The post AirAsia launches ‘Turn Your Points into School Holiday Fun!’ appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

School holidays just got a whole lot more rewarding! AirAsia rewards and PETRONAS Mesra Rewards have joined forces to launch an exciting new campaign: Turn Your Points into School Holiday Fun!, happening from now to 31 August 2025. Whether you’re planning a family getaway or simply looking to maximise your loyalty points, this campaign offers members of both programmes the chance to unlock exclusive perks, bonus points, and incredible prizes.

Exclusively on AirAsia Xchange, members can unlock exciting rewards by linking their PETRONAS Mesra Rewards account and converting their points instantly between Mesra Rewards points and AirAsia points.

Perks you don’t want to miss:

• Link your Mesra Rewards account with your AirAsia member account for the first time and receive 100 AirAsia points + 1,000 Mesra Rewards points—completely free!
• Convert your points and earn up to 2X points during the campaign period.
• Top two converters will win free flights and hotel stays for two to Kuching or Kota Kinabalu, worth RM3,400.
• 30 lucky qualifying converters will each win RM200 worth of PETRONAS cash vouchers.

During the campaign, members will enjoy enhanced conversion rates. When converting 2,000 Mesra Rewards points to AirAsia points, members will receive a total of 1,000 AirAsia points, double the usual 500 AirAsia points. Similarly, converting 1,250 AirAsia points to Mesra Rewards points will yield 1,000 Mesra Rewards points, instead of the usual 600 Mesra Rewards points.

Get ready to turn your points into perks! Simply open your AirAsia MOVE app, go to Points exchange, and link your Mesra Rewards account to begin converting.

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The post Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community holds Pride rally appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Members of the Nepal’s LGBTQ+ community and supporters rallied in the capital Sunday in the annual pride rally, which was the first since a major cut in funding after the U.S. government ceased financial aid. Hundreds of people took part in the rally through the heart of Kathmandu, playing music and dancing in the Gai Jatra festival, which is celebrated to remember family members who have passed away during the year. But it has long drawn colorful parades by bringing in sexual minorities to join in on the festivities.

Nepal’s LGBTQ+ campaign has been hit after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration began dismantling the U.S. Agency for International Development, which was responsible for humanitarian aid.

Over the years, USAID and others stepped in and partnered with help centers to support initiatives like HIV prevention and care, and safe-sex counselling. The U.S. funds were vital for running the centers and clinics that helped with distributing free condoms, screenings and follow-up treatment for people with HIV. Now the USAID office in Nepal is closed.

“Because of the cut in funding many of the services we have been providing to the community have been hit badly, but we are not discouraged but are hopeful we will get alternative sources and fundings to help us restart those services,” said Simran Sherchan, a LGBTQ+ rights activist in the rally.

Source: AP

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The post Torrential rains in southern Japan cause travel disruptions appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Downpours on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu caused flooding and mudslides on Monday, injuring a number of people and disrupting travel during a Buddhist holiday week. Evacuation advisories were issued and several people were reported missing. A low-pressure system has been stuck over the region since last week, dumping torrential rain over the southern prefecture of Kagoshima and the island’s northern part.

The Japan Meteorological Agency early Monday issued the highest-level warning in the prefecture of Kumamoto, saying rainfall had exceeded 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) in the last 24 hours and more was expected through Tuesday afternoon over Kyushu. The agency later downgraded the alert for Kumamoto as the showers moved east toward the Tokyo region, but kept a lower-level warning for western Japan, where up to 20 centimeters (7.8 inches) of rainfall was expected by noon Tuesday.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said local authorities have issued evacuation advisories to tens of thousands of people in Kumamoto and six other prefectures in the region. Defense troops were deployed to Kagoshima to provide fresh water to the residents in the affected areas, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

In Kumamoto, rescue workers were looking for missing people. A man who went missing while three of his family members waited in a car to head to an evacuation center just as a mudslide hit. The people in the car were rescued, but the man was later found with no vital signs, according to prefecture officials.

At another location in Kumamoto, an elderly woman was found inside a vehicle that had fallen into a river, but her condition was unknown. Three others were reported missing after falling into swollen rivers, while a person buried underneath a mudslide was rescued alive.Two people were also reported missing after falling into rivers in nearby Fukuoka prefecture.

In Kamiamakusa city, about 20 people stranded at a camping site and a couple of other residential areas are waiting for rescuers, NHK public television reported. Television footage showed muddy water gushing down, carrying broken trees and branches, and residents wading through knee-deep floodwater.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his government was supporting search and rescue operations for the missing and helping others in affected areas. He urged residents “to use maximum caution,” encouraging them to “please prioritize actions to save your lives.”

Heavy rain also impacted people traveling during Japan’s Buddhist “Bon” holiday week.

Bullet trains connecting Kagoshima and Hakata in northern Kyushu, as well as local train services, were suspended Monday morning. While trains partially resumed in Kyushu, services were starting to be affected in western Japan as heavy rains gradually headed east.

About 6,000 households were out of power in Kumamoto, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co., but nearly half got the power back later Monday.

The torrential rains last week left one person missing and four injured in Kagoshima.

Source: AP

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The post Roland Berger’s Richard Stolz champions stellar traveller experience, human touch key to stay ahead appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

He explores the market shifts, traveller trends, and the future of tourism in the Middle East.

As the Middle East continues to emerge as a global travel hub, the region’s tourism sector is navigating rapid changes in traveller expectations, source market dynamics, and competition. For businesses in this industry, staying relevant requires not only operational excellence but also strategic foresight and adaptability.

Richard Stolz, Partner for Tourism, Travel, & Leisure at Roland Berger, offers his invaluable insights, drawn from his more than 14 years of strategic consulting experience. He has worked across a diverse range of industries, including tourism, travel, transport, airlines & aviation, leisure, hospitality, entertainment, education, and healthcare, helping businesses grow.

Based in Dubai, Stolz’s functional experience spans corporate strategy, business development, growth, market entry, market assessment, project management, business transformation, and organisational effectiveness. He also regularly shares his industry perspectives through authored columns, media commentary, and interviews, contributing to leading publications and shaping conversations around global tourism and related industries.

Navigating the Middle East’s tourism market shifts

In an interview with Stolz, he shared his perspectives on the evolving dynamics of the Middle East’s travel and tourism industry and what businesses must focus on to stay competitive in the region.

When asked how the travel industry in the Middle East is evolving, Stolz noted a constant increase in visitor numbers, especially in major hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. He highlighted the growing importance of source market volume, including the CIS, the Indian Subcontinent, and Mainland China.

“All key players in the tourism and travel value chain are needed to provide a stellar traveller experience,” Stolz said. This includes airports, airlines, ground transport, hotels, and DMCs, amongst others.

On the topic of adapting to shifting source markets and evolving traveller expectations, Stolz emphasised the need for businesses to tailor their offerings, such as food and beverage options, multilingual signage, and ensuring the availability of tour guides fluent in languages like Mandarin. Additionally, DMCs should consider offering packaged tours directly ‘on the doorstep’ in key source markets.

Addressing the ongoing talent challenge in the region’s tourism and hospitality sector, Stolz stressed that in order to attract, develop, and retain skilled talent in a competitive hospitality and tourism labour market, companies must provide a good work-life balance. “Offer attractive talent development and training schemes,” he added. He also suggested strengthening collaborations with leading tourism and hospitality schools globally and in the Middle East to ensure access to the best and motivated professionals.

Whilst innovation continues to redefine the industry, Stolz believes that agility must be matched with a focus on people and keeping the human touch in an organisation. “The element of building real and motivated teams is still key,” he noted.

Looking to the future, Stolz expects several trends to shape the region’s tourism landscape. He pointed to longer average lengths of stay, with destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi being increasingly seen as viable options for long-term living rather than just for vacations. He also highlighted the growing number of emerging destinations across Saudi Arabia, which are set to enhance the GCC’s overall tourism offering.

Recognising excellence in tourism

As a judge for the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Middle East, Stolz will be placing strong emphasis on recognising entities that consistently deliver best-in-class traveller experiences and those who set the benchmark for excellence and continue to raise industry standards.

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The post Air India launches ‘Namaste-World’ promotional sale  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Air India has launched its ‘Namaste World’ promotional sale, offering attractive all-inclusive fares across the airline’s domestic and international network. As part of this exclusive offer, one-way fares on domestic routes start from INR 1,499, and round-trip fares on international routes start from INR 12,310.

The sale is valid through 2359 Hrs of 15 August 2025. Tickets booked under the promotional fares are valid for travel up to 31 March 2026. Bookings under the sale are also available at international points of sale, with fares denominated in respective local currencies.

Web-exclusive Day 1

The ‘Namaste World’ sale is exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app on 10 August 2025. Subsequently, bookings under the sale will be available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, customer contact centre, and travel agents.

Book direct benefits 

Travellers booking their tickets on Air India’s website and mobile app will enjoy zero convenience fees during the sale period. Additionally, travellers can save up to INR 1,000 per person using promo code FLYAI, as well as up to ₹2,500 off per passenger on payments processed through visa card by applying promo codes VISAFLY.

Elevated travel experience with special ancillary offers

To complement the ‘Namaste World’ sale, Air India is also offering exclusive deals on popular ancillary services, enabling travellers to personalise their journeys at exceptional value. Air India customers can enjoy up to 60% off on prepaid baggage and up to 15% off on seat selection, including preferred and extra legroom seats. These offers are available on booking through Air India’s direct and indirect channels, offering greater comfort and convenience at unmatched value.

The seats on sale are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The sale applies to select domestic and international routes, and fares may marginally vary in different cities due to applicable rates of exchange and taxes.

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The post Emirates changes safety rules for customer usage of power banks onboard appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

A power bank is a portable, rechargeable device primarily designed to provide power to other electronic devices such smart phones, tablets, laptops and cameras. Emirates customers are still permitted to carry one power bank onboard with specific conditions listed below, but the power banks may not be used while in the aircraft cabin – neither to charge devices from the power bank, nor to be charged themselves using the aircrafts’ power source.

Emirates’ new regulations include:

• Emirates customers may carry one power bank that is under 100 Watt Hours.
• Power banks may not be used to charge any personal devices onboard.
• Charging a power bank using the aircraft’s power supply is not permitted.
• All power banks accepted for transport must have capacity rating information available.
• Power banks may not be placed in the overhead stowage bin onboard the aircraft and must now be placed in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front of you.
• Power banks are not permitted in checked luggage (existing rule).

Why is Emirates making this change?

After a comprehensive safety review, Emirates is taking a firm and proactive stance to mitigate risk when it comes to power banks onboard. There has been a significant growth in customers using power banks in recent years, resulting in an increasing number of lithium battery-related incidents onboard flights across the wider aviation industry.

Power banks primarily utilize lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, and their function is as a portable battery pack designed to recharge devices on the go. The batteries contain lithium ions suspended in an electrolyte solution. The ions flow through the electrolyte, travelling back and forth between two electrodes as the battery charges and discharges. If the battery is overcharged or damaged, it may result in ‘thermal runaway.’ Thermal runaway in batteries is a self-accelerating process where heat generation within a battery cell exceeds its ability to dissipate heat, leading to a rapid and uncontrollable temperature increase. This can result in dangerous consequences like fire, explosions, and the release of toxic gases.

Most phones and sophisticated lithium battery-powered devices have an internal trickle system which slowly adds current into the battery to prevent overcharging, but many basic power banks may not have this safeguard, increasing the risk. All power banks are subject to the new rules onboard Emirates.

Emirates new regulations will significantly reduce risks associated with power banks by prohibiting their use while onboard the aircraft. Storing power banks in accessible locations within the cabin ensures that in the rare event of a fire, trained cabin crew can quickly respond and extinguish the fire.

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The post Riyadh Air signs global distribution agreement with Amadeus appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Riyadh Air, the new national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has signed a global distribution agreement with Amadeus, a global technology provider for the travel industry. The strategic partnership will enable  Riyadh Air access to one of the largest global networks of travel sellers, supporting the airline’s ambitious growth plans and playing a key role in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s  broader transformation agenda under Vision 2030.

By joining the Amadeus Travel Platform, Riyadh Air will connect to travel agencies and sellers in more than 190 countries, ensuring that its offers are accessible to travelers worldwide. This will be instrumental in attracting inbound tourism, promoting Saudi Arabia as a compelling global destination, and helping position the Kingdom as a leading aviation and tourism hub.

Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer at Riyadh Air, commented:
“Our mission is to create a truly world-class airline that reflects the ambition of Saudi Arabia. Partnering with Amadeus gives us the global reach, distribution power, and retailing capabilities needed to support our goal of flying to over 100 destinations by 2030. This partnership is not only about enabling seamless travel experiences, but also about contributing to the broader national vision of economic diversification, tourism growth, and enhanced global connectivity”.

As part of the agreement, Amadeus will also distribute Riyadh Air’s future NDC (New Distribution Capability) content, allowing the airline to deliver more dynamic, personalized offers to travelers and to take greater control of its indirect sales strategy. These advanced capabilities will further optimize Riyadh Air’s ability to deliver modern, flexible, and customer-centric retailing.

Maher Koubaa, Executive Vice President, Travel Unit and Managing Director EMEA, Amadeus, said:
“The launch of Riyadh Air represents a major milestone for the Kingdom’s aviation industry, and we are proud to be their trusted technology partner from the very beginning. Amadeus brings not only global reach, but also advanced retailing, merchandising, and data-driven tools that will help Riyadh Air differentiate itself on the global stage. We are excited to support Riyadh Air’s contribution to Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s aspirations to become a global tourism and travel leader.”

Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and unveiled by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in 2023, Riyadh Air is set to play a pivotal role in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, stimulate investment in tourism and infrastructure, and create a globally competitive aviation sector. The airline is expected to contribute over USD 20 billion to the Kingdom’s non-oil GDP and generate more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

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The post IWTA interviews Andrea Peterson on a Taste of Transformation appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

IWTA interviews Andrea Peterson on a Taste of Transformation

If you know of any female leaders or up and coming superstars in the Travel and Hospitality industry you would like to hear their story, please visit our page and complete a nomination form!

NOMINATE SOMEONE

NOMINATE YOURSELF

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The post FPT partners with ANA Systems appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Global IT services provider FPT has entered into a comprehensive strategic alliance with ANA Systems, the IT division of ANA Group — the largest airline group holding company in Japan, to drive innovation and strengthen operational stability within the aviation industry. 

Under this partnership, the two companies will establish a joint operational framework to drive the continuous improvement and stability of the IT infrastructure within the ANA Group. The operational framework will serve as a foundation for more efficient management and delivery of IT services across the ANA Group and its affiliates, including All Nippon Airways — Japan’s largest and 5-Star airline for 12 consecutive years.

By leveraging the close cultural and economic ties between Japan and Vietnam, FPT and ANA Systems will promote cross-border talent exchange and cultivate digital career pathways through collaborative training and career development initiatives. This initiative reflects both companies’ long-standing commitment to nurturing the next generation of global technology talent.

“With our extensive experience supporting global airlines, a workforce of AI-augmented software engineers, and partnerships with leading AI players, FPT sees immense potential for collaboration with ANA Systems to enhance operational efficiency and pioneer innovative solutions in the aviation sector. This partnership also harnesses the long-standing ties between Japan and Vietnam, creating a collaborative ecosystem where technology, talent, and cultural exchange can drive shared growth and innovation,” Mdm Chu Thi Thanh Ha, FPT Software Chairwoman, FPT Corporation.

“We have been collaborating with FPT since 2021, building a partnership to accelerate digital transformation (DX), including securing human resources and developing new technologies. Currently, with the aim of further strengthening our collaborative relationship, we are establishing a laboratory structure, conducting joint activities to develop new projects, and promoting a human resources development program. We expect this to significantly contribute to the growth of our businesses and the acceleration of friendly relations between our two countries,” said Masashi Ohya, President and Representative Director of ANA Systems.

With nearly two decades of presence in Japan, FPT has become one of the largest foreign-invested technology companies in the region, boasting a workforce of 4,500 employees across 17 offices and innovation hubs, and a dedicated team of over 15,000 experts working offshore, serving 450 customers worldwide. In 2024, FPT recorded over 500 million USD in Japan. Leveraging this momentum, the company targets to achieve a revenue of 1 billion USD by 2027 and rank among Japan’s top 15 IT firms.

The partnership signing ceremony took place during “Danang – 20 Years of Innovation,” a hallmark technology event hosted by FPT. This event brought together over 350 delegates from across the globe, featuring leaders and experts from Microsoft, IDC, SAP, and other industry giants. Discussions centered on the transformative power of AI and cloud technologies, and Vietnam’s rise as a global innovation hub.

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