Emirates launches Centre of Hospitality Excellence

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October 15, 2025

SINGAPORE, 15 Oct 2025: Emirates has opened a new world-class facility in Dubai to provide a luxurious training experience to almost 25,000 cabin crew, focused on the art of hospitality excellence.

The USD8 million learning zone and programme features a sprawling restaurant and lounge for up to 170 guests, elegant presentation kitchens and eight tech-enabled classrooms. More than 10,000 Emirates cabin crew will be trained in the new facility by the end of the year.

The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence is home to a myriad of elevated service trainings, modelled on Michelin star standards, including fine dining protocols, premium guest engagement and table service finesse. In 2020, Emirates began a collaboration with one of the world’s top hospitality management schools – the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland to establish a new elevated hospitality strategy, which was a resounding success. The Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence now stands as the emblem of this very strategy, inspiring cabin crew to deliver Emirates’ four pillars of hospitality in the sky – excellence, attentiveness, innovation and passion.

Emirates’ DSVP of Service Delivery Thomas Ney remarked: ‘Emirates continues to uplift the ‘fly better’ experience for our valued customers. We have invested in the highest levels of luxury hospitality training for our cabin crew, enabling them to genuinely connect with the customers they serve and create unforgettable signature moments. We are delighted to provide our crew with immersive training, allowing them to personally sample the cuisine, the beverages, the ambience and ultimately, the hospitality Emirates is renowned for. This is how we empower world-class cabin crew.’

*Photo credit: Emirates. Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence is home to service training, modelled on Michelin star standards.*

Taking hospitality to new heights, the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence offers a wide range of training and facilities for cabin crew engagement. Newly recruited Emirates cabin crew will be trained in the facility, as well as experienced crew, who receive refresher and upgrade training many times throughout their career.

Immersive fine dining experiences for Emirates cabin crew

A testament to the level of investment and detail invoked in Emirates’ cabin crew training, the Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence offers a unique opportunity for cabin crew to dine as guests and experience a gourmet 4-course gastronomy lunch. The fine dining experience is curated by Emirates’ master chefs, serving some of Emirates’ most celebrated First and Business Class dishes and signature meals. The cabin crew is personally served their meal by Emirates’ elite training team, showcasing the best of Emirates’ own seven-star hospitality, led by example and modelling best practices to the cabin crew. Emirates’ seven-star hospitality goals focus on enhanced coaching for cabin crew to infuse their customer interactions with authenticity, personality, and connection.

Bespoke culinary sessions with Emirates Master Chefs

In the culinary hub of Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence, a purpose-built training kitchen has been designed as a fusion between a professional restaurant kitchen and an airline galley. In this area, Emirates cabin crew learn the art of plating from a team of experienced chef trainers. Balancing textures, colours and shape, cabin crew know how to produce dishes that look like works of art on the plate, adding to the sensory exploration of dining with Emirates.

The Art of Service training

The Art of Service course is a communication-focused course that goes beyond refined techniques, introducing cabin crew to the deeper meaning behind fine dining. Beyond the impeccable handling of silverware, attractive plating and wine service, fine dining is a dialogue between the host and guest. This course encourages cabin crew to go beyond the basic service steps and tune into subtle cues, listen with intention, anticipate needs, and adapt their approach to create personalised experiences. It also focuses on developing their savoir-être – the art of presence, poise, and emotional intelligence, essential for engaging with Emirates’ diverse customers. This training is custom-built by the Emirates’ team from extensive research and exploration across a variety of Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hospitality globally.

L’art du Vin Wine Training

Emirates Centre of Hospitality Excellence will also host wine tastings and dedicated events led by expert wine trainers and sommeliers, building on the success of L’art du vin, Emirates’ wine learning experience for cabin crew.

The L’art du vin programme was launched in mid-2024 at Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre, Dubai, taking place in a classroom that replicates a high-end lounge and offering three intensive wine courses tailored to varying levels of knowledge – L’art du vin Introduction, L’art du vin – Business Class and L’art du vin – First Class. For each level of the course, Emirates cabin crew are invited to taste the spectacular Emirates onboard selection for themselves, while learning about the heritage of the wines, as well as how to recommend food pairings to customers expertly.

Emirates World Class Cabin Crew Training

The Centre of Hospitality Excellence is the latest addition to Emirates’ suite of state-of-the-art training facilities for cabin crew. Earlier in the year, Emirates also opened a new Crew Zone in Emirates Group Headquarters, Dubai – a dedicated 24/7 space for cabin crew. The Crew Zone offers a range of services, including educational workshops, tech zones, around-the-clock staff support, a beauty and wellbeing hub, an interactive lounge area, and more, all designed to assist cabin crew.

Recruited from over 140 countries and speaking more than 70 languages, Emirates is proud of the exceptional service, safety and hospitality delivered by its cabin crew. Currently, Emirates employs almost 25,000 cabin crew, all of whom have been trained at the esteemed Emirates Crew Training Centre in Dubai. The initial eight-week course covers all aspects of the role, including Corporate Onboarding, Safety & Emergency Procedures, Crew Resource Management, Group Medical, Aviation Security, Image and Uniform Standards, and Service & Hospitality Training.

Within the impressive facilities, cabin crew take part in both theoretical classroom sessions and practical experiences, many of which are in full motion simulators of all Emirates’ aircraft types. Throughout their career with Emirates, cabin crew receive ongoing training and a myriad of opportunities to upskill and advance their careers.

Emirates is recruiting cabin crew worldwide. For aspiring Emirates cabin crew, visit www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/cabin-crew to find details and open day schedules in your city or country.

LEAP: Borneo Legacy Declaration

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October 15, 2025

KUCHING, 15 October 2025: The inaugural Legacy Event Advocacy Policy (LEAP) Summit concluded last week with the landmark adoption of the Borneo Legacy Declaration.

This pivotal document is set to redefine the global business events industry by establishing a universal yet locally adaptable framework for measuring and advocating for long-term, positive legacy impact beyond just economic returns.

*Policy makers and industry leaders will collaborate to strengthen the impact of business events.*

Organised by The Iceberg, presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council and powered by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), the LEAP Summit brought together government leaders, international policymakers, and industry captains from around the world to address how business events can be strategically leveraged to drive progress in social, economic, and environmental areas.

A new benchmark for global impact

The Borneo Legacy Declaration is the culmination of these discussions, formalising a shared global commitment to placing legacy at the core of event planning and delivery. Its key aims include:

Advocacy for Legacy: To elevate the conversation around business events from transactional revenue generation to strategic, long-term national and global development tools

Universal Standard: To adopt a common framework that is adaptable and practical for destinations and organisations to measure impact.

Policy Integration: To encourage governments and industry bodies to integrate legacy-driven criteria into their funding, procurement, and policy-making for business events.

*Datu Hii Chang Kee chaired the LEAP Summit.*

“Measurement must evolve, sustainability must be mandatory, and business events must be recognised as instruments of policy that drive skills, collaboration, investment, and national transformation,” stated Datu Hii Chang Kee, Deputy Sarawak State Secretary (Operation), Acting Chairman of BESarawak, and Chairman of the LEAP Summit. “The successful conclusion of the LEAP Summit and the subsequent declaration reinforce Sarawak’s position as the legacy capital of business events in Malaysia and Borneo, championing a model of growth that is both prosperous and profoundly responsible.”

“Sarawak intends to witness the transformation of the business events sector and to demonstrate its importance across all industries,” said Amelia Roziman, CEO of BESarawak. “By creating and supporting the LEAP Summit, we are sharing a bigger vision with the world — one that encourages collaboration and amplifies impact. The more we come together, the stronger the global business events community becomes.”

“Transformation cannot happen without the right policy framework. The government’s support is essential in embedding legacy and sustainability into the DNA of business events. We are glad to see the industry taking this forward, championing initiatives that reflect both national goals and global impact,” said Gary Grimmer, Executive Chairman of GainingEdge and summit moderator.

The Iceberg founder and producer, and co-moderator of the summit, James Latham, stated that “The LEAP Summit was a powerful platform for dialogue and unity. The declaration stands as proof that when government and industry leaders collaborate, we can chart a clear, shared path towards a more resilient and purpose-driven future.”

The Declaration’s principles are closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) and are designed to complement local development strategies. The Declaration also calls for business events to be recognised as a full-fledged industry sector.

The LEAP Summit brought together policymakers, influencers, and industry leaders from Australia, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia.

For more information on BESarawak, visit: Business Events Sarawak.

Air India Express: ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’

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October 15, 2025

DELHI, 15 October 2025: Air India Express has unveiled one of the Indian aviation industry’s most extensive brand campaigns — ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’.

The campaign comes at a defining moment for the airline, which now connects 60 destinations across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, with a fleet of 115 aircraft, including 50 new planes.

Conceptualised in collaboration with the Omnicom Advertising Group (OAG) and directed by filmmaker Dibakar Banerjee, the campaign reflects Air India Express’ evolving brand narrative, which is rooted in the warmth of Indian hospitality and meaningful travel.

At the heart of the campaign is a film that follows a free-spirited traveller exploring diverse destinations within India and beyond. Immersing herself in local cultures, gestures and flavours, she embodies the spirit of every curious explorer, spontaneous flyer, and seeker of stories. The protagonist represents a growing tribe of individuals seeking to discover and define themselves through their travel and experiences. Through her eyes, Air India Express steps beyond facilitating transportation, towards emerging as an enabler of experiences and meaningful connections between people, places and cultures.

The campaign, launched in leading newspapers across India, will run across TV, cinema, and digital platforms, as well as magazines and outdoor advertising in airports and major cities across the country. Content collaborations across social media will also support it.

For more on the campaign, visit www.youtube.com/@AirIndiaX

Ponant Explorations sail with WHOI on board

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October 15, 2025

NEW YORK, 15 October 2025: Ponant Explorations Group and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), a global ocean science organisation, have announced a three-year partnership advancing ocean research and education.

The partnership marks the first of its kind for WHOI. It underscores Ponant Explorations Group’s ongoing commitment to providing scientists with access to the most remote parts of the planet, while giving guests a front-row seat to scientific research and innovation.

*Photo credit: Ponant Explorations. Meaningful sailings support research.*

Since 2021, Ponant Explorations Group has hosted more than 230 scientists across its fleet. Through this new alliance, WHOI scientists will now join select Ponant Explorations expeditions — many aboard the luxury icebreaker Le Commandant Charcot — to conduct fieldwork, test emerging technologies, and share their expertise through interactive guest programming. The company will also provide grant funding to support WHOI’s polar science work and launch educational campaigns, including a soon-to-be-announced symposium at sea that highlights the importance of ocean conservation.

“We’re committed to advancing knowledge of the oceans and scientific research as part of our broader mission to explore responsibly and travel with care,” said Ponant Explorations Group Americas CEO Samuel Chamberlain. “By empowering scientists with access to some of the world’s most remote regions, we’re helping to deepen understanding of the planet we all share. This partnership with WHOI reflects our shared commitment to ocean science and sustainability, creating meaningful impact at sea and beyond. We’re proud to provide a platform for innovation and education that will accelerate lasting change and global awareness in ocean conservation.”

The first expedition under the new partnership will begin on 31 October 2025, a voyage to study the Emperor Penguins of the Weddell Sea off the coast of Antarctica.

On the sailing will be two WHOI-MIT Joint Programme graduate students, Caroline Needell and Bailey Fluegel, guided by WHOI glaciologist Dr Catherine Walker, an Associate Scientist renowned for her research on ice-ocean interactions, Antarctic coastal change, and ice shelf rifting processes and iceberg calving.

Aboard the world’s only passenger ship with Polar Class 2 (PC-2) certification — capable of navigating shifting glaciers and uncharted ice floes — Needell and Fluegel will deploy LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology to model the breakup rate of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, the first time this technology will be used on the ship. LiDAR is a remote sensing application that can collect measurements of ice cliffs, the edges of glaciers and ice streams that reach the ocean and whose geometry and shape are highly linked to stability. Such data is difficult or impossible to gather by satellite or other means, but essential to understanding ice sheet evolution and its rate of change.

Throughout the voyage, guests will have the opportunity to observe the research process firsthand, visit the ship’s wet and dry laboratories, and participate in educational presentations about Antarctica’s geological history, global climate significance, and fragile ecosystems.

The Ponant Explorations Group-WHOI programme comes at a time when access to remote areas such as polar regions has been challenged by cuts to science funding, and research space aboard funded vessels is shrinking.

“Access to these polar regions remains critical to furthering our understanding of ice sheet evolution, its rate of change, and implications for future sea level rise,” Walker said. “Getting close to glacier fronts is really one of the only ways to collect this information at a large enough scale to constrain processes and improve modelling observationally.

Ponant Explorations Group regularly hosts scientists on Le Commandant Charcot throughout the year, as well as on select sailings aboard other ships. This is made possible by its many partnerships and initiatives, including the financing of two PhD students. To date, the company has earned 10 citations in peer-reviewed publications for its support in data collection and research.

About Ponant Explorations Group
Renowned for their expertise in exploration cruises, Ponant Explorations, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Aqua Expeditions, and Ponant Yachting operate ships (ranging from four to 165 staterooms and suites), offering a refined, authentic, and inspiring experience.

Artémis, the holding company of the Pinault family, owns Ponant Explorations Group.

About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organisation on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Founded in 1930, its mission is to understand the ocean, its interactions with the Earth, and its role in a changing global environment.

(Source: Ponant Explorations Group)

Sanya attracts new airline routes

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October 15, 2025

SANYA, China 15 October 2025: Sanya witnessed a rapid expansion of its international air routes last week, as a Belavia Airlines flight landed at Sanya Phoenix International Airport, marking the inaugural flight on the route Sanya-Minsk (capital: Belarus).

Subsequently, two more international routes have been established — Ulaanbaatar – Sanya – Ulan-Ude (East Siberia, Russia) and Sanya – Kuala Lumpur.

*Photo credit: Sanya Tourism Board. Routes from Europe and Mongolia bring tourists to Sanya.*

The launch of these three international routes, all within four days, marks a strategic move by Sanya to expand its reach into Central Asian, European, and Southeast Asian markets.

To date, Sanya has launched 38 international flight routes, connecting the city to destinations such as Bangkok, Frankfurt, Seoul, and St. Petersburg, covering 29 overseas cities in total.

Cashing in on fifth freedom traffic rights, the flights link the Hainan Free Trade zone and port with Europe, while Sanya collaborates with top aviation influencers to create travel content. The launch campaign achieved viral success, garnering over 10 million impressions by August and trending worldwide on social media platforms. This is not the only example of drawing visitors with air routes.

Focusing on the “Sanya-Minsk” route, Sanya has participated in tourism promotional events and travel shows held in Minsk to showcase its tourism offerings to the Belarusian market, thereby enhancing Sanya’s global visibility.

Thanks to the strategy that drives route expansion through destination marketing, Sanya is fast emerging as a world-class tourist destination. According to official statistics, Sanya received over 700,000 international overnight visitors in the first three quarters of this year, setting a new historical record for the same period.

Sanya has developed customised marketing strategies for each flight region, targeting the domestic market. It has also collaborated with China’s leading e-commerce platform, Meituan, to launch tourism promotion campaigns, offering thousands of discounted travel packages and achieving more than 500 million online impressions.

For Hong Kong, China, tailor-made tourism products such as “1.5 Hours to Paradise” have been launched on the Klook platform, driving a year-on-year increase of 87.47% in the number of Hong Kong visitors during the first seven months.

For South Korea, travel agencies, media, and associations are invited to visit Sanya to pinpoint tourists’ preferences.

For Cambodia, an MoU was signed in early September in this Cambodia-China Tourism Year 2025 between the Sanya Tourism Board and the Cambodia Tourism Board, a move that will establish a long-term collaboration.”

Tourism momentum has directly fueled spending growth. In the first three quarters of 2025, overnight international visitors spent more than USD600 million in Sanya. In addition to the core advantages of duty-free shopping, details such as multilingual services and fusion cuisines also make visitors’ journeys smooth and pleasant.

At present, Sanya Phoenix International Airport is accelerating the third-phase expansion, due to be completed by year-end, to boost annual passenger capacity to 30 million.

According to an official of the Sanya Tourism Board, the city will introduce more diverse tourism products and experiences to accommodate the requirements of global visitors.

(Source: Sanya Tourism Board)

Riyadh Air announces inaugural London flights

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October 15, 2025

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, 15 October 2025: Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, confirms the commencement of its first daily flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on 26 October.

The airline has also unveiled Sfeer, its loyalty offering, which will provide exclusive benefits to its early founding members.

Beginning 26 October, Riyadh Air will commence daily launch flights from Riyadh to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) aboard its designated aircraft named “Jamila”. Flights are initially on sale to select groups and Riyadh Air employees, to fine-tune operational readiness while utilising Riyadh Air’s recently awarded slot at London Heathrow (LHR).

“This isn’t just a launch; it’s a tangible realisation of a vision to connect Saudi Arabia to the world, a core pillar of Saudi Vision 2030,” stated Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas.

Sfeer loyalty programme

Sfeer, meaning “Ambassador” in Arabic and blended with the English word “sphere”, embodies the vibrant, generous spirit of Saudi Arabia. As it rolls out, Sfeer is poised to become one of the world’s most unique and exciting loyalty programmes, seamlessly integrating community engagement with gamified experiences to unlock the very best of Saudi Arabia.

Sfeer membership is now open via www.riyadhair.com, and early joiners will be recognised as ‘The Founders’, who will receive priority access to bookings on future flights.

“With Sfeer, we’re creating much more than just a loyalty programme; we’re building a dynamic, digitally immersive lifestyle ecosystem,” added Douglas. “Our vision is to truly change the game, offering unparalleled benefits and fostering a unique sense of community among our members.”

As ‘The Founders’, early joiners receive priority access to bookings on future flights. All Sfeer members can look forward to complimentary onboard Wi-Fi. Joining Sfeer now allows members to start collecting points and gain exclusive early access to routes and priority booking.

(Source: Riyadh Air)

JTB chief presents global vision during WIT 2025

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October 15, 2025

SINGAPORE, 15 October 2025: Just weeks after announcing the acquisition of Northstar Travel Group, Eijiro Yamakita, President and CEO of JTB Corp, took the stage at Web in Travel (WiT) Singapore 2025 to share his perspective on the future of global travel.

The acquisition, which sees Northstar operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of JTB, marked a significant milestone in JTB’s growth strategy, expanding its reach into B2B travel events, media, and market intelligence. With Northstar’s portfolio including iconic brands such as Travel Weekly, Business Travel News, ALIS, The Meetings Show, and Phocuswright, the move strengthens JTB’s influence across the global travel ecosystem.

Yamakita’s participation at WiT Singapore underscored the strategic importance of Asia in this new chapter. He joined a heavyweight lineup of speakers from Expedia, Agoda, Booking.com, Google, and JTB Corp, reflecting WiT’s role as a platform where the industry’s most influential leaders gather to debate the forces shaping the next era of travel.

“Northstar brings outstanding expertise and fresh perspectives that perfectly align with JTB’s strategic vision,” said JTB Corp President and CEO Eijiro Yamakita. “Appearing at WiT Singapore is a chance to continue that conversation, exploring how we can collectively drive innovation, deliver superior customer experiences, and shape the future of global travel.”

This year’s conference, convened from 6 to 8 October 2025 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre, also marked WiT’s 20th anniversary under the bold theme “The Next 20.”

Looking forward rather than back, the programme explored the seismic shifts set to define the next two decades of travel – from the acceleration of AI to shifting demographics and societal change. Sessions challenged delegates to consider how travel must reinvent itself to remain relevant, resilient, and human.

“Having Eijiro Yamakita with us this year, so soon after JTB’s acquisition of Northstar, is symbolic of the new bridges being built across the industry,” said Web in Travel Founder and Editor Siew Hoon Yeoh. “It reflects the scale of the conversations we’re curating as we look to The Next 20 years of travel. WiT has always been about connecting the dots between global forces and local realities, and this year’s programme is no exception.”

(Source: Web in Travel)

Visa takes Tap and Pay to Bangkok’s shopping haunts

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October 15, 2025

BANGKOK, 15 October 2025: Visa, in collaboration with Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) and fintech innovator Soft Space, have announced the expansion of the Tap to Pay initiative to two of Bangkok’s most iconic and high-traffic shopping destinations: Chatuchak Weekend Market and Pratunam Market.

The partnership aims to modernise payment acceptance for local merchants, enhance convenience for tourists, and unlock greater spending potential to support Thailand’s economic growth.

(From left: Natthanart Dontree, Director of Account Executive, Visa (Thailand), Joel Tay, Chief Executive Officer, Soft Space, Panisa Thongma, Director, Chatuchak Market, Chernporn Sawaddiworn, Head of Client, Visa (Thailand), Vilasinee Leamkeawsakul, Senior Vice President of Digital Payment Solution, Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited and Pornprapa Sinsawat, Payment Solution Services, Digio.

The initiative introduces a contactless payment solution that enables merchants to accept credit and debit card payments directly through their existing smartphones. This offers a flexible and convenient option alongside EDC terminals, with no additional hardware required. Whether using a smartphone or a dedicated EDC machine, businesses can now provide a seamless, cashless shopping experience perfect for international visitors and everyday customers alike.

Benefits for key stakeholders

For merchants: Tap to Pay boosts sales and expands customer reach by enabling small businesses to accept card payments easily using just a smartphone. This reduces reliance on cash and foreign currency, lowers operational costs, and allows merchants to serve a broader customer base, including international tourists and digital-first consumers.

For customers (Thailand-residents and tourists): Contactless cards and mobile wallets offer a fast and secure payment experience.

Transactions are completed quickly and conveniently without the need for physical cash or currency exchange, making shopping seamless for both local customers and international visitors.

Visa (Thailand) Head of Client, Choenporn Sawasdivorn, stated: “Visa is dedicated to advancing Thailand’s digital economy by making payments more inclusive, secure, and innovative. Over the past year, contactless payments in Thailand have surged, with more than 66 per cent of Visa transactions now taking place via contactless methods each month. This rapid growth is driven by strong adoption among small businesses, from street food vendors to local shops who are utilising Tap to Pay to attract more customers and expand their operations.”

(Source: Visa)

Showtime is travel time

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October 14, 2025

SINGAPORE, 14 October 2025: Concert travel is reshaping tourism in Asia, with fans crossing borders and booking trips to see the artists they love.

Trip.com Group, a global leader in travel services, and Live Nation Asia, a leading live entertainment company, have announced a multi-year strategic partnership to integrate travel and live music experiences across key Asian markets.

Launching across Hong Kong/Macau, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea and Mainland China, the collaboration will allow fans to seamlessly plan concert-focused trips — combining exclusive presale access to shows with flights, hotels, and curated local experiences through Trip.com Group’s platform.

This partnership marks Trip.com Group’s first step into the live entertainment travel space, reinforcing its commitment to meeting evolving traveller demands and reflecting how tourism, hospitality, and live entertainment are coming together in new ways.

Music-driven tourism

As live music becomes a growing driver of travel, this partnership is designed to empower fans to follow the artists they love while supporting regional tourism and elevating destination appeal in Asia.

According to Trip.com’s Momentum consumer survey, which highlights the following significant trends in travel, nearly 66% of Asia Pacific travellers are willing to travel internationally for concerts, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the trend. In Singapore, hotel bookings tripled during Lady Gaga’s Asia-exclusive show, while in Hong Kong, over half of concertgoers extended their stay for leisure, driving revenue across tourism sectors. Artists are also adding shows in cities like Singapore, Bangkok, and Seoul, establishing these cities as must-visit music hubs.

“Today’s music lovers are embracing immersive experiences that extend far beyond the concert itself,” said Mr Bo Sun, Chief Marketing Officer, Trip.com Group. “Through partnerships like this, we are enhancing the travel journey, adding value for fans and unlocking new cultural and economic value for destinations and the wider industry in Asia. Together, we’re proud to pioneer the future of tourism through entertainment.”

“Concert travel is redefining tourism across Asia,” said Mr James Dick, EVP of Partnerships and Media, Live Nation Asia. “Together with Trip.com, we’re helping fans turn concerts into unforgettable trips that shape the culture of entire cities.”

The partnership also creates room for collaboration with local hotels, attractions, and tourism stakeholders in these markets, building concert-driven products and experiences that encourage more bookings, longer stays, and greater destination appeal in Asia.

The first launch under this partnership featured exclusive bundled experiences for K-pop powerhouse TWICE’s tour in Hong Kong. As the Official Travel Partner of the TWICE <THIS IS FOR> WORLD TOUR IN HONG KONG, Trip.com is giving fans exclusive presale access, bundled hotel packages, and transport options.

Similar bundles and early access will roll out across five markets in Asia, featuring global and regional superstars, and turning every show into an opportunity to explore a new destination. For example, bundles may include concert tickets paired with tickets to attractions like Hong Kong Disneyland, Rainforest Wild ASIA, sightseeing buses, and hotel rooms, elevating the entire trip.

Building on its role as BLACKPINK’s Official Sponsor in Bangkok and Hong Kong, Trip.com now also offers presale access for the upcoming BLACKPINK WORLD TOUR <DEADLINE> IN SINGAPORE and HONG KONG.

Visit Trip.com to discover more concert travel bundles, with additional packages and tour announcements coming soon.

About Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services. It enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites, and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world”.

Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.

About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company, comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

(Source: Trip.com Group)

Air India Express cranks up Bengaluru hub

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October 14, 2025

DELHI, 14 October 2025: Air India Express will launch direct flights from Bengaluru, its largest station, to three new destinations in the Middle East: Jeddah and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.

Services to Jeddah will commence from 26 October 2025, while flights to Riyadh and Kuwait will begin on 27 October 2025, further strengthening connectivity between South India and the Middle East.

Travellers can book attractive inaugural fares on the airline’s award-winning website, its mobile app, and across primary booking channels.

Fares on the Bengaluru – Riyadh route start at INR13,500 (505 SAR for Riyadh–Bengaluru), Bengaluru–Jeddah flights begin at INR19,500 (570 SAR from Jeddah), and Bengaluru–Kuwait fares start at INR13,600 (27 KWD from Kuwait).

The new routes will benefit a wide range of travellers, including Indian expatriates, business professionals, and families visiting friends and relatives across Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The direct service to Jeddah will also offer convenient connectivity for pilgrims travelling for Umrah from Bengaluru. In addition to meeting the strong demand for travel to Kuwait, the new connections will support growing interest among Indian travellers in exploring Saudi Arabia’s cultural and heritage attractions, in line with the country’s expanding tourism landscape.

Guests from Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirappalli can connect to Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh via Bengaluru.

This latest announcement builds on the airline’s recent growth from Bengaluru, which has seen the launch of new flights to Kathmandu, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and Dehradun.

The airline’s upcoming services to Bangkok, starting from 18 October 2025, and Jodhpur and Udaipur from 1 November 2025, further reinforce Bengaluru as one of Air India Express’ fastest-growing hubs.

Services from Bengaluru

The airline operates more than 440 weekly flights from Bengaluru, connecting directly to 35 domestic destinations.

They include Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Delhi, Goa, Guwahati, Gwalior, Hindon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Jammu, Jodhpur, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangaluru, North Goa, Patna, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Pune, Ranchi, Srinagar, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Udaipur, Varanasi, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam.

There are also seven international destinations — Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dammam, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuwait, and Riyadh.

(Source: Air India Express)

Emirates launches Centre of Hospitality Excellence

LEAP: Borneo Legacy Declaration

Air India Express: ‘Xplore More, Xpress More’

Ponant Explorations sail with WHOI on board

Sanya attracts new airline routes

Riyadh Air announces inaugural London flights

JTB chief presents global vision during WIT 2025

Visa takes Tap and Pay to Bangkok’s shopping haunts

Showtime is travel time

Air India Express cranks up Bengaluru hub

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