Marina Bay Sands Expands Scholarship Programme to Support Hospitality Talent
Marina Bay Sands and its parent, Las Vegas Sands, are investing more than S$2 million (about US$1.5 million) in a new Sands Hospitality Scholarship programme that runs from 2026 to 2029. The initiative will support over 160 Singaporean students studying hospitality or tourism, building on a US$1 million effort launched in 2022. Partnerships span seven local Institutes of Higher Learning, and the program adds disability‑focused scholarships and industry‑wide inclusion efforts. The move underscores MBS’s commitment to nurturing talent as the regional hospitality market expands.
Garrya Mù Cang Chải Launches Highland Retreat and Helicopter Access
Garrya Mù Cang Chải has launched a high‑land retreat in northern Vietnam that blends landscape, Hmong culture and well‑being experiences. The property highlights the water‑pouring season when terraced rice fields flood, offering guests vivid scenery before harvest. To simplify access,...
InterContinental Danang Expands Nature-Led Guest Experiences
InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort has rolled out four new nature‑led experiences that showcase the biodiversity of Vietnam’s Son Tra Peninsula. The offerings include a free Ecowalk for guests, a fee‑based Jungle Hike to an 800‑year‑old banyan tree, a half‑day...
Ascott Powers up South-East Asian Expansion, Vietnam Deemed Exciting for Development
Ascott accelerated its South‑East Asian rollout, signing more than 7,300 units in 2025—a 55% jump from 2024 and the region’s strongest performance to date. The growth spans secondary cities, resorts, residential and industrial sites, adding over 25 new properties slated...
Malaysia Reviews Plan to Restore Langkawi Duty-Free Status
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that the Malaysian government is reviewing a proposal to fully restore Langkawi’s duty‑free status, a move championed by the Sultan of Kedah. The review follows a 2021 partial rollback that introduced duties on tobacco, which...
Tourism Western Australia Refreshes Global Marketing Approach Across Key Markets
Tourism Western Australia has launched the second iteration of its "Walking On A Dream" global campaign, adding a new brand film, a group of ambassadors called “The Dreamers,” and an expanded rollout across 13 key overseas markets. The refreshed creative...
Club Med Reports Progress on Sustainability Programme Across Asia-Pacific
Club Med highlighted progress in its Happy to Care sustainability programme across Asia‑Pacific on Earth Day 2026. The group reported LEED certification for its Family Oasis resort in Phuket, a 57% reduction in food waste at its Bali property, and...
Royal Caribbean Expands China Sailings for 2027-28
Royal Caribbean announced a new Asia sailings programme for the 2027‑28 season on its flagship Spectrum of the Seas. The ship will call at 22 destinations across China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam, with itineraries ranging from three to 11...
Hyatt Plans to Double India Footprint Amid Strong Demand
Hyatt announced plans to more than double its Indian presence, moving from 55 hotels to a pipeline of nearly 100 properties and over 15,000 rooms. The expansion targets tier‑II and tier‑III cities, adding brands such as Hyatt Place, Regency, Grand...
HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards Go Regional with New Cities
The HalalTrip Gastronomy Awards, launched in Singapore in 2024, are expanding in 2026 to include Johor, Malaysia and Jakarta, Indonesia. The expansion was announced by Muhammad Imran, president of the Singapore Halal Culinary Federation, and Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating...
Beyond Green Marks Five Years with Sustainability Programme Launch
Beyond Green marks its fifth anniversary by unveiling a year‑long initiative called Impact in Five, running through 2026 and timed with Earth Day. The program revives the I Prefer Points for Good scheme, letting loyalty members donate points—matched up to one...
Langham Hospitality Group to Manage Hotel Project in Jinan
Langham Hospitality Group has been selected to manage a new 286‑room hotel in Jinan’s Honglou district, slated to open in 2029. The property will sit on a 35,000 m² site near historic landmarks such as Hongjialou Cathedral and the Shandong Provincial...
Loyalty Programmes Shape Hotel Choice as Traveller Expectations Evolve: GHA
Global Hotel Alliance’s new study of more than 9,000 Discovery members shows loyalty programmes now dominate hotel selection, with 87% of respondents preferring hotels that belong to a global loyalty network. Preference peaks in India (93%) and is strong in...
Conrad Bengaluru Appoints Director of Sales
Dhruva Parate has been appointed director of sales at Conrad Bengaluru, bringing experience from Marriott International where he managed national accounts and drove revenue growth across multiple properties. In his new role he will lead sales strategy with an emphasis...
Agoda, Taipei City Government Team up to Support Tourism Growth
Agoda and the Taipei City Government signed a memorandum of understanding at the 2026 Taiwan Gold Circle Awards to jointly promote tourism. The partnership will combine Agoda’s global digital platform with Taipei’s local attractions, offering data sharing, industry training, and...
Qantas Project Sunrise Aircraft Moves Closer to Testing Stage
Qantas’ Project Sunrise has received its first Airbus A350‑1000ULR, rolled out from Toulouse and slated for a two‑month flight‑testing program. The aircraft features an extra fuel tank enabling nonstop flights of up to 22 hours, targeting direct routes from Australia’s...
Singapore Flyer Refreshes Time Capsule Experience
Singapore’s flagship observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer, has relaunched its Time Capsule exhibition with Epson’s projection‑mapping technology. The refreshed attraction spans two levels and ten themed installations, blending AI‑driven visuals, spatial sound, and interactive storytelling to guide visitors through Singapore’s history....
W Kuala Lumpur Rolls Out Family Staycation Package for School Holiday Travel
W Kuala Lumpur has unveiled "Little Guests. Big Experience," a one‑night family staycation aimed at Singapore travelers during the May and June school holidays. The package, priced from S$600 (≈US$445), bundles accommodation, daily breakfast for two adults and up to...
Jens Corder Takes the Lead at Jen Singapore Orchardgateway
Jens Corder has been named general manager of Jen Singapore Orchardgateway, the boutique hotel operated by Shangri‑La. Corder joins the property after senior general‑management stints at Shangri‑La’s China World Summit Wing Beijing and the Shangri‑La Bangalore. In his new role...
Carlton Hotel Singapore Names Executive Assistant Manager, Sales and Marketing
Joanne Chan has been promoted to executive assistant manager, sales and marketing at Carlton Hotel Singapore. She previously led sales and marketing initiatives at Carlton City Hotel Singapore within the Carlton Collection. In her new role, Chan will oversee sales,...
Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya Welcomes New GM
Marshall Chai has been appointed general manager of Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya, succeeding his role as hotel manager at Moxy Putrajaya where he helped launch the property. In his new position, Chai will oversee all hotel operations, with a particular...
Ascott Brings Famed Striker Hasselbaink to Vietnam for Loyalty Member Engagement Event
Ascott Ltd. expanded its Star Rewards loyalty programme with a two‑day fan engagement event in Hanoi, featuring Chelsea legend Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The April 17‑18 "A Night with the Blues" gave ASR members a rare meet‑and‑greet and showcased the newly...
Tourism Businesses See Health and Safety Advantages in Pursuit of Halal Certification
Hospitality firms in Macau are pursuing halal certification to boost health and safety standards, a view echoed at the MITE 2026 Muslim Tourism Opportunities Salon. Panelists likened the halal audit to HACCP, emphasizing product traceability and quality from farm to...
Trafalgar Enters River Cruise Market with Rhine and Danube Sailings
Trafalgar has entered the river‑cruise segment with two new ships, the Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie, launching inaugural sailings on the Rhine and Danube in April. The first voyage hosted over 100 trade partners and media in Amsterdam, while the...
TripWorks Flags Risks From AI-Built Booking Platforms Amid Reliability Concerns
TripWorks warned that AI‑generated booking platforms are proliferating faster than their operational foundations can support, leading to accuracy gaps and failure under real‑world stress. While generative AI can produce polished demos, many new systems lack the backend resilience needed for...
JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa Welcomes New Director of Rooms
JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa has named Bindiya Yadav as its new director of rooms. Yadav comes from Fairmont Palace in Udaipur, where she served as executive housekeeper overseeing operations and service delivery. In her new role...
Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore Appoints GM
Nelson Quek has been appointed General Manager of Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore. He previously served as Executive Assistant Manager, Sales and Marketing at Carlton Hotel Singapore, where he focused on revenue growth and market positioning. In his new role, Quek will oversee...
Hong Kong Visitor Arrivals Rise in First Quarter of 2026
Hong Kong recorded 4.35 million visitors in March 2026, a 14% increase year‑over‑year, while total arrivals for the first quarter reached 14.31 million, up 17%. Mainland Chinese travelers accounted for the bulk of growth, rising 20% to 11.08 million, and international visitors grew...
Indonesia to Launch Tourism Investment Forum ITX 2026
Indonesia will debut the Indonesia Tourism Xchange 2026 (ITX 2026) on May 12 at The Langham, Jakarta, creating an annual platform for hotel owners, operators, investors and senior decision‑makers. The forum will assess the country’s investment climate, tourism outlook and...
StarDream Cruises Expands Training Ties with Kaohsiung Hospitality University
StarDream Cruises has deepened its partnership with the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT) to expand training, internships and graduate recruitment for cruise hospitality talent. The collaboration aligns academic curricula with StarDream’s operational standards and provides structured onboard...
Changi Airport Group, Plaza Premium Group to Develop Private Terminal and Lifestyle Hub at Terminal 2
Changi Airport Group and Plaza Premium Group have begun redeveloping the former Commercially Important Persons terminal at Terminal 2 into a private terminal and an expanded Hub & Spoke lifestyle hub. The joint venture will deliver lounges, private suites, dining, wellness and pet‑friendly...
RateHawk Marks 10 Years with Focus on API Growth and Product Expansion
RateHawk celebrates its tenth anniversary, emphasizing rapid expansion of its API services and product suite for travel professionals. The B2B platform now offers 3.2 million accommodation options, flights from 400 airlines and transfers in 150+ countries. In 2025, net booking value...
Marc Lauret Leads Club Med as Sales Director (Singapore and Malaysia)
Club Med has appointed Marc Lauret as sales director for Singapore and Malaysia, adding to its leadership team in Southeast Asia. Lauret previously oversaw regional sales in the UK, Ireland and the Nordics, where he drove trade engagement, digital distribution...
South-East Asia Cruise Tourism Contributes US$10 Billion Output, Study Finds
South‑east Asia’s cruise sector produced roughly $10 billion in economic output in 2024, representing about five percent of the global cruise industry’s total. The region welcomed 3.9 million cruise passenger visits, delivering $2,564 in output per passenger—2.4 times the world average. Cruise...
ATM Reassures Exhibitors After 2026 Rescheduling
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has moved its 2026 edition from early May to mid‑August, keeping the Dubai World Trade Centre as its venue. Organiser RX, led by exhibition director Danielle Curtis, is actively reassuring exhibitors, emphasizing continuous communication and support....
Mondrian Lounge to Open at Gold Coast Aviation Terminal
Platinum Business Aviation Centre has teamed up with luxury hotel brand Mondrian Gold Coast to open the Mondrian Lounge at its private aviation terminal in Gold Coast Airport. The lounge will serve private‑jet passengers, crew and charter guests with hotel‑grade...
IHG Inks Agreement for Holiday Inn Hotel in Goa
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has signed a management agreement with Indian developer NCPL to build a 100‑room Holiday Inn in Panaji, Goa, slated for opening in the first quarter of 2030. The hotel will sit in the Kadamba district, near key...
New Tank-to-Tap Brewery to Open at Resorts World Sentosa
Burnt Ends Hospitality Group will open People People Brewing Co. at Resorts World Sentosa on April 15, 2026. The 836 m² venue combines a working brewery, kitchen and social space, serving beer fresh from tank to tap. Five 1,500‑litre tanks will...
Legoland Malaysia Brings Back Underwater Dining Experience
Legoland Malaysia Resort has revived its Sea Life Underwater Dining Experience, offering a four‑course menu inside the aquarium. Guests can choose from premium meat entrees and a tropical coconut panna cotta dessert while surrounded by marine exhibits. The venue features...
Conrad Bengaluru Names New Hotel Manager
Conrad Bengaluru has named Aagman Baury as its new hotel manager. Baury previously served as general manager of The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel in Delhi, where he drove operational performance and refined market positioning. In his new role he will oversee all...
Macao Showcases Asia-Pacific Tourism Collaborations at MITE 2026
Macao hosted MITE 2026, spotlighting Asia‑Pacific tourism collaborations ahead of the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 67th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting. The expo attracted strong participation from regional tourism boards and travel agencies, offering itineraries, cultural showcases,...
Macao’s Health Tourism Gains Momentum with Wellness Expansion
Macao is accelerating its tourism‑plus‑big‑health strategy by opening several new medical facilities, including the Islands Healthcare Complex, iRad Hospital, a Wynn Palace medical center, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine museum. The government highlighted these assets at MITE 2026, promoting cross‑border...
Kuala Lumpur to Stage Rain Rave Festival Alongside Labour Day Celebrations
Malaysia will host the World Labour Day Celebration and Rain Rave Water Music Festival in Kuala Lumpur from April 30 to May 2, 2026. Co‑organized by Tourism Malaysia and The Fame, the three‑day event is part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism push....
Explore Cambodia’s Travel Past at Raffles Grand Hotel D’Angkor
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap has launched the permanent “Path of History” tour, an exhibition that showcases archival photographs, video, drawings and artefacts documenting international travel in Southeast Asia from 1900 to 1940. The tour, led by a...
Macao’s Safety Record Strengthens Appeal to Cautious Travellers
Macau’s safety reputation is gaining traction as travelers prioritize secure, uninterrupted trips. Government data show a sharp decline in crime during 2024‑2025, and Numbeo’s 2026 Global Safety Rankings placed Macau fifth worldwide with an 81.8 score. Industry leaders say the...
Macao Travel Expo Opens with Strong International Turnout
The 14th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo opened on April 10 at the Venetian Macao under the theme “Global Convergence, Future Horizons.” The event attracted over 700 tourism‑related enterprises and government entities from 59 countries, plus more than 600 hosted buyers....
Thailand Pushes Year-Round Tourism in New Cabinet Policy Statement
Thailand’s new cabinet policy pivots tourism from sheer visitor numbers to higher‑value, year‑round demand. The plan places the Ministry of Culture at the helm of tourism functions, leverages cultural diplomacy, and mandates modern tech for efficient management. It introduces mandatory...
Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong Serves up April Dining and Songkran Events
Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong is rolling out a month‑long slate of dining and lifestyle experiences for April 2026, anchored by Easter celebrations on April 5 and a three‑day Songkran‑themed terrace festival from April 11‑15. Signature drinks such as Splashing with Me (349 baht, about...
Malaysia Considers Extending Visit Malaysia 2026 Campaign to 2027
Malaysia is weighing a one‑year extension of its Visit Malaysia 2026 tourism drive, pushing the campaign’s end date to December 2027 pending cabinet approval. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi says the extra time will help the country counter rising...
Brunei Tourism Names Global Agency for Digital Content and Strategy
Brunei Tourism has appointed Denver‑based ELMNTL as its first international agency of record to drive social media strategy and content production. The partnership gives ELMNTL responsibility for creative direction, paid‑media optimisation, and performance reporting across key markets, while collaborating with...