USA: FAA grounds all flights nationwide due to communications problems

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a nationwide halt to departing flights on Friday after a telecommunications outage disrupted air traffic control communications, prompting the agency to suspend take-offs on safety grounds.

Hong Kong launches movie tourism guide covering 100-plus film locations

Hong Kong's tourism board has released a guide to more than 100 filming locations across the city, part of an effort to attract visitors through film-related travel.

The "Hong Kong Good Take" series covers locations from 50 films and links them with nearby cultural attractions and restaurants, the Hong Kong Tourism Board said in a statement.

YOTEL targets Asia Pacific growth that could triple its portfolio

London-founded YOTEL plans a major Asia Pacific expansion as part of a global strategy that could triple its worldwide portfolio. It is aiming at highly mobile international travellers who want convenient, connected, good-value stays in gateway cities.

The company, founded in 2007, operates 24 hotels worldwide, including in New York, Washington DC, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Istanbul, Tokyo and Singapore. It also runs airport hotels at Singapore Changi, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol, Istanbul and London Gatwick.

Thailand: TAT pivots to "value over volume" for 2027 as 2026 arrivals trail last year

The tourism body is targeting at least 5% revenue growth and a wider spread of visitors. Its own 2026 projection implies a full-year decline of about 6%.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) used the World Travel Market London to outline its 2027 "Value Over Volume" direction. The plan puts meaningful travel, wider visitor distribution and community benefit ahead of headline arrival numbers.

Thailand tourism: arrivals slide for a second year as hotels report mounting strain

Official data confirms a contraction, but operators say the pain is uneven and concentrated outside the headline numbers

BANGKOK, 6 November 2026. Thailand's foreign arrivals are falling for the second year running, and hoteliers say the pressure goes deeper than the national figures suggest.

Cairns Tops Airport Convenience Index as Melbourne Parking Costs Jump 42%

Cairns has taken the top spot in iSelect's 2026 Airport Convenience Index, while Melbourne ranked last after a 42% rise in parking costs. The travel insurance comparison service ranked 11 major Australian airports on parking costs and availability, transport costs, distance to the CBD, passenger volumes and airport size.

Hong Kong Tourism Board Launches "Gourmet Month" After Wine & Dine Festival

HONG KONG – The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched "Hong Kong Gourmet Month," a November-long campaign involving more than 400 restaurants, bars and food and beverage outlets across the city. It follows the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, which drew more than 171,000 visitors.

Villa Vie Odyssey strands 200 residents in Cambodia as fuel costs surge

Around 200 passengers on a luxury residential cruise marketed as an endless voyage around the world have been stranded in Cambodia after soaring marine fuel costs forced the operator to suspend operations.

South Australia makes culinary history with Australia's first Michelin Stars

Magill Estate Restaurant leads the honours, with 11 South Australian restaurants receiving Michelin Stars, putting the state's food and wine regions firmly on the international gastronomic map.

ADELAIDE | 26 October 2026

South Australia has become the first Australian destination to receive Michelin Stars, with 11 restaurants recognised in the inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia 2027, unveiled at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 14 October.

Western Sydney International welcomes first passenger flight after decades of planning

25 October 2026 | Aviation News

Australia's first major new airport in more than 50 years has officially commenced passenger operations, with a Jetstar Airbus A320 departing Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport (WSI) for the Gold Coast on Sunday, 25 October.

Think Like an Adventurer: Rob Lilwall's Lessons in Resilience for a Changing Travel Industry

From the frozen wilderness of Siberia to the jungles of Papua New Guinea, explorer Rob Lilwall brought an inspiring message to TravMedia Summit Asia: in an unpredictable world, courage, adaptability and resourcefulness may be the most valuable tools in the travel industry's kit.

SINGAPORE: British adventurer and motivational speaker Rob Lilwall challenged tourism and hospitality professionals to rethink their approach to uncertainty, drawing on his extraordinary three-year bicycle journey from Siberia to England in a keynote address at TravMedia Summit Asia 2026.

The thieves who wait for airline passengers to sleep

Reports from Hong Kong and Singapore show how cabin thieves exploit crowded overhead bins and sleeping passengers. The clearest route data points to flights arriving in Hong Kong, though it cannot establish which individual flight is most dangerous.

A passenger settles in for the night, leaving a wallet inside a bag in the overhead bin. By landing, the wallet is gone. The thief may have spent the flight walking the aisle and opening bags while their owners slept.

Hong Kong’s autumn events season draws Australian visitors

Halloween celebrations, a major food and wine festival and citywide Christmas events headline the months ahead, as Australian arrivals rise.

Hong Kong is entering a busy stretch of its autumn events calendar, with Halloween celebrations under way, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival opening later this month and WinterFest due to follow in November.

Former CIA officer John Kiriakou joins Seabourn Conversations

The intelligence veteran, author and whistleblower will discuss espionage, interrogation and the realities of modern spycraft during a 12-night Atlantic crossing aboard Seabourn Ovation in 2027.

Former CIA counterterrorism officer John Kiriakou will join Seabourn’s enrichment program as a guest speaker during a 12-night voyage from Bridgetown, Barbados, to Lisbon, departing on March 27, 2027.

Hundreds of travellers missing after Nepal-Tibet flood disaster including 34 Australians

At least 160 people have been killed and hundreds remain missing after a catastrophic flash flood and debris flow struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, destroying villages, roads, bridges and power infrastructure.

Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit opens as brand’s first hotel in Thailand

Accor’s Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has opened a 474-room luxury hotel in Bangkok’s Sukhumvit district, in partnership with Thai property group Asset World Corp.

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has opened Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, marking the luxury hotel brand’s entry into Thailand and a further expansion of parent company Accor’s Asian portfolio.

The Hari Singapore to Open in 2027 After Orchard Hotel Conversion

Harilela Hotels will convert the Holiday Inn Singapore Orchard City Centre into The Hari Singapore, a 326-room luxury hotel scheduled to open in spring 2027.

SINGAPORE — Harilela Hotels will open The Hari Singapore in spring 2027, marking the third property under The Hari brand after London and Hong Kong.

Wendy Wu Tours Unveils Japan’s Best-Kept Secret with New Hokkaido Journey

Sydney, Australia - Wendy Wu Tours has announced the launch of its new Northern Japan: Secrets of Hokkaido tour, expanding its Japan portfolio with an immersive journey through the country’s northernmost island. The itinerary is designed for travellers keen to explore a different side of Japan beyond the well-trodden tourist trail.

voco Kuching Opens in Sarawak, Malaysia

Malaysia’s first voco hotel recently opened in Kuching. The 321-room hotel is an integral part of Wisma Elica, which also includes Care Collective, East Malaysia's largest senior wellness centre. This is Malaysia's first property opening under the globally recognised voco Hotels by IHG Hotels & Resorts brand.

The development represents more than the revitalisation of the former Four Points by Sheraton and Century Hotel. Bringing voco Kuching and Care Collective together under one roof, it creates a destination where hospitality, wellness, lifestyle and community converge while generating economic value and meaningful social impact.

Thailand Advances US$334m Koh Samui Cruise Terminal Plan

The Transport Ministry is seeking approvals for a public-private partnership cruise terminal on Koh Samui, with operations targeted for 2032.

BANGKOK — Thailand’s Transport Ministry is advancing plans for a 12.17-billion-baht cruise terminal on Koh Samui, equivalent to approximately US$334 million, aimed at supporting large cruise ships and expanding the country’s cruise tourism capacity.