New hotels: Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Regent Bali Canggu and more

March 6, 2025

Holiday_Inn_Resort_Bintan_Lagoi_Beach_-_Family_Suite_Pool_View_-_04_640 — Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach, Family Suite

Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Singapore
Singapore welcomed its second Raffles hotel in March with the opening of the Raffles Sentosa Singapore on March 1. The 62-villa property, Singapore’s first all-villa property, is nestled within 100,000m² of tropical greenery on Sentosa island.

Villa sizes range from 210m² for a one-bedroom pool villa to 650m² for the four-bedroom Royal Villa. Each comes with a private pool and outdoor terrace.

Guests can choose from five dining venues and lounges, including the signature Empire Grill for modern Italian cuisine, a cantonese restaurant, Japanese omakase. The elegant Raffles Room hosts the brand’s signature afternoon tea while the Chairman’s Room offers a selection of whiskies, cognac and fine wines.

The resort also aims to be a destination for weddings, with two state-of-the-art ballrooms, the largest able to accommodate up to 400 guests.

Regent Bali Canggu, Indonesia
Nestled on Bali’s coveted southwestern coast, the Regent Bali Canggu marks the first Regent Hotels & Resorts opening in Indonesia.

The 150 all-suites and villas resort features Studio Suites that start from 76m² to the 618m² Two Bedroom Penthouse Oceanfront with Private Pool. Guests who stay in select one-bedroom suites, villas and two-bedroom penthouses have access to Regent Club, an exclusive full-service lounge with private infinity pool and complimentary champagne in the evenings.

The hotel has five dining venues including its signature restaurant, Taru, which showcases authentic Indonesian dishes, a Spanish restaurant, and another which offers a modern European menu opening later in the year.

The brand’s first-ever Regent-branded spa, the Regent Spa & Wellness, will open in late 2025, with seven restorative treatment rooms, including a couple’s suite, a sauna, and a plunge pool. Guests can also enjoy a range of services for hands, feet and face at the Beauty Hub or have a swim in one of the property’s nine pools.

Also opening later in the year will be Regent Kids, a kid’s club with an interactive indoor and outdoor playground.

Pullman Chennai Anna Salai, India
Located in Chennai’s bustling Anna Salai district, the Pullman Chennai Anna Salai is connected to major government offices, consulates, corporate hubs, and business districts.

The 232-key hotel houses over 1,700m² of versatile meeting and banquet spaces, making it an ideal choice for corporate events, conferences, and grand social gatherings.

Three dining venues offer a variety of international and local fare, including the rooftop restaurant, which showcases authentic North Indian cuisine.

A rejuvenating spa, and state-of-the-art fitness centre, to an inviting outdoor pool offer guests places to recharge.

The hotel is also awarded Gold-level sustainability certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) programme.

Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach, Indonesia
Holiday Inn Resort Bintan Lagoi Beach on Indonesia’s Bintan island draws inspiration from its natural mangrove surroundings.

Each of its 258 guest rooms features a private outdoor balcony, premium amenities, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a 55-inch smart TV. There are also Pool Access rooms, Kids’ Suites and spacious one- and two-bedroom Family Suites that cater to multigenerational travellers with separate living areas and extra sleeping space.

The Mangrove House Kids Club at the resort offers a variety of educational activities for children. Those seeking relaxation can head for the Sunjivva Spa, which has treatments for adults and children.

The resort’s outdoor activity centre Wavy Waft offers a mix of complimentary and paid activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding.

Four dining venues offer international and local fare, including a swim-up bar by the pool and kid-friendly snack bar near the children’s pool.

The resort also offers spaces for corporate events with a 450m² ballroom and three meeting rooms.

Japanese chefs head to rural hotels to research and craft new dishes

By Kathryn Wortley

March 5, 2025

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japanese in ryokan — Rural accommodations that the chefs will head to include ryokan inns

Japan’s largest travel agent, JTB Corporation, has unveiled plans to dispatch chefs to small- and medium sized accommodations in regional areas in a bid to tap international visitors’ growing interest in Japanese cuisine.

The chefs, who will be matched with accommodations and regions by JTB, will stay in the region for a specified period to research local ingredients and work alongside local colleagues to create new dishes and menus.

Rural accommodations that the chefs will head to include ryokan inns

As food and drink is “one of the major purposes of travel,” JTB hopes the project will support lodgings facing “a qualitative and quantitative chef shortage,” the company said in a statement.

“The challenge of human resource shortages in the tourism industry has become even more apparent in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, amidst the rapid influx of inbound travellers to regional areas …

“In addition to helping remedy the shortage of chefs, the project will also create various kinds of value, such as discovering hidden local ingredients from an outsider’s perspective for menu development and improving the skills of local chefs through new encounters,” it continued.

The initiative is also designed to increase consumption of local products and provide a boost to local food culture while improving the attractiveness of regions to visitors, particularly those from overseas. It is part of a series of projects by JTB to create food-related businesses and services that enhance the value of tourist attractions and help realise sustainable development in Japan’s region’s through co-creation with local companies.

JTB will collaborate initially with Tokyo-based Real Quality to create a dinner plan at Horaikan, a ryokan inn in Kamaishi, Iwate Prefecture.

Available in March, the meal will be created by an up-and-coming award-winning chef who has trained extensively in Europe and the chef of Horaikan who has in-depth knowledge of using local ingredients and traditional Japanese cooking methods.

Meliá signs new agreement for resort in Phu Quoc

By TTG Asia

March 5, 2025

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Melia Phu Quoc — Meliá Phu Quoc Forest Bay will open in two phases, first in 2028 and 2030 with 773 rooms

Meliá Hotels International has signed an agreement with Vietnam’s CityLand Group to open a new five-star resort, Meliá Phu Quoc Forest Bay, in 2028.

This marks Meliá’s third property on Vietnam’s largest island, joining Meliá Vinpearl Phu Quoc, in the northwest, and SOL by Meliá Phu Quoc in the south.

Located along a pristine 700-metre beachfront, the resort will span 21 hectares within the Bai Thom master plan, a key development area on the island. The project will be developed in two phases: the first phase, set to open in 2028, will introduce 128 luxury villas and 130 rooms, while the second phase, expected to be completed by 2030, will add 108 more villas, bringing the total capacity to 773 rooms.

Meliá Phu Quoc Forest Bay will open in two phases, first in 2028 and 2030 with 773 rooms

“Phu Quoc’s stunning natural beauty from its white sand beaches to the verdant national park, make this island a gem of a destination that’s steadily gaining more popularity with travellers seeking new destinations in Vietnam,” said Ignacio Martin, management director for Meliá Hotels International in the APAC region.

The resort will feature contemporary villas ranging from two to five bedrooms, each with private pools. Multiple restaurants and bars will be situated within the resort’s grounds, along with an oceanfront swimming pool, a wellness centre with a gym and luxury spa, a kids’ club, and an event space for weddings, conferences and large events.

Meliá Hotels International has expanded rapidly in Vietnam in the last three years. At the start of 2022, the Spanish hotel group had six hotels and resorts throughout the country. The company now has 20 hotels in operation and six in the pipeline in Vietnam.

Sentosa’s new offerings to keep European interest high

By Karen Yue

March 5, 2025

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SENTOSA21JUN-8539_640 — Sentosa's Michael Ma shares the island's latest attractions that include the all-villa Raffles Sentosa Singapore and Singapore Oceanarium

Several new experiences offered at Singapore’s Sentosa are expected to keep European visitors keen on the destination, as they are “a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural experiences that resonate with the discerning European traveller segment”.

Speaking to TTG Asia, Michael Ma, assistant chief executive (business & digital technology group) at Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), said Sentosa’s “latest and upcoming offerings cater to diverse interests while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and wellness”.

New draws on the popular holiday island include the all-villa Raffles Sentosa Singapore, which opened on March 1 to strong interest and bookings from both leisure guests and event planners. An experience not to be missed at the hotel is the Sentosa Sling, its iteration of the iconic Singapore Sling cocktail.

Sentosa’s Michael Ma shares the island’s latest attractions that include the all-villa Raffles Sentosa Singapore and Singapore Oceanarium

Ma also pointed to the soon-to-open Singapore Oceanarium as a hot draw for European visitors. The attraction will provide an immersive marine experience. The revamped Tanjong Beach Club also beckons, promising “the perfect beach club setting for relaxation and socialising”.

“At the heart of our new development this year would be the enhanced Sentosa Sensoryscape, which will be celebrating its first anniversary in March. During the celebration, we will be unveiling our new and enhanced mythical AR superbeing that invites visitors to awaken their senses and embark on a deeper journey of discovery,” shared Ma.

He added: “The European market continues to be an important and growing segment for Sentosa, contributing to our diverse international visitor mix.

“There was a robust 30 per cent increase in European visitation in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2024, we have also recovered past pre-Covid numbers for the European market. This reflects the increasing appeal of Sentosa’s unique blend of leisure experiences to discerning European travellers.”

The European market is valuable to SDC and Sentosa, as this segment typically stays on longer and spends more.

“This brings significant value to Sentosa’s tourism ecosystem and we’re committed to further develop this market through targeted marketing initiatives and tailored experiences that resonate with European preferences for sustainable, cultural, and innovative tourism products.”
Ma anticipates continued growth in European arrivals to the island, and is working to “sustain and further enhance this growth” through strategic partnerships and targeted marketing initiatives with key industry players such as Singapore Tourism Board to develop Europe’s tier two markets, and Expedia to drive accommodation stays on Sentosa.

Meanwhile, SDC’s commitment to sustainable development has not only contributed positively to Singapore’s overall green plans, it has also enhanced Sentosa’s appeal among environmentally-conscious European travellers.

Last November, Sentosa hosted the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) first conference in South-east Asia.

“Sentosa as the first destination in Asia to be certified to GSTC’s destination standards and being able to play host to the GSTC 2024 Conference further cements our position as a leader in sustainable tourism in the region,” remarked Ma.

This year, SDC aims to have all hotel rooms on Sentosa achieve internationally recognised sustainability certifications by year’s end.

“We believe that upon achieving this target, it will further enhance Sentosa’s appeal to our European partners, particularly those in the business and leisure travel sectors.

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree to welcome guests from April 2

By Audrey Ng

March 5, 2025

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Mandai_Rainforest_Resort_by_Banyan_Tree_640 — Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree welcomes visitors from April 2, 2025

Situated in Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree will open its doors to the public next month.

Guests have direct access to the nearby zoological parks of the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and the upcoming Rainforest Wild.

Tree house rooms were designed to resemble the seed pods of the Purple Millettia tree

Occupying 4.6ha, the resort has 338 rooms, including 24 tree houses, 11 one-bedroom suites and 72 family rooms. Guests who stay at the tree houses also have access to a private pool, while the rest of the resort guests can enjoy the rooftop pool, which overlooks the Upper Seletar Reservoir.

True to the Banyan Group’s design philosophy where each of its properties reflects the surrounding environment, the resort at Mandai incorporates biophillic design in every element from its architecture to interior design and amenities.

“We wanted to be part of the rainforest and eventually in the next couple of years when the new landscaping grows up we hope that there’s blurred lines between what is man-made and what is natural,” shared Glen Cook, general manager, Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, at a media briefing today.

The resort is the Banyan Group’s first in Singapore and its 100th property.

“As Banyan Group’s homecoming property, we are dedicated to delivering unparalleled guest experiences synonymous with the Banyan Tree brand. From exclusive wildlife encounters in the parks right next door to rejuvenating spa treatments, every moment will be thoughtfully crafted to captivate the senses,” said Cook.

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Sustainability is at the heart of the resort as well. All rooms are naturally ventilated with windows that fully open and and ambient room temperatures are regulated. Each room is equipped with an interactive display that shows power consumption levels and gives reminders when usage exceeds recommended levels. The flushing system in rooms is also powered by collected rainwater. All these touches have led to the resort achieving Singapore Green Mark Platinum status for being a Super Low Energy Resort.

The resort houses two restaurants – Forage and Planter’s Shed.

Planter’s Shed is an all-day dining restaurant featuring local and international cuisine, while specialty restaurant Forage offers a Trust the Chef menu and dishes made from daily sourced ingredients, including produce from the resort’s rooftop edible garden.

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Another signature of the Banyan Group’s offering is its spa. Banyan Tree Spa at the Mandai Rainforest Resort creates an intimate sanctuary with spa pavilions and suites that seamlessly integrate with its natural surroundings. Three treatment pods and three treatment rooms are available.A range of skincare including hand creams, essential oils and toiletries will also be on sale at Banyan Tree Gallery, the resort’s retail store.

The resort’s 446m² ballroom seats 300, with its eye-catching ceiling designed after the rare Bridal Veil Stinkhorn. Nearby is a spacious bridal room for wedding delegations. Two function rooms that seat up to 40 people combined are also available.

For children, the Ranger’s Club offers a fun and educational play area, and the Wild ZooDay Camp takes those aged six to 10 on an immersive guided tour of Singapore Zoo.

Malta wants more Asians to discover its many vibrant layers

By Karen Yue

March 5, 2025

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DSC_9133_Carlo-Micallef_640 — Carlo Micallef shares Malta's plans to draw more Asian tourists including more flight connections and engagements with travel agencies

Asia is a growing tourism source market for Malta, and numbers are expected to inflate further on the back of air network improvements that better connect the globe’s east with the central Mediterranean country.

Qatar Airways will recommence flights to Malta this July with a four-times-weekly connection between Doha’s Hamad International Airport and Malta International Airport.

Carlo Micallef shares Malta’s plans to draw more Asian tourists including more flight connections and engagements with travel agencies

“We’re very happy to have Qatar Airways back to Malta. It provides an important gateway to Malta from Asia and Australia,” said Carlo Micallef, chief executive officer at Malta Tourism Authority, adding that Asian access is currently supported by Emirates, which flies daily from Dubai with a stop in Larnaca, and LOT Polish Airlines.

“At this point, our connection with Asia – China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia – is very good,” he remarked. This has helped to lift Asian arrivals “steadily”.

“It is our strategy to invest more in Asia so that we have a better balance of arrivals from different markets around the world. At the moment, we have about 50,000 arrivals from the whole of Asia. I think it can grow to give us 150, 000 to 200,000,” said Micallef.

He sees strong promise in China and Singapore – and any Asian countries that do not need a visa to enter Malta.

Malta Tourism Authority intensifying engagements with Asian travel agencies are paying off, with “some nice groups from Thailand, China, and other Asian countries” along with an uptick in leisure and business travel enquiries for Maltese inbound players.

Micallef emphasised that Malta is ideal for Asian travellers wanting a slow travel experience in a small but very vibrant destination.

“It takes less than one hour to go from point to point in Malta, but we are like a zip file – you open it and out comes so many layers to discover,” he opined.

Travellers, he said, could easily explore Malta and stay in quality hotels, boutique properties, apartments, and guesthouses anywhere, not only in the main areas of Valletta, Sliema, St Julian, or St Paul’s Bay.

“Travellers can go into the small villages, stay in a guesthouse with 15 or 20 rooms, have tea with the locals, go with them to collect strawberries in the fields, milk a goat and make some cheese, or taste local wine,” he said, adding that the experience is “all very real and natural”.

To present the best of Malta to more Asians, the tourism board is developing its fly-cruises offerings, introducing off-peak travel ideas for the winter months between November and April, and offering fam trip opportunities to Asian travel planners so that they can “see it and believe it”.

Aviation roundup: Vietjet, Emirates and more

By TTG Asia

March 5, 2025

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Vietjet_Photo_3_640 — New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford presents the Testimonial of new connectivity to Vietjet Vice Chairman of the BOD Nguyen Anh Tuan, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of both countries

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Caroline Beresford presents the Testimonial of new connectivity to Vietjet Vice Chairman of the BOD Nguyen Anh Tuan, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of both countries

Vietjet announces inaugural air service connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Auckland
Vietjet Air has announced an inaugural air service between Vietnam and New Zealand with the upcoming launch of a Ho Chi Minh City-Auckland service.

The route will commence in September 2025, with four return flights per week. Seat classes include Business, SkyBoss, Deluxe, and Eco.

This service comes as the two nations elevate relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and ahead of the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The route is expected to further boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Emirates opens routes to Shenzhen, Danang and Siem Reap
From July 1, Emirates will launch daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Shenzhen.

The airline will also introduce four weekly services to Danang on June 2 and three weekly flights to Siem Reap from June 3, with both cities connecting via Bangkok.

This latest expansion marks Emirates’ fourth gateway into the Chinese mainland, third destination in Vietnam and second point in Cambodia.

EK328 will depart from Dubai at 1005hrs, arriving in Shenzhen at 22.00. The return flight EK329 departs Shenzhen at 23.55, landing in Dubai at 03.40 the next day. This route will be operated by the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER.

Flights to Danang will operate with the Emirates Boeing 777 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Emirates flight EK370 will depart from Dubai at 09.00 and arrives in Bangkok at 18.25. The flight will then depart from Bangkok at 20.10 and arrives in Danang at 21.50. The return flight EK371 will depart from Danang at 23.30 and arrives in Bangkok at 01.10 the next day. The flight will then take off at 03.40hrs, arriving in Dubai at 06.50.

Air India announces shorter transit times between Kuala Lumpur and European destinations
Air India has reduced connection times between Kuala Lumpur to London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam via India, to about 2.5 hours.

The airline has launched a campaign called Via to highlight these improved connection times and promote India as a world-class hub.

The optimised flight schedule makes Air India flights among the fastest for travel between Malaysia and Europe, with sufficient transit times at Air India’s hub in Delhi.

Air Astana brings Danang closer with direct flights from Almaty
Starting June 4, Air Astana will introduce a new direct route from Almaty to Danang in Vietnam on the Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Flights will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a flying time of seven hours and 10 minutes. Flight KC599 will depart Almaty at 00.55 and arrive in Danang at 10.05, with the return flight, KC600 departing Danang at 11.45 and arriving in Almaty 17.00.

The launch of this new twice weekly service will increase the number of Air Astana scheduled flights to Vietnam to nine. Existing operations include four flights a week between Almaty and Nha Trang, plus three flights per week between Astana and Nha Trang.

The seasonal route from Almaty and Astana to Phu Quoc will continue to operate until March 31.

SWISS revamps longhaul travel with “SWISS Senses”

By TTG Asia

March 5, 2025

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Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has overhauled its longhaul Economy and Premium Economy Class experience.

The concept, dubbed “SWISS Senses”, promises a revamped longhaul air travel experience that encompasses, culinary delights, comfort upgrades, and a refreshed cabin ambience.

Passengers will now be greeted with a welcome aperitif, accompanied by traditional Swiss Sbrinz cheese, immediately after reaching cruising altitude, a nod to Swiss “apéro” culture. The main meal offerings have been revamped with new culinary creations, and the pre-landing meal is now served on a tray or in a reusable bento box.

On select flights, additional snacks will be offered between meals, and an expanded selection of snacks and beverages will be available throughout the flight. This includes a new Swiss red wine and classic Swiss soft drinks like Rivella. All Economy Class meals will be served on modern, reusable black tableware.

Beyond the culinary upgrades, SWISS is focusing on passenger comfort. New bedding, including soft pillows and blankets made entirely from recycled materials, will provide a more restful sleep. Enhanced headphones will offer a superior audio experience for enjoying inflight entertainment.

A key element of “SWISS Senses” is the introduction of a signature fragrance, Alpine Valley, developed in collaboration with Zurich-based Soeder. This aromatic scent, combining larch, citrus, and herbal notes, will be featured in the lavatories in soap, hand lotion, and facial spray form, bringing a touch of the Swiss Alps onboard.

The “SWISS Senses” concept extends beyond immediate service enhancements. SWISS is also investing in new seats and cabin interiors across its intercontinental fleet. This holistic approach promises a complete transformation of the longhaul travel experience, appealing to all senses.

“These new product and service highlights will tangibly enhance the air travel experience for our Economy Class and our Premium Economy Class guests,” said SWISS chief commercial officer Heike Birlenbach. “Taken together, they represent one of the biggest service investments in the history of our company. And they bring us a further step forward in providing our customers with a quality air travel experience that is hallmarked by both Swissness and a devotion to detail.”

Philippines invests in ATF 2026 attendee acquisition

By Rosa Ocampo

March 4, 2025

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Tumalog Falls, Cebu, Philippines — TPB Philippines is going out all with a multi-platform promotional strategy to target trade and consumer and showcase the country's diverse offerings

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Philippines is stepping up destination promotions across key markets, including Europe, to build trade interest in attending the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026.

“The aim is to build anticipation for TRAVEX (the B2B meeting component of ATF), attract a strong delegation of buyers and media participants, and position the Philippines as a premier travel and investment destination in South-east Asia,” said TPB’s chief operating officer, Margarita M Nograles.

She told TTG Asia that TPB is looking to invite 400 international buyers for TRAVEX, tentatively scheduled on January 28 to 30 next year in a new convention centre in Mactan, Cebu.

Promotional efforts will focus on the Philippines’ top tourism source markets, particularly in Asia, North America, and Europe.

For Europe, priority markets include Germany, a key long-haul source market with strong interest in beach, nature and cultural experiences, and the UK, a growing market for luxury and adventure, Nograles enthused.

TPB Philippines is going out all with a multi-platform promotional strategy to target trade and consumer and showcase the country’s diverse offerings

The Philippine delegation at ITB Berlin 2025 this week, led by Nograles, hosted a Networking Night on March 4 for private stakeholders, trade buyers, and tourism officials.

Overall, TPB will leverage a multi-platform promotional strategy, including trade and consumer activations at international travel fairs and roadshows; digital marketing campaigns targeting key travel markets; strategic partnerships with global media and influencers; fam trips and post event tours for hosted buyers and media; and integrated PR and advertising campaigns highlighting the Philippines’ diverse offerings.

Nograles said the strategy highlights a mix of award-winning and world-renowned destinations of Palawan, Boracay, Cebu and Bohol as well as emerging and hidden gem destinations under the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) wherein tours showcase specific destinations’ culture, heritage and arts.

Also to be spotlighted are Filipino gastronomy and unique regional flavours which have started getting recognised in global kitchens; business events emphasising Cebu as a premier business events hub; offbeat adventure tourism including diving, trekking and ecotourism experiences; music and entertainment tourism highlighting Filipino talent and vibrant festivals.

There will also be 5D4N post-tours for hosted buyers and 100 media participants from all over the world.

Malaysia eyes France, after strong growth in European arrivals

By S Puvaneswary

March 4, 2025

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Malacca-City,-Melaka,-Malaysia — Malaysia looks forward to more travellers from Europe as Tourism Malaysia ramps up promotional efforts with Visit Malaysia Year 2026

Malaysia’s inbound arrival statistics for 2024 reveal strong double-digit growth from key European source markets, including the UK, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, compared to 2023. Notably, Germany, France, and the Netherlands have surpassed their pre-pandemic numbers, reflecting a full recovery.

Looking ahead, demand from Europe remains promising as Tourism Malaysia intensifies its promotional efforts across key markets. It is ramping up campaigns to boost Malaysia’s visibility, including the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 blitz, which aims to attract 35.6 million international tourists and generate 147.1 billion ringgit (US$33 billion) in tourism receipts.

Malaysia looks forward to more travellers from Europe as Tourism Malaysia ramps up promotional efforts with Visit Malaysia Year 2026

Air connectivity between Malaysia and Europe is set to improve significantly with Malaysia Airlines resuming flights to Paris after a nine-year hiatus. Starting March 22, the national carrier will operate four weekly flights between Kuala Lumpur and Paris Charles de Gaulle using Airbus A350-900 aircraft, increasing to daily flights from March 29. This is Malaysia Airlines’ second European destination after London.

Izham Ismail, managing director of Malaysia Aviation Group, highlighted that Paris was selected to complement the London route, offering additional connectivity to Eastern Europe, North Africa, and South America.

Inbound travel agents are optimistic about this development.

Arokia Das, executive director of The Essence of Asia Tours and Travel, intends to seize the moment and promote Malaysia to both the French market as well as French-speaking African nations such as Algeria, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast.

“Additionally, we plan to conduct sales calls in Prague and the Netherlands this year to re-educate outbound partners on Malaysia’s latest tourism developments,” said Arokia.

Saini Vermeulen, executive director of Within Earth Holidays (WEH), told TTG Asia that he now intends to appoint a sales representative in France to further attract French travellers to Malaysia and South-east Asia.

He added: “We have forecasted a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in inbound business from Europe for 2025. This growth is largely attributed to the hard work of our sales representative based in Frankfurt, covering German-speaking markets and Eastern Europe.”

The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is also deepening engagement with European outbound markets.

Nigel Wong, MATTA president, is leading members of the Malaysian travel trade at ITB Berlin 2025 this week.

Following the tradeshow, the group will embark on a sales mission to Prague.

Additionally, MATTA plans to invite key European outbound agents to join fam trips and business-matching sessions in Malaysia.

New hotels: Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Regent Bali Canggu and more

Japanese chefs head to rural hotels to research and craft new dishes

Meliá signs new agreement for resort in Phu Quoc

Sentosa’s new offerings to keep European interest high

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree to welcome guests from April 2

Malta wants more Asians to discover its many vibrant layers

Aviation roundup: Vietjet, Emirates and more

SWISS revamps longhaul travel with “SWISS Senses”

Philippines invests in ATF 2026 attendee acquisition

Malaysia eyes France, after strong growth in European arrivals

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