Qantas and Jetstar to cut domestic flights

If you have a domestic booking with Qantas or Jetstar then you might want to check the flight still exists. 

The Qantas Group today announced that in light of continued volatility in fuel prices and global economic conditions, its will reduce domestic flight frequencies by around 5%. 

Regional destinations will be among those affected, including Mount Gambier in South Australia. 

The airline said in a media release that higher international airfares would only partly offset soaring fuel costs, expected to be between $3.1 billion and $3.3 billion in the six months to June 30. 

The carrier said in a market update that affected Qantas and Jetstar customers will be contacted directly and offered either alternative flights or a refund.

Qantas Group added that it is closely monitoring the dynamic environment and retains the option to take further actions to mitigate fuel cost increases across the business over time.

The news follows the Australian flag carrier's decision last week to redeploy capacity from the US and its domestic network to increase flights to Europe.

"Qantas continues to see strong demand for international travel to Europe as customers seek alternative routes," it said. "In response, the Group has redeployed capacity from the US and its domestic network to increase flights to Paris and Rome."

Qantas increased airfares last month to mitigate against the spiralling cost of jet fuel.

Qantas’ fuel bill is forecast to be higher in its second half by between $600 million and $800 million. 

"Since the Group provided outlook guidance at its 1H26 financial results, jet fuel prices have more than doubled and remain highly volatile," the airline media release said. 

"The Group is working closely with the government and jet fuel suppliers who continue to provide confidence in fuel supply for the remainder of April and well into May. We are closely monitoring the situation given the ongoing uncertainty in global fuel supply chains.

"In light of the ongoing volatility, the Group will provide an update on the FY27 outlook at a later date."

Image: Qantas

Hotels go all out for Mother's Day

Mother's Day is just around the corner and it can pay to book early for some of the best experiences.

Sofitel and MGallery Collection hotels across Australia are inviting families to celebrate the women in their lives on May 10, with offerings ranging from sparkling high teas and leisurely lunches to overnight escapes.

SOFITEL HOTELS

Sofitel's Mother's Day experiences aim to reflect the brand's signature French zest, combining elegant dining and high tea traditions. 

Culinary Experiences

Sofitel Melbourne On Collins – No35 Restaurant Mother's Day Lunch
From $135 per person
Guests can celebrate with a refined share-style three or four-course menu paired with French sparkling wine, while enjoying panoramic views across Melbourne's skyline. .

https://www.sofitel-melbourne.com.au

Sofitel Brisbane Central – Bistro Suzette Mother's Day Lunch
$145 per person
A long lunch at Bistro Suzette is designed for sharing. Begin with a seafood platter featuring Moreton Bay bugs, Hervey Bay scallops, Mooloolaba king prawns and freshly shucked oysters. Then gather around the table for indulgent mains and finish with a trip to the dessert station. Mums will also be invited to mix and match their own favourite flowers into a bouquet to take home.

https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/suzette/mothers-day-2026-6188554382524416

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth – Tilda Mother's Day Feast
$85 per person
Indulge at Tilda on Mother's Day with a special three-course menu including nine dishes to choose from. Built on seasonal ingredients with dishes like Wagyu Tartare, dry-aged duck breast, charcoal roasted cod, yellowfin tuna and salted dark chocolate mousse.

https://www.tildasydney.com

High Tea Experience

Sofitel Melbourne On Collins – Sofi's Lounge High Tea
From $110 per person
High tea at Sofi's Lounge includes free-flowing sparkling wine and unlimited tea and barista coffee. Menu highlights include Wagyu beef brisket, rocket and horseradish wraps, cucumber and chive cream cheese on rye, Tasmanian smoked salmon (hopefully not farmed salmon), black pepper, dill and lemon cream smørrebrød, mini quiches and pies, and sweet treats including chocolate & cherry tartlet, madeleines, rose and strawberry pannacotta with macerated strawberries and freshly baked plain and fruit scones along with a chocolate fountain.

https://www.sofitel-melbourne.com.au

 
Accommodation Experience

Sofitel Melbourne On Collins – Little Luxuries, Big Memories
From $1,420 for two nights
Families can enjoy a prestige suite stay including breakfast, children's amenities and thoughtful in-room experiences.

https://www.sofitel-melbourne.com.au

MGALLERY COLLECTION HOTELS

Culinary Experience

Elysium Noosa – Cibaria Mother's Day Long Lunch
$159 per person

Cibaria Noosa chefs have designed a four-course set menu for the table for lunch, featuring a selection of their most-loved dishes. It includes garlic and rosemary pizzetta, buffalo mozzarella, yellowfin tuna, spaghetti aglio with grilled king prawns and Amalfi lemon; Wagyu striploin along with sides to share and dessert of mille foglie, a layered puff pastry with Chantilly cream and mixed berries.

https://www.cibarianoosa.au/whats-on/mothers-day-at-cibaria-9ax6e-dfhyn-edz4t

High Tea Experiences

Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains – Mother's Day High Tea Brunch
From $89 per person

A high tea buffet brunch featuring sparkling wine, live music and Jamison Valley views. All mums will receive a special gift on the day. The brunch will feature a bread station, charcuterie, high tea sandwiches, savoury delights including lobster rolls, salads, a hot station and a spread of desserts.

https://www.fairmontresort.com.au/offers/mothers-day-brunch/

The William Inglis Hotel – Mother's Day High Tea
$79 per person
Hosted in the Garden Pavilion, mum will be welcomed by a glass of sparkling on arrival and enjoy a selection of hand-crafted desserts, freshly baked scones, and finger sandwiches.

https://www.williaminglis.com.au

Accommodation Experience

The Porter House Hotel Sydney – The Signature Sanctuary
Starting from $669 per night

This package includes accommodation in a junior suite, chilled Champagne on arrival, hand-made chocolates and a long soak with a LUSH bath bomb. After a restful sleep, Mum will enjoy an a la carte breakfast in bed plus a late check-out.

https://porterhousehotel.com.au/offers/the-signature-sanctuary/

New era for a Hunter Valley favourite

It is a new era with a new chef and a new menu at long-time Hunter Valley favourite Restaurant Botanica at Spicers Vineyards Estate.

Restaurant Botanica has undergone a major refurb, seen the arrival of head chef Thomas Heinrich, and the launch of a brand new seasonal menu.

The transformation signals a different culinary direction that aims to offer "a refined yet relaxed experience grounded in contemporary Australian cooking and Mediterranean influence".

Overlooking the estate’s vineyards with sweeping views to the Brokenback Mountains, the updated interior has open fireplaces, ambient lighting and an intimate dining room that extends towards the vineyard.

Head chef Heinrich has worked in luxury hotels across Australia and North America.

“My career has taken me through some of the world’s most rigorous kitchens, where discipline, precision and respect for the ingredient are non-negotiable," he said.

"At Restaurant Botanica, I have the opportunity to apply that experience in a setting that is deeply connected to its landscape. The Hunter Valley offers exceptional produce, and our focus is on treating it with restraint and clarity. The goal is to create a dining experience that feels considered, grounded and reflective of place.”

The new menu features Mediterranean-style dishes showcasing seasonal vegetables, homegrown herbs, curated cheeses and simply prepared local meats.

So think starters like charred eggplant with smoked tahini, burnt honey and aged sherry; beef tartare with manchego, garlic toum and puffed wheat; and zucchini flower with goat’s feta, saffron and fermented black pepper.

Mains include smoked duck breast with confit duck leg, red cabbage and pomegranate; Angus striploin with brown butter harissa, leeks and pepper jus; and steamed Blue Eye with chimichurri and celery.

Lunch is available à la carte, while dinner is offered as a three-course menu with sides for $115 per person (boo, why no à la carte at night?), with an optional $70 wine pairing. Guests can also enjoy a five-course tasting menu for $140 per person.

The beverage list features Hunter Valley classics from the likes of Tyrrell's and Silkman, alongside emerging varietals and wines from Greece, Spain, Italy and southern France.

Heinrich’s new menu is now available breakfast daily, lunch on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm and dinner Wednesday to Sunday from 5:30pm.

Restaurant Botanica is at 555 Hermitage Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320. restaurantbotanica.com.au.

Images: Sophie Tyler  

Enjoy an ANZAC Day beer or two for a good cause

Sydneysiders can enjoy a quiet - or not so quiet - beer or two on ANZAC Day and help raise money for a charity for the families of veterans at the same time.

A dozen Solotel pubs across the city will be offering 2UP and Karma Kegs will be pouring across all venues, with $1 from every pint or schooner donated to Legacy to support the families of Australian former military personnel.

ANZAC Day will see venues including The Clock, The Sackville and The Woodstock hosting 2UP from midday on April 25, with DJs and afterparties keeping the energy going into the evening.

Among the Solotel venues marking the day are The Clock in Surry Hills (top image), which will be taking over Collins Street to host the biggest 2UP ring in Surry Hills, as well as serving drinks from its street bar and firing up the barbecue.

Out west, the Albion Hotel in Parramatta promises the biggest outdoor 2UP arena in the area along with live entertainment and all-day barbecue and an after party.

In Rozelle, in the inner west, The Sackville's car park will see 2UP action kick off at midday, with an ANZAC Day menu, bars, live music and DJs.

Other Solotel spots to spend ANZAC Day around the city include: Bridgeview Hotel, Darlo Bar, Kings Cross Hotel, The Marly and The Regent.

See the full list of venues at https://solotel.com.au/  

A new take on a classic gin - with an artistic touch

Hendrick's Gin is one of the highest-profile spirits brands globally - and now it has a sibling.

Another Hendrick's' Gin, offering a new take on the ultra premium brand, is the first permanent addition to the range for a decade.

“Another Hendrick’s was created to explore contrasts - bright citrus and floral notes balanced with the depth of cacao," says Hendrick’s head of marketing Jonathan Sully.

Launched in 1999, with its distinctive dark apothecary bottle, Hendrick's Gin was a prime driver of the premium gin renaissance of the early 2000s.

Packaged in a striking white bottle, the new expression "is the complete opposite of what we’ve been doing for the past 25 years,’ said master distiller Lesley Gracie. 

"After experimenting with different elements from the Hendrick’s Gin Palace’s tropical greenhouse, I discovered this brilliant profile featuring a depth of flavour, hint of sweetness and lift of freshness that is completely distinctive.’

In Australia, the launch will be celebrated by a Hendrick's collab with artist Rone: Hendrick’s Gin Presents: Another TIME by Rone, billed as "an immersive exhibition where art and curious flavours collide, creating a layered, sensory experience like no other".

The free, two-day-only exhibition will be held on May 8-9 at Sydney gallery COMA.

“I’ve always been drawn to contrast - the push and pull between opposing elements and the emotion that sits in between - and Another Hendrick’s captures that same duality." says Rone in masterful marketing speak.

Guests who have tickets to the free, limited-run exhibition will also enjoy a complimentary Another Hendrick’s Spritz - a blend of Another Hendrick’s with peach liqueur, prosecco, and soda water, finished with signature cucumber slices and an orange twist.

Sign up to pre-registration for priority access to tickets before tickets go on sale to the public on April 23 here. Or visit www.hendricksgin.com.

Smoke on the water: Fire disaster for Evian

The delightful French town of Evian-les-Bains is known both for its mineral springs and its grand, historic casino.

Opened in 1912, the casino is Evian's most iconic building, located on the French side of Lake Geneva, just across from Lausanne in Switzerland.

Earlier this month, however, the spa town's casino was engulfed by a devastating fire, just two years after a major renovation had been completed on the complex, new hub Travel Mole reports.

The building, a Belle Époque masterpiece, has long served as a cultural and social hub for visitors drawn to Évian’s famous thermal waters.

For over a century, it has received aristocrats, high society and international gamblers.

The structure is crowned with a Byzantine-inspired dome, which firefighters managed to save in a dramatic effort involving 130 personnel.

The blaze began in a restaurant roof and quickly spread to the casino, threatening the emblematic dome.

The fire, fuelled by strong winds, prompted the evacuation of around 100 people, including staff, guests, and nearby residents.

Firefighters battled the flames for more than 10 hours, focusing on preserving the dome.

“Our priority was to vent the hot gases accumulating under the roof, which is heavily insulated and acts like a lid,” explained Commander Jean-Noël Chapuis of Sdis Haute-Savoie to French news station FranceInfo.

But the complex’s gaming halls, administrative areas, and dining sections were largely destroyed.

The casino fire happened the year Evian is welcoming the G7 Summit to be held from June 15-17.

The conference will go ahead at the nearby Hôtel Royal.

Image: Travel Mole  

Thailand ponders mandatory travel insurance

Thailand is considering making it mandatory for tourists to have travel insurance before they are allowed to enter the country.

The Asian nation has seen an epidemic of stupid tourists who have been unable to pay their hospital bills. We've all seen the pathetic GoFundMe appeals for the ill-prepared or tight-arsed.

Now there is a push for regulations requiring international tourists to obtain accident insurance before entering the country.

Unpaid medical bills and accident risks posed by the unwary place a mounting strain on public healthcare, the Bangkok Post reported this week.

"Each year, we absorb about 10 million baht (over $450,000) in treatment costs for foreign patients without insurance," Dr Weerasak Lorthongkham, the director of Vachira Phuket Hospital told the newspaper.

He pointed to inexperienced motorcycle use and consumption of alcohol and drugs. 

"Many visitors come to Phuket and try riding motorcycles for the first time, which increases accident risks," he said. 

The Thai Ministry of Public Health estimates unpaid medical bills from foreign patients amount to at least 100 million baht annually, with major tourism hubs such as Phuket and Chiang Mai most affected.

Emergency care cannot ethically be delayed, meaning hospitals often treat patients regardless of their ability to pay, leaving health facilities to absorb the financial costs.

Sri Lanka plans to up its tourism game

Sri Lanka is speeding up plans to introduce free visas for visitors from up to 40 countries as the island nation looks to correct a slowdown in tourist arrivals linked to ongoing Middle East tensions and disrupted air travel.

Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the free electronic travel authorization (ETA) scheme is set to be finalized and submitted to Cabinet, with parliamentary approval targeted this month, travel news hub Travel Mole reported.

The move comes as Sri Lanka grapples with a dip in inbound travel.

Authorities report a 15% decline in arrivals, which they link with regional instability, which has impacted flight routes, increased airfares, and triggered cancellations - particularly on Europe-Asia corridors.

Between March 1 and 25, Sri Lanka welcomed 151,693 visitors, down 22% year-on-year.

Average daily arrivals fell to 6,068, compared to 7,407 during the same period in 2025.

Seven countries - including China, India, Japan, and Russia - already benefit from free ETA access.

The new proposal would extend the waiver to an additional 33 countries, including major European markets, the United States, Australia, and Gulf states.

Image: Aleksei Popov, Scop.io 

Cautious Australians staying closer to home, survey shows

Uncertainty around fuel supply is driving Australians to rethink their holiday plans, a new survey shows. 

Many are staying closer to home and spending less on travel. 

Travellers are keeping their holiday plans on track by choosing destinations closer to their doorstep, data from the largest holiday park group in New South Wales, Reflections Holidays, shows.

The survey for a group that manages 40 holiday parks in coastal and inland NSW was conducted over the Easter long weekend and revealed that fuel prices and availability are weighing on travellers’ minds, and they are choosing to holiday closer to home. 

The Reflections survey found 23% of travellers with bookings in the next three months had changed their plans to holiday closer to home, and in this cohort, 36.2% had reduced their travel distance by at least 300 kilometres.

Reflections CEO Nick Baker said in a media release that the shift showed that travellers were now more cautious but still determined to go on holidays.

“What our guests are telling us is that they still want to holiday, they are weighing up cost and availability of fuel, and around one quarter of them are shifting their trip to a destination that is closer to home,” Baker said.

“The survey reinforces that people still want to holiday, arguably because now more than ever it’s important to connect with each other and with nature, and they are prioritising travelling shorter distances to have a getaway with loved ones."

Reflections has introduced discounts in coming months which encourage local travel, and until April 30 is offering a $25 fuel offset voucher.

See https://reflectionsholidays.com.au/   

Image: Reflections, Bonny Hills

Flying low: Exciting new ways to explore the Pacific Northwest

Flying on a seaplane is a rare travel pleasure. 

You get great views and can land exactly where you want to be - providing there is a body of water. 

Harbour Air, British Columbia's leading coastal airline, has announced its largest seasonal expansion, featuring the return of a Vancouver-Seattle service beginning next week, along with three new routes including the airline's first Victoria-Seattle service.

The expansion is in response to strong demand across the Pacific Northwest of Canada and the US, adding new connections to communities like Ucluelet - named one of Expedia's 2026 Destinations of the Year - and Campbell River, a gateway to top-notch fishing and wilderness adventures. 

And for the first time, Vancouver Island travellers will have direct cross-border seaplane service without routing through Vancouver.

"This is our biggest seasonal expansion yet, and it reflects what we're hearing from our guests and communities," said Chris Fordyce, Chief Commercial Officer for Harbour Air. 

"The Vancouver-Seattle route has been one of our strongest seasonal services, and we're thrilled to bring it back. We're also launching three new routes this summer, including our first Victoria-Seattle service, new flights to Ucluelet, and new flights to Campbell River. 

"These additions strengthen our network and give coastal B.C. travellers more ways to explore the region and beyond."

The new flight means locals, and tourists, can fly from downtown Vancouver to central Seattle in one hour. 

Twice-daily departures will connecting Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver with Lake Union in Seattle. One-way fares start from CAD$149, offering a fast alternative to driving, ferry connections and traditional airport routes. 

The journey has operated as a seasonal spring and summer service since 2018.

The inaugural Victoria-Seattle service launches on June 11, connecting Victoria's Inner Harbour with Lake Union in under an hour. 

Check out harbourair.com/everyday-low-fares for deals and see supernaturalbc.com. 

Carlton gets an international hotel

The Italian-accented Melbourne suburb of Carlton has its first international hotel brand. Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton, owned by Pelligra Group, has just opened.

Located on Swanston Street on the fringe of Melbourne CBD and overlooking Lincoln Square, the hotel is part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts stable.

It has 107 rooms, a flexible lobby, Fico Carlton Restaurant and Bar, and over 270sqm of meetings space.

The hotel is being promoted as "a vibrant cosmopolitan hub" and is in the heart of Melbourne’s "Innovation District".

The lobby bar and restaurant celebrate Carlton’s historic Italian influence, while the rooftop venue has views of the Melbourne skyline.

Another brick in the wall: Cape Town's controversial plan

Cape Town is one of the glitziest cities in Africa with a beautiful waterfront, a dramatic mountain and a lively vibe.

But it is also a city with many poverty-stricken residents, shanty towns and soaring crime rates.

The city has a controversial plan to build a 3-metre high security wall along the main highway linking Cape Town International Airport to the city.

The highway which has been dubbed “the hell run” after multiple car jackings and violent smash-and-grab attacks along the route.

The highway passes near some of Cape Town's most deprived communities, including the Gugulethu and Nyanga townships and Crossroads and Taiwan "informal settlements".

The wall will ostensibly make it harder for criminals from the townships to access the highway, but create issues for locals going about their legitimate business.

There are also suspicions that the wall is designed to block views of the disadvantaged communities - many of them home to corrugated iron shacks - from visitors arriving in the city, which derives much income from the visitor economy. 

It has been described as "hiding poverty to comfort tourists".

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has said the plan will keep criminals at bay along the N2 highway and the move is described by local authorities as a necessity to curb violent crime. Critics argue that the project risks deepening social divides.

They point out that it will do nothing to improve safety for local communities.

Opponents have highlighted that the wall risks echoing apartheid-era spatial divisions by physically separating poorer townships from wealthier areas and tourist routes.

Image: Gugulethu, thesouthafrican.com   

Vietnam continues to boom as a tourism destination

Vietnam has emerged as a standout performer amid the rebound of global tourism. 

The Asian nation welcomed 21.1 million international arrivals in 2025, a 20.4% increase that significantly outpaced the broader Asia-Pacific region's 5% growth. 

It was also the first time Vietnam surpassed Thailand as the leading destination for Chinese leisure travellers.

The recent  MTE HCMC 2026 conference heard the hospitality sector continues to benefit from strong economic fundamentals, supporting travel demand and ongoing hotel development. 

Vietnam is targeting 25 million international visitors this year, which would represent 18.1% year-on-year growth. 

Despite this positive momentum, recent geopolitical tensions are introducing short-term challenges to global travel flows, the conference heard. 

The Middle East plays a key role as a global transit hub, connecting Europe and Asia-Pacific destinations and supporting a significant share of global intercontinental transit traffic. Disruptions affecting these hubs are therefore expected to impact inter-regional travel patterns.

"While Vietnam remains a fundamentally resilient destination, recent geopolitical tensions are already causing short-term disruption to travel demand, with increasing cancellations, postponements, and re-routed itineraries across key international markets," said Mauro Gasparotti, senior director for south-east Asia at Savills Hotels. 

"Although global disruptions are affecting overall travel flows, the country expects to be comparatively less impacted due to its lower reliance on Europe and Middle East inbound markets and its strong positioning within short-haul demand from North Asia, particularly South Korea and China, where travellers may increasingly favour closer, more accessible destinations."

From a supply perspective, future hotel development in the next three years will remain concentrated in coastal destinations, with Da Nang and Phu Quoc leading in volume. 

The event was co-hosted by An Cuong and Savills Hotels. 

Image: Kate Bagoy, Scop.io

Is this Tasmania's ultimate luxury getaway?

Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania's ultra luxe retreat, has a new signature accommodation offer.

The Saffire Jewel Private Villa is being promoted as "a rare sanctuary where the grandeur of nature meets the intimacy of home".

The new villa is close to completion with bookings open.

From its location overlooking Great Oyster Bay, the Jewel Private Villa is said to "enjoy a sense of complete seclusion with 800m² of beautifully unhurried space, three master suites, expansive living spaces and a sunlit outdoor terrace with infinity pool and jacuzzi, all opening up to one of the most breath-taking views in the country".

The villa has its own dedicated concierge and private guide, the option to dine in residence, and experiences included in the tariff.

Think luxe touches like a private wine cellar, in villa breakfasts and your own fire terrace with views of The Hazards.

Stays at the Saffire Jewel will commence from December 2026. You can book at https://reservations.saffire-freycinet.com.au/ - but be warned, prices start from $25,000 a night for up to six people.

That includes all meals and drinks - and some little surprises. I hope to report back once it is open. 

Grant Burge Wines kicking goals during Gather Round

Barossa-based Grant Burge Wines takes its Australian Rules football seriously. 

The official wine partner of the AFL and AFLW will be high profile at the South Australian AFL Gather Round this weekend, with activations across Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, including a corporate lunch in the state capital.  

“Gather Round has quickly become one of the most exciting events on the AFL calendar and a fantastic showcase for South Australia," says Sandy Mayo, Chief Marketing Officer for brand owner Vinarchy. 

"As a Barossa Valley producer, it’s a natural fit for Grant Burge Wines to be involved in the celebrations and to welcome visitors to experience the region.”

The Grant Burge's cellar door in the Barossa (above) will be open daily throughout Gather Round from 10:00am to 4:30pm, offering tasting experiences including the Legends of the Vine tasting, which features wines from Grant Burge and fellow Barossa producer St Hugo.

Executive chef Simon Hicks has created an exclusive food pairing for the football festival - a gourmet Meshach pie accompanied by a glass of Grant Burge’s flagship wine, Meshach Shiraz, offering a serious taste of the Barossa. 

Grant Burge Wines will also be present in Lyndoch on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday April 12, when AFL matches are held in the Barossa, giving fans the opportunity to enjoy local wines as part of the match-day atmosphere.

Bookings for cellar door experiences at grantburgewines.com.au

Batik Air adds flights to Shanghai and Sydney

Batik Air has this week announced introduction of new direct services to two of its key global markets:  China and Australia. 

The introduction of a Kuala Lumpur-Shanghai service, commencing on June 23, marks a milestone in Batik Air’s network expansion into China, complementing its existing services to Changsha, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Kunming, Xiamen, and Zhengzhou. 

The route will be operated by Boeing 737 aircraft, further reinforcing connectivity between Kuala Lumpur and one of the Asia-Pacific region’s key economic and tourism centres.

Batik Air will introduce of a direct Kuala Lumpur–Sydney service commencing July 1, operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. 

The Malaysian carrier currently serves Australia through Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney via Denpasar, alongside 14 weekly direct Kuala Lumpur–Perth flights. 

The new non-stop Sydney service will operate seven times weekly. 

Batik Air Chief Executive Officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the introduction of both routes reflects the airline’s continued commitment to building a resilient, demand-driven network while maintaining a measured outlook amid an evolving global environment.

“Batik Air continues to align its network with sustained market demand, and the addition of Shanghai and Sydney strengthens two of our most important international corridors,” he said. 

“These routes support tourism and business travel while enhancing overall connectivity between Malaysia and key global markets.”

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

Australians have a continuing love affair with Burgundy

Australian wine lovers can’t get enough of fine Burgundies with with sales volumes up 13.3% and value up 26.1% in 2025, bringing the market close to record levels.

The Bourgogne Wine Board will continue its three-year communications campaign in Australia with the second chapter of the ‘Take a Closer Look’ campaign: inviting trade, media, and consumers to deepen their exploration of Bourgogne wines.

Building on a first series of events in Sydney in year one, Melbourne is in the spotlight for 2026 as the campaign encourages Australians to venture further off the beaten path, experience Bourgogne wines differently, and uncover the diversity that exists within and beyond the region’s most familiar names. 

Take a Closer Look is billed as an invitation to reconnect with “the shared foundations of the Bourgogne wine range: emotion, experience, terroir, know-how and authenticity”.

Through tastings, trade activations, consumer events and more, the second year of the campaign creates opportunities to engage with a new generation of committed winegrowers and their iconic wines. 

The focus is on producers that are "reshaping perceptions of Bourgogne while remaining deeply anchored in their places of origin".

Australia is Bourgogne’s 14th largest export market by volume (17th by value). 

Renewed growth is driven primarily by Crémant de Bourgogne (up more than 7% in volume and up 11% in value), alongside strong performance from white wines overall (up nearly 16% in volume and 4.3% in value). 

Chablis continues to stand out, reaching double-record levels with growth of 23.6% in volume and 22.4% in value.

At the same time, Village appellations from the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais have doubled their export volumes (Villages from the Mâconnais was up by 110% in volume compared to 2024, and white wines from the Côte Chalonnaise up by 168%), while Mâcon wines are up 43% in volume.

“With the second year of Take a Closer Look, our ambition is to go deeper - to highlight the diversity of Bourgogne wines and show how accessible, expressive and relevant they are today," says Anne Moreau, president of the Bourgogne Wine Board's Communication Commission. 

The Take a Closer Look campaign will offer a trade tasting and  masterclass in Melbourne on June 2, a trade-only webinar training session in late July and the second edition of Chablis Week: a promotion of Chablis wines across select Merivale venues (date TBC). 

Anyone for a glass of Philippines wine?

Anyone for a glass of wine from the Philippines?

Like Indonesia, China and other unlikely Asian nations, the Philippines has a nascent industry, Minda News reports.

What began as a hobby in 2016 has grown into a promising start-up venture with a home-grown winemaker set to start selling wines made from locally grown grapes at a family-owned vineyard in Barangay Tacunan, Davao.

Jennifer Taglucop, one of the owners of the Taglucop Estate Vineyard & Winery, said the family plans to sell red and white wines to local and foreign tourists visiting their four-hectare vineyard.

She said the family aimed at world-class quality beverages that the Philippines could take pride in. Which might prove easier said than done. 

As owners of a travel agency, she and her husband, lawyer Ferdinand, often travel abroad. During their trips, they made it a point to visit vineyards in the United States, Europe, Australia, and even Thailand.

Seeing several Filipinos visiting the vineyards abroad inspired the couple to establish their own in Davao, so that Filipino travellers would no longer have to travel overseas “just to see grapes.”

The family began growing grapes in 2016 and has since experimented with different varieties to determine which ones would thrive best in Davao’s climate.

Taglucop said her family currently cultivates shiraz, moldova, cabernet sauvignon, and moscato.

Her husband learned winemaking in the US, while her eldest son studied viticulture and oenology at the University of Adelaide in Australia.

She said the wines they have produced are currently aging in barrels stored in their cellar in Tacunan, where a wine museum is being built to educate visitors on winemaking.

Indigenous winemaking traditions in the Philippines dates back to before the colonisation of the islands by the Spanish in the 16th century.

They include wines fermented from palm sap, rice, sugar cane and honey, as well as fruit wines.

Cool event to showcase cool-climate wines

Lovers of cool-climate wines might want to put Piers & Pinots into their calendar. 

 
Twelve producers from the Mornington Peninsula will be showcased at the immersive afternoon event on May 2. 

The venue will be Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and offers the chance to meet some of the talented winemakers behind some famous labels, offering insights into how the region’s maritime influences from Western Port, Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait define the local wines. 

There will be over 40 wines to taste, along with a charcuterie and cheese station. 

Detailed tasting notes will be provided and there will also be a live acoustic singer-songwriter performance (somewhat distracting I would have thought). 

The event will run from 2pm-5pm and tickets are $120 per person (includes GST, plus booking fee)

Participating wineries are Baillieu, Dexter, Elgee Park Wines, Foxey’s Hangout, Handpicked Wines, Kyberd Hills, Ocean Eight, Portsea Estate, Pt Leo Estate, Rahona Valley, Stonier and Yal Yal Estate.

See www.mpwine.com.au

Why tourism is booming in Spain

Spain is enjoying a tourism boom despite global uncertainty. 

Tourism officials and analysts expect an uptick in demand despite issues in the Middle East, travel industry news hub Travel Mole reports.

 
Some travellers, particularly from Europe, are reconsidering long-haul trips to the Middle East, and, by extension, to Asia. 

And as oil prices rise amid Gulf tensions, airfares - especially for long-haul routes - are expected to increase. This dynamic tends to favour short- and medium-haul destinations in Europe. 

Spain and cities like Madrid (above) and Barcelona, is set to benefit directly from this shift, particularly in key source markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. 

The country, seen as a safe, stable, and easily accessible destination, is well placed to capture redirected demand. 

Spain finished 2025 with 97 million foreign arrivals, official government data shows: up 3.5% from 2024. That made it was the second most-visited country in the world behind France.

It is targeting over 10 million visitors in 2026.

New restaurant is a tribute to a legend

 

Mietta O'Donnell was a legendary Melbourne restaurateur, who is fondly remember a quarter of a century after her death.

Mietta's was an conic restaurant much loved by the the city's movers and shakers, and O'Donnell was  also an influential figure in the arts and cultural world.

Now a new restaurant named in her honour: Miettas, has opened as a fine dining destination at The Queenscliff Hotel on the Ballarine Peninsula, where she once oversaw the property when it was Mietta's Queenscliff in the 1970s.

With a kitchen brigade led by executive chef Salvatore Giorgio, Miettas aims to establish itself as a destination restaurant, with a one-seating-per-service model "designed to create a relaxed and elevated experience". 

Giorgio, former owner and chef of Bar Taralli, has built "a strong reputation for honest, flavour-driven cooking grounded in southern Italian tradition", the local tourism authority reports. The chef has worked at kitchens including Marnong Estate, Scopri, and Bar Bambi.

The menu includes hand-crafted pasta, local seafood and premium meats with an Italian accent. 

There are two degustation menus for $115 and $135 per person, as well as vegetarian and Vegan options.

See thequeenscliffhotel.com.au