Elevate, an independent destination management company (DMC) specialising in luxury travel experiences, has announced the opening of its first office in Bangkok, Thailand.
Elevate Thailand will function as a full-service DMC, offering a wide range of travel products and services throughout the country. This move marks the company’s entry into the Thai market and signals the start of a broader expansion strategy across South-east Asia.
Georgie Walsh, general manager of Elevate DMC Thailand, (centre) with Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau representatives
To support its growth, Elevate Thailand is actively recruiting new team members. Elevate DMC currently works with over 1,000 directly contracted hotels, including major chains like Accor, IHG, Marriott, and Hilton.
In addition to its core services, Elevate offers specialised sub-brands catering to specific travel interests, including Elevate Wellbeing, Elevate Cruises, and CONNECT Business Events.
Samir Hamadeh, founder & CEO of Elevate DMC, commented: “The opening of our office in Bangkok marks an exciting milestone in Elevate’s journey of expansion. We are thrilled to establish a presence in Thailand, a market rich in diversity and opportunity. Our aim is to provide exceptional, tailored destination management services that cater to the unique needs of travellers, while growing a team that is passionate about delivering remarkable experiences across the entire country. This is just the beginning of a new phase, and we look forward to the road ahead.”
The new routes from Subang Airport (pictured) to Kuching and Singapore will operate six times a week from March 24; daily operations start from March 30
Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), announced its expansion of jet operations with the launch of two new direct flights from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport) in Selangor to Kuching and Singapore Changi Airport.
The airline will operate each route six times a week from March 24 before increasing to daily operations from March 30.
The new destinations take Firefly’s operations from its current routes to Penang and Kota Kinabalu to 28 weekly flights, all on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The new jet operations to Singapore will also complement Firefly’s turboprop operations from Subang Airport to Seletar Airport.
The new routes from Subang Airport (pictured) to Kuching and Singapore will operate six times a week from March 24; daily operations start from March 30
Firefly passengers on the new routes will enjoy complimentary 10kg check-in baggage, 7kg carry-on baggage, and in-flight refreshment.
Commenting on the move, Arokia Das Anthony, executive director, The Essence of Asia Tours & Travel said: “Firefly’s jet operations from Changi Airport directly to Subang Airport provides a convenient option for travellers wanting quick access to Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, saving time compared to travelling from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal One and Terminal 2.
“Subang Airport’s proximity to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre makes it easier and faster for travellers from Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas to access the airport, reducing overall travel time compared to departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). This is especially beneficial for business travellers and frequent flyers seeking a more efficient travel experience.”
He added that Changi Airport’s “extensive retail, dining, and entertainment options enhance the overall travel experience” enhances the travel experience, and its status as a major international hub provides easy connectivity to destinations worldwide.
Nearly 1.31 million visitors called at Macau during the eight-day Spring Festival Golden Week, which ran from January 28 to February 4, 2025, with the average daily visitor number standing at 163,696 – 3.5 per cent shy of what was recorded during the 2024 Golden Week.
Arrivals from China made up the bulk. The daily average of Chinese visitors was 125,000, a slight decrease of 3.2 per cent from that of 2024 (129,204).
Macau welcomed more international visitors during this Chinese New Year holidays, with daily average numbers up 10.2 per cent over 2023
The overall and average daily volumes of Hong Kong visitors were 231,000 and nearly 29,000 respectively.
The overall and average daily volumes of visitors from Taiwan were 20,000 and 2,500 respectively.
As for international visitor arrivals, the overall number was 58,000 while the daily average neared 7,300, a year-on-year rise of 10.2 per cent.
Single-day visitor arrivals trended upward from January 29 to 31, during the initial and most important days of the Chinese New Year, peaking at over 219,000 on the third day. Arrivals on the fourth day of the holiday rose 9.1 per cent over the same time in 2024.
Data submitted from industry operators showed that local hotel establishments had an average occupancy rate of 95 per during the Spring Festival Golden Week, the same as last year. The hotel occupancy rate peaked at 97.8 per cent on the fourth day of Chinese New Year.
The average room rate of across Macau’s hotel establishments (including hotels, apartment hotels and economical accommodation establishments) was around 1,839.5 patacas (US$229.20) during the Golden Week, a year-over-year drop of 2.4 per cent.
From left: Plataran Indonesia’s Yozua Makes and Hotel Okura’s Toshihiro Ogita
Japanese hotel operator Hotel Okura Co. and hospitality firm Plataran Indonesia have signed a strategic alliance agreement on February 6 to jointly work towards greater tourism excellence and a finer definition of luxury experiences through shared expertise and a commitment to community and purpose.
The alliance is described as a “landmark cultural exchange partnership that bridges the rich heritage of Indonesia with the refined traditions of Japan” in a joint press release.
From left: Plataran Indonesia’s Yozua Makes and Hotel Okura’s Toshihiro Ogita
Areas of focus in this alliance include Partnership Concept, where both hotel groups will foster friendship between Indonesia and Japan to enable cultural exchange and diplomacy; Sales and Marketing Cooperation, where brand recognition in both markets will be achieved through effective joint promotions and mutual utilisation of sales networks and membership programmes; Product and Service Collaboration, where Plataran’s customer-centric philosophy will be blended with Okura’s meticulous approach to Japanese-style hospitality for expanded culinary offerings; Joint Brand Development in Indonesia, where a hotel will be developed together in Indonesia; and Personnel Exchange and Development, where the two will implement employee exchange programmes.
Toshihiro Ogita, president of Hotel Okura, said: “We are truly honoured to form a partnership with Plataran, a leading hospitality group that aspires to be a ‘True Indonesian Icon.’ Since its foundation, Plataran has committed itself to the conservation of nature, the celebration of Indonesia’s cultural heritage, and giving back to the community, values that Hotel Okura shares. We see a common thread in our commitment to providing authentic experiences rooted in tradition and in our dedication to personalised and exceptional hospitality. Through this partnership, we aim to serve as a bridge between Indonesia and Japan, helping to promote cultural exchange.”
Yozua Makes, Plataran Indonesia CEO and Founder, added: “This partnership represents a shared vision of how the hospitality sector can play a pivotal role in preserving culture and showcasing a nation’s heritage, as well as preserving cultural diplomacy between Indonesia and Japan.”
Air New Zealand has joined the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) today with immediate effect.
Air New Zealand makes AAPA’s 18th airline member
Subhas Menon, director general of AAPA, said: “Air New Zealand’s important role in connecting New Zealand to the world and its strong international outlook will reinforce the collective advocacy of airlines in the Asia-Pacific region in areas such as sustainability, supply chain recovery and smooth cross border travel.”
Greg Foran, chief executive officer of Air New Zealand, added that joining the AAPA membership would allow his airline to “share learnings with our regional counterparts, to ensure a thriving Asia-Pacific aviation industry into the future”.
AAPA has 18 members today, including Air New Zealand. It also recently welcomed Qantas Airways in January.
Amadeus and Traveloka have strengthen their collaboration to deliver a more personalised travel experience through technology.
By using Amadeus’ technology, Traveloka will be able to offer new services that help users explore and book a wide range of travel products, including fully customised flight search technology and servicing capabilities.
Traveloka will leverage Amadeus’ technology to help customers explore and book a wide range of travel products
Both firms will also work together to bring more NDC-enabled content to its travel platform so it can provide Traveloka’s customers with competitive prices and tailored offers. Traveloka will also benefit from advanced servicing capabilities that are integrated into its existing technology stack.
Caesar Indra, president, Traveloka said: “Collaborating with Amadeus allows us to leverage its expertise and technology to provide better services to our customers. This partnership is a significant step in our growth strategy, and we are confident in Amadeus’ ability to provide a smoother and more seamless travel experience for our customers.”
Javier Laforgue, executive vice president & managing director Asia-Pacific, Amadeus, added: “This partnership will not only enhance Traveloka’s services but also strengthen Amadeus’ position as a regional leader in travel technology.”
Camino Women in Australia and Khiri Travel in Laos have come together to develop a new community-based trekking route in remote northern Laos, and this programme stands out for being crafted for female hikers and driving tourism benefits into the hands of local villagers.
The four-day trek, known as Soum-son Trail, is part of a 13-day/12-night journey through northern Laos, which includes a slow boat ride on the Mekong river, a train ride, visits to Buddhist caves and an elephant park, walks in paddy fields, meetings with various ethnic group villagers, and experiencing the UNESCO World Heritage township of Luang Prabang.
Local villages are trained to support the new Soum-son Trail trek
To prepare for this programme, 26 women and men from three remote mountain hamlets joined three days of training in Luang Prabang last December. The villagers learnt about community-based tourism, safety standards, housekeeping service, waste management, food preparation, and customer service. There were hands-on practical sessions, and training was conducted by four community tourism experts from the Lao government. Training was funded by both Camino Women and Khiri Travel’s charitable arm, Khiri Reach.
The aim is for community tourism to enhance the locals’ quality of life.
Camino Women and Khiri Travel will kick off the programme on February 16 with a group of six women from Australia.
Following this, the trek will be conducted for five groups, with each having no more than 12 female participants, throughout this year. For the next high season between November 2025 and February 2026, the agencies plan on leading two groups per month.
Each trip will be supported by the same local guide from the villages and Khiri Travel’s own highly experienced Laotian community guide.
The new year is upon us, and with every new beginning is another opportunity to learn from the past and do better. It is so for us as individuals as well as for organisations in the travel and tourism industry. ‘Do better’ ought to be the motto for travel and tourism professionals, especially as the industry is so dependent on the well-being of the environment and host communities.
For our Outlook 2025 issue, we look at how people are expected to consume travel this year. Based on travel data and consumer studies, leading travel and tourism organisations say travellers will be expanding their itineraries to less crowded hidden gems, savouring their holidays at a slower pace, embracing all-inclusive resort stays, and tracking down speciality local goods. These motivations underscore the desire for more meaningful trips that also support local communities.
For travellers who yearn for off-the-beaten-path experiences, whether to feed their desire to be first-movers or to avoid contributing to overtourism in hot locations, Asia-Pacific has plenty of gems waiting to be discovered. Tourism authorities in this region have been leading campaigns to direct attention to cities and countrysides that have only been known to locals or have been transforming brilliantly to offer a warmer welcome. Tourism Western Australia, for example, went all out in 2024 to promote areas beyond well-known Perth. Also encouraging is the news that UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages initiative has expanded in 2024 to include 55 new qualified rural destinations, of which 13 are in our region (plus two in the Middle East).
Getting to secondary and tertiary destinations is also becoming easier, as low-cost carriers in our region rebuild their network strongly and into unserved/underserved routes.
Driving travellers deeper into areas and communities that hunger for tourism dollars is a collaborative effort, requiring the foresight of destination leadership, creativity and determination of tour operators and travel advisors, and the support of all in the travel and tourism eco-system. My team will do our part too, by building more content to highlight emerging destinations.
Explore the untouched wilderness of the world with Silversea’s polar expeditions
Get ready to embark on immersive,personalised and luxurious expeditions to Antarctica with Silversea. Known as the White Continent, Antarctica has long captured the imaginations of explorers, from Ernest Shackleton to modern-day adventurers like Felicity Aston, Godmother of Silver Endeavour.
And Silversea’s ice-class expedition ships are optimised for discovery and designed to explore the world’s most extreme destinations safely and in style. With only 110 to 137 suites, Silversea’s small and intimate ships can sail into the heart of polar regions that are inaccessible to larger vessels. Offering all the comforts of a world class luxury cruise onboard, travellers can relax in spacious suites with private verandas, enjoy personalised butler service, and indulge in fine dining.
Equipped for polar exploration, Silversea’s ships allow travellers to fully explore the untamed beauty of this region. Venture into hidden, hard-to-reach locations by Zodiac boat or kayak to see mighty elephant seals and charismatic penguins, while hiking excursions take travellers to some of the hard-to-reach areas of Antarctica. Onboard, experts on the ships’ panoramic observation platforms provide engaging lectures for an informed insight into nature’s inhabitants. Each Silversea expedition comprises a uniquely skilled team of naturalists and eco-science specialists. With up to 28 qualified specialists on each expedition – among the highest personnel-to-guest ratios – they represent some of the industry’s most seasoned experts across various fields including biologists, ornithologists and geologists to professionals in history, ecology and photography.
Charting a new course to the White Continent
Pay a visit to Antarctica’s cute residents
Silversea’s Antarctica Bridge itinerary opens the door to this extraordinary frontier for a new generation of intrepid travellers – combining the spirit of exploration with unparalleled luxury and convenience.
Bypassing the infamous Drake Passage with a swift two-hour flight from Punta Arenas to King George Island, this pioneering approach eliminates the need for a traditional four-day sea crossing, allowing guests to arrive rested and ready to explore this awe-inspiring destination.
10- and 12-day Antarctic Peninsula
Depending on the voyage, travellers spend 10 to 12 days exploring the wondrous landscapes and incredible wildlife of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands. Go further to visit the Antarctic Sound and opt to head south of the Polar Circle to witness the true beauty, scale and power of this fascinating continent. In true expedition spirit, daily routes are determined by an Expedition Leader and Captain based on weather, ice, and wildlife.
18-day Antarctica and Beyond
Aboard world-class expedition ships, travellers will spend 18 extraordinary days exploring the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctic Peninsula, Antarctic Sound, and remote Elephant Island. Witness massive King penguin colonies, mighty glaciers, and spectacular icebergs. This journey promises an exceptional experience for nature enthusiasts where they have the opportunity to encounter diverse wildlife, from seven types of penguins to seals, dolphins, and whales, as well as exploring remote and rare historic sights.
Silversea also offers 9- and 15-day Antarctica itineraries between Puerto Williams and King George Island launching in the 2026-2027 season. Combining a one-way Drake Passage voyage with a flight, it offers more full days in Antarctica to explore its pristine landscapes and diverse wildlife.
Go where few men have gone – the Antarctic
The southernmost hotel on earth
Silversea is developing a new 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile – the world’s southernmost city – that is set to open at the end of this year. The hotel will complement the innovative Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise programme, offering Silversea hospitality at every touchpoint, from accommodation to flight to the voyage. As the only cruise line that homeports in Puerto Williams during the Antarctica season, Silversea’s hotel will serve as a gateway to Antarctica.
Overlooking the Beagle Channel, the hotel offers views of the water and snow-capped Patagonian mountains. Inspired by local traditional art, architecture, and materials, its architecture is designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
Your polar adventure awaits
Step into a world untouched by time with Silversea’s polar expeditions. Whether it’s Antarctica’s icy silence or the Arctic’s luminous beauty, Silversea’s journeys promise unforgettable moments filled with discovery and luxury. Reserve your voyage today—and take a deeper look at the world at silversea.com.
