The post Tokyo Skytree: A Summer Escape Above the City   appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 This year, say Konnichiwa to Japan and make sure Tokyo Skytree is right at the top of your itinerary. Soaring 634 metres high, this iconic landmark is not just the tallest structure in Japan, but it is the world’s tallest freestanding broadcast tower. Thus, making it an unforgettable experience that brings the whole family together, from kids to grandparents.

Tokyo Skytree is not just an observation tower; it is an experience. Families can begin their journey by taking in 360-degree panoramic views of Tokyo from the Tembo Deck (Floor 350) and Tembo Galleria (Floor 450). On clear days, you might even catch a glimpse of the majestic Mount Fuji. For the adventurous, the Glass Floor on Floor 340 gives a thrilling view of the city directly below your feet, a moment that is both thrilling and unforgettable. Do not forget to capture the moment with the Skytree photo services, perfect for turning your family day out into a frame-worthy memory.

Families and kids alike will love participating in the W1SH RIBBON activity, where they can write their wishes and tie them to a designated space within the tower, a uniquely Japanese cultural moment filled with charm and hope. Inspired by Japanese traditions, this thoughtful little experience lets visitors pen their hopes on a colourful ribbon and leave it fluttering among hundreds of others, a beautiful way to bond, reflect and share a quiet wish together.

For those families wanting more than just sightseeing, Skytree Enjoy Pack offers engaging, cultural programs and curated experiences that allow children to learn about Japanese traditions while having fun. It is an easy way for parents to blend education and entertainment into their travel plans.

The adventure does not stop at the tower. Just a short 15-minute scenic walk from Tokyo Skytree lies Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most historic and culturally rich neighbourhoods. Here, families can visit the famous Senso-ji Temple, explore traditional Japanese streets and sample local street food, making it a delightful extension to the Skytree experience.

From unforgettable views to hands-on cultural fun, Tokyo Skytree is the perfect summer escape for Indian travellers seeking something truly special in Japan. This summer, make it the highlight of your family’s Japan holiday

 

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The post Emirates adds 46 additional flights for Hajj and Eid Al Adha appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Emirates is ramping up its operations for this year’s Hajj season, with 33 special flights to Jeddah and Medina operating until 31 May and between 10 and 16 June to support the thousands of pilgrims traveling for their once-in-a-lifetime journey to the holy city of Mecca.

Emirates will also operate 13 more flights to/from regional destinations including Amman, Dammam, Kuwait and Bahrain to meet high demand during the Eid Al Adha period, as travellers venture to summer leisure destinations, or visit their loved ones for Eid celebrations.

Emirates will be transporting nearly 32,000 Hajj passengers over the next three weeks from key points within its network like USA, Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand, and Côte d’Ivoire.

The onboard pilgrim experience

The Hajj experience with Emirates begins on the ground once pilgrims arrive in Dubai as dedicated airport teams seamlessly guide them through arrivals, connections, and hotel transfers.

Onboard, pilgrims across all cabins will receive distinctive ‘Hajj’ luggage tags, alongside a newly introduced Hajj kit featuring a prayer mat, tasbih beads for prayer, mindfulness and constant remembrance, silicon water bottles, and cushioned non-slip socks — ensuring a reverent, comfortable journey.

All special Hajj flights offer a customised experience for pilgrims, including ablution-friendly amenities, unperfumed towels, special announcements marking Al Miqat zones, and dedicated Hajj content on ice. All passengers returning from Jeddah and Medinah can also check in up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam), to be placed in the aircraft’s designated cargo area.

Customers traveling on special Hajj flights are encouraged to explore the complete Hajj experience on Emirates’ website for the latest requirements and what to expect on ground and onboard their flights to/from Jeddah and Medinah.

Emirates’ Eid Al Adha traditions 

Keeping with Eid Al Adha traditions, flights to select destinations across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Far East, Europe and Africa will offer a special Eid menu across all travel classes.

Customers can enjoy traditional dishes like Lamb Madfoon and Chicken Zurbian in First, Business and Premium Economy Class. First, Business and Premium Economy Class customers can indulge in Pistachio and Chocolate Nammoura Cake as well as White Chocolate and Rahash Mousse cake. In Economy Class, customers can tuck into Pistachio Cake and Coffee Cake.

First and Business Class customers traveling on the Emirates A380 can expect a rich selection of Emirati desserts and unlimited Arabic Coffee in the Onboard Lounge.

Customers across all travel classes will also be treated to desserts wrapped in unique, celebratory boxes. These will include bite-size specialities like Cake Rangeena, Pistachio Rehash Cake, and Date Mamoul cookies.

Customers traveling in First and Business Class from Jeddah will be spoilt for choice with a selection of delectable dishes and desserts like Lamb Mathlouta, Lamb Saleeg, Henaini and Cheese Kunafa in the airline’s dedicated lounge.

Customers traveling during Eid Al Adha can also enjoy on-demand entertainment on ice, including 2,000 movies from around the world – more than 75 of them in Arabic with classics and new releases like such as Abo Nasab, Al Mazra’a and Al Ankaboot.  There are also up to 50 Arabic series channels, along with Shahid exclusives such as Al Bath, Trad and Sadaf. Customers can also look forward to enjoying Turkish series – dubbed in Arabic – like Tout El Aswad and Al Uqda.

On demand entertainment also includes 15 Arabic podcast and audiobook channels, The Holy Qur’an, and over 500 Arabic music channels including pop, classics, Khaleeji, Maghrebi, and fusion genres.

Customers rushed for time who missed buying gifts for friends and family can easily and conveniently shop luxury duty-free products with Emirates RED’s new summer catalogue featuring 200 products from brands like Hermes, Cartier, Tom Ford, Creed and Jo Malone, and others.

Customers looking to save time can pre-order duty-free items on EmiratesRED.com, which will be delivered directly to their seat onboard. The service is available on most flights, with shopping open from 21 days to 40 hours before departure. During Eid Al Adha, Emirates RED is offering an exclusive 10% discount for customers using the code ‘REDMAG’ at checkout.

 

 

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The post Jet2.com and Jet2holidays expand Samos programme for Summer 26 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have announced a brand-new route to Samos from Birmingham Airport for Summer 26.

Following continued demand from customers and independent travel agents looking for some Greek sunshine, the leading leisure airline and UK’s largest tour operator have added a new route to Samos, with flights and holidays now available from Birmingham Airport.

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays will operate a weekly Monday service from Birmingham Airport to Samos from 4^th May to 26^th October 2026, representing nearly 10,000 extras seats on sale and giving customers plenty of choice and flexibility when it comes to enjoying an authentic slice of Greece in early, peak or late summer.

As a result of the expansion, the companies will operate to a total of 15 airports across Greece from Birmingham Airport in Summer 26, making them the biggest operator to Greece from the airport. These include Athens, Corfu, Chania (Crete), Heraklion (Crete), Kefalonia, Halkidiki, Kos, Kalamata, Lesvos, Preveza, Rhodes, Skiathos, Santorini and Zante.

When travelling to Samos, holidaymakers can also choose from over 30 new 3-5 star hotels that Jet2holidays has on sale across the laid-back island. The hotels are available to book now and are located in the sun-kissed resorts of Samos Town, Kampos, Kokkari, Pythagorion, Karlovasi and Balos.

The beautiful Greek island of Samos lies just off the coast of Turkey and is bursting with charm, from its golden-grained beaches to its lush green hills. Holidaymakers can spend their days lounging by the glittering Aegean Sea, hiking through ancient ruins or enjoying delicious Greek fare at a cosy taverna. Between the charming town of Pythagorion or the peaceful village of Kokkari, there is always something to explore, with public transport links making it easy to access the variety of resorts and beaches. With stunning sunsets and a laid-back vibe, Samos is the ultimate place to relax, unwind and soak up the tranquillity of Greece.

The launch of flights and holidays to Samos from Birmingham Airport gives customers in the Midlands the opportunity to enjoy award-winning flights and holidays to the Greek island for the first time with the airline and tour operator. Holidaymakers can choose from a flight-only booking with Jet2.com, or a package holiday with Jet2holidays while enjoying the companies’ award-winning customer service.

ATOL-protected package holidays with Jet2holidays include VIP customer service and return transfers, along with a generous 22kg baggage allowance and friendly flight times with Jet2.com, all for a low £60 per person deposit.

When flying with Jet2.com, customers receive that very same industry leading customer service, a 10kg hand luggage allowance, great flight times and friendly low fares.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The launch of flights and holidays to the beautiful Greek hotspot of Samos from Birmingham Airport means we are now giving customers in the Midlands the chance to enjoy an authentic slice of Greece. We are confident that the addition of the Greek destination to our flying programme from Birmingham Airport will prove popular with customers looking for an off the beaten track style holiday.”

Tom Screen, Aviation Director of Birmingham Airport said: “We’re delighted that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have directly responded to our customer’s needs and are exclusively launching a new route to Samos for Summer 2026. Samos is a brand-new destination on our departure board and brings Jet2.com’s number of operating routes to Greece from BHX to a total of 15, providing our customers with even greater choice for beach breaks and cultural trips alike.”

 

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The post Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru Appoints Nidhi Berry as Commercial Director appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru announces the appointment of Nidhi Berry as its new Commercial Director. With over two decades of distinguished experience across India’s premier hospitality brands, Nidhi brings a nuanced understanding of the country’s dynamic travel landscape, coupled with a strategic commercial acumen and an empathetic, people-centric leadership style. Her appointment marks a significant step forward in the luxury major’s journey, perfectly mirroring the brand’s ethos of intuitive luxury and heartfelt hospitality.

“Nidhi’s appointment marks an exciting chapter,” says Biswajiy Chakraborty, General Manager. “Her strategic clarity, authentic leadership style, and nuanced understanding of the luxury hospitality landscape make her an exceptional addition to our executive team. With a proven track record across key markets and a sharp commercial instinct, Nidhi is positioned to lead our commercial efforts with both precision and purpose.”

Among her notable accomplishments, Nidhi played a pivotal role in securing the Vande Bharat business for hotels during the first wave of the pandemic—an achievement that ensured 80% of the segment’s market share remained with her properties.

She also led the seamless rollout of key platforms such as CRS SynXis, Opera PMS, and IDeaS RMS across multiple hotel chains—bringing in both innovation and efficiency at scale. Her work has been recognised with multiple accolades, including being named Best Sales Person of the Year, and she holds a Gold Certification as an assessor for the Tata Business Excellence Model.

Since joining Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru in July 2024 as Director of Revenue Management and Yield, Nidhi has played a pivotal role in crafting the hotel’s commercial strategy. In her expanded capacity as Commercial Director, she will now oversee Sales, Marketing, Revenue Management, and Reservations—bringing a unified, strategic vision to the hotel’s growth trajectory and market positioning.

 

 

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The post WiT Queenstown to Debut in July 2026 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

WiT (Web in Travel), Asia Pacific’s travel tech media and events platform, will make its New Zealand debut with WiT Queenstown in July 2026, marking a milestone for the region as it aims to establish itself as a hub for travel and hospitality technology innovation.

The one-day event will be held in partnership with Technology Queenstown, a not-for-profit agency founded by Roger Sharp, who chairs global travel business WEB Travel Group and regional tech investment bank North Ridge Partners, and who witnessed firsthand the power of WiT’s global community at WiT Singapore and WiT Japan & North Asia last year.

With more than three million visitors annually, Queenstown offers a unique southern hemisphere testing ground for innovations that enhance travel experiences. WiT Queenstown will spotlight this potential, bringing together travel operators, tech companies, DMOs, tourism boards, investors, and senior executives from global travel tech brands.

Yeoh Siew Hoon, Founder of WiT, said: “We’ve long had our sights set on Oceania. After the success of WiT Australia in Sydney in 2011, we’re excited to return with WiT Queenstown, set in one of the most iconic and breathtaking destinations on earth.

“Our mission has always been to spark innovation in travel tech, from Singapore to Tokyo, Seoul, Cape Town, and Dubai,” she added. “We’re excited to collaborate with Technology Queenstown to build a unique edition that marries WiT insights with local strategic vision and talent.”

Technology Queenstown is spearheading efforts to diversify Queenstown Lakes District’s economy, where tourism and hospitality account for more than 60%, by developing a world-class tech sector.

“Covid showed us how vulnerable a tourism-dependent economy can be,” said Sharp.

“Bringing WiT to town is a cornerstone of our strategy,” said Sharp. “I was struck by the dynamism, camaraderie and deep knowledge at WiT events. We’re thrilled to bring that energy to Queenstown.”

Appointed in December, Technology Queenstown’s inaugural CEO Sarah Russell has hit the ground running and this partnership with WiT is evidence of that.

“With a strategic blueprint developed by Accenture, strong corporate support, and plans to launch a tech university campus, we’re building the foundation. Travel tech is the first cluster we’re backing, and WiT is central to making that happen,” said Russell.

The launch of WiT Queenstown underscores a broader ambition: to make Queenstown not just a world-class destination for adventure, but also for tech.

“Launching a globally successful event is central to the process of building out our travel tech sector, which already has several nascent rockstar companies being built,” said Russell.

“By amplifying what already exists, we aim to make Queenstown known for solving real-world travel problems through tech. We’re inviting the world’s travel tech community to experience this for themselves against the stunning backdrop of alpine lakes, snowy peaks, and world-famous wines.”

 

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The post Dida appoints Luca Plotegher to the role of European Director – Direct Hotel Partnerships appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Dida has announced the appointment of Luca Plotegher to the role of European Director – Direct Hotel Partnerships. With over 15 years of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, including strategic commercial roles at Expedia Group where he led high performing business development and account management teams across Europe, Luca is well placed to drive forward Dida’s European ambitions.

Luca joins Dida, the no.1 B2B outbound player in China and a leader across APAC, at a time of rapid European expansion for the company, where it has been registering fast inbound growth from source markets globally. Dida’s top 5 European destination countries in terms of volume and year-to-date growth include UK (+86%), France (+85%), Germany (+79%), Spain (+104%) and Italy (+87%)*.

 

The top source markets driving this inbound growth include China, USA, Germany, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, providing Dida’s hotel partners with easy access to high-value yet often harder-to-reach source markets. With distribution via tour operators, travel agents, travel management companies (TMCs) and loyalty and point redemption companies, Dida provides hoteliers with an important additional channel of distribution that drives incremental bookings that fully complement their direct marketing activities.

Commenting on Luca’s appointment, Rikin Wu, Dida’s CEO & Founder said “We are really pleased to welcome Luca to Dida at this pivotal time for the company. His experience will be invaluable to us as we look to fulfil the growing demand we are receiving for European destinations from source markets worldwide”.

Luca Plotegher, Dida’s new European Director – Direct Hotel Partnerships commented “I’m excited to be joining Dida at this time of rapid expansion for the company. Dida is already famous for its success across China and APAC and we have clear opportunity to replicate this in Europe.

Alongside the wider team, I am looking forward to further enhancing our relationship with our valued European hotel partners while further building on Dida’s impressive performance to date”.

 

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The post The Soul of Luxury: Jason Friedman Headlines The Boutique Hotel Series Bangkok to Redefine Unforgettable Experiences appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

In the world of boutique luxury, few names command as much respect—or reverence—as Jason M. Friedman. On May 29, 2025, at the serene Sukhothai Bangkok, Friedman will take the stage at The Boutique Hotel Series: The Summit Bangkok for a high-impact, TED Talk–style keynote titled:
“The Soul of Luxury: Boutique Hotels Re-defining Unforgettable Experiences in the Luxury Market”.

This much-anticipated session will be more than a talk—it’s a masterclass in designing guest experiences that stir the soul and set new benchmarks for luxury hospitality.

Jason M. Friedman, a native New Yorker with over three decades in the industry, is the Founder and Managing Director of J.M. Friedman Hospitality, a boutique consulting firm focused on the development and operation of small luxury resorts, tented camps, and expedition ships across Southeast Asia. His client list reads like a who’s who of global hospitality—Four Seasons, Raffles, Amanresorts, Rosewood, InterContinental, and independents like The Siam and Qualia.

A graduate of Cornell University and Lewis & Clark College, Jason is known for pairing vision with precision, creating experiences that are as operationally sound as they are emotionally resonant.

“Luxury today is not about a beautiful room, or great car, or a great meal. Luxury today in the sense of travel is about an experience you are providing. That experience is a collection of key attributes, like service, people, physical room, location, and food. All these things must come together in the right way to provide truly unique luxury experiences. It’s about an aggregation of all the components of a travel experience; it’s entirely about how you put it all together.”, said Jason.

It’s this philosophy—elevated, integrated, and experience-driven—that defines Friedman’s work, from iconic projects like The Siam Bangkok to remote luxury tented camps and expedition vessels like the Kudanil Explorer.

Founded in 2016, J.M. Friedman Hospitality was created to fill a rising demand for specialized luxury hospitality services in Asia. The firm has since worked with top-tier clients including Shinta Mani, Aqua Expeditions, AlUla, El Secreto Belize, and Phu Chaisai. Based in Singapore, the company assembles bespoke teams of experts for each project, while Jason remains hands-on with every client.

As a founding Advisory Board Member of The Boutique Hotel Series, Jason’s keynote is both a cornerstone of the Summit and a call to action: to bring intention, creativity, and humanity back to the heart of hospitality.

Event Details

The Sukhothai Bangkok
May 28–29, 2025
Keynote Session: “The Soul of Luxury” – May 29
Register now: www.theboutiquehotelseries.com

Contact:
The Boutique Hotel Series
Email: hello@theboutiquehotelseries.com
Website: www.theboutiquehotelseries.com

 

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The post Vietjet introduces two new direct routes to China appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Vietjet introduces two new direct routes from Vietnam’s capital Hanoi to Chengdu and Xi’an in China.

Inaugural flights will be taking off on the 1st and 6th July respectively, offering four round trip flights each per week.

These new services bring the airline’s total number of Vietnam–China direct routes introduced in the first half of 2025 to seven, further strengthening its expanding flight network. 

For Singaporean travellers, this opens up a more seamless journey to China via Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering more flexible and affordable travel options across the region. 

To celebrate the launch, Vietjet is offering promotional fares for new services through its website and mobile app.

Inroads to China

These new services follow Vietjet’s recent launches connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as the Hanoi-Shanghai route introduced in March and April. 

The two additional services will strengthen comprehensive air connectivity between Vietnam and China, promoting tourism and trade while offering greater access between China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Vietjet has been rapidly expanding its international flight network, particularly between Vietnam and China, with direct routes now linking Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Beijing, and Guangzhou. 

Beyond China, the airline is also boosting regional connectivity with a new direct service between Singapore and Phu Quoc to be launched on May 30. In the first and second quarters, 

Vietjet also launched new services to India linking Ho Chi Minh City to Hyderabad and Bengaluru, and to Japan’s Nagoya and Fukuoka. 

These strategic expansions reflect Vietjet’s strong commitment to enhancing international cooperation and making travel across the Asia–Pacific region more accessible and affordable.     

In line with its global ambitions, Vietjet continues to broaden its global flight network while providing travellers with a comfortable and seamless journey aboard modern, eco-friendly aircraft and professional service that reflects the authentic spirit of Vietnam.      

As part of its passenger-first approach, Vietjet also offers complimentary SkyCare travel insurance and exclusive rewards through its SkyJoy loyalty program.    

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The post Japan foreign arrivals up 28.5 percent in April 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) released its monthly arrivals report for April yesterday, 21st May.

According to the report, foreign arrivals in the country showed a year-on-year increase of 28.5 percent, a record-breaking 3.91 million within April alone.

In an accompanying statement, the JNTO explained: “Spring cherry blossom season boosted demand for visits to Japan in many markets, as in the previous month, and overseas travel demand increased in some Asian countries, in Europe, the US and Australia to coincide with the Easter holidays.”

Rising numbers

The JNTO report also shows that, in the first trimester of 2025, Japan has already welcomed 14.4 million foreign visitors, reflecting a 24.5 increase from the figure seen on 30th April 2024.

Likewise, the April total has surpassed that of January 2025 which saw the entry of 3.78 million visitors; April is also the first month to exceed 3.9 million arrivals.

While JNTO experts cited the spring holidays as a factor for the increase, they also pointed out how the weakened yen has contributed significantly to the influx of foreign visitors.

Indeed, national tourism figures released at the end of January 2025 show that a total of 36.8 million foreign travellers made their way to Japan in 2024.

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The post Philippine tourism department to provide seniors with employment opportunities appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that it plans to aid qualified Filipino senior citizens with training and job opportunities in the field of tourism.

This programme is part of a new understanding between the DOTand the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) which was formally signed yesterday, 21st May.

Through this partnership, the DOT will activate its regional offices to include senior citizens in its training for tourism stakeholders.

Tourism secretary Christina Frasco said: “Senior citizens simply have to approach our regional offices or the NCSC and we can definitely include them in our training modules.”

Tailor-fit to those willing to work

As of press time, the NCSC is conducting a “needs assessment” to tailor-fit the training program for beneficiaries.

Once formally rolled out, NCSC officer-in-charge and chairperson Mary Jean Loreche said a senior citizen needs only to be physically and mentally fit to qualify for the training program.

Loreche said in Filipino: “Each region has its own tourist destinations, so if our seniors wish to become tour guides, then so be it. If they want to work in the resorts and hotels and be part of the personnel that’s also possible. This initiative offers numerous opportunities for them.”

On top of training, the MOU would help the DOT craft more inclusive policies that are sensitive to the needs of traveling senior citizens.

It would also facilitate the development of infrastructure and tourism products that cater to the sector.

Frasco added: “We will make a conscious effort so that there are opportunities for seniors to enjoy in the tourism programmes and circuits that we’re launching in our destinations, that aren’t just discounts, but also expanded opportunities to enjoy different kinds of tourism products.”

The secretary pointed out that the new understanding improves on the existing engagement between DOT and NCSC by ensuring that it is neither a seasonal nor a one-off endeavour.

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