Tourexpi
Miss Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific, described the launch as a milestone for Thai tourism. “The launch of Star Voyager marks a significant step in our efforts to strengthen Thailand’s tourism and maritime sectors, in line with national policy and the objectives of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025. This achievement reflects the dedication of our teams and partners who worked tirelessly to bring this vision to life.”
The debut of Star Voyager also marks the revitalisation of the StarCruises brand and reinforces Thailand’s role as a key cruise hub in Southeast Asia. Fresh from a US$50 million refurbishment, the ship now offers a premium cruising experience departing from Laem Chabang Port. It is operating two exclusive five-night sailings—22–27 April and 7–12 May—on the Laem Chabang – Ko Samui – Singapore – Laem Chabang route, giving travellers a gateway to Thai culture and hospitality.
“We’re excited to homeport the Star Voyager in Bangkok as we introduce the revitalised StarCruises brand in Thailand,” said Mr. Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises. “This launch represents a significant step forward in our vision to position Thailand as a cruise hub in Southeast Asia. With this regional deployment, we aim to attract a diverse range of travellers while supporting the country’s growing tourism economy.”
To celebrate the inaugural sailing, TAT hosted a welcome event at Laem Chabang Port featuring a traditional long-drum procession and a performance by Alcazar Cabaret Show Pattaya. Passengers on these two sailings also received commemorative Thai souvenirs.
Onboard, guests are taking part in curated cultural experiences including Bo Sang umbrella painting, herbal sachet (Bunga Rampai) crafting, and classical Thai dance. These activities are part of the “5 Must Do in Thailand” theme—Must Taste, Must Try, Must Buy, Must Seek, and Must See—designed to offer cruise travellers a rich, immersive Thai experience and inspire future visits to the Kingdom.
Thailand’s cruise sector continues to grow. In 2024, the country welcomed 162 cruise ship calls, carrying over 379,000 passengers and generating 1.89 billion Baht in revenue—a 6.9% increase from the previous year, according to the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center. The busiest cruise ports include Patong Bay, Laem Chabang, Ko Samui, Phuket Deep Sea Port, and Sriracha Port, with most travellers arriving from Singapore, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, the United States, and Germany.
Picture Credit: © TAT
The most interesting news


New TUI Study Reveals 75 percent of Brits Crave Home Comforts Abroad
Slippers, Tea, and Familiar Smiles Top the List.


Hyatt Opens Mumian Shaoxing Hotel, Blending Industrial Heritage and Cultural Luxury
Hyatt Hotels Corporation, in partnership with Shenzhen Yuen Kai Hotel Management Co., Ltd., has announced the grand opening of the Mumian Shaoxing Hotel, marking the debut of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in Shaoxing, China.


Amazon Prime’s travel hit puts global spotlight on Turkish city of Mardin
Featuring historian Bettany Hughes and presenter Alex Outhwaite, the documentary series The Wanderer brings Mardin’s rich history and natural charm to viewers in 137 countries, supported by Türkiye’s tourism bodies.


Ryanair announces July offer for prime members
Over €450 in savings within just four months – all for €79.


Dominican Republic’s Tourism Sector Projected to Generate Over US$21 Billion
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) forecasts that the travel and tourism sector in the Dominican Republic will reach a historic milestone in 2025, contributing over US$21 billion to the national GDP.


Relax and Start the Summer Holidays with Lufthansa
As the summer school holidays begin in Hesse, Lufthansa is preparing for one of its busiest travel periods of the year.


Hilton Named India’s Numberr 1 Great Place to Work for Third Year in a Row
Hilton (NYSE: HLT), Asia’s fastest-growing hospitality company, has once again secured the top spot as India’s No. 1 Company to Work For, as recognized by Great Place to Work®.


Eurowings: Bus Transfers in Mallorca, SunExpress Codeshare and Triple Credit Card Win
Eurowings now also operating buses.


Lufthansa Group appoints Kevin Markette as senior director – regional sales South Asia
Lufthansa Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Markette as senior director – regional sales South Asia.


Radisson unveils secluded coastal gem: Radisson Resort Ruža Vjetrova in Montenegro
Radisson Hotel Group proudly announces the opening of Radisson Resort Ruža Vjetrova, a premium beachfront retreat nestled on an isolated peninsula along the Adriatic coast in Dobra Voda, Montenegro.


Windstar Cruises' new Star Explorer debuts in the Mediterranean for winter 2026/27
Fresh itineraries, local flavor, and yacht-style cruising—Windstar's newest yacht invites guests to see Europe in a whole new light.


Delta focused on customer care and operational recovery after ATL storms
Delta operations stabilized on Sunday with fewer than 60 mainline cancellations. No further disruption from Friday’s severe weather is expected. We sincerely thank our customers for their continued patience and understanding.


China Eastern Airlines and Suzhou Launch ‘Suzhou Pass’ Co-Branded Card for International Visitors
China Eastern Airlines has joined forces with the city of Suzhou to introduce the “Suzhou Pass” Co-Branded Card, designed specifically for international travelers booking flights to China through the airline’s official website.


Condor Expands City Route Network for Summer 2026
Condor is continuing its successful expansion into European city destinations with the announcement of three new routes for summer 2026.


Tourism and culture take center stage at executive training programme in Mongolia
UN Tourism recently welcomed senior tourism officials from across the Asia-Pacific region to highlight the essential connection between tourism and culture in shaping resilient, inclusive destinations.


IHG Hotels & Resorts expands in Türkiye with new Holiday Inn Resort signing in Bodrum
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world’s leading hospitality companies, has signed an agreement for the development of Holiday Inn Resort Bodrum West Beach, in collaboration with Uslu Turizm Insaat Tasimacilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S.


Göbeklitepe draws millions as Türkiye’s ancient sanctuary gains global heritage acclaim
Göbeklitepe, the ancient sanctuary in southeastern Türkiye and a UNESCO World Heritage site, has emerged as a key pillar of regional tourism, attracting millions of visitors from around the world.


The purpose-driven traveler: new report reveals shift in Asia Pacific luxury travel trends
The Luxury Group by Marriott International launches 'The Intentional Traveler' report, unveiling evolving behaviors among high-net-worth travelers across seven markets.


Ryanair calls on Ursula von der Leyen to resign if she fails to reform Europe’s air traffic control
Two-day French air traffic control strike (3–4 July) forces Ryanair to cancel 400 flights, disrupting over 70,000 passengers.


Coolcation Instead of a Heatwave: Refreshing Summer Destinations in the Eurowings 2025 Schedule
With around 150 destinations on offer, Eurowings is highlighting travel options that are perfect for those seeking cooler summer experiences.


Fitur 2026 expands its technological dimension with the introduction of the Knowledge Hub
The International Tourism Trade Fair, taking place from 21 to 25 January at IFEMA MADRID, reinforces its leadership with Hall 12 as the epicentre of tourism innovation.
