Unveiling In-Flight Annoyances: Agoda's Latest Insights

By Author

Published on September 1, 2023

Embarking on a journey by air brings the promise of adventure, but let's face it – not all flights are seamless. From noisy seatmates to unexpected delays, the ups and downs of air travel are a familiar tale. Agoda, the digital travel platform, has peeled back the curtain on the less glamorous side of flying with its recent Travel Bugbears Survey 2023. This exploration delves into the realm of in-flight annoyances, revealing that even the smoothest flights can hit a few bumps.

Agoda's survey cast its net across 10 markets in Asia, including India, to pinpoint the niggles, gripes, and frustrations that passengers grapple with while soaring through the skies. The findings offer a candid look into what irks us most during air travel and what makes our journeys less than picture-perfect.

Top Culprit: Invasion of Personal Space

At the forefront of in-flight vexations stands the discourteous invasion of personal space. It's the unrivaled pet peeve for passengers, as revealed by Agoda's findings. For travelers from South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand, the invasion of personal space, whether it's the battle for armrest dominance or the unintended serenade of bodily noises and foot odors, is a major source of frustration.

The Wait Game: Flight Delays

Not surprisingly, flight delays snag a prominent spot on the list of passengers' grievances across the Asia Pacific region. Philippine travelers, in particular, have their patience tested when flights are delayed. This sentiment resonates with travelers from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam as well.

Noisy Neighbors: A Shared Annoyance

Loud passengers, ranging from talkative seatmates to boisterous groups, grab the third spot on the roster of in-flight irritations. Australians and Malaysians appear less sensitive to noise, while travelers from Taiwan and South Korea prefer a tranquil atmosphere. Interestingly, Japanese travelers cherish peace and quiet but voice intolerance for passengers who are disrespectful to cabin crew.

Indian Insights: Delays and Decibels

Zooming in on the Indian perspective, delayed flights reign supreme as the main irritant. Noisy fellow travelers and discourteous behavior are tied for second place. The battle for armrest supremacy takes the third spot among Indian passengers' grievances.

Liyana Jamil, Vice President of Global Partner Services at Agoda, remarks, "For many of us, the holiday fun starts the moment we board a plane. But while flying is generally an enjoyable experience, it sometimes comes with minor grievances. There are over a 130,000 bookable flight routes on Agoda, and I hope that the findings of this light-hearted survey create awareness, increase consideration, and make the in-flight experience on any of these routes even more enjoyable.”

In the end, while the sky is vast and the journey exciting, Agoda's Travel Bugbears Survey reminds us that even amidst the clouds, a few stormy moments can arise.

Fusion Resorts Celebrate Global Wellness Month with Enriching Experiences

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 28, 2025

Fusion, the wellness-inspired resort group, is set to welcome June with a vibrant month-long celebration of health and mindfulness across its properties in Vietnam and Thailand. Honouring Global Wellness Day (June 14) and International Yoga Day (June 21), Fusion's resorts will offer guests enriching wellness experiences, from beachside yoga to guided meditations and spa rituals.

The Fusionlife loyalty program enhances this celebration with exclusive perks on accommodation and dining. Guests can explore more about these wellness benefits at: fusionhotelgroup.com/fusionlife.

Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang

This resort begins its journey on June 14 with outdoor yoga and an evening painting meditation at Maia Spa, fostering mindfulness and creativity. On June 21, International Yoga Day will feature early morning yoga and meditation, followed by a blend of yoga and painting in the afternoon—creating a thoughtful balance of movement and reflection throughout the month.

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh

Guests can enjoy a full day of activities on June 14, including tai chi on the beach, family yoga, detox sessions, and a kids' yoga class. The afternoon brings an organic hair conditioner workshop and chi nei tsang therapy. For International Yoga Day, the schedule includes surya namaskar by the ocean, vinyasa flow, nidra yoga, and more—designed to promote emotional balance and deep relaxation.

Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion

Nestled in the Trường Sơn Mountains, this resort offers a nature-immersed experience. Global Wellness Day begins with a forest hike and meditation, followed by a joyful "nature dance" and a healing hot spring soak. On Yoga Day, guests are invited for sunrise yoga beneath trees and a tranquil evening sound healing session using singing bowls.

Maia Resort Quy Nhon & The Ocean Resort Quy Nhon

The sister resorts are teaming up to offer a multi-day wellness retreat. Activities such as breath meditation, tai chi, qigong, and wellness workshops will take place in scenic venues, offering a deeply holistic wellness journey.

Fusion Suites Vung Tau

The “A Touch of Peace” workshop on June 22 will feature yoga breathwork, a singing-bowl meditation, and a reflective journaling session. The experience is designed to leave guests feeling calm, aware, and renewed.

HIIVE by Fusion Binh Duong

From June 9 to 15, guests can enjoy a complimentary perilla juice with any dish—a refreshing mix of perilla leaves, ginger, and orange—celebrating wellness in simple, flavourful ways.

GLOW Mira Karon Beach (Thailand)

A sunset yoga session by the beach, just steps from the ocean, will be held at this Phuket resort. Led by a professional coach, the experience is complemented by rejuvenating spa treatments and a tranquil setting, ideal for family-friendly wellness escapes.

This June, Fusion welcomes guests to reconnect with their inner selves, soak in natural beauty, and celebrate a mindful lifestyle, one moment at a time.

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Western Sydney Convention Centre Partners with Encore for Next-Gen Events

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 27, 2025

The Western Sydney Convention Centre (WSCC) at the Panthers Precinct has entered a landmark partnership with Encore, a global leader in event technology and creative production, to serve as its in-house event production partner.

This collaboration comes on the heels of WSCC’s recent expansion, bringing its total event space to over 4,000 sqm, strengthening the region’s role as a premier destination for business and tourism, especially with the Western Sydney International Airport set to open next year.

Encore’s involvement further raises the bar for the precinct, bringing in advanced AV and production equipment, particularly to upgraded spaces beyond the main 1,000-seat WSCC venue.

With access to AI-powered event technologies, bespoke production services, and the largest LED inventory in APAC, clients can expect seamless, immersive, and high-quality event experiences. The Encore team will work closely with WSCC’s planning teams to ensure every event is personalised and flawlessly executed.

Charles Young, General Manager of WSCC, stated,

“Encore brings an unmatched suite of cutting-edge technologies to help us deliver elevated client experiences. This new partnership reflects our commitment to excellence and forward-thinking conference and event hospitality.”

Katherine Pfahl, Senior Director of Strategic Commercial Partnerships, Encore APAC, added,

“Our advanced production capabilities and innovative services will elevate every event at the venue. We look forward to making a significant impact together.”

As Western Sydney continues to grow as a major events destination, this partnership represents a shared commitment to delivering quality, innovation, and premium service.