MUMBAI, 11 May 2026: Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company SOTC Travel have signed a long-term MoU with Vinpearl, Vietnam’s leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand.
The collaboration brings together Thomas Cook India and SOTC’s market leadership and travel expertise with Vinpearl’s expansive destination portfolio, further strengthening Vietnam’s appeal among Indian travellers.
MoU signing session — Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel and Vinpearl.
The MoU was signed by Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation, Abraham Alapatt and Vinpearl CEO Ngo Thi Huong.
As part of the agreement, the companies will position Vinpearl as a preferred Vietnam partner, backed by exclusive inventory and priority availability. Beyond enhancing travel experiences, the collaboration marks Vinpearl’s first investment initiative in India’s travel and tourism sector and lays the foundation for a comprehensive tourism ecosystem for the Indian market.
Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel will drive market development, customer access and curated travel experiences for Indian travellers.
Vinpearl’s portfolio spans resorts, entertainment, golf and large-scale event infrastructure across destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Hoi An, catering to both leisure and MICE segments.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel President & Group Head – Marketing, Service Quality, Value Added Services & Innovation Abraham Alapatt said: “Vietnam has emerged as one of the most exciting growth markets for Indian travellers, and our partnership with Vinpearl reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our leadership in the destination. As leaders in India’s travel and tourism sector, we see a significant opportunity to combine our omnichannel reach, strong consumer base, and market expertise with Vinpearl’s world-class hospitality and entertainment ecosystem. Together, we look forward to creating unique and seamless experiences for Indian leisure and MICE travellers, while building a long-term collaboration focused on unlocking the immense potential of the Indian market for Vietnam.”
Vinpearl CEO Ngo Thi Huong said: “India is a key market in Vinpearl’s international expansion strategy. Through partnerships with leading players – Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, we are not only expanding market access but also proactively developing tailored offerings for different customer segments. Vinpearl aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian market while contributing to positioning Vietnam as a compelling and differentiated destination on the global tourism map.”
SINGAPORE, 11 May 2026: Indian travellers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to take the guesswork out of travel planning, not just for inspiration but across the journey from destination discovery to dining.
According to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, while one in three (33%) state they already use AI for travel planning, almost twice as many (68%) say they are likely to use it for their next trip.
For a market that has always been quick to embrace technology, this indicates a growing appetite for AI across all stages of travel planning.
Data from the report suggests that what Indian travellers want from AI goes beyond a simple search. When asked how they would use it, respondents pointed to recommendations for local attractions and activities (38%), personalised itinerary creation (37%), and destination suggestions (29%). Interest also extends to dining recommendations (23%) and budget management (22%). These findings point to a traveller who expects AI to be present in every stage of the trip-planning process, not as a shortcut but as a smarter way to plan.
Sentiment towards AI-generated recommendations is broadly receptive, with nearly nine in 10 respondents (88%) saying they either trust or feel neutral about such recommendations, including over half (53%) who express clear trust. This aligns with findings from Agoda’s 2025 Travel Trends survey, in which nine in 10 Indian travellers reported using travel apps when booking trips, pointing to an established comfort with technology in travel planning. For Indian travellers, embracing AI in travel planning is less a behavioural shift and more a natural progression, especially for a generation that has been planning and booking travel on screens for over a decade.
Agoda has previously explored this through its 2025 AI-powered Vacation Planner campaign, which invited Indian travellers to answer a set of questions about their preferences, generating customised itineraries and destination visuals, and delivering personalised recommendations from Bollywood celebrity Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign was a real-world expression of the tailored, intuitive planning experience that travellers increasingly seek, and one that the 2026 survey findings reflect.
Agoda Country Director Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Gaurav Malik, said: “Indian travellers are showing a clear appetite for AI across every stage of trip planning, from discovering destinations to deciding what to eat and even budgeting. This is no longer an emerging trend but is fast becoming the baseline for how a well-planned trip comes together. At Agoda, we continue to offer a range of technology and innovations that make the entire trip planning experience more accessible, convenient, and personalised for every traveller.”
As AI becomes a more natural part of how people research and plan their travel, India stands out as a market where AI adoption in travel is not just growing but gaining clear intent and direction.
Through its platform, Agoda offers access to more than 6 million holiday properties worldwide, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 travel activities, all bookable through a single platform. Running until 21 May, Agoda’s 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Travellers can explore options and make bookings through www.agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 11 May 2026: Vietnam’s Masterise Group prepares to unveil Masterise Towers. This landmark integrated urban destination will bring the Ritz-Carlton hotel brand to Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam.
As one of Vietnam’s pioneering developers in branded real estate, Masterise Homes, a member of Masterise Group, is set to introduce The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Saigon, the first Ritz-Carlton-branded residences in HCMC, alongside The Ritz-Carlton, Saigon, marking the luxury brand’s hotel debut in Vietnam, as well as premium office and retail space.
Ho Chi Minh City’s evolving skyline reflects Vietnam’s rising global profile, as Masterise Group prepares to unveil Masterise Towers, a landmark integrated urban destination set to introduce The Ritz-Carlton hotel brand to Vietnam.
This milestone follows a signed agreement between Masterise Group and Marriott International Inc, further strengthening their strategic partnership, shared vision and long-term commitment to excellence in Vietnam. It brings the Ritz-Carlton brand to one of Vietnam’s most dynamic metropolises. Masterise Homes’ international-branded real estate portfolio includes landmark developments such as Grand Marina Saigon, Marriott- and JW Marriott-branded residences, and The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Hanoi at The Grand.
The official launch of its latest project will take place on 13 May 2026.
Situated opposite Ben Thanh Market in Ben Thanh Ward, the city’s former District 1, Masterise Towers is envisioned as a vertical destination in central Ho Chi Minh City. The project will combine residences, hospitality, workspace, and curated retail in a single address designed for residents, travellers, business leaders, and the city’s growing audience for high-end cultural, culinary, and wellness experiences.
BANGKOK, 11 May 2026: Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SQ), confirms a firm order for five Airbus A320neo family aircraft.
The airline also exercised options for an additional six aircraft from its 2014 order with Airbus. The new aircraft will be delivered progressively starting in 2028.
Photo credit: Scoot.
With these 11 additional aircraft, which will be powered by the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM (GTF) engines, Scoot’s total A320neo family orderbook will increase to 20 aircraft.
The new aircraft will feature 186 seats on the A320neo and 236 on the A321neo, all in a single-class configuration. For more information, please see Annex A.
The additional A320neo family aircraft will expand Scoot’s capacity and route deployment flexibility across a five- to six-hour radius, enabling the airline to launch new services and optimise feed into the wider SIA Group network. These capabilities will enhance the depth and breadth of Singapore’s air connectivity between Southeast Asia, North Asia and beyond, reinforcing its standing as a premier global air hub. This growth also reflects confidence in the long-term outlook for air travel, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region.
Since FY2022/2023, the airline has bolstered the SIA Group’s connectivity with 25 new destinations, including emerging non-metro cities such as Chiang Rai in Thailand and Phu Quoc in Vietnam, as well as long-haul destination Vienna in Austria. Of these new destinations, 16 are operated exclusively by Scoot out of Singapore.
By June 2026, Scoot will serve 85 destinations, accounting for about half of the destinations that Singapore currently connects to via Changi Airport. Of these destinations, 37 are operated exclusively by the airline, underscoring Scoot’s role in opening new direct city links and stimulating traffic flows that might otherwise remain underserved.
Scoot Chief Executive Officer, Leslie Thng, said: “We expect travel demand to continue growing, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, in the coming years. The range and capacity of the A320neo family aircraft will enable Scoot to expand and deepen the SIA Group’s network connectivity, providing the SIA Group with new growth opportunities and offering customers more seamless travel options.”
“Scoot’s mix of Embraer E190-E2 regional jets, Airbus A320 family narrowbody aircraft, and Boeing 787 family widebody aircraft allows us to operate an extensive network of flights. This covers short, medium and long-haul routes, which complement the broader SIA network and further enhance Singapore’s position as a leading global aviation hub,” added Thng.
Scoot currently operates a fleet of 63 aircraft, comprising 24 widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliners (including the -8 and -9 variants), 30 A320 family aircraft (six A320ceos, 12 A320neos, and 12 A321neos), and nine Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. As part of its fleet renewal programme and to maintain a more fuel-efficient fleet, Scoot plans to phase out its six A320ceo aircraft by 2028.
Since 2024, Scoot has added Embraer E190-E2 regional jets to its fleet, which are among the quietest and most fuel-efficient aircraft in their class. In FY2025/2026, the airline replaced eight A320ceos with new-generation A320neos and A321neos.
BANGKOK, 11 May 2026: Thailand is strengthening its position as one of Asia’s leading destinations for remote workers, freelancers and long-stay international visitors through the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), a flexible five-year multiple-entry visa programme aimed at the rapidly growing global digital nomad market.
The visa initiative forms part of Thailand’s wider strategy to stimulate long-term tourism, attract foreign talent and increase year-round visitor spending across the kingdom.
Representative image: Thailand’s five-year Digital Nomads Visa for eligible foreign nationals.
Officials and tourism analysts believe the programme could significantly strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness against rival long-stay destinations in Asia and Europe as countries worldwide compete aggressively for highly mobile professionals seeking flexible lifestyles and improved work-life balance.
The Destination Thailand Visa allows eligible foreign nationals to stay in Thailand for up to 180 days per visit, with the option to extend once per entry for an additional 180 days. The visa remains valid for five years, offering exceptional flexibility for remote workers, entrepreneurs and lifestyle travellers seeking extended stays in Southeast Asia.
Thailand has already become one of the world’s most popular destinations for digital nomads, thanks to its tropical climate, affordable cost of living, an internationally respected healthcare system, modern infrastructure, reliable internet connectivity, and a vibrant tourism and hospitality sector.
Popular destinations among long-stay visitors include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Samui Island and several emerging secondary cities offering strong lifestyle appeal and growing co-working communities.
Tourism analysts say the DTV programme reflects a broader shift in global travel trends, with an increasing number of professionals combining work, lifestyle and travel experiences rather than taking traditional short holidays. For Thailand, the economic implications are significant, with long-stay remote workers typically spending more per visit than short-term tourists, while supporting accommodation providers, restaurants, transport operators, domestic airlines, retail businesses, and local service industries over longer periods.
The DTV programme includes several categories, most notably the “Workcation” category aimed at digital nomads.
Applicants under this category are required to provide detailed supporting documentation, including proof of current location, financial evidence showing at least THB 500,000 maintained over the previous three months, proof of salary slips or monthly income for the previous six months, foreign employment contracts or employment certificates authenticated by the embassy of the country where the employer is based, and authenticated company registration documents. Applicants are also expected to provide a professional portfolio demonstrating their remote work or freelance status.
Importantly, no Thai work permit is required under the Workcation category, provided applicants work exclusively for overseas companies or clients. Those seeking employment with Thai companies must apply separately under Thailand’s existing work permit and employment visa regulations.
Thailand’s DTV programme also supports what officials describe as “Thai soft power activities”, broadening the visa’s appeal beyond traditional remote workers.
Eligible activities include Muay Thai training, Thai culinary programmes, education and seminars, sports training, medical treatment and participation in arts and music-related events. Applicants in these categories must provide letters of acceptance or appointment from recognised institutions, organisers, hospitals or medical centres.
The programme additionally extends to spouses and dependent children under 20 years old of DTV holders, making the visa increasingly attractive for international families seeking medium-term residence in Thailand.
Family applicants must provide relationship documentation, including marriage certificates, birth certificates or adoption certificates, together with proof of prolonged residence in Thailand and supporting financial evidence linked to the principal DTV holder. Additional requirements apply for minors travelling alone, including notarised parental consent documentation.
General eligibility requirements specify that self-supporting applicants must be at least 20 years old and should not have a history of serious immigration overstays in Thailand.
Applying for the DTV can be a detailed process, so please prepare carefully before submitting your documentation. As visa fees are generally non-refundable, many applicants are choosing to work with professional visa agencies familiar with the process and documentation requirements.
Applications may also be submitted directly through Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates or via the official Thai government electronic visa platform. Visa fees may vary by embassy or consulate, ranging from approximately THB8,533 to THB38,397.
The DTV also allows holders to request a change of visa type while remaining in Thailand, although such a change automatically terminates the DTV status.
Thailand’s strong hospitality sector, extensive domestic flight network, modern transport infrastructure and globally recognised healthcare services continue to make the kingdom highly competitive in the international long-stay tourism market.
For official information and application details, visit:
About the Author Andrew J Wood is a Bangkok-based travel writer and well-respected tourism expert. A former hotelier, he has lived in Thailand since 1991. A past President of Skål Asia and long-time tourism industry leader, he writes widely on hospitality, travel and tourism trends across Asia.
MUNICH, 11 May 2026: Singapore Airlines will expand its services between Munich and Singapore, increasing flights from daily to 10 weekly, starting with the winter flight schedule at the end of October 2026.
In addition to the existing daily flights that depart Munich 1230, Singapore Airlines will offer evening flights from Munich Airport on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Evening flights will depart at 2030 and arrive in Singapore the following day at 1515.
Photo credit: Munich Airport.
The airline serves the Singapore-Munich route with an A350-900 aircraft configured with 259 seats.
As Star Alliance members and joint venture partners, Singapore Airlines and the Lufthansa Group will offer 17 weekly connections between Munich and one of Asia’s most important economic and financial hubs.
Munich Airport Senior Vice President Aviation Oliver Dersch said: “We are very pleased that Singapore Airlines is further expanding its commitment to our premium hub in Munich. For our passengers, this means more choices, greater flexibility, and excellent connections to many destinations in the Asia-Pacific region.”
Singapore Airlines General Manager Germany, Austria and Switzerland,
Alastair Haycampbell highlights: “Our new evening departures from Munich create excellent onward connections to destinations, such as Bangkok, Denpasar (Bali), Koh Samui, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, and nearly all routes to Australia and New Zealand. This expanded schedule marks a significant step toward strengthening our footprint in the German market, while also offering our customers greater flexibility and choice. With the introduction of the 2026 winter schedule, Singapore Airlines will operate 24 weekly flights connecting Frankfurt and Munich directly to Singapore.”
The recognition reinforces Centara’s growing reputation as a hospitality leader that integrates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into both its operations and guest experience.
The P‑O‑P Fish, a plastic waste collection installation placed around the properties to encourage guests to participate in plastic recycling.
The report highlights organisations that are perceived to manage sustainability effectively, reflecting not only corporate commitments but also how these efforts are understood and valued by consumers. For Centara, this recognition signals a meaningful alignment between long-term ESG strategy and evolving guest expectations.
This year, Centara has netted strong results across all ESG categories. In environmental sustainability, Centara ranks third among Thai hotel brands and is in the top 5 among all Thai brands researched. In social and governance sustainability, Centara ranks second among perceived Thai hotel brands. Centara holds the second-highest governance perceptions of all Thai brands researched.
Brand Finance Managing Director Asia Pacific Alex Haigh commented: “Centara’s performance in the Brand Finance Sustainability Perceptions Index 2026 reflects how effectively the brand is aligning its ESG commitments with what guests increasingly expect from modern hospitality. In a sector where sustainability continues to grow as a key driver of reputation and choice, Centara stands out for making responsible practices visible and meaningful across its guest experience.”
Sustainable luxury as an expectation, not an add-on
As travel trends evolve, sustainability has become a key factor in how guests choose where to stay, with growing expectations for responsible practices alongside comfort and service. In response, Centara has embedded sustainability into its core brand experience—particularly in its upper-tier offerings—integrating environmental responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement into the guest journey.
This approach is reflected in the Centara Reserve brand, where personalised service, refined design, and thoughtful sustainability practices come together to create a more conscious form of luxury. The upcoming Centara Reserve Krabi, set to open in December 2026, will further bring this philosophy to life—demonstrating how elevated hospitality can coexist with responsible development and operations.
The Rooftop Fam at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, located on the 26th floor, spans 1,296 square metres and promotes a farm‑to‑table approach, aligning with Centara’s sustainability commitment.
From commitment to measurable action
A structured, data-driven ESG approach underpins Centara’s sustainability journey. Across its portfolio, the group continues to implement initiatives to reduce environmental impact, improve operational efficiency, and strengthen long-term resilience.
Energy management remains a key focus, with multiple properties adopting energy-efficient systems, smart building technologies, and renewable energy solutions. Water conservation and waste reduction programmes are also being actively implemented, alongside a broader commitment to eliminating single-use plastics.
At the corporate level, Centara continues to strengthen its ESG governance framework, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable progress across all areas of operation.
Bringing sustainability to life across key properties
Centara’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond policy and is reflected across its hotels and resorts in Thailand and beyond. In Bangkok, Centara Grand at CentralWorld serves as a flagship example, integrating energy-efficient systems, waste management, and smart operational practices to reduce its environmental footprint.
Across its resorts, Centara implements water recycling, reduces single-use plastics, and supports local communities. At the same time, in coastal and island destinations, the group focuses on marine conservation, responsible sourcing, and eco-conscious design to minimise environmental impact.
“We believe that the future of hospitality lies in delivering meaningful experiences that are not only memorable but also responsible. From our urban hotels to our resort destinations, and especially within our luxury brand – Centara Reserve, we are committed to ensuring that sustainability and exceptional service go hand in hand. This is how we build long-term trust with our guests, our partners, and the communities we serve and we live in,” said Centara Hotels & Resorts Chief Operating Officer Michael Henssler.
Looking ahead: Strengthening trust through transparency
As sustainability becomes a key driver in travel decisions, Centara is focused on making its ESG efforts more visible and meaningful to guests—bridging the gap between performance and perception through storytelling and on-property experiences.
With a growing international portfolio, the group is well-positioned to lead the next phase of sustainable hospitality in Thailand and across Asia, delivering long-term value through responsible growth, operational excellence, and guest-focused innovation.
See more of the sustainability initiatives and achievements of Centara Hotels & Resorts here.
JAKARTA, 8 May 2026: Three-year-old TransNusa has secured an airline award for passenger growth in Southeast Asia at the annual Changi Airline Award 2026, organised by Changi Airport Group.
Led by aviation veteran Datuk Bernard Francis, the airline made history as the first Indonesian airline to be recognised by Changi Airport Group for achieving the highest passenger growth in Southeast Asia.
TransNusa commencing operations at Changi Airport on 20 November 2023.
“Our regional and domestic network connectivity expansion is based on the needs and demands of our passengers, among other variables,” said Datuk Bernard, adding that TransNusa had developed new routes specifically to meet the changing needs and demands of its passengers,” said the airline CEO.
CAG Chief Executive Officer Yam Kum Weng presented the award to Datuk Bernard at the award ceremony last week, which was attended by about 90 airlines and aviation partners.
SINGAPORE, 8 May 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda has deployed a new feature that automatically displays hotel images with relevant reviews, making it even easier for travellers to see what others say about specific features they’re eyeing for their stay.
The tooling is powered by an AI-driven multimodal content system that helps travellers across Agoda’s platform in a more intuitive way.
When browsing hotels on Agoda, travellers previously viewed photo galleries and reviews in separate sections. To verify if a pool photo matched traveller feedback, for example, they had to search through reviews manually. Agoda’s new feature surfaces relevant review snippets alongside images, bringing visual content and guest opinions together in a single view.
The system processes over 700 million images and millions of reviews across 40+ languages. Using a topic-based approach, the platform maps images and reviews to common attributes such as ‘breakfast’, ‘pool’, or ‘location’. When a traveller views breakfast photos, they immediately see guest comments about breakfast quality and an aggregated sentiment score.
Agoda Chief Technology Officer Idan Zalzberg said: “There is a clear benefit for travellers to connect what they see with what others experienced. Previously, this required time and effort, with travellers jumping between different sections. With the new multimodal content system, travellers get the full picture right there in the photo gallery, making it simpler to make the right choice for their trip.”
The system runs across Agoda’s entire property inventory, curating the best images for each topic and extracting the most relevant review snippets. Each topic shows up to 15 images, guest quotes in the traveller’s language, and a sentiment breakdown showing positive, negative, and neutral feedback percentages.
MADRID, 8 May 2026: The World Travel & Tourism Council welcomed Switzerland Tourism (ST) as a Destination Partner earlier this week
Switzerland Tourism is the destination marketing organisation responsible for promoting Switzerland as a travel destination. Working in partnership with the tourism industry and the public sector, it positions the country as a high-quality, sustainable and year-round destination for leisure and business travel.
Headquartered in Zurich, ST is active in 35 offices across 21 source markets in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. In total, the organisation has around 280 employees, corresponding to 255 full-time equivalents (FTEs).
WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara said: “Switzerland is known for its unique alpine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and wide range of year-round experiences for both leisure and business travellers. We look forward to working together to support sustainable tourism growth and further strengthen Switzerland’s position as a high-quality destination on the global stage.”
Switzerland Tourism CEO Martin Nydegger said: “Joining WTTC enables Switzerland Tourism to engage more closely with global tourism leaders, contribute Swiss perspectives to international discussions, and help advance a tourism sector that is sustainable, resilient and economically strong. As a nationally mandated, but independently managed body co-financed by taxpayers and industry partners, Switzerland Tourism wants to benefit from WTTC’s industry-led ecosystem, which facilitates direct engagement with global business leaders.”
