Here’s a wrap-up of the latest travel news around the globe.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, is finalizing a unified tourist visa, which is expected to be live by the end of 2025.
The long-awaited visa, modelled on the Schengen visa operated within Europe, would simplify options and allow travellers to freely travel among the GCC nations on a single-entry permit.
The existing situation sees the UAE offering a visa on arrival to 85 countries and the 5 GGC nations. Qatar and Oman offer a free visa to citizens of 100 nations, depending on the duration of their stay. Visitors to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia need to apply for an e-visa. Kuwait’s e-visa, launched on July 1, offers a 90-day window.
The GCC bloc attracted more than 68 million travellers in 2023, an increase of 42.8% compared to 2019.
A bill that would have legalized casino gambling in Thailand has been dropped amid the political crisis engulfing suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
The bill was a significant policy project for the ruling Pheu Thai party, but it is ‘not the appropriate time’ to continue it, said Julapun Amornvivat, deputy finance minister. “It’s a shame, the delay is a lost opportunity for the country.”
The bill, which proposed permits for major integrated casino resorts to boost tourism revenues, was withdrawn as the ruling party lost coalition support over the issue with the PM.
Edinburgh Airport has, for the first time in nearly 20 years, raised the 100ml liquid ban in passengers’ hand luggage. The airport stated that passengers can now carry up to two litres of liquids through security, which will be scanned without needing to remove them from their bags.
The announcement is thanks to a £24 million investment in eight new high-tech CT scanners and the addition of more lanes. It also means passengers don’t need to remove electrical devices from their bags.
Gordon Dewar, Edinburgh Airport CEO, said: “A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule.”
Philippine Airlines is expanding its Manila-Seattle route, with an increase of three to five weekly flights, starting November 2025. Launched less than a year ago, it is presently the only direct air link from Seattle to the Philippines.
PAL and Seattle’s Alaska Airlines have an existing codeshare and reciprocal loyalty arrangement, enabling onward domestic US connections. PAL already services New York, LAX, San Francisco, Honolulu, and Guam.
China has launched its Legoland resort in Shanghai this month in Fengjing Town. As the largest Legoland park, at 318,000 sqm, and the nation’s first, the project includes more than 75 interactive rides, shows and attractions. There are also thousands of Lego models built from more than 85 million Lego bricks.
Legoland Shanghai Resort also introduced a range of exclusive attractions designed to deliver world-class entertainment. Guests can step into a spectacular live theatre, where the world premiere of the Lego Monkie Kid live show will take centre stage. Guests can also cruise through a 25x scale Lego Chinese water town and modern Shanghai cityscapes, all built from the famed Lego bricks.
Norse Atlantic Airways will launch a new service connecting Bangkok with Manchester in the UK from November, 2025. It will become Manchester’s first direct connection to the Thai capital.
The airline says more than 100,000 passengers travel annually from Manchester to Bangkok via connecting flights, making it one of Manchester’s largest underserved long-haul routes.
Bjørn Tore Larsen, CEO of Norse Atlantic Airways, said: “This route has been waiting to happen, and we’re proud to be the ones making it a reality. Manchester is a key gateway to the North of England, and Bangkok is a magnet for adventure, business, and culture.”
Things are rumbling deep in Borneo, Indonesia, where the Sarawak State government acquired regional carrier MASwings, with a view to improving air connectivity in the region.
MASwings, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, mainly focused on rural air services on the Malaysian part of the island.
Sarawak has rebranded the airline AirBorneo with plans to create a regional carrier as Borneo is divided between the Sultanate of Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia, and has only one home-grown international carrier: Royal Brunei Airlines.
With AirBorneo, Sawarak state government wants to turn the area into a key aviation hub in Southeast Asia and boost its tourism industry. The authority has also pledged to invest in a new fleet and will look at the possibility of leasing aircraft.
Andy Probert is an independent journalist who writes about global travel news, airlines, airports, and business. His work has appeared globally on the BBC, and in many national newspapers and magazines.
