Here’s the latest global travel news for our members:
A major landslide in Phuket, Thailand, has killed at least 13 people, including a Russian couple, and dozens injured.
The landslide occurred in a residential area, affecting 200 homes, with around a quarter of villas destroyed. The homes are understood to be mainly owned or rented by foreign nationals.
“Heavy rain began and caused a landslide that damaged homes. Those living in the area were caught off guard,” local police chief Khundech Na Nongkhai said. Authorities declared the famous tourist districts of Chalong, Karon and Rawai as disaster zones.
Air India’s direct Bengaluru flights have taken off from London Gatwick and will operate on the route five times a week. London Gatwick now offers five nonstop connections to India, including Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Goa, and Kochi.
The availability of the latest flight brings to at least 19 flights per week between London Gatwick and India. Gatwick states it is in line with efforts to double connectivity with India up to 2030.
“This new service to Bengaluru is excellent news for both passengers and businesses across London and the South East,” said Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick. “This city’s dynamic tech industry makes it a fantastic addition to our route network.”
A passenger who allegedly went for a wing walk was arrested at Melbourne Airport for exiting a plane via the emergency exit. The incident occurred as the Jetstar flight from Sydney arrived at the gate in Melbourne.
“A passenger opened the emergency exit door after arrival into Melbourne, which automatically deployed the slide,” an airline spokesperson said. The man was detained by ground staff and then handed over to Federal Police.
“AFP officers arrested a man for alleged aggressive behaviour and breaching aircraft safety protocols,” an AFP spokesperson said. One passenger said the man pushed other passengers to get to the emergency exit.
One of China’s top privately-owned airlines, Juneyao Airlines, will launch Shanghai flights to Melbourne starting in December. It will operate three weekly flights to and from Melbourne Airport from 19 December, increasing to a peak season daily service for January and February.
The new flights will mark the Australia debut for Juneyao Airlines. This will take Chinese seat capacity above pre-pandemic levels for Melbourne Airport. Melbourne Airport recently marked a significant milestone in upgrading its international baggage handling system, with the arrival of more than $50 million worth of baggage conveyer systems.
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said: “We are thrilled to welcome Juneyao Airlines to Melbourne. Choosing Melbourne as their first Australian destination is an incredible vote of confidence.”
North Korea is reportedly set to reopen limited international tourism by the end of 2024, nearly five years after it sealed the country’s borders due to the pandemic, two tour companies with connections to the isolated country have announced.
Beijing-based Koryo Tours and Shenyang-based KTG Tours made separate online announcements, saying tour groups would be allowed to visit the mountainous city of Samjiyon, the purported birthplace of the late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il.
In a Facebook post, KTG Tours said exact tour dates were to be confirmed. “So far, just Samjiyon has been mentioned, but we think Pyongyang and other places will open, too!”
Samjiyon straddles the Chinese border and is close to the highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, Mount Paektu, an active volcano of paramount importance and historic significance to North and South Koreans.
Marriott International has opened its 600th property in the Asia Pacific region, excluding China.
The Adelaide Marriott Hotel is the first Marriott International property in South Australia and is part of the 150-year-old landmark Adelaide General Post Office building with a 14-storey tower housing 285 guestrooms including 12 suites.
Today, there are over 50 Marriott-branded Asia Pacific hotels, and almost 40 are in the development pipeline. “We are thrilled to celebrate our 600th property milestone,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “With 600 operational properties and close to 400 in the pipeline, our growth trajectory is robust.”
Global hotel chain operator Hilton plans to add at least 100 new hotels across China annually over the next few years to cater to increasing travel demand, Qian Jin, president of Hilton Greater China and Mongolia, said
“Niche brands are in high demand to offer personalised services to tourists,” he said. “We have to fine-tune those brands as we move to some specific destinations to capture the growth opportunities.”
Hilton, which opened its first hotel on the mainland in 1988, embarked on a programme of fast-track growth in the world’s second-largest economy in 2019. The operator’s portfolio now has 700 hotels across mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
Turkiye is steadily establishing itself as a global leader in sustainable tourism, reaching a significant milestone in 2024. The country now boasts over 1,000 facilities certified under its National Sustainable Tourism Program, reflecting its commitment to environmentally responsible and culturally sensitive tourism practices.
In an unprecedented move, Turkey became the first country to sign an agreement with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to implement a national sustainability program at the governmental level.
As of July 2024, 1,093 facilities across the country, including major tourist hubs like Antalya, Istanbul, and Muğla, have been certified under this program. These certifications confirm the facilities meet the rigorous sustainability criteria established by the GSTC, placing Turkey at the forefront of global sustainable tourism efforts.
Andy Probert is an experienced freelance business travel journalist and PR specialist.
