Asia specialists gathered in London and Leeds to connect with travel trade partners and showcase the best of the region.
Here’s some of what they shared with agents at the networking and educational events.
Aqua Expeditions sails into new waters
Aqua Mekong, the luxury Mekong River cruise from Aqua Expeditions, is introducing new low-water itineraries this year and next, exploring lesser-explored stretches of the river and offering travellers a deeper cultural and wildlife immersion across Cambodia.
Launching in July and August 2026, new Kratie itineraries explore the Upper Mekong region, including the Kampi River, home to the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin. The four- or seven-night sailings will also take in Koh Trong Island, before continuing to Kampong Cham, with visits to the 12th-century Angkorian temple Nokor Bachey, guided cycling, and hiking up Phnom Hanchey, a sacred hilltop with sweeping Mekong views.
In 2027, Aqua Expeditions will also add new Phat Sandai itineraries. Running from December to February, there will be a choice of three, four or seven nights, focussing on the Tonlé Sap region, with immersive visits to the Phat Sandai floating village, where life exists entirely on water.
Guests will also explore the waterways by kayak, visit a community-led fishery conservation initiative, hike Phnom Neang Kangrey (the ‘Sleeping Lady’) overlooking Tonlé Sap Lake, and cycle through the biodiversity-rich Phnom Touk Meas area.
In April 2027, Aqua Expeditions is running an exclusive one-off expedition to the Mekong Delta in collaboration with The Explorers Club and featuring researcher and conservationist Andrés Ruzo.
Ruzo, founder of the Boiling River Project, an international non-profit dedicated to protecting culturally significant geothermal systems worldwide, will share his personal insights and deep knowledge of the region.
The Vietnam and Cambodia Expedition departs April 16-23 2027, sailing from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh aboard Aqua Mekong.
Early bird savings, including 30% off selected suites and no single supplements, are available until March 31 2026 for select departures, although exclusions apply.
Aqua Expeditions explores the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations with a maximum of 16-40 guests per ship.
Big savings with Wendy Wu
Agents can pass significant savings for Wendy Wu tours on to their clients until the end of February 28.
Offers in the Asia specialist’s New Year Sale include savings of up to £1,680 per person and free flights where a partner flies free.
The sale also includes free or half price single supplements across all touring and all destinations for 2026 and 2027, plus no flights supplements for clients flying from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham and Belfast.
Wendy Wu specialises in Southeast Asia, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent, but also covers South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Its itineraries are carefully designed to immerse travellers in local life, vibrant cultures and rich history, giving travellers a truly well-rounded understanding of each destination.
TravelPack promises price guarantees
Clients who want to plan ahead can be reassured by Travelpack’s ability to guarantee holidays for up to three years in advance, as long as they book a full package using a scheduled airline. Bookings can be in Economy, Premium Economy or Business Class.
Travelpack has an extensive Asia programme offering tailored itineraries across India, Thailand, and Japan, providing exclusive airfares, 24/7 support and authentic local tours for a seamless Eastern adventure.
Alongside luxury getaways, escorted tours, family holidays, multi-centre itineraries, cruises and rail adventures, it also offers niche products, such as sports travel and pre-registration tours, allowing agents to cater to a diverse range of clients.
Dedicated trade support, exclusive offers and marketing resources are designed to help agents grow their business.
Major Travel gives cash incentives
Major Travel is rewarding agent partners who encourage their clients to venture beyond Japan’s Golden Route. It is offering a £100 incentive to agents who book tours outside of the popular route, which takes in Tokyo, Mt. Fuji/Hakone and Kyoto.
While agents will earn higher margins, their clients will enjoy better value, fewer crowds and more authentic experiences.
Billing itself as a one-stop shop for Asia, Major Travel’s destination specialists expertly curate bespoke itineraries, tailored to each client’s interests, travel style and budget.
For once-in-a-lifetime stays, it features Elephant Hills and the 500Rai and 360 Issara floating resorts in Khao Sok, as well as private pool treehouses and the Wapa di Ume Sidemen Tented Camp in Bali.
Major Travel, which sells exclusively through the travel trade, also offers Singapore Formula 1 packages and tickets, but don’t wait too long as these are selling fast.
Its advanced agent booking platform makes creating quotes quick and easy, while its unique Major Miles loyalty programme allows agents to save towards their own holiday each time they book.
Explore Worldwide unveils what’s new
Agents at the Selling Travel Connect events were introduced to a number of new Asia tours that have been added to Explore Worldwide’s programme in the last six months.
The tour operator’s new 26/27 brochures support the full range of trip styles and include a special feature listing six reasons to book with a travel agent, demonstrating its commitment to the trade.
Explore Worldwide now offers more than 400 small-group trips worldwide, carefully designed to go beyond the usual highlights and offering a deeper understanding of each destination through immersive experiences and expert local guides.
With an average of 11 people in each group, tours feature visits to remote villages, local homes and family-run restaurants that larger tours simply can’t reach.
UK travel agents are supported with strong price parity, inspirational videos, blogs and social content available to “lift and shift”, while a dedicated trade team is on hand to help convert enquiries into bookings with confidence.
Loyalty rewards from Expedia TAAP
Expedia TAAP Rewards gives agents the ability to earn one point per pound spent on eligible property bookings made on Expedia TAAP and can be redeemed for high street gift cards.
Expedia TAAP prides itself on offering agents a wide range of quality travel products, competitive rates and impressive availability. Its ready-built platform is optimised to drive ease of use, personalised service and access to unique inventory and planning tools empower agents to grow their business.
Eva Air pioneers Premium Economy comfort
Agents can offer their clients additional comfort on flights to Asia thanks to EVA Air’s generous leg room in its Premium Economy Class.
The airline’s new Premium Economy Class, with 42 inches of leg room, is now in operation on flights from Munich, Milan Malpensa Airport and Vienna International Airport directly to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
EVA Air, a Star Alliance member established in 1989 as Taiwan’s first privately-owned international airline, allows cross country selling, issued in the UK, for departures from these airports, plus Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle, with new SPA Global Add-on Partners.
It flies daily from London Heathrow’s Terminal 2 non-stop to Bangkok, and onwards to Taipei, offering passengers three cabins of service – Royal Laurel Class (Business Class), an award-winning Premium Economy Class and Economy Class.
Lounge access for all with Bangkok Airways
Travellers flying with Bangkok Airways can enjoy complimentary lounge access at Bangkok Airport and at a number of other airports in Thailand.
The airline has a Boutique Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the Thai capital and also at Chiang Mai and Phuket airports.
Here, passengers in all classes can tuck into a selection of Thai desserts and international snacks, plus fruit juices, coffee and tea. The lounges offer an array of premium amenities, from soft, cushioned seating and table seating for individuals and groups, plus complimentary Wi-Fi, conveniently located power outlets and charging ports.
Bangkok Airways has a fleet of 22 aircraft operating from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport to more than 20 destinations across Thailand and Asia, including Samui, Phuket, Sukhothai, Siem Reap (Angkor), Phnom Penh and the Maldives.
Receive the five star treatment at Anand Collection
The Anand Collection, which represents a selection of boutique luxury hotels in Asia, spotlighted two luxury Thailand resorts at the Selling Travel Connect: Asia events.
The five-star Vijitt Resort Phuket is a stand-alone luxury villa resort in Rawai (Friendship Beach), with a stunning pool overlooking the beach, a kids club, the V Spa, two restaurants and daily free activities including a marine walk, botanical walk in the resort’s garden and Thai boxing
The resort is ideal for clients who would like to relax and families wanting the space of a two-bedroom pool villas. Devasom Khao Lak Beach Resort & Villas is also a five-start beachfront resort on the longest stretch of sand in Khao Lak and surrounded by a natural lagoon.
It has two restaurants offering Thai and western menus and an award winning spa. Its luxurious bedrooms come with Bose sound systems, daily replenished minibars and stylish décor.
Guests can kayak for free around the surrounding lagoon and take part in yoga and kick boxing. There’s also a free shuttle bus to Khao Lak town
This resort is ideal for couples and for families, with a large selection of accommodation suitable for two adults or one adult/three children, plus a beachfront pool villa and one with a private infinity plunge pool with spa jets overlooking the sea.
Special agent rates with Staff Travel Club
The MC Collection, a Sales and Marketing company, promotes TreeHouse Villas in Thailand. It offers a dedicated agent zone packed with video, images, fact sheets, menus with prices and details of its sustainability programmes and charity contributions to the local area.
Nestled among ancient jungle and overlooking Phang Nga Bay, TreeHouse Villas Koh Yao blends organically with the natural landscape. The new adults-only luxury resort is set among the jungle’s canopy in a treetop location, offering an exclusive 32 villas.
It’s sister website, Staff Travel Club, offers dedicated agent rates for various properties, so that travel advisors can experience them for themselves.
Prize-winning agents
As always, agents had the chance to win fabulous prizes. Three nights at Phuket Emerald Beach Resort and three nights at Khao Lak Emerald Beach Resort were won at the London event.
In Leeds, one agent bagged three nights at Jambuluwuk Oceano Seminyak and three nights at Jambuluwuk Oceano Gili Trawangan.
Plus, two return airline tickets from Bangkok to Koh Samui with Bangkok Airways and £100 worth of gift vouchers were given away on both nights.
London Winners
Leeds winners
Fill up your diary for 2026 with our Connect calendar.
