Qatar Airways, acclaimed as the World’s Best Airline by Skytrax in 2024, made a powerful statement on the opening day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2025, unveiling a suite of industry-leading digital and experiential innovations designed to redefine the future of air travel. At the heart of the airline’s showcase was the debut of Sama, the world’s first AI-powered digital human cabin crew, now with advanced Arabic-speaking capabilities.

Sama, whose name means ‘sky’ in Arabic, is powered by UneeQ-a New Zealand-based leader in intelligent digital human interfaces-and is designed to engage with passengers in both Arabic dialects and Modern Standard Arabic, offering a uniquely personalized and culturally attuned travel experience.

Sama’s new role extends beyond ATM, as she is now accessible across Qatar Airways’ digital ecosystem, including the award-winning mobile app and the immersive QVerse web platform. Travelers can interact with Sama through voice and chat, receiving real-time assistance with flight bookings, destination recommendations, and personalized itineraries.

Sama’s AI is also emotionally aware, capable of interpreting user moods to suggest the perfect holiday destination, marking a significant leap in the field of emotionally intelligent AI assistants. Beyond the booking process, Sama has become a social media ambassador, engaging a global audience on Instagram (@SamaOnTheMove) with travel tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and insights into the airline’s operations, further humanizing the brand and connecting with digitally native travelers.

Qatar Airways’ ATM stand also introduced The ORCHARD, a hyper-realistic virtual recreation of the iconic indoor garden at Hamad International Airport, allowing visitors to explore and preview the tranquil, nature-inspired environment in immersive VR. This experience is designed to make the unfamiliar feel familiar, setting a new standard for digital engagement in travel.

A major highlight was the Qsuite Next Gen, the latest evolution of Qatar Airways’ award-winning business class. The new suites feature fully customizable Quad and Companion Suites, movable 4K OLED Panasonic Astrova in-flight entertainment screens, increased dining space, taller digitally controlled privacy dividers, ambient lighting, and a dedicated ‘Make My Bed’ button for a 5-star turn-down service.

These innovations are set to debut on the Boeing B777-9 aircraft, offering passengers unprecedented levels of comfort, privacy, and connectivity. Complementing the Qsuite Next Gen was a multi-sensory pod, which brought the suite’s atmosphere to life through visuals, sound, scent, and motion, providing a fully immersive preview of the onboard experience.

Qatar Airways also announced expanded flight frequencies to key destinations, including Dar Es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Entebbe, Tokyo Narita, Maputo–Durban, Larnaca, Trabzon, Sharjah, Manchester, Madrid, Lisbon, and London Heathrow for the peak summer season. In parallel, the airline signed new Memoranda of Understanding with Visit Maldives and Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism to boost visitor arrivals and explore new tourism promotion opportunities via Hamad International Airport.

Additionally, the airline revealed that more than half of its Boeing 777 fleet now features Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi, with plans to equip all wide-body aircraft by the end of 2025, ensuring seamless connectivity for passengers.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, emphasized the airline’s commitment to innovation and regional relevance: “We are proud to return to ATM with industry innovations that reflect the diversity and spirit of our region. Sama, The ORCHARD in VR, Qsuite Next Gen, and our multi-sensory pod are all part of how Qatar Airways is shaping a future of travel that is not only digital, but also deeply human.”

Visitors can experience these innovations firsthand at Qatar Airways’ stand ME1420, located between Halls 3 and 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, until May 1, 2025. Through these advancements, Qatar Airways continues to set new benchmarks in digital transformation, personalized service, and customer engagement, reaffirming its leadership in the global aviation industry.

Qatar’s travel and tourism sector is on a robust upward trajectory, projected to contribute a staggering QR124.2 billion to the national economy in 2025, solidifying its role as a key economic driver, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The sector’s growth outlook is optimistic, with forecasts estimating its value to reach QR166.6 billion by 2035. International visitors dominate travel spending, accounting for nearly 90%, while over 75% of trips are leisure-related, underscoring Qatar’s rising global appeal as a top destination.

Employment in the sector is also set to expand significantly, supporting over 350,000 jobs in 2025 and expected to exceed 487,000 by 2035. Spending by international tourists is projected to hit QR98.8 billion this year, with domestic tourism contributing an additional QR12.6 billion. By 2035, these figures are expected to grow to QR144.7 billion and QR16.7 billion respectively.

Qatar kicked off 2025 with strong momentum, welcoming more than 1.5 million international visitors in the first quarter alone. This surge is attributed to an integrated tourism strategy leveraging high-profile events, strategic partnerships, and diverse destination experiences. Visitors from the GCC (36%), Europe (28%), and Asia and Oceania (20%) highlight Qatar’s broadening market reach.

The country’s diversified access strategy is evident in visitor arrivals by air (51%), land (34%), and sea (15%), enhancing connectivity and convenience for travelers. Qatar’s leadership in regional tourism was reaffirmed by hosting the 51st UN Tourism Regional Committee for the Middle East, focusing on sustainable tourism driven by sports, innovation, and infrastructure.

Qatar’s travel and tourism sector is not only a pillar of economic growth but also a beacon of regional leadership and international appeal, poised for continued expansion and global recognition.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rolled out important updates to its visa issuance policies at embassies and consulates worldwide, signaling a return to stricter entry requirements after pandemic relaxations. Notably, applicants for single-entry 60-day tourist visas must now provide proof of financial means, either through a foreign bank statement or a letter of guarantee, showing at least 20,000 baht (approximately US$600). This financial bond requirement, which was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been reinstated as part of Thailand’s efforts to ensure visitors can support themselves during their stay.

Meanwhile, nationals from 93 countries remain eligible for visa-exempt entry for up to 60 days, removing the need for a tourist visa. However, the Thai Prime Minister has formed a working group to review this exemption policy, with some insiders anticipating a reduction of the visa-exempt stay from 60 to 30 days. Any extensions beyond the initial stay will continue to be managed by the Thai Immigration Bureau within the country rather than foreign embassies.

All foreign visitors, regardless of visa status, must now complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online no more than 72 hours before arrival. Launched on May 1, 2025, this digital system aims to strengthen immigration monitoring and curb illegal work by tourists, a response to abuses by a minority who have worked unlawfully in sectors like taxi driving and cooking. This move aligns Thailand with neighboring countries such as Cambodia, which have adopted digital immigration systems.

It is important to note that not all Thai diplomatic missions have updated their websites to reflect these changes yet, and individual embassies retain some discretion in interpreting visa document requirements, especially for specialized visas like the Destination Thailand Visa. The foreign affairs ministry’s website does not cover visas issued domestically by the Immigration Bureau, such as the “O” retirement visa and its renewals, underscoring the shared responsibility among government departments for immigration management.

Additional updates on the ministry’s website include varying medical insurance requirements for long-stay visas, ranging from 600,000 to 3 million baht (around US$100,000), depending on the visa category. There are also specialized visas available for activities such as cookery courses, martial arts training, and football coaching, which offer shorter stays and overlap somewhat with the Destination Thailand Visa. Importantly, all e-visas must be applied for from abroad, as they are not available to applicants already in Thailand.

For comprehensive details and the latest updates, travelers are encouraged to consult the official Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs visa website at thaievisa.go.th.

In a landmark move for international travel, United Airlines has inaugurated the first-ever nonstop flight connecting Faro, Portugal—the gateway to the Algarve region—with Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States. The inaugural flight took off on May 17, 2025, launching four weekly seasonal services that promise to transform accessibility between southern Portugal and the U.S.

Operating with a Boeing 757-200, United’s new route is a centerpiece of its largest international expansion to date, enhancing Faro’s global connectivity and supporting the surge in tourism between the two countries. The aircraft offers 176 seats, including 16 Polaris business class flat-bed seats, 42 Economy Plus seats with extra legroom, and 118 standard Economy seats, ensuring comfort for all travelers.

Flights depart Faro every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11:40 AM local time, arriving in Newark around 3:00 PM, while the return service leaves Newark on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:35 PM, landing in Faro the following morning at approximately 9:50 AM. This schedule is designed to maximize convenience for both leisure and business travelers.

The launch was a collaborative achievement involving ANA Aeroportos de Portugal – VINCI Airports, Turismo de Portugal, and the Algarve Tourism Association, all working closely with United Airlines. Karen Stougo, Commercial Director of VINCI Airports in Portugal, highlighted the route’s significance, stating it not only bolsters the Algarve’s international links but also fuels the region’s thriving tourism industry and offers residents a direct U.S. connection.

This new Faro-Newark service is part of United’s ambitious global expansion, which includes six new destinations and nine new transatlantic routes, reinforcing United’s status as the largest U.S. airline serving the most international destinations. Alongside Faro, United has added direct flights to Bilbao, Palermo, Nuuk, and Funchal from its New York/Newark hub, as well as new routes from Washington D.C./Dulles to Dakar, Nice, Venice, and a seasonal Rome-Denver service.

By unlocking direct access to the Algarve’s stunning coastline, historic towns, and year-round sunshine, United Airlines is not only making travel easier but also positioning the region as a premier destination for American tourists seeking luxury, culture, and natural beauty.

Lien Khuong International Airport, the bustling gateway to Vietnam’s beloved tourist city Da Lat, is set to temporarily close for six months to undergo a transformative $40 million upgrade. Nestled in Lam Dong Province in the scenic Central Highlands, this vital airport will pause operations to allow for extensive renovations aimed at boosting capacity and modernizing infrastructure.

The ambitious project includes refurbishing runways and taxiways, installing advanced drainage systems, upgrading lighting, and implementing state-of-the-art warning technologies. While the exact closure date remains under wraps, officials assure that the shutdown will avoid peak travel seasons to minimize disruption for travelers, local residents, and businesses.

Provincial authorities are collaborating closely with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), the project’s investor, to ensure the upgrade stays on track and meets its ambitious goals.

Located just 28 kilometers from downtown Da Lat, Lien Khuong Airport currently serves around 2.5 million passengers annually, welcoming a steady stream of tourists from South Korea, Thailand, and beyond.

Originally constructed by the French in 1933 and modernized by the U.S. in 1956, the airport has seen multiple expansions over the decades. Notably, its runway was extended in 1997 to meet International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) 3C standards, allowing larger aircraft to land. Further upgrades between 2003 and 2007 elevated the airport to ICAO 4D status, accommodating popular models like the Airbus A320 and A321.

Looking ahead, Lien Khuong Airport aims to achieve ICAO 4E certification by 2030, enabling it to handle wide-body jets such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350. This upgrade will double its passenger capacity to 5 million annually and boost cargo throughput to 20,000 tons.

Beyond 2030, plans include extending the runway to 3,600 meters and expanding annual passenger capacity to 7 million, cementing Lien Khuong’s role as a critical aviation hub in Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

This strategic overhaul promises to enhance connectivity for Da Lat, opening new doors for tourism and trade, and propelling the region into a new era of growth and accessibility.

Neha Sharma, a former property and facilities manager at New Zealand’s child welfare agency Oranga Tamariki, and her husband Amandeep Sharma orchestrated a sophisticated fraud scheme that siphoned over NZ$2 million from the agency. Neha, who controlled maintenance contract allocations, secretly funneled more than NZ$2.1 million worth of work to her husband’s company, Divine Connection Ltd, despite it not being an approved contractor. She concealed their marriage and conflicts of interest, using forged documents, fake references, and manipulating internal systems to approve inflated invoices, some covering personal expenses such as household electronics.

The couple’s deception unraveled after internal audits flagged irregularities in late 2022. Neha abruptly resigned, but the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) launched an investigation, raiding their Christchurch home in March 2023. Authorities discovered three properties, three vehicles, and NZ$800,000 in liquid assets. In an attempt to evade justice, the Sharmas altered company records, transferred nearly NZ$800,000 to Indian bank accounts, and fled New Zealand on a one-way business class flight to Chennai via Singapore Airlines, carrying 80 kilograms of luggage.

Despite their flight, Indian authorities cooperated with New Zealand’s Police Asset Recovery Unit to freeze the transferred funds, and the High Court imposed restraining orders on their New Zealand properties. Neha briefly secured a job at another government agency, Waka Kotahi, again using forged references, highlighting the couple’s audacity and persistence in deceit.

Neha Sharma pleaded guilty to multiple charges including deception, forgery, and money laundering, and was sentenced to three years in prison, currently held in the mothers’ and babies’ unit. Amandeep Sharma also admitted guilt, with sentencing scheduled for June 19, 2025. Oranga Tamariki’s CEO condemned the fraud as a serious breach of public trust and confirmed strengthened internal controls to prevent recurrence.

The case exposed critical vulnerabilities in New Zealand’s public sector oversight, especially in vetting and conflict of interest disclosures. SFO Director Karen Chang emphasized that such crimes damage public confidence and New Zealand’s reputation as a safe investment destination, prompting calls for rigorous vetting of public servants to safeguard government funds and institutional integrity.