WTTC welcomes digital travel platform AirAsia MOVE as its newest member, with AirAsia MOVE CEO Nadia Omer representing the company. Through this partnership, AirAsia MOVE is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of travel, making it smarter, more connected, and accessible to millions.
The app is an all-in-one ecosystem for flights, hotels, airport transfers, travel insurance, duty-free shopping, and more encapsulated by the AirAsia Rewards loyalty programme.
AirAsia MOVE partners with WTTC to shape the future of smarter, connected travel
AirAsia MOVE will take part in high-level discussions, global conferences, and industry events, bringing its expertise in digital innovation, value-driven travel, and customer engagement to the table.
With access to over 700 airlines and over a million hotels worldwide, AirAsia MOVE has been recognised as Asia’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2023 by the World Travel Awards, as well as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App for two years in a row (2023, 2024) by World Travel Tech Awards.
Joining WTTC puts AirAsia MOVE at the forefront of global tourism innovation, working alongside industry giants such as Google, IBM, VISA, Marriott, Hilton, Airbnb, Hyatt, Royal Caribbean, Expedia Group, and more.
WTTC president and CEO, Julia Simpson, said: “We are delighted to welcome AirAsia MOVE as our newest member. Travel and tourism is evolving rapidly, and digital innovation is at the heart of shaping its future. AirAsia MOVE is not just redefining how travellers book flights and hotels – it’s creating a fully integrated experience that enhances convenience, affordability, and engagement.
“We look forward to collaborating with AirAsia MOVE as we continue to push boundaries and elevate the global travel experience.”
Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE commented: “AirAsia MOVE is a travel company that focuses on value conscious travellers offering flights, hotels, online duty-free shopping, events tickets and airport pick and drop-off. (South-east Asia) is our home and making travel more affordable, inclusive and delightful for all is our mission. We believe in creating shared value for the ecosystem by understanding our traveller needs and creating new partnerships to unlock value and create memorable journeys for all.”
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has taken delivery of Norwegian Aqua, the 20th ship in its fleet and the first in the next-generation Prima Plus Class, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
As Norwegian Aqua prepares to enter service, NCL celebrates the float out of Norwegian Luna, marking the completion of its exterior work and its first contact with water. Norwegian Luna will then move to the floating dock previously used by Norwegian Aqua for interior construction in preparation for its launch in April 2026.
From left: NCL’s David J Herrera and Fincantieri’s Marco Lunardi
Building on the legacy of Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Aqua is 10 per cent larger in size and capacity, offering new features while providing enhanced services to guests, including premium dining, entertainment, and exclusive onboard experiences.
After showcasing her innovations during a series of inaugural European sailings, Norwegian Aqua will embark on a transatlantic journey from Southampton (the UK) on March 28 this year. She will mark her much-anticipated arrival to the US on April 4, for two inaugural events in Boston and New York City. On April 13, the ship will be officially christened in Miami in a celebratory ceremony with NCL brand ambassador and Norwegian Aqua godfather, Eric Stonestreet.
During her first year of service, Norwegian Aqua will sail from Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, as well as New York City. Departing from Florida ports, Norwegian Aqua will offer short voyages to the Bahamas as well as seven-day Caribbean itineraries, visiting destinations such as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; St Thomas, US Virgin Islands, as well as Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island paradise in the Bahamas. The island will become even more accessible to guests with the addition of a new pier later this year.
Sailing from New York City in August and September 2025, Norwegian Aqua will offer Bermuda cruises during the peak summer season. During her five- to seven-day Bermuda itineraries, guests will enjoy convenient overnight stays, allowing more time to explore the island’s golf courses, vibrant culture, and famous underground caves, all just a short voyage from the US East Coast.
David J Herrera, president of NCL, said: “We are deeply grateful to Fincantieri for its partnership and expertise in bringing Norwegian Aqua to life, paving the way for NCL’s continued growth and success. And with Norwegian Luna’s float out, we’re already looking ahead to the next chapter of our fleet expansion.”
Luigi Matarazzo, general manager merchant ships division of Fincantieri, added: “This ship embodies our shared commitment to technological innovation and excellence, marking another milestone in a thriving cruise industry where Fincantieri continues to lead the way. We are honoured to bring yet another ground-breaking vessel to life and look forward to continuing our partnership with all the exciting projects to come.”
Korean Air has introduced a new corporate identity featuring a modernised deep blue Taegeuk symbol that reflects the airline’s heritage while following minimalist design trends.
The reveal took place on March 11 at the airline’s headquarters in Seoul during the Rising Night event, with around 1,000 guests, including employees, industry leaders, and media.
Korean Air’s Walter Cho unveils Korean Air’s new corporate identity
The new logotype, Korean Air, next to the Taegeuk symbol, combines national prestige with a refined visual identity. It features brushstroke-inspired details, and open connections, offering a modern take on Korean elegance.
Korean Air also revealed its new aircraft livery, featuring a Boeing 787-10 with the updated design. Registered as HL8515, the aircraft includes the latest Prestige Suites 2.0 cabin interiors and began service on March 12, flying from Seoul Incheon to Tokyo Narita.
The new livery features a bold “Korean” logotype, highlighting its status as South Korea’s flagship carrier. The design includes an enlarged logo, metallic sky-blue paint, and a smooth curve across the fuselage, replacing the traditional cheatline for a more refined, modern look.
This is the first major brand update since 1984, when Korean Air introduced the Taegeuk symbol, which is globally recognised as a representation of both the airline and the nation. The new corporate identity will be gradually rolled out across aircraft liveries, in-flight services, and key customer touchpoints.
In addition, Korean Air introduced its upgraded in-flight meals at Grand Hyatt Incheon, reflecting the airline’s new corporate identity and aiming to elevate the premium travel experience. Partnering with chef and owner of Seoul’s Cesta, Seakyeong Kim, the airline has created a refined menu featuring seasonal ingredients, innovative culinary techniques, and a focus on Korean culinary heritage.
Economy-class meals now include options like salmon bibimbap, spicy stir-fried octopus, tofu pad thai, and rosé pasta. For an elevated dining experience, first-class passengers will use Bernardaud china, Christofle cutlery, and Riedel glassware, while Prestige class features Armani/Casa dishware and glassware.
For added comfort, first-class bedding features premium Frette materials and an Air Coil mattress from Eco World, with passengers also receiving Frette loungewear. Premium-class amenity kits, created in collaboration with British brand Graff, include pouches with skincare products and perfume.
The upgraded in-flight dining and services began on March 12 across 10 major longhaul routes, including flights to New York, Paris, and London. These enhancements will be available on all longhaul routes by June and on all routes starting in September.
Walter Cho, chairman and CEO of Hanjin Group and Korean Air, shared his vision for the airline’s future: “As a unified Korean Air, we are committed to more than just transportation – we aim to connect people, cultures and the world through the skies. With this foundation, we will build an industry-leading safety system, elevate the customer experience and strengthen trust through open communication with all stakeholders. Together, we’ll create a more connected and better world.”
The travel trade has come together in a united, strategic move to bolster Selangor’s tourism sector in line with its Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign.
The Malaysian Association of Hotels Selangor Chapter (MAHSEL) and the Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners (MAHO) launched the Selangor Super Savers 2025 (SSS2025) campaign last month, with strong support and participation from the Malaysian Association of Theme Parks & Family Attractions and the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association.
Tourism Selangor’s Chua Yee Ling (fourth from left) joins Malaysian Association of Hotel Owners’ Shaharuddin M Saaid (third from left) and Malaysian Association of Hotels Selangor Chapter’s Jasmine Abdullah Heng (third from right) in the launch of Selangor Super Savers 2025
This initiative aligns with Tourism Selangor’s Visit Selangor Year (VSY) 2025 campaign under the theme, Surprising Selangor, which aims to attract eight million international and domestic visitors to Selangor and generate RM11.7 billion (US$2.6 billion) in tourism receipts.
Jasmine Abdullah Heng, chairman of the Malaysian Association of Hotels Selangor Chapter, said: “SSS2025 aims to position Selangor as a must-visit destination by fostering collaboration among key industry players, including hotel operators, theme parks, attractions, and shopping malls.
“The campaign offers exclusive promotions and benefits to visitors, enhancing their overall travel experience in the state.”
The campaign was officially launched by Chua Yee Ling, chief executive officer of Tourism Selangor, who also unveiled the campaign’s dedicated digital portal, selangorsupersavers.com. The platform enables travellers to access a range of stay packages, including a minimum of 10 per cent off Best Available Rates, F&B credits, and late check-outs until 15.00.
Additionally, the campaign extends up to 10 per cent discounts on meeting and wedding packages across more than 20 participating hotels in Selangor. Guests staying in any of the participating hotels can also enjoy perks and discounts at participating theme parks and shopping malls in Selangor.
All offers, packages, and discounts are valid for six months from March 1, unless otherwise stated and subject to partners’ terms and conditions.
Shaharuddin M Saaid, executive director of MAHO, shared that the listing on the website is not yet complete, as more participating hotels and malls in Selangor have registered their interest to join the campaign.
He added that both MAHSEL and MAHO are working on Phase 2 of SSS2025, which will see further support from industry players, including airlines. The campaign will run until the end of 2025.
Industry players are encouraged to participate in Phase 2 of the initiative, which is expected to attract additional stakeholders, including airlines, and extend benefits until the end of 2025. This campaign serves as a lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which aims to welcome 26.1 million tourist arrivals and generate RM97.6 billion in domestic spending.
Michael Wieser returns to Lily Hotels as CEO, having previously held the role before the Covid-19 pandemic.
With 35 years of international hospitality experience, he has held leadership positions with some of the world’s most prestigious hotel brands, with a proven track record in operations, guest satisfaction, and strategic growth.
Wieser will oversee the development and expansion of the two resorts in the Lily portfolio: Lily Beach Resort & Spa and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
CBRE is bolstering its hotels and hospitality team in Asia-Pacific with the appointments of Andrew Hunter as senior director, and Mark Hahm as associate director.
Hunter, based in Singapore, will collaborate with CBRE’s global, Asia-Pacific, and local hotels teams to enhance cross-border hotel investment opportunities. He will focus on client engagement to drive deal distribution and provide essential hotel market intelligence to empower clients in their real estate investment strategies.
From left: Andrew Hunter and Mark Hahm
Hahm, based in Seoul, joins CBRE from JLL where he held a senior role managing hotel transactions. He will enhance transaction execution in South Korea, leveraging his experience with hotel owners and investors.
Long-term trend of air accidents has declined over 2005 to 2024
Aviation leaders emphasise airlines’ safety culture and “zero tolerance” for safety breaches
2024 accidents attracted widespread media attention, but the travelling public has continued to choose to fly
IATA’s 2024 safety report shows a steady decline in accident rates, though recent incidents have sparked concern
The IATA Annual Safety Report – 2024, released at the end of February, has emphasised a long-term significant reduction in accident rates amid current public concerns about the safety of air travel.
The report noted 1.13 accidents per million sectors in 2024 compared to 3.72 accidents per million sectors in 2005.
However, the 46 accidents in 2024 based on IATA’s classification criteria represent a nine per cent increase compared to 2023, the safest year on record for commercial airline travel.
Among accidents listed in the IATA Annual Safety Report – 2024 are:
January 2025: A Japan Airlines Airbus 350-900 collided with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft at Haneda Airport. While all passengers on the A350-900 escaped, five on board the Japan CoastGuard aircraft lost their lives.
January 2025: An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX suffered a fuselage separation while taking off from Portland’s airport. All 177 passengers survived the emergency landing.
May 2024: An SIA Boeing 777-300 experienced a severe turbulence event, resulting in an emergency landing in Bangkok and one fatality.
July 2024: A Saurya Airlines CRJ-200 crashed on take-off in Nepal and claimed 18 lives
Airlines successfully transported five billion passengers worldwide on more than 40 million flights, and IATA asserts commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of public transport.
Director general, Willie Walsh, said: “Even with recent high profile aviation accidents, it is important to remember that accidents are extremely rare.
“There were 40.6 million flights in 2024 and seven fatal accidents… a decade ago, the five-year average (2011-2015) was one accident for every 456,000 flights. Today, the five-year average (2020-2024) is one accident for every 810,000 flights.”
The topic of air safety was also raised at the recent Aviation Festival Asia (AFA) in Singapore. Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, and airline chiefs echoed the industry’s safety-first principle and regulatory measures that make flying the safest means of transportation.
In fact, airlines cannot fly if they do not meet the regulatory requirements, asserted Richard Nuttal, CEO, SriLankan Airlines.
Simpson, formerly with British Airways, reiterated that the industry has “zero tolerance” for air incidents.
Easily forgiven
While recent air incidents have made prominent news headlines, the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines director general, Subhas Menon, told TTG Asia that “air travel confidence has not been dented”.
Menon continued: “Forward bookings have not been affected by these incidents. Air transport is still the safest mode of travel and people know that.”
An AFA commentator’s quip that “people have short memories” seems to ring true.
IATA’s January 2025 data shows global passenger demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometres, was up 10 per cent compared to January 2024, and total capacity, measured in available seat kilometres, was up 7.1 per cent year-on-year.
The January load factor was 82.1 per cent (up 2.2 percentage points compared to January 2024), an all-time high for the month.
International demand rose 12.4 per cent compared to January 2024. Capacity was up 8.7 per cent year-on-year, and the load factor was 82.6 per cent (up 2.7 percentage points compared to January 2024), an all-time high for the month.
Domestic demand rose 6.1 per cent compared to January 2024. Capacity was up 4.5 per cent year-on-year. The load factor was 81.2 per cent (up 1.2 percentage points compared to January 2024), an all-time high for the month.
IATA’s Walsh commented: “We’ve seen a notable acceleration in demand this January, with a particularly strong performance by carriers based in the Asia-Pacific region.”
In the 2025 World’s Safest Airlines top 25 ranking, Airline Ratings placed full-service regional carriers Air New Zealand, Qantas and Cathay Pacific in the first three spots; ANA, EVA Air, Korean Air, Japan Airlines (JAL) and Vietnam Airlines also made the list.
In the low-cost carrier category, the list includes Hong Kong Express, Jetstar Group, AirAsia, VietJet Air, IndiGo, Cebu Pacific and ZipAir.
While it may be considered taboo and airlines are often reluctant to discuss their safety records, Steven Ler, president of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS), stated that winning an award serves as a valuable reference point for gaining passenger trust.
In addition to promoting the “luxury of the seats,” he suggested that not enough is being done to market safety to customers, such as highlighting features like “a young fleet” or “aircraft less than five years old”.
He said: “Airlines from all over the world fly to Singapore, but most Singaporeans trust Singapore Airlines and see it as the main carrier.
“New airlines like Gulf Air, a Gold award winner in the Middle East, may be unfamiliar.”
Gulf Air was the official airline partner of the recent NATAS Fair, while Singapore Airlines was the strategic airline partner.
Ler, who is also the executive director of UOB Travel Planners, continues to fly with Garuda Indonesia despite the airline’s struggles with its safety record over the years.
He noted that most incidents are “one-off” and that the airline has “put in the effort to improve”, describing it as a “value-for-money airline”. – Additional reporting by Karen Yue
The United Nations has taken a major step in recognising the role of tourism in sustainable development by adopting a new tourism employment indicator as part of the official Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicator Framework.
Endorsed at the 56th session of the UN Statistical Commission, this landmark decision means that, for the first time, global data on tourism employment will be systematically tracked within the SDG monitoring process. It also increases the number of official tourism SDG indicators from two to three, enhancing the recognition of the sector’s global contribution to economic and social progress.
The UN adopts a new tourism employment indicator to track tourism’s role in sustainable development and support SDG progress globally
UN Tourism’s most recent survey of Member States’ priorities revealed a strong preference for the organisation to focus on ensuring tourism contributes to the achievement of the SDGs. In response, the new tourism employment indicator, with UN Tourism as its custodian, provides the evidence needed to advance this priority. This indicator addresses a critical policy issue in many countries, offering a broader perspective on tourism’s sustainability by complementing the existing SDG indicator on tourism’s GDP and better considering social progress.
With this recognition, tourism employment will now be officially integrated into the deliberations of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals Report. The data will be available on the SDG Global Database and the UN Tourism Statistics Database website.
The indicator was developed under the leadership of Austria, Spain, Saudi Arabia, CARICOM, ILO, and UN Tourism, following extensive research and consultative processes. It is one of three new indicators endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission in the second and final SDG Indicator Framework review for the 2030 Agenda.
Through a partnership between UN Tourism and ILO, the indicator leverages both organisations’ data reporting mechanisms, maximising previous investments and minimising the reporting burden on countries.
The new indicator, derived from the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism, tracks all working-age persons with paid employment and self-employment. It can be expressed as a share of total employed persons and disaggregated by gender, employment type (employee/self-employed), and the 10 tourism industries. This allows for a comprehensive measurement of tourism sector employment both within individual countries and globally.
UN Tourism secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The new tourism employment indicator goes beyond GDP to enhance our understanding of tourism’s potential for social progress. Policymakers will be better equipped to identify gaps, address inequalities, and maximise tourism’s social and economic benefits – ensuring no one is left behind.”
The 2025 Conference of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) will be held in Fiji from August 5 to 8, bring together global leaders in sustainable tourism, including government representatives, destination managers, industry professionals, and sustainability experts, to advance the future of responsible travel and tourism worldwide.
Hosting GSTC2025 in Fiji will highlight the Pacific region’s sustainability challenges and opportunities, focusing on climate resilience and conservation in island destinations globally.
Fiji will showcase its commitment to sustainability and conservation as the host of GSTC2025; Savusavu Bay in Fiji, pictured
The GSTC2025 Conference will feature an extensive programme, including keynote speeches from sustainability leaders, panel discussions, as well as hands-on workshops and trainings designed to foster best practices in tourism sustainability.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore critical topics related to marine and coastal tourism, community, culture and responsible development, and destination stewardship. Furthermore, GSTC2025 will serve as a key networking platform, allowing stakeholders from across the tourism industry to collaborate and exchange ideas and solutions for a more sustainable future.
“Tourism Fiji is delighted to bring GSTC to Fiji later this year, in a first for our region. As a developing country, our need for sustainability is immense. We recognise the precious environment that gives us our livelihood in tourism, and we want to preserve it. To do this, we need input, professional advice, learnings, and best practices – adapted to our pressing needs in a small developing island nation. We are delighted to host delegates from around the world to also experience the very best sustainable tourism experiences we have to offer,” said Tourism Fiji CEO Brent Hill.
More details on pre-conference trainings, venue, and speakers will be announced soon. Early-bird registration for the conference can be accessed here.
Singapore-based luxury travel company A2A Safaris (A2A) is seeing a strong rebound in safari bookings as affluent Asians increasingly seek wildlife encounters in their holiday plans.
The company reported a 26 per cent increase in bookings last year compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. It anticipates surpassing this growth in 2025 as Asia, traditionally a smaller market for African safaris compared to North America and Europe, gains importance.
More Asia travellers are seeking unique wildlife experiences; photo by A2A Safaris
Over the past decade, A2A’s business has grown by 142 per cent, having been the first Asia-based tour operator to specialise in planning African safaris for Asian travellers since 2002. A2A co-founder Victor Dizon said Asians are increasingly seeking “money-can’t-buy experiences”, where exclusivity and access to nature outweigh traditional luxuries.
Known for its private luxury safari and nature expeditions, A2A offers customisable itineraries in India featuring exclusive experiences, such as private access to the Taj Mahal, tiger safaris with specialist guides, intimate dining, shopping with local insiders, glamping in the wild, and access to the treasures of the Gem Palace.
Building on this strong growth, A2A has added India and Bhutan to its Wild Asia portfolio, combining the best accommodation, private guides, and exclusive five-star experiences from both countries. The company is also looking to expand its reach to South Korean travellers.
Trips are tailored from a curated portfolio of special interest activities, allowing each client to experience India on their own terms. A2A also offers concierge support, including visa assistance, personalised pre-departure briefings, and restaurant recommendations and reservations.
Dizon explained that the expansion into India responds to clients’ growing desire for safaris offering the same excitement and adventure as those in Africa. He shared that a group of clients who have travelled with them on safaris across Africa are now looking for something equally unique. He added that India offers wildlife such as tigers and snow leopards, and its dense vegetation makes wildlife spotting more challenging compared to Africa’s open savannahs and grasslands.
The Bhutan programme highlights include the National Memorial Chorten, the country’s most prominent religious landmark, the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students preserve traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts, and the Buddha Dordenma, one of the tallest Buddha statues in the world, surrounded by 100,000 smaller bronze and gold-gilded statues.
Hiking trails include the Kuensel Phodrang trail – often used by the current king for mountain biking and the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a religious structure built recently for protection of the people of Bhutan.
In addition, Singaporeans are increasingly interested in East Africa, with many hoping to witness the Great Migration’s river crossings before exploring less crowded reserves or visiting the gorillas in Rwanda or Uganda.
Dizon noted that, impacted by the pandemic, travellers now prioritise time with loved ones, choosing to pursue their dreams and explore the world’s wonders. In response, the company has diversified its product offerings to stay adaptable in the uncertain post-pandemic environment.
Wieser will oversee the development and expansion of the two resorts in the Lily portfolio: Lily Beach Resort & Spa and Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
