The Weekend Read: Malaysia Airlines eyes up Paris

It is FRIDAY! Which means it is time for our weekend read. Catch up on all this week's top stories below.

Malaysia Airlines has announced direct flights to Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris, marking a key milestone in the airline’s European expansion.

Qantas will add further capacity to the United States with the launch of new direct flights between Melbourne and Honolulu in May 2025.

On sale from today (3 September) the new service will boost capacity to the USA by adding more than 40,000 seats per year to the Hawaiian capital, in addition to existing Sydney to Honolulu services with Qantas and Jetstar which collectively operate eight times per week.

Inspiring journeys has announced its new 2025/2026 season itineraries, featuring three brand-new tours that promise to uncover the best-kept secrets of Australia.

Travel Weekly asked Celestyal l global Chief Commercial Officer, Lee Haslett , to share his thoughts on the current state of the cruise industry.

Do you love animals? Do you love yoga? Well, now you can enjoy both in one place with the introduction of The Hike Collective’s ‘Zen in the Zoo’.

From just $69 guests can access Perth Zoo for two hours before it opens for a special animal-themed mini wellness retreat.

In this edited conversation at Cruise360, Steve Spivak, global vice president of sales and service, TAUCK, talks on the subject of Unlocking the Luxury Market: Strategies for Upselling and Maximising Opportunities.

It has just been announced that New Zealand will be tripling its International Visitor Levy (IVL) to nearly AU$92 (NZ$100) per visitor with the change will come into effect from 1 October. Aussies and travellers from the Pacific do not need to pay the IVL.

Tourism Minister Matt Doocey announced the change on Tuesday saying it would help boost the country’s infrastructure.

“Increasing the IVL means we can continue to grow international tourism to support economic growth,” Doocey said.

The pandemic was difficult for everyone in the travel industry, however, for Gate 7’s founder and managing director Jo Palmer, it was a particularly rough time. Find out more about her story here:

Hear from Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji here:

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