Asia
WWT’s free HKG stopover back
Wendy Wu Tours has announced the return of its popular complimentary three-day Hong Kong stopover, offered in partnership with Hong Kong Tourism Board and available when booking an eligible group tour of 14 days or more.
Christmas in Asia options from AW
Adventure World is reminding agents there is still time to book a festive journey to Vietnam, Sri Lanka, or Cambodia for 2026.
Splendid China by Rail
Exotic Holidays is offering a 10-day Splendid China by Rail itinerary, beginning in Beijing with visits to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Temple of Heaven, and continuing to the Great Wall and the Summer Palace.
WJ offer adds value to Vietnam’s SJourney
World Journeys now features two itineraries aboard Vietnam’s luxury overnight train – SJourney.
The eight-day Vietnam by Luxury Train itinerary travels between Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Hanoi, stopping enroute for highlights including Hoi An and Ninh Binh.
Events a selling point for Hong Kong
Events, new attractions and enhanced cruise facilities are all adding to the appeal of Hong Kong for New Zealanders as the destination still has a way to go to reach 2019 figures out of this market.
New look, features at Club Med Bintan
Club Med Bintan, a short ferry ride from Singapore, has unveiled a transformation designed to elevate family holidays on the island.
EVT’s LyLo brand to open in Bangkok
LyLo, EVT’s lifestyle-budget brand, will enter Bangkok in 2028 with a 387-bed property in Sukhumvit under management agreement. This will be LyLo’s first move beyond Australia and New Zealand and makes LyLo the third EVT hotel brand to enter Southeast Asia, following the opening of QT Singapore in 2024 and the recent announcement of Rydges Bangkok with a targeted opening in 2028.
Making tracks
Twelve GTN and Wanderlust Travel Experts agents embarked on a Wendy Wu Tours adventure recently, experiencing the Malaysian section of Wendy Wu Tours Singapore to Bangkok fully inclusive itinerary.
Korea’s world heritage on show
Visitors to South Korea can now access 15 UNESCO World Heritage sites, reflecting the country’s history, landscapes and culture, says World Journeys.
Experiencing Japan – on board and ashore
Travel agents are being urged to suggest a totally different way of travel around Japan to their clients, visiting small ports seldom (if ever) visited by more familiar cruise lines, and offering an insight into the destination culture on board ship as well as on land.
Asia Now reports strong engagement – heads south today
Asia Now heads to Christchurch tonight after a pleasing start to the roadshow last week.
On Thursday night, agents gathered at Auckland’s Grand Millennium Hotel to hear from representatives from three tour companies, two tourism boards, and two airlines at the Asia Now Roadshow.
Guided cycling in Taiwan
World Expeditions has launched a seven-day guided itinerary, Taiwan Cycle: Mountains, Culture & Coast.
The journey combines six days of cycling with cultural experiences, local food, hot springs and three-star hotel stays, allowing travellers to experience a side of Taiwan well beyond its major cities.
Responsibly observing in Vietnam’s highlands
Adventure World has expanded its portfolio of responsible journeys with the launch of a new four-day itinerary in Vietnam’s lesser-visited Central Highlands, placing cruelty-free elephant tourism at its core.
Korean Explorer: Seoul to Jeju & Beyond
World Journeys is recommending its 11-day Korean Explorer: Seoul to Jeju & Beyond itinerary for first time visitors to the destination.
Sri Lanka roadshow sets scene for catch-up
The Sri Lanka Roadshow event in Christchurch last week was an opportunity for Active Asia to renew its relationship with Tour Blue Sri Lanka and celebrate 10 years working together, says Lance Mould, director of Active Asia.
K-Time: Discover Korea event comes as arrivals from NZ continue to grow
The ability to learn a K-Pop dance one day and stay in a Buddhist temple the next is a major part of the appeal for travellers in Korea, visiting DMCs emphasised to agents at the Discover Korea 2026 event in Movenpick Hotel Auckland on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka for all budgets (and 100 years of cricket)
With travellers watching holiday costs, Sri Lanka delivers value and variety across all budgets and travel styles, say members of a Sri Lanka delegation on a two city roadshow in New Zealand this week.
Sri Lanka spreads message to trade
Promoting active holidays among a plethora of options is one objective of a Tourism Sri Lanks roadshow taking place in New Zealand this week.
New adults-only option in Bali
Nuju Uluwatu in Bali is now open and has joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ L.V.X. Collection, a group of distinctive independent hotels, each with its own character and approach to hospitality.
APT, Travelmarvel's Asia sale
The APT Travel Group has launched two Asia sales, APT’s Wonders of Asia Sale and Travelmarvel’s Magic of Asia Sale, offering clients the opportunity to secure savings on a selection of tours departing in 2027.
Wendy Wu’s new SE Asia brochure
Wendy Wu Tours has launched its 2027-28 Southeast Asia brochure, packed with immersive escorted tours, cruising experiences and new ways to explore one of the world’s most diverse regions.
Japan promotes luxury and dispersal at event as Kiwi arrivals hit records
New Zealand agents have been encouraged to think about luxury travel options for clients in Japan, particularly beyond the gateways and well-trodden paths in the destination.
New villa estate in Bali
Elite Havens has confirmed that Akkulla, a new 31-villa contemporary Balinese estate in Seminyak, will open its doors in October 2026.
Elite Havens is exclusive manager and marketer of the estate.
Exploring India’s north and south
Exotic Holidays has an 18-day Splendours of North and South tour in India.
The trip begins in Delhi, exploring the historic lanes of Old Delhi plus New Delhi’s grand avenues and landmarks. It continues to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, then travels to Jaipur via the atmospheric ruins of Fatehpur Sikri.
Fairmont’s first Thailand hotel opens
Fairmont Bangkok Sukhumvit, Fairmont’s first hotel in Thailand, has opened in Bangkok’s lively Sukhumvit neighborhood with 416 guestrooms and 58 suites.
Eight-day rainforest safari in Sabah
Exotic Holidays is promoting an eight-day Sabah rainforest safari. It begins in Kota Kinabalu with a visit to the Rafflesia Information Centre, where clients learn about the world’s largest flower, an extraordinary rainforest species that blooms for only a few days each year.
Inside Travel spotlights Japan in autumn
Inside Travel, the tour operator behind InsideJapan and InsideAsia, has a new campaign promoting Japan as a leading destination for autumn travel.
Exploring Khmer culture
A six-day Angkor Classic itinerary focusing on the Khmer Empire is available through Exotic Holidays.
Clients explore the ancient Roluos Group, including Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei, and the temples of the Grand Circuit, featuring Neak Poan, Eastern Mebon, Pre Rup and Preah Khan.
Rail and more in China
World Journeys is promoting a range of itineraries in China which can be tailor-made to suit the client – from a six-day China Encounter from Beijing to Xi’an, to a 14-day China Highlights itinerary from Beijing to Shanghai. Most of the itineraries include portions of travel by high-speed train.
Japan demand shows significant growth
Japan’s popularity among New Zealand travellers continues to strengthen, with new data revealing significant growth in bookings, room nights and traveller demand over the past financial year.
Taiwan in 11 days
Exotic Holidays has a Taiwan tour that takes in the country’s traditional arts, scenic heartland and city life.
New retreat in Sri Lankan highlands
Uga Resorts has opened Uga Ghiri, a new boutique retreat in the highlands of Ella, Sri Lanka. The property is the brand’s third opening in just over two years, following Uga Halloowella and Uga Prāva.
Discovering Deccan in 14 days with Exotic
Exotic Holidays has a 14-day tour in Deccan, a large pare of south central India. Travelling through Karnataka, Goa and Mumbai, the journey reveals a region where kingdoms, traditions and architecture have shaped the cultural landscape for more than a thousand years.
New Bhutan collection
Adventure World has launched new journeys through Bhutan following a significant increase in enquiries for the country from New Zealand travellers seeking cultural experiences in lesser-explored destinations.
WJ: Silk Road by rail
World Journeys is promoting a special offer on its four Golden Eagle Luxury Train journeys which travel the ‘Stans’ countries of the Silk Road and Central Asia.
New, short Ganges cruises with Pandaw
Pandaw Cruises has launched new three and four-night Hooghly Ganges River cruises, providing travellers with a flexible way to experience one of India’s most fascinating and culturally rich regions, says Wild Earth Travel, the exclusive general sales agent (GSA) for Pandaw in New Zealand.
Diversity of Sri Lanka in 14 days with WJ
World Journeys is recommending its 14-day Heritage, History & Wildlife itinerary, for clients seeking an in-depth exploration of Sri Lanka. This is a round-trip from Colombo.
Off the beaten track in Vietnam
Exotic Holidays has a 14-day tour that visits well known parts of Vietnam and also gets clients off the beaten track.
Vietnam Golf Coast teeing off
Vietnam Golf Coast clubs are gearing up for one of their strongest seasons as Da Nang sees record tourism growth.
Weddings, corporate travel and Andamans all positive for India sales, says Exotic
Two trend niche markets are providing the New Zealand travel trade with extra opportunities when it comes to selling India, says Rahul Sharma, managing director of Exotic Holidays.
Four days in Kathmandu
Exotic Holidays has a four-day Taste of Kathmandu tour that focuses on the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Hindu temples, Buddhist stupas, and preserved medieval palace squares that reflect centuries of art and architecture.
Wendy Wu Tours launches biggest China and Central Asia brochure
Wendy Wu Tours has a new 2026-27 China & Central Asia brochure, featuring more than 10 new itineraries as demand for travel to the region reaches new heights.
Stopping over in Taiwan
Stopover and transit opportunities in Taiwan were emphasised to New Zealand agents who attended the Asian destination’s roadshow event in Auckland last week.
New Vietnam requirements
Exotic Holidays is reminding agents that Vietnam will require mandatory health declarations for all travellers entering, leaving, or transiting through Vietnam via airports, land border checkpoints, and seaports starting 1 July 2026.
Markets, food lanes and more in Bangkok with Exotic Holidays
Exotic Holidays is offering a four-day food-focused tour in Bangkok at a time when culinary tourism is becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of Thailand’s visitor economy.
New snow leopard itinerary in India
Adventure World has released its new Snow Leopards of Ladakh itinerary, one of its new Tailor-Made Winter Collection.
World Journeys’ off-beat Japan with PONANT
World Journeys is promoting its PONANT charter cruises as a way to escape the crowds and experience authentic Japan.
Intrepid’s next elephant welfare phase
Intrepid Travel is investing in the next phase of elephant welfare reform in Thailand, 12 years after removing elephant rides from its trips
Sri Lanka resort change
Uga Resorts has launched a new sub-brand, reintroducing two of its coastal properties under a distinct collection that marks an evolution of its experience offering.
Travelmarvel expands Asia programme for 2027
Travelmarvel has released its full Asia product portfolio for 2027, with itineraries across Vietnam and Cambodia, Japan, China, India and Sri Lanka.
New villas, pay-stay offer at Centara in Phuket
Centara Karon Villas Phuket is a new tropical villa experience in Phuket, with enhanced privacy but also full access to the extensive facilities of Centara Karon Resort Phuket.
AW launches new Vietnam itinerary
Adventure World has launched A Taste of Vietnam – a 10-day journey through Vietnam’s three most popular cities – Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.
New look at India leads to Innovative update
Lynda Morrison, product manager at Innovative Travel, recently returned from India after attending the two-day Great Indian Travel Bazaar in Jaipur.
Adventure into the Himalayas
Exotic Holidays is highlighting a 16-day Himalayan Adventure, beginning in Kolkata, before journeying north to the hills of Darjeeling.
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APT releases latest Asia programme
APT Luxury Travel has launched its Asia programme for 2027, presenting a collection of expertly crafted itineraries across Vietnam and Cambodia, Japan, South Korea, China, India, and Sri Lanka.
New villa estate for Bali
Akkulla, a 31-villa contemporary estate in Seminyak, Bali, is set to open in the second half of 2026, and will be exclusively managed and marketed by Elite Havens.
New in India for WJ
World Journeys has expanded its horizons in India to some slightly off-the-beaten-track, but still fascinating, regions of the country.
Marketing manager Caroline Clegg says the Golden Triangle continues to form the basis of most first-time visits to India.
Infinity, HKTB campaign – agents can win
Infinity has launched its 2026 destination campaign in partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, a multi‑channel initiative designed to drive bookings to the destination.
