Travel unpacked: Canadian wildfires, Kathmandu's tallest hotel and on-time flights

The National rounds up the most interesting tourism news you might have missed

Hilton Kathmandu has opened as the tallest hotel in the Nepalese capital. Photo: Hilton

Saudi Arabia is leading the way when it comes to on-time flights while Arab travellers departing Munich can hire the services of personal shoppers at the airport. Hilton has made its debut in Nepal with an eye-catching hotel complete with Himalayan mountain views and wildfires in Canada continue to cause disruption and destruction.

Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

Hilton debuts in Nepal with Hilton Kathmandu – the capital’s tallest hotel

Hilton has opened its newest hotel in the capital of Nepal.

In the Kathmandu Valley, the towering hotel is the tallest in the Nepalese city and comes with unrivalled views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains.

Blending Nepal’s heritage with contemporary design, the hotel is the only one in the region with a glass facade. An imposing cantilevered entrance sets the scene for travellers checking in, and the hotel's guestrooms are inspired by the colourful prayer flags found throughout Kathmandu.

Views of Langtang Valley abound, from guestrooms and floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the hotel. Traditional Dhaka fabrics have been used for staff uniforms and in the hotel lobby.

“Hilton Kathmandu is a stunning addition to our portfolio and every aspect of the hotel has been meticulously crafted to immerse guests in this unique destination and allow them to experience Nepal’s rich history and culture against the dramatic backdrop of the Langtang mountains,” said Alexandra Jaritz, Hilton's senior vice president of brand management for Asia Pacific.

Travellers checking in to the hotel can expect personalised service, including flexible check-in and check-out times, and unique experiences, including Sherpa-led trekking.

On the rooftop, a temperature-controlled pool offers panoramic vistas of Kathmandu city and the surrounding peaks. The hotel also has a spa and fitness centre and five dining venues, including Asa, which has live cooking stations, and Orion, the rooftop bar named after the constellation visible from Kathmandu.

About a 10-minute drive from Tribhuvan International Airport, which is also within walking distance of the bustling Thamel district, famed for its cafes and bars. Cultural treasures, including the Narayanhiti Palace Museum and Durbar Palace, are within easy reach.

Canadian Rockies town blighted by wildfires remains closed to tourists

Weekend rain in Alberta has helped to slow wildfires burning in the Canadian Rockies, but fires continue to blaze in some parts of Jasper.

Travellers should continue to stay away from the alpine town which remains under evacuation orders.

“Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper are currently under an evacuation order due to wildfires. While we were looking forward to welcoming you to town, unfortunately we are unable to do so at this time,” reads the latest information from the town's tourism board.

At Jasper National Park, the largest in Canada and one of the country's most-visited tourist destinations, all reservations have been cancelled between now and August 6.

The Unesco World Heritage Site attracts more than two million visitors annually and is known for its plethora of wildlife which includes elks, moose and bear.

“Reopening dates will be confirmed when available and any further cancellations communicated as required,” said Parks Canada in a statement.

Much of Jasper has been destroyed by the wildfires, which began on Wednesday. About 5,000 residents and 20,000 tourists were forced to evacuate as strong winds propelled the blaze through the alpine town.

According to Parks Canada, 358 of the town's 1,113 structures have been destroyed. The authority confirmed that critical infrastructures, including schools and hospitals, have survived the fires.

Saudi Arabia leads the world for on-time flights in June

Travellers hoping to reach their destinations on time can relax when flying with Saudi Arabia's national airline.

Saudia has been named the world's most punctual airline in June by aviation analytics company Cirium.

More than 88 per cent of Saudia's flights in June arrived at their destination on time, the highest punctuality performance in the world ahead of second-placed Aeromexico, which saw 86.18 per cent of its flights reach destinations on time.

Colombian Latam Airlines is the third most punctual in the world, according to the report, followed by Japan's JAL, Brazil's Azul and All Nippon Airways or Ana.

Qatar Airways also ranks in the top 10, with 81.01 per cent of the Doha airline's flights arriving on time. No other Middle Eastern airlines ranked in the global top 10 for June 2024.

And when it comes to on-time performances for airports, Saudi Arabia also leads the way with Riyadh's King Khalid Airport scoring 85.60 for on-time departures, the highest globally.

Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi also performed well, ranking sixth globally for on-time departures in June. No other regional airlines ranked in Cirium's top 20 list.

Airport personal shoppers for Arabic-speaking travellers in Munich

Arabic-speaking travellers flying from Munich International Airport can now make use of a complimentary personal shopping service.

Travellers visiting the Bavarian city this summer will have access to a dedicated team of Arabic-speaking shopping assistants when departing from Terminal 1.

Versed in both the language and the Arab culture, personal shopping assistants will showcase a range of products available at Munich Airport's MyDutyFree shops.

This includes a curated selection of halal and alcohol-free products, regional confectionery and other culinary items. Luxury shopping is also available with accessories from brands such as Coccinelle and Longchamp, as well as a wide range of exclusive perfumes and cosmetics.

"We are excited to introduce this specialised service, further cementing Munich Airport's reputation as the preferred choice for Arab travellers," said Sven Zahn, chief executive at Eurotrade Flughafen Munchen Handels-GmbH at Munich Airport, which operates about 50 shops inside the airport.

In addition to providing guidance on halal products, shopping assistants can also guide travellers on any restrictions they need to know concerning taking items onboard flights. The new scheme is geared towards travellers from several airlines across the Middle East, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Gulf Air and Kuwait Airlines.

Free of charge, the pre-bookable service is available from Monday to Sunday until the end of September, when the busy summer travel season typically draws to a close.