Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, has invoked an emergency decree across the nation, effective from now to 30 April 2020.

Fathom Asia is moving into new niche areas with the launch of its first specialist area, Fathom Asia – Adventure, while retaining its mainstream product.

Philippine Airlines has released a statement reiterating that currently the Philippines remains free of the Covid-19 Coronavirus.

The Travel Concierge has a nine-night Sri Lankan famil for eight agents who will be immersed in culture and hospitality versus being stuck on an itinerary doing multiple property inspections.

World Journeys has few places left on its two small group hosted journeys Cherry Blossom Japan departing on 24 March and 8 April this year.

Active Asia has released an 18-day, 17-night tour for clients who like wildlife and the outdoors.

The Travel Concierge Sri Lanka has teamed up with its partner to offer exclusive complimentary hot air balloon experiences for guests from New Zealand travelling between February and April 2020.

Acrossia has launched its first dedicated Taiwan brochure, reflecting the improved access to the destination and the corresponding increase in interest.

Clients travelling with New Zealand company, Out in India are offered a complimentary night at an &Beyond’s Taj Safari retreat when staying for five nights.

Resplendent Ceylon, which currently runs three Relais & Chateaux properties in Sri Lanka, will be opening an elevated resort (including a swimming pool on its roof at tree top height) at Dambulla in 2022.

Family holidays in India and Sri Lanka are becoming increasingly popular and not only provide enjoyment but also education for children travelling, says Amaan Khan, managing director of Total Holiday Options.

A journey on the bullet train is among the key features of a 13-day Discover Japan by Rail itinerary offered by Exotic Holidays.

When Active Asia principals Valentina Mould-Morelli and Lance Mould headed to Sri Lanka to research programmes on the destination they envisaged coming up with ideas for a six page add-on to an existing brochure.

Major developments are currently underway at Japan’s ski destinations of Niseko and Rusutsu, reports travel&co.

World Journeys says that the latest census in India has revealed a wild tiger population of almost 3000, an increase of close to 30% over the last four years.

A 12-day Culinary Tour of Sri Lanka is being offered by Exotic Holidays.

Exotic Holidays has an itinerary based around the JTBC Seoul Marathon.

Exodus Travels is offering 15% off tours to India, Sri Lanka & Nepal through until 30 April 2020.

Exotic Holidays’ Classic North India self famil offers the opportunity to visit Hindu’s holiest city, Varanasi.

In its 26th year, the Singapore Food Festival (SFF), is on 12 to 28 July 2019 with a total of 20 event partners offering a myriad of dining concepts and gastronomic experiences.

Fathom Asia has launched a range of self famils in conjunction with ground operator Asia DMC, giving agents the opportunity to have an indepth experience of several destinations at discounted rates.

Singapore Tourism Board, together with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Destination Asia (Singapore) and Air New Zealand, recently hosted a group of Kiwi incentive and events organisers on a famil to Singapore.

A recent Taiwan famil tour was an eye opener for Rijuta Gawri, marketing manager at Travel Managers Group.

Despite India being a hot topic of discussion at this week’s TRENZ 2019, New Zealand’s major annual tourism showcase, direct flights between the two countries still appear to be some way off.
Adrian Littlewood, chief executive of Auckland International Airport, says the company has a team working with the outbound industry in India but direct flights into the airport are ‘not imminent’.

Though Chongqing may not be a top of mind name for New Zealand travel agents it is actually one of the most visited (though often briefly) destinations in China.
The ‘small port of only 30 million people’, as described by John McGough, Auckland-based national sales manager with CTS, is the place of boarding or disembarkation for popular Yangtze River Cruises through the Three Gorges area.

Six product managers from New Zealand and Australian travel wholesale agencies were invited by the Macao Government Tourism Office to view all the latest product of the Asian region at the 7th annual Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) at The Venetian Macao – this year extended to celebrate Macao’s 20th anniversary as a Special Administrative Region.

Exotic Holidays’ seven-day Enchanting Taiwan tour from $1811 per person twin share travels Taipei, Sun Moon Lake, Kaohsiung, Taitung, Taroko, Taipei.

Rahul Sharma, of Exotic Holidays, is currently hosting a group of agents on a Philippines educational in conjunction with Philippine Airlines. The eight day tour includes Manila, Boracay, Cebu & Bohol.

Six Senses has opened its first three lodges in Bhutan – in Thimpu, Paro and Punakha, reports World Journeys.

Adventure World Travel (AWT) has released its 2019-20 Asia portfolio, which includes responsible wildlife options and and opportunities to discover the lesser explored areas in China and Cambodia.

Japan has plenty of life in it yet as a travel destination out of New Zealand and agents should get familiar with the opportunities it provides for their clients, says the founder of Wendy Wu Tours.

New Zealand travel agents need to be knowledgeable on Indonesia beyond Bali – to add value and variety for their clients and also potentially generate repeat business and increased expenditure.

Back-Roads Touring has released its Asia Small Group Tours brochure for 2019-20, with four tours ranging from eight to 13 days.

Significant savings can be had on more than 80 Wendy Wu tours departing April to July this year across all of the company’s destinations.

The trade is being urged to help get 1000 Kiwis to Xi’an in September next year around a key event in the China New Zealand Year of Tourism 2019 programme.
CTS Tours, along with co-hosts Air China and Air New Zealand, welcomed nearly 200 agents to a launch of its 2019 brochure and promotion around the 10 September 2019 extravaganza in Xi’an. The agents also had dinner at Spice Alley and watched the City of 100 Lovers musical comedy at SkyCity Theatre.

New properties, brands and renovations are giving agents more to sell when it comes to Centara Hotels & Resorts, a select trade group heard this week.
The company hosted about a dozen agents to lunch at Cable Bay Vineyards on Waiheke. The annual thank you to trade partners comes at a time when Centara is looking to double its portfolio over the next five years, dramatically expand its millennial-targeted Cosi collection and introduce a new luxury brand.

Come 2 November next year, all going well for the All Blacks, all eyes will be on Yokohama and the Rugby World Cup final.

Excite Holidays has launched its latest campaign and brand new video series in conjunction with Singapore Tourism Board, plus a supporting agent incentive.
The series explores the best of Singapore launching with three videos showcasing the top spots for nightlife, shopping and dining, in an eventual six-part series. The series includes interviews with key tastemakers in Singapore, including designers and Michelin-starred chefs, who give insight into their experience and what they believe makes this city-state incredible. The videos will be housed on Excite Holidays’ agent hub,

Forget the perceptions that Japan is expensive and crowded, that’s just Tokyo, says Michinori Yamasaki, executive vice president of JNTO RWC2019 and Tokyo Olympic 2020 Games Projects.

There’s something in the water in Japan. The most popular holiday for all Japanese people is visiting hot water springs.

A Japanese destination promoted at a function in Auckland late last week has received the thumbs up from Joanne Hooper, of Active Asia.
The prefecture of Ishikawa, and particularly its capital Kanazawa, was represented by a trade delegation who promoted culture, accommodation, food and beverage (saki anyone?) and craft. Hooper, who attended the event, says she was recently in the region and recommends it for clients seeking a different side to Japan. ‘It is beautiful. It has one of the best gardens in Japan and a great castle. It is also easy to get to by

New Zealanders should embrace opportunities to explore the regions beyond Tokyo, as they follow the All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup pool games in Japan next year.

Some 50 travel agents attended a function at Stamford Auckland yesterday to hear about a relatively undiscovered part of Japan.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas will open its first property in India by the end of 2018, reports World Journeys.

Embracing and selling Indonesian destinations beyond Bali presents new opportunities for the Kiwi travel trade, says a leading hotel executive visiting New Zealand this week.

Next Tuesday’s Emirates – Marriott International Bali Breakfast Workshop still has a few spots left for interested travel agents and brokers.

World Journeys travel designer Dorothy Chambers has returned from hosting a group of travel agents to India in conjunction with Cathay Pacific.

Wendy Wu Tours is adding six itineraries for solo travellers and will be detailing them in a special flyer being sent to travel agents soon.

A group of travel agents have returned from an educational trip to Myanmar with World Journeys and Malaysia Airlines.

Williment Travel has added some star quality to the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens next April with former All Blacks captain, Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, hosting its Hong Kong Highlights tour.