Travel

Updates on travel industry trends, tourism, and economic impact.

Travel
Fuel cutoff catastrophe: Air India’s deadliest crash
On June 12, Air India Flight 171 — a Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London — plunged into a residential district of Ahmedabad just seconds after takeoff, killing 260 people including 19 civilians on the ground. Passenger records show 169 Indian nationals, 53 British, seven Portuguese, and one Canadian aboard. Among the 242 on board (including 12 crew), the only survivor was 40-year-old Vishwash Ramesh. A preliminary investigation by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) revealed that both engine fuel switches were inexplicably flipped to “cutoff” three seconds after liftoff, starving the engines and triggering a catastrophic loss of thrust. Cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other, “Why’d you cut off?” — to which the response was, “I did not do so”. The switches were later found in the “run” position, suggesting a last-ditch attempt to restart the engines before impact. Aviation experts insist these switches are designed to prevent accidental activation, raising questions about human error, mechanical failure, or even the flawed chip design. While human error and mechanical failure are under investigation, chip design flaws have not been officially cited in the AAIB report.
Travel
Delta beats estimates as US travel starts stabilising
Delta Air Lines beat estimates on earnings per share and revenue last quarter, as United States travel demand shows signs of stabilising. The company’s non-GAAP earnings per share were US$2.10, above LSEG estimates of $2.05. Revenue was a record $15.51 billion, besting estimates of $15.48. “Delta generated record June quarter revenue of $15.5 billion, approximately 1% higher than [the] prior year. Through the quarter, demand trends stabilised at levels that are flat [on] last year and we continued to see resilience in our diverse, high-margin revenue streams,” said Delta president Glen Hauenstein. Delta’s adjusted net income was US$1.37 billion, down 10% year-over-year, while its GAAP net income grew by 63% to $2.13 billion. Adjusted operating income fell by 10% to US$2.05 billion. Free cash flow dropped by 42% to $733 million. International revenue grew by 2%, with Pacific revenue rising by a record 11%. European revenue also increased by 2%, despite arrivals in the U.S. from France and Germany falling in the year to April. The U.S. has seen a major slump in travel demand amid tariff pressures, with air traffic declining for the first time since the covid-19 pandemic from March to June. Prices for airline ticket
Travel
New ad welcomes Americans back to Canada with a hug
A new Quebec tourism ad has Americans emotional as it welcomes them to the city. The ad comes at a time when political turmoil has affected the once-booming tourism industry between the two countries amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and immigration laws. Since Trump entered office earlier this year, Canadian visitation to the U.S. in May fell by 38% by car and 24% by air year-on-year. This contributes to the estimated US$25 billion to US$29 billion the U.S. is set to lose this year in tourism. On the flip side, the number of U.S. residents entering Canada in April also dropped by 5.5% by car and a 10.7% decline by air. In May 32% of businesses surveyed by the Tourism Industry Association of Onatrio reported lower bookings by Americans compared to the same time last year. With the majority of Canada’s tourists coming from the U.S. and U.S. tourists spending US$15.3 billion in the country last year, it's easy to see why Canada is eager to lure them back. The new ad has caused a surge in website traffic from the U.S. to Quebec tourism pages, according to the Tourism Marketing Association of Canada. The ‘Come hug it out in Eastern Townships’ ad has been received warmly by many Americans who did not expec
Travel
China expands visa-free access to 74 countries
China has expanded its visa-free entry policy to a record 74 countries, allowing tourists to visit the country for up to 30 days without a visa, marking a relaxation of border controls as Beijing seeks to boost tourism and stimulate the economy. The new policy, a substantial jump from previous regulations, has already resulted in a surge in foreign visitors. In 2024, over 20 million people entered China without a visa - more than double the previous year’s figure and accounting for nearly one-third of all foreign arrivals, according to the National Immigration Administration. While domestic tourists continue to dominate popular sites, China’s travel industry is bracing for a further uptick in international arrivals during the upcoming summer season. Tour guides and travel agencies are preparing for increased demand, following a sharp rise in interest from countries benefiting from new visa-free access. China reopened its borders to tourists in early 2023 after ending stringent COVID-19 restrictions. However, only 13.8 million international tourists visited that year - far below the 31.9 million recorded in 2019, the final full year before the pandemic. The latest policy updates have extended visa-free access to c
Travel
What matters most to business travellers in transit
Corporate Traveller has revealed that business travellers prioritise speed, comfort and productivity on their stopovers when travelling. Corporate Traveller global managing director, Tom Walley said the company’s travel managers work closely with business travellers giving them a keen insight into what they value most on each step of the journey. “Business travellers spend hours in transit and days or weeks away from home, so airports, lounges and other services that have comfort, productivity and efficiency at their core can make all the difference,” he said. “With itineraries tighter than ever, our clients tell us time predictability and knowing exactly how long each air-side process will take, now outranks champagne bars and sleep pods. “That’s why airports investing in biometrics to slash queue times and lounges with purpose-built work pods and guaranteed Wi-Fi bandwidth, topped our list.”Top stopoverSingapore’s Changi Airport was ranked as the best stopover, landing over two-thirds of the votes in Corporate Traveller’s Travel Manager poll, which asked which hub delivers the most productivity-boosting layover for business travellers. Changi Airport has repeatedly been named the best airport for its vast entertai

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NSW lodging recognised for dark sky tourism
A New South Wales lodging is the first in Australia to be recognised for its clear night skies, as ecotourism’s popularity grows. Kestrel Nest EcoHut, located on Highfield Farm and Woodland in the eastern Riverina area, has been recognised by DarkSky International for its clear skies and lack of light pollution. The hut offers an off-grid accommodation experience for up to four people. “In terms of halving emissions and reaching net zero, we are 26 years ahead of the game here at Highfield Farm and Woodland. In 2024 we were assessed as not only being net zero across all our operations [including Kestrel Nest EcoHut] but capturing more emissions than we produce,” said Highfield Farm and Woodland. Meals at the eco-hut include Highfield Farm’s own produce, and guests can access stargazing hammocks and an outdoor bath. While Kestrel Nest is Australia’s only certified Dark Sky accommodation, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland host Dark Sky parks and wilderness sanctuaries. DarkSky International has recognised more than 200 sites worldwide, covering more than 160,000 square kilometres of land. The eco-hut is also one of just two certified temporary accommodation locations in the Southern Hemisphere, alongsid
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Theme Parks: World's largest Legoland opens in Shanghai
The world’s largest Legoland Resort has opened in Shanghai with 75 interactive rides and 250 hotel rooms. According to local government officials, the US$550 million park is estimated to attract 2.4 million visitors annually, pushing the city to become a leading global tourist hub. Despite China being the world’s second-largest theme park market after the U.S., analysts say Legoland Shanghai is launching into a difficult market. Shanghai has focused on the entertainment sector, following a 3.1% economic drop in its retail sales in 2024. This follows substantial investment in major attractions, including the US$5.5 billion Shanghai Disneyland. The theme park’s arrival in Jinshan is set to boost the district's economy and has already generated 3,000 jobs. It is also set to boost Legoland parent company Merlin Entertainment after Legoland Parks Operating Group reported a revenue of £869 million in 2024, a decrease of £45 million (4.9%) compared to 2023. Merlin Entertainment CEO, Fiona Eastwood, said the opening of the new park marks a step towards the company’s ambition to become a leader in branded entertainment destinations. "Our deep understanding of the Chinese consumer and our experience of operating in C
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WA tourism ad under fire for using east coast creatives
A taxpayer-funded Western Australian tourism ad campaign has come under fire for using creatives from the east coast of Australia. Tourism WA is working on the next phase of its ‘Walking On A Dream’ campaign, aimed at selling the state as a premium holiday destination to travellers at home and abroad. However, the campaign has been scrutinised for using a production company on the east coast of Australia. A spokesperson told ABC Radio Perth that while local company The Brand Agency has been chosen to lead development and production for the next stage of the campaign, an east coast-based director and production company will be used for part of the work. The spokesperson said more than 50 suppliers, including some from WA, had been assessed. "Unfortunately, while a local production company and director were shortlisted, the cost identified was prohibitively higher than the chosen option," the spokesperson told ABC Radio Perth. They also explained that the shoot will use a 70% Western Australian crew and showcase many WA tourism operators. The move has received criticism from all sides of WA politics. WA Premier Roger Cook said it was a disappointing result. "We know that in WA we've got some great producti
Travel
Luxury travel priorities are shifting in the Asia Pacific
Luxury travel trends have shifted in Asia Pacific, according to a new report. Luxury Travel by Marriott International launched The Intentional Traveller report, which revealed a luxury travel mindset characterised by deeper cultural engagement, increased precision in itinerary planning and rising expectations of brand experiences. “[Luxury travellers] are seeking journeys that align with their values, enhance wellbeing, and deliver deep personal meaning,” Regional Vice President, Luxury, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, Oriol Montal said. “For Marriott International, this represents an opportunity to evolve luxury hospitality into something more transformational, curated, and emotionally resonant.” Splurging on holidayThe survey of 1,750 of Asia Pacific’s most affluent travellers across Australia, Singapore, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand found that they are spending more on their holidays. In the coming year, 72% of luxury travellers are planning on spending more on their holidays, up from 68% in 2024, capturing a rebound in the tourism industry. This is led by travellers from Australia, Indonesia and Singapore, where 80% or more are planning to up their travel budget. Fa