Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is marking International Dog Day on August 26 with a selection of pet-focused offerings available across selected properties. These complement its year-round pet services, which are designed to accommodate guests travelling with dogs.
A number of Fairmont hotels feature Canine Ambassadors – resident dogs that interact with guests and offer companionship in the lobby or on short walks. These include Serene at Fairmont Tokyo, Calla at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Cori Copley at Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, Georgie at Fairmont Washington, Ella and Elly at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, and Chardonnay at Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa.
Fairmont welcomes four-legged guests with world class hospitality and adorable Fairmont Canine Ambassadors across the globe
Several properties offer dog-specific amenities. Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Fairmont Copley Plaza provide in-room dog menus with protein-rich meals, such as codfish and caviar. Other hotels, including The Plaza in New York and Fairmont Olympic in Seattle, offer welcome packs with items like dog beds, feeding bowls, and bathrobes.
Some locations waive size or weight restrictions and do not charge additional pet fees.
Dog-walking services can be arranged at select properties, including Fairmont Waterfront and Fairmont Olympic. Fairmont also provides dog-friendly city guides at locations such as Banff Springs, Hotel Vancouver and Waterfront, highlighting nearby parks, patios, and trails.
At Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, guests can commission custom pet portraits through a local artist.
These services are available at selected Fairmont locations. Travellers are advised to check with individual properties for availability, pricing, and terms.
StarCruises will launch six two-night weekend cruises from Hong Kong to Xiamen aboard the Star Voyager, offering a short travel option departing Friday evenings from Ocean Terminal. The new sailings, scheduled for September 19 and 26; October 3, 17 and 31; and November 14, 2025, will replace the previously announced Weekend High Seas Cruises on those dates.
The round-trip cruise departs at 20.00 on Friday and returns at 14.00 on Sunday, providing travellers time to explore Xiamen without the need for flights or airport transfers. After sailing overnight, guests will arrive in Xiamen for a full day of shore-based activities.
The Star Voyager sets sail from Hong Kong to Xiamen with six special two-night Friday departures, starting this September
Xiamen is known for its coastal scenery and cultural landmarks including Gulangyu Island, Nanputuo Temple, and Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street. Travellers can visit heritage sites, sample Fujian cuisine and explore the city on foot before returning to the ship.
Emirates has made key commercial team changes in Asia, aimed at reinforcing its market presence and supporting the development of UAE National talent.
Effective August 1, Jaber Mohamed, currently country manager Bangladesh, will take on the role of country manager Sri Lanka and the Maldives. Replacing him in Bangladesh is Talal Al Gergawi, currently country manager Zimbabwe.
From left: Jaber Mohamed and Talal Al Gergawi
The appointments are part of Emirates’ commercial outstation managers programme, which provides Emirati leaders with opportunities to broaden their expertise and deepen their understanding of local markets through on-the-ground experience.
Sri Lanka has reintroduced plans to offer visa-free entry to nationals from 40 countries, though an implementation date has yet to be confirmed.
This marks a renewed effort following a similar proposal in August 2024 to extend visa-free travel to 35 countries, which was approved at cabinet level but never came into effect.
Visa-free access for 40 nationalities is expected to boost Sri Lanka’s tourism, pending final government approvals; Colombo in Sri Lanka, pictured
The latest announcement was made by Vijitha Herath, minister of foreign affairs, foreign employment and tourism, at the opening of the Hotel Show in Colombo. While full details were not disclosed, a list of eligible countries has since been released by the ministry.
The 40 countries include the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, the US, Canada, Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, New Zealand, Kuwait, Norway, Türkiye and Pakistan. Nationals from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are already eligible for visa-free travel.
The tourism industry has welcomed the move. Hotels Association of Sri Lanka president, M Shanthikumar, said the decision provides a welcome boost to the sector, which has been growing steadily. Sri Lanka is aiming to attract three million visitors in 2025, up from two million in the previous year.
Nishad Wijetunga, immediate past president of the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators, also supported the announcement but noted that the industry is still awaiting clarity on when the policy will take effect. Other industry sources suggest it could take up to two months to implement.
One industry source noted that although cabinet approval has been granted, parliamentary approval is still required due to the potential impact on government revenue, and expressed concern that the announcement was made before all necessary authorisations were secured.
Japan is stepping up efforts to promote its culinary culture to international visitors in a bid to enhance gastronomy tourism and better support local economies.
The government is targeting annual F&B spending by inbound tourists of 4.5 trillion yen (US$28.6 billion) by 2030. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), promotes rural trips, farm stays and agricultural experiences, in collaboration with the Japan Tourism Agency and Japan National Tourism Organization.
Farm visits and hands-on experiences, like strawberry picking, offer a deeper taste of Japan’s diverse culinary culture for visitors
With 1.6 trillion yen in F&B spending recorded by international visitors in 2023, there is still some way to go to reach the goal. However, a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in arrivals in the first half of 2025 is fuelling optimism.
Savor Japan, a website launched by MAFF to encourage travellers to “explore regional flavours” aims to showcase lesser-known culinary experiences, especially in regions less frequented by international tourists. Users can search by region or by category, including food, scenery, activities and sightseeing.
In Shizuoka Prefecture, visitors can pick and grill shiitake mushrooms at Shiitake Mushroom Village, or explore the Amagi mountains of Izu, home to Japan’s largest cultivated area for water wasabi and designated a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
For the more adventurous, activities include electric kick scooter tours in the port town of Abashiri, eastern Hokkaido, where participants can observe fishermen unloading salmon and scallops while learning about local fishing traditions.
At ASEAN-Indian Forum hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) on July 23, the topic of Thailand’s robust Indian weddings market took centre stage, with industry leaders noting Thailand’s draws as a top-of-mind destination for Indian weddings, thanks to cultural affinity, affordability, and ease of doing business.
“With over 300 destination weddings from India annually, it’s a tremendous opportunity. I’ve heard stories where people find it cheaper to host a 300-500 guest wedding in Thailand or Malaysia than in India,” commented Santosh Kumar, country head for India & Indonesia at Booking.com.
Panellists at the TAT’s ASEAN-India Forum discuss trends in outbound Indian travel to ASEAN countries at the Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok on July 23; photo by Anne Somanas
Shreyash Shah, commercial director at Destination Hospitality Management group – which owns and operates six hotels across Hua Hin, Phuket, and Pattaya including Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin – shared a similar perspective.
“Flying from Delhi to Bangkok is often less expensive than travelling to Goa. Hotels here are also more affordable,” he said, noting that most Indian weddings include four to five elaborate functions, making them highly lucrative for the local hospitality sector.
He noted that the three-hour drive from Bangkok to Hua Hin does not deter guests – in fact, the group has seen the seaside resort town leading as the most popular Indian wedding destination, followed by Phuket, Khao Lak and Pattaya.
Ram Sachdev, president of the Thai Indian Wedding Association, credits Thailand’s free visa policy for “giving wings” to the Indian wedding industry in Thailand.
“This is a sunrise market. We have everything you need – fantastic hospitality, exotic venues, local planners, decorators, make-up artists. Thailand is very self-sufficient. We don’t need to rely on anyone else,” he opined.
The country’s Thai-Indian diaspora also plays a crucial role.
“If you want Indian tourists, go to your Indian diaspora. They are the ones recommending hotels and wedding planners across their networks,” Sachdev recommended.
To meet surging demand, Shah revealed that companies like Destination Hospitality Management are reorganising.
“We’ve seen a 225 per cent increase in top-line revenue from Indian guests. We now have a dedicated vertical for Indian weddings and MICE; it’s the only market outperforming while China and Russia remain slow,” Shah explained.
Still, Sachdev cautioned: “Don’t think it’s easy. You’re feeding five meals a day to guests with strict dietary preferences. It’s complex.”
Sachdev called for a strategic repositioning of Thailand in the global wedding arena.
“We need to rebrand Thailand. Right now, we’re only attracting mid-tier weddings. The big fat Indian weddings are going to Europe,” he stated.
He pointed out that limited capacity is holding the country back, prompting many weddings to shift to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bali.
“Capacity is our biggest challenge. This is a huge market, and there’s even more growth coming. So, why don’t we pull together as a region and seize the opportunity?”
Beyond weddings, Sachdev flagged a rising adjacent segment: “If our research is correct, anniversaries and celebrations could match 50 per cent of wedding revenues in the next two years. This is bigger than the international conventions market. There’s massive room to grow.”
Agoda has launched its SG60 Celebration Campaign to promote tourism to and from Singapore as the country marks its 60th year of independence.
Running from August 1 to 15, 2025, the campaign will offer discounts of up to 20 per cent on inbound and outbound bookings. It aims to tap into heightened travel demand during this national milestone, with participation from major partners including Resorts World Sentosa, Furama Hotels International, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and Firefly.
Agoda marks Singapore’s 60th year with special travel deals and growing global interest
According to Agoda’s search data from April to June, key source markets for Singapore include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea, with Thailand recording a 10 per cent year-on-year increase in interest. Search volumes have also risen from longhaul markets such as Austria, Spain, and Denmark, underscoring Singapore’s growing global appeal.
On the outbound front, Singaporeans are searching for travel across more than 100 countries in 2025, with China showing a 40 per cent increase in interest year-on-year. Malaysia, Japan, and Indonesia continue to lead as the top destinations.
“As Agoda celebrates 20 years in Singapore, the SG60 Celebration Campaign is a special celebration for us,” said Andrew Smith, senior vice president of supply at Agoda. “Through our close collaboration with Singapore’s tourism authority in past years, we are using innovative, data-driven campaigns to showcase the city’s unique appeal to global travellers during the nation’s 60th year of independence.”
Mathew Chan, regional director of revenue at Furama Hotels International, added: “We’re truly excited to be part of the SG60 Celebration Campaign. This collaboration allows us to connect with both new and returning guests from around the world. We look forward to sharing the warmth of our hospitality and creating memorable experiences for every traveller who walks through our doors.”
Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has unveiled its 2027–2028 Voyage Collection, featuring 234 new itineraries across Africa and Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America, and the South Pacific.
Highlights include 19 new ports of call, five Grand Voyages, and the 133-night 2028 World Cruise aboard Seven Seas Splendor. New offerings include three overnight-only European itineraries, six round-trip voyages from Tokyo, one from Hong Kong, and a 32-night circumnavigation of Australia aboard Seven Seas Mariner. Also featured are 10 transoceanic crossings and 60 overnight stays in cities such as Lima, Reykjavík, and Rio de Janeiro.
Explore the world in ultra-luxury with Regent’s 2027–2028 Voyage Collection, featuring 234 immersive sailings to destinations including Rio, Tokyo, and Venice, pictured
The season also marks the full debut of Seven Seas Prestige, RSSC’s first new ship class in a decade. Launching in late 2026, the 77,000-ton vessel will operate 44 cruises across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. Though 40 per cent larger than previous ships, Prestige carries just 822 guests, offering enhanced space and personalised service. All-balcony suites span 12 categories, including the new 817m² Skyview Regent Suite – the largest all-inclusive ultra-luxury suite at sea. Dining options include 11 venues, among them a new Mediterranean speciality restaurant, Azure.
RSSC’s all-inclusive experience features unlimited shore excursions, fine dining, premium beverages, in-suite mini-bars, valet laundry, gratuities, Wi-Fi, onboard entertainment, and a pre-cruise hotel night for guests in Concierge Suites and above – all delivered with generous space and a high guest-to-crew ratio.
The collection spans the globe with diverse itineraries. In Africa and Arabia, Seven Seas Mariner visits Namibia, Angola, Madagascar and Réunion, with overnight stays in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Alaska is explored on seven-night cruises aboard Seven Seas Explorer and Splendor, featuring glacier viewing and ports such as Skagway and Juneau.
Asia offers 22 sailings aboard Explorer, Mariner, and Splendor, with highlights in Japan, Vietnam, and new ports in Indonesia and South Korea. Six cruises cover Australia and New Zealand, including fjord cruising and the full Australia circumnavigation. In Canada and New England, Seven Seas Grandeur sails five fall foliage voyages.
The Caribbean and Panama Canal collection includes 30 cruises, five festive sailings, and new stops in Cabo Rojo and San Andrés. The Mediterranean is covered in 48 sailings, with immersive overnights and new ports in Croatia, Italy, and Greece. Northern Europe features 31 voyages through the Baltics and Norwegian fjords, plus new stops in Scotland, Ireland, and Finland.
In South America, Seven Seas Voyager explores the Amazon, Antarctica and Chilean fjords, with overnights in Buenos Aires and Rio. Splendor heads to the South Pacific on four cruises visiting Tahiti, Fiji, Tonga and Hawaii. Ten transoceanic sailings round out the season with relaxed sea days and scenic island stops.
The Singapore Night Festival (SNF) returns from August 22 to September 6, 2025, under the direction of HeritageSG, a subsidiary of the National Heritage Board. Themed Island Nights, the 16th edition explores Singapore’s heritage as an island nation, with over 80 experiences across the Bras Basah.Bugis precinct.
This year’s festival coincides with the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence and features stories of connection and cultural exchange.
The Sky Castle installation by ENESS will transform Cathay Green into a colourful, interactive space that responds to movement with light and sound; photo by ENESS
The programme includes projection mapping on the façades of the National Museum of Singapore and CHIJMES, light installations across six locations, live performances, and festival villages. Visitors can explore Cathay Green, where the Sky Castle installation by ENESS responds to movement with light and sound, and Capitol Singapore, where Kampong Chill offers workshops and spaces for rest.
As part of its efforts to support the creative sector, SNF 2025 will also host the third edition of The Listening Biennial, alongside the inaugural ALIGHT Conference, which brings together artists and industry professionals from across South-east Asia. Local artists trained in the SNF Projection Mapping Masterclass will present works at CHIJMES.
Performances include LED shows by Starlight Alchemy, a community singalong of xinyao and folk songs, puppet theatre by Ombak Potehi from Penang, and a classic novel adaptation by Paper Monkey Theatre. The SMU Arts Fest: 2560 returns at Campus Green, and two festival villages – Paradise Island at Armenian Street and the new Retro District at Bugis Street Art Lane – will host a variety of experiences.
National Day activations begin on August 1, featuring monuments and hidden spaces reimagined as experiential zones. These reflect on Singapore’s food, flora, fauna, places and traditions, with a focus on Sungei Beras Bassa, a river once vital to nutmeg plantations in the area. This marks the first collaboration with LASALLE College of the Arts and Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts for this activation.
The Singapore Night Festival 2025 is organised by HeritageSG and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.
Following its debut in 2025, Explora Journeys, the ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, will return to Port Hercule for the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2026.
From June 3 to June 8, 2026, Explora I will be docked 150 metres from the track and serve as accommodation for guests attending the event.
Experience Monaco Grand Prix weekend in all-suite luxury aboard Explora I, just steps from the circuit
The 2025 edition saw Explora II positioned near the circuit, offering guests views of the racing activity in Port Hercule from the deck. Onboard, a mix of exhibitions and cultural programming was offered alongside access to the event. In 2026, the company plans to replicate and expand on this model.
Guests on Explora I will be able to stay in suites with sea views or outlooks towards Monaco. Dining options will include six restaurants, and beverages will be provided. The ship will also offer spa and fitness facilities and high-speed Wi-Fi. A series of Formula 1-related activities will take place onboard, including appearances by past and current drivers, as well as other entertainment. Race tickets and hospitality packages will be available for those reserving suites.
In 2025, the vessel hosted events such as the Vanity Fair Club and included experiences ranging from a virtual reality race simulator and racing-themed activities to jewellery showcases by brands including Buccellati, Panerai and Piaget. Appearances by figures such as Sir Jackie Stewart and David Coulthard were also part of the programme. Similar programming is planned for 2026, with the aim of offering an experience centred on the Monaco Grand Prix weekend from a location within walking distance of the circuit.
