News

Turkey Marks Tourism Boost as Antalya Airport Expands, Sets Passenger Record

Antalya Airport completes massive expansion, boosts capacity, adds new amenities, and sets a record with over 38 million passengers, fueling year-round tourism in Turkey. The transformation of Antalya Airport (AYT), a key hub on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, has reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of the first construction phase. Spearheaded by a joint venture between Fraport AG and TAV Airports Holding, this phase was completed in under three years and involved the expansion of the international Terminal 2 by one hundred thirty-two thousand square meters, along with a thirty-eight thousand square meter addition to the domestic terminal. Passenger numbers soared past thirty-eight million in the previous year, a rise of approximately 6.5 percent from 2023, setting a new record for the airport. As part of the upgrade, travelers will benefit from a refreshed dining experience, thanks to a newly formed joint venture, “Best Food for All” (BFA), between Fraport and a leading airport food service provider—marking Fraport’s debut in operating food outlets at Antalya. The first phase also included vital airside developments, such as new taxiways, apron expansions, and an upgraded parking facility. Looking ahead, a new air traffic control tower is set to be completed and transferred to Turkish authorities by the end of 2026, forming part of the ongoing masterplan under the current concession agreement. The total investment for this stage amounts to roughly eight hundred fifty million euros.

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Libo’s Natural Gem Captivates Tourists from Hong Kong and Macao

On April 14, 2025, a media tour titled “Colorful Park Province, Backyard of the Greater Bay Area – Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Media Tour to Guizhou” commenced in Libo, Guizhou. The event, co-organized by Hong Kong’s TVB, began with a visit to the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in Libo. The group included nineteen participants, among them journalists from major media outlets in the region and prominent cultural figures. They joined Hong Kong and Macao tourists—many of whom had begun their Easter holidays early—and took note of the seasonal uptick in tourism that occurs every spring at this UNESCO-listed ecological gem, also known as the “Emerald on the Earth’s Belt.”​ Xiaoqikong Scenic Area: A Natural Marvel The Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, located about 28 kilometers southwest of Libo, is a national reserve featuring karst landforms. The area is covered by old-growth forests interwoven with torrential flows, deep valleys, and green mountains. It is endowed with beautiful raw forests rarely seen in subtropical zones and was thus listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in June 2007. Exhibiting a wide array of waterfalls, streams, lakes, forests, and caves, the 12-kilometer-long Xiaoqikong Scenic Zone also stands out for its delicacy and is highly reputed as a miniature garden.​ Media Coverage and Global Reach Both text and video coverage of the event were shared simultaneously across major media outlets in the Greater Bay Area and on international platforms. The goal was to present a modern Guizhou—defined by its ecological beauty and spirit of hospitality—to a global audience. Like the centuries-old tree standing beside the ancient bridge at Xiaoqikong, Guizhou’s tourism industry continues to grow, firmly rooted while welcoming travelers from around the world.​

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Libo’s Natural Gem Captivates Tourists from Hong Kong and Macao

On April 14, 2025, a media tour titled “Colorful Park Province, Backyard of the Greater Bay Area – Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao Media Tour to Guizhou” commenced in Libo, Guizhou. The event, co-organized by Hong Kong’s TVB, began with a visit to the Xiaoqikong Scenic Area in Libo. The group included nineteen participants, among them journalists from major media outlets in the region and prominent cultural figures. They joined Hong Kong and Macao tourists—many of whom had begun their Easter holidays early—and took note of the seasonal uptick in tourism that occurs every spring at this UNESCO-listed ecological gem, also known as the “Emerald on the Earth’s Belt.”​ Xiaoqikong Scenic Area: A Natural Marvel The Xiaoqikong Scenic Area, located about 28 kilometers southwest of Libo, is a national reserve featuring karst landforms. The area is covered by old-growth forests interwoven with torrential flows, deep valleys, and green mountains. It is endowed with beautiful raw forests rarely seen in subtropical zones and was thus listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in June 2007. Exhibiting a wide array of waterfalls, streams, lakes, forests, and caves, the 12-kilometer-long Xiaoqikong Scenic Zone also stands out for its delicacy and is highly reputed as a miniature garden.​ Media Coverage and Global Reach Both text and video coverage of the event were shared simultaneously across major media outlets in the Greater Bay Area and on international platforms. The goal was to present a modern Guizhou—defined by its ecological beauty and spirit of hospitality—to a global audience. Like the centuries-old tree standing beside the ancient bridge at Xiaoqikong, Guizhou’s tourism industry continues to grow, firmly rooted while welcoming travelers from around the world.​

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IndiGo shifts operations from Terminal 2 to Terminal 1 at IGI Airport starting April 15

IndiGo has announced that effective April 15, 2025, all its flights previously operating from Terminal 2 of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi, will be shifted to Terminal 1. With this update, IndiGo operations will now be split between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at IGIA. To ensure a smooth transition, IndiGo has proactively started informing customers and travel agents via SMS, calls, and emails. The airline has advised all travellers to check their departure and arrival terminals by retrieving their PNR on the IndiGo website or mobile app before heading to the airport. IndiGo reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel across its extensive domestic and international network. For assistance, passengers can contact IndiGo’s customer care at +0124 6173838 / +0124 4973838 or connect via 6E Skai, the airline’s chatbot available on its website. TAGSindigo

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Saudia Becomes World's Most Punctual Airline with 94% On-Time Flights

Saudi Arabia’s Saudia topped global rankings in March 2025 with over 94% on-time flights, showcasing world-class efficiency during the peak Umrah travel season. Saudi Arabia’s national airline, Saudia, has been officially recognised as the most punctual airline in the world for March 2025. This achievement was confirmed by aviation analytics firm Cirium, placing Saudia at the top of global rankings during one of the busiest travel periods. Operational Excellence During Peak Season With more than 16,000 flights operated in March alone, Saudia achieved an impressive arrival on-time performance (OTP) of 94.07% and a departure OTP of 94%. The milestone coincided with the high-volume Umrah pilgrimage season, underscoring the airline’s operational discipline and resilience amid increased passenger demand. Expanding Horizons With Ambitious Growth As part of its forward-looking strategy, Saudia is rapidly expanding its fleet and services. Currently operating 147 aircraft, the airline is set to grow by an additional 118 planes, significantly boosting its route network and flight frequency. This growth is backed by a nationwide recruitment campaign aimed at strengthening its workforce in aircraft operations, engineering, and maintenance. Aviation Ecosystem Driven by Innovation Saudia’s leadership attributes its consistent performance to a robust aviation ecosystem. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and the deep expertise of its aviation professionals, the airline is able to sustain high-frequency operations, averaging over 540 flights daily across its domestic and international network.

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Bangkok Launches Next-Gen Tourism Training in Sarawak Focused on AI and Sustainability

In a bold step to accelerate digital transformation in Southeast Asia’s tourism sector, Bangkok, Thailand, through the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), has partnered with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) to launch a trio of specialised training programmes in Sarawak, Malaysia. Aimed at enhancing the digital skills of tourism SMEs and destination management staff, the sessions focus on foundational AI education, effective use of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), and AI-powered destination marketing strategies. Taking place in Miri and Kuching, these initiatives align with PATA’s Strategy 2030 and signal a strong regional push towards building a more innovative, sustainable, and globally competitive tourism ecosystem. The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in partnership with the Sarawak Tourism Board (STB), is rolling out a new series of digital training initiatives in Sarawak, Malaysia. These capacity-building programmes are designed to elevate the digital readiness of small and medium-sized tourism enterprises (SMEs) and STB personnel, reinforcing the state’s commitment to tech-driven tourism development.

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