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Asia/Singapore Wednesday, 24th December 2025
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Agoda reveals Shanghai as Asia’s top emerging destination

By TTG Asia
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Shanghai has emerged as the fastest-growing destination for attracting international travellers from Asia, according to Agoda. The Chinese metropolis is followed by Jeju (South Korea), Paris (France), Nha Trang (Vietnam), and Fukuoka (Japan).

Agoda’s New Horizons ranking, which is released annually, compares the accommodation booking ranks of the two previous years to identify the highest climbers in international travel.

Agoda ranks Shanghai as the fastest-growing destination for Asian travellers, boosted by visa easements and its unique mix of modernity and tradition

Boosted by recent visa easements, Shanghai is now more accessible to international visitors than ever before. The city’s blend of modernity and tradition offers a unique experience that continues to attract travellers from across Asia.

Jeju, known for its natural beauty and unique cultural offerings, remains a favourite among travellers seeking a picturesque escape. Its diverse attractions – from volcanic landscapes to serene beaches – provide the perfect getaway for those looking to explore South Korea’s hidden gems.

Paris, still basking in the glow of the post-Olympics spotlight, continues to captivate visitors with its timeless charm and cultural richness. The city’s iconic landmarks make it a perennial favourite for travellers from all over the world.

Nha Trang, with its stunning coastline and vibrant nightlife, offers a tropical paradise for those looking to unwind and enjoy Vietnam’s coastal beauty. The city’s growing reputation as a beach destination is drawing more international visitors each year.

Fukuoka, with its rich history and culinary delights, provides a unique Japanese experience that is increasingly appealing to travellers. The city’s welcoming atmosphere and diverse attractions make it a must-visit destination in Japan.

Angel Huang, country director at Agoda, shared: “Shanghai’s re-emergence as a travel favourite is an exciting and fascinating development. We believe that less friction leads to more travel – Shanghai being the top trending destination on Agoda following China’s tourist visa waivers is powerful proof of that.”

Emirates set to become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline

By TTG Asia
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Emirates is working towards becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, enhancing accessibility for customers with autism and sensory sensitivities.

This certification, to be awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), will be granted once over 30,000 Emirates staff complete the required training.

Emirates is aiming to become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline by introducing comprehensive training and services to support neurodiverse travellers

As part of its commitment to making travel more inclusive, Emirates plans to introduce new services and standards later this year to improve the experience for passengers on the autism spectrum and their families. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78 per cent of families hesitate to travel, and 94 per cent would take more vacations if staff were trained in autism awareness.

To drive this initiative forward, Emirates has partnered with IBCCES, a leading organisation in autism and neurodiversity training. Together, they conducted an on-site review and comprehensive audit, gathering feedback from over 14,000 individuals with disabilities, including those with autism, and industry professionals. This data, alongside flight audits of Emirates’ routes, helped shape a new set of standards to support passengers with sensory sensitivities.

Based on these findings, Emirates is implementing the new standards across the entire journey. At least 80 per cent of customer-facing staff will undergo training, with a commitment to ongoing education and continuous improvements. Emirates’ ground staff and cabin crew will be trained on autism and sensory awareness, focusing on strategies to assist individuals based on their unique needs.

From 2025, Emirates will also introduce new services, including sensory guides, which are digital tools that help travellers navigate sensory environments based on factors such as sound and lighting. Additionally, sensory products like fidget toys will be available on flights to help reduce stress and improve focus.

In April 2024, Emirates achieved Certified Autism Center status for its Dubai check-in facilities, following Dubai Airport’s recognition as the first international airport to receive this certification in December 2023. The new training and protocols set for 2025 will further enhance accessibility for neurodiverse passengers, supporting Dubai’s goal to become the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere.

AirAsia MOVE joins forces with Antom and 2C2P for seamless payments

By TTG Asia
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AirAsia MOVE has entered into a partnership with Ant International’s Antom to enhance travel experiences, including seamless payment solutions on the app. As part of the agreement, AirAsia MOVE will collaborate with Antom, the merchant payment and digitisation services provider, and 2C2P, a global payments platform and subsidiary of Antom.

This collaboration will integrate Antom and 2C2P’s advanced payment solutions, including payment orchestration and acquiring for cards and local payment methods, into the AirAsia MOVE platform. These technologies will help streamline payment processes, reduce cross-border transaction costs and operational expenses, expand AirAsia MOVE’s customer base, and offer a wider range of preferred payment options.

From left: AirAsia MOVE’s Nadia Omer and Anderson Yong, 2C2P’s Agnes Chua, and Ant International’s Leiming Chen

This partnership between AirAsia MOVE, Antom, and 2C2P is part of a broader strategic alliance between Capital A and Ant International, announced in March 2024. This collaboration aims to expand payment methods, provide acquiring services, drive business growth through digital marketing, and support MSMEs with sustainable finance for the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Gary Liu, general manager of Antom, Ant International, and Reggie Weston, executive director of business and product development at 2C2P, both expressed excitement about their collaboration with AirAsia MOVE. Liu noted that by leveraging their AI-driven payment technologies, they aim to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, while Weston added that the partnership would introduce advanced payment features to optimally meet customer needs in a seamless way.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE commented: “We aim to simplify the complexities of cross-border transactions through this partnership and it also aligns with AirAsia MOVE’s vision of providing seamless travel experiences. By leveraging Antom and 2C2P’s robust payment infrastructure, we can offer greater flexibility and convenience, addressing the diverse needs of our growing customer base in South-east Asia and beyond.”

Singapore steps up security checks at all checkpoints this month

By TTG Asia
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Singapore’s Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned of enhanced security checks and delays at all checkpoints from now until January 22. The move is ordered “in view of heightened security situation in the region”, said authorities.

Tighter security checks and delays should be expected across all Singapore checkpoints this month

Detailed checks will be carried out on arriving travellers and conveyances at the land, air and sea checkpoints across Singapore, it said in a Facebook post.

Travellers are advised to factor in additional time for immigration clearance due to delays at the checkpoints.

Aviation roundup: Emirates, Loong Air and more

By TTG Asia
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Emirates

Emirates restarts Copenhagen service, adds flights to Colombo
Emirates has resumed its A380 service to Copenhagen, offering daily flights between Copenhagen and Dubai. The A380 features 58 Business Class lie-flat seats and 557 Economy Class seats.

Additionally, Emirates has introduced an extra daily flight between Dubai and Colombo. This new service will complement the existing flights and provide more choices for travellers.

A seventh weekly flight will operate from April 2025.

The added flight to Colombo will accommodate up to 360 passengers across First, Business, and Economy Classes, supporting Sri Lanka’s tourism growth with more than 2,800 seats available daily.

Loong Air

Loong Air launches flight from Xi’an to Penang
Loong Air has commenced its new route connecting China’s Xi’an to Malaysia’s Penang.

The flight will operate twice weekly, every Monday and Friday, using an Airbus A320 with a 168-seat capacity.

This new route supports the objectives of Visit Malaysia Year 2026, and comes as Malaysia sees a significant rise in tourist arrivals from China. The extended visa-free policy till December 2026, along with improved connectivity between Malaysia and China, is expected to further boost tourism and cultural exchange.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific returns to Rome this summer
Cathay Pacific will expand its global network with direct flights between Hong Kong and Rome, commencing June 5, 2025.

The new service marks the airline’s second direct connection between its home hub and Italy, and will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays as a summer seasonal route.

Cathay Pacific currently operates five weekly return flights to Milan, which will increase to daily this summer.

The route will be serviced by the airline’s Airbus A350-900, offering fully flat beds in Business Class, Premium Economy seats, and Economy cabins.

In addition to Rome, Cathay Pacific is launching new routes to Hyderabad, Dallas, Munich, and Brussels in 2025.

Jetstar Asia

Jetstar Asia flies direct from Singapore to Labuan Bajo
Jetstar Asia will begin direct flights between Singapore and Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, starting March 20 this year.

The new service, operating twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays, expands Jetstar’s growing Indonesian network, which already includes Bali, Surabaya, Medan, and Jakarta.

Cambodia eyes UAE and Middle East for 2025 tourism recovery

By Marissa Carruthers
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Cambodia is looking to the UAE and the Middle East as promising new source markets for 2025.

Din Somethearith, president of the Cambodia Tourism Federation, noted that before Covid-19, China was the Kingdom’s top source market. However, arrivals have yet to fully recover post-lockdown.

Cambodia plans to boost tourism in 2025 by focusing on the UAE and Middle Eastern markets; Siem Reap in Cambodia, pictured

“A new market is Arabic nations. We expect them to be one of the countries that replaces China,” he said, adding that visitors from the Middle East also have the potential to fill Cambodia’s low season lull.

Din Somethearith remarked that during the rainy season, Cambodia sees fewer European travellers. However, he noted that the hot weather in Arabic nations makes it an ideal time to attract visitors from those regions.

According to projections from the Ministry of Tourism, Cambodia welcomed around 6.7 million international tourists by end-2024, with approximately 430,000 of them being Muslim travellers. In recent months, Cambodian officials visited the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries to strengthen bilateral ties.

A raft of recent trade deals has also been inked between Cambodia and the UAE, including boosting tourism exchange.

In 2024, Emirates launched direct flights between Dubai and Phnom Penh, via Singapore, while Qatar began operating direct flights between Phnom Penh and Doha, with a stop in Ho Chi Minh City. In October, Etihad will also begin flying between Abu Dhabi and Phnom Penh.

However, Sinan Thourn, president of PATA Cambodia and IMCT Co., stated that measures need to be implemented for Cambodia to better prepare itself for the Muslim market.

He suggested: “Cambodia can enhance its appeal by developing facilities and services that cater to Muslim travellers, such as halal food options, prayer facilities and cultural sensitivity training for staff in the tourism industry.”

Sivlin Chhay, president of the Cambodia Tourism Association, pointed out that, in addition to Thourn’s recommendations, effective marketing and promotion are “paramount” for attracting the Muslim market.

She stated that targeted marketing campaigns in key markets should highlight Cambodia’s unique cultural and historical attractions, while emphasising its commitment to welcoming Muslim travellers, adding that “collaboration is also needed by fostering strong partnerships with Muslim travel agencies and tour operators in the Middle East”.

Singapore passport retains top spot

By TTG Asia
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Singapore remains as the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 of 227 global destinations, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index.

Japan follows as runner-up with access to 193 destinations.

According to the 2025 Henley Passport Index, the Singapore passport remains in the top position

The rankings are based on exclusive data from the IATA.

France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, and South Korea have all dropped two places to third, with visa-free access to 192 destinations. Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden share fourth place, each with access to 191 destinations. Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK are tied for fifth with 190 destinations.

Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the index, losing visa-free access to two more destinations over the past year. This has resulted in the largest mobility gap in the index’s 19-year history, with Singaporeans able to travel to 169 more destinations visa-free than Afghan passport holders.

The remaining spots in the Top 10 are largely occupied by European countries, alongside Australia in sixth place (189 destinations), Canada in seventh (188 destinations), and the US in ninth (186 destinations). The UAE, one of the biggest movers in the past decade, has gained 72 destinations since 2015 and now ranks 10th with access to 185 destinations.

Over the past decade, only 22 of the world’s 199 passports have fallen in the Henley Passport Index. The US is the second-biggest dropper, falling seven places from second to ninth, after Venezuela. Vanuatu follows, and the British passport, which was once ranked first in 2015, now sits in fifth. Canada also dropped three spots, from fourth to seventh.

China is one of the biggest climbers in the Henley Passport Index, rising from 94th place in 2015 to 60th in 2025, with a 40-destination increase in visa-free access. It has also improved its standing on the Henley Openness Index, which ranks countries by the number of nationalities they allow entry without a visa. Over the past year, China granted visa-free access to 29 more countries, rising to 80th place with 58 visa-free nations. By comparison, the US ranks 84th, with visa-free access for just 46 countries.

UK introduces ETA requirement for select countries in 2025

By TTG Asia
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Starting January 8, 2025, travellers from many countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, will require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK.

This digital travel permit, similar to the US ESTA programme, aims to enhance border security while streamlining entry procedures. The ETA is not a visa; it is a visa waiver for those who currently do not require a visa to enter the UK.

Travellers from many countries now require an ETA to enter the UK; London, pictured

Citizens of the EU are temporarily exempt from the ETA requirement until April 2 this year.

Applying for an ETA is a straightforward online process, though business travellers should apply at least a few days before their intended travel date. Approval typically takes 72 hours. The ETA costs 10 pounds (US$12.50) per person, regardless of age, and is valid for two years, allowing for multiple entries into the UK within that timeframe.

Visitors will also be permitted to stay in the UK for six months, whether for business or tourism purposes.

To apply, travellers will need a valid passport, an email address, and a credit or debit card to pay the application fee.

Laguna Phuket reveals new artistic and sustainable installation

By TTG Asia
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Laguna Phuket has unveiled its Wishing Tree installation, a fusion of local craftsmanship and innovative design that invites visitors into a world of wonder from now to April 30, 2025.

Constructed from sustainable materials, the visually striking Wishing Tree blends aesthetics, functionality, and environmental consciousness, offering an ideal backdrop for Instagram-worthy moments and lasting memories, while encouraging exploration and promoting awareness of eco-friendly practices.

The immersive bamboo installation invites visitors to explore their creativity while promoting responsible actions

Crafted from over 700 bamboo shoots, the installation marks the completion of a three-month CSR initiative by the resort’s central landscape division.

Standing at heights of six, five, and four metres, the tree-like structure offers both visual appeal and shade, providing visitors with a tranquil space to relax and enjoy the serene surroundings.

Laguna Phuket director of central landscape Kraithera Lolurlert shared: “We are confident that this remarkable installation will inspire visitors to reflect on their environmental action and take measures to minimise their carbon emissions, contributing to our shared mission of sustainability.”

New hotels: Hilton Garden Inn Beihai Jiafu, TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast and more

By TTG Asia
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Hilton will add three new Hilton Garden Inn properties in Hoi An, Sabah and Bali; Hilton Garden Inn Beihai Jiafu pictured
Hilton Garden Inn Beihai Jiafu

Hilton Garden Inn Beihai Jiafu, China
Hilton Garden Inn Beihai Jiafu features 199 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, 24-hour retail store, fitness centre, and a self-service laundry room.

Nearby attractions like Beihai Silver Beach, Qiaogang Customs Area, and Beihai Old Street, the hotel is just two kilometres from Beihai High-Speed Railway Station, six kilometres from Beihai Fucheng Airport, and a 20-minute drive from the Beihai International Passenger Port.

TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast

TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast, Australia
TRYP by Wyndham Southport Gold Coast, located in the heart of Southport, features 225 apartments that come in one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations.

On-site facilities include a gym, sauna, steam room, rooftop infinity pool, day spa, and an in-house Italian restaurant. The hotel also has versatile meeting and event spaces available.

Guests can easily explore local attractions, with hotel staff helping to uncover the best spots in the city.

Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang

Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang, Vietnam
Four Points by Sheraton Ha Giang offers 151 guestrooms and suites, ranging from 36m² to 177m², with a selection of Family Suites, Executive Suites, and a Presidential Suite.

The hotel also features dining venues, a swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, and a 515m² Grand Ballroom which can be divided into two sections for smaller gatherings.

The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit

The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit, Thailand
The StandardX, Bangkok Phra Arthit is located in Bangkok’s historic district, immersing guests in the vibrant local art scene with a rotating gallery and murals by local artists Gongkan and MRKREME.

The hotel features 62 rooms, rooftop pool and bar, all-day Thai restaurant, and a curated local goods and essentials retail shop. The hotel also champions sustainability, partnering with local coffee growers in Nan Province.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Cross Hotels to develop Bali Uluwatu Resort
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TTG Asia | PATA Singapore Chapter debuts industry dialogue on hot issues