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Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 7th April 2026
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Working up a pure appetite

By Karen Yue
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Last July, you shared with us Tourism New Zealand’s intentions to drive year-round tourist arrivals, particularly through encouraging visitation during the off-peak seasons from March to November. How is that coming along?
Across the 10 markets in Asia where we operate, most holiday periods fall within New Zealand’s off-peak period. So, we have been able to lean heavily into a behaviour that already exists in Asia.

We have done campaigns to encourage more travel to New Zealand during our off-peak season. One good example is the work we are doing in China. We have a target audience of over 60 million consumers in China, and about 10 million of them are ready to book. That’s a huge audience. We shaped this audience’s travel intentions towards experiencing New Zealand in autumn and winter.

China and New Zealand have counter seasons. When it is summer in Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, New Zealand gets its winter. So, New Zealand offers a cool break for the Chinese.

The Chinese have just taken their long Labour Day holidays (May 1 to 5), which falls within New Zealand’s off-peak. Did you get good and strong arrivals during this period?
We don’t have data yet; it is still too soon to tell. But what I have heard from the trade here is that there was an uplift in Chinese arrivals in April.

Besides the off-season push, what other destination campaigns are you most proud off?
Tourism New Zealand did a lot of activities last year, and what we do varies market to market across Asia.

But if I had to pick one recent activity that really stood out for me, it would have to be our work with Minecraft. It was a wonderful opportunity to lean into what started off being a movie filmed in New Zealand. We saw that we could leverage A Minecraft Movie to build more awareness for New Zealand.

We teamed up with Warner Bros Pictures and Mojang Studios to launch a world-first destination DLC (downloadable content) for Minecraft, enabling players worldwide to explore New Zealand in-game. That DLC has six iconic New Zealand spots, including Waitomo Caves (Waikato), Rotorua (Bay of Plenty), Kapiti Island (Wellington), Abel Tasman (Nelson/Tasman), Tekapo (Mackenzie), and Doubtful Sound (Fiordland).

We are also bringing more KOLs down to New Zealand to have them immerse in those same experiences they got through the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC.

Often, when we achieve earned media to build awareness for New Zealand, it is difficult to convert attention into actual bookings. So, we built bookable itineraries that feature some of those iconic experiences in the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC.

The Minecraft campaign is still operating in some markets at the moment, it’s not over yet, so we don’t have results of the impact.

(Editor’s note: According to data insights firm Demandsage, the Minecraft game had over 204.33 million monthly active players as of December 2024. A Minecraft Movie was released in the US in April and is being shown in cinemas now across Asia)

Doesn’t Minecraft target a rather young audience? Is Tourism New Zealand intending to use the power of persuasive children to get their parents to book a trip to New Zealand?
That’s good question. Surprisingly, the average age of a Minecraft gamer is in the mid-20s. That surprised me. My children play the game. Well, no doubt the game is played by all ages, across generations.

New Zealand’s location on the globe requires travellers to spend quite a bit of money to get to. As such, it is not a budget destination. Would travellers in their 20s possess the buying power for New Zealand?
Well, there is a growing audience of young, high-value travellers. But our work with Minecraft does not just target gamers. The campaign reaches beyond gamers through lifestyle influencers. Minecraft was just the hook.

Is there another campaign that you are proud of?
I want to call out our work in China with Xiaohongshu. We recognise the importance of Xiaohongshu as the number one platform in China for travel inspiration and travel planning. It has a very, very busy ecosystem, with 80 million content creators. We chose to work with 15 content creators, who came and explored New Zealand and then created really rich and beautiful imagery and videos to share on the platform.

Their content also included detailed itineraries that address the booking barriers that we have. One of the biggest barriers to booking a holiday to New Zealand is the knowledge gap. What’s the weather like? How do I get there? How do I get around?

Increasingly, we are also trying to connect such travel content onto booking platforms. We have some work with Fliggy (a popular online travel platform in China) to pull traffic through and get bookings.

Are there certain destinations in New Zealand that you would like more Asian travellers to know about and give it a go?
We want everybody to experience as much in New Zealand as possible. There are very popular routes that people know about, and I would encourage everyone to go for the iconic experiences. On top of that, I would like them to explore a little bit further, you know, by just going into some of the smaller towns and other parts of the regions. There’s a real richness that off-the-beaten-track places offer.

I would also encourage our visitors to talk to our people because one of the distinct unique propositions for us is our people. Every New Zealander loves to share and talk about the home that they live and grew up in.

When I brought my then-partner now wife to New Zealand for the first time, she found the people more than the place as being the most memorable.

I think the point of difference for New Zealand is how we bring the landscapes, scenery and products together so well with the people and culture. There is a Maori word, manaakitanga, which broadly translates into kindness, sharing, and embracing, and that is how New Zealanders demonstrate their hospitality. Yet, it is deeper than just showing hospitality because we want to learn about you as you learn about us.

Asian passenger numbers climb for Air New Zealand

By Karen Yue
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Air New Zealand is welcoming more Asian passengers onboard, with strongest growth seen in Singapore and Indonesia. The upward trend reflects destination New Zealand’s growing visitor arrivals from Asia, noted Imogen Thornton, Air New Zealand’s head of South and South East Asia.

The airline recorded an increase of more than 40 per cent in Singapore-originating traffic on its Singapore-Auckland flights in 2024 over 2023. Passenger numbers out of all South and South-east Asian markets travelling on the Singapore-Auckland service was up three per cent for the same period.

Air New Zealand’s Imogen Thornton (seated) shows off the airline’s new Business Premier Luxe seat and the airline’s new cabin crew uniform that adorns a colleague; photo by Karen Yue

Passenger numbers out of Indonesia spiked over 250 per cent following Air New Zealand’s increased flight frequency out of Bali Denpasar’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Once a seasonal service, the Auckland-Denpasar flight was turned into a year-round service last year.

Thornton said the airline is particularly hopeful about using the Auckland-Denpasar service to get more travellers from across South-east Asia.

“It is also a popular transit point with Singaporeans who choose to have a few days in Bali on their way down to New Zealand,” she told TTG Asia.

As Indian arrivals to New Zealand stabilise after the post-pandemic VFR surge, showing a slight two per cent decline in 2024 over 2023, Air New Zealand is “working hard” with trade partners to keep leisure travel interest high.

“We’ve seen lots of excitement at TRENZ 2025 from Indian buyers, which makes us optimistic about what lies ahead,” she added.

Trade partnerships play a big part in the airline’s business outreach in Asia, although not all involve an MoU signing. Thornton shared that efforts largely involve marketing to raise destination awareness and convey itinerary ideas as well as providing fare deals to travel agency partners to help elevate demand.

Asian passengers benefit from Air New Zealand’s extensive domestic network. It flies to 20 different places around the country, with good connections out of Auckland Airport.

“We know that for many travellers out of Asia, their trip to New Zealand is likely a bucket list holiday. They want to cover both the North and South Island. So, we do see a high uptake of our services from Auckland Airport down to Queenstown or Christchurch. Travellers will then explore onwards,” she said.

Looking ahead, Thornton said Asian travellers could expect a refreshed flight experience once the airline’s retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner project progresses into the region.

The first retrofitted Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is scheduled to depart from Auckland to Australia’s Brisbane on May 19. Additional retrofitted aircraft will be introduced on San Francisco (the US), Vancouver (Canada), and Asian routes – with timelines for these yet to be established.

It features new products across Business Premier, Business Premier Luxe, Premium Economy, and Economy seat classes. Materials, colours, and textures are selected to create a cabin environment that is warm, welcoming and distinctly New Zealand, from soft, breathable fabrics that help regulate temperature to carefully designed lighting that minimises disruption.

It is worth noting that the updated Business Premier seats are given a new angle and layout, as well as a sliding privacy screen. Additionally, travellers have the option of taking the all-new Business Premier Luxe product, which are located in the front four seats of the Business Premier cabin. These come with spacious seating area with an ottoman doubling as a guest seat, room for two to dine with an extra-large tray table, a larger bed with unrestricted space at the end, and a full closing door.

The inflight entertainment system is also enhanced with larger 4K HD inflight entertainment screens throughout the aircraft and Bluetooth audio connectivity, among other fresh features.

New Zealand’s Rotorua eyes stronger Asian contribution to arrivals

By Karen Yue
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Destination Rotorua in New Zealand’s North Island is looking to grow arrivals from emerging Asian source markets like the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, and intends to bank on its wide variety of products across adventure, culture, wellness and scenic categories to achieve its goals.

Speaking to TTG Asia during TRENZ 2025, a travel trade show focused on promoting New Zealand destinations and hosted this year in Rotorua, Andrew Wilson, chief executive of RotoruaNZ, said: “All Asian markets are definitely a top priority for us, and the emerging South-east Asia markets are on our hit list for the next couple of years.”

As Trenz 2025 host, Rotorua gets to showcase its experiences live to trade buyers

Wilson said destination reach is already well established in Singapore, China, and India, and RotoruaNZ’s strategy has been to “ensure products and operators are ready for those markets”.

For the China market, RotoruaNZ recently inked an agreement with Air China that will result in joint activity to raise destination awareness and drive higher Chinese arrivals to the Sulphur City – a nickname Rotorua earned for its active geothermal system and abundant hot springs.

“We’re really fortunate that a number of established operators have got some really key people visiting these Asian markets pretty regularly to sell the best that Rotorua has to offer,” he said.

In fact, Asian travellers now have even more reasons to visit, as Rotorua rolls out fresh experiences.

Come September, Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights will unveil Redwoods Glowworms, a 70-metre eco cave featuring rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and a cool environment that is home to over 5,000 glow-worms. The experience combines conservation, education, and adventure.

Bruce Thomasen, co-founder of Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights, said Redwoods Glowworms is a result of a partnership with Expedition Earth duo Bridget Thackwray and Topher Richwhite, who have developed the bio-integrative designs and the eco-environment that allows glow-worms to thrive.

Also new is the high-end Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa that sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua. This facility combines Maori culture and Ngāti Whakaue water healing practices, with its star attraction being the two-hour, seven-step Restorative Journey, which takes rejuvenation seekers from the Te Hihiri Blessing Stone ritual through Te Tukinga Tongariro Fire & Ice Caves, Te Pae Paru Geothermal Mud Lounge, Kohu Wai Ariki Steam Room, and more.

Wilson said RotoruaNZ would ride on the market reach that Tourism New Zealand has across South-east Asia.

He expects the growing consumer preference for off-season travel to work in Rotorua’s favour.

“New Zealand’s winter weather is actually pretty mild when compared to other destinations like those in Europe. We are now in autumn, and you can see that the foliage in Rotorua is vivid, the skies are still quite blue, and the air is really clean,” he remarked, adding that such weather allows many activities and experiences to still take place.

Travellers visiting Rotorua in autumn and winter can benefit from low season perks, such as “better deals and a little something extra from the operators” that will deliver greater value.

Booking.com’s 2025 research highlights rising traveller awareness of tourism’s impact

By TTG Asia
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Booking.com has released the 10th edition of its annual research into consumer attitudes and intentions regarding the social and ecological impact of travel. Based on responses from 32,000 travellers across 34 countries, the report finds that for the first time, more than half (53%) are now aware of travel’s impact on communities and the environment, while 69% want to leave destinations in a better condition than when they arrived.

Conducted online in January 2025, the research includes perspectives from respondents not only as travellers but also as residents. While 57% believe tourism has a positive impact where they live, the findings indicate that changes are needed to allow destinations to develop at a sustainable pace.

More travellers are considering tourism’s impact, with the majority aiming to leave destinations better than they found them

Just under half (48%) of travellers feel tourism levels are appropriate where they live. As residents, they identify challenges such as traffic congestion (38%), littering (35%), overcrowding (30%) and rising cost of living (29%).

Only 16% of respondents support limiting visitor numbers in their home area. Instead, most favour investment in infrastructure, with improved transportation (38%), waste management (37%) and environmental conservation (32%) identified as priorities.

When asked about visitor behaviour in their home locations, 53% of respondents say tourists often or always respect local customs, and 54% observe support for local businesses. This is consistent with their own travel intentions: 73% want their spending to benefit local communities, and 77% seek experiences representative of local culture.

In 2025, 84% of global travellers say sustainable travel remains important. In 2016, 42% believed they were travelling more sustainably; by 2025, 93% report wanting to make more sustainable choices and to some extent already doing so. Over the past decade, there have been changes in awareness and behaviour, particularly relating to waste and energy use.

In 2020, 43% said they turned off air conditioning or heating in their accommodation when not present; this rose to 67% by 2023. The 2025 findings show that travellers are also considering their social and economic impact. Reported actions include seeking travel advice for different times of the year (39%) and visiting less crowded destinations (36%).

“To ensure that destinations can continue to be enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike, tourism, infrastructure and innovation need to keep pace with travellers’ good intent,” said Danielle D’Silva, director of sustainability at Booking.com.

“As we look to the future, we are also optimistic about the potential for AI and other technology to play a role. We ultimately want to make it easier for travellers to connect with a more diverse range of local communities and help spread the positive benefits of tourism more broadly.”

Inbound travel to New Zealand to benefit from marketing boost, smoother travel visa application

By Karen Yue
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An additional NZ$13.5 million (US$8.1 million) has been allocated to Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) as part of the government’s Tourism Boost package, with money being drawn from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy for 2024/25. This funding, announced in mid-April, will support increased destination marketing activities in key international source markets to materialise greater visitor arrivals and stronger tourism growth.

Marketing media, PR and travel trade partnerships in core markets – Australia, the US, and China – as well as mid-size markets including Germany, South Korea, and India, will be strengthened to support conversion from the consideration stage through to booking.

TNZ’s new funding will target key global markets to drive tourism growth and improve the visitor experience; Rotorua in New Zealand, pictured

Focusing on the core markets presents a strong opportunity for growth, with these markets comprising over 60 per cent of international visitor arrivals.

Speaking at TRENZ 2025’s Tourism Briefing on May 7 in Rotorua, TNZ chief executive Rene de Monchy underscored the critical support the boosted fund would bring to travel trade engagements.

He said the travel trade “remains vital” in facilitating inbound travel to the destination, and noted that “so much of our bookings from around the world come through an intermediary of some kind”.

In an earlier statement, de Monchy said the enhanced Tourism Boost package will allow TNZ to “reach the highest number of people actively considering booking a visit to New Zealand”.

“Our visitor numbers are tracking well, but there is still room for growth and we know there are more people than ever considering a visit to New Zealand. We’re focused on reaching those people and encouraging them to book their trip here”, said de Monchy.

The NZ$13.5 million investment is expected to bring an additional 23,000 visitors to New Zealand and deliver over NZ$100 million in international visitor spending between July 2025 and March 2026.

Not only will destination New Zealand benefit from intensified marketing going forward, changes have also been made to the visa application process to reduce traveller friction. The immigration authority has agreed to lift the requirement for the certification of translated non-English supporting documents, with this change coming into effect on May 26.

This announcement was made the same morning by Louise Upston, New Zealand minister for tourism and hospitality.

Upston informed travel industry colleagues at the Tourism Briefing that the decision was in response to travel trade feedback on the time and cost barriers brought on by the translation certification requirement.

“While translations will still be required, applicants will only need to advise who translated, and the qualification and experience of the translator,” she said.

Helicopter tourism in Cambodia draws interest from Bell Textron

By Marissa Carruthers
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Cambodia’s helicopter tourism sector is set to soar to new heights as Bell Textron explores opportunities in the market, positioning its Bell 505 as a suitable option for the country’s growing demand in this area.

During a three-day test flight of the five-seater aircraft in Phnom Penh, Bell demonstration pilot Sean Mah said that Cambodia’s economic growth and rising interest in premium travel make it a strong candidate for the introduction of the Bell 505. He noted that the aircraft could help connect key tourism sites such as Siem Reap and Phnom Penh in under two hours, provide transport to private islands, support scenic flights, and offer access to remote resorts. The helicopter can travel up to 300 nautical miles in approximately four hours.

Helicopter links between key destinations could boost Cambodia’s premium tourism offerings; photo by Marissa Carruthers

Mah pointed out that a growth in demand for VIP and executive travel in the Kingdom also contributed to Bell’s decision.

He noted: “This is a modern, single-engine helicopter that Cambodia can use for tourism, but is also great for corporate transport to get from A to B, especially to remote areas or places that aren’t serviced by commercial airliners.”

Since its launch in 2017, more than 100 Bell 505 units have been delivered across the Asia-Pacific region, including to Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

Cambodia’s helicopter tourism market is currently served by Helistar Cambodia, Helicopters Cambodia and Helitop Aviation.

Hilton plans major India expansion with 300 hotels in next decade

By Rohit Kaul
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Hilton has announced a growth strategy for India, aiming to expand its presence tenfold over the next decade, with a target of more than 300 hotels across the country. The plan includes the introduction of five additional Hilton brands into the Indian market.

The announcement was made during Hilton’s first brand showcase in India, held in Bengaluru on May 6, 2025. Under the theme Unlocking the Stay, the company presented 10 of its brands through displays and presentations at the event.

From left: Hilton’s Chris Nassetta and Alan Watts

Speaking to media, Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, expressed confidence in the potential of the Indian market. “I do not believe there is a market that has more growth opportunities than India. We believe that India is still an underpenetrated market compared to other parts of the world, offering terrific opportunities for everyone.”

Hilton currently operates 32 hotels in India, with a further 29 in development. Slohh by Roach, Curio Collection by Hilton, opening in 2025, will be the first Curio property in India, located in Bengaluru. The Den Bengaluru, LXR Hotels & Resorts, scheduled to open in 2026, will be the first LXR property in the country.

“When you consider the scale of our business globally, India is currently a relatively small market. Our global success has been driven by building a strong, diversified network of hotels that cater to all price points and we believe the same strategy will work in India. Our focus will be on expanding across Tier 1 cities and resort destinations, while also reaching into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets,” added Nassetta.

Alongside Curio and LXR, Hilton plans to introduce Signia by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, and Spark by Hilton to the Indian market. The company has signed a licensing agreement with Olive by Embassy to develop 150 Spark by Hilton properties across India over the next ten years.

Alan Watts, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton, noted the importance of infrastructure and domestic demand in enabling the company’s expansion.

“The infrastructure development is giving India real momentum in travel and tourism. As we expand our presence in India, we will focus on working with the right partners in the right locations,” Watts highlighted.

Aviation roundup: Etihad Airways, China Eastern Airlines and more

By TTG Asia
0
Etihad Airways and China Eastern Airlines launch joint venture with new Shanghai–Abu Dhabi route

Etihad and China Eastern enter joint venture
Etihad Airways and China Eastern Airlines have launched their joint venture (JV) with the arrival of China Eastern’s inaugural MU237 flight from Shanghai to Abu Dhabi on April 28, 2025.

The new route initially operates four times a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Starting September 12, 2025, the service will increase to daily flights. Passengers will travel aboard an A330 aircraft, equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity.

Building upon the launch of the JV, Etihad Airways and China Eastern Airlines have also signed a new agreement for their respective loyalty programmes. Starting June 1, 2025, members of Etihad Guest and Eastern Miles programmes will be able to earn and redeem miles across both airlines’ networks, offering enhanced value and seamless travel experiences for loyalty members.

Hong Kong Airlines

Hong Kong Airlines debuts Hong Kong-Hulunbuir service
Hong Kong Airlines has launched its inaugural flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Hulunbuir (HLD) in Inner Mongolia. This new route offers a direct and efficient travel link between Hong Kong and Hulunbuir, strengthening connectivity between Hong Kong and cities along the Belt and Road initiative.

The Hong Kong-Hulunbuir flights operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with HX463 departing Hong Kong and HX462 returning from Hulunbuir on the same days.

Starting from June 5, 2025, an additional Thursday flight will be available.

Emirates and Philippine Airlines eye codeshare to boost Dubai–Philippines connectivity

Emirates expands network with new codeshare partnerships
Emirates has expanded its global network through a series of strategic partnerships, further enhancing connectivity and travel options for its passengers. Recently, the airline signed multiple agreements with Condor, Air Seychelles, and Philippine Airlines, strengthening its presence in Europe, the Caribbean, the Seychelles, and the Philippines. These new collaborations not only offer seamless travel connections but also improve services and convenience for customers across these regions.

Emirates and Condor have launched a reciprocal codeshare partnership ahead of the 2025 summer travel season, offering expanded travel options for both airlines’ customers. Emirates passengers can now access 11 new destinations in Europe and the Caribbean, including popular spots like Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, and Cancun, via Condor’s hubs in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg. Condor travellers will benefit from enhanced connectivity to 13 destinations served by Emirates through Dubai, such as Bali, the Maldives, and Cape Town.

Emirates and Air Seychelles will work together to facilitate seamless connections for Emirates passengers on Air Seychelles flights between Mahe and Praslin Island. This agreement allows customers to book their entire itinerary on a single ticket, enjoy competitive fares, and benefit from a unified baggage policy for travel between the two islands. Emirates operates 14 weekly flights between Dubai and Mahe, with many travellers originating from France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.

Furthermore, Emirates and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have recently discussed expanding their partnership with a potential codeshare agreement. This would provide travellers with better connectivity between the Philippines and Dubai, offering a single ticket, competitive fares, and a streamlined baggage policy. Emirates and PAL first signed an interline agreement in March 2023, connecting passengers to ten domestic points in the Philippines and nine international destinations via Dubai.

Cathay Pacific launches non-stop service between Hong Kong and Dallas

Cathay Pacific adds Dallas to global network
Cathay Pacific celebrated the launch of its new non-stop service between Hong Kong and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport on April 24, 2025. This marks the sixth new destination for the airline this year, with 15 new routes announced for 2025.

Cathay Pacific operates four weekly return flights between Hong Kong and Dallas using Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, featuring Business, Premium Economy, and Economy cabins.

The addition strengthens Cathay’s North America network and offers greater convenience for passengers.

Vietjet’s inaugural flight to Fukuoka received a festive water cannon salute

Vietjet launches flights to Japan, adds new China route
Vietjet has launched two new direct routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Nagoya and Fukuoka in Japan. The new services, which started on April 24 and 25, 2025, aim to improve travel options and strengthen cultural and economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Ho Chi Minh City-Nagoya route operates four times a week, while the Ho Chi Minh City-Fukuoka route runs three times a week. These additions bring the total number of Vietjet’s direct flights between Vietnam and Japan to 10.

Additionally, Vietjet has launched a daily Hanoi-Shanghai service, continuing its rapid expansion in China, which includes new routes to Beijing and Guangzhou.

Western Australia rolls out new experiences in 2025

By TTG Asia
0

Fresh travel experiences across Western Australia invite visitors to explore culture, nature and wellness in new, meaningful ways. From mindful rainforest walks and Indigenous-led coastal tours to scenic EV road trips and immersive art trails, these offerings highlight the region’s diverse landscapes and stories while embracing sustainability and connection.

Lodge Wadjemup is now open on Rottnest Island, with the final stage set for completion by July 2025. Visitors can also join Laura the Explorer’s guided cycling tours to discover the island’s history and hidden spots.

Discover Mandurah’s hidden Giants on a scenic cruise where art meets nature

At Perth Zoo, Zen in the Zoo offers a mindful two-hour experience that includes a rainforest walk and a beginner-friendly yoga session. In Broome, Mabu Buru Tours invites travellers to join a 4WD tag-along foraging experience led by Traditional Owners. Guests learn to collect bush foods, hear Dreamtime stories, and experience the Kimberley coast through Indigenous perspectives.

In Rockingham, the Moordiboordip Cultural Tour takes guests along the coastline of Noongar Country. Co-hosted by Hidden deTours and In Culture Tours, this guided walk weaves in traditional song, bush tucker, and storytelling.

Western Australia now boasts one of the longest electric vehicle networks in the country, with 110 charging points across 49 locations. Popular routes like the Best of Golden Outback, Margaret River, and Broome are now easier to explore sustainably.

Swan River cruises offer a laid-back way to enjoy Perth’s skyline, with options like Captain Cook Cruises’ return route between Perth and Fremantle, or the quieter, solar-powered Little Ferry Company between Elizabeth Quay and East Perth.

In Mandurah, Giants of Mandurah – a trail of whimsical sculptures by Thomas Dambo – is now complemented by year-round Mandurah Cruises. The sightseeing cruise combines storytelling and nature, offering a fun and imaginative day out for families.

For more information, visit Western Australia.

NT attracts major international conferences through 2032

By TTG Asia
0

The Northern Territory (NT) will host over 55 international and national business events across Darwin, Alice Springs, and Uluru in 2025.

Upcoming international conferences in Darwin include the 10th World Archaeological Congress (1,200 delegates, June 2025), and the World Federation of Neuroscience Nurses Quadrennial Congress (200 delegates, July 2025).

Darwin Harbour and Waterfront Precinct; photo by Tourism Australia and Tourism NT

Looking ahead, NT has also secured hosting rights for a number of global business events to be staged within the next seven years, succeeding against highly competitive bids from countries such as South Africa, Canada, Brazil and Malaysia.

These include the International Symposium on Fish Nutrition and Feeding (400 delegates, Alice Springs, 2026), and 25th Commonwealth Law Conference (over 800 delegates, Darwin, 2027), a result of collaboration between the Darwin Convention Centre and Charles Darwin University, with government support.

In 2032, the NT will also welcome over 1,000 delegates for the International Radiation Protection Congress.

Rebecca McCaig, director of Northern Territory Business Events, cited Darwin’s proximity to Asia and direct flights as key competitive advantages.

Increased aviation access to the city includes new direct international flights from Qantas, Indonesia AirAsia, and AirAsia Malaysia, complementing existing services by Singapore Airlines and Jetstar.

She added: “Our ongoing strategies have included identifying key industries and sectors where NT local expertise and strengths are an asset. Our close connections with these sectors have enabled us to undertake a highly targeted approach, alongside our NT industry partners, to showcase how the NT is ‘different in every sense for business events.”

In addition, new hotel developments in Darwin include the recently-opened 186-key Courtyard by Marriott Darwin, the upcoming 87-key voco Darwin Suites (late 2025), and a planned Darwin Convention Centre Hotel with 236 rooms.

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