News

Sarawak Tourism Expands North Asia Reach with Successful Taiwan B2B 2025

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has achieved a significant milestone in expanding its presence in the North Asian market with the successful completion of its Taiwan B2B Session 2025. Held in Taipei and Hualien, this event highlighted STB’s commitment to strengthening ties and building strategic partnerships with Taiwan’s travel industry. Through well-organized sessions and networking opportunities, the initiative underscored Sarawak’s appeal as an authentic, vibrant, and easily accessible destination for Taiwanese travelers. The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), in collaboration with Royal Brunei Airlines (RBA), successfully wrapped up its Taiwan B2B Session 2025, a dual-city networking event aimed at strengthening trade ties with the Taiwanese travel sector. The event, which took place in Taipei on August 26 and in Hualien on August 28, marked a key milestone in Sarawak’s push to broaden its presence in the North Asian market.

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Santorini Faces Tourism Slump Alongside Global Destinations

Santorini joins San Francisco, New Orleans, Hong Kong, Phuket, and Bangkok in a shocking tourism slump, and here’s why tourists are staying away. Once-crowded streets, bustling harbours, and vibrant hotels in these famous destinations now tell a very different story. Tourism is slowing, and the reasons are both complex and urgent. Santorini is weighed down by a new cruise tax and years of overtourism. San Francisco feels the impact of falling international visitors. New Orleans suffers from the lowest hotel occupancy among U.S. cities. Hong Kong sees arrivals grow but spending fall. Phuket and Bangkok struggle as Chinese arrivals plunge and hotel revenues drop. Trade wars, inflation, and unstable economies add to the pressure. Together, they paint a picture of a global industry at a turning point. These cities must adapt or risk losing their shine. Santorini, San Francisco, New Orleans, Hong Kong, Phuket, and Bangkok are learning this lesson fast.

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Thailand Launches ‘Trusted Thailand’ Stamp to Boost Travel Safety

Thailand is well known for its rich culture, breathtaking sights, and the hospitality of its people. Recently, the country has put in place a new policy aimed at reassuring international travelers of their safety. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has recently adopted a new policy by launching a travel safety mark, or the “Trusted Thailand” stamp, aiming to bolster its tourism safety initiatives and build international confidence in the country. Given the increasing concern for safety by travelers, this initiative seeks to enhance the global perception of Thailand as a safe and friendly destination. The Thailand stamp stands to bolster tourism operators as the initiative certifies their compliance to strict safety regulations. In a recent interview, Mr. Jakkaphon Tangsutthitham, the Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports, noted that the requirement has always been the foundational means to scaling the tourism industry for any country, and also, a primary concern for the Thai government. He noted that, especially for Thailand, the country has always been fond of Chinese tourists. The government has been working on promotional campaigns aimed at Chinese tourists, especially when paired with the safety of travel to the country. As the Minister underlined, the government has been trying to pair safety with tourism promotion, continually improving the facilities offered to tourists and collaborating with safety agencies. Thailand, with this initiative, aims to ensure the gradual recovery of tourism, prioritizing safety above all.

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AirAsia Indonesia Ends Bali–Cairns Flights, Tourists Adjust Plans

Travelers heading to Australia are revising their plans as AirAsia Indonesia has decided to end its direct Bali–Cairns service after just one year of operation. The suspension comes as part of the airline’s strategy to adjust its routes based on actual passenger demand, ensuring resources are focused on flights with higher traffic. With AirAsia exiting this route, Jetstar now becomes the only carrier offering direct connections, prompting passengers to explore alternative options for their travel between Bali and Cairns. AirAsia Indonesia, based in Jakarta, will halt its Bali–Cairns flights starting September 19 as part of a strategic effort to align its network with current passenger demand. The move highlights the airline’s focus on streamlining routes and improving operational efficiency while adapting to shifting travel trends throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

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Taiwan Tourism 2030: Path to a Trillion-Dollar Industry

Taiwan is on a mission to supercharge its tourism industry, aiming to turn it into a NT$1 trillion (about US$32.77 billion) powerhouse by 2030. Called the Tourism 2030 Plan, the initiative just got the thumbs-up from the National Development Council. The idea is to upgrade everything that makes visiting Taiwan special from better roads and airports to easier booking systems and greener hotels. Led by the Ministry of Transportation, the project doesn’t only want to boost the bottom line. It’s also keen on making sure Taiwan stays beautiful and livable for generations to come, so every upgrade will incorporate sustainable practices. Aiming for Diverse Visitor Demographics and Experiences One of the key goals of the Tourism 2030 plan is to attract a broader range of visitors. The government hopes to draw in not only more international tourists but also engage specific groups such as digital nomads, sports fans, cruise passengers, and business travelers. By targeting diverse demographics, Taiwan seeks to create a more resilient tourism industry that is less dependent on any one group of visitors. Advertisement In addition, Taiwan plans to enhance the spending power of visitors. The initiative includes strategies to increase the average daily spending of tourists by 2% to 4%. This goal will be achieved through tailored offerings designed to appeal to different traveler segments. For example, more emphasis will be placed on high-end experiences for affluent visitors, while budget-friendly options will be available for those looking for more economical alternatives. Promoting Sustainable and Regional Travel A crucial aspect of the Tourism 2030 plan is its emphasis on sustainability. The government is committed to promoting a ‘Balanced Taiwan,’ which focuses on responsible and eco-friendly tourism. This includes the protection of Taiwan’s natural resources, support for Indigenous communities, and preservation of cultural heritage sites.

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Vietjet Expands Flights to Da Nang & Phu Quoc

Vietnam’s most popular destinations, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, are now more accessible than ever as Vietjet expands its flight services from Singapore. The increased frequencies respond to growing demand from both leisure travellers seeking beach escapes and business passengers needing convenient connections. Starting later in 2025, the airline will double daily flights to Da Nang and add daily round trips to Phu Quoc, significantly boosting overall capacity. This expansion strengthens air links between Singapore and Vietnam, supporting regional tourism growth and making it easier for travellers to explore Vietnam’s cultural, coastal, and island destinations. With these new services, Vietjet ensures that travellers can plan flexible, convenient trips during peak holiday periods and year-round. Vietjet is broadening its flight network between Singapore and Vietnam, unveiling a major capacity boost to Phu Quoc and Da Nang. The expansion underscores the airline’s commitment to serving rising demand from both leisure holidaymakers and business passengers. With additional services set to roll out before the end of 2025, travellers will gain more flight options just in time for the year-end and Lunar New Year peak seasons.

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