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


Historic Ju 52 on its Way to the Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center
The historic Junkers Ju 52, affectionately known as "Aunt Ju," is leaving Paderborn-Lippstadt to become a permanent exhibit at the new Lufthansa Group Conference and Visitor Center.


Major Boost for Tourism: Construction Begins on the Antalya–Alanya Highway
Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, has announced that construction of the new Antalya–Alanya highway will officially commence on 25 July.


Marriott International Completes Acquisition of citizenM Brand
Transaction Expands Company's Global Lifestyle Offerings.


Italy set to break tourism records as Rome prepares to host WTTC’s 25th Global Summit
International visitor spending to exceed €60 billion as global tourism leaders head to the Eternal City.


TUI Care Foundation launches two new TUI Futureshapers projects in Portugal and North Africa
TUI Futureshapers Portugal offers training, mentorship, and expert support to help social entrepreneurs build sustainable tourism businesses with impact.


Ryanair urges government to abolish air travel tax in 2026 budget
Air travel tax must be scrapped if Germany wants to return to pre-COVID traffic and tourism levels


AI-supported ground processes: Lufthansa, Fraport, and zeroG drive innovation at Frankfurt Airport
Camera-based computer vision solution “seer” improves punctuality — ground operations become more efficient — customer experience enhanced.


There's Never Been a Better Time to Visit Hyatt Regency Danang
Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2025 winner unveils elevated dining experiences and unparalleled family accommodations.


TAT Launches Coral College Project to Promote Safe and Sustainable Marine Tourism
New bilingual e-learning platform aims to protect marine ecosystems and raise tourist awareness.


Discover the Untouched: Marriott Bonvoy’s Hidden Gems Across the Caribbean and Latin America
Marriott Bonvoy invites travelers to uncover some of the Caribbean and Latin America’s most untouched destinations—places where nature takes center stage, serenity feels authentic, and every step is a chance to reconnect with the world in its pur


Emirates Group Launches Massive Talent Drive to Power Its Next Era of Innovation and Expansion
The Group is recruiting over 17,300 professionals across 350 roles in 2025.


Information Overload: Sabre Finds Content Fragmentation Is A Big Problem
Travel agencies around the world are struggling with rising operational costs and inconsistent customer experiences due to a growing fragmentation of content systems.


IHG Hotels & Resorts Announces First voco Resort in Oman with the Signing of voco Al Mouj Muscat
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced the signing of a management agreement with Golden Group Holding for voco Al Mouj Muscat, a 251-room beachfront resort set to open in the fourth quarter of 2025.


Boutique Meets Basalt: Cave Luxury at Signature Cave Cappadocia
Amidst surreal tuff rock formations, ancient cave churches, and millennia-old rock dwellings, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts has unveiled a unique boutique property: Signature Cave Cappadocia, Trademark Collection by Wyndham—an extraordinary retreat in o


Agoda Ranks Asia's Most Affordable Summer Destinations for Hoteliers to Manage Yields from Deals
Surabaya leads the list of top-value destinations across Asia, with average room rates at just $35 per night, according to digital travel platform Agoda.


Balancing Conservation and Tourism: German-Polish Project Develops Monitoring for Protected Areas
How can nature conservation and tourism coexist in sensitive protected areas? The German-Polish project "MoPA" aims to answer this by developing sustainable visitor management and socio-economic monitoring in the Lower Oder Valley.


Thailand Leads Push to Strengthen Two-Way Travel Between India and ASEAN
As part of the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism 2025, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted the ASEAN-India Forum from 22–25 July in Bangkok.


Greece Introduces Cruise Passenger Fee to Boost Tourism Revenue
Greece has implemented a new fee targeting cruise ship passengers disembarking at its ports, aiming to increase national tourism revenue.


Turkish Citizens to Benefit from Facilitation in Schengen Visa Process: Foreign Ministry
Turkish citizens will, for the first time, be able to obtain multiple-entry Schengen visas more quickly and easily, according to a statement from sources at the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Friday.


Over 102 000 Foreign Visitors in Antalya: July Record Broken
Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, has announced that on 19 July 2025, more than 102,000 foreign visitors entered Türkiye via the airports of Antalya and Gazipaşa—marking a new single-day record for the month of July.


Germany’s Travel & Tourism Sector to Break All-Time Records in 2025
Germany is set to make Travel & Tourism history in 2025, with every major performance indicator expected to reach record levels, according to new data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
