In light of current global travel developments, Wise Travellers should be informed of key changes and new services that may affect their plans. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has experienced significant inconvenience after a roof collapse at Terminal 1 unfortunately killed one person and injured several others. As a result, Terminal 1, which handles domestic flights for IndiGo and SpiceJet, is closed indefinitely. To meet the additional capacity, all flights have been shifted to Terminals 2 and 3.
In encouraging news, the Radisson Hotel Group has announced plans to open ten new hotels in India under labels such as Radisson Individuals Retreats and Radisson Blu. These hotels will be strategically placed throughout Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Nathdwara Stadium, Rajasthan, will be the first hotel in India to be located within a cricket stadium, with rooms overlooking the pitch.
Etihad Airways has added Bali, Indonesia, as its newest destination. These flights, which operate four times a week on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, have Business Studios and Economy Smart seats. Arik De, Etihad's Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, expressed satisfaction in the new route and highlighted it as part of the airline's expanding network. Along with Bali, Etihad has added flights to Al Qassim in Saudi Arabia, Jaipur in India, and seasonal connections to European locations such as Antalya, Málaga, Mykonos, Nice, and Santorini. Bookings can be made directly at the airline's website, etihad.com.
Meanwhile, Thailand's tourism industry is facing issues as a result of unregistered businesses operating scam trips. These tours, which largely target Chinese visitors, use misleading techniques such as offering loss-leading packages that drive tourists to purchase costly things from specific businesses, sometimes even detaining them until they do. The issue has forced Thailand's tourist ministry to enlist the tourist Police to combat fraudulent activity.
Singapore Airlines has increased its UK services by introducing a new flight from Gatwick to Singapore, in addition to its existing four daily flights from London Heathrow. This new route, which operates five times a week, is the quickest way to get from the UK to Sydney, taking 21 hours and 40 minutes. Mohamed Rafi Mar, Singapore Airlines' General Manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland, highlighted an increase in demand for travel not only to Singapore but also to Southeast Asia and Australia.
From December 2025 to May 2026, the Ritz-Carlton vessel Collection will introduce Luminara, its third cruise vessel, to the Asia-Pacific area. The boat will provide ten new voyages, visiting 28 ports in ten countries, including Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and Thailand. Highlighted stops include Hạ Long Bay in Vietnam, Puerto Princesa in the Philippines, and connections to Osaka and Bangkok. Jenni Benzaquen, SVP of The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and Bulgari Hotels and Resorts, expressed the brand's enthusiasm for bringing luxury yacht cruises to Asia's most desirable destinations.
Non-Chinese residents will also find it easier to move between Hong Kong, Macau, and mainland China. China has relaxed visa requirements, allowing long-term inhabitants of these semi-autonomous cities to receive five-year permission for numerous trips to the mainland, each lasting up to 90 days. This strategy, which will go into effect on July 10, aims to better incorporate Hong Kong and Macau into national development plans.
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