Here’s the latest selection of global travel news for Wise Travellers.
The Lufthansa Group has announced an exciting flight programme for 2025. These include destinations served by Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Discover Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines.
New locations include Bydgoszcz, Poland; Ålesund, Norway; Windhoek, Namibia; Calgary, Canada; Orlando, USA; and Edinburgh, Scotland. There are also flights to Niš, one of Serbia’s oldest cities; Montpellier on the French Mediterranean coast; and Heringsdorf, in Germany.
Air India is raising some baggage fees on its long-haul network to the UK and Europe.
It says the new fees, which align with other international airlines, include a ‘Value’ fare option for one piece of checked baggage up to 23kg. For a second checked bag, a passenger must book a ‘Classic’ or ‘Flex’ fare.
Hong Kong International Airport is demonstrating a major uplift in passengers and, as a result, greater connectivity. Its global network boasts new routes with Cathay Pacific linking up to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Hong Kong Airlines has extended a new service to Chiang Mai, Thailand, while Greater Bay Airlines has begun operations to Yonago, Japan.
The improvements come on the back of greater traffic flow through for the airport. October revealed a 21% increase in passenger capacity year-on-year to 4.55 million passengers while handling over 31,500 flight movements, a 20% rise.
So far in 2024, Hong Kong International has accommodated around 44 million passengers, a 38.6% increase from the same period in 2023.
Luxury hotel brand Grand Hyatt has outlined plans to open more hotels by 2027.
The new locations include Deer Valley, Grand Cayman Resort & Spa, The Red Sea, and Cancun Beach Resort. The openings are pencilled in for the next 2 years. The Utah Grand Hyatt Deer Valley hotel will feature 436 guest rooms, suites, and residences alongside mountainside event facilities, launching direct access to Deer Valley’s ski terrains.
“With the upcoming planned openings and the re-investment into existing hotels, we continue to bring the timeless Grand Hyatt brand experience to our guests in more captivating destinations, from Mexico to China,” said its global brand leader vice president, Emily Wright.
A reported outbreak of Norovirus has struck 70 passengers on a transpacific cruise from Singapore to Los Angeles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some 55 guests and 15 crew members have fallen ill on the Coral Princess, which is carrying 1,822 passengers.
Princess Cruises said it bolstered ‘cleaning and disinfection procedures according to the outbreak response plan.’ The CDC has recorded 11 cruise ship outbreaks in 2024, with all but three classed as Norovirus.
BWH Hotels has boosted its footprint in Vietnam with a new BW Premier Collection resort on the beach in Phan Thiet.
The Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection will join BWH Hotels’ portfolio in Vietnam, which currently includes four Best Western Premier branded properties in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang and Ha Long.
The new beachside resort is located in Vietnam’s Binh Thuan province and less than 3 hours from Ho Chi Minh City. It will offer a selection of villas and rooms, all fully equipped with modern amenities, as well as a restaurant, beach bar, cabanas, swimming pool, and a stage for beachfront events.
“We are delighted to announce the signing of the Costamigo Phan Thiet, BW Premier Collection, which marks the latest phase of our development strategy in Vietnam, one of BWH Hotels’ key Asian markets,” said Vice President Olivier Berrivin.
“With its beachfront location and collection of spacious villas and accommodations, this exceptional resort is set to become a popular option for guests on short breaks or extended vacations.”
Thailand is on target to hit 35 million tourists by the end of 2024, having already welcomed just under 30 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first 10 months.
International tourism has generated nearly THB1.4 trillion revenues, the government said. Thailand has welcomed almost 6 million Chinese travellers and 4.27 million tourists from Malaysia. India is third with 1.7 million.
Thailand’s cabinet has just approved two additional holidays for next year to encourage more domestic tourism over long weekends.
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana is set to launch a new sunshine holiday connection: the resort island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam from December 3, 2024.
The service will run on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Air Astana just recently launched direct Almaty-Phu Quoc flights in October 2024.
Phu Quoc is a tropical island with pristine beaches and rainforests. Attractions include Vinpearl Safari, the Dinh Cau Night Market, and the Hon Thom cable car.
Andy Probert is an independent PR writer and journalist who writes about travel experiences, airlines, airports, new tech and business. His work has appeared on the BBC, in The Daily Mail, the Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Daily Mirror, as well as many newspapers/magazines globally.
