Here’s a wrap-up of the latest travel news from around the globe
Thailand has announced major changes to hotel regulations. A new Accommodation Act is being legally drawn up by the Council of State to replace its 1994 Hotel Act.
The new proposals will address Thailand’s rapidly evolving tourism scene, supporting a wider range of accommodation providers, from mass hotels to small-scale hostels and local homestays.
The laws will review the current law’s narrow definition of a “hotel” as many modern lodgings, such as homestays, are unable to operate legally. It will seek to define the meanings of ‘accommodation’ and ‘hotel’.
Complicated licensing laws will be simplified, including the option of a Super Licence, allowing a single entity to operate multiple activities. It will also introduce new measures to regulate digital platforms, such as Airbnb and Booking.com, to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
Increasing violence and unrest in Indonesia have prompted foreign embassies to upgrade travel advisories. Student protests against politicians’ perks amid deepening inequality have spiralled into national upheaval, leaving at least six people dead, many injured, and thousands arrested.
Embassies have warned their citizens to avoid protest sites and crowds, and to remain vigilant in tourist places to the risk of sudden escalation.
The government has criticised the damage inflicted on regional parliament buildings and the disruption to public transport systems, particularly in Jakarta. Nevertheless, immediate concerns remain, particularly regarding the potential impact on the nation’s tourism sector.
Vietjet is expanding its network across Southeast Asia with inaugural flights planned from Ho Chi Minh City to Manila.
The new nonstop five-times-a-week service, which will launch on November 22, 2025, marks the carrier’s first direct connection between Vietnam and the Philippines.
It is the latest route for Vietjet, which has rapidly expanded its network this year with new flights to Japan, India, and Singapore. September will also see the launch of a new service from Ho Chi Minh City to Auckland.
Travellers heading to Indonesia have been advised they will have to complete an All Indonesia Arrival Card 72 hours before entering the country. The online process, which takes less than three minutes to complete, will result in travellers receiving a QR code via email, which is then presented to immigration and customs officials upon entry.
The new digital entry portal for All Indonesia is being rolled out to enable immigration, customs, and health declarations to be submitted through a single online form.
The system comes into force from September 2025 and will be mandatory for those arriving at Jakarta, Denpasar-Bali and Surabaya international airports. It will be extended to the country’s other airports, sea and land borders from October 1, 2025.
Brisbane is gearing up for a new hotel, the 148-room Adina Chermside, amid plans for it to open in February 2026. The property will be the largest hotel in the area and operated by TFE Hotels, the Australian-based apartment-style hotels brand.
“Adina Chermside brings our homegrown hotel brand to this important suburb, and our casual living philosophy – with kitchens and laundry and flexible spaces- fills a gap in the accommodation market,” said TFE Hotels’ Group COO, Chris Sedgwick
Adina Chermside Brisbane will also feature a conference space, lobby, café/bar with an all-day dining restaurant, meeting room, and gym.
Centara Hotels and Resorts has officially opened its newest luxury property, ‘Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives’. Designed to offer a unique blend of serenity and sophistication, the resort is positioned as a premier destination for travellers seeking refined island experiences in the Maldives.
The launch of Centara Grand Lagoon marks the completion of The Atollia by Centara Hotels and Resorts, a visionary multi-island project aimed at transforming experiential travel in the region.
Set on a private island, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives offers 142 elegantly appointed beachfront and overwater villas that harmonise with the island’s lush natural beauty. It features multiple restaurants and bars serving world-class cuisine, along with the Spa Cenvaree Retreat, offering holistic wellness journeys.
“Our team has created something truly special,” commented Andrew Jansson, Cluster General Manager of Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives and Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives. “This resort captures the essence of Thai hospitality blended with the breathtaking charm of the Maldives.”
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.
