BANGKOK, 21 July 2025: Thailand experienced a notable surge in interest from long-haul source countries in 2024, as evidenced by recent data from Airbnb.
With increased air connectivity, this upswing suggests a growing appetite among international travellers, particularly from Europe, North America, and Australia.
Photo credit: Airbnb.
In 2024, Airbnb saw an almost 40%* year-on-year increase in nights booked in Thailand by long-haul travellers from top origin countries of Airbnb, highlighting Thailand’s enduring status as a premium destination amongst travellers around the world.
The top long-haul origin countries of Airbnb guests travelling to Thailand in 2024 were:*
USA UK Germany France Canada Russian Federation Netherlands Switzerland Spain Sweden
Amongst the top 10 long-haul origin countries for nights booked in Thailand, France recorded the highest year-on-year growth, with nights booked increasing by almost 70% in 2024.*
Other notable growth was seen from Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, demonstrating strong demand across continents.
“We’re witnessing a clear shift in global travel preferences, guests from long-haul geos are increasingly choosing Thailand not just for a holiday, but for deeper cultural discovery, wellness, and meaningful connection,” said Airbnb Country Head for India and Southeast Asia, Amanpreet Bajaj. “As more travellers seek out authentic experiences beyond the usual, we see a real opportunity to support the dispersal of tourism beyond traditional hotspots, bringing its economic benefits to more local communities.”
In 2024, high-value travellers from long-haul source markets recorded a more than 25% increase in long-term stays (28 nights or more) in Thailand among guests from top long-haul origin countries compared to the previous year**.
This trend signals a growing preference for deeper cultural immersion and more meaningful travel experiences, with long-haul visitors making significant contributions to the local economy through extended stays and community engagement.
* Based on net nights booked in Thailand by Airbnb guests from top long-haul origin countries (i.e. countries outside of APAC) for check-ins between 1 January and 31 December in 2023 v 2024.
** Based on net nights booked in Thailand for stays of 28+ days by Airbnb guests from top long-haul origin countries outside of APAC between 1 January and 31 December in 2023 v 2024.
DUBAI, UAE, 18 July 2025:Asinternational travel reaches a fever pitch this summer, Emirates’ latest analysis of global booking data* and search patterns reveals where travellers are dreaming of and escaping to in July and August, with a shift towards new cultural experiences and off-the-beaten-track locales.
Flight searches for summer travel have increased by 7% compared to last year, with France leading the charge, experiencing a remarkable 35% rise in outbound travel searches, followed by Ireland, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are also seeing strong momentum, highlighting robust travel intent across key markets.
In 2025, a few breakout stars have emerged as the top summer destinations for Emirates, and they’re concentrated mainly in the Far East, Indian Ocean and Europe.
Emirates’ summer hotspots
Vietnam has emerged as this summer’s ‘it’ destination, stealing the spotlight with a robust 61% leap in interest and an uplift in booking demand. Emirates flies to three points in Vietnam with 25 weekly flights: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and in June this year, the airline launched services to Da Nang via Bangkok, with flight times that offer seamless connections to/from major European cities and key American hubs.
Vietnam’s vibrant third metropolis is a gateway to a trio of UNESCO World Heritage treasures and over 3,000km of untouched coastline. For culinary adventurers, Vietnamese cuisine is a story in every bite. From bustling street food markets to hidden local gems, the country’s dining scene promises an unforgettable experience.
Close behind, the island nation of Mauritius continues to charm travellers, with searches for flights rising 41% as the second most in-demand destination on the Emirates network this summer. The airline offers two convenient daily flights on its iconic A380S. While Sri Lanka has seen a 32% increase, it has become a clear favourite due to its rich cultural tapestry, pristine beaches, ‘tea country’, and affordable luxury experiences.
Japan continues to exert its magnetic pull on global explorers, with flight searches growing 28% compared to last year. Its unique culture, stunning landscapes, modern cities, and delectable cuisine blend balance and artistry. Emirates operates 21 weekly flights to three Japanese points – Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Osaka.
The timeless allure of France rounds out the top five with a solid 25% boost, and Emirates is helping meet traveller demand this summer, serving Paris with 21 weekly flights, including three daily A380 flights, a daily A380 service to Nice, and a daily A350 flight to Lyon.
The science of wanderlust: booking data and travel choices
In the UAE, Emirates has seen a 13% rise in flight searches overall, and the airline has witnessed a year-on-year increase in searches to destinations like Sri Lanka, Jordan, France, India, Lebanon, and Morocco. Travellers from the US flying Emirates have been increasingly focusing their searches on African destinations, such as Egypt, Kenya, and South Africa. Meanwhile, UK travellers are searching 12% more than last year on emirates.com, with a growing interest in far-flung destinations like New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Mauritius.
Indian travellers are seeking more opportunities to venture out to Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland in 2025, while the airline notes that Australian travellers are focusing on their European summer plans, with a rise in searches to France and the UK. Over the past year, German travellers have been drawn eastbound with higher search levels to Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and the Seychelles.
Summer traditionally skews towards longer breaks, particularly for Emirates travellers from India, Australia, the UK, and Germany, who stretch their getaways into extended escapes – close to a third of them travel for more than a month, while those from the US opt for 2-3 week stays for their summer getaways.
The diversity of Dubai’s summer visitors
Emirates forecasts healthy inbound passenger traffic to Dubai during the summer months this year, underscoring the city’s ongoing global appeal as a ‘must-visit’ destination year-round.
Solo Travellers dominate nearly half of all US, Indian, and Australian visitors, mixing business with leisure during stays averaging just over one week.
Family Travel tells different stories by nationality. About one-third of US and Indian visitors travel as families, although preferences diverge — Indian families tend to favour shorter getaways, while American families typically spend 1-2 weeks exploring Dubai. UK families represent the majority of British visitors, often extending their Dubai experience beyond two weeks.
Couples form another significant segment. Younger Australian and German couples are embracing extended stays, ranging from two weeks to an entire month, to maximise their time to discover Dubai.
*Data reflects searches and website bookings on emirates.com for flights between 1 July and -30 August 2025, in addition to year-over-year comparisons. For more information on the airline and to make a booking, visit www.emirates.com.
LANGKAWI, 18 July 2025: Langkawi may be known today for its turquoise waters and luxury resorts, but step off the beaten track and you’ll find an island layered with stories whispered through jungle trails, echoed in stone formations, and etched into place names. This is a destination where myth and memory blur, and where a simple hike or boat ride becomes a journey through living folklore.
Portrait of Mahsuri. Remembered for her beauty, grace, and tragic fate, Mahsuri remains the most enduring figure in Langkawi’s lore. A woman wrongfully condemned, whose final curse shaped the island’s history.
The most enduring of Langkawi’s legends is that of Mahsuri, a woman wrongfully accused of adultery and condemned to death by her mother-in-law. With her final breath, Mahsuri laid a curse upon the island: seven generations of misfortune. Locals say the island’s fortunes only turned when the eighth generation was born, ushering in an era of prosperity and growth. Today, you can visit Makam Mahsuri, her tomb and memorial, where time seems to stand still amid traditional village houses that reflect the simplicity and grace of the era she lived in.
Said to be the spot where Mahsuri once washed her face, this simple well remains a quiet witness to the legend that shaped Langkawi’s destiny.
Beyond Mahsuri, Langkawi’s landscape itself tells stories. Towering over the island are Gunung Raya and Gunung Machinchang, once believed to be mighty giants named Mat Raya and Mat Cincang. When their children’s wedding sparked a quarrel between the families, a pot of gravy (kuah) was spilt during the chaos. Enraged, the gods turned the bickering giants and the peacekeeping Mat Sawah into stone. The broken pot gave its name to the nearby village of Belanga Pecah, and the gravy to the island’s capital, Kuah. The mountains still stand today, silent guardians of this tale.
Image: The Quarrel of Giants Caption: This dramatic sculpture in Taman Lagenda captures the legendary clash between Mat Raya, Mat Cincang, and Mat Sawar, giants whose feud is said to have given rise to Langkawi’s mountains and place names.
On Dayang Bunting Island, legend and landscape merge even more vividly. From the west, the undulating hills resemble a pregnant woman lying on her back—hence the island’s name, which translates to Pregnant Maiden. At its heart lies Dayang Bunting Lake, a freshwater body formed in a collapsed limestone cave. The story goes that a celestial maiden, heartbroken after her mortal child drowned in the lake, blessed its waters. Since then, couples seeking to conceive have visited the lake, hoping its magic lives on.
Cradled by forested hills, this mysterious lake carries the legend of a celestial maiden and her lost child. Couples visit hoping to receive the same blessing said to dwell in its waters.
Langkawi’s mystical allure extends underground, too. Gua Langsuir, a cave whose name translates to banshee’s cave, is said to be haunted by wailing spirits. The eerie howls, it turns out, are made by the wind rushing through the cave’s mouth—but that hasn’t stopped the legend from thriving. Meanwhile, in Gua Dedap, another collapsed cave near the northeastern shore, stories abound of a spectral white crocodile occasionally glimpsed in the tunnel that connects the cave’s interior to the sea. The entrance, locals say, reveals itself only at mid-tide.
History and myth converge again at Padang Matsirat, home to Beras Terbakar, or The Field of Burnt Rice. In 1821, during conflict with Siamese forces, the village chief, Datuk Panglima Hiram, ordered the rice fields set ablaze to prevent enemy forces from claiming them. The act contributed to a devastating famine, further fueling belief in Mahsuri’s curse. To this day, after heavy rains, villagers claim you can still find grains of scorched rice surfacing in the soil.
In Langkawi, legends aren’t confined to history books or tour guides; they linger in the air, shape the land, and live on in the stories passed from one generation to the next. Whether you’re a cultural explorer or a casual traveller, the island invites you to lean in, listen closely, and let its myths work their quiet magic.
Step into a luminous retelling of Langkawi’s legends, where light, sound, and storytelling weave local folklore into a spellbinding night walk through enchanted rainforest trails.
To experience Langkawi’s living legends for yourself, start at Makam Mahsuri, the sacred tomb and memorial site that anchors the island’s most powerful tale of love, betrayal, and a centuries-old curse. Then, wander through Taman Lagenda, a beautifully landscaped open-air park where Langkawi’s folklore comes to life through sculpted dioramas and storytelling plaques. For a modern twist, head to Dream Forest, an immersive night walk where cutting-edge light and sound transform the island’s ancient myths into a sensory journey through enchanted trails.
DOHA, Qatar, 18 July 2025: Qatar Airways confirmed on Thursday that it will resume services to Aleppo, Syria, with three weekly flights starting from 10 August 2025, increasing to four weekly flights effective 1 September 2025.
Qatar Airways operations to the city first began in 2011. The airline resumed flights to Damascus in early 2025, making Aleppo the second Syrian destination to connect to the airline’s global network.
Photo credit: Qatar Airways.
Aleppo will be added to Qatar Airways’ network of more than 170 global destinations. The resumption represents the airline’s commitment to enhancing connectivity in the region and worldwide through Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar.
Other airlines serving Syria
As of July 2025, several Middle East airlines have resumed flights to Syria, indicating a gradual resumption of air travel to the country. But the list changes constantly depending on the security situation in Syria, which is volatile due to civil unrest, military interventions and bombing missions by Israel’s air force. Travel advisories caution against visiting Syria.
Emirates has reintroduced flights to Damascus, initially with three weekly services, which will expand to four weekly frequencies starting 2 August 2025, and daily operations from 26 October 2025.
Air Arabia: Flights to Damascus from Sharjah are operational.
Syrian Airlines: Continues to operate flights to various destinations, including Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE, and Istanbul (Turkey). It is attempting to schedule as many flights as possible given airspace limitations.
Turkish Airlines: Operates flights to Damascus International Airport from Istanbul Airport.
Flyadeal (Saudi Arabia) has also joined the list of airlines flying to Syria.
SINGAPORE, 18 July 2025: Abercrombie & Kent unveiled this week its most expansive Small Group Journeys portfolio yet for 2026 — over 80 expertly crafted itineraries that take travellers deeper into culture, nature and tradition than ever before.
Among them are five brand-new journeys — from exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Rio’s Carnival, to high-altitude adventures across Bolivia, and spiritual encounters in the sacred landscapes of Tibet and China.
Photo credit: A&K.
There’s also an immersive exploration of Spain’s cultural heartlands, as well as a desert odyssey through Saudi Arabia and Jordan, including the Nabatean wonders of Petra and AlUla.
“These new itineraries are designed to ignite curiosity and foster deeper connections,” says A&K’s Director of Global Group Product Suzanne Teng. “Whether through local celebrations, off-the-map encounters, or time in pristine natural settings, the goal is to go well beyond the expected.”
With most groups capped at just 18 guests, A&K’s Small Group Journeys offer access to landmarks and lesser-known gems, always with five-star accommodations, seamless logistics, and signature touches like Traveller’s Valet, Travelling Bell Boy, and private arrival and departure transfers.
What’s new for 2026
Brazil: Ultimate Rio Carnival Experience Feb 12-17, 2026 | six days from USD19,995; AUD30,605.
Rio’s Carnival with exclusive access that only A&K can provide.
Go behind the scenes at a renowned samba school warehouse the day before the big parade.
Private samba class, celebrate like a local at Rio’s street carnival and attend the exclusive Carnival Ball at Copacabana Palace, wearing a custom-made mask by a local artist.
Witness the world’s biggest parade from the comfort of a VIP box.
Explore Guanabara Bay on a private cruise of Rio’s waterfront, complete with a DJ.
Beat the crowds with an exclusive before-hours tour of Christ the Redeemer.
Ultimate Bolivia 23 April – 2 May, 2026 |10 days from USD9,395; AUD14,380.
Dive into Bolivia’s layered cultural identity and remarkable natural landscapes, from high-altitude cities to salt flats.
Marvel at the Uyuni Salt Flats and enjoy stargazing under pristine skies
Explore Potosí, one of the world’s highest-altitude cities, recognised by UNESCO for its historical significance and colonial architecture.
Visit other UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including “El Fuer”e” and Sucre, to admire their well-preserved architectural wonders.
Enjoy a community visit to the village of Puka Puka, where the language and customs of the Aymara people are still alive.
Cruise Lake Titicaca by hydrofoil and explore the Moon and Sun Islands
Attend a lecture by a local historian and a tasting of high-altitude wines.
Mountains and Myths in China and Tibet Apr 13-26, 2026 |14 days from USD12,795; AUD19,585.
Explore Lhasa, the heart of Tibet, and take in the landscapes of Yunnan province.
Walk atop a restored section of the Great Wall near Beijing.
Take in the scenic wonders of Yunnan, such as the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Stone Forest.
Discover Yunnan’s diverse minority groups and encounter the Tibetan communities of Shangri-La and Lhasa.
Visit the iconic Potala Palace and Sera Monastery, the heart of Tibetan spirituality.
Spain: Madrid, Valencia and Mallorca May 10-19, 2026 | 10 days from USD14,795; AUD22,645.
A blend of outdoor, cultural and culinary treasures is at the heart of this exploration of Spain.
Experience the flavours of Madrid firsthand on a lunchtime tapas tour and dinner at one of the city’s prestigious Flamenco venues.
Visit the Gallery of Royal Collections and take a day trip to the Royal Monastery of El Escorial, the resting place of Spanish monarchs.
On an A&K-exclusive experience, boat through a national park to partake in a paella-cooking class on a traditional rice farm outside Valencia.
Discover ancient Palma, capital of the island of Mallorca
Explore Mallorca’s Mediterranean bounty during a wine and olive encounter.
Desert Adventures in Saudi Arabia and Jordan Feb 14-24, 2026 | 11 days from USD16,995; AUD26,015.
Discover the rich shared histories and breathtaking landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula.
Explore Petra and AlUla — the archaeological masterpieces of the Nabatean civilisation — accompanied by local experts.
Visit the rock-cut tombs of Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved into sandstone cliffs.
Gain insights into Saudi society and politics, and learn how things are changing during a discussion with a local expert.
Choose from Design Your Day activities in Petra, including a traditional Turkish bath spa experience, exploring Little Petra, or visiting Shobak Crusader Castle.
Savings of up to USD1,500 per person on select Small Group Journey departures when booked by 31 July 2025. Visit www.abercrombiekent.com or call your nearest A&K office to speak with a Travel Consultant.
BANGKOK, 18 July 2025: The Michelin Guide will launch the first global Michelin Key Selection at a ceremony in Paris on 8 October 2025, following the successful rollout of Michelin Key distinctions in 15 top travel destinations throughout 2024 and early 2025.
It will mark the debut of a worldwide selection celebrating the most outstanding hotels worldwide.
UOB is the Global Principal Partner of The Michelin Guide Hotels, the first time a Singapore company has partnered with the distinguished ratings authority on an international scale.
In addition to the Michelin Keys, the Michelin Guide will introduce four brand-new Special Awards, spotlighting excellence in specific areas of the hospitality industry.
The announcement will be made both online, via the Guide’s social media and editorial platforms, and in person during an exclusive ceremony in Paris.
For the first time, travellers will benefit from a seamless experience that combines trusted Michelin distinctions with integrated booking services, making it easier than ever to discover and reserve the world’s finest hotels.
Internationally renowned for its restaurant selections and Star ratings, The Michelin Guide has, in recent years, built an independent global hotel selection featuring over 7,000 properties located across more than 125 countries.
Just as the iconic Stars indicate the best culinary experiences, the Michelin Keys highlight the most outstanding stays within the Guide’s hotel selection.
Evaluated by The Michelin Guide Inspectors following five universal criteria, the Michelin Keys qualify each hotel experience in broader terms than simple amenities, to establish a new international and reliable benchmark for exceptional hospitality:
One Michelin Key: a very special stay
This is a true gem with its own character and personality. It may break the mould, offer something different, or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.
Two Michelin Keys: an exceptional stay
A hotel of character, personality and charm that’s operated with evident pride and considerable care. Eye-catching design and architecture, along with a genuine sense of the locale, make this an exceptional place to stay.
Three Michelin Keys: an extraordinary stay
This is the ultimate in comfort, service, style, and elegance. It is one of the world’s most extraordinary hotels and a destination for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts of travellers.
After celebrating over 1,500 outstanding hotels through its initial Key selections, The Michelin Guide now goes a step further in showcasing the very best of global hospitality, with inspectors currently finalising this first worldwide selection.
Four new Special Awards
In addition to the Michelin Keys, the Michelin Guide will introduce four Special Awards, recognising properties for achievements that transcend classic categories, and celebrating excellence and uniqueness in specific hospitality fields:
Michelin Architecture & Design Award: Celebrates hotels whose architecture and design inspire unforgettable journeys, and elevate the guest experience through a distinctive aesthetic identity.
Michelin Wellness Award: Recognises properties with pioneering and holistic wellness programs nurturing body, mind, and spirit.
Michelin Local Gateway Award: Honours hotels that offer guests immersive connections to their surroundings, evoking the character and spirit of their region.
Michelin Opening of the Year Award: Rewards newly opened hotels that have made an exceptional impact on the hospitality landscape within their first year.
Each Special Award honours one winning property revealed during the Ceremony on 8 October 2025. Ahead of this, Michelin Guide social media and editorial platforms will unveil nominees according to the following schedule:
Architecture & Design Award Nominees: 13 August.
Wellness Award Nominees: 27 August.
Local Gateway Award Nominees: 10 September.
Opening of the Year Award Nominees: 24 September.
The Michelin Guide Hotels Ceremony
The unveiling of the 2025 Michelin Keys selection will take place both digitally, across The Michelin Guide’s social media and editorial platforms, and physically during a ceremony in Paris on 8 October 2025.
The Michelin Guide Hotels Ceremony will take place at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, overlooking the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries Garden.
This professional event will bring together a select group of award-winning hotels (represented by approximately 300 international hoteliers), special award winners, journalists, and industry opinion leaders.
HONG KONG, 18 July 2025: Hong Kong International Airport delivered double-digit increases in passenger and cargo throughput as well as flight movements, according to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) Annual Report for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2025.
Published on Wednesday, the report confirms that passenger traffic increased 21.6% year-over-year to 54.9 million, cargo throughput rose 10.3% to 5.0 million tonnes, and flight movements climbed 20.5% to reach 373,050. In 2024, HKIA was named the world’s busiest cargo airport for the 14th time since 2010.
(Photo credit: HKIA)
HKIA’s air network continued to grow during the fiscal year, with 27 airlines launching new routes or expanding services to 56 destinations. As of the end of the 2024/25 fiscal year, approximately 140 airlines were serving at HKIA, connecting to more than 200 destinations.
AAHK delivered a sound financial performance in fiscal 2024/25, driven by traffic growth and higher revenue. It recorded a profit of HKD2,457 million, and the Board declared a dividend of HKD1,300 million payable to the Hong Kong SAR Government. It is the first dividend payment since 2014/15, when AAHK began retaining operating surpluses to finance the Three-runway System (3RS) project.
AAHK Chairman Fred Lam said: “The past year was pivotal for HKIA as we crossed key milestones and air traffic continued its solid recovery. The Three-runway System was commissioned on time and within budget in November 2024, boosting the airport’s annual capacity by 50% and strengthening our status as one of the world’s largest and most important aviation hubs. We have also laid the groundwork for realising our strategic vision of transforming a city airport into an Airport City, with the extended development blueprint unveiled under a new brand, SKYTOPIA, which has received a positive market response. I am glad that our achievements and vision for the future are enjoying increasing support from different sectors of the community. Though we are facing global economic uncertainties, we are confident in the future of Hong Kong’s aviation industry and the Airport City development.”
SKYTOPIA, unveiled in January 2025, embodies AAHK’s vision to create a world-class destination for visitors and residents that integrates entertainment, popular culture, yachting, art trading and storage, and leisure, among others. SKYTOPIA will enable HKIA to provide further contribution to Hong Kong’s economic development as a key growth engine.
In 2024/25, the value of cargo moved through HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park, which offers a novel sea–air intermodal transhipment service for air freight, grew to around RMB18 billion, indicating that members of the air cargo community have been actively utilising the service. The development of a permanent facility for the HKIA Dongguan Logistics Park commenced during the year as planned.
Another game-changing development in 2024/25 was the successful conclusion of an agreement to acquire 35% of Zhuhai Airport’s shares. The acquisition serves as a launchpad for HKIA and Zhuhai to elevate the partnership and unlock the full potential of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge for serving travellers and supporting the growth of the cargo business.
ABU DHABI, 18 July 2025: Etihad Airways has announced seven additional new destinations earlier this week as part of its strategy to expand its network and drive more point-to-point traffic to its Abu Dhabi home base.
The new destinations — Almaty, Kazakhstan; Baku, Azerbaijan; Bucharest, Romania; Medina, Saudi Arabia; Tbilisi, Georgia; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Yerevan, Armenia — will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a thriving hub for tourism, culture, and commerce.
Photo credit: Etihad.
Sales opened this week for services to Medina (November 2025) and also for the six other destinations scheduled to start in March 2026.
These latest additions bring Etihad’s total number of new destinations for 2025 to 27, following earlier announcements of year-round routes and seasonal services.
Etihad’s Chief Executive Officer, Antonoaldo Neves, said: “Our goal is clear, we want to bring more people directly to Abu Dhabi. These new routes connect us to fast-growing, culturally rich regions and will help stimulate demand for tourism and trade in the UAE’s capital.
“With these seven additions, Etihad will have announced or commenced operations to 27 new routes in a single year – a remarkable milestone that reflects our ambition and commitment to Abu Dhabi’s growth.”
Etihad has already inaugurated flights to four new destinations this year — Prague, Warsaw, Sochi and Atlanta — and is set to add another 13 routes before the year closes.
The announcement comes just days after Etihad unveiled three new seasonal summer destinations for 2026: Kraków in Poland, Salalah in Oman, and Kazan in Russia, all set to operate during the peak travel months, May to September 2026
BANGKOK, 18 July 2025: Travellers can fly direct from Bangkok (DMK) to the city of Hai Phong (HPH) in Vietnam, now that AirAsia serves the route with four weekly flights every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.
The inaugural flight took off on Wednesday, 16 July, with celebrations in both cities.
Photo credit: AirAsia. A320s fly the DMK-HPH route.
To celebrate the first flight, warm welcome activities were held at both Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport and Hai Phong’s Cat Bai International Airport. AirAsia deploys a 180-seat Airbus A320 on the route for the one-hour, 55-minute flight to the northern port city in Vietnam, located at the estuary of the Red River Delta.
Thai AirAsia CEO Santisuk Klongchaiya said: “Vietnam remains one of AirAsia’s key strategic markets and has presented us with strong growth prospects. As we continue to enhance our network, guests can look out for more travel options covering even more destinations across the region,” he added.
Flight schedule
FD670 departs Bangkok (DMK) at 1030 and arrives in Hai Phong (HPH) at 1230. (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday). FD671 departs Hai Phong (HPH) at 1300 and arrives in Bangkok (DMK) at 1455
Hai Phong is just a 50-minute drive from the world-famous Ha Long Bay, and as the third-largest city in Vietnam, it is renowned for its local cuisine and tourism potential.
To mark the new route, AirAsia is offering one-way fares starting at THB 1,790 for bookings made by midnight on 27 July 2025, valid for travel between 28 July and 24 October 2025, via the airline’s website, AirAsia MOVE.
Thai AirAsia operates the most direct flights from Bangkok (DMK) to Vietnam, covering six cities: Hanoi (21 flights/week), Ho Chi Minh City (25 flights/week), Da Nang (21 flights/week), Nha Trang (daily), Phu Quoc (daily), Hai Phong (four flights/week) and Chiang Mai to Hanoi (daily).
BANGKOK, 17 July 2025: BWH Hotels, a leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, has signed a strategic new agreement with Savers Group Holdings Inc. that will accelerate the expansion of its hotel and resort portfolio in the Philippines.
Pampanga-based conglomerate Savers Group Holdings is a pioneer in several industries with diversified interests in the hospitality, real estate and retail sectors. It currently owns two well-established Best Western properties in the Philippines – Best Western Plus Metro Clark and Best Western Plus Hotel Subic – both of which have undergone complete renovations and relaunches in recent years. Now, Savers Group Holdings is set to become the authorised Area Development Office (ADO) and official representative of BWH Hotels in the Philippines, promoting regional growth, investment, and community development.
“At BWH Hotels, we are thrilled to sign this comprehensive ADO and representation agreement with Savers Group Holdings. This is more than just a signing—it’s the beginning of a shared vision for the Philippines hospitality industry,” said BWH Hotels Vice President – APAC, Olivier Berrivin. “Our longstanding relationship with Savers Group, built over more than a decade, underscores the value we place on trusted regional partnerships.
With their proven local expertise and strong track record, we are confident this collaboration will accelerate the growth of our internationally recognised brands across the Philippines. Together, we look forward to a long-term partnership built on service excellence and strategic expansion.”
This collaboration will support the development of new projects under seven of BWH’s popular brands: Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Best Western Plus, BW Signature Collection, SureStay by Best Western, SureStay Plus by Best Western, SureStay Studio by Best Western, and SureStay Collection by Best Western.
BWH Hotels currently operates a portfolio of seven hotels and resorts in the Philippines, spanning popular destinations such as Angeles City, Cebu City, Clark, Panglao, Puerto Princesa, and Subic Bay.
