Disney Adventure arrives in Singapore ahead of March 2026 maiden voyage

March 4, 2026

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has marked the arrival of Disney Adventure at its new homeport in Singapore, as the ship docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) with a water salute and fireworks display.

The vessel will depart on its maiden voyage from Singapore on March 10, 2026, operating three- and four-night sailings at sea. The programme is designed for families and will draw on Disney, Pixar and Marvel content across entertainment, dining and accommodation.

Singapore welcomed Disney Adventure with a water salute and fireworks display; photo by Disney Cruise Line

The deployment forms part of DCL’s expansion plans, with the fleet expected to grow to 13 ships by 2031. Recent additions include Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. The Singapore homeporting arrangement is set for five years.

Singapore recorded more than two million cruise passengers from 375 ship calls in 2025, supported by direct air links to more than 160 cities and the expanded MBCCS. The Singapore Tourism Board said the agreement is expected to support fly-cruise demand and contribute to the tourism and maritime sectors.

Disney Adventure will feature seven themed areas and a range of dining and retail outlets. Onboard retail space totals nearly 1,580m². Retail concepts include World of Disney, National Geographic Store, and the Duffy and Friends Shop. Entertainment offerings include a new stage show, Remember, developed for the ship, alongside Duffy and the Friend Ship and a Marvel-themed attraction, Ironcycle Test Run.

Joe Schott, president of Disney Signature Experiences, said: “The arrival of the Disney Adventure in Singapore marks a significant milestone in our global expansion, introducing Disney cruising to Asia for the very first time. Honouring Disney Cruise Line’s legacy of unforgettable journeys, our newest ship brings together our signature storytelling and creativity in an exciting new destination.”

Melissa Ow, chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board, added: “The Disney Adventure’s arrival brings us a step closer towards realising our Tourism 2040 vision to drive quality tourism growth. Together with Disney Cruise Line, we’re excited to bring magical experiences to travellers from around the world.”

Oceania Cruises launches referral programme for loyalty members

By TTG Asia

March 4, 2026

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Oceania Cruises has introduced the Oceania Club Ambassador Program, a referral initiative aimed at rewarding repeat guests for recommending the cruise line to friends and family.

The launch forms part of the cruise line’s broader loyalty strategy, as it continues to position its product around culinary-focused sailings and destination-driven itineraries.

Oceania Club members can earn future cruise credit through the new Ambassador referral scheme

Under the scheme, when an Oceania Club member refers a first-time guest who books their first voyage, both the existing member and the new guest will receive US$200 in savings in the form of future cruise credit.

The programme applies to new, full-fare bookings made by first-time guests. Both the referring member and the referred guest will receive a US$200 Future Cruise Credit, which can be applied to existing or future reservations that have not yet reached final payment. Members may apply up to four US$200 Future Cruise Credits per booking, and credits are valid for three years from the date of issue.

Referring and referred guests are not required to travel together. The programme is limited to personal referrals among friends and family, with public solicitation, including via social media, not permitted.

To qualify, the referred guest must complete the Ambassador Referral Form on Oceania Cruises’ website within 14 days of paying their deposit to ensure the credit is applied.

Oceania Cruises said the initiative is designed to encourage word-of-mouth referrals within its loyalty base, supporting repeat business and first-time bookings through existing customer networks.

The launch forms part of the cruise line’s broader loyalty strategy, as it continues to position its product around culinary-focused sailings and destination-driven itineraries.

Minecraft Experience arrives in Singapore this April

By TTG Asia

March 4, 2026

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Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will make its Asia debut at Green Canvas, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, from April 24 to September 13, 2026.

The attraction marks the first large-scale travelling exhibition at Green Canvas, a purpose-built indoor event space within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve precinct.

Participants can step into the Overworld at Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue and journey through iconic Minecraft biomes on a quest to save the village; photo by Minecraft Experience

Following runs in Dallas, London and Toronto, the immersive one-hour adventure invites participants to step into the Minecraft universe and journey through eight themed rooms to save a village under siege.

Designed for families, long-time players and newcomers alike, the experience blends large-scale projections, theatrical sets, motion-tracking gameplay and interactive storytelling.

Visitors will explore recognisable Minecraft biomes, gather resources and encounter familiar mobs, using a handheld Orb of Interaction to influence the environment and shape their quest. The adventure concludes at the Trading Post, where participants can collect a commemorative keepsake and unlock a digital in-game cape.

Created by Montreal-based studio Supply + Demand in collaboration with Microsoft, Experience MOD and Mojang Studios, the experience builds on Minecraft’s global popularity, with more than 300 million copies sold worldwide.

The presale waitlist is now open. Presales begin on March 10, 2026, with general ticket sales from March 11, 2026. Timed entry slots run daily, with weekday tickets from S$46 (US$34) for adults and S$40 for children, and weekend tickets from S$51 for adults and S$44 for children.

WildPass and Friends of Mandai members receive a 15 per cent early bird discount until March 23, 2026.

For more information, visit Minecraft Experience Singapore.

Gulf airlines resume limited flights after regional airspace disruption

By TTG Asia

March 4, 2026

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Emirates, flydubai and Etihad have since restarted a limited number of flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi from March 2.

The flights are mainly to repatriate travellers who were left stranded following the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict in the region.

Flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports prioritise repatriation as regional airspace closures disrupt travel across Asia; photo by Kiev.Victor

Etihad had stated in a statement that all regular commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi will remain suspended until March 5, 14.00 UAE time.

Emirates also continues to operate a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights, while all other scheduled flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until March 4, 23.59 UAE time.

The airline said it would accommodate customers with earlier bookings as a priority.

Similarly, flydubai resumed partial flights on March 3, with a limited number of flights operating out of DXB’s Terminals 2 and 3.

The closure of airspace over the region has also affected various airports across Asia, including Suvarnabhumi Airport, Changi Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Accor appoints new VP for operations – New Zealand & Fiji

By TTG Asia

March 3, 2026

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Accor has named Rob McIntyre as vice president operations for New Zealand & Fiji, effective April 13, 2026.

McIntyre brings extensive operational experience across New Zealand and internationally. Most recently based in Singapore, he led Accor operations including the flagship Pullman Singapore Orchard.

He previously served as general manager of Pullman Auckland Hotel & Apartments and held regional general manager and broader operational leadership roles across New Zealand.

Indonesia told to prepare destinations before seeking new routes

By Dhini Oktavianti

March 3, 2026

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Provincial stakeholders in Indonesia must ensure their destinations are fully prepared to welcome tourists before expecting expanded air connectivity.

Speaking at the 2026 IHRA National Working Meeting in Semarang, Central Java, Bima Arya, deputy home affairs minister, noted that while many regions have tourism potential, they often lack clear differentiation and a cohesive ecosystem. To address this, he proposed pilot programmes with selected regional heads to strengthen local leadership capacity.

Officials and airline executives stress that destination preparedness is key to sustainable air connectivity in Indonesia; photo by Indonesia Ministry of Tourism

Positioning his ministry as a facilitator, Bima emphasised that focus should be placed on regulatory harmonisation and infrastructure mapping.

“When we talk about tourism, not all regional heads fully understand the potential of their areas, especially in terms of city branding,” Bima said. He suggested starting small.

“We don’t need to be overly ambitious. Let’s start with a few regional heads who are ready and have a clear vision. We test the model first, then replicate it.”

He cited the transformation of Banyuwangi, East Java, as an example of how local leadership could successfully reposition a destination’s image to eventually attract airlines.

Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) chairman, Hariyadi Sukamdani, welcomed the proposal but underscored the importance of risk management and careful selection.

“We need proper mapping. Identify regions with strong leverage but controlled risk. We need success stories that can be replicated,” Hariyadi stated, adding that concentrating investment on the most prepared destinations was more effective than dispersing efforts without priorities.

Airline executives echoed this sentiment, affirming that destination readiness is a critical factor in flight sustainability. Eddy Krismeidi, expert staff at Indonesia National Air Carriers Association and head of Indonesia Affairs at Indonesia AirAsia, pointed out that coordination in Indonesia remains uneven compared with other countries.

“Many local governments don’t understand how to sustain a route, as routes typically bleed in the first three to six months,” he noted. Using a potential Bangkok-Yogyakarta service as an example, he explained that even iconic attractions like Borobudur require joint groundwork to be viable.

Farshal Hambali, chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives in Indonesia, added that joint marketing was essential to ensure that “aircraft load factors and hotel occupancy grow in tandem”.

Agoda launches Artotel Group flagship store on its platform

By TTG Asia

March 3, 2026

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Agoda has expanded its Flagship Store initiative with the launch of Artotel Group’s first branded digital storefront on the platform.

The dedicated page brings together more than 100 Artotel Group properties across Indonesia into a single hub, aimed at increasing brand visibility and simplifying discovery for travellers. Through the partnership, Artotel Group will use Agoda’s distribution reach, customer insights and promotional tools to support domestic and regional growth.

Artotel Group will leverage Agoda’s platform to strengthen domestic and regional distribution

Agoda’s Flagship Store model enables hotel groups to showcase their portfolio through customised visuals, targeted promotions and marketing support. The initiative is designed to help brands strengthen engagement across key source markets.

The launch comes as Asia continues to drive global travel growth, with Indonesia seeing sustained demand from both domestic and international travellers. According to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, Indonesia’s top inbound markets include Malaysia, Singapore and Australia, while 57 per cent of Indonesian travellers plan to travel domestically this year.

Agoda search data indicates continued interest beyond primary gateways. The most searched destinations in Indonesia include Bali, Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Malang and Surabaya. Puncak (up 156 per cent), Yogyakarta (117 per cent) and Semarang (110 per cent) recorded the fastest year-on-year growth in searches.

Artotel Group has properties across many of these destinations, including a strong presence in Jakarta, positioning the group to capture both primary and secondary market demand.

Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply, Agoda, said:

“This partnership is about more than just visibility; it’s about a shared philosophy of localisation. Artotel Group provides a unique Indonesian experience through art and lifestyle. By launching their first branded flagship store on Agoda, we are combining Artotel Group’s local expertise with our global reach and data insights. Our goal is to help Artotel Group customise for the ‘Asian traveller’ by tailoring engagement – from payment preferences to regional marketing – ensuring their art-inspired hospitality resonates with every guest, whether they are from Surabaya or Sydney.”

Erastus Radjimin, founder and CEO of Artotel Group, added: “As more travellers come from nearby markets, meeting diverse expectations becomes a differentiator. Thanks to Agoda, we are making it easier for travellers worldwide to discover Artotel Group and experience Indonesia through our art, culinary, and lifestyle-led hotels.”

Tokyo Marathon drives US$100m in consumer spending

By TTG Asia

March 3, 2026

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The Tokyo Marathon 2025 generated an estimated 155 billion yen (US$100 million) in incremental consumer spending over three days, according to analysis by the Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI).

Mastercard is a sponsor of the Tokyo Marathon.

Districts including Ginza, Minato and Shibuya, pictured, recorded increased spending during the event period

Spending among merchants within a 10-kilometre radius of the finish line was approximately seven per cent higher than during a typical non-marathon weekend, indicating short-term economic impact linked to the event.

While hotels and restaurants saw gains, increases were recorded across multiple retail and service categories. Family apparel spending rose 47 per cent, cosmetics 30 per cent, drug stores 18 per cent and women’s clothing 14 per cent, reflecting event-related discretionary purchases.

District-level data showed varying impacts across Tokyo. In Chiyoda, hotel spending by Japanese visitors increased 72 per cent. In Minato, bar revenues rose 57 per cent. Ginza recorded a 37 per cent rise in theatre and museum spending, with retail and dining up around 10 per cent. In Shibuya, children’s apparel sales increased 28 per cent, while Taito saw leisure spending rise 27 per cent and department store sales increase 23 per cent.

Domestic consumers accounted for more than 83 per cent of incremental spending. International visitors also contributed, particularly in premium retail and hospitality. Travellers from the US, the UK, Germany, Italy and Australia represented a significant share of cross-border spending. Among US and UK participants, 73 per cent visited other Japanese cities within a week, extending economic activity beyond Tokyo.

The analysis compares actual spending during the event period with a modelled baseline of expected spending in the absence of the marathon, using aggregated and anonymised Mastercard transaction data.

David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, stated: “Major sporting events are measurable economic catalysts. The Tokyo Marathon demonstrates how domestic demand and international travel combine to drive broad-based spending gains. For economies across Asia-Pacific prioritising tourism-led growth, understanding how events influence consumer movement and cross-border travel patterns is increasingly important for policy and investment decisions.”

Trip.com adds Shinkansen ticket sales for international travellers

By TTG Asia

March 3, 2026

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Trip.com has partnered with East Japan Railway Company, Central Japan Railway Company, West Japan Railway Company and Kyushu Railway Company to offer Shinkansen ticket sales to international travellers.

The agreement enables overseas users to purchase high-speed rail tickets across Japan through Trip.com’s multilingual platform, allowing bookings to be made in advance of travel.

Trip.com users can now book Shinkansen tickets across Japan through the platform

Travellers can select departure and arrival stations, travel dates, train services and seat types, including non-reserved, reserved and Green Car. Tickets can be purchased online via Trip.com.

Depending on the ticket type, passengers can either enter ticket gates using a QR code or collect physical tickets from station vending machines. The Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen services are available exclusively via QR code boarding.

The move comes amid sustained inbound demand for Japan, which remains one of Asia’s most visited destinations. By enabling advance booking in multiple languages, the service aims to reduce reliance on on-site purchases and mitigate potential language barriers at stations.

Trip.com also allows travellers to combine Shinkansen tickets with flights and accommodation within a single booking flow.

The company said it will continue working with Japan’s rail operators and transport providers to expand integrated travel services for international visitors.

Amadeus acquires SkyLink to expand AI capabilities in corporate travel

By TTG Asia

March 3, 2026

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Amadeus has completed purchase of SkyLink, a New York-based technology company specialising in AI-driven orchestration and conversational automation, as part of its strategy to accelerate the deployment of AI across the travel sector.

The company said the acquisition aligns with its long-term AI strategy, which includes partnerships, targeted investments and a focus on responsible AI development under its ethics framework.

Maroto: Data-driven insight enables us to deploy AI in real-world production environments globally

Founded to enhance the corporate travel experience, SkyLink has developed a proprietary AI architecture and multi-layer orchestration engine designed to integrate with chat platforms. The technology enables travellers to book and manage flights and hotels through conversational interfaces, while businesses benefit from potential cost savings and productivity gains.

SkyLink has already processed tens of thousands of bookings, reflecting growing adoption of AI-based booking tools in the corporate segment.

Amadeus said the acquisition supports its broader strategy of deploying AI use cases that are scalable and integrated into operational environments. The company has long applied AI across travel operations and is progressively adding conversational layers to its product suite to help customers access insights and manage workflows more efficiently.

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Amadeus’ corporate travel offering, particularly within the Travel Management Company sector and across its customer base in North America. SkyLink’s framework will complement Amadeus’ global technology infrastructure, which operates in more than 190 markets and processes billions of search requests and millions of travel transactions daily.

Over time, Amadeus plans to extend AI-driven conversational capabilities beyond corporate travel into airlines, airports, hospitality and other areas of the travel ecosystem.

Atyab Bhatti, CEO & co-founder, SkyLink, said: “Combining our AI-native technology with Amadeus’ scale and industry reach will allow us to deploy our technology faster and bring powerful new capabilities that benefit travellers and companies across the travel industry. It’s a pivotal time to deliver concrete AI solutions and, now with Amadeus, we can accelerate the next phase of travel innovation.”

Luis Maroto, president and CEO, Amadeus, added: “Our technology is deeply integrated across the travel industry, connecting systems and workflows developed over decades. It combines industrial-grade reliability, operational resilience, and data-driven insight that enable us to deploy AI in real-world production environments globally… enabling innovation at scale and allowing AI to augment and reinforce the travel experience.”

Disney Adventure arrives in Singapore ahead of March 2026 maiden voyage

Oceania Cruises launches referral programme for loyalty members

Minecraft Experience arrives in Singapore this April

Gulf airlines resume limited flights after regional airspace disruption

Accor appoints new VP for operations – New Zealand & Fiji

Indonesia told to prepare destinations before seeking new routes

Agoda launches Artotel Group flagship store on its platform

Tokyo Marathon drives US$100m in consumer spending

Trip.com adds Shinkansen ticket sales for international travellers

Amadeus acquires SkyLink to expand AI capabilities in corporate travel

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