Asia

Hong Kong set for prolonged border closure

Rise in Omicron cases bolsters commitment to zero-Covid policy, says commerce secretary

Thailand set to impose £6 tourist fee, reports

Authorities are reportedly planning to collect the 300 baht (roughly £6.50) fee from visitors from April

New Banyan Tree brand makes debut

Banyan Tree Group has launched the first of a series of planned hotels under its latest brand, Homm

‘Stampede’ to book holidays and Djokovic spared deportation

Travel companies continue to see a ‘surge’ in bookings as testing rules are eased across the UK

Philippine Airlines emerges from bankruptcy protection

Philippine Airlines sees US court approve restructuring plan

“Agents can help encourage and organise”

Agents have a vital role to play, says Minor Hotels chief as Avani celebrates 10 years

Indonesia closes the door to UK tourists

Omicron outbreak sees Indonesia bar UK tourists

Pandaw to resume operations in September 2022

It comes after the Asian river cruise line secured funding to see it through till next Autumn

Brits urged to scale back Xmas plans, plus hotel quarantine relief

People have been told reduce contact during the festive season, while those in hotel quarantine are to be allowed to leave early

Laos set to reopen to tourists from start of 2022

Destination will allow fully vaccinated visitors to go to “green zone” areas

Titan releases new Worldwide brochure for 2022/23

The 261-page booklet includes 150 tours across Canada, the US, Latin America, Asia, Australasia, Africa and Europe

Japan to relaunch training webinars next week

National tourism organisation unveils overhaul of trade platform

The Standard to launch two hotels in Thailand

The beachside property comes with “Sinatra-inspired design and nostalgia”, three restaurants, a spa with alternative healing therapies, pool and range of activities including kiteboarding and horse riding on the beach or beach tennis.

The Standard, Hua Hin has 178 guest rooms and suites and 21 pool villas, while the resort’s in-house DJ will play the soundtrack for sunset and pre-dinner cocktails. As well as Hua Hin, also upcoming is the Asia flagship for the brand, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon, slated to open in early 2022.

Soneva to launch worldwide wellbeing brand

The pioneering eco-luxury resort operator is launching Soneva Soul at its own resorts and potentially third-partner hotels globally

Banyan Tree Group to launch five new brands

The group will be rolling out several new hotel collections, as well as extensions to its existing main brand

Tighter travel rules take effect and fears over ski season

Travellers must now take a Day 2 PCR test when arriving in the UK, while more countries impose new travel rules

MSC hosts Virtuosa naming ceremony in Dubai

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, said the line was "honoured" to host the ceremony during the destination’s Golden Jubilee year

Omicron sparks travel restrictions and boosters to save Xmas?

Covid variant forces governments around the world to introduce new travel rules, while booster jabs will be used to ’save’ Christmas, according to the health secretary