Daniel Cheong
Covers aviation for GlobalTravelPost — routes, aircraft, airline strategy, and what they mean for travellers in Asia-Pacific and beyond.
Riu, Best Western Open in Thailand; Quest Rebrands Canberra Property
Thailand's hospitality sector expands with Riu Palace Phuket's 504 rooms and Best Western Q Khon Kaen's 125 rooms, while Quest Canberra Dickson adds 126 keys in Australia.
China Expands Visa-Free Entry for Vietnamese Citizens
Vietnamese passport holders can now transit China visa-free for up to 240 hours and enter Hainan Province for 30 days, effective from 20 August.
Volaris Adds Guadalajara–Raleigh-Durham Flights
Mexican budget airline Volaris will begin direct service from Guadalajara to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, three times weekly from 16 October using Airbus A321neo aircraft.
Klook Highlights AI's Role in Easing Asia's Overtourism
A Klook survey found 57% of younger Asian travellers use artificial intelligence to find new places, a trend that may help distribute visitor traffic away from popular hotspots.
Cyprus Migration Department Opens Digital Nomad Visa Applications
Non-EU/EEA nationals earning at least €3,500 net monthly for foreign entities can now apply for a permit, with a scheme cap of 500 applicants.
American Express, Chase Cardholders Face Q3 Benefits Deadline
Travellers holding specific American Express and Chase credit cards must utilise quarterly statement credits and bonus categories by September 30, 2026, including travel-related perks.
Laurus Sentosa: Marriott's All-Suite Hotel Opens in Singapore
Marriott International launched The Laurus at Sentosa in 2026, an all-suite luxury property on Singapore's Sentosa Island featuring colonial and tropical design.
Dubai Launches Mobile Passport Control for Faster Airport Processing
The 'Click and Travel' system, rolled out on 7 September 2026, allows immigration officers to complete entry and departure formalities in 12 to 15 seconds.
China's Visa-Free Policy Boosts Arrivals by 26.8%
Foreign arrivals to China under visa-free arrangements surged by 26.8 percent year-on-year, accounting for 77.6 percent of all international visitors from January to August 2026.
Hong Kong Police Arrest Two Tourists for MTR Graffiti Vandalism
The foreign nationals, aged 30 and 40, were intercepted at Hong Kong International Airport attempting to depart the city after allegedly defacing train carriages at an MTR depot.
Lofoten Islands to Introduce Overnight Tourist Tax for Infrastructure
Norwegian municipalities in the Lofoten Islands will introduce a new levy on overnight stays to fund visitor infrastructure, addressing the impact of over one million annual tourists on local communities.
British Airways Slide Deploys, Flight Delayed in Montreal
Flight BA94, a British Airways Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner bound for London Heathrow, experienced a three-and-a-half-hour delay after an evacuation slide inadvertently deployed.
Kazakhstan Expands Asia Air Links with New Singapore Route
SCAT Airlines will launch flights from Shymkent to Singapore via Sanya on October 20, adding to increased capacity to China by Kazakh carriers during the 2026 summer season.
Goa's New Porvorim Bridge Cuts Travel Time to 10 Minutes
The 5.15-kilometre flyover on NH66 significantly shortens journeys between Mapusa and Panjim, supporting the state's tourism and logistics sectors.
Hivebotics Secures £6m for Airport Robotics
Singapore-based travel technology companies Hivebotics and Laters.com have successfully raised new funding rounds. Hivebotics secured USD 6 million for its airport robotics, while online travel agency Laters.com received USD 1.5 million to expand its flight booking platform.
Klook Creators Now Offer Full Trip Itineraries
Klook has upgraded its Kreator Shops, allowing over 30,000 travel content creators to offer comprehensive trip itineraries. This move consolidates travel recommendations into single, bookable storefronts for followers.
Red Sea Global Unveils Nammos Resort AMAALA with 110 Rooms
The new Saudi Arabian property, a partnership with Greece's Nammos Hotels & Resorts, marks the brand's first resort hotel globally and its sixth opening within the Triple Bay development.
Star Alliance to Open New Lounge at Seoul Incheon Terminal 1
The facility will ensure premium access for eligible travellers after Asiana Airlines' departure from the alliance and its merger with Korean Air in December.
Cambodia, South Korea Ease Visas; Thailand, Indonesia Tighten
Asian nations are adjusting visa regulations in 2026, with some expanding entry options for travellers while others implement stricter controls due to security concerns. These shifts impact various nationalities and travel plans across the region.
Hong Kong Airlines, Malaysia Airlines Launch Routes; Etihad Expands Service
Hong Kong Airlines has commenced direct flights to Urumqi. Malaysia Airlines resumed its service to Fukuoka. Etihad Airways will operate its Abu Dhabi-Gothenburg route year-round following robust demand.
British Airways Expands Gatwick Network with Two Long-Haul Routes
British Airways will launch new nonstop services from London Gatwick Airport to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and Barbados this October. These additions mark a return for both destinations, increasing the airline's long-haul presence at Gatwick for the northern winter schedule.
RIU Hotels Opens First Thailand Property in Phuket
RIU Hotels & Resorts has launched its inaugural Thai property, the five-star Hotel Riu Palace Phuket. Located on Mai Khao beach, this resort introduces the brand's all-inclusive model to the market.
Qantas Grows Auckland Hub, Shifts Pacific Strategy
Qantas is expanding its network at Auckland Airport, developing it as a key Pacific connection point. This move for New York, Gold Coast, and Apia routes marks a strategic shift from its traditional Sydney focus.
Hilton Debuts Curio Collection Brand in Jiangsu, China
Hilton has commenced operations at Xi Zhe Wuxi, Curio Collection by Hilton, marking the brand's first presence in China's Jiangsu Province. This opening expands Hilton's lifestyle portfolio within the Asia Pacific region, situated within the Wuxi Center 66 complex.
Saudi Arabia unveils Package Visa, flights for 2M Indonesian tourists
The Kingdom introduced a Package Visa and expanded air links, following 1.6 million arrivals from Indonesia in 2024 and over 633,000 by June this year.
Cambodia MoT, Swisscontact Update Tour Guide Training Standards
Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism and Swisscontact revise community tour guide training materials to improve service quality and workforce skills.
FlyAkeed Secures USD 25.15M for Corporate Travel Payment System
Saudi corporate travel technology firm FlyAkeed has secured USD 25.15 million in growth funding. This capital will launch a new embedded deferred payment offering, targeting the expanding corporate travel market in Saudi Arabia.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts Adds Four Bali Properties
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has expanded its presence in Bali, Indonesia, by adding four independent hotels to its L.V.X. Collection. This move increases the company's portfolio in Southeast Asia to 25 properties across seven countries, strengthening its offerings in a key Asia Pacific destination.
Lemon Tree Hotels Expands Bihar Footprint with Two Bodhgaya Properties
Lemon Tree Hotels has confirmed agreements for two new properties in Bodhgaya, Bihar. These additions will collectively add 145 rooms. The expansion grows the company's presence in the state. Bodhgaya is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage and leisure destination.
JR Japan Railways Unveils Aki no Norihodai Autumn Rail Pass
The new Aki no Norihodai Pass offers three consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR regular and rapid trains across Japan, available for purchase from September 18 to October 16, 2026.