Tag Archives: destinations

Cathay Group surpasses 100,000-passenger milestone on a single day

The Cathay Group has achieved a significant milestone by carrying more than 100,000 passengers, the most on a single day since the start of its rebuild.

On December 15, 2024, Cathay Pacific and HK Express, the Group’s two passenger airlines, carried a combined total of 100,856 passengers, surpassing the 100,000-passenger mark on a single day.

Since the milestone was first reached, the Group exceeded the 100,000-passenger mark on a total of eight days during the year-end travel peak ending December 31, 2024.

Ronald Lam, CEO, Cathay Pacific Group, said, “We are thrilled to have concluded the year 2024 on a high note with yet another milestone. The past year saw unprecedented progress and expansion for the Cathay Group, thanks to our people’s dedication and efforts. In particular, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our global front line teams, who have been working tirelessly over the holiday period to ensure that our customers enjoy a smooth journey as they explore new destinations or reunite with their friends and families during the holidays.

“We are pleased to have successfully completed our two-year rebuilding journey, during which we were firmly focused on adding more flights and destinations for our customers and our home hub. A new chapter has now begun for Cathay.”

Cathay Pacific recently resumed its seasonal service to Cairns, Australia and will be launching several long-haul routes in 2025, including Hyderabad in India, Dallas in the United States, and Munich and Brussels in Europe. In addition, HK Express added Shizuoka, Japan to its network recently and will be launching a new service to Sendai, Japan later this month.

Together as a Group, Cathay Pacific and HK Express have reached 100% of pre-pandemic flights from January 2025. It is projected that the two airlines will operate passenger services to 100 destinations around the world within 2025, marking another meaningful milestone for the Cathay Group.

With the commissioning of the Three-Runway System, Hong Kong has entered an exciting new era. As the city’s home airline, Cathay will continue to contribute to Hong Kong’s status as a world-leading international aviation hub, connecting Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world.

Centre Approves INR 3,295 Crore for Tourism Infrastructure Development Under SASCI Scheme

The central government has sanctioned INR 3,295 crore to boost tourism infrastructure across the country under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Infrastructure Development (SASCI). A total of 40 projects across 23 states and union territories have been selected under the challenge mode to receive capital assistance as part of this initiative.

The scheme aims to provide long-term interest-free loans for 50 years to state governments, enabling the comprehensive development of iconic tourist destinations. These funds will be utilized to enhance branding, marketing, and infrastructure at a global scale while promoting local economic growth and sustainable employment opportunities.

Highlighting the initiative, Union Culture and Tourism Minister shared on social media platform X, “This funding will play a transformative role in creating world-class tourist destinations and fostering sustainable tourism across India.”

The SASCI scheme focuses on sustainable and inclusive projects that integrate environmental, cultural, and economic considerations to position India as a leading global tourism destination. Through these developments, the government hopes to drive economic growth, empower local communities, and establish India’s tourism sector as a significant contributor to the global travel landscape.

 

Varanasi Among Asia’s Top Budget Destinations: Agoda

As the holiday season approaches, travellers seeking affordable getaways can explore a range of budget-friendly destinations. Hat Yai, Thailand, tops Agoda’s list as the most affordable destination in Asia, with an average room rate of 3883 INR per night. This vibrant city, famous for its markets and street food, comes alive during the festive season, offering a lively yet economical holiday experience.

 

Other economical destinations include Surakarta, Indonesia, and Varanasi, India, with room rates averaging 3967 INR and 4136 INR, respectively. Surakarta enchants with its Javanese arts and festive traditions, while Varanasi provides a spiritual retreat by the Ganges, blending serenity with vibrant celebrations during the year-end.

 

For those willing to spend a little more, Dalat, Vietnam (5234 INR) and Miri, Malaysia (5487 INR) offer unique holiday vibes. Dalat’s cool mountain air and festive decorations create a magical setting, while Miri combines natural beauty with a touch of Christmas cheer. Higher up the scale, destinations like Subic, the Philippines, and Nagoya, Japan, provide exotic holiday experiences, combining cultural immersion with festive highlights.

 

Agoda ensures affordability with its wide range of properties, flights, and activities, making travel accessible for everyone. From serene coastal escapes to cultural city experiences, these destinations promise unforgettable holidays without breaking the bank.

Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new voyages

 

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled more than 400 new voyages as part of its highly anticipated Black Friday Sale. Guests can enjoy 50% off all published voyages and an additional USD 200 onboard credit, offering incredible value on dream cruise holidays. The new itineraries span 11 regions, including Asia, the Caribbean, Australia, and the Mexican Riviera, with departures available from September 2026 to April 2027. With sailings from 20 distinct ports to over 100 destinations across 39 countries, NCL continues to deliver diverse and immersive travel experiences.

Complementing the Black Friday sale is NCL’s More At Sea value package, launching on all voyages from January 2025. The package enhances the guest experience with premium beverages, additional specialty dining, expanded Wi-Fi minutes powered by Starlink, and USD 50 shore excursion credits for each port. Whether enjoying luxury spirits, indulging in world-class cuisine, or exploring scenic destinations, guests can customise their holidays to suit their preferences.

The 2026/27 deployment includes exciting new itineraries. Norwegian Jade returns to Asia after six years, offering immersive voyages between Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. With maiden calls to Brunei, Taiwan, and the Philippines, and overnight stays in Hong Kong, these voyages promise rich cultural experiences and port-intensive adventures. Meanwhile, Norwegian Spirit will offer Australia and New Zealand itineraries, including wine-focused journeys to South Australia and shorter “taster” cruises from Sydney, perfect for quick getaways.

In the Caribbean, 15 NCL ships will embark on voyages ranging from five to 13 days, departing from ports such as Miami, New Orleans, and Philadelphia. Highlights include Norwegian Prima debuting in New Orleans, Norwegian Viva returning to Galveston, and Norwegian Breakaway launching from San Juan. These itineraries include stops at NCL’s private destinations, Harvest Caye in Belize and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, adding exclusive experiences to every trip.

Shorter itineraries also feature prominently, with Norwegian Joy debuting three- and four-day cruises to the Bahamas and Norwegian Encore offering seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings from Los Angeles. These shorter options provide flexibility for guests seeking quick escapes. Whether exploring the Mexican Riviera or enjoying sunny Bahamas beaches, NCL’s 2026/27 season offers something for every traveller.

Airbnb Reveals Trends for Indian Summer Travellers 2024

As summer arrives and school breaks commence, Indian travellers are on the lookout for distinctive adventures both at home and abroad. Airbnb has just revealed the latest insights into the summer travel inclinations of Indian globetrotters, shedding light on their increasing inclination towards immersive experiences that go beyond conventional accommodations.

Within India, trending summer destinations include beach havens like Goa and Varkala), as well as cultural hubs like Varanasi and Delhi, and scenic cities like Kochi. Internationally, Milan, Amalfi, Tokyo, Rome, and Frankfurt have emerged as the preferred destinations, driven by Bollywood films and social media influencers (Trending destinations based on searches made by India guests from January to March 15, 2024 for stays in June, July and August 2024)].

Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager, India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan said, “This summer, Indian travellers are embracing the spirit of exploration and discovery like never before. Domestically, they are opting for beach destinations and cultural hubs like Goa and Varanasi, offering immersive and vibrant experiences. Internationally, European countries such as Milan, Amalfi, Rome and Frankfurt along with Tokyo are gaining immense popularity and emerging as another trending international destination for Indians. At Airbnb, we are thrilled to curate unique and authentic stays that cater to these evolving preferences, enabling Indian travellers to explore destinations, both within the country and abroad, during this season.”

Summer vacations have led to a surge in family, and group travel on Airbnb. To enhance the group travel experience, Airbnb recently introduced new features. Shared wishlists, a redesigned Messages tab, and trip invitations streamline collaborative planning, allowing families and groups to curate their itineraries collectively, communicate seamlessly, and ensure an enjoyable summer vacation.

British Airways unveils new website & app as part of its GBP 7bn transformation plan

British Airways has announced an array of new initiatives to transform the airline, unveiling a GBP 7bn transformation plan at its first ‘In the Skies’ showcase event in London.

Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO, outlined his modernisation plan, committing to delivering a world-class customer experience, modernising IT, growing pride among colleagues and focusing on sustainability, as well as driving on-time performance.

“We’re on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest £7bn over the next two years to revolutionise our business,” Doyle said. “We’re going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability. We’re also heavily investing in the development of a new ba.com website and app and are laser-focused on transforming our business and fixing any pain points for our customers.”

Ba.com and app
As part of its investment programme, British Airways has confirmed plans to overhaul its digital user experience with a new website and mobile app offering deeper personalisation. The new ba.com browser is already in BETA testing with platforms designed to offer a range of new services, including empowering customers to self-serve if they wish, taking control of and making changes to their journeys online, rather than having to call one of the airline’s customer care centres to alter their plans. Initial changes will start to roll out by the end of the year.

WiFi enhancements for customers
With more customers looking to remain connected with the world from their seats, from April 3, British Airways Executive Club Members will start to be able to send messages free of charge on a single device using the airline’s WiFi – whatever cabin they’re travelling in. The service will be available on every WiFi-enabled aircraft within two weeks of the rollout date*.

The airline has also become the first to offer a WiFi-enabled inflight customer care solution to solve issues in the moment – even at 35,000ft. Created especially for British Airways by Microsoft, customer care teams on the ground are now able to connect with cabin crew colleagues across more than 300 flights a day. The functionality allows crew to help solve any unexpected issues before a flight lands at one of the airline’s more than 200 destinations.