Latest Stories

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

IT&CMA and CTW celebrate two milestones

ITB Asia 2017 sees successful buyer programme partnerships following increased involvement of exhibitors

13th ITE HCMC to cement Vietnam’s coveted standing as top travel destination

Hong Kong Disneyland’s Marvel 10K Weekend returns

Vietnam remains key focus for hotel investors and operators – JLL

Japan Cruise Lines commits to grow cruise tourism in the Philippines

SuperStar Virgo debuts homeporting in Shanghai from July to November; ports of call to include Tokyo and Mt. Fuji

Plaza Premium Lounge named best independent airport lounge

Hong Kong Disneyland resort continues growing as Marvel’s Asia epicenter this summer

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

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

Europe is the official Partner Destination for ITB China 2017

First Partner Destination ever – official announcement of partnership between European Travel Commission and ITB China on 31 January in Brussels Europe as one destination: Europe is the Official Partner Destination of ITB China 2017. A corresponding agreement was signed on 31 January 2017 by Mr. David Axiotis, General Manager ITB China and Mr. Eduardo… more

PHL aims to get sizeable share from projected 121-M ASEAN arrivals

The Philippine Department of Tourism aims to boost its tourist arrivals by enticing the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) into visiting the Philippines. DOT Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo made her pitch at the 20th ASEAN Tourism Ministers meeting at the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Singapore held from January 19… more

1 in 10 of all tourism investment dollars go into ASEAN by 2026, says WTTC

ASEAN is one of the world’s most tourism dependent regions with Travel & Tourism contributing 12.4% of total GDP, nearly 4% above most of the other world’s regions. One in ten of all tourism investment dollars will go into ASEAN countries over the next ten years, according to new research by the World Travel &… more

Transportation

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

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 to 33… more

SuperStar Virgo debuts homeporting in Shanghai from July to November; ports of call to include Tokyo and Mt. Fuji

Shanghai, China – Due to popular demand, Star Cruises has enhanced its itineraries from Shanghai to meet International standards of 8-Day/7-Night voyages, now taking in the capital city of Tokyo and the iconic Mt. Fuji, two “must see” destinations in Japan, in addition to Osaka and Kagoshima. The new cruise season will begin on July… more

Plaza Premium Lounge named best independent airport lounge

Hong Kong – Plaza Premium Lounge, the world largest independent airport lounge network, is proud to receive the “World’s Best Independent Airport Lounge” accolade from Skytrax at 2017 World Airline Awards at the Paris Air Show. Plaza Premium Lounge reaps a harvest of hard work in 2017 as their London Heathrow Terminal 2 (#1), Hong… more

Puregold unveils plane livery partnership with AirAsia

Clark, Pampanga – Philippine retailer, Puregold Price Club Inc., is going full swing and taking its retail marketing from the ground to the skies with the forma launching of its new plane livery. In partnership with AirAsia, voted the world’s best low cost carrier for eight consecutive years and a proudly ASEAN airline, Puregold… 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

OUR LATEST ISSUE

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.