Monday, 18 May 2026

Tech Tourism: Travelling Through the World of Tomorrow

Published: Saturday, May 09, 2026
Tech Tourism: Travelling Through the World of Tomorrow
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As global travel trends evolve, technology enthusiasts are no longer limiting their journeys to beaches, mountains or historical landmarks. Major tech corporations are now emerging as tourist attractions, offering visitors a glimpse into the world behind some of the planet’s most influential innovations.

For decades, technology firms were associated with highly restricted office environments and strict security. That image is gradually changing. Companies including Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Intel and Tesla are partially opening their campuses and facilities to the public through visitor experiences, exhibitions and guided tours.

Google: An Open Space for Innovation

Although access to Google’s internal offices remains restricted, visitors can freely explore the famous Googleplex campus in California. The sprawling complex has become known for its creative atmosphere and open design, allowing guests to experience a workplace built around collaboration and innovation.

Nearby Shoreline Lake Park also offers visitors a combination of nature and technology-focused surroundings.

Tourists can see Android-themed sculptures, colourful Google bicycles and environmentally conscious architectural designs across the campus.

Meta: Experiencing Social Media in Real Life

Meta’s headquarters offers public access to selected outdoor areas, giving visitors an opportunity to experience the environment behind platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

Guests often visit the site to take photos and create social media content around the company’s iconic branding. Entry to interior office spaces, however, requires an invitation from a Meta employee.

Among the main attractions are the well-known “Like” thumb sign, modern open-office architecture and, for invited guests, a closer look at the company’s workplace culture.

Apple: Design Meets Technology

Apple’s visitor centre in California has become a major attraction for technology fans and iPhone users alike. Visitors can enter during scheduled hours and explore the company’s futuristic campus experience.

One of the centre’s highlights is its augmented reality presentation, where special iPads allow users to digitally explore Apple Park, including interior building layouts, lighting changes throughout the day and surrounding landscapes.

Exclusive Apple merchandise is also available at the venue.

Microsoft: A Journey Through Computing History

Located inside Building 92 at Microsoft’s headquarters in Redmond, Washington, the Microsoft Visitor Center showcases the company’s history, products and latest technological developments.

The centre includes interactive displays featuring Windows, Xbox and Surface devices, alongside exhibits tracing the evolution of Microsoft’s software and hardware innovations.

The facility remains open to the public during office hours.

Intel Museum: Understanding the Microchip Revolution

The Intel Museum in Santa Clara, California, introduces visitors to the history of semiconductor technology and processor manufacturing.

The museum highlights more than five decades of Intel innovation, including live demonstrations, chip-production stages and the evolution of transistor technology. Entry is free of charge.

Computer History Museum: Preserving the Digital Age

Situated in Mountain View, California, the Computer History Museum documents the development of computing, artificial intelligence and the internet era.

Visitors can explore vintage computers, historical technology artefacts and guided exhibitions explaining the rise of Silicon Valley and the information age. Tickets are required for entry.

Tesla’s ‘Factory of the Future’

Tesla also offers limited factory tours through advance reservations. Visitors can observe robotic vehicle manufacturing systems and assembly-line operations, providing insight into modern automotive production.

Travel Advice for Visitors

Travellers are advised to check official websites before visiting, as some locations may require reservations or prior approval. Visitors should also follow company regulations and respect photography restrictions inside designated areas.

Tech tourism is increasingly becoming more than a photo opportunity. For many travellers, these destinations offer a rare chance to witness how future technologies are being developed in real time.

Thai Airways Restarts Bangkok–Amsterdam Flights After 28 Years

Published: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Thai Airways Restarts Bangkok–Amsterdam Flights After 28 Years
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Thai Airways International is set to relaunch nonstop daily flights between Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport (AMS) on July 1, 2026, marking the carrier's return to the Dutch market after nearly 28 years.

The service will utilize modern Airbus A350-900 aircraft as part of Thai Airways' Northern Summer 2026 schedule, with bookings now open following an announcement in early 2026.

This revival restores a historic long-haul link between Southeast Asia and Europe, last operated by Thai Airways in 1998 before the airline withdrew from the Netherlands.

The move aligns with Thai Airways' strategy to expand its European network amid post-restructuring growth, boosting tourism, business travel, and cultural ties between Thailand and the Netherlands while enhancing competition on the route.

By adding this daily connection, Thai Airways aims to strengthen overall Thailand-Europe connectivity, complementing partnerships like codeshares with carriers such as TAP Air Portugal for broader reach.

The resumption reflects confidence in demand from the Benelux region and supports the airline's long-haul ambitions.

flydubai to Launch Double-Daily Flights from Dubai to Bangkok

Published: Thursday, February 19, 2026
flydubai to Launch Double-Daily Flights from Dubai to Bangkok
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flydubai has announced the launch of a new double-daily service to Bangkok, further strengthening its footprint in Thailand and increasing its total operations to the country to 28 weekly flights.

The new route will commence on 15 September 2026, operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). The addition of Bangkok marks the airline’s second destination in Thailand, complementing its existing service to Krabi.

With this expansion, flydubai continues to enhance its network in Southeast Asia, which also includes destinations such as Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia. The carrier’s growing regional presence reflects sustained passenger demand for travel between Dubai and key leisure and business markets across Asia.

Don Mueang International Airport, located north of central Bangkok, serves as one of the Thai capital’s two international gateways. Its strategic location provides convenient access for both corporate and leisure travellers visiting Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Commenting on the launch, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said:

“Thailand continues to be a highly popular destination for both leisure and business travel. The introduction of our double-daily Bangkok service reflects strong and consistent demand across our network. Operating from Terminal 3 at Dubai International and under our codeshare partnership with Emirates, passengers will benefit from seamless connections via Dubai to destinations across the GCC, Europe and other international markets.”

The new service further reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading global aviation hub. flydubai’s network now extends to more than 135 destinations, offering customers expanded travel options and convenient one-stop connectivity.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations at flydubai, added:

“We are pleased to expand our presence in Thailand with the launch of double-daily flights to Bangkok. We look forward to welcoming passengers on board and providing a comfortable and reliable travel experience in both Economy and Business Class.”

As part of its continued investment in customer experience, flydubai offers thoughtfully designed cabins across both classes. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seating, internationally inspired dining options and a wide selection of inflight entertainment available through the airline’s onboard system.

Flight Schedule (All Times Local)

From 15 September 2026, flydubai will operate the following services between Dubai and Bangkok:

  • FZ1335: DXB 11:00 – DMK 20:45

  • FZ1336: DMK 23:50 – DXB 03:20

  • FZ1345: DXB 01:20 – DMK 11:10

  • FZ1346: DMK 12:10 – DXB 15:40

Fares

  • Return Business Class fares from DXB to DMK start from AED 9,000, while Economy Class Lite fares start from AED 2,500.

  • From DMK to DXB, return Business Class fares start from THB 64,000, and Economy Class Lite fares from THB 22,000.

Flights are available for booking via flydubai.com, the official flydubai mobile application, the UAE Contact Centre, flydubai travel shops and authorised travel partners.

Xiamen Airlines to Resume Quanzhou–Cebu Direct Flights from 29 March

Published: Monday, February 16, 2026
Xiamen Airlines to Resume Quanzhou–Cebu Direct Flights from 29 March
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Xiamen Airlines will resume its direct flights between Quanzhou Jinjiang International Airport in Fujian and Mactan–Cebu International Airport in the Philippines starting 29 March 2026. The twice-weekly service will operate every Tuesday and Saturday using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring eight business-class and 162 economy seats. The flight takes just under three hours.

The move, announced on 14 February, follows recent bilateral talks that granted new traffic rights and improved ground-handling support ahead of the summer season. The reinstated route reconnects Quanzhou—a major manufacturing hub for shoes, garments, and stone products—with Cebu, the commercial heart of the Visayas region. It’s expected to make business travel and supply-chain visits much easier for companies that previously relied on indirect routes via Xiamen or Manila.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomed the restart, calling it a “new chapter” in people-to-people exchange. The Chinese Embassy in Manila also confirmed that Xiamen Airlines plans to increase flights on its Xiamen–Manila route to meet stronger demand. The announcement comes after the Philippines introduced a one-year visa-free entry scheme allowing Chinese citizens to stay up to 14 days for tourism or business.

For corporate travelers, the renewed direct link offers a more convenient route between Fujian’s export clusters and Cebu’s logistics, repair, and electronics sectors. It also supports greater accessibility to Mindanao, where several Chinese companies are currently involved in infrastructure projects. Filipino travelers should note that China has yet to introduce a reciprocal visa-free policy, so visas remain required except for short transits of up to 24 hours.

The service will also provide around five tonnes of cargo space per flight, which is expected to benefit e-commerce and high-value shipments like electronics and fashion samples. Freight forwarders are advised to secure space early, as the route typically maintains load factors above 80% during peak export periods.

Oman Air to Launch Direct Flights Between Dubai and Salalah from July 2026

Published: Sunday, February 15, 2026
Oman Air to Launch Direct Flights Between Dubai and Salalah from July 2026
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Oman Air is set to introduce a new nonstop service linking Dubai with Salalah, beginning on July 3, 2026. The route will operate three times weekly throughout the year, further enhancing air connectivity to the Dhofar Governorate and offering greater travel convenience for both residents and international tourists ahead of the much-anticipated khareef season.

The addition of the new service reflects the growing demand for travel between Salalah and Dubai, while reinforcing Oman Air’s ongoing efforts to expand its domestic network and strengthen regional air corridors within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Con Korfiatis described the new route as a strategic step in advancing the airline’s role in national development. “Launching the Dubai–Salalah service highlights our continuous investment in enhancing regional connectivity in line with Oman’s broader economic and tourism ambitions,” he said.

“We’re responding to strong market demand by increasing capacity and creating more travel opportunities that support tourism and business growth across Dhofar. Oman Air remains a key enabler of connectivity and economic diversification under Oman Vision 2040.”

Consistent with its growth strategy, Oman Air continues to scale up operations on key domestic routes. Seat capacity to Salalah has increased by 20% in January 2026 compared to the same period last year, following a 15% expansion during the 2025 khareef season to handle the surge in visitors. The airline also launched its first direct charter between Moscow and Salalah, expected to attract over 7,000 travelers from Russia and contribute strongly to Dhofar’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

In addition, Oman Air plans further network and schedule enhancements, including expanded services during Ramadan, to provide passengers with even more flexibility and travel options throughout the year.

Tickets for the new Dubai–Salalah route will be available from Monday, February 16, 2026, through www.omanair.com and the Oman Air mobile application.

AirAsia X to Launch Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Route

Published: Thursday, February 12, 2026
AirAsia X to Launch Kuala Lumpur–Bahrain–London Route
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AirAsia X is launching new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and on to London Gatwick starting June 26, 2026. This move positions Bahrain as the airline's first global hub outside Asia.

The service connects Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe via Bahrain's prime location and strong aviation setup. Bahrain-to-London becomes AirAsia X's second Fifth Freedom route, helping it tap into worldwide low-cost long-haul travel.

AirAsia X sees Bahrain as a springboard for growth, with opportunities for transit traffic and partnerships in cargo and maintenance. It fits the airline's push to link regions efficiently while keeping fares affordable.

Tony Fernandes, Capital A CEO and AirAsia X advisor, called it a key growth step. "Bahrain lets us link Asia, the Middle East, and Europe better, plus scale up cargo like Teleport after its $50 million raise," he said. He plans deeper ties with local airports and tourism groups.

Bahrain's Finance and National Economy Minister, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, welcomed the deal. "It boosts jobs in aviation, tourism, and logistics, plus skills for Bahrainis in this growing field," he noted. Bahrain aims to solidify its role as a regional connector.