Abu Dhabi unveils advanced air mobility network

November 12, 2025

Abu Dhabi has launched the first vertiport network to support advanced air mobility across the emirate, offering a new way for travellers to move between key urban, business and tourism hubs.

The initiative, led by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), and Abu Dhabi Airports, is part of the emirate’s push to integrate sustainable and low-emission transport solutions.

The initiative integrates next-generation air mobility into the city’s transport system, linking airports, islands, and business districts

The network will include more than 10 vertiports, with Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport confirmed as key locations, connecting destinations such as Yas Island, Saadiyat and Abu Dhabi Island. Each vertiport will link with existing ground transport systems, providing seamless connections for passengers.

The vertiport network positions Abu Dhabi as a global pioneer in advanced urban mobility, offering travellers faster, cleaner and more efficient access across the emirate’s key destinations.

“This strategic initiative places Abu Dhabi at the forefront of next-generation mobility, exemplifying the power of partnerships between government and the private sector,” shared Badr Al-Olama, director-general of ADIO. “The launch of Abu Dhabi’s vertiport network marks a strategic step forward in building a future-ready transport system that integrates advanced air mobility solutions.”

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA, added: “What we are witnessing today marks the beginning of a new era, reflecting a qualitative leap in aviation infrastructure and reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to leading the global shift towards smarter and more sustainable mobility.”

Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “As the anchor delivery partner, Abu Dhabi Airports will be critical in shaping the infrastructure, operations and commercial readiness of advanced air mobility in the emirate… (cementing) Abu Dhabi’s position at the forefront of advanced air mobility.”

Oceania Cruises brings winter to the Mediterranean

By TTG Asia

November 12, 2025

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Oceania Cruises is offering its first full winter season of Mediterranean sailings aboard Oceania Allura in 2027-28, inviting travellers to explore Europe’s destinations at a slower pace.

The 17 itineraries, ranging from nine to 26 days, cover ports from Barcelona in the west to Istanbul in the east, combining cultural highlights with seasonal experiences such as Christmas markets, artisan bazaars, and local culinary offerings.

Oceania Allura explores the Mediterranean, including a scenic winter sail through Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor; photo by Oceania Cruises

Guests can explore historic cities, stroll cobbled streets, and enjoy the quieter side of the Mediterranean. In Montenegro’s Bay of Kotor, limestone cliffs surround the medieval old town, while Cagliari in Sardinia offers coastal charm with cooler sunlit beaches. Onboard, travellers can join cooking classes, art workshops, or digital skills sessions in the LYNC Digital Center.

Highlights include a 10-day voyage from Trieste to Barcelona departing November 7, 2027, which visits Koper, Dubrovnik, Greek islands, Athens and Catania, and a 14-day sailing from Barcelona to Rome departing December 20, 2027, passing through Valencia, Casablanca and Tangier. A nine-day Istanbul to Rome voyage departing February 19, 2028, begins with an overnight in Istanbul and visits Greek ports before tracing the Italian coastline to Rome.

Other itineraries range from nine to 26 days, connecting Athens, Rome, Barcelona, Istanbul and beyond, with opportunities for extended stays in port, overnight calls and immersive local experiences.

For more information, visit Oceania Cruises.

Festive cheer returns to Marina Bay Sands

By TTG Asia

November 12, 2025

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From November 8 to December 29, Marina Bay Sands (MBS) will transform into a festive wonderland inspired by The Nutcracker butler, blending Christmas tradition with modern storytelling.

The resort will feature 88 nutcracker butlers and nearly 190 Christmas trees, beginning at the Porte Cochere where 2.1-metre-tall figures greet guests at The Nutcracker Station.

The Levitating Fir Forest at Marina Bay Sands, pictured, transforms the mall into a festive wonderland; photo by Marina Bay Sands

In the Hotel Lobby, a multi-tiered Great Glistening Tree sits beneath a carousel-inspired dome, topped by a nutcracker placing the final star. At The Shoppes, nutcracker butlers appear throughout a Levitating Fir Forest and the Midnight Toy Factory, where they prepare gifts. Twice nightly at 19.30 and 20.30, The Nutcracker Butler’s Concerto will animate the mall with twinkling lights, visuals and music. From November 7 to 21, the building’s façade will light up in champagne gold, while projections at the ArtScience Museum will spread festive cheer around the bay.

From now to November 30, every adult ticket to ArtScience Museum exhibitions, Sampan Rides or Digital Light Canvas by teamLab includes two free child tickets, while in December, a Christmas package at S$20 (US$14.70) per person or S$80 per family includes both festive Sampan Rides through The Shoppes or interactive displays at Digital Light Canvas, plus festive gifts.

Additionally, to welcome 2026, Countdown in the Sky returns to the SkyPark Observation Deck on December 31 from 22.30 to 02.00, featuring fireworks, live music, and a complimentary drink and snack. Tickets start from S$188.

For more information, visit Marina Bay Sands.

Sri Lankan hotels launch own tourism campaign

By Feizal Samath

November 11, 2025

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Sri Lankan hotels, frustrated by the prolonged delay in a national tourism branding campaign, have jointly launched their own digital marketing initiative targeting travellers from the Middle East and East Asia.

The campaign, which began end October, is aimed at attracting visitors from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Sri Lanka’s private sector drives new digital push to attract travellers from the Middle East and East Asia

According to Dmitri Cooray, managing director at Jetwing Hotels, the initiative targets high-spending travellers from shorthaul destinations and markets with year-round outbound travel, unlike Western markets where travel is largely seasonal.

The Truly Sri Lanka digital destination campaign is led by The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL). Launching the campaign, THASL President M Shanthikumar said the private sector initiative “goes a long way in promoting Sri Lanka’s diverse tourism prospects to the markets that come under this programme”.

Krishan Balendra, chairman of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, shared: “This small value campaign is something better than nothing as the authorities are taking a long time to launch a campaign to attract tourists to a country that has won a lot of accolades in recent times from the global leisure industry.”

The three- to six-month campaign, initially supported by 60 of THASL’s 300 member hotels, is expected to attract more participants as it gains momentum. The current investment in the campaign totals 25 million rupees (US$82,000).

Trip.com teams up with Türkiye to expand tourism reach

By TTG Asia

November 11, 2025

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Türkiye is positioning itself as a major global destination through a new strategic partnership between Trip.com Group and the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA).

The collaboration seeks to highlight the country’s cultural depth, natural landscapes, and range of experiences to new audiences, particularly in Asia.

From left: Trip.com Group’s Amanda Wang and Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency’s Sinan Seha Türkseven at Trip.com Group’s Global Partner Summit in Istanbul

Trip.com Group data shows a 38 per cent year-on-year increase in inbound flight bookings to Türkiye in 1H2025, with hotel bookings rising 16 per cent. Top source markets include the UK, Germany, and China, while Indonesia recorded a 178 per cent rise in bookings.

The partnership will focus on improving airline connectivity, expanding accommodation options, and enhancing in-destination experiences such as attractions and tours. Co-branded campaigns will showcase Türkiye’s diverse destinations, from Istanbul and Cappadocia to Antalya, Izmir, and the country’s regional cuisines.

Trip.com Group plans to use its marketing and technology platforms to reach travellers across the Asia-Pacific region, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The initiative aims to strengthen Asia–Europe travel flows and deepen Türkiye’s ties with key markets.

Trip.com Group’s presence in Türkiye, including its Istanbul office, signals a long-term commitment to supporting local partners and the wider tourism sector. The company is also helping travellers identify GSTC-certified hotels on its platforms, reinforcing its support for sustainable and responsible travel.

Amanda Wang, vice president of global strategic partnership & projects at Trip.com Group, said: “Türkiye is one of those destinations that truly has everything: beauty, culture, history, and an incredible story to tell. This partnership with TGA is about turning that story into meaningful travel experiences. To pursue this vision, we are curating high-end journeys that blend cultural authenticity with digital innovation.

“We’re excited to help more travellers, especially from Asia, discover the magic of Türkiye and to work closely with local partners to drive sustainable growth for the industry.”

Sinan Seha Türkseven, the general manager of TGA, stated: “Türkiye’s tourism destinations provide memorable travel experiences to all visitors. Given our extensive shared history spanning thousands of years, we are particularly enthusiastic about welcoming more Chinese travellers, as we are confident in our ability to offer them the distinctive, exceptional experiences they deserve.”

Singapore moves toward net zero aviation with 2026 fuel levy

By TTG Asia

November 11, 2025

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Singapore will introduce a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Levy for all flights departing from the country starting October 1, 2026, with the levy applying to tickets and services sold from April 1, 2026.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said the levy will apply to all Origin-Destination passengers, as well as general and business aviation flights.

Passengers on flights departing Singapore will pay a new levy from October 2026 to support the nation’s goal of achieving net zero aviation emissions by 2050

The levy supports Singapore’s goal of achieving a one per cent SAF blend by 2026 and three to five per cent by 2030, as part of efforts to reach net zero aviation emissions by 2050.

Set according to flight distance, the levy is grouped into four geographical bands. Economy class passengers will pay S$1.00 (US$0.74) to Bangkok, S$2.80 to Tokyo, S$6.40 to London, and S$10.40 to New York.

Premium cabin passengers will pay four times the economy rate. Airlines must list the levy as a separate line item on tickets.

General and business aviation flights will be charged per aircraft, with rates from S$40 for a Cessna 404 Titan flying within South-east Asia to S$6,500 for an A380 travelling to the Americas.

CAAS said the lower-than-expected levy amounts reflect reduced SAF costs compared to earlier estimates. Funds collected will go into a statutory SAF Fund managed by CAAS and administered by the newly established Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company for SAF procurement and related costs.

CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan said: “The introduction of the SAF Levy marks a major step forward in Singapore’s effort to build a more sustainable and competitive air hub. It provides a mechanism for all aviation users to do their part to contribute to sustainability at a cost which is manageable for the air hub.”

Tapping into travel’s cashless future in Asia

By Industry Expert

November 11, 2025

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In Asia-Pacific’s vibrant travel scene, payments are becoming as much a part of the journey as airports and attractions, with 60 per cent of South-east Asian consumers preferring to go cashless.

Travellers across the region are tapping, scanning and swiping their way through journeys that once involved costly currency exchanges and managing paper receipts. This transformation goes beyond convenience, reflecting a broader change in mindset where speed, flexibility, transparency, and choice define every transaction from booking to checkout.

Asia’s mobile-first economies and financial technology (fintech) innovation have accelerated this shift, with digital wallets like GrabPay becoming everyday essentials while Western markets still rely on traditional credit card infrastructure and even cash in some markets.

Still, the shift towards cashless travel in Asia-Pacific remains uneven. China leads with digital wallets making up 82 per cent of e-commerce while Singapore still favours credit cards in-store and digital wallets online. Cash still holds appeal in Japan and the Philippines, showing that flexibility and trust remain key in this evolving payments landscape where digital adoption does not always reflect economic development.

For the travel industry, this evolution presents both opportunity and complexity. With varying levels of digital payments across the region, digital travel platforms must balance innovation with inclusivity, modernising mobile-first payment experiences without leaving any traveller behind.

Bridging the cashless divide in Asia-Pacific with fintech
The shift towards cashless commerce is transforming travel across Asia-Pacific, where digital payments are expanding financial access for travellers and merchants alike. Non-digital payments are expected to account for only six per cent of South-east Asia’s e-commerce transactions by 2028, with mobile wallets, domestic transfers, credit cards, and Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) options making up the rest. This rapid digitalisation highlights how quickly cash is fading from travel, while underscoring the need for inclusivity amid concerns over cybersecurity and data privacy.

Against this backdrop, Booking.com is leading the shift towards a cashless, frictionless travel economy. Guided by its fintech vision to remove payment barriers, the company’s Payments by Booking.com platform allows travellers to book stays worldwide using their preferred payment method, including e-wallets, credit cards and BNPL. In 2024, Booking.com processed 59 per cent of total gross bookings, reflecting travellers’ demand for seamless mobile-first payments.

Booking.com’s digital payment ecosystem actively fuels industry growth by simplifying cross-border payments and currency conversion, empowering travellers with greater choice while helping independent accommodation expand globally, improving cash flow and reducing operational hurdles.

This ripple effect strengthens the entire travel value chain. Booking.com’s partnership with Antom demonstrates how digital travel platforms can enhance cross‑border payments without excessive complexity, offering over 10 local payment options across eight key markets including PayPay, ShopeePay, NaverPay, AlipayHK, GrabPay, Touch ‘n Go, through a single integration.

Looking ahead
As fintech and travel continue to converge, digital payments are becoming the invisible backbone of a truly connected trip, linking discovery, booking and post-stay experiences. For digital travel platforms like Booking.com, the goal is to harness innovation and partnerships to make travel simpler, safer, more local and more rewarding for everyone.

Contemporary Indonesian art arrives at The Hari Hong Kong

By TTG Asia

November 11, 2025

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The Hari Hong Kong has partnered with White Cube Hong Kong to present Thresholds, a group exhibition showcasing contemporary artists whose practices are rooted in or connected to Indonesia.

The exhibition, on view at the hotel until March 31, 2026, explores cycles of life, death and transformation through painting, sculpture, textiles, drawing and silverware, with a focus on ritual, spirituality and reincarnation.

The exhibition features contemporary Indonesian artworks reflecting life, transformation and ritual

Thresholds brings together multigenerational artists whose work charts personal journeys of transformation – spiritual, political, physical or mythological – offering a chorus of experiences shaped by the crossing of a ‘threshold’.

Inspired by the black-and-white Balinese poleng cloth, the works reflect a harmony of opposites, showing that light and dark can coexist in balance.

Visitors can also enjoy Indonesian-inspired menu specials at The Hari Hong Kong. At The Lounge, where the exhibition adorns the walls, offerings include chicken karaage wrapped in pandan leaf, pandan coconut panna cotta, and the Threshold Special, a pandan-flavoured cocktail or mocktail.

Thresholds, curated by Galuh Sukardi, is on view at White Cube Hong Kong until January 10, 2026, and continues at The Hari Hong Kong until March 31, 2026.

For more information, visit The Hari Hong Kong.

Philippine tourism set for boost with Michelin Guide launch

By Rosa Ocampo

November 10, 2025

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The Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT) plans to conduct annual inspections of local restaurants as it anticipates the launch of the Michelin Guide 2026 Philippine edition to help revive the country’s declining tourist arrivals.

Tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said institutionalising the Michelin Guide Philippine edition would involve yearly inspections of restaurants across the country, potentially expanding coverage to Western Visayas and Mindanao.

The new Michelin Guide is expected to highlight Filipino cuisine on the global stage

Currently limited to Manila, its surrounding areas and Cebu, the Michelin Guide 2026 has awarded two stars to Helm in Makati, one star to eight restaurants, the Bib Gourmand distinction (for good food at moderate prices) to 25 establishments, and the Guide’s Selected recognition (for quality cuisine, dining experience and consistency) to 74 establishments.

Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) executive director Benito Bengzon Jr. said the Michelin Guide Philippine edition “obviously raises the profile of the country as a whole as a culinary tourism destination as well as it provides direct benefits to our hotels and resorts where some of those restaurants were identified”.

“So I think overall this is good for tourism, for the hospitality industry and hopefully the list will expand in the years to come,” Bengzon added, noting PHOA supports efforts to feature as many destinations as possible because “what we want is to have a good distribution of travellers”.

Frasco said it took three years to bring the Michelin Guide 2026 Philippine edition to fruition, as part of efforts to place Philippine gastronomy on the global stage.

Feedback from the travel trade has described the Philippines’ inclusion in the Michelin Guide as a boost for tourism, with more tour operators now incorporating culinary tours and experiences as interest in Philippine cuisine grows.

The DoT’s Roadmap for Gastronomy Tourism, and its inclusion for the first time in the National Tourism Development Plan, have encouraged the development of market tourism, Binondo Chinatown food crawls, carinderia (small eatery) tours, farm-to-table experiences and similar offerings in tour packages.

Norwegian Cruise Line sees strong fly-cruise demand from Asia

By S Puvaneswary

November 10, 2025

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is seeing a robust upswing in fly-cruise demand from Asia, with growing interest in shorter, immersive itineraries and a rise in multigenerational and incentive travel groups.

Damian Borg, senior director of sales, Asia Pacific at NCL, said: “We’re seeing increasing demand from this market into regions like Europe, particularly the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. Our new seven-day one-way open-jaw itineraries to the Mediterranean, starting and finishing on weekends, have really resonated with time-conscious Asian travellers.”

Borg: we’re seeing increasing demand from (Asia) into regions like Europe, particularly the Mediterranean and Northern Europe

Borg noted that itineraries featuring extended port hours averaging 10 hours per stop, and occasional overnight stays in cities such as Istanbul, Reykjavik and Santorini, are especially appealing.

He added: “They’re very immersive and allow guests to really explore and connect with destinations without feeling rushed.”

The line’s Haven ‘ship-within-a-ship’ concept continues to attract multigenerational families from Asia. Located on select ships, The Haven offers private suite accommodation with 24-hour butler and concierge service, an exclusive sun deck, pool, and restaurant, along with priority embarkation and disembarkation. Guests also enjoy access to all ship amenities outside The Haven, combining exclusivity with variety.

“It provides the convenience of a large ship with the exclusivity and personalised service of a small one. We’re seeing grandparents opting for The Haven’s comfort while their children and grandchildren enjoy the rest of the ship,” Borg explained.

To meet growing regional demand, NCL will reintroduce Norwegian Jade to Asia in October 2026 with 10- to 14-day cherry blossom sailings across Japan.

It is also strengthening its Australia and New Zealand offerings with Norwegian Spirit, which will feature the line’s first-ever four-night taster cruises from Sydney to Tasmania in January 2027, an itinerary Borg expects to be “extremely popular” among Asian travellers looking for short cruises in the region.

Travel for business events is also gaining traction.

Borg shared: “We’ve seen more than 10 per cent year-on-year growth in incentive groups out of Asia.”

He added that outbound incentive groups from Asia are increasingly choosing sailings in Alaska, the Mediterranean and Hawaii, with the latter particularly appealing for its convenient weekly departures from Honolulu.

He noted that the recently launched Norwegian Aqua in April 2025, and the soon-to-be-launched Norwegian Luna in early 2026, both sailing in the Caribbean, will enhance guest experiences and may pave the way for further ship redeployments to the Asia-Pacific region.

Abu Dhabi unveils advanced air mobility network

Oceania Cruises brings winter to the Mediterranean

Festive cheer returns to Marina Bay Sands

Sri Lankan hotels launch own tourism campaign

Trip.com teams up with Türkiye to expand tourism reach

Singapore moves toward net zero aviation with 2026 fuel levy

Tapping into travel’s cashless future in Asia

Contemporary Indonesian art arrives at The Hari Hong Kong

Philippine tourism set for boost with Michelin Guide launch

Norwegian Cruise Line sees strong fly-cruise demand from Asia

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