Travel Updates by DailyStraits.com

Airport Funds Seagrass Revival

Perth, June 9: Sydney Airport will invest $576,000 over five years to support the restoration of endangered Posidonia australis seagrass meadows in Botany Bay (Gamay), partnering with the Sydney Institute of Marine Science (SIMS), the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Gamay Rangers.
The project will focus on restoring seagrass habitats that have declined significantly in recent decades due to factors including coastal development and changes in water quality. Researchers and Traditional Owners will collect naturally detached seagrass fragments, cultivate them in holding tanks and replant them across suitable sites within the bay.
“Sydney Airport has been part of this bay for over 100 years and we want to support efforts to look after it for the future,” said Jake Atkins, Sydney Airport General Manager, Environment and Sustainability.
Seagrass meadows provide habitat for marine life, improve water quality and store significant amounts of carbon in coastal ecosystems. The project will also involve environmental monitoring, carbon storage research and community education programs, with the Gamay Rangers playing a key role in restoration activities and sharing Traditional Owner knowledge of Sea Country.

Sarawak Tourism Board Wins Creative Award

Kuala Lumpur, June 8: Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has secured third place in the Best Booth Creative Award category at the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) 2026, held from 5–7 June at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).
The award recognised STB’s creative showcase of Sarawak’s marine tourism attractions, including the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park, Satang Islands, Sematan waters and historic World War II shipwreck dive sites.
STB Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said marine and dive tourism remain important sectors as Sarawak continues to diversify its tourism offerings and strengthen its presence in regional and international markets.
Throughout the three-day event, the Sarawak Pavilion attracted visitors through destination videos, underwater photography displays and promotional activities highlighting the state’s diving experiences.
The expo also provided opportunities for Sarawak-based dive operators to engage with travel agents, international buyers and diving enthusiasts while exploring future collaborations and familiarisation trips.
The participation further reinforces Sarawak’s position as an emerging dive tourism destination in Southeast Asia ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

Emirates Crowned Best Overall Airline

Perth, June 11: Emirates has been named the Best Overall Airline in the Middle East at the 2026 APEX Best in Airline Awards, with the accolade based on verified passenger feedback across seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment, and connectivity.
The Dubai-based carrier was recognised for its ongoing investment in customer experience across all cabin classes. Recent enhancements include new Economy Class seating, expanded Premium Economy offerings, upgraded Business Class suites and its flagship First Class private suites.
Emirates also received recognition for its multilingual cabin crew, extensive onboard dining programme, and award-winning ice entertainment system, which offers more than 6,500 channels of content.
The airline’s inflight connectivity was another standout feature, with Emirates accelerating the rollout of Starlink high-speed Wi-Fi across its fleet. More than 30 Boeing 777 aircraft and the first Airbus A380s have already entered service with the technology, with fleet-wide installation expected by mid-2027.
The award was announced at a ceremony in Dublin, Ireland.

Australians Prefer Window Seats, Survey Finds

Perth, June 11: More than half of Australian travellers prefer window seats when flying, according to Scoot’s latest Great Aussie Seat Survey.
Commissioned by the airline and conducted by PureProfile among more than 1,000 Australians, the survey found 52% of respondents favour window seats, citing scenic views and fewer disturbances during the flight. Aisle seats were the second most popular choice at 36%, while just 3% preferred the middle seat.
The survey also revealed that comfort and space (65%), value for money (55%) and peace and quiet (52%) are the most important factors for Australian travellers when flying.
When asked about celebrity seatmates, Margot Robbie topped the list, followed by Chris Hemsworth and Hugh Jackman. However, nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) said they would rather not sit next to a celebrity at all, preferring a quieter journey.
The findings also highlighted growing demand for travel customisation, with 85% of respondents valuing options such as seat selection, extra legroom and meal choices. Value remained the key attraction of low-cost carriers, with almost half of respondents identifying affordability as their primary benefit.
“The Great Aussie Seat Survey gives us a fascinating snapshot of how Australians think about travel today; from what they value when they fly, to the choices, motivations and expectations shaping their future journeys,” said Adam Kelly, General Manager for Australia, Scoot.

Qatar Returns to Philadelphia

Perth, June 11: Qatar Airways will resume daily flights between Doha and Philadelphia from 1 August 2026, expanding its North American network to 14 destinations.
The route will be operated by Airbus A350-900 aircraft featuring the airline’s award-winning Qsuite Business Class and Starlink high-speed inflight Wi-Fi. Qatar Airways currently has more than 140 aircraft equipped with Starlink, making it the world’s largest Starlink-equipped widebody fleet.
The reinstated service will strengthen connectivity between the United States and more than 160 destinations across Africa, Asia and the Middle East via Hamad International Airport in Doha. Travellers will also benefit from enhanced domestic connections through Qatar Airways’ oneworld partner, American Airlines.
The return to Philadelphia reflects the airline’s continued investment in the U.S. market, where it has steadily expanded operations since launching its first American destination, New York, in 2007.

World Cup Takes Off

Perth, June 11: Emirates passengers can watch every match of the FIFA World Cup 26™ live onboard throughout the tournament, with coverage available via the airline’s Sport 24 channel on its ice inflight entertainment system.
From the opening ceremony in Mexico to the final in the United States on 19 July, travellers will be able to follow the action live while in the air. The full broadcast schedule is available in the June edition of the ice magazine to help passengers plan their viewing during their journey.
Live coverage is available on most Emirates flights through Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra, although availability may vary depending on aircraft type and route. Selected FIFA World Cup 26™ matches will also be screened in Emirates lounges in Dubai where possible.
In addition to football, Emirates customers can enjoy live coverage of the NBA Finals, Sail Grand Prix events and upcoming Formula 1 races on Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra throughout June and July.

Melbourne Never Stops Playing

Perth, June 11: LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne is inviting families to embrace the power of play throughout June as part of its “Never Stop Playing” campaign.
Running from 1–30 June, the initiative encourages visitors to take part in a range of interactive activities designed to spark creativity, collaboration and imagination. Guests can join the Click Challenge, contribute to the Never Stop Playing Mosaic and share their creative ideas through the Playmaker Playback experience.
“Join our play mission! We want to get the world playing again – starting right here at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Melbourne. Play is powerful; it unlocks resilience, collaboration, problem solving, confidence and creativity. In a world that never stops playing, anything is possible!”
The month-long event aims to celebrate the benefits of play while encouraging children and families to unleash their creativity through hands-on LEGO experiences.

Scoot Slashes Fares

Perth, June 12: Budget airline Scoot has launched a June sale, with one-way fares from Perth starting at $165 to Singapore. The sale runs from 12 to 18 June 2026 and covers destinations across Asia, including Phuket from $205 and Da Nang from $230 one-way out of Perth. ScootPlus fares are also available. Travel periods apply between 13 July and 17 September 2026, 5 October and 20 November 2026, and 18 January and 18 March 2027, with blackout dates over school holidays. The sale coincides with Scoot’s Great Aussie Seat Survey, which found 49 per cent of Australians rate value as the biggest benefit of low-cost carriers.