AirAsia X reaffirms Bahrain plans amid global volatility

AirAsia X is banking on the Middle East soon returning to normal and has confirmed plans to develop Bahrain as a key strategic hub, connecting travellers between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. 

The service is scheduled to commence on June 26, with the budget airline expressing optimism that  conditions in the region will normalise by then. 

The AirAsia group today also announced increased capacity to strong-performing and higher-yielding routes, such as to Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Istanbul (Türkiye), aiming to capture displaced demand.

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia X said: “While we are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, we are seeing strong demand across our Asean destinations, which demonstrates the resilience of our network and the growing appetite for regional travel. 

"This reinforces our focus on Kuala Lumpur as a key aviation hub and its position as a global low-cost carrier (LCC) megahub, connecting travellers seamlessly and affordably across the region.

“Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, global jet fuel prices have surged to more than double 2025 levels. In response, we have implemented carefully calibrated fare adjustments, including a one-off fuel surcharge across the network. 

"We are optimising our network, reallocating capacity to stronger-performing routes and leveraging our Fly-Thru connectivity via Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to capture demand efficiently.

“We are also actively negotiating with our key partners and stakeholders to contain costs across our operations. 

"As we progressively reactivate our full fleet, our unit cost will improve, and the strengthening Asean currencies also act as a natural buffer against USD-denominated expenses.”

Rolling on the river: Danube aims for greater visibility

Travel marketers want us to think of the River Danube as one great cross-continental tourism highway.

The Austrian National Tourist Office, Visit Hungary and the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) have collaborated with regional partners to launch “Discover your Danube”, a new cross-border promotional initiative.

Flowing through multiple countries, the river offers a combination of historical landmarks, vibrant cities and scenic landscapes.

The project was unveiled at ITB Berlin 2026 and will spark marketing initiatives by the third quarter of the year, news hub Travel Mole reports.

Co-financed by the participating organisations and supported by the European Travel Commission (ETC) Co-Op Program 2026 with EU backing, the initiative aims to boost the international profile of the Danube as a seamless, multi-country travel experience.

It promotes the river not just as a route, but as a year-round destination blending nature, culture, gastronomy and local lifestyles, with a focus on independent travel across borders.

“Discover your Danube” positions the river as a flexible and immersive experience rather than a linear journey. Travelers are encouraged to explore the region in stages, from outdoor adventures and cultural city breaks to culinary traditions and regional heritage.

The campaign will target "high-value international travellers" - that means rich folk - from key long-haul and European markets.

A core goal of the project is to drive year-round tourism by highlighting off-peak travel, longer stays and sustainable mobility options such as rail, cycling and hiking.

The Danube is the second-longest river in Europe behind the Volga in Russia, flowing 2,850km and passing through or bordering Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine.

Image: Budpaest, Serhii Zarev, Scop.io    

One Bordeaux wine producer defies downward trend

There are plenty of doom and gloom stories about Bordeaux, with some vineyards being stripped in the wake of falling demand.

In contrast, historic right bank estate Château des Mille Anges is expanding its operations and planting new vines.

Chateau des Mille Anges has acquired neighbouring estate Château Génisson and is planning to replant 20 hectares of vines, news hub the drinks business reports.

The 25-hectare Mille Angles, situated outside Cadillac-sur-Garonne, 30km from Bordeaux city, has acquired Château Génisson with a view to re-planting the site as part of a long-term plan by owner Heather van Ekris to position the château “for recovery rather than retrenchment”.

“We are looking beyond today’s challenges and see light at the end of the tunnel,” van Ekris said.

“Bordeaux will bounce back, and we want to be part of that recovery. We plan to gradually re-plant approximately 20 hectares as market conditions improve over the next three years.

“The integration of Château Génisson is expected to enhance vineyard potential while continuing a shared winemaking heritage spanning more than two centuries.”

Château des Mille Anges has been producing fine wines for over 300 years. It was purchased by van Ekris in 1994 and has since undergone a revitalisation project, including the construction of a new barrel cellar and storage facilities.

Its red vineyards comprise 70% merlot, 20% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc, while there are also plantings of sauvignon blanc and sauvignon gris.  

Château Angélus’s owner Hubert de Boüard and his team have been consultants at the estate for over a decade.

See https://www.chateaudesmilleanges.com/

Taste Port Douglas flies in culinary stars

Taste Port Douglas, the major gourmet festival in Far North Queensland, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with over 40 events across four days. 

Presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, the food and drink event will return from August 6-9 with an impressive line-up of leading Australian chefs and international culinary talent. 

Supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland, it will see Port Douglas hosting dinners, long lunches (above) masterclasses, chef-led events and some destination experiences.

Guest pan handlers will be jetting in from Singapore, Bali and Vietnam. 

Kirk Westaway from JAAN by Kirk Westaway, Rishi Naleendra of Cloudstreet, both in Singapore, will be joined by Ryan Clift of The Cave by Chef Ryan Clift at The Edge, Bali; Michael Wilson, chef-patron of Marguerite and Hortus in Singapore, and Sam Aisbett of Akuna in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Appearing at Taste Port Douglas for the first time, Mindy Woods of Karkalla, Byron Bay, heads a 
fresh wave of Australian talent. She joins TV favourites Manu Feildel and Laura Sharrad, Colin Fassnidge, Matt Stone and Tasmanian maestro Massimo Mele, along with veterans Guy Grossi and Ray Capaldi. 

Port Douglas sits between two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders, the ancient Daintree Rainforest and festival founders Reina and Spencer Patrick are inviting guests to experience standout locations hosting events. 

“The 2026 program is a celebration of everything Taste Port Douglas has become over the past decade, world-class culinary talent, unforgettable food and drink experiences, and a genuine connection to place,” says festival director Reina Patrick. 

Find out more at www.tasteportdouglas.com.au

Slovenia boosts air connectivity for tourists

Slovenia's clean, green blend of scenery, activity and gourmet offerings has seen it emerge as one of the hottest European destinations for the 2026 summer.

Easily reached by road from Venice, Zagreb or Innsbruck, Slovenia is a small nation with a big offering.

During the summer season, which will run until the end of October, Ljubljana Airport is upgrading its flight offering and expanding capacity.

There will be additional frequencies on many existing routes, a wide selection of charter flights to popular holiday destinations, and two new connections.

As of now, a new regular service from low-cost carrier easyJet will be launched at Ljubljana Airport. In addition to flights to London Gatwick and Manchester, the airline will also offer flights to Edinburgh.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, which operates daily flights between Ljubljana and Amsterdam, and Swiss International Air Lines, with its route to Zurich, are introducing morning departures and evening return flights.

Spanish airline Iberia will strengthen its seasonal connection between Madrid and Ljubljana, with flights starting in early June and operating twice weekly until the end of September. Low-cost carrier Vueling Airlines will continue its flights to Barcelona during the summer schedule.

airBaltic is adding an extra weekly frequency on the route to Riga, while Aegean Airlines (Athens), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), British Airways (London Heathrow), and Wizz Air (Skopje) are also increasing frequencies.

Lufthansa will increase aircraft capacity on its routes to Frankfurt and Munich, while Finnair (Helsinki) and Transavia (Paris Orly) are returning to Ljubljana after the winter break.

Bad news is thatt flydubai has temporarily suspended flights on the Dubai–Ljubljana route, with services expected to resume after April 29.

After closing 2025 with nearly 1.6 million passengers, representing a 10.6% increase compared to the previous year, Fraport Slovenia expects Ljubljana Airport to continue its stable growth in passenger traffic.

Photo: FB Ljubljana Airport

 

Cold, dark and thrilling: Tasmania celebrates Off Season

Look let's be honest. Tasmania's winter is long, dark and cold.

Australians are hard-wired to chase the sun during the cooler months, but during the Off Season, Tourism Tasmania aims to lure visitors into the bleak darkness.

Tourism Tasmania's new Off Season campaign is now live and will ask visitors to become winter people celebrating cool, starry nights, warm log fires. whisky straight from the barrel and truffles fresh from the earth.

Throw in fluffy wildlife. And even fluffier doonas. And festivals like Dark Mofo that stir the soul.

Tasmania is about as far away from global chaos as you can get. 

Throw in arts, culture, Tasmanian food and drink and swimming in the nude (above). What more could you want? 

"Tasmania is well positioned as a safe, trusted and highly regarded destination, which is important in uncertain times," says Tourism Tamania CEO Sarah Kingston Clark.

Many events at Dark Mofo have sold out, and artistic director Chris Twite says: ‘We’re staggered by the support we've seen for this year's Dark Mofo so far.

"Seeing people so eager to lock in tickets and embrace the cold here in Tasmania is tremendous. Tickets are still available to some amazing shows, but you better be quick.’

Offers and events are now bookable for the Off Season period: May1-August 31. 

Visit https://www.discovertasmania.com.au/off-season/ or see at darkmofo.net.au