Sri Lanka is expecting more than one million visitors this year, compared to the initial target of 900,000, after registering robust growth in arrivals and tourism receipts in the first quarter.
Worldhotels has established a foothold in the Philippines through a 10-year deal to provide sales, marketing and reservations support to the Worldhotel and Residences Makati, which is scheduled to open in metro Manila next year.
Garuda Airlines is planning to begin direct flights to Auckland, a move which will expand the Kiwi market for Indonesia and boost arrivals to New Zealand. There are currently no direct services between the two countries.
Singapore is now the top global destination for Chinese tourists to shop for luxury watches and jewellery, beating even Switzerland, known as a traditional stronghold for upscale timepieces.
TOHOKU Tourism Promotion Organization has launched a new buzzword, 'reconstruction tourism', launching tours to areas that are being rebuilt after the tsunami over a year ago and cajoling world travel leaders to use tourism's potential to help rebuild crisis-hit destinations.
IN A move to draw more Indian travellers, Atout France-France Tourism Development Agency has rolled out the France Celebrates India campaign, which offers a myriad travel offers on accommodation, attractions and entertainment.
Some travel companies in Singapore and China have joined forces to launch twice-weekly direct flights between Singapore and Nanning in southern China on Jetstar Asia.
Narita International Airport Corp has announced plans to build a new terminal for budget carriers by March 2015, in anticipation of the fast-growing LCC sector in Japan.
THE LAUNCH of two new India visa application centres (VACs) in Singapore, managed by VFS Global, received mixed responses from travel consultants, who welcomed the move but deemed it insignificant in boosting travel to India.
AIR India is making new product and distribution moves as part of a US$360 million financial restructuring plan, which will see it adding more economy-class seats and appointing GSAs in 56 countries.
THE INDONESIAN government is setting its sights on achieving one million arrivals from China by 2014, as it looks to tap on a recent MoU signed between the two countries.
THE JAPANESE embassy in India has appointed VFS Global and Cox & Kings to process visa applications from Northern Indian states, effective April 2, 2012.
DIETHELM Travel Malaysia and Golfasian, a Bangkok-based inbound operator specialising in golf tours to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia, have partnered up to promote golf tourism in Malaysia.
New Zealand’s boost from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy comes to mind, as does the increase in travel to the Greek islands showcased in “Mamma Mia.” But can a movie aimed at children have the same impact?
HONG KONG’s travel trade will see a change in industry regulator when the newly established Tourism Industry Authority (TIA) replaces the Travel Industry Council (TIC) within the next three years.