1st International Congress of Pilgrims and Religious Tourism

Latest Stories

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort celebrates 12th year

Dream Cruises’ newest luxury ship World Dream to debut in China

Plaza Premium and SATS to build lounge at Changi’s new T4

Filipino photographer bags runner-up in regional competition

Philippines grants Chinese tourists VOA, India on the radar

Royal Caribbean to make 5 port calls into the Philippines in 2018

Iloilo’s heritage hotel rebranded as The Mansion

Sabre released The Future of Luxury Travel report

ITB Asia announces partnership with KTO

IT&CM Asia 2017 localizes preview reception in Bangkok to woo Thai buyers

Event Calendar

PATA Adventure Travel Market
1-4 April 2017, Lee Royal Hotel Mudu, Luoyang, China
Visit PATA Adventure Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America
4-6 April 2017. Expo Center Norte, Sao Paolo, Brazil
Visit World Travel Market (WTM) Latin America

International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF) 2017
5-7 April 2017, Disneyland Paris, France
Visit International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF) 2017

Madrid Fusion Manila
6-8 April 2017, SMX Convention Centre, Pasay Philippines
Visit Madrid Fusion Manila

21st Global Lodging Forum
10-11 April 2017, Pullman Paris Montparnasse, France
Visit 21st Global Lodging Forum

CLIA Cruise360 2017
18-24 April 2017, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Visit CLIA Cruise360 2017

World Travel Market Africa
19-21 April 2017, Cape Town Int’l Convention Center, South Africa
Visit World Travel Market Africa

Incentive Travel Exchange
23-26 April 2017, Delano Las Vegas, Nevada
Visit Incentive Travel Exchange

Routes Europe 2017
23-26 April 2017, Belfast Waterfront, Northern Ireland
Visit Routes Europe 2017

World Travel Fair
20-23 April 2017, China
Visit World Travel Fair

ITB China
10-12 May 2017, Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Conference Center, Shanghai China
Visit ITB China

World Routes 2017
23-26 September 2017, Fira Gran Via, Barcelona, Spain
Visit World Routes 2017

Arabian Travel Mart (ATM)
24-27 April 2017, Dubai Int’l Convention and Exhibition Centre, UAE
Visit Arabian Travel Mart (ATM)

IT&CM Asia & CTW
26-28 September 2017, Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Thailand
Visit IT&CM Asia & CTW

ITB Asia
27-29 October 2017, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Visit ITB Asia

Travel Trade

Philippines grants Chinese tourists VOA, India on the radar

MANILA – Finally, the hard work of the Department of Tourism has paid off with the issuance of Department of Justice Circular no.51 granting Visa-On-Arrival (VOA) to mainland Chinese tourists. The VOA status for PROC nationals will apply to all arrivals at Philippine international airports in Manila—Cebu, Clark, Kalibo, Davao, Puerto Princesa, Subic, Bacolod-Silay—and… more

Sabre released The Future of Luxury Travel report

A newly-released report, The Future of Luxury Travel, by Sabre Hospitality Solutions in collaboration with TrendWatching reveals five key areas impacting how customers will choose luxury accommodations and experiences in the years ahead. Some key trends from the report include customization, no-frills chic, luxury on demand and travel that promotes personal and social values. “The evolution of high-end travel is creating a marketplace where ‘luxury’ is… more

Hong Kong Disneyland’s Marvel 10K Weekend returns

Hong Kong Disneyland is proud to announce that the Marvel 10K Weekend will be held on September 16 and 17. The event continues the excitement of the park’s latest Marvel-themed attraction, Iron Man Experience, and the current Marvel Super Hero Summer event. Marvel Super Heroes will show up to cheer for runners, making it a… more

Asia Pacific hotel performance for 2017

The hotel industry in the Asia Pacific region reported positive results in the three key performance metrics during April 2017, according to data provided by STR. However, the Philippines’ performance was negatively affected by the Easter calendar shift (March 2016 to April 2017), and demand dropped by 1.9% year over year. From an occupancy percentage… more

Transportation

Dream Cruises’ newest luxury ship World Dream to debut in China

HONG KONG – Genting Cruise Lines is set to launch World Dream, Asia’s newest luxury cruise ship from Dream Cruises, this November at her dual homeports in Hong Kong and Guangzhou (Nansha) to continue to grow the Pearl River Delta cruise industry and provide fly/cruise options for the region with new itineraries to Vietnam and the… more

Plaza Premium and SATS to build lounge at Changi’s new T4

SINGAPORE – Plaza Premium Group has been awarded an airport lounge contract in partnership with SATS Airport Services by Changi Airport Group. Both partners are to jointly design, build, operate and manage a brand new lounge named Blossom – SATS & Plaza Premium Lounge (Blossom Lounge) as the only independent airport lounge in the new Terminal 4 (T4)… more

Royal Caribbean to make 5 port calls into the Philippines in 2018

MANILA – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) continues to expand in Asia enjoying unprecedented growth. In an exclusive interview, Sean Treacy, managing director for Asia Pacific of Royal Caribbean International (RCI) said, ”It’s been a remarkable growth having started in Asia in 2007 with just 6 sailings out of Singapore aboard Rhapsody of the Seas, a 2,000-passenger… more

Batik Air to drive new growth with Sabre as its first-ever GDS partner

INDONESIA – Batik Air, Indonesia’s full serviced expands reach and global network through its first GDS partner, Sabre. Indonesia has one of the world’s largest travel markets with a growing economy and affluence, creating an increasingly competitive landscape among local airlines. Batik Air is one of the two full-service airlines based in Indonesia which flies… more

Destination

Vietnam remains key focus for hotel investors and operators – JLL

Attracted by a rapidly growing tourism sector, rapid economic development and infrastructure investments, according to real estate consultancy JLL SINGAPORE, 6 July 2017 – Vietnam’s rapid growth as a tourism destination has placed it on the investor radar as a key hospitality investment destination. The country has boosted its infrastructure to lure more foreign investors from… more

Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars at Changi Airport for “Nordic Adventures”

Singapore – Changi Airport is hosting a programme of Nordic-themed experience and activities from May 26 to June 25. Even if you are travelling to Singapore or passing through, take some time to say hello to Sanrio characters—Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars, Pompompurin, Gudetama, and Cinnamoroll. The characters will be roaming around Terminal 3… more

DOT unveils “new” Fort Santiago

In line with the “Intramuros Revival Project” initiated by the Department of Tourism (DOT) last year, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo on Monday led the opening of the newly renovated Paseo Soledad and Plaza Moriones in Fort Santiago. Plaza Moriones, the area leading to the iconic Fort Santiago, has been smoothed with flowering trees and a… more

Bataan Death March remembered at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, in partnership with the Ortigas Library Foundation, opened an exhibit yesterday entitled Bataan Death March: Remembered in celebration of the 75th year of valor and heroism that was shown by the USAFFE soldiers in Bataan during World War II. The exhibit is on permanent display at the Casa Candaba, one of… more

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MICE

Radisson Blu launches Blu Planet for Meetings

Radisson Blu, is launching Blu Planet for Meetings, making meetings carbon-free at Radisson Blu hotels worldwide by the end of the year. The selected First Climate carbon offsetting projects contribute to fighting global warming and support the UN Sustainable Development goals. “Since the COP21 climate accord, an increasing number of corporations are concerned about

People

New chief executive appointed to Tourism New Zealand

TOURISM NEW ZEALAND Chair Kerry Pendergast says she is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen England-Hall to the position of Chief Executive at Tourism New Zealand (TNZ). Stephen will commence in the role in early April 2017, based in Auckland. “Stephen will join Tourism New Zealnd after three-years as Chief Executive at Loyalty New Zealand

Insight Vacations introduces new president for Asia

Insight Vacations announced the appointment of Evon Ler as Insight Vacations’ president for Asia. Ler comes with a wealth of knowledge about the local regional markets and travel industry. She recently relocated back to Singapore from Hong Kong, where she was director of sales, South East Asia for Travelzoo. She has worked extensively across B2B

Roshan Mendis: New senior VP, Sabre Travel Network, Asia Pacific

Sabre Corporation announced the appointment of Roshan Mendis as senior vice president for Sabre Travel Network, Asia Pacific, following the completion of its acquisition of Abacus International on July 1. In his new role, Mendis will be responsible for the overall Sabre Travel Network business in the Asia Pacific region which will include the newly

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Travel Update Philippines

Established in 1996, Travel Update Philippines is the country's only travel trade newspaper, published twice each month for a total of 20 or more issues a year.