Aviation roundup: Scoot, Qantas and more

May 16, 2025

Scoot increases flight frequencies and capacity
Scoot has announced a series of flight frequency increases and capacity upgrades across its network to meet growing travel demand in the coming months.

From June 6, Scoot will double its flights to Iloilo City from two to four times weekly. Flights to Cebu will increase from seven to ten times weekly starting June 24, while services to Davao will rise from nine to 12 times weekly from August 30.

In Australia, Scoot will expand its Perth services from 12 to 14 weekly flights beginning August 4. Sydney services will also increase from 10 to 14 weekly flights starting October 5.

The airline will boost services to Koh Samui from 21 to 25 weekly flights from June 24. Flights to Taipei and Seoul (via Taipei) will become daily from August 2, up from five times weekly.

Scoot has already implemented several changes since March this year. Flights to Jakarta increased from 19 to 25 times weekly on March 30. Capacity to Bali has grown, with all 21 weekly flights now operated by Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Yogyakarta flights now use Airbus A321 aircraft on all seven weekly services.

Scoot has also increased capacity on its Taipei and Tokyo (via Taipei) route, with all 12 weekly services now operated by Boeing 787s since March 30. Additionally, the airline raised frequencies to Phu Quoc from five to six flights per week.

Qantas adds two new international routes, upgrades Dreamliner
Qantas has announced the launch of two new international routes from Perth, with direct flights to Auckland and Johannesburg set to commence in December 2025. These services will operate three times weekly using Airbus A330 aircraft, offering 27 lie-flat Business Class seats and 224 in Economy.

The Perth-Auckland service will run on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, while the Perth-Johannesburg route will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

This expansion is part of Qantas’ broader strategy to grow its western hub, adding over 155,000 annual seats in and out of Perth.

Further bolstering its longhaul operations, Qantas will also introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on its Brisbane-Los Angeles route from October 2025, operating daily.

During the peak travel season of December 2025 and January 2026, Qantas and American Airlines will jointly maintain daily Dreamliner services between Brisbane and Los Angeles, with Qantas operating four weekly flights and American Airlines three. Qantas will also increase Melbourne-Dallas flights to daily during this period, continuing daily Brisbane-Los Angeles services from February 2026.

In a network adjustment under its dual-brand strategy, Jetstar will end its Sydney-Honolulu route after October 24, 2025. Qantas will take over with five to six weekly flights, complementing its newly launched Melbourne-Honolulu service.

Lastly, Qantas will reintroduce its final Airbus A380 to daily Sydney-Dallas Fort Worth services from January 2026, offering expanded premium seating across First, Business, and Premium Economy cabins.

The inaugural Vietnam Airlines flight from Bengaluru to Hanoi was marked by a celebration at Kempegowda Airport

Vietnam Airlines starts direct flights from Bengaluru to Hanoi
Vietnam Airlines has commenced direct flights between Bengaluru and Hanoi. The airline will operate four flights a week using Airbus A321 aircraft. The service includes Indian meal options and basic onboard facilities.

This new route makes Bengaluru the third Indian city in Vietnam Airlines’ network, after Delhi and Mumbai. The airline is aiming to expand its connections with South India.

Philippine Airlines, Alaska Airlines partner on frequent flyer programme
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has teamed up with Alaska Airlines to expand travel options for members of their frequent flyer programmes. Soon, PAL’s Mabuhay Miles and Alaska’s Mileage Plan members will be able to earn and redeem miles across both airlines.

The partnership will also improve connections for PAL passengers travelling through the US West Coast, including Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Honolulu, granting better access to Alaska Airlines’ domestic network in the United States.

Both airlines are also considering reciprocal codeshare flights, which would add more destinations and make travel between the Philippines and the US more convenient.

The partnership builds on PAL’s existing relationship with Hawaiian Airlines. PAL passengers can continue booking Hawaiian codeshare flights to cities in Hawaii, and soon, Hawaiian Airlines passengers will also be able to earn and redeem miles on PAL flights.

2025 cherry blossom season set to break tourism spending records in Japan

By Kathryn Wortley

May 16, 2025

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Spending related to Japan’s hanami (cherry blossom viewing) season is expected to reach a record high this year, with the blooms providing an additional draw for the increasing number of inbound tourists.

In January and February 2025, Japan welcomed 5.48 million international visitors, a 28.5 per cent increase year-on-year, despite being the off-peak season, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

With a surge in international visitors, the 2025 cherry blossom season is poised to generate a record economic impact

Katsuhiro Miyamoto of Kansai University predicts the 2025 hanami season will generate a record 1.39 trillion yen (US$9.43 billion) of economic impact nationwide, with more than 25 per cent of visitors hailing from overseas, which would be the highest ratio ever recorded.

Indeed, in March inbound visitors totalled 45 per cent of all cruise passengers on cherry blossom cruises along Tokyo’s Meguro River, a spot renowned for the pink blooms, up from 41 per cent in 2024, according to operator Spice Serve Co.

New services catering to the high-end market have also been launched. The Sakura Ride Plan, for example, offers a private chauffeur-driven car around Tokyo’s blossom sites “free from rain, pollen and crowds” with champagne for 56,000 yen .

And, as this year’s cherry blossom season drew to a close in Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku, some international visitors travelled north to “follow” the blooms, including to Tohoku, which experienced peak blossoms in mid-April, and Hokkaido, which celebrated the hanami season between late April and early May, thereby extending their economic impact across the country.

Cross Hotels & Resorts to open dual-branded property in Batam

By TTG Asia

May 16, 2025

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Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to manage two hotels in Batam, Indonesia: Cross Batam The Mix and Cross Vibe Batam The Mix.

Located in The Mix, a five-in-one integrated development in Pasir Putih, Batam Centre, the dual-branded project will form part of a broader urban complex combining residential, retail, and leisure elements.

Cross Hotels & Resorts expands footprint in Indonesia with two properties in The Mix development

The development is led by MIG Putra Indonesia, a joint venture between PURI Group Indonesia and Rima Properties Group Malaysia. This marks Cross Hotels & Resorts’ second project on the island.

Targeting a varied guest profile including travellers from Singapore, domestic visitors, wellness-focused travellers, and business event organisers, the hotels will be located near Batam Centre Point International Ferry Terminal and Hang Nadim International Airport.

Facilities will include spa and wellness areas, rooftop event spaces, family-friendly zones, and meeting venues. Cross Batam The Mix will offer suites starting at 115m2, with kitchen facilities and separate living areas. Cross Vibe Batam The Mix, situated in the 23-storey Iconic View Tower, will focus on communal spaces and short-stay accommodation.

The hotels are scheduled to open in phases beginning in 2027, with full operations expected by 2028.

Harry Thaliwal, CEO of Cross Hotels & Resorts, commented: “This deal reflects our belief in the immense potential of Batam and our continued mission to deliver owner value through meaningful partnerships.”

Wagiman, president director of MIG Putra Indonesia, added: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone, not just for our businesses, but for the guests, travellers, and communities we both serve. We look forward to a successful journey ahead, one that brings growth, opportunity, and lasting impact.”

Gyeongju and Pohang to host PATA Annual Summit 2026

By TTG Asia

May 16, 2025

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PATA has confirmed that the PATA Annual Summit 2026 (PAS 2026) will be jointly hosted by the cities of Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea, in partnership with the Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Organization (GCTO).

The event is scheduled to take place from May 11-13, 2026. The official handover was made on April 23, 2025, during the closing ceremony of the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) in İstanbul, Türkiye, marking the continuation of the association’s primary event.

The two cities in Gyeongsangbuk-do will welcome tourism leaders from across the region in May 2026

South Korea has previously hosted the PATA Annual Summit five times: in Seoul in 1965, 1979 and 1994; in Jeju in 2004; and in Gangneung in 2018. In 2026, the cities of Gyeongju and Pohang in Gyeongsangbuk-do will jointly host the Summit.

During PAS 2025, Jeong Seonghoon, manager at the GCTO, gave a presentation on the destinations, outlining the preparations and capacity of the two cities to host the summit.

In line with PATA’s approach to sustainable tourism, PAS 2026 is planned as a carbon neutral event. Participants are invited to contribute by paying an optional carbon offset fee of US$10.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated: “Gyeongju and Pohang each hold unique significance within the Republic of Korea’s tourism industry – Gyeongju as a cradle of ancient Korean civilisation, rich in cultural treasures, and Pohang as a vibrant coastal city where natural beauty coexists seamlessly with contemporary landmarks. They are the meeting point of tradition and modernity, and reflect the kind of depth and diversity that today’s travellers increasingly seek.”

Kim Namil, GCTO president and the head of the Gyeongsangbuk-do delegation of 13 individuals who attended PAS 2025, added: “Our goal is to make PAS 2026 more than just a tourism event – it will be a platform for sustainability, innovation, and human connections. With the support and expertise of PATA, we believe this vision can become a powerful reality. We look forward to welcoming you all to Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, in 2026.”

Further details about PAS 2026 and registration will be shared in due course.

SIA Group advances SAF use with new supply and certificate agreements

By TTG Asia

May 16, 2025

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The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed agreements with Neste and World Energy to acquire sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and SAF certificates, supporting its decarbonisation efforts and providing further insight into renewable fuel systems, standards, and certification processes.

The first agreement involved the acquisition of 1,000 tonnes of Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA)-eligible neat SAF from renewable fuel producer Neste. The SAF was produced at Neste’s refinery in Singapore, blended locally, and supplied at Singapore Changi Airport. This is the group’s second purchase of neat SAF from the same facility, contributing to the development of Singapore’s SAF infrastructure and improving supply chain resilience.

The two deals aim to reduce emissions and strengthen SAF infrastructure

The group also purchased around 2,000 tonnes of CORSIA-eligible SAF in the form of emissions reductions from World Energy, a US-based producer, through the Book & Claim Chain of Custody model. This allows the group to claim emissions reductions without physical delivery of the fuel.

Both transactions were completed in 1Q2025 and are expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 9,500 tonnes.

SIA also participates in the Green Fuel Forward campaign, an initiative led by the World Economic Forum and Singapore’s GenZero, aimed at increasing SAF use in the Asia-Pacific region. The campaign promotes awareness, use, and regional collaboration around sustainable fuel.

Lee Wen Fen, chief sustainability officer, SIA, said: “These agreements represent important steps in the SIA Group’s broader strategy to scale up its use of SAF. By working with different suppliers and exploring diverse sourcing models and certification pathways, we gain crucial insights into the SAF landscape and we can better understand the pathways towards a more sustainable aviation ecosystem.

“The SIA Group will continue to work with partners around the world to test and implement solutions that support the airline industry’s long-term decarbonisation goals. This will allow us to validate SAF demand, enhance our technical expertise in this area, and strengthen our ability to meet our medium-term commitment of five per cent SAF use by 2030 and long-term goal net zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

Big plans for a green zone

By Marissa Carruthers

May 16, 2025

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A major project is underway to make Cambodia’s Cardamom Mountains – the largest remaining intact rainforest in South-east Asia – and surrounding areas a regional ecotourism hub, with a series of tourism products, activities and infrastructure being developed in the Cardamom Mountains-Tonle Sap (CMTS) landscape.

Approved in 2021, the Cambodia sustainable landscape and ecotourism project (CSLEP) is a joint collaboration between the nation’s Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the World Bank. The US$55 million project, which runs until 2027, marks the World Bank’s heaviest tourism investment in the country.

The Cardamom Mountains will become an ecotourism haven, with CSLEP focusing on protecting ecosystems and biodiversity through sustainable practices

Its aim is to develop ecotourism, cut deforestation, and boost the livelihoods of impoverished communities throughout the seven provinces the Cardamoms span, the Tonle Sap Lake’s flooded forests, and Phnom Kulen in Siem Reap province. The area covers more than 3.8 million hectares, including one of the world’s most productive freshwater fisheries and Indochina’s largest protected forest.

“CSLEP will use ecotourism as a driver to boost economic prosperity of rural communities and strengthen management of the rich natural capital of the CMTS landscape,” MoE undersecretary of state Vann Saravuth said, adding the project also aims to strengthen the value chains of non-timber forest products to further elevate local income.

Many remote communities in the area traditionally rely on illegal logging and wildlife trafficking to support their livelihoods. The aim is to provide them with an alternative income source through tourism to halt these environmentally-detrimental activities and curb the deforestation that plagues the area.

Khin Meng Kheang, director of the MoE’s ecotourism department and CSLEP project manager, said the first phase of the project has seen 90km of roads built to connect target areas. Park ranger offices have also been constructed and 11 ecotourism destinations selected.

“Our landscapes are important green destinations,” he stated. “We need to take advantage of the opportunity to develop green ecotourism, which will support (forest and environmental) protection, law enforcement, and connectivity.”

A ranger moves through the Cardamom Mountains, watching for poachers

Hong Sok Heng, business development director at Travel Asia a la Carte, said the area has huge untapped ecotourism potential, welcoming it being sensitively developed.

“It has nature, forests, lakes, mountains and conservation projects. There are also local communities that we can work with and can give benefits to local people.”

Heng pointed to Shinta Mani Wild as an example of an upscale ecolodge in the area that doubles up as a guardian of the forest. The luxury jungle retreat protects more than 300 hectares of forest through a partnership with Wildlife Alliance to support a team of rangers who patrol the area on the lookout for poachers, loggers, and other illegal activities.

Under CSLEP, much needed infrastructure has also been added to connect various outlying areas. These include roads, a major bridge, and a planned network of more than 500km of hiking trails, of which some have already been completed.

“With products, activities, infrastructure, and more being added, I believe it will provide a better way to promote Cambodia to those who wish to enjoy nature,” Heng said, adding that due to upgraded infrastructure nation-wide, it is now possible to travel from Battambang to Koh Kong in the Cardamoms within one day.

“This is a good way to combine the Cardamom Mountains with other destinations, such as Angkor Wat in Siem Reap and Battambang,” Heng noted. “With the new added infrastructure, it will help us to promote the area better. So, we hope we will be able to get more demand.”

Heng added that to attract more visitors, a broader range of restaurants and accommodation is needed.

“Tourism should cater to different markets, both international and domestic, and for all levels of budget, from backpackers to luxury guests.”

A range of accommodation is starting to emerge, from the existing luxurious Shinta Mani Wild and Canvas and Orchid, to mid-scale options, including Krâvanh La Vallée Eco Resort, through to basic camp sites operated by local communities. Later this year, five-star wellness-centred Samanea River Resort and Spa is slated to open in Osoam, Pursat province.

To further promote the area, CSLEP recently organised a four-day fam trip to showcase the latest additions to the area and the potential in a bid to stamp CMTS firmly on the region’s ecotourism map.

Anantara Resorts welcome new leadership team

By TTG Asia

May 15, 2025

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Minor Hotels has made two senior leadership appointments for its Anantara resorts in Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle.

Arnaud Béril, general manager of Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, will now also oversee Anantara Chiang Mai Resort as cluster general manager of both resorts. Jean-Marc Pougnet, resort manager at Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, will take on the role of general manager at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.

From left: Arnaud Béril and Jean-Marc Pougnet

Béril, who returned to Anantara Chiang Mai after holding various operational roles across Minor Hotels’ properties in Thailand, has led various initiatives to enhance the resort experience, including the introduction of Canopy, A Tree Top Dining Experience, and the launch of Samsarn restaurant and the Mekong Explorer Tents.

Pougnet first joined Anantara Golden Triangle in 2018 as F&B manager, before moving to Avani+ Khao Lak Resort in 2021. He brings extensive experience in food and beverage and operational roles across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Hyatt charts growth ahead

By Caroline Boey

May 15, 2025

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What has Hyatt done to remain a top brand and how has the chain evolved?
Earlier this year, we announced the evolution of Hyatt’s brands into five distinct portfolios that reflect greater focus and differentiation – Luxury, Lifestyle, Inclusive, Classics and Essentials – to ensure we are better positioned to serve the needs of guests, customers, and owners.

Today, luxury is about authenticity and unique experiences. At Hyatt, this means delivering personalised and immersive experiential offerings. Alongside iconic brands like Park Hyatt as part of our Luxury Portfolio, the Alila brand is emblematic of how we’re meeting the evolving needs of high-end travellers – whether in wellness, cultural exploration, or enriching experiences.

Part of its DNA is expressed through our seeking out locations of awe-inspiring beauty to create places that clear the mind, rejuvenate the body and uplift the spirit, creating experiences that intertwine nature, local cultures, mindful design, and ecological consciousness.

Share some examples of what Alila offers.
Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai, the brand’s first island resort in China, exemplifies this with its location atop dramatic cliffs, sweeping sea views, and peaceful atmosphere. Every facet of the design shows a deep respect for nature, blending seamlessly with the landscape so that the hotel and its surroundings are truly in harmony.

Similarly, Alila Shanghai, the brand’s first urban resort that opened last year, demonstrates our continued brand evolution.

Located next to the beautifully restored Zhengyuan Heritage Site, the project centred on a vision of creating an intentional and enriching experience that embraces both the energy of Shanghai and the tranquillity of Alila, including early-morning gong sound therapy sessions and therapeutic incense-making workshops at a traditional local incense atelier.

How is Hyatt catering to changing traveller profiles?
Our lifestyle hotels are tapping into the rise of multigenerational travel and groups of friends seeking to make memories together. That means curating the best possible experience through every single touchpoint you can imagine to consistently deliver a high level of engagement – immersive experiences, dynamic programming, and service creativity.

The recent acquisition of The Standard was a fantastic addition to our portfolio given its strong, distinct brand identity that has built a loyal following. We continue to expand our lifestyle offering with the debut of the Thompson brand in Asia Pacific – Thompson Shanghai Expo, this year, an exciting new addition to the region’s travel landscape.

What about Hyatt’s established brands?
Across our portfolio, we also strive to elevate our premium offerings through brands like Grand Hyatt.

The iconic Grand Hyatt Singapore highlights our commitment to holistic well-being with its revamped features, including an integrated wellness hub, Damai, featuring a wellness pool and dual therapy sauna, as well as a Terrace Wing transformed into a garden oasis.

In this way, we aim to offer elevated, distinctive, personalised wellness and luxury experiences tailored to the modern traveller’s desires, fostering growing loyalty and preference for Hyatt.

Where are the opportunities for Hyatt and its expanded portfolio?
In the rapidly evolving Asia-Pacific region, we see significant growth opportunities, especially in China and India.

Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai demonstrates how we connect travellers with lesser-known locales, while the debut of Thompson Shanghai Expo will introduce the brand’s first hotel in Asia-Pacific to serve culturally curious travellers in a vibrant urban setting.

In India, we are witnessing a major shift toward meaningful and mindful travel. Domestic travellers are increasingly exploring Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, favouring slow, experiential travel. This represents a tremendous opportunity to grow our luxury and lifestyle portfolio.

We are excited about our brands resonating with these emerging needs as we plan to introduce seven new hotels in 2025, including pilgrimage sites such as Bodh Gaya and Amritsar.

Alila is closely aligned with these emerging needs with the brand’s focus on wellness, unique experiences, and sustainability. We have great confidence in the market, having recently announced a target of 100 hotels in India by 2030.

What does the future hold?
Overall, we’re cautiously optimistic about the outlook for Asia-Pacific.

Our pipeline of over 350 hotels means we’re continuing to bring new offerings to market that will further strengthen our position as a leader in luxury and lifestyle in the region.

This year, we will introduce exciting additions to expand our luxury and lifestyle portfolio. Aside from the Asia-Pacific debut of the Thompson by Hyatt brand with Thompson Shanghai Expo, we’re also set to introduce Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur and the much-anticipated reopening of the iconic Park Hyatt Tokyo.

Next year has even more in store, such as Park Hyatt Phu Quoc, Andaz One Bangkok, as well as Andaz Gold Coast – the Andaz brand’s debut in Australia.

Real-world entertainment still reigns, EY survey finds

By TTG Asia

May 15, 2025

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EY has released its first Media & Entertainment (M&E) Pulse Poll, exploring global consumer attitudes towards experiential entertainment activities, including cruises, theme parks, local events, sporting events, live shows, casinos and resorts.

Conducted in April 2025, the survey draws on responses from more than 4,000 consumers across the US, the UK, Western Europe and Asia-Pacific, offering a snapshot of consumer sentiment amid economic uncertainty.

Theme parks, live shows and casinos remain the top global entertainment picks

The results highlight a continued interest in real-world entertainment experiences. Local and live entertainment were the most commonly purchased categories over the past year, with 48% and 46% of respondents respectively reporting recent purchases. Looking ahead, 21% of consumers globally plan to increase their spending in both areas. Regional differences are notable, with Americans more likely to plan a casino visit in the next 12 months (66% compared to 49% globally), while Asia-Pacific consumers show a stronger interest in theme parks (74% vs. 65%).

Technology also plays a key role in shaping the entertainment experience. Consumers of all ages identify digital tools as valuable, especially digital ticketing, navigation aids, and contactless services. Among Gen Z, 66% plan to purchase fast or priority passes for theme parks in the coming year, compared with 59% of all respondents, underlining the importance of convenience for younger consumers.

When choosing entertainment activities, cost and value for money are the most important considerations for 59% of respondents. Lower-income groups are more price-sensitive than higher earners. High costs were also cited as the biggest barrier to enjoyment (52%), ahead of crowded spaces and long wait times (both 42%). Younger consumers, particularly Gen Z, place more importance on cleanliness (27%) compared with the overall average (21%).

The poll also found that premium offerings remain in demand. About half of those who visited large theme parks or went on cruises in the past year purchased upgrades. A third of those who visited casinos, resorts or sporting events did the same. Most of these consumers felt the upgrades were worth the additional expense, particularly in theme parks, where 56% said the upgrades met expectations. Consumers in Asia-Pacific were more likely than the global average to pay for premium options across several categories, including theme parks (59% vs. 49%), sporting events (42% vs. 37%) and live entertainment (37% vs. 26%).

Motivations for entertainment purchases vary by age. While most respondents said they sought enjoyment (62%) and time with loved ones (55%), younger people were more likely to cite mental health as a key factor. Improving mental health was mentioned by 32% of Gen Z and 27% of millennials, compared with 23% overall.

Sustainability also influences purchasing decisions, especially among younger consumers. The most popular sustainable features globally were locally sourced food (69%) and contributions to local communities (67%). Gen Z and millennials were more willing to pay a premium of 26% or more for sustainability-related features, including carbon offsetting (28% Gen Z and 16% millennials vs. 12% globally), lower carbon footprints (25% Gen Z and 15% millennials vs. 11%), and water conservation (23% Gen Z and 15% millennials vs. 11%). This is notable given that younger consumers typically belong to lower income groups.

Javi Borges, EY Global and EY Americas Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector leader, commented: “At a time of global economic and geopolitical upheaval, our research shows consumers’ desire for immersive, live entertainment experiences is as strong as ever – and potentially getting stronger. For providers offering these experiences, this robust demand presents major opportunities. But to reap the full benefits, they’ll need to understand consumers’ varying motivations and preferences – and align their efforts, accordingly, including making effective use of technology to meet rising expectations.”

Bhutan pioneers crypto payments in tourism with Binance Pay partnership

By TTG Asia

May 15, 2025

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Bhutan is the first country to implement a national-level crypto payment system for tourism, in partnership with Binance Pay and Bhutan’s fully digital DK Bank.

This initiative allows travellers with Binance accounts to make cashless transactions throughout their journey, with more than 100 merchants now live with DK Bank and Binance Pay.

Enjoy a seamless crypto-powered journey in Bhutan, from flights and visas to local purchases; Taktshang Goemba, pictured

Visitors can use cryptocurrencies to pay for a wide range of services, including flight bookings, tourist visas, Sustainable Development Fees, hotel bookings, tour guides, monument entry fees, and local shopping, with payments made securely and swiftly via static and dynamic QR code payments.

The system enables Binance Pay users to pay for nearly all aspects of their trip to Bhutan. Bhutan, which prioritises Gross National Happiness over GDP, seeks to balance sustainability, cultural preservation, and technological innovation. This partnership with Binance Pay and DK Bank furthers that vision by offering digital solutions that enhance travel experiences and support local communities. The initiative includes a fully integrated system across immigration, travel agents, hotels, guides, and retail, and allows small vendors in remote areas to accept QR code payments.

The payment system, supported by Bhutan’s first fully digital bank, offers significantly lower fees than traditional payment methods, with no gas fees, and provides immediate, seamless crypto-powered transactions. It supports over 100 cryptocurrencies, including BNB, BTC, and USDC, and ensures secure transactions with encrypted payments, 2FA, and real-time confirmations via the Binance app.

This partnership marks the first time a national-level tourism product has accepted cryptocurrency, addressing common barriers to digital payments, such as high transaction fees and limited merchant acceptance. It offers low transaction fees, prompt settlements, and real-time notifications to ensure transparency for both merchants and visitors.

Binance CEO Richard Teng remarked: “We are excited to partner with Bhutan as we are not only advancing the use of cryptocurrencies in travel but also setting a precedent for how technology can bridge cultures and economies. This initiative exemplifies our commitment to innovation and our belief in a future where digital finance empowers global connectivity and enriches travel experiences.”

“This is more than a payment solution – it’s a commitment to innovation, inclusion, and convenience,” said Damcho Rinzin, director of the Department of Tourism, Bhutan. “It enables a seamless experience for travellers and empowers even small vendors in remote villages to participate in the tourism economy.”

Aviation roundup: Scoot, Qantas and more

2025 cherry blossom season set to break tourism spending records in Japan

Cross Hotels & Resorts to open dual-branded property in Batam

Gyeongju and Pohang to host PATA Annual Summit 2026

SIA Group advances SAF use with new supply and certificate agreements

Big plans for a green zone

Anantara Resorts welcome new leadership team

Hyatt charts growth ahead

Real-world entertainment still reigns, EY survey finds

Bhutan pioneers crypto payments in tourism with Binance Pay partnership

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