The post Trafalgar presents its insights on Philippine travel trends for 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Tour operator Trafalgar recently shared its insights into the top travel trends shaping the year for Filipino travellers, along with its list of the most sought-after destinations. 

With a deep understanding of evolving travel preferences, this report highlights how Filipinos are embracing new ways to explore the world, underscored by a renewed appreciation for  meaningful experiences. 

According to The Travel Corporation’s CEO for Asia Nick Lim: “Filipino travelers are increasingly prioritizing meaningful and enriching travel experiences.  Whether it’s savouring the charm of lesser-known cities, embarking on a solo journey, or creating memories with family, Trafalgar is committed to crafting journeys that inspire and  connect.”

New for 2025

Among the trends that Trafalgar is keeping tabs on for this year are the following:

Slow Travel Filipino travelers are increasingly taking the time to immerse themselves in  the culture and history of their destinations. Slow travel, characterized by longer  stays, has seen a six percent increase in popularity among Filipinos who now opt for trips longer than 10  days.

Travel to Local Towns and Secondary Cities Beyond the allure of iconic metropolises,  more Filipinos are turning their attention to off the beaten path travels to lesser-explored  cities. Destinations such as Matera in Southern Italy and Normandy in France are gaining popularity.  

Solo Travel The trend of solo travel continues its upward trajectory as more Filipinos  seek personal growth and solitude. Trafalgar has seen consistent growth in solo  travelers via a five percent increase in 2024 compared to 2023, as well as its steady annual rise since 2023, reflecting the appeal of individual exploration  with the safety and structure of guided tours.

Multi-Generational Travel Post-2024, family travel has seen a resurgence, with multi-generational trips gaining significant traction. Families are choosing to create lasting  memories together while enjoying the benefits of shared caregiving and connection.  This trend underscores the value of shared experiences that bridge generations. 

Where are Filipinos off to this year?

TTC’s insights reveal the five most sought-after destinations for Filipino travelers this year. 

1. Spain From the vibrant streets of Barcelona to the historical allure of Granada, Spain  offers a rich tapestry of culture, cuisine, and stunning architecture. As Italy would too  crowded in 2025, why not pop by to nearby Spain for a mini Pilgrimage trip on Trafalgar’s 11 Day Northern Spain tour? On this trip, you’ll trace the footsteps of pilgrims,  witnessing breathtaking landscapes and timeless traditions. 
2. Egypt Home to the ancient pyramids and the timeless Nile River, Egypt combines  history and adventure, making it a must-visit destination. Take in everything Egypt has to  offer with our Travel Director who is also an Egyptologist on Trafalgar’s 9 Day Best of Egypt. 
3. Scandinavia With its breathtaking fjords, Northern Lights, and sustainable cities,  Scandinavia promises a unique blend of natural beauty and modern innovation. Hop  aboard one of Europe’s most exciting train journeys on Trafalgar’s 14 Day Scenic Scandinavia and its Fjords or go on a once in a lifetime aurora hunting experience on  Trafalgar’s 9 D Scandinavian Northern Lights. 
4. Switzerland Renowned for its alpine landscapes, serene lakes, and charming villages,  Switzerland is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. Join us on  Trafalgar’s Best of Switzerland for a 9 Day Tour of the must-sees in Zürich, Zermatt, St.  Moritz and Lucerne.
5. France Beyond Paris, travelers can explore the wine regions of Bordeaux, the lavender  fields of Provence, the historical sites of Normandy and explore lesser visited cities on  Trafalgar’s 8 Day Treasures of France including Normandy.

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The post Royal Phuket Marina receives second carbon-neutral certification appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) earned its second carbon-neutral certification in a row from the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation (TGO.)

This remarkable accomplishment underscores the marina’s commitment to sustainability and pioneering role as Asia’s first and only carbon-neutral marina. 

More than just a luxury destination, RPM is redefining the concept of Green Luxury, where high-end experiences seamlessly meet eco-conscious living.

Known for innovative approach to sustainability

Powered by renewable energy, RPM has implemented a range of innovative green practices designed to protect the environment whilst delivering world-class luxury. 

Solar panels now deliver up to 38 percent of the marina’s daily energy requirements, making it a shining example of renewable energy integration. 

The marina also uses cutting-edge, solar-powered Seabin V5 technology, which captures up to 48kg of floating debris and microplastics from the marina basin daily. 

With its commitment to conservation, the RPM goes a step further by utilizing a rainwater collection system for boat cleaning, reducing dependency on municipal water supplies.

In addition, the newly-installed solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) chargers mean visitors can now conveniently power up their vehicles using 100 percent renewable energy, further cementing RPM’s role as a trailblazer in environmental stewardship.

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The post Bali stands firm on decision not to develop Halal tourism appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

While the Bali Tourism Board is keen on promoting inclusivity, it remains firm in its decision to reject the development of Halal tourism labeling and registration in the province.

The Bali Provincial Government confirmed that, following decisions made in November 2024, it would reject the development of Halal tourism in the province. 

Bali has a strong cultural identity as a Hindu-majority province and has struggled for years with the sensibilities of promoting inclusive tourism whilst keeping traditional values of the Balinese Hindu faith in Indonesia which is predominantly Muslim. 

Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, chair of the Bali Tourism Board, declared: “The deputy minister of tourism has stated that the discussion on halal tourism in Bali has been completed. There are no plans or policies that will label Bali as a halal tourism destination.”

Upon reflection, Adnyana wants Bali to continue to promote culture-based tourism and attractions wherein indigenous Balinese culture takes center stage.

As he puts it: “While respecting the diversity of tourism needs, including Muslim tourism, Bali only provides Muslim- friendly services without sacrificing the island’s cultural identity.” 

His statement reflects sentiments held by most of the Balinese community who feel that a government-imposed mandatory Halal certification on all tourism attractions and venues in Bali would compromise their cultural practices and cultural identity.

Adnyana added: “Bali will remain a world-class destination that emphasizes the beauty of culture without compromising on its traditions and characteristics.”

Unnecessary in Bali

For her part, Indonesian deputy tourism minister Ni Luk Puspa agrees that Bali does not need to bring in mandatory Halal tourism certifications.

At an event held last November, Puspa said: “It is only right that local wisdom and Balinese cultural richness must be maintained together to be attractive to tourists. Building Bali into a sustainable and inclusive shared home for all groups.”

Inclusivity tempered by a healthy respect for local culture will be a key theme in Bali for this year and beyond, as officials plan to do more to promote various cultural events in the province.

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The post Cebu Pacific ends 2024 with a new Airbus A321neo appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Cebu Pacific ended 2024 on a high as it received a new Airbus A321neo, its 17th delivery for 2024.

This latest acquisition arrived on 24th December and boosts Cebu Pacific’s position as one of the leading players in Philippine aviation.

The arrival of the 236-seater aircraft brought CEB’s commercial fleet to 91, and served as a perfect cap for a year that saw enhanced operational capacity and an expanded route network.

Cebu Pacific president and chief commercial officer Xander Lao remarked: “The arrival of this new aircraft reinforces our readiness to meet the rising travel demand and our commitment to enhancing connectivity for our passengers in 2025 and beyond.”

At present, Cebu Pacific operates one of the youngest fleets globally, comprising 10 Airbus A330s, 40 Airbus A320s, 26 Airbus A321s and 15 ATR turboprop aircraft. 

This diverse fleet enables the airline to maintain the widest network coverage in the Philippines. 

A more sustainable option

The Airbus NEO (New Engine Option) series is known for its environmental efficiency, burning 15 percent less fuel and generating lower noise levels compared to previous models. 

This translates into a significant reduction in carbon emissions that is in alignment with the airline’s sustainability goals.

Last 2nd October, Cebu Pacific announced a historic agreement with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, for up to 152 A321neo aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. 

Valued at approximately US$24 billion at list prices, the deal was hailed as the largest aircraft acquisition in Philippine aviation history.

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The post Philippines reports 5.44 million tourist arrivals for 2024 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Philippines received approximately 5.44 million tourist arrivals for the full length of 2024, showing an increase of 8.7 percent from the end of 2023.

According to the report issued by the country’s Department of Tourism (DOT), foreign arrivals made up 91.4 percent of aggregate arrivals, including people classified as overseas Filipinos.

In aggregate terms, the country recorded just below 5.95 million arrivals in the 12 months to December 31, including 510,383 entries by overseas Filipinos. 

The latter segment, which is made up of Philippine passport holders who are permanently residing abroad, was up by 14.2 percent from a year earlier.

The Philippine government sought to draw in around 7.7 million foreign visitors for 2024, driven by optimism after it went over its 2023 arrivals forecast.

Where are the tourists from?

South Korea was the Philippines’ leading source market, with nearly 1.57 million arrivals in 2024, accounting for 26.4 percent of all arrivals and up by 8.2 percent from 2023. 

The United States was the country’s second largest source market, clocking in with 947,891 arrivals, about 15.9 percent of the total, up by 4.9 percent from the previous year. 

Japan came in third with 388,316 arrivals, about 6.5 percent of all visitors, up 27.1 percent from 2023.

China provided about 312,222 visitors between January and December, representing nearly 5.3 percent of all arrivals, up by 18.3 percent from 2023.

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The post Tourism Malaysia hailed as National Tourism Organisation of the Year at Indonesia Travel & Tourism Awards appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Tourism Malaysia received the National Tourism Organisation of the Year for a fifth consecutive year at the 15th Indonesia Travel & Tourism Awards.

The accolade solidifies Tourism Malaysia’s position as a leader in the tourism sector.

The event was hosted by the ITTA Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established in 2010 and supported by Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism, with the aim of fostering growth in the tourism industry.

The award was presented to Tourism Malaysia Jakarta director Hairi Mohd Yakzan by ITTA Foundation president Panca R Sarungu during a grand ceremony held last 17th December.

A team effort

Yakzan remarked that the achievement was made possible by the collective efforts of his team and the unwavering support from the organisation’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The director said: “This success is the result of our teamwork, as well as the unwavering encouragement from headquarters. Their constant motivation drives us to work tirelessly, advancing the tourism industry and further elevating Malaysia’s profile on the international stage.”

Yakzan added that the award would inspire the team to continue their efforts to attract more Indonesian tourists.

He said: “This recognition fuels our determination as we target 4.2 million Indonesian tourists in 2024 and aim to make Visit Malaysia Year 2026 a resounding success, with a goal of 4.7 million Indonesian visitors.”

This latest achievement adds to a string of victories for Tourism Malaysia which previously claimed the title in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

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The post Jason Montague is new chief luxury officer for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH) announced the appointment of Jason Montague as its chief luxury officer effective 17th February.

Montague’s appointment falls under NCLH’s new leadership structure which aims to drive its multibillion-dollar fleet expansion for its ultra-premium and luxury cruise brands. 

The new chief luxury officer will oversee both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, capitalising on his extensive industry expertise and strong track record previously leading these brands. 

This appointment also underscores NCLH’s focus on its Charting the Course strategy, which includes adding five newbuilds to its upscale brands’ fleets and plans to refurbish nearly all their existing vessels.

Extensive experience

Before this appointment, Montague served as a Special Advisor to NCLH for two years after leading the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand as President and Chief Executive Officer until 2022. 

Prior to this, he served as President and Chief Operating Officer for both the Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, where he successfully oversaw the launch of Sirena for Oceania Cruises and the Seven Seas Explorer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 

Before NCLH’s acquisition of Prestige, Montague was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at Prestige, where he played a key role in launching Oceania Cruises, overseeing the purchase of its initial R-class vessels, securing an investment from Apollo Global Management, and acquiring Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 

He also led the financing and delivery of Oceania Cruises’ new ships, Marina and Riviera.

Prior to that, he served as Oceania Cruises’ VP & Treasurer and SVP of Finance. 

Earlier, he ran a consulting practice focused on strategic planning for SMEs and was VP of Finance at Alton Entertainment Corporation. 

Montague holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Miami.

According to NCLH president and chief executive Harry Sommer: “With over 20 years of expertise in luxury hospitality and a strong track record of driving excellence, Montague brings exceptional strategic expertise to our company and to our executive team. Having already led Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises in the past, Jason is uniquely positioned to shape their future. His unwavering passion for these brands, coupled with his financial acumen, alignment with our corporate culture and strong focus on executing our Charting the Course strategy, make him the ideal leader for this next phase of growth.” 

Montague said of his new assignment: “I am deeply honoured to once again lead Regent Seven Seas Cruises and collaborate with Frank Del Rio in leading Oceania Cruises. This is an exciting time for these two award-winning brands, as we are ready to execute on our commitment to delivering sophisticated mid-sized, upscale and luxurious ships with elegant designs and state-of-the-art offerings. Also, the passion and exceptional talent of team members across each brand, both shoreside and shipside, are a true inspiration. I am confident we will set new standards and create unforgettable experiences for our guests.”

What’s coming up

To advance NCLH’s bold vision for the future, the company plans to substantially increase its presence and positioning in the ultra-premium and luxury markets. 

Over the next five years, NCLH will execute its previously announced multibillion-dollar investment in its upscale brands as it pursues continued leadership in this market. 

For Oceania Cruises, the brand is expecting three newbuilds through 2029, starting with Allura later this year. 

Additionally, the brand’s ships Marina and Riviera will be refurbished in 2026 and 2027, respectively. 

For Regent Seven Seas Cruises, on the other hand, two new vessels will be added through 2029, in addition to planned enhancements to Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

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The post Spain to stop its Golden Visa Program by April 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

In December 2024, the Congress of Deputies in Spain approved the Golden Visa Program, with the proposal passed with 177 votes in favour and 170 against. As informed by a news report in Schengen News.

On January 3, 2025, Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE) published Organic Law 1/2025, officially confirming the abolishment of this program. The Law emphasises that the decision will become effective three months after its publication in the Official State Gazette.

This means that wealthy investors from countries outside the European Union will be eligible to purchase a property worth €500,000 or more in exchange for obtaining a golden visa, which is the most famous option of this program, or choose other options of this scheme until April 3, 2025.

Spanish Senate Vetoed the Bill on December 2. After being approved by the Spanish Congress of Deputies in December 2024, authorities in Spain announced that the new decision was ready to be published in the Official State Gazette (BOE).

At first, the regulation was approved by the Congress of Deputies in Spain on November 14 and then moved forward in the plenary process to reach the Senate. But on December 2, 2024, the Spanish Senate vetoed the bill that would abolish the Golden Visa Program.

In April 2024, authorities in Spain unfolded plans to terminate the Golden Visa Program, with the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, stressing that his country would take all the needed measures to ensure that housing is not a mere speculative business but a right.

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