Thailand Re-Emerges as the Ultimate Tourist Hotspot

One of the most successful shows in recent years, the razor-sharp dark comedy-drama The White Lotus, has been on everyone's minds since season one came out in 2021. 

Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism hosted trade media and travel agents on an all-inclusive familiarisation trip to Doha to promote Qatar as the ultimate tourism destination. Through Qatar Airways’ Destination Management Company, Discover Qatar (DQ), travellers have the choice to opt in for stopover packages in Doha, making it an additional destination to elevate their trip. A press conference was led by the Chairman of Qatar Tourism, His Excellency Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer in the metropolitan Msheireb Downtown Doha. Qatar Airways’ goal aims to make Doha a must-see stopover destination with one-of-a-kind travel experiences. DQ’s stopover packages offer five exciting options for travellers embarking on their journey on Qatar Airways’ network of over 170 destinations:

Home to the country’s first capital, many of Japan’s most sacred Shinto shrines and a hinterland adorned with holy mountains, the region of Kansai not only marks the geographical centre of Japan but also stands as a cultural and historical heartland for the nation. Among its greatest treasures is Kyoto, which served as the imperial capital of Japan from the eighth to the 19th century, and is now renowned for its temples, geishas and gardens. Today, Kyoto remains as enchanting as ever, with ancient alleyways still evoking a picture-book Japan reminiscent of samurai and shoguns. 

Europe may not see a tourism comeback from one of its key source markets: China. Chinese interest in traveling to Europe has dropped, according to a survey released Tuesday by the European Travel Commission.

As an Australian expat living in London and working in the travel industry, I'm no stranger to a very long and uncomfortable flight. From my travels, I can report that Seoul Airport is without a doubt the nicest airport in the world (yes, better than Singapore), the layover times at Doha Airport are never long enough, and Qantas is the best airline when it comes to free in-flight snacks. I know now that avoiding your reflection in the plane's bathroom mirror is an act of self-care, packing cubes in your hand luggage is essential and brushing your teeth before landing will always make you feel better.

When you check into your spacious suite or villa at the Regent Phu Quoc, a luxury beach resort on an under-the-radar Vietnamese island in the Gulf of Thailand, you’ll be given a standard room tour to get yourself acclimated with your home-away-home. But nothing about Regent Phu Quoc feels or looks standard: The private plunge pool looking to the sea is massive (and so is the outdoor space that surrounds it), the terry cloth robes you get to enjoy during your stay are covered in a whimsical tropical pattern, and everything in your minibar (or in this case fridge and personal pantry) is included in your stay. No pesky little price list to scan just in case that bottle of water is gonna cost you an arm and a leg. The beer, the chocolate bars, the bottles of soft drinks, and the locally sourced coffee and tea are yours for the taking. And Regent Phu Quoc is not the only one; more and more hotels and resorts are starting to gift guests with free minibars, and we couldn’t be more excited. It’d be nice to not have to pay $12 for a small bottle of Evian.

The editors of Forbes Travel Guide predict that 2024 will be a year filled with “meaningful travel.” Of course, the meaning of meaningful is entirely in the eye of the frequent flier. FTG’s list of 24 top destinations for 2024 covers it all, whether you enjoy sports, art, food or history. From Portugal to Peru, these places promise to make a lasting impression.

Following the success of the inaugural Spain Sustainability Day in 2023, the Spanish Tourist Office (UK) has announced the event’s second edition taking place on 17 April 2024 at The Conduit, London.

Hawaii’s governor proposed charging travelers checking into hotels or short term rentals a fee when they visit, becoming the latest destination to tax tourists.

To walk across New Zealand is to experience some of the greatest landscapes in the world. From moss-carpeted forests to sun-drenched mountaintops with impossibly far-reaching views, the country is blessed with an almost unfair share of natural beauty, thanks to the volcanoes, glaciers and rivers that have helped carve out its environs over millions of years.   

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Los Angeles in collaboration with STARLUX Airlines, is excited to announce the launch of flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Chiang Mai, a captivating cultural destination in Thailand. Starting January 16th, STARLUX Airlines, renowned for their premium service will provide convenient access to the vibrant region of Northern Thailand. In celebration of this new venture, TAT Los Angeles and STARLUX Airlines hosted a cultural event on January 16th at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The event featured the unique traditions of Chiang Mai and highlight TAT’s dedication to fostering US-Thailand travel.

After embarking on four long visits to Thailand, I've come to the undeniable conclusion that it's one of my favorite countries to visit.