Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) will expand its operations in Japan later this year, with the launch of more direct flights connecting Manila and Osaka. The Philippine low-cost carrier currently operates three weekly flights to the Japanese city, every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. But from 20 December 2013 CEB will add four more weekly services on the route, taking the total frequency to daily.

Hong Kong Disneyland will launch a new Iron Man-themed area, following its recent partnership with the comic book hero’s creator, Marvel. The new area will be a world-first and it will take guests on an adventure, as Iron Man (aka Tony Stark) defends Hong Kong against alien invaders. Set to open in late 2016, the experience will also include an area where guests can meet and take photos with Iron Man, as well as a shop selling Marvel merchandise. With the recent launches of Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch and Mystic Point, the park’s total area has increased by around 25% over the past two years.

The new ‘Thailand Connect’ campaign, which was unveiled by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), will offer a range of incentives for meeting planners who decide to hold their event in Thailand. The campaign will focus on three main areas - i) it will play on the range of destinations on offer, identifying five ‘MICE cities’ which combine to offer more than 222,000m² of exhibition space; ii) it plans to take advantage of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which comes into force in 2015, creating more cross-border business opportunities between the ASEAN member states; iii) TCEB is playing on the concept of Thailand’s hospitality and service standards.

Ascott has expanded its footprint in Thailand with the signing of a new serviced residence in Sri Racha – an industrial town on the country’s eastern seaboard. Scheduled to open in 2014, the 133-room Citadines Grand Central Sri Racha will take Ascott’s Thai portfolio to 10 properties and more than 1,800 apartment units. It will offer a range of studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments, all equipped with kitchens and separate work and living areas. Facilities will include a gymnasium, swimming pool and a Japanese onsen.