Bangkok is preparing to unveil one of the world’s most compelling New Year spectacles as Countdown 2026 transforms the Thai capital into a multidimensional celebration of music, culture and light. Long regarded as one of Asia’s most exciting cities to ring in the New Year, Bangkok continues to attract international travellers in search of experiences that feel both electrifying and meaningful.
Deal gives NextWhat control of one of Dubai’s highest dwell-time advertising venues as digital OOH in the UAE accelerates toward a forecast USD126.7 million (Dh465m) market by 2030
Dubai, Nov 25 – Leading Dubai media company NextWhat Advertising has secured the exclusive marketing rights for ONEVASCO. OneVasco hosts concierge services in close proximity to the world’s largest visa application centre at Wafi City in Dubai., This marks one of the company’s most significant portfolio additions as demand rises for high-dwell-time advertising environments in the UAE.
The visa centre receives more than seven hundred thousand visitors a year, a large share of them expatriate professionals, frequent travellers and families applying for visas across more than 40 destinations. “Unlike conventional outdoor formats, the venue offers extended dwell times – often ranging from 20 minutes to several hours – allowing brands prolonged exposure and deeper engagement with premium audiences,” said Mahesh Anchan, COO OneVasco.
Dubai, December 2025: As year-end consumer spending reaches its annual peak, HCF Group has announced a Holiday 2025 initiative that reframes seasonal expenditure as a pathway to long-term asset ownership rather than short-term consumption. The initiative reflects a growing shift in financial behaviour as individuals increasingly seek to align holiday budgets with durable, income-generating assets.
The Holiday 2025 initiative positions December as a strategic moment for capital allocation, enabling participants to convert discretionary spending into fractional ownership of global real estate. Rather than focusing on temporary purchases, the approach allows investors to enter the new year with exposure to tangible assets supported by professional management structures.
Dubai joins a growing list of destinations where Visa cardholders can access curated benefits and experiences across city’s top hotels, restaurants, and retailers.
VisaNet data: Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America account for Dubai’s top travelers.
VisaNet data: Repeat visitors to Dubai spend significantly more than first-time travelers – averaging $890 per trip compared to $540 – underscoring the city’s ability to drive long-term tourism value.
UAE, Dubai – December 15, 2025 – Visa today announced an expansion of its global travel program, launching Dubai as one of the first flagship cities alongside Paris and London. The program is designed to give Visa cardholders access to exclusive benefits, premium offers, and unique opportunities—showcasing the very best of Dubai’s hospitality, culture, and lifestyle.
A new era of luxury travel is emerging, one defined not by material indulgence but by emotional clarity, personal renewal and the desire to return home changed. In this global movement, Thailand stands at the forefront with its Healing Is the New Luxury philosophy, an approach that positions wellbeing as the highest form of refinement.
Wellness tourism continues to grow rapidly worldwide, with forecasts indicating the sector will exceed USD 1.4 trillion by 2027. Thailand’s influence within this market remains significant due to its exceptional ability to unite ancient healing traditions with advanced wellness practices. Travellers arrive seeking a reset and find experiences shaped by heritage, hospitality and nature.
Northern Thailand plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Chiang Mai’s forest retreats and meditation centres offer an atmosphere that encourages stillness and reflection. Traditional Lanna therapies, herbal steam rituals and guided mindfulness sessions allow visitors to reconnect with themselves in environments shaped by natural beauty.
Coastal destinations such as Koh Samui expand on this journey. The island has become a global reference point for detox programmes, longevity treatments and wellness estates that integrate nutritional science, fitness diagnostics and personalised coaching. Phuket also provides ocean-facing sanctuaries where yoga terraces, cryotherapy suites and sound healing experiences allow travellers to explore wellbeing through multiple modalities.
Hidden healing spaces enhance Thailand’s appeal. Khao Sok’s freshwater lakes create peaceful environments for therapeutic retreats, while Pai’s hot spring valleys attract travellers drawn to the healing properties of mineral-rich waters. Even lesser-known regions such as Nakhon Si Thammarat contribute to the movement with herbal villages and community-led wellness traditions.
What distinguishes Thailand is the emotional impact of these experiences. Healing here feels authentic, approachable and grounded in cultural generosity. Every environment invites travellers to slow down, unclutter their minds and emerge with a renewed sense of purpose. In this way, healing has become the ultimate luxury, and Thailand remains its most compelling destination.
About the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
TAT promotes Thailand as a global leader in wellness, travel and lifestyle experiences, offering dedicated support for travellers from the Middle East. Tourism Authority of Thailand – Dubai and Middle East Office Tel: +971 4 325 0184