The rare opportunity to connect face-to-face with representatives from a variety of Maldives resorts is a key feature of the Total Holiday Options B2B Mega-Roadshow being held in Auckland and Christchurch later this month.

New Zealand travel agents are increasingly converting clients’ interest in the Madlives into sales, thanks to improved knowledge about the destination says Total Holiday Options (THO) global CEO, Amaan Khan.

The Wendy Wu Tours and Cathay Pacific China famil wrapped up early this week, with the agents having explored ancient towns, national parks and wilderness areas as well as major cities.

World Journeys has released a new destination guide, this time to Japan and South Korea. 

Club Med recently teamed up with Helloworld to host 11 top performing travel agents at Club Med Kani in the Maldives for a three-night getaway.

Travel trade partners and other guests were given a special taste of Guangzhou culture during a gala dinner at JW Marriott Hotel, Auckland on Thursday night.

The New Zealand launch of the new Love the Philippines branding and preview of a brochure with expanded choices from Total Holidays Options comes at a time when when the destination is experiencing a surge of interest from this market, attendees at a function in Auckland heard this week.

Two original pre-independence steam locomotives have been restored to power the Revolution Express, a new heritage tourism experience in central Vietnam that will start in late 2024 or early 2025.

The trade is being encouraged to take another look at selling China and not be put off by reported difficulties faced by clients needing to make payments while they are in the destination.

Travel agents should feel confident recommending the Maldives as a destination to a wide variety of clients, whether they are looking for an adults-only resort, high end luxury, four-star budget, family friendly, wellness or even a special stopover, says Amaan Khan, managing director of Total Holiday Options.

New Zealand travel agents are missing out on opportunities when it comes to the burgeoning luxury villa rental market, according to Robert O’Brien, director of sales at Elite Havens.

Contiki has announced its first trip to the Philippines – Philippines Island Hopping explores the country’s tourist hotspots in less than two weeks.

The first month of 2024 has seen Japan, Thailand and Vietnam leading the pack as the top markets attracting international tourists, according to digital travel platform Agoda. Following closely are Malaysia and South Korea, completing the top five inbound markets.

Wendy Wu Tours reports growing interest in China but says consumer demand is not always matched by enthusiasm from the trade.

Wendy Wu Tours’ new 2024-2025 Japan brochure is available now.

The edition has a choice of 14 different tours in Japan plus tours operated by the company to neighbouring destinations Taiwan and South Korea.

The Visama Mae Chan luxury tented camp in the mountains of Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, will open 1 November.

Travel agents can be confident that repeat visitors, along with those new to the destination, will find Vietnam easier than ever to explore, says Exotic Holidays managing director Rahul Sharma.

He says new motorways and other transport infrastructure have taken hours, sometimes up to 50%, off travel times.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has unveiled Made in Singapore, its latest global campaign.

It puts a fresh spin on the Passion Made Possible destination brand, and spotlights quintessentially Singapore experiences, while showcasing how ordinary moments can be turned into extraordinary experiences in Singapore.

Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train, is set to return to operation in February 2024, after ceasing services during the pandemic. 

Two new four-day routes will operate as round trips out of Singapore.

World Journeys is offering the trip and off-train experiences in its new Wild Malaysia itinerary, which operates from March through to October. 

From Singapore the train heads north through jungle to Taman Negara National Park which is home to wildlife including the endangered Malayan tiger.

Heading up the West-Coast Line to Penang, guests can access a variety of excursions in George Town. The train then travels to the southernmost state of Johor, crossing the strait back to Singapore.

All overnights are aboard the train in cabins ranging from the Pullman and State Cabins to the Presidential Suite. 

The Dining Car offers a menu of traditional Peranakan dishes with a modern twist, the Observation Car is the place to enjoy a cocktail as the scenery passes by, and the Piano Bar is the social hub, with a variety of evening entertainment. 

Priced from US$3,410* per person share twin in a Pullman Cabin, it includes all gourmet meals and beverages (including champagne if in a Presidential Suite), guided excursions, 24-hour steward service and transfers from the check-in venue to the train.

As Belmond operate dynamic pricing, the price may only be confirmed at the time of booking.   

worldjourneys.co.nz/package/wild-malaysia/

What traditionally has been the most diverse multi-nation promotion of Asia to the New Zealand travel trade is returning for a six-city tour in September.

New attractions, hotels and other reasons to make a repeat or first time visit were accentuated by a Singapore Tourism Board delegation that visited Auckland earlier this week.

Oliver Chong, executive director Oceania for STB, told the gathering at Rydges Auckland that 57,000 New Zealanders visited Singapore in 2022. This was 37% of 2019 but recent anecdotal evidence indicates that it is continuing to increase.

Trafalgar, Contiki and Luxury Gold have seen increased demand from New Zealanders looking to travel to Japan following further relaxation of rules and travel restrictions there.

Contiki’s itineraries range from a week-long adventure visiting the country’s largest cities on a whirlwind journey with the Japan In A Week tour to the Japan Unrivalled tour, a 13-day itinerary visiting Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka and Kyoto, along with a stay in a traditional Buddhist guesthouse.

Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya has launched The Lost World Adventure Land.

Guests can navigate their way across a choice of two obstacle courses in the SkyTrail.

Travel trade partners are invited to a night of Malaysian hospitality on Monday 29 August in Cordis Hotel Auckland from 5.30 to 9pm.

Hosted by Tourism Malaysia, the evening will give agents and brokers the chance to reconnect with the destination and meet the organisation’s new deputy director Noorazrin Abdullah who recently joined the Auckland team.

Andamanda Phuket is a new multi-million-dollar water park and leisure complex that includes Thai mythology and legend, while allowing all ages to take part in aquatic activities.

Positioned in the up-and-coming Kathu district of Phuket, between Phuket Town and Patong Beach, the US$134m attraction marks the latest venture by Thailand developer Proud Group.