arrived in Adelaide on the following morning.
Photo credit: Cathay Group.
Cathay Pacific’s new service reestablishes a vital direct connection between these two cities, fostering enhanced travel, trade, and cultural exchange between Asia and Australia.
Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau commented: “We are delighted to return to Adelaide, a city we have a long history with, having first launched flights in 1992.
“Adelaide is a dynamic city on the South Australia coast that offers visitors incredible culinary delights, world-renowned wines, stunning natural attractions, and much more. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard to experience our signature Cathay Pacific service, whether they are flying to this dynamic city, our home hub, or beyond.”
Cathay Pacific deploys its A350-900 aircraft on the route, configured with 28 fully flat beds in business class, 28 spacious seats in premium economy, and 244 in economy class. Total: 280 seats. Flight time: Eight hours and 30 minutes.
Wi-Fi connectivity is advancing across Cathay Pacific’s entire fleet. The service is currently complimentary for business class customers and Cathay Diamond members. It will soon be available to Cathay Gold members starting 15 November, as well as to Cathay members travelling in premium economy by the end of this year.
Cathay Pacific now flies to six destinations in Australia: Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. Together with its flights to Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand, the airline operates nearly 100 return flights per week to Oceania during the winter season.
