Bhutan’s national carrier will fly three times weekly from Singapore to Paro on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, starting 16 May 2026, expanding capacity from the previous schedule of two departures on Thursday and Sunday.

Druk Asia, based in Singapore, is one of Asia’s pioneering Bhutan travel specialists. Since its inception in 2009 as Drukair’s local representative, the company has evolved into a trusted leader in curating journeys to Bhutan with a strong focus on social impact and wellness-centred travel. 

In October 2024, Druk Asia reinforced its commitment to protecting Bhutan’s cultural heritage and to a broader social Impact with its appointment by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan as the official marketing representative for the Museums of Bhutan Building Fund. 

Flight schedule

Under the enhanced schedule, Drukair will operate interim* flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Paro International Airport (PBH) on the following days in April:

Singapore → Paro: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday
Paro → Singapore: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday

*subject to schedule changes and adjustments

Seasonal adjustment after 16 May 2026

Drukair will implement a seasonal adjustment to the schedule. From this date, flight operations will shift to the following days:

Singapore → Paro: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Paro → Singapore: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

Expanded connectivity to Bhutan 

Singapore serves as the vital link for Bhutan’s fastest-growing visitor markets. By adding a third weekly service, Drukair is simplifying the journey for long-haul visitors, particularly from the South Pacific and North America. 

In 2025, Singapore Changi Airport recorded an all-time high of 69.98 million passenger movements, with Australia ranking among its top four markets. 

Changi gateway

China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia were Changi’s top four passenger markets in 2025, with North America registering some of the highest regional growth at 15.8%.

Australian connection

Australia is now home to Bhutan’s largest community abroad, approximately 37,500 residents. Daily, over 30 flights arrive in Singapore from Australia, operated by multiple carriers, including Scoot, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas. The enhanced Drukair schedule ensures seamless connectivity for both the Bhutanese diaspora visiting home and Australian travellers eager to check Bhutan off their bucket list. 

North American growth 

In 2025, visitors to Bhutan from the US rose by 20% while arrivals from Canada increased by 22%. For these travellers, Singapore offers the most efficient one-stop gateway via daily non-stop flights from New York (JFK and Newark), San Francisco, Los Angeles, and five flights a week from Vancouver with Air Canada.

This expansion reflects a growing demand for Bhutan’s “High Value, Low Volume” tourism model. By increasing frequency rather than just capacity, Drukair ensures that the journey remains exclusive and meaningful while improving access via Changi Airport, one of the world’s best-connected aviation hubs.

(Source: Drukair)

The post Drukair boosts Singapore connectivity appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Based on a survey of Global Traveller’s luxury readers, the award underscores the airline’s ongoing commitment to elevating the in-flight dining experience.

Korean Air’s premium catering blends traditional Korean flavours and modern culinary refinement. Building on a comprehensive overhaul of its in-flight dining programme last year — the first major refresh in over a decade — the airline introduced menus developed in collaboration with Chef Seakyeong Kim, owner of Cesta in Seoul. Featuring seasonal ingredients and innovative techniques, these new dishes bring a true gourmet experience to the skies. 

First class passengers enjoy a menu featuring an expanded selection of amuse-bouches and appetisers, alongside new main courses and desserts, such as papillote and petit fours. These additions complement signature Korean dishes, such as bibimbap, and an exclusive sommelier-curated wine programme.

“Being recognised for the third consecutive year at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards is a testament to Korean Air’s unwavering commitment to service innovation,” said Korean Air Executive Vice President and Chief of In-flight Service and Lounges David Pacey.

This latest accolade adds to Korean Air’s growing list of global honours. The airline was named Best Cabin Service at the APEX Best Awards 2026, earned the APEX Five Star Global Airline rating for the ninth consecutive year in 2025 and was named Airline of the Year 2025 by Airlineratings.com. Korean Air also holds a SKYTRAX 5-star Airline rating for the fifth consecutive year.

(Source: Korean Air)

The post Korean Air in-flight dining wins award appeared first on TTR Weekly.

With over 40 years of experience in hospitality management, including more than three decades in senior sales leadership roles across Singapore and China, Fang brings a strong track record of driving revenue performance, elevating market positioning, and developing high-performing teams.

Her experience spans globally recognised brands, including Shangri-La Group, Marriott International and Far East Hospitality Group.

She oversees sales and marketing functions across Singapore, Bali, and the Maldives, with a focus on strengthening cross-market synergies, sharpening the commercial strategy, and building high-performing teams. A key priority will be to advance the resort’s positioning in the MICE and high-value leisure segments, while deepening engagement with regional and international demand drivers.

“As Singapore’s only rainforest resort, we are uniquely positioned at the intersection of nature and hospitality. Marlene’s appointment strengthens our ability to translate this distinct positioning into sustained commercial success. Her deep regional expertise and strategic clarity will be instrumental in driving growth across key markets, while fostering a culture of mentorship and excellence within the organisation,” shares  Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree Hotel Manager, Shereen Chow.

(Source: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree)

The post Mandai Rainforest hires sales team leader appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The launch aligns with the company’s strategic focus on high-growth regional markets and the increasing demand for foreign exchange services across Assam and the wider Northeast.

With this addition, Thomas Cook India expands its network to three locations in Assam, including its presence at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA).

(LGBIA: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (IATA: GAU, ICAO: VEGT), or Guwahati Airport, is an international airport serving the largest city of Assam and the state capital, Guwahati and Dispur, in India.)

• The product-service portfolio, available at the sales outlet, includes:

• Prepaid Travel Cards in partnership with Mastercard and Visa;

• Holidays: Borderless Travel — prepaid multi-currency card with 12 global currencies;

• Business Travel: FX Enterprise card – India’s first Eco-Friendly Forex prepaid card

• Overseas Education: Study Buddy card

• Thomas Cook One Currency Card: India’s first prepaid card with zero cross-currency conversion fees

• Overseas Education Forex for the strong student segment: transfer of university/tuition fees, living expenses, discounted air fares, excess baggage, insurance and foreign exchange products like the Study Buddy Card

• Currency: 26 global destination currencies

• Overseas Remittances: Thomas Cook Forex’s Send Money Abroad covering over 120 countries

Guwahati has witnessed a steady rise in foreign exchange demand, supported by increasing outbound leisure travel, a growing student segment, and strong business activity. The anticipated boost from direct international connectivity, following the launch of the new terminal at LGBIA, further strengthens Guwahati’s potential as a key forex market. 

“Guwahati is a high-potential and fast-evolving forex market, serving as the gateway to Northeast India with increasing outbound leisure and student travel, rising passport penetration and growing digital adoption,” said Thomas Cook (India) Limited Chief Business Officer – Foreign Exchange Deepesh Varma. “The launch of our new outlet reflects our confidence in the city’s growth trajectory and the strong demand we are seeing across walk-ins, digital enquiries and assisted channels.”

(Source: Thomas Cook (India))

The post Thomas Cook opens Forex branch in Assam appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Who will control travel in 2046: AI companies, governments, or the travellers themselves? What will determine value in an AI-driven industry? And will travel remain accessible to all, or become a privilege?

These questions were at the heart of the inaugural Leadership Exchange, hosted last month by Phocuswright, a leading global travel research and events company, and ITB Berlin.

The year is 2046: AI companies control global data flows, travellers rely on intelligent agents to plan and book journeys, and some destinations restrict access to combat overtourism. This is not science fiction, but one of several plausible futures envisioned by senior travel leaders during the closed-door Leadership Exchange.

The Leadership Exchange at ITB Berlin 2026, held under the Chatham House Rule, convened industry leaders in a strategic think tank format to tackle four key questions: Who owns trust? 

Where does value sit in an AI-native industry? Is travel a right or a privilege? And will the sector consolidate or fragment? Its goal: to move beyond trend narratives and provide actionable insight for businesses, governments and stakeholders navigating a period of profound transformation.

A clear narrative emerged across all discussions: artificial intelligence will dramatically reduce friction in travel, but in doing so, it will fundamentally redistribute power.

“The travel industry is entering a structural shift unlike anything we’ve seen since the early days of digitalisation,” said Messe Berlin CEO Dr Mario Tobias. “With the Leadership Exchange, we created a space where decision-makers don’t just discuss the future but actively shape it. The choices we make now around trust, data and value creation will define the industry for decades to come.”

Download the complete Executive Brief 2026

The complete Executive Brief 2026, including all insights and strategic implications, is available for download

Trust becomes the new currency

In a world mediated by AI, trust is no longer anchored to a single player. Instead, it becomes fragmented and more valuable than ever. Built through countless micro-interactions and human signals such as user-generated content, trust must be actively designed into every step of the customer journey.

At the same time, multiple AI-driven booking channels risk blurring accountability, increasing the likelihood of “catastrophic” trust failures in the near term.

“Trust is not an algorithm. There’s no single recipe, and in the future, not only companies, but also consumers will be assessed on whether they can be trusted,” said Sunweb Group CEO Mieke De Schepper.

AI shifts value, and challenges brands

As AI agents take over search and discovery, personalisation emerges as the industry’s greatest opportunity. Travel experiences will be tailored in real time, based on deep data insights and individual preferences.

However, this shift comes with a cost: traditional intermediaries may lose relevance, and even strong brands could see their influence erode as the “source of truth” becomes the key differentiator.

“By 2029, discovery as we know it today will almost disappear. The real value will sit with personal agents that act on our behalf,” said T2Impact principal Timothy O’Neil-Dunne.

Access to travel grows, and divides

While technology could make travel more seamless and inclusive, structural tensions remain. Easier mobility may foster more open and connected societies, but also intensify overtourism and strain infrastructure.

At the same time, economic inequality, geopolitics, and regulation will increasingly determine who can travel, turning mobility into a privilege for some rather than a universal right.

“To control immigration and overtourism, travel is becoming more of a privilege. Countries will either visa their way out of tourism or price people out,” said Protect Group global strategy lead Stephen Joyce.

Fragmentation vs consolidation: an open question

AI has the potential to empower smaller players through hyper-personalisation, enabling niche providers to reach highly targeted audiences. At the same time, control over data could lead to powerful monopolies.

Despite differing perspectives, participants agreed that the next three years will be decisive: choices made now on data ownership, trust frameworks and technological integration will shape the industry’s trajectory for decades to come. As one participant put it, the future of travel is not to be predicted, but actively shaped.

Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB News & Insights & Social Media.

(Source: ITB Berlin)

The post Who will own travel in 2046? appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Recent negotiations in Islamabad, aimed at stabilising tensions linked to the Iran conflict, were always fragile. Analysts warned from the outset that Pakistan lacked the leverage to guarantee outcomes, with external forces capable of derailing progress at any moment.

According to Reuters reporting published in April 2026, the mediation effort was described as “fraught with risk” given the complexity of regional alliances and the volatility of the situation.

Coverage by The New York Times reinforces this view, noting that diplomatic efforts in the region are increasingly vulnerable to rapid shifts in military and political positioning, leaving negotiations exposed to sudden breakdown.

Now that those talks have faltered, the world enters a new phase of uncertainty. For tourism, an industry built on confidence, predictability and perception of safety, that matters enormously.

What the experts are saying

Several respected voices with strong track records in geopolitical forecasting and regional security have been consistent in their warnings.

Muhammad Faisal, the South Asia security analyst, noted that Pakistan had “invested significant political capital” in mediation, and failure risks undermining broader regional stability.

Elizabeth Threlkeld, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Centre in Washington, warned that the negotiations were taking place in a “high-risk environment”, where developments beyond Pakistan’s control could easily derail progress.

Kamran Bokhari, a geopolitical analyst specialising in Middle East and South Asian affairs, emphasised that continued tensions risk “exacerbating instability across already fragile regions”.

Coverage by the Guardian (London) further highlights how major global powers are shaping outcomes, with ceasefire efforts increasingly influenced by wider strategic competition.

The consensus among experienced analysts is clear. This is not an isolated diplomatic setback. It is a potential trigger point. And tourism is always one of the first sectors to feel the impact.

Global tourism: Confidence under pressure

The immediate global effect is psychological. Tourism reacts less to reality than perception. Even a limited regional conflict can reshape traveller behaviour worldwide.

Airspace concerns across the Middle East raise the risk of longer flight times, higher fuel costs and disrupted routes. Energy markets are already under pressure, and rising oil prices feed directly into airline costs and ticket pricing.

Reuters video analysis released in April 2026 reported that tourism-related businesses in parts of Asia were already experiencing reduced activity linked to the broader conflict environment.

In previous crises, long-haul travel demand typically softens first, followed by a shift towards shorter, safer and more familiar destinations.

Regional impact: Asia watches closely

Asia sits at the intersection of opportunity and risk. On one hand, instability in the Middle East can divert travellers towards Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. On the other hand, rising fuel costs and economic uncertainty tend to reduce overall travel demand.

International reporting, including from The New York Times, suggests that global travel patterns are becoming increasingly sensitive to geopolitical flashpoints, with travellers reacting to perceived risk faster than ever.

If tensions escalate, regional travel patterns could shift rapidly. Airlines may reroute flights, insurance costs may rise, and tour operators could adjust programmes almost overnight.

The key variable is duration. Short disruptions are manageable. Prolonged uncertainty is far more damaging.

Thailand: Resilient but exposed

Thailand remains one of the world’s most resilient tourism destinations, but it is not immune.

The country’s strength lies in diversification. Strong domestic travel, regional visitors and repeat international guests provide a buffer against external shocks.

Officials at the Tourism Authority of Thailand emphasise that traveller confidence is driven not only by stability but also by perceived safety, geographic distance from conflict zones and the country’s long-standing reputation as a welcoming, peace-oriented society. Thailand’s cultural identity, rooted in Buddhist values, continues to reinforce its image as a calm and hospitable destination amid global uncertainty. However, vulnerabilities remain.

Higher oil prices increase airfares, which can reduce long-haul arrivals from Europe and North America. Economic pressure in key source markets may also affect discretionary travel spending.

At the same time, Thailand could benefit from displacement effects. Travellers avoiding perceived risk zones often redirect to stable destinations, and Thailand fits that profile well.

The question is not whether Thailand will be affected, but by how much? Let me explore this question with you. 

Three scenarios: Red, yellow, green

To understand what comes next, it is useful to frame three possible outcomes.

🟥 Red scenario: Escalation

Peace efforts collapse completely, and conflict intensifies across the region.

Oil prices spike sharply. Airspace closures disrupt major global routes. Insurance premiums surge.

Tourism impact: Long-haul travel declines significantly. Airline capacity is reduced or rerouted. Global bookings soften. Thailand may see short-term gains from diverted traffic, but overall demand weakens.

🟨 Yellow scenario: Prolonged uncertainty

No full escalation, but no resolution. Tensions remain elevated. Markets stay volatile.

Tourism impact: Travellers delay decisions rather than cancel outright. Demand shifts towards regional travel and shorter trips. Price sensitivity increases. Thailand benefits moderately from being perceived as a safe destination.

🟩 Green scenario: Return to diplomacy

Diplomatic channels reopen, and a workable framework emerges.

Confidence gradually returns.

Tourism impact: Pent-up demand returns quickly. Airline routes stabilise. Travel rebounds strongly. Thailand benefits from both recovery and its positioning as a stable hub.

Where does this leave tourism?

Tourism reflects the mood of the world. The failure of peace talks in Pakistan is not just a diplomatic story. It is a signal that uncertainty is rising, that confidence is fragile, and that global tourism once again stands at a crossroads.

For Thailand, the challenge is familiar. Stay stable, stay visible, and stay ready. Because in times of uncertainty, travellers do not stop travelling. They simply choose more carefully where they go.

References (print)

Reuters, April 2026. Pakistan’s high-stakes Iran peace bid is described as fraught with risk amid regional tensions.

Reuters Video Analysis, April 2026. Impact of Middle East tensions on tourism businesses in Asia.

The New York Times, New York, April 2026. Analysis of geopolitical instability and its effect on diplomatic negotiations and global confidence.

The Guardian, London, April 2026. Coverage of Pakistan-mediated ceasefire efforts and the role of global powers in shaping regional outcomes.

Economic Times, April 2026. Expert commentary on geopolitical risks involving Pakistan, Iran and regional stability.

Stimson Centre, Washington, DC. Commentary by Elizabeth Threlkeld on the South Asia security environment.

Tourism Authority of Thailand. Policy positioning on traveller confidence, destination safety and Thailand’s role as a stable tourism hub.

Geopolitical analysis by Kamran Bokhari on regional risks in the Middle East and South Asia.

About the author

Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. During his career, he has held senior roles with several leading hotel groups, including Thistle Hotels, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and Minor Hotels, as well as the Landmark Lancaster Hotel Group and the Royal Garden Resort Group, now Anantara, part of Minor Hotels. He served as Vice President before moving into General Manager roles with the Royal Cliff Hotels Group in Pattaya and the Chaophya Park Hotel, Bangkok and Resorts.

A long-standing member of Skål International, he has served as a Director and held the presidency at most levels of the organisation. He is a former President of Skål Asia, the National President of Skål Thailand, and has twice served as President of Skål International Bangkok.

He writes widely on tourism and hospitality trends across Asia and is a regular guest lecturer at universities in the region.

The post Global tourism on edge: What happens next appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The launch of this new service to Shanghai, China’s largest and most commercially dynamic city, is a major step forward in Air Astana’s ongoing network expansion across the country.

The new Almaty to Shanghai route, introduced at the end of March, operates three times weekly and complements Air Astana’s existing network of services to Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Ürümqi and Yining. 

The addition of Shanghai strengthens the airline’s long-term commitment to developing connectivity between Kazakhstan and China, which began with its first flight between Almaty and Beijing in December 2002.

With Shanghai now part of the network, the Air Astana Group offers up to 32 weekly services between Kazakhstan and six Chinese cities, providing passengers with increased travel options and supporting both point-to-point and transit flows across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe and Asia. 

In 2025, the airline group carried more than 250,000 passengers between Kazakhstan and China, a 96% increase over 2024.

Commenting at the event,  Air Astana Group Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Canliel said: “The launch of our Shanghai service is an important milestone in the development of our network and reflects the growing strength of ties between Kazakhstan and China. We see strong and accelerating demand across both business and leisure segments, supported by visa-free travel. Shanghai is a key global city, and this route, our sixth destination in China, will further enhance connectivity not only between our two countries, but also for passengers travelling onwards across our network.”

About Air Astana Group
Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size. The group operates a fleet of 63 aircraft, split between Air Astana, its full-service airline, which began operations in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. 

(Source: Air Astana)

The post Air Astana expands China flights appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The promotional discount is open for purchases until 1259 on 1 May 2026 (GMT+8), for bookings made via Vietjet’s website or mobile app using the promo code VJ20. A total of 11 million promo seats are available for travel until 31 August 2026. 

For travellers in Singapore, the promotion presents an opportunity to plan their next getaway to Vietnam. With Vietjet’s direct services from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, travellers can choose city breaks to beach holiday destinations or longer multi-stop journeys. 

New flight to Nha Trang

Further enhancing these travel options, Vietjet will launch its new Singapore–Nha Trang route on 1 June 2026, giving Singapore residents access to one of Vietnam’s most popular seaside destinations.

To meet increased travel demand during the holiday peak, Vietjet plans to operate nearly 3,800 domestic flights across Vietnam between 25 April and 5 May 2026. Additional frequencies will be added on high-demand routes linking major cities and tourism destinations, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue, Quang Binh, Quy Nhon, and Phu Quoc, giving passengers greater flexibility and more convenient travel options.

Passengers who book via Vietjet’s official website or mobile app will also receive one entry into the airline’s “Fly Vietjet, strike gold” lucky draw programme, which offers the chance to win prizes including one tael of 999.9 gold. Additional prizes include gold and silver, as well as a range of e-vouchers for future travel.

More on the holiday peak season

From 25 April to 5 May, 2026, Vietnam features two public holidays, resulting in high travel demand as many offices close, although the period is not a single, continuous nationwide holiday. 

Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day 

Dates: Saturday, 25 April to Monday, 27 April.

The holiday honours the founders of Vietnam. In 2026, the main day (26 April) falls on a Sunday, so a compensatory day is given on Monday, 27 April, creating a three-day break. 

Reunification Day and Labour Day 

Dates: Thursday, 30 April to Sunday, 3 May.

30 April: Reunification Day (Liberation of South Vietnam).
1 May: International Labour Day.

Duration: Because these holidays fall on a Thursday and Friday, they combine with the weekend to create a four-day break for many workers. 

As of April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed there is no policy to swap working days to create a single continuous nine-day break (meaning 28 and 29 April are working days), but many people take annual leave days to bridge the gap. 

Impact on travel and services

Offices and banks: Government offices and banks will be closed during these holidays (25 to 27 April and 30 April to 3 May.
Travel: This is a peak travel period for domestic Vietnamese travellers. Expect high demand for hotels and transport.
Visa Processing: Immigration departments will be closed, which can cause delays in visa processing.

(Source: Viethjet with additional information on holidays —  VietnamNet)

The post Vietjet posts holiday peak season deals appeared first on TTR Weekly.