Asia

Tui to open five-star Tui Blue hotel in 'landmark' Shanghai property

Tui inks deal to bring its Tui Blue brand to China's financial capital, which will be located in 'a distinguished historic building' in the city

China confirms visa-free travel for UK visitors to start this week creating 'strong booking window' for agents

UK nationals will from Tuesday (17 February) be able to travel to China for up to 30 days without a visa, a move one operator said would open up 'a significant commercial opportunity' for agents

Win a premium sake set and a bundle of Japanese KitKats with Inside Travel

You could be enjoying a perfect sake experience to celebrate the launch of Inside Travel's new In the Spotlight video. The Inside Travel team have created it because summer in Japan and South Korea is often misunderstood, and they know just how good it really is.

Discover the magic of summer in Japan and South Korea with Inside Travel

Delve into the unique charms of visiting Japan and South Korea during the summer months in our new In The Spotlight video with Inside Travel. Learn about the vibrant festivals, relaxed atmosphere and breathtaking natural landscapes that make summer the perfect time for your clients to enjoy unforgettable experiences. And enter to win a premium sake set!

Destination swap: five alternatives to Asia's tourist hotspots

Savvy luxury agents are opting to send clients to these lesser-known – but just as appealing – destinations

Meet the tropical hideaway a short flight from Beijing you need to know

Just a 3.5-hour flight from Beijing, Hainan Island promises visitors a truly tropical escape with its palm-edged beaches, lush rainforests, dormant volcanoes and spectacular mountainous interior. And in December Key Travel supply chain manager Ronan Prat got to experience it first-hand, when he joined an incredible fam hosted by Manchester Airport and Hainan Airlines, alongside the Chinese National Tourism Organisation.

Green tea KitKats and cherry vodka: guess the BDM sharing tales of life on the road?

After a thoroughly relaxing Christmas, which included spending time with friends and family, a spot of bouldering, and a quick visit to Devon, Friday 2 January was all about hitting the ground running in preparation of peaks. A quick blitz through emails revealed some exciting new bookings with the sales team and an incredible December for trade.

‘I took a fam trip around South Korea by train – here’s how I’d sell it to clients’

South Korea has become one of Asia’s most sought-after destinations – and it’s easy to discover by rail too, with high-speed bullet train services connecting foodie and cultural hot spots across this fascinating country

Agency launches overseas training programme for industry newcomers

Alchemist Academy aims to give aspiring luxury travel consultants a pathway into this competitive sector

Singapore Airlines showcases Manchester route with booking competition

Singapore Airlines is regularly voted among the world’s best carriers and now following Manchester Airport’s £1.3 billion transformation, there’s an unrivalled experience from start to finish for passengers in the north-west

'I saw the best and worst of Sri Lanka, and it's changed how I sell it'

After experiencing overcrowding during an elephant safari, Travel Counsellor Caroline Joyner is now committed to recommending positive impact tourism operators in the destination

Inside Travel reveals its new rebrand – and the secret to curating Asia adventures

InsideAsia and InsideJapan offer cultural adventures that have been shaped by people. And no two cultural adventures are the same. They each take in the unique highlights that will excite individual clients, the hands-on cultural moments that offer a window into local people’s worlds, and of course, plenty of time to soak up everyday local life.

This destination really exceeded my expectations for luxury travel

Vietnam is not just for touring groups, it also caters for high-end individual travellers, says Nong Skett, director of Travel Nam, after visiting the country with Audley Travel

John Docherty and Demi Johnson join Wendy Wu Tours as BDMs

Docherty arrives from easyJet holidays and will look after agents in Scotland, while Johnson joins from Trailfinders and will manage agent relationships in the north

Think you know Asia? Make sure this multi-centre marvel is on your radar

The excitement of a multi-centre holiday contrasting culture, food and landscapes has long been a popular request for travellers to Asia, but your clients may have yet to discover the easy twinning possibilities of the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Sarawak hopes to exert magnetic pull on adventurers

This WTM London, Sarawak will be inviting visitors to step off the beaten path and into the lush, untamed world of Malaysia’s best-kept secret adventure.

Japan's rail news and national park heritage in the spotlight

Updates to its rail offering, a celebration of its historic national parks and shoulder season travel will be talking points for the Japan National Tourism Organisation at this year’s WTM London

'Three birthday cakes, but that's not the only reason I fell in love with this region'

Firecrest Travel's Helen Bateman found laidback luxury and genuine hospitality when she travelled around Kerala earlier this year

Explora Journeys looks to attract 'yet-to-cruise' customers with debut Asia programme

Between September 2027 and May 2028, Explora III will visit 28 countries including Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia

Newmarket's Gareth Mason joins TransIndus as BDM and group product manager

Mason will serve as TransIndus's primary point of contact for agent training, events and fams

'The missing piece of our puzzle': InsideAsia names India as its first new destination for three years

Operator, which has been working on the launch for several years, debuts range of 12 cultural adventures to "underserved" destination

The right way to sell Sri Lanka? Do it with purpose – and clients will love it

Co-founders of The Conscious Travel Foundation Olivia Cryer and Maudie Tomlinson are advocates for a new way of selling travel to Sri Lanka

British Airways to fly Bangkok year-round as it shakes up summer 2026 long-haul network

Extra flights to Bangkok, Jamaica, several major US destinations, Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh coming next summer

Tui to deepen expansion into Asia with second own-brand hotel in Cambodia near Angkor Wat

The new opening in Cambodia’s second city Siem Reap is situated near the iconic Angkor Wat temple complex and Tonle Sap lake